Raiders FB Marcel Reece Simply Did the Job

The history of the Las Vegas Raiders is full of blue-collar players that were great at doing their job while flying under the radar of attention, like fullback Marcel Reece.

The Las Vegas-Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders have had so many great players in their history that many others who have been merely outstanding have been overlooked through the years.

One of those was fullback Marcel Reece.

The 6-1, 250-pound Reece was undrafted out of Washington in 2008 and spent part of that season with the Miami Dolphins after signing as a free agent, and later that year, he joined the Raiders.

Reece didn’t make much of an impression in his first two seasons in Oakland, but in 2010 he became the starting fullback and showed multiple talents by being able to run the ball, catch passes, and block for halfback Darren McFadden, who rushed for 1,157 yards that year.

“I knew he was a weapon (but) I didn’t know exactly how he was going to fit or how he was going to run,” Oakland Coach Dennis Allen said after a few games. “However, he’s done an outstanding job, and as long as he continues to do the things he’s doing, we’ll continue to give him opportunities.

“He’s simply an athlete in a big-man’s body. Yeah his title is fullback, but really he’s a guy who can do it all. He can, when needed, do anything you ask. A guy like that is so valuable on the team.”

During that first season, McFadden made 25 receptions for 333 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 122 yards and one touchdown, in addition to leading the way for McFadden.

It got even better.

In 2012, after a series of injuries to McFadden and backup Mike Goodson, Reece was switched from fullback to running back and rushed for 271 yards while catching 52 passes for 496 yards and one touchdown.

In addition, Reece received the first of four invitations to the Pro Bowl.

The following season, McFadden and backup Rashad Jennings were again limited by injuries, allowing Reece to line up at running back, and he gained 218 yards and scored two touchdowns, in addition to catching 32 passes for 332 yards and two more scores on his way to being selected second-team All-Pro.

“When it really comes down to it, you’re just trying to make plays the way you’re supposed to make plays,” said Reece, who had a career-long 63-yard touchdown run in 2013 against the New York Jets. “It’s about being able to contribute to trying to help your team win and being productive at it.

“None of that other stuff really matters unless you get a W. I don’t care if it’s the number of touches. I don’t care if it’s number of yards or lack thereof. If you’re not winning, it doesn’t matter.”

The 2015 season started well for Reece because after quarterback Derek Carr sustained a hand injury in the opener, backup Matt McGloin came off the bench and threw two touchdown passes to Reece. Still, the Raiders wound up losing to the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, the year didn’t end well as on Dec. 28, 2015, Reece was suspended for four games for violating league policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Reece appealed the suspension because he had an internal chemical reaction to a permitted supplement, but the appeal was denied, and the Raiders released him on Sept. 26, 2016.

“I want to thank Marcel as a player and as a person for all that he has given to the Raiders,” General Manager McKenzie said in a statement. “What he has meant to the organization and to me over the past few years is hard to put into words, but his actions, both on and off the field, speak louder than any words can. This was a tough decision. Not enough can be said about Marcel’s commitment to his teammates and his pride in the Raiders, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

Said Coach Jack Del Rio: “I have a lot of respect for him as a man, a lot of respect for him as a player, I appreciate the effort he gave the Raider organization. Difficult decisions like this come along in this business, and it’s important for Reggie and I to do the things that I think are in the best interest of the organization as we go forward, and this is one of those tough decisions that’s been made.”

Reece, who later served several years in the Raiders front office, played parts of eight seasons in Oakland, rushing for 844 yards and three touchdowns while catching 205 passes for 2,015 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Though Reece wasn’t a star, he was the player you need to make your team successful.

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