Angry Pope
All Raider
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2006
- Messages
- 8,458
- Reaction score
- 546
Fearless Fargas
July 11, 2006
Fourth-year Oakland Raiders running back Justin Fargas, 26, is preparing to enter the 2006 season determined to work hard to reach his goals as well as the team's. Fargas was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft and has played in 35 games since entering the League.
Fargas grew up in Los Angeles where he starred at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He began his football career at the University of Michigan and later transferred to University of Southern California for his final season before being drafted to the Oakland Raiders in 2003. Fargas, 6'1", 220 pounds, is known for his speed, explosive running style, and the ability to find a hole.
Fargas was considered one of the nation's top running backs out of high school. He was named Parade All-American, USA Today All-USA first team, All-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division III Offensive MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Valley MVP, Los Angeles Daily News All Valley MVP and All-Mission League MVP. In college, Sports Illustrated named Fargas as one of the Top 10 Freshmen in the country.
During his final season at USC, he ran for 715 yards on 161 carries with seven touchdowns, caught eight passes for 101 yards, and returned seven kickoffs for 132 yards. Fargas was named to the 2002 All-Pac 10 second team. Fargas has now played in 21 league games with the Raiders. In two seasons he has rushed for 329 yards on 75 carries and caught 13 passes for 70 yards. He is also seen as a valuable contributor on special teams returning 16 kickoffs for 315 yards and recording 11 tackles in coverage.
His fearlessness is what he claims as his strongest quality. "I'm fearless because of my drive to be successful, I won't stop until I reach my goal," said Fargas. Although, being fearless has its qualities, Fargas claims it can work against him at times. On the field, teammates have noticed his anger when he runs, coaches have said he is reckless with the ball, and he feels that sometimes instead of avoiding contact he looks for it. "Sometimes I need to take a different approach and be more allusive," he said. When asked about his injuries, Fargas laughed and said, "My first two years slowed me up, last year I was healthy, and right now I feel like I'm 18 years old again."
The best part of being an Oakland Raider for Fargas is just that, being a Raider. Growing up in Los Angeles, the Raiders was his favorite team and one he followed. "I always liked the mystique about the Raiders even though we're hated in a lot of places, when you say 'Oakland Raiders,' it's different than saying any other NFL team," he said. The fans, the tradition, and the history of the team are what Fargas value the most.
Since Fargas has become a Raider his favorite memory is that he has been to be able to work with legends like WRs Tim Brown and Jerry Rice, and FS Rod Woodson. Today, he is grateful to be able to work with exceptional players like WR Randy Moss and DT Warren Sapp. According to Fargas, every day, being a part of the Raiders is like a dream come true, therefore every day is a good memory.
This season he feels that the team chemistry has been the best since he joined the Raiders. A reason for this, he feels, is that the team is working hard to push each other and that the new coaching staff has given the team a new outlook. "We are coming together as a cohesive unit with one goal in mind and that is to win," Fargas said.
Contributing to the best of his ability to help the team is Fargas' Commitment to Excellence on the field. "Off the field, just being a good person, representing my family well, and taking care of my responsibilities," he said.
To prepare for the upcoming season Fargas is paying close attention to detail. He feels that drills practiced on the field, working out, and watching films to understand defenses more, helps him develop the aspects of the game he needs to improve. "I want to be a part of a Super Bowl-winning team," said Fargas. "Contributing to the offense and being the most productive running back on the field and in the NFL is my goal this year."
July 11, 2006
Fourth-year Oakland Raiders running back Justin Fargas, 26, is preparing to enter the 2006 season determined to work hard to reach his goals as well as the team's. Fargas was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft and has played in 35 games since entering the League.
Fargas grew up in Los Angeles where he starred at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He began his football career at the University of Michigan and later transferred to University of Southern California for his final season before being drafted to the Oakland Raiders in 2003. Fargas, 6'1", 220 pounds, is known for his speed, explosive running style, and the ability to find a hole.
Fargas was considered one of the nation's top running backs out of high school. He was named Parade All-American, USA Today All-USA first team, All-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division III Offensive MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Valley MVP, Los Angeles Daily News All Valley MVP and All-Mission League MVP. In college, Sports Illustrated named Fargas as one of the Top 10 Freshmen in the country.
During his final season at USC, he ran for 715 yards on 161 carries with seven touchdowns, caught eight passes for 101 yards, and returned seven kickoffs for 132 yards. Fargas was named to the 2002 All-Pac 10 second team. Fargas has now played in 21 league games with the Raiders. In two seasons he has rushed for 329 yards on 75 carries and caught 13 passes for 70 yards. He is also seen as a valuable contributor on special teams returning 16 kickoffs for 315 yards and recording 11 tackles in coverage.
His fearlessness is what he claims as his strongest quality. "I'm fearless because of my drive to be successful, I won't stop until I reach my goal," said Fargas. Although, being fearless has its qualities, Fargas claims it can work against him at times. On the field, teammates have noticed his anger when he runs, coaches have said he is reckless with the ball, and he feels that sometimes instead of avoiding contact he looks for it. "Sometimes I need to take a different approach and be more allusive," he said. When asked about his injuries, Fargas laughed and said, "My first two years slowed me up, last year I was healthy, and right now I feel like I'm 18 years old again."
The best part of being an Oakland Raider for Fargas is just that, being a Raider. Growing up in Los Angeles, the Raiders was his favorite team and one he followed. "I always liked the mystique about the Raiders even though we're hated in a lot of places, when you say 'Oakland Raiders,' it's different than saying any other NFL team," he said. The fans, the tradition, and the history of the team are what Fargas value the most.
Since Fargas has become a Raider his favorite memory is that he has been to be able to work with legends like WRs Tim Brown and Jerry Rice, and FS Rod Woodson. Today, he is grateful to be able to work with exceptional players like WR Randy Moss and DT Warren Sapp. According to Fargas, every day, being a part of the Raiders is like a dream come true, therefore every day is a good memory.
This season he feels that the team chemistry has been the best since he joined the Raiders. A reason for this, he feels, is that the team is working hard to push each other and that the new coaching staff has given the team a new outlook. "We are coming together as a cohesive unit with one goal in mind and that is to win," Fargas said.
Contributing to the best of his ability to help the team is Fargas' Commitment to Excellence on the field. "Off the field, just being a good person, representing my family well, and taking care of my responsibilities," he said.
To prepare for the upcoming season Fargas is paying close attention to detail. He feels that drills practiced on the field, working out, and watching films to understand defenses more, helps him develop the aspects of the game he needs to improve. "I want to be a part of a Super Bowl-winning team," said Fargas. "Contributing to the offense and being the most productive running back on the field and in the NFL is my goal this year."