With names like Marshawn Lynch and Leon Washington there is no question that the Seattle Seahawks have a solid run game but with the addition of rookie running back Robert Turbin, Seattle could have the strongest depth at running back in the NFC.
Lynch is by far the best running back on the team and provides a presence at the position that cannot be replaced with any other name. Averaging 4.2 yards a carry last year, Lynch ran for just over 1,200-yards on the season including 12 rushing touchdowns. Along with his performance on the ground, Lynch added 212-receiving yards on 28 receptions for the Seahawks.
Backup running back Washington adds another level to the run game for Seattle giving Lynch a rest. Where Lynch is a balanced running back whose speed allows him to escape from the defense and strength enables him to run through defenders, Washington is more of an elusive back with exceptional speed to out run the opposition.
On 53 attempts for the Seahawks, Washington totaled 248-yards averaging 4.7-yards a carry through 16 games.
Washington’s speed makes him the perfect change of pace back for Seattle when Lynch is off the field but the Seahawks added another weapon when they drafted rookie Robert Turbin in the fourth round from Utah State.
In his last year of college, Turbin ran for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns averaging over six-yards a carry. Through Seattle’s first two preseason games Turbin has ran for 58-yards averaging just under three-yards a carry. The rookie running back gives the Seahawks a fresh player who can come into a game when needed and run between the tackles successfully for short gains.
Other notable running cores include the division rival San Francisco 49rers who have an explosive back in Frank Gore and a decent reliever with Kendall Hunter but with Gore prone to injury, the Seahawks have a more reliable run game that puts them in a better position to win.
With a superstar in Lynch, a speedy reliever in Washington and a young power runner in Turbin, the Seahawks have one of the most dynamic running cores that can be used to manipulate the defense and put Seattle ahead of the opposing team.
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Is this written by a Seahawks fan? Gore and Lynch are a wash. Kendall Hunter is better right now than any of your second string back (and proven). Leon Washington gets injured more than just about any back in the league (when is the last time that guy made through a season? Never). Brandon Jacobs looks strong at short yardage and James like Turbin is completely unproven. You can’t make a bold statement about rookies when no games of any consequence played. Seahawks have a good run game, but if Lynch gets hurt, you guys are in trouble, until proven otherwise. If Gore goes down, Hunter has proven he can hold the fort (like last year) and product bid yards.
When the live bullets start flying, we will see what your Seahawks are made of. The Niners proved their metal last year, while the Seahawks proved consistently inconsistent. Personally, I expect more of the same from them. Harbaugh and Carroll are both motivators, but Harbaugh has always proven to be a better game planner and x and o’s coach than Carroll. Don’t see that changing anytime soon.
No this was not written by a Seahawks fan. Washington has played in 16 games five out the the six years he has been in the pros. The basis of this argument is if everyone stays healthy. Gore and Lynch are both susceptible to injury. Hunter played well last season but never had to take over for Gore since he made it through the season playing all 16 games. We have not seen Hunter put into a situation where he has to control the game. The Niners have a very strong running game which is why I felt I had to mention them in this article but I feel that if Turbin can pan out (not saying its for sure or anything) that will give them a young guy to muscle his way through. What the Niners win at is the offensive line. The weakness of Seattle is not in the backs but how well the offensive line run blocks which is why I feel the running game may be inconsistent at times. I am not saying the Seahawks have the best run game in the NFL, I am saying that the depth they have at the position could be used in a way to give them a big advantage in games.
Gonna have to disagree based on two aspects. Marshawn Lynch’s legal situation will come up again at some point in the season and it’s not a forgone conclusion that he won’t be suspended. Two, Seattle doesn’t have the best running game in the NFC nor do they have the best back in the conference.
Here’s another thing to consider. Running game is different than running back. Think about the quarterback as well (while not that much). Here’s the top 5 running games in the NFC
1)Chicago
2)Carolina (with Cam Newton)
3)Seattle
4)Dallas
5)Atlanta
Glad to see RS hired a full time Hawks guy again took a little while