Marcel Reece: More than a fullback for Oakland Raiders

Every player has a position which tries to define him. In Marcel Reece’s case, his position is not completely accurate.

Reece is listed as a fullback on the roster and that is technically where he started most games, but he was no ordinary fullback for the Oakland Raiders. Most fullbacks don’t average nearly five yards per carry and very few are able to rush for 100 yards in a game. Many fullbacks don’t catch eight catches in a season, let alone a single game. If you haven’t figured it out yet, all of these attributes describe Reece’s performance this season.

There is no doubt Reece was one of four Raiders who deserved to go to the Pro Bowl this season and it is nice to see such a unknown player get his chance with the all-stars. Reece started four games at running back when Darren McFadden went down with a high ankle sprain and he performed admirably in his place. In a Week 11 match-up with the New Orleans Saints, Reece was 10 receiving yards shy of becoming the first Oakland player since 1986 to have 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in a single game. Does that sound like a fullback to you?

When I unveil my five candidates for the MVP of the Raiders, there is no doubt Reece will be in the mix for nomination. He meant so much to this team because he went above and beyond his title of fullback. He ran the ball like a running back and caught the ball like a receiver. So even though he’s listed as a fullback on the roster, maybe he should just be referred to as an athlete because Reece’s performance does not conform to a single position label.