It is no secret that Darren McFadden is facing a crucial season. The Oakland Raiders running back is in the midst of a contract season after not receiving an extension in the offseason. Dennis Allen and Greg Olson had re-worked the offensive line to better suit McFadden's run style so this is his year to make some noise. After not impressing in the loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Raiders are not panicking, mainly because of Terrelle Pryor.
Naming Pryor the starting quarterback means some of the pressure of the run game is taken off of McFadden's shoulders. Last week, the running back averaged just 2.8 yards per carry while putting up 48 yards total and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Pryor rushed for team leading 112 yards, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. With Pryor the starter, McFadden is no longer the center of the offense.
Allen is not downplaying McFadden's new role with the offense without Matt Flynn as quarterback. He is simply stating that the running back understands the read-option and is willing to help.
"Darren understands how the read-option functions and when we call those types of plays, and again, that's part of what we do, it's not exclusively what we do," Allen said, via CSNBayArea.com. "There will be times when we turn around and hand the ball to Darren and give him an opportunity that he knows he's running the football. Darren's going to be fine, guys. Everybody's got a lot of concern about that, but Darren's going to be fine."
Allen does not care who is rushing the ball as long as the team is making it work. While Pryor is a very dynamic quarterback, the head coach wants the offense to be as balanced as possible.
McFadden is not concerned over the number of touches he will get with Pryor the starting quarterback. He believes the yards will come as he helps make Pryor's job much easier.
"Being able to have a running quarterback, that's something that's going to open up the running game for a running back," McFadden said. "A lot of defenses try to key in on him, but at the same time they have to worry about the running back also."
Allen is keeping the playbook wide open for Pryor. The quarterback told reports he is not being held back as the team plans on utilizing every bit of his dual-threat abilities. If the defense crowds the box, Pryor can throw. If everyone is covered, he can run or hand off to McFadden. The options are endless.
