*The Official Draft Rolando McClain warwagon!*

The biggest lure with Rolando McClain is his experience playing in the middle of a 3-4. He absolutely understands what his responsibilities are in the old Fairbanks 3-4. McClain also has very fluid hips in coverage and has terrific size.

That said, he is by no means a generational talent in my eyes. He's nimble for a large man but I'd be hesitant to describe him as quick. His top end speed is adequate but nothing spectacular. To that point, I'm guessing he will run the 40 and the shuttle a bit slower than you'd want to see come combine time. He's got a very strong upper body but he doesn't generate the power you'd expect out of his legs. He has shown he can shed guards but they still blow him up occasionally and he's also been smoked by college fullbacks. That happens to every MLB but it needs to be pointed out, I think.

When I've watched McClain play, I tend to see Roman Pfifer with better instincts. Now, if I had a chance to pick up a young Roman Pfifer at #22 overall, I'd be tempted but I wouldn't be chasing #22 with a second rounder for the privilege. Micah Johnson will be there in the 2nd round and while there is quite a bit of projection when talking about Johnson in a 3-4, the guy is strong, fast, quick and instinctual - a really nice package of skills.

Nonentity said:

If we want a straight Bruschi replacement, Micah Johnson is a strong choice.

But we constantly seem to be weak in coverage when we have linebackers playing zone defence in the middle of the field. Mayo is always close but never close enough. I'm not sure I've ever seen him break up a pass, although NFL.com says 4 passes defensed in 2008 and 1 in 2009. This was why I suggested Pat Angerer, who has had a decent number of INTs as a linebacker. If we instead look to play a Big Nickel (3 safeties & 2 corners) more often then we could stick with ILBs as pure run defenders, but it's something that bugs me a bit at the moment.

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Angerer is a great kid, but not for the NE system.

If we want a Bruschi-like guy I'd go with Eric Norwood. Use at OLB for now and develop him as an ILB (he's played all three LB slots, but South Carolina teaches their LBs to duck and cover when engaged by OL and NE would need to break Norwood of that habit - when he faces up and uses his hands he does well, duck & cover just takes him out of the play).

I want a rock-solid guard to roadgrade people on those 4th and 2's with the mobility and bulk to pass protect.

Iaputi (6'5" 330, Idaho) is my binky if he lasts to #22.

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

I want a rock-solid guard to roadgrade people on those 4th and 2's with the mobility and bulk to pass protect.

Iaputi (6'5" 330, Idaho) is my binky if he lasts to #22.

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why would we draft a o-line in the 1st round?are o-line is fine.
The D is what we need fixed

dipset617x540 said:

why would we draft a o-line in the 1st round?are o-line is fine.
The D is what we need fixed

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Fail......

BritPat said:

Fail......

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and why is that.we only gave up 18 sacks this year.Are we losing anybody in F/a. If we are then yea .but not in the 1st round take one in the 2nd

dipset617x540 said:

and why is that.we only gave up 18 sacks this year.Are we losing anybody in F/a. If we are then yea .but not in the 1st round take one in the 2nd

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Number of sacks given up is not the definitive answer on whether there's anything wrong with our O-line.

Vollmer and Neal have been the only consistent performers on that line all season, but even then we have issues.

For a start, Neal might be about to retire - who plays RG? Mankins might be gone in free agency - who plays LG? Koppen's going backwards (literally) each week. We need more quality inside, especially at Center.

draft in the 2nd round for a o-line .and then take one next year with are 2 1round picks next year. we can always sign people too.such as Jahri Evans,Marcus McNeill,Willie Colon all under 29

BritPat said:

Number of sacks given up is not the definitive answer on whether there's anything wrong with our O-line.

Vollmer and Neal have been the only consistent performers on that line all season, but even then we have issues.

For a start, Neal might be about to retire - who plays RG? Mankins might be gone in free agency - who plays LG? Koppen's going backwards (literally) each week. We need more quality inside, especially at Center.

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Did you happen to notice that Vollmer and Light are both 2nd round picks? IF your scouting is any good, you can get VERY GOOD OL in the second round.

Rolando Mcclain appears to be a Ray Lewis/Urlacher type of talent. And you saw what Lewis did to the Pats in that last playoff game. Additionally, the Ravens ran roughshod over the Pats defense in that game for OVER 200 yards rushing! Mcclain would help shut down that run game with his run stuffing ability and leadership. Additionally he also appears to be good in coverage so he would be a 3 down linebacker.

Don't underestimate the impact of a strong middle of the field player. If your defensive middle is strong - Wilfork+Mcclain+Willis it's gonna be REAL TOUGH to run on you!

