Mike Goodson likes his chances in Oakland

[Jimi18]

LINK: Mike Goodson likes his chances in Oakland | ProFootballTalk

The Raiders shipped tackle Bruce Campbell to Carolina for running back Mike Goodson. And as Paul Gutierrez of CSNBayArea.com recently explained it, Goodson could end up being a better fit as McFadden’s No. 2 than Bush.

[Hawaiian Raider]

Especially if McFadden, who missed nine games in 2011, can’t stay healthy.

Then again, Goodson missed 12 games last year with a hamstring injury.

“In this offense you’re definitely going to need more than one guy,” Goodson said.

... and I think that holds true for today's NFL regardless of the offense. There's not too many RBs in today's NFL that can carry a team by themselves, be a 3-down back all game long.

[OAKR8RPHX]

LINK: Mike Goodson likes his chances in Oakland | ProFootballTalk

The Raiders shipped tackle Bruce Campbell to Carolina for running back Mike Goodson. And as Paul Gutierrez of CSNBayArea.com recently explained it, Goodson could end up being a better fit as McFadden’s No. 2 than Bush.

Hope this kid turns out to be a descent backup. Not like we gave a lot to get him.

[Raiderade12]

Yeah I hope it does work out well for him!

[foodisgood70]

Hoping that the hamstring injury was more due to the lockout than being injury prone. He played in all 16 games the year before, something McFadden hasn't been able to do yet. So that's at least a positive sign

[SLVR and Black]

I'm actually excited to see what he can do out there, he seems to have gotten some serious respect in college, perhaps with a good O-line, he could turn out to be a good option...provided he can hang onto the ball.

[sil&blk]

The fumbling talk is kinda scarying me because as a Raider fan we get screwed a lot and the last thing we need is the back up RB giving up the ball.

I think he'll be solid for us. His college highlight reel was pretty epic. He looks small but his frame looks solid. Hopefully Tjones works out in this offense too

[JUSTWINBABY9111]

... and I think that holds true for today's NFL regardless of the offense. There's not too many RBs in today's NFL that can carry a team by themselves, be a 3-down back all game long.

That's why we need to add another RB for insurance.

[Raider Ran]

That's why we need to add another RB for insurance.

I agree this is a position I am not comfortable with being Knapp usually relies on the run game to set up the passing game. They need to free up some cash and sign Benson IMO.

[heavyD]

They need to free up some cash and sign Benson IMO.

Why? The fact that 32 teams have so far passed on him makes me believe that he's asking for more than he's perceived as being worth or teams simply think that he's near the end of the line as a productive RB. I would rather see what we have in Jones and Goodson before bringing in recycled goods as there will be more than a few guys available at the end of training camp after final roster cuts.

[UglyDuck]

he seems to have gotten some serious respect in college

Interesting pre-draft blurb on Goodson from NFL.com:

Overview: Once called the "future of the team" by coach Mike Sherman, Goodson left the university after his junior year under mysterious circumstances. The talented running back could possibly shift to wide receiver at the next level, but injuries and problems with the coaching staff caused the player and team to part ways quietly. No announcement was made of his decision to apply for the 2009 NFL Draft, as he just showed up on the list of players who were leaving school early in January.

At his season-ending press conference, Aggies coach Mike Sherman hardly wanted to discuss why Goodson wouldn't be back, and why a year ago Sherman had said he wanted to build the offense around Goodson. "We wanted to, but we didn't," said Sherman, whose first team finished 4-8. "We tried to, but it just didn't happen." Sherman said in December that he didn't expect the junior tailback to return to the Aggies for his senior season. The coach wouldn't elaborate but said it was because of a "combination of things."

In 2006, Goodson enrolled at Texas A&M, where he was selected the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year by the Austin American-Statesman. He also garnered All-Big 12 honorable mention, as he led the team in rushing with 847 yards and four touchdowns on 127 carries (6.7 avg), despite starting just one game. He also grabbed 17 passes for 113 yards (6.6 avg) in 13 contests. In the Holiday Bowl vs. California, he gained 62 yards on the ground before he was sidelined by a left knee injury.

Goodson started six of the 13 contests he appeared in during his sophomore campaign. Part of a three-member running back committee, he raced for 711 yards and four scores on 153 carries (4.6 avg). He finished second on the team with 361 yards and four touchdowns on 36 receptions (10.0 avg), proving to be more than a capable receiver when flexed out wide. However, he missed a practice before the Oklahoma game and the coaches did not let him play in the first half.

Goodson's production continued to regress in 2008. He was limited to six carries vs. New Mexico after spraining his right knee and eventually sat out two other contests. He finished the season with 406 yards and five touchdowns on 94 carries, but gained only 74 yards and one touchdown in his last five contests. He continued to excel as a receiver, though, catching 37 passes for 386 yards (10.4 avg) and three scores.

Positives: Lean, athletic build, but one that seems better suited to wide receiver in the NFL. Rare speed and agility. Quick to and through the hole. Can make defenders miss in tight spaces and flashes exceptional elusiveness in the open field. Rare balance and the ability to cut at top speed in either direction. Experienced receiver out of the backfield. Runs with functional power, despite less than ideal strength, as he keeps his legs churning and spins out of tackles. A threat to go the distance every time he has the ball in his hands. Lacks experience as a special teams returner, but has the potential to be a standout in this area -- much like former Aggie Dante Hall.

Negatives: Lacks the bulk to be an every-down back. Marginal leg drive for short-yardage situations. Undeniable athleticism, but Goodson's production dropped in each of his three seasons with the Aggies -- and it can't be blamed on just touches as his yards per carry also dropped each year. Legitimate intangible red flags regarding his struggles to coexist with former Texas A&M head coach R.C. Slocum and his staff, as well as current head coach Mike Sherman and his staff, especially considering that Sherman publicly touted Goodson as the player the offense would be centered around when he took the position. Scouts will also question Goodson's toughness after he missed time with sprains in his neck, groin and right knee since last spring.

Injury Report

2006: Suffered a left knee sprain vs. California in the Holiday Bowl (12/28)...Doctors first feared the injury was a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

2008: Left the New Mexico game (9/06) after only six carries due to a right knee sprain...Sat out the Iowa State (10/25) and Colorado games (11/01) with a knee sprain.

2009: Could not complete agility tests during A&M's Pro Day (3/04) after he tweaked his hamstring.

[UglyDuck]

clips:

[Jungemann07]

clips:

These highlights are sick

[BleedSnB]

Interesting pre-draft blurb on Goodson from NFL.com:

Overview: Once called the "future of the team" by coach Mike Sherman, Goodson left the university after his junior year under mysterious circumstances. The talented running back could possibly shift to wide receiver at the next level, but injuries and problems with the coaching staff caused the player and team to part ways quietly. No announcement was made of his decision to apply for the 2009 NFL Draft, as he just showed up on the list of players who were leaving school early in January.

Interesting... I don't remember hearing anything about his leaving A&M being weird, but that's probably because it was kept so quiet. I do remember he was committed to play at Oklahoma State for the longest time. Then right before signing day he took his official visit to Stillwater. Something happened while he was there and Gundy rescinded his scholarship offer. I never got the official story, but some people "close" to the program said he walked into Gundy's office and demanded money for going to OSU and Gundy told him to leave and forget about the scholly. All speculation and rumor, but still interesting that twice in three years he has had "mysterious events" that no one talks about that have lead to him leaving a situation.

I'm not sayin... I'm just sayin (I hate when people say that but it seems appropriate here)

[Dj Diesel]

Hopefully Al's Pick T. Jones Beats him out for the #2 spot