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Matt Waldman from www.fftoday.com wrote this. He also predicted Ahmad Bradshaw would be a sleeper
Here is his analysis of DMC:
"Darren McFadden, Arkansas: McFadden might be the most difficult player have evaluated for an RSP. His speed and acceleration are better than all but one back in this class. He also played productively during his career while coming off toe surgery and dealing with bruised ribs. When McFadden can run a play as designed, he can break it open for huge gains because of his elite speed. Although he doesn’t make strong lateral moves, he has the ability to bend a run in a direction while running at a high speed. This is a rare ability, but it is still not as effective against a defense as a runner with sharp changes of direction. The problem is this former QB repeatedly demonstrated noticeable deficiencies that I believe will prevent him from making a consistent impact as an NFL runner: falling backward when making direct contact against first and second level defenders because he runs with poor leverage; the tendency for his legs to go dead upon the initial wrap-up; lacking the ability to
change direction with a hard plant and cut; impatience with his blockers; and poor ball
protection techniques. Many people have compared McFadden to Eric Dickerson or Adrian
Peterson, but the only thing McFadden currently shares with these two backs is his speed.
McFadden’s power is actually something worth calling into question. I am not skeptical of his
strength and athleticism. He has plenty of both to be an elite NFL running back. The problem
is his knowledge of how to use it. Any type of power you generate when it comes to delivering
or deflecting a blow comes from the legs and hips. Not only do these body parts have to be
strong, but they also need to be positioned well to transfer energy from your body to your
target. They explain this in more detail on shows that study the physics of martial arts—for
example, National Geographic did a special where they hooked up UFC fighters like Randy
Couture to sensors that measure force and flow of energy throughout the body.
I know it seems a bit like a jump to apply this to a running back, but its not. Think about a
runner heading through the line of scrimmage and they are come face to face with a DT, LB,
or DB greeting them head-on. If the runner’s hips and knees are bent then his shoulders will
have to be leaning forward so he can explode into the contact. When he makes contact, the
energy transfers from his legs in the ground, up his hips, and to the point of contact with the
defender. A great runner has learned through a combination of repetition and intuitive
assimilation of practice and game situations (natural talent) how to subtly change the angle of
contact in close quarters and deliver enough of a blow to at least "shed" the tackle, if not just
knock guy on his butt. This is why a back such as Eddie George who "ran too high" coming out
of college actually was a good NFL player. He was taller than the average back, but he knew
how to lower his shoulders and bend his knees and hips so more times than not he exploded
into contact.
The same can be said with Eric Dickerson. Most people remember his "upright" running style,
but if you watch highlights that don't involve him running through creases untouched for 40-
60 yards and looking like Carl Lewis in pads, you'll see a guy who could get low very quick and
deliver a blow with his shoulders into contact. Adrian Peterson is capable of the same thing. I
never once worried about his upright running style. The guy has monstrously great balance.
When I first thought about comparisons to Peterson vs. McFadden I would watch how
McFadden would get yanked out of bounds by the arm a hit to the hips, or a horse collar and
see right away from the standpoint of balance Peterson is uniquely different--he stayed in
bounds on plays like this all the time (which is what is one of quite a few things special about
his skills). But this also has to do with hip and leg alignment and good use of his strength.
17
When I see McFadden in the hole he gets yanked backwards more than many backs (even
compared to 6-0, 200-lb Felix Smith) in the hole or knocked down on is butt from head-on hits
because his knee bend and hip bend is just not there. How can you tell? Look at his shoulders.
A back like George or Dickerson often ran as if their shoulders were a big hand on a clock
pointed to the number 2 or at worst between the number 1 and number 2. A back like
McFadden is somewhere between the 12 and 1 and never quite at 1. It's why when he gets hit
in the hole he'll fall backwards more than the average NFL-quality prospect. A back like
Edgerrin James, who is unbelievably good at getting low, often gets closer to the number 3
position with his shoulder lean as he is still running forward. You can't do this unless your hips
and knees are bent.
