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Post by Dale on Jun 9, 2014 15:50:37 GMT -6
The Raiders have given Darren McFadden reps on kickoff returns during OTAs.
"Anything is an option," said coach Dennis Allen. We're tentatively expecting Maurice Jones-Drew to emerge as Oakland's top running back, with McFadden relegated to change-of-pace or lesser-half of a committee work. That sort of role could open up DMC's special teams plate. McFadden is a straight-linish runner with 4.4 jets. He could be an excellent kickoff return man.
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Post by Dale on Jul 30, 2014 13:22:17 GMT -6
Sports Illustrated's Robert Klemko reports "at this stage" Darren McFadden has the "starting edge" over Maurice Jones-Drew in the Raiders' backfield.
Klemko, however, does allow that this "should be a committee backfield considering McFadden's injury history." While McFadden may get the "starts," Jones-Drew leading the Raiders in carries is probably the safe bet. McFadden is certainly the more talented runner, but he's never played a full 16-game slate. This is going to be a timeshare. MJD and DMC are currently going in the seventh and eight rounds of fantasy drafts, respectively, as RB3/FLEX options.
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Post by Dale on Aug 5, 2014 4:06:15 GMT -6
Darren McFadden is listed as the Raiders' No. 2 tailback on their first depth chart of training camp.
Beat writers stated in the spring that they expected DMC to be the Raiders' starter, but the coaching staff ostensibly disagrees. Jones-Drew is Oakland's best inside runner and pass protector, and should open the season playing most of the snaps. OC Greg Olson will likely try to get McFadden into space as more of a receiving back. Behind a Raiders O-Line that quietly has potential, Jones-Drew is a slightly intriguing RB3. McFadden is an RB4.
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Post by Dale on Aug 16, 2014 3:42:07 GMT -6
Darren McFadden rushed eight times for 27 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders' second preseason game Friday night.
Maurice Jones-Drew (6-12, 1-22) remained Oakland's starter and lead back, but McFadden was given three straight chances inside the five-yard line leading to his goal-line score. It's conceivable that McFadden is the favorite for goal-line TDs in Oakland, which would obviously throw a wrench into MJD's fantasy ceiling. McFadden is a slightly interesting RB4 at his tenth-round ADP.
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Post by Dale on Aug 18, 2014 7:34:28 GMT -6
Coach Dennis Allen said Darren McFadden "is probably running the ball as well as I've seen him run it since I've been here."
McFadden has nine carries for 50 yards (5.55 YPC) with one goal-line touchdown through two preseason games. Most importantly, he's had none of the nagging injuries that have bogged him down so many times in his career. McFadden is behind Maurice Jones-Drew for the starting job, but he's going to get enough touches to make this a RBBC situation.
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Post by Dale on Aug 23, 2014 3:51:25 GMT -6
Darren McFadden rushed three times for five yards and caught one pass for negative-two yards in Friday's preseason game against the Packers.
McFadden didn't get any snaps until the second drive, after starter Maurice Jones-Drew had called it a night. Through three preseason games, DMC has 12 carries for 55 yards with one touchdown. As an outside change-of-pace complement to Jones-Drew, McFadden's volume is going to capped severely -- especially on a team that projects to be trailing a ton.
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Post by Dale on Sept 7, 2014 15:23:40 GMT -6
Darren McFadden rushed for 15 yards on four carries in the Raiders' Week 1 loss to the Jets.
He caught his lone target in the passing game for a six-yard gain and was out-touched by Maurice Jones-Drew 11-5. Oakland had no prayer at run-game success versus the Jets' stout front line. It's pretty clear that MJD has nothing left in the tank, but DMC didn't give the coaches much reason to play him over Jones-Drew. McFadden will be an RB3/4 next week against the Texans at home.
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DMac news
Sept 7, 2014 16:01:24 GMT -6
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Post by clifflee4mvp™ on Sept 7, 2014 16:01:24 GMT -6
Had his chance to get out of there and signed back on for another year. At this rate, I hope he invested well with his rookie contract money
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Post by Dale on Sept 11, 2014 4:16:35 GMT -6
Darren McFadden will start at tailback in Week 2 against the Texans if Maurice Jones-Drew (hand surgery) can't play.
Coach Dennis Allen is saying MJD "won’t miss a significant amount of time," but his Sunday availability is definitely in doubt. If Jones-Drew can't play, McFadden will start and Latavius Murray and Marcel Reece will each "get some carries." DMC would become an interesting RB2/flex play in a favorable matchup. Redskins coach Jay Gruden inexplicably abandoned the run against the Texans last week, but Alfred Morris posted a 6.5 YPC average and Roy Helu chipped in 46 yards on four carries. The Houston defense is quite vulnerable on the ground.
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Post by Dale on Sept 15, 2014 4:11:00 GMT -6
Darren McFadden managed 37 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and caught two passes for 31 yards in the Raiders' Week 2 loss to Houston.
Although OC Greg Olson promised late in the week to involve Latavius Murray, the sophomore runner only touched the ball once aside from kickoff returns, gaining six yards on his lone carry. McFadden was the every-down back and struggled, having two longer runs called back by penalties at the line of scrimmage and failing to create any of his own running room. Ultimately, neither DMC nor Murray showed any signs of proving a superior option to Maurice Jones-Drew (hand), who was inactive on Sunday.
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Post by Dale on Sept 21, 2014 14:59:20 GMT -6
Darren McFadden had 18 carries for 54 yards in Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Patriots.
McFadden was an every-down back with Maurice Jones-Drew sidelined. Latavius Murray had just three carries, and rarely saw the field. McFadden added four catches for six yards in the pass game, and drew a defensive holding call in the end-zone. He also had a six-yard touchdown negated by a holding penalty, but it was another unimpressive performance. McFadden will be an RB3/FLEX in Week 4 in Jones-Drew doesn't return.
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Post by Dale on Sept 29, 2014 3:38:26 GMT -6
Darren McFadden rushed 11 times for 40 yards in Oakland's Week 4 loss to the Dolphins, adding four catches for 32 yards.
Even with Maurice Jones-Drew (hand) back, DMC operated as the Raiders' clear lead back, out-touching MJD 15-4. It didn't translate to any fantasy value, of course. Oakland's No. 1 back for 3-of-4 games, DMC is on pace for just 904 yards from scrimmage, and four touchdowns. He'll remain a desperation RB3 when the Raiders come off their bye in Week 6.
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Post by Dale on Oct 13, 2014 5:56:01 GMT -6
Darren McFadden rushed 14 times for 80 yards and caught 2-of-4 targets for six yards in the Raiders' Week 6 loss to San Diego.
Continuing to play clearly ahead of Maurice Jones-Drew and Latavius Murray, McFadden gave Oakland's previously stuck-in-mud ground game energy with a series of determined second-half runs. We're still confused by the Raiders' lack of interest in involving McFadden heavily in the passing game, where he is arguably at his best. He'll remain a dicey flex option in Week 7 against Arizona's stout run defense, which shut down Alfred Morris in Week 6.
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Post by Dale on Oct 20, 2014 4:18:27 GMT -6
Darren McFadden rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and caught four passes for seven yards in the Raiders' Week 7 loss to Arizona.
Continuing to operate as Oakland's clear-feature back ahead of Maurice Jones-Drew, McFadden handled the 18 touches to MJD's three. Latavius Murray remained uninvolved. McFadden's light usage in the passing game continues to perplex -- it's one of his strengths -- but he's getting enough work on a weekly basis for flex consideration. DMC will ascend to RB2/flex value in Week 8 against a Browns defense that coughed up Denard Robinson's career day in Week 7.
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Post by Dale on Oct 27, 2014 4:10:06 GMT -6
Darren McFadden gained 59 yards on 12 carries and caught four passes for 26 yards in the Raiders' Week 8 loss to Cleveland.
McFadden gave Oakland a chain-moving element whenever in the game, though the Raiders inexplicably handed Maurice Jones-Drew six carries, which didn't work at all. DMC also came through with several critical catches to gain first downs. Unfortunately, DMC lost a late third-quarter fumble on a great play by Browns SS Donte Whitner, who looked like he was shot out of a cannon to pop the ball loose. McFadden will be just an RB3 when the Raiders take on Seattle's stout run defense in Week 9.
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