Rolando McClain's Alabama home burns down

[boozeman]

Fire at McClain's house ruled arson


Updated: February 13, 2015, 10:01 PM ET

Associated Press



TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama fire officials say a blaze that gutted an NFL player's Tuscaloosa County home has been ruled arson.

Alabama State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk said in a release Friday that investigators have determined a late December blaze that destroyed the home of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain was set intentionally.

Details on what led investigators to that conclusion weren't immediately available. A phone message left with the state fire marshal's office wasn't immediately returned.

McClain's brick mansion was on the market for $1.5 million at the time of the fire. Authorities have said the fire at McClain's home was suspicious because the house was unoccupied and expensive. Authorities have also said a vehicle was seen speeding away from the scene.

Paulk says no arrests have been made.

 

[DLK150]

He obviously had insurance and the only thing that might make it somewhat suspicious to me is the value of the policy. I don't know what market value for it would have been but he bought it for $1.1 million and was trying to sell it for well over that amount. If the policy is for quite a bit more than the initial purchase price there may be some cause for suspicion towards McClain but even that is reaching a bit. Did he make a bunch of upgrades to increase the value, did the market change?

Shoot, I don't know. It's all conjecture at this point. However, this coupled with erratic behavior in the past make me wary of resigning him to anything but a team friendly contract that protects The Cowboys in case he goes off the reservation again. If he gets greedy or refuses any conditions in the contract offer, bye-bye.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

He obviously had insurance and the only thing that might make it somewhat suspicious to me is the value of the policy. I don't know what market value for it would have been but he bought it for $1.1 million and was trying to sell it for well over that amount. If the policy is for quite a bit more than the initial purchase price there may be some cause for suspicion towards McClain but even that is reaching a bit. Did he make a bunch of upgrades to increase the value, did the market change?

To be fair my house is insured for a considerable amount over my purchase price. They make those estimations based on the size of your house and the cost to rebuild it. Has nothing to do with the purchase price. Or at least that wasn't my experience.

 

[skidadl]

To be fair my house is insured for a considerable amount over my purchase price. They make those estimations based on the size of your house and the cost to rebuild it. Has nothing to do with the purchase price. Or at least that wasn't my experience.

That is exactly true. I look at policies daily and that is how it's done.

 

[L.T. Fan]

That is exactly true. I look at policies daily and that is how it's done.

The term is replacement value to be precise.

 

[DLK150]

I was thinking of raw numbers, hadn't considered replacement value and it makes complete sense.

Regardless, even though he was a godsend on defense most of last season, especially taking attrition into consideration, I just get a bad vibe when it comes to resigning him. No rhyme or reason, just a bad vibe.

 

[mcnuttz]

I was thinking of raw numbers, hadn't considered replacement value and it makes complete sense.

Regardless, even though he was a godsend on defense most of last season, especially taking attrition into consideration, I just get a bad vibe when it comes to resigning him. No rhyme or reason, just a bad vibe.

On one hand you don't want to trust him, but on the other you want to see what he and Lee could do together on defense.

Chances are they start the year out on fire and we lose them both 4 games into it.

 

[Texas Ace]

On one hand you don't want to trust him, but on the other you want to see what he and Lee could do together on defense.

Chances are they start the year out on fire and we lose them both 4 games into it.

I can totally see that happening.

As a matter of fact, I'd say it's likely to happen that way.

 

[vince]

I can totally see that happening.

As a matter of fact, I'd say it's likely to happen that way.

I sure hope not. I want to see this duo knock the blocks off of running backs or anyone trying to run a slant.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

None of this changes anything for me. I resign McClain and jump up and down in excitement if his house burning down somehow makes that cheaper. Honestly I think we were just seeing the tip of the iceberg with regards to his talent. Given a full offseason and opportunity to work with a little more talent in front of him, I think he could have a probowl type season next year.

Lee actually worries me more. His body is just not built for the NFL.

 

[DLK150]

None of this changes anything for me. I resign McClain and jump up and down in excitement if his house burning down somehow makes that cheaper. Honestly I think we were just seeing the tip of the iceberg with regards to his talent. Given a full offseason and opportunity to work with a little more talent in front of him, I think he could have a probowl type season next year.

Lee actually worries me more. His body is just not built for the NFL.

I can see your point but how much does it potentially cost to field two guys with obvious pro bowl ability that have different issues which could lead to them missing a good part of the season in a team that obviously needs to upgrade other areas?

Physically, I agree that Lee's inability to stay healthy is an obvious concern but I'm also wary of hanging my hat on someone like McClain who always seems to have some controversy floating around him.

 

[Clay_Allison]

I can see your point but how much does it potentially cost to field two guys with obvious pro bowl ability that have different issues which could lead to them missing a good part of the season in a team that obviously needs to upgrade other areas?

Physically, I agree that Lee's inability to stay healthy is an obvious concern but I'm also wary of hanging my hat on someone like McClain who always seems to have some controversy floating around him.

McClain is also not very healthy.