It is not to say that McFadden never lowered his shoulders, but it was generally done in the
open field with a significant running start against a defensive back. To his credit, he will break
some long runs as a situational back because he showed the ability to run the designed
offensive plays at Arkansas to perfection. Arkansas did a terrific job tailoring an offense
around McFadden and Felix Jones by forcing defenses to overplay one and get burned by the
other. SEC defenses have some of the best athletes in the country, especially on defense. But
these fast athletes are used in highly aggressive defenses and they are susceptible to a
glorified counter play with play action that will force them out of position when that play fake
goes to an elite athlete in Jones.
The problems with McFadden show up when he had a reasonably normal freelance opportunity
and he didn’t possess the vision or patience to allow these normal alternatives to develop. I’ve
heard McFadden can catch, but after watching six games over a two-year period, I saw a
runner who dropped easy passes on a consistent basis. Robert Meachem caught a lot of
passes in workouts last year with his hands, but struggled as a rookie in game situations.
Once again, this is why game film is invaluable in telling how a player does when the pads
come on, the fans are screaming, and the veterans are playing with a speed an intensity
they’ve never seen before.
Like Reggie Bush, McFadden will learn that his speed isn’t as much of an advantage in the NFL
as it is in college football. Speaking of Bush, I was very high on the USC back and still believe
he has the skills to live up to the hype if he can stay healthy and stop pressing so hard to
make the big play. In contrast, I think McFadden is more of a project that can develop into a
franchise back if he corrects some serious deficiencies and works his butt off to do so.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown the maturity off the field and football has come rather easy to
him. Having kids out of wedlock or some college bar fights doesn’t make him a hardened
criminal, but I believe the odds are against him to take his work ethic to the level of a
Ladainian Tomlinson or Peyton Manning. And McFadden needs to work this hard to make the
jump or he will most likely disappoint. The one way I could see how his evaluation is off base
is if McFadden’s injuries severely altered his running style and he was generally cruising off his
incredible speed, but I’m skeptical this is the case. My best overall grade of McFadden
indicates he clearly has the talent to contribute in the NFL, but needs a lot of work to be the
primary offensive weapon."
Here is his analysis of DMC:
"Darren McFadden, Arkansas: McFadden might be the most difficult player have evaluated for an RSP. His speed and acceleration are better than all but one back in this class. He also played productively during his career while coming off toe surgery and dealing with bruised ribs. When McFadden can run a play as designed, he can break it open for huge gains because of his elite speed. Although he doesn’t make strong lateral moves, he has the ability to bend a run in a direction while running at a high speed. This is a rare ability, but it is still not as effective against a defense as a runner with sharp changes of direction. The problem is this former QB repeatedly demonstrated noticeable deficiencies that I believe will prevent him from making a consistent impact as an NFL runner: falling backward when making direct contact against first and second level defenders because he runs with poor leverage; the tendency for his legs to go dead upon the initial wrap-up; lacking the ability to
change direction with a hard plant and cut; impatience with his blockers; and poor ball
protection techniques. Many people have compared McFadden to Eric Dickerson or Adrian
Peterson, but the only thing McFadden currently shares with these two backs is his speed.
McFadden’s power is actually something worth calling into question. I am not skeptical of his
strength and athleticism. He has plenty of both to be an elite NFL running back. The problem
is his knowledge of how to use it. Any type of power you generate when it comes to delivering
or deflecting a blow comes from the legs and hips. Not only do these body parts have to be
strong, but they also need to be positioned well to transfer energy from your body to your
target. They explain this in more detail on shows that study the physics of martial arts—for
example, National Geographic did a special where they hooked up UFC fighters like Randy
Couture to sensors that measure force and flow of energy throughout the body.
