Latavius Murray chose Saints for a chance to win a Super Bowl

METAIRIE – It didn’t take Latavius Murray to find a new home once he received a call from the New Orleans Saints.

The former Raiders and Vikings running back said he received interest from “several teams” at the start of free agency, but no contract offers. Then when New Orleans sensed that Mark Ingram was going to accept an offer from Baltimore, it moved quickly to grab Murray as a complement to Alvin Kamara,

“After that, there was no more talking that needed to be done,” Murray said Thursday as New Orleans completed its second week of OTs. “I said, ‘I want to be here, let’s get it done.’”

Murray was enticed by the opportunity to join a team that has won two consecutive NFC South championships and narrowly missed a trip to the Super Bowl last season.

“This is a place that’s been competing for a championship the last few years and has come very close,” Murray said. “For me, going into my seventh season, that’s what it’s all about. I’ve made some good money, I’ve got a family, but I want a ring and at the end of day you’ve got to think about that when choosing a team.”

The departure of Ingram is what created an opportunity for Murray, but he said he doesn’t see himself as Ingram’s replacement exactly.

“It’s human nature to compare us because a very good running back leaves and we obviously have to fill that void,” Murray said. “I can’t think of it as replacing someone. They brought me in because they feel like I can help.

“My job is to come in here and do what I can do, provide for this team what I can provide. There’s no added pressure when it comes to that. I know what I’m capable of. I believe they do as well and that’s why I’m here.”

Murray knows what it’s like being part of a running back tandem. It’s something he did last season with Dalvin Cook in Minnesota.

The situation is so familiar to him, in fact, that he accidentally referred to Kamara as “Dalvin” before catching himself.

Murray laughed and said, “That won’t be the last time I do that.”

Last season Murray rushed for 578 rushing yards, had 141 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. Cook had 615 rushing yards, 305 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

“If you look around the league (platooning) has been the trend,” Murray said. “The most important thing as a back is to focus on the things that you bring to the table.

“Different guys do different things and you have to be who you are. Obviously Alvin is a special back, but I can bring some things to the table and I have to be confident in that.”

In just two seasons Kamara has established himself as one of the most productive and versatile running backs in the NFL with the rare quickness and ability to change direction that he utilizes as a runner and pass catcher. He rushed for 883 yards and caught 81 passes last season.

“When you have two running backs on the field at the same time, that’s hard to defend,” Murray said. “When you have Alvin out in space against a linebacker and I’m in the backfield, defenses don’t know if we’re going to hand off or throw the ball to one of the guys out there.

“I’m a downhill runner who can get the tough yards between the tackles, protect the quarterback and find the end zone when I’m down there. Those are the things I’ve prided myself on and I just have to get better at the other things as I go along.”