Raiders sign FB Neal

Legacy · May 9, 2009

The Raiders on Friday added what they hope is the final piece to their roster by signing fullback Lorenzo Neal.

Neal, 38, is a 16-year veteran who has played for seven teams since he entered the NFL in 1993 with the New Orleans Saints.

"The experience he brings can help mold those young fullbacks in there," Raiders coach Tom Cable said after seeing Neal for the first time on the opening day of Oakland's three-day minicamp. "That guy has proven over time that he probably can run any run scheme in the NFL because he has been in them all, and been very good.

"I'm not sure there's been as good a lead blocker in football maybe in the last 15, 20 years as that guy."

Neal did his most impressive work as the lead blocker for Eddie George with the Tennessee Titans in 1999-2000 and LaDainian Tomlinson from 2003-07 with the San Diego Chargers.

Now, Neal envisions himself doing likewise for Raiders running backs Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.

"You bring that confidence that says, 'Look, man, believe in me. Just get on my hip and don't dip. Let's go,'"‰" Neal said. "Before you know it, you just start feeding it, it becomes an attitude, it becomes, hey, even if you're not as good, you start making these guys believe that you're better than you are."

Neal, who played for the Baltimore Ravens last season, has a reputation for being durable, dependable and a team player. He has missed only three games in 15 years.

"You got a good group of backs in Fargas and McFadden," Neal said. "So, you just go in here, and you say, 'Look, come on, boys, we can do this.' Get them to believe. These guys are eager, they're hungry. They just want to be led. I feel like I'm the man for the job."

Justin Griffith started for the Raiders at fullback last season. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, which left the Raiders with Oren O'Neal and Luke Lawton.

O'Neal still is recovering from a serious knee injury he sustained in training camp last year and won't be ready until training camp this year.
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Raiders sign FB Neal

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