Darren McFadden News: Pro Sports Daily

Darren McFadden will miss his fourth straight game Sunday

Comment

October 29

Contra Costa Times

"News, notes and quotes from Wednesday's open locker room and post-practice press briefing from coach Tom Cable: – The only two players players coming off long-term injuries that have a chance to play against San Diego, according to Cable, are left guard Robert Gallery (broken fibula) and wide receiver Chaz Schilens (foot). Gallery practiced in warmups and drills and got in a few reps. Schilens is still "real sore" and didn't practice at all. It's conceivable both could be back after the bye. – Running back Darren McFadden has been a ghost since his minor knee surgery. He hasn't been seen in the locker room during media availaibility since being injured nor has he been on the field during ..."

McFadden out for up to a month

Comment

October 6

San Francisco Chronicle

"As if things weren't already bad enough for the Raiders' offense, the team announced Monday that running back Darren McFadden will have surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee today and will miss 2-4 weeks. The 2008 No. 4 overall pick and potentially the most dynamic player on the Raiders' feeble offense was injured in the second quarter of Sunday's 29-6 loss at Houston. On a sweep left, Glover Quin upended McFadden in the backfield, ending his career-worst game with six carries for minus-3 yards. McFadden's injury, coupled with the loss of right tackle Cornell Green for 2-4 weeks with a strained calf, compounds the Raiders' problems on offense as they start a four-game stretch ..."

Season a fumble so far for McFadden

Comment

October 2

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders running back Darren McFadden got plenty of calls from friends and family after his three fumbles Sunday. A few of them were even supportive, not that McFadden was in a consolable mood. "I can't even lie - it's been hard for me this week because I've been thinking about it," McFadden said. "It was a bad game for me, but I don't feel like it can get any worse than this. It can only go up from here." The Raiders hope so. Their offense is stuck in a 31st-ranked pit. Their vaunted rushing attack is without a 100-yard rusher in a game this season. Worst of all, McFadden - their prize No. 4 overall draft pick - has more fumbles (seven) than touchdowns (five) in 16 games played. Outside ..."

McFadden named starting running back

Comment

September 11

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders coach Tom Cable isn't playing secrets with his starting lineup. He did everything but stutter when asked to name a starting running back after practice Thursday. "Our starting running back will be Darren McFadden," Cable said. "I just think for everything he is in terms of being multiple, running the football and catching the football. "He certainly brings some explosiveness like we're trying to build with this offense." With that, the Raiders continue to get younger at the skill positions. McFadden will start Monday night's opener against the visiting Chargers along with third-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell, third-year tight end Zach Miller, and rookie wide receivers Darrius ..."

Darren should lead Raiders with his feet

Comment

June 11

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"THE RAIDERS' LEADERSHIP crisis has trickled down to star running back Darren McFadden. As in, he wants to help solve it. "I'll try to step up and make my voice heard," McFadden said after Wednesday's offseason workout. Just how bad is the Raiders' leadership situation? So bad that a second-year running back, albeit the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft, feels compelled to make his voice heard - and not just to a columnist. It's unfair to ask him to pipe up as a team spokesman at this stage of his career. He already must do so much else to recharge this franchise, whose past six dreadful seasons go hand-in-hand with the lack of locker-room leadership. McFadden will be at his best making ..."

McFadden Testing the FA Market

Comment

March 1

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Bryant McFadden, the Steelers starting cornerback (opposite of Ike Taylor) became a free agent at 12:01 Friday, February 23rd. With the big market signings of Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha and Redskins CB Deangelo Hall, McFadden and high-profile agent Drew Rosenhaus may be looking for a pay day. McFadden has been said to have visits scheduled with the Lions, Cardinals and possibly the Ravens. I also wouldn't be surprised to the see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers interested. The Steelers would be very wise to sign McFadden. That would allow the Steelers to focus more exclusively on the offensive and defensives lines. They lack quality starters and depth on the offensive line. The defensive ..."

