Talk about making the most of your opportunity.
After missing the entirety of his rookie year in 2013 due to injury, and receiving limited work through the first 11 weeks of the 2014 season, RB Latavius Murray burst onto the scene during the Raiders Week 12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
In front of a national audience during Thursday Night Football, the former UCF Knight stole the show, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 112 yards on just four carries in the first half. He didn't play in the second half due to injury, but the young running back made his mark, and left the game as the first player in NFL history to gain at least 110 yards on five or fewer carries.
Murray received the majority of the carries when he returned from injury and finished 2014 with 424 yards and two touchdowns, peaking the interest of both the fans as well as the new coaching staff in Oakland.
"I've heard a lot of good things about [Coach Del Rio]," said Murray. "I'm definitely excited to get it going with him and just kick this season off the right way."
During a lunch with select local media last week, Head Coach Jack Del Rio gave his initial assessment on the young rusher.
"Good size. Good speed," Coach Jack Del Rio said about Murray. "There's some things that we'll need to work to improve, in terms of overall awareness, football IQ, things like that, but we think we can help him with coaching, and some of the running lanes we want to provide him."
He continued on to speak about Murray's spark and the potential he flashed in the latter stages of the season.
"I think he's shown enough of the traits to make him a candidate to be that guy," Coach Del Rio said. "I don't know that he's earned that, yet. I think he's shown that there's potential there and we're excited about working with him and developing him to his fullest, and having him compete."
Murray shared his new head coach's sentiment and is looking forward to the chance to compete for the starting job throughout the offseason program and training camp.
"I'm excited about the opportunity," said Murray. "I'm excited about competing again next year to be the guy. I'm just excited about the opportunity and what I know we're capable of doing."
