McFadden, The Raidah!: The Press Conference
Sunday April 27th, 2008
DeMarcus Davis, Staff Writer Raiderfans.net
Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden
ALAMEDA, CA - I always knew that Darren McFadden was a talented and very special running back and overall great football player leading into the 2008 NFL Draft and after meeting him in person, I’m beginning to feel more comfortable with the Raiders picking him 4th overall despite my selfish wanting to go defensive end or defensive tackle.
McFadden comes across as a confident (not arrogant) player that truly believes in his talents and expects to make an impact however the Raiders decide to use him. Regarded as an “elite” back, McFadden is more like a blue-collar player that is willing to play whatever role the coaches have him play regardless of number of the carries or position on the depth chart. -“It’s like going into college as a freshman, you got to start all over from the bottom of the totem pole and just work your way back up”, according to Mc Fadden.
Patience will be a virtue widely utilized as he comes in an already crowded backfield with LaMont Jordan,
Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, and Michael Bush on the roster. Not to mention Reshard Lee and “Joe” Echemandu lurking in the shadows. McFadden seems alright with the idea of possibly having to share carries with the running back committee. “That’s something however the coach wants to run out there. I don’t mind if he wants to share carries or give me carries or whatever you want to do with me. It’s something I enjoy a whole lot and I’m just ready to get out there and play football.” That may be well and fine, but I don’t see hi sitting on the bench for too long. Al Davis likes the kid and what Al wants, Al gets. McFadden will get significant playing time. The only question is who gets bumped from the roster to accommodate the acquisition.
All the personnel politics aside, I am intrigued with the play-making ability of McFadden and so is McFadden, “I feel that my speed helps me a whole lot running between tackles, you know, because if I see a little crease, I’m going to take it and I’m going to hit it full speed. You know, it’s like once you get passed the first line of defense, when you hit the secondary, I don’t feel like you are going to catch up with me.” And being asked about him and JaMarcus teaming up, McFadden confidently bellows, “We got to watch him play a lot in the SEC and I’m a big fan of the big guy and any time the game is on, I try to watch him. I seen him play a lot at LSU. I much rather be with him because I remember when we played against him, the defensive tackle had him, hanging on his jersey, he just flung he ball 50 yards for a completion. So, I feel like that would be a very…a great asset for the Raider Nation for me and him to be back there in the backfield.”
That pairing of McFadden and Russell can be overstated enough because if the Raiders offensive line falters, the hot read to McFadden or screen pass could be a bread and butter play like the way San Diego uses Tomlinson. “…It doesn’t matter at all if I’m spread out or coming out of the backfield, ‘cause I feel like I have pretty good hands.”
A country boy from Arkansas coming to large blue-collar city doesn’t intimidate him either (despite a previously reported story in ESPN), “Naw…I’m not intimidated at all. It’s going to be a new adjustment for me. It’s something I’m going to have to get adapted to. I’m just ready to get here and get around the teammates and get used to all those guys.”
I forgot about McMandu on our running back squad.
