Zamir White's Bond with Jacobs Key, as Role Expands

The Las Vegas Raiders are expecting an increased workload for second year back Zamir White. His relationship with Josh Jacobs has been vital to his growth.

Zamir White was a star running back at a college well known for the running backs they have sent to the National Football League, the University of Georgia. 

However, White just happened to be drafted by a team with one of the best running backs in the league, Josh Jacobs.

With Jacobs entering a contract year, some saw the addition of White as competition for Jacobs. The Las Vegas Raiders didn't see it that way, as adding White was a win-win situation for the Raiders, Jacobs, and White.

White has spent most of his first two seasons behind Jacobs, as Jacobs led the league in rushing White's first season. This was the perfect learning scenario for White in his rookie season. 

Zamir White perfectly fits the Las Vegas Raiders' downhill running style / Darrell Craig Harris, Raiders Today

Coach Josh McDaniels was asked what he had noticed about the relationship between White and Jacobs.

"Yeah, those guys, they're all pretty close, the backs," McDaniels told Sports Illustrated. "So, JJ [Josh Jacobs], it's amazing when you watch him and listen to him at practice sometimes when he shares bits of information and teaches some things because he's done a lot of things at a high level going back to college.

"He's seen a lot of things in the NFL, whether it's defensive front, a type of run scheme, ball handling, whatever it is. He sees it at a little bit of a different level because he's done it at such a high level for his career."

Jacobs is entrenched as the starting running back, but additional plays for White can help Jacobs and the Raiders.

"I think Z [Zamir White] is trying to soak in as much of that as he can," McDaniels said. "Zamir is going to keep getting opportunities and it's just what we need to do for multiple reasons. It takes a few hits off JJ every once in a while, and then it gives Zamir an opportunity to get in there and play."

This season, White has taken the lessons he learned last season and put them to good use.

"Zamir has earned the right to do that," McDaniels said. "He's got good skill, good running skill. He's big, he's fast, he's tough, and he's improving in every aspect of his game."

"He caught the ball last week, he had a couple chips, like I said. So, I think those kinds of things are good for our team. As many guys as can contribute, that makes our team harder to defend."

The Raiders have a weapon in Zamir White that the Silver and Black could use for a few extra yards in the red zone but also to take some of the wear and tear off Jacobs. The relationship between the two should only make both running backs better. 

The Silver and Black will head on the road to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 1:05 p.m. EDT/10:05 a.m. PDT.

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