Our Fullbacks Are Huge

Fullbacks Lorenzo Neal and Oren O'neal are big guys but when I say "huge" I am talking about their roles in the offense this year.  Everybody knows that the Raiders are going to pound the rock as much as anybody this season.  We have three #1 RBs and we will put all three to work. 

Last season we had a solid rushing game.  Our starting fullback was Justin Griffin.  He was a solid FB but was more of a pass catching/third down FB.  He ended up going on IR midway through the season.  That is when we found Luke Lawton working construction somewhere.  He did a decent job filling in but is nowhere near the lead blocking fullbacks that Lorenzo and Oren are.

That brings us to our two FBs this year. 

First, we have Lorenzo Neal.  A vet with four Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pros.  He also blocked for a 1,000 yard RB every year from 1997-2007.  He is your proto type run blocking FB.  He absolutely walls off oncoming linebackers.  He is going to help elevate our rushing attack to the next level.  There is no reason why we shouldn't be in the top 5 in rushing this year.

We also will have 3rd year fullback Oren O'neal.  He is a big, smash mouth type of fullback.  He played a big part in Justin Fargas' thousand yard season in '07.  He was on IR all of last season but is back and ready to knock some heads off.  If he can return to form we'll have two of the best run blocking FB's in the game to go along with our trio of talented RBs.

Last but not least, they will help the passing game as well.  With a strong running game the offense will face a lot of eight in the box.  That opens up play action and one on one matchups for our WRs and TE.  I can see a lot of big plays coming this year.  We have speed everywhere and defenses won't be able to cover it all.

Well that's all I got.  Just thought I'd pay the fullbacks some much deserved attention.

RAIDERS4LIFE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !