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Moore: Don't bet on Rolando McClain being on Cowboys' roster when team leaves for training camp
By David Moore
Rolando McClain remains on the Cowboys roster.
That doesn't mean he'll be there when the team leaves for training camp next week.
Jerry Jones hasn't declared that the club will keep McClain, even though his comments have been interpreted that way by some. What the owner has said is there are salary-cap issues that impact the team. Until Jones receives a definitive figure as to what the linebacker's cap charge will be if he's cut as opposed to what it will be if he's on the roster, there will be no decision.
Club officials are in the process of clarifying that number. It's not cut and dried. The bonus structure of McClain's contract creates uncertainty in the wake of his 10-game suspension.
The player's $750,000 signing bonus is forfeited, according to the collective bargaining agreement. That doesn't mean it disappears from the cap if he's released. Are the Cowboys hit with the full charge, or will it be reduced? This is one of the financial questions club officials are attempting to nail down.
But finances are only part of the decision.
McClain must miss the first 10 games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The Cowboys' 11th game of the season is four days later, on Thanksgiving. Given McClain's history and how long it took him to play his way back into shape after last season's four-game suspension, can the club reasonably expect him to play in that Thanksgiving game or be in peak shape until the final two to three games of the season?
No.
Motivation is another concern. McClain skipped the team's offseason program and reported to the mandatory minicamp well over his playing weight of 255 pounds. He has wondered aloud among teammates and club employees about whether he wants to continue to play.
In a sport that requires passion for continued excellence, McClain appears indifferent at best. That attitude doesn't fit the culture coach Jason Garrett strives to establish.
Will McClain board the team charter when it departs for Southern California next week?
Don't bet on it.
By David Moore
Rolando McClain remains on the Cowboys roster.
That doesn't mean he'll be there when the team leaves for training camp next week.
Jerry Jones hasn't declared that the club will keep McClain, even though his comments have been interpreted that way by some. What the owner has said is there are salary-cap issues that impact the team. Until Jones receives a definitive figure as to what the linebacker's cap charge will be if he's cut as opposed to what it will be if he's on the roster, there will be no decision.
Club officials are in the process of clarifying that number. It's not cut and dried. The bonus structure of McClain's contract creates uncertainty in the wake of his 10-game suspension.
The player's $750,000 signing bonus is forfeited, according to the collective bargaining agreement. That doesn't mean it disappears from the cap if he's released. Are the Cowboys hit with the full charge, or will it be reduced? This is one of the financial questions club officials are attempting to nail down.
But finances are only part of the decision.
McClain must miss the first 10 games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The Cowboys' 11th game of the season is four days later, on Thanksgiving. Given McClain's history and how long it took him to play his way back into shape after last season's four-game suspension, can the club reasonably expect him to play in that Thanksgiving game or be in peak shape until the final two to three games of the season?
No.
Motivation is another concern. McClain skipped the team's offseason program and reported to the mandatory minicamp well over his playing weight of 255 pounds. He has wondered aloud among teammates and club employees about whether he wants to continue to play.
In a sport that requires passion for continued excellence, McClain appears indifferent at best. That attitude doesn't fit the culture coach Jason Garrett strives to establish.
Will McClain board the team charter when it departs for Southern California next week?
Don't bet on it.
