Last Season Got Darren McFadden’s Blood Boiling

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) runs the ball during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders struggled in all kinds of areas on offense last season. They didn’t expect Darren McFadden to be one of the players to take a step backward. He has always been a back with elite skills that couldn’t stay on the football field because of injuries. Last season though, it was more than injuries that had him struggling. He could not break off the big chunks of yards that he was used to.

"“There’s always going to be things that gets your blood boiling,” McFadden told the Bay Area News Group in June. “But last year was last year. It’s something I put behind me. We’re moving forward, and I’m looking forward to a new season.”The newspaper’s Steve Corkran reported in May that a healthy McFadden looked “energized” and “explosive” during organized team activities under new coordinator Greg Olson. McFadden repeatedly has gushed about the Raiders’ “downhill offense” as a natural fit for his skill set. – NFL.com"

This season, he will be playing for a new contract and will look to be that dangerous back that Oakland fans have expected. An offensive coordinator that will allow McFadden to do the things he is best at will be a good start. The injury concerns will always be a question mark with his game, but another subpar performance this season will bring up other question marks.