Seattle Seahawks: September mailbag – Penny, Lockett, and More
By Ed Stein
2) What’s the problem with Rashaad Penny?
Ed Stein – Rashaad Penny’s problem is Rashaad Penny. The NFL game is like no other game on earth, including college football. It’s bigger, faster, and more complex. Some players are able to pick it up faster than others. Penny has two things that can’t be taught, speed and instinct, the rest he has to learn. If this is still a question in December, then the Seahawks have a problem.
Herb Nightingale – He did miss some time during training camp and only played in one preseason game. Otherwise, I don’t really see problems other than the Seahawks are not giving him enough carries. Also, he is a rookie, so he could be adjusting to the pro game or the offensive line isn’t helping him out either. It is primarily the same line the Seahawks couldn’t run behind last year. I would give him time to adjust.
Jordan Cordano – When you’re drafted in the 1st round, you have some pretty lofty expectations put on your shoulders. Penny hasn’t shown much this season but neither have the Seahawks. Besides a home win against a punchless Cowboys team, Seattle has been pretty mediocre on both sides of the ball.
Doug Baldwin coming back potentially this week can definitely help the run game. Chris Carson before his injury last season was running the ball with force and since his return has looked like the better back so far this season. What Seattle should do is use Carson and Penny in different schemes in the offense. Using Penny on passing downs and Carson between the tackles would help boost the outcome of both players.
Andrew Durant – He’s just not there yet. Give him time. There are some players who are at NFL game speed immediately and some that need time. The Hawks may know something about Penny that none of us seem to know yet. Hopefully, Penny could be due for a breakout game against Arizona’s 32nd ranked run defense.