Is Forsett the future in Seattle?

The Seahawks have primarily been a pass-first team over the last decade, but they may have found their secret ingredient in the backfield with second-year tailback Justin Forsett, who matched his season total in only one game in Arizona.

Not only can the sophomore shine as a return specialist, but he’s been handed a bigger role in the running game since Edgerrin James’ release and made a smooth transition with his dynamic speed.

A dazzling 123-yard performance in a 31-20 loss to the Cardinals showed off the kind of impact the California product can make in Seattle’s struggling offense that could use any boost it can take at this point.

The 27th-ranked run offense hasn’t been productive at all amidst a disappointing 3-7 season with only 93 yards per game on the ground through ten games in 2009. The emergence of Forsett as a reliable running back could help the Seahawks compliment their 13th-best passing attack.

Julius Jones, the Seattle’s feature rusher, was limited to only 10 yards on two carries before being forced to sit out with a bruised lung. It handed Forsett an opportunity to show off his talent, and the 233rd overall pick from the 2008 NFL Draft impressed on his 17 carries – one of which went for a touchdown on an 11-yard run to open the scoring.

Unfortunately, after jumping out to a 14-0 lead, the Seahawks only could muster two more field goals and failed to preserve the win in a key divisional game they desperately needed.

However, Forsett was a shining star in his first 100-yard game in the NFL and has a bright future in Seattle. And while the team might continue to struggle during their remaining six games with a make-shift offensive line, injecting Forsett’s speed into the offense will certainly help diversify a pretty one-dimensional offense.

Posted by Chad Klassen