NFL NUGGETS : McFadden, Raiders get it done quickly McFadden
Posted on Sunday, June 8, 2008
It’s amazing what can get done when everyone’s on the same page.
Darren McFadden didn’t want a training camp holdout. Neither did the Oakland Raiders. The result was a six-year, $ 60-million deal for McFadden on Friday and college football’s most explosive runner for the Raiders.
If only all rookie contract negotiations could be so easy. Last year, the Raiders found themselves deadlocked with the representatives for No. 1 overall pick Jamarcus Russell, as the former LSU Tiger held out past the 2007 season opener.
No one involved with McFadden’s negotiations on either side wanted that again.
“ I think given [the Raiders’ ] experience last year certainly helped us out in terms of making smoother progress, ” McFadden’s agent, Ian Greengross, told the Associated Press.
The Raiders were especially giving, setting the No. 4 overall pick up to be wealthy man. McFadden’s deal ($ 60 million, $ 26 million guaranteed ) is significantly better than that of Tampa Bay defensive end Gaines Adams ($ 46 million, 18. 6 guaranteed ), the fourth overall pick in the 2007 Draft.
I think Oakland fans will be glad this season when a fully prepared McFadden takes the field. Give this guy a full training camp and some Adrian Peterson-type numbers could be in order. At this point, I don’t see any way McFadden doesn’t top 1, 000 yards, barring injury.
They Hate Me Raiders fans may be loving McFadden, but some of them hate me right now. That’s right, poor, helpful, handsome me. The Nuggets mailbox filled up with scathing e-mails from Raiders fans last week over a column I penned called “ Can McFadden keep sinking Raiders afloat ? ” Most of the hate came from my characterization of owner Al Davis as “ Crazy Ol’ Al. ” In response, yes, I am a hillbilly, and no, I don’t own a moonshine still or a “ Dixie” flag. But if I was an Oakland fan, I wouldn’t be happy with Davis’ recent job performance. Questionable coaching moves, giving up Randy Moss for a song and a 19-61 record over the last five seasons calls for some major change at the top.
Everyone gets to a point in their professional life where things pass them by. At 78, that time may have come for Davis, who was truly an NFL pioneer in his heyday.
I did make a promise to one disgruntled Oakland supporter. If the Raiders get it together and make the playoffs this year, I will give Al Davis his just due. But, if Oakland continues to struggle, then I’ll continue to criticize Al.
Hey, media and fans are the about the only policing some of these heavy-handed owners get. If I was a Detroit Lions fan, William Clay Ford and Bill Ford would never hear the end of my griping. Any owner that would continue to employ Matt Millen as GM after some of his awful moves doesn’t deserve my money.
But I digress. There are things I like about the Raiders this year, especially the ultra-talented McFadden-Russell tandem. And I’m a big fan of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan — son of Buddy Ryan, the greatest defensive coach who ever lived. Maybe Oakland will finally climb out of the cellar this season. We’ll see.
Under pressure In the Super Bowl, the New York Giants were able to flummox the New England Patriots’ high-powered offense for one main reason — they didn’t have to blitz to get to Tom Brady.
A down lineman (or outside linebacker in the 3-4 ) who can rush the passer is one of the most sought-after commodities in today’s NFL. The Giants would have never been in position to win the Lombardi Trophy if Umenyiora, Strahan and Co. didn’t slow down the Patriots’ high-flying offense.
But is getting to the quarterback the secret to winning football ? Not always, according to some stats compiled recently by CBSSportsline. com. Since 2002, the leading sack-producing teams are Baltimore and Miami, with 253 each.
Over that six-season stretch, the Ravens went a combined 50-46 and the Dolphins 39-57. While both franchises featured great pass rushers — like Miami’s Jason Taylor and Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs — neither team really had any stability at quarterback.
So as much as I might love watching D-linemen crush QBs, it’s near-impossible to be successful in the NFL without a quarterback who’s at least efficient. History shows — especially recent history — that the better the quarterback, the better the team.
The Giants’ defensive line might have kept them in the Super Bowl, but Eli Manning’s last-minute touchdown drive won the game.
What might the Ravens have accomplished the past six seasons with a decent quarterback ? I can only imagine.
Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
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