Is this the end of Marcel Reece as an Oakland Raider?
Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece (45) eludes Kansas City Chiefs free safety Daniel Sorensen (49) in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders just gave safety Charles Woodson a great send-off in his last home game as a Raider. But no one at the time thought for a second that it could be fullback Marcel Reece’s last home game as a Raider. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday his season just ended on a 4-game suspension.
That’s Sunday’s season finale, the Pro Bowl and the first three games in 2016 for violating the NFL Policy for performance-enhancing substances. Reece, would have played in his 4th-straight Pro Bowl if he hadn’t come up with he positive test. Reece will be allowed to join his teammates in all offseason practices and preseason games.
He’s been a big-time contributor in the Raiders’ offense since 2010, in the passing game down the field. Reece is second to only Baltimore Ravens fullback Kyle Juszcyk with 269 yards receiving off 30 catches in 2015. He’s due $2.6 million next season so now, we have to wonder if this could impact Reece’s roster spot next autumn.
His snaps seem to go down in every game the Raiders play as offensive coordinator seems to favor Jamize Olawale anyway. Now, Olawale has Sunday and the first three games of next season to carve out a bigger role on the team. The Raider have already signed him to extension so it could be the end for Reece as a Raider.
Legendary owner Al Davis brought the collegiate receiver in after he didn’t make it as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins. After giving him a look at the tight end position, Davis moved him to fullback, where he was used in the vertical game. Reece is now the last starter from the Al Davis era that’s still on the team.