Crohn's Disease should not stop the New York Giants from drafting LB Rolando McClain

If you've been following the 2010 NFL Draft, then you know that the New York Giants need a linebacker.  Don't believe me?  Check here, here, here, here, here, and here.  A Google search for "giants need linebacker" produces 7.59 million hits.  Feel free to email me if you still need more proof.

The good news is that there is a deep and strong talent pool at the linebacker position this year.

The consensus is that Alabama's Rolando McClain is the best linebacker available.  Just look at his numbers.  He's 6'4" and 256 lbs yet he runs the 40 in 4.65 seconds.  Nobody else ran a faster time at his size.  He was a 3-year starter at Alabama and in his final season, he had 105 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss.  (It sure would be nice if the Giants had a linebacker who can tackle!)  He also had 4 sacks, 14 QB hurries, 2 interceptions, 3 deflections, and 1 fumble recovery.  Oh yeah...he also helped the Crimson Tide with the "national championship."

But some people have suggested that the Giants might be concerned about his health after he announced that he has Crohn's Disease, which seems to run in his family since his mother is also afflicted.

That's hogwash.  Here are three reasons why the Giants should not worry about drafting Rolando McClain.

1.) McClain is doing very well with his Crohn's right now.  How well?  He recently stated that his doctors "don't even think he has Crohn's Disease" anymore.  He may have been misdiagnosed as a child, but he also states that he will never let Crohn's interfere with his career.  So whether or not the doctors got it right, he is committed to using the proper medications and leading a healthy lifestyle that will allow him to play NFL football.  And given the solid track he's on right now, I think he can do it.


2.) Look at how well he played during his three years at Alabama.  Nobody knew he had Crohn's.  He didn't reveal his secret until the NFL Scouting Combine.  Until that day, nobody ever questioned his endurance or worried about his future health.  So all of a sudden people are concerned because he missed a few drills at his pro day?  Come on.  He has an NFL-body with NFL-like experience playing under Nick Saban.  He has proven in college that he is physically ready for the next level.

3.) Other professional athletes have had successful careers despite Crohn's Disease.  I'm talking about guys like Kevin Dineen and Theo Fleury.  The obvious NFL example is David Garrard, who has not only played his entire career with a very severe case of Crohn's, but he also had offseason surgery to remove a foot-long section of his colon and still returned to play QB for the Jaguars next season.

Compare the severity of Garrard's disease with McClain's much milder case.  That's what I thought.  He is a tackling machine and he will be fine in the NFL.  Jerry Reese, if Rolando McClain is still on the board when the Giants are on the clock, you really should pull the trigger.