Weekend mail call:
Ryan Aspuria from McKinleyville, Ca. wants to know if the Raiders can keep both Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.
Bill Williamson: Sure, I think that would be the ideal situation. Oakland has to decide if it will put the franchise tag on Bush. If so, Oakland could use him as an insurance policy for the oft-injured McFadden and as a second option or they could trade McFadden. But there are plenty of reasons to believe that the Raiders would want to keep both of them. The Raiders’ running game has and can be special. That’s because of the presence of both running backs.
Tony from Kansas City wants to know who I think will be the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2012.
BW: I think it’s going to be Matt Cassel. I know the Chiefs said he will have competition, but I do think the Chiefs want Cassel to be their guy and they think he will be the guy. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has worked with Cassel in the past and he is a believer in Cassel.
Andrew Barela from Merced, Ca. wants to know if the Raiders could draft Oregon running back LaMichael James.
BW: I think the only way that would happen is if McFadden was traded. Anyway, if that happens, Taiwan Jones would take that role. Because the Raiders don’t have many picks and they have other needs, I really don’t see James fitting in with the Raiders.