The Oakland Raiders’ running game was surprisingly good in 2007
It wasn’t so much that the running game was a surprise but who ran the best that was. Justin Fargas was the #3 running back on the depth chart early last off-season behind LaMont Jordan and free agent signee Dominic Rhodes. After Rhodes was suspended by the league Fargas moved up a notch on the totem pole. He earned the starting job by outplaying LaMont Jordan early in the season. Fargas played in 14 games (7 starts) last season for the Raiders and he carried the ball 222 times for 1,009 yards (4.5 ypc) with 4 TD runs. He also caught 23 passes for 188 yards (8.2 avg). Fargas has now played in 66 games (14 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 480 times for 2,025 yards (4.2 ypc) with 6 TD runs. He also has caught 50 passes for 358 yards (7.2 avg) with 0 TD grabs. Fargas will likely be the starting running back for the Raiders next season and he will now be known more for what he does than what his daddy did. His dad was “Huggy Bear”, the pimp on the original Starsky and Hutch T.V. show in the 70’s.
LaMont Jordan fell out of favor with new head coach Lane Kiffin early last season and he lost his starting gig to Justin Fargas. Jordan played in 12 games (7 starts) for the Raiders last season and he carried the ball 144 times for 549 yards (3.8 ypc) with 3 TD runs. He also caught 28 passes for 247 yards (8.8 avg). Jordan has now played in 97 games (29 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 792 times for 3,285 yards (4.1 ypc) with 24 TD runs. Jordan has also caught 158 passes for 1,301 yards (8.2 avg) with 3 TD grabs.
Free agent signee Dominic Rhodes lost ground early in the season due to a league suspension but he played well late in the season for the Raiders. Rhodes played in 10 games (2 starts) last season for the Raiders and he carried the ball 75 times for 302 yards (4.0 ypc) with 1 TD run. He also caught 11 passes for 70 yards (6.4 avg). Rhodes has now played in 81 games (29 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 625 times for 2,576 yards (4.1 ypc) with 20 TD runs. He also has caught 101 passes for 719 yards (7.1 avg) with 1 TD grab.
Fullback Justin Griffith did a solid job for the Raiders last season. Griffith played in all 16 games (11 starts) for the Raiders last season and he carried the ball 7 times for 27 yards (3.9 ypc). He also caught 26 passes for 165 yards (6.3 avg) with 1 TD grab. Griffith has now played in 76 games (59 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 88 times for 405 yards (4.6 ypc) with 1 TD run. He also has caught 113 passes for 786 yards (7.0 avg) with 10 TD grabs.
Rookie fullback Oren O’Neal didn’t get to show what he could do in his first season. He played in 14 games (1 start) and he caught 1 pass for 1 yard.
Im glad to hear fargas will be coming back next year, if he stays healthy he will be an important part of our offense. I also think that if bushes leg heals completely he can be a one two punch in the backlield with fargas, maybe fargas will stay healthy if he shares the load. and if bush is not enough we stil got Rhodes, thats if he dont get traded, I thought he got screwed last season, so im not sure what will happen on his part. I think he should give ti another shot in Oakland, so he can show the skills off.
The running game was one of the only bright spots for raider fans last season. However, given the chance to pick-up Darren McFadden at number three or four and a top notch fullback would create a backfield for the future with Russell. One name I personally like at fullback is Owen Schitt out of WVU. Although I am someone bias being a WVU fan, this guy is a trhowback, hardnose-grinding blocker who occasionally breaks open a big run. And he most likely can be gotten cheap latein ththird or early fourth round. So, even thiugh there are greater needs elsewhere I feel given the chance I would get rid of Jordan and the salary he gets and put my money on the future. It is not like Al davis cannot afford to fork out the money this year. Being the 27th team salary for 2007 shows he has the money to build a winning team.
I agree with you Raiders1976. Getting Darren McFadden would be a smart move. That would also give the Raiders awesome depth at the position. If the Raiders can sign Javon Walker that would really help them too. Just think of what Mike Shanahan would think about that!