The Oakland Raiders have made a number of moves at linebacker this offseason by signing Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett as free agents and the team made another personnel decision on Friday, as the team decided to release troubled linebacker Rolando McClain from the roster.
According to NFL.com, the team released McClain after dealing with some legal troubles over the past few years as well as his high contract number, which was set to pay him over $4 million in base salary and count over $6 million against the salary cap, something the Raiders desperately couldn't afford. The team hoped to find a franchise linebacker in McClain when they drafted him in 2010 with the eighth overall pick, but it never materialized.
McClain appeared to turn a corner in 2011 when he registered a career-high 99 tackles and five sacks, but he slipped back in 2012 and butted heads with coach Dennis Allen and at one point was asked to leave the team and was suspended. According to Pro Football Talk, McCain was waived technically and not released, meaning that a team needs to claim him if they want to sign him.
McClain is one of many veterans to be released this offseason by general manager Reggie McKenzie, along with wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey and safety Michael Huff. The Raiders also traded away Carson Palmer and acquired Matt Flynn from the Seattle Seahawks. At one point earlier in the offseason, the team gave McClain permission to seek a trade, but nothing materialized with any other teams in the league.
The linebacker is still young, but after dealing with his declining play and off the field issues, the Raiders felt it was time to move on. After coming out of Alabama McClain looked to be a game changing linebacker, but after getting arrested twice, including once when he pointed a gun at someone in his home town and later when he gave a false name to a policeman after a traffic stop.
McClain originally signed a five-year, $40 million contract and made over 240 tackles and one interception. During the 2011 season he played in 14 games, but hi personal issues may keep him from having a successful career. The Raiders are desperately trying to improve from last year's 4-12 record and the team has added Burnett and Roach to help shore up the unit.
One place they could turn after cutting McClain is to linebacker Karlos Dansby or Brian Urlacher, as he is a free agent and since no teams have been interested apart from (maybe) the Bears, he could come over for cheap and likely could start alongside his former teammate in Roach. The team ranked 20th in passing defense per game last season and allowed nearly 120 yards rushing per game, something Urlacher could help with.
Urlacher and the Bears couldn't come to an agreement after the season, as the team offered him a take it or leave it one-year, $2 million offer. He has been looking for another team to play for, but so far no takers have emerged.
"I'd like to thank the Raiders for giving me an opportunity to play in the NFL," McClain said in a statement, Rapoport reported. "I'm disappointed that it hasn't worked out better, but I'm very excited and thankful for the Raiders allowing me to get a fresh start. I will miss my teammates and wish them and the Raiders organization good luck going forward."
