ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Welcome to the NFL, Rolando McClain.
The first assignment for Oakland’s rookie middle linebacker comes Sunday against last year’s rushing champion Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans.
McClain says practicing against Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram at Alabama, playing each week in the SEC and going against Darren McFadden in practice with the Raiders has helped prepare him for the opener.
But he acknowledges Johnson has a “different gear” than most backs.
Johnson was just the sixth man in league history to run for at least 2,000 yards last season when he had three runs of at least 85 yards.
The Raiders are hoping McClain helps fix what has been the worst run defense in the NFL the past seven years.
