For someone who's never carried the ball in a regular season game, the Seattle Seahawks are sure enamoured with running back Louis Rankin.
To the point where the NFL's active rushing leader, Edgerrin James, was sent away earlier this week to see if Rankin could provide a missing jolt for Seattle's struggling run game.
"What Louis adds is the element of speed. That man is extremely fast and shifty," Seattle coach Jim Mora said. "And on a daily basis we watch him go out there and give our defence a real test. And so we want to see that."
No one is quite sure just how much Rankin will be used on Sunday when the slumping Seahawks host Detroit. About the only guarantee is it seems obvious the guy cut from the Oakland Raiders earlier this season likely will get his first NFL carry taking over the role held by James before his release.
James was used in a spot role to spell starter Julius Jones, but couldn't provide the spark Seattle wanted. That was due in part to a makeshift offensive line that's been significant in Seattle's problems running the ball.
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