One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Seattle Seahawks’ first-round pick, Rashaad Penny, was his lack of experience playing in pass protection. The Seahawks, and in particular coach Pete Carroll, certainly don’t share the same concern.
“He looks so comfortable with the pass protection,” Carroll commented Thursday after minicamp wrapped for the offseason. “That was something that was new for him, a demanding part of the game. We don’t have any hesitation he’s going to be fine in that area.”
The Seahawks have expressed their desire to have Penny play a three-down back role, which means he’d need to feel comfortable as a pass-blocker on passing downs. Coach Carroll expects Penny to handle that new challenge well. He also feels that Penny can be an asset not just as a blocker, but as a receiver out of the backfield as well.
“He’s a really good route runner and a good catcher,” Carroll continued. “He really was impressive throughout. He’s picked up a ton of stuff.”
The Seahawks still have Chris Carson and Mike Davis on hand as ball-carriers, not to mention third-down running back options in J.D. McKissic and C.J. Prosise. However, if Penny displays the ability to be a multifaceted running back at the next level, he could hold down an every-down role in Seattle.
