(AP Photo/ Orlin Wagner)
Coming into the season, the Oakland Raiders were expected to be one of the top rushing teams in the NFL. Thus far the Raiders have fallen far below expectations and have the 20th ranked rushing attack averaging only 103 yards per game.
This lack of a rushing attack has been a major factor in the general ineptitude of the entire offense. It hasn't helped that their best offensive lineman Robert Gallery was injured in week two, forcing the team to use a patchwork offensive line. However, as the saying goes they have to play with who they have. The bigger issue has been the misuse of the differing talents of the Raiders three headed rushing monster.
Darren McFadden is as fast as advertised, but he is also showing that some of his pre-draft criticisms had merit. Mike Maycok was mocked by many in the Raider Nation for warning that McFadden had a tendency to have "dead legs" when he was hit and would go down easily. There have been numerous runs where McFadden would appear to be on the verge of breaking off a long run, but would be stopped by a tackle when it seemed he was barely touched. His other concern of fumbles was painfully apparent when he coughed up the ball three times against the Denver Broncos.
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McFadden was drafted supposedly due to his versatility. This trait has been rarely utilized, as he has either been the target of screen passes, or basic running plays, often between the tackles. WIth his speed, he needs to be moved around. His big plays have come when the Raiders used him on pitch plays to the outside, where he could use his speed to get to the edge and sprint downfield. Misdirection plays would also give hive him more of an opportunity to have the creases he needs to be the homerun hitter the Raiders expected when they drafted him in 2008.
Michael Bush is a power back, and should be used to wear down defenses. His yards per carry is 0.5 yards higher than McFadden, mainly because he is much more likely to not go down on first contact. Giving Bush 20 carries would be a drain on defenses. Doing this would make McFadden's explosiveness that much more potent.
Fullback Oren O'Neal said of the Raiders troubles, "Just go back to basics, you know the little things, hand placement, getting on blocks, staying on blocks. Just going back to basics and doing what we do."
The Raiders need to get that running game on track, or else it will be a long season.
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
The Raiders would due the orginazation, fans and Jamrcus a great service by benching him and letting him develope behind a veteran. Similar to what Arizona is doing. The running game wont improve much if opposing defenses don't fear the pass. Either do this or put in many more screens and play action pass plays. Short quick slants on first and second down. Mix it up and become less predictable.
YAR, I agree completely except that Russell doesn't seem to connect the short passes any better than he does the deep outs. The thought of him constantly overthrowing the backs where an interception puts the other team in the end zone gives me shivers. We simply need to bench JR and develop him slowly ala Arizona and get on with a winning season. Patrick is right about the under utilization of Mcfaddens strengths and Bushes running ability and don't forget about Fargas. Fargas's komikaze running style definitely wears down defenses though can't match Bush for size and strength. Mcfadden should also throw the option pass once in a while to scare defenses to death. The offense could be ramped up if not for keeping it simple for our dull witted QB.
We should ask ourselves a quick question? Can McFadden physically take 20 carries a game? I don't think so. McFadden apppears to not do enough squats and deadlifts needed to power through tackles. He may be strong upper body - wise. But, being an N.F.L. running back, you need that power to push the load. Michael Bush looks the part of a complete running back. The power and speed you need to succeed in this league. My commments are only constructive criticism toward McFadden. With proper training and patience McFadden will succeed as a number #1 back.
YAR, I agree completely except that Russell doesn't seem to connect the short passes any better than he does the deep outs. The thought of him constantly overthrowing the backs where an interception puts the other team in the end zone gives me shivers. We simply need to bench JR and develop him slowly ala Arizona and get on with a winning season. Patrick is right about the under utilization of Mcfaddens strengths and Bushes running ability and don't forget about Fargas. Fargas's komikaze running style definitely wears down defenses though can't match Bush for size and strength. Mcfadden should also throw the option pass once in a while to scare defenses to death. The offense could be ramped up if not for keeping it simple for our dull witted QB.
