So, Rolando McClain revealed at the Alabama Pro Day Wednesday that he has Crohn's Disease. Of course you do have to wonder if that will give teams like our New York Giants pause when it comes to April's NFL Draft.
By the way, want an indication that the Giants have a serious interest in the Alabama middle linebacker? How about the fact that GM Jerry Reese, head coach Tom Coughlin and linebackers coach Jim Herrmann were all in attendance Wednesday to watch McClain work. Hmmm.
Per NFL.com's Gil Brandt, by the way, McClain ran faster than originally reported. His 40 times were 4.68 and 4.69. Check out some video of McClain's Pro Day.
Want to check out reports on all the Pro Days. NFL.com is offering a 'Pro Days' blog.
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Kenny Phillips is continuing to spread the optimism when it comes to his recovery from micro-fracture surgery for an arthritic knee condition.
"I feel real good," Phillips said. "I’m making a lot of progress. The rehab is coming along real well. I should be running soon - - probably by the end of this month. As far as they tell me, it’s looking good. The knee is getting stronger."
The rehab, which Phillips has done mostly from his home in Miami, has been a very long process since he underwent surgery in September, mostly involving weights and strengthening exercises. He said he’s consulted with some athletes who suffered from the same condition (though he declined to name them) and "They reassured me that it’s something I can bounce back from as long as put in the work."
"Now I have no doubt at all," he said. "When it first occurred, I didn’t really know what it was myself. But after talking to trainers and doctors, I felt great about it. I already feel myself get stronger and getting back to the form that I had. I feel that I didn’t lose anything, to be honest with you."
Phillips will likely sit out the organized team activity (OTA) sessions in May and June and the mini-camp in mid-June, but he "definitely expects to be ready for the start of full-speed practices in late July. He’s so sure, in fact, that he occasionally pauses and pictures himself back on the field for the first time since mid-September.
"I kind of picture it all the time," Phillips said. "From the way my rehab is going I feel I’m definitely not going to lose anything. I can only get better. So I sometimes picture myself making interceptions, making tackles, just making the plays I used to. I just can’t wait."
Love KP's attitude. We just have to wait and see, though, if his knee will be able to take the daily grind of an NFL season. - ESPN's Matt Mosley had this to say on Wednesday regarding the Giants' draft plans.
It's hard to nail down a trend with Reese and his scouting staff because they're pretty patient about waiting for the right players. They rarely get obsessed with a certain position, although linebacker is certainly a big need in April. I expect the Giants to stay right where they are at No. 15 and select a talented player. But I promise you that Reese hasn't committed to taking a linebacker.