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Warren Sapp Confirms What We All Know: Crazy Al Davis Is Still in Charge

Posted May 3rd 2008 11:16AM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Raiders, NFL Gossip

I didn't even know this was up for debate, but during his radio show yesterday, Dan Patrick asked recently retired Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp if Al Davis was still the puppet master in Oakland. Sapp confirmed what the rest of us just assumed to be true:

"Fully. When I went there a few months ago, no doubt about it. Sitting there, talking with him about my plans, right before the last game of the year, watching Randy Moss and Tom Brady go get a 16-0 record. He had a big-screen TV, and we were there watching it," Sapp said. "He's definitely in full control. Don't kid yourself because you see the man in a walker. There's nothing wrong with his brain."

Exactly. Just like Stephen Hawking and Charles Xavier, Davis' limitations are strictly physical. If you're looking for a partner in the three-legged race, well, you've come to the wrong place; if you want to clean up in Trivial Pursuit, jackpot. That said, I'm not sure either Hawking or Xavier would've drafted Darren McFadden or re-hired Art Shell.

More interesting, perhaps, is that Sapp, once critical of Randy Moss during his two-year stint with the Raiders, has a different perspective on his former teammate:

Continue reading Warren Sapp Confirms What We All Know: Crazy Al Davis Is Still in Charge

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Dominic Rhodes Wants to Know Why the Hell the Raiders Drafted Darren McFadden

Posted Apr 29th 2008 7:52PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Raiders, NFL Draft, NFL Fans

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 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.

Continue reading Dominic Rhodes Wants to Know Why the Hell the Raiders Drafted Darren McFadden

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Kiffin Admits Pants on Fire When Discussing the Raiders Lusting for McFadden

Posted Apr 27th 2008 4:02PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Raiders, NFL Draft, NFL Fans

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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Did the Cowboys Draft the Wrong Running Back in the First Round?

Posted Apr 27th 2008 2:06PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Draft, NFL Fans

Well, that didn't take long: a few hours after the Cowboys used their 22nd pick to take Felix Jones -- better known as that guy who would occasionally spell Darren McFadden at Arkansas -- the Dallas Morning News' Jean-Jacques Taylor asks a question some fans were no doubt thinking when the Cowboys went on the clock:

You don't draft a complementary player in the first round when you have an opportunity to select a franchise back. Ever. But that's what the Cowboys did Saturday.

By drafting Felix Jones instead of Rashard Mendenhall, the Cowboys finished Day 1 of the NFL draft with a good haul instead of a phenomenal one after also selecting South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins and Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett.

Taylor equates yesterday's choice to pass up on Mendenhall to the Cowboys' "ill-fated 1995 draft decision to pick a bunch of backups because their roster was so talented." Eh, that seems a tad overreactive, although I certainly understand the sentiment. Blogging the Boys puts the Jones pick in perspective:

Continue reading Did the Cowboys Draft the Wrong Running Back in the First Round?

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NFL Draft: Jerry Jones Jonesing for Felix Jones to Replace Julius Jones in Dallas

Posted Apr 26th 2008 5:41PM by Sportz Assassin
Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East, NFL Draft, Dallas

Just like I said in the FanHouse Mock Draft, Arkansas' Felix Jones will be a perfect addition to the Dallas Cowboys.

Forget the whole Jerry-Jones-loves-Arkansas thing; Felix Jones plugs right in where Julius Jones (okay that is three Joneses in one sentence) played last year. Felix will share the load with Marion Barber in the Cowboys backfield. He's that explosive back who is the kind of home run hitter that opens up all kinds of things in that offense.

Imagine having to face the powerful Barber, dealing with Tony Romo while covering Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. Then the speedy Felix Jones walks on the field and can just pop off a huge run (on a carry or a reception). Scary.

Ego won't be a problem because he was able to be "the other guy" to Darren McFadden at Arkansas. One of those knocks against him was questions if he has to carry the load at the NFL level. He won't have to.

Felix was also an All American returner which will help out tremendously. Dallas has hit a home run on this one.

Previously on FanHouse:
Did a Cameraman Expose the Cowboys DB Draft Rankings?
FanHouse Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Select RB Felix Jones No. 22
FanHouse Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Select CB Aqib Talib No. 28
PacMan or No PacMan: Cowboys Draft Plans Won't Change
Cowboys Might Be Better Off Trading for a Wide Reciever Instead of Drafting One

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McFadden to the Front of Crowded Backfield

Posted Apr 26th 2008 4:04PM by Matt Snyder
Filed under: Raiders, AFC West, NFL Draft, Fantasy Football

Fantasy FanHouse will be chiming in throughout the NFL draft with fantasy analysis of each fantasy relevant pick.

