As if starting the first three games of the preseason at inside linebacker wasn't indicative enough of his new status as a starter, Jameel McClain joined the rest of the defensive starters on the sideline for the Ravens' 27-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams Thursday night.
But as is his nature, McClain declined to read anything into the move – much less interpret it as an indication that he will start against the New York Jets in the season opener on Sept. 13.
"You know how I approach it," he said with a smile. "You never know until the game happens."
McClain appears to have beaten out Dannell Ellerbe, who may have further sunk his chances when he taunted the Rams towards the end of his 57-yard interception return for a touchdown.
"Would I have done it? I don't know," McClain said. "I think I would have done three backflips into the end zone. So I would have been worse. … But no, I thought it was a great play, and I didn't think it was too bad. But that's for the coaches to judge."