Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Trent Richardson Interviews Fellow Brown Brandon Weeden

Rolando McClain doesn't take questions, makes statement

Rolando McClain at Raiders OTA practice (photo by Levi Damien)

At training camp on Tuesday, everyone was hoping to get a few questions in and receive some kind of answers regarding his current legal predicament. But due to his legal predicament, he did not take questions, instead making a simple statement.

"I'm aware of the bad publicity that I've given the Raiders." Said McClain. "I talked with Coach Allen. I have the support of the Raiders, my teammates, as well as the coaching staff. I apologize for the bad publicity that has been put out there. It is a legal process so I can't talk much about it but I think in due time if the Raiders and the Raiders fans that are out there, we'll all see, it will all come to an end and it is what it is. I can't really talk much about it but it will be resolved in the near future."

This is the first time McClain has addressed the media since last season so aside from the answers sought with his legal situation, there were general questions pertaining to his being the Raiders starting middle linebacker that were also not answered.

98 comments  | 

Raiders tap Ivy League for new quarterback

The Raiders have signed undrafted free-agent quarterback Kyle Newhall-Caballero, the team announced Tuesday. Newhall-Caballero was a two-time All-Ivy League selection during his collegiate career at Brown.

The 6-foot-3, 214-pound Newhall-Caballero was named second-team All-Ivy League as a redshirt senior after completing 226-of-369 pass attempts for 2,356 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

As a junior, Newhall-Caballero garnered first-team All-Ivy League honors after an outstanding season. He completed 259-of-413 pass attempts for 2,709 yards and 18 touchdowns, and ranked second in the nation with 25.9 completions per game.

When the team released Rhett Bomar last week, head coach Dennis Allen said that the Raiders would be bringing in a camp arm. Teams typically carry four quarterbacks in offseason practices and training camps.

Continue reading this post »

10 comments  | 

Raiders have high expectations for run game in 2012

Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs through the tackle of Brian Dawkins #20 and Mario Haggan #57 of the Denver Broncos at Mile High on September 12, 2011

The Raiders have a new coaching staff in place this season. Much of that new staff has little to no experience in their current positions and therefore it is hard to know what to expect from them. That is not as not really the case for the offensive staff, however. Offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp, in particular not only has a great deal of experience, but this is his second stint as Raiders offensive coordinator.

With that experience, there is much to look back upon. And when Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen look back at that, they no doubt see great possibilities.

Knapp brings with him the zone blocking scheme. Or should I say, brings back the zone blocking scheme. He ran it in Oakland four seasons ago and Tom Cable continued to run it after Knapp left.

The longtime offensive mind has had some success with the zone blocking scheme. Successes he can quickly lay out for anyone interested.

Continue reading this post »

163 comments  | 

Who will replace Rolando McClain at middle linebacker for Raiders?

Oakland Raiders linebacker Travis Goethel at training camp 2011 (photo by Levi Damien)

As soon as Rolando McClain was found guilty of all four charges against him in court in Alabama, the Raiders were faced with the reality that they would need to replace him as the team's middle linebacker. They could either attempt to stay in house for his replacement or they could look for a free agent to bring in.

If they go in-house, the top candidate is Travis Goethel. He was set to be the team's backup middle linebacker last year before he went down in preseason with a season ending knee injury. He was also running as the first team middle linebacker in OTA practice last week while McClain was dealing with his legal situation.

Continue reading this post »

200 comments  | 

Raiders free agent fits at middle linebacker

E.J. Henderson #56 of the Minnesota Vikings defends a pass to Marques Colston #12 of the New Orleans Saints.

There is a good chance Rolando McClain will be out all of the 2012 season and an equally good chance, the Raiders will cut ties with him altogether. This means at very least the team needs to bridge the gap until next year's draft or free agent period when they can either find a starter or solidify the middle linebacker position.

Reggie McKenzie has brought in quite a few players at other positions on one year deals to get the team by until he can build for the future through the draft. Wheeler is one of those players who was brought in on a one-year deal along with several defensive backs.

Continue reading this post »

19 comments  | 

Raiders team up to support youth football safety

In light of the recent discussions about player safety and how it relates to concussions and long term health, the Oakland Raiders, the NFL, the NFLPA, NCAA, and USA Football are stepping up their efforts to start at the source-- Youth football.

The issue of player health, especially concussion related health, reached an all-time high with the suicide of Former NFL great, Junior Seau. The discussion quickly turned to whether current and former NFL players would allow their own children play football. There were many who said they would not.

In response to this rising concern, and to show a commitment to player safety, a group of sports entities and equipment manufacturers has entered into an unprecedented partnership to create a youth football safety and helmet replacement program for youth in underserved communities. The initiative will remove helmets that are 10 years old or older and replace them with new helmets at no cost to the beneficiary leagues and will provide coaches with the latest educational information to help keep their young athletes safer and healthier.

Continue reading this post »

1 comment  | 

McClain legal matters far from over, his Raider career could be

Rolando McClain #55 of the Oakland Raiders works out during the Raiders training camp

On Thursday, Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain went to court to find out his fate on several criminal charges stemming from an incident late last year in his hometown of Decatur Alabama. The charges were assault, reckless endangerment, unlawful discharging a firearm of a firearm in city limits, and menacing. In these matters, the judgment was swift-- he was found guilty on all accounts.

Each count carried with it 45 days in jail totaling a prison sentence of 180 days. Immediately following the judgment and sentence, McClain's lawyer requested a trial by jury which essentially starts the entire process over again.

Continue reading this post »

129 comments  |  1 recs | 

Raiders starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain was found guilty on all charges in the trial stemming from his December assault on an Alabama man and Michael Casagrande of the Decatur Daily reports that he has been sentenced to 180 days in jail as a result.

The judge threw the book at McClain and with the soon to determined NFL suspension, as well as a team suspension, McClain will surely miss the 2012 NFL season.

Miles Burris or Travis Goethel for middle? Discuss.

8 days ago Raiders_logo_tiny TheRaiderWay 139 comments


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation Blog about the Oakland Raiders.

Editors

Sunshine_small Raymond St. Martin (Saint)

5771756_f8ba_625x1000_1__small Levi Damien

Moderators

Raiders_logo_small TheRaiderWay

Westyule_small Sons-of-Blanda

Editorial Staff

Ka1z3r_small KA1Z3R

Raiders_small LiveAdam

_the_beast__reece_small brhynno

Richraven-irish_small RDreamer

Contributors

Small Travis Goethel 50