So the Raiders made sure that just because they have other viable options they were not going to make the same mistake six teams made last year in passing on a franchise/game-breaking running back. While I'm not suggesting Darren McFadden is Adrian Peterson reincarnate, I am suggesting that it would have been stupid to let McFadden slide all the way down to seven this year after seeing the impact Peterson had as a rook.

So what is the fantasy fallout? Well, first things first ... there is no way the Raiders carry all these running backs. They have trading chips, but the question now becomes if they can trade any of the dudes for something they want before having to simply cut a couple.

-Justin Fargas has agreed to a new contract, but his value will likely never be higher for teams searching for a running back.

-Dominic Rhodes was a costly free agent signing last off-season and did not do anything to come close to expectations of the contract. He did restructure, though, and figured to play as Fargas' backup before this draft pick.

-Lamont Jordan was likely on his way to receiving his walking papers anyway, and now that McFadden is on board he's definitely going to be out of work.

-Michael Bush was a monster in college, but hasn't played in the NFL -- he was recovering from injury last year and proclaims himself 100% currently.

Continue reading McFadden to the Front of Crowded Backfield

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With No O-Line, Darren McFadden Will Get Plenty of Chances to Showcase His Speed

Posted Apr 26th 2008 3:36PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Raiders, NFL Draft, NFL Fans

Maybe Al Davis isn't as practical as we thought -- oh, wait, Davis isn't practical at all. He's all about acquiring players who can score from anywhere on the field, even if it's at the expense of addressing other more immediate needs. All else equal, there's nothing wrong with that philosophy. Unfortunately, Oakland's won 19 times in the last five seasons.

So with Warren Sapp now retired and Glenn Dorsey still kickin' it in the Aaron Rodgers Memorial Green Room (well, he was when I started writing up this post), the Raiders go with the best running back in the draft, Darren McFadden (according to everybody but Mike Mayock). Shockingly, Davis took McFadden even though head coach Lane Kiffin said Oakland didn't "really have a big need at running back."

To be fair, he's right -- the Raiders re-upped Justin Fargas this off-season, and still have LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes and last year's fourth-rounder, Michael Bush. Common sense suggests that all those guys won't be on the roster come Week 1, but we're talking about Oakland; it wouldn't be surprising if Art Shell is signed to play offensive line.

Disregarding the needs along both lines, McFadden, along with Javon Walker and JaMarcus Russell suddenly make the Raiders an extremely explosive offense. In theory, anyway. But if there's no one to protect Russell and open holes for McFadden, does it even matter? And because of various off-season wheelings and dealings, Oakland won't be able to address those needs until the fourth round. If history is any indication, that could be a problem. Just ask Andrew Walter, Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper. On the upside, I'm a freaking genius.

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4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, Arkansas Razorbacks Running Back

Posted Apr 26th 2008 3:18PM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: Raiders, NFL Draft, Oakland

Even though he's going to a team with a bad offense, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is my very early favorite to be the 2008 NFL Rookie of the Year. The combination of the production he showed in college and the raw talent he showed in post-season workouts makes clear that this is a special talent.

And yet there are questions. Some analysts think he's not the best running back in this draft in terms of on-field ability; others say he's going to be an off-field headache.

But the former is more a result of this being a good year for running backs than of any serious knocks on McFadden. And as for the latter, McFadden has faced a lot of criticism for his off-field conduct -- some of it valid, much of it not. Perhaps the strangest thing was when NFL scouts started to wonder if maybe they didn't want him because he'd had children out of wedlock. I seem to remember another out-of-wedlock father winning the league MVP last season.

Anyway, Raiders owner Al Davis has never been afraid to draft players with character concerns. McFadden will look good in silver and black.

Previously on FanHouse:
Fantasy Spin: Darren McFadden to the Raiders
It's One Thing to Speculate, but Would Al Davis Actually Draft Darren McFadden?
Oakland Writer Makes the Case for Raiders Drafting Darren McFadden

Continue reading 4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, Arkansas Razorbacks Running Back

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Raiders Could Trade Down if Al Davis Lets Lane Kiffin Finally Make a Decision

Posted Apr 26th 2008 1:11PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Raiders, NFL Draft, NFL Rumors

I think most fans understand how things work this time of year: real live football is still five months off, free agency is over, and all that's left is the NFL Draft. And in the days leading up to the most popular sporting event that involves a guy in a suit standing around reading names, most of what we read on the internets is solely speculative in nature.

