Louis Murphy in danger of not making Oakland Raiders

[MadBomber24]

I think Murphy will be on the bubble for the simple fact that he played terrible last year after his injury and didn't produce. If he plays like that in camp and preseason then he will be gone regardless of Streater or Criner. If Murphy can show in camp what we saw from him as a rookie and a little his second year then he will stay. But since his rookie year he has declined each year. Wouldn't shock me at all to see him cut. In fact unless he really steps up he's one I kind of expect to get cut.

[themiamiraider]

I hope we don't cut him. Murph deserves to be at least part of the next season.

[rayderguy]

How can you possibly say two rookies who haven't even entered their first camp are steadily improving? Or are you referring to McGee who made it off the PS where he spent all last year... Oh but he has to make it out of camp on the official roster too... Ooops...

The things some people say on this site!!!

I can say that Moore, DHB and Ford have improved an d all of the buzz so far has been about Criner and Streater.
How's this?...If anyone is on the bubble it's got to be Murphy and McGee. (sounds like the Irish pub you spend all of your time in)

[Worrier]

Towner, all you had to say was one name in response to the Criner/Streater hype.

Nick Miller. The guy had epic OTA, camp, and pre-season. Where is he now?

I think Murphy might be the guy who steps up and breaks out for us this season. He's healthy, and he knows his job is on the line.

[Towner13]

Towner, all you had to say was one name in response to the Criner/Streater hype.

Nick Miller. The guy had epic OTA, camp, and pre-season. Where is he now?

I think Murphy might be the guy who steps up and breaks out for us this season. He's healthy, and he knows his job is on the line.

Good point.

[B. anthracis]

I hate the term "straight line speed ". Is that an exclusive internet term? There's speed and then there's agility, lateral quickness, etc. "straight line speed" just sounds redundant to me.

It's conceptually easier to say "straight line speed" than "180 degree speed"; just like it's easier to say that a guy ran an out-route than it is to say he ran an approximate obtuse angle route.

[als_shadow]

Can he get open on passing downs, catch the ball in a crowd, and catch TD passes when we are in the red zone?

I guess I have him confused with Larry Fitzgerald.

[NoClapsPlease]

It's conceptually easier to say "straight line speed" than "180 degree speed"; just like it's easier to say that a guy ran an out-route than it is to say he ran an approximate obtuse angle route.

That would fall into agility and lateral quickness. Your phrase doesn't really translate in a real world situation bc its just not a realistic term that would be used to describe an athletes skill set on a football field.
I've seen this phrase used here instead of simply saying dhb isn't agile enough. It just sounds like a better choice of words in respect to the sport. But that's just me, don't mind me.

[calilivin7]

Towner, all you had to say was one name in response to the Criner/Streater hype.

Nick Miller. The guy had epic OTA, camp, and pre-season. Where is he now?

I think Murphy might be the guy who steps up and breaks out for us this season. He's healthy, and he knows his job is on the line.

Come on man, nick may have had a few good practices. But I pretty much read most of the media hype, every preseason. I can't remember anyone talking about miller looking amazing. On a consistent basis, and no one ever though miller would be anything other than a slot, kr pr guy.

I truly believe Criner can grab a starting spot this year perhaps. Streater is a long shot to make the team, but if our new coaching staff puts much credence in film. Murphy may lose his job based on last years film. He was god awful, looked to be playing scared, and lost his burst.

As far as the small school discussion, you can either play or you can't. There are too many variables to judge players strictly on stats. Sometimes a guy slips through the cracks, ala Cruz. The only real way to see if someone is NFL talent, is to watch them play against NFL talent. Like the transfer from high school to college, the move up to the pro game can ruin some, and inspire others. Without knowing what's in these kids heads and hearts, youncant ever predict success.

[MileHighRaider]

Come on man, nick may have had a few good practices. But I pretty much read most of the media hype, every preseason. I can't remember anyone talking about miller looking amazing. On a consistent basis, and no one ever though miller would be anything other than a slot, kr pr guy.

I truly believe Criner can grab a starting spot this year perhaps. Streater is a long shot to make the team, but if our new coaching staff puts much credence in film. Murphy may lose his job based on last years film. He was god awful, looked to be playing scared, and lost his burst.

You missed out on the discussion then. Nick was the sh-t back then. At least in camp. Carlos Francis was too at one point. History is littered with amazing camp saviors who disappeared when the regular season started.

Hey, I hope Criner and Streater are GREAT players. I just wouldn't go tossing Murphy - a guy who has been a great locker room presence and has actually caught the ball for us in the regular season - under the bus for them. Particularly when it's not necessary. All three of these guys can very well make the team IMHO. Unless Travionte Session (who??) is the next Nick Miller!!

BTW, I'm with you, Worrier... Murphy has been held back by injuries, and I think he could have a great year... if he gets playing time. His biggest opponent is his own body at this point.

[djh_raider]

You missed out on the discussion then. Nick was the sh-t back then. At least in camp. Carlos Francis was too at one point. History is littered with amazing camp saviors who disappeared when the regular season started.

Hey, I hope Criner and Streater are GREAT players. I just wouldn't go tossing Murphy - a guy who has been a great locker room presence and has actually caught the ball for us in the regular season - under the bus for them. Particularly when it's not necessary. All three of these guys can very well make the team IMHO. Unless Travionte Session (who??) is the next Nick Miller!!

