Jordan’s reps, days with Oakland may be cut short

By Anthony Carroll  |   Friday, November 02, 2007  |  Comments( 52 )

Oakland Raiders
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan began the season as one of the NFL's hottest running backs. Now, his team may be turning cold on him.

The 28-year-old halfback ran for over 400 yards and pair of touchdowns in his first four games with Oakland this season. Since Week 4, however, when the 230-pounder re-aggravated a longtime back injury, Jordan has carried the ball 41 times for just 83 yards in three outings, an atrocious 2.0 yards per attempt.

Now, things just continue to get worse.

This week, head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters he'd like to see less of Jordan and more of 27-year-old backup Justin Fargas, who rushed for 179 yards in relief of Jordan in Week 4 at Miami and last week led the team with 61 yards on the ground. Whether Jordan feels healthy or not, Kiffin has made it clear he likes what he sees in Fargas.

"That was the plan coming in: we were going to play Justin more," Kiffin told the Sacramento Bee earlier this week. "We like what Justin brings, and he hadn't had very many opportunities of late. We wanted to give him a shot."

Last week at Tennessee, Fargas rushed just as many times as Jordan, but registered 45 more yards. This week, in a home contest with the 3-5 Texans, don't be surprised if Fargas begins and ends the game as the team's starter.

Even worse for Jordan, it's not just Fargas he has to worry about.

Ex-Indianapolis Colts running back Dominic Rhodes returned from a four-game suspension a month ago and will certainly become an increasing factor in the backfield. The 28-year-old has rushed for just 21 yards on nine carries this season, but you'd better expect the Raiders to find a way to use a player they invested two years and $7.5 million in.

That means Jordan not only has to fend off Fargas for the starting position -- a battle he may have already lost -- but also struggle with Rhodes for carries.

After this Sunday, things may become a bit clearer.

It hasn't been announced -- and may never be -- but Fargas, whether he starts or not, will likely take most of the reps on the ground for the Raiders. With Rhodes also in the equation, Jordan may spend the bulk of Sunday on the bench.

And with the arrival of rookie Michael Bush off the Non-Football Injury list earlier this week, this all makes for a very hazy long-term future for Jordan with the team that signed him in the offseason of 2005.

Bush, a fourth-round pick, walked into his team's Alameda, Calif., practice facility on Wednesday expecting to put together yet another personal workout. According to San Francisco Chronicle writer David White, however, Kiffin "popped the question Bush hadn't heard in more than a year: 'You feel like practicing today?'"

Bush practiced, joining Jordan, Rhodes and Fargas in the backfield.

It was a bit crowded. Though, it may not remain that way for too long.

Kiffin has 21 days to decide whether he'd like to activate Bush to the 53-man roster or release him. After Sunday's home game with the Texans, though, it may become a bit clearer what Kiffin is planning on doing.

He might cut someone, but it probably won't be Bush.

Don't be shocked to see LaMont Jordan's days with the Raiders end earlier than expected.

Anthony Carroll, a senior writer for RealFootball365.com, can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (52)

About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report