November 24, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights running back Latavius Murray (28) runs with the ball during the second half of the game against the UAB Blazers at Bright House Networks Stadium. The Knights defeated the Blazers 49-24. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

 Latavius Murray, Running Back, University of Central Florida

HEIGHT: 6’2 5/8″

WEIGHT: 225 lbs

HANDS: 9 1/8″

ARM LENGTH: 33-1/4″

40-TIME: 4.38

VERTICAL: 36″

While Conference USA isn’t know for shoveling out NFL talent to the degree of any BCS conference, it’s still produced a number of quality running backs over the years, including Ahmad Bradshaw,  Kevin Smith, Deangelo Williams, Chris Johnson, and Matt Forte. Central Freida’s Latavius Murray is looking to become the latest back to come out of C-USA and make an impact in the NFL.

Over the past two seasons, Murray went 407 carries at Central Florida without losing a fumble, including this past season when he carried the ball 198 times for 1106 yard (5.6 ypc) and 15 touchdowns. He also showed he can be a receiving threat in today’s pass-happy NFL, snagging 27 balls for 231 yards (8.6) and another four scores. He was the UCF offense, and teams still found it difficult to slow down the 6’3″ 225 lb back, who knows the importance of not putting the ball on the turf:

I guess I just have always understood the ball is important; playing another down is important. You always want the extra yard, to give your team a little something extra, to get everything you can out of a run. But you have to finish with the ball in your hands, and I think ball security on every play.

You don’t want to be that guy who puts the ball on the ground. You’re probably coming out if you do, and I wanted to stay in. I always want to stay in.

LT, as his teammates called him, was actually an H-back until the beginning of the 201 season when he was switched to running back full-time, though did line up there at times during the 2012 season. Perhaps he can play the H-back at the NFL level in order to get on the field more. He also has the measurables and skills to play fullback at the next level. As long as he’s drafted into the right system with an offensive coordinator who knows how to use him properly, Murray should be able to contribute to a team in a multitude of ways.

As for who’s looking at potentially drafting him, he’s likely meeting with the Bengals today after tweeting out a picture of him in Cincinnati on Wednesday night.

Strengths

Great north-south runner who shows great burst to the hole.

Despite poor offensive line, rarely loses yardage as he fights for every yard.

Will shows patience to let his blocks develop.

Doesn’t shy from contact. Will stay in-bounds and take extra hits just to get 1-2 extra yards.

Consistently run through arm tackles.

Good pass-blocker.

Weaknesses

Tends to dance in the backfield waiting for blocks to develop.

Has good initial burst, but lacks that extra gear to breakaway from NFL-level defenders.

Durability concerns: Missed three games in 2012 after suffering a bruised shoulder against Akron in Week 1.

Was medically redshirted in 2009 after tearing his ACL and LCL while playing pick-up basketball before the season.

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Sept. 16, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks on during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

This is probably not this first you have heard of Carson Palmer wanting to leave the Raiders, but if it is, then I have probably made your day.

There are two different reports out of Carson “Stab-You-In-The-Back-With-A-Knife-In-His” Palmer, (Yes that was drawn out and elaborate but I do it for you). One of them says that Palmer would rather play  for less money else where than take a pay cut a play for the Oakland Raiders. The other states that Palmer would rather be a backup for a contender than play for Oakland.

Can anyone in the greater Cincinnati area say that they are surprised? If you do, then you live under a rock somewhere in the Middle East. And yes, the Middle East was necessary because third world countries get all of the NFL Gear that says, “2012 Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers.”

I’m getting off topic, anyways. To all of the people that say Carson Palmer was just leaving Cincinnati to stand up to ownership, what is your excuse now? He reportedly declined a pay cut from $13 million to $10 million. For a guy that says it is not about money, that is highly hypocritical. The Oakland Raiders are willing to stay with Carson Palmer, “For Now” if he would take a pay cut. Now, if he would (but he won’t) take a pay cut, they could use that lower salary to trade him to a more desperate team, but isn’t that what he wants? To play on another team?

So Carson has refused a pay cut that would have possibly landed him on another team. He is isn’t a very smart business man. He is a terrible team-mate. And, this could end up resulting in Carson Palmer never taking a snap as a starting QB in the NFL again.

P.S. I would love to have a reporter ask Palmer, “Carson, since you would rather play for less money on another team, and be a backup for a contender, would you ever consider backing-up Andy Dalton?.” Oh how GLORIOUS of a question that would be. Just to see the look on his face.

So to Carson Palmer who is sitting in his home in California: How are the Bengals looking now?

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My Dad: Man, I would love one more score before half.
Me: Just one? I want two.

By the end of the first half, the Cincinnati Bengals could see their third straight win in sight.

Nov 25, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) carries the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE

The offense scored three unanswered touchdowns in that thirty minutes, capped by a 55-yard field goal by Mike Nugent as time expired.

The Bengals went up by seven after BenJarvus Green-Ellis punched the football across the goal-line after a career-high 48-yard blast on third and short. He ended the game with 129 yards on 19 carries, following up his first 100-yard game of the season from last week at Kansas City.

The first touchdown pass from Andy Dalton went to the rookie Mohamed Sanu, as he continues his emergence as the Bengals’ number two receiver. On his second touchdown toss, the “Red Rifle” redefined the meaning of the bullet pass, as he threw again to the young Sanu off of his back foot for seven points. The long field goal then came after Chris Crocker intercepted Carson Palmer’s last pass of the first half and returned it into Oakland territory.