Latavius is fast for a big man. At his pro day at Central Florida, he ran two 40 yard sprints at 4.40 or below. He is built like Michael Bush and has drawn great accolades for his pass catching abilities similar to Bush.  One of his best attributes are his hands. His hands are as reliable as they are rock solid. Latavius had ZERO fumbles in the last 400+ carries in his college career. (That’s amazing all in its own.)

Did I mention he’s big? Built in the same mold as Eric Dickerson (and runs similar to him) he has both the gift of speed and power.  He never gets caught from behind and I would not want to be the DB in front of him neither.  I can see Coach Allen using him in a lot of 3^rd down with Marcel Reece in the same backfield. Could you imagine the nightmare in coverage that would bring to any line backing corps?

The “L” Train

For the 2013 Raider depth chart, it looks like Darren McFadden (for the first 4 games), Rashad Jennings and then Latavius. I feel that Latavius will fit in our power run scheme better then Jennings and Latavius will be named the Raiders #2 starter (2013 sleeper) by the start of the 2013 season. I also feel that Latavius will be the rightful heir of the #1 spot once McBroken gets hurt again. Call me crazy but the writing is on the wall for DMC. Contract year + Rookie drive = Free agency for DMC. I would love to see DMC have an all pro year but he’s only had ONE year over 1000 yards which is a low and outdated goal in this days NFL.

God Bless the Raiders and God Bless the Raider Nation!

Greg Simon

JBB Staff Writer

@simonizr

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http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Latavius-Murray-Media-Session/52776953-7783-44cc-a901-7ea948509ff7

Most of these men will only be in camp long enough to have a cup of coffee and perhaps see some limited action in preseason contests. But using Rod Streater as an example you never know when a hidden gem will sparkle once offseason workouts begin.

The Oakland Raiders have signed 14 undrafted rookie free agents, General Manager Reggie McKenzie announced Monday.

Billy Boyko (6-2, 240) LB – Lehigh: Played four years at Lehigh, playing in 41 games. He played in 11 games with 10 starts as a senior, leading the team with 104 tackles (53 solo).

Adrian Bushell (5-10, 190) DB – Louisville: Played two years at Louisville after also playing at Cedar Valley Community College and Florida. He posted 62 tackles (45 solo) and one interception as a senior at Louisville.

Bobby Cowan (6-4, 220) P – Idaho: Played four years at Idaho, becoming the Vandals’ all-time leading punter with an average of 44.7 yards. He punted 70 times as a senior, averaging 43.1 yards per attempt.

Deveric Gallington (6-3, 315) C – Texas Tech: Finished collegiate career making 38 consecutive starts on the offensive line. He started all 13 games as a senior and helped the team rush for 1,674 yards, the most for Texas Tech since 1998.

Shelton Johnson (6-0, 197) S – Wisconsin: Saw action in 46 games with 23 starts in four years at Wisconsin. He played in 11 games with 10 starts as a senior in 2012, and recorded four interceptions as a junior in 2011.

Brian Leonhardt (6-5, 255) TE – Bemidji State: Played four years at Bemidji State. He ranked third on the team with 25 receptions for 343 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.

Lamar Mady (6-2, 315) G – Youngstown State: Played two years at Youngstown State after transferring from Butler County Community College. He started all 11 games as a senior in 2012.

Sam McGuffie (5-10, 200) WR – Rice: Played three years at Rice after transferring from Michigan. He became the first Rice player with 1,000 career yards in both rushing and receiving. As a senior, he totaled 54 receptions for 603 yards and five touchdowns.

Kyle Padron (6-3, 225) QB – Eastern Washington: Played one season at Eastern Washington after transferring from SMU. He played in 11 games as a senior, completing 175-of-296 passes for 2,491 yards and 17 touchdowns. He posted a 12-9 record in 21 starts at SMU.

Adam Steiner (6-2, 240) LS – Akron: Saw action as Akron’s long-snapper for four years. His father, Charles, played in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.

Kurt Taufa’asau (6-2, 300) DT – Wyoming: Played two years at Wyoming after transferring from New Mexico Military College. He played in seven games as a senior, totaling 22 tackles (13 solo) and 1½ tackles for loss.

Conner Vernon (6-0, 192) WR – Duke: Played four years at Duke, totaling 198 receptions for 2,675 yards and 13 touchdowns. A two-time All-ACC selection, he became the only player in conference history to register multiple seasons with 70 or more receptions.

John Wetzel (6-7, 315) T – Boston College: Saw action in 38 games in four years at Boston College. He started all 12 games as a senior in 2012, for an offense that averaged 259.3 passing yards per game.

