EAGAN, Minn. – Latavius Murray is the big brother of the running backs room, and he's OK with that.
Entering his sixth NFL season and second in Purple, Murray is the most experienced player in the position group and doesn't take his leadership position for granted.
Second-year running back Dalvin Cook spoke to media members Friday and talked about his relationship with Murray.
"Latavius is like a big brother to the whole room," Cook said. "It's crazy because were with MJD (Maurice Jones-Drew) the other day, and Latavius was under him. Latavius was the little brother. Now Latavius is the big brother. We are looking up to him.
"We learned a lot from Latavius, how he carries himself in the building, the way he approaches meetings, the way he studies," Cook continued. "Just the way he knows things, it's like, 'That is a veteran move,' everything he does. Our relationship has grown, and it is going to keep growing over the season."
After missing his entire rookie season in Oakland, Murray played his first game for the Raiders in 2014, which marked Jones-Drew's final NFL season. The three-time Pro Bowler is now an analyst with NFL Network and visited Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center last week to cover Verizon Vikings Training Camp.
Murray said guiding the younger players comes naturally for him now because a veteran like Jones-Drew made entering the league easier for him.
"MJD was out here a few days ago, and like I told these guys, I was treated the right way as a young guy coming in," Murray said. "They didn't think they were too good; they didn't care that I was coming in, obviously, to try and take reps from them, because at the end of the day, that's what every back is brought in to do. They treated me the right way, so for me, I just try to be the same vet that I got when I came into the league. If that's being a big brother, if that's helping him out there on the field, off the field, that's what I'm here to do."
Murray is enjoying a healthy offseason and opportunity to put in work after last spring recovering from ankle surgery. Meanwhile, Cook is back on the field after a Week 4 ACL tear halted his rookie campaign.
According to Murray, Cook likes "really good" back in action.
"Honestly, I feel like he hasn't missed a step. For him, it's just coming out here and getting the reps," Murray said. "But he looks like the same back, maybe even better. I know he's excited to be back out there and excited to go against another defense and get some real game-time action.
Added Murray: "I'm excited for him and excited to see what he does."
He's the big brother at work, but at home, Murray is a soon-to-be father.
He and his fiancé, Shauntay, are expecting a son in the near future, and Murray said that it's helped him to gain a different viewpoint.
"Let me just say, more big-picture, I think it just puts a bigger perspective on life," Murray explained. "I'm starting a family, and I love this game, but what's more important than having a son? I think for me, it almost maybe helps take the pressure off – not getting too worried and just coming out here and having fun, because there's bigger things in life – like having a son of my own who will be here soon."
