NFL Roundup: LB McClain eyes Ravens, Huff to plead guilty on drug charge

Former Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain is negotiating a contract with the Baltimore Ravens, who must replace their two starting inside linebackers.

"It's a move that can't go wrong and I'm looking forward to playing in Baltimore as the Ravens run the same or very similar defense as I was a part of at the University of Alabama," McClain told the Madison Weekly News. "Ray Lewis retired after winning the Super Bowl and I look to fill his slot. No one can fill his shoes, but I can fill his slot. I just want to fill out the shoes of Rolando McClain. This is a perfect fit for me personally."

McClain was the eighth overall pick in the 2010 draft but didn't last in Oakland, where production on the field was only part of the organization's issue. McClain was formally granted permission to seek a trade and, when interest wasn't there, released on waivers.

McClain, 23, developed in Alabama's 3-4 defense with experience at inside and outside linebacker. His age, and skill set, will make him less risky as a reclamation project in that his best football shouldn't be in his past if he fully commits to being a professional.

At 23, McClain is just one year older than NFLDraftScout.com's top-ranked inside linebackers Kevin Minter and Manti Te'o.

---Former NFL receiver Sam Hurd will plead guilty on Thursday to a federal drug conspiracy charge, according to reports. Hurd, whose case is scheduled to go to trial on Monday, could face up to 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine, or he could receive probation. He is being held in jail without bond. Hurd's attorney, Jay Ethington, told WFAA-TV in Dallas that Hurd, 27, will plead guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute.

The charges stem from an arrest outside a Chicago-area steakhouse in December 2011 when Hurd allegedly purchased a kilogram of cocaine from an undercover officer and wanted to buy large quantities of coke an marijuana for distribution.

---The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to an offer sheet, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers five days to match the contract to retain the restricted free agent, and re-signed unrestricted free-agent receiver Julian Edelman.

According to multiple reports, Sanders' offer is for one year but the value of the contract is unknown. If the Steelers don't match the offer, they will receive a third-round pick as compensation.

The Steelers have minimal salary cap space, and matching any contract offer could be prohibitive. Pittsburgh would be left with only Antonio Brown among its top three wide receivers from 2012 if Sanders departs. Mike Wallace signed a $60 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in March.

---Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman says he isn't the only NFL player who uses Adderall. In fact, he contends the prescription drug is so widely taken that the league should remove it from the banned substance list.

Sherman appealed a four-game suspension last year after testing positive for Adderall and won, arguing that errors were make in the sample collection process. In an interview with the Vancouver Sun on Tuesday, the All-Pro questioned why the NFL needs to even test for the drug.

"About half the league takes it and the league has to allow it," Sherman said. "The league made a mistake in my case. Obviously, I didn't do anything, but you have to go through a process to prove you didn't do anything. There are still naysayers out there who don't believe me. But I accept it."

NFL players are allowed to use Adderall, which also is commonly prescribed for attention deficit disorder, only through a therapeutic-use exemption.

---The Cincinnati Bengals released cornerback Jason Allen after one season with the team.

Injuries limited Allen to four games last season. During his abbreviated year with the Bengals, Allen had two tackles on defense and one on special teams.

---The Oakland Raiders re-signed unrestricted free-agent cornerback Joselio Hanson. The ninth-year pro played in 16 games and started five for the Raiders in 2012 after signing just before the start of the season. Hanson, 31, posted a career-best 68 tackles and had two interceptions and a forced fumble.

---The Arizona Cardinals signed guard Chilo Rachal, the team announced. Contract terms were not disclosed. An unrestricted free agent, Rachal started eight games for the Chicago Bears last year. In November, the 27-year-old Rachal was removed as a starter and subsequently left the team for personal reasons. The Bears then placed him on the non-football injury list.

---The Oakland Raiders will sign quarterback Seneca Wallace to a contract, CBSSports.com reported. Wallace, a longtime backup and part-time starter for the Seattle Seahawks and the Cleveland Browns during his career, would back up recently acquired Matt Flynn in Oakland. Wallace did not play in the NFL last season.

The Raiders decided on Wallace, 32, after several quarterbacks worked out for the team. Among those was Tyler Thigpen, whom the Seahawks considered before settling on Brady Quinn as their backup to Russell Wilson. Seattle also reportedly had interest in Wallace.

The addition of a backup makes quarterback Terrelle Pryor's status uncertain. The former Ohio State quarterback has struggled in his brief appearances with the Raiders. It's possible that the Raiders want Wallace to mentor Pryor.