Seattle Seahawks: Percy Harvin May Be Doubtful All Season
By Todd Pheifer
Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks have a difficult two-game stretch coming up, and it starts with a compelling matchup against the 9-2 New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, it appears that Percy Harvin may not make an appearance as the dynamic receiver has been listed as doubtful for the game on Monday Night Football.
Why do I have a feeling that this may be a consistent theme for the rest of the year?
Harvin was exciting to watch in his first game back against the Minnesota Vikings, but apparently he overdid it and now his problematic hip is giving him some issues. Truthfully, this should not be a major surprise.
Sometimes we forget that these amazing athletes who perform incredible feats on the gridiron are still very much human. We expect a guy to have major hip surgery and then quickly get back to his job of getting crushed by linebackers and defensive backs.
This may just be a minor setback, and perhaps Pete Carroll and the Seahawks are just being a bit cautious. After all, the Seahawks need Harvin back for the playoffs. The game against the Saints is big, as it may determine home field advantage during the postseason.
What is more important? Having Harvin for the playoffs or securing games at CenturyLink Field? Given the fact that the Seahawks have gotten this far without Harvin, it might be better to ensure that games are at the Clink.
This isn’t to say that the ‘Hawks should push Harvin and go for broke against Drew Brees and the Saints. The Saints are a great team, but Seattle should be able to beat them even without the electric Harvin.
Without Sidney Rice and Harvin, I suppose you could argue that the Seahawks are “thin” at wide receiver. However, Russell Wilson has done just fine with Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Zach Miller.
Besides, the key to winning this game will be about slowing down Brees and the Saints air attack. Now that Walter Thurmond will be gone for four games, the ‘Hawks will need to step up their pass coverage. If the Seahawks can keep pressure on Brees, Marshawn Lynch should be able to take care of the rest.
Hopefully Harvin will be able to get back on the field soon. It would certainly be nice to have him against the San Francisco 49ers on December 8.
If Harvin keeps having issues, the word “doubtful” could be a weekly occurrence.