Scouting the League

After a two-week absence - Scouting the League is back. This week I will take a look at two young players from the AFC West.

JUSTIN FARGAS, Oakland Raiders

Fargas has emerged as one of the most productive running backs in the league with 863 rushing yards and a nifty 4.8 yards per carry average through the first 12 games of the season. Fargas has been terrific lately, running for 285 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks, both wins by Oakland.

Fargas, who was drafted by the Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, began his collegiate career at the University of Michigan and actually played some free safety in 2000, showing his versatile side. The speedy Fargas transferred to USC and capped off his career with a solid season in 2002, being named to the Pac 10 Conference’s second team after sitting out 2001 due to NCAA transfer rules.

Used primarily as a special teams performer and kick returner early in his pro career, Fargas did show flashes of talent as a runner with a 53-yard scamper in his rookie season. After seeing limited action as a runner over his first three years with Oakland, Fargas ran for a career-best 659 yards in 2006, including 169 over the final two games.

Fargas entered this season once again as a backup with LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes ahead of him on the depth chart. Fargas caught his first break in July when Rhodes was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Jordan suffered an injury during the team’s Week 4 game at Miami and Fargas stepped up in a big way with a career-high 179 rushing yards. Both Jordan and Rhodes returned after Oakland’s Week 5 bye and it appeared that Fargas would head back to a reserve role with a total of just three carries in Week 6 and 7. Things changed in Week 8, however, as Fargas showed some impressive skills in a 13-9 loss at Tennessee, running for 61 yards on 12 carries and catching three passes for 36 yards. Since then it has been all Fargas in the running game, recording three 100-yard games and three touchdowns in five starts.

Coming out of college, scouts liked Fargas’ size (6-1, 220) and speed (ran a 4.3 at the combine), but they felt like his instincts and vision were below average. He also had the label of being a “soft” player, lacking power in his game despite ideal size. These are some of the reasons that could help explain why Fargas never really established himself as a premier running back at Michigan and to a lesser degree at USC after a prolific high school career while attending Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, California. The fifth-year back has proven the critics wrong this season, however, breaking many tackles and running with more of a hard-nosed style. In terms of receiving skills, Fargas was never thought of as a solid pass catcher out of the backfield, but he has somewhat improved in that area this season with a career-high 22 receptions for 181 yards.

The Raiders do not excel in many areas as a team, but run blocking is one of them. Fargas has obviously gelled with the offensive line and is ninth in the league in rushing despite starting only five games this season. The next four weeks will be a challenge for Fargas and the running game because Oakland faces solid defensive units in Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville and San Diego. However, considering Fargas is the only running back on the Raiders to receive carries lately and the fact that he is running well, it would be surprising if he did not post at least respectable stats over the final month.

In the long term, Fargas’ status as a top-notch fantasy back is up in the air. The team will probably cut ties with Jordan and Rhodes, but they selected talented youngster Michael Bush in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The rookie from Louisville was a Heisman candidate and potential first round pick before suffering a serious leg injury in the first game of 2006. Bush has not played this year while he recovers from the injury, but one would assume he’ll have a key role in 2008. Depending on how Fargas does down the stretch, the Raiders could also decide to take a running back in next year’s draft, but more than likely Fargas will be the starter entering next season, which means he has significant value as a keeper.

BRANDON MARSHALL, Denver Broncos

In just his second year as a pro, Marshall has become the team’s leading wide receiver and a true big-play threat. Marshall has recorded at least one 30+ yard reception in five of the last six games and has scored from 41 and 68 yards out in two of the last three weeks. For the season, Marshall is ninth in the league in receiving yards and is among the AFC leaders in receptions.

Marshall, who played his college ball at Central Florida, was selected by Denver in the fourth round of last year’s draft. Many felt Marshall was a second-round talent, but he had some “character” issues that may have been a factor in his mini slide in the draft.

Marshall’s rookie year was nothing special, but was highlighted by a couple of nice moments. In a nationally-televised loss to Seattle, Marshall scored on a 71-yard touchdown with most of the yardage coming after the catch. And in late December, Marshall nearly scored on three different drives, finishing with four receptions for 65 yards in a one-point win over Cincinnati.

Playing alongside Javon Walker, big things were expected out of Marshall this season. Both players were productive in the first two weeks before Walker re-injured his surgically repaired knee and had to sit out seven games. Without Walker, Marshall was forced to be the main man in the passing game and has responded with big plays as well as consistency. Marshall has posted 50+ yards in 11 of 12 games this year and has gone over 70 yards in eight of 12.

To say Marshall is a big receiver is an understatement. At 6-4, 230 lbs, Marshall is one of the biggest wide receivers in the league. Broncos’ coach Mike Shanahan actually toyed with the idea of moving Marshall to tight end in his rookie season. Ultimately, Shanahan stuck with Marshall at wide receiver, a good move considering the speed and leaping ability the youngster has. Marshall also possesses good hands and uses them instead of his body to catch passes, although he does drop a few balls from time-to-time because of lack of concentration (trying to run without the ball). Mini Terrell Owens, as some have referred to Marshall, runs extremely well after the catch, but is still not a great route runner. With more experience, Marshall should improve in that area.

Second-year quarterback Jay Cutler has developed a nice rapport with Marshall as the pair hook up on big plays regularly. Cutler has a strong arm, which works out well for Marshall with his ability to make plays down the field. Denver does not face a strong defense over its final four games with the lone exception of San Diego and they’re not as good of a unit as last season. Because of the schedule and his talent, expect Marshall to continue to put up quality numbers with the possibility of a slight bump in his yardage and touchdown output.

The future looks promising for Marshall. Javon Walker has been plagued by knee injuries over the last couple of years so his time as a number one wideout is in question and Brandon Stokley, the team’s other key wide receiver, is more of a complimentary player. The only thing that could hold Marshall back from potential stardom are his off the field issues - he was charged with domestic violence in the spring but the charges were later dropped and as mentioned he had some perceived attitude problems coming out of college. But with Cutler as the team’s quarterback and Marshall’s raw ability, the second-year wideout should post big stats for seasons to come.