The Ravens think linebacker Rolando McClain deserves a second chance. And there’s a chance that, in their minds, he’s already gotten it.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the reference by Ravens assistant G.M. Eric DeCosta to McClain deserving a second chance came during a question-and-answer session at the Baltimore Sun Sports Forum. When addressing McClain’s “second chance,” DeCosta specifically was referring to the second chance the Ravens afforded McClain when signing him last month to a one-year, $700,000 base deal.
DeCosta wasn’t, we’re told, talking about a “second chance” to be given to McClain in the wake of his most recent arrest, which came nine days after the Ravens signed McClain.
The Sun then published DeCosta’s answer without the question, creating the impression that DeCosta was talking about the team’s attitude toward McClain following his latest arrest.
This meshes with a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who says that the Ravens haven’t made a decision about McClain in the wake of his latest arrest.
Still, the Ravens’ current equity with the fans and the media make it easier to look the other way regarding McClain’s misadventures and to keep around a guy they very well will need in 2013, if that’s what the Ravens eventually chose to do.