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Whose ball is it anyway: A Seahawks RB touches experiment

The Lacy-Prosise-Rawls Hydra figures to split carries. But how’s it going to shake out?

By John Fraley
NFL: NFC Wild Card-Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks
playoff touchdowns are the best touchdowns
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

If you don’t want to talk about the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line, then one of the next-hottest topics has to be the team’s running back room.

The issue with the room? The might not be enough... room for all the talent.

When healthy, Thomas Rawls is a lead back in the NFL.

137-830-4-5.6 in half a season? Yes please. With the league-leading yards per carry? Yes thank you. That was Rawls’ 2015.

Rawls has fumbled once in 278 touches. Do you know who likes that kind of ball security, besides you? Every coach ever. Also he’s a moderately physical back, who does not exactly shy away from violent encounters.

can not see this play too many times

Eddie Lacy has the track record. There’s a reason he was the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the year for 2013 and made the Pro Bowl that season. A 284-1178-11-4.1 line with 35 receptions and only one fumble will do that for you.

His 2014 was even better in some ways. On 29 fewer touches, he added 133 yards from scrimmage and 2 scores. His Y/C went up to 4.6.

The fact that he only appeared in 17 games in the next two seasons combined meant he was suddenly available this past offseason. But don’t be fooled: healthy Lacy is also a lead back in the NFL.

(beastly)

C.J. Prosise barely got his feet wet before suffering a season-ending injury. His 30 carries netted him 5.7 yards per rush. His 17 receptions came in the equivalent of about two full games.

In fact -- Prosise played all the New England game, half the Eagles game, and got a few snaps in the first half of the season here and there. Essentially two full games’ worth, during which he accumulated 172 yards on the ground and 202 in the air.

You can’t credibly multiply those numbers by eight, but if you did, they’d be enough for him to win the MVP award in unanimous fashion. Imagine 1376 rushing yards and 1616 receiving. That’s the second-leading rusher AND the leading receiver, by yardage, in the same person.

rookies amirite

So, in semi-conclusion, healthy Prosise is a game-changing versatile weapon in the NFL.

Poll

Which Seahawks back will get the most touches in 2017?

This poll is closed

  • 50%
    Eddie Lacy
    (813 votes)
  • 5%
    C. J. Prosise
    (95 votes)
  • 28%
    Thomas Rawls
    (462 votes)
  • 13%
    All about equal
    (220 votes)
  • 0%
    Other
    (7 votes)
1597 votes total Vote Now

But injuries will happen; ankles will get tweaked, hamstrings will act up. (No I’m not jinxing it, silly.) Therefore, a second poll is warranted, one that replaces prediction with preference.

Poll

Which Seahawks back *should* get the most touches in 2017?

This poll is closed

  • 30%
    Eddie Lacy
    (417 votes)
  • 14%
    C. J. Prosise
    (197 votes)
  • 43%
    Thomas Rawls
    (591 votes)
  • 11%
    All about equal
    (154 votes)
  • 0%
    Other
    (1 vote)
1360 votes total Vote Now

“All about equal” amounts isn’t a cop-out at all if you have a good argument to support it.

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