By Greg Bates
Correspondent
OAKLAND – Alec Ingold’s new job is treating him well.
How many 23-year olds can say they are working the job of their dreams and being able to hit the golf course on a Monday morning in July?
Not too many.
Yes, life is good for Ingold.
The former Bay Port star quarterback and University of Wisconsin fullback is getting a shot to live his NFL dream.
Ingold has logged two months with the Oakland Raiders and is receiving rave reviews.
He is now on a break after Oakland wrapped up its mandatory minicamp in mid-June until the rookies report for training camp July 23.
The first few months of NFL life was quite an experience.
“It’s been a good little taste,” said Ingold via phone from Madison in mid-July. “I feel like you try and put your best foot forward this offseason and put yourself in the best position going into training camp. It’s cool to get around some superstars and figure out where you need to go and make the team.”
Playing alongside guys such as All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown and quarterback Derek Carr has been a good time for Ingold.
“You get to see all these big-name guys in the locker room,” Ingold said. “Putting the personalities to the faces and the names is really fun. You definitely get star struck a little bit being with some of these guys.”
There was talk prior to April’s NFL draft that Ingold had a shot at getting selected since he was one of the top fullbacks available.
However, every team passed on him – that didn’t leave a good taste in his mouth.
Now, Ingold is playing with a chip on his shoulder.
“I feel like there’s something I’ve got to prove,” Ingold said. “Some people didn’t think I was worthy of a draft pick. Obviously, I think I belong on the team and I should be there. I definitely feel I have something to prove going into training camp that I belong and I should be a part of this team.”
After the draft wrapped up on Saturday, April 27, the Raiders were quick to give Ingold a call.
He was excited to land with Oakland after he was coached by Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and his staff at the Senior Bowl in January.
“Gruden is awesome,” Ingold said. “He’s the same guy you see on television – super passionate about football, and he definitely gets the guys riled up on a daily basis.”
Ingold feels like he performed well during the Raiders’ rookie camp, organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp and showed the Oakland coaching staff what he’s all about.
He took snaps with the team’s second unit during minicamp.
“I was trying to be myself – I think that’s one of the biggest things,” Ingold said. “I think they enjoyed that and I think coaches and teammates can appreciate the hard work you put in. I really tried to put my best foot forward and be the best I could be.”
Ingold is doing all he can to win a spot on the Raiders’ opening day, 53-man roster.
He is one of two fullbacks currently on the roster along with incumbent Kevin Smith.
The sixth-year pro spent the first four years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys before the Raiders picked him up last season.
The Raiders rely heavily on a fullback, as Gruden loves to get physical at the line of scrimmage.
“It’s been a staple of that offense forever,” Ingold said. “So, finding a good one is important. Whoever is going to be the guy is putting himself in a good position moving forward.”
Smith only had one carry all of last season, and Ingold adds a solid dimension of being a good ball carrier.
During his four years at Wisconsin, he racked up 103 attempts for 343 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Another aspect of Ingold’s game that makes him stand out is his special teams play.
Ingold, who calls special teams the easiest way to get on the field, was a staple with those units at Wisconsin.
With the Raiders, he has been working different positions on all four phases of special teams.
“I try and be as diverse as possible,” Ingold said.
When training camp gets underway July 26 in Napa, California, the Raiders will be under a microscope for everyone to watch.
HBO’s “Hard Knocks” will feature the team this season.
The popular series has received mixed reviews from players over the years.
It will be an interesting twist for Ingold’s first NFL training camp.
“I hope it’s not a distraction,” Ingold said. “Being a part of that whole dynamic – obviously, I’ve never been a part of an NFL team. I feel like it’s going to be a steep learning curve, but I hope it’s not going to be a distraction at all.”
Ingold grew up a diehard Packers fan, so when he latched onto the Raiders and looked at the team’s preseason schedule, he was pleased to see his current team would be facing off against his childhood team in week three.
The Packers and Raiders will be playing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Aug. 22.
“It will be good to play them in Canada,” Ingold said. “There’s a lot of storylines that can be made, and I want to play good ball. I want to make the team. At the end of the day, that’s all my goal really is.”
What does Ingold need to do during training camp and the Raiders’ four preseason games to leave a lasting impression with the coaches and hopefully land a roster spot?
“I hope that my ability of playing will be enough,” Ingold said. “I want to be myself. I don’t want to be anything that I’m not. But I want to be all that I’ve got. So, just being the best version of myself for a month straight.”
Whatever happens, when the final roster cuts are made, Ingold is happy to get a shot at living out his NFL dream.
“It’s all I could ever ask for, getting the opportunity,” Ingold said. “I hope that this next month I can make the most of it and I’ll be ready when my time comes.”