Link: AP Series (Pt. 1) on Darren McFadden
The AP is running a series of posts on Darren McFadden in prep for the draft. The first article in the series is a look at McFadden’s mother, her struggles in raising her family of twelve children, and basically how so far, their lives haven’t changed much.
Normally, I’d post a quote, but there are a lot, and just out of concern for them being taken out of context, I’d encourage you to just read the article.
The one thing that gives me promise, aside from the rough upbringing, is the fact that McFadden’s agent says that even though McFadden has a line of credit with a local bank, he has yet to touch it. That’s a good sign that he’s not already acting like a six year old in a candy store with a $50 bill. Don’t ask me how, but I do have some knowledge that when Mike Vick was in a similar situation with a line of credit a few years back between the Combine & signing his contract, Vick & his family started that spending process early on.
Mangini and Tannenbaum always talk about getting to the ‘truth’ as the Jets did with Laveranues Coles years ago. Although there are parts of McFadden’s past that concern me, I know that the team will have done more than enough research and are comfortable with the character of the team at this point to expect that he’ll fall in line.
I’d love him a six. Look what Peterson did last year for Minn. McFadden or Chris Long would be perfect, though I don’t think either of them will be there at six.
its tough….get opinions both ways on whether its smart to ever take a RB that high, and u have people who say DMAC isnt worth the pick b/c of toughness etc…the guy carried the ball 600 times over the past 2 years in the SEC! so he is tough enough. if DMAC is there at 6, and gholston isnt….then we listen to trade offers, and if they aint good enough u take him!!! the offense still has no home run threat. leon is cool..but doesnt get the ball enough to make a difference, and i dont see that changing this year. gholston on one end with pace on the other with harris and whoever in the middle could be sweet though…so the problem is if both DMAC and gholston are somehow available at 6…praying it doesnt shake out that way. my gut says DMAC goes to oakland, and we take gholston.
I read in PFW’s 2008 draft guide that McFadden ALWAYS carries the ball in his left hand. Does this seem weird, and is it a potential problem? I could be making too much of it, but does it affect ball security issues?
i have been sayin it since day one mcfadden is no good….i really think the majority of solid running backs in this league are drafted in later rounds….how ever if matt ryan is there and both gholston and long are gone we should trade up with baltimore and then grab a corner and pick up a later round pick…
but then again that is if both chris long and gholston are gone….. i want either one of them
TJ leon and Chatham will be fine this year…..i really didnt do much research into next years rb class but i am sure their will be a few solid guys next year….
i really think our focus should be on olb or de and wrs and cbs….
i really hope flowers falls to us in the second round
but all speculation in the end i am sure tangini will make the right decisions and i will be there to see it!!!!
CANT WAIT!!!! GOOOO JETS!!!!!!!!
If you want an amusing exercise, google “running back busts” or similar and you can easily find a bunch of articles predicting Adrian Petersen to be a bust. Great size, fantastic speed, insanely good production over 3 seasons in college. I looked back at about 20 years of first round draft picks and the only bust comparable with DMC is Cedric Benson in terms of production, and nobody thought Benson was as talented as Petersen or McFadden. Guys like Ki-jana Carter (who was not a bust simply horribly injured) or Curtis Enis or Fullwood or Worley had good production nothing like DMC for a couple of seasons at schools with elite football programs, and in fact that description applies to Benson as well. DMC has stellar seasons, at a good but not great school
I dont care if he has 30 kids, 12 felonies, and if he cant read. I dont care! hes a stud and he can play. Jamal Lewis sold coke, Ray Lewis assisted in a murder, whats so bad about McFadden? If he comes to play on Sundays, hes our guy. If hes there at 6 and the Jets pass, it will be the worst draft day move in jets history.
defense wins super bowls (see ny giants)….not running backs…..i’ll take a corner or a lb anyday over mcfadden…our running game will be fine this year and if we can get a reciever in the second round we will be set…..
i think everyone forgets TJ ran for over a 1000 yards without an offensive line…..
i would like to see what he can do with one
no doubt about that with TJ, and I think VG could be a beast and I think Chris Long could be the missing piece in the Jets defense that I think this is possible from this coaching staff, but I just dont think there’s any need to pretend that DMC is a bad player, he’s really good and i think hes no more likely to be a bust than others in the top 5.
I’m still waiting for one of you Mcfadden lovers to answer one of his biggest problems- 23 FUMBLES in 3 yrs. of college. To me that is a major concern and I’m waiting for someone to give me a solution/reason why u believe he will fix this problem in the NFL when being tackled by much bigger and stronger guys.
1- GHOLSTON/ McFadden/ CB- JENKINS, Cromartie, Mckelvin/ Trade down
2- CB- lee, porter, king or WR- Kelly or Hardy or OT – Carl Nicks or Sam Baker
4- WR- Jordy Nelson (might not be available), Marcus Monk
4- DE- Kendall Langford, Tyson Jackson
Would love to get gholston- Giants LB/ Defense showed how to beat Brady/Patriots. Can improve our CB situation, but if we resign Poteat- Poteat, Barret, Justin Miller (Who knows about him)- will look better with hopefully our improved pass rush. so is CB really a huge need? Not sure about Woody at tackle- only five starts. If he gets hurt- then what? So OT second round with Nicks or Baker might be wise. Hear great things about WR Jordy Nelson- 6′2 1/2″ – great hands- hope he is still around in round 4. Kendall Langford- ideal 3-4 DE – 6′5 1/2″ 287
Brad, meet Tiki.
