:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32012653/20120916_pjc_ap5_252.0.jpg)
The theme of the Raiders off-season has been that of the team adding those players other teams gave up on. They're all "salty veterans" with "chips on their shoulders" and "something to prove". And as in most cases, the talk gets tiresome so the need is to take that talk and use it to one's advantage.
"It's OK every now and then to be the bad guy, I guess," said Maurice Jones-Drew. "We're just kind of the throwaways it seems like."
"The Throwaways" has a nice ring to it. Sounds a lot like the action film "The Expendables" which was cast mostly of over the hill action stars. NFL players are action stars in their own rite. And in this business 30-years old is over the hill. For a running back, like the 29-year-old Jones-Drew, 30 is seen as practically retirement age.
"I've said it multiple times, everybody here has something to prove," Jones-Drew continued. "We all know we have something left, whether it was a bad year last year or things didn't work out from another team, whatever it may be. As a whole, we're fighting for the same thing, which is respect."
Newly added receiver, James Jones said earlier today of new quarterback, Matt Schaub has a "huge" chip on his shoulder. He added "We all know the type of business that we're in. When you have a bad season, the media is going to jump all over you."
Justin Tuck went a step farther when he took the podium and challenged anyone to look at the tape from last season in which he had 11.0 sacks; "watch the film last year and tell me I can't play."
Other veterans who have shared similar sentiments have been Lamarr Woodley and Donald Penn, who are both former Pro Bowlers cut by their previous team. Free agent signee, Antonio Smith, has also said he is highly motivated to prove he has something left in the tank
Outside of the 29-year-old Jones-Drew, these are all players over the age of 30. They were either cut, traded, or not retained by their previous teams. Given up on. Expendable. Thrown away.
"The Throwaways" needs to become the 2013 Raiders' rallying cry much like "Who dat" is for the Saints and "Who dey" was for the Bengals. It rings very much like the Redskins "Over the hill gang" from the 70s. It symbolizes the feeling that these new veteran additions feel and the common bond they share.
Let's get on that.
Loading comments...