Las Vegas Raiders

Roy Helu Jr. on Raiders signing: 'Feels nice to be wanted'

Published May. 31, 2015 12:05 a.m. ET

foxsports

Roy Helu Jr. sounds thrilled to get a fresh start with a new team in Oakland.

The shifty running back and dangerous receiver said he was looking for a new beginning -- and loved what the Raiders were offering.

“I could have gone to any team and (the Raiders) showed enough interest where I felt really comfortable to play here,” Helu Jr. told the team's official website. “It feels nice to be wanted."

Helu said previous coaching regimes in Washington kept him around because he was a veteran, not because they necessarily wanted him to play.

The Bay Area native thinks it'll be different in Silver and Black. Behind breakout back Latavius Murray, Helu Jr. is the most talented in a stable of backs that includes Trent Richardson, Taiwan Jones and Michael Dyer.

On paper, he looks like the perfect change-of-pace back and security valve for quarterback Derek Carr. And in the locker room, Helu Jr. could be a pillar for head coach Jack Del Rio.

"I know that naturally leadership roles are given to people who play well and who are experienced,” Helu Jr. said. "I think just with the four years I bring to the table, I bring a fun factor. Before we go out there, I just always try to remind the guys, before we start competing, to have fun."

It'll be fun to see what the Raiders do with Helu Jr. now that he's on a team that'll play more to his skill set.

(h/t Oakland Raiders)