It’s been a while since the Seattle Seahawks had a reliable rushing threat. The last time the Seahawks had a 1,000-yard rusher was Marshawn Lynch in 2014. Since then Seattle has cycled through a seemingly endless line of running backs who initially showed promise, but eventually flamed out. The problem bottomed out last year when the Seahawks didn’t have any running back gain more than 240 yards the entire season.
This year during training camp and the preseason Seattle said it was rededicating itself to the run game. The Seahawks had a new offensive coordinator in Brian Schottenheimer, a new offensive line coach in Mike Solari, and a stable full of young backs the team liked. Therefore, this was going to be the year when Seattle’s power running game returned.
How did that work out in the Seahawks’ first game of 2018? Not exactly as advertised. Seattle ran the ball just 16 times for 64 yards in its 27-24 loss to the Denver Broncos. The 64 yards would have been the third-lowest single-game total last year, when the Seahawks finished 23rd in the NFL in rushing. As for rededication to the run game, Seattle passed the ball substantially more than twice as often (33 passes plus six sacks) than it ran the ball. After the game Seattle coach Pete Carroll indicated the Seahawks ran the ball less often than they wanted to, so maybe this was a one-game anomaly.
How about individually? How did Seattle’s running backs perform? The Seahawks currently have four tailbacks on their roster, and just two carried the ball Sunday: Chris Carson had seven carries for 51 yards, Rashaad Penny had seven for 8 yards. C.J. Prosise was active, but didn’t receive a carry. Mike Davis was inactive. Penny added four receptions for 35 yards, Carson three catches for 28 yards.
Based on usage, it seems the Seahawks have yet to settle on a primary ball carrier. There’s arguments to be made for each of those four running backs being “the guy.” Carson not only was the most productive Sunday, he also flashed promise early last season as a rookie before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Penny has the pedigree, being a first-round draft pick and the NCAA’s leading rusher last year. Prosise, if anything, flashed even more impressively than Carson two years ago, but has had all kinds of trouble staying healthy. And Davis was the most reliable guy Seattle had last year.
One has to think the Seahawks eventually want to settle on a primary ball carrier. But which one should it be? Voice your opinion here:
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