RB McFadden has shoulder surgery

Comment

February 13

Sacramento Bee

"JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden, the Raiders' two most recent first-round draft picks, both recently underwent surgery. And one comes as a surprise. While it was suspected that Russell would have surgery on his right ankle, few knew McFadden would have shoulder surgery. The Raiders never disclosed that McFadden had a shoulder injury, which he reportedly injured in Week 2 against Kansas City. McFadden also suffered the first of two turf toe injuries in that game. A Raiders official termed McFadden's surgery as "minor." McFadden is expected to be healthy when the team begins offseason workouts March 16. McFadden's rookie season was hampered by injuries. He missed three games because of ..."

McFadden underwent minor shoulder surgery

Comment

February 13

San Francisco Chronicle

"No surprise: Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell underwent ankle surgery last week, just as team owner Al Davis said he would. Big surprise: Raiders running back Darren McFadden had his own surgery on an injured left shoulder, which no one said was coming. His shoulder problem was never mentioned last season on the weekly injury reports mandated by the NFL, and a team spokesman was unaware of any surgery. Nonetheless, McFadden had the minor arthroscopic procedure in mid-January and is recovering just fine, a family member told The Chronicle. The former Arkansas star had it done Jan. 13 in Fayetteville, Ark., by one of the Razorbacks' team doctors. McFadden first injured his shoulder in ..."

McFadden could provide early spark

Comment

December 18

Sacramento Bee

"Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable has praised the recent solid play of quarterback JaMarcus Russell after rough starts in games. And Cable is taking blame for the slow starts. "I think that's just trying to be more aggressive early," Cable said. "And that's on me. So we'll try to do that and get us going a little earlier." Starting fast hasn't been a strength of the 2008 Raiders. Oakland has only 33 first-quarter points, tied with Washington for last in the NFL. One solution might be to get Darren McFadden into the flow of the offense sooner. In last week's 49-26 loss to New England, McFadden didn't touch the ball until the Raiders trailed 21-0. Russell also played his best against the ..."

McFadden says feet feel good

Comment

November 14

Sacramento Bee

"For the first time in a while, Darren McFadden's feet feel fine. After dealing with turf toe on both feet since Week 2 and missing the last three games, the rookie running back is starting to feel like his old self. "It feels good to be able to go out there and run and not have pain," McFadden said. Raiders interim coach Tom Cable said Thursday that McFadden was limited in practice but "ready to go" for Sunday's game in Miami. McFadden has practiced in cleats with carbon fiber bottoms to provide better support for his feet. "I feel like with the last two days I've been in (the cleats), everything feels normal," McFadden said. Burgess sits - Defensive end Derrick Burgess (triceps) did not ..."

Russell, McFadden sitting it out

Comment

November 7

Oakland Tribune

"JaMarcus Russell slowly made his way on to the field Friday, without a helmet and not in uniform, as the Raiders completed warmups and a special teams session before practice for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at the Coliseum. Russell missed the end of Thursday’s practice with what coach Tom Cable said was right knee tendonitis, a move the coach said was purely precautionary. “We just kind of did it just to hold him back,” Cable said. “He did a great (job) today, so the last eight reps weren’t going to matter.” The Friday practice is typically heavy in red zone drills and final game plan preparation, with Saturday reserved for a walkthrough with very little activity. Andrew ..."

McFadden's other toe hurts for Raiders

Comment

October 30

San Francisco Chronicle

"If the shoe fits ... well, it doesn't, and that's why Raiders running back Darren McFadden is walking on crooked big toes. McFadden is limping in a protective boot again, and this time, it's his left big toe that's causing him problems. That's not to be confused with the right big toe that has troubled him since the second week of the season. Egg Phil Knight's mansion, if you like. His Nike company is the one making the shoes that are undermining McFadden's rookie season. "There's some thought that it's the support of the shoe, so we're working on that," Raiders coach Tom Cable said after McFadden missed practice Wednesday in Alameda. The way McFadden tells it, the soft bottoms of the Nike ..."

