Really Worth IT??

But there's not much question that the McFadden-Bush rookie-camp introduction was the most high-powered meeting of young Oakland Raiders running back talent since Marcus Allen once exchanged mitts with a guy named Bo Jackson.

Sensing a similar union of purpose, people are already getting excited about this tandem. How excited? The Raiders' media room was filled to standing-room only on an otherwise quiet mid-May Saturday to listen to Bush and McFadden — one after the other — answer questions.

On this day, anyway, the two young prodigies shared the load quite well. Each got about 30 questions, and neither fumbled an answer. Between them, they probably provided 100 yards of copy apiece. Good work, fellas.

Just imagine what it's going to be like when Justin Fargas joins the fold. Will there be enough footballs for all of these guys to tote? Will JaMarcus Russell ever get to drop back and actually throw a pass?

And of course, there's that not-so-small issue of who's going to be "Da Man."

The tailback drama could play out any number of ways, but maybe there really will be enough duty for all three backs if they show themselves to be that varied in their skills. One thing's for sure, with Lane Kiffin and Greg Knapp in control of the offense, there will be considerable sentiment for running the rock.

With Bush coming off a two-year layoff, McFadden learning the league and Fargas returning from his first season as the team's workhorse, a share-the-wealth backfield might be the wisest course anyway.

Roles? Bush, because of his size, could be very valuable in short-yardage and goal-line situations, if he doesn't immediately establish himself as an every-down back. McFadden's the home run hitter, the guy who can score from anywhere on the field. Fargas is the classic grinder clock-winder.

For his own part, Bush isn't even thinking about the division of labor at this point. Last year's fourth-round draft pick is ready for any role that gets him back on the field for the first time in nearly two seasons after suffering a career-threatening broken leg in the 2006 season opener at Louisville.

"Personally, I really don't care right now," he said. "I just want to get on the field and play. Special teams, I'm all down for anything, just being on the field and getting back into the atmosphere."

McFadden doesn't sound selfish, either. A full two days on the job, he envisions a multi-back attack as one that will work best for both the players and the Raiders.

"I feel like it's something like that will help out in the NFL system because it's hard for a guy to go out there and go every down, take every snap," McFadden said. "Especially in the NFL, you have linebackers and defensive ends running 4.4s, so to have a fresh guy in there all the time is something that'll help the team out a whole lot."

Fargas waited nearly five years to get his first real shot, so we know he'll be amenable to just about any plan as long as he isn't the forgotten man. And McFadden's right — in a league where it now takes 19 or 20 games to win the Super Bowl, one stellar back simply isn't enough.

A lot of the work distribution will depend on just how much the Raiders run, period. With Russell still learning his way under center, it very well could be a year like 1977, when Oakland established an NFL record for rushing attempts with 681, a mark that somewhat remarkably still stands considering it was accomplished in a 14-game season.

The Raiders nearly averaged 50 handoffs a game that year ... 48.6, to be exact. Astounding. Mark van Eeghen had 324 carries for 1,273 yards, Clarence Davis added 194 carries for 787 yards while Pete Banaszak, Carl Garrett and Terry Robiskie managed to squeeze out 142 more totes among them.

Just a few years before, the unbeaten 1972 Miami Dolphins might have had the most celebrated three-back rotation in NFL history with Larry Csonka (213 carries, 1,117 yards), Mercury Morris (190 carries for 1,000 on the nose) and Jim Kiick (137 carries, 521 yards).

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings offered something of an updated version with Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor and Tarvaris Jackson.

In short, there is plenty of precedent for a two-back system working, and a multi-back rotation is certainly not unprecedented. The 1978 New England Patriots have the distinction of holding the all-time single-season team rushing record — 3,169 yards — with their leading rusher, Sam Cunningham, accounting for a mere 768.

That was the ultimate tailback-by-committee team, but the Raiders have an extensive history in that regard, too. Even during the Jackson-Allen years, you'd be amazed how many carries Steve Smith got.

Perhaps what's most significant about this refreshing stockpile is that the recent era of Raiders quarterbacks occasionally leading the team in rushing is most definitely over.

Raiders running back Michael Bush wasn't referring to the football field when he made that statement, rather the media throng as he sat behind numerous microphones.

