Tom Cable addressed the media last week  after OTA.  In his briefing, he said he was impressed by both the running backs, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. 

“I think they’re both doing something exciting each day, whether it’s running the ball or pass protecting,” Cable said. “Each one of them has their own strength but they both show up every time we come out here. I actually think they’re both [No. 1s] and I think it’s a great deal we got going here.”

Earlier this offseason, Cable said he wanted one of the running backs to “grab the job by the horns,” but he now offers a different approach.  Cable appears to be more open to the idea of a running back rotation, like the Raiders tried to do last year until McFadden got hurt, Bush looked fumble prone and Justin Fargas looked like a clear-cut #1 running back.   I believe that the rotation is best for the team.

Look around the NFL; most of the teams do not have that premier back anymore.  The league has evolved into diverse rushing attacks.  LaDainian Tomlinson had Darren Sproles, Adrian Peterson had Chester Taylor, and Ronnie Brown had Ricky Williams.  There is a rare case of teams with only one running back.  The Dallas Cowboys used three backs last year.

So why should the Raiders be any different?

Looking at Oakland’s depth chart, they have Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Rock Cartwright, and Michael Bennett. 

McFadden can turn up the speed on the edges, Bush can pound the middle and also possesses good speed, and Rock Cartwright can be a third and short situational back.  I doubt that Bennett will make the roster past training camp. 

So with all the talent of McFadden and Bush, why wouldn’t Cable and Hue Jackson want to use a rotation?  It makes no sense when the Raiders have these two different talented backs.

If the Raiders use a one-back system, that would decrease their diversity on offense.  McFadden is tackled too easily and would be a poor back to use on power run plays, the running plays being installed by Hue Jackson.  Bush specializes in pounding the interior defense, like Justin Fargas did from 2007 to 2010. 

The last time the Raiders had a backfield as good as the potential of Bush and McFadden, it was Tyrone Wheatley and Charlie  Garner giving the Raiders the NFL’s best offense with Rich Gannon in 2002, with a trip to the Super Bowl. 

I look forward to seeing both Bush and McFadden used frequently in Oakland’s new and improved offense under Hue Jackson.