Deonte Williams (5-10, 213) RB – Cal Poly: Played two years at Cal Poly after transferring from Sierra College. An Oakland native, he rushed for 1,547 yards on 231 carries and 12 touchdowns as a senior in 2012.

It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire.”

July 15, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Star Wars stormtroopers line up as Darth Vader (center) throws out the first pitch before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins before at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The opening of the 1977 movie “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” pretty much sums up the draft day had by the Oakland Raiders. It is a period of hardship for the Raiders. Fans have spent over a decade without the sweet taste of a winning season. However, after years of draft busts and tears a new hope finally emerges in the form of the Jedi Knight/GM, Reggie McKenzie. He wins his first victory within the draft picks that will be just the beginning of the force returning to Oakland.

All wookies aside the Raiders were in rough shape a couple of months ago. Carson Palmer was on his way out, McFadden was without backup, the offensive line was depleted, and the defense lacked, well everything. The outlook for Oakland didn’t make it past four wins.

Free agency came and went. Oakland filled crucial holes with one year “prove it” contracts.

Terrell Pryor received some competition in Matt Flynn while McFadden welcomed a new backup in Rashad Jennings.

Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly were replaced with serious question mark players, Pat Sims and Vance Walker.

The linebackers got some talent to help Miles Burris (Kevin Burnett, Kaluka Maiva, and Nick Roach) all the while getting rid of the criminal known as Rolando McClain.

The secondary and worst aspect in Oakland added Pro-Bowl talent in Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter.

Not bad Reggie McKenzie. Dealing with limited cap space the GM managed to take this team from utter disarray to mediocrity. Enter the 2013 NFL Draft.

Nobody can truly grade this draft until the players strap on the pads and hit the field. Until then it is all speculation. But at first glance it really seems like Reggie could not have made out better.

D.J. Hayden, the Raiders first pick, is a kid who is best known for his heart (not like Rudy). Rather his heart issue. After suffering the life threatening freak injury, Hayden has been cleared to play by doctors. Thus ends my concern with his heart. My concern or lack thereof lies within his football play. McKenzie has acknowledged the knack Hayden shows in coverage. Something Oakland has lacked since the exile of Nnamdi Asomugha. Hayden’s coverage abilities combined with his natural speed and awareness on the field will likely land him as a starter in week one. The addition of Hayden gives Tracey Porter the opportunity to excel at nickel corner which he is best at.

Apr 26, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raider first round pick D.J. Hayden answers questions during the press conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Not only did the Raiders get their number one guy, but their trade with the Dolphins allowed them to add a rather interesting prospect. The very raw offensive lineman, Menalik Watson, has but a year of football under his belt. Despite the lack of experience, good coaching may end the questions that lie within the offensive line.

In the third round Oakland added linebacker Sio Moore who was pretty fired up to say the least.

“For me, I take that and use that not to brag and boast but as a chip on my shoulder because even though I can do a bunch of things I’m still overlooked. It’s a shame but it’s also a blessing because it’s the reason why I’m pissed off. Going to Oakland they’re going to get a pissed off linebacker that wants to prove why he’s the best linebacker coming out this year. I don’t care about the guys drafted before me. I play with juice. None of those guys are as hungry as me. None of those guys want to work as hard as me. I’m going to make sure wherever I go, whoever I’m with I’m going to outwork them.” – Sio Moore

Sio Moore might be a horrible linebacker and amount to nothing in the NFL. But by the sounds of it he plans on being the next cornerstone of a defense. And a round later another possible cornerstone was added to the Raider’s roster.

Oct 15, 2011; East Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies linebacker Sio Moore (3) celebrates after making an interception against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Wilson, quarterback out of Arkansas has been compared to the likes of Brett Favre. Many questions surround his footwork, but the upside on this kid seems huge. If Matt Flynn gets to comfortable this job might be Wilson’s to lose. (I can’t see Pryor getting a shot to start. It seems like McKenzie/Allen don’t trust the kid.)

McKenzie continued to fill holes throughout the later rounds of the draft. A blocking and a receiving tight end were drafted to fill the Brandon Meyers void. Depth was added as the Raiders backed up McFadden with a bruising potential filled back, and the receiving corps caught a big possession receiver out of SDSU. In the last round the Raiders finally attended to their defensive line by adding a small Collegiate defensive end.

These players might just look like another draft class right now. But in three or four years this class will be remembered as Reggie McKenzie’s draft that turned the Raiders back into a winning program. The class that gave the Raiders, a new hope.