Kory Sheets talks about getting opportunity in Oakland

Dec 27, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; General view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at press conference at Oakland Raiders Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After winning the 2013 Grey Cup MVP as the hero of the Saskatchewan Roughriders championship win in front of 45, 000 home fans as Grey Cup hosts, Kory Sheets career seemed to be at an all-time high since he left the NFL ranks after his first NFL stint flamed out after a successful college career at Purdue.

That Grey Cup performance as well as two straight impressive 1,000 plus yard rushing seasons earned Sheets workouts with the Indianapolis Colts as well as the Raiders who on Wednesday made the former Roughrider an NFL player for the second time in his career.

“It’s a dream come true,” Sheets told Regina radio station CJME’s the Green Zone on Thursday in one of his first public interviews since the news of his signing with the Raiders became official.

When asked about why he chose Oakland, Sheets mentioned that it wasn’t about the money and more about the promise to get a chance to prove himself as an offensive player in the NFL. After being told by the Raiders front office he would get a fair shot Sheets felt it was a no brainer to sign with Oakland.

“They would give me the opportunity to earn a spot and play on the offence and not just be camp body,” said Sheets.

When asked about how he will thank his teammates, particularly his offensive line Sheets said that he plans on giving back to his former Rider teammates up North even if he might wait until he is officially on the Raiders final roster after the preseason.

“Especially if I made the team, I’ve been talking to the (offensive line) all off season about showing my appreciation,” he said. “I’m going to do something for them if I make the team and show them I appreciate them.”

“It’s kind of expensive, I want to make sure my books are in order before I go ahead and do it,” said Sheets.

It will be interesting to see how much of an opportunity Sheets gets at training camp when the time comes, currently it looks as if the Raiders can promise him more than a fair shot to make the team as he will be competing with Latavius Murray who missed his rookie season due to injury in 2013. Assuming Darren McFadden parts ways with the team this offseason as an unrestricted free agent Sheets will be competing with Murray and whatever draft picks/free agents are brought in for the role behind (currently unrestricted free agent) Rashad Jennings at running back. If Sheets can continue his career revival by making the next step to returning to playing at the NFL level he will definitely be more than just a camp body come the time the 2014 Raiders are assembled during the preseason.