Like most fans on this forum I really would like to see Rolando McClain in a Patriots' uniform, but I don't think he will make it past Miami and it would require to trade into the Top 10 to get him. Micah Johnson would be my next best choice. He seems to be a player who can shed blocks and fight through traffic to bring the ballcarrier down, has good size and wraps up to make the tackle. I would take him with our own second round picks

If McClain is gone before our pick we could always land Brandon Spikes. BB is good friends with Urban Meyer and has a lot of respect for the Gators' program.

I'm on this wagon, but it's not going to happen without moving up at LEAST 10 spots in the draft. McClain is a beast, would love to see him in New England next season!

CP

wilfork is beastin' said:

If McClain is gone before our pick we could always land Brandon Spikes. BB is good friends with Urban Meyer and has a lot of respect for the Gators' program.

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How many Floida players has BB drafted? How many stayed 4 seasons or more?

Canadian Patriot 84 said:

I'm on this wagon, but it's not going to happen without moving up at LEAST 10 spots in the draft. McClain is a beast, would love to see him in New England next season!

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I think McClain is the best 3-4 ILB to come along since Patrick Willis, but the only way I take McClain is if I have the NT spot figured out and locked down. Otherweise McClain spends his entire rookie season mashing with OG's and C's instead of roaming and making plays.

I know a lot of poeple like Mayo, but Mayo DOES NOT MAKE PLAYS! Regardless of whether we get McClain or not; we MUST move Mayo to the weakside or to ST, but he can not play the strong side next season.

And I am sorry but Guyton along with Wilhite needs to join the "Pinewood derby" gang -
on the bench.

If McClain is there at 22 its a no brainer, but I have yet to see a mock where he last past #10. Maybe a trade-up with Jacksonville, we grab McClain they trade back to draft Tebow...

Other than that, people are going to ask for an arm and a leg to move up ten plus spots in the first round.

For discussions sake the draft value chart has pick#10 valued at 1250, so it would take the Pats #22 (780) plus #42 (490) or #47 (440) depending on how giving a mood the other team was in. Either way it would cost the Pats first and either the Tennessee or Jacksonville second to move up and grab McClain. I would probably make the trade, I dunno if BB will.

Ochmed Jones said:

How many Floida players has BB drafted? How many stayed 4 seasons or more?

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X2

BB's connections over the years, Saban, Groh, Meyer for example, doesn't have great impact come draft day. Mankins and Gay are exceptions that comes to mind.

FreeTedWilliams said:

If McClain is there at 22 its a no brainer, but I have yet to see a mock where he last past #10. Maybe a trade-up with Jacksonville, we grab McClain they trade back to draft Tebow...

Other than that, people are going to ask for an arm and a leg to move up ten plus spots in the first round.

For discussions sake the draft value chart has pick#10 valued at 1250, so it would take the Pats #22 (780) plus #42 (490) or #47 (440) depending on how giving a mood the other team was in. Either way it would cost the Pats first and either the Tennessee or Jacksonville second to move up and grab McClain. I would probably make the trade, I dunno if BB will.

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I would have no trouble at all trading #22, #42, and #47 for McClain. And then I would use the last second round pick and next year's#1 to get back into the first round for Cody.

Ochmed Jones said:

I would have no trouble at all trading #22, #42, and #47 for McClain. And then I would use the last second round pick and next year's#1 to get back into the first round for Cody.

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Sorry but I think you're tending towards the crazy now.

What about our replacement for Stephen Neal? What about a new receiver?

We have needs beyond ILB and NT. We need a new ILB to play alongside Mayo, but there are others apart from McClain who can had in the 2nd. Wilfork is playing at a Pro Bowl level and can be re-signed.

In this draft we have a gluttony of 1st and 2nd round picks, then nothing until the late 4th round. This is a fantastic opportunity to load up on talent at four different positions - strongside pass rusher, weakside pass rusher, guard and inside linebacker. We certainly have needs at all four positions.

We will not win a Super Bowl without a pass rush. That's why we play, we play to win. There are no prizes for second best, no prizes for Pro Bowler-calibre players, no prizes for Rookie of the Year, no prizes for All-Pro selections.


Ring, or no ring.


How on earth do you plan to conjure up a pass rush without any pass rushers?

Ochmed Jones said:

I would have no trouble at all trading #22, #42, and #47 for McClain. And then I would use the last second round pick and next year's#1 to get back into the first round for Cody.

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It would only take #22 and #42 OR #47, not both of them.

I think McClain is going to be a star in this league. However, I am not willing to give up the depth we need through the draft by trading multiple pick to move up and get him.

For those that really love him what would you be willing to give up in order to move into the top 15 to grab him?