Marcel Reece - Pro Football Rumors

Seahawks Audition Marcel Reece

November 30th, 2016 at 4:20pm CST by Zachary Links

The Marcel Reece tour continues. Today, the fullback tried out for the Seahawks, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Reece was hit with a PED suspension that cost him part of the 2016 season. When he was eligible to return in late September, the Raiders released him. Since then, Reece has auditioned for the Patriots, Jets, and Bengals, but has yet to find an NFL home.

Reece, 31, is a multiple-time Pro Bowler thanks to his blocking ability and pass-catching acumen. In 2015, Reece caught 30 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns and also added 36 rushing yards. A versatile back who can play a variety of roles, Reece averaged 34 receptions per season from 2010-15.

The Seahawks already have a fullback on the roster in Will Tukuafu, but he has appeared in just 45 offensive snaps this year. Seattle could be looking at Reece for a more traditional fullback role.

Bengals Work Out Reece, Gilberry, Others

November 2nd, 2016 at 5:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Since hitting the free agent market, Marcel Reece has yet to find a taker to give him a second chance. But several teams have been interested, with the Bengals being the latest after working out the veteran fullback today, Doug Kyed of NESN.com tweets.

The Bengals worked out Reece, along with their former defensive end Wallace Gilberry, defensive tackle Jordan Hill and tight end Justice Cunningham, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter links).

Cut by the Raiders on the heels of his PED suspension ending in September, the eighth-year fullback worked out for the Patriots and Jets over the past five weeks but has not played this season. The 31-year-old Reece made the Pro Bowl from 2012-14 and was a consistent outlet option for Derek Carr and previous Raiders passers during his time in Oakland.

Cincinnati does not employ a traditional fullback presently but does house four tight ends.

Gilberry signed a one-year deal with the Lions this offseason but was cut last month. The 31-year-old pass-rusher played for the Bengals from 2012-15, starting in 19 games for the team and recording 16.5 of his 35.5 career sacks with Cincinnati. He’s played in four games this season, starting one.

Jets Work Out FB Marcel Reece

October 11th, 2016 at 4:55pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets took a look at fullback Marcel Reece today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). A longtime member of the Raiders, Reece was cut loose by Oakland in late September.

Reece, 31, had been with Oakland since since 2009. He violated the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs last December, and the ensuing multi-game ban cost him a trip to the Pro Bowl. While Reece was out, the Raiders found a capable (and cheaper) replacement in Jamize Olawale.

In 2015, Reece caught 30 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns and also added 36 rushing yards. A versatile back who can play a variety of roles, Reece averaged 34 receptions per season from 2010-15. The Patriots passed on him after a recent workout, but the rival Jets might find a place for him.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Patriots Audition Marcel Reece, Four Others

September 30th, 2016 at 5:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots brought in former Raiders fullback Marcel Reece for a workout today, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Oakland released Reece earlier this week.

[RELATED: Latest On Patriots’ QBs]

Reece, 31, had been with Oakland since since 2009. He violated the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs last December, and the ensuing multi-game ban cost him a trip to the Pro Bowl and, apparently, led the Raiders to finding his full-time replacement. Reece was scheduled to play out the 2016 season at a cap number of $3.53MM, but Oakland has opted against taking on that cap hit.

In 2015, Reece caught 30 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns and also added 36 rushing yards. A versatile back who can play a variety of roles, Reece averaged 34 receptions per season from 2010-15, and he’d likely assume the role of pass-catching back in New England if signed. With Dion Lewis sidelined through at least Week 6, James White has been absorbing most of the running back looks in the Patriots’ passing game.

As Reiss notes, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been extremely complementary of Reece in the past. “You put a big guy on him, he’s probably going to have a hard time matching up with Reece’s speed and quickness,” Belichick said in 2014. “Put a smaller guy on him, he might match up with his speed and quickness, but it would be hard to match up with his size. I’d say that’s a dilemma. Who do you have that has the same skill set as Reece?”

In addition to Reece, the Patriots also worked out guards Jake Bernstein and Chase Farris, center Robert Kugler, and tight end Greg Scruggs.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Raiders Cut FB Marcel Reece

September 26th, 2016 at 4:36pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have released fullback Marcel Reece, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Reece was scheduled to return from suspension this week.

