NFC West: Seattle’s Running Attack leads the division

Seattle’s success in the NFL this season has been through complete teamwork. Last week when running back Marshawn Lynch broke the 1,000-yard mark for rushing in the Seahawks game versus the New York Jets, he went over and thanked Michael Robinson, his fullback first.

Robinson is only in his third season with the Seahawks, as he came to the team when Peter Carroll the team’s head coach started in 2010. Robinson was in the Pro Bowl a year ago and is sure to make it again this season.

Much of the team’s success on offense is thanks to Robinson, but when he was asked about their success, he gave much of the credit to Russell Wilson the team’s rookie quarterback. Robinson said Wilson’s play is not only good, but the way he carries himself and leads on the offense is much more characteristic of a veteran quarterback not a rookie.

Robinson said Wilson has poise in the huddle, is upbeat and runs the huddle as if he has been playing in the NFL for years. Robinson should know what he is talking about as he was a quarterback in college and even finished in the top five in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 2005. He also played fullback the first year Alex Smith played at San Francisco.

Robinson also praised others on his team. He said Seattle has a fast, smart and physical team. He says the team does not make mistakes and beat itself, the running game is great on offense and the defense stops opponents.

Much of the team’s success said Robinson was thanks to Head Coach Carroll. Robinson said he coach’s philosophy has resonated to the complete team as the players and Carroll have now been together for two and a half seasons.

Lynch also was given credit for the success of Seattle as his 1,000 plus yards after just 10 games has definitely helped the team. Robinson said he was not too sure about Lynch when the running back arrived from Buffalo, but once he knew the person, his perspective changed immediately. He called Lynch an exceptional guy and just a great dude to hang out with.

Robinson has even given credit to his alma mater Penn State and his first pro club the 49ers. He appreciated how the 49ers were patient with him when he transitioned from quarterback to fullback. He said he would always be grateful for the organization doing that for him.

However, Tom Rathman, the running backs coach with the 49ers did not seem to appreciate Robinson’s talent, as he told him before Robinson left that he was nothing by a third or fourth string fullback or a special teams player.

The late Joe Paterno, his former head coach, told Robinson to be patient and be their quarterback and one day a running back in the NFL. It seems Carroll felt the same way as he brought the fullback with him to Seattle in 2010 and Robinson has been instrumental in making the running attack at Seattle one of the league’s best.

With a 6-4 record in the NFC West, the Seahawks are two games behind the 49ers and tied for the second wildcard spot in the conference. If they can keep winning games then they should make the post season with a rookie quarterback and a quarterback turned fullback leading the offense.