If the Seattle Seahawks are to repeat as Super Bowl champions, they’re going to need a big year from running back Marshawn Lynch. The back rushed for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season, but there is concern he could be in store for a down year because his future in Seattle is unclear, his past workload and his age (28).
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One person that isn’t concerned about what Lynch is capable of this season is Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who effusively praised Lynch on Wednesday, saying this is the “best we’ve ever seen him,” according to the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta.
"(On what he is expecting from RB Marshawn Lynch) Let it rip. He’s had a great camp. All throughout the camp I’ve been so happy with the way he’s worked, his quickness, and his fitness has been terrific. He’s ready to go. We’re really excited about cutting him loose. The shot we gave him on game three, he looked exactly on point. He hasn’t missed a snap at practice, he hasn’t missed anything. He’s just done a beautiful job in getting ready. Everybody is excited to see him play, we love the way he plays.(On the way running backs body changes with age) He looks the fittest he’s been since we’ve been around. This is the best we’ve seen him at this time of year. Hopefully that’s a great indication that he’s ready to go and age has nothing to do with it."
Regardless of Lynch’s future as a Seahawk, it sounds like Seattle is going to stick with its bread and butter offensively and will try to ride Lynch to victories.
But the Seahawks might want to be a little careful about how much work they give Marshawn. The back has taken more than 300 carries in each of the past two seasons and rushed 285 times the season prior in 2011.
Seattle would probably be better served in the homestretch if Lynch were given around 16 carries per game this year after averaging 18 in 2013.