March 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference at the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders have a storied tradition of not following the NFL’s rules. Under Hue Jackson the Raider’s managed to set records for finding ways to piss off the zebras. Of course Mr. Davis would have said that it was due to the NFL’s feud against him and his franchise, but then again here is a quote (a personal favorite) from former Raider, Monte Johnson.

The number one rule for the air hockey tournament was ‘Cheating is encouraged.” “Number two was ‘It’s only cheating if you get caught.’ What the air-hockey tournament revealed was how we played football. There were rules, but there weren’t rules.” – Excerpt from the book Badasses by Peter Richmond.

So according to Mr. Johnson it appears that the Raiders have been, getting caught. The truth is, the NFL just isn’t what it used to be. Rule changes are constantly being applied to the game in order to appeal to a larger audience. Proof of this is obvious. Everybody loves a high scoring shootout between explosive passing offenses. Watching a 12-12 tie in the NFL has gone from normal to being as rare as catching Jabba the Hutt on a treadmill. Bottom line is, the Raiders need to be able to adjust to the flow of Roger Goodell’s rule changes. The newest of which is being applied to running backs (relax James Harrison).

The rule was passed last month and states that runners may not use the crown of their helmet to contact defenders outside of the tackle box. It has drawn its share of criticism from players and fans alike including Marshall Faulk, Ray Rice, and Earl Campbell. So how does this affect the Oakland Raiders?

The Raiders are one of the few NFL teams who base a game plan around a tough and physical running game. Glimpses of Darren McFadden prove him to be a dangerous back to take head on. His ability to pick up speed allows him to mow through defenders like Charlie Sheen through a kilo of Columbian bam bam. The injury prone McFadden relies on the ability to lower his shoulder and deliver deadly blows, and at full speed unintentional use of his helmet (specifically the crown of the helmet) happens. Even with the chance to lower his shoulder McFadden can barely squeeze out a six game season. What is going to happen when the running back must also be concerned about how he hits.

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) waits for the snap as the rain comes down during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has already abolished the days of Jack Tatum and Ronny Lott. Must they also banish the likes of Bo Jackson and Napoleon Kaufman? At what point will the rules stop? Player safety is one thing, but these grown men are completely aware of what they partake in and are repaid with more wealth then most people see in a lifetime. In ten years will Goodell outlaw linemen? In twenty years will it even be football any more? Without a Delorean there will be no way of knowing for sure. So for now Raider Nation must deal with the absurd transition to a game missing plays like some of the ones seen in this video. Bo Jackson – YouTube.

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There is plenty of uncertainty going forward for the Oakland Raiders so it only makes sense for Reggie McKenzie to try and minimize the drama during the season. One such issue sure to be talked about non-stop will be Darren McFadden’s contract situation. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and the oft injured yet talented runner figures to be a hot commodity as his skill level is impossible to ignore.

That’s led McKenzie to state his desires to open contract talks with McFadden sooner than later.

Despite his many injuries McKenzie has called McFadden “as tough as the come”. Raider Nation would agree as the zone blocking scheme proved his true nature as a runner. McFadden isn’t interested in dancing at the line. He’s looking to lower his shoulder and do damage behind a bruising offensive line.

In fact most of McFadden’s injuries have been of the random and freakish variety. So McKenzie has no problem talking long term with Run DMC in mind even though said freak occurrences have happened every year McFadden has been in the league.

However there are sure to be plenty of provisions in McFadden’s deal preventing him from collecting scratch while sitting on the sideline. That’s just the business of pro football. No matter what it’s nice to know the Raiders rebuild isn’t a complete overhaul. Sure, McFadden’s injury issues are of great concern but there is no way this team is better without him nor do playmakers of his breed simply fall from the sky.

Keeping McFadden in Oakland is top priority and that is refreshing given the miserable year he and the entire offense suffered through in 2012. Give McKenzie credit, his first year on the job was one with a steep learning curve but he’s not so foolish as to assume there is no talent on the team worth keeping around. Inking Tyvon Branch illustrated that and keeping McFadden in Oakland would be another great accomplishment given the current cap situation.

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It might sound crazy to pose this question but you can bet your season tickets in Mount Davis that it’s being discussed amongst the Raiders brass.

He might be just 25-years-old and yet to play a full NFL season after five years in the league but one has to wonder if we’ve seen the best of Darren McFadden.

As a rule NFL running backs, unlike juiced up sluggers in MLB or matured players in the NBA, don’t get better with age. Their bodies worn down by punishing contact over the years most runners are lucky to leave the pro game on their own terms. The majority are either forced out by injury or lack of work.

So given McFadden’s many health issues before the age of 28 you can’t help but feel as if his days are numbered as far as being a feature back.

After 2013 the crossroads will have officially been reached by McFadden and the Raiders as his first NFL contract is set to expire. Just where he stands in Oakland’s plans remains to be seen. Already a regime change followed by the foolish re-instillation of a failed scheme has cheated Run-DMC out of a full year in his supposed prime. Of course another bite from the injury bug also sabotaged his 2012.

In 2011 McFadden was looking every bit the player Al Davis envisioned when he took the former Arkansas Razorback 4^th overall in the 2008 draft. Before that infamous lisfranc injury ended his season McFadden was the league’s leading rusher looking like a potential MVP candidate as he ran the Raiders back into football relevancy.

Certainly the scheme played the biggest role in reducing McFadden’s production in 2012 but he didn’t look nearly as explosive either. Three times McFadden broke the 100-yard barrier last season and two of those (both against the Kansas City Chiefs) required a combined 59 carries.

That he could carry the rock that many times speaks to his durability and toughness when his body is willing. However under no circumstances should a player with his skill set need 30+ touches to notch 100 yards rushing.

Even more troubling is that if you take away McFadden’s longest run of the year, a 64-yard TD scamper against the Steelers, then he would have averaged under 3 yards a carry for the season.

Again, Greg Knapp’s zone scheme combined with his mind-numbing play calling are the biggest culprits. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for concern surrounding McFadden’s future. We’ll likely never see him play a full season which means we’ll almost certainly never see his peak…unless we already have.