I know it seems a bit like a jump to apply this to a running back, but its not. Think about a
runner heading through the line of scrimmage and they are come face to face with a DT, LB,
or DB greeting them head-on. If the runner’s hips and knees are bent then his shoulders will
have to be leaning forward so he can explode into the contact. When he makes contact, the
energy transfers from his legs in the ground, up his hips, and to the point of contact with the
defender. A great runner has learned through a combination of repetition and intuitive
assimilation of practice and game situations (natural talent) how to subtly change the angle of
contact in close quarters and deliver enough of a blow to at least "shed" the tackle, if not just
knock guy on his butt. This is why a back such as Eddie George who "ran too high" coming out
of college actually was a good NFL player. He was taller than the average back, but he knew
how to lower his shoulders and bend his knees and hips so more times than not he exploded
into contact.
The same can be said with Eric Dickerson. Most people remember his "upright" running style,
but if you watch highlights that don't involve him running through creases untouched for 40-
60 yards and looking like Carl Lewis in pads, you'll see a guy who could get low very quick and
deliver a blow with his shoulders into contact. Adrian Peterson is capable of the same thing. I
never once worried about his upright running style. The guy has monstrously great balance.
When I first thought about comparisons to Peterson vs. McFadden I would watch how
McFadden would get yanked out of bounds by the arm a hit to the hips, or a horse collar and
see right away from the standpoint of balance Peterson is uniquely different--he stayed in
bounds on plays like this all the time (which is what is one of quite a few things special about
his skills). But this also has to do with hip and leg alignment and good use of his strength.
17
When I see McFadden in the hole he gets yanked backwards more than many backs (even
compared to 6-0, 200-lb Felix Smith) in the hole or knocked down on is butt from head-on hits
because his knee bend and hip bend is just not there. How can you tell? Look at his shoulders.
A back like George or Dickerson often ran as if their shoulders were a big hand on a clock
pointed to the number 2 or at worst between the number 1 and number 2. A back like
McFadden is somewhere between the 12 and 1 and never quite at 1. It's why when he gets hit
in the hole he'll fall backwards more than the average NFL-quality prospect. A back like
Edgerrin James, who is unbelievably good at getting low, often gets closer to the number 3
position with his shoulder lean as he is still running forward. You can't do this unless your hips
and knees are bent.
It is not to say that McFadden never lowered his shoulders, but it was generally done in the
open field with a significant running start against a defensive back. To his credit, he will break
some long runs as a situational back because he showed the ability to run the designed
offensive plays at Arkansas to perfection. Arkansas did a terrific job tailoring an offense
around McFadden and Felix Jones by forcing defenses to overplay one and get burned by the
other. SEC defenses have some of the best athletes in the country, especially on defense. But
these fast athletes are used in highly aggressive defenses and they are susceptible to a
glorified counter play with play action that will force them out of position when that play fake
goes to an elite athlete in Jones.
The problems with McFadden show up when he had a reasonably normal freelance opportunity
and he didn’t possess the vision or patience to allow these normal alternatives to develop. I’ve
heard McFadden can catch, but after watching six games over a two-year period, I saw a
runner who dropped easy passes on a consistent basis. Robert Meachem caught a lot of
passes in workouts last year with his hands, but struggled as a rookie in game situations.
Once again, this is why game film is invaluable in telling how a player does when the pads
come on, the fans are screaming, and the veterans are playing with a speed an intensity
they’ve never seen before.
Like Reggie Bush, McFadden will learn that his speed isn’t as much of an advantage in the NFL
as it is in college football. Speaking of Bush, I was very high on the USC back and still believe
he has the skills to live up to the hype if he can stay healthy and stop pressing so hard to
make the big play. In contrast, I think McFadden is more of a project that can develop into a
franchise back if he corrects some serious deficiencies and works his butt off to do so.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown the maturity off the field and football has come rather easy to
him. Having kids out of wedlock or some college bar fights doesn’t make him a hardened
criminal, but I believe the odds are against him to take his work ethic to the level of a
Ladainian Tomlinson or Peyton Manning. And McFadden needs to work this hard to make the
jump or he will most likely disappoint. The one way I could see how his evaluation is off base
is if McFadden’s injuries severely altered his running style and he was generally cruising off his
incredible speed, but I’m skeptical this is the case. My best overall grade of McFadden
indicates he clearly has the talent to contribute in the NFL, but needs a lot of work to be the
primary offensive weapon."
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