Thomas Rawls’ Big Game For Seahawks Might Make Marshawn Lynch Expendable
With the help of Thomas Rawls, the Seattle Seahawks are back to their winning ways. His breakout performance (courtesy of Seattle Times) in the Seahawks commanding 29-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers may have put incumbent running back Marshawn Lynch on notice. Thomas Rawls, an undrafted rookie, is here to take the ball-carrying duties if Lynch’s health cannot hold up.
Thomas Rawls ran hard. His 209 yards on the ground, coupled with 46 yards from the passes he caught was one of the top performances of the day. Meanwhile, the Seahawks beating up on their NFC West rivals became the subplot. The lead story was Rawls doing his best to wrest the starting job away from an injured Marshawn Lynch. Lynch missed the San Francisco game due to an abdomen injury.
Rawls now leads the Seahawks in rushing yards with 604. He gashed the 49ers for an average of seven yards every time he touched the ball. A combination of speed and power, with the ability to run north to south, or east to west is Thomas Rawls’ calling card. That makes him a complete rusher.
You'll need a double take to realize that this isn't Beast Mode pounding over 49ers defenders.
It's Thomas Rawls. https://t.co/8i64aEfBCF— NFL (@NFL) November 22, 2015
Marshawn Lynch is no slouch when he is healthy. The problem is, he has been on the injury list in just about every game this season.
Rawls, if he can keep this pace up, will finish the season as a 1,000 yard runner. Every time he touches the football, he has the ability to break loose a big gain. That ability is guaranteed to give Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll something to think about going forward.
The availability of Marshawn Lynch might hasten things.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times is reporting that the 29 year-old tailback will travel to Philadelphia to see Dr. William C. Meyers. Meyers, a sports hernia specialist will consult with Lynch about his abdomen issue. If Dr. Meyers determines that Lynch will need surgery to repair what ails him, his season might be over. That would open the door for Thomas Rawls to take over as the lead back.
Rawls’ performance against the 49ers is enough for Coach Carroll to rest Lynch regardless if he needs surgery or not.
Thomas Rawls' roll makes Seahawks more likely to move on from Marshawn Lynch https://t.co/piEiTKcD4l
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 23, 2015
The Seahawks moving forward with Thomas Rawls taking the bulk of the carries makes sense, given the age advantage. Rawls is seven years Lynch’s junior. Then there is the issue of money.
Economics is just as important in football as production is. Thomas Rawls is the younger, less expensive option for the Seahawks. The Seahawks, who if you believe Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, are ready to move on from the contract of Marshawn Lynch.
Lynch is owed $9 million next season, versus the $525,000 that Rawls will get paid. According to Florio, the Seahawks cannot discuss an extension until the 2016 season comes to a close.
It is difficult to ignore the production.
Thomas Rawls entered the game second on the team with 395 yards. It was his 5.6 yards per carry which made the difference. Where he must improve is in finding the end zone. Rawls has two touchdowns this season. The total number of touchdowns usually indicates that a running back can grind out the tough yards in the trenches. At 5’9?, Rawls is a bit on the smallish side. He can be a workhorse for the Seahawks, but is he the goal line threat as Marshawn Lynch is?
Congratulations to the @Seahawks #ThomasRawls: new rookie record of 209 rushing yards! Dream come true for an UFA. pic.twitter.com/Y9YGjYjRR3
— Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) November 23, 2015
The answer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain.
If most teams had Marxhawn Lynch and he was not able to go, it would be a problem. Most teams do not have the luxury of a Thomas Rawls waiting in the wings. The Seahawks do, and they will most likely move on with him as they push for a playoff spot. If Lynch can avoid surgery, they will have a dreaded two-headed monster wreaking havoc for the remainder of the season.
[Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images Sport]
