McFadden/Fargas/Bush (1 Viewer)

[massraider]

Quick hits from Lane Kiffin’s press briefing following Friday’s walkthrough as the team began boarding buses the airport for their trip to Buffalo:

– Rookie running back Darren McFadden did very little in practice and will need a pain-killing injection to face the Bills Sunday, Kiffin said.

McFadden will be watched closely during warmups, but Kiffin said it would possible Michael Bush could end up being the lead back, with McFadden coming in for a quicker, faster change-up.

The previous day, Kiffin noted that McFadden’s runs were coming in a “big play, little play,” mode rather than as conssitent yards against Kansas City and expressed concern about a possible fumble as his workload increased.

That indicates that for all the talk of curing McFadden’s fumbling problems at Arkansas, he still does not have the trust of the staff in that area.

What kind of player did Kiffin think McFadden was?

Where'd he say he was surprised?

My bad, i'm not a raiders fan. I didn't know Kiffin is fond of stating the obvious.

We have no idea the context in which he made this observation. But I am pretty sure coaches every week "state the obvious."

 

[menobrown]

I don't know why they're even going to suit McFadden up. Sit him this week & if needed next week heading into the bye. You'll give him 4 full weeks of rest (from Week 2 game to Week 6 with only 2 games missed). You'd think they'd look in their division at LT and realize 'hey maybe it's for the best long term we shut him down'.

Don't understand why they don't hold him out either with the bye week coming soon. Makes way more sense to get him healthy for the long run but than I guess Kiffin does not care because he won't be around anyway.Regarding Kiffins comment about Mcfadden not consistently gaining yards. Do you think this was another dig at Al Davis in the same respect he took a public dig at Walker? Maybe I've missed it but Kiffin always seems very quick to praise Fargas and Bush but not so much with Mcfadden. For instance he was critical of Mcfadden not picking up consistent yards this week but he neither praised Mcfadden for breaking of 5 20+ yard runs or mentioning that last week Mcfadden did pick up yards fairly consistently. He also mentions Mcfaddens fumble as an issue but does not mention the fact Bush fumbled as well. I'm probably reading into this to much but I'm wondering if Kiffin is trying to send a message that the Raiders were already set at RB with Fargas/Bush than to spend a high draft pick on another RB when they had other needs. It won't matter much in a few weeks when Kiffin is gone but if so my respect level for Kiffin just dropped. Calling Walker out I can get. Calling Mcfadden out when by all reports he has done nothing but work hard in preseason is pretty sorry. Again, maybe I'm reading to much into it but I felt Kiffin was pretty much saying Mcfadden is not an every down back who consistently picks up yardage and could not be relied on in that role due even if he could due to his fumbling problems and is best used as a change of pace back.

 

[massraider]

I don't know why they're even going to suit McFadden up. Sit him this week & if needed next week heading into the bye. You'll give him 4 full weeks of rest (from Week 2 game to Week 6 with only 2 games missed). You'd think they'd look in their division at LT and realize 'hey maybe it's for the best long term we shut him down'.

Don't understand why they don't hold him out either with the bye week coming soon. Makes way more sense to get him healthy for the long run but than I guess Kiffin does not care because he won't be around anyway.Regarding Kiffins comment about Mcfadden not consistently gaining yards. Do you think this was another dig at Al Davis in the same respect he took a public dig at Walker? Maybe I've missed it but Kiffin always seems very quick to praise Fargas and Bush but not so much with Mcfadden. For instance he was critical of Mcfadden not picking up consistent yards this week but he neither praised Mcfadden for breaking of 5 20+ yard runs or mentioning that last week Mcfadden did pick up yards fairly consistently. He also mentions Mcfaddens fumble as an issue but does not mention the fact Bush fumbled as well. I'm probably reading into this to much but I'm wondering if Kiffin is trying to send a message that the Raiders were already set at RB with Fargas/Bush than to spend a high draft pick on another RB when they had other needs. It won't matter much in a few weeks when Kiffin is gone but if so my respect level for Kiffin just dropped. Calling Walker out I can get. Calling Mcfadden out when by all reports he has done nothing but work hard in preseason is pretty sorry. Again, maybe I'm reading to much into it but I felt Kiffin was pretty much saying Mcfadden is not an every down back who consistently picks up yardage and could not be relied on in that role due even if he could due to his fumbling problems and is best used as a change of pace back.

