ALAMEDA -- Rolando McClain continues to be on the receiving end of high praise from his teammates for his on-field acumen.Even as the middle linebacker's future in Oakland is murky in the wake of his being convicted last month of third-degree assault, menacing, discharging a handgun in city limits and reckless endangerment, with his 180-day sentence under appeal."Rolando, man, hes the biggest linebacker that can move as fast as he can," new Raiders strongside linebacker Philip Wheeler said following Wednesday's OTA practice. "Ive never seen anybody that big, that can run that fast and move how he moves. He moves almost like me and hes like maybe 20 pounds heavier than me, I dont know."Fellow linebackers Travis Goethel and Miles Burris have also spoken about McClain's on-field ethic.
"Hes amazing, man," Wheeler said. "Im looking forward to seeing him on the film after the game, watching him play, too."Listed at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Wheeler signed with the Raiders as a free agent on March 30 after four years in Indianapolis. He also praised McClain for his work in the film room, even if McClain's on-field play has been spotty in his first two NFL seasons.Scheme? Injury? One thing that has never been questioned, though, is McClain's film work."Yeah, man," Wheeler said. "Once we put a defense in, he has it. I dont know how he does it. He catches on very quickly. He helps us out on the field and I think hes growing, man.I think hes growing a lot."And according to Wheeler, McClain's off-field issues have not had a negative effect on him thus far in the offseason. Of course, McClain missed the first week of OTA's as he was back in Alabama preparing for his court case."Once hes on the field, its like its his sanctuary, some people say that," Wheeler said. "And I think thats how it applies to him. I think he just blocks everything out and plays football and its working for him."At least, until he either goes to a jury trial andor NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issues a suspension.
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