Goodson gearing to back up McFadden

ALAMEDA -- Mike Goodson knows the deal, and, frankly, he's fine with it, this whole gearing-up-to-back-up-a-star-player role.And why not? His time could come at any moment.No disrespect, but using the past-is-prologue model when it comes to the Raiders and Darren McFadden, it's not a question of if the running back gets hurt and misses time, but rather, when.After all, McFadden has missed at least three games in each of his first four NFL seasons, including nine games last year. In all, Run DMC has limped across the finish line and has already missed 16 games, the equivalent of an entire season, due to injury. And while Oakland could always depend upon Michael Bush to spell McFadden, that is no longer the case. Not with Bush signing a free-agent contract with Chicago.No, Goodson is prepping for the role of McFadden's at-the-ready backup after being acquired in a March 30 trade with Carolina for offensive lineman Bruce Campbell.And, oh yeah, Goodson, whose skill set more closely resembles McFadden's hybrid talents than the power back that is Bush, is himself coming off an injury-marred season. Goodson appeared in just four games in 2011 and was on Injured Reserve after severely tearing a hamstring. Injuries aside, the Raiders' new offense should create more than enough opportunities for guys coming out of the backfield, and that includes similar second-year back Taiwan Jones."Definitely," Goodson said. "In this offense youre definitely going to need more than one guy. Darrens a great back. Ive been watching film on him since Ive been here. The things that he does with the ball are amazing, but definitely, to have another guy that can run the ball will be good."A fourth-round draft pick of the Panthers out of Texas A&M in 2009, Goodson had a breakout second season in carrying the ball 103 times for 452 yards (a 4.4-yards per carry average) and three touchdowns while catching 40 passes for 310 yards. He also returned 47 kickoffs for 1,034 yards."Good athlete," Raiders rookie coach Dennis Allen said of Goodson. "Has some speed, some running skill, been really impressed with him. From the mental standpoint, hes done a nice job. Obviously, I think theres something to work with with him."Cutting down on his fumbles -- he had five in 2010 -- would be one thing to work on, and staying healthy -- remember that hammy? -- would be another.Last year, the 6-foot, 210-pounder only got on the field for four games, and never ran the ball. He caught one pass and returned 11 kickoffs.I came in with a lot of high expectations for myself," Goodson said. "We got in and I didnt play as much as I wanted to and then I got hurt. So that really crushed my whole season. But Im back now and ready to go, feeling great.And the West Coast offense predicated upon a zone-blocking scheme the Raiders have been running through two OTA's is like nothing Goodson experienced in Carolina."Its different," he said. "You really see the holes and how they open up and really the room youre going to get to run in this offense.I love it. I love it. Its fast, its open, weve got the zone working. Its kind of like a one cut-and-go deal. I think it plays to my advantages. Get in there and make one move and get up field, use your speed."He did not always feel that way, though. When he was first told about the trade to Oakland, he might have used said speed to run the other way.To tell you the truth, I was worried about it," he said. "I was worried about coming all the way out here, the climate change, the difference in time. But its been pretty good. I think just getting those couple of years under my belt, coming over here now I feel like Ive seen it before, I know it.I think I welcomed it as easy as you can. Im a competitor, so I felt like I was competing against those guys there. You always get that feeling. But coming here, they welcomed me with open arms, and its an opportunity, and Im loving it."The reception he received on social media channels has also made the transition easier.Ive never seen nothing like it," he said. "Ive never seen nothing like the Oakland Raider fans."And with McFadden's injury history, those same fans might see more of Goodson than even they expected.