Raiders: How Darren McFadden (scoring) Helps Stop the Run

How can a RB help a defense stop the run? Find peace grasshopper, and check this out:

Can Score             Can't score

1. NE   -  32       MIA   - 26
2. DAL -  28       NYJ   - 25
3. IND  -  10       SF    - 32
4. GB   -  18       DEN  - 21
5. SD   -  21       OAK  - 23
6. JAX  -  27       ATL   - 29
7. ARZ - 24         KC    - 31
8. CLE  - 9          CAR   - 26
9. PIT   - 31         CLE   -  8
10. SEA  -  19        BUF  - 30  

The teams that can score are listed in order for 2007 regular season scoring offense and the number next to them corresponds to their defensive rank for rushing attempts against. You might also note that of the top 10 teams that could score last year, eight made the playoffs.

Conversely, the teams that can't score are listed in order for 2007 regular season rushing attempts against and the number next to them corresponds to their scoring offense rank. It's also worth noting that none of the teams that can't score made the playoffs. 

As a cautionary note, the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants are not on either of these lists, so take that for what it is worth. Don't, however, fail to understand that a potent scoring offense takes the running game away from your opponent    and considerably increases your chances of winning. It's not like the numbers show that if teams stop the run, they score more.

Now if you want to argue that Darren McFadden is not the best scoring threat in this year's draft, I'd have to disagree, but I'm all ears and would love to hear your reasoning on how you would defend that assertion. But if you are trying to tell me that the Raiders should pass on McFadden, if available, in order to put another player on defense, because that would give the team the best chance of winning, I say take another look at the numbers.     

To me, Darren McFadden is the best scoring threat in this draft and brings a skill set not found on the current roster that would provide the Raiders offense with the versatility and potency to make them winners. I'm not saying the Raiders will or even should take McFadden, if available. What I am saying is that I understand why they are looking at him, and they wouldn't be so wrong to draft him.