OT: Raiders claim Michael Bush is back to 100%

[sebman2112]

The "word is" Michael Bush's leg is completely healed and he'll compete for playing time this year, according to the Denver Post.
Bush was actually healthy late in 2007, but Oakland never took him off PUP. The Post adds that he may wind up sharing time with Justin Fargas. That will be Bush's upside after the Raiders re-signed Fargas to a three-year deal. Surprisingly, Oakland hasn't cut LaMont Jordan or Dominic Rhodes yet.

Why have I posted this in the draft forum? This could effect McFadden's draft placement, and might allow him to slip down the board a little, if the Raiders think a two man backfield of Justin Fargas and a supposedly healthy Michael Bush is good enough. That could be of importance, as I believe the Jets would think about selecting him at 6th overall. If they select McFadden then Gholston should be on the board for NE, and we'll find out if they really like him, or not. Also, if the Jets select Gholston, then McFadden could be available at 7th overall, and NE might be able to find some teams interested in trading up for him.
http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=4156

I'll also add that if the Jets "win out" on the Calvin Pace sweepstakes, then the chance Gholston's being available at 7th overall would substantially increase.

PS: It would be nice if the "draft McFadden" crowd could refrain from posting in this thread, it's not going to happen.

 

[PonyExpress]

I agree that McFadden is definitely on the Jet radar, especially if they sign Pace. With Faneca on the line, McFadden gives them, theoretically, the explosive playmaker they have been lacking on O. They can bring him along slowly with T. Jones and L. Washington. If McFadden somehow drops to #7, the Pats could conceivably trade down with Denver. Denver would be very enticed by a Cutler/Marshall/McFadden triplet combo. The Pats could scrape Denver's #12 and #42 pick, still take 12. Groves/42. Cason/62. J. Carlson/69. Oneil Cousins/94. Beau Bell on Day 1.

 

[BRiZ]

Seen this coming, Bush is going to be healthy next year and he will probably end up beating out Fargas for the starting role. Oakland wont draft McFadden they will draft one of the DTs Dorsey or Ellis.

It will be interesting to see what Mangini does with Gholston and McFadden on the board. I can see him not wanting Gholston going to NE and take him, but they do need an upgrade at RB. I mean they wouldnt even let Vilma talk to the Pats, the whole spygate thing, theres alot of bad blood now.

 

[PonyExpress]

Those combine rumors of McFadden dropping are starting to come into focus.
1) Miami won't take him at #1.
2) StLouis has Steven Jackson
3) Atlanta just signed the Burner for big money
4) The Raiders a possibility
5) KC just signed Larry Johnson to big money
6) the Jets are a possibility
7) NE has Maroney, IMO a top 5 rb in the NFL
8) Baltimore traded for McGahee
9) Cinci has character concerns
10) NO spending big bucks on Bush
11) Buffalo has Marshawn Lynch
12) Denver a possibility

So eyeballing it, if the Raiders pass on McFadden he could easily fall out of the top 10.

 

[memento]

michael who?


i still see the raiders in the run for McFad.


im not so sure i'd be happy with gholston.

 

[drew4008]

I think you're seriously overvaluing McFadden, this guy is falling like a rock since he has no idea how to live a respectable life. Nobody is going to want him at 5, 6, or 7.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Those combine rumors of McFadden dropping are starting to come into focus.
1) Miami won't take him at #1.
2) StLouis has Steven Jackson
3) Atlanta just signed the Burner for big money
4) The Raiders a possibilityDraf
5) KC just signed Larry Johnson to big money
6) the Jets are a possibility
7) NE has Maroney, IMO a top 5 rb in the NFL
8) Baltimore traded for McGahee
9) Cinci has character concerns
10) NO spending big bucks on Bush
11) Buffalo has Marshawn Lynch
12) Denver a possibility

So eyeballing it, if the Raiders pass on McFadden he could easily fall out of the top 10.

FWIW, Draft Tek has him going at #13. They have the top six as C. Long, Dorsey, J. Long, Ellis, Clady, Gholston (to the JEST); the Pats take McKelvin with Ryan still on the board for the Ratbirds at #8.

 

[Seneschal2]

Good post...

...if the Raiders think a two man backfield of Justin Fargas and a supposedly healthy Michael Bush is good enough. That could be of importance, as I believe the Jets would think about selecting him at 6th overall. If they select McFadden then Gholston should be on the board for NE, and we'll find out if they really like him, or not. Also, if the Jets select Gholston, then McFadden could be available at 7th overall, and NE might be able to find some teams interested in trading up for him.

I'll also add that if the Jets "win out" on the Calvin Pace sweepstakes, then the chance Gholston's being available at 7th overall would substantially increase.

The scenario of McFadden sliding to the Jets, or trade bait for the Pats at #7 -- is my hopeful scenario. The Jets may pass on him due to character issues, but we know for certain that someone will want him somewhere in round one.

So it seems that the Jets actions at #6 may play a serious role in influencing the Pats first pick.

Also, love Pony's trade idea.

 

[drew4008]

7) NE has Maroney, IMO a top 5 rb in the NFL

And how could you come to that conclusion? Go take a look at the backs in the NFL right now and tell me how he could possibly rank that high. He's never even had a 1000 yard season. At the very least, change your stance to COULD BE a top 5 back.