Reece, who was in Oakland since making his NFL debut in 2009, violated the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. The multi-game ban cost him a trip to the Pro Bowl after last season and, apparently, led the Raiders to finding his full-time replacement. Reece was scheduled to play out the 2016 season at a cap number of $3.53MM, but Oakland has opted against taking on that cap hit.

In 2015, Reece caught 30 passes for 269 yards and three TDs and also added 36 rushing yards. Most importantly, he served as a solid blocker for quarterback Derek Carr and running back Latavius Murray in the backfield. Now, Jamize Olawale is being counted on to do the dirty work for Oakland.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: Stadium Proposals, Lions, Reece

December 30th, 2015 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL officially confirmed today in a statement that it has received stadium proposals from the cities of Oakland, St. Louis, and San Diego in advance of the deadline, per Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.

“We are able to confirm that we have received submissions from Oakland, St. Louis, and San Diego as requested,” the league’s statement reads. “All three submissions are generally consistent with our most recent discussions with public officials and task forces. We appreciate the leadership that public officials have demonstrated on behalf of the three cities. There is a great deal of information for the three teams and all of NFL ownership to review and consider. At this point, no applications for relocation of a franchise have been filed.”

The announcement doesn’t come as a surprise — it would have been more noteworthy if one of the cities had not submitted a proposal. But it takes us another step closer to the NFL eventually making its decision on the Raiders, Rams, Chargers, and Los Angeles.

Here are a few more Wednesday odds and ends:

If he had a vote in the matter, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson would have head coach Jim Caldwell return to Detroit for the 2016 season, he told reporters today. According to Johnson, Caldwell is one of the best coaches he has had in his career, and he thinks the rest of the locker room wants to see him return for next season as well (Twitter links via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com).
In a statement to Pro Football Talk, Raiders fullback Marcel Reece explained why he failed a drug test, resulting in his four-game suspension. “I have NEVER, and would NEVER, ingest any banned substance that would result in a failed drug test,” Reece said. “What I did consume was a natural plant root extract by the name of ‘Umcka,’ which is a completely safe substance that is clearly legal by NFL policy, in terms of being acceptable to consume. What I didn’t know is that this plant root, once ingested in the human body, converts to the substance ‘methylhexanamine,’ which is a banned substance by NFL standards.”
Pat McManamon of ESPN.com lays out four reasons why the Browns should retain general manager Ray Farmer, then turns around and provides four reasons why the team should move on from on its GM.
The Ravens elevated defensive back Sheldon Price to their active roster on Tuesday, and head coach John Harbaugh explains that Price was receiving interest from another team, prompting Baltimore to promote him to avoid losing him (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun).

Raiders’ Marcel Reece Suspended Four Games

December 28th, 2015 at 4:45pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders announced that fullback/running back Marcel Reece has been suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. Reece can participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games, but he is no longer eligible to play in the 2016 Pro Bowl.

The Raiders, of course, are not headed to the playoffs, so Reece will serve his suspension in Week 17 and sit out the first three weeks of the 2016 season. As it stands, Reece is slated to make his NFL return with Oakland still as he is under contract with the club for next season at a cap number of $3.53MM. In 2015, Reece caught 30 passes for 269 yards and three TDs and also added 36 rushing yards. Most importantly, he served as a solid blocker for quarterback Derek Carr and running back Latavius Murray in the backfield.

It’s not immediately clear whether Reece will still collect on the $100K roster bonus he received for making the Pro Bowl. This season marked the fourth consecutive year that Reece earned a Pro Bowl nod.

Examining Notable Pro Bowlers’ Contracts

December 24th, 2014 at 8:30am CST by Luke Adams

The NFL announced its Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday night, a collection of 42 offensive players, 36 defenders, and eight special teams players. The list features the usual suspects such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers, as well as new faces like Le’Veon Bell, T.Y. Hilton, and Chris Harris, and can be viewed in full right here (PDF link).

