Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
With the season dwindling down to the last few weeks and the Seattle Seahawks in the middle of a playoff race, they find themselves in a position that they have not been in since they traded for Marshawn Lynch during the 2010 season. With rookie running back Thomas Rawls breaking his ankle last week and Lynch still sidelined with an injury for an unknown amount of time, Seattle finds themselves in limbo at the running back position. Last weekend in their contest against the Baltimore Ravens, Dujuan Harris saw a heavy dose of carries after Rawls exited with an injury.
On Monday, Seattle signed Bryce Brown for the third time this season although he has yet to play in a game, and Tuesday they waived Harris. Head coach Pete Carroll seemed adamant in his press conference that they would not get away from their running attack, even with quarterback Russell Wilson playing off the charts. Carroll seems committed to running a balanced offensive scheme even with a running back shortage. In fact, over the last four weeks with Wilson playing so dominantly, they have still run the ball 143 times compared to 120 passes.
At the moment Seattle will have veteran Fred Jackson, Brown and college running back turned fullback Derrick Coleman in their backfield. There is not enough explosiveness or production in that combination for a team that has relied so heavily on their rushing attack. This leads to the idea that the Seahawks should give Ray Rice an opportunity to earn a roster spot.
The whole world has become familiar with Rice’s scandal, and Seattle would have to realize the negative light that could surround their team even with something as simple as giving him a tryout. This would in no way shape or form condone the gruesome actions that Rice took against his wife, but Rice has been open about the mistakes he has made, and has put forth efforts to rectify the situation although self admitting that this may be a mistake he could not fully make better. Rice has made many public appearances and charity appearances as an advocate against domestic violence. While that is not enough to make up for his actions, it is more than many players charged with similar crimes have done, and many of them still remain on the football field.
Prior to Rice’s suspension and release, he averaged barely over three yards per carry in 15 games for the Ravens during the 2013 season. Not big numbers or statistics worth the trouble of Seattle bringing him in. On the other hand, Rice had four seasons prior to that rushing for over 1,000 yards, all of which he averaged more than four yards per carry, not to mention his three Pro Bowl appearances.
If Seattle were able to split carries between Rice and Brown and use Jackson as they have been in third down and passing downs, it could go a long way in the Seahawks minimizing the loss of missing two strong options at running back.
Rice claims that he has remained in shape throughout his time away from football, and if that is the case Seattle should bring him in for a workout. Carroll not only has a strong ability to judge the talent of these guys even in a quick run through, but has shown a great knack for judging character in many instances also. Carroll would be able to judge whether or not the distractions surrounding Rice would be worth what he brings to the table.
Seattle has one open spot on their roster after a number of roster moves made Tuesday. One would think that spot is designated for a running back. Seattle could bring back Christine Michael who spent two seasons with the team previously and was waived from the Washington Redskins practice squad today, but it seemed that they were not pleased with his production when they got rid of him for a conditional seventh round pick prior to this season.
Nobody would excuse the actions that Rice took against his wife, but if Seattle were to give him a tryout it would be a decent opportunity for Rice to earn his second chance and could end up benefiting a Seattle team who has been hit with the injury bug at the running back position.
