By: Kevin Manning – Sports Journalist / NW FACTS SPORTS
If anything else franchise icon running back Marshawn Lynch’s return would bring on Sunday the one word that came to many people’s mind was interesting.
“It’s great to have those guys, the old veterans in here to help us out. That’s always great,” Seahawks guard D.J. Fluker said. “I think we got back to the let’s go get it. I think that’s what it always comes down to.”
Those in-the-know knew that Lynch was not going to carry the burden in terms of carries for Seattle, but what was expected to be asked was would he get the ball when the team’s offense were near the goal line.
That answer was a resounding yes at the start of the fourth quarter when the 12-year veteran leaped into the end-zone over both lines on a 1 yard run cutting into San Francisco’s lead, 19-14.
“To have Beast Mode back, he had some amazing runs. I mean just the excitement when he came into the game, it was like old times,” Wilson said. “It just felt right just him being back there.”
Even with all the publicity going to Lynch’s return, and to a lesser degree Robert Turbon’s return as well, the Seahawks run game was going to live and die with sixth round rookie running back Travis Homer.
Homer looked dynamic in his limited playing time ending his first chance to start with 15 touches and 92 total yards with 62 of those yards coming on the ground (10 carries, 6.2 yard per carry).
“He’s doing good [sic]. I’m proud of him (Homer). He’s come a long way from scout team,” Fluker said. “The guy got that mentality to about this team is about. Guys playing together and play hard. Homer is a smart player and glad to have him.”
What was interesting was the comfort level Wilson had with Homer throughout the contest with Wilson looking for the rookie running back on several key third plays, and once Homer got out in space, he used his speed to pick up extra on several of those plays.
“I think the running backs couldn’t have been any better than tonight,” Wilson said. “They were just so professional, so focused, so dialed-in that it showed on the field and they made their plays all night.”
With another week under his belt as the team’s primary back, look for Homer to be a big factor in Seattle’s game plan heading into Philadelphia next weekend.
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