Oakland Raiders News: Replacing Michael Bush Is Biggest Preseason Key

A balanced offense will be crucial if the Oakland Raiders are going to continue making progress toward a return to the playoffs after finishing 8-8 in each of the past two seasons. One void that will need to get filled is that of departed backup running back Michael Bush.

In a perfect world, starter Darren McFadden would complete an entire campaign, get around 325 touches and illustrate why we was an MVP candidate for the first portion of last season. But Raiders fans have learned not to expect that.

McFadden has never played in more than 13 games in a season during his four-year career, including just seven last season due to a nagging foot injury that never healed enough for him to make a return to the lineup. Thus, Bush was forced into full-time duty.

Bush finished the season with nearly 1,400 total yards and eight touchdowns. He parlayed that success into a long-term contract from the Chicago Bears, leaving the Raiders without an experienced backup.

The search for his replacement will begin on Monday Night Football, as the Raiders take on the Dallas Cowboys to close out the first full week of preseason action. It appears Lonyae Miller will get his day in the spotlight first.

Jerry McDonald of Oakland Tribune reports that Miller will see a bulk of the carries on Monday because of injuries to Mike Goodson and Taiwan Jones, who are also in the race to serve as the main backup to the dynamic McFadden.

Since the Raiders aren't going to take an unnecessary risks with McFadden in an exhibition game, Miller has a golden opportunity to stand out from the crowd against the Cowboys.

He's the running back most like Bush from the team's available options. He doesn't possess McFadden's game-changing ability, which is why he went undrafted, but he's capable of grinding out yards and moving the chains.

With Carson Palmer having officially shaken off all the rust from his holdout at the beginning of last season and a young group of wide receivers with another year of experience under their belts, that's really all the Raiders need from a backup running back.

A full season of McFadden would take the offense to another level of efficiency, but if he can't survive the grind of 16 games, the consistency that Miller will attempt to provide should still work.

If he fails to seize the opportunity, however, Goodson and Jones will both get their chances to shine in the coming weeks.

Goodson showed off some potential two years ago with the Carolina Panthers. He gained 4.4 yards per carry and was also a reliable threat in the passing game. The team's depth at the position made him the odd man out last season, though.

Jones has plenty of speed and agility, but his lack of size leaves questions about his ability to carry the load if necessary. He seems more like a change-of-pace back behind either Miller or Goodson should McFadden miss time.

But that's what the preseason is for. The Raiders have four games to decide which running back is best suited to become McFadden's main understudy heading in to an important season opener against the San Diego Chargers in less than a month.

Who knows, maybe this will finally be the year McFadden makes it through all 16 games without any issues. But the Raiders can't count on that. They must have an alternative plan in place.

Monday night is the first step toward figuring that plan out.