Written by Chris Wesseiling at NFL.com
Thomas Rawls has reclaimed his spot atop the Seattle Seahawks’ backfield depth chart.
Coach Pete Carroll confirmed Wednesday that Rawls will start versus the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The plan all along was for Rawls to replace retired superstar Marshawn Lynch as the lead back once the former Central Michigan star was in peak football condition after missing the entire offseason program and the first three preseason games after breaking his ankle last winter.
Carroll gave the Week 1 nod to Christine Michael as a reward for his celebrated “awakening,” which led to a spectacular August for the talented yet enigmatic running back.
Although the two backs split the workload fairly evenly in the season opener, Michael played 63 percent of the snaps to just 27 percent for Rawls. Michael was also the more productive runner, averaging 4.4 yards per carry compared to 2.7 for Rawls.
Still, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell explained Wednesday that Rawls has “always been our starter.”
“He was our starter last year and C-Mike has done a great job for us,” Bevell added, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “I don’t think in any way do we need to minimize what he has done. He’s done a phenomenal job, he’ll still get opportunity to carry the ball. But Thomas has been our guy and you could see it in the game — it was good to have him back. He’s a physical runner, heâs got the style that we look for, the tenacity that we look for and he kind of embodies who we want to be and he looked healthy and as long as he is healthy he is that guy.”
Carroll has stated a vision of Rawls and Michael as a lethal “one-two punch” to keep both backs fresh while taking advantage of their disparate playing styles and the ability to ride the hot hand.
