Tulsa World: Patience with McFadden

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Patience with McFadden

In his second season after being drafted fourth overall, Darren McFadden has yet to break out. Bill Nichols / Associated Press

By STEVE CORKRAN Contra Costa Times
Published: 11/29/2009 2:33 AM
Last Modified: 11/29/2009 8:14 AM

Run, pass, catch. Darren McFadden did it all at the University of Arkansas. Heck, he even returned kicks. And he did everything well.

So impressed were the Raiders that they made him the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Twenty-seven games into McFadden's NFL career, the Raiders still are searching for the best way to use him.

It remains to be seen if McFadden will ever become the game-changing player many projected him to be when he ruled the college landscape. The Raiders paid him $26 million guaranteed to be a cornerstone of their offense.

So far, his career has followed an arc similar to the one of New Orleans Saints all-purpose back Reggie Bush.

Bush, too, was regarded as a can't-miss prospect entering the 2006 NFL draft based upon his dominance at Southern Cal. The New Orleans Saints selected Bush at No. 2 and soon discovered that he wasn't an every-down back.

The Saints toyed with ways to get the most out of Bush before deciding to capitalize on his versatility. Bush receives a handful of carries each game, but he makes his biggest impact as a receiver and punt returner. On Thursday, McFadden spent most of his time lined up wide as a receiver against the Dallas Cowboys. He caught four passes for 43 yards and rushed six times for 23 yards.

It was McFadden's most productive game since the season opener, when he rushed for 68 yards and caught two passes for 25 yards as the starting running back against San Diego. It's the latest attempt by Raiders coach Tom Cable to make the best use of McFadden's skills.

"He's feeling better and that's what we're more comfortable with, is being able to use him multiple ways," Cable said.

McFadden has remained patient through the injuries, spotty playing time and inconsistent workload.

He missed four games this season because of a knee injury he suffered against Houston on Oct. 4 that required surgery. Upon his return, he played behind Michael Bush and Justin Fargas.

"It's a process you have to go through," McFadden said. "You don't go to the bottom and jump right back to the top. You've got to go out there and work for it. Right now I'm just working myself back in." McFadden was the first of 22 running backs selected in 2008, but he's been far from the most productive.

Tennessee drafted Chris Johnson 20 spots after the Raiders nabbed McFadden. Johnson leads the NFL with 1,242 yards this season. He also rushed for 1,228 yards last season, one of three rookies who topped the 1,000-yard mark. McFadden has 704 yards during the same period, 205 this season. What's more, Johnson has averaged 5.5 yards and scored 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons. McFadden has averaged only 4 yards a carry and scored five TDs.

In fairness, McFadden has had to deal with four injuries during his brief NFL career.

"My feeling is Darren brings a lot to the table," Cable said. "I feel like we've got to keep moving forward, trying to figure out what is going to help him be at his best." By STEVE CORKRAN Contra Costa Times

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