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Thoughts from the Dark Side
AFC West Running Backs from an Oakland Raiders’ eye view
Yesterday, we looked at the quarterbacks of the AFC West. The AFC West is a rushing division. The Bronco running back factory, LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson have been joined by the Oakland Raiders’ three headed rushing attack of Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, and Darren McFadden. How do these rushing teams stack up against one another?
San Diego Chargers
The presence of LaDainian Tomlinson gives the Chargers the top spot as a running team in the AFC West. Tomlinson is the best running back in the NFL by far. He is a triple threat as a runner, a receiver, and can even throw for a touchdown. The overall running game of the Chargers will be hurt by the loss of fullback Lorenzo Neal. Neal was first rate at blasting open holes so LdT could do his thing. Another loss that will hurt the Bolts is Michael Turner. Turner was able to come off the bench to keep Tomlinson fresh and generate yardage.
OUTLOOK: Barring injury, look for Tomlinson to once again challenge for the MVP award.
Oakland Raiders
In 2007 the Raiders showed for the first time in nearly a decade that they in fact had a running game. Justin Fargas is probably the most underrated back in the game, even by Raider fans. Fargas will be joined this season by red-shirt rookie Michael Bush who will be a bulldozer and a rookie back out of Arkansas that a few people are kind of high on, in Darren McFadden. Second year fullback Oren O’Neal will be clearing the way for the three headed monster that is Justin McBush.
OUTLOOK: Look for the Raiders to once again be at the top of the league in rushing once again with the three backs splitting carries.
Kansas City Chiefs
As an individual, Larry Johnson is a great back, but his offensive line is not what it once was. His backup Kolby Smith stood out against the Raiders, but not much of anyone else. Johnson is a very dangerous back, but he has a lot of miles on his wheels and may be on his way downhill. If this was a list of individuals, he would still be above any of the Raiders backs, but as a group the Chiefs backs are not as strong.
OUTLOOK: If LJ stays healthy and his line holds up, look for him to be among the league leaders in rushing.
Denver Broncos
Travis Henry seems to be busy having enough kids with different baby mommas that he could start a ranch in Texas. Seriously, he has not lived up to his expected billing upon arriving to join the Denver Broncos running back factory. Selvin Young and Mike Bell can be effective, but the Bronco line is not what it once was.
OUTLOOK: The Broncos will have a 1000 yard rusher this year as they always do, but will be looking up at the rest of the division for a change.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 3:02 am and is filed under Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Oren O'Neal, 2008 Raiders Season Preview, 2008 Raiders Offseason, Darren McFadden.
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30 Responses to “AFC West Running Backs from an Oakland Raiders’ eye view”
May 28th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Awesome, Unbiasly done Job Patrick unlike Ryan Brown of the Chiefs who never fails to add some of his own remarks and opinions into the mix!
Anyways, I heard that the Broncos signed Micheal Pittman to a one year deal so lets see if they can make a thousand yard rusher out of him.
Raider Till Death!
May 28th, 2008 at 4:41 am
[…] Yesterday, we looked at the quarterbacks of the AFC West. The AFC West is a rushing division.http://mvn.com/nfl-raiders/2008/05/28/afc-… […]
May 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I totally agree with this article hopefully Ryan Brown can come here and learn how to write a real article… and you never know maybe at the begining of next season our team might have a better running attack then the Bolts… Tomlinson is getting up there in age, Sproles is kinda small… Great article Patrick!
May 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
i agree 100% … i just can’t wait to see mcfadden having oren oneil, zach miller, marcel reece, kwame harris, and who ever else opening up HUGE HOLES and creases for dmac to bust a move in.. its going to be a good year that much i know.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Great Job Patrick! One thing you can say about the AFC West is that they all like to run the ball, and they all have young QB’s at the helm…maybe that’s two things.
Umer, I think if the Broncos had had Pittman five years ago, he may have been a terror on the division, but at this stage in his career I’m not so sure that he can beat out Henry.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Nice job again Patrick, maybe you can forward some of your articles to the writers at ESPN, SI and other media outlets that fail to write unbiased articles.
As a Raider fan, I’m def. drinking the cool aid. Think about it, Fargas and DMAC alternate carries through three quarters..then you could put in M.Bush in the fourth (who would have fresh legs) and then clean opponents off. Yikes.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Rob,
I agree that Pittman is too old and wont have a big impact but imagine if they signed Shaun Alexander or Dominic Rhodes, that would have helped their run game a little but not too much considering the state of their o-line.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
They say they will not look at Alexander (so there must be something wrong with him that no one is offering him a contract) and Rhodes signed back with Colts, so it’s Pittman and Henry for Denver.
