Interesting Darren McFadden stats

[Galian Beast]

Look, I dont mind the signing...low risk, high reward. Oakland is an abyss. Based on last year, I give the staff the benefit of the doubt on bringing him here for a look. My point is is that no stat in a vacuum can lead you to draw an absolute conclusion. .

When running with 0 TEs, McFadden averaged 5.1ypc last year and 6.9 in 2013. Lose Witten and gold, that's what I was trying to allude

I know what you're saying, but I think I've shown you a larger sample size from what is available.

Let's take your example, that's a very low sample rate.

 

[Bullet22]

Oakland is a mess....He is lucky that he didn't get more carries...He is a stud back, who will shine in Dallas....

 

[JDSmith]

They also got absolutely blown out in 4 games in the second half of the season, which could contribute to running the ball less.

On the other hand it also makes it easier to have success when you do run. Nobody cares about giving up a 7 yard run when they are winning by 21 points. They'll play the pass, and let you have the runs if you want to take them.

I honestly don't think there is a lot we can take statistically from what happened in Oakland. The OL sucked, the QB was always in flux, and the team in general was a mess. This will likely have to be a 'wait and see.' When McFadden has a full training camp with a real team, when he runs behind this line, we'll all have a pretty good idea of how much of the problem was DMC and how much was Oakland. Until then, I don't believe there is a number or formula that will give us a clue.

 

[Galian Beast]

On the other hand it also makes it easier to have success when you do run. Nobody cares about giving up a 7 yard run when they are winning by 21 points. They'll play the pass, and let you have the runs if you want to take them.

I honestly don't think there is a lot we can take statistically from what happened in Oakland. The OL sucked, the QB was always in flux, and the team in general was a mess. This will likely have to be a 'wait and see.' When McFadden has a full training camp with a real team, when he runs behind this line, we'll all have a pretty good idea of how much of the problem was DMC and how much was Oakland. Until then, I don't believe there is a number or formula that will give us a clue.

And my theory is that on such a subpar team you're still not worrying about the QB or WRs.

But yes, my whole point is that we should take a wait and see approach to McFadden who may ultimately not be anything special, but could still be. We shouldn't come to a conclusion based on Oakland.

This wasn't a formula that determined whether or not he was still a player, rather to suggest that Oakland may have been an even worse place for him than previously imagined.

 

[JDSmith]

Oakland may have been an even worse place for him than previously imagined.

I could see a guy doing well on a team like that for a few years, but the losing culture will take its toll eventually. The fact that the Raiders have sucked for so long is a testament to just how poorly the entire organization is run. I believe that if McFadden's skills haven't deteriorated too badly he can have a lot of success with our team. But we won't have an inkling of whether that's the case until at least August.

 

[Galian Beast]

I could see a guy doing well on a team like that for a few years, but the losing culture will take its toll eventually. The fact that the Raiders have sucked for so long is a testament to just how poorly the entire organization is run. I believe that if McFadden's skills haven't deteriorated too badly he can have a lot of success with our team. But we won't have an inkling of whether that's the case until at least August.

That's basically my point. Though, I'm not sure what we're necessarily defining as a culture of losing as opposed to the results of being on a poor team. Maybe that is the same thing, but I definitely want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I want to make it clear, I don't think he is the sure thing AP would be, but I do think there is potential to maybe salvage a special player here. I want to see how that shakes out. I don't think he needs to run 30 times a game. I think Murray didn't need to do that last year. I think splitting the carries to a certain degree is wise, just not to overwork a single player.

 

[DandyDon52]

IMO, McFadden lost his job last year because of a few things:

1. The interim coach there wanted to change the culture and shake things up.
2. McFadden was one of the guys he chose to make the change from because DMC had gotten in a rut and simply was no longer excited to be in the NFL playing for Oakland.
3. McFadden is getting older and it was his last year in Oakland and the coaches wanted to go with a younger guy to try to develop someone. 2014 was already ruined, so even if the young guy didn't do as well as McFadden would have... at least you're doing something for the future of the team.

I wasn't crazy about the McFadden pick-up, and I'm still not. However, I don't think much can be gleaned from McFadden getting fewer carries last year.

