When Bill Musgrave became the Raiders’ offensive coordinator in January, it was noted by one NFL analyst that he “knows a thing or two about running the football.”
In his six seasons as offensive coordinator for the Vikings and Jaguars, he’d had a top-10 rushing attack four times.
But at those stops, Musgrave had running backs such as Adrian Peterson and Fred Taylor.
Now Musgrave will lean on the likes of Latavius Murray, Trent Richardson and Roy Helu, Jr. to carry the ball in 2015, and there are some who doubt the Raiders have what they need to run the football consistently well.
This week, in fact, Marc Sessler of NFL.com ranked the Raiders corps of running backs 30th among the league’s 32 teams.
Yet so far, Musgrave has been impressed by Murray. Recently he noted that Murray has a terrific work ethic and “great study habits” that will go a long way in allowing him to come out of training camp as the team’s No. 1 running back.
In a limited role as the team’s lead back late in 2014, Murray showed off his size and speed and ability to pick up big yards. Musgrave and new head coach Jack Del Rio believe he could blossom in 2015 – especially if the offensive line comes together.
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A Raiders source who chose not to be identified told Adam Caplan of ESPN.com that Murray “has a chance at a huge year in this system because he is smart, physically a freak.”
Murray is 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds with terrific breakaway speed. According to one metric, called Speed Score, Murray’s ability to run through holes and away from tacklers in 2014 was far above the NFL norm and above some of the league’s best backs.
The combination of Murray as the main back and Helu as a change-of-pace runner and third-down option out of the backfield could give Oakland its best combination of backs in several years. And that doesn't take into account Marcel Reece, the former fullback who could be used in multiple roles in 2015.
Last year with Washington, Helu averaged 5.4 yards per carry and 11.4 yards per catch on 42 receptions.
For now, at least, the Raiders are high on Murray and believe he could be poised for a big season. Next year at this time – if the Raiders’ hopes are proven correct – Oakland could be far higher in the backfield rankings than 30th.
New head coach Jack Del Rio likes what Murray has shown so far.
“Right now he’s been running with the lead group, but he knows that he has to earn that through camp, through the preseason,” he said during last week’s minicamp. “But he’s done a nice job this offseason. He’s taking steps and growing as a player.”
