Linebacker Ivan McLennan has always had great physical potential from the day he stepped on campus at WSU. He is now trying to put that potential to use with the Atlanta Falcons. McLennan joins a Falcons team that has big needs in both in the pass rush area and in the linebacking corps.
McLennan's physical attributes are no joke. He recorded a 4.59 40 and a 40 inch vertical at six-foot-three 238 pounds on his pro day. NFL personnel departments love players with this type of size and speed because they believe with coaching these attributes will shine through. McLennan's last season with the Cougars netted him 42 tackles and 6 sacks, but there was always the nagging feeling that he could have been so much more. Dan Quinn and the Falcons staff hope to get McLennan to reach his full potential.
ESPN's Vaughn McClure spoke to McLennan about on the eve of the Falcons minicamp. McClennan talked about his relationship with his new linebacker coach Jeff Ulbrich.
"I'd say probably 10 or 12 days before the draft, me and [linebackers coach] Jeff Ulbrich talked," McLennan said. "Ever since then, him and I were always in contact. We talked on a daily basis, damn near. We started building a little relationship, a little connection. He wanted me to come to Atlanta, and I want to be in Atlanta.
"[Ulbrich] wants me to play outside linebacker. He wants me to play inside linebacker. He wants me to pass-rush on third down. He wants me to play every special teams. It's a great opportunity over there because he said he likes my versatility."
He also spoke to his pass-rush potential.
"As a pass-rusher, I just get off the ball really good," McLennan said. "I'd say I'm good at my burst. I have a good burst off the ball. I've got a couple moves, too, with a little shake. I'm still a work in progress because I haven't been in the NFL. I know it's another level, so I've got to work. I've got to watch film. I know sure, I've got to be violent with my hands. But my biggest positive attribute as a pass-rusher is just my get-off. I just get off the ball really fast."
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Dan Quinn also spoke to the media recently regarding McLennan's potential.
@AtlantaFalcons HC Dan Quinn on OLB Ivan McLennan's (@Forever_Leisure) performance at Rookie Camp. #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/R4pR0SGXO8
— Brandon Taylor (@brandonEMG) May 7, 2016
McLennan clearly has a great opportunity in the Peach State. Here's hoping he can make the most of it.
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