McFadden falling? (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

Darren McFadden-RB- Player Feb. 23 - 12:28 pm et

Arkansas RB Darren McFadden reportedly "came off as indifferent" about his character question marks during interviews Friday.

McFadden got in trouble a few times in college. The incidents were never overly serious, but teams would probably expect him to treat them as a learning experience. "There have been some red flags with him," new Rams VP of player personnel Billy Devaney acknowledged.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

[Max Power]

as bad as this season was with the Vick/Pacman issues, I still think about 90% of teams are willing to overlook charactor issues if the player has talent.

 

[hooptd]

 

[KellysHeroes]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

 

[Maroney=Speed]

Darren McFadden-RB- Player Feb. 23 - 12:28 pm et Arkansas RB Darren McFadden reportedly "came off as indifferent" about his character question marks during interviews Friday.McFadden got in trouble a few times in college. The incidents were never overly serious, but teams would probably expect him to treat them as a learning experience. "There have been some red flags with him," new Rams VP of player personnel Billy Devaney acknowledged.Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1 Dolphins 2 Rams 3 Falcons 4 Raiders 5 Chiefs 6 Jets 7 Patriots 8 Ravens 9 Bengals 10 Saints 11 Bills 12 Broncos 13 Panthers 14 Bears 15 Lions So how far does He fall? Jets,NE,Denver(No),Panthers,Bears,Lions?

 

[redman]

The question I have is, if this is misinformation that is meant to make him drop in the draft, which team do you think is most likely the culprit?

 

[sheerterror]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

If the current knock is character, don't expect an organization that prides itself on bringing in "high character" guys to draft him when there are much more pressing needs.

 

[redman]

Darren McFadden-RB- Player Feb. 23 - 12:28 pm et

Arkansas RB Darren McFadden reportedly "came off as indifferent" about his character question marks during interviews Friday.

McFadden got in trouble a few times in college. The incidents were never overly serious, but teams would probably expect him to treat them as a learning experience. "There have been some red flags with him," new Rams VP of player personnel Billy Devaney acknowledged.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1 Dolphins 2 Rams

3 Falcons

4 Raiders

5 Chiefs

6 Jets

7 Patriots

8 Ravens

9 Bengals

10 Saints

11 Bills

12 Broncos

13 Panthers

14 Bears

15 Lions

So how far does He fall? Jets,NE,Denver(No),Panthers,Bears,Lions?

Assuming the worst, how far can you expect him to fall? I'd say he's no worse than the 3rd or maybe, maybe the 4th RB off the board. Where do you expect such a RB to be selected?

 

[Chase Stuart]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

The Jets already have a 210 lb running back with great speed.

 

[JohnnyU]

Add character issues with his lack of power and vision, I can see him being the 3rd or 4th RB off the board.

 

[broncofan13000]

Add character issues with his lack of power and vision, I can see him being the 3rd or 4th RB off the board.

I would take that bet.

 

[Maroney=Speed]

Add character issues with his lack of power and vision, I can see him being the 3rd or 4th RB off the board.

I would take that bet.

I would as well.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

The Jets already have a 210 lb running back with great speed.

Leon is a nice player.... but hes not Darren McFadden. TJ is older and less explosive. Drafting DMac and Pairing w/ TJ for yr 1 would be great experience. Then yr 2 come and DMac all the way.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Add character issues with his lack of power and vision, I can see him being the 3rd or 4th RB off the board.

I would take that bet.

I would has well.

Hes not getting past Pick 6....

 

[Balco]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

The Jets already have a 210 lb running back with great speed.

Leon is a nice player.... but hes not Darren McFadden. TJ is older and less explosive. Drafting DMac and Pairing w/ TJ for yr 1 would be great experience. Then yr 2 come and DMac all the way.

The JEts have far more pressing needs than a running back.

 

[Maroney=Speed]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

The Jets already have a 210 lb running back with great speed.

Leon is a nice player.... but hes not Darren McFadden. TJ is older and less explosive. Drafting DMac and Pairing w/ TJ for yr 1 would be great experience. Then yr 2 come and DMac all the way.

The JEts have far more pressing needs than a running back.

Kind of agree. I think a team will trade up to select McFadden.

 

[JPeso]

Kind of agree. I think a team will trade up to select McFadden.

I don't. With the depth in this class, McFadden could sink out of the top 10 with teams looking address more dire needs early, and snag an RB in the 2nd-4th.

