The Oakland Raiders released running back Dominic Rhodes Monday, one year after signing him as a free agent.
Shocking? Not really.
Rhodes played well in the Indianapolis Colts' run to a Super Bowl two seasons ago, but this is the type of thing that happens when teams sign runners from other teams in free agency.
It doesn't work. Smart teams draft their running backs. They don't sign backs with wear and tear.
The Raiders drafted Darren McFadden Saturday with the fourth pick in the draft, helping to expedite the process of getting Rhodes out of town. They needed to release Rhodes for cap reasons., but production was the main reason. Rhodes rushed for 302 yards last season for the Raiders, missing the first four games for violating the leageu's substance-abuse program.
In addition to McFadden, the Raiders still have Justin Fargas, their leading rusher last season, LaMont Jordan, who might not be far behind Rhodes out the door, and Michael Bush as their backs.
Rhodes ran for 113 yards in the Colts' Super Bowl victory over the Chcago Bears two seasons ago, which made him some money in Oakland. As it turns out, this was corner Larry Brown all over again for the Raiders, a knee-jerk reaction to a good Super Bowl.
When will these teams learn?
