Entries Tagged 'McFadden Watch' ↓

By: T. Love

The Arkansas Razorbacks took on another cupcake opponent this week and beat on the UTC Mocs 34-15. Heisman hopeful Darren McFadden added to his season rushing total with 122 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown.

After witnessing Atlanta’s pitiful rushing “attack” it is apparent that the team could use some blocking up front and someone that can run between the tackles. Warrick Dunn managed 27 yards on 10 carries, but quickly stated following the game that his lack of production, “isn’t because I’m too old.”

Warrick may not be too old, but he is too small. Highly touted second-year man Jerious Norwood continues to be promised more touches, but Sunday’s game versus the Titans was the same as it has been since he was drafted. Six carries for 23 yards. Not a whole lot that can be done with those numbers, but maybe Petrino means that he would give Norwood more touches on special teams. No. 32 had three kickoff returns, so nine touches in all.

Norwood will never be more than a scatback, package guy in this offense so the future is not with him. If Bobby P. is such an offensive guru, there should be no trouble getting the ball in his hands.

Unfortunately, Warrick is Dunn after this year because he is ineffective and his cap hit will be big (Somewhere in the $7 million range). Too much money invested in him. Thanks for all the wonderful things you do, but you are here to help win football games.

Atlanta has led the league in rushing the past three years. Currently the Birds are tied for 21st in the league, averaging 91.8 per game. The guy who masked the offensive lines inability to block and got Warrick to his last Pro-Bowl is gone, time to bring in someone who can get tough yards with a terrible team.

Welcome to Atlanta Darren.

By: T. Love

Arkansas Heisman hopeful and junior running back Darren McFadden rushed for 138 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns in the Razorbacks 66-7 baptism of North Texas on Saturday.

The “Mean Green” from Denton, Texas, do not exactly strike fear into Arkansas or any SEC school for that matter, but it is still a Division-I opponent.

One thing that is good to see from McFadden is no matter an SEC foe or a lower opponent, Darren brings his “A” game all of the time and will be a welcome addition to the Falcons’ rushing attack next season.

Atlanta’s offense has shown a lot of promise in the passing game, but rushing still lacks. A big physical runner that can pick up yards between the tackles, bounce a run outside and pickup yardage late in the game is what we need.

Darren is our man.

The Birds have thrown the “McFadden Sweepstakes” off a bit with a 26-16 win over the Texans, but looking over the worst teams in the league, Atlanta is still in the driver’s seat.

Saint Louis and Miami hold the worst record in the league at 0-4, while the New Orleans Saints are 0-3. The Rams are set at running back with Stephen Jackson and the Dolphins have Ronnie Brown. New Orleans has Reggie Bush and a broken down Deuce McAllister. This could be the wildcard.

As for the one win teams, San Diego, New York Jets, Minnesota, Chicago, Buffalo, Philadelphia, New York Giants and Cincinnati, none has a glaring need for a running back.

San Diego has LT, Jets have Thomas Brown, Minnesota just drafted Adrian Peterson, Chicago is stuck with Cedric Benson, Buffalo picked up Marshawn Lynch, and Cincinnati has Rudi Johnson and a healthy Kenny Irons next season.

The Giants and Jets could be a small obstacle. Brandon Jacobs is no an every down back and Thomas Jones is getting up there in age.

D-Mac could still be ours. Lets not blow it.

By: T. Love

It might be a little too early for this, but what the hell. The Atlanta Falcons have plenty of problems to solve, but there is one player that could be a huge offensive boosts for Atlanta and could be a surge of excitement that the Georgia Dome is missing.

Hailing from North Little Rock, Arkansas, and currently destroying kids on the college level. Darren McFadden is the player, the man that the Atlanta Falcons need to pickup with their first pick in the 2008 draft.

Checking in at 6-2 and a “listed” 205 pounds (there is no way this dude weighs 205, at least 220), McFadden is a bulldozer between the tackles, has the agility to make defenders miss and possesses the speed to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. That is the definition of a playmaker. Oh, did I mention the guy can also catch AND throw the ball too. Bobby Petrino will not draw up any plays where McFadden would throw the ball, but it is a nice “LT” type card to have.

On Saturday, McFadden rushed for 173 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown in Arknsas’ 42-29 loss to Kentucky. For the season, Darren (I’m already getting on a first name basis) has rushed for 519 yards on 86 attempts. That is six yards per carry. This guy will be wearing red and black next season.

Warrick Dunn is at the end of the road. He was able to get the best years of his career with the zone-blocking system, but that is gone and so are his rushing numbers. Jerious Norwood, so far, looks like a complimentary player. He doesn’t appear to have the strength to carry the offensive workload.

From now until the end of the season, I’ll be keeping up with Darren and his run into a Falcons uniform.