09-17-2007, 07:22 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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Jordan off to running start
Sports - Jordan off to running start - sacbee.com
Quote:
LaMont Jordan has an affinity for pro wrestling and "Scarface" T-shirts. Sunday, he wore one of his wrestling T-shirts -- World Wrestling Entertainment star Undertaker on the front and his catchphrase, "Rest in Peace," on the back -- to his postgame news conference.
Jordan won't rest peacefully following the Raiders' 23-20 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High. He ran for a career-best 159 yards and had a 33-yard run in overtime to set up the potential game-winning field goal, but still was left on the losing end.
"You're on the road, you're down, you battle back," Jordan said. "To come up short, these are the games that hurt the most."
Jordan has extra motivation after the Raiders were willing to cut him had he not taken a pay cut in the offseason. The Raiders also signed Dominic Rhodes in the offseason, but he's suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
So Jordan says the first four games of the season are his chance to prove he is the team's No. 1 tailback.
Jordan is off to the best start of his career. He has 229 rushing yards in two games after gaining 434 yards in nine games last year. Jordan has 40 carries and nine catches in two games, and Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has leaned heavily on the seven-year veteran.
"We did a good job rushing the ball," Kiffin said. "Even though we had about 200 yards rushing, we didn't throw the ball very well."
With Josh McCown struggling to find receivers, Jordan became the offense's centerpiece. Even though the Raiders trailed 17-3 at halftime, they stayed with the run as the offensive line opened big holes, leading to 112 yards for Jordan after halftime.
Jordan, in his third season with the Raiders, said the team in the past too often abandoned the running game when faced with large deficits.
"One thing about Coach Kiffin and this coaching staff -- they are believers in the run game," Jordan said.
Jordan liked the grit the Raiders showed but is dismayed by the lack of urgency to begin games. The Raiders have three total first-half points in their first two games.
"You can't wait until the second half to come out and decide, Hey, we're going to execute plays," Jordan said. "We have to do a better job of coming out early, establishing who we are early. That way we can just wear a team out in the second half."
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Def surprised at what he has done so far.
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Jordan off to running start
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