Oakland Raiders: Moving on Without Rolando McClain No Easy Task

Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain has been found guilty on four charges stemming from an altercation in Decatur, Alabama last year, according to The Decatur Daily.

The paper notes that McClain was sentenced to "180 days in jail and fined $2,000 on charges of third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and wrongful discharge of a firearm."

McClain's lawyer will appeal the decision and the process will start all over again with the case being presented in front of a jury.

The NFL will review the matter under the league's personal conduct policy, and commissioner Roger Goodell could decide to suspend McClain now or withhold any potential suspension until McClain receives a jury trial, delaying resolution of the situation until October or longer.

 

Moving On

Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen have to be asking themselves if McClain is the type of player and person they want running the defense in the new era. Keeping McClain around seems to go against the ideals of high character and personal accountability that the new regime will preach. 

The misdemeanor convictions are one thing, but his refusal to speak with the media until the Raiders sold out a home game in 2011 demonstrates a lack of respect for the fans that pay to watch him play.

It's not like McClain's play merits a wait-and-see approach from the new regime. The Alabama standout has racked up just 184 combined tackles during his two-year career, and has often had issues shedding blocks.

McClain is also guilty of a lack of hustle, giving up on plays he is more than capable of chasing down and taking poor angles to the ball.

Releasing him wouldn't save the Raiders much against the cap. According to CSNBayArea.com, such a move would save the Raiders $1.22 million against the 2012 cap, but at the cost of $7.26-million cap hit in 2013. It's not a lo...

About the Author