Antes de que los Raiders anunciaran la contratación de Jason Witten, muchos asumieron que el ala cerrada sería de los pocos jugadores que portarían un solo uniforme, pero durante el receso de temporada, el veterano tomó la decisión de cambiar el Azul y Plata de los Cowboys por el Plata y Negro de los Raiders.
"Se siente raro portar colores nuevos," bromeó Witten al explicar porque cambió la estrella por el escudo y mucho de ello tuvo que ver con legados.
"Escogí los Raiders porque son una franquicia histórica," dijo Witten. "Sentí que es un equipo joven con ambición y Buenos jugadores. Creo al 100% en Gruden y su personal. Es un buen lugar para mi y esta etapa de mi carrera. Estoy muy emocionado de unirme al equipo con todo este joven talento."
Los numero hablan por si solos: once participaciones en el Pro Bowl, Dos veces seleccionado primer equipo All-Pro, casí 13 mil yardas y 72 touchdowns. Pero mientras su busto en Canton es casi seguro, todavía está interesado en añadir mas cosas a su resume para el Salón de la Fama.
"Es una nueva oportunidad," dijo Witten. "Esta franquicia tiene una gran historia y creo que tiene ambición con un futuro emocionante. Es un honor y me siento honrado de pertenecer a el."
En papel es fácil preguntarse porque decidió el equipo firmar al veterano de 17 temporadas. El grupo ya tiene a dos alas cerradas capaces con Darren Waller y Foster Moreau, aparte de Derek Carrier.
Pero es difícil subestimar el liderazgo y experiencia que puede aportar Witten y los beneficios que eso puede traer a todo el equipo por parte de un jugador que ha jugado de la manera correcta durante tantos años. Aparte todo ese talento en la ofensiva fueron un gran atractivo.
"Estoy muy impresionado con el grupo de alas cerradas. Creo que inicia con Darren Waller," dijo Witten. "Es impresionante. Es ágil y talentoso y tiene un gran futuro. Es muy joven así que lo puede hacer todo. Puede correr y cachar, es listo y quiere ser el mejor."
"Eso permea en Foster Moreau en lo que será su segundo año. Creo que tuvo un buen año de novato. Le encanta el deporte, es ambicioso y son como esponjas en las reuniones."
Mientras que Witten sin duda tiene mas años de trayectoria que por jugar, no está aquí para solo ser un mentor. Está listo para ser un jugador efectivo y aportar de inmediato durante el tiempo que quiera seguir jugando.
"El futuro es prometedor en Las Vegas."
Head out to Henderson, Nev., for another day of workouts at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center.
A tackling dummy on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (91) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) and safety Dallin Leavitt (32) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Prince Amukamara (21), safety Jeff Heath (38), cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) and cornerback Madre Harper (43) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Prince Amukamara (21) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Damarious Randall (23) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (41) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Nick Usher (59) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Ken Crawley (35) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Eric Kush (69) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) and wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Denzelle Good (71) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (34) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach Rod Marinelli on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Javin White (53) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tanner Muse (55) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Justin Phillips (56) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
