Chris Warren Jr. was an NFL running back for 11 years.
That is one long career for a tailback. He knows the grind. He knows what it takes to stick around the league. He hade sure to relay that information to his son, Chris Warren III.
Warren the younger had himself a terrific NFL preseason debut as the Raiders beat the Detroit Lions, 16-10, Friday. Warren had 86 yards on 13 carries in the game and he used his big size to get plenty of yards after contact.
His father watched from home and was impressed. Yet, when the two talked after the game, he made sure to remind his son, success on August 10 doesn’t promise his son anything. He said the kid get it.
“He knows he’s not promised anything,” Warren Jr, told RaidersSnakepit.com in a telephone interview. “He knows it’s a process. And he knows it’s just beginning.”
His father ran for 7,696 yards and 52 touchdowns in a career where he starred for the Seattle Seahawks for eight years and then ended his career with Dallas and the Eagles. In camp and in the first preseason game, Warren III is showing he is a similar back to his father. Warren the younger is a bigger player than his father was. Warren III is 6-2, 246 pounds. His father played at 6-2, 227 pounds.
Warren III is a punisher. He famously blew up Detroit linebacker Jarrad Davis in a joint practice last week and the played physically in the game and has gotten the attention of Oakland coach Jon Gruden. His father thinks the Raiders are a perfect fit for his son’s style.
“It’s really clicking,” Warren Jr. said. “It’s a great fit. He can run downhill and use his speed, quickness and size. He just has to continue doing what he does.”
Warren Jr. said the family was a little surprised and disappointed when his son, who played at Texas, was not drafted. Yet, after a short time, he agreed to terms with the Raiders. One of the reasons why Warren III signed with the Raiders was a relationship he has with Raiders’ running backs coach Jemal Singleton. He started recruiting him while at Oklahoma Sate while Warren III was in the ninth grade.
Warren Jr. spent several days at the Raiders’ training camp and plays to go to the preseason finale against the Seahawks. Of course, he hopes to see his son play often in the regular season if he earns it.
“It’s going great so far,” Warren Jr. said. “Now, he just has to keeping doing what he has done.”
I’m still unsure what happened at Texas and why Warren III was not drafted. Bizarre.
Nonetheless, if he can produce, it will be a great addition to the RB corps. If he stays, who gets cut?
IMO, Lynch, Richard and Warren are the RBs on the roster. FB Smith also.
But its just the first week.
I am just happy we signed him.
Whoever made that signing happen, gets an extra cookie.
My hope is he outperforms his father, playing his entire career with our Raiders.
That should mean good things for all of us.
But how about we start with Warren getting better and more productive each week.
4 RBs make the team: Lynch, Richard, Washington and Warren. And 1 FB: Smith.
Doug Martin gets cut
Based on your user name I think you should have gone with “sleeps with the fishes”, but that’s me haha. I don’t necessarily think you’re wrong on the call – I’d say either Martin or Washington gets cut, and I’m thinking based on youth and salary it’s Washington’s spot to lose, so he needs to show out from here.
Washington is cheaper, fresher, younger and a better receiver than Martin. And Richard has potential to go all the way every time he touches the ball.
Not sure if Warren is the real deal after 1 preseason game, but he keeps it up, say bye bye to Martin