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Rolando McClain finding a rhythm at right time
Jean-Jacques Taylor, ESPN Staff Writer
MIAMI -- Rolando McClain, essentially a non-factor in the first four games he played after serving a four-game suspension to start the season, is an impact player again.
And it’s helping the Dallas Cowboys' defense play better.
McClain’s 12-yard interception for a touchdown gave the Cowboys an early lead in their 24-14 win over the Miami Dolphins as they ended their wretched seven-game losing streak.
On third-and-11 from the Miami 8, McClain made a short zone drop and Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill never saw him as he tried to complete a slant to Greg Jennings. McClain juggled the ball briefly before securing it and running untouched into the end zone for the first touchdown of his career.
“That was a big-time play,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Rolando’s a very instinctive player, and he did a great job reading the quarterback’s eyes, and when he had an opportunity he cashed in on it and it was a huge play in the game for us."
McClain finished with three tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. Last week against Tampa Bay, McClain finished with eight tackles and three hits on quarterback Jameis Winston.
The improved play has coincided with McClain working through some nagging issues and spending more time on the practice field than in the training room. Against Tampa Bay, he was a physical presence and he continued it against Miami.
The interception was the Cowboys’ third turnover in the last two games after forcing just one turnover in six games. The Cowboys finished second in the NFL with 31 turnovers last year, and it’s among the key tenets of Garrett’s keys to winning football.
“We’ve talked about the importance of turnovers all year long,” Garrett said. “We were really, really good at it last year but we haven’t been as good at it this year and we’ve got to start getting good at it. We have guys that kind of make those kinds of plays.”
Guys like McClain.
Jean-Jacques Taylor, ESPN Staff Writer
MIAMI -- Rolando McClain, essentially a non-factor in the first four games he played after serving a four-game suspension to start the season, is an impact player again.
And it’s helping the Dallas Cowboys' defense play better.
McClain’s 12-yard interception for a touchdown gave the Cowboys an early lead in their 24-14 win over the Miami Dolphins as they ended their wretched seven-game losing streak.
On third-and-11 from the Miami 8, McClain made a short zone drop and Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill never saw him as he tried to complete a slant to Greg Jennings. McClain juggled the ball briefly before securing it and running untouched into the end zone for the first touchdown of his career.
“That was a big-time play,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Rolando’s a very instinctive player, and he did a great job reading the quarterback’s eyes, and when he had an opportunity he cashed in on it and it was a huge play in the game for us."
McClain finished with three tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. Last week against Tampa Bay, McClain finished with eight tackles and three hits on quarterback Jameis Winston.
The improved play has coincided with McClain working through some nagging issues and spending more time on the practice field than in the training room. Against Tampa Bay, he was a physical presence and he continued it against Miami.
The interception was the Cowboys’ third turnover in the last two games after forcing just one turnover in six games. The Cowboys finished second in the NFL with 31 turnovers last year, and it’s among the key tenets of Garrett’s keys to winning football.
“We’ve talked about the importance of turnovers all year long,” Garrett said. “We were really, really good at it last year but we haven’t been as good at it this year and we’ve got to start getting good at it. We have guys that kind of make those kinds of plays.”
Guys like McClain.
