"Darren McFadden has turned whispers into grunts this season. The whispers that perhaps he was another bust along the lines of JaMarcus Russell are gone after two games, drowned out by the grunts of opposing players getting knocked backward by the Raiders running back.

The fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft, McFadden is finally healthy and off to a great start. He is second in the NFL with 240 yards rushing, on 48 carries that have seen the speedster often lower his shoulder and deliver a hit rather than take one. McFadden also has eight catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Although McFadden is not the type to say, "I told you so," his teammates and coaches are.

"Any time I've gotten the question, 'Is Darren all hype?' I've always said, 'Just watch,' " fullback Marcel Reece said. "Once Darren got healthy and confident in this scheme, just watch. He's going to run away with it.

"Darren knew it, this organization has known it, now the rest of the world is getting to see it. It's exciting.""