McFadden: MERGED

[madmike1]

No we don't. But if they don't meet with him a couple of times, then they're not keeping their options open. Someone this productive in college, this highly-touted, and who may be there at #6; you have to really find out if you like him. Work him out; talk to him; try to throw gameplan stuff at him; all of the above.

I think a RB can be stupid and still have a great career... At least more than any other offensive position.

[Sperm Edwards]

I think a RB can be stupid and still have a great career... At least more than any other offensive position.

That doesn't make it necessary to draft stupid people. While using instinct to find a hole or run fast doesn't require any amount of intelligence, a stupid RB can also get your QB killed.

[#27TheDominator]

So for those who like to claim that McFadden is strong even though his legs are the size of twigs and claim he has upperbody strength check out his workout numbers.

From ESPN's report on McFaddens pro day...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3311410

Yeah he's strong as hell.

I will admit the short shuttle time is pretty damn legit though.

I know that is a decent short shuttle, but how good is it? Didn't Sabby Piscatelli run a 3.9 flat last year?

I think all this pass rusher v. stud RB talk is getting ridiculous. Either would be great. Most people aren't saying to pass on a RB because RB is unimportant (even if that is what Sperm says ) but because they think there is too much of a chance that McFadden will be a bust. Same goes for Gholston. Some people are worried he can't transition to drop back as LB and is a workout queen that will look good but not necessarily produce on the field. Sort of like Thomas Jones.

[Sperm Edwards]

workout queen. lol

[Go Jets]

workout queen. lol

DMC is so soft , sorry toon and every other DMAC lover. H will be worse then T. Jones. Where is Malcome Kelly in this debate?

[Favorite_Toon]

http://www.thejetsblog.com/?p=3761

Nice to see... yeah we dont have much interest... take a look....

[Iceman88]

Do you not understand that everything before the draft isn't worth a grain of salt? Of course a team will check out every top prospect they can possibly draft. Teams will also try and throw off other teams so nobody knows who the hell they are really looking at or what they want to do. Every team does this to give themselves the slightest edge. Stop freaking out every time McFadden is mentioned with the Jets and stop making a new damn thread about every time too. There already is a massive McFadden thread for you to blow your load in. We don't need to see 8 new McFadden threads by you every day.

[stan blinka]

Just a political game right now ... every top 10 pick is attractive..... smoke signals everywhere..

[NY JET 29]

http://www.thejetsblog.com/?p=3761

Nice to see... yeah we dont have much interest... take a look....

Noone said we had no interest just because Tanny is going down there doesen't mean were going Mcfadden in the draft. I'm sure almost everyone is going down for his pro day.

[Favorite_Toon]

Do you not understand that everything before the draft isn't worth a grain of salt? Of course a team will check out every top prospect they can possibly draft. Teams will also try and throw off other teams so nobody knows who the hell they are really looking at or what they want to do. Every team does this to give themselves the slightest edge. Stop freaking out every time McFadden is mentioned with the Jets and stop making a new damn thread about every time too. There already is a massive McFadden thread for you to blow your load in. We don't need to see 8 new McFadden threads by you every day.

First off..dont tell me what to do... dont read if you dont like it.. second.. we didnt goto Matt ryans proday genius... we sent a small amount of people to gholstens proday.. Tanny is there? and thats not news?? cmon wake up pal..

[Iceman88]

First off..dont tell me what to do... dont read if you dont like it.. second.. we didnt goto Matt ryans proday genius... we sent a small amount of people to gholstens proday.. Tanny is there? and thats not news?? cmon wake up pal..

Hello smoke screens buddy. If you don't send anybody to Ryans pro day than nobody thinks you want him and nobody tries to trade up ahead of you to get him. This entire pre draft process is a bunch of smoke screens nothing can be taken that seriously no matter how much you want McFadden on this team.

Again THERE IS A HUGE MCFADDEN THREAD. It was pretty much made exclusively because you create 8 mcfadden threads a day and turn every other thread into a debate about him. Go post this there.

[NY JET 29]

First off..dont tell me what to do... dont read if you dont like it.. second.. we didnt goto Matt ryans proday genius... we sent a small amount of people to gholstens proday.. Tanny is there? and thats not news?? cmon wake up pal..

Alright so because Tanny went to watch Mcfadden will be a Jet?

Ok pal.

