I was discussing Tyler Lockett in another thread and we got into a side discussion about the state of the Seattle running game. Figured this was better posted in this thread.
I must say, Rawls was impressive yesterday. Perhaps Seattle already has a Lynch successor on the roster. Part of my thought process on Lockett was that it will be very difficult to replace Lynch without a dropoff in the effectiveness of the running game. It's a tiny sample for Rawls, but it seems a bit more possible to me today than before the game that Seattle can sustain the running game without Lynch.
Thoughts?
Can Rawls be a Lynch replacement? Possibly, but unlikely. And at the same time, its probably not fair in assessing Rawls this way. Lynch brings quite a few intangibles to the table that few NFL stars possess. I don't think it's a stretch to say that Lynch is the "heart" of the Seattle offense similar to how Chancellor is the heart of the Seattle defense. However, it might be that the team can find some of those intangibles in other players. Maybe Lockett can be that kind of guy long term like we've seen with Steve Smith through the years. Again, likely not fair to judge a young player this way.
My first thought was Rawls had a bad drop in this weekend's game. Perfect pass from Wilson into the flat goes through Rawl's hands hitting him in the chest/gut, then the ground. Lynch is an excellent receiver. Much better than I think people have given him credit for. Very sure handed and able to make tough catches. He just hasn't been asked to do that much of it. That said, when given the opportunity its imperative that he execute. Rawls didn't on Sunday, and that was a bad sign. Only one data point, but not a good one.
Second thought was that
Rawls made this team by running hard. He's a fighter in the same spirit as Lynch. Won't be surprised if Rawls gets a chance to push piles in the same way, but he may not have the same balance as Lynch. Lost count of the number of times that Lynch has kept his feel under him in a pile and just waited for a group of lineman to come push him forward. Some of this is Tom Cable's influence on the team.
Final thought is wheels. Lynch is faster that he gets credit for similar to his hands. He just looks funny because he runs with such a wide bow-leged base, but when opportunity presents itself he can accelerate. Rawls? Not sure, and only time will tell.
Wish I could say something more definitive, but really the jury is still out. Making this more complex is a lot of those yards this past weekend were against an emotionally defeated Bears defense late in the game. Tough to say. I guess there's a last tid-bit I can leave you with that's a positive for Rawls. Rawls was a "Pete Carroll" guy. Carroll wanted him enough that they almost spent a draft pick on him (
LINK to Monday Carroll press conference notes). I trust Pete's gut after having watched the team closely over these past few years. Pete knows it when he sees it. Enough so that they cast Turbin and Michael out of town.