FanPost

Latavius Murray Deserves to Start as Oakland Raiders’ Premiere Back

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The Oakland Raiders are coming off a disastrous, and rather typical season in 2014, notching a 3-13 record. Unlike previous years however, the organization drafted two key building blocks on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. In the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected highly talented Khalil Mack. We all saw what he was able to do against opposing offensive lines and running backs. Although he only racked up 4 sacks on the season, he displayed a clear knack for the ball-carrier and the motor to get into the backfield all game long. He shows unbelievable quickness off the ball and great block-shedding and pass rushing skills.

On the offensive side of the ball, Reggie McKenzie snatched the Oakland Raiders’ "franchise" quarterback in Derek Carr. Even though the young signal caller had more of a monotonous showing on the stat line (3,270 yards; 21 TDs; 12 INTS), he demonstrated his leadership and ability to command Oakland’s offense. Knowing that and the lackluster receiving corps the Raiders’ had for him to play with, albeit a wide receiving corps that has improved dramatically with the additions of Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree; the Fresno State standout is looking to be a real threat in his sophomore season.

Another robust youngster looking to have a break-out season in 2015 is none other than running back Latavius Murray. Athletically, he is a specimen. Standing at 6’3 and pushing 230 on the scale, he is built like a freight train. He has the speed of a freight train as well, clocking in a 4.38 forty yard dash at UCF’s Pro Day. He also displayed it in-game, busting off a 90 yard touchdown run in their Week 12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs (it also happened to be their first victory on the year). He ended up finishing the game with 112 yards on 4 carries, and finding the endzone twice. Unfortunately, he left the game early with a concussion.

So, why should Latavius Murray start as the Oakland Raiders’ first string running back? For a majority of the 2014 season, Murray was lost in the wretched rushing attack that Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew produced. He was essentially a player that had all the athletic talent in the world, but never got his shot. However, in their Week 11 loss to the San Diego Chargers, he showed the flashes that Oakland fans were eager for. He ran the ball four times for 43 yards, and that definitely let previous interim head coach Tony Sparano and offensive coordinator Greg Olson know the potential that the 24 year old obtains. He made the most out of his opportunity, when in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he scored on two plays combining for over 100 yards (11 yard TD run, 90 yard TD run). As mentioned earlier though, he did leave the game in the 2nd quarter with a concussion. This then led to him being forced to sit out against the St. Louis Rams in Week 13, and we all know how that 52-0 bloodbath went down for the Raiders.

He then appeared in Week 14 in the Battle of the Bay, rushing 23 times for 76 yards in the Raiders’ 24-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Latavius Murray had a solid contest against one of the more highly-touted rushing defenses in the league. He also provided a spark and made the 49ers defense aware of his presence, thus opening up the passing game (Derek Carr threw 22/28, 254 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 picks). In Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Murray ran the ball 12 times for 59 yards. And, in Week 16, he ran the ball 23 times for 86 yards, and the Raiders snatched their 3rd and final victory, 26-24. Latavius Murray clearly provided a difference in the Oakland Raiders rushing attack and overall production of the offense. Even though they were pedestrian numbers, he made sure opposing defenses knew that he was a threat at all times during the game.

Now, let us take a step away from the statistical side of the equation, and break down exactly why Latavius Murray should start. Personally, my favorite quality about Murray is his ability to find the hole and hit it with blazing speed. He has shown time and time again his ball-carrier vision is one of his strong suits. Another trait of his to look out for is his patience for the play to develop. He allows blocks to be made and holes to open up.

Latavius Murray is not only a very burly running back, but he is also a very fundamentally sound blocker. He knows how to block, when to block, and who to pick up when the defense is running a blitz. As a running back in today’s pass-heavy league, you need to know how to block out of the backfield. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield and gain some shabby reception yards.

In my eyes, Latavius Murray is the clear cut starter. He deserves the start, having been injured his entire rookie year, to being benched a majority of the 2014 season, and to then displaying his ability in the later weeks. He will, and will have to be a vital part of the Raiders offensive success in 2015. Derek Carr needs a viable running game, and Latavius Murray is just that and more. If you add Latavius Murray’s running prowess together with promising rookies Amari Cooper, and tight end Clive Walford, you will be definitely seeing a completely different offense than the year before, and that is just what we might be seeing in 2015.