Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny had a disappointing rookie season. When you draft a running back in the first round, you expect him to play right away and play a lot. The Seahawks drafted Penny 27th overall last April, but he failed to establish himself in his first campaign.
Penny topped ten carries in only one game last year, and he took a backseat to Chris Carson for most of the season. Speaking to the media recently, Penny made it clear he wasn't bitter about that, and that he understands why Carson received most of the work.
“When you do everything right and the other back is doing everything right, they’re going to stick with the guy who is consistent, who is on it, who is faster,” said Penny, via Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. “This year, I think it’s going to be way different because now I’m starting to pick it up and I’m starting to play faster.”
The Seahawks have a deep running back room, with Carson, Penny, J.D. McKissic, C.J. Prosise, and rookie Travis Homer all jostling for position. Penny isn't shying away from it and is embracing the fight.
“It’s competition every day,” Penny said. “Just the race up to the locker room is competition. I wouldn’t want to compete with any other guys because we’re all trying to get the spot.”
The Seahawks' drafting of Penny was seen as a reach at the time, as many observers didn't expect him to go off the board until the third round or so. As such, he has a lot of doubters, and a big chip on his shoulder. He should be getting a clean slate, and he'll have the chance to prove a lot of people wrong in 2019.
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