Football We benched JR, now let DHB sit a few more out

Over-Head · 12-07-2009, 06:42 AM

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPD81B01LR.DTL

Murphy makes most of chance

David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, December 7, 2009

12-07) 04:00 PST Pittsburgh --
Darrius Heyward-Who?

The No. 7 overall draft pick missed a game for the first time in his NFL career with a foot injury, allowing Louis Murphy to remind everyone he's the best rookie on the Raiders - even if he now starts every game on the bench.

Murphy caught two touchdown passes in the final six minutes, including the decisive 11-yard score with nine seconds left in the game, in Sunday's 27-24 thriller against the Steelers at Heinz Field.

Murphy caught four passes for 128 yards - 4 yards more than Heyward-Bey has in 11 starts this season. Murphy's 100-yard game is the team's first by a wide receiver since Ronald Curry on Nov. 18, 2007.
"Oh man, the emotion, I can't even explain it," Murphy said Sunday. "My whole body, it just feels great."

Murphy, a fourth-round draft pick, started the first eight games opposite Heyward-Bey. Murphy lost his job when Chaz Schilens returned from a broken foot, but still led all wide receivers in catches (19), yards (283) and touchdowns (two) despite the limited snaps.

Murphy didn't start against the Steelers - Johnnie Lee Higgins did for the first time all season, catching four balls for 63 yards. Still, Murphy's 36 snaps were his most since the demotion.

So what do the Raiders do when Heyward-Bey gets healthy? He hurt his foot in practice Friday and could not play because of soreness. If nothing else, Murphy made the decision all the harder.
"We just want to keep making plays, man," Murphy said.

12-07-2009, 06:42 AM
Over-Head Boom, Boom , Crash Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In my shed Casino cash: $9995760	We benched JR, now let DHB sit a few more out http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPD81B01LR.DTL Murphy makes most of chance David White, Chronicle Staff Writer Monday, December 7, 2009 12-07) 04:00 PST Pittsburgh -- Darrius Heyward-Who? The No. 7 overall draft pick missed a game for the first time in his NFL career with a foot injury, allowing Louis Murphy to remind everyone he's the best rookie on the Raiders - even if he now starts every game on the bench. Murphy caught two touchdown passes in the final six minutes, including the decisive 11-yard score with nine seconds left in the game, in Sunday's 27-24 thriller against the Steelers at Heinz Field. Murphy caught four passes for 128 yards - 4 yards more than Heyward-Bey has in 11 starts this season. Murphy's 100-yard game is the team's first by a wide receiver since Ronald Curry on Nov. 18, 2007. "Oh man, the emotion, I can't even explain it," Murphy said Sunday. "My whole body, it just feels great." Murphy, a fourth-round draft pick, started the first eight games opposite Heyward-Bey. Murphy lost his job when Chaz Schilens returned from a broken foot, but still led all wide receivers in catches (19), yards (283) and touchdowns (two) despite the limited snaps. Murphy didn't start against the Steelers - Johnnie Lee Higgins did for the first time all season, catching four balls for 63 yards. Still, Murphy's 36 snaps were his most since the demotion. So what do the Raiders do when Heyward-Bey gets healthy? He hurt his foot in practice Friday and could not play because of soreness. If nothing else, Murphy made the decision all the harder. "We just want to keep making plays, man," Murphy said.
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