McFadden glad draft is over, ready to get on the field

By Steve Ginsburg

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dynamic running Back Darren McFadden is thrilled to become the newest member of the Oakland Raiders and have the draft process in his rear-view mirror.

When the double Heisman Trophy runner-up heard his name called in Saturday's NFL draft, he said his heart was "beating a thousand miles an hour, man".

McFadden was chosen fourth in the draft, the Raiders not scared off by the running back's several arrests outside bars while protecting his brother.

While most of the draft analysts defended his character, clubs are jittery about potential problems like the Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal that tarnished the NFL and left the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback in a Virginia jail.

"It's a long, grueling process," said McFadden, who rushed for at least 100 yards 22 times in 38 games at Arkansas.

"It's something that you're ready to be done with.

"You're just waiting to get somewhere and play football."

McFadden and former Georgia All-American Herschel Walker are the only players in the Southeastern Conference to rush for over 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior.