If you need a refresher on the rules for the series or a run down of previous match-ups? Here is the rules and history thread:
"Close Calls 2008" - A Sports Outlaw Exclusive
Remember, this is based on re-draft leagues.

Today's Match-up:

Michael Turner, RB, ATL *vs* Darren McFadden, RB, OAK

Last Year's Stats:
Michael Turner - 16 gms - 316 yds - 1 TD's - 4 rec - 16 rec yds - 0 TD
Darren McFadden (college stats) - 13 gms - 1,830 yds - 16 TD's - 21 rec - 164 rec yds - 1 TD

Today's match-up is between two unproven backs who have large expectations in their new roles. Turner is moving to a new team where he moves out of LT's shadow and into the forefront as a starter for the first time. Can he handle the full load? Will he look as good full time as he looked in limited opportunities? McFadden is coming is as one of the more hyped rtookies this year. He was nothing short of dynamic at Arkansas, but can he duplicate his success at the next level? Does Oakland have the supporting cast that will allow him to succeed? Which of these unproven backs will step up to the vast expectations placed upon them? These are just some of the questions you will have to answer in today's close call.

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I look for Turner to be the Thunder and Norwood to be the Lightning. Rushing TD opportunities from short distances in ATL may not occur all that often this year.

D-Mac is going to get every chance, imo, to shake his money maker. I have to wonder if he'll be out there too soon. So many RB's in Oak-Town. So many questions. So much losing. It's like George Costanza's boss Mr. Kruger is in charge.

Good close call.

why choose one, when you can have both instead?

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Hired Guns: Wheaton Thunder
SO CFFL: Royale with Cheese
CFA: Wheaton Thunder

Damn this is a hard choice.

If I HAD to choose one, Turner looks to be in the better situation. DMac could be the second coming of LT, but even LT would be hurt and much less effective behind that line.

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2008 Black Knights Football

Ligaments: Wrecking your fantasy team since 2008

You mean the line that allowed the Raiders to average 130 rushing ypg? Or the line that Fargas ran behind and gained 1000+ yards in less than a full season? Or the line that allowed 31 less sacks than 2 seasons ago?

That line isn't as shaky as everyone thinks it is, Tom Cable has worked wonders. They also got rid of Mr. False Start this offseason as well.

Give me McFadden.

I voted McFranchise myself, and good point about that Raider rushing attack. I can see McFancyDance delivering the goods, but there are so many RB's to spread, like condiments, to lighten Da-BigMacs load.

This may be one of the best Close Calls yet.

I agree with the point about the Raiders line. If Fargas can do what he did last year behind them then DMAC can surely get it done.

That being said I'm still going to pick Turner here. I think this guy has the "chip on the shoulder" syndrome. He's got something to prove. I also think Turner will get more touches than Dmac. It's going to come down to him doing something with them.

Slight edge to Turner.

Kiffin says he is going to work McFadden in slowly, but I think he becomes a significant part of that offense very quickly......






......if Kiffin happens to like his job.

Honestly this is really too tough to call here. If I honestly thought McFadden was the starter from day one, and was going to get all the carries, i would go him. I agree with var8rfan though, I think Fargas will be getting carries early in the season..so McFadden's numbers won't be as high. I still like him in a slight edge over Turner though. Atlanta needs some help yet.

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Expert on nothing, opinionated on everything...

I'm taking McFadden

Wow this is a tough one. I've gotta go with McFadden. Raiders did have a good ground game last year. McFadden's running style kind of worries me.

McFadden is going to run all over the NFL, starting with his rookie year.

That doesn't mean I am against Turner though, although I just can't seem to climb on the bandwagon that has been following him for the past couple seasons.

In the battle of the unproven starters, I will take D-Mac all the way.

I have to go with Turner here. First, he learned from the best back in the NFL, LT. Second, he has played at the NFL level and has played well. I will always take a more proven commodity then an unproven one. And even though Turner hasn't proved himself as a starter, he has proven that he belongs at the NFL level.

Mcfadden is a rookie, meaning everything he accomplished in college means exactly squat. Can he produce at the NFL level? That remains to be seen. Sure, he's talented, but talent alone will not carry you at the NFL level like it will in college. Mcfadden very well could end up being the better choice here, especially late in the season, but Im always going to be wary of taking a rookie over a guy with NFL experience who is just as highly touted.

For me this was an easy choice, McFadden. I like the move to Atlanta to give Turner his shot. It is a good situation with a team that usually runs effectively. But can Turner really handle the load?

Last year Turner was 71 Carries for 316 yards and One TD. He has never carried the ball more than 80 times in one year, they just didn't use him much.

He has a lot of reputation for explosiveness but look at that a little more carefully. He does have a 74yd TD run one year and a 83yd TD very nice highlight reel stuff. Every time he gets in a game you probably get to see a highlight of one of those highlight reels over and over giving you the impression he has been busting big plays all the time for years. Yet what did he actually do in the game you watched? Truth is he has only 6TDs in 4 years. I would love to see him do well and he does have that potential.

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Sports Outlaw Fantasy Football League Champion 2007 - Maelstrom

Give me D-Mac. Atlanta is garbage right now. The Raiders I'd call recycled goods. They're a better team over all and although I like Turner a lot, I can't help but see McFadden have a break out year like AP did in Minnisota.

I will take Turner. Fargas did real well last season, and I feel they will use him plenty this season just to help keep McFadden from hitting the wall. I see them splitting time abunch in the first half and Fargas actually out producing him in the first half before his yearly broken rib injury. Dude seems to be like Pittman, in that he hasn't found a wall thick enough that he didn't think he could run plumb through it.

Nutshell: They will save some early wear and tear on McFadden and reward Fargas for his long and hard service early. Turner will get many more touches overall and has done well with touches in general. By the second half of the season, one will likely wish he had McFadden, but early on and throughout, I feel Turner will be steady.

Tough choice here. If I am looking at this choice as my RB2, I'll take Turner because I feel he is a safer pick to get steady production from. McFadden fumbles a lot and that may limit his touches until he learns to prevent this.

If I am looking at my RB3, I'll take McFadden for his explosive upside alone. I doubt I will take my RB3 in the fourth round, so it looks like he will not be on any of my teams this year. I would rather have Thomas Jones, Edge, or Graham as my RB2 over McFadden. I'll save my gamble picks for later in the draft.