PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 14: Rolando McClain #55 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys were dealt a huge blow a few weeks ago when starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain was hit with a 10-game suspension for once again violating the league's substance-abuse policy. It was the third major suspension the Cowboys have been slapped with this offseason, joining pass rushers Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory.
The initial knee-jerk reaction by many was exactly this: "Cut McClain!"
It wasn't completely unwarranted, given that it's the second consecutive season that McClain will miss significant time due to a suspension. However, the Cowboys have elected to hang on to the linebacker for the time being, and it's not just because Jerry Jones wants it that way. The owner says every coach pushed to keep McClain on the team, too.
"Everybody lobbied to have McClain on the team. Every coach that's associated with the team lobbied for that," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. "To be fair to everybody concerned, we didn't know that he was going to get suspended. But his issues were potentially recognized, maybe not to the extent that he would lose the games that he got in this suspension."
Jason Garrett has unequivocally been a "right kind of guy" coach who only wants players with clean off-field records and positive mental attitudes on the roster. That's what makes Jones' comments particularly surprising. McClain has proven to be just the opposite, getting in his own way at each and every turn.
The reason for his roster spot still being held onto is because of his skill.
"But make no mistake about it: With all of his warts, he's still considered a potential asset for the team by the coaches," Jones said.
The Cowboys just can't afford to lose another linebacker, even one who can only play the final six games of the regular season. McClain has a profound effect on the defense when he's healthy and not suspended.
Not to mention, the Cowboys don't want to take a hit on the salary cap for a player not on the roster.
"There's some paperwork issues that are involved that impact the team, like salary cap," Jones said. "We've made a final decision that we don't want to pay the price on the cap."
McClain isn't guaranteed to stay on the team for the remainder of the season due to the fact that every roster and situation is fluid. But at this point in time, McClain will be back for the team's 11th game of 2016.
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