Sturm's McFadden breakdown

[LowTech]

I watched pretty much every game McFadden played in college. I saw the destruction he's inflicted on opposing defenses in college when he was on a good team.

I'm very interested in seeing what a healthy McFadden can do behind this offensive line. I'm glad he is getting the chance to prove something while he is still in his prime.

I just want what is best for the cowboys.

 

[conner01]

I don't think they expect McFadden to be the answer, or anyone else
I think you are going to see all of them playing roles in the offense
When someone is having a big day he will get more carries
When you don't have a workhorse you have them all earn the carries
If they can all stay healthy I think we can have a solid run game without any one guy being the man

 

[BrassCowboy]

Randle is the guy.... watch



IMO of course

 

[jnday]

The Raiders are going with youth.

McFadden likely didn't want to re-sign there. He would likely have retired over returning to Oakland. That is the impression I got from his interviews since signing with the Cowboys.

There is no proof either way in terms of how much was his fault and how much was the faultvof the Raider's OL and lack of passing threat.

The Sturm article didn't do anything to help figure out that issue.

At some point DMac had his part in his failures. It is not the fault of the Raiders entirely. The Raider excuse is wearing thin. It is not the Raiders that makes him go down so easily.

 

[jnday]

Randle is the guy.... watch



IMO of course

I hope so, because the two cripples behind him are not going to help much. Dunbar might see 50 carries this season if he can hold on to the ball.

 

[JDSmith]

At some point DMac had his part in his failures. It is not the fault of the Raiders entirely. The Raider excuse is wearing thin. It is not the Raiders that makes him go down so easily.

No, but I think playing for the Raiders for so long certainly helps. I'm interested to see how he'll do with our line and our team chemistry. The atmosphere is a lot different on the Cowboys than on the Raiders.

 

[jnday]

No, but I think playing for the Raiders for so long certainly helps. I'm interested to see how he'll do with our line and our team chemistry. The atmosphere is a lot different on the Cowboys than on the Raiders.

He has already brought the injury bug with him from Oakland. He couldn't stay healthy during OTAs with no hitting. I don't look forward to seeing him actually getting hit. He is gonna limp all season.

 

[JDSmith]

He has already brought the injury bug with him from Oakland. He couldn't stay healthy during OTAs with no hitting. I don't look forward to seeing him actually getting hit. He is gonna limp all season.

I'm not concerned with OTAs, but if he's hurt in training camp that will be an entirely different story.

 

[jnday]

What make's Sturm an expert.....He has a radio show...Big deal.....I would lay bet that he has never seem DMC play a full game at Ark..or Oakland...

Are you really serious? You gave guys on this board giving scouting reports , breaking down film and their word is accepted fact when in all honesty, they have no creditials whatsoever. Do you ever question their information? Sturm is usually right on the money with his information.

 

[Risen Star]

Must. Support. Everything. The. Team. Does.....

 

[rags747]

I'm not buying Strums analysis, I think Dmac will be quite fine on this team and will be the home run hitter that we have not had since Dorsett. Get him into a groove and I see plenty of 20+ yard runs per game.

 

[Idgit]

Are you really serious? You gave guys on this board giving scouting reports , breaking down film and their word is accepted fact when in all honesty, they have no creditials whatsoever. Do you ever question their information? Sturm is usually right on the money with his information.

Sturm's great. And he's probably right here.

Nothing wrong with guys on the board watching games over and over, or watching the all 22 and then sharing what they see. A lot of that stuff is great, and it leads to better quality debate because it sets the expectation that people say things that match what the rest of us can review on the field.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

I think were going to see a mixed bag of RBs all year long. Randle will get his chance until his body cant hold up anymore. Then DMC will get the carries, Williams too and whoever else they have waiting on the Practice squad....

who is healthy this week? No one? Bring up whatshisface this week, give him the rock 20 times...

you all know whatshisface...... who knows maybe we find are J forsett and the next one year wonder.

 

[bodi]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1357591-is-the-blocking-to-blame-for-darren-mcfaddens-struggles

Cooper Carlisle and Mike Brisiel are responsible for getting the linebackers against 3-4 defenses and both have struggled. According to ProFootballFocus, Carlisle and Brisiel have the two worst run-blocking grades on the offensive line (-3.6 and -2.1). It wouldn’t be surprising if the Raiders gave rookie offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom a start over Carlisle in the near future if his blocking doesn't improve soon.

