Oakland Raiders Sign Maurice Jones-Drew
Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans safety Bernard Pollard (31) during the game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Late Thursday evening, CSNBayArea.com’s Scott Bair broke the story that Maurice Jones-Drew is now an Oakland Raider. It was later confirmed that MJD would participate in a team physical Friday, today, to ensure he meets all the requirements. As long as he checks out, MJD will be an Oakland Raider.
The Oakland/Concord, CA, native grew up in and around the Raider Nation and the Oakland Raiders organization. As a matter of fact, the Raiders were his favorite team when he was a boy. When he graduated from De La Salle High School in 2003, he attended and played college football at UCLA. MJD opted to leave college in his junior year in order to pursue his NFL career. In 2006, MJD was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round.
Told many times throughout his career that he was too small to play football, MJD has racked up an impressive 8,071 rushing yards with 68 touchdowns. Pocket Hercules, as he is known in the NFL world, has now come home to finish out his career with the Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders team was in desperate need of a proven running back to compliment Darren McFadden. MJD will definitely help to extend the life of both himself and McFadden by operating in a running back by committee type offensive scheme. Let’s face it, it will probably be the only way to keep DMac and MJD healthy for the entire season. Factor in the return of 2013 NFL Draft prospect Latavius Murray, and there will be plenty of time off for each of them.
This also bodes very well for the passing game. This will allow Matt Schaub to execute play action passes in order to keep drives alive. Although this is all just speculation as to the overall health and productivity of both DMac and MJD, I like the move and it adds depth. MJD is entering his 9th season now, but I think he can still get it done and help the Raiders to advance the football.