[Favorite_Toon]

Do you not understand that everything before the draft isn't worth a grain of salt? Of course a team will check out every top prospect they can possibly draft. Teams will also try and throw off other teams so nobody knows who the hell they are really looking at or what they want to do. Every team does this to give themselves the slightest edge. Stop freaking out every time McFadden is mentioned with the Jets and stop making a new damn thread about every time too. There already is a massive McFadden thread for you to blow your load in. We don't need to see 8 new McFadden threads by you every day.

Alright so because Tanny went to watch Mcfadden will be a Jet?

Ok pal.

Oh boy!! Im not saying cause he went there that means he wil be a jet... Im saying there is serious interest on our behalf... once we signed jesse chatman.. All the dmc haters were happy!!! they were like yeah..that means no mcfadden... but guess again..

[NY JET 29]

Oh boy!! Im not saying cause he went there that means he wil be a jet... Im saying there is serious interest on our behalf... once we signed jesse chatman.. All the dmc haters were happy!!! they were like yeah..that means no mcfadden... but guess again..

Mcfadden would be a really stupid pick:)

[NY JET 29]

Oh boy!! Im not saying cause he went there that means he wil be a jet... Im saying there is serious interest on our behalf... once we signed jesse chatman.. All the dmc haters were happy!!! they were like yeah..that means no mcfadden... but guess again..

DMC's future will look like this......

REGGIE BUSH>>>>>>> DMC

[Favorite_Toon]

REGGIE BUSH>>>>>>> DMC

LOL thats pretty funny... that shows me either your age or your knowledge of football.. Reggie bush is a very different player then DMC and im not saying that cause I like DMC... Im saying it because its the truth..

[JayKwaz]

First off..dont tell me what to do... dont read if you dont like it.. second.. we didnt goto Matt ryans proday genius... we sent a small amount of people to gholstens proday.. Tanny is there? and thats not news?? cmon wake up pal..

I dont care where Tannenbaum is, he is just the accountant and a good one at that. I want to know where Manigini and Bradway are.

[NY JET 29]

LOL thats pretty funny... that shows me either your age or your knowledge of football.. Reggie bush is a very different player then DMC and im not saying that cause I like DMC... Im saying it because its the truth..

First we won't even have a chance at Mcfadden, becasue of Al Davis. Second if we take Mcfadden at 6 if he makes it there then thta will be the stupidest pick in Tangini's tenure.

MCFADDEN = BUST!!!!!

[Iceman88]

I dont care where Tannenbaum is, he is just the accountant and a good one at that. I want to know where Manigini and Bradway are.

Dude he's kind of our GM. It carries a pretty good amount of weight in all things concerning the Jets.

[Favorite_Toon]

DMC's future will look like this......

REGGIE BUSH>>>>>>> DMC

Dude he's kind of our GM. It carries a pretty good amount of weight in all things concerning the Jets.

Hes not kind of our GM..he is our GM...lol and the coach has already sat down with him at the combine..and we sent our running back coaches down to ark last week..

[Iceman88]

Hes not kind of our GM..he is our GM...lol and the coach has already sat down with him at the combine..and we sent our running back coaches down to ark last week..

I was joking buddy. But you seriously have way to big of an obsession with McFadden it's scary. You've hyped him up to be the best RB to ever play the game.

[Lil Bit Special]

McFadden should be a banned word on this site.

Like At_water.

[NY JET 29]

I was joking buddy. But you seriously have way to big of an obsession with McFadden it's scary. You've hyped him up to be the best RB to ever play the game.

I agree, and when Mcfadden isn't as good as he thought, we can laugh at him while Gholston, or Mckelvin are helping our defense greatly. Even if Mcfadden does taht good in Oakland I guarantee Gholston does better with us, and the same with Mckelvin.

[NY JET 29]

McFadden should be a banned word on this site.

Like At_water.

I agree:)

[Gastineau Lives]

I agree, and when Mcfadden isn't as good as he thought, we can laugh at him while Gholston, or Mckelvin are helping our defense greatly. Even if Mcfadden does taht good in Oakland I guarantee Gholston does better with us, and the same with Mckelvin.

You guarantee? That alone is funny. Actually, I'm going to stop right here.

[BroadwayJ667]

DMC is horrible, I haven't seen a back as bad get so much hype since curtis enis, Kajana (sp?) Carter, He didn't even have a position in college, RB/QB sounds to me like Kordell Stewart only worse. I do like Stewart from Oregon and in the later rounds Johnson from east carolina. I would liek to see a DE/ or stud ILB.