McFadden (toe) is game-time no-go

Comment

October 27

Sacramento Bee

"The rookie who was supposed to help revive the Raiders' offense didn't get to test himself against one of the NFL's best defenses. Running back Darren McFadden was held out of Sunday's 29-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at M"

Raiders' McFadden won't play today vs. Ravens

Comment

October 26

Contra Costa Times

"Either Darren McFadden stubbed his right turf toe getting on the team charter or the Raiders were exaggerating the potential for his availaiblity for today's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

McFadden, listed as probable, was one of the seven Raiders declared inactive. He joins wide receiver Todd Watkins, safety Rashad Baker, linebacker Jon Alston, defensive end Derrick Burgess, tackle James Marten and center John Wade on the sidelines. Marques Tuiasosopo is designated as the third quarterback.

While reporters on site were told McFadden was probable, the official league report sent by the Raiders listed McFadden as questionable. Inactive for the Ravens were WR Yamon Figures, CB Chris ..."

McFadden's A Tough Problem To Tackle

Comment

October 19

New York Post

"Something has to give today when the Jets meet the Raiders at the Black Hole. The Jets enter the game boasting the No. 3-ranked run defense in the league, allowing only 69 yards per game and a 2.9-yard average. The Raiders, who utilize three backs, led by heralded rookie Darren McFadden, counter with the No. 4-ranked rushing offense, averaging 141 yards per game and a 4.6-yard average. Conventional wisdom would suggest if the Jets shut down or at least slow down the Oakland running game, they'll win the game. "That's the biggest fear right now - that they are a good running team," Jets S Kerry Rhodes said. "They had 300 yards against Kansas City, so they're a good running team and they're ..."

Time for McFadden show to be unveiled

Comment

October 16

San Francisco Chronicle

"Without further ado, it's past time for the Darren McFadden Show to begin. Watch the Raiders rookie line up in the slot, or maybe the far sideline. See him line up at quarterback, ready to run the ball, hand it off or throw deep. Whatever McFadden does, it will be about time. The Raiders didn't pick him No. 4 overall in the draft to run inside the tackles all day. "I know they're going to come in and have some more plays for me," McFadden said Wednesday after practicing without health limitations for the first time in a month. "I like going out there and getting the ball in my hands, make some plays." McFadden should get that chance Sunday, when the Jets visit the Coliseum. His turf toe is ..."

McFadden's injured toe proves confining

Comment

September 29

Sacramento Bee

"Raiders rookie running back Darren McFadden was severely limited Sunday because of his injured right big toe. The No. 4 overall pick out of Arkansas had seven rushes for 20 yards, with a long run of eight yards, and caught two passes for 17 yards. His tipped ball of a JaMarcus Russell screen pass that ended up being intercepted late in the third quarter was not only Russell's first interception of the season, it was a huge momentum turner. "Not being himself at full capacity," said tight end Zach Miller, "we didn't have one-half of our lightning (and thunder) running attack." Michael Bush is said to be thunder. "Darren wasn't right today," said Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. "We even thought ..."

McFadden has no excuses

Comment

September 22

Sacramento Bee

"Rookie running back Darren McFadden insisted his injured right big toe had nothing to do with his slipping and sliding on the artificial turf at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Even if the overcast skies offered condensation. "I was just planting off the wrong foot, going off the wrong foot," said McFadden, held by the Buffalo Bills to 42 yards on 14 carries with a long gain of 12 yards. "It wasn't anything wrong with my toe … it was me not running my running techniques. I was making the wrong cuts." McFadden injured the toe last week while carving up the Kansas City Chiefs for 164 yards on 21 carries. He said a pain-killing shot was administered before Sunday's game. He added that the first time he ..."

Run DMC. STOP.

