http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10797067 NEW YORK -- Darren McFadden loves New York, and New York loves him back. In fact, if you believe what you read, the Jets can't wait to get their hands on the Arkansas running back. One problem: Oakland. The Raiders are just as interested in McFadden, and they're two picks ahead of the Jets. Now, there's no guarantee Oakland takes him -- heck, this is the club that spent the 17th pick of the 2000 draft on Sebastian Janikowski, for crying out loud -- but I can't see Al Davis passing on rare talent. Neither, for that matter, can McFadden. "If they take me," he said at a luncheon at Chelsea Piers, "they're going to get a playmaker -- someone who can take the ball 80 yards at any time. And that's something I feel they're missing, and something they feel they're missing." Well, I'll be. At least the Raiders have that right. Their longest play last year was 59 yards to wide receiver Jerry Porter, and the Raiders thought so much of Porter, they didn't re-sign him. After that, they didn't have a gain over 50, with Justin Fargas' 48-yarder against Miami the longest run. Now, let's look at McFadden: He ran for 321 yards in one game last season, set a school record with 22 100-yard games and was the first sophomore to win the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top back. Oh, yeah, he also peeled off an 80-yard dash against South Carolina. So, yes, there is a need in Oakland for someone as talented as the two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Only here's the question, and I posed it to McFadden: Why should the Raiders be interested in another back when they have Fargas, Dominic Rhodes and LaMont Jordan, not to mention Michael Bush, who they drafted a year ago? "Well," said McFadden, "I'm big and versatile. I can split out wide and catch a pass. I can throw a pass. Making plays is something I can do very well. (The team that takes me) is going to get a very explosive player who can make plays all over the field and someone who's going to be 100 percent determined." Determination is what it will take in Oakland, where in five seasons the Raiders won one more game (19) than New England did all of last season. Oakland has a new quarterback in JaMarcus Russell and a new target in Javon Walker. So why not a new running back? Look, I don't care who's there now. If I'm the Raiders, all I care about is if McFadden is a considerable improvement over what I have, and I think we've answered that already. But it's not the only question out there. There is, of course, that matter of character, stemming from two off-the-field incidents the past two years -- with McFadden both times defending one of his brothers at Little Rock, Ark., bars -- and unresolved paternity cases. <SKIP> As McFadden said, he can catch balls on the outside, and the Raiders lined him up there just to check. Yep, the man can do it all, and he'll be doing it for the Raiders if the Jets don't get off their duffs and make a move up the draft board to take him first. "I'd love to play here," McFadden said of the Jets. "They've got a lot of new offensive linemen, so running behind guys like that makes it a lot easier. But I have no idea where I'm going. On draft day the only thing you can do is sit back and wait to hear your name called." The Jets don't have that luxury. If they sit back, they'll hear Darren McFadden's name called by Oakland.
If he falls in our lap we take him, if not we still end up with a quality player at 6. With Chatman, Jones, and Washington, we're fine at RB anyway.
I agree. You never want to trade up into the top few picks. Unless teams are suddenly willing to take a lot less, you end up giving up a ransom of picks (including many valuable picks, like 2nd and 3rd rounders) and also have to give an unproven player large amounts of guaranteed money. IMO, the picks that really count are 2nd and 3rd rounders. That's where you can get talented players at an affordable price and keep them for at least 4 years.
it sounds like Reggie Bush all over again. Reggie loved NY, NY loved Reggie, but at the end of the day, it would have taken a king's ransom to move up to #2 to get him. McFadden will likely fall between 4-6, but still, is it really worth it?
No. The Jets only have six picks this year and many areas of more pressing need that RB (CB, OLB, DE, WR). Because McFadden is a supreme talent, I am OK taking him at 6 if he falls to us (and then trying to address more pressing needs later in the draft). However, there are 6-8 "elite" players in this draft and we will get one if we sit tight. I also would consider moving back for a 2nd or 3rd round pick (depending on how far back and how big the compensation is). Mike
The night before this draft I find myself wanting them to draft McFadden SOO badly. Having said that, I don't want them to trade up... if he is gone so be it but please don't give up picks that we can't afford to lose. I really think McFadden is going to be great but at the same time even if he is gone we should get a talent at six.
Just take BPA at 6. I love McFadden and the idea of him carrying the football for this team, but moving up isn't a good idea.
no way can the jets trade up. no way no how, there is NOTHING in this draft worth moving up for. i think mcfadden has the chance to be a real game changer but under no circumstances do you give up anything to get him. if he is there you have choices to see if you want to move down or take him. thats a tough choice in my eyes but moving up to take him is absolutely positively unacceptable. and to think i have stood up for mcfadden the last few months on this board, which doesnt change anything about what i think the jets should do about moving up.
McFadden might like NY but according to NFL Network's Shefter McFadden's mother HATES New York and doesn't want her son playing there...would rather see him in Oakland or Dallas!!
Yea DMF might love NY but his moma dont lol so I donno if im willing to trade up but if hes sitting at 6 we gotta snag him...