A stud ILB you say. I know i'm starting to beat a dead horse but here's your guy

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"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="

" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> watch 2:30 especially

As for mcfadden being overhyped, yeah, but not as much as you say, those guys didn't have his speed. The only thing Mcfadden has me concerned about (onfield) is will he follow his blocks properly, in college he doesn't really have to because he's so much faster than everybody else, in the pros EVERYBODY is FAST.

[Thai Jet]

McFadden should be a banned word on this site.

Like At_water.

The sooner DMC gets picked ahead of us the better. I'm growing tired of all this McFadden talk.

[Lil Bit Special]

The sooner DMC gets picked ahead of us the better. I'm growing tired of all this McFadden talk.

only one more month of hype to go...

you aint seen nothin' yet. It is going to get unbearable in here.

[rick34125]

After home life from hell, Darren McFadden racing to put past behind him

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Updated Sunday, March 30th 2008, 10:54 AM

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. - Blessed with 4.33 speed in the 40-yard dash, crazy fast for a 6-1½ , 215-pound man, Darren McFadden can run away from just about anybody. What he hasn't developed is the ability to walk away.

Many NFL teams, including the Jets, will analyze that conundrum over the next four weeks as they prepare for the draft. Few will argue that McFadden is the most dynamic player on the board, but there are character concerns. Two years ago, he was involved in a vicious fight outside a nightclub that left his left big toe hideously dislocated, mangled so badly that it revealed the bone.

Sobbing uncontrollably in the ambulance, McFadden called friends and relatives on his cell phone to apologize and vow that he'd never do anything that reckless again. But he did. There was another nightclub altercation in his hometown of Little Rock, where he was handcuffed, but not arrested, for "provoking aggressive behavior," according to police.

The former Arkansas tailback has no criminal record, but his rowdy behavior, coupled with stories about illegitimate children and paternity suits, has prompted teams to dig into his background. They want to know: Superman or Pacman?

To answer that question, go back.

Go back to his neighborhood in Little Rock, one of the most gang-infested areas in the country. In 1994, HBO filmed a documentary, "Gang War: Banging in Little Rock." It was like a home movie for McFadden, who once shocked a junior-high teacher by pointing out people in the film that he recognized, some of whom were killed on the streets.

Go back to the house on South Schiller Street, where two of Mini Muhammad's 12 children belonged to enemy gangs. One of her sons was a Blood, another a Crip. She says there were no conflicts in the house, but it took the phrase "sibling rivalry" to a new level.

Go back to the master bedroom in the house on South Schiller. That is where Mini disappeared for hours at a time, behind a closed door, smoking crack. She used grocery money to get high, even stole money from her kids. One of her suppliers, she says, was her oldest son, currently serving five years in a federal prison on a drug conviction.

"I've been to hell and back, and I took my children into that hell and the chaos, too," Muhammad, 56, says in a phone interview, claiming she has been clean for six years. "But we all bonded together and took care of each other."

That Darren survived, even thrived in such a dysfunctional environment is a small miracle. Surrounded by gangs and death and drugs ("Drugs were a way of life for us," his mother says), McFadden stayed clean and kept running.

"I stuck to football and used it as my escape route," says McFadden, relaxing after a recent workout on the Arkansas campus.

Funny thing about McFadden's running style. For such a fast guy, he loves collisions. Off the field, too.

***

McFadden is big, fast, tough and productive - 4,590 rushing yards in three seasons at Arkansas, second only to Herschel Walker in SEC history. From all indications, he's a hard worker and well-liked by former teammates. According to a source, he scored a respectable 17 on his Wonderlic intelligence test. He answers, "Yes, sir" and "No, sir," and he has a quick, engaging smile. It'll be an upset if he's not among the top six picks. The Jets own the sixth pick.

Then again, in the NFL's Pacman Jones/Michael Vick era, teams are supposedly placing a greater emphasis on character, especially when multimillion-dollar investments are at stake. That has put McFadden under intense scrutiny.

"I'm not the type of guy who's going to go out every night and party," McFadden says.

"I'm not going to put myself in the situations I did when I was younger. Those situations helped me mature a whole lot. It forces you to grow up a lot and realize you have a lot on the line."

He learned a hard lesson. The night of July 28, 2006, began innocently with a text message from then-coach Houston Nutt: "Get ready, football's around the corner."

McFadden replied: "I'm in the house." He didn't stay there. Several hours later, he was in an ambulance, heading for surgery.

He went to a notorious nightclub called The Palace, once the scene of a fatal shooting. In the parking lot, he confronted a man attempting to steal his brother's car, according to McFadden. A fight ensued. Somehow, he lost his shoe, smashed his toe and nearly shattered his dream.