JMO

I dont think he is all that excited about playing here either, so he is a big ?
I wont judge him by Oakland either.
I wasn't crazy about the McFadden pick-up, and I'm still not. ....... yeah me neither, I think it maybe was the worst off season move made.
Many other RB's who would have been better.

 

[AsthmaField]

I dont think he is all that excited about playing here either, so he is a big ?
I wont judge him by Oakland either.
I wasn't crazy about the McFadden pick-up, and I'm still not. ....... yeah me neither, I think it maybe was the worst off season move made.
Many other RB's who would have been better.

What makes you think he isn't excited about playing in Dallas? I would think he would like being closer to Arkansas, being on a contending franchise and having a very good OL to run behind.

However, maybe he said something that I'm not aware of.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

That's basically my point. Though, I'm not sure what we're necessarily defining as a culture of losing as opposed to the results of being on a poor team. Maybe that is the same thing, but I definitely want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I want to make it clear, I don't think he is the sure thing AP would be, but I do think there is potential to maybe salvage a special player here. I want to see how that shakes out. I don't think he needs to run 30 times a game. I think Murray didn't need to do that last year. I think splitting the carries to a certain degree is wise, just not to overwork a single player.

No one would be a sure thing -- injury can happen to anyone -- but AP would offer the greatest hope.

I think the expectation is: McFadden will be the lead back with Randle and Williams coming off the bench. I also think the Cowboys would like to see Williams rise to the occasion if plan A does not work out well. Dunbar is toast unless the other three suffer an injury before the regular season.

 

[Thefeelofcotton]

I think that McFadden is young enough, and still has the explosiveness to be a starter behind a great O-Line and on a team that can actually put up points. The raiders offense wouldn't start on 3/4 of the teams in this league, Carr being an exception because of his youth. I think Randle is the starter coming into the training camp but McFadden, throughout the pre-season, will show some spark and will earn himself some first team carries to start the season. I believe McFadden will earn the starting spot by week 4. This is not a knock against Randle, he's a solid back, but I believe he is a life long 2nd RB. I don't know if he can handle the pounding of being "the guy." If I'm wrong then I'll gladly come on here and eat crow, but this is a good problem to have. You can NEVER have too many good RBs.

 

[erod]

After talking to some people in another thread about running back numbers and how they can be misleading, I wanted to look at the granular stats for McFadden.

When running with a lead McFadden averaged 4.1 yards per carry last year. The problem with this number however is that McFadden only ran with a lead for 22 carries last year. When the game was tied he also ran for 4.1 yards per carry though. This only happened under 41 carries though.

McFadden had 92 carries playing from behind. And when he played from behind his numbers dropped to 3 yards per carry. When down 9 or more points, his averages dropped to 2.2 yards per carry. When behind, no one was afraid of that Oakland offense. Period, point blank. One of their best wide receiver couldn't even make this team... (Andre Holmes)

This lead me to want to investigate McFadden a little bit more, and so I did.

You can look at his 2013 numbers and they reveal that this isn't a fluke.

In 2013, with the lead McFadden averaged 4.4 yards per carry, when behind he averaged 1.9 yards per carry. Tied, he averaged 3.7 yards per carry.

There were a couple years in which he was actually a pretty good running back. I don't think that was a fluke either. They were the only two years that the Raiders were even remotely good (8-8 both years).

I mean it is entirely possible that he is done as a player or at least done as a special player, but I really think we need to evaluate him going forward on what he does here, and give him somewhat of a pass for Oakland.

He isn't the only player to have struggled there. Randy Moss was actually in a very similar situation. Carson Palmer also struggled in Oakland.

Charles Woodson's career didn't get off the ground until he left there, too.

There's a reason all most all of their first round picks bust. However, I do see a change in the tide there. I think the Raiders are being managed much better than before. Not great, but better.

 

[Galian Beast]

Charles Woodson's career didn't get off the ground until he left there, too.

There's a reason all most all of their first round picks bust. However, I do see a change in the tide there. I think the Raiders are being managed much better than before. Not great, but better.

They've barely broken two pro bowl players a year.

