Oakland Raiders Love Playing for Tony Sparano, According to Latavius Murray

Latavius Murray has been hidden for much of the 2014 season, but the second year running back who has been one of the Oakland Raiders breakout stars since interim head coach Tony Sparano has taken over had nothing but kind things to say about his present bench boss when asked about Sparano this week. In fact, Murray went as far to say that Sparano is doing a great job even if the Raiders offense has ignored Murray’s talents in games since his breakout performance against the Chiefs on Thursday night football.

Murray, talking to the media on Monday, called Sparano a players coach and said that everyone he is close with on the Raiders love to play for the interim head coach. A coach that may or may not be already out of the door as the Raiders are trying to entice a high profile name come the 2015 offseason.

From the SF Gate:

"“I think Tony has done a great job, and I think everyone in the locker room loves his approach,” Murray said Monday. “I feel he’s definitely a players’ coach, and we all love playing for him.”Asked if Sparano has unanimous support in the locker room to come back next season, Murray said he has the support of “everyone I’m close with.”"

It is hard to truly know if Murray is just being professional and trying to avoid controversy with his comments on a coach who has only just given him an opportunity to showcase his talents, but the Raiders have shown that they will compete for Sparano in two impressive late season upsets. We will find out if the Raiders players are willing to continue those efforts on Sunday in the 2014 home finale when they try to spoil the Buffalo Bills AFC Wild Card dreams in what could be one of the final games at the Coliseum. Based on Murray’s comments, expect the Raiders to continue to fight for their interim head coach until the final whistle of the 2014 season.