One thing former head coach Hue Jackson did was to get McFadden running north and south quickly, which covered for the offensive lines' struggles last season. The finesse of the zone scheme has created problems with the offensive line and also eliminated McFadden's greatest ability to make up for those issues.

McFadden hasn’t been particularly effective running in any direction, but if he’s going to improve in the zone scheme, the offensive guards and the tight end will need to execute and sustain their blocks. Knapp can also help by using more quick-hitting runs that allow McFadden to get to top speed quickly.

 

[Bullflop]

Historically, he hasn't been a very reliable RB on 1st and 2nd downs but I think the Cowboys are likely to utilize him more often on 3rd downs, assuming he's not cut. The early downs will most frequently go to Randle or Williams.

 

[bodi]

Don't count Darren McFadden out of race for Cowboys' lead RB just yet

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...t-of-race-for-cowboys-lead-rb-just-yet-060115

He is a great for the outside zone scheme, put-his-foot-in-the-ground type guy," Brown said. "He wants to get going forward. He has tremendous speed. That is a positive. We just have to get him going on the other stuff."

Brown might be on to something. McFadden's straight-line speed gives him an advantage over other runners when it comes to taking advantage of what is blocked for him. In McFadden’s breakout 2011 season, he operated behind a Raiders run-blocking unit that finished as one of the top units in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Over 13 games that season, McFadden racked up 1,157 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on just 223 carries--5.2 yards-per-carry--and added 507 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 47 receptions

 

[Idgit]

Don't count Darren McFadden out of race for Cowboys' lead RB just yet

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...t-of-race-for-cowboys-lead-rb-just-yet-060115

He is a great for the outside zone scheme, put-his-foot-in-the-ground type guy," Brown said. "He wants to get going forward. He has tremendous speed. That is a positive. We just have to get him going on the other stuff."

Brown might be on to something. McFadden's straight-line speed gives him an advantage over other runners when it comes to taking advantage of what is blocked for him. In McFadden’s breakout 2011 season, he operated behind a Raiders run-blocking unit that finished as one of the top units in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Over 13 games that season, McFadden racked up 1,157 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on just 223 carries--5.2 yards-per-carry--and added 507 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 47 receptions

Thanks for posting this.

The rep on McFadden has always been that he's a very hard worker and a great teammate. And the outside zone stuff makes perfect sense, too. I might not be a huge fan of the pickup, but I am really looking forward to seeing him play in preseason. All of the backs, really.

 

[Jstopper]

At some point DMac had his part in his failures. It is not the fault of the Raiders entirely. The Raider excuse is wearing thin. It is not the Raiders that makes him go down so easily.

Rolando McClain. He even said it in his interviews, it drains a player when you play for the Raiders, they have a culture of not winning, and not caring about winning. laughing and smiling on the sidelines while they are getting blown out, not to mention the lack of talent. Best team he's been on with the Raiders were 8-8. Not to mention in 06 everybody and their mom thought Randy Moss was washed up. He went to the Patriots and him and Brady made history. So no the Raider excuse is not wearing thin.

 

[Jstopper]

At some point DMac had his part in his failures. It is not the fault of the Raiders entirely. The Raider excuse is wearing thin. It is not the Raiders that makes him go down so easily.

@stasheroo Randy Moss had 500 yards and 3 TD's his last year at the Raiders. His very next season he had 1500 yards and 23 TD's. Was that his fault or the Raiders? And please do not try to counter my argument with "You're comparing McFadden to Moss?" The point im making is that when you're on a garbage team it can infect you.

 

[Alexander]

Rolando McClain. He even said it in his interviews, it drains a player when you play for the Raiders, they have a culture of not winning, and not caring about winning. laughing and smiling on the sidelines while they are getting blown out, not to mention the lack of talent. Best team he's been on with the Raiders were 8-8. Not to mention in 06 everybody and their mom thought Randy Moss was washed up. He went to the Patriots and him and Brady made history. So no the Raider excuse is not wearing thin.

There is a big difference between the mental strain of playing on a team like the Raiders versus the physical part of the football game. The ability to physically perform is what concerns me about McFadden.

McFadden may improve his mental outlook getting away from that and be more comfortable, but it has zero to do with his physical abilities and decision making on the football field. People like Moss and McClain may have done better outside of that merely because of the mental piece where they trust their teammates and the scheme. Or quite simply were put in better situations to succeed. Still, nothing physical or instinctual. Either McFadden has it or he doesn't.

If you are telling me getting away from the Raiders will miraculously make him run with more power and be able to break more tackles, I simply have to laugh.