There is a whole ton of confusion in the air about comments Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll made following Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears. This particularly pertains to Carroll saying running back Chris Carson looked “gassed” on the sidelines after playing some special teams snaps.
Pete Carroll says Chris Carson got “gassed” also playing special teams tonight, and coach wanted to see what Rashaad Penny could do. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/EtZgEifyRT
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 18, 2018
Carroll let Carson pine away on the bench while he featured first-round rookie running back pick Rashaad Penny for the second half of the game. But, that move backfired big time. Penny played poorly. He was targeted twice in the passing game but caught neither while letting one go right through his hands. As a runner, he carried the ball 10 times for a mere 30 yards.
Carson on the other hand, averaged 4.0 yards per attempt earlier in the game, carrying the ball just six times total, three of which occurred on the game’s opening drive.
Did Chris Carson retire at halftime?
— BJ Ong (@whoisBJOng) September 18, 2018
Now, Carroll is claiming that he did not read Carson right and that he “just missed it” about Carson looking worn out on the sidelines.
Pete Carroll corrects himself from last night, says Chris Carson wasn't gassed from special teams snaps. Says he misread it on the sideline. I'm still confused.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2018
To everybody wondering why Pete didn't, like, ask Chris how he was feeling: no idea. What a strange situation. https://t.co/3tGCN1ORrL
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2018
First of all, why would Carroll risk wearing out his team’s BEST running back to play on special teams? Perhaps Penny is the guy who should have participated in that role.
And secondly, Carroll promoted Carson ahead of Penny all summer long during training camp and the preseason. Now, it seems obvious that Carroll solely wanted to take advantage of a prime time airing to showcase Penny to prove that the team did not draft him too high at 27th overall in April.
Meanwhile, the whole world is wondering why the Seahawks did not spend that first round pick on an enhancement to their offensive line. But protecting quarterback Russell Wilson — who got sacked six times in Monday’s game — does not seem to be a priority for Seattle.
While Carroll continues to attempt talking his way out of his poor decision, he sits this Tuesday with some major egg on his face.
When it comes to the Seahawks running backs, Carson should be the workhorse while Penny plays a complementary role.
We have to hope that Carroll “reads” his players better moving forward. Or, perhaps Carroll should just simply ask how a particular player is feeling if there is any hint that said player looks to be too worn out.
Carroll gets our vote for making one of the dumbest head coaching decisions of Week 2.