Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll made a couple interesting comments Monday during his conversation with 710ESPN Seattle:
Baldwin benefits: Carroll pointed to receiver Doug Baldwin as the player most likely to see increased playing time while Percy Harvin recovers from hip surgery. Pointing to Baldwin instead of Golden Tate reflects a couple things. One, the Seahawks had big plans for Tate all along and expected Harvin's addition to give Tate favorable matchups. Two, Baldwin projects to fill some of the slot roles Harvin would have filled. Seattle will have tough decisions at this position if the leading contenders for roster spots remain healthy. Might they keep six receivers, plus Harvin, who would not count against the 53-man limit?
Greater depth: Carroll compared the Seahawks' current roster to his USC rosters for overall depth. Those are strong words reflecting high confidence. Carroll also said the Seahawks lead the NFL in players claimed off waivers over the past three seasons, an indication other teams value Seattle's castoffs. I cannot immediately verify that statement, but will follow up with some numbers if I can acquire them. In general, however, I have noticed a significant increase in teams claiming playing off waivers from Seattle. Those numbers are surely up from the years immediately preceding Carroll's arrival. Carroll credited general manager John Schneider and the personnel department. To be continued.
Carroll's comments begin at the 19:45 mark of this audio segment
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