Darren McFadden: Impact Analysis

Darren McFadden has just completed his first NFL mini-camp, albeit with some players that might not have a 510 area code four months from now. The goal was to impress the coaching staff. That mission was accomplished, but he has also energized the Raider Nation in the process.

As a fan of the Raiders for the last five years, happiness only comes in for a short visit before it has to go down the road. Happiness has been something that’s heard of, but hardly ever seen. Some Raider fans know this entity, because they can recall seeing it. We want happiness to know it’s appreciated when it comes calling.

In his first professional practices, Darren McFadden learned that there is a big difference between the speed of the college game and the speed of the pro game. He also learned that you will be yelled at, scolded, and scrutinized, as well as praised by your employer.

He had a crash course in “practice hard and fast, as if you’re in a game.” He is a fast learner, a student of the game that wants to be the best. It’s nothing personal, but it is essential in his development as a professional football player. Darren McFadden is up to the challenge, and he gets it. He is a football guy that is extremely happy that the business side is almost over, and that he can focus on football. 

Everyone expects Darren McFadden to be good, but the Raiders want Darren McFadden to be great. The biggest knock on him coming out of college were the 23 fumbles he had. The fact of the matter is that all of the fumbles weren’t as a running back.

This was something that Raider's running-back coach Tom Rathman noticed, and spoke with McFadden about during his visit with the team prior to the draft.

Tom Rathman noticed that Darren McFadden wasn't locking his elbow down. Learning to lock is elbow to his side is something that is being taught to McFadden. The coaching staff has already addressed this, and will continue to work with him so that fumbling won’t be an issue.

Darren McFadden has been carrying the ball his way for years, it has brought him recognition and got him to this point. He is being taught the correct way to carry the ball that will limit the chances of fumbling. He is learning to break a habit which will take sometime but will make him a better player.

During the three-day mini-camp, Darren McFadden lined up as a running back out of the I-formation, he lined up as a wide receiver, and he took snaps from the QB position. The coaching staff was noticeably intrigued with the multiple options he brings to the team. 

He will be a part of a three-RB rotation with Justin Fargas and Michael Bush, with Fargas as the starter. The question remains, how much of an impact can he make in 2008?

I feel that Darren McFadden will have an immediate impact in this offense. I see him accumulating anywhere from 500-700 yards rushing while scoring six TDs, 15-20 receptions for 300-400 yards receiving while scoring three TDs, and he will throw two TD passes.

He will further impact this offense by being a part of a running game that will take a tremendous amount of pressure off of JaMarcus Russell. Playing musical chairs at QB, by necessity, last year's passing offense averaged 164.4 yards. The 2008 Raiders' passing game will be more potent than last year’s version, due to Russell being in camp from day one, and the complete upgrade at the position that starts with WR Coach James Lofton and several new players at the position.

Russell won’t have to throw the ball on average more than 25 times a game. Defenses won’t be able to place eight defenders in the box to stop the run, because of the versatility and unpredictablity that will be a part of this offense.

In the violent world of pro football you can never have enough running backs. Most teams have gone to a two-back system. The Raiders new three-headed RB tandem of Fargas, McFadden, and Michael Bush gives the Raiders' rushing attack three different runners. The versatile tandem can not only impact a game, but take it over.

Justin Fargas will more than likely be the starter, as he is a more traditional running back. Darren McFadden’s role will be to impact the game as instant offense at several positions: rushing, receiving, and passing.

Michael Bush can fill both of the above mentioned roles; which he will at times, but he will work out well as a between-the-tackles, short-yardage, and goal-line runner.

Sometimes things don’t change; however, that is not the case in Oakland. The Raiders' rushing attack will make a lot of noise in 2008.