The same can be applied to the media.

It has been a while since Bush was in the football spotlight. His last taste perhaps came in the fall of 2006, when he was a Heisman Trophy hopeful for Louisville. Then came a broken right leg in the season opener against Kentucky.

Suddenly Bush became a man on the mend, a stint that lasted through 2007 after the Raiders selected him in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

And because he spent last season on the physically unable to perform list, Bush is eligible to participate in this weekend's rookie minicamp.

It's not exactly how he envisioned things in the fall of 2006.

"It's awkward, but at the same time, I love it because I've been out of football," Bush said. "And I'm just glad to be doing football plays and getting out there and running around and showing the coaches that I'm healthy and that I'm fine and I'm ready to play."

The Raiders' decision not to release LaMont Jordan last fall kept Bush from joining Oakland's backfield in 2007. Bush was allowed to practice with the team toward the end of last season, but once the Raiders didn't activate him, he went back to individual workouts.

The meeting room for running backs remains crowded. Dominic Rhodes is gone, but the Raiders selected running back Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick in last month's draft. Bush watched the draft and was puzzled that the team would add to its deepest position.

"At first I was like, Why do we need another back?, because, at the time, we did have Dominic, and LaMont still on the roster, and (Justin) Fargas and me," Bush said. " … It kind of bothered me, but it didn't because he can help us. … I'm glad that he's on our side."

The buzz about McFadden was considerable coming off his All-America season at Arkansas. Bush, who rushed for 2,508 yards and 39 touchdowns for Louisville, might have had the same hype if not for his injury.

"Actually, I was watching the game when he broke his leg," McFadden said. "It was the only time I really got to see him play."

They have seen a lot of each other this weekend. When they're not rotating plays, they're on the field together to give the Raiders' offense some new looks.

McFadden is known as a speedster, and Bush is different from the other Raiders running backs mainly because he looks more like a linebacker. Listed at 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, he spent a lot of time solidifying his frame in the weight room.

On the field, Bush moves fine and says the knot in his shin is the only reminder of his broken leg. He's eagerly awaiting the exhibition season so he can hit someone for the first time in almost two years.

"I think Michael's in a great place right now," coach Lane Kiffin said. "It was a good challenge for him for us to have drafted Darren, for him to see that. It's kind of similar to what Justin went through last year … Rhodes comes in, LaMont's here, and Fargas just keeps working and working. I think it's going to continue to show up, and we'll keep using (Bush) in different ways as camp goes on."

That just wasn't coach-talk from Kiffin.

Bush said he was "happy" the Raiders drafted McFadden and that he would play special teams just to get on the field.

"I think the coaches still know what I can bring to the table, as well," Bush said. "I've never doubted myself at any point. And as far as team-wise, bringing in the best guy that was on the board at the time is good because it'll also help us out as a winning team."

In response to the revelation that Rams cornerback Fakhir Brown avoided a one-year suspension after a sample he produced for drug testing during the 2007 season was deemed to be diluted, a league source tells us that the NFL’s policy regarding samples containing too much water hasn’t been very successful in application.

Per the source, the policy regarding dilute samples has been used five times since its inception.  The source says that, in each case, the test result was overturned.

The source explained that the entire concept of a diluted specimen contradicts the league’s obsession with proper hydration (a concept that likely became even more important in the wake of Korey Stringer’s death during training camp in 2001). 

In fact, at least one player who tested positive under the drug policy by virtue of generating a diluted specimen was already having his urine tested by the team on a daily basis in order to ensure that there was enough water in his wee.

The source points the blame for these conflicting programs directly at the union: “Why did the NFLPA ever agree to a rule that is nothing more than a trap for many players?”

It’s a great question — one of many that need to be asked, and answered, when it comes to why the union does what it does.

Here's a dude I most likely would  have had in town to show what he can do on the football field, McFarland can be a great pickup for a team this season.

Free-agent defensive tackle Anthony “Booger” McFarland is 30 years old and coming off a serious knee injury, and so far there’s been little if any interest in acquiring his services.

