Michael, who was the clear offensive standout in Saturday's preseason opener, could have a bigger role in the offense than expected, perhaps sharing carries with starter Thomas Rawls, the Seattle Times reports. "When Thomas gets back out there, those guys give you a little 1-2 punch that we are kind of excited about," coach Pete Carroll said.
Carroll didn't elaborate, but a "1-2 punch" insinuates a significant role for Michael, taking carries away from Rawls. Michael had a strong game Saturday, rushing for 44 yards on seven carries. Unlike preseasons past when he only impressed with his natural ability, Michael shined within the framework of the offense, following blocks and hitting holes hard with less dancing in the backfield. How Michael and Rawls would be used together is unclear. Rawls (ankle) is not expected to play in preseason. If he is less than 100 percent healthy entering the season, that would give Michael an even bigger opportunity to state his case for a timeshare. "He really has made it clear to us about the work," Carroll said. "He's serious about the consistency. He's taken great pride in the way he's brought it to practice. He's an explosive, dynamic athlete so we're just going to keep going with him."