Darren McFadden News
McFadden glad draft is over, ready to get on the field
Dynamic running Back Darren McFadden is thrilled to become the newest member of the Oakland Raiders and have the draft process in his rear-view mirror.
When the double Heisman Trophy runner-up heard his name called in Saturday's NFL draft, he said his heart was "beating a thousand miles an hour, man".
McFadden was chosen fourth in the draft, the Raiders not scared off by the running back's several arrests outside bars while protecting his brother.
While most of the draft analysts defended his character, clubs are jittery about potential problems like the Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal that tarnished the NFL and left the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback in a Virginia jail.
"It's a long, grueling process," said McFadden, who rushed for at least 100 yards 22 times in 38 games at Arkansas.
"It's something that you're ready to be done with.
"You're just waiting to get somewhere and play football."
McFadden and former Georgia All-American Herschel Walker are the only players in the Southeastern Conference to rush for over 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Oakland is loaded with running backs but the coaches feel Darren McFadden can provide the 4-12 team with something they lacked in 2007.
"The time I talked to the Raiders coaching staff, they told me they're missing a playmaker from their offense," he said.
"I feel I can add that with my big-play ability."
Oakland has not been .500 since reaching the Super Bowl in 2002.
McFadden said he and quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the number one overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Louisiana State, can provide a good, young nucleus for the Raiders.
"Two young guys in the backfield, a guy like JaMarcus Russell and me, it will be a great thing back there," he said.
"Both of us, coming out of the SEC (Southeastern Conference), we've played against good teams.
"And it's something that we want to carry over to the NFL so I feel we can be a great asset for them."
[More at www.reuters.com ]
|