But McFarland doesn’t appear to be retiring. He describes himself on his personal web site as “Coming soon to a team near you,” and his agent says he’ll conduct a private workout in Tampa on June 4 in an attempt to convince NFL teams that he’s healthy enough to play.

“He’s chomping at the bit to get with a team,” agent Karl Bernard tells John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “He’s going to go through a series of drills indicating that he’s healed from the injury.”

Harris suggests that the Steelers could be the team to show interest in McFarland, although if the Steelers agree, they haven’t said so publicly. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was an assistant in Tampa Bay from 2001 to 2005, when McFarland was a starting defensive tackle for the Buccaneers, but Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau runs a 3-4 front that uses defensive tackles differently than the Tampa 2 defense that McFarland has played in his entire NFL career.

Still, if McFarland can pass a physical, he can find work in the NFL. For a team that needs a defensive tackle, he’s one of the few still available.

This was a lot of fun, one my son really looks forward to attending.  If you're ever able to go, it's the best bang for your buck -- everyone is up close and hospitable.

Jarrod Cooper welcomed the Raider Nation to the Oakland Animal Shelter for an event to raise funds and awareness for Coop’s Code 597 program. Ricky Brown and Justin Griffith were also on hand to lend their support to the cause. Gorilla Rilla, Sidewinder, Inferno, Defender, and the rest of the Raider Nation came to show their support for the Oakland Animal Shelter, while Izzy Osbourne and Raiderhed both rocked the crowd.

Code 597 is a project that Coop started to support the Oakland Animal Shelter, and to raise awareness of animal cruelty and proper care of pets. The name was taken from California penal code 597 which is the code that refers to the mistreatment of animals. All of the funds raised by Code 597 go directly to the shelter.

The entire day had the feel of a tailgate as there were several barbeques set up around the grounds outside the shelter as the event got under way. There was a large inflatable slide for the kids to play on. To remind everyone about the cause of the day, there was a pen set up that had two adorable collie-shi tzu mix puppies were up for adoption.

Once most of the attendees had eaten, Gorilla Rilla led the children in a couple of games including a three legged race and a tug-o-war. Meanwhile, Izzy Osbourne, who is a tribute artist to Ozzy Osbourne, finished his sound-check and ripped into “I don’t know” once the tug-o-war ended. Izzy was followed by Raiderhed who got the crowd going with their string of Raider rock out tunes.

There were three lovely Raiderettes on hand who were posing for pictures and signing autographs for the fans. A donation of $20 to the animal shelter was rewarded with a Raiderette swimsuit calendar, which these beautiful specimens would sign, an 8×10 print of Coop, five raffle tickets, and a Code 597 t-shirt. (I won a framed Justin Fargas print in the raffle.)

Coop spent the day shuttling between helping the shelter staff mind the animals and talking with the fans who were present. He also took the time to sign for anyone who would ask.

I was able to ask Ricky Brown if he had something in mind for Chris Carr when the Raiders play the Titans in the preseason, he said, “Even if he is eight yards deep, he is going to try to take one back all the way against us, we just need to be sure to tackle [him].” Not quite as visceral as Coops, “He is going to get JACKED up,” but it does drive the point home that there will be a game within a game between the coverage units and Carr.

A fun day was had by all the attendees of the event, and a good deal of money was raised for the shelter. I would strongly suggest attending the next Code 597 event, as it is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and a very worthy cause. I will close with a message from the one and only Gorilla Rilla, “I don’t talk much, you talk a lot so please get this out, this is what makes the Raider Nation so special. We are like grandma’s quilt, we have black, brown, latino, white, everyone and we all come together in a knot as one. We don’t see the differences, we are the Raider Nation.”

But from the first time he touched the ball to the last play of practice, unofficially Saturday was Darren McFadden Day.

He took handoffs and went the distance. He practiced taking snaps as a quarterback without obvious chaos. He practiced catching passes. He lined up as a wide receiver in full-squad drills and spooked every defensive back on the field.

Really, No. 20 was practically the only jersey that mattered all afternoon.

Then, on the final play, Coach Lane Kiffin called a wide option toss to McFadden running left. There was a linebacker waiting. But McFadden exploded to the left corner, and around, and down the sideline, as the offense cheered. . . .

