The Oakland Raiders may have loaded up on veterans in the offseason, but that is not swaying the optimism coming from players as offseason workouts begin. With one of the older rosters in the league and the toughest 2014 schedule ahead of them, there could be growing concerns. However, most players believe the postseason is easily attainable and it all starts with the offensive unit.
Marcel Reece has big expectations for 2014. Now a captain this year, he truly believes that the Raiders can make an impact on opposing teams. The fullback credits himself for helping recruit certain free agents both within the Raiders' roster and outside.
"You'd have to look at my phone bill to really see the recruiting I actually did," Reece said, via CSNBayArea.com. "I did a lot. Donald Penn just told me today that he was tired of me texting him two or three times a day."
Reece told reporters that he met with general manger Reggie McKenzie and urged him to use all of the $60 million-plus cap space to sign impact players. The result was a trade for Matt Schaub, signing Maurice Jones-Drew and several defensive veterans including former Giant Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley. Reece is satisfied with all the moves and believes the team is moving towards a championship-style team.
"I do feel he did that," Reece said. "Coming into this free agency, as an organization and as a team and as a leader for myself personally, we weren't looking for any saviors to come here and get in this locker room. We were looking for help. We were looking for help to bring this tradition, the winning attitude and a championship pedigree back to this organization and to the locker room and I think we did that."
Now Reece joins what he believes is the best backfield in the NFL. Darren McFadden re-signed so he and Jones-Drew now create the one-two punch to Raiders are hoping produces results next year. Neither running back was that great on their own over the past two seasons, but together they are certainly motivating one another to improve as they battle for the starting spot. The Raiders will now take their improved backfield, add a rookie wide receiver and hopes that solves some issues moving forward.