 

[LBH]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

The Jets already have a 210 lb running back with great speed.

Leon is a nice player.... but hes not Darren McFadden. TJ is older and less explosive. Drafting DMac and Pairing w/ TJ for yr 1 would be great experience. Then yr 2 come and DMac all the way.

Id rather keep the TJ/Leon tandem and grab a defensive player. I still think Leon needs a crack at being a feature RB. Guy is a tough runner despite his size

 

[sheerterror]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

The Jets already have a 210 lb running back with great speed.

Leon is a nice player.... but hes not Darren McFadden. TJ is older and less explosive. Drafting DMac and Pairing w/ TJ for yr 1 would be great experience. Then yr 2 come and DMac all the way.

Id rather keep the TJ/Leon tandem and grab a defensive player. I still think Leon needs a crack at being a feature RB. Guy is a tough runner despite his size

Agreed. McFadden doesn't look like he's going to be a feature, 20 carry/game RB, he's seemingly always going to need another guy (a plodder type to handle the hard yards) while he plays the homerun hitter role. Jets have much bigger holes to fill than to spend a 6th overall pick (and the money that accompanies it) on a piece of an RBBC puzzle.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Darren McFadden-RB- Player Feb. 23 - 12:28 pm et Arkansas RB Darren McFadden reportedly "came off as indifferent" about his character question marks during interviews Friday.McFadden got in trouble a few times in college. The incidents were never overly serious, but teams would probably expect him to treat them as a learning experience. "There have been some red flags with him," new Rams VP of player personnel Billy Devaney acknowledged.Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

No way he gets past Dallas - Jerry Jones loves him, and he certainly will overlook "character flaws".

 

[broncofan13000]

IMHO Mcfadden's character flaws are being blown out of proportion. He is not a bad apple, and had some bad luck (bad decision making). Most scouts/coaches think he's a good kid. I don't think it'll affect his draft stock.

 

[redman]

Darren McFadden-RB- Player Feb. 23 - 12:28 pm et

Arkansas RB Darren McFadden reportedly "came off as indifferent" about his character question marks during interviews Friday.

McFadden got in trouble a few times in college. The incidents were never overly serious, but teams would probably expect him to treat them as a learning experience. "There have been some red flags with him," new Rams VP of player personnel Billy Devaney acknowledged.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

No way he gets past Dallas - Jerry Jones loves him, and he certainly will overlook "character flaws".

I agree with that, however I really can't imagine him reaching Dallas unless they trade up for him in the draft. But yeah, Jones' Arkansas roots and desire to show everyone how well he evaluates talent on his own would compel that pick if DMac were to fall that far.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Darren McFadden-RB- Player Feb. 23 - 12:28 pm et

Arkansas RB Darren McFadden reportedly "came off as indifferent" about his character question marks during interviews Friday.

McFadden got in trouble a few times in college. The incidents were never overly serious, but teams would probably expect him to treat them as a learning experience. "There have been some red flags with him," new Rams VP of player personnel Billy Devaney acknowledged.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

No way he gets past Dallas - Jerry Jones loves him, and he certainly will overlook "character flaws".

I agree with that, however I really can't imagine him reaching Dallas unless they trade up for him in the draft. But yeah, Jones' Arkansas roots and desire to show everyone how well he evaluates talent on his own would compel that pick if DMac were to fall that far.

If he gets even remotely close, they have two firsts and a second to deal from, so they could use 2 of those 3 to move up should he begin to fall.

 

[EBF]

We won't know until we know. For all the talk on message boards and draft sites, we really won't have a great idea of what the NFL thinks of these guys until draft day. Some players who receive scarcely any ink on these boards will go 1-3 rounds earlier than expected. On the flipside, there will be guys like Quinn, Rodgers, and S. Jax who fall 10-20 picks deeper than expected.

It's conceivable that a good chunk of the teams in the league don't have McFadden as the top back on their board. But if all the pundit hype is accurate then it's tough to imagine him slipping out of the top 15 picks. I actually think New England would make sense for him since they're creative enough to utilize his talent and they don't necessarily have any glaring needs that they could address at 1.07.

 

[massraider]

IMHO Mcfadden's character flaws are being blown out of proportion. He is not a bad apple, and had some bad luck (bad decision making). Most scouts/coaches think he's a good kid. I don't think it'll affect his draft stock.

How do we know this?I see a guy with two bar fights on his resume. If he can get into that kinda trouble in Arkansas, I am wondering what happens when he gets to a big city.

