The Oakland Raiders will have a college superstar running back playing his first game in the NFL this season.
As a junior, this phenom rushed for 1,143 yards and 23 touchdowns on only 205 carries. In his last performance, he rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns...in the first half! You can't forget about the tight spirals and touchdowns being thrown while he was playing quarterback either.
He's 6-foot-2, 245 lbs, and has some of the quickest feet of any player in the country. Wait a minute. Those numbers don't match up to Darren McFadden. As a matter of fact, he already has a number.
So who is this player?
His name is Michael Bush. His last game was the first game of the season versus Kentucky, where he had the infamous right tibia break during his third touchdown run at the beginning of the second half. That was supposed to be his Heisman season.
Luckily for the Raiders, this sure lock of a top 15 pick dropped to the fourth round at pick number 100. He's a product of the Male High School Bulldogs, where he played quarterback, cornerback, safety, running back, linebacker, defensive end, and wide receiver. He played quarterback in the state championship game against fellow Louisville teammate Brian Brohm, and threw for 468 yards, six touchdowns passing, one touchdown running, and another 116 yards on the ground.
His solid frame and quick feet have him drawing comparisons to Jamal Lewis. In the hole, the short, choppy steps that are taken to find the proper lane and then be gone, are the ones that separate these two backs from the likes of others.
Except Michael Bush has an insane amount of explosiveness. His initial burst and sudden change of lateral movement to elude and then power over not only defensive backs, but linebackers, make him a rare find. Coming out of the backfield, his hands are exceptional on the swing pass.
We already have Justin Fargas, who isn't a "home-run hitter," but can always find the right lane, and gained 1,000 yards in only eight starts. Don't forget about the veteran Dominic Rhodes either. LaMont will be cut on the first of June, so I do not need to include him on this. If it wasn't for Denver and Kansas City in serious running back trouble, LaMont would've been gone and we could've got an insight on Bush then.
Unlike McFadden, who runs through gaps, Bush makes gaps. Ask anyone, especially Reggie Bush. Those holes in the college level aren't there in the NFL.
In the zone blocking scheme, you patiently wait, then make the hole and break through the hole. Those short, choppy steps that grind through opposing defenders, make him inevitably a threat to change direction at any time with fantastic reflexes. He fits our zone system better then any running back in the draft.
I don't know about you, but I've never seen McFadden go anywhere except through a gaping hold in the middle or run to the outside then just run on a straight line. That is not our system my fellow Raider fans. Let's stick with the runner who can break a tackle.
Comments (21) Add a comment »
from about 1 month ago
I like the article about Michael Bush and I think he will make his presence felt for the Raiders in 2008. I also have said on several occasions that the Raiders don't have a need to draft Darren McFadden but it is possible the Al Davis will draft him. It wouldn't be my decision. I also wanted to ask you what is up with "In the zone blocking scheme, you patiently wait, then make the hole and break the hole?" Just joking with you but you might want to check out this link to put things in proper perspective
http://espn.go.com/ncf/cfa101/20060523/minn_insidezoneblocking.html
Go Raiders!
from about 1 month ago
I think that all that McFadden would bring the raiders is another passing option out of the backfield... and i think that is something Bush, Fargas and Rhodes can all do very well... McFadden is not peterson and will end up probably not earning his role as an early 1st round pick... if that is when he is taken!! and for who i would take at the no. 4 pick?? - jake long, chris long, vernon gholston, sederick ellis or glenn dorsey. This year is a draft for lineman... and i think all we NEED to draft is lineman...
Go Raiders!!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks jeff, that a pretty sweet little demo espn had....
but what i meant by it was the runningback gets the ball, lets his blockers move into the zone they're trying to block (thats the waiting part)...
its not like they automatically create a hole, most plays take time to develope, the back has to decided at which cut he wants to make (thats making the hole)....
and then the runner can attack the hole with one, possibly two cuts (depending on his vision) and break through the hole to the 2nd level of the defense (thats breaking the hole)
I hope that clarifys things up. Thanks for the comments!
from about 1 month ago
About time some good input on the silver and black!!
I'm from Southern Cali and a Reggie Bush fan especially when he was running for the Trojans, but I personally believe Michael Bush is a better back. Dont get me wrong Reggie is not horrible he just excels better in one dept than the other, but M. Bush has abilities in every dept for a running back...this kid is going to burst into the top 10 running backs in the league next year if he gets the opportunity. We dont need DMC (which i personally like) but we need help elsewhere maybe trade down and get more picks and get 2 decent WR back to back to strenghten our recieving corps but that is only if Chris Long is off the board. If C. Long is available by no means draft the kid he may not have stats but he never quits on any play!!!
Cant wait until the summer and all I have to say is "We're Back!!!!"
from about 1 month ago
Very well written article! I am glad to see that somebody else hasn't forgotten who Michael Bush is, or that we have him. Thanks Ryan!
from about 1 month ago
I think it would be a dumb move for Oakland to take McFadden. They are better off seeing what Bush can do. I've heard so much about it since last season, and I'd like to see him get his shot in 2008.
from about 1 month ago
Very nice article on why they should give Michael Bush his shot, by the way.
from about 1 month ago
McFadden is overated and will just be a third round back in the NFL who blocks well and able to go up the middle in. Yes he shows some explosiveness though so do half of the top ten backs in the draft if the Raiders really feel they need that type of back pick him up in later rounds hopefully they do not waste their first pick on him. . Just remember he does have problems off the field from his past the Raiders need to clean their image not make it worse. If the Raiders go for offense in first round select Jake Long (OT). If the Raiders decide on defense they should select Vernon Gholston (DE) he will suprise some people....
