By the end of next week, Darren McFadden is going to be the richest man in the world with "Arkansas Bred" tattooed on his abs (until I win the lottery, at least). But the big question is, which team will draft him?

A lot of mock drafts have him going to the Oakland Raiders, who have the fourth overall pick. On that subject, allow me to say this directly to Mr. McFadden:

D-Dawg, I live in Oakland. It gets a bad rap, but it's actually a really nice place (as long as you stay out of the deadlier areas). It's got great year-round weather, a thriving arts and music scene, a diverse community, good restaurants, nice neighborhoods, etc. But, I have to ask to you to do whatever you can NOT to get drafted by the Raiders.

I read on your blog how you had a good visit with the team recently. That's cool, but trust me on this - that organization is the worst one in professional sports. It's where promising careers go to die. So, as much as I'd like to be able to invite you over for weekend BBQs and the like, I think it's in your best interest to play elsewhere. I promise you, the ridiculous dramas they have here make anything you went through with Houston Nutt seem as small potatoes as our nonconference schedule last year.

So please, even if Al Davis acts nice and backs up the money truck, use that 4.33 speed to run the other way. Tell him you're going to be hanging out every shady piano bar in town. Do what you have to do. You'll be glad you did.

Thanks,
John

P.S. You're still invited over for BBQs whenever your future team plays the Raiders, of course.