A new Seattle Seahawks season kicks off this weekend with plenty of intriguing storylines to follow.
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How the Seahawks deploy their running back tandem of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet will be among the most intriguing to watch.
Walker, a fourth-year pro in the final year of his rookie deal, brings an electric running style with speed and elusiveness that make him him a home-run threat on each play. He amassed nearly 2,000 yards on the ground through his first two seasons, but injuries limited the Michigan State product to an underwhelming 2024 campaign.
Charbonnet, a third-year pro, brings a contrasting style as a punishing downhill runner. The UCLA product had been limited to more of a complimentary role behind Walker until having six chances to start a season ago, which included leading the way with 134 rushing yards in Seattle’s best game on the ground last season.
Both are expected to play prominent roles for Seattle as it renews its commitment to the run under in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s Shanahan-style offense known for its wide-zone blocking scheme.
How should Seattle balance its usage of Walker and Charbonnet? Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL offensive lineman Ray Roberts answered that question when he joined Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Thursday.
A plan with purpose
When teams take a two-headed or by committee approach to a position, one method that can be used is pre-planning when each player will get in, like alternating series. But what Roberts wants to see is a clear motive for why each running back is being used in the situations they’re called upon.
“I think they all have a certain skill set for different situations, and I think you have to play it that way,” Roberts said. “I think you have to plan for situations where you go, this is Charbonnet time, plan for situations where this is Ken Walker time, and then sprinkle in some of those other guys. And then obviously if you get a guy that gets the hot hand, you got to kind of roll with him.”
Roberts also noted how a rotation at running back can impact the offensive line.
“I think if you just have some type of random, in-and-out-of-the-game type of thing, for me as an offensive lineman, you kind of lose rhythm with the person that you’re blocking for,” he said, “because it’s so different in how they run.”
Ultimately, Roberts believes the contrasting styles of Walker and Charbonnet could result in challenges for opposing defenses.
“I do think it can be an asset for a team two have kind of totally different types of styles,” Roberts said. “I would imagine trying to tackle a Ken Walker is different than trying to tackle Charbonnet. With one, you may lose your shoes and your jock strap, and the other one you may get your chin busted up. So you got to be ready for all of that.”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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