The Facts: The Raiders addressed their rushing attack during free agency by signing elite OG Kelechi Osemele and re-signing LT Donald Penn. The next step is adding options carrying the ball. Murray took 72 percent of his team's carries, a whopping total of 266. There's no doubt the Raiders could use some help. GM Reggie McKenzie said Monday at the NFL owners meetings fresh blood is on the way. "The way this league is with the pounding you're taking, you can't just have one guy getting beat up all year with no help," McKenzie said. "We'll get some help. We'll get healthy. We'll see how it goes. It's March, so we have some time."
Diehards Line:
Two weeks have passed since free agency began, and the team’s backfield depth chart remains unchanged. Taiwan Jones and Roy Helu are behind Murray, despite being ineffective last season. Jones had ball security issues, and Helu never caught on after early injuries and hip ailments that required offseason surgery. Murray, meanwhile, exceeded 1,000 yards and made his first Pro Bowl last season. Yet, by Murray’s standards and many others, the Raiders rushing attack wasn’t good enough. The Raiders reportedly showed interest in unrestricted free agents Chris Ivory and Doug Martin, though those players signed relatively big money deals with other teams. Second tier options remain on the free agent market, and there are quality alternatives in the NFL draft. ... We'll continue to watch for more.