The Oakland Raider's first round pick, Darren McFadden has started mini-camp, and he looks like he could become one of the greats! So how should the Raiders use him? And in how many ways?
Since he's a running back, let's start with the running game.
McFadden is not the only good (or unproven) running back on the Raider's roster.
Veteran Justin Fargas is coming back (already signed) after fabulous year during which he ran for over 1,000 yards. We also have Micheal Bush, who is unproven, yet promising. These two backs will/should serve as back-ups if McFadden can't play.
Next up, the passing game.
The Raiders have somewhat veteran Jamarcus Russel who most fans believe can improve. At the WR position we have Javon walker, Ronald Curry, Arman Shields, and many more talented players. At Tight End, we have amazing veteran Zach Miller.
We can also use our three awesome running backs for screens/short passes. We know they can do that.
McFadden also played QB in college. This might be a give away, but that probably won't happen with the Oakland Raiders.
Finally, special teams.
In Arkansas, McFadden had a fumbling problem with his kick returns (if not every where else). If mini-camp can improve this, We don't have to search for someone to Replace Chris Carr! And we could watch a play-maker get 40-50 yard Returns!
Well, that'll wrap it up, thanks for Reading! Oh yeah, I have to give some credit to Zander, who gave me the idea.
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2 months ago
My computer's freezing up a bit so i can't post editor feedback, I might as well type it here I guess:
Good stuff, you made a few spelling/ grammatical errors but that's about it. Feel free to switch back to the original article if you want.
Peace,
Max
P.S. I wouldn't call Russel or Miller veterans but that's your prerogative.
from 2 months ago
Max, thanks for the nice words. As to your "P.S.", I said Russel was a SOMEWHAT veteran. And according to me Zach is not only Great, but a veteran.
2 months ago
Please stop writing about the Raiders. You are absolutely clueless. "amazing veteran Zach Miller"??? I about fell out of my seat laughing when I read that. Leave the writing to people who know football, and more importantly, know the Raiders.
Ur idea about DMC running back kicks? Utterly laughable. Nobody would ever risk their franchise running back to return kicks. Are you aware that part of the reason we drafted Tyvon Branch was to return kicks?
I'm tired of overly optimisitc, naive, clueless Raider fans posting crap like this.
I log onto raidernews.com everyday to read reports on my team by PROFESSIONAL journalists, not hacks like you.
Please stop.
2 months ago
I agree with Jon. Do you even know anything about football, much less the Raiders? Most of these b/r articles suck......wish Raidernews would stop picking them up.
2 months ago
Um, Jon, glen?
Give the guy a break. He's getting his feet wet.....give him time.
After all, everyone starts as a rookie.
Personally, I wouldn't risk injury in having McFadden try returns, simply, if he screws up, blows out a ACL or other injury, there goes the season for him.
Leave him in as a RB, and with the ability to catch on the fly.
BTW, what's the difference between a vet and a rookie?
Experience. Miller's had his one season, and did well with it.
2 months ago
Raider Tard, Jon and Glen are right. Just because we are Raider fans, doesnt mean everything has to be nice and shiny. They have 19 wins in 5 YEARS. Stop being homers and start being realistic. T
This Bleacher Report is a lame site with "writer's" about as qualified as I am posting their opinions. The first paragraph reads, "Darren McFadden has started mini-camp, and he looks like he could become one of the greats!" Are you kidding? Mini camp? We all know there is no tackling, right? Every year we read about some guy "turening heads" or "raising eyebrows" only to find out that the guy gets cut in August. McFadden obvisoly wont get cut, but lets calm down till these guys play, at least, in a pre-season GAME.
For the record, starting one game does not make Jamarcus Russell a "somewhat veteran".
This article is Bush League.
2 months ago
I had written some other things here but I need to say something to you blog guys. Especially Jon & Glen... You want a perfect world? Well sorry guys it doesn't exist.
You don't like the guys writing here then... Why are you here? Newspapers have these "PROFESSIONAL journalists" that you so fervently seek. This to me sounds like the wrong venue for you and for your discriminating tastes.
Unless of course that you're into pain somehow?
It's hard for me to understand why being this so painful for you & to the point of being "tired of overly optimisitc, naive, clueless Raider fans posting crap like this." that you bother to even read any of this???
Maybe decaf would be better for you this morning because regardless, my friend... This too will pass
Now don't get me wrong I too disagree with David about 90 percent of it but he's just voicing an OPINION, what's wrong with that????
I really dislike (for example ) Nancy Gay, yet, I alway read her stuff and even once in a great time (RARE OCCASION AS THAT MAYBE) I actually see what she's trying to say.
Besides dude this type of venom ultimatly hurts you coz... it's spilling in your body and nobody elses.
See, that's just my point of view. I don't think I hurt anyone, no doubt you disagree and that's fine... I don't think myself infallible bro. So I always screw up.. but you know I always have fun.
Raider Nation Baby... Can you feeeeeel it!!!
2 months ago
lame
2 months ago
exactly. see if you can write an article. relax and stop being glass is half empty you downers.
2 months ago
Snoopy and Raidercard,
We just don't like wasting our time with stupid nonsense that has no point. You say the author, if you could call him that, is a rookie. But by his standards, he is a full fledge 14 year veteran. And to David Richardson, do not call yourself an analyst. You suck. Your article entitled "How Good is your team?" Waste of time.
2 months ago
Jamarcus Russell is technically a veteran but one start and two other appearances, that would be misleading.
Zach Miller had a very productive rookie season but he is not amazing.
"three awesome running backs"??? 1,000 yards in a 16 game season is not awesome. There are probably only two awesome running backs in the NFL who run, pass, catch, and block and one plays in SD and the other plays in Philly.
Kiffin probably dials up 4-5 halfback option passes and he probably only throws three passes all year as tucks the other two. To even remotely suggest that McFadden lines up a QB is ridiculous.
The Raiders, and most teams in the NFL for that matter, are not going to have their $55 million dollar 1st round guy return kicks.
from 2 months ago
Chris (the one that has a picture),
After I said he played QB in college, I said it probably won't happen in Oakland.
2 months ago
Don't listen to these a** holes. Keep it up David. I may not share your opinions but as long as your in the mighty Silver & Black I will respect them.
2 months ago
Keep it up Dave, don't take the criticism too personally here (been a rough 5 seasons) simply keep the information posted by your darksidean brothers for future consideration when penning your articles; and keep up the positive Raider mojo (I'm hopin' playoffs)! Hey folks, would you rather read some inane blathering written by some toothless, trailer inhabiting, inbred (chargers, queefs or donkey fan) "hater?"
2 months ago
Y'all do not know how lucky you are D-MAC fell to you in this draft. He's a true football player. I've seen him play in H.S. and he was a better safety than RB. If the Coach doesn't mess w/ his assignments and lets him run outta the " I " he'll be a great.
2 months ago
this really was a horible blog. McFadden as a kick returner is laughable, he avg about 19 yrds a return looks like you think we should have drafted felix. The whole veteran tag is "technically" a joke. how can a 2nd year player be a vet just cuz there not a rookie? haha.. what u should be focusing on is the impact dmac will have in the slot, with kiffin's work w/ bush in college this will be a sight to see. Watch out for the future raider duo dmac and bush gonna be trouble. cant wait to be in oakland for monday nights opening day!!!
Raider Nation Baby
from 2 months ago
Ummmmm.... Stanley, you forgot something. While you're saying my article sucks.... You haven't even wrote one.
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