May 28th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
From what I have seen in the NFL over the past many years very few teams can have an excellent running game year after year as either their lineman age, leave or their key RB gets hurt. I think the key to longevity in the running game is in the scheme. Denver has proven that this is the case with many different RB’s that were talented, but not pro bowl caliber as LT. With that said the Raiders appear to have a very good scheme now and some real potential in Bush and McFadden. The scheme is king and a high degree of talent can turn a merely good running game into a dominant one.
May 28th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Let’s just hope that last year was not a fluke!
May 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I think Pittman was signed to come in on thrid downs and catch the ball out of the back-field… in which i agree with Umer Waris they should’ve gotten Alexander or Rhodes…
May 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
After DMAC gets a good feel for the game,people are going to say LaDamian Who??!!! I can’t wait to see this kid light up the league !!!!!! I’ve been a Raider fan since 1964 or 5. I’ve been with them through all the good and bad times. I see a lot of good days ahead !!
That said; I’m sure glad we took DMAC and he didn’t end up in K.C.. Sure Dorsey ended up there and we’ll have him to contend with twice a year. But would you rather contend with one guy,that is stuck in the middle
of the line or a guy that can play all over the place on offense and is dangerous everytime he touches the ball??!!
May 28th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I think (hope) that LT’s production will fall off sharply with the loss of Neal. That could leave the door open for McFadden to come in and lead the AFC west. Definitely a longshot with the 3-headed monster that we have, but still possible if he starts breakin’em.
Fargas will be the meat and potatoes back. McFadden will come in for variety and special plays (split wide as receiver, etc). Bush will be short yardage and 4th Q. Injuries will factor in. It’s going to be a fun year for Raider backs unless two of them get hurt.
May 28th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
How can Raider fans not like Justin “Huggy Bear” Fargas… RaiderKC why do you reward a guy like him? Well thats a STUPID question… but ill answer it for you… number 1… Fargas runs hard every play, number 2… he’s the type of guy that can play through an injury and still run hard… number 3… you know Fargas will not go down easily it’ll take 3-4 people to take him down… number 4… Fargas will hold on to the ball… number 5 he’ll help you tire out a defense at the beegining of a game… and last(6) but probably most important he can help you put a game away with a lead and you need a 1st down Fargas will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS FALL FORWARD FOR THAT EXTRA YARD… AND LIKE I PREVIOUSLY STATED HE’LL HOLD ON TO THE BALL… i thought he received a $12 million contract but i might be wrong and belive it or not 15 million dollars with some extra insentives… well wether you agree with me or not you have to want Fargas on your squad… And Al Davis, Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable, etc must like something in Fargas and it’s probably not the fact he’s a good rapper… I dont belive Darren McFadden or Michael Bush can be starters when they havent played a game in the NFL…
GO RAIDERS!!!
May 28th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I couldn’t agree more. The Raiders should lead the division in rushing, and LT will individually. That is unless Dmac goes off like Peterson!
Don’t look back now, the Raiders are on ur A$$ playas
BTW - Great unbiased, honest article… Props!
May 28th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
nice work patrick, holla at me you see me in the m.o.d. you know what i’m talking about. peace.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I realize that you still have to play the game but I would suggest that the Raiders’ running back CREW will be the best in the West. The Raiders have THREE running backs who can each be successsful in their own way, and if properly utilized can be a dominating unit. We have 2 fullbacks who are very capable of supporting them. They would be more productive themselves if the Raiders utilized them like the 49ers did with Tom Rathman (our current running back coach). He would run, block and receive. As far as Larry Johnson goes I think his past workload and injuries are going to greatly reduce his production. LT, if not just slowed by age and injuries, will have a drop in production since his back-up cast has been reduced and then the question arises can he carry more of the load by himself.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Fargas? I don’t know what you guys have been watching but he’s no true #1. Here’s why…
1.) He has ALWAYS been injured and never made it through an entire season as a pro or a rookie. On top of that he never even started a full season in the pro’s.
2.) He’s played in the NFL for four years and never done much until this year.
3.) Though he did run for 1000 yards last year he did it against very poor run defenses and when he played against good run defenses he did very little.
4.) He has scored very few touchdowns and is one of the worst short yardage backs in the game. I agree he runs hard, problem is it’s usually right into the back of one of our own Olineman.
5. He often falls down on first contact and is easily armed tackled.
6.) he has average hands.
