Seattle Seahawks: How should Pete Carroll use his running backs?
Turning the corner
So after two losses on the road, coming home to play the Dallas Cowboys, the Seahawks decided to change up the offensive play mix focused around to running the ball more. Or returning to “Plan A” as was expected before training camp had started.
More from Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle Seahawks: To rest or not to rest, that is the question
- Seattle Seahawks: 12s still waiting to exhale
- Seattle Seahawks: 4 Takeaways from 26-23 Loss to the 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks: Four Takeaways from Week 14 21-7 victory
- Seattle Seahawks: Three Takeaways from the Week 13 43-16 victory
This time the Seahawks decided to use Carson more. He ran the ball 32 times for 102 yards equalling out to 3.2 YPC and a touchdown. Penny, on the other hand, ran the ball three times for five yards. Last Sunday, Wilson completed 16 of 26 attempts for 192 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and only two sacks (both late in the game). This sounds more like the formula the Seahawks should have gone with to start, especially on the road.
The only modification would be having Penny run the ball more often than five or six times, to mix up the play calling. Though Carson didn’t have a YPC, he did show his durability with more than 30 carries.
To avoid burning Carson out, Seattle should look at more of a timeshare. Maybe split rushing attempts between Carson and Penny at a ratio of 2 to 1. Something to the effect of Carson getting 24 attempts and Penny 12 unless the rookie can step up his game. Not to mention taking advantage of their pass-catching ability by utilizing more screens. Mix up the play calling a bit.
The dud and stud of game three. dark. Next
Right now make Carson the featured back until he shows otherwise. Either that or until Penny improves enough that he should be starting. At some point, they could even out the workload.