Raiders to bring in Maurice Jones-Drew

Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 27, 2014

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that veteran free-agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew could be coming home to the Bay Area as he comes for a visit to Oakland over the next couple of days.

Jones-Drew was born in nearby Pinole, Calif. and went to local high-school powerhouse De La Salle high school where he never lost a game in his three-year stint. Part of a high school record 151-game winning streak.

Rapoport expects things to move aggressively between the Raiders and the 29-year-old running back.

Jones-Drew, a three-time Pro Bowler (2009-2011), seemed to lack the explosiveness last season that he once possessed as he rushed for just 803 rushing yards on only 3.4 yards per carry, and five rushing touchdowns.

In 70 games started in the NFL, Jones-Drew has 8,071 rushing yards (4.5 yards per carry) and 68 touchdowns. He also possesses great ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as he has recorded 335 receptions for 2873 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Adding Jones-Drew would give the Raiders much-needed competition at the running back position after they re-signed Darren McFadden to a cheap one-year deal hoping he can remain healthy and give the team solid production.

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