 

[Chase Stuart]

IMHO Mcfadden's character flaws are being blown out of proportion. He is not a bad apple, and had some bad luck (bad decision making). Most scouts/coaches think he's a good kid. I don't think it'll affect his draft stock.

How do we know this?I see a guy with two bar fights on his resume. If he can get into that kinda trouble in Arkansas, I am wondering what happens when he gets to a big city.

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I don't see bar fight and think red flag.I don't know if there's any correlation between "bar fights in college" and "character flaws in the NFL", or perhaps more importantly, "bad NFL draft pick." I don't have much reason to think there is. Let's not make him out to be Lawrence Phillips here.

 

[JAA]

Darren McFadden-RB- Player Feb. 23 - 12:28 pm et Arkansas RB Darren McFadden reportedly "came off as indifferent" about his character question marks during interviews Friday.McFadden got in trouble a few times in college. The incidents were never overly serious, but teams would probably expect him to treat them as a learning experience. "There have been some red flags with him," new Rams VP of player personnel Billy Devaney acknowledged.Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1.01

 

[identikit]

IMHO Mcfadden's character flaws are being blown out of proportion. He is not a bad apple, and had some bad luck (bad decision making). Most scouts/coaches think he's a good kid. I don't think it'll affect his draft stock.

Bad luck and bad decision-making are not the same thing....

Id

 

[JPeso]

Do you people even watch football?

Funny, as this post could be looked at from both viewpoints. Thanks for sharing your opinion?

 

[JAA]

Dmac is going to run in the 4.3 range at the combine. RaMen will run in the 4.4 range. Stewart ... maybe 4.5 range. I would be very surpsied to see anyone drafted higher than DMac ... except maybe Felix Jones. He could be the next Ronnie Brown to Caddie Williams.

 

[redman]

IMHO Mcfadden's character flaws are being blown out of proportion. He is not a bad apple, and had some bad luck (bad decision making). Most scouts/coaches think he's a good kid. I don't think it'll affect his draft stock.

How do we know this?I see a guy with two bar fights on his resume. If he can get into that kinda trouble in Arkansas, I am wondering what happens when he gets to a big city.

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I don't see bar fight and think red flag.I don't know if there's any correlation between "bar fights in college" and "character flaws in the NFL", or perhaps more importantly, "bad NFL draft pick." I don't have much reason to think there is. Let's not make him out to be Lawrence Phillips here.

These aren't character flaws on the Lawrence Phillips or Cecil Collins levels. I'm actually more concerned about a reportedly negative attitude in the combine interviews than I am about bar fights. I'm taking all of this with a huge grain of salt as pretty much any information put out by NFL teams between the Super Bowl and the Draft is cloudy mixture of truth, lies, misdirection, smoke, and anything else that can either fill the time or hide their intentions.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att	Yd	 TD	 Y/A   326	1832   16	 5.6   227	1320   10	 5.8

The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

 

[JAA]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att	Yd	 TD	 Y/A   326	1832   16	 5.6   227	1320   10	 5.8

The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

How did Cobbs do with return yards, passing yards and receiving yards?

 

[King of the Wolfies]

IMHO Mcfadden's character flaws are being blown out of proportion. He is not a bad apple, and had some bad luck (bad decision making). Most scouts/coaches think he's a good kid. I don't think it'll affect his draft stock.

Bad luck and bad decision-making are not the same thing....

Id

 

[redman]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att Yd TD Y/A 326 1832 16 5.6 227 1320 10 5.8The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

People argue this stuff as if the debate is whether it's 100% assured that a given high draft pick will be successful in the NFL (whatever that means) or it's 30% or 60%. People too easily forget how much luck is involved even with the best guys. Ki-Jana Carter was I thought a very gifted RB coming out of college and we all know how that turned out.