Among the 86 players initially selected to appear in the game, several have signed new contracts in 2014, many more will be eligible for new deals in 2015, and others will receive a bump in pay based on their Pro Bowl nods. Here’s a breakdown of the Pro Bowl players with notable contract situations:

Recently signed or extended:

Jamaal Charles, RB (Chiefs): Signed two-year, $18MM extension in July.
Vontae Davis, CB (Colts): Signed four-year, $36MM contract in March.
Jimmy Graham, TE (Saints): Signed four-year, $40MM contract in July.
Brent Grimes, CB (Dolphins): Signed four-year, $32MM contract in March.
Joe Haden, CB (Browns): Signed five-year, $67.5MM extension in May.
Chris Harris, CB (Broncos): Signed a five-year, $42.5MM extension in December.
Devin Hester, KR (Falcons): Signed three-year, $9MM contract in March (changed teams).
Jason Kelce, C (Eagles): Signed six-year, $37.5MM extension in February.
John Kuhn, FB (Packers): Signed one-year, $1.03MM contract in April.
Pat McAfee, P (Colts): Signed five-year, $14.5MM contract in March.
Gerald McCoy, DT (Buccaneers): Signed seven-year, $95.2MM extension in October.
Jordy Nelson, WR (Packers): Signed four-year, $39.05MM extension in July.
Jason Peters, T (Eagles): Signed four-year, $38.3MM extension in February.
Patrick Peterson, CB (Cardinals): Signed five-year, $70.05MM extension in July.
Maurkice Pouncey, C (Steelers): Signed five-year, $44.14MM extension in June.
Robert Quinn, DE (Rams): Signed four-year, $57MM extension in September.
Darrelle Revis, CB (Patriots): Signed two-year, $32MM contract in March (changed teams).
Richard Sherman, CB (Seahawks): Signed four-year, $56MM extension in May.
Matt Slater, ST (Patriots): Signed two-year, $4MM extension in November.
Tyron Smith, T (Cowboys): Signed eight-year, $97.6MM extension in July.
Darren Sproles, PR (Eagles): Traded by Saints, then signed two-year, $7MM extension in March (changed teams).
Joe Staley, T (49ers): Signed two-year, $19.6MM extension in July.
Aqib Talib, CB (Broncos): Signed six-year, $57MM contract in March (changed teams).
Earl Thomas, S (Seahawks): Signed four-year, $40MM extension in April.
Adam Vinatieri, K (Colts): Signed two-year, $5MM contract in March.
T.J. Ward, S (Broncos): Signed four-year, $22.5MM contract in March (changed teams).
DeMarcus Ware, OLB (Broncos): Signed three-year, $30MM contract in March (changed teams).
J.J. Watt, DE (Texans): Signed six-year, $100MM extension in September.

Eligible for free agency in 2015:

Dez Bryant, WR (Cowboys)
Tashaun Gipson, S (Browns), restricted
Stephen Gostkowski, K (Patriots)
Justin Houston, OLB (Chiefs)
Mike Iupati, G (49ers)
John Kuhn, FB (Packers)
DeMarco Murray, RB (Cowboys)
Ndamukong Suh, DT (Lions)
Demaryius Thomas, WR (Broncos)
Julius Thomas, TE (Broncos)

Received Pro Bowl bonuses:

(via Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap)

Mario Williams, DE (Bills): $400K
Matt Slater, ST (Patriots): $300K
Pat McAfee, P (Colts): $250K
Josh Sitton, G (Packers): $250K escalator
Kyle Williams, DT (Bills): $150K
Kam Chancellor, S (Seahawks): $100K
Joe Haden, CB (Browns): $100K
Marcel Reece, FB (Raiders): $100K
Darren Sproles, PR (Eagles): $100K

Perhaps the most interesting – or at least unusual – takeaway from this data is the abundance of cornerbacks on the first list. In fact, all eight cornerbacks initially named as Pro Bowlers (Davis, Grimes, Haden, Harris, Peterson, Revis, Sherman, and Talib) have signed new contracts, either extensions or free agent deals, since March. Rival teams hoping to get their hands on a Pro Bowl corner this offseason will have to focus on Revis — he’s the only one of the eight who can reasonably be expected to become available within the next few months, due to the structure of his contract with the Pats.

Data from Over the Cap was used in the creation of this post.