Bush or Mcfadden?

by BRIANMULHALL on Jul 19, 2009 7:36 PM PDT Comment 21 comments

The Raiders had the 10th ranked rushing attack (124 per game) last year and that is incredible considering we had the 32nd ranked passing attack (148 per game). This coming season with both MIchael Bush obviously answering all the questions about his broken leg and Darren Mcfadden healed from both his injured toes and surgically reapired shoulder we are poised to be even better. The Zone Blocking Scheme that Tom Cable has implemented has been a success and I believe that are interioir linemen are the most suited for it of all our linemen so all this bodes well for the teams ground game. Also with improved WR play and Jamarcus Russell becoming more of a potent passer we can expect things to open up a little more around the line of scrimmage.

So now the question is who is best suited to be the starter Bush or Mcfadden? the only reason I leave Fargas off the list is becasue while he is the best pass protector of the bunch he will need to become a better recieving threat to get playing time in my opinion. These other two are two good to take carries away from either of them.

MIchael Bush: Height: 6-1 Weight: 245 Age: 25

Season	Team		Rushing	Receiving	Fumbles
G	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FUM	Lost
2008	Oakland Raiders	15	0	95	421	4.4	67T	3	19	162	8.5	25	0	1	1

Season

Team

Rushing

Receiving

Fumbles

Att

Yds

Avg

Lng

Rec

Yds

Avg

Lng

FUM

Lost

2008

Oakland Raiders

421

4.4

67T

162

8.5

Daren Mcfadden: Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Age: 21

Season	Team			Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
Season	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FUM	Lost
2008	Oakland Raiders	13	5	113	499	4.4	50	4	29	285	9.8	27	0	3	1

I'm not sure if it would be better to use Bush as a closer like Marion Barber (Height: 6-0 Weight: 225) in Dallas and bring himin late or try and use him like Brandon Jacobs (Height: 6-4 Weight: 264) and soften up defenses with his power and bulk early on in games. It's also a question to me how to best use Mcfadden either like Chris Johnson (Height: 5-11 Weight: 200) and have him be more a runner or more like Reggie Bush (Height: 6-0 Weight: 203) and split him out wide and get him the ball in space on screens and use him more as a recieving threat.

So i'll ask you guys what you think about how to best use quite possibley the most talented young backfield in the league. I'll put Justin Fargas on the poll in case you competely disagree with me.

Poll

Who should start at RB for the Raiders?

Michael Bush

54 votes

Darren Mcfadden

81 votes

Justin Fargas

27 votes

162 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

All three would do their own thing given the opportunity

Bush can definitely get it done as a starter and has the Brandon Jacobs xfactor about him, but McFadden can explode the game open and he’s getting paid big so we’ll see him get the majority of starts and carries, at least at first. Provided we get the results we’re all expecting things won’t change much, and provided he stays healthy! That’s what we have to realize; we have a stable of guys, and used properly, they can stay healthy all season. Think Lorenzo Neal will be the key acquistion of the offseason for offense, and looking forward to improved play from the oline. Henderson getting some time under Cable, Gallery having success, Barnes should be a key addition, and the TE Myers just signed is supposed to be a stud blocker, and must be fitting in well with the zone blocking scheme to get the contract he got. Expecting big things from whoever starts, but I’ll be shocked if it’s not Run DMC! Bush will assume the Zack Crockett short yardage role, and some 4th quarter cleanup! Go Raiders!

by brhynno on Jul 19, 2009 8:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

make mcfadden and bush a combo. trade fargas for a good wideout or d tackle

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by dubzfan on Jul 19, 2009 8:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i dont think fargas would have very much value

but if we get atleast a 4th pick, id take it in a heart beat. i just think young RBs that are atleast decent are incredibly easy to find.

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Jul 19, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Id like to see Bush pound the ball early with McFadden more a receiver in the first quarter

I think Bush will be the ‘starter’ as a true running back and McFadden will be used all over the field and will be as big a part of the passing game as he will be the running game. Run DMC and Bush are likely to spend a lot of time on the field together and this will leave the door open for fargas to get some carries aswell. Who knows we might have some wildcat with McFadden at QB with Bush and Fargas in the backfield as Bush and Fargas are both good blockers. If our O-line holds up well we could have Bush and McFadden both on the field as recievers out of the backfield.
I really think there is room for all three guys

My head is spinning with possibilities for our offense this year. I really love the versatility having all of these guys give us with so many options we could be a very difficult offense for teams to game plan against especially now we have multiple deep threats aswell as a qb with an absolute CANNON and one of the best TE’s in the game.

START THE SEASON ALREADY!!!!!

"Mel Kiper has his opinion and I respect it. But what does it mean? My 9-year-old nephew can watch film and make an opinion. I think I value the opinion of scouts who get paid to make their opinions. It will carry me through my career. It will serve as motivation for me." - Mike Mitchell

by Ozraider on Jul 19, 2009 8:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

you’ve gotta take advantage of DMC’s versatility.

I’ll be honest, I feel bad letting youth take the spot of our loyal soldier, but if its gotta be done for the team its gotta be done.

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Jul 19, 2009 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I agree it is a shame for Fargas to not be on the field when he can still be productive

but the fact remains we have 2 guys that are better and compliment each other perfectly. I still think Huggy Bear will get carries though.

by Ozraider on Jul 20, 2009 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's keep it Young

And go McFadden he was drafted 4th Overall now, let him prove why

Amazing, Jamarcus Russell hands off to McFadden who pitches it back to Russell who finds Darrius Heyward Bey in the Middle of the Field wide open 30, 20,10,5 Touchdown Raiders! Amazing. This telecast is Brought to you by Cable.

by nishal26 on Jul 19, 2009 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There’s a reason why McFadden was drafted as high as he was. I can’t wait to see him on the field — healthy — and doing what he does best.

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by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 19, 2009 11:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

versitility

i really agree with mike bush leadin with the rock and havin dmc spread out all over the place. the reason we took him fourth overall was partially due to his versitility. i see bush leadin the way with somethin like 800 – 1000 yards rushing with dmc goin 500 on the ground and 500 in the air. hopefully huggybear will pick up a few hundred also

by frank7da2tank on Jul 20, 2009 1:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bush

he’s the most complete running back of the group. He’s big, he’s a very tough runner who will give an extra push to get extra inches if that’s what’s needed, he’s also got McFadden-esque hands, he’s surprisingly fast for his size, and is a solid blocker. Bush does it all. I believe he should be used in a Jacobs role softening the defenses for McFadden to get a big run or reception.

Now for McFadden, I see McFadden as a Derrick Ward. A fast back who can pound it up the middle like any other back in the league, but can do a lot of damage if he finds a crease or gets the ball in the open field. And if needed, can be a very good starter.

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by KA1Z3R on Jul 20, 2009 7:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It does not have to be either/or

Each player brings a little different skill, so it is academic as to who plays on first down and who comes in afterwards. The flow of each games is different, and therefore in one game it might make more sense for Bush to pound the defense, in other games, McFadden might be more effective loosening up the defense. Just be happy that both backs play in Oakland.

by Laoren on Jul 20, 2009 9:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Absoutely correct

And with McFadden, it really doesn’t matter if he is the “starter” or not, what matters, (and I believe that is the Raiders game plan) is that McFadden is on the field for the majority of the snaps. Whether that be has the halfback, Wildcat, wide receiver or a decoy, McFadden needs to be on the field.

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by TheRaiderWay on Jul 20, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

completely agree

by pablopaul25 on Jul 20, 2009 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

michael bush

Bush could be just an absolute nightmare for the rest of afc west im pumped. pound bush wear m down then chase mcfadden

by Dirt cheap! on Jul 20, 2009 2:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i think bush

he’s more powerful and doesn’t have to rely on his speed to get yardage. he seems to have more potential.
however dmac is versatile, and a player can be dangerous that way as well. But as a ful-fledged rb, i have to go with bush.

by patriotguy on Jul 20, 2009 6:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i dont think bush has more potential but i see what you mean

by pablopaul25 on Jul 21, 2009 6:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you guys

greatly uderestimate McFadden’s power. He’s a complete back and comparable to the best backs in the league.

Upon moving to AL, I let my wife decide who she would root for. After one day at a new job full of Bama fans, she met me at the door with a hearty cry of "WAR EAGLE"

by SandMountainTiger on Jul 21, 2009 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs