Tide Tidbits – February 28, 2010

Alabama’s Rolando McClain is at head of linebacker class at NFL Combine
Ole Miss running back/wide receiver Dexter McCluster has noticed Rolando McClain a few times the past couple of years. How could you not notice him?” McCluster said Saturday with a smirk. In three years at Alabama, McClain received plenty of attention, from the time he became a starter as a freshman through last season, when he joined the late Derrick Thomas as the only Alabama linebacker to win the Butkus Award. And now, as he makes his way toward the NFL Draft, McClain is still being recognized — as many scouts’ top-rated linebacker. “I think everybody’s pretty much interested,” McClain told reporters Saturday at the Scouting Combine. “The question is if I’m going to be available.” [More]

Alabama star Rolando McClain could turn tide for Miami Dolphins’ aging linebacker corps
Coach Nick Saban didn’t do the Miami Dolphins any favors when he left the NFL following the 2006 season to return to the college game. But in three seasons at the University of Alabama, Saban may have found a peace offering for scorned fans: inside linebacker Rolando McClain. If the Dolphins draft McClain with the No. 12 pick in April, Saban could deliver the foundation of Miami’s 3-4 defense for years to come. “He knows what it takes to be great,” McClain said. “He’s one of the best defensive minds. I learned so much from him.” McClain learned enough to become an All-America for an unbeaten national champion and the top-rated linebacker in the 2010 rookie class. A starter since his freshman season in Saban’s 3-4 scheme, McClain football smarts rival his size (6-3, 254) and speed. (He said he hopes to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range this week at the NFL scouting combine.) [More]

Cody slims down for combine
As Terrence Cody’s weight fluctuates, so does his draft stock. During the season, the University of Alabama nose tackle played at around 350 pounds and wreaked havoc on opposing teams throughout the season. He also was considered a lock to be a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft. Go back a little over a month ago. “Mount” Cody weighed in at 370 pounds during Senior Bowl week. His name began dropping on mock draft boards and analysts worried if his weight would be an issue at the next level. “You question a player’s dedication and commitment when they start putting on weight before the scouting combine,” FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez said. After the Senior Bowl, Cody had a lot to prove to NFL teams, and he began doing that in a big way when he weighed in at 354 pounds Saturday, shedding 16 pounds in a little over a month. “He can still be Mount Cody, just a little bit less of a mount than he was before,” Marvez said. “I think by going ahead and dropping the weight, he has helped his draft stock tremendously.” [More]

Deaderick or Washington: Which Alabama DE would you draft?
The strength of Alabama’s 2009 national championship football team was its defense, and the strength of that defense was its front line. Terrence Cody got the headlines, but the bookends on either side of the All-American nose guard have not been overlooked by NFL scouts. Defensive ends Brandon Deaderick and Lorenzo Washington are among 10 Alabama players participating in the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Their contributions toward the Crimson Tide’s undefeated season were fairly equal. But they do not seem to be equals as pro prospects. Deaderick’s stock is much higher. He is rated the No, 15 defensive end and the No. 153 overall 2010 NFL Draft prospect by NFLDraftScout.com. Deaderick (6-foot-4, 296 pounds, 4.96-second speed in the 40-yard dash) is expected to be taken in the fourth or fifth round. Washington is being evaluated as a defensive tackle. He was the Crimson Tide’s starting nose guard in 2007. Cody’s arrival then pumped Washington to defensive end. Washington (6-4, 288, 5.02) is rated the No. 29 defensive tackle and the No. 365 overall pro prospect. [More]

Roll Tide!

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