How Latavius Murray Changes Everything for the Oakland Raiders
By Vic Lopez
November 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after running back Latavius Murray (28) scored a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Impact on Derek Carr
Common sense will tell you a rookie quarterbacks best friend is an effective run game. Of course a great OLine, a number one wide receiver, and a clutch tight end would help as well.
Bad news for Raiders rookie QB Derek Carr….he has had none of these, until Thursday night.
What Latavius Murray did for Derek Carr is vitally important. An opposing defense who now has to defend both the rush and the pass, is a very vulnerable defense.
Team Defenses have been sitting on routes, sending blitzes, playing the pass, and making Derek Carr’s job that much more difficult. The adversity Carr has faced in 2014 is a product of the lack of help and weapons he has around him.
Murray changes that, making the Raiders a much more versatile offense. The one-dimensional predictable offense can be a thing of the past now that the running game has been re born.
Not only will Murray’s presence increase big plays in the run game, he will also create big plays in the pass game through the play action pass.
Defenses will no longer be able to sit back and play the quick pass. Derek Carr will now have more chances to utilize his incredible skill set and attack the defense at all three levels.
Play the run, get beat by Carr…..Play the pass, get beat by Murray….The Raiders now have one Offensive Dynamic Duo.