McGlocktons Try to Stick Together With Raiders

One rides the stationary bike, pounds the speed bag and bides his time, waiting for his injured foot to heal, his future seemingly ensured.

The other works feverishly through two-a-days workouts, his mind trying to block out the pain of a sore hamstring. He doesn’t have much time, his future precarious.

As brothers, they are close. As prospects, they are far apart.

These are the McGlocktons, Chester and Leon, two of 80 players in camp with the Raiders.

Chester, a 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive tackle from Clemson, was the team’s first choice in the April draft. Leon, a 6-foot, 210-pound defensive back, is a free agent from Fayetteville State considered an extreme longshot to make the team.

Chester made his NFL debut in the Raiders’ exhibition opener against the San Francisco 49ers 10 days ago, but was gone before the first half ended because of a sprained left foot. “I felt something pop,” he said. He is being brought back slowly, having not practiced since the injury.

Leon, although bothered by the sore hamstring, has continued to play. “I can’t afford to sit out,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m turning any heads or not, but I’m playing and I’m feeling more comfortable.”

Leon’s path to the pros has never been as comfortable as that of his brother. A torn thigh muscle cost him a shot at the NFL last season. He was invited to camp by the New Orleans Saints, but couldn’t run effectively on the injured leg.

He spent most of his time rebuilding the strength in the leg.

Leon’s prospects for a pro job seemed to be dimming. He wrote letters to various NFL clubs, seeking employment, but got no answers. His agent dropped him.

All he had left was his family, but that proved to be enough.

When Chester was drafted by the Raiders, his father, Leon Sr., negotiated his contract. And Leon Sr. wasn’t about to forget Leon Jr.

During one meeting with the Raiders, the senior McGlockton told them: “I got another son.”

During mini-camp in late spring, Chester got a knock on his door. Your brother is here, he was told.

“What are you doing here?” a surprised Chester asked. “Coming to work out,” Leon said.

Chester tried to put it in perspective for his older brother.

“I told him that it is 90% to 99% certain I’ll be on the team unless something happens,” Chester said. “But he’s going to have to treat it like one of those against-all-odds movies. Just have fun and if he makes it, great, we’ll move in together.”

Leon is under no illusion about his chances of making the club. “I’m kind of rusty because I’ve been out a year,” he said.

Growing up, Chester always respected the opinions of his brother, who is 10 months older.

“I didn’t care what anyone else said,” Chester recalled. “Even if everyone else said I had played a good game, if Leon came over and said, ‘I saw that guy knock the heck out of you,’ I’d figure, ‘Damn, I’m still not good enough.’ ”

His brother’s observations notwithstanding, Chester was good enough to be an All-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference lineman of the year last season, before turning pro as a redshirt junior.

The Raiders reportedly signed Chester to a five-year, $2-million deal. He expected the worst.

“Everybody told me that people would be too busy fighting for a job to have time for me,” Chester said. “It hasn’t been that way at all. Everybody has been easy to talk to.”

Especially lineman Howie Long. Long, entering his 12th season, has tried to impart his knowledge to Chester, who has become his companion on and off the field.

“You would think a 32-year-old white guy from Boston wouldn’t have a lot in common with a 22-year-old black guy from North Carolina,” Long said. “But we have. He’s very refreshing.

“You have a guy 6-4, 325 pounds. You would think he might be a little pudgy, but this guy is built, a real physical specimen. He can run a 4.9(-second 40-yard dash). And he’s got the perfect attitude. It’s a real nice combination of treats.”

Chester appreciates the help, but is aware of the hazards he will face.

“In college I could get away with a lot of things because of my ability,” he said. “I was stronger and faster than a lot of guys.

“But here, if you mess up on your technique, they beat you because they are as strong as you are and as quick as you are.”

The Raiders aren’t worried. They are planning on having McGlockton in their lineup.

But if the family had its way, there would be two McGlocktons in that lineup.