The bottom line is taking the best player available regardless of position and/or need(Kicker/punter/multiple QB’s being an exception).
Perhaps in the long run “defense wins championships”, or at least soundly helps the cause…but nothing builds a winner better than depth, competition, and overall roster talent. The only way to ensure that is by drafting the best player available throughout the draft on a yearly basis.
According to Gil Brandt, DMAC is #1 on 21 of NFL gm draft boards. I can promise you he’s # 3 at the lowest for all the other teams. Odds are the jets are one of the 21 teams. The jets, like every other team, pay their scouts alot of money year round to go to games, The CS, Tanny, Bradway and Clinkscale spend countless hours after the super bowl watching film, interviewing, and deliberating a clear cut big board…why would they waste every second of that if you dont plan on staying true to your evaluation/ranking system?
At # 6, all we can ask for is a guy that is among the best available and helps the team from the get go. DMAC currently is pegged as the best player available , he immediately adds depth, competition, schematic options, and a long term answer after Jones.
Sounds like a no brainer to me.
I was about to go off on this ED L guy, but thanks to a true Gentleman like Mr. Kurt I don’t have to. Ed L remember that Giants drafted QB 1st overall (traded up), TE 1st rd, their 1st, 3rd and 4th reciever in the first rd, and Toomer 2nd (as was Tiki). Plus their OL is either first round pics or high price free agent additions (like our K. McKenzie). Than you add a “touch above average” D and there you have it.
Anyway I have been visiting this site for a while and this is my first post, so let’s go JETS and let’s go for the whole ball of wax this time, McFADDEN !
Rich – yes, I noticed that he holds the ball in his left hand all the time too. Is this a problem? Yes, when he runs up the middle or to the right. I assume he has always done this and likes to use the right hand to stiff arm people.
My guess is that nobody bothered to force him to correct it in highschool or college, because he was SO dominant, it was worth the risk, because he didn’t take a clean hit as often, whereas giving him something extra to think about in terms of carrying the ball, might have had a short term impact on his vision and decisiveness.
In the NFL, they will definitely correct him on it. If he starts protecting the ball properly without compromising his running ability then this would be a good thing. It is also positive that his high fumble numbers may be in part due to a correctable weakness.
Brad – see above. I agree it’s a big problem, but potentially correctable.
Thanks for the comments guys! I am not a McFadden hater, just the fumble issue is a major concern about McFadden and i havent heard many address. Just wanted to hear some opinions about it. But once again, should be correctable, but how soon. It could take a couple of seasons. It is possible that he will fumble the ball 5-8X in each of his first couple of season. Also probable that he will get at least 10 TD in each of his first couple of seasons. Just saying that if we have Kellen Clemens as QB and McFadden at RB, there is going to be a lot of turnovers on offense each game. Is that what we want for the team in the near future after going on this off season/ free agent spending spree? Long term he can fix the fumble issue and be great, but by that time his contract might be soon up and we will have to pay him big bucks to stay long term. How long did it take Tiki to fix it? It could take him a good 2-3 seasons to totally resolve this issue and than a year or two later he will be a free agent. Is he really worth it that high in the draft when we have other issues that need to be addressed? That is the debate, my question, my concern!
It was the coaching that fixed it, Brad, when Fassel left and TC took over. If you don’t think the coaching staff is up to the challenge, then we are in deep…
By the way, my last name is McFadden. No relation. Can’t wait to switch my screen name to Bigmac.
You’re welcome, Brad. What I forgot to mention is that Tyson Jackson decided to stay in school so he is not an option in the fourth.
He’ll run laps for every lapse!
Thanks Bent for th info! I like Kendall Langford anyways. hope he will be there in the fourth round! what do u think about my other picks and opinions? who would u like to see them draft witht their first four picks?
Since you asked, Brad, I will give my views on your picks…
1- GHOLSTON/ McFadden – I’ll leave this alone, as it’s already been done to death
CB- JENKINS, Cromartie, Mckelvin/ Trade down – I like Jenkins, but I don’t think he would be worth taking as high as 6. Maybe if we trade down. The corners (including Talib) are all pretty closely grouped, so taking one a bit later if possible would be preferable.
2- CB- lee, porter, king or WR- Kelly or Hardy or OT – Carl Nicks or Sam Baker – I like the depth at the corner position here a lot. Add Cason (who the Jets apparently like) to this group. A big, fast or big and fast WR (or maybe an athletic pass catching TE) would be great, but Kelly and Hardy have issues. I think Hardy might go in the 20s anyway. Nicks might be available in the 3rd or 4th but I think his off-field issues are overblown. Not sure they need a tackle that badly and might draft a project later on, but I hope they get one (preferably a versatile one) at some point.
4- WR- Jordy Nelson (might not be available), Marcus Monk – See above. These are good selections, although Monk has knee issues. Maybe someone like Hubbard could fall here too?
4- DE- Kendall Langford – Definitely someone the Jets will have considered.
As for my views on who they should pick, I think there are some good options to fill needs in every round. It just depends in what order they have prioritised their needs. As long as they fill the main needs (as identified by you) and get decent value, I’ll be relaxed about whoever they get.