For perspective, here are the top five RB's drafted going back to 2003:

2007:

Adrian Peterson Vikings Oklahoma

Marshawn Lynch Bills California

Kenny Irons Bengals Auburn

Chris Henry Titans Arizona

Brian Leonard Rams Rutgers

2006:

Reggie Bush Saints USC

Laurence Maroney Patriots Minnesota

DeAngelo Williams Panthers Memphis

Joseph Addai Colts Louisiana State

LenDale White Titans USC

2005:

Ronnie Brown Dolphins Auburn

Cedric Benson Bears Texas

Cadillac Williams Buccaneers Auburn

J.J. Arrington Cardinals California

Eric Shelton Panthers Louisville

2004:

Steven Jackson Rams Oregon State

Chris Perry Bengals Michigan

Kevin Jones Lions Virginia Tech

Tatum Bell Broncos Oklahoma State

Julius Jones Cowboys Notre Dame

2003:

Willis McGahee Bills Miami (FL)

Larry Johnson Chiefs Penn State

Musa Smith Ravens Georgia

B.J. Askew Jets Michigan

Chris Brown Titans Colorado

Granted, the talent in any given draft varies, but the overall hit rate has to have people concerned here, especially when arguably the most talented RB draft of the last five years - 2006 - still has people hotly debating the ranking of those picks and whether some of them are busts or not.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att	Yd	 TD	 Y/A   326	1832   16	 5.6   227	1320   10	 5.8

The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

How did Cobbs do with return yards, passing yards and receiving yards?

Not nearly as well. I don't think McFadden with stellar returner skills, passing ability (for a RB), and receiving ability is a stud RB if he runs like Cedric Cobbs. Obviously McFadden's a million times faster than Cobbs, but my point is it's not like McFadden was running like Reggie Bush or Larry Johnson in college. He ran well, but far from out of this league well. Wells, Mendenhall, Stewart, Charles, Aldridge and Ringer all had higher YPC averages. Run DMC was incredibly consistent this year, handled a ton of carries, and had some huge games. But I don't think he's the same level of prospect that Peterson, Bush, any of the 3 from '05, McGahee or Johnson were. He's one level below.

 

[EBF]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att	Yd	 TD	 Y/A   326	1832   16	 5.6   227	1320   10	 5.8

The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

How did Cobbs do with return yards, passing yards and receiving yards?

Not nearly as well. I don't think McFadden with stellar returner skills, passing ability (for a RB), and receiving ability is a stud RB if he runs like Cedric Cobbs. Obviously McFadden's a million times faster than Cobbs, but my point is it's not like McFadden was running like Reggie Bush or Larry Johnson in college. He ran well, but far from out of this league well. Wells, Mendenhall, Stewart, Charles, Aldridge and Ringer all had higher YPC averages. Run DMC was incredibly consistent this year, handled a ton of carries, and had some huge games. But I don't think he's the same level of prospect that Peterson, Bush, any of the 3 from '05, McGahee or Johnson were. He's one level below.

Agreed. I don't think anyone "who actually watches football" could say he was as impressive as someone like Bush or Peterson. Add in the body type concerns and you have the makings of a risky prospect. Doesn't mean he isn't talented, but is he a slam dunk? Not by a longshot. That said, I wouldn't worry too much about a couple bar fights. Boys will be boys.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

That said, I wouldn't worry too much about a couple bar fights. Boys will be boys.

Isn't that what people said about Pacman?

 

[EBF]

That said, I wouldn't worry too much about a couple bar fights. Boys will be boys.

Isn't that what people said about Pacman?

The number of prospects whose careers get derailed because of character issues is pretty small. Anything is possible, but I don't see anything in McFadden's track record that makes me think he's a serious headcase.

 

[JohnnyU]

That said, I wouldn't worry too much about a couple bar fights. Boys will be boys.

Isn't that what people said about Pacman?

The number of prospects whose careers get derailed because of character issues is pretty small. Anything is possible, but I don't see anything in McFadden's track record that makes me think he's a serious headcase.

Wasn't he wearing his helmet during an interview?.............................jk

 

[Koya]

I'm far more worried about his lack of leg drive than his apparantly minor character "issues"

 

[Kiddnets]

Fall right to the J-E-T-S

The Jets already have a 210 lb running back with great speed.

Leon is a nice player.... but hes not Darren McFadden. TJ is older and less explosive. Drafting DMac and Pairing w/ TJ for yr 1 would be great experience. Then yr 2 come and DMac all the way.

Id rather keep the TJ/Leon tandem and grab a defensive player. I still think Leon needs a crack at being a feature RB. Guy is a tough runner despite his size

Agreed. McFadden doesn't look like he's going to be a feature, 20 carry/game RB, he's seemingly always going to need another guy (a plodder type to handle the hard yards) while he plays the homerun hitter role. Jets have much bigger holes to fill than to spend a 6th overall pick (and the money that accompanies it) on a piece of an RBBC puzzle.

