RADIO
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said that Darren McFadden will be his team’s starting running back in Week 8. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise after McFadden’s blowout performance in Week 7 against the New York Giants.
McFadden rushed the football 29 times for 152 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. He added two catches for 10 more yards.
The former Oakland Raider has always been considered a freakishly talented player, but he always struggled to stay off the injury report. If he can stay healthy, he’s undoubtedly the best running back on the Cowboys roster. He also helps the team in all aspects of the game including running inside, outside and catching the football.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it doesn’t matter who they start at running back as long as Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden are the only options at quarterback.
McFadden can be considered a solid RB2 against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. The Seahawks defense will likely stack the box and dare Cassel/Weeden to throw the football. If the QB struggles, so will McFadden most likely, but the touches will be there which makes him a viable start.
On the QB front, nothing is expected to change this week for Andrew Luck or the Indianapolis Colts. Despite speculation, RotoBaller believes it's very unlikely that the team decides to fire head coach Chuck Pagano this week.
Maybe it’s the shoulder injury, or maybe defenses have finally figured him out, but Luck has struggled thus far this season. In fact, there is a strong case to be made that the team should start backup Matt Hasselbeck.
But since Luck is the team’s franchise quarterback, all of the blame will fall on Pagano’s shoulders. The Colts have two tough matchups coming up with the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 and the Denver Broncos in Week 9.
If the Colts don’t win either of those games, the team will likely fire Pagano during their Week 10 bye.
Whether the team fires him now or later, Pagano will surely find himself without a job at the end of the season if the team isn’t able to make the playoffs. Even with a playoff appearance, Pagano’s job is likely in jeopardy.
If Luck likes his coach, he needs to get his act together and start showing signs of a future hall of famer instead of doing his best Ryan Leaf impersonation. Consider Luck a QB2 in Week 8 against the tough Panthers defense.