Comment

September 21

Buffalo News

"The Buffalo Bills’ run defense has two notches in its belt after two games. It goes for a third today when the Bills play host to the Oakland Raiders, a team built for travel by ground. “I think they’re definitely going to try to pound the ball on us,” said Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell, signed specifically to toughen the Buffalo run defense. “But those are the fun games. So I hope they do.” With No. 1 draft choice Darren McFadden leading the way, Oakland ground Kansas City into submission last week with 300 rushing yards in a 23-8 victory. McFadden, the two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up and fourth-overall choice in April, will not be 100 percent today due to a turf toe injury suffered ..."

McFadden may get shot to play

Comment

September 21

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders running back Darren McFadden got a shot in the arm Friday. Now he'll need a shot in the foot Sunday. McFadden did very little at practice Friday as he recovers from turf toe. He's listed as probable to play Sunday at Buffalo, but will probably need a pain-killing injection. In more cheery news, McFadden was named the NFL's ground player of the week, as voted by fans. He was rewarded for rushing 21 times for 164 yards with one touchdown against the Chiefs, albeit injuring his right big toe in the process. Starting running back Justin Fargas is doubtful after missing all week with a groin injury. If McFadden can't go for any reason, third-string running back Michael Bush could make ..."

Raiders notes: McFadden finds right shoe

Comment

September 19

Sacramento Bee

"Darren McFadden felt flat-footed in practice Thursday, and that's a good thing. That's because the alternative was not practicing because of turf toe in his right foot. McFadden practiced with a steel plate in his shoe and, despite the pain, did about 70 percent of his usual workload in preparation for Sunday's game at Buffalo. He had sat out Wednesday with a walking boot on his injured foot. Feeling flat-footed wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. "I feel like I was pretty much doing everything that I could do, but I was just being kind of timid on it at first," McFadden said. McFadden said the injury occurred when he was tackled from behind on his 50-yard run in Kansas City when ..."

Injuries to Fargas and McFadden pose problem

Comment

September 18

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders running back Justin Fargas knows how to run through vicious blows and get up for seconds and thirds. Go figure, Fargas has been sidelined by a noncontact injury from a simple pass route. "I take a lot of hits and I'm fine all game, then just running by myself and get hurt," said Fargas, who missed practice Wednesday with a strained groin sustained in Sunday's 23-8 victory at Kansas City. "I've got to bounce back." It won't be so easy this time. Fargas prides himself in playing through bruises and busted shoulders. Running full speed with an injured groin is another matter that won't be easily solved by a pregame shot. "He's very valuable to us, especially in protections, so ..."

Raiders Notes: McFadden might miss practice

Comment

September 16

Sacramento Bee

"Darren McFadden caught from behind on a 50-yard run? Raiders coach Lane Kiffin thinks McFadden's injured toe might be a reason Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard ran down the speedy McFadden on Sunday during the Raiders' 23-8 win in Kansas City, Mo. "I kind of hope so just because that was such a surprise for all of us," Kiffin said. McFadden might miss practice Wednesday because of the injury, another blow to the dinged-up backfield with Justin Fargas (groin) ailing. Kiffin said fatigue could have factored into McFadden being caught. He carried 21 times in his second NFL game. Michael Bush finished at running back for McFadden. Fargas left in the second quarter after his injury. He had an MRI ..."

McFadden to the rescue for Raiders

Comment

September 15

Contra Costa Times

"The Raiders hoped to ease running back Darren McFadden into his rookie season. Primary back Justin Fargas' groin injury Sunday scuttled that plan. Fargas sustained his injury running a pass route late in the second quarter. He pulled up, grabbed his groin area and dropped to the ground. McFadden matched his first-half total with a 21-yard run early in the third quarter. Three plays later, McFadden ran up the middle on third-and-11 for 50 yards to the Chiefs 25-yard line. Bernard Pollard knocked the ball from McFadden's hands at the end of the play. Fortunately for the Raiders, the ball sailed out of bounds and remained in their possession. Three plays later, McFadden scored his first NFL ..."