Like, say, this from the Sacramento Bee:

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said the team might try something "not in Raider fashion" during this weekend's NFL draft.

Translation: Trade down. ... With no selections in rounds two and three, Kiffin could have a lot of free time if the Raiders don't make any deals to either trade down and acquire more picks or trade 2009 picks in order to grab more players now.

It's worth pointing out that Bee's Jason Jones consulted Babel Fish for precisely how "not in Raider fashion" translates. Supposing "trade down" is correct, I guess it's possible, but this assumes a couple of things.

First, that there's a team interested enough in a player to move up to the fourth pick. Certainly a chance, especially if Glenn Dorsey gets past the Falcons. Second, that Lane Kiffin has some say in personnel matters. Because, you know, he doesn't. No knock on the 24-year-old second-year coach, but owner Al Davis runs the show and if he wants Darren McFadden (and ESPN's Michael Smith and NFL Network's Adam Schefter are reporting as much, not to mention this oracle), he'll get him.

Kiffin can say whatever he wants -- he's basically Liz Lemon to Davis' Jack Donaghy (except very, very different); ultimately, it's not his decision. Of course, none of this will matter in three hours.

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Breaking News: Jerry Jones Still Loves Darren McFadden

Posted Apr 26th 2008 12:03PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, NFL Draft, NFL Rumors

Since about the time the Cowboys imploded against the Giants in the NFC Divisional game, the talk has been primarily about two things: PACMAN FEVER! and Darren McFadden. Well, Pacman is now in the fold (until NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell denies him reinstatement this summer, anyway), so all that's left to do to is get McFadden.

You know the routine: Dallas has two first-round picks, Nos. 22 and 28, and Jerry Jones, Arkansas alum, is just itching to trade up and grab McFadden. Forget that the Cowboys last drafted a Razorback in 1970, Jones LOVES Arkansas.

All caps aside, ESPN's Ed Werder has the latest Jones-McFadden "development":

[McFadden] is the No. 1 offensive player on Dallas' board. When I talked to Jerry yesterday, he indicated it is very close in his mind whether McFadden alone would be worth their other two picks late in the first round.

I was told that if McFadden clears the Raiders at four and the Jets at six, "Jerry might not be able to help himself."

That makes for an interesting visual. Look, I get that Jones is really, really fond of McFadden, but I have a hard time believing he'd be willing to part with two first-rounders for a running back when, you know, he already has Marion Barber on the roster, and he could possibly take a player like Rashard Mendenhall or Jonathan Stewart without having to give up anything.

Continue reading Breaking News: Jerry Jones Still Loves Darren McFadden

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Darren McFadden Hearts New York; Darren McFadden's Mom, Not So Much

Posted Apr 25th 2008 5:29PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: NFL Draft, NFL Fans

Darren McFadden says he loves New York and thinks the Jets will take him with the sixth-overall pick in tomorrow's NFL draft. McFadden's mom, Mini Muhammad, is less impressed: "I hate New York; it's too big."

Fair enough, I suppose, particularly since Muhammad lives in Little Rock and would like to have her son closer to home.

"The Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, whatever team they've got there in Tennessee," she said while attending a luncheon at Chelsea Piers for the top draft prospects. "But we want what's good for him, whatever they say. I'd rather particularly he'd go to Dallas, I really do."

The Falcons have made some incredibly stupid personnel decisions, but I can't imagine they'd take McFadden after signing Michael Turner in March. The Cowboys ... well, yeah, word on the street is that Jerry Jones loves McFadden (Jones and his hairpiece are Arkansas alums), even though, you know, Dallas hasn't drafted a Razorback since 1970.

And then there's "whatever team they've got there in Tennessee." Priceless. I guess Vince-mania hasn't spread to the neighboring state of Arkansas yet. Or Muhammad, like the rest of the country, is bored silly watching Vince Young trying to complete a forward pass. After taking running backs in the second round the previous two drafts, you'd think the position would be settled in Tennessee. It's not; unfortunately, McFadden will be long gone when the Titans go on the clock with the 24th-overall pick.

And if my sources are correct*, McFadden won't get past the Al Davis All-Stars.

* I have no sources, just the occasional ability to see into the future.

