BU54

Jets high on Arkansas running back Darren McFadden
BY RICH CIMINI
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Wednesday, December 19th 2007, 4:00 AM

Save for an occasional spasm of success, the Jets' running game has been a major disappointment. With their current personnel, you'd sooner see a flying pig than a consistent, high-powered ground game. To fix it, they need ... well, a pig that flies.

Running back Darren McFadden of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Scouts say the two-time Heisman runner-up is an Adrian Peterson clone, easily the most electrifying offensive player in the 2008 draft (assuming he decides to turn pro) - and he could be there for the Jets' taking. The early word is they like him a lot.

All they have to do is lose the last two games and catch a break or two.

Many assume the Dolphins (1-13), a virtual lock for the No. 1 pick, will select LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. If Ronnie Brown's knee rehab continues to go well, the Dolphins won't have a crying need for a running back, especially with so many other holes.

The Jets, Rams and Falcons - all 3-11 - are battling for the No. 2 spot. Currently, the Rams, who appear set at running back with Steven Jackson, have the inside position because they've played the easiest schedule. A strength-of-schedule breakdown, with the combined record of their opponents:

2. Rams, 114-110.

3. Jets, 117-107.

4. Falcons, 120-104.

Of the three "contenders," the Jets have the easiest remaining schedule, with a winnable game against the Chiefs (4-10). Imagine if they beat Herm Edwards, and it costs them a shot at McFadden. That would have to be some sort of cruel coincidence, right?

Obviously, there are a ton of variables (potential trades, postseason workouts, etc.), but it could fall into place for the Jets - barring a win, of course. For a team whose draft history is defined by the ones that got away, this could be the break of the decade for the Jets, who haven't picked a skill-position player in the top 15 since WR Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 (No.1 overall).

They gave Thomas Jones a four-year contract with $11 million guaranteed, but that wouldn't preclude them from taking McFadden. Eric Mangini's lack of confidence in the running game was evident in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. He felt he needed a tricked-up approach, using Brad Smith as an option quarterback for eight plays, to attack a defense that had been vulnerable against the run in recent weeks.

LINK
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/fo...ack_darre.html

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hayato

we're in a dilema. we absolutley positivley need the jets to LOSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE to the chiefs, here's why;

okay the dolphins will get the number 1 pick. the rams are currently 3-12 but they wont take mcfadden. the falcons are 3-12 but i think they can use help elsewhere, they already have warrick dunn. the ravens are 4-11 but they have mcgahee. raiders are 4-11 and they could actually use mcfadden even though they need help on defense and the o-line. the chiefs are 4-11 but they have lj.

the good thing is that new england probably wont get mcfadden but they could still get someone good like laruniatis. san fran is either going 5-11 or 6-10. if they go 6-10, they may have to flip a coin with other teams that may be 6-10 like cincinatti.

out of the list that i listed of the teams records, the number 1 team that poses a threat of TAKING mcfadden BEFORE the jets is oakland. think about it; if the jets beat the chiefs, the jets will be 4-12 and if oakland loses to san diego (which they probably will, the raiders will also be 4-12. then, they'd have to flip a coin to see who gets the better pick and if oakland is ahead of the jets, i think oakland will TAKE mcfadden. if the jets LOSE to kc, then the jets will be 3-13 and the only teams in front of them will be the dolphins (they already have ronnie brown), and maybe the rams and falcons. we know for a fact st louis wont take mcfadden and i dont think atlanta will and the only team left is the jets!

so like i said, the jets really really NEED to lose to kansas city so they can get ahead of oakland. u guys get what im saying?

if the jets lose and st louis and atlanta win, then the jets WILL HAVE the 2nd overall pick (although we dont need st louis and atlanta to win because they probably wont take mcfadden)

but here's the thing; miami may take mcfadden because they dont want the jets to have him. they know damn well that if they let mcfadden fall passed them, the jets could get him which they dont want to happen. the dolphins may even accept a trade from another team to get the 1st overall pick to take mcfadden just so the jets wont get him.

get what im tryin to say?

hayato

theyre not high. theyre getting chris long or gholston. mcfadden is done for ny

Professor

The jets need to fix the oline first

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ball in the baskett

The jets dont need mcfadden thomas jones is a good running back if you give him an offensive line.

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Dawardoe

I agree.

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Dawardoe

I agree.

I also don't think the Raiders are interested that much in McFadden for the same reason. Also Fargas ran very well and they have other needs that need to be considered.

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Serrated Shadow

IMO someone's going to trade up for Run DMC if he isn't taken by the top six or the Jets..

Let's keep in mind though, the Vikes had Chester Taylor and still took Peterson. I wouldn't say Thomas Jones is much better than Taylor.

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gruntbygod

The Jets need a "gate" player to compete with the Giants. Remeber they are a "little bro" team

IMO its a good marraige of team and player. Their line is young, so why draft more youth? McFadden and Jones will be a great 1-2 punch. Chris Long makes more football sense, but keep in mind, they have to compete for their market with a more popular team

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Professor

Raiders won't take McFadden, they have their future running back in Michael Bush.

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