Last week, Tony Sparano wasn’t ready to proclaim that young running back Latavius Murray would become the workhorse for the rest of the season.
Now it appears Murray is in line to be just that. After missing last week’s 52-0 loss at St. Louis, Murray, who missed his rookie season last year, had 76 yards on 23 carries in a win over San Francisco. He has 231 yards on 31 carries in his last three games. With veterans Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew struggling all season, it makes sense that Murray will get a chance to be the workhorse.
Murray wasn’t dominant Sunday but ran hard and gained positive yardage.
“When I watch Latavius play, I see really active feet,” Sparano said. “He’s a guy who’s really active in the hole with his feet and he’s not a guy that gets arm-tackled a lot down there along his ankles. He can pick his feet up and get through some things at times and he leans forward. So I mean, he’s a big back that leans forward. So the 2-yard runs end up being 4-yard runs. The 4-yard runs end up being 6-yard runs because the way this guy leans.”
In other Raiders’ notes:
Sparano said he might change the team’s schedule some this week after Raiders prepare to play at Kansas City at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday. The Raiders struggle in early starts.
Sparano praised the play of cornerback Tarell Brown, who came back from what looked like a serious leg injury against the 49ers, his former team.
Sunday’s game was likely the best performance by offensive coordinator Greg Olson’s unit. Sparano praised Olson for his varied game plan against the 49ers’ strong defense.
Sparano should his team footage of the epic Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward boxing match before Sunday's game.
If the Raiders activate Rod Streater this week, Denarius Moore could be a candidate to be cut. He no longer is part of the offense.
The Raiders, who have struggled rushing the passer this season, had five sacks against the 49ers. That gives them 18 on the season.
