Cowboys: McClain’s Return Big for the Defense?

 

Linebacker Rolando McClain, who was a first-round draft pick for the Oakland Raiders in the 2010 NFL Draft, has agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys. The deal is for one-year worth $3 million in base salary and he will receive another $1 million in playtime incentives.

McLain also visited the New England Patriots last Monday and received an offer, but he chose to stay in Dallas where some feel the familiarity with teammates and coaches made the difference in his decision.

The linebacker actually retired twice before finding his passion for football again and in 2014, he completely turned his career around as an injury replacement for Cowboys’ star linebacker Sean Lee. McLain revived his career by having a solid season; recording 81 tackles (65 solo), one sack and two interceptions in 13 games. While he may not have finished last season as strong as he started it, he was an asset to the Cowboys’ defense and a big part of their success.

What does this mean for that squad now? Could the Dallas Cowboys have the best linebacking core in the league in 2015?

McClain’s return allows for the team to have flexibility when it comes to their group of linebackers. Lee excelled at the middle linebacker position, accruing 294 tackles, 11 interceptions and two touchdowns in his six seasons in the National Football League. When healthy, he has proven to be a disruptive force. But in the past two years he suffered season-ending injuries, the most recent being a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that occurred during organized team workouts in 2014. Now with McClain able to take over the middle linebacker position, a healthy Lee can move to his more natural spot at weak side linebacker.

“I think we have to look at the landscape of our linebackers and we’ll make our best decision,” Head Coach Jason Garrett said. “Sean Lee has great instincts. In our defense, he would be protected by that under-tackle, that three-technique at the Will [linebacking position], where he can go and use those instincts. It’s the Derrick Brooks position. It’s the Lance Briggs position. And we just think Sean would do a fantastic job at it.”

The weak-side linebacker spot is the play-making position in the defense and with Lee’s skill, playing there could make him one of the best in league. This move will also be vital to keeping him healthy and on the field. It moves him away from heavy traffic… especially on power runs or trap run plays up the middle.

It is too early to make the call that the Cowboys will have the best linebacking core in the league or even in the NFC East. It can be said however that the Boys have three solid options at strong-side linebacker in Anthony Hitchens (who has played in every position as a linebacker) along with, Keith Rivers and Kyle Wilber. Hitchens had an outstanding rookie season posting 73 tackles (57 solo) and one interception. Also, with the new signings of Jasper Brinkley and Andrew Gachkar, these guys can serve as really solid back ups and rotational options at middle linebacker and weak-side linebacker. Quality depth has been an issue for the Cowboys in previous years and it would appear they have some guys that can give them some solid minutes.

Understand however that a defense cannot just rely on the play of its linebackers to generate pressure. The play of this position on the field is only as good as the guys on the defensive line. A team can have All-Pro linebackers at every position, but if the guys up front can’t be disruptive, the success of the linebackers is greatly diminished. Defensive lineman Greg Hardy was added to the ball club to provide a quality pass rush off of the edge. But the defensive tackles’ ability to be a moving force in the middle of the opposing team’s offensive line really helps the entire front seven to be an offensive coordinator’s worst nightmare.

Make no mistake about it; the Dallas Cowboys looks to be in very good shape at linebacker despite the loss of free agents Bruce Carter (to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Justin Durant (to the Atlanta Falcons). Only time will tell if this group can be one of the best in the NFL.