The Seattle Seahawks still have high hopes for second-year running back Rashaad Penny, despite a disappointing performance (six carries for negative-two yards and two receptions for 10 yards) in Week Two’s preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Both coach Pete Carroll and starting quarterback Russell Wilson maintained this week they are excited about what Penny can contribute on the field.
“Penny’s looked great,” Wilson said Thursday. “He really got a lot of nice runs (in the first game). The second game, especially with the second unit, we were in kind of long distances so he really didn’t get the ball as much the way we wanted him too. But he’s looked great all camp.”
Carroll is just as optimistic, dismissing any potential concerns after Sunday’s loss.
“He’s doing fine, he’s been great,” Carroll said on Wednesday. “That game didn’t show it, but he did well when he had his chances. He’s had a lot of plays where he hasn’t had much space… he’s in great shape, he’s working hard, his pass protection has skyrocketed from where it was before.”
The competition for the starting running back position, Carroll stressed, is still wide open. “He’s fighting with Chris [Carson] every day… I don’t know which way that turns out, I don’t care, it doesn’t matter to me. I love the way Chris plays and I love the way Penny plays.”
Fans will get to judge Penny’s progress for themselves and see what difference a week can make when Seattle takes on the Chargers at 7:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, Aug. 24.
