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Ex-Alabama LB Rolando McClain eyes return to NFL ~ ~ ~


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Ex-Alabama LB Rolando McClain eyes return to NFL

 

Former Alabama LB Rolando McClain, the No. 8 pick in the 2010 draft, retired from the NFL after just three years.

 

Former Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, retired at age 24 just three years into a troubled NFL career, plans at some point to return to pro football, his agent said.

 

McClain, drafted No. 8 overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2010, never played to the level his five-year, $40 million rookie contract demanded. Off the field, he was arrested multiple times, the most serious of which stemmed from an incident in which he allegedly threatened to kill a man and discharged a firearm near the victim's head during an altercation. McClain was suspended by the Raiders near the end of his third season, and eventually retired.

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"I admire the kid for coming back to Tuscaloosa, going to class and trying to get everything in his life outside of football situated," Pat Dye Jr. said, according to al.com. "It's not my decision to come back or not come back. I think ultimately he wants to play again. He's only 24 years old. He's talented. It's just a shame. It was such a great situation there in Baltimore."

 

The situation in Baltimore was a brief chance at redemption provided to McClain by former Alabama star Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' general manager. After McClain was cut by Oakland, he was given a one-year contract by the Ravens. Soon after, McClain was arrested again for disorderly conduct, then announced his retirement. Subsequently, he re-enrolled at Alabama to try to complete his education, and has spent some time as a student assistant in Nick Saban's program.

"It will be interesting to see what happens because the guy they signed to basically replace (McClain), Daryl Smith, is playing really well. I think there are other inside backers who are relatively unproven guys. I think Ozzie has very fond feelings for the kid and wants to see him be successful," added Dye Jr.

 

> http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000253847/article/exalabama-lb-rolando-mcclain-eyes-return-to-nfl

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Is he still under that contract? It was a one year deal.

"he was given a one-year contract by the Ravens. Soon after, McClain was arrested again for disorderly conduct, then announced his retirement."

 

Sounds to me like he was arrested "Soon after" he signed the contract, then retired.  If he was cut, he would be a FA.  He retired

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fyi :

 

McClain says he retired, but he really quit
May, 15, 2013
 

When inside linebacker Rolando McClain was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest 10 days after signing with the Baltimore Ravens, this told me that he wasn't committed to playing in the NFL. A month later, it looks like this was the case.

McClain abruptly announced his retirement at the age of 23, ending a bizarre 33-day career with the Ravens. Getting arrested three times in 11 months raises questions about character. But giving up on a career just three years after being the No. 8 overall pick in the draft raises questions about McClain's current state of mind.

Perhaps McClain realized his days in Baltimore were numbered when the Ravens traded up in the second round to draft Arthur Brown a month ago. Maybe McClain surmised no team was going to give him a third chance. Or it could be a case of McClain not caring any more. No one knows at this point.

McClain can call it retiring, but it's not. It's a retirement when 37-year-old Ray Lewis decides to leave the game. When 23-year-olds walk away, it's quitting. Plain and simple.

The hope is that McClain can somehow get his life in order. Based on his track record, leaving the game isn't the best decision. McClain struggled in a controlled and structured environment in the NFL. Beyond the arrests, he was suspended for two games seven months ago after an argument with his head coach.

Now, McClain is on his own. You don't want to see another Titus Young, whose life has spiraled out of control since he was released by the Detroit Lions. The best advice anyone can give McClain is to keep far away from his hometown of DeCatur, Ala., where he can't stay out of trouble.

The Ravens will move on. Brown now has a clear path to start with McClain gone. The bigger question is what the future holds for McClain.

 

> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70330/mcclains-retirement-raises-more-questions

 

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