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Marcel Reece: A Versatile And Fast Fullback For Your Oakland Raiders

Marcel Reece, FB 45
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 255
Age:  27
Hometown: Hesperia, CA
College: Washington
Experience: 4 years

Fullback Marcel Reece isn't one of the big stars of the Oakland Raiders...yet.

He was just signed to a multi-year contract extension on Tuesday, terms not disclosed. As an exclusive rights free agent, Reece was set to make $540,000 this season. The Washington alum has been with the Silver and Black since he was signed as a free agent after he was released by the Miami Dolphins in 2008.

Reece was able to attend Washington on a scholarship after leading El Camino Community College to an 11-1 record and a berth in the California state semifinals. At UW, Reece played two years, had 48 receptions for 980 yards and nine touchdowns. He is in the school record book for the longest play from scrimmage with a 98-yard touchdown pass in 2007 against Arizona.

Last season with the Raiders was his best yet, despite playing in only 12 games and getting only six starts. Reece was named as a Pro Bowl alternate and was fifth on the team with 27 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns. His best games took place in consecutive weeks. On November 20 against the Minnesota Vikings, he rushed six times for a career best 45 yards, including one run for 20-yards. The next week against the Chicago Bears, Reece had five catches for 92 yards.

Reece is a "tweener." He can run for short yardage or do the same as a receiver, which makes him the ideal fullback for the Raiders. But he hasn't quite become the main playmaker, probably because of the limitations of the offense. The team relies heavily on Darren McFadden to a fault. McFadden caught 13 passes for 86 yards and had 15 carries for 32 yards. By comparison, Reece ran the ball only once for zero yards and had two receptions for 20 yards.

During his 31-game career with Oakland, Reece has had 56 receptions for 674 yards and five touchdowns. He's rushed for 234 yards on 48 attempts with a single touchdown.

Outside of his professional football career, he runs an annual Marcel Reece Foundation Football Camp,  where for the past three years in his native Hesperia, he's lead more than 300 boys and girls in various drills while teaching football and life skills. Reece also volunteered his time with the Alameda County Food Bank in November and participated in Toys for Tots at the Raider Image of Southland Mall in Hayward, Calif.

Reece was recently profiled on ESPNW off the field and his favorite hobby is cooking. In fact, he's good friends with noted celebrity chef and die-hard Raider fan, Guy Fieri.

For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest 49ers news, see CBS Sports San Francisco.

Ryan Leong has reported on over 2,800 games in the Bay Area since 1998, covering the Sharks, Giants, A's, Warriors, 49ers, Raiders and the local college teams for radio networks and wire services. Having the best seat in the house to watch sports has been a thrill and Ryan still enjoys going to the games giving fans some insight and perspective on the players and coaches. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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