All-World FB Marcel Reece brought in for a try out with NEP

SeoulSoxFan

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,104
A Scud Away from Hell
Coming off a suspension, former All-Pro FB Reece has been released by Oakland.

Some of you may know my (& SF121's) love & respect for Marcel Reece. He is certainly over his prime at age 31, but he has had the rare ability to play like a RB, TE, even a slot WR/HB at times. BB had compared Reece with the new Patriot TE Harbor after the signing:

...I’d say that Harbor is kind of similar to (the Oakland Raiders’ Marcel) Reece,” Belichick said in September. “He’s a fullback, tight end kind of guy, sort of lines up in a lot of different places. They use him in motion, change formations with him quite a bit. .. Harbor is a good receiver.”​

2015 was a bit of a down year in terms of production but not too much: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/ReecMa00.htm. Reece has always been a locker room leader. ESPN had this to say before the release:

The suspension has not affected the veteran’s standing as a team leader in the locker room, Reece said. Only placekicker Sebastian Janikowski, who was the Raiders’ first-round draft pick in 2000, and long-snapper Jon Condo, who was a practice squad signee in 2006, have been in Oakland longer than Reece, who signed with Oakland as a street free agent in 2008.​

Reece would be a great Patriot. Unfortunately, not sure where there's room with Harbor & Derby already in place along Gronk & Bennett.

Edit: back in 2013, I wrote about Reece after selecting him in the BBtL draft-off: http://www.sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/realfantasy-pigskin-2013-draft-and-discussion.435/page-64#post-355195
 
BigSoxFan

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,237
Shit, I'd drive Harbor to the airport right now if it meant getting Reece. Would bring me back to those Keith Byars days.
 
Dogman

Dogman

Yukon Cornelius
Moderator
SoSH Member
Mar 19, 2004
15,201
Missoula, MT
I'd think we wait and see what the offense has in place with 4 TE sets once Brady returns. We saw it early last year until injuries happened and Josh was forced to use a different air attack.

Gronk, Bennett, Harbor, Derby are all 6'5" and taller. That is going to be so difficult to stop in the red zone.
 
rodderick

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,831
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
Dogman2 said:
I'd think we wait and see what the offense has in place with 4 TE sets once Brady returns. We saw it early last year until injuries happened and Josh was forced to use a different air attack.

Gronk, Bennett, Harbor, Derby are all 6'5" and taller. That is going to be so difficult to stop in the red zone.
Click to expand...
Why would running a 4 TE set be dependent on Brady's return?
 
Dogman

Dogman

Yukon Cornelius
Moderator
SoSH Member
Mar 19, 2004
15,201
Missoula, MT
rodderick said:
Why would running a 4 TE set be dependent on Brady's return?
Click to expand...
For a few reasons: Gronk hasn't been healthy. No tape on the formations or the progressions for other teams gameplanning. Don't have the best QB to ever play the game throwing the ball to them.
 
Super Nomario

Super Nomario

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 5, 2000
14,017
Mansfield MA
rodderick said:
Yeah, what exactly is Harbor even doing on this team again? Reece is at the very least more versatile.
Click to expand...
Harbor plays a lot of special teams - 32 snaps over the past two weeks (which is seventh on the team, from what I can reckon). This is probably just as important a part of the job description as playing TE (which is presumably why Harbor has been active over Derby).
 
mwonow

mwonow

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 4, 2005
7,133
Super Nomario said:
Harbor plays a lot of special teams - 32 snaps over the past two weeks (which is seventh on the team, from what I can reckon). This is probably just as important a part of the job description as playing TE (which is presumably why Harbor has been active over Derby).
Click to expand...
BB mentioned this in a press conference recently. He started off talking about Freeny and then added, "it's hard to find [players who "give us some size"] on special teams. It's a lot easier to find smaller, faster, more athletic guys. So, I'd say that's kind of where Clay comes in to play, too - 250 pounds or wherever he's at. He gives us another size and athletic player in the kicking game with good depth there at tight end, so in keeping AJ [Derby] and Clay, that was part of our decision there on the roster, was to keep our depth at that position with guys that had both offensive and special teams value. A lot of times with those types of players it's one or the other. So, to find guys with both, like I said - Freeny, Harbor, Derby - guys like that, they're just harder to find."
 
SeoulSoxFan

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,104
A Scud Away from Hell
not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up... not getting my hopes up...
 
Gunfighter 09

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,550
KPWT
Sadly, I think 2011 Marcel Reece is gone forever. He is not the player he used to be, especially when it comes to getting separation on passing routes. That said, I imagine McDaniels and BB will find a way to get something out of him
 
BigSoxFan

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,237
Gunfighter 09 said:
Sadly, I think 2011 Marcel Reece is gone forever. He is not the player he used to be, especially when it comes to getting separation on passing routes. That said, I imagine McDaniels and BB will find a way to get something out of him
Click to expand...
IMG_1845.jpg
 
Gunfighter 09

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,550
KPWT
HA! That's funny. And frankly, if Reece did awesome for the Pats I wouldn't be mad.

The Raiders have the top offense in the NFL in DVOA (#2 in yards) right now and can spare him with their incredibly crowded backfield. I do think the release had as much to do with the fact that Reece has to be a team Captain and a vocal voice in the locker room, but doesn't really deserve to be on the field ahed of four other much younger running backs who are playing really well.

Of note, this situation is a great example of how much better of a 21st century owner Mark Davis is than his father. Multiple reports have noted that Reece appeared to be Mark Davis' close friend, serving as his Hooters and PF Changs weeknight companion, even in the off season. But, Mark let Reggie Mckenzie and Del Rio release Reece, even issuing this statement.

Today is a sad day for the Raider family and entire Raider Nation,” said Owner Mark Davis. “My father once said that I would have a tough time running this organization because I was too close to the players, and that rings true today. Marcel Reece has been a pillar of the organization for nine years and was the glue that held us together during a tough transition after my father’s passing. He helped put us on the upward path we are on today and his leadership will be sorely missed. The motto, ‘Once a Raider, Always a Raider,’ has never been more appropriate. When Marcel finishes his playing career, there will always be a spot for him within the Raider organization. Until then, I wish only the best for Marcel and his entire family.”
Click to expand...
http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Mark-Davis-Statement-On-Release-Of-Marcel-Reece/0ddd3940-6796-4280-acaa-11129e4c3512
 
SeoulSoxFan

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,104
A Scud Away from Hell
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom