The Oakland Raiders are ready to improve after years of mediocre play in the AFC West and one of the best ways for the team to have a successful turnaround this season is with the play of Darren McFadden and whether the running back can remain healthy for the first time in his career.
McFadden will be one of the main players that management focuses on this season, as he signed a huge six year deal as a rookie and has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. After being drafted in 2008, his contract will be up in 2014 and he has a lot to prove to get an extension, as his cap his is nearly $9 million and head coach Dennis Allen wants McFadden to be on the field more. General manager Reggie McKenzie selected Latavis Murray in the draft for some help in the backfield and McFadden now has some competition in training camp.
The team loves what McFadden brings when he is healthy and if he can prove he can stay on the field, he could be rewarded with a big extension. The running back has yet to play in more than 13 games during a season in his career and last year he played in just 12 games the year after playing in seven while dealing with injuries and his stats have suffered for it. He rushed for over 1,150 yards in 201 for his best career stats, but that was hit only 1,000-yard season and the team will be looking for more work out of the backfield after he caught over 40 passes in 2010 and 2012.
McFadden is a dynamic player and he scored a career high seven touchdowns in 2010, but only six over the past two seasons and he will have a good chance to excel this year, as the team is using a new power scheme that should play to his strengths. Last year he rushed for just 700 yards and two touchdowns and Marcel Reece got action in his absence and that could happen again if he is hurt. The Raiders ranked 28th in the league in rushing per game with less than 90 yards and to improve from 4-12, McFadden will need to play better.
The team added a number of new players in Matt Flynn and Charles Woodson, while Nick Roach, Kevin Burnett, Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter are expected to improve the defense. DJ Hayden was the first round pick of the team and despite dealing with surgery, he is expected to play a big park. McFadden will clean up if he can prove he can stay healthy and the Raiders likely will improve if he produces like he did in 2010.