By now you’ve read or heard about Rolando McClain’s “error” and subsequent failed drug test. His supporters are dwindling fast and I’m looking to the future now.
Statement from Rolando McClain, who has been suspended the first 4 games for violating NFL’s substance abuse policy pic.twitter.com/f3esNBNsN6
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 2, 2015
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McClain came to the Cowboys last season on a trade, but his off field issues remained on the minds of many including myself. Fast forward to this offseason and the troubles reared their ugly heads yet again. You had his house fire ruled arson on Feb. 14, then Feb. 21 the NFL fined McClain four game checks after a third failure.
Playing uber conspiracy theory; but for me, I wonder if McClain purposely failed his fourth drug test knowing that he would in essence be playing for free for the first four games. McClain wasn’t going to do that, so he committed an error as he says which coincidentally matched the four game fine. Call me crazy or names or whatever, but that’s what I think happened.
The history supports this is not far fetched, but it is what it is and now we are out a MLB for the start of the season — great.
Like anything else, with one negative comes a positive and I feel the starting linebackers and shuffling is open for everyone. The one player we know will start for sure is Sean Lee, but now we have to wonder if he moves back to MLB or do we keep him at the weakside?
Where this will be interesting is if Lee remains at weakside and Hitchens plays the strongside. Would the door then open up for Damien Wilson?
OR
What if Lee plays MLB, Hitchens plays SLB, and Wilson plays WLB? Whatever combo of Lee and Hitchens you can think of, I think theres a chance Wilson could take one of the other open spots, whichever it may be. Wilson’s versatility gives him a legitimate chance at taking and spot and not look back.
Here are some thoughts on Wilson from Bryan Broaddus:
(Before the draft) Numbers might say that this Cowboys defense has enough linebackers already on the roster, but adding a player with the talent of Wilson makes a great deal of sense. Could see him playing both as the Mike and Will spots and being tough on special teams. Run-hit type of player that rarely misses a tackle. (DC.com)
And more from the recent OTAs:
Without Rolando McClain, Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens in the lineup,Jasper Brinkley and Damien Wilson were the Cowboys’ nickel linebackers. I’m a big fan of what Wilson can bring to this defense — not only against the run as a run-hit linebacker, but how he can match up in coverage. As an athlete, he is difficult for running backs to escape from. He has quickness and movement skills, which helps him in space. (DC.com)
Coach Eberflus was ecstatic when the Cowboys selected Wilson, he tested well and he’s shown improvement each day. With McClain out four games, it’ll be interesting to see if the linebackers are playing solid enough to keep him relegated to a backup.
The question will be whether or not McClain will stay clean between now and week 5. Another failed drug test would knock him out for the rest of the year and probably put a nail in the coffin for his career.
Eberflus is rebuilding his linebacker corps and you can bet we’ll see another LB drafted next draft.
Let’s go Dallas!
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