BTW, I'm with you, Worrier... Murphy has been held back by injuries, and I think he could have a great year... if he gets playing time. His biggest opponent is his own body at this point.

From memory I do not think anyone thought that Nick Miller was the Sh1t. Could be wrong, and I worry about those that thought that. He looked "decent" compared to the competition around him. However, I would hardly put Nick Miller in the Kenny Shedd class of training camp heroes.

When you look at the impact Denarius Moore made in 2011, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Juron Criner can be as good, if not better. And Criner actually fits a need of a good size WR that can be 'go-to' on 3rd down. What the Raiders hoped Chaz Schilens would be.

Also, remember, Reggie and the Packers developed their roster with unsung UDFA's and late round picks. Criner and Streater fit this bill. Also remember Murphy was a 4th round pick that dropped and for reasons. One of which was bad hands. He has carried those bad hands throughout his NFL career.

For Murphy to have a "great year" he needs to be both injury free AND catch everything that comes his way. Criner and Streater ARE catching everything. The pressure is on Murphy.

[B. anthracis]

That would fall into agility and lateral quickness. Your phrase doesn't really translate in a real world situation bc its just not a realistic term that would be used to describe an athletes skill set on a football field.
I've seen this phrase used here instead of simply saying dhb isn't agile enough. It just sounds like a better choice of words in respect to the sport. But that's just me, don't mind me.

Okay, I understand. By saying that a guy only has straight line speed it's implied that he doesn't have any moves.

In DHB's case I wonder more about his route running technique and precision than his ability to evade after the catch. His speed and strength are enough to make a lot of guys miss, so he doesn't have to be really shifty; it's being in the exact right place at the exact right time that he needs to worry about. But he's learned and gotten better after what seemed like a hopeless start. So him and all the other wideouts should get the benefit of the doubt until reality proves otherwise. That said, it's worth remembering this particular concern once the season starts.

[calilivin7]

You missed out on the discussion then. Nick was the sh-t back then. At least in camp. Carlos Francis was too at one point. History is littered with amazing camp saviors who disappeared when the regular season started.

Hey, I hope Criner and Streater are GREAT players. I just wouldn't go tossing Murphy - a guy who has been a great locker room presence and has actually caught the ball for us in the regular season - under the bus for them. Particularly when it's not necessary. All three of these guys can very well make the team IMHO. Unless Travionte Session (who??) is the next Nick Miller!!

BTW, I'm with you, Worrier... Murphy has been held back by injuries, and I think he could have a great year... if he gets playing time. His biggest opponent is his own body at this point.

I'm just trying to say, Murphy has been pretty good. But in the NFL, I don't think what he did two years ago guarantee's him a spot. I agree Murph can play when 100%. But all last year he looked gun shy out there, the new management isn't married to any of the guys Al drafted, and I could see him being pushed to make the team. Especially so when talking about J.Criner. He isn't some small school kid no one has heard of with a good 40. Anyone who follows the PAC 12/10 knows he is a
Solid wr prospect.

And I wasn't trying to rip nick miller, just saying no one who covers football objectively thought he was a star. He perhaps had a future as a very good kr/pr but that's about it. Jerry Mac, and anyone else who covered him might have reported him looking good. The same way we hear about streater, it doesn't mean much at this point. The difference for me when talking about Juron Criner is that I have seen him playing against top tier competition, and i think he is a baller. I didn't hear about it second hand and then form my opinion. Which honestly is the case with most young prospects for me. Unless they come out of the pac12.

As far as training camp and preseason standouts go, my favorite of all time has to be Daryl Hobbs.

[HC Raider Fan]

From memory I do not think anyone thought that Nick Miller was the Sh1t.

I can't remember who it was that started the thread stating that Nick Miller was our Wes Welker? LOL??

[Evil Empire]

You say I am shoe horning yet are focusing on the "small school" portion of my comments and naming BIG NFL names to defend, when my overarching theme is not that small school guys can't make it.

It's that Rod Streater was unimpressive at a small school.

So I ask you... sell me on Rod Streater. (I watch his 8 minute self made highlight video... so please bring somethign else).

Tell me why he is such a categorically better option than Murphy. And try not to knock Murphy as part of your retort. Because Louis Murphy's talent level has nothing to do what makes an NFL caliber WR, even if it is for a 5th WR spot.

My statement is that Streater looks to be destined to be wearing street clothes in less than 2 years for the rest of his life.



Show me why he's the guy that will get on with someone.... somewhere?

(*Note: Wes Welker went to Texas Tech man. C'mon now! The Longhorns they aint, but comparing them to Temple and Hofstra??? Some Red Raider's gotta get mad at that notion! )

First off, I never TRIED to sell you on Streater. For the past two years, I have been down on the inconsistent speed bump that is Louis Murphy while you and others continue to tell us Emporer ****** is wearing clothes. As far as Streater, I don't know JACK about him other than his highlight reel (which looks damn good) and comments coming from the Raiders. As far as his production, I'm sorry, but that isn't the tell all you are trying to make it out to be either. How much production to Antonio Gates have? Oh, wait, he didn't even play football! So he was destined to fail in the NFL, correct? And let me ask you this? How many offensive football players of ANY kind do you see coming out of Temple? Not exactly a powerhouse. Quick, tell me who was throwing to Streater? You can't, and I can't. If the offensive system and talent was poor, then how much production is one WR going to have?? And if none of that does it for you, maybe you can explain why Palmer is talking up Streater and not Murphy.