You want McFadden? I say pass...
Posted 02-09-2008 at 04:26 AM by BK
Being a member of Raiderfans.net enables members to share their opinions with fellow fans. As of this writing, it seems that the majority of fans on this site wants Darren McFadden. While he has all the intangibles you would want in a running back, he's shifty, fast and has great hands, this would be the wrong pick for the Raiders. Here's why:
Tom Cable installed a version of the zone blocking system. All offensive lineman have a responsibility and it's pretty clear as to which part of the line each player needs to protect. When Art Shell was the coach, he installed a man up system, which was popular in the 70's. In Shell's system, you would need the running back to find the holes in the line and exploit them. A more skilled running back is needed in such a system. Back to Cable's system... In 2007, the Raiders had three running backs that eclipsed the 100-yard mark - Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes. I'm not trying to discredit any of them, but their success was predicated on Cable's system. Just like the Denver Broncos, the running back is not the most important component; the system is. They have traded away several successful backs only to improve their team. The Raiders should follow suit. With a successful system in place, it doesn't matter who we have running the rock.
There are more glaring needs, especially when you look at the defensive line. Warren Sapp retired and they need a replacement for him. The ends, Chris Clemmons, Jay Richardson and Derrick Burgess make a nice rotation but Burgess and Clemmons' future is up in the air. Will they resign and stay on board in Oakland in 2008?
I think the choice is clear, draft the best defensive linemen or defensive end on the board. Three names come to mind:
Chris Long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoLOkC4OmlQ
Sedrick Ellis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijMhukAKaa0
Glen Dorsey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EWHdz2nygU
GO RAIDERS!!!
Have an opinion? Let's hear it! Start bloggin today: http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/blog.php
Tom Cable installed a version of the zone blocking system. All offensive lineman have a responsibility and it's pretty clear as to which part of the line each player needs to protect. When Art Shell was the coach, he installed a man up system, which was popular in the 70's. In Shell's system, you would need the running back to find the holes in the line and exploit them. A more skilled running back is needed in such a system. Back to Cable's system... In 2007, the Raiders had three running backs that eclipsed the 100-yard mark - Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes. I'm not trying to discredit any of them, but their success was predicated on Cable's system. Just like the Denver Broncos, the running back is not the most important component; the system is. They have traded away several successful backs only to improve their team. The Raiders should follow suit. With a successful system in place, it doesn't matter who we have running the rock.
There are more glaring needs, especially when you look at the defensive line. Warren Sapp retired and they need a replacement for him. The ends, Chris Clemmons, Jay Richardson and Derrick Burgess make a nice rotation but Burgess and Clemmons' future is up in the air. Will they resign and stay on board in Oakland in 2008?
I think the choice is clear, draft the best defensive linemen or defensive end on the board. Three names come to mind:
Chris Long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoLOkC4OmlQ
Sedrick Ellis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijMhukAKaa0
Glen Dorsey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EWHdz2nygU
GO RAIDERS!!!
Have an opinion? Let's hear it! Start bloggin today: http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/blog.php
Total Comments 5
Comments
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Nice. I have been arguing the same points for months. We were ranked in the top 5 in rushing with mediocre running backs. If Michael Bush comes out and lives up to expectations, we have our future back installed. If Not, we were 4th in rushing with mediocre running backs. IT IS THE SYSTEM. Focus needs to be in other glaring areas of weakness and the running back position is not one of them.
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Posted 02-09-2008 at 04:35 AM by LOUISVILLE R8R
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Can't agree with you enough BK. A lot fo people think that McFadden will make the team better on his own. He won't. There are a lot of needs tha Raiders have and running back isn't it. WE might even want to trade down for more picks, but in my opinion we should draft Sedrick Ellis. He's the best run-stopper between him and Dorsey. Dorsey is better rushing the passer. I'd love to see the Raiders get Long's son, but I don't think that DE is as high a priority than DT. We also need a SS bad. If the Raiders load up on 2-3 DT's find a run-stopping MLB and a good all-around SS, you's see a huge improvement.
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Posted 02-09-2008 at 09:43 AM by RileyGray
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agreed. i've been preaching this all off season and during the playoffs.
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Posted 02-10-2008 at 04:22 AM by j. ViLLA
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don't forget dmac has character issues.
MUCH RESPECT TO THE NATION |
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Posted 02-21-2008 at 02:09 PM by Brazy
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no doubt!
We have more pressing needs... |
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Posted 02-28-2008 at 11:43 AM by BK
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