Grading every Seahawks offensive starter through 12 games
By Lee Vowell
Running backs
The Seahawks have played 12 games this season and Chris Carson has started 10 of them. He would have, of course, started all 12 but he was injured and out for two games.
I was a guest on the 961 The Game radio show a few weeks ago and was asked if Rashaad Penny should now start for the Seahawks. I was actually surprised by the question. What has Carson done to warrant not starting?
https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/1066837158164484097
Carson is averaging 70 yards rushing per game in the games he has played. If he continues that pace he will be right at 1,000 yards by the end of the year. He is also averaging 4.5 yards per carry and gets a lot of those yards after first contact.
Carson moves piles in a way no other Seattle back has since Marshawn Lynch was wearing a Seattle uniform. Third and short no longer feels like third and 45 with Carson in the backfield.
Of course, he has had some issues coughing up the ball. For a player who never fumbled in college, Carson has fumbled three times in 2018 alone. One might wonder if he is carrying the ball in a different way. But whatever the reason, opposing defenses know the ball can be knocked out of Carson’s hands and will continue to try to do so.
Backup summary
Penny has been getting better and better as the season has gone on, but it just doesn’t feel like he is ready to start in the NFL. Not yet anyway. And Mike Davis has been very good in limited snaps, but he isn’t a long-term answer for the starter in Seattle. Carson will continue to be that with Penny getting closer.
Grade: B+