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In the coming weeks I will be systematically breaking down the abysmal running game of the 2017 Seattle Seahawks, going through each and every one of the rushing attempts by the running backs one back at a time.
I will be going through the backs looking at several factors on every single rushing attempt for all six of the running backs who had double digit carries on the year. The order I will progress through these players will be to first look at the players who are slated to be free agents - Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls and Mike Davis - followed by those players who are under contract (or an ERFA (Exclusive Rights Free Agent) in McKissic’s case) for 2018 - C.J. Prosise, Chris Carson and J.D. McKissic.
Before I delve into all of the gory details and the utter ugliness of the 2017 running game, I wanted to get a little input from all of you who will be reading these breakdowns in order to be able to best provide the type of information the audience wants to see.
Thus, here is a quick series of polls regarding the running backs, the running back position in general and fan preferences regarding the backs on the Seattle roster.
Poll
You are GM of the Seahawks and get to bring back one running back from the 2017 roster, who do you choose?
This poll is closed
-
56%
Chris Carson, with no guarantees on the health of his ankle
(457 votes) -
3%
Thomas Rawls, as is
(29 votes) -
0%
Eddie Lacy, disregarding cap hits for the purposes of this exercise
(3 votes) -
15%
Mike Davis
(129 votes) -
4%
C.J. Prosise, with no promises regarding his health
(36 votes) -
19%
J.D. McKissic
(155 votes)
Poll
Which Seattle running back had the lowest stuff rate in 2017? (A stuff is defined as when a running play goes for a loss or no gain.)
This poll is closed
-
28%
Chris Carson
(223 votes) -
24%
J.D. McKissic
(191 votes) -
6%
Thomas Rawls
(51 votes) -
21%
Eddie Lacy
(171 votes) -
18%
Mike Davis
(144 votes)
Poll
What is an acceptable stuff rate for an NFL team?
This poll is closed
-
32%
10%
(244 votes) -
45%
15%
(341 votes) -
17%
20%
(131 votes) -
4%
25%
(31 votes)
Poll
Which Seahawks running back had the highest success rate in 2017
This poll is closed
-
52%
Chris Carson
(400 votes) -
0%
Eddie Lacy
(4 votes) -
0%
Thomas Rawls
(4 votes) -
19%
Mike Davis
(148 votes) -
26%
J.D. McKissic
(205 votes)
Poll
The median carry length for the overwhelming majority of NFL running backs is
This poll is closed
-
5%
2 yards
(37 votes) -
52%
3 yards
(383 votes) -
39%
4 yards
(287 votes) -
3%
5 yards
(24 votes)
Poll
Which type of back would you prefer (there is no right or wrong answer, I’m simply looking to understand the fanbase here, each type of back has advantages/disadvantages).
This poll is closed
-
58%
Explosive potential on every play (prime Adrian Peterson)
(421 votes) -
35%
Powerful, plodding back who can consistently gain 3-4 yards, but lacks explosive potential (prime Jerome Bettis)
(257 votes) -
5%
Dangerous receiving back that may not be as much of a threat in the run game (a la Eric Metcalf/Darren Sproles/Larry Centers)
(41 votes)
Poll
How would you prefer the Seahawks primarily address the running back position heading into 2018? (They are likely to address it through multiple channels, which should be the priority?)
This poll is closed
-
35%
Use a Day 1 or Day 2 pick in the draft on a back
(249 votes) -
50%
Use multiple Day 3 picks and sign UDFAs
(362 votes) -
7%
Sign a premium free agent
(56 votes) -
6%
Sign multiple lower level free agent retreads
(44 votes)
Any other thoughts or comments y’all have regarding the running back position regarding what type of information or data would be interesting to see during the offseason can be left in the comments.
Only five more weeks until free agency is upon us, and eleven weeks until the draft arrives, meaning it is almost time for the offseason hype train to start picking up passengers as it makes its way towards the 2018 season.