You are right McCloud was in the pipeline.
But I noticed the same issues in guys like Jennings tape. Signed more for their hitting than actual skill at the position. Lots of looking for the ball at the snap, false steps, turning shoulders perpendicular to the line etc.
It’s why I like the tapes of some of the less athletic guys much better.
I am not saying he is just like McCloud, but I see some of things that made McCloud struggle at linebacker. If you take him as a backer, you are doing so as a project and banking you can fix some bad habits. I don’t like that.
When they walked him down on the line, he exploded into the backfield. If his arms are long enough he could maybe be a Roche type end.
Nothing would make me happier than being able to fix his weaknesses, but that line of thinking has cost us. But maybe Steele and Strong can do for him what Manny, Baker, Patke couldn’t do for our guys before.Would be nice and show coaching is even more valuable than I thought and I am high on the ability for coaching to change a player’s trajectory.