Puzzled by how Seahawks limited Jadarian Price in his debut? It was by design

Already, one game in, thinking Jadarian Price needs to get the ball more?

Surprised that the rookie first-round draft choice who was romping early in his first NFL game last week didn't get more chances against New England — especially after the Seahawks lost quarterback Sam Darnold to injury just five plays into the season?

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Turns out, it was by the defending Super Bowl champions' design.

New offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said Thursday Price getting just seven carries in the Seahawks' first 36 plays into the fourth quarter last week — despite averaging 8 yards per rush early — was part of Seattle's plan for their new lead running back early this season.

"We were very deliberate about the reps that he was going to get and how he was going to be used," Fleury said.

"I mean, he didn't play in the preseason. (It) was the very first NFL game. Huge stage. And we just wanted to be cautious in terms of his workload."

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Fleury limited Price even while backup quarterback Drew Lock had to come in without practicing the game plan's plays all week and finish the final 3 1/2 quarters. Price's use stayed in only bits and spurts even as Seattle stayed scoreless and down by 10 points deep into the third quarter.

Price finished his NFL debut with 52 yards on 10 carries. That was after runs of 13 and 12 yards early in the game. He rushed on consecutive plays only one time over the first three quarters, when Seattle was trailing 10-3.

In the end Price touched the ball 12 times in 50 offensive plays. That included catches on short passes on consecutive plays in the third quarter. Price played just 24 snaps.

George Holani, the former Boise State running back and undrafted free agent from 2024, had 23 snaps against New England.

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Can Price — and we — expect the same pacing and governing of the third running back Seattle's drafted in the first round in its 51-year history on Sunday? That's when the Seahawks play their first NFC West game of the season at the Arizona Cardinals (1-0).

"He obviously earned more reps moving forward," Fleury said, "and we'll continue to bring him along and develop him in the right way."

So it's still a ramp-up plan for Price, the man Seattle drafted to replace departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.

"For sure," Fleury said.

"Not for anything physical. It's just, being a rookie."

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"Being a rookie" includes needing to learn the NFL pass game, particularly pass blocking. Blitzes come quickly and from everywhere in the pro game, far more than when Price was a backup to Cardinals third-overall pick Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame through the last college season.

Holani made the Seahawks as an undrafted rookie three years ago and has stuck with the team and the offense since largely because of his skill in pass blocking.

Yet on the play Darnold got hurt, Holani failed at that. He got plowed through by New England's blitzing linebacker Robert Spillane.

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Spillane pushed Holani into Darnold's attempt to throw on time. Right tackle Abe Lucas had Jones blocked during the time Fleury's play design had Darnold throwing the ball. It was after Darnold pulled the ball down and was forced to move away from Spillane that Jones chased down the quarterback and Darnold got injured.

In the second quarter, after Price gained 8 yards for a first down to near midfield, Fleury called for a drop-back pass. Lock got sacked. Drive ruined. Seattle stayed scoreless.

The News Tribune asked Price at his locker following his debut if it was difficult for him to get into a flow and feel for his first NFL game.

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Price pointed to the seven pre-snap penalties the offense had as the reason he, and the entire unit, stayed without a touchdown until 11 minutes remained in the game.

"I think early on, penalties got us. I think that's the biggest thing," Price said.

"I thought we were driving the ball very well. We were doing great. I as in the flow. I thought I was doing a good job. It was just the penalties getting us behind the chains, third-and-long situations."

That, in turn, took Price off the field and put Holani on it.

"It's a good thing to experience for myself, but also for this team early on, to know that you have to find a better way," Price said.

"You have to find a way to win when things get tough."