What's in a number?
It appears Darren McFadden won't be wearing No. 5 in the NFL.
According to Raiders.com, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft will be sporting the No. 20 in the pros.
But after seeing the reaction of NFL draft pundits, analysts, experts, fans, yada, yada, yada, McFadden's new jersey won't please many of them.
Taking a quick peek at grades and analysis of the McFadden selection, as well as various fan sites and message boards, there was one common denominator.
Almost everyone was in agreement, Raiders owner Al Davis apparently sees the next Marcus Allen in the former Arkansas tail back.
So, conventionally, one has to believe 'DMC' would be running in Oakland sporting 32 as a jersey.
Nope, not even close.
Instead of inheriting the history behind 32 -- Allen and another legendary Raider, Jack Tatum donned the jersey, as did goal line specialist full back Zack Crockett more recently -- McFadden will put on the No. 20 on game day.
The two most recent players to proudly sport the number were running backs Justin Fargas (before he switched to No. 25) and Joe Achimandu, and corner back Tory James.
Another suggestion made was to hand McFadden No. 34. No luck there either. Another running back currently wears that number, LaMont Jordan.
The other popular thought was giving McFadden the No. 33. The prevailing notion here was it would put him right between two legendary Raider tailbacks, Allen (32) and Bo Jackson (34). No luck there either. Another rookie, fourth-round pick Tyvon Branch, will be sporting that jersey.
But in the end, what's in a number?
McFadden is 20-years-old, so wearing the No. 20 is only appropriate.
Besides, McFadden is probably seeking to set his own legend in Oakland and being associated with Allen or Jackson with the aforementioned numbers just might compound the already heavy expectations on the rookie tail back as it is.
If he doesn't have one big run in his first official game as an Oakland Raiders -- preseason games hardly counts because he'll probably see time against scrubs anyhow -- the same analysts, pundits, fans, message boards that argued over what number he should wear will be bickering over whether or not McFadden was the truly the right guy with the No. 4 overall selection.