Entering Year 10 of his skilled soccer profession, former UCF operating again Latavius Murray has a message for the NFL.
“I’m ready without a doubt physically,” Murray, who’s gone unsigned this offseason, instructed the Orlando Sentinel.
Murray has spent the summer season figuring out at UCF with different present NFL gamers like Green Bay Packers receiver Sammy Watkins, New Orleans Saints product Tre’Quan Smith and Buffalo Bills wideout Gabriel Davis.
Murray appreciates the chance from UCF coach Gus Malzahn to coach at his old fashioned, the place he performed faculty ball 2008-12, alongside former Knights like Davis and Smith.
“Gus has made it known that he wants us back and it’s an open-door policy,” Murray mentioned. “For the former players to be able to have a place to train and workout and be around some of the players that are here now, it’s a cool situation.”
The group of professional athletes have skilled underneath Bert Whigham, who works intently with Davis and different NFL gamers.
Murray, who spent final season with the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal, mentioned this offseason has been not like others. With NFL coaching camps across the league beginning this week, it’s the longest Murray has gone as a free agent.
“I’ve been trying to learn to appreciate the time that I have home with my family and appreciate not having the demands of OTAs and minicamp,” Murray mentioned. “Just making sure I’m ready when the time comes.”
Murray believes that point might come quickly.
“Once training camps starts up, there’ll be a lot of moves being made,” he mentioned. “The unfortunate part of the business is there’ll be injuries.”
“So, who knows how the rosters end up shaking up. We know the game.”
During his 9 years within the league, Murray has turn out to be a sturdy operating again. Outside of an ankle damage that saved him sidelined for his rookie season, he’s solely missed 6 video games within the following eight seasons.
He leads all NFL operating backs with 107 video games performed since 2015, in line with CBS Sports. No different operating again has performed greater than 100 video games in that span, CBS Sports calculated.
Murray mentioned he’s grown so much each mentally and bodily since his faculty days in Orlando.
“I’ve always felt in my career that I could continue to be better and find ways to be better,” he mentioned. “I’ve done that over the years. That’s what I’ve been able to do in the NFL, continue to improve my game in ways that I haven’t previously.”
Although he’s staying in form this summer season, Murray has needed to proceed to attend with the NFL season shortly approaching.
“It’s been frustrating for sure,” he mentioned about nonetheless being a free agent at this level in July.
Murray, nonetheless, just isn’t waving the white flag on his NFL profession but.
“When you’re not ready to walk away or you know you have some good football left to contribute to a team, that’s just the hard part,” he mentioned. “Knowing what you could have and figuring out what you may nonetheless give however not with the ability to.
“But look, it’s part of the business.”
Training at UCF whereas being round others within the NFL has helped Murray, who totaled 119 carries for 501 yards and a team-high 6 dashing touchdowns in 14 video games with the Ravens final yr.
“A lot of people might run into that situation and maybe give up, stop training and lose the mental drive,” he mentioned. “Luckily, I’ve had lots of conservations with individuals which are nonetheless within the league who’re simply encouraging [me] simply to remain prepared.
“Right now, it’s just a waiting game.”
Email Jason Beede at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com