Jordan ready to back up before he can start again

ALAMEDA – It’s all about a New York state of mind for LaMont Jordan.

Before joining the Raiders, Jordan was Curtis Martin’s backup with the New York Jets. After missing reads in the running game and suffering lapses in pass protection, he’s a backup again.

He said having his carries reduced, being benched and last year’s knee injury have affected him mentally and kept him from playing to his capabilities.

“I just have to get back to being the back that I was when I was in New York,” Jordan said. “And what better way to get back to the back I was in New York than to get back to where I was in New York, and that’s the backup.”

Jordan was on his way to a career-best season before leaving in the second quarter of the Raiders’ fourth game, in Miami, with a back injury.

He still leads the team with 521 rushing yards, but only 97 have come in the last four games. He had season lows of four carries and 10 yards in the Raiders’ last game against Houston. Starter Justin Fargas has 437 yards this season, including 104 against the Texans.

Jordan doesn’t like being on the bench – or finding out on game day against Tennessee he would have a reduced role – but blames himself.

“I’m more so not upset with (coach Lane) Kiffin or the coaching staff,” Jordan said. “I’m more upset for allowing it to even get to this.”

Jordan must now try to win back the starting job on limited carries.

“I think I can be as good as my mind allows me to be,” he said.

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