Counselor, proceed with your opening arguments.

In his last game vs the Bears, Justin rushed for 136 yards on 15 carries averaging 9.1 yards per carry.  Oh yeah, he also had 125 yards in the return game. 

He finished with 261 total yards, which is 55 more than the entire Bears offense. No bullshit.  By the 4th quarter the crowd was so impressed they gave him an ovation every time he left the field...

I'd take that as a good sign.

Game video below:

Bailiff please present Exhibits A and B:

Justin Forsett vs Bears Preseason

 

Justin Forsett vs Vikings Preseason

Your honor, I call my first witness from the News Tribune:

It’s a No-Brainer: Seahawks should Keep Forsett

First off, Justin Forsett has to make this football team. NFL observers preach that you can’t make too much out of performances in preseason games.

I don’t care, the rookie running back/returner once again was the most exciting Seahawks player on the field Saturday night.

This wasn’t just a nice effort against a bunch of backups. This was memorable.

Yes, they have some numbers issues at running back, but if nothing else, this rookie has proven himself a potential game-changer as a return man. And as a change-of-pace back from scrimmage? How’s 15 carries for 136 yards? He finished with 261 total yards – 55 more than the Bears gained the entire game.

Don’t let his size fool you. This guy runs tough; he’s strong, he’ll block … and, man, he’s fun to watch.

Make the numbers work; keep this guy. And give raises to the personnel folks who had the sense to pick him up in the seventh round.

Justin lost a shoe, but found a touchdown.

Your honor, I call my second witness from the Washington Olympian:

Frye Struggles, but Forsett Makes Pitch to Stick Around

If Holmgren decides not to make Justin Forsett a part of his 53-man roster, he may be viewed as downright kooky.

As poorly as Frye played in the Seahawks’ 29-26 overtime exhibition victory over the Chicago Bears on Saturday night at Qwest Field, that is how well Forsett, a seventh-round draft choice from California, performed in a role as both running back and return man.

Forsett had 53 of his game-high 136 rushing yards on the final drive of the game, which ended with rookie Brandon Coutu’s 36-yard field goal, his fifth of the game.

With Chicago’s Devin Hester, the game’s premier returner, looking on, Forsett pieced together another 117 yards returning punts and kickoffs, including a 40-yard punt return. He also had a 43-yard punt return called back because of a holding penalty on fellow rookie John Carlson.

“The little guy can play, I’ve said that from the very beginning,” Holmgren said.

Forsett is in an interesting position because he is a running back on a team that seemingly already has its full contingent, with Julius Jones, Maurice Morris, Owen Schmitt, Leonard Weaver and T.J. Duckett.

But coaches usually say that if a player makes enough plays they will find a spot for him.

There is some thought that Forsett may be a better choice than Duckett, who has not shown a great deal either in training camp or either of two preseason games. Duckett had two fumbles last week and dropped what would have been a touchdown reception on Saturday, though he did score the game-tying touchdown from 1 yard out after his first attempt failed.

But Duckett was given $4 million in guaranteed money in free agency and cutting him now would be admitting a huge mistake.

The numbers make it even more difficult for Forsett because serious injuries to Bobby Engram and Deion Branch mean there are one and possibly two dead spots on a roster where Holmgren usually likes to keep 25 offensive players. Holmgren was noncommittal when asked after the game about Forsett’s chances.

“That will be a tough decision at the end,” Holmgren said. “I like the player and his teammates like him and he produces, but it is a couple of games and we have a ways to go here.”

Still, if Forsett continues to make plays like the numerous ones he made against Chicago, it would seem very difficult for Seattle to keep him off the team. He led the team in rushing with a 9.1-yard average on 15 carries in the second half, plus added a reception. On one kickoff return when Michael Bumpus caught the ball, Forsett even took on 260-pound Adewale Ogunleye.

“It was great out there,” Forsett said. “I was getting kind of fatigued but I knew everyone was counting on me. You never know when it is going to be your last time to get that ball, so you have to make the most of that opportunity.”

Former Beaver Joey LaRocque says, " WTF?? Not this guy again!"

Your honor, I cite the case Justin vs the World...

REPOST: Justin's College Highlights

Sorry for the repost... but the reason I repost is because:

1) My stats say that only 14 of you actually watched these.

2) So you can compare how he looked in his college days versus how he looks in the pros.  Bottom line... business as usual.

Justin Forsett Highlights Part 1 - 2005-2006 : (volume warning at 0:20)

 

Justin Forsett Highlights Part 2 - 2007 : .

Justin Forsett Highlights Part 3 - 2007 : (Starts from USC)

Your honor, I rest my case.