At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray was once asked to move to linebacker during college. Now in the NFL, the tailback tries to emulate other big backs, like Adrian Peterson and DeMarco Murray.
"Size and speed," said Murray, via the San Francisco Chronicle. "Not many guys with that combination. I do watch those two guys, but I know I have to stick to my game."
The second-year runner understands Peterson and DeMarco are two of the NFL's best backs, while he has just 82 carries under his belt. First, Murray must win the starting job -- he's taken all the first team reps in camp thus far.
"My mentality is to stay where I am at and be that guy," Murray said. "It's big being able to get a series of carries together and getting comfortable back there. Get used to the scheme and the guys I am in there with."
At his size with breakaway speed, if he stays healthy -- which wasn't the case all of last year -- Murray could be a 1,000-yard, No. 1 running back, according to general manager Reggie McKenzie.
"No question," McKenzie said. "He can do it all."
As it stands, Murray is set to be the starter with Roy Helu the third-down and pass-catching back. Trent Richardson could be a spectator, if he even makes the roster.
"For a big guy, Latavius has extremely good quickness," offensive line coach Mike Tice said. "And when he gets behind his pads, he is hard to tackle. Smaller linebackers might be in serious trouble."
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