Ex-Colt Rhodes likes Raiders' running style
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Dominic Rhodes started and came off the bench effectively as a running back for the Indianapolis Colts. The free-agent acquisition's preference with the Oakland Raiders is simple.
"Getting the ball," Rhodes said earlier this week at the team's voluntary mini-camp. "I just want to get the ball and make plays. As long as that's happening, I'm cool with it because I feel like the more I'm touching the ball, the more plays I can make."
Rhodes said the Oakland Raiders' offense fits him "perfectly" — even if he does not start.
Rhodes also is getting acquainted with being a receiving threat. "They're going to put me in a lot of situations where I'm matched up with linebackers and safeties and make plays," Rhodes said.
Running backs were part of the passing game for the Colts (Rhodes had 36 catches last season). But Peyton Manning is that offense's centerpiece. And his job is to get the ball to Pro Bowl receivers Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison.
The Oakland Raiders plan to make the running game reign supreme this season, which is fine with Rhodes.
"Teams played us in a lot of cover two in Indy because we were more of a passing team," Rhodes said. "Here we're going to be a running team, so they'll have guys in the box and it'll leave running backs one-on-one on the outside with people to make big plays."
Rhodes knows if he does that, it won't matter if he starts because he'll do plenty of finishing.
As for who will be quarterbacking Rhodes' new unit, coach Lane Kiffin so far likes rookie JaMarcus Russell's performance. With Andrew Walter out with a knee injury, JaMarcus Russell splits snaps with Josh McCown.
"He really performed well, and you saw a take-charge side of him in the huddle," Kiffin said. "Everybody else was off the field besides me, and I could really feel him in the huddle. He was really good."
McCown, meanwhile, continues to be the steady veteran. "Very accurate, very great decision-maker," Kiffin said.
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