Chachi
Footballguy
From an NFL.com piece written by Ron Borges Link
This year's No. 1 pick, running back Darren McFadden, should help out some however. He replaces demoted Justin Fargas, who remarkably rushed for over 1,000 yards behind the Raiders struggling offensive line. McFadden is a home run hitter, a back who has the size to be powerful and the breakaway speed to turn a short gain into a long one. Scouts feel he may have some issues, including running too high and thus being prone to injury. One thing is sure; he's a threat they didn't have before.
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espn's bill williamson wrote an article about mcfadden being too talented to not start and that the coaching staff feels the same way. Sorry no link on this, I should have bookmarked it when i originally read it.
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Here is just an opinion piece that I enjoyed and thought I'd pass on in this thread
Scouts Inc.: McFadden is the best choice to start in Oakland
August 27, 2008 2:22 PM
Posted by Scouts Inc.'s Doug Kretz
It is looking more and more like rookie RB Darren McFadden is going to carry the load for the Raiders this season, as he has more carries and yards, and better average, than fellow RBs Justin Fargas and Michael Bush this preseason.
The Raiders had the No. 6 overall running game last season and Fargas had 1,009 yards, four touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, but despite that performance McFadden has shown the Raiders' coaching staff he is simply too talented to come off the bench.
McFadden has the ability to see the entire field and hit the hole or improvise and find space on his own. To be a No. 1 running back in the NFL you must be innovative because most plays do not develop exactly as they are drawn up, and McFadden has shown a higher level of improvisation than either Fargas or Bush.
Fargas is a big back with rare acceleration through the hole and an exceptional burst once he gains a step. He is also a decent receiver out of the backfield and can be dangerous in the open field. However, he is pretty much a one-cut-and-go runner. Bush, on the other hand, is a power back who produces in short-yardage situations.
The Raiders will be able to open up the playbook with McFadden carrying the load because of his versatility. He can run sweeps because of his speed and vision or he can run off-tackle plays due to his awareness and cut-back skills. Plus, he fits well in Oakland's zone-blocking scheme, which allows the defense to dictate where the hole will be to run through. The ball carrier knows the hole will show up somewhere between the guard and outside the tackle, so all he has to do is read it and hit it as soon as it opens. McFadden is better at doing this than Fargas or Bush.
He also has the health advantage in his favor as both Bush and Fargas have struggled to stay on the field for a full season, both in college and the NFL. McFadden was durable in college and the other two have simply not proven they can endure the week-to-week pounding a No. 1 back takes in the NFL.
Finally, while running backs can develop their skills to a point, at this level the majority of what it takes to be a starting running back in the NFL is God-given talent. McFadden already has a higher all-around skill level than either of his competitors and gives the Raiders their best shot at moving the chains on a consistent basis.
The biggest negative to starting a rookie at running back is his ability to produce in the passing game, especially when he is asked to block and pick up blitzes. The Raiders would rather have their backs out in routes, though, and while McFadden is not yet a great route-runner neither is Fargas or Bush, and McFadden does show good hands in the flats and downfield.
The Raiders simply have their best shot at a strong overall running game this season with McFadden getting the bulk of the carries, Fargas being used as a change-of-pace back and Bush providing short-yardage power.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
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This year's No. 1 pick, running back Darren McFadden, should help out some however. He replaces demoted Justin Fargas, who remarkably rushed for over 1,000 yards behind the Raiders struggling offensive line. McFadden is a home run hitter, a back who has the size to be powerful and the breakaway speed to turn a short gain into a long one. Scouts feel he may have some issues, including running too high and thus being prone to injury. One thing is sure; he's a threat they didn't have before.
===================================
espn's bill williamson wrote an article about mcfadden being too talented to not start and that the coaching staff feels the same way. Sorry no link on this, I should have bookmarked it when i originally read it.
===================================
Here is just an opinion piece that I enjoyed and thought I'd pass on in this thread
Scouts Inc.: McFadden is the best choice to start in Oakland
August 27, 2008 2:22 PM
Posted by Scouts Inc.'s Doug Kretz
It is looking more and more like rookie RB Darren McFadden is going to carry the load for the Raiders this season, as he has more carries and yards, and better average, than fellow RBs Justin Fargas and Michael Bush this preseason.
The Raiders had the No. 6 overall running game last season and Fargas had 1,009 yards, four touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, but despite that performance McFadden has shown the Raiders' coaching staff he is simply too talented to come off the bench.
McFadden has the ability to see the entire field and hit the hole or improvise and find space on his own. To be a No. 1 running back in the NFL you must be innovative because most plays do not develop exactly as they are drawn up, and McFadden has shown a higher level of improvisation than either Fargas or Bush.
Fargas is a big back with rare acceleration through the hole and an exceptional burst once he gains a step. He is also a decent receiver out of the backfield and can be dangerous in the open field. However, he is pretty much a one-cut-and-go runner. Bush, on the other hand, is a power back who produces in short-yardage situations.
The Raiders will be able to open up the playbook with McFadden carrying the load because of his versatility. He can run sweeps because of his speed and vision or he can run off-tackle plays due to his awareness and cut-back skills. Plus, he fits well in Oakland's zone-blocking scheme, which allows the defense to dictate where the hole will be to run through. The ball carrier knows the hole will show up somewhere between the guard and outside the tackle, so all he has to do is read it and hit it as soon as it opens. McFadden is better at doing this than Fargas or Bush.
He also has the health advantage in his favor as both Bush and Fargas have struggled to stay on the field for a full season, both in college and the NFL. McFadden was durable in college and the other two have simply not proven they can endure the week-to-week pounding a No. 1 back takes in the NFL.
Finally, while running backs can develop their skills to a point, at this level the majority of what it takes to be a starting running back in the NFL is God-given talent. McFadden already has a higher all-around skill level than either of his competitors and gives the Raiders their best shot at moving the chains on a consistent basis.
The biggest negative to starting a rookie at running back is his ability to produce in the passing game, especially when he is asked to block and pick up blitzes. The Raiders would rather have their backs out in routes, though, and while McFadden is not yet a great route-runner neither is Fargas or Bush, and McFadden does show good hands in the flats and downfield.
The Raiders simply have their best shot at a strong overall running game this season with McFadden getting the bulk of the carries, Fargas being used as a change-of-pace back and Bush providing short-yardage power.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
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this isn't a "this guy is a good back situation" this is a "this guy is a special player-take him where you can get him and don't look back situation"
Michael Bush is a beast. He's 245lbs with great burst and he instinctively keeps his pad level low. He has got nothing but praise from the coaches and he has run strong in the preseason. He will get a long look as the goal line & short yardage specialist. If he fails (and I believe he will excel) Oakland still has a 6'3" 260lb QB who might factor big in those situations. McFadden will get some cracks at it but both Bush and Russell must fail for him to have a big year.
