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"Yeah, I watched it," Bush said during the Raiders' rookie minicamp, which ended Sunday. "At first, I was like, Why do we need another back? It kind of bothered me, but it didn't because he can help us.

"Anytime you can bring in a new weapon on the team, that can help us."

Go ahead and add Bush on that list. He isn't exactly new; he simply feels that way. Bush spent the past three days showing his surgically repaired right leg is dandy as can be expected, as well it should be by now.

He hasn't played football since breaking his leg in the 2006 college season opener. All indications are he'll be ready for the 2008 NFL opener, steel rod and all.

"I think Michael's in a great place right now," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "It was a good challenge for him, for us to have drafted Darren, for him to see that."

Bush's situation doesn't look great from the outside.

Justin Fargas landed a multiyear deal after his 1,000-yard season and McFadden will command serious playing time as a rookie. LaMont Jordan is still around, though the coaching staff keeps neglecting to mention him.

If nothing else, everyone says Bush will get the chance he didn't get last year. Open competition remains the coaching staff's catchphrase. Remember, the Raiders let Fargas came off the bench to overtake Jordan last season.

"I don't care if you were a fourth-round pick, one of the top guys of the SEC (who) ever came out as a runner, if you're Justin Fargas who ran for 1,009 yards," said running backs coach Tom Rathman, who called Bush right after McFadden was drafted to make sure no one took to the ledge.

"Somebody's going to perform for us, and it's going to be at a high level and that's our expectations."

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