I related to it earlier this week here in my post defending Darren McFadden amidst the ridiculous "character issues" - the Oakland Raiders using the No.4 selection in the draft to take Arkansas running back Darren McFadden would be the wrong way to go if LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was still available. But as we all expected from an Al Davis-controlled franchise, the Raiders added to an already loaded RB contingent and picked McFadden. Then Raider fans and Raider haters, we watched as a team we'll play twice this season and every season until a realigment, the Kansas City Cheifs took Dorsey.
McFadden (who I can't be completely unhappy about becoming Raider, truthfully) being drafted has great impact on two Raiders on the current roster. The obvious guy is RB Lamont Jordan. With Justin Fargas establishing himself as the go-to-guy in the backfield last year, and Dominc Rhodes still a short-yardage back with value, and Michael Bush still with great potential, it is safe to assume Jordan is the odd man out in Oakland.
But if you ask me, the guy who now holds the media's bull's eye on his back is defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who with a rich, rich, enormous contract now in dry ink, found out yesterday the Raiders have more confidence in him to replace Warren Sapp than Dorsey. I would expect Dorsey to be in KC's defensive front in practically the same position as Kelly in Oakland in 2008. So without a true way to compare a running back with a defensive lineman, meaning comparing McFadden to Dorsey (remember how foolish this very practive was with Houston and New Orleans?), Kelly will be the guy the vultures in the media will compare with Dorsey. Did Kelly deserve that contract? Is Dorsey the better defensive tackle? And most of all, should the Raiders have selected Dorsey over McFadden to answer a more pressing need? These are the questions, I must agree need to be asked myself.
I am not completely unhappy about McFadden. I would have rather had Dorsey since he was available. I fear Kelly will be the guy dealing with the most pressure, and the media's biggest bullseye to start the year. Life as a Raider fan is never dull.
Patrick Revs Up for Indy
Comments (1)
a little play action pass goes a long way and scoring was'nt exactly one of our virtues last season. i think he is lightning in a bottle and thats just what jamarcus needs to help keep the d-line off him a bit. we did try to amp up our defense and got a heck of a runningback that doesnt come along every day. you cant get it all at once and i think we drew a pretty good line in the middle of the dirt. we havent had a running back like this since bo jacksons days. those days were a bit more exciting, at least knowing you got a guy who can break on any given play is something to relish.
smoke | 04/29/08, 10:48 AM
Report Offensive CommentAdd a comment
Remember to keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed. More Guidelines