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Can the Patriots Unlock Shea McClellin’s Potential

By Mike "Boomer" Burzawa

Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin (58) tackles New Orleans Saints full back John Kuhn (29) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin (58) tackles New Orleans Saints full back John Kuhn (29) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could the Patriots unlock the potential in former Chicago Bears defensive end/linebacker Shea McClellin?

Not many Bears fans shed a tear when former Chicago Bears first round draft pick Shea McClellin took his talents to New England to join Bill Belichick and the Patriots.  In fact, this is what many Bears fans remember of McClellin’s time in Chicago:

But after training camp and the first preseason game with the Patriots, McClellin has opened a few eyes of Patriots fans and may be carving out a role for himself on the Patriots D.  Head coach Bill Belichick has taken note:

In Pat’s Pulpit’s film study following the Pats first preseason game, they saw how McClellin was being used in a “fun new way.” 

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"Overall, McClellin’s versatility rivals, and might even surpass, that of Rob Ninkovich. Ninkovich has been a solid edge defender over his career, but he has clearly declined in recent seasons. McClellin brings athleticism and youth to the role and it seems like Bill Belichick has created a new defense just for him."

That might be getting a little out over the skis, but it’s not the first time that McClellin has been compared to Ninkovich.  I remember when GM Phil Emery talked about moving McClellin to linebacker, comparing him to Ninkovich, Jason Babin and Jerry Hughes.

"“All three of those guys did not produce right away for their initial team. What I want for Shea is for it not to take that long, for us to find that role, not for the New England Patriots or the Buffalo Bills or the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Eagles to find those roles, but for us. All of those players have a similar skill set. We need to find a better role fit so that he can be productive as a run-down player and productive as a pass rusher.”"

The Bears experiment of moving McClellin proved to be a bit of a disaster.  He often looked lost and out-of-place.  He was in the wrong gaps or getting blocked too easily.  Maybe the Bears just couldn’t unlock the potential that Emery saw in him, the same potential that the Patriots saw in him to give him a 3-year contract.

McClellin will be remembered for a few things in Chicago.  Besides knocking Aaron Rodgers from the Bears’ win over the Packers on Monday Night Football, McClellin will be remembered mostly as a bust.  Maybe Bill Belichick has the key to unlock McClellin’s potential.  That would bum out a lot of Bears fans, but give a glint of satisfaction to former GM Phil Emery.

The Bears will get a good look at McClellin this week as the Bears practice against the Patriots leading up to their Week 2 preseason matchup on Thursday night.  I wonder if he’s had this week circled on his calendar?

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