Most Intriguing Seahawks: No. 6, C.J. Prosise
Jul 29, 2016, 3:41 PM
Seahawks RB C.J. Prosise, doubtful for Week 5, had 65 receiving yards in his last start. (AP)
(AP)
Each day until the start of training camp, “Brock and Salk” is talking with an NFL analyst and counting down the 25 most intriguing players on the Seahawks’ roster. “Two-a-days” continued with the NFL Network’s Brian Billick as the guest and C.J. Prosise as the sixth-most intriguing Seahawk. The segment on Prosise is embedded above. My thoughts are below.
• Position: RB
• Height/Weight: 6-1, 220
• Experience: Rookie
• Acquired: Third-round pick, 2016
Overview: Notre Dame’s leading wide receiver in 2014, Prosise made the transition to the backfield for his senior year, and he showed promise right away. After the Fighting Irish’s lead back went down in their opener, Prosise took over the job and rushed for 1,032 yards on 156 carries (6.6 average) and 11 touchdowns. He used his experience as a receiver to continue to be effective in the passing game, making 26 catches for 208 yards and another score, as well. “I got the opportunity to come in and run with it,” Prosise said. He now faces another opportunity in Seattle.
The intrigue: Following the retirement of Marshawn Lynch, it was no surprise the Seahawks added to their depth at running back in the early rounds. It was a little unexpected that the first one they took was somebody who can immediately replace Fred Jackson as the third-down back, though. Prosise brings more athleticism to that role than they’ve had in a long time, and that’s what has piqued Brock Huard’s curiosity. “C.J. Prosise is a dynamic athlete,” he said. “His strength is he is very physically gifted.” And it’s because of that athleticism that Prosise has the chance to eventually be a featured back and not just a third-down option. To make that happen, though, it will take learning some of the bulldozer style that the Seahawks have favored in Lynch and assumed 2016 starter Thomas Rawls. “His weakness can only come to life when the pads come on,” Huard said of Prosise. “That will be the question, the mental and physical toughness. Because in this league, to play that position, you gotta go into dark places.” One thing that is for sure: the Seahawks are excited about the things Prosise will be able to do when he gets his touches. “The whole offensive staff is really pumped that we can fit him in,” head coach Pete Carroll said after Prosise was drafted. “We hoped we could get him because we have a very special role that we want to put him in.”
2016 outlook: Prosise can make an impact right away as the third-down back, and it’s fully expected that with his background as a former wideout, he’ll do just that. But this season will also be an opportunity for him to show that he can take on a bigger role in the future. What he does on the field will be important, but perhaps more than anybody, what he shows on the practice field as a rookie will determine what the Seahawks’ long-term plan for him will be.
Most Intriguing Seahawks: 25, DL Quinton Jefferson; 24, WR Kasen Williams; 23, WR Paul Richardson; 22, G Mark Glowinski; 21, TE Nick Vannett; 20, CB Jeremy Lane; 19, DT Jordan Hill; 18, RB Alex Collins; 17, S Tyvis Powell; 16, G Germain Ifedi; 15, QB Russell Wilson; 14, FS Earl Thomas; 13, CB Tharold Simon; 12, WR Doug Baldwin; 11, WR Tyler Lockett; 10, LT Garry Gilliam; 9, DL Michael Bennett; 8, DB Brandon Browner; 7, C Justin Britt.
