Green Bay Hosts Free Agent RB Christine Michael
The Packers hosted free agent running back Christine Michael today at Lambeau Field, as reported by ESPN’s Field Yates.
Michael was drafted 63rd overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFL Draft – one pick after Green Bay selected Eddie Lacy.
Despite immense potential and his standing as the team’s leading rusher, Michael was cut in the middle of last season. He joined the Packers after reserve running back Don Jackson sustained a season-ending knee injury in practice.
What’s great about Christine Michael
Christine Michael is a gifted, explosive athlete. In college at Texas A&M, he routinely relied on being faster and more explosive than his opponent to gain big chunks of yards.
“He’s a change-of-pace back, very quick, very athletic, and he’s happy to be here. I think he’s just looking for an opportunity,” Aaron Rodgers said shortly after Michael joined the team.
Michael arrived at a crucial time helped add stability to a rotating door of injured running backs. Their season was on the ropes, and Green Bay needed a back capable of keeping a defense from completely focusing on their superstar quarterback. Along with Ty Montgomery, the pair did just that.
What’s not great about Christine Michael
Before he was released by the Seahawks, his offensive line coach Tom Cable questioned his vision and ability to read plays.
There’s no doubt Christine Michael is a gifted, explosive athlete. He just so rarely does things with those gifts that benefit the Packers.
Michael showed during his time with Green Bay that he does not follow play designs, preferring instead to freelance and cut back whenever he can. It almost never works. Even when he does get an opportunity to make something happen in space, he dances.
It’s easy to draw comparisons to the frustrations many feel about Christine Michael to another Packers running back – James Starks. The two can make a coach’s hair turn gray in frustration, but Michael has the benefit of being faster than Starks.
Will the Packers resign Michael?
Michael taking a formal visit in Green Bay certainly is a positive sign that he will return for a second season.
After the season ended, we profiled Michael in-depth and were split on whether we would like to see him return in 2017.