"I think he realized, ‘Yeah, I am human and I am mortal, and I came close to really screwing this gig up' - and he's got a good gig going," says Arkansas head athletic trainer Dean Weber, who received a call at 4:45 a.m. from a hysterical McFadden.

Three months ago, it happened again, this time at a Little Rock nightspot called Ernie Biggs, which bills itself a piano bar. It, too, is a haven for police activity. A brawl escalated when "(the bouncer) jumped on my little brother," McFadden says. The bouncer told police he was attacked by several people, including McFadden, as he escorted the Razorback star's underage brother from the bar.

Along came the police, out came the handcuffs. That created big headlines in Arkansas, where McFadden might be the most popular person in the state, with apologies to former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

McFadden claims he's not a violent person. He admits he put himself in "bad situations," but only because family members needed help. Muhammad says she taught her sons to stick up for one another, adding of the fights, "That's not (Darren). That boy is a mild, meek, gentle soul."

"He's not a street thug, he's not a bum," says one AFC scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He knows right from wrong."

The scout's team has done extensive research on McFadden, concluding he's basically a good person whose transgressions can be traced to his difficult family situation. That could become a burden once he's a millionaire. Maturity and proper guidance, the team believes, could solve everything. If the Jets draft him, they'd be smart to put Curtis Martin's number on his speed dial. The retired Martin, who lives in the area, would be a good mentor.

McFadden's reputation also has been tainted by reports that he fathered children from different women. Addressing rampant speculation last month at the scouting combine, he said he has two kids on the way. But, in an interview 11 days ago with the Daily News, he said one paternity test came back negative. He said he will know by mid-April if the other belongs to him. McFadden, 20 and single, already has a lawyer to handle paternity issues.

His alleged womanizing has provided joke fodder - "McDaddy" has become a derisive nickname - but those closest to McFadden believe he's an inspiration, not a troublemaker. After all, it wasn't exactly a very Brady upbringing.

McFadden's mother was an admitted crack addict who didn't get clean until she spent 11 days in jail, arrested after multiple traffic violations. She told her kids not to pay the $1,000 bail because she figured prison would be her rehab center. Her body shook and sweated through the withdrawal, but she did it for her family, which was almost broke.

"It was tough on me. I mean, those things are around, but you don't expect it to be your mom," says McFadden, claiming he was inspired by his mother's turnaround.

Remarkably, McFadden was a happy kid in high school, entertaining classmates with an array of costumes. Belying his image as a tough guy, he occasionally wore a dress and a blonde wig to school. No joke.

"He liked to shake things up," says teacher Leecie Henson, one of the guiding lights in McFadden's life - his "white mama," as he calls her. "After a while, I told him, ‘If you wear one more dress to school, I'm going to call your coach at Arkansas and tell him his running-back recruit is a cross dresser.' But that was his goal in high school: Make people laugh."

He's the same way at Arkansas. For Halloween, he and fellow back Felix Jones, also projected as a first-round pick, dressed as Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble.

On the field, there's nothing fake or dainty about McFadden. Unlike many speed backs, he craves a good collision, often using his patented stiff-arm to embarrass would-be tacklers. His position coach, Tim Horton, says 32% of McFadden's rushing yards last season (586 of 1,830) came after initial contact.

"The most aggressive player I've ever coached," Horton says.

Some scouts believe McFadden initiates too much contact, that he stops moving his feet when he does. Some are concerned about his skinny legs, wondering if they can withstand the NFL. Unbeknownst to many, he's never been serious about building leg strength. After tearing a knee cartilage as a freshman, he was advised to take it easy on the weights.

But "Butter Boy," his old playground nickname, sure can churn. That 4.33 time in the 40? McFadden covered the last 20 yards in 1.80 seconds, prompting one hard-bitten scout to remark: "Oh, my God!"

"He's going to be a great back in this league," says Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations. Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett says, "Darren McFadden is The Truth. He's legit."

"I want to go into the NFL and have an impact like Adrian Peterson," McFadden says matter-of-factly, referring to the Vikings' young star. "I feel like with my hard work and determination, I can do the same things."

Peterson rushed for 1,341 yards and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Can McFadden match that? As Horton ponders the question, he glances out his office window, which overlooks the Arkansas stadium. Amid the late-afternoon shadows, there's a fast-moving figure in the distance. Could it be?

Look, up in the sky. It's a bird! It's a plane!

Horton IDs the UFO: "It's Darren, running the stadium steps" - only a few hours after performing for NFL scouts at his pro day.