Not sure what games you guys have watched but if Fargas is anything he’s a good rb coming off the bench and he proved this in Miami which just happend to be his career game. There is a rason we drafted McFad and IMO it was because Fargas is average at best.-
IMO we need Bush to break down a defense with his power and McFad to put up points with his playmaking ability. Once we get a lead we can then put in Fargas and let him run full speed ahead. Having Fargas enables us to keep our other guys fresh and with his speed and determination he should be able to run all over defenses once Bush and McFad break them down. Fargas by no means is our starter and he should definitely not get carries over Bush or McFad when the game is still on the line.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
“GO RAIDERS GO”
D MAC BUSH & Fargas gonna run the league over …
if we can develop our young receivers & get walker playing like he can …
J Russell will be crazy on fire …
NFL & AFC west Look out for the Raiders
were HUNGRY!!!
henry is a bust always will be !!!
May 29th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Once again, I agree that this is, once again a great article. I especially liked the outlook of the Raiders, once again.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Shocking - a Raiders site determines that the Raiders have a strong running game…and the readers here are having a lovefest.
Nah - good article, Pat (per usual). As your readers not-so-politely put it, can I stop by for some lessons on how to praise Raider Nation?
Go Chiefs!
RB
May 29th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I agree with the Prophet, Fargas is a servicable back up RB at best. I don’t know where any of you Fargas lovers were at when he wasn’t starting. Come on he ran so well on a last place schedule. I think Al spent the $$ on him because he thought Dallas or someone else was going to jump him for McFadden and he wanted to be sure he had him as well as Rhodes. I feel he was going to cut Jordan regardless of who they drafted first. He was joke. He was given a great opportunity and just showed he was only a backup RB too. As long as the OL does their job and FB can get on the LB we should have a great running game. By the end of the summer Kiffin needs to put the best RB on the field and not do the “Baby Steps” as some articles have stated.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Whoa!! Hold on a minute there RaiderKC. Although I don’t have any articles to prove it, I’ve been touting Fargas for three years now.
As far as the last place schedule, it’s true that the Raiders have had that for a while, but this is the first season that their actual schedule resembles a ‘last place schedule’. Last year’s schedule was still ranked as one of the most difficult in the league, so your assumption of Fargas doing what he did to bad teams isn’t entirely accurate.
With the stats putting our run offense at 6th, we tend to forget that the line wasn’t always pulling its weight last year, and that Fargas outplayed Jordan, who was supposed to be a star. There is no doubt that DMAC and Bush could very well be better, but we have to go by past performance as a measure rather than potential.
I am in complete agreement with you about putting the best on the field. I don’t care what position, the better player should be there, but being better means he knows the playbook and does ALL of the responsibilities of the position.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Rob, Fargas got his job in the middle of the dolphin game were Jordan already had 80 yards halfway through the second quarter. Yes Fargas ended with 172yards but the yards that Jordan got paved the way. People keep pretending that Fargas won the starting job, he didn’t. Had Jordans back held out he may have had 1400 yards. The injury never let him get to full strength. I like the way Fargas plays with heart, but he is not a #1, and we would not be having this conversation had Jordan not been injuried. Rhoades played against better run defenses and did as well as Fargas. The best back has not been found yet, but I can assure you Kiffins knows that it will be Bush or Mcfadden or both. They need to keep Fargas around for his moral support and his heart.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Jordan went into the season with the injury and that is why Kiffin was giving Fargas more carries.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Let’s face it, Oak hasn’t had an exciting running game since Charlie Garner. But now we can have 3 RBs and a couple of bashers as FB paving the way for Russell to have a exciting, say Rookie QB season. The few games he played were his preseason games. With a great power game DL/DE will have to honor the run, which hopefully will open up the pass as long as Russell can make his reads…
May 29th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Well point to the matter is it dosen’t matter whos running the ball as long as were winning IM HAPPY!
GO RAIDERS!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Great analysis. On the Chiefs’ front, it’s inaccurate to say that the Chiefs don’t have depth. Kolby Smith only started for a 5-game stretch and he ended up with about 400 yards in those 5 games, which means he could have been a 1,000 yard rusher in a full season. That’s not a bad guy to have as your backup.
So the Chiefs have LJ, a decent backup in Kolby Smith, and a speed, change-of-pace back in Jamaal Charles, who some earmarked as a late first, early second rounder. The Chiefs have very good depth. Probably outstanding depth.
As for LJ… I think it’s too soon to say he’s on a downward slide. Let’s see how he does when he gets a full training camp (he held out last year), a new offensive scheme, and some improvements to the o-line.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
are you kidding me? jordan went down so easily with arm takles and he usually fell backwards.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Hey Jon lets not forget Kolby Smith rushed for almost 200yds against our crappy run defense… So yeah he’s not as good as you made it seem… And Jamaal Charles i didnt hear about the guy until the Chiefs drafted him and then people “hyped” him up…
GO RAIDERS!!!
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