Kiffin was very complimentary of DMC all summer, and after the draft said they knew they wanted the guy in December. Kiffin is definitely a DMC guy.

 

[fflnut]

Sounds like DMC will take the needle and play today. I don't know a lot about turf toe, but this concerns me a little bit. Any idea how risky this is for DMC's health the rest of the way? Is turf toe something that easily gets worse?

 

[Cookiemonster]

Watch out for Griffith this week, especially in PPR. McFadden looked like he was back at Arkansas last week, cruisin' up the blvd vs. KC. Not so much vs Buffalo. Bush looked good vs. a weak, winded KC D. Griffith is a very good pass blocker, decent OOTB and can run it between the tackles. I predict DMC struggles, gaining 60 rushing + 25 recieving - no TDs. Bush gets 25 rushing & Griffith gets 30 rushing + 30 recieving. Once Oakland is sooo far behind that they have no choice but to pass more than they run, Griffith will get at least 1/2 of the snaps.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Watch out for Griffith this week, especially in PPR. McFadden looked like he was back at Arkansas last week, cruisin' up the blvd vs. KC. Not so much vs Buffalo. Bush looked good vs. a weak, winded KC D. Griffith is a very good pass blocker, decent OOTB and can run it between the tackles. I predict DMC struggles, gaining 60 rushing + 25 recieving - no TDs. Bush gets 25 rushing & Griffith gets 30 rushing + 30 recieving. Once Oakland is sooo far behind that they have no choice but to pass more than they run, Griffith will get at least 1/2 of the snaps.

Not sure this makes a lot of sense, given how the Raiders have used him thus far. If anything, he makes a good replacement for McFadden in passing downs. He's a fairly decent receiver, and has been used fairly consistently in this role, not as a guy toting the rock up the field.If McFadden ails, seems to me the bulk of the load goes to Bush, who is built for that role.

 

[Avery]

Sounds like DMC will take the needle and play today. I don't know a lot about turf toe, but this concerns me a little bit. Any idea how risky this is for DMC's health the rest of the way? Is turf toe something that easily gets worse?

It's a sprain and for a mild grade I turf toe the prescription is rest so I can't imagine running and cutting on it, especially with an injection to numb the pain, is going to be real helpful in terms of healing.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Watch out for Griffith this week, especially in PPR. McFadden looked like he was back at Arkansas last week, cruisin' up the blvd vs. KC. Not so much vs Buffalo. Bush looked good vs. a weak, winded KC D. Griffith is a very good pass blocker, decent OOTB and can run it between the tackles. I predict DMC struggles, gaining 60 rushing + 25 recieving - no TDs. Bush gets 25 rushing & Griffith gets 30 rushing + 30 recieving. Once Oakland is sooo far behind that they have no choice but to pass more than they run, Griffith will get at least 1/2 of the snaps.

Not sure this makes a lot of sense, given how the Raiders have used him thus far. If anything, he makes a good replacement for McFadden in passing downs. He's a fairly decent receiver, and has been used fairly consistently in this role, not as a guy toting the rock up the field.If McFadden ails, seems to me the bulk of the load goes to Bush, who is built for that role.

With a big 3rd & 4th quarter deficet, if Oakland is running single backs, Griffith could get some nice gains on draw plays and screens. He is probably the best in pass pro, and I'm nearly certain Bush will be rendered completely ineffective vs. Buffalo so probably Griffith/DMC splitting snaps in the 2nd half. Bush is the guy to come in and play clean-up. It's not going to happen again 'till the next game vs. KC.

 

[fflnut]

Was a pretty even split between Bush and McFadden last Sunday. Any updates on how McFadden is feeling after Sunday's game? New news on Fargas? Any coach's comments on the situation?

