Seahawks running back line grades

 

This is part three of the Seahawks player grades from the Titans game. Previously I posted quarterbacks and defensive lineman.

 

Running back

 

Kregg Lumpkin fighting off a would be tackler. Photo by Brett Bivens

Kregg Lumpkin #20

THe Good:

Kregg Lumpkin may have been the best player the Seahawks had on the field Saturday. He was doing everything and making the most of his reps. After the Seahawks drafted Robert Turbin his chances of making the final roster were reduced significantly. Showing he can contribute as a blocker, a pass catcher and a runner against the Titans is a step in the right direction if he is going to make this squad.

The Bad:

Roster numbers might force the Seahawks to cut him.

THe Grade: A-

 

Leon Washington #33

The Good:

Leon Washington was doing a nice job gaining yards after initial contact against the Titans. He was able to break some tackles and when he wan’t doing that he was reading his blockers and finding open holes.

The bad:

The most a running back can ever ask for is to be put in a position where he only has one man to beat, on Saturday Leon was in that situation with a linebacker and was unable to win the battle.

The Grade: B

 

Robert Turbin #22

Robert Turbin earned a C against the Titans. I don’t get into players who grade at average but you can see what I had to say about his performance during the game here if you are interested.

 

Tyrell Sutton running so fast he’s the only thing in focus. Photo By Brett Bivens

Tyrell Sutton #30

If the Seahawks keep 4 half backs on their roster (which I think they will) Tyrell Sutton is in a direct battle with Kregg Lumpkin for a roster spot. In a game where Kregg Lumpkin was near perfect,t against better competition, the only thing Tyrell Sutton did to leave an impact was get his feet out from under him and slip after making a catch. He definitely has some major ground to make up now.

 

fullback

Via Taua #40

Via Taua make a catch against the Titans. Photo by Brett Bivens

The Good:

After Via Taua settled down he showed that he has a lot of ability as both a blocker and a pass catcher. If he plays like he did later in the game during the rest of the preseason he could be in a battle with Kregg Lumpkin for a roster spot and force Pete Carroll and John Schneider to choose between having 4 halfbacks and 1 fullback or have 3 halfbacks and 2 fullbacks. It’s a very good problem to have and I would give the inside track to keeping an extra halfback.

THe Bad:

When he first came into the game he struggled mightily. Via Taua missed a couple block early, one leading to a tackle for a loss and another one where he passed a free tackler and went up to block someone on the next level. Sometimes as a blocker you need to improvise because blocking someone at the next level doesn’t mean anything if the back can’t get past the first one. All he needed to do was chip the defender and the back would have been able to get to the second level.

The Grade: B-

Michael Robinson #26

Michael Robinson joins KJ Wright and Jason Jones as team captains for Saturdays Titans game. Photo by Brett Bivens

The GOOd:

Wow has he grown since this time last year. I would have to say he is the most improved player on a team full of players who have made major strides. This time last year I was worried that the Seahawks would struggle at the fullback position and need to limp through the year until they could add an adequate player to the position during the offseason. All he did was prove he could learn the position and become one of the best at it (proven by his Pro Bowl appearance). He has really shown an ability to seal running lanes and hold his block long enough for the running back to get through. Robinson become a hard nose blocker at the fullback position and I’m very glad he’s back.

THe bad:

I think he lost concentration a couple times and got beat on his blocks. The defenders didn’t seem to beat him as much as he seemed to beat himself. The dog days of camp might be getting to him.

The Grade: C+

 

Next up will be the linebackers. I should have them up in a before 7:00 local time and then have the offensive line up later tonight.