This is the time of year to experiment, or at least to see if an idea is disastrous enough to not waste training camp time on.
So the Raiders gave running back Darren McFadden a chance to return kickoffs today in OTAs, via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com.
McFadden’s role as a runner figured to be reduced at least somewhat this year by the addition of veteran Maurice Jones-Drew.
But McFadden’s role is annually reduced by McFadden, as the former first-rounder hasn’t played a 16-game season yet. He hasn’t returned a kick or a punt in an NFL game in his career.
He has the requisite speed to be a dynamic returner, but there’s nothing in his resume that speaks to such a move making him more durable.