Darren McFadden Will Anchor the Oakland Raiders in 2013 and Beyond

April 17, 2013   ·   D.J. O'Connor   ·   Jump to comments

The Oakland Raiders will have many competitions to fill out roster spots as we approach the 2013 regular season.  From quarterback to cornerback, offensive right tackle to defensive tackle, and just about everywhere in between, the Raiders are not yet sure who will start at many positions when the season begins.
The Raiders are set in stone at one skill position on offense at least, and that position is running back, where Darren McFadden will be the unquestioned starter.  The Raiders made it clear that McFadden was the guy when they replaced Greg Knapp and his zone-blocking scheme with McFadden's preferred power-blocking scheme.
McFadden averages 5.3 yards per carry in the power scheme compared to 3.8 YPC in the zone scheme, including a career low 3.3 YPC last year.
Granted, the blocking scheme is also determined by the offensive linemen and their skill set as a unit, but ridding the franchise of Greg Knapp, again, is an endorsement of McFadden.
The quest...

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