Seattle Seahawks: Keeping Up With The Rams
Step 2
The second area Seattle must improve is the run game. The final quarter of the season was great. But right now, the running back and offensive line that performed so well at the end of the year are two areas in a state of flux.
The Seahawks need to decide which Rashaad Penny is the one to expect next season. Is he an All-Pro caliber performer, or is he the oft-injured mediocrity they saw his first few years? The talented but unreliable back position is currently filled by Chris Carson, and the thought of relying on both won’t excite anyone but the trainers.
The offensive line currently has at least three spots open without any slam dunk answers for any of them. Duane Brown is aging and starting to get small injuries, while on the other side, Brandon Shell is the definition of replacement level. More importantly, both are unrestricted free agents. Center Ethan Pocic is the guy they keep trying to replace but always ends up starting half the time. The unit was solid, if not spectacular, by season’s end, but can they count on a repeat?
The wisest course is to bring Brown and Pocic back and bring in competition for the latter. Draft a long-term replacement for Brown, and hope they start in Shell’s spot this year. The running back conundrum needs to be solved by letting someone move on. Carson’s injury worries me long-term, and it’s probably best to take a conservative approach.
RASHAAD PENNY CANNOT BE STOPPED. 62-YARD TD. #Seahawks
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📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/VorOzU8W98— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2022