Latest news with #OaklandRaiders
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Veteran running back Latavius Murray ends 11-year NFL career with defiant social media message
As good as college and NFL scouts may be, players do get overlooked. Veteran running back Latavius Murray is perfect example, as he reminded his Instagram followers while announcing his retirement from the league on Thursday. 'They never saw a pro in me but 11 years later, I showed what a pro really looks like!' wrote Murray alongside his personal highlight reel stretching from his days at Central Florida through his decade-long NFL career. Despite a career that included several years as a starter and one Pro Bowl nod in 2015, Murray's opportunities were dwindling and he spent the last two seasons languishing on the free-agent market. His last carry came for the Buffalo Bills on New Year's Eve in 2023. The 35-year-old was the New York state Gatorade Football Player of the Year in 2007 while playing at Onondaga Central outside Syracuse. But outside of the Orange, Boston College Eagles, Maryland Terrapins and UCF Knights, major schools didn't show much interest. Murray went with UCF and spent three of his next four seasons battling injuries and splitting carries before breaking out as a senior in 2012. Not only did he rush for 1,106 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final college season, but he added another 231 yards and four scores on 27 receptions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Latavius Murray (@lataviusmurray) The disrespect didn't end in college, though, and Murray slid to the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, where he was picked by the Oakland Raiders – the first of his six teams. In total, 24 running backs were taken in that draft, but Murray's 6,552 career rushing yards are greater than all but Le'Veon Bell's 6,554. What's more, Murray had 59 career touchdowns compared to Bell's 42, likely due to his durability and reliability, Outside of his rookie season, which he spent on Injured Reserve, Murray remained one of the league's most durable running backs over the last decade. In 2015, while rushing a career-high 266 times, he reached the 1,000-yard plateau mark for the first and only time in the NFL. Murray would go on to play with the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and two stints with the New Orleans Saints. 'A true professional in every sense of the word,' one fan wrote on Instagram. 'Someone who brought presence and respect to every interaction. It never mattered if you owned the team or took out the trash. 'He treated everyone with the same appreciation, knowing that every role matters. Keep being that driven and thoughtful leader. This isn't the end, it's just the beginning. Congrats on an unreal career my dawg!' Murray's post-NFL career prospects are looking strong. Not only does the married father of four have a bachelor's degree from UCF, but he's earned his MBA from Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management. In total, Murray earned more than $22 million in NFL salary despite being initially overlooked at both the college and professional levels.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders' former star retires after 10 well-traveled NFL seasons
It's not often that a sixth-round NFL Draft pick sticks around for a decade in the league. But Latavius Murray wasn't your average No. 181 overall pick. He proved almost immediately with the Oakland Raiders, beginning in the 2014 season (after a 2013 injury), that he belonged in the NFL. And on Thursday, Murray officially announced his retirement with a really cool video that's worth a watch: MORE: Ravens sign up swimming legend Michael Phelps to help with unexpected task Murray made the Pro Bowl in just his second healthy season in the NFL, when in 2015 for the Raiders he ran for 1,066 yards and caught 41 passes, too. He was with the Raiders through 2016, then had two seasons with the Vikings, two with the Saints, one with Baltimore, a brief return to New Orleans, a mostly full season in Denver and a year with Buffalo. Murray didn't see the field during the 2024 NFL season. He ends his career with 6,552 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns to go with 239 catches for 1,620 yards and a pair more TDs. Murray is an awesome story. He attended a tiny high school outside Syracuse, New York called Onondaga Central. Somehow, he's only the second best RB in Onondaga history. Former Michigan star Mike Hart played there, too, and set the New York state all-time rushing record. But Murray followed in his footsteps well, and he turned that into a college opportunity at Central Florida. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Murray shined at UCF, too, and although he made it to the sixth round in the draft, he was clearly good enough to make it and to stick around, because that's exactly what he did. Now, Murray heads off into the next chapter of his life, having put together an impressive football career along the way. MORE NFL NEWS: Micah Parsons risks temporary retirement, frozen contract if he leaves training camp Steelers' NFL record holder announces his own release We've all been pronouncing Bijan Robinson's name wrong Joe Burrow shares honest feelings on Trey Hendrickson's contract situation Shedeur Sanders shares harsh reality with his dad, Deion Josh Allen continues to prove he's a hero for Bills fans
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Jon Gruden Says This NFL QB Reminds Him of Joe Montana
