Let's talk about Darren McFadden

[xwalker]

He was a major liability against NYG. He couldn't get out on pass routes because the Giants blitzed when they saw him, forcing him to stay in and block. Blocking is not his strong suit.

He has had a lot of good blocks. He is a better blocker than Morris and similar to McFadden.

 

[Awakened]

Love Dmac. Agree he's a great #2. It's true he's never had exceptional lateral quickness and only an average initial burst. However, one of his great traits no one is mentioning is he has a powerful upper body with a great stiff arm. He will flat out pop you. He's a bad dude with the heart of a warrior.

His first great run as a freshman at Arkansas was against Alabama. McFadden pushed senior Roman Harper (future Pro Bowler) aside like junior high.

 

[Trouty]

Love Dmac. Agree he's a great #2. It's true he's never had exceptional lateral quickness and only an average initial burst. However, one of his great traits no one is mentioning is he has a powerful upper body with a great stiff arm. He will flat out pop you. He's a bad dude with the heart of a warrior.

His first great run as a freshman at Arkansas was against Alabama. McFadden pushed senior Roman Harper (future Pro Bowler) aside like junior high.

Jeebus, he freaking flew down that field!!

 

[DallasInDC]

He looked pretty good. Much better than Morris. Who I really thought Morris was going to be better than he ended up being. I know he had very limited chances, so maybe that's not fair.

Morale of the story, never bother with divisional retreads, they tend to flop more than they excel.

 

[Trouty]

Morale of the story, never bother with divisional retreads, they tend to flop more than they excel.

Alf looked so damn good in preseason, too. It's a shame. He does have the ability to occasionally truck the opposing team, something McFad doesn't do too well. But I am a little disappointed in Morris. Maybe it's from a lack of touches?

 

[gmoney112]

He needs to be on the field in passing situations if/when we rest Zeke.

Legit backup, good checkdown option too.

 

[haleyrules]

Alf looked so damn good in preseason, too. It's a shame. He does have the ability to occasionally truck the opposing team, something McFad doesn't do too well. But I am a little disappointed in Morris. Maybe it's from a lack of touches?

Yep. I really believed Morris would contribute something.

 

[Alohawg1]

Love Dmac. Agree he's a great #2. It's true he's never had exceptional lateral quickness and only an average initial burst. However, one of his great traits no one is mentioning is he has a powerful upper body with a great stiff arm. He will flat out pop you. He's a bad dude with the heart of a warrior.

His first great run as a freshman at Arkansas was against Alabama. McFadden pushed senior Roman Harper (future Pro Bowler) aside like junior high.

This run @3:40 is my favorite of his, ever. The speed is unreal.

 

[Mookie]

I love the guy's attitude. When he said he'd be willing to do whatever it takes to be part of the team is when I knew he was needed for the playoff run.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

So, I was originally a little skeptical here about his return, and about cutting Darius Jackson in favor of him, but I want to say that this guy is playing really well in his limited touches.

He looks explosive through the gaps, has occasionally shown a one cut that I didn't think he had anymore. His speed and vision is still there, as evident yesterday when he received a pass in the flat and broke across the middle from what looked like a 2 or 3 yd gain with a LB and DB barreling down on him, turning it into an 11 yard play (Romo). He also had a 24 yd blazer (run to the outside) when Romo was in. He still has the speed to get around the edge. I'm surprised at his explosiveness, to be frank.

I like Alf, but Alf has looked slow to the gaps, slow to the outside -- McFadden has looked the opposite to me.

What say you, Zoners? Thoughts on McFad?

I've always liked the guy. I want to see the team use his talents. Zeke is obviously our best back, but McFadden can help us as a role player.

 

[Blackspider214]

McFadden should definitely get the 2nd string carries. Morris is worthless. Dunbar isn't much better. But I expect a heavy dose of Zeke after all this time off. Essentially a 3 week break. And a lighter work load against Detroit.

 

[Alohawg1]

Detroit has a chance but I expect the home team to win this weekend. We'll most likely face the packers.

 

[Sarge]

McFadden over Morris easily.

 

[KJJ]

McFadden's averaged 3.6 a carry this season on 24 carries and that average was helped by an 18 and 24 yard run. He had 7 carries yesterday that included a 24 yard run and only ended up with 28 yards. He averaged 4.0 a carry with the help of a 24 yard run and some are still excited about him? LOL He's got fresh legs from sitting out most of the season and you would think he could produce better than this. Watching him this season has made me even more thankful we drafted Zeke.

I have no hate for McFadden but he's averaged under 4.0 a carry despite playing behind our starting OL in 3 games. He's moved the chains a few times but if he was starting this season he would have produced similar to what he did last season. He's played better than Morris and as a backup I'm fine with him but you can clearly see the immense talent Zeke has over him.

 

[KJJ]

This run @3:40 is my favorite of his, ever. The speed is unreal.

Apparently there's some who still see the McFadden from 06. What I've seen this year from him is the same as I saw from him last season. Even with fresh legs he's only averaging 3.6 a carry. That may excite some but not me. I'm just thankful he's a backup this season because once his legs wear out he'll have little left.

 

[KJJ]

McFadden had carries yesterday of 1 yard, -4, -1, 24, 7, 1 and no gain. It's pretty hard to average only 4.0 a carry on 7 carries that include a 24 yard run but he managed to do it. He had an 18 yard run against Detroit and only averaged 3.5 a carry. He comes up with one good run and the rest of his runs are either negative carries or for minimal gains. I've never seen an average player receive more love than McFadden has from this FAN base. I bet there's still McFadden FANS out there that would be fine with him as the starter if we could have a do over at #4 overall.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Yep. I really believed Morris would contribute something.

Same here. But I guess the Cowboys scouts and coaches thought do too

 

[Doomsday101]

I like having another weapon in the mix. McFadden has the talent unfortunately for him he has not had the health.

 

[Doomsday101]

McFadden had carries yesterday of 1 yard, -4, -1, 24, 7, 1 and no gain. It's pretty hard to average only 4.0 a carry on 7 carries that include a 24 yard run but he managed to do it. He had an 18 yard run against Detroit and only averaged 3.5 a carry. He comes up with one good run and the rest of his runs are either negative carries or for minimal gains. I've never seen an average player receive more love than McFadden has from this FAN base. I bet there's still McFadden FANS out there that would be fine with him as the starter if we could have a do over at #4 overall.

I love having Zeke out there but have no problem bringing McFadden off the bench. He is no where close to Zeke in terms of overall talent but he can still come in and produce in all 3 phases of running, receiving and blocking

 

[KJJ]

I love having Zeke out there but have no problem bringing McFadden off the bench. He is no where close to Zeke in terms of overall talent but he can still come in and produce in all 3 phases of running, receiving and blocking

I'm fine with McFadden as a backup, just don't get the love some have for him.