From what I have seen out of DMC he certainly looks like a feature back - if he grades out as one I hope the JEts take him. The JEt O is in dire need of a gamebreaker that keeps DCs up at night. Right now I can't name one and that includes LEon and Cotch. Jets need to bring in a playmaking RB and tall gamebreaking WR IMO - the defense was serviceable when MAngini took over - the O was putrid. Give KC a new G, and RT in FA - draft DMC and a tall WR and watch him develop!

 

[ICON211]

I definitely could see him falling. I am not convinced he is the best RB in this draft besides any character issues. Teams are taking character concerns very seriously especially with high picks. You can take a shot on a guy with character issues late in the draft because if he screws up you can just cut him without losing much. Much more at stake with a top ten pick. Not a very good sign that he supposedly does not take this serioulsy.

 

[Rodeojones]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att	Yd	 TD	 Y/A   326	1832   16	 5.6   227	1320   10	 5.8

The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon Oregon St. and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

Fixed and Duck fans forgive you.

 

[Ever Present Lurker]

IMHO Mcfadden's character flaws are being blown out of proportion. He is not a bad apple, and had some bad luck (bad decision making). Most scouts/coaches think he's a good kid. I don't think it'll affect his draft stock.

How do we know this?I see a guy with two bar fights on his resume. If he can get into that kinda trouble in Arkansas, I am wondering what happens when he gets to a big city.

I was a bouncer for 8 years in a college bar. Do you know how many times I've seen VERY decent people get into a bar fight? File that under #$%^ happens.

 

[Max Power]

McFadden is ONLY 20! and has been in 2 bar fights? Thats a nice average for guy who can't drink yet.

 

[massraider]

You know why it's easy to dismiss the bar fights? Because we aren't the ones that are going to be guaranteeing this guy 10-20 million dollars.

It's easy for fans to say "boys will be boys" or "bad luck", but NFL teams can't be so cavalier.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att	Yd	 TD	 Y/A   326	1832   16	 5.6   227	1320   10	 5.8

The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

 

[JAA]

Do you people even watch football?

I suppose you think this means Run DMC is a stud and we're overanalyzing things.That might be true, and I know I'll catch hell for this, but:

Att	Yd	 TD	 Y/A   326	1832   16	 5.6   227	1320   10	 5.8

The first line is McFadden last season; the second line is Cedric Cobbs' senior season at Arkansas in '03. No, the teams aren't the same. Yes, Cobbs had Matt Jones to keep defenses honest. Yes, ADP averaged only 5.4 YPC his last season at OU, and Steven Jackson never had a great YPC average at Oregon and Willie Parker did nothing in college. But McFadden's teammate averaged more yards per carry, and the last big time RB at Arkansas also averaged more. 5.6 ypc is very good, but we've seen people dominate in college and then bust in the pros very often. I don't think he's nearly as risk-free as his supporters claim.

How did Cobbs do with return yards, passing yards and receiving yards?

Not nearly as well. I don't think McFadden with stellar returner skills, passing ability (for a RB), and receiving ability is a stud RB if he runs like Cedric Cobbs. Obviously McFadden's a million times faster than Cobbs, but my point is it's not like McFadden was running like Reggie Bush or Larry Johnson in college. He ran well, but far from out of this league well. Wells, Mendenhall, Stewart, Charles, Aldridge and Ringer all had higher YPC averages. Run DMC was incredibly consistent this year, handled a ton of carries, and had some huge games. But I don't think he's the same level of prospect that Peterson, Bush, any of the 3 from '05, McGahee or Johnson were. He's one level below.

Agreed. I don't think anyone "who actually watches football" could say he was as impressive as someone like Bush or Peterson. Add in the body type concerns and you have the makings of a risky prospect. Doesn't mean he isn't talented, but is he a slam dunk? Not by a longshot. That said, I wouldn't worry too much about a couple bar fights. Boys will be boys.

Did you guys watch him at all last year? Is this the only season any of these players were watched?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

That said, I wouldn't worry too much about a couple bar fights. Boys will be boys.

Isn't that what people said about Pacman?

The number of prospects whose careers get derailed because of character issues is pretty small. Anything is possible, but I don't see anything in McFadden's track record that makes me think he's a serious headcase.

No, but if he blows it off in interviews, that may drop him in the draft. He can't be a #### about the fact that he got into some bar fights. Keep in mind that I'm not saying that dropping in the draft is bad for fantasy. It may be good if he goes to a better team. But guys who have a couple of "small" red flags on them, that then act like a jerk when asked about it, will fall on some teams boards.