Prospectus - Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

For those of you not familiar with this section of Football Futures, Prospectus is where we take a more in depth look at an individual who is preparing to make the jump from college to the pros. This segment will focus on Alabama linebacker, Rolando McClain.

Overall, I like Rolando McClain.  He has a lot of the skills you look for in a guy who will be responsible for patrolling the middle of your defense.  He has good size, and good game speed, although his true 40 speed is still unknown as he chose not to run at the combine. 

The Measures

Height:     6' 4"

Weight:    258 lbs

Age:         21

Stats

	Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumb	Fumb Rec	Int	TD
2007	74	1	0	0	2	0
2008	91	3	0	0	1	0
2009	105	4	1	0	2	0
Totals	270	8	1	0	5	0

His Game

When you look at McClain, you have to be impressed by his tenacity when it comes to getting after ball carriers.  He is good at peeling off blockers and getting after the play. He gets low at the point of contact and he exhibits excellent body control.  McClain packs some punch when he hits, and he has good ball skills as well.  His 5 career interceptions demonstrate that if you throw over his middle, he can pick it off.

As for knocks, there are not too many.  The primary knock that I see is McClain's lack of form tackling.  As I mentioned, he can bring the wood when he hits, but he doesn't use good technique to do it.  When you first get taught to tackle, you are taught to place your shoulder or ear on the ball carrier's belly button, then to slam your forearms as hard as you can into his sides, wrapping your hands around his back in the process.  Then you finish the tackle bring the carrier to the ground.  McClain doesn't do this when he tackles.  Instead, he gets in front of the tackler, grips the jersey, and tries to fling him to the ground.  In college he is strong enough to get away with it.  I don't think he will be able to employ this shortcut in the pros.


The Grade

Rolando McClain is the best linebacker in this class bar none.  That includes his questionable decision to sit and watch while at the combine rather than participate as he was expected to do.  Looking back across each of the three previous drafts, McClain would still be a first round selection as compared to the talent in those classes, and in April, he should not only go in round one, but he should be the first backer, inside or out, to be taken.  


EZ's ILB Rankings

1. Rolando McClain, Alabama
2. Daryl Washington, TCU
3. Brandon Spikes, UF
4. Patrick Angerer, Iowa
5. Sean Lee, Penn State












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Prospectus - Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

For those of you not familiar with this section of Football Futures, Prospectus is where we take a more in depth look at an individual who is preparing to make the jump from college to the pros. This segment will focus on Florida State Safety, Myron Rolle.

Rolle is a very talented athlete, but then again, what else would you expect.  Before reading on about Rolle's prospectus, I am providing you with an opportunity to get to know Myron a little better as a person.  ESPN's Wright Thompson has written a wonderful piece on Rolle, and I think you should read this first.

 

The Measures

Height:     6' 2"

Weight:    218 lbs

Age:         23

Stats

	Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumb	Fumb Rec	Int	TD
2006	77	0	0	0	1	0
2007	68	0	1	0	0	0
2008	62	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	207	0	1	0	1	0

His Game

Myron Rolle is one guy who the numbers simply don't paint the correct picture on.  This guy is brilliant... like Rhodes Scholar brilliant.  What this means is that he will not get out-smarted on the field.  Rolle possesses tremendous athleticism.  Although he is not the biggest ball hawk out there, he won't get beat deep, isn't afraid to come up to support the run, and is never caught out of position.  Not only does he do all of the little things well, but he brings an unparalleled work ethic to the table too.  He is uber-coachable, and is the kind of guy who can patrol a defensive backfield for many years.

The knocks on him are there too.  He can be a little stiff in the hips at times, which makes his ability to stay on a quicker receiver more difficult.  Also, because of his mental acuity, he tends to rely on it more than he does his instincts.  This can lead to him getting a late jump on a play, and in my opinion, it is why he had only one pick during his tenure at FSU.  Something else to remember about Rolle.  He has been away from the game for the last year.  While becoming a Rhodes Scholar is unbelievable, his time at Oxford kept him off the field this past season.  This means when he shows up in Indy at the end of February, it will be the first time many of his possible investors will have an opportunity to really analyze this guy.


The Grade

There is no doubt in my mind that Rolle is the kind of guy you want on your team.  My concerns however are these: First, how rusty will he be after a year away.  Sure he worked out religiously while at Oxford, but there is a tremendous difference in working out, and seeing game action.  Guys who are gone too long can lose their edge, so Rolle will have a lot to prove in Indy.  Second, although this is kind of awful to say, will Myron have the dedication necessary to be worth a long term investment.  He is so smart and talented.  But it is these smarts and talents that already have him preparing to become a doctor after football.  How much will Rolle be willing to risk?  Neurosurgeons need their heads and their hands, which begs the question, how many hits will he allow himself to sustain?  Any team looking at Rolle has to be thinking about this because if he is willing to give only 5 or so years, it will impact his stock in a very negative way.

Before seeing Rolle in Indy, I have him rated as my 5th best safety in this class.

EZ's Saftey Rankings

1. Eric Berry, Tennessee
2. Earl Thomas, Texas
3. Taylor Mayes, USC
4. Nate Allen, South Florida
5. Myron Rolle, Florida State

Currently, I will give Rolle a 2nd Round grade.  He is one player for whom Indy can mean a lot though.