Rookie DT McClain battling for starting job in the middle

[Brad]

Rookie DT McClain battling for starting job in the middle

Written by Steve Reed  

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 8:00 pm

  CHARLOTTE – Rookie Terrell McClain walks off the field after a two-hour practice in 95-degree heat and greets a reporter with a smile and handshake.

  The smile doesn’t leave his face the entire time he talks about his brief time with the Carolina Panthers and his future with the organization. McClain is loving life, ecstatic about the fact he’s been given a chance to live out his lifelong dream to play in the NFL.

  The Panthers selected the 6-foot-2, 291-pound defensive tackle from South Florida in the third round of April’s NFL draft and he’s expected to play a big role in Carolina’s defense this season.

  McClain is currently listed as second on the depth chart behind the unproven and previously underachieving Corvey Irvin, but they’ve been sharing reps with the first team in practice in recent days. With two preseason games left there’s still a chance for McClain to win the starting job before the regular season begins.

  “Things are going great,” McClain said. “I’m just thrilled to be here.”

  McClain arrived at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., three days late because of a brief contract holdout and that put him a little behind. He worked hard to catch up but now feels comfortable in the team’s scheme.

  “The first day I got to camp they were already in pads and they just threw me out there,” McClain said. “So I had to learn pretty quickly, but every day I’m getting more and more comfortable.”

  Not that McClain has to know all that much.

  Compared to other positions, his job is fairly simple.

  McClain plays the three technique tackle spot which basically means his job is to penetrate the B gap and get into the backfield and be disruptive. After a strong showing against the New York Giants, McClain and rest of Carolina’s defense struggled Friday night against Miami.

  “Playing the three spot I get a little more freedom to penetrate through and do what I do best which is get off the ball and show up in the backfield,” McClain said. “I’m actually loving it here. The play calls are good. The defensive coordinator knows what he’s doing and the defensive line coach knows what he’s doing so I can’t want to see what happens this season.”

  At South Florida, McClain played in 50 games with 33 starts.

  He had 89 tackles (17 for a loss), 7.5 sacks and 10 quarterback pressures. He was received first-team All-Big East Conference honors as a senior.

  Off the field McClain said he likes to chill and is a self-described “movie fanatic.”

  His favorite actor is Will Smith, but can’t name a favorite movie because he loves so many. He joked that after football he might consider becoming a movie critic, although he’s hoping that career is long way away.

  For now, his focus is on winning the starting job

  “If the opportunity is there I’m going to take it,” McClain said. “I told them when they were scouting me that I will do whatever it takes to make this team better and win games. If I have to sit out a year, I will sit out a year. But if you throw me in I’m going to run hard to the ball and make some plays.”

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[Fold FB Invest in BB]

Like the article said, he didn't look too good against Miami (when I saw him play). Got man handled quite a bit, but also got some pressure on the QB one or two times. Nothing a little coaching and working on technique can't fix though. You can't teach quick feet and we all know Terrel has 'em. I'll be pulling for him.

[BullFan98]

I wish him luck and look forward to watching him play this year. 

[HappyHourHero]

Thanks for posting this. Was wondering how he was doing last night while looking up fantasy football stuff.