Sheets update for all you Rider fans. Best part of this Oakland update is Sheets does not even get a mention. OAK - Plan to run the ball often RUNNING BACKS Starter: Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden Backup(s): Latavius Murray, Jeremy Stewart, George Atkinson [R] Fullback(s): Marcel Reece Starting RB: 29 year-old Maurice Jones-Drew was brought in by the Raiders to provide a consistent option at running back. Jones-Drew was once one of the elite backs in the game, averaging more than 1500 total yards and 12 touchdowns each of his first 6 years in the league. In 2012 he dealt with a contract situation and then an injury that limited to 6 games. He was still very effective at 4.8 yards per carry however. Last year was a different story as Jones-Drew fell below 4 YPC for the first time in his career (3.4) and only scored 5 touchdowns in 15 games. Jones-Drew is probably not capable of carrying the full load at this stage of his career, but there are a lot of candidates to help him. Darren McFadden has gone from an explosive running back with injury concerns to an injury prone plodder. Hes averaged only 3.3 YPC over the past two seasons after averaging nearly 5 yards a pop the first four years of his career. Hes not played more than 12 games in the last three years and his career high is 13 games. McFadden might be best used now as a backup running back, which is why the team brought in Jones-Drew. Backup RBs: The most intriguing back on the roster is second year back Latavius Murray. The 6th rounder spent 2013 on the IR, but should healthy for the start of camp. With two older backs in front of him, Murray could be in the perfect spot to get a midseason opportunity. Jeremy Stewart may be battling for a roster spot after earning only 2 carries in 2013. UDFA back George Atkinson is a speedy slasher out of Notre Dame who could challenge Murray for a roster spot. Fullback: Marcel Reece is arguably the most talented fullback in the NFL, but he always seems to be misused. Reece is capable as a pass catcher and a runner and lines up all over the field. Over his career hes averaged 4.8 YPC and 10.7 YPR but hes never been given more than 111 touches in a year. Last year Reece was his normally productive self with 549 total yards and 4 touchdowns on 78 touches. Source: SIRIUS NFL Radio Oakland Raiders OT Donald Penn hinted that the team will be a run-first squad this year. Were gonna run the ball, run the ball, then run it again, until the defense stops us, Penn said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Were sure the Raiders want to run the ball a lot, but game scripts may not cooperate. Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Latavius Murray could be the beneficiaries of this philosophy, but if they are splitting the running game up with no true lead back, it will be frustrating for fantasy.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 15:56:54 +0000
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