Raiders vs Texans Not a Good Look For New Regime

September 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) runs with the football against Houston Texans strong safety D.J. Swearinger (36) during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Texans defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Another Bad Personnel Decision

We all know running back Darren McFadden’s ability to change a game as well as his ability to get injured. But the Raiders brought in Maurice Jones-Drew, who has over 1,800 career carries and injuries these last couple of years to replace him. Jones-Drew has a 40-yard run to his credit this preseason but that was because he jogged in after no one was there when he broke a tackle on a short-yardage play.

He has clearly lost his burst as he was unable to get through fast closing holes or around the corner on the Jets in Week 1. McFadden’s ability to do both showed in that game as he averaged 3.8 yards per carry to Jones-Drew’s 1.7. I know 3.8 is nothing to brag about but that was the Jets and it beats the heck out of 1.7 with the limited carries he had.

Against the Texans, McFadden had more of a chance to show that burst with a 21-yard that was called back and 23-yard screen pass. Also on the 21-yard run, McFadden showed vision, cutting it all the way back when the Texans defense overpursued the speedy McFadden. McFadden also showed some power in the game as he move the pile and bucked a Texans safety to the turf.

Latavius Murray showed that he’s a good compliment to McFadden or could fill in for him if need be too. McFadden being one of the bright spots isn’t a good look for the new regime as Jones-Drew is making the big money and he’s the one hurt. If the Raiders wouldn’t have given up 17 points in the first five minutes of the game, McFadden and Murray would have done some real damage.