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EA Sports Releases NCAA Football '09 to Polite Applause

Posted Apr 25th 2008 1:53PM by Matt Ufford
Filed under: Video Games

The notion of a fancy party for a video game seems odd -- why dress up and go out for something best enjoyed while wearing ratty gym shorts in your own home? But EA Sports apparently knows what they're doing, and they hosted a party at Marquee -- a trendy Manhattan night club -- last night for the release of NCAA Football '09.

Several college football stars in town for the draft attended the party, including cover boy Matt Ryan (pictured), Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (interview here), West Virginia fullback Owen Schmitt, California WR/KR DeSean Jackson, and #1 overall draft pick Jake Long.

The release also included a full demonstration of the game on large flatscreen TVs, an upstairs lounge dedicated to press interviews, and -- most importantly -- free drinks! Huzzah!

Continue reading EA Sports Releases NCAA Football '09 to Polite Applause

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Darren McFadden Thinks He'll Be a Jet

Posted Apr 25th 2008 10:55AM by Josh Alper
Filed under: Jets, AFC East, NFL Draft, New York

There are two schools of thought on Darren McFadden around the NFL. His detractors point to some character concerns and skinny legs and see a Reggie Bush-type back who will struggle unless he gets the ball in space. The more positive view focuses on his speed and productivity and sees a back who can be a game-breaker in the NFL. McFadden's pretty sure that the Jets fall into the latter group.

At a pre-draft event in New York, McFadden said he felt like he'd be wearing green sometime Saturday afternoon.

"I feel like if I'm still up there when they're picking, they're probably going to try to take me. Just being around them, getting that vibe from them. Talking to them, I get that vibe."

The Jets have been sending a lot of signals in the past few weeks with hints that they're interested in just about every one of the top players in the draft pool. If McFadden makes it past Oakland at four, he'll probably be there when the Jets pick comes along at six and would fill the team's need for a home-run hitter on offense.

Whatever their plans, it won't be until the Falcons pick at three that the Jets day really starts to get interesting. If they pass on Matt Ryan, phones will be going crazy with teams jockeying for position and how that shakes out will inform what happens for the rest of the first round.

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Darren McFadden: 'I Will Not Wear a Dress to the NFL Draft'

Posted Apr 25th 2008 9:55AM by Matt Ufford
Filed under: NFL Draft, NFL Fans, Arkansas Football

Darren McFadden attended EA Sports' launch party for NCAA Football '09 last night, and the Arkansas standout who will likely be the first running back selected on Saturday took a couple minutes to answer questions about the most pressing subjects a blogger could have on the eve of the NFL draft: the pimped-out Ford Crown Victoria he owns, and his penchant for dressing in drag.

McFadden stated that his first priority after signing his first pro contract will be to take care of his mother and father, but when pressed, he admitted that he may also get some new cars. Although his present ride is a black Escalade, he assured me that he still had the Crown Vic and had no intention of selling it. All is well in the world.

Knowing D-Mac's zest for costumes -- that's him as Fred Flintstone -- I encouraged him to wear a dress to the Draft on Saturday. C'mon! No first-rounder has ever done that before! (Although on Day 2 of the draft, anything goes.) "I don't think so," he chuckled, "I'm trying to take it seriously."

But when will we see him in women's clothing again? "Oh, you know, when the time is right."

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Raiders' Al Davis Is Way Too Practical to Draft Darren McFadden

Posted Apr 23rd 2008 8:04PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Raiders, NFL Draft

I'm on record as saying the Raiders will draft running back Darren McFadden with the fourth-overall pick, and I'm always right, so it's with much skepticism that I read that the former Arkansas star won't be Oakland's guy.

The Oakland Tribune's Jerry McDonald makes a good case (again) for why the team will pass on McFadden and it comes down to this: yes, the Raiders love guys with big-play ability, but recent history suggests they love drafting for need too. Sebastian Janiskowski was an odd pick if for no other reason than he was a kicker taken 17th overall, but the Raiders really needed kicker.

Same with safety Michael Huff in 2006 and Robert Gallery in 2004. (Although, as McDonald writes, the team really wanted wideout Roy Williams, so drafting for need kinda blew up in their face on that one. Hey, it happens.)

The point: with the team re-upping Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush still in the mix, taking McFadden doesn't make much sense, even for the Raiders. Or maybe not:

The Raiders were sixth in the NFL in rushing and gave up 100-yard games to 10 different backs. The practical thing to do is work on the defense, not add another back.

I'll admit I've talked to some people who really know Davis who think McFadden will be irresistable. But the bottom line is I think Davis is more practical than you think.

You know, I want to believe McDonald, but, well, Al Davis just won't let me.