The Oakland Raiders may not have a quarterback competition to highlight their offseason workouts, but a new one featuring two veteran running backs could be something to watch prior to the 2014 season. The Raiders opted for experience in the backfield. The team lost Rashad Jennings to free agency, but re-signed Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew to run tandem in 2014. While neither inspires much confidence right now, challenging one another could result in improvement.
Both McFadden and Jones-Drew intend to start in 2014. Both are coming off lackluster seasons. McFadden put up a disappointing 379 yards while averaging 3.3 per carry. He failed yet again to play a full season, suffering an array of injuries that allowed Jennings to succeed in his place and earn the nice free agent contract. Jones-Drew put up 803 yards while averaging 3.4 per carry and not sharing the backfield with anyone. Those numbers do not exactly scream workhorse starter, but both running backs plan on challenging one another for the top spot.
"It's going to be a competition and that's really all I ask," Jones-Drew said, via the Contra Costa Times. "I only wanted a chance to compete and play. The Raiders gave me that opportunity, and I'm going to take it and run with it."
According to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, McFadden is the starter in 2014 until Jones-Drew proves otherwise. Head coach Dennis Allen is favoring McFadden simply because he is more familiar with the offense and could have more "home run potential" than Jones-Drew.
Neither running back is a home run. Yes, McFadden is younger. He will be 27 when the season starts, but his injury history reads like a 37-year-old. The running back is guaranteed to miss at least one or two games next season, but the Raiders continue to hold out hope that he will be the first-round running back they thought they were drafting. Jones-Drew is more of a downfield back. At 29, he is not the shiftiest player. Most teams figured the veteran had nothing left in the tank given his injury history and lack of production, but Jones-Drew insists that is not true and plans on earning the starting spot, shocking everyone.
Both running backs will benefit from Matt Schaub at quarterback. A traditional pocket passer, McFadden and Jones-Drew will be heavily relied upon in the offense, more so than with Terrelle Pryor last season. The Raiders will release Pryor on Monday and plan on resorting back to a more traditional offense. They plan on being more a system team which can only help both veterans play better in 2014.