Maybe he is Superman.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2008/03/29/2008-03-29_after_home_life_from_hell_darren_mcfadde.html

[Greenseed3]

"Two years ago, he was involved in a vicious fight outside a nightclub that left his left big toe hideously dislocated, mangled so badly that it revealed the bone."

When you badly dislocate your toe in an "incident" It means you're kickin' something. That's as bad as a QB punching someone with his throwing arm. You just don't sacrifice your future to kick someone (who's already down).

Good article otherwise.

[SayNoToDMC]

I read on like a 2nd or 3rd grade level, so that was to much for me to bother reading

I couldn't give less of a **** about how hard his life was. This is the NFL not a charity. If he can't stay out of trouble, then I don't want anything to do with him, not at what it's going to cost us.

[Gainzo]

I read on like a 2nd or 3rd grade level, so that was to much for me.

I couldn't give less of a **** about how hard his life was. This is the NFL not a charity. If he can't stay out of trouble, then I don't want anything to do with him, not at what it's going to cost us.

This article is a fluff piece. Like McFadden is the only athlete to come from a rough background?

His alleged womanizing has provided joke fodder - "McDaddy" has become a derisive nickname - but those closest to McFadden believe he's an inspiration, not a troublemaker.

That sums it up right there. He's an "inspiration" for knocking up women and getting in fights outside nightclubs? I wouldn't call that an inspiration. Not to mention the fact that he's 20 years old and is out at nightclubs.

[Smizzy]

On the pro level Stewart is complete, he can go inside and out and has power galore while still maintaining blazing speeds. McFadden (in addition to having 4 kids from 4 different woman on the way) is limited in the same ways Reggie Bush has proved to be limited on a pro level since he lacks the power to run inside. I'm not saying McFadden won't be good, he will but i believe Stewart is a better pickup and from the Jets standpoint, would be a perfect compliment to Washington as a 1 2 punch down the line. Jones has 1 or 2 years left max before he's too slow and too banged up to be worthy of that salary, this draft is crucial for our long term development since we pick so high and i believe trading down round 1 and picking up addition picks is the way to go since value with a guy like Stewart in the mid teens is enormous (salary factors included!). Opinions?

I've been watching McFadden for a while and he doesn't force everything outside. He has no problems running in between the tackles.

[villain_the_foe]

On the pro level Stewart is complete, he can go inside and out and has power galore while still maintaining blazing speeds. McFadden (in addition to having 4 kids from 4 different woman on the way) is limited in the same ways Reggie Bush has proved to be limited on a pro level since he lacks the power to run inside. I'm not saying McFadden won't be good, he will but i believe Stewart is a better pickup and from the Jets standpoint, would be a perfect compliment to Washington as a 1 2 punch down the line. Jones has 1 or 2 years left max before he's too slow and too banged up to be worthy of that salary, this draft is crucial for our long term development since we pick so high and i believe trading down round 1 and picking up addition picks is the way to go since value with a guy like Stewart in the mid teens is enormous (salary factors included!). Opinions?

what in the bloodclot does his four kids have to do with his ability to run inside? Yeah, you're not that he wont be good. You're just saying that you would like to babysit his kids, or be one of them, or maybe you're hating because he has four kids and will have the money to take care of every last one of them (thats a question). He's not the first player to have 4 or more kids. None the less, I hear more about this dudes personal life on this forum (which is irrelevant if it isnt health issues) than his professional life.

How does the 4 kid "stat" make stewart a better pick up than McFadden? I also think stewart is a better pick up, but PLEASE stick with football and not his sexual recreation/procreation.

If his family was truely an issue in the game of football he wouldnt even be a consideration for the first round....let along the the top 10 pick.

You sound like a hater....thats not cool.

[Sperm Edwards]

what in the bloodclot does his four kids have to do with his ability to run inside? Yeah, you're not that he wont be good. You're just saying that you would like to babysit his kids, or be one of them, or maybe you're hating because he has four kids and will have the money to take care of every last one of them (thats a question). He's not the first player to have 4 or more kids. None the less, I hear more about this dudes personal life on this forum (which is irrelevant if it isnt health issues) than his professional life.

How does the 4 kid "stat" make stewart a better pick up than McFadden? I also think stewart is a better pick up, but PLEASE stick with football and not his sexual recreation/procreation.

If his family was truely an issue in the game of football he wouldnt even be a consideration for the first round....let along the the top 10 pick.

You sound like a hater....thats not cool.

Most NFL players with 4 kids are married.

A couple that have no control?

RB Travis Henry

WR Mike Williams