The run game for the Oakland Raiders continues to be a topic of discussion as the regular season gets closer. The team parted ways with both Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew, leaving Latavius Murray as the presumed starting back. However, the Raiders then brought on Trent Richardson, Roy Helu and Michael Dyer to compete for spots as well and the competition is picking up as at least one of the four players risks release when roster cuts happen.
Helu returns to the mix after missing time for a hamstring injury. The running back signed in free agency after a stint with the Washington Redskins and is now competing for a spot on the depth chart. According to head coach Jack Del Rio, the competition is wide open for the running backs. Murray has been the most consistent while Dyer is the new breakout star. Quarterback Derek Carr admits he is happy to see Helu on the field to add to the talent.
"He's very smart, so he's going to be great in protection," Carr said, via ESPN.com. "He's not a guy, 'Hey, do you see it coming?' He'll know. He's also a very good receiving back -- very good hands. He has a good feel in the screen game. There's a lot of things that he does really well, and that's all outside of him running the ball, which he's obviously very good at, which he did great at Nebraska and has done good in the NFL."
This puts Richardson's career in jeopardy. According to NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal, the running back is guaranteed nothing and has shown nothing since arriving with the Raiders. Richardson is one more bad season away from entering forced retirement with the NFL. The rise of players like Helu and Dyer put him in a tough spot.
The defense also has players fighting for a role on the field. The Oakland Raiders attempted to load up on the defensive front this offseason with a priority of stopping the run and sacking the quarterback. The defense was built around Khalil Mack who is entering this season as the man in charge and the leader of the defense. Justin Tuck also returns to handle the defensive load while newcomers have put Sio Moore's role into serious question.
Del Rio told CSNBayArea.com that Moore is battling to be a role player at the moment as he is not expected to contend for a starting job. With Malcolm Smith and Curtis Loft excelling on the line, Moore is acting as a backup for the time being after coming back from injury.
"Right now, he's competing to be a role player somewhere," Del Rio said, via CSNBayArea. "You have to make sure he can do that. I think he and Roy are in the same boat in terms of being guys who missed a lot of time. The team, we move forward. We'll see. They'll get opportunities over the next week or two weeks and see if they can create a role for themselves and help us on Sundays. To try and cram a guy who hasn't played at all in camp into a potential role as a feature player, I think that's a little far-fetched right now."
