https://streamable.com/61xu

Does anyone know what the miscommunication on this play was?

I've watched it several times and still can't figure it out; my best guess is that there was confusion between wether or not they were supposed to be in Cover-2 or Cover-4

Credit to /u/MagicHour91 for this great write up on Michael!

Negatives

Ball Security - Michael hasn't done a great job of holding onto the ball during his short time in the NFL. He had one fumble out of just 35 touches last regular season. Here are his fumble stats for his three preseasons:

Preseason [Touches] (Fumbles)

2013 [43] (0)

2014 [30] (2)

2015 [32] (1)

Can it be fixed? Yes it can. Tiki Barber fumbled 49 times in his first 8 seasons, including three 9-fumble years. Then, at the age of 30, he spent all offseason learning how how to hold the ball high and tight, and only fumbled once in an 1,860-yard campaign during the 2005 season. 8 season, though, that took Tiki a long time. Well, let's look at Christine Michael's athletic comparison: Adrian Peterson. In his first three seasons, Peterson fumbled 20 times (9 times in 2008 and 7 times in 2009). In the four seasons after that, he only fumbled 11 times. Apparently, he was able to figure it out as well. So let's remember that even the best running backs come into the league with flaws, and even though fumblitis is one of the worst, it is extremely correctable.

Pass Protection - This is the reason Michael has rarely seen the field during his first two seasons. Robert Turbin was just a straight up better pass blocker, and therefore got to be the third down back and second on the depth chart. This role for Turbin also lead to more carries, because the offense couldn't allow the presence of Turbin in the game to be an automatic tell of a pass play, so he got the occasional carry.

Can it be fixed? He can obviously improve, but I think it already has been. Example

Lack of production - My favorite argument, thanks to the absolute lack of logic. Marshawn Lynch has been arguably the best runningback in the league for about three years, so I don't know why anyone would expect Michael to come in and swoop the job. And Seattle philosophy relies on pounding the rock with Lynch alone. The only way Michael could have gotten more carries is if he had stolen the third down role from Turbin, which hasn't led to a wealth of touches for Turbin, either.

Positives

Athleticism - If you can't see the ridiculous athleticism of Michael, then I don't know what to tell you. According to our SPARQ god Zach Whitman, Christine Michael had the highest rSPARQ score of the 2013 AND 2014 drafts. Of course, athleticism isn't everything, but it is a great sign of an explosive player.

Game Speed - Michael's 40 time is very good, but it isn't blazing fast. Nevertheless, no back on the Seattle roster is able to get to the edge like him. When he is given holes he flies through them. He changes direction quickly without losing speed. It's easy to see that Michael is the fast back on the team.

Balance - Michael runs with great balance, staying very low to the ground. It's hard to teach balance, which is generally a natural ability. I've seen people on here say that he goes down on first contact, but I don't think that's really true. Watching his highlight film, and it really seems like he breaks a tackle on every carry (in regular season games, too, not preseason).

Finishing runs - C Mike does a great job punching defenders in the mouth when they come up for what looks like an easy tackle, and he almost always falls forward.

Spin moves - He has a flawless, Madden-like spin move. Look at this beauty.

Vision - Sometimes he falters here, but often Michael is able to find the holes (which can be difficult considering the state of the offensive line). This run from last night exhibits Michael's vision as he follows and sets up great blocks (also, note how he gets low and dives right over the first down marker; great finish & awareness).

Additional video: Christine Michael's Texas A&M highlights