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| The loss of electric wideout Percy Harvin, could potential spoil Seahawks title chances. (Credits: Ted S. Warren/AP Photo) |
When the news broke that Percy Harvin was going to have hip surgery, possibly keeping him out of the entire season, many casually shrugged it off as a replaceable loss. Not in the manner that they can actually replicate Harvin's skills with another player, but more in the way that since they were one of the best teams in league last year without him, they don't need him to repeat that success.
Now I can see how Seahawks fans could be so positive, even with the loss of such a versatile weapon. They just reeled off one of the best seasons in team history. They can run the football. Their defense is suffocating. Russell Wilson looks like a franchise stud QB. The team is still relatively young. Some of their other offseason acquisitions, like Cliff Avril, Marcus Trufant and Antoine Winfield will help provide depth on the defensive end. The positives pretty much embarrass the negatives, but this is the NFL folks. You don't take special players like Percy Harvin for granted. There is no cockiness around the statement "We can survive without." Yes, this is a team game, but unique players can alter a game in the blink-of-an-eye. Harvin does just that.
One of the biggest issues (mabye even the only issue) with Seattle last year was that they were a one-dimensional offense. They ranked third in rushing thanks to a 1,500-plus yard season from Marshawn Lynch, but were a lowly 27th in passing. While Golden Tate emerged as a nice secondary wideout for Sidney Rice and Zach Miller provided stability in the over-the-middle passing game, there really was no wideout that made defenses quiver. Harvin would've been that guy. Not only is he a playmaking wideout, who can lose a defender with just the simplest of cuts, but he is versatile. He can work in the backfield a bit and he's an interesting trick play guy. To simplify it, Harvin turns an efficient offense into a dangerous one.
On top of the Harvin loss, the Seahawks have to contend with the Niners, who once again will be a Super Bowl contender. Seattle holds one of, if not the best, home field advantage in sports and if they desire the easiest ride to the Super Bowl it'll be at CenturyLink Field, not on the road like last year. Again, this is the NFL and you want to hold every single advantage you can.
I originally picked the Seahawks to win it all, both with the additions and the success from last year. Yet while, I love their defense (could be best in the NFL) and their stout running game, Harvin was the final piece to the Super Bowl puzzle. Now Seattle must start offensively from the exact same place they were in last year. To many that seems like a fine deal, but it worries me. I still think the Seahawks defense will propel them to a title, but I'm not so sure about it anymore.
I'd just warn everyone that putting ultra-confident title stock in the Seahawks, even with the same core as last year is quite a dangerous thing. A potential earlier-than-expected Harvin return could be a serious game changer, however.
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