Time for Michael to "Step Up or Step Out"

[c_hawkbob]

At least according to Terry Blount, who in his RB position break down for the Hawks has the following to say:

Entering his third season, Christine Michael likely will have a roster spot on the line at training camp. It’s "step up or step out" time for Michael, now beginning his third season. The Seattle coaches are high on (Thomas) Rawls, a free agent rookie from Central Michigan who started his college career at the University of Michigan. Pete Carroll loves Rawls’ toughness, seeing him as a bruising runner similar to Lynch.

That’s not good news for Michael. He needs to do everything right in camp or he might find his days in Seattle have ended. Maybe the Seahawks could trade him for a late-round pick if they decide Rawls is the better option.

He's got such an enticing upside, but it seems he just hasn't mastered the more mundane aspects of playing the position, at least not in the Seahawks Offense, for whom even WR's need to be able to block to keep a job. I do think in another offense he might do well, I hadn't thought about trade value for Christine, but maybe ...

[RiverDog]

I didn't like the pick, but that's neither here nor there. I keep hearing these rave reviews from friends of mine that attend the camps, but even when he's had a chance, I haven't been overly impressed.

With our problems on the OL, our running backs have to be able to block, and word is that's Michael's downfall. There's also some coded messages from some of the coaches that indicate that he may not be the sharpest tool in the shed. Something has to be holding him back if he still can't get past #3 on the depth chart or make any contributions on special teams.

[c_hawkbob]

I didn't mind the pick, I always looked at it as a a message to Turbo that his spot wasn't a lock either, and if Chris ever did figure out the lunch pail aspect of the position Pete would have his old USC thunder and lightning backfield back. As it is it looks like we might have three bruisers back there, which is OK by me too.

[NorthHawk]

Was it just me, or did CMU have him set up very deep in the backfield?

He did a few things like Marshawn, namely setting up his blocks well, shifty in the hole, and not letting the first tackler stop him. There will never be another Marshawn Lynch, but if Rawls has some of that ability, it will help both he and the team down the road.

I didn't see if he could pass block, but he doesn't shy away from contact so maybe he's OK at it and he looked comfortable catching the ball.

[jshawaii22]

I'm glad the coaches like him or are they using this as a prod for Michael. I would just be careful in using the film... it was against Lower End FBS meaning 25 lbs lighter and 2 seconds slower Defenders then the SEC or Pac10. Kind of like using film from the 4th Qtr of a preseason game to claim he's the next Marshawn.

[NorthHawk]

Some of the highlights were against the Huskers and Boilermakers so not all were lesser opponents.
However, you're right that these clips don't tell the whole story, but they can tell you how the player approaches the game and if they look like anyone who is successful. It doesn't mean they will have the same success as the proven player, though.

[Zorn76]

IMO, Michael should have been able to step up and be the #2 RB by now.
He has power and decent vision, got some carries last season that weren't all in mop up time, but he should be further along.

The RB position shouldn't be underestimated for our team. We don't have the type of offense that allows for a "plug and play" type runner, since the production there is crucial to our success. I think it'd be wise for Seattle to really look into drafting and developing a franchise calibre guy next year. Beast only has so much left, and being a run 1st offense pays huge dividends, as we've seen over the last several seasons.

[jshawaii22]

Some of the highlights were against the Huskers and Boilermakers so not all were lesser opponents.
However, you're right that these clips don't tell the whole story, but they can tell you how the player approaches the game and if they look like anyone who is successful. It doesn't mean they will have the same success as the proven player, though.

Huskers and Boilermakers? Like I said...Lower End FBS!

[NorthHawk]

I was under the impression that the FBS was the highest level of College Football as most of the players drafted come from FBS schools.

[jshawaii22]

I was under the impression that the FBS was the highest level of College Football as most of the players drafted come from FBS schools.

Yeah, I had to use my edit button...my bad