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U.S. Army Photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret on behalf of
derivative: Diddykong1130
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Shea McClellin has been at New
England for two years and was released a couple days after Saint Patrick’s Day
this year. McClellin, 28, signed with New England as an unrestricted free agent
from Chicago on March 18, 2016. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder was a first-round
draft pick (19th overall) out of Boise State in the 2012 NFL Draft, but failed
to perform at a first-round level.
Various injuries and uncertainty
just how to use McClellin contributed to a mixed NFL experience. A first round
draft pick for Chicago, can be a tough route with a history of linebackers such
as Urlacher, Singletary, Butkus, George, etc. The Bears moved McClellin around,
knowing they had a talent, but wondering if they had him in the wrong position.
McClellin would play for 3 Defensive Coordinators for the Bears.
McClellin was a great story. A
country boy who was raised essentially by his grandparents who had overcome
great challenges. An excellent college player from Boise State where he played
defensive end.
Injured all of 2017 (he suffered from concussions), he played
for 5 seasons (2012-2016) and started in 35 games: 31 for Chicago and 4 for New
England. He had 200 tackles. In 2015 he had 81 tackles in 12 games for the
Bears. Big salary, great expectations, McClellin was released by Chicago and
the media called him a flop, but ,many of us wished him well and wanted him to
succeed wherever he went.
In New England, McClellin was
another role player in Belichick’s arsenal. In 2016 with New England, McClellin
appeared in 14 contests and started in 4. In a game against Miami, with the
Dolphins inside the 10-yard line, he recovered a fumble and ran it back 69
yards—a franchise record. In another
spectacular play, McClellin leaped over Ravens long snapper Morgan Cox and
blocked a Justin Tucker field goal attempt. In Super Bowl LI, the Patriots beat
the Falcons in overtime and McClellin started at linebacker.
The Boston Herald reported
McClellin was cut due to failed physical designation The Patriots used their
first two picks on day three for linebackers: their fifth-round selection was
Purdue’s 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, Ja’Whaun Bentley. They selected Arizona State’s
6-foot-2, 244 pounds, Christian Sam with No. 178 in the sixth round.
It’s tough to say whether McClellin
will land with another team in the pros or whether he wants to play again based
on recent injuries.
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Ten NFL coaching heavyweights are expertly covered in author Patrick McCaskey's Pillars of the NFL: Coaches Who Have Won Three or More Championships (Pub 2014) This is an important project because it entertains and informs--plus it helps keep the memory of many great coaches alive.
