For being a white running back in the NFL, the Lions' Zach Zenner is pretty impressive, according to Michael Bennett. In fact, the free-spirited Seahawks defensive end believes Zenner is the best white running back in the NFL.
“I think the running back, man, he’s — there’s not many white running backs in the NFL but he has to be the best right now," Bennett said on a conference call Tuesday, via the Detroit Free Press. "He’s doing such a great job of cutbacks and hitting the hole. He’s a really good back. I know all the stuff he did in college, three straight seasons of 2,000 yards.
"I don’t care where you’re at, if you can do that you have got amazing talent. And I think he’s just an amazing running back, the things he can do with the ball. He got good balance, he can spin, he can catch it out of the backfield. I think he fits the offense perfectly."
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After losing Ameer Abdullah (foot) and Theo Riddick (wrist) to season-ending injuries, Zenner has stepped up the past two weeks for the No. 6 seeded Lions, who take on the Seahawks on Saturday. The South Dakota State product played all but two snaps against the Packers in Week 17, finishing with a career-high 69 yards rushing and adding 41 yards receiving. But, according to Bennett, it's the little things that make Zenner special.
"That surprises me a lot because you don’t see a lot of (white) running backs in the NFL, there’s just a couple," Bennett said. "But he’s right now, he’s really, really good. He does a lot of great things, I think. Even in the pass protection game, he steps up and he does a great job of protection. I’m not surprised that he’s the starter right now because of all the great things that he’s doing."
Bennett also had an interesting way to describe former teammate Golden Tate, who won a Super Bowl with Bennett and the Seahawks in 2013.
"Golden Tate is just one of those players he can do so much," Bennett said. "He can catch the ball, run the ball. His YAC (yards after catch) is just outstanding. And sometimes, he got the weirdest looking body but he can always make plays. I always think he looks like a bird, but I can never understand how that body does what it does.
"Golden was always a great teammate, a great, fun guy, always popped around, always brought donuts. Always appreciate the D-line and it was fun to have him on our team."