In news that shocked no one, the Raiders used the fourth-overall pick in the draft to select Darren McFadden, which led to the team releasing Dominic Rhodes. The move put Oakland under the salary cap, but it also meant one fewer running back on a depth chart that now includes McFadden, LaMont Jordan, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush.
Today, Rhodes, took his GM skillz to Sirius NFL Radio:
"I don't see the reason why the Raiders needed to draft a running back, you know what I'm saying? I mean, we have a stable full of running backs, that ran for 100 yards every one of them. And then we went and drafted a guy -- he's a great runner, don't get me wrong -- but, I don't understand the logic, everybody wanted to do this or that; it was never saying, "Okay, we're all going to do this together." I mean, there were just a whole bunch of fires everywhere, and ... then they seemed to blaze out of control.I don't think Lane Kiffin wanted to take a running back in the first round either, but why would Al Davis suddenly give a crap about that? To be fair, Rhodes sounded much less bitter than I expected, and a lot of people were making his argument prior to the draft.
I don't really think Lane Kiffin wanted to take a running back in the first round, let's just put it like that ... he has to deal with it now, but I don't think that's what he wanted to do.
Unless McFadden will be good for 20 points a game, the gaping holes along the offensive and defensive lines will be a problem for the Raiders in 2008. Either way, it says something when a guy suspended for violating the league's substance-abuse policy (and occasional pants wetter) makes more sense than the owner.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Because you are not as good Dominic.
Posted at 10:08PM on Apr 29th 2008 by Jason Forthofer
2. its a long term thing,im not a raider fan...but its somethin the raiders felt they needed to build on, maybe more so the organization...Dominic Rhodes and Justin Fargas are both good running backs Fargas proved that last year.As for lamont jordan i think he had awhile to do somethin at the starting position and he didnt produce,they probly feel like Darren Mcfadden can come in and be just like Adrian Peterson.I guess were gonna find that out this season
Posted at 10:20PM on Apr 29th 2008 by Scotty Flores
3. The critics are saying that Al Davis made the decision to go with Darren McFadden not Lane Kiffin and the Raiders will have to go with that decision and hope that Darren is the second coming of Marcus Allen.
Posted at 1:57AM on Apr 30th 2008 by George B Vieto
4. I'm not a raider fan, but this was a good choice. The raiders add a rb that can take it to the house. He will compliment Fargas and Jordan. He will also take the presure off of Russell who will probably be named starter this season. IMO I think McFadden is better than Adrian Peterson if not his equal.
Posted at 11:34AM on Apr 30th 2008 by Alex
5. alex, if u think mcfadden is equal to or greater than adrian peterson, you are smoking too much crack cocaine. mcfadden isnt not nearly as a complete back as AllDAY peterson. mcfadden is fast and has a few juke moves. look how well reggie bush has done, with nothing but juke moves and speed. adrian is the real deal. speed to out run you, the power to run you over, jukes to shake u outta ur shoes, and the runners mentality to rely on instinct for when to use each move. mcfadden avoids contact. and the main reason MCfadden IS NOT!!! PETERSON the vikings have 1 of the best offensive lines in the NFL and the raiders have 1 of the WORST.
Posted at 1:01PM on Apr 30th 2008 by bobZ
6. Bob...Bob...Bob...I can tell by your comments that you've never seen McFadden actually play. "mcfadden avoids contact."...Give me a break! If anything, he seeks it out more than he should. I think you're confused! Bush and McFadden are not the same back. The back you characterize as Peterson is all DMAC! Youtube is your friend...go take a look!
Posted at 3:15PM on Apr 30th 2008 by gm
7. Lets clear up the facts... DMac is 6'1 215lbs (how big is Bush) and ran a laser 4.27 in his first attempt for the scouts.. to go along with putting up 4500 yards in 3 years (2nd all time in the SEC) on a team with a coach that every other coach knew was going to only run the ball. The one knock on him has been that he needs to work on a cut back move instead of trying to run over everyone. As far as comparing him with Peterson, time will tell who will be the better back, hopefully they will both stay healthy and have great careers.
Posted at 3:23PM on Apr 30th 2008 by david
8. Dominic,
The Raiders wouldn't know talent
if it bit Al Davis on his old, arrogant rear end. Come to Denver, gauranteed 1500 yards.
Posted at 5:45PM on Apr 30th 2008 by Eric
9. Why did the Raiders draft McFadden? Because Dysfunctional Al is always looking for creative ways to screw up the franchise and undermine the credibility of his head coach. The running game would improve much more by featuring Fargas and Bush and drafting a stud left tackle, and the team has a glaring need at stopping the run (read...Glenn Dorsey.) McFadden is not likely to fail, but how many of Dysfunctional Al's picks have failed? Like most of his first round picks in the past decade.
Posted at 4:45AM on May 2nd 2008 by stanfordfan
10. Bob . . . Bob - what gm said! You obviously have only seen random clips of DMac to make such an incorrect comment. DMac will improved when he learns to avoid contact more. You couldn't be MORE wrong.
Here is that Youtube link you need to watch. Notice how many times DMac carries defenders into the EZ with him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJGTC-StZGI
Posted at 4:57PM on May 2nd 2008 by WizardofhOgZ
11. TRANSLATION; WHY ME? He should consider himself lucky to get out of Raider nation, this will be the year the whole thing implodes on itself.
Posted at 3:18PM on May 3rd 2008 by Charles