Jameel

McClain

Nate Irving, last year’s second-round pick, was expected to ascend to the starting lineup this season. Perhaps the Broncos view McClain as insurance on the weak side with D.J. Williams facing a six-game suspension. The Ravens remains interested in re-signing McClain as well.

McClain made one trip to Denver, but left without a contract and is no longer on the Broncos’ radar after they re-signed Joe Mays. “I’m staying patient,” said McClain, 26. “I’m waiting for the perfect move at the perfect time.”

McClain wants to stay in Baltimore, but the Ravens won’t get a good idea of his value until other teams start bidding. One interested club may be the Colts, where ex-Baltimore defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano is now the head coach.

However, Newsome also hinted that re-signing both may not be financially feasible. The Baltimore Sun expects McClain to be a higher priority. Johnson was the more effective player in 2011, but is nearly four years older than McClain. He’ll turn 31 in August.

McClain, who turns 27 before the season, was welcomed to a soft free agent market, but should retain his starting job in Baltimore. McClain started all 16 games at weak-side linebacker last season. He rotates out too often to be a significant IDP asset, finishing the year with 84 tackles, one sack, and a pick. Pro Football Focus did grade McClain as a solid run stopper.

An early offseason report said the Broncos were high on Irving’s “presence and potential,” but he never got beyond special teams action as a rookie. Denver is hosting free agent Jameel McClain, who would be an ideal fit in the middle of Jack Del Rio’s defense as a two-down run-thumper.

So far, McClain has only lined up a visit with the Broncos, but the Ravens remain interested in re-signing him. He’d presumably be offered a starting job in New York.

As did reserve LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (thigh). A “last-minute (decision)” in the words of coach John Harbaugh, McClain tallied two tackles against the Texans. The health of the Ravens’ linebacker corps will be key in the AFC Championship Game as Baltimore looks for ways to contain the Patriots’ nearly unstoppable tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

In the four games Lewis missed last year, Ellerbe averaged 3.6 tackles while McClain stepped up with 8.5 per game. They’ll rotate, but IDP owners now desperate for linebacker help can get some cheap tackles out of McClain. “Those guys have played a lot of football and we’ve got a lot of confidence in those guys, Jameel and Dannell,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We feel good about that.”

McClain suffered a spine injury last December, temporarily putting his football future in doubt. The injury didn’t require surgery and McClain has been able to work out without restrictions. Once cleared, he’ll start next to rookie Arthur Brown at inside linebacker. With the departure of Dannell Ellerbe and retirement of Ray Lewis, McClain will be counted on for a big role on defense.