TWEET! End of practice. Darren McFadden Day had just come to a very successful, very emphatic conclusion.

"He brings us a game-breaker," Kiffin said a few minutes later. "Last play of the practice, it came down to one play to win it and there was a linebacker right there and he made the play for us.

"That's what happens sometimes. You can't draw 'em up perfect every time."

The Raiders haven't drawn it up perfectly in more than five years, actually. So yes, they could use a player who, at this infant stage of his NFL career, looks like he can go from 0 to a 60-yard touchdown no matter where he lines up.

We don't know if Kiffin wanted to take McFadden with the fourth overall pick, because the Raiders already have Justin Fargas signed long term, Michael Bush looking ready to rumble and LaMont Jordan around, too.

We don't know if the Raiders will end up wasting McFadden the way they messed up with Randy Moss, the last player this talented to come through the East Bay.

But, after giving the Arkansas product little to do the previous day, the Raiders began to open the whole wide universe of McFadden Offensive Possibilities.

It was as if Kiffin or Greg Knapp or James Lofton or Mark Davis or whoever runs these things decided: Hey, let's see what our No. 1 draft pick can do!

Plus, they probably wanted to show him off a little. Mission accomplished.

Before practice, McFadden met the reporters and said that, if he had to pick one prototype, it might be Minnesota All-Pro Adrian Peterson.

"Just because we're both big, fast guys," McFadden said. "He's probably a little more physical than I am. But as far as just natural playmaking and talent, I feel like I have the edge on any running back.

"Not saying it to be cocky or anything, but I feel like I'm very versatile and I can play a lot of different positions."

He's taller and less zig-zaggy than LaDainian Tomlinson or Barry Sanders. He's faster than Marcus Allen, more versatile than but not as strong as Bo Jackson.

Granted, he was going up against sub-NFL players, but McFadden looked like. . . . nobody I have ever before seen. I don't know if that'll translate to immediate production, but you have to like his chances at this point.

"Yeah, he looked real comfortable in a number of different things we did with him today," Kiffin said.

"We did some individual things actually where he was at quarterback. And we put him outside with some receivers in some later stuff. So he's picking things up real well. But at the same time, we've got to be careful."

Kiffin still says he doesn't want to throw too much of the playbook at McFadden (or invent new stuff for No. 20) too quickly. But Kiffin definitely seemed ready to get McFadden going after Saturday's display.

You can see how this might work: The Raiders are going to let Fargas stay at tailback, probably rotating with McFadden and Bush. But on many downs, they're going to have Fargas or Bush at tailback, then split McFadden out as a receiver or perhaps take a long snap as the quarterback or anything else they can dream up to befuddle defenses.

"We've got so many things to look at with him," Kiffin said. "And we want to make sure we're doing the right things with him. We're not giving him too much. Because the last thing we want to do is take away why he's here, No. 1, and that's to run the ball from the I-formation.

"We'll continue to tinker with different things. See how far we can take it."

I've a feeling that Kiffin/Knapp/Lofton/Davis are going to take this a very long way, very quickly. We all saw him and we all, I'm sure, wondered: Could every day be Darren McFadden Day?

Raiders running back Michael Bush settled it once and for all: his right leg is fine, healed, 100 percent fine, let's move on, people.

He showed it with every leg plant, leg churn, redirection and cutback during the three-day rookie minicamp, which ended today.

If he keeps this up during OTAs, which start now, and the June 3-5 mandatory minicamp, that previously broken right leg of his will not be a topic when training camp starts (tentatively set for July 25).

He can finally be just another well-qualified running back fighting for carries, right along with Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden.

Notice how LaMont Jordan didn't make that list. We're just following the precedence set by the Raiders coaching staff over the weekend.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin talked about Bush possibly being the "best of the three" -- and no, he wasn't omitting Fargas or McFadden. Running backs coach Tom Rathman also failed to mention Jordan when talking about the open competition.

The fact is, Jordan's time in Oakland appears limited. He is due $4.7 million next season. One team source expects Jordan to be released after June 1, which allows the team to spread his cap figure over two seasons.

Then again, Al Davis refused to dump Jordan last season when Bush was physically able to come off the Physically Unable to Perform list in November. This could just as easily drag into training camp.