RENTON — One moment Christine Michael was cutting on a dime and bursting through a hole at the line of scrimmage. The next he was lowering his shoulder and blasting into a defender, picking up extra yards after contact.
Wait a minute. Christine Michael?
The same Christine Michael who during his first two-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks was known mostly for failing to live up to expectations?
The same Christine Michael who had the plug pulled on his Seahawks career just before the season began, losing his roster spot to an undrafted rookie?
The same Christine Michael who just earlier in the week had been released from Washington’s practice squad?
Yep, that Christine Michael.
Michael received his chance at redemption last Sunday, and he put on a display that indicates he’s determined to make the most of his second chance.
“Seeing Mike back out there was exciting,” Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson said. “I know that for him it’s been a journey, and it’s been a journey that’s been well-traveled.”
The Christine Michael who showed up Sunday at CenturyLink Field for Seattle’s 30-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns was not the same Christine Michael who was a disappointment in his first stint with the Seahawks. This was the Michael Seattle envisioned when it selected the Texas A&M product in the second round of the 2013 draft.
“I’m just staying focused and taking advantage of the opportunity,” Michael said. “I’m staying focused and going out there and giving it all I have. I’m being patient and knowing my assignment.”
Michael began Sunday’s game as just one part of Seattle’s three-headed committee at running back. With Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) and Thomas Rawls (ankle) both out injured, it was left to a hodgepodge of fullback Derrick Coleman and desperation free-agent signings Michael and Bryce Brown to carry the load on the ground.
Michael was the last of those three to handle the ball Sunday. However, he ended the game as Seattle’s primary back, finishing with a team-high 84 yards on 16 carries. He helped the Seahawks rush for 182 yards as a team — with a group plucked off the scrap heap.
“What I really liked was that he was doing things right, and I really liked the tenacity he was running with,” Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “He was running very hard, he was lowering his pads, he was running behind his pads. Obviously he’s got the quickness and the speed. But he kind of had a fierceness to him in that game, and that’s something I like to see.”
Said Michael: “I was just along with all of it, man. We were just an outcome of the offensive line. Me, Bryce, Derrick Coleman, we’re just all doing our job and trying to help contribute as much as possible so we could get the victory.”
Michael didn’t get much of a chance to contribute during his first two seasons in Seattle. No one questioned Michael’s tools, as at 5-foot-10 and 221 pounds he has all the power and speed one could want from a running back. But just about everyone questioned his ball security and his attitude. Michael was given just 52 carries during his first two seasons in Seattle, with most of those coming once the games were long decided.
The Seahawks were hoping year three would be when Michael would finally show signs of reaching his potential. But an indifferent preseason littered with poor body language, combined with Rawls’ eye-opening performances, saw Michael shipped to the Dallas Cowboys for the measly price of a conditional seventh-round draft pick.
Upon leaving Seattle Michael proved unable to convince two other organizations of his worthiness, being released by both Dallas and Washington.
But Rawls’ season-ending ankle injury left the Seahawks in a bind, and with few options available they decided to bring Michael in for another look. It was a different, humbler Michael who showed up back in Seattle.
“He’s very determined to be right where he’s supposed to be,” Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said. “Not in stuff on the outside, not having too much fun with what’s going on, just being in the moment. His mindfulness has really shown up, trying to be there for his teammates. He demonstrated that throughout. He cherishes this opportunity more than he ever has, I think. This is the most important opportunity he’s ever been faced with and he appreciates that.”
Michael’s had just one good game. It remains to be seen whether he can repeat his performance. But Rawls is done for the year and it’s still unknown when Lynch will be able to return.
Michael should continue to get his chances, and it’s possible the Seahawks will be the beneficiaries of a Michael who’s undergone a maturing process.
“It’s a small sample size, but I think that he’s grown up a little bit,” Bevell said. “He’s kind of been through some different situations by going to other places, been in two other places, got to see what it’s like on the other side, got to understand maybe how valuable the opportunities are that you can get and how those opportunities can be gone rather quickly. So he’s making the most of it. He’s focused in on the job and the task at hand. Like I said, it’s a small sample size, but he did a great job with it last week, and hopefully for his sake and our sake he’ll continue to do that.”
Injury update
Carroll said Thursday that receiver Doug Baldwin (hamstring) could be a game-time decision for Sunday’s home game against St. Louis. Baldwin is in the midst of a historic stretch, having caught 10 touchdown passes over the previous four games, so if he can’t play Sunday it will be a significant blow for Seattle’s offense. Carroll also described tackle Russell Okung (calf) as questionable, while strong safety Kam Chancellor (tailbone) made no more progress in his recovery Thursday after taking good strides Wednesday. Cornerback DeShawn Shead (ankle) is expected to be at full strength Sunday.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/seattlesidelines, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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