Sorry about the double article , I refresh the page and it reprints my comments. As for the running backs go I think you can tell I like Bush and Fargas as more of the power ... between the tackles backs. Bush should be more of a third down type of back or used as a wide out about half the time. Fargas is great at running between the 20 yd. lines and bush is too. Bush is our goal line power guy and Mcfadden is good for going around the ends and could be great throwing the ball after the hand off and threatening the run to the endzone. Defenses would have to rush up to try and stop him opening up receivers for an easy score. I believe he was a high school Qb and threw a good few in college so he is ready and able. Come on Cable...open it up! Go Raiders!
Mcfadden should be more of a third down back and receiver when not running the ball.
Texans run defense is worst in the NFL thru 3 games. If the Raiders don't improve their running attack in this game, it's pretty hopeless
I agree! Hell, with the way Russell is playing let Mcfadden start at QB with Bush and Fargus back with him. Throw about 8 balls the whole game. Run, Run, Run! Sounds rediculous but it wouldn't be any worse, would it?
HAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH!! YOU GUYS ACT AS IF WE HAVE A REAL COACHING STAFF! AHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OUR QB IS A KNUMBSKULL AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!OH GOD, THE THE GRATNESS OF THE RAIDERS..AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! BRING BACK MARC WILSON! VINCE FUNNY ,IS IT?
Raidernation, What ever happened to the two tight - end offense? Why can't the Raiders have all three running backs on a possession? Just food for thought. I was thinking outside the box. Maybe this week our beloved 1st round youngsters will study and prepare for this game with the Texans. Having three fumbles was unaccepectable. Running the wrong routes and having the oops is unaccepectable. The Raiders will run the ball more effective, when they pass the ball more consistently. It's all about good balance. Raidernation the growing pains will continue. But, if our youngsters study together and practice without being told to. Then they will be making gains, both running and passing.
Complete a pass and the running game will open up. Pretty soon defences will double up on Miller and put nine in the box. Sunday's game is a must win. You keep Russell in the game and lose, you can kiss the season good-bye. We need to be at .500 after Sunday. If and when Russell is benched, I hope it's early enough so we still have a shot at a win. I don't know much about Gradkowski but I know he can at least complete your basic screens and dump off's. DHB is in over his head. Take Walker out of the doghouse and start him with Murphy. T. Barber and A. Green had fumble problems also. McFadden needs to get those neoprene arm sleeves that they got to help with his ball security. How about a new motto "Whatever it takes to win" and stop force feeding us DHB and Russell. We need to win NOW.
Because jamarcus is rotten, the Raiders are 1 dimensional. They are very easy to defeat all a team has to do is stop the run - no worrying about Jamarcus and the receivers beting you. The problems are real big on the Raiders - starting with an owner that deosn't know what he's doing. If it wasn't for hime being subsidized with the shared TV revenue all teams get, he'd be broke. Go ahead Patrick write about the players, but the problem is Davis.
I agree witht he last guy, you can't rebuid without a good foundation and Davis is not a good foundation. Cable is gonna go down with the ship. He won't get out of Russell what Davis thinks is possible, so he'll bethe fall guy. Gannon was right - they ought to blow the whole thing up and start all over - begining with a new owner.
Damn, been a tough week in Raiderland. They lost the first game but it was ok because they played their butts off. They win the second game and all is good. They lose the third game and all hell breaks loose. Is it me or is there not one damn good thing going on in Raiderland? Raideryar you stated that they should bench JRuss and let him learn behind a vet. Son, Linert is not on the bench to learn. He is there because he cannot beat out a 39 yr old QB. The eyes of the media focus on everything wrong in Raiderland. Lets see wasn't Quinn drafted the same year JRuss was? And he just got benched cause he is bad. But you don't hear to much about that do you. Vince Young where is he at? Now it's about how the Raiders cut a 4th round draft pick. Yeah he was the one in the Moss trade. So how many 4th round draft picks are in the NFL? Guy's all I'm saying is it's bad enough the media berates the Raiders as much as possible. And everyone jumps on that bandwagon. Go Raiders.
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