Tag Archives: Christine Michael

Not a ‘knucklehead’ anymore, but is it too late for Michael?

July 23, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Michael to Cowboys It took Christine Michael a long time to figure out how not to be a “knucklehead.” But is it too late now?

The 2013 second-round pick never cared enough to try to unseat Robert Turbin as Marshawn Lynch’s backup. And then, last year, he lost his roster spot to undrafted Thomas Rawls, who was such a revelation that he is expected to replace Lynch permanently as Seattle’s No. 1 back.

It took injuries to Lynch, Turbin (waived injured last summer) and Rawls for Michael to finally get some playing time in Seattle. And that happened only after he was traded to the Cowboys, released, picked up by the Redskins and released again.

Michael did well in his return to Seattle, averaging 4.9 yards per carry in the final three games of the season and rushing for 70 yards in the playoff win over Minnesota (Lynch returned for the loss to Carolina, so Michael did not get a carry in that game).

Michael recently told USA Today that he started taking the game more seriously.

Continue reading Not a ‘knucklehead’ anymore, but is it too late for Michael? →

CHAWK LINES, Training camp

July 23, 2016 cc Leave a comment

With training camp starting in one week, let’s look at some pre-camp player reports:

Michael Bennett is griping about his contract yet again. But don’t believe him when he says, “Just get rid of me.”

Russell Wilson, who now looks almost as hulked up as Robert Turbin, told Q13 Fox: “We’ll try to bring back Super Bowl 51 if we can. We’ll do everything we can, every day. That’s a promise.”

Justin Britt’s switch to center is one of the major camp stories to watch.

Pete Carroll reminds us why the Seahawks think J’Marcus Webb will succeed with them.

Can Thomas Rawls take over for Marshawn Lynch — even if he doesn’t play in the preseason?

John Clayton projects Rawls to get 16-17 carries a game, with the other backs getting six or seven.

Christine Michael — among those trying to replace Lynch — admits, “I was just being a young guy, just being a knucklehead.”

Like last year, all eyes will be on Jimmy Graham — from camp through the season.

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NFL draft, State of the team, The roster

Carroll: Rawls is the starting tailback

May 1, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Rawls and Wilson vs. Ravens How many running backs does it take to replace Marshawn Lynch while he rides off into the sunset on a camel? Apparently three.

As Lynch led their running game for most of the last six years, the Seahawks had drafted just four running backs (including one fullback). Now, with Lynch retiring — yes, he is, Pete Carroll and John Schneider confirmed — the Seahawks added three backs in this draft alone.

But none of them will displace Thomas Rawls as the starter. Carroll made that clear Saturday after the Seahawks added Alex Collins and Zac Brooks to a backfield that already included third-rounder C.J. Prosise, Rawls and former second-rounder Christine Michael.

“Thomas gives us a great element in his style of play. We love the way he is physical and aggressive and tough,” Carroll said of the second-year back who took over for an injured Lynch as a rookie and rushed for 830 yards before suffering a broken ankle against Baltimore in Week 14.

“I think the message of who we are and what we’re about has been Thomas,” Carroll said. “We’re really excited to continue to see that.”

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NFL draft

Which gamble will the Hawks take this year?

April 25, 2016 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks have made a ton of gambles in the first two rounds over the last four years, so it will be no surprise if one of their top two picks this week looks like a major wager as well.

Counting trades, the Seahawks have gambled with five of eight picks in the first two rounds since 2012.

In 2012, they picked Bruce Irvin, who had overcome a lot of trouble as a youth and sure didn’t seem like he was worth the 15th pick in the draft.

In 2013, they doubled up on character gambles — making an ill-advised trade for Percy Harvin and then using a luxury pick for Christine Michael in the second round.

In 2014, they reached for Justin Britt at the bottom of the second round.

In 2015, they took the most heat by drafting Frank Clark 63rd overall even though he had been involved in a domestic dispute months earlier.

In 2016, various mock drafts have projected troubled defenders Robert Nkemdiche and Noah Spence to the Seahawks. Even if they trade down, as we expect, would the Seahawks gamble on either of those guys?

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Free agency, State of the team

Linebackers a focus, too; plus other FA notes

March 19, 2016 cc 1 Comment

While Russell Okung stole the free-agent spotlight over the last week, culminating in his deal with Denver on Thursday, the Seahawks continued to go about their other business.

While they still need major help on the offensive line and figure to keep hunting for big gamers, they also need to sign at least one linebacker before the draft. Bringing back Mike Morgan for a sixth year replenishes the depth and gives the Seahawks a fallback option if they don’t come up with a better replacement for Bruce Irvin.

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CHAWK LINES, Contracts

February 13, 2016 cc 1 Comment

CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Marshawn Lynch might be retiring, but another very significant former Seahawk — 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck — might keep going.

Some Seahawks apparently think Lynch will change his mind. Of course, that would mean he would be playing elsewhere absent a pay cut in Seattle.

Danny Kelly of Field Gulls put together a nice retrospective on Lynch.

Michael Bennett was honored at a local sports ceremony, and he had a few fun digs for Cam Newton.

Fans hilariously think Jermaine Kearse is the Seahawks’ top UFA. They will find out differently soon enough.

Ahtyba Rubin’s market seemingly is set at $4 million per year, thanks to Green Bay and Letroy Guion.

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Playoffs: At Minnesota, State of the team

With Lynch out, Michael gets to keep proving it

January 9, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Michael to Cowboys It looks like our “Video Ode to Beast Mode” was a bit premature: Marshawn Lynch won’t be back for the playoff game in Minnesota after all.

And that means Christine Michael gets one more chance to show the Seahawks — and the rest of the NFL, for that matter — that he deserves a roster spot next year.

Continue reading With Lynch out, Michael gets to keep proving it →

Injury report, State of the team

Michael & Brown might have to carry running game to Super Bowl

December 24, 2015 cc Leave a comment

“In this system, we’ve never not had a good back. Whoever it is can go for a thousand. I’m not worried about that so much. … Hopefully (Marshawn Lynch is) with us. If he’s not, then we move on. That’s fine.” — Tom Cable in June 2014.

Tom Cable was right: The Seahawks don’t need Marshawn Lynch. And it turns out they don’t really need Thomas Rawls either — as spectacular as he had been in relief of Lynch.

The Seahawks are a system running team — and, once the five linemen are in sync in their zone scheme, it is tough to stop the system. The Hawks proved that again Sunday, when they rolled up 182 rushing yards with two new backs — born-again Seahawk Christine Michael and Bryce Brown.

And, based on Pete Carroll’s comments Wednesday, Michael and Brown will be the ones to carry the Seahawks’ ground game into the playoffs, if not through to the Super Bowl.

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Franchise history, NFL draft, State of the team, Week 15: Cleveland

Michael, Hill reminders of bad 2013 draft

December 18, 2015 cc 2 Comments

Michael to Cowboys John Schneider and Pete Carroll built the Seahawks into Super Bowl contenders using three strong drafts to start their tenure.

Of their 28 draft choices from 2010 to 2012, 17 contributed in some fashion, a dozen became full-time starters and six have been named to the Pro Bowl at least once. Those three drafts were a great foundation for consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

Then there was 2013. It was a bad draft year for the entire NFL — and Seattle certainly didn’t buck the odds.

Christine Michael’s somewhat surprising return to Seattle and Jordan Hill’s latest injury are reminders.

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