It's hardly surprising, I guess, that head coach Lane Kiffin was fibbing in the days and weeks leading up to this weekend's NFL Draft. Nobody was buying his claim that the Raiders didn't need a running back (even though, you know, they didn't) because owner Al Davis loves speed, and more importantly, Al Davis has final say in, well, everything.
With that in mind, it was hardly surprising when commissioner Roger Goodell announced the Raiders were taking Darren McFadden with the fourth-overall pick. Even less shocking: Kiffin's comments following the selection.
I remember mentioning that running back wasn't a need for us, and it wasn't. We're kind of piled there with a number of really good running backs and guys coming back, including Michael Bush, who we really don't know enough about yet. It was not a need but it became a situation ... speaking for myself, I knew months ago that this was the guy that we had to have and we had to figure out a way to get him. Hopefully, he was going to fall to us. We lost the coin toss and moved to four and that scared me a little bit there. Fortunately, he was still available and in the end we got everybody on the same page. We're all really excited.When Kiffin says he knew months ago that McFadden was the guy, I'm pretty sure that means Al Davis told him back in January that the Raiders were taking McFadden, no matter what it took. And when he mentions being scared, Kiffin's specifically referring to being scared about losing his job if McFadden off the board when Oakland went on the clock.
Disaster averted, and for now, everybody's happy. Which isn't something you don't say very often when referring to the Raiders.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Well, we got a "happy feet" QB last year who will prove to be a bust - and now a RB who will prove to make it TWO busted drafts in a row.
Hey Al: Why lose so many regular season games if you're just going to waste the picks?
Take away the first two picks from this year's draft and the next would be a high 3rd round in a decent draft year. Poor pickings to choose from.
Al, wake up. You've lost it, baby!
Posted at 12:15AM on Apr 28th 2008 by Ralph Du Bois
2. If Al Davis say jump "How high sir?" is the answer. Darren McFadden reminds me of LaDainian Tomlinson because he can throw a football as well as run with it.
Posted at 12:37AM on Apr 28th 2008 by George B Vieto
3. The Raiders are still gonna suck hind TIT!! What they really needed was some offensive linemen to protect their QB and some defense not a running back what a joke the team is...
Posted at 12:43AM on Apr 28th 2008 by Tommy Gunn
4. Al Davis and Lane Kiffin made a great choice selecting McFadden and Kiffin isnt one of those coaches to back down from anyone thats why once in awhile theres a disagreement between him and Al...the raiders got the best player in this years draft the most explosive anyway and with fargas rushing for over 1000 yards behind that O line just imagine what McFadden will do.."
Posted at 12:53AM on Apr 28th 2008 by Mario
5. Watch for the raiders to make the playoffs this year once again Al Davis is active in free agency and a great draft will get them over the hump..!
Posted at 12:56AM on Apr 28th 2008 by Mario
6. Everybody's happy? Working for Dysfunctional Al? I DON'T THINK SO!! Still a 50% chance that Kiffin won't be the head coach this season.
Posted at 2:06PM on Apr 29th 2008 by stanfordfan
7. Why not have trade up an gotten Chris Long he would have been a Raider for his entire career which will last longer than the 3 years you will get with Mcfaddin before he goes away to jail ala Mick Vick
Posted at 2:23PM on May 12th 2008 by Lyle