McFadden could be the Raiders' salvation

Comment

September 7

Denver Post

columnist Jim Armstrong

"There's no there there, the saying goes. But that's not all that's missing in Oakland. Wins, on the off chance you haven't noticed, have been few and far between for the local NFL franchise. How few and how far between? The Raiders in the past five seasons have finished 4-12, 2-14, 4-12, 5-11 and 4-12. That's 19-61, a ghastly .311 winning percentage. To put those numbers in perspective, the original Tampa Bay Buccaneers, those bumbling tools of ineptitude who finished 0-14 in 1976, ran up a .296 winning percentage in their first five NFL seasons. Yeah, it's that ugly for the Performers Formerly Known as the Team of the Decades. But enough already with the sad state of affairs in the East ..."

McFadden will be sticking to the basics for now

Comment

September 6

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders rookie Darren McFadden is an all-purpose running back who won't be contained to a single slash. He can rush inside the tackles, sprint around the edges, line up in the slot or far sideline, throw a halfback pass or quarterback an option play. The only question is, when will Raiders coach Lane Kiffin let McFadden out of the bag? "I guess that's something where you'll have to come out Monday night and see how it is," McFadden said. Everyone outside of Denver wants to see McFadden do it all from all over the place when the Raiders open the season on ESPN against the Broncos before a sellout Coliseum crowd. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell wants to see McFadden's engine "crank up." Wide ..."

Raider rookie McFadden stars on non-starry night

Comment

August 30

Oakland Tribune

"The Raiders selected running back Darren McFadden in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft with every expectation that one day he would develop into the best player on the field. Few, if any, would have guessed that it would take only four games for McFadden to reach such lofty heights. OK, so there's a catch. McFadden was one of only a few Raiders expected to play significant roles this season who started in the 23-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Friday night's exhibition finale at Qwest Field. The 22 projected starters for the Raiders regular-season opener Sept. 8 made the flight to the Pacific Northwest but did all their heavy work walking from the team hotel to tourist sites such as ..."

Raiders need to unleash Russell and shield McFadden

Comment

August 9

Contra Costa Times

columnist Jerry McDonald

"As preseason games go, the Raiders' 18-6 win over the 49ers Friday night at McAfee Coliseum wasn't bad - better than a poke in the eye patch with a sharp stick.A team that intends to run the ball ran the ball. A team that wants to shed its reputation as an easy mark against the run gave up 70 yards on the ground. A team preaching turnover ratio had four takeaways and no turnovers.Three preseason games remain, so no need to get too worked up over how the Raiders went about their business in what doesn't even amount to a dress rehearsal.But as the Raiders inch toward the regular season, it would be wise for Lane Kiffin to flip the script regarding his youngest potential stars. Take JaMarcus ..."

A rare slip-up for steady rookie

Comment

August 5

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders running back Darren McFadden is a rookie. For once, he actually acted like one - even if just for one play. "I missed an assignment," McFadden said Monday. That he did, letting a 49ers blitzer get by during a historic joint practice in Napa between the Bay Area's two NFL teams. McFadden's job was to block for the quarterback but he got confused by the unfamiliar personnel. So there's your headline: "McFadden human, after all." Other than that, the No. 4 overall draft pick continued his splendid ways. "I can't find something to complain about Darren," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "He brings it every day." McFadden said pass protection has been his biggest challenge because in ..."

Raiders rookie Darren McFadden all business to start his NFL career

Comment

July 31

Sacramento Bee

"Darren McFadden didn't show up to Raiders training camp with an XBOX 360 and a copy of the video game "NCAA Football 09," which features his likeness on the cover. The fourth overall selection in the 2008 NFL draft isn't here to play games. The running back arrived from Arkansas ready to work and ask a lot of questions. But in fact, it's McFadden who is expected to be the one with all the answers for a team that has failed to win five games in a season since winning the AFC title in 2002. "I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform," said McFadden, a soft-spoken yet confident 20-year-old. "It's something I look forward to. The fans, they're looking for me to come out there and perform. ..."

