All RB projections   •  Current RB rankings   •   All SEA projections   •  SEA team report   •  SEA Stats

RB Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks

HT: 5-11, WT: 202, Born: 12-1-1979, College: Oregon, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: K Walter (195), T Duckett (196), Maurice Morris (197), A Toomer (199)
Position: J Charles (192-RB66), T Duckett (196-RB67), Maurice Morris (197 - RB68), F Jackson (202-RB69), S Slaton (203-RB70)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

As unlikely as it seems given his 2007 performance, and given the fact that the team signed two RBs and drafted a third, Morris could actually win the starting role for the Seahawks. He would have to be as impressive during training as he was in the earlier part of his career. The Seahwaks run a complicated offense, and it may take Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett a while to learn it. In the meantime, Morris could be comfortably finding the holes, racking up yardage, displaying the burst for which he is best known, and winning the starting role.

Worst Case

As easily as he could win the starting role, Morris could easily find himself looking for a new home. The team has a ton of RBs on the roster, and Morris really does not bring anything to the table that can not be duplicated by another RB. Unless he is able to leverage his experience in the offense into a valuable commodity, Morris could be traded, released, or inactive every week.

Outlook

Maurice Morris was given every opportunity in 2006 and 2007 to prove he should be the team's primary running back and he failed. He is likely to remain with the team and see the field a little bit, Probably 7-10 plays per game to give Julius Jones a breather. He could evolve into a 10-12 touch, RBBC-type player if Julius Jones stumbles or is injured.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Morris ran the ball three times for fifteen yards, occasionally spelling Alexander, but made his big contribution in the fourth quarter on a 34 yard touchdown reception from QB Matt Hasselbeck. On the play, Morris motioned out wide and was matched up against veteran LB Derrick Brooks. Morris just beat him downfield and made a nice catch to haul in the touchdown pass.

Week 5 - Morris was targeted on a deep sideline route that was slightly overthrown. He does not appear to be the sole change of pace back anymore, as Leonard Weaver appears to be getting more third down looks.

Week 6 - Morris had one carry early in the game to spell Alexander.

Week 7 - Morris spelled Alexander often and even had a carry on a fourth and inches play (in which he came up short). His two receptions were both on third and long, but came up just short of first down yardage.

Week 9 - Morris entered the game in the first quarter when Shaun Alexander exited, and had a couple of nice runs, though ultimately was stopped in overtime on a fourth and one play to somewhat erase his positive play earlier in the game.

Week 10 - Though he was only able to average just over three yards per rush, Morris finished the night with 87 yards on the ground with a touchdown. He took a first quarter rush down to the one yard line on Seattle's first drive, but was unable to push the ball across the goal line on that series. His second quarter touchdown run came from six yards out, but later on in the contest he did lose a fumble on Seattle's first drive of the second half.

Week 11 - For the second game in a row, Morris started in place of Shaun Alexander, and had an excellent game against a stout run defense. He did not run the ball often, but when he did, proved effective. He was far more effective in the first half; when the Seahawks had the lead, the Bears were able to key on the run and shut it down for the most part. Normally used as a change of pace back, he was weak on short yardage plays.

Week 12 - Morris was largely ineffective, but padded his numbers with a 46 yard rush in the second half. Granted it was a huge play for the Seahawks, but it was pretty much his entire contribution. Once Hasselbeck improved his game, some holes started to open up for him. He continued to struggle in short yardage situations, which cost the team several potential first downs, and a safety early in the game.

Week 13 - Morris provides a good complement to Alexander. His only action was when Alexander needed to rest, but he provided a huge impact when called upon. On his second carry he found a hole in the right side of the line and ran for 15 yards. He did not touch the ball again until the third quarter, but that touch was the turning point of the game. With the team trailing and in a third and one situation, Morris took the ball around the left end, found the hole and accelerated for the game winning 45 yard score.

Week 14 - Morris was a more punishing runner in this game, rushing 13 times for 36 yards, but no touchdowns. Morris also contributed with three catches for 26 yards out of the backfield. Morris seems to be running with more determination than Alexander at this stage in the season.

Week 15 - Morris ran the ball four times for a total of 15 yards. He also caught four passes for 31 yards. He caught a pass inside the Carolina ten yard line but was only able to get it down to the eight. On the next play he ran for four yards but it left Seattle in a fourth and one situation. They kicked a field goal to end the drive.

Week 16 - Morris led the team in rushes but didn't do much with them, averaging just over 2.5 yards per carry.

Week 17 - Morris played the entire game -- in the first half he split carries with Alexander, and in the second, with Weaver. His four targets were all courtesy of Matt Hasselbeck. In the second half, he was particularly effective on the ground.

Week 18 - Maurice Morris carried the ball four times for 13 yards, and did not have any receptions on one target. With Alexander still getting a majority of the carries, and fullback Leonard Weaver playing a majority of the passing downs at halfback, it would appear Maurice Morris is without a role while either is healthy. Many have expected he'd split carries with Alexander, and given the former MVP's lack luster performance to this point in the year, he could see an increased workload as the Seahawks progress in the playoffs.

Week 19 - Morris carried the ball three times for negative one yards. He had an eight yard carry nullified by an offensive holding penalty in the first quarter, but the Seahawks did not use the running game much once the Packers took the lead. He spelled started Shaun Alexander on occasion, but did not appear to be a large part of the gameplan. He received one target.