Talented running back Darren McFadden is itching to prove himself in the NFL after being chosen by the Oakland Raiders as the fourth choice in the 2008 draft.

Arkansas rusher McFadden is a double Heisman Trophy runner-up but there had been doubts over him after several arrests outside bars in the past.

With Michal Vick’s incarceration NFL teams are looking into player temperaments and lifestyles just as much as their on-field ability to avoid any such repeat.

McFadden has insisted though he will not stray the wrong side of the law again and the Raiders were not put off as he was chosen as the fourth overall draft choice.

With the doubts surrounding him McFadden, who rushed for at least 100 yards 22 times in 38 games at Arkansas, was just delighted to get the draft over with.

Gruelling

“It’s a long, gruelling process,” said McFadden. “It’s something that you’re ready to be done with.

“You’re just waiting to get somewhere and play football.”

McFadden and former Georgia All-American Herschel Walker are the only players in the Southeastern Conference to rush for over 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Oakland is well stacked with running backs but Raiders coaches have told McFadden they expect him to provide some big plays to improve on their record of 4-12 in 2007.

“The time I talked to the Raiders coaching staff, they told me they’re missing a playmaker from their offense,” he said.

“I feel I can add that with my big-play ability.”

Young guns

McFadden believes he can combine with last year’s number one pick, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, to drive a new young Raiders offence.

“Two young guys in the backfield, a guy like JaMarcus Russell and me, it will be a great thing back there,” he said.

“Both of us, coming out of the SEC (Southeastern Conference), we’ve played against good teams.

“And it’s something that we want to carry over to the NFL so I feel we can be a great asset for them.”

Ref: www.skysports.com