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has seen his share of quarterbacks over his nearly four decades in coaching, so when he stated one current NFL quarterback reminds him of San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana, it turned more than a few heads. Despite his 117 career wins, .511 career win percentage, and Super Bowl championship, Gruden had been out of football since 2021 when he was promptly fired by the Raiders coach after it was revealed he used racist and homophobic language in emails while he was still coaching in the NFL. The 61-year-old has been adamant about his desire to get back into coaching, and his name has been floated for a few college jobs over the last 12 months — a proposition he said he was open to last September. "Yeah, I'm interested in coaching," Gruden told CBS Sports. "My dad was a college coach, I was a college coach at Pitt...I know I can help a team, I know I can help young players get better, and I know I can hire a good staff, and that's the only thing I can guarantee. But yeah, I'm very interested in coaching at any level, period." Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019... Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. More Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images More NFL: Rams' Sean McVay Drops Concerning Matthew Stafford Injury Update No NFL team had seemed willing to bring Gruden on until the New Orleans Saints hired him as a consultant in 2023, but that position hasn't opened the door to any other NFL opportunities. However, Gruden has popped up here and there at a few training camps as guest of the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions. Gruden was at Lions practice on Monday, which is when he had the revelation that there were quite a few similarities between Montana and Jared Goff. "I hate to throw comparisons out but the number, the continuous movement that he plays with, he always reminded me of [Joe] Montana," Gruden stated, via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. "From the days I was with the 49ers—my dad coached at Notre Dame with Joe—but there's a similar personality, a similar playing style. He is one tough cat in the pocket." Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 5, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. BetVictor... Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 5, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. BetVictor Canada predicts the Lions winning the Super Bowl More Photo byMore NFL: Ex-Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce Resurfaces With Surprising New Job Gruden's remarks may miss the mark for some. Goff's resume, which includes four Pro Bowls, five 4,000-yard seasons, and three seasons with 30 or more touchdowns, doesn't compare to Montana's. The 49ers icon was an eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, four-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time NFL MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year. While Goff may not be as accomplished as Montana, he is currently the seventh-highest paid QB in the NFL ($53 million per year), and he has the second-most passing yards (16,887), fourth--most touchdowns (115), fourth-highest passer rating (100.2), and fourth-best completion percentage (67.9) since he became the Lions' starter in 2021.
3 days ago
- Sport
Eric Allen turns 14-year career as a standout cornerback into a Hall of Fame nod
Among all of the impressive accomplishments that helped Eric Allen make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the fact that he maintained his elite level of play so he never had to move from cornerback in his 14 seasons stands out. From his first game as a rookie as part of Buddy Ryan's fierce defenses in Philadelphia in 1988 to his final game as a savvy veteran for the Oakland Raiders in 2001, Allen shut down opposing receivers as well as anybody. 'I take tremendous pride in that,' Allen said. 'But to be able to be on the corner from day one to the last game of my career, being a starter and being an effective player, it means a lot. ... I'm not a DB, I'm a corner. I'm not going to be all snobby. But it's different positions.' And few played it as well as Allen and now he had gotten the ultimate recognition when he will be officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. "I played against a lot of really good corners. I think Eric was one of the smartest I've played against," said Rich Gannon, who played against Allen early in his career and was a teammate at the end with the Raiders when Allen and Charles Woodson would match up against Jerry Rice and Tim Brown in heated practice sessions. 'He was really clever. He jumped certain routes, recognized certain things. He's one of those guys, if you're going to throw in his direction, you better see him. You just can't put your foot in the ground and think the receiver's got separation. He'd bait you. He'd act like he got beat or he was off. He had great recovery skill, good recovery speed. There just wasn't a lot of weakness in his game.' Allen credits his preparation for his success that included six Pro Bowl berths, one All-Pro selection in 1989, two second-team selections and 54 interceptions. Allen grew up playing both ways and envisioned himself as being Marcus Allen, growing up in San Diego. Those running back skills paid dividends in the NFL with nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, including one in a playoff win for Philadelphia over New Orleans in the 1992 season and a league-leading four in the 1993 season alone. "That always seemed like a requirement for the position, don't just intercept it but when you catch it, run. That's your opportunity to show your moves," he said. 'So when you get the ball, it's your time to turn to Marcus Allen. It was a requirement. If you play the cornerback, if you catch the ball and you get to try and score.' Allen's career started in Philadelphia in 1988 with his rookie season ending with a playoff loss in the famous 'Fog Bowl' game at Chicago. It ended with another famous playoff loss when the Raiders lost to New England in the 'Tuck Rule' game following the 2001 season. 'That's crazy,' he said. 'I talk about that a lot too. Two things that were definitely beyond our control.' Allen's biggest memory of the Tuck Rule game came just before that fateful play when he overheard Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis discuss the play call that had a slant as the first option. Allen told linebacker William Thomas to cover the first open widow and Allen was there to jump the route if Brady waited — which is exactly what happened but Woodson forced what was called a fumble on the field only to get overturned on a replay that still haunts the Raiders from that game today. When coach Jon Gruden was traded away from Oakland a few weeks later, Allen decided it was time to retire and missed the Raiders run to the Super Bowl in 2002. 'I just thought that was maybe the perfect time to book end my career,' he said. All that was left was the wait for the call from the Hall of Fame that came earlier this year when former Arizona State teammate Randall McDaniel delivered the news. 'The people around me, my circle, it really kind of relieved for them,' Allen said. 'I was never panicked or ever in a situation where, oh, man, I'm not going to get in. I came to peace about this a long time ago, Whenever I get in will be perfect.'
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Eric Allen turns 14-year career as a standout cornerback into a Hall of Fame nod
Among all of the impressive accomplishments that helped Eric Allen make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the fact that he maintained his elite level of play so he never had to move from cornerback in his 14 seasons stands out. From his first game as a rookie as part of Buddy Ryan's fierce defenses in Philadelphia in 1988 to his final game as a savvy veteran for the Oakland Raiders in 2001, Allen shut down opposing receivers as well as anybody. 'I take tremendous pride in that,' Allen said. 'But to be able to be on the corner from day one to the last game of my career, being a starter and being an effective player, it means a lot. ... I'm not a DB, I'm a corner. I'm not going to be all snobby. But it's different positions.' And few played it as well as Allen and now he had gotten the ultimate recognition when he will be officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. "I played against a lot of really good corners. I think Eric was one of the smartest I've played against," said Rich Gannon, who played against Allen early in his career and was a teammate at the end with the Raiders when Allen and Charles Woodson would match up against Jerry Rice and Tim Brown in heated practice sessions. 'He was really clever. He jumped certain routes, recognized certain things. He's one of those guys, if you're going to throw in his direction, you better see him. You just can't put your foot in the ground and think the receiver's got separation. He'd bait you. He'd act like he got beat or he was off. He had great recovery skill, good recovery speed. There just wasn't a lot of weakness in his game.' Allen credits his preparation for his success that included six Pro Bowl berths, one All-Pro selection in 1989, two second-team selections and 54 interceptions. Allen grew up playing both ways and envisioned himself as being Marcus Allen, growing up in San Diego. Those running back skills paid dividends in the NFL with nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, including one in a playoff win for Philadelphia over New Orleans in the 1992 season and a league-leading four in the 1993 season alone. "That always seemed like a requirement for the position, don't just intercept it but when you catch it, run. That's your opportunity to show your moves," he said. 'So when you get the ball, it's your time to turn to Marcus Allen. It was a requirement. If you play the cornerback, if you catch the ball and you get to try and score.' Allen's career started in Philadelphia in 1988 with his rookie season ending with a playoff loss in the famous 'Fog Bowl' game at Chicago. It ended with another famous playoff loss when the Raiders lost to New England in the 'Tuck Rule' game following the 2001 season. 'That's crazy,' he said. 'I talk about that a lot too. Two things that were definitely beyond our control.' Allen's biggest memory of the Tuck Rule game came just before that fateful play when he overheard Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis discuss the play call that had a slant as the first option. Allen told linebacker William Thomas to cover the first open widow and Allen was there to jump the route if Brady waited — which is exactly what happened but Woodson forced what was called a fumble on the field only to get overturned on a replay that still haunts the Raiders from that game today. When coach Jon Gruden was traded away from Oakland a few weeks later, Allen decided it was time to retire and missed the Raiders run to the Super Bowl in 2002. 'I just thought that was maybe the perfect time to book end my career,' he said. All that was left was the wait for the call from the Hall of Fame that came earlier this year when former Arizona State teammate Randall McDaniel delivered the news. 'The people around me, my circle, it really kind of relieved for them,' Allen said. 'I was never panicked or ever in a situation where, oh, man, I'm not going to get in. I came to peace about this a long time ago, Whenever I get in will be perfect.'