 

[Garts]

1 yard TD run by Russell.

With his body size..he is likely to get the 1 yard TDS.

 

[Statler & Waldorf]

Per ESPN:

News: Head coach Lane Kiffin said he expects McFadden's turf toe to clear up this week, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.

Spin: McFadden claims that his toe injury wasn't a factor on Sunday, but he slipped several times before getting touched and went through three pairs of cleats. A healthy McFadden is obviously a better McFadden, so hopefully Kiffin's prognosis is correct.

http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/resources/pla...s?teamMode=true

 

[fflnut]

Thanks Statler. Think it'll be a RBBC with Bush, or the DMC show?

 

[massraider]

Thanks Statler. Think it'll be a RBBC with Bush, or the DMC show?

Just from what we have seen, DMC will get the bulk of the carries. But that info and two bucks will get you on the subway. Anyone's guess is as good as yours. If the turf toe "clears up", that's great for DMC, but that kind of flies in the face of what we have known about this injury. Seems like the injury was minor. And DMC can say what he wants, but every time he slipped, it was off his left foot, the one with the plate.

 

[Chaka]

1 yard TD run by Russell.With his body size..he is likely to get the 1 yard TDS.

Between him and the 245lb Bush it will be hard for McFadden to come by any short yardage TDs.

 

[fflnut]

Thanks Statler. Think it'll be a RBBC with Bush, or the DMC show?

Just from what we have seen, DMC will get the bulk of the carries. But that info and two bucks will get you on the subway. Anyone's guess is as good as yours. If the turf toe "clears up", that's great for DMC, but that kind of flies in the face of what we have known about this injury. Seems like the injury was minor. And DMC can say what he wants, but every time he slipped, it was off his left foot, the one with the plate.

Agreed, I think DMC will likely get the majority, but I'm wondering if they'll use the same RBBC approach they were using with Fargas/DMC except that DMC gets the larger portion of the carries and Bush gets the smaller portion. Per the above poster, you'd think Bush would get the GL carries as well. If that's the case and being that Oakland runs so much, Bush could actually have half decent value. Disclaimer - I'm a Bush owner...No new news on Fargas eh? I know he hit my waiver wire a week ago, curious if that's the case with others too. Could be a nice pick up, but you have to wonder if the DMC/Bush combo works nicely, what they'll do with Fargas.

 

[Statler & Waldorf]

Thanks Statler. Think it'll be a RBBC with Bush, or the DMC show?

Just from what we have seen, DMC will get the bulk of the carries. But that info and two bucks will get you on the subway. Anyone's guess is as good as yours. If the turf toe "clears up", that's great for DMC, but that kind of flies in the face of what we have known about this injury. Seems like the injury was minor. And DMC can say what he wants, but every time he slipped, it was off his left foot, the one with the plate.

Agreed, I think DMC will likely get the majority, but I'm wondering if they'll use the same RBBC approach they were using with Fargas/DMC except that DMC gets the larger portion of the carries and Bush gets the smaller portion. Per the above poster, you'd think Bush would get the GL carries as well. If that's the case and being that Oakland runs so much, Bush could actually have half decent value. Disclaimer - I'm a Bush owner...No new news on Fargas eh? I know he hit my waiver wire a week ago, curious if that's the case with others too. Could be a nice pick up, but you have to wonder if the DMC/Bush combo works nicely, what they'll do with Fargas.

So you guys don't think Bush would get the goal line carries? I always assumed that McFadden had a great nose for the endzone so I would figure he would get first crack. I know before Russell rushed it in from the 1, McFadden got all the carries inside the 10 getting them to the 1 yard line. I don't know if he was in there for that one play though when they scored. I guess that would be pretty telling.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

No new news on Fargas eh? I know he hit my waiver wire a week ago, curious if that's the case with others too. Could be a nice pick up, but you have to wonder if the DMC/Bush combo works nicely, what they'll do with Fargas.

In my mind, the fact that we have heard absolutely nothing on Fargas this long after the injury means nothing good. I dropped him myself to build better depth for the bye weeks coming up.