The Oakland Raiders have a running back controversy on their hands. Darren McFadden is the starting running back, but his backup, Rashad Jennings, appears to be better. Could the Raiders be making a change at the position after yet another strong game from Jennings? According to McFadden's contract, the answer is yes.
Jennings once again started in place of McFadden who suffered a hamstring injury in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This is just one injury on a long list for McFadden who has yet to stay healthy and play a full season for the Raiders. In his place, Jennings is thriving and looking every bit worthy of the long-term starting position.
The backup running back put up a career-high day against the Houston Texans with 150 yards rushing on 22 carries. He had an 80-yard run that put the finishing touches on the Raiders' win. In his last three games alone, Jennings has 340 yards off 57 carries while averaging 6.0 yards per touch. In comparison, McFadden has 352 yards in seven games. When he is healthy, he will likely take a back seat to Jennings.
"(Jennings has) been a guy we've called on to come in and run the ball and he's done a great job at it,'' Allen said, via the San Mercury News. "As he continues to run the ball like he's doing, he's going to continue to get opportunities to run the ball.''
Jennings effectiveness on the field helped rookie quarterback Matt McGloin look all-world in his first NFL start. The running back helped take the pressure off the quarterback, making people wonder if there was now another quarterback controversy taking over in Oakland. McGloin earned the final roster spot, beating out Tyler Wilson for the backup job. In his first game as a starter, he went 18 for 32 for 197 yards passing and three touchdowns. Is that enough to remain the starter when Terrelle Pryor returns from a knee injury?
"Listen, here's what I'm going to do -- I'm going to enjoy this win, all right," Allen said. "We're going to go back and we'll evaluate. But he definitely did a very good job today."
The Raiders have been searching for a franchise quarterback for years. McGloin's one strong performance does not display enough to bump him up the depth chart as he has struggled with consistency after a spotty preseason and below average performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. As of now, the Raiders will stick with Pryor until a string of bad games gives them reason to consider someone else.
