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While the deal is not complete, multiple sources have said that the Baltimore Ravens are finalizing a deal to bring LB Rolando McClain to the team. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted:
Former Raiders LB Rolando McClain is nearing deal with Ravens. Two sides scheduled to talk today to see if they iron out unresolved issues."
ProFootballTalk.com also posted a story referencing Schefter's tweet, adding in the losses of both starters, Ray Lewis (retirement) and Dannell Ellerbe (signed with Miami Dolphins), have the Ravens moving Bryan Hall to ILB and also continuing to sift through veteran free agents for additions.
Many people are expecting the Ravens to focus on finding a linebacker in the NFL Draft later this month, with Manti Te'o (Notre Dame), Kevin Minter (LSU) and Alec Ogletree (Georgia) among those mentioned as possible targets.
During the writing of this story, BaltimoreRavens.com just posted the rumor of the McClain signing.
The 23-year old came out of the University of Alabama three years ago as one of the top players in the draft, but due to various issues that are not uncommon for first round picks by the Oakland Raiders (see JaMarcus Russell, etc.), never panned out.
The obvious Alabama ties with Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome makes most think that Baltimore would be the perfect landing spot for the young man to settle into a veteran team and fulfill his lofty expectations and resurrect his NFL career in a place well-known for great linebackers.