Jones-Drew, Raiders 'close' to deal

[Johnnydollaz89]

A deal still is not final, but former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew and the Oakland Raiders are expected to agree later Friday on a three-year deal, according to sources.
Jones-Drew let the Raiders know Thursday night that he wanted to play in Oakland. It's his hometown team and his permanent residence, and he would have better potential to start with the Raiders.
Jones-Drew, 29, needs to pass his physical and finalize a contract, but the two sides are now "close" to a deal, another source told ESPN.
In Oakland, Jones-Drew should challenge oft-injured Darren McFadden for the starting job. The fourth overall pick in 2008, McFadden never has played an entire season and missed three games in 2013.
Jones-Drew was a first-team All-Pro in 2011 after leading the league with 1,606 yards rushing. He played for current Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson when Olson was the Jaguars' assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach in 2012.
Slowed by a foot injury, Jones-Drew averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and rushed for 803 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season. He also missed 10 games in 2005 because of a foot injury.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Oakland Raiders expected to agree to deal - ESPN

Raiders 'bout to have the most injury-prone backfield in NFL history.

 

[Midnightangel]

Oakland, where players have gone to die since 2003.

 

[WhiteMamba]

lol... ya see what I mean,......



but hey, just keep being a fan of the worst run sports franchise in America right?

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Like the Jones pickup IF it happens. 2 long years to rehab a body part any RB needs. Low center of gravity on that guy and he is going to finish off his career close to home too. Worth the risk Raiders!

 

[BobGnarly]

 

[Midnightangel]

Pittsburgh went after him but I imagine the deal breaker was that Le'Veon Bell is our starter and MJD would see back up duty - he wasn't happy with that and decided to sign with someone else.

That's OK, we picked up Blount from NE as a backup.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

RRRRAAAIIIIIIDDDeeerrrrzzzz are doing some solid offseason work so far. I like what their getting and having to give out to get it!


OUTFUCKINGSTANDING!


Ya with me Mamba?

 

[Midnightangel]

RRRRAAAIIIIIIDDDeeerrrrzzzz are doing some solid offseason work so far. I like what their getting and having to give out to get it!


OUTFUCKINGSTANDING!


Ya with me Mamba?

No...Mamba is not a happy camper right now.

 

[tzorn10]

Pittsburgh went after him but I imagine the deal breaker was that Le'Veon Bell is our starter and MJD would see back up duty - he wasn't happy with that and decided to sign with someone else.

That's OK, we picked up Blount from NE as a backup.

He won't be the starter in Oakland either with McFadden (if he can stay healthy), so I doubt thats the reason.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

So what week does the 3rd string RB take over?

 

[Midnightangel]

He won't be the starter in Oakland either with McFadden (if he can stay healthy), so I doubt thats the reason.

I think I read that he expects to at least compete for the starting job.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

lol... ya see what I mean,......



but hey, just keep being a fan of the worst run sports franchise in America right?

I told you to go cheer for the Chargers.

 

[SonnyCID]

Oakland, where players have gone to die since 2003.

At least now they're not overpaying for these types of players. They have made some good short term, cheap signings this offseason.

 

[SonnyCID]

Pittsburgh went after him but I imagine the deal breaker was that Le'Veon Bell is our starter and MJD would see back up duty - he wasn't happy with that and decided to sign with someone else.

That's OK, we picked up Blount from NE as a backup.

I doubt Bell's starting spot is set in stone.

 

[Midnightangel]

I doubt Bell's starting spot is set in stone.

Why? He got 800 yards and he was injured 4 games last year, PLUS he's a threat coming out of the backfield on swing passes. I think he picked up 500 doing that.

 

[SonnyCID]

Why? He got 800 yards and he was injured 4 games last year, PLUS he's a threat coming out of the backfield on swing passes. I think he picked up 500 doing that.

He most likely will be the starter. I just dont think that he's done nearly enough to not have a legit competition for the spot.

 

[flaraider]

Oakland, where players have gone to die since 2003.

Pitt fans got reason to talk shit? I guess serious underperformers like to pile on when they can.

lol... ya see what I mean,......



but hey, just keep being a fan of the worst run sports franchise in America right?

How does this make the Raiders worse Mamba? It's okay to vent, we all need it sometimes.

Like the Jones pickup IF it happens. 2 long years to rehab a body part any RB needs. Low center of gravity on that guy and he is going to finish off his career close to home too. Worth the risk Raiders!

Definitely good to have some depth at this position, no telling when DMC will go down.

Pittsburgh went after him but I imagine the deal breaker was that Le'Veon Bell is our starter and MJD would see back up duty - he wasn't happy with that and decided to sign with someone else.

That's OK, we picked up Blount from NE as a backup.

Yeah I'm happy for you

He won't be the starter in Oakland either with McFadden (if he can stay healthy), so I doubt thats the reason.

That is a very big IF.

At least now they're not overpaying for these types of players. They have made some good short term, cheap signings this offseason.

That's all I am saying, started out a little slow in FA, but have gained momentum and haven't mortgaged the future doing it, I wasn't sad when Saffold failed his physical.

 

[Midnightangel]

Pitt fans got reason to talk shit? I guess serious underperformers like to pile on when they can.



How does this make the Raiders worse Mamba? It's okay to vent, we all need it sometimes.



Definitely good to have some depth at this position, no telling when DMC will go down.



Yeah I'm happy for you



That is a very big IF.



That's all I am saying, started out a little slow in FA, but have gained momentum and haven't mortgaged the future doing it, I wasn't sad when Saffold failed his physical.

Well, we've won 2 SB's in the last 10 years. How you guys in Oakland doing?

 

[flaraider]

Well, we've won 2 SB's in the last 10 years. How you guys in Oakland doing?

And yet:

The Silver and Black lead the series 11-9, including an 8-5 record as the home team. The Raiders currently hold a 6-3 record against the Steelers in Oakland and held a 2-2 record while calling Los Angeles home from 1982 to 1994.

The Raiders have not lost a game to the Steelers at the Coliseum since 1995 and have a 4-4 record since the turn of the century. Since the Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, the Raiders have a 3-2 record including 2-0 in Oakland. The Steelers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin have only been able to top the Raiders one time since they won Super Bowl XL.

 

[night]

Why? He got 800 yards and he was injured 4 games last year, PLUS he's a threat coming out of the backfield on swing passes. I think he picked up 500 doing that.

Risk of injury. When you're a battering ram the hits take their toll. He got clocked really hard in a few games he was lucky to get up from. I like Bell because he's a hard-nosed runner but I doubt he will be healthy enough to play all 16 games most seasons because of that style of play.