Latavius Murray on Expectations for 2017, Where his Role as a Mentor/Competitor Begin/End
Joe Johnson
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When the Vikings decided to move on from the best running back in franchise history, most fans thought that they had nailed it when they went after the most appealing running back in free agency this off-season, Latavius Murray. It was that move that shook many a Vikings related Mock Draft to the core, as while the Vikings didn’t have a first round pick in this year’s draft people still expected them to go after a running back with their first overall pick. When Murray was signed, though, that all changed and the thought was that the team would go after an offensive lineman (or ten) in the draft. However, one of the first sites to report that Murray wasn’t going to be the only foot to fill AP’s shoes was in fact, you guessed it, purplePTSD.com. In an article titled “Latavius Murray Does Not Replace Adrian Peterson” by purplePTSD Senior Writer, Luke Braun.
While that title could be inferred as “There’s no way he’ll replace AD” (by Peterson himself, solely), it was actually essentially about the type of running back Murray has been during his time in the league and what the Vikings were looking for both in regard to replacing Peterson but also really when it comes to what a back-field should be able to contribute in 2017’s NFL. The not-so-hidden fact was that Peterson greatly limited what the Vikings could do on the field when he was out there. Not just in terms of always giving him the ball but also in the ways they could give him the ball. That should change with Murray, who is considered a top three to five blocking running back in the NFL and who isn’t too shabby at catching the ball, either. But, how often he ends up getting the ball is still up in the air (Get it?) as the Vikings actually did follow Luke’s advice and ended up drafting a running back with their first overall pick in Dalvin Cook of Florida State.
Latavius Murray was on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football this week and discussed his arrival in Minnesota and his outlook for the 2017 season. First, he addressed the Cook in the room by saying, about his reaction to the Vikings drafting Cook:
“It wasn’t a surprise. When you see a guy, again, first-round potential sitting there in the second round, they snatch him up, you can’t be surprised, It motivates me regardless, because they’re always going to bring in somebody to take over for your position.”
While it’s the right answer, it’s also basically the only answer he could give. While Luke’s piece does show that there isn’t a ton of overlap between what the Vikings may expect the two RB’s to do, especially with Cook being a rookie, the fact is that Murray has yet to practice as he’s recovering from ankle surgery this off-season so Cook does have a leg up on him in that regard. Murray addresses that by saying:
“If I’m looking at it from my perspective, here I am, already behind in a sense, going into a new offense, new situation, but I’m injured, coming off an injury, Dalvin’s already been through the [organized team activities], he’s already been through the offseason. So, he has that up on me. But also, looking at it as, hey, I’m the vet, I have time in this league, I’ve done some good things in this league. So I have a lot to bring to the table. You’re looking at it from his aspect, ‘Look this older vet is coming off this injury, it’s time for him to step aside. I want this, and I should be the guy.'”
Now we’re cooking! This sounds a bit spicier than I expected, perhaps Murray was a tad bit upset that the Vikings brought him in only to draft another feature back with their next move (I call that Chester Taylor syndrome)? Who knows. But, honestly, these guys are great at what they do for a reason and one of those reasons is that they genuinely believe that they’re great at what they do. It’s a mentality you have to have if you’re willing to go out and risk your life and limb with every touch of the ball on the largest stage in your sport’s world. So, I like that he’s worked up (if you call this worked up) and that he’s willing to fight for his spot as the leader of the back-field, you really wouldn’t want it any other way.
Because of the surgery, it sounds like Murray is just frustrated with the process and really just wants to get out on the field. His goal is to be ready for the season opener on Monday, Sept. 11th against Adrian Peterson and the New Orleans Adrian Peterson’s. He talked about that a bit, saying:
“This is what I want. When it comes Game 1, I need to be back there lining up.”
So, while he is motivated and clearly wants to be the starter Week 1 (and beyond) he also did talk about his role as a mentor to the rookie Cook. Saying:
“As I said, MJD [Maurice Jones-Drew], Darren McFadden, Marcel Reece, those guys did everything they could to try and help me be a better player, and I’m going to do the same for Dalvin, Again, it’s going to come down to who is going to be the best player that can play. Because I give Dalvin knowledge and try to help him, doesn’t mean, OK, that I shouldn’t go out there and outperform him and outcompete.”
Wow. More spice! We got ourselves a total running back battle! This is going to make camp so much fun and again, it’s a great “problem” to have. I’m sure Cook is thinking/saying the same things, and the fact that the Vikings suddenly have an overabundance of great running backs who are ready to put in work and fight for their spot at the top, means great things for this season and the Vikings offense as a whole. The final question during his time on the show was his prediction about who would be starting Week 1 against the Saints. He said:
“I’m on the field … I’m getting the ball”.
Regardless of whether or not that ends up being the case, it looks like the Vikings will end up being the real winners.