Oakland Raiders to improve against Baltimore Ravens

Sep 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece (45) scores a touchdown past Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vincent Rey (57) in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Marcel Reece

One thing offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has done right so far is figure out is how to use versatile fullback Marcel Reece. Now that the Raiders have a bell-cow running back and Musgrave supposedly doesn’t use a fullback, many wondered how Reece would be used. And it looks like Musgrave watched some film of Reece when Jackson had him back in 2010-2011.

The way to use Reece isn’t to make sure he gets a certain number of touches in a game. The way to use Reece is to make his touches count by having him set up to make big plays, especially in the passing game. In the third preseason game against the Cardinals, Reece had a 41-yard catch on a vertical route.

Sunday, he had to touchdown catches of 11 and nine yards in absolute mismatches with linebackers. It was the only way the Raiders scored on the day but hopefully, it could be just another way to score. The Raiders have to get their other weapons going against the Ravens but they don’t have a matchup for him either—no one does.

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