One of the biggest talking points for the Las Vegas Raiders over the past couple of weeks has been the play of running back Josh Jacobs. The running back has had his two best games of the season since the team fired head coach Josh McDaniels and it seems unlikely that is a coincidence.
Jacobs is looking to return to the form he showed last season when he led the league in rushing and was a First-Team All-Pro selection. And by continuing to shine, he could begin the path towards becoming one of the best backs to wear the silver and black alongside the likes of Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson.
In fact, Jacobs was actually able to speak with Jackson prior to the Raiders’ second straight win over the New York Jets on Sunday night. And the legendary back had some serious advice for Jacobs and the mentality he should have on the field, via Justin Churchill of A to Z Sports:
“I talked to Bo Jackson this week, and you know, he told me, he said, ‘Man, run a moth*****ker over, pick him up, and I’m going to come back 40 seconds later.’ So that’s the mentality I had this week,” Jacobs told reporters in the locker room.
Jacobs has shown the ability to be a true workhorse running back as he was last season but has rarely been allowed to do so this year. Some of that surely has to do with the Raiders sometimes falling behind early, but that simply can’t be used as an excuse with someone as talented as Jacobs on the roster.
Furthermore, Jacobs made it clear that he wants to be that player and shoulder the load for the Raiders:
“Some people don’t want the burden. S**t, I want the burden. Put the burden on me.”
Jacobs has cleared 25 carries in both games since Antonio Pierce took over and that is no accident. It was mentioned during Sunday night’s broadcast that Jacobs feels more respected under Pierce, who told the back that he is the heart and soul of the Raiders.
Being able to speak to legends like Bo Jackson and have them give you advice is the ultimate motivator. If Jackson says run someone over, you better believe that is exactly what Jacobs is going to be looking to do. And with him in that mindset, the Raiders offense is a much more dangerous one overall.
