Former Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain has only been on the open market for a few days, but he could be off it soon, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Baltimore Ravens are "nearing" a deal with the former-top 10 pick. While Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports there "is still work to be done" before the two sides agree on a deal, the addition of McClain would fill a large need for the Ravens.
Rolando McClain is ‘near’ contract with Baltimore Ravens
McClain accumulated 244 tackles for the Oakland Raiders in his first three seasons in the NFL.
More: Baltimore Beatdown
McClain, 23, didn’t put up tremendous numbers for the Raiders in his first three seasons in the NFL, but he was a solid player for the team, tallying 244 tackles, 6.5 sacks and an interception in 41 games played. Since being drafted, though, he has been arrested twice and had a public falling-out with the Raiders, which included comments that he’d “like to be anywhere” other than with the team that drafted him eighth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.
After hitting the open market, McClain drew interest right away as three teams gave him contract offers and two other teams showed interest within 24 hours of the linebacker clearing waivers. The Ravens are one team that has a need at inside linebacker after the retirement of Ray Lewis and the departure of Dannell Ellerbe in free agency.
Schefter also drew the connection that Ozzie Newsome, general manager of the Ravens, is an alma mater of Alabama, the school where McClain was a unanimous All-American and named the winner of the Lambert Award and Butkus Award.
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