Some may remember my mulling a Latavius Murray-Thomas Rawls dynasty trade in the offseason. I mention this primarily because when somebody mentioned the presence of Christine Michael in Seattle, I haughtily laughed the oft-disappointing running back off. Who's laughing now?
Michael rushed 7 times for 44 yards in the first exhibition, 10 for 55 in the second. Thomas Rawls is off the PUP list, but not yet ready to take the field. GM John Schneider said yesterday that the team hopes to maybe get Rawls on the field for the fourth exhibition. That seems awfully unlikely; key starters almost never play in the final preseason game. And Schneider did, after all, say "maybe."
Michael, quite famously, was traded to Dallas a year ago; Seattle gave up on him. Then Dallas gave up on him. Then Washington gave up on him, releasing him from its practice squad. Rock bottom.
But he returned to Seattle after injuries struck, and he had a nice little late-season run and postseason for them. And here we are. He's healthy, he's the team's best healthy running back. Who's to say he's not the team's best running back?
Michael is a former second-round pick, while Rawls is undrafted. Certainly Rawls was impressive enough a year ago that he should be the starter when healthy. But then again, that is one lingering ankle injury. Looks like at best, Rawls will return to action slowly. Maybe he shares carries with Michael early on. Michael (who's lined up wide the first two exhibitions) is way more likely to play in passing situations. Maybe he plays more period.
Kind of wishing I'd traded away Rawls right now. Or picked up Michael while he was languishing out there on the waiver wire.