from about 1 month ago
This is a tricky one because it is imperative that we get our running game rushing even better than last year. Fargas, Bush and McFadden. Hmmmm. The zone blocking will be critical for the success of our young QB. The Play action pass is very important for J-Russell’s success. And with Coach Kiffin play calling he can do some things with McFadden. I’m just saying if we go McFadden I believe Kiffin will use him accordingly. “The autumn wind is in the air”
from about 1 month ago
Hopefully im still right with the Gholston pick instead of mcfadden...but the RAIDERS SIGNING KALIMBA EDWARDS DOES NOT HELP MY CASE
from about 1 month ago
Here's a link from something I repsonded to regarding the DMAC Bush debate...
http://www.prosportsdaily.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4707844#post4707844
from about 1 month ago
I still really do not truly understand why many sports writers are projecting McFadden to go to the Raiders as the 4th pick. He may not even be a top ten draft pick. The Raiders should either select Gholston or either one of the Long's if all are gone by the 4th pick then select Dorsey or trade. Otherwise the Raiders will be making a big mistake since they at this point still do not have a second nor third round draft pick. Hello people this would be uncalled for to waste a draft pick on a position that's all ready been filled. The Raiders need a back up QB more then they need a solid RB.
from about 1 month ago
Why would you not want a McFadden/Bush RB tandem? Thunder & Lightning
from about 1 month ago
I think the Oakland Raiders should get Mcfadden because he's a good RB. I also think the Raiders should get Chris Long because he's a good linemen. But I really Don't care who they get unless they get a good player for the team.GO RAIDERS
from about 1 month ago
Overated??? DMAC is the 2nd leading rusher in the history of the SEC and he's overated? Correct me if I am wrong but he did this in the best football conference in all of college sports and in 3 years. The SEC also currenty has the most player in the NFL. Let's see what other running backs he passed on his way to #2 on the list of most yards in conference history:
Hershel Walker is #1. Played 4 years
Darren McFadden is #2. Played 3 years.
The others would be (In no particular order):
Emmitt Smith, Bo Jackson, Fred Taylor, Shaun Alexander, Terrell Davis, Garrison Hearst, Jamal Lewis, Deuce McCallister, Stephen Davis, Charlie Garner, Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, Travis Henry, Orlandis Gary, Joseph Adai, Jerrious Norwood, Rudi Johnson, Kevin Faulk, Domonick Davis, George Rogers, Dalton Hilliard, Barry Foster, James Brooks, etc, etc, etc.
from about 1 month ago
Darren McFadden SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Michael Bush BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from about 1 month ago
Breh Raiders are getting Gholston or Chris Long hopefully in the first round. We Dont Need Darren McFadden!!! Hes goood but he doesnt run like the raiders run scheme and plus Oh My God I Cant Wait till Michael Bush steps out on to that field...He's the next Jamal Lewis Period!!!He's Getting over a 1,000 yards when its 2010.
Go Raiders!!!
from about 1 month ago
Michael Bush will rush for 1500 yards in 2009!!! Come on Lawrence!!!
from about 1 month ago
Good stuff, man. It's nice to see a glimmer of sense in this fog of McFadden nut-huggers.
Bush, Fargas, Rhodes. I can get behind that.
Burgess, Warren, Sands, Kelly, Richardson, Edwards. That's a D-line rotation that opposing offenses can't wait to see.
I'd sooner reach a little for Sed Ellis than take a RB we have no use for.
from about 1 month ago
If Michael Bush is 100% healthy he will be a star he was awesome at Louisville and no doubt can do the same at the pro level however could you immagine the power/speed of Bush and the speed/explosivness of Darren McFadden combined? I for one still think D-Mac would be a great pick for the raiders. They have enough pieces on defense already so why not beef up the offense and draft McFadden this would deffinatly take alot of pressure off of Jamarcus Russell and make his transition to starting role a lot smoother. With Jordan likely to be released and Rhodes aging that leaves Fargas as the only proven 1000 yd rusher left and if Mike Bush isnt 100% up to speed yet from his injury then having a guy like McFadden makes even more since Glenn Dorsey is the only other player that would make since but he will likely be gone Sedrick Ellis is good and would be a good replacement for Sapp but he isnt worth the 4th pick overall so I say draft Darren Mcfadden and allow Lane Kiffin to gameplan with him as he did with Reggie Bush at USC I mean can you immagine what kinds of plays Kiffin could come up with to take advantage of McFaddens explosivness? It would sure be fun to watch and it sure would bring some much needed excitment back to Raider football!
from about 1 month ago
DRAFT MCFADDEN CAN YOU IMMAGINE "THUNDER" MICHAEL BUSH AND "LIGHTNING" DARREN MCFADDEN! COULD BE THE BEST RUNNING BACK COMBO IN YEARS ALSO THROW IN A LITTLE JUSTIN FARGAS AND YOU HAVE A TRIO THAT COULDNT BE STOPPED OR GAMEPLANNED AGAINST RHODES IS ONLY FIT TO BE A ROLE PLAYER AND LAMONT JORDAN WILL LIKELY BE RELEASED SO THE RAIDERS "NEED" TO DRAFT DARREN MCFADDEN WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE RAIDER NATION WHY DRAFT A DEFENSIVE PLAYER FOR A DEFENSE THAT WAS ALREADY RANKED IN THE TOP 10 OVERALL? IT WOULD BE A WASTED PICK THE RAIDERS NEED OFFENSIVE HELP NOT DEFENSE. SO COME AL DAVIS DO WHAT YOU MUST DRAFT DARREN MCFADDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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