NAPA - LaMont Jordan's status with the Raiders was a question mark much of the spring until he agreed to a pay cut to stay with the team.
Then the Raiders drafted Michael Bush. They also signed Dominic Rhodes.
And during training camp, Adimchinobe Echemandu has been the surprise of camp, according to coach Lane Kiffin. Echemandu has looked the best among all the backs in camp.
But Jordan, he's been in and out of practice with a bad back. It bothered him last season, too.
Jordan sat out Saturday's practice and was out today. Kiffin said there's still the preseason to evaluate veterans, but one has to wonder what Kiffin is thinking about Jordan.
Kiffin loves to say "everything you do counts" and right now there isn't a lot on the field that counts for Jordan during training camp.
The team would take a cap hit letting Jordan go. Also, there's Rhodes four-game suspension to start the season.
Would Kiffin be comfortable with Echemandu and Justin Fargas as his top-2 tailbacks going into the season?
I wouldn't put it past him.
As of now, Jordan hasn't done enough things that count on the field to be the unquestioned No. 1 running back. Jordan would tell you he is the starter.
Kiffin said if there was a game to be played, Jordan could play, balky back withstanding.
There's a game coming up - the preseason opener at home against Arizona this Saturday.
That would be a nice time for Jordan to show Kiffin he can show up when it counts.
--Jason Jones
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