Editor's note: Clark Judge, Pete Prisco and Mike Freeman are traveling to every NFL training camp and filing daily reports and analysis. Next camp report from Freeman: Niners
Raiders: Five things to know | 
Freeman
NAPA, Calif. -- One coach called him a workaholic. Another said he has displayed great maturity and professionalism. He shows up early to practice and stays late. In meetings, according to several players, he demonstrates an understanding of the offense they haven't seen from a rookie in years.
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 One man vs. One fan | |
noriega14: "I think this is the year we get back to respectability. I'm sick and tired of hearing the Raiders being trashed by every analyst for the past 5 years. Not that they haven't deserved it, being the worst franchise in that time span, but it needs to come to an end." |
He runs with an aggressive, fancy-free style that one scout described privately to me as "Eric Dickerson on uppers." During a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, there was a bolt up the middle in which he broke through so fast it caused some of the 49ers players afterward to momentarily murmur about his speed.
The player is Darren McFadden, and if you want an early contender for Rookie of the Year, look no further.
Sure, it's camp, and sure, McFadden is one cracked fibula away from disaster. This is the NFL after all, which stands for (as Jerry Glanville once famously said) "Not For Long." There is a small army of rookies who demonstrated great promise in training camp only to later find themselves out of the league.
| Out of Nowhere Man |
 This is a strange Out of Nowhere Man but it's perfect because despite being a veteran, nose tackle Terdell Sands totally disappeared after receiving a hefty four-year, $17 million contract, gaining weight and losing interest. He played like Turd-dell Sands. It was a big disappointment for the Raiders; they're hoping Sands can find his game again. If he does -- and those 335 pounds no longer wiggle like jelly -- Oakland's run defense could be solid. |
| Who is your Out of Nowhere Man? |
However, if McFadden isn't the real deal it would be a shock.
The main reasons are not just his physical skills, but something far more important: his level of maturity. Please, raise your hand if you thought McFadden was too immature for the NFL. C'mon, don't be shy.
I was one of those people. His off-the-field issues -- including accusations he had fathered at least several kids out of wedlock -- scared the hell out of me to the point where I wouldn't have picked him in the first round. Was he Travis Henry Jr., who has since fornicated his way out of football? That was the concern.
What McFadden has done, at least for now, is alleviate any maturity scares. Several Raiders players say they have been impressed mostly with his work habits, on and off the field. Coaches call him a dream rookie. Unless McFadden is the greatest actor this side of Denzel, he has completely charmed everyone here, including the media.
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Positives: Russell has his immense size and strength, excellent mobility and one of the best young arms in the game. Newcomers Javon Walker and Drew Carter are both deep-ball receivers, with Walker the more talented and more established of the two, and they should enhance the output for fellow receiver Ronald Curry and tight end Zach Miller. Additionally, Darren McFadden should be on the field often enough to be a receiving option for Russell, padding both of their stat lines. With Oakland's down-the-field passing approach, Russell's numbers should be solid. Negatives: The Raiders' offense looks good on paper. Walker is a significant injury risk that would put a cap on Russell's stats if he doesn't play to the level like he did in 2004 and 2006. McFadden is a rookie and could struggle at the pro level early on. And let's not forget that Russell only has 66 regular-season pass attempts under his belt. What's more, the offensive line is still a question mark even with offseason additions of tackle Kwame Harris and center John Wade. Outlook: Fantasy owners will remember Russell's amazing days at LSU or consider his potential and pencil him in as their No. 2 Fantasy QB. That's a good idea -- assuming you've missed on more reliable backup Fantasy passers in your draft. There's no denying Russell's measurables and potential, but rolling the dice on him when more experienced and established second-tier Fantasy options are available is too high of a risk. If your league rosters are deep enough, Russell is worth carrying as a low-end No. 2. We see him as a 3,000-yard passer with 20-touchdown potential, but with plenty of interceptions and fumbles as he continues to learn the position. -- Dave Richard RB: Darren McFadden (38th overall) QB: JaMarcus Russell (148th overall) WR: Javon Walker (104th overall) TE: Zach Miller (197th overall) |
| 2008 Fantasy Draft Prep |
"I can't find something to complain about with Darren," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "He's always out here early, he's always out here learning."
Wait. Reverse the tape. Did an NFL coach say he couldn't find something to complain about? Most coaches would find fault with a Maui sunset. Yet that's how impressive McFadden has been thus far. He leaves normally crabby coaches with little to moan about.
This Oakland offense has the potential to be dangerous. Emphasis on potential. If quarterback JaMarcus Russell can provide a passing threat, then the Raiders running game could prosper.
While McFadden's maturity entering the NFL was in doubt, his skills weren't, and definitely aren't now. Several times in the practices against the 49ers his burst was stunning. McFadden can exploit any tiny crack and there's little fear of contact. McFadden isn't like many NFL rookies who shake and bake when they approach the line of scrimmage. He spots the hole and hits it quick.
It looks like the Raiders will use McFadden smartly. The plan right now is to rely heavily on runner Justin Fargas and work McFadden in, and it's highly possible the two will work in the backfield extensively together. McFadden has worked almost everywhere in the offense, including the slot, which makes him a potential nightmare matchup for defenses.
Imagine a tougher and faster Reggie Bush. McFadden's also an excellent route runner.
The risk for the Raiders? Because McFadden is learning so quickly and demonstrating such ability, the staff might be tempted to overuse McFadden. The potential problem in doing that is McFadden's physique. You don't realize how thin his lower body is until you see him up close. It's like he's running on two toothpicks.
But when those toothpicks get moving ... wow.
We knew McFadden had the talent, but you wondered about the cranium.
Now, in addition to a talented McFadden we're witnessing a mature one.
Who exactly saw that coming?
