Oakland Raiders RB Roy Helu Jr. Excited to Play for Bill Musgrave

Sep 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Washington Redskins running back Roy Helu (29) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Redskins defeated the Raiders 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

After the departure of both Darren McFadden and the retired Maurice Jones-Drew along with failed CFL experiment Kory Sheets, the Oakland Raiders pressed the reset button at the running back position in 2015 NFL Free Agency. Bringing in not one, but two veteran running backs to pair with promising youngster Latavius Murray.

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One of those veteran running backs was Roy Helu Jr., who at one point was in line to be the future in the Washington backfield before falling out of favor due to injury and the emergence of Alfred Morris in the nation’s capital. Now the versatile third down specialist is headed to the West Coast with the Raiders, and he couldn’t be more excited to be in the Bay Area with his new team.

Speaking at OTAs, Helu Jr. told the Raiders official website that he is more excited to play football in 2015 with Oakland than in any other season. Adding that he came to Oakland to play for offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, praising the offensive mind who the running back considered an attractive part of coming to play for the Raiders back during the free agency process.

From Raiders.com

"“When I came to visit back in March, what was really attractive about coming to play here was Coach Musgrave,” explained Helu, Jr. “I should say it’s been more confirming since I’ve been here just how special and unique he is as an OC because he’s very cerebral. When we’re in there, he’ll quiz us and he’ll go through and the way he explains certain concepts, for me at least, I understand it, because he’ll go through pictures first, then he’ll go through film, then he’ll actually draw it up and then he’ll talk about it. He’s quizzing people; he’s making stuff fun. I really respect him and it was really attractive to play for him and to play in the offense that we want to play in.”This is the most excited I’ve been to play football in the NFL thus far.”"

Helu Jr. is a player that suits Musgrave’s likely style of running football ran at a quick pace after spending time in the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff last season. A player that can both run and catch, Helu Jr.’s skillset is going to be utilized in Oakland, which is clearly a large reason he signed with the team. It is encouraging to see a free agent acquisition so happy to be with the team, but the Musgrave-Helu Jr. marriage being a happy one during the season is going to be the true test of the move to bring the former Washington back to town and if it will be a success or a failure. Expected to be the number two running back behind Murray, Helu Jr. is likely awaiting happier days with an increased role and production to be had in Oakland.