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Oakland Raiders “Oldest Roster” Label Belies Youth Movement

By Matthew Lorscheider

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Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) is defended by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Andre Fluellen (96) at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Running Back

Old Players: Maurice Jones-Drew (29) and Darren McFadden (27)

Young Player: Latavius Murray (24)

In the NFL, running backs do not have a particularly long shelf life. At the age of 29, Maurice-Jones Drew is set to be one of the oldest starting running backs in the league this year. Darren McFadden, at 27, has suffered a continuous string of injuries since he was drafted in 2008, and is on a one-year deal. Not only are there question marks regarding each back’s future with the team in coming years, there are questions regarding their ability to even finish the 2014 season.

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    • Enter Latavius Murray. Murray, a 2013 6th round pick out of Central Florida, missed his rookie campaign after being placed on IR at the end of the preseason. With almost a full year to recover, Murray entered camp this year ready and energized and easily won the #3 running back spot with excellent preseason play both as a runner and returner. Murray, at 6’3″ and 225, was clocked at a 4.38 in the 40 yard dash at his pro day in 2013, and also bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times – a stellar mark for a running back. Murray performed well this preseason, carrying the ball 23 times for 94 yards and a score. Given the start in the fourth preseason game against Seattle, he bullied Seattle’s starting defenders early on, gaining 41 yards on 8 carries and scoring the Raiders first touchdown of the game. On the Raiders first drive, Murray bullied and overpowered Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas on three occasions, including running him over at the goal line on the scoring play. Murray is a bigger, stronger Darren McFadden with nearly equivalent speed who has shown flashes of big-play ability and can also contribute as a returner.

    Behind an offensive line that is built to run the football, especially with a quarterback who an keep defenses from stacking the box too heavily, Murray can be every bit as effective as a healthy McFadden and Jones-Drew. At only 24, in his first real NFL season, Murray seems to have many productive years in front of him if he remains healthy.

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