Warren Doesn’t Buy Into Seahawks’ Time-Share Plan Veteran’s Effectiveness Wanes With New Backfield Rotation
Running back Chris Warren lost his temper and his tongue, but not his starting job. Not yet, anyway.
Warren was outrun by backup Lamar Smith in the Seattle Seahawks’ 35-14 loss to Denver on Sunday. Warren, who declined to talk to the media Monday, was benched most of the second half and showed his frustration by chucking his helmet on the sideline after being pulled on a crucial fourth-down play. Smith entered, but was stopped short.
Coach Dennis Erickson wasn’t aware of Warren’s tantrum until Monday. He planned to discuss the incident with Warren.
“I don’t mind the attitude that (he was) upset about not playing,” Erickson said, “but temper tantrums on the sideline do bother me. Right now Chris is the starter, he’ll start this week. It could change.”
Statistically, Warren, a three-time Pro Bowler, trails Smith. Warren has 26 carries for 90 yards, an average of 3.5 per carry. Smith has 71 yards on 14 attempts, 5.1 per tote. Warren has four catches for 2 yards. Smith has six receptions for 54 yards.
Last season, Warren, bothered by an ankle injury, finished with 855 yards, his first sub-1,000-yard year since 1991. Smith filled in capably with 680 yards.
Smith told reporters Monday he needed a few minutes before he’d answer questions. He then slipped into the training room and was unavailable.
“Chris took the first three series, then we put Lamar in for two, that’s what we did last week,” Erickson said. “Things were happening more for Lamar; things were blocked better for Lamar.
“At the half we made the decision (to start Smith) because of what was happening.
We’ll continue to do that. If the game starts out and Chris is running extremely well, we’ll leave him in. If Lamar is running well, we’ll leave him in and we’ll sub when (either) is tired.”
Most of Warren’s second-half work on Sunday came on the stationary bike he was riding on the sidelines.
Receiver Brian Blades, slowed by knee and finger injuries, also grumbled Sunday about his lack of playing time. “He’s still not 100 percent right now,” Erickson said.
Elsewhere, Erickson said tight end Carlester Crumpler could start this week. He leapfrogged above Deems May on the depth chart with a five-catch, one-touchdown performance. Starter Christian Fauria had one catch.
Film reviews
Surprisingly, defensive coordinator Greg McMackin for the most part was pleased with his unit’s effort, save the seven penalties.
“For three quarters we were right with one of the best teams in the league, which shows you what we can do,” he said. “The thing we need to clear up is we’re making too many mental mistakes. The penalties are obvious mental mistakes.”
Denver finished with 330 yards and scored the game’s final 25 points. One of Denver’s four touchdowns was scored by its defense, but the other three came after drives of 71, 77 and 62 yards.
Of the Broncos’ last-minute drive for a critical field goal just before halftime, McMackin said, “We were in the same coverage that produced the touchdown” via Chad Brown’s fumble return on the previous series.
More defense
In two games, Seattle’s defensive tackle trio of Cortez Kennedy, Sam Adams and Dan Saleaumua, expected to be among the NFL’s best, have 16 tackles and no sacks. Opponents are averaging 153.5 ground yards.
Nevertheless, the tackles received some positive spin from Erickson. “Last week I thought we played OK,” Erickson said. “Sam Adams had a heck of a game (against Denver).
He penetrated extremely well and Cortez played OK. It’s not the play there that’s hurting us.” More troublesome has been the secondary. Rookie corner Shawn Springs was scorched by Broncos quarterback John Elway and receiver Ed McCaffrey. Springs was tagged with three penalties for downfield contact.
“We have to move him up closer or farther back,” Erickson said. “We’ve got to get up in their face, bump them at the line of scrimmage, or get up and bail out. He’s such a good athlete he doesn’t have to do that (bump beyond the allowable 5 yards).”
, DataTimes