Should Justin Fargas get more PT?
- Thread starter Tony
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http://www.sacbee.com/100/v-print/story/459422.html
Fargas has impact on running game
The back rushes for 61 yards after largely being ignored for two games.
By Jason Jones - [email protected]
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, October 29, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After rushing for 108 yards total in their previous two games, the Raiders had 92 yards on 27 carries against the NFL's top-ranked run defense Sunday.
And Justin Fargas led the way.
Fargas ran for 61 yards on 12 carries in the Raiders' 13-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. After running for a career-high 179 yards in the Raiders' last win, Sept. 30 in Miami, Fargas had 11 yards on three carries in the next two games combined. During that time, the Raiders tried to get Dominic Rhodes, who returned from a four-game suspension following the Miami game, involved while still getting starter LaMont Jordan carries.
Rhodes didn't have a carry Sunday. Jordan had 16 yards on 12 carries.
"That was the plan coming in – we were going to play Justin more," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "We like what Justin brings, and he hadn't had very many opportunities of late. We wanted to give him a shot, and he responded."
Fargas also caught three passes for 36 yards and played a lot late when the Raiders needed help in pass protection.
So after the game it wasn't Jordan, the starter, or Rhodes, the free-agent pickup, who was left to explain what went wrong with the Raiders' offense.
"It's just a thing where you never relax and never lose your edge and concentration," Fargas said, speaking of Raiders penalties. "Everything has to carry over week to week."
That the Raiders for the second week in a row couldn't produce a game-winning drive was a sore spot for Fargas. But based on his play, he might have earned a role late in games.
"That's the type of situation you look forward to as a competitor and as an offense," Fargas said. "You're never out of the game. If you have the ball with some time on the clock at the end of the game, we expect to go out and execute and win it."
Fargas was a third-round pick in 2003 from USC but, with Jordan the primary back and Rhodes' addition, he appeared headed for scant carries and for special-teams duties.
But he made an impression during Rhodes' suspension and is faster than Jordan. And in the last year of his contract, Fargas is making a case that his departure at the end of the season shouldn't be a foregone conclusion.
"I liked him in college, I like watching him, and ... he's very explosive," quarterback Daunte Culpepper said. "He's helping this team. He's a hard worker, and he's a great teammate to play with. We've all got to bring a little bit just like that."
Fargas has impact on running game
The back rushes for 61 yards after largely being ignored for two games.
By Jason Jones - [email protected]
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, October 29, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After rushing for 108 yards total in their previous two games, the Raiders had 92 yards on 27 carries against the NFL's top-ranked run defense Sunday.
And Justin Fargas led the way.
Fargas ran for 61 yards on 12 carries in the Raiders' 13-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. After running for a career-high 179 yards in the Raiders' last win, Sept. 30 in Miami, Fargas had 11 yards on three carries in the next two games combined. During that time, the Raiders tried to get Dominic Rhodes, who returned from a four-game suspension following the Miami game, involved while still getting starter LaMont Jordan carries.
Rhodes didn't have a carry Sunday. Jordan had 16 yards on 12 carries.
"That was the plan coming in – we were going to play Justin more," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "We like what Justin brings, and he hadn't had very many opportunities of late. We wanted to give him a shot, and he responded."
Fargas also caught three passes for 36 yards and played a lot late when the Raiders needed help in pass protection.
So after the game it wasn't Jordan, the starter, or Rhodes, the free-agent pickup, who was left to explain what went wrong with the Raiders' offense.
"It's just a thing where you never relax and never lose your edge and concentration," Fargas said, speaking of Raiders penalties. "Everything has to carry over week to week."
That the Raiders for the second week in a row couldn't produce a game-winning drive was a sore spot for Fargas. But based on his play, he might have earned a role late in games.
"That's the type of situation you look forward to as a competitor and as an offense," Fargas said. "You're never out of the game. If you have the ball with some time on the clock at the end of the game, we expect to go out and execute and win it."
Fargas was a third-round pick in 2003 from USC but, with Jordan the primary back and Rhodes' addition, he appeared headed for scant carries and for special-teams duties.
But he made an impression during Rhodes' suspension and is faster than Jordan. And in the last year of his contract, Fargas is making a case that his departure at the end of the season shouldn't be a foregone conclusion.
"I liked him in college, I like watching him, and ... he's very explosive," quarterback Daunte Culpepper said. "He's helping this team. He's a hard worker, and he's a great teammate to play with. We've all got to bring a little bit just like that."
You're not too smart are you... Jordan and Fargas both had the same amount of carries... Jordan didn't even average 2 yards a carry...while Fargas averaged over 5 yards a carry. It's not hard to figure out... and who said he should start? Although I wouldn't mind seeing him start. But he should be on the field more. Just look at his numbers. The Raiders offense is more explosive when he's in there. He's faster and is just as powerful as Lamont.