New twist for Fargas: He's established as starter
New twist for Fargas: He's established as starter
Jake Curtis, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, August 21, 2008
(08-20) 18:32 PDT -- The Raiders' starting offense will get extensive playing time in Saturday's third preseason game against the Cardinals - with one notable exception.
That would be Justin Fargas, who, despite limited playing time during the preseason and the presence of Darren McFadden, is entrenched as the Raiders' No. 1 running back.
In the first two preseason games, Fargas had only eight carries, tied for the fourth most on the team, for only 28 yards, which is sixth on the Raiders.
Coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday that Fargas won't play much Saturday, either, even though quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the rest of the Oakland offense are expected to play through the first half and perhaps into the second.
Fargas is healthy, but Kiffin said he already knows what Fargas can do, which is why McFadden, Michael Bush and Adimchinobe Echemandu will get most of the preseason work at running back.
It's an unfamiliar situation for Fargas, who has not been anointed as a starter in preseason since his high school days.
"It's a little different, but the approach is the same," Fargas said. "I'm just ready for the games to count. I kind of wish I could play the whole game, but I understand."
He struggled for playing time during his three seasons at Michigan and started four games as a senior at USC, splitting time with Sultan McCullough. He was not a regular starter in the NFL until last season, when he began as the third-string running back but won the starting job at midseason. He started seven games, collected 1,009 yards and was rewarded with a three-year, $12 million contract in February.
"Everyone wants that financial security," said Fargas, 28, who is in his sixth NFL season, "but I feel young and that I'm improving."
The running-back stable has been remade since he signed. McFadden was the fourth overall pick in the draft, and LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes, the two players ahead of Fargas on the depth chart last preseason, were released.
Fargas was not surprised when McFadden was drafted. Fargas said he did not worry about how it might affect his playing time.
"I didn't look at it like that," he said. "I looked at it as him complementing what we have."
Although many thought McFadden would displace Fargas as the starter, it has not happened.
Kickers out: Kiffin said that neither punter Shane Lechler (quadriceps) nor kicker Sebastian Janikowksi (hamstring) will play Saturday. Wide receiver Arman Shields (knee), linebacker Grant Irons (back) and cornerback John Bowie (knee) are not expected to play either, and safety Hiram Eugene (hip) is questionable.
Davis on scene: Raiders managing general partner Al Davis watched practice from the sideline for a while Wednesday. Kiffin has suggested in recent days that some things he would like to do regarding personnel moves are beyond his control, an allusion to Davis' control.
Receiver blues: Kiffin challenged his receivers to be more productive, but he was not satisfied Wednesday.
"We probably had seven drops today," he said, "and a lot of them were with our frontline guys."
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