 

[PonyExpress]

And how could you come to that conclusion? Go take a look at the backs in the NFL right now and tell me how he could possibly rank that high. He's never even had a 1000 yard season. At the very least, change your stance to COULD BE a top 5 back.

I'll run through my process of deduction.

1. Based on Football Outsiders numbers, every running back since 1996 who had a year comparable to Maroney's 2007 season went on to make at least 2 pro bowls.
2. Against top competition down the stretch he averaged 100 yards per game and over a TD per game.
3. Any GM would take Maroney over any other rb in the AFCE.
4. Any GM would take Maroney over any rb in the AFC Central, given Willie Parker's broken leg and Jamal Lewis' age and mileage.
5. Maroney outperformed Addai by miles in the 2nd half of the 2007 season.
6. Any GM would take Maroney as lead rb over the current Fred Taylor or MJD.
7. Would you take a 23 year old Maroney, or LJ coming off significant injury at 29 years old?
8. Other than Tomlinson, what rb is better than Maroney in the AFCW, given LJ's injury status?
9. In the NFC, we have Peterson, Westbrook, M.Barber, S. Jackson. Personally, I believe Maroney's running style is more suited to a lead back role than that of Marion Barber, who takes tremendous punishment. Therefore I would rather have Maroney than Barber.
10. That means my rb rankings for 2008 are:
1. Petersen
2. S. Jackson
3. LDT
4. Westbrook
5. Maroney
6. M. Barber
7. J. Addai

 

[jcdavey]

Why have I posted this in the draft forum? This could effect McFadden's draft placement, and might allow him to slip down the board a little, if the Raiders think a two man backfield of Justin Fargas and a supposedly healthy Michael Bush is good enough. That could be of importance, as I believe the Jets would think about selecting him at 6th overall. If they select McFadden then Gholston should be on the board for NE, and we'll find out if they really like him, or not. Also, if the Jets select Gholston, then McFadden could be available at 7th overall, and NE might be able to find some teams interested in trading up for him.
http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=4156

I'll also add that if the Jets "win out" on the Calvin Pace sweepstakes, then the chance Gholston's being available at 7th overall would substantially increase.

PS: It would be nice if the "draft McFadden" crowd could refrain from posting in this thread, it's not going to happen.

if bush is 100% add another team with atl, who could trade their top 5 pick for dallas two first rounders

 

[sebman2112]

if bush is 100% add another team with atl, who could trade their top 5 pick for dallas two first rounders

Dallas needs a CB, possibly a Safety, and possibly a WR. Anthony Henry is starting to show signs of slowing down (just ask an actual Cowboys fan), and he's had some injury bugs of late. Also, Roy Williams' coverage ability out of the Safety position is horrendous, and they've wanted to upgrade their coverage at Safety for a year or two. They brought in Ken Hamlin to help out last year, but it's obvious that Roy is the weakness. They've tried Patrick Watkins, but he doesn't really seem like the answer (I liked him coming out, but he is kind of a tweaner). They also lost Reeves at CB, and while he's not a particularly good CB, he got a lot of playing time last year.


They'd be better off sitting on their current picks, and taking one of the top CB's, and kenny Phillips, or Felix Jones (Jerry Jones likes him as well, or a WR (a few different WR's could be available here, maybe Desean Jackson)

I gave some reasons why they need to upgrade at Safety, but I initially only said "possibly" because they have thought about using Henry at FS, but then you'd have to put Hamlin at SS. Also, that was an idea the brain trust in big D played around with last year, but I don't know if they're still having similar thoughts. So, depending on how they'd like to play it, either CB or Safety (maybe both) should be among their main needs. Also, there should be some good RB's in the later rounds (2-4). Remember, the Cowboys selected Marion Barber in the fourth round of the 2005 draft.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Well the fact they resigned Barber tells me that he could still be around if no one ponies up the 1 & 3 for him. If someone does, I think the trade up for DMF is a no brainer. If it doesnt happen, I dont think they move either. We will know well before the draft though.

 

[dryheat44]

Those combine rumors of McFadden dropping are starting to come into focus.
1) Miami won't take him at #1.
2) StLouis has Steven Jackson
3) Atlanta just signed the Burner for big money + Character issues in a market that can't afford any
4) The Raiders a possibility
5) KC just signed Larry Johnson to big money + offensive line is in desparate need of upgrade
6) the Jets are a possibility But the Jets FO knows that an RB taken this high is not a good investment
7) NE has Maroney, IMO a top 5 rb in the NFL see Jets
8) Baltimore traded for McGahee
9) Cinci has character concerns
10) NO spending big bucks on Bush
11) Buffalo has Marshawn Lynch
12) Denver a possibility

So eyeballing it, if the Raiders pass on McFadden he could easily fall out of the top 10.

This is exactly the way I see it. I think the earliest he goes is #9. I think he's most likely to be available to Denver at #12.....and Denver might opt for Mendenhall instead.

 

[12+81=TD]

I am from the Louisville area and glad to see him healthy, it was a HUGE blow to UL's season when he went down.

Best of luck to him!