A punter and a fullback, and two years of richard seymour who was probably going in based on name alone. They are one of the worst albatrosses in the nfl, right up there with Cleveland and Jacksonville.

 

[BoysWin]

After talking to some people in another thread about running back numbers and how they can be misleading, I wanted to look at the granular stats for McFadden.

When running with a lead McFadden averaged 4.1 yards per carry last year. The problem with this number however is that McFadden only ran with a lead for 22 carries last year. When the game was tied he also ran for 4.1 yards per carry though. This only happened under 41 carries though.

McFadden had 92 carries playing from behind. And when he played from behind his numbers dropped to 3 yards per carry. When down 9 or more points, his averages dropped to 2.2 yards per carry. When behind, no one was afraid of that Oakland offense. Period, point blank. One of their best wide receiver couldn't even make this team... (Andre Holmes)

This lead me to want to investigate McFadden a little bit more, and so I did.

You can look at his 2013 numbers and they reveal that this isn't a fluke.

In 2013, with the lead McFadden averaged 4.4 yards per carry, when behind he averaged 1.9 yards per carry. Tied, he averaged 3.7 yards per carry.

There were a couple years in which he was actually a pretty good running back. I don't think that was a fluke either. They were the only two years that the Raiders were even remotely good (8-8 both years).

I mean it is entirely possible that he is done as a player or at least done as a special player, but I really think we need to evaluate him going forward on what he does here, and give him somewhat of a pass for Oakland.

He isn't the only player to have struggled there. Randy Moss was actually in a very similar situation. Carson Palmer also struggled in Oakland.

MARK IT DOWN - 1,800 YARDS for Mcfadden in DAL in 2015 and 2016

 

[xwalker]

MARK IT DOWN - 1,800 YARDS for Mcfadden in DAL in 2015 and 2016

What if he does not?

 

[Floatyworm]

I'm gonna say it now......After watching some OTA clips of him running.....I wouldn't be shocked to see him get cut. Didn't see any explosion coming out of his cuts.....Runs high...just asking for punishment/fumbles.

If the front office expects this guy to carry the majority of the snaps...we could be in trouble.

Ryan Williams made him look like he was wearing 20 LBs ankle weights.....there was that much a difference in speed.

Scary

 

[reddyuta]

I'm gonna say it now......After watching some OTA clips of him running.....I wouldn't be shocked to see him get cut. Didn't see any explosion coming out of his cuts.....Runs high...just asking for punishment/fumbles.

If the front office expects this guy to carry the majority of the snaps...we could be in trouble.

Ryan Williams made him look like he was wearing 20 LBs ankle weights.....there was that much a difference in speed.

Scary

This is nuts.I am not a Dmac fan at all but you cant tell jack about a RB in OTA videos where there is no contact .I would wait till oxnard to see if can effective but i am not holding my breadth.

 

[Doomsday101]

MARK IT DOWN - 1,800 YARDS for Mcfadden in DAL in 2015 and 2016

Heck I would be thrilled if he can put up 1,200 rushing and 1,500 combined yards, I know he is a capable blocker

 

[TheDude]

What if he does not?

wad up the toilet paper with "1,800 YARDS for Mcfadden in DAL in 2015 and 2016" written on it

 

[Floatyworm]

This is nuts.I am not a Dmac fan at all but you cant tell jack about a RB in OTA videos where there is no contact .I would wait till oxnard to see if can effective but i am not holding my breadth.

What do you mean you can't see anything? I'm telling you the guy has dead legs.....and it's fairly obvious. I understand fans don't get it that haven't played the position...

He was washed up in Oakland 2 years ago.......And all this "hype" to get people excited is just another Jerry sell job.

And I take it you haven't seen a Jerry sell job either?

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

I could see a guy doing well on a team like that for a few years, but the losing culture will take its toll eventually. The fact that the Raiders have sucked for so long is a testament to just how poorly the entire organization is run. I believe that if McFadden's skills haven't deteriorated too badly he can have a lot of success with our team. But we won't have an inkling of whether that's the case until at least August.

While historically accurate, the team seems to be headed in the right direction.