Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray enjoyed a solid first-season as the team's full-time starter last year, finishing sixth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,066) and scoring six touchdowns. As a result, he was named to his first Pro Bowl, but only after several other names had been called. Murray served as a replacement player, not the NFL's top choice.
This year, Murray wants to make a return trip to the Pro Bowl, but in more convincing fashion.
"I want to make sure I get there next year on my own terms and on no one else's," he said after Oakland's first OTA practice this week. "It was a great experience. I had a lot of fun. I was definitely stoked that I got the chance to go. Again, I want to make it there on my own terms and what I do on the field."
Murray looks like a solid rusher going forward, but the Raiders still have Roy Helu Jr. and Taiwan Jones behind him. The team also invested a fifth-round draft pick into Texas Tech ball-carrier DeAndre Washington and signed undrafted rookie free agent Jalen Richard from Southern Mississippi.
Washington, who stands 5-foot-8 and 204 pounds, is expected to be a change of pace back in tandem with the 6-3, 225-lb Murray.
"He's good; quick guy, great speed, great vision," Murray said of Washington. "I think he looks real good. Excited to work with him, learn from him and, hopefully, he'll learn from me."
Despite Murray's success, some believe that he lefts yards on the field behind a solid offensive line. There was talk of adding even more talent in the backfield this offseason.
"I knew that was going to be their decision going into the draft," Murray said. "For me, it doesn't change anything. I have to do what I have to do when I'm in the game. Coming in here and getting better every day, I just have to do my job."
Murray averaged 4.0 yards per carry last season, but he believes that he can improve in 2016.
"Going into my fourth season, coming off of last year where I was a full-time starter, I'm definitely more confident," he said. "I still have a lot to prove and a lot that I want to improve on as far as my game. Looking forward to it.
"I think now it's a matter of really learning the playbook inside and out, knowing it like the back of my hand so I can play a lot faster. Any time you're out there thinking, you play slow or you're not confident. So me knowing it now, going into my second year (as the starter), I think I can do a lot more. I feel a lot more confident."
