‘More mature’ Penny ready to show 1st-round talent for Hawks

After an up-and-down rookie season, the young RB is determined to ‘be better than who I was last year.’

  • By Bob Condotta The Seattle Times
  • Saturday, July 27, 2019 3:43pm
  • SportsSeahawks
Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny runs a drill during training camp on July 25, 2019, in Renton. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny runs a drill during training camp on July 25, 2019, in Renton. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

By Bob Condotta / The Seattle Times

RENTON — It wasn’t just that Rashaad Penny was exactly where he was supposed to be to catch a screen pass during the late stages of the second training camp practice of the year for the Seattle Seahawks on Friday that caught the eye of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, but what he did next.

After securing the pass after having “hit his landmark perfectly,” Penny then turned upfield and ran as hard as he could up the sideline and to the end zone.

It’s something coaches preach for running backs and receivers to do every time they get the ball — run to daylight and finish the play.

But some players maybe do it with more enthusiasm and less coaxing than others, especially late in a workout when the temperatures are in the mid-80s.

A year ago, Schottenheimer said, Penny might not have attacked the run with the same vigor that he did Friday.

But that he did Friday, Schottenheimer said, spoke loudly about the progress Penny has made in his second season in the NFL after being taken in the first round by Seattle in the 2018 NFL draft.

“Today was his best day because he pushed himself,” Schottenheimer said. “And I told him it was fun to see him coming back and breathing heavy, which means he is finishing his runs.”

It’s an attention to detail that Penny readily admits might have been missing at times last season.

“I mean, it’s just competition now,” Penny said when asked about the play later. “As a rookie you don’t really see it like that. You come in as a first-rounder and you are already thinking like ‘wow, I’m here, I’m here.’ But you are really not.”

Penny learned particularly hard lessons when he broke a finger in practice following the first preseason game. He’d never been injured before and has said he “hit a wall” during the time he was out, not necessarily keeping himself in the shape he’d need to be in to pick up where he left off once he returned.

“I wasn’t doing the right things off the field,” he says. Don’t take that the wrong way — he doesn’t mean he was doing anything wrong. He just wasn’t doing everything right to make the most of being an NFL player, specifically in how he ate and slept.

In the offseason he hired a nutritionist — he’s listed at 220 pounds, but was above 230 for a time last season — and he said he has made sure to get the necessary sleep.

“Just trying to put the right things in my body,” he said. “Start sleeping better at night, recovery when you need it. It’s just all about doing all the right things.”

When taking into context his health — the finger injury slowed his early progress and then a knee injury cost him two more games late in the season — his rookie year wasn’t a complete bust.

He gained 108 yards against the Rams in Los Angeles and showed big-play capability in finishing the season averaging 4.9 yards per attempt, the best of any running back on the team.

But 419 total rushing yards — and twice going without a carry and reduced to playing special teams only — was hardly what was expected of a first-round pick. And not just a first-rounder, but a surprise one, at that. Many analysts thought the team could likely have gotten Penny, or someone similar, with a later pick, and running back hardly seemed like the team’s biggest need, particularly with the emergence of Chris Carson, who finished with 1,151 yards last season.

“Last year, I can’t let that define who I am,” Penny said. “So I mean, now I’ve got to be more mature and just handle business.”

Schottenheimer says he’s doing just that.

“He’s learning how to practice,” Schottenheimer said. “I talked a little in the spring about just him maturing and he is doing that. … The sky is the limit (for Penny). He’s a really talented young man.”

That, though, leads to the question of how the team will use Carson and Penny. Coach Pete Carroll has mentioned having a 1-2 punch, finding ways to give enough carries to each back every Sunday.

That each also catches the ball well enough opens additional options for how to use them.

Penny insists he’s not worried about it.

“We complement each other,” he said of Carson. “Chris is a big, bruising back. Has great speed and can make cuts that smaller backs can do, so there’s things he can do and I love working behind him because he sets the tone and he tires out the defense and me and other backs can maybe come in and try to go break off something big.”

Penny says you don’t have to look too far to find a good template for what the Seahawks’ backfield could be.

“I just want to have a great role with me and Chris,” he said. “I want to be like (Alvin) Kamara and (Mark) Ingram (of the Saints). They played such a great role together. So why not take after them?”

Ingram has since moved on to the Ravens, but last year rushed for 645 yards and six TDs while Kamara had 883 rushing yards and another 81 receptions for 709 yards in leading the Saints to a 13-3 record.

A lofty goal, to be sure. But Penny says he is setting high goals for this season. That, too, is different than a year ago, when he said he didn’t set any.

“Last year I didn’t,” he said. “But this year I definitely did because I want to be better than who I was last year.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.