Louis Murphy is not only outperforming fellow rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, he's also outworking him, and it has been noticed by teammates, the way we hear it.

The Raiders were taken to task by the majority of draft observers for passing on Michael Crabtree to select Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in April, and Heyward-Bey has done little to prove doubters wrong in the early stages of his career, with just four catches for 64 yards in seven starts.

Murphy, a fourth-round choice, leads Raiders wide receivers with 16 catches for 232 yards — comfort with QB JaMarcus Russell that the signalcaller does not share with Heyward-Bey.

Team observers say Murphy often stays after practice to sharpen his skills, and was recently seen working overtime catching passes from a jugs machine that was shooting footballs at his feet. Murphy explained that Russell, whose struggles are in part to blame for the receiving corps' unimpressive production as a group, often throws passes low. He wanted to improve his technique on scooping balls before they hit the turf. One Raider veteran called Murphy the team's best receiver, and it's an opinion that's hard to dispute at this point. Sources say Murphy understands that as a rookie, he needs to do extra work so he can make contributions.

While Heyward-Bey puts in his time, he doesn't appear to be pushing himself in the same manner. Sources say he seems unfazed by his slow start, and head coach Tom Cable has consistently defended the Maryland product in public. Cable credited both of his rookie receivers for their blocking in Oakland's upset of the Eagles.

WR Chaz Schilens, who was penciled in as Russell's top target in training camp, is expected to return soon after sitting out since Aug. 19 with a broken bone in his left foot. Cable hasn't hinted at whether Schilens will replace one of the rookies in the starting lineup, and has only said that it will allow the offense to use more three-receiver sets. Cable will have to decide who plays in two-receiver sets, and trimming Murphy's playing time would not be a popular decision in the locker room. 

PFW has launched its brand-new NFL Draft Newsletter series, with the first issue now ready for mailing. Produced by PFW's player personnel department under the direction of Nolan Nawrocki, the series consists of four information-packed issues. For more info or to subscribe — click here for PDF e-pub or here for print format.