Raiders' McFadden still is quite a sight

Comment

July 31

Contra Costa Times

"Every so often, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin is asked which players are catching his eye during training camp practices. Without fail, Kiffin always mentions rookie running back Darren McFadden. With good reason. McFadden shows up all over the practice field every day. One play he is bursting through the line, into the secondary and outracing an overmatched defensive back. Another time he is swinging out wide, hauling in a pass, blowing past a linebacker and sprinting down the sideline. "Darren continues to make a play or two every day, a wow play," Kiffin said. "We just have to continue to push him as far as we can and we got to find ways to get him the ball." McFadden is expected to share ..."

He's spent his life running to daylight

Comment

July 27

San Francisco Chronicle

"The late-model car rolled up to Centennial Park. Darren McFadden was just 5 years old. He doesn't remember seeing a shooter. He was playing basketball and goofing around with his brothers at the playground. All McFadden heard was the rapid gunfire, so he did what all the Little Rock kids did when shot at back in his day. "It's automatic," McFadden said. "You run." Faster than a speeding bullet. He had to be, growing up on the south end of Schiller Street in the Arkansas capital, surrounded by Crips and Bloods during a blue-red gang war in the early '90s. He had older brothers in both gangs. That day at the park, he was with the brother who was Blood. Centennial Park was Crip territory. ..."

Raiders hammer out six-year deal with McFadden 7 weeks before training camp opens

Comment

June 7

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders running back Darren McFadden sat at home in the Bay Area on Thursday night taking in the NBA Finals when the phone rang. Many people would have let the call go to the answering machine. Not McFadden. Of course, not many people are like McFadden, who, as the fourth pick in the 2008 NFL draft, was awaiting a phone call informing him he'd become an instant millionaire. McFadden's agent was on the line, with news that he had reached agreement on a contract with the Raiders."

Raiders learn from last year, sign No. 1 pick McFadden earn

Comment

June 7

Contra Costa Times

"Call them crazy. Call them paranoid. Call them retrospective, eccentric and cultist. But do not call the Raiders fools. Not after they spent this week proving they are fully capable of learning and applying a lesson. Indicating they absorbed the regrettable summer of 2007, when they posed and postured through months of bickering before signing quarterback JaMarcus Russell, their overall No. 1 selection, the Raiders late Thursday night signed 2008 No. 1 draft pick Darren McFadden."

Raiders lock up McFadden with reported six-year deal

Comment

June 6

Sacramento Bee

"The Raiders announced late Thursday night the team had signed its first-round draft pick, running back Darren McFadden. A press conference is scheduled for today at 11 a.m. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. SportsIllustrated.com reported it would be a six-year deal worth approximately $60 million, with more than $26 million guaranteed."

McFadden signs with Raiders

Comment

June 6

Contra Costa Times

"The Raiders signed first-round draft pick Darren McFadden on Thursday, the team announced in a late-night news release and confirmed via phone. Running back McFadden was the fourth selection in this year's NFL draft and someone the Raiders deem vital to their offensive success this season. To that end, there was a concerted effort by both sides to get a deal done sooner rather than later. No terms were announced, but according to a source close to McFadden, he signed for six years with $26 million guaranteed."

Raiders plan to avoid repeat of Russell fiasco

May 31

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Raiders drafted Darren McFadden because of his phenomenal speed on the field. Turns out, he could be just as quick to the contract table. McFadden's agent, Ian Greengross, is scheduled to meet with the team's contract negotiators next week. Figures on both sides are optimistic a deal could be struck in June, which would be something of a landmark for the Raiders. Last year, the Raiders didn't sign No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell until Sept. 11 - two days after the season opener."