Alex Collins could be the Seahawks’ second-string running back (and that’s good)

Alex Collins is a crazy dude.

His efficiency-per-time-off, which is not a real stat but maybe should be, is off the charts. Join me, if you would, in summing up Collins’ career to this point:

• Drafted by Seattle Seahawks in 5th round of 2016
• Did not start, ever
• Cut (fumbled twice so maybe that hurt?)
• Picked up by Baltimore Ravens ahead of 2017 season
• Was six carries short of being a 1,000 yard rusher
• Started 10 games in 2018 before ending season with a foot injury
• Did not play in 2019
• Did not play in 2020
• Picked up his iPhone 11 Pro Max in late October to hear John Schneider’s voice on the line
• Received a week and a half of practice for the first time in two years
• Scored a 13-yard rushing touchdown against the number one ranked Los Angeles Rams defense
• Returned to practice squad and did not play from Weeks 11-16
• Came back in Week 17 to score an eight-yard rushing touchdown against the number six ranked San Francisco 49ers defense

I might actually love this man.

Carlos Hyde was inactive yet again (this time due to illness) against the Niners and at this point let’s just suit up Collins and let him be RB2. Pete Carroll made it abundantly clear that Collins is in far better shape than Rashaad Penny.

There are a lot of running backs on this team. Suffice it to say, we’re not interested in Travis Homer or DeeJay Dallas for a playoff run and they’re both injured. Chris Carson, Hyde, Penny, and Collins are the best four.

The best case scenario is clearly that on very mild usage this season, Carson is ready to hulk out and run as much as needed against playoff-ready defenses.

But, if his earring gets ripped out again or something as interesting, on just 18 carries Collins has half the touchdowns as Hyde and in his limited sample size his yards per rush is only 0.1 worse than Hyde. Perhaps, if he’s the healthiest of the rest, he’s earned a look at being second man up.