Percy Harvin’s Accumulative Effect Will Greatly Benefit Marshawn Lynch and Co.

Dec 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks a tackle by Chicago Bears strong safety Major Wright (21) to score a touchdown during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve all heard and talked about a lot of things since Percy Harvin was acquired by Pete Carroll and Co. about a month ago. Everybody’s been talking about what a deep threat he presents to Russell Wilson, how he will help the receiving corps stretch the field and make Sydney Rice even more effective in one-on-one situations and the formations/unique options he presents to the coaching staff. We’ve even discussed how he helps the run game by getting the ball from the backfield and how his running back skills will change the Seahawks’ run game.

Lest we forget, the more some things change, the more they must stay the same. Such is the case in Seattle. Yes, Harvin presents all of that trick-ability, smoke, mirrors and raw electricity when all of that ends with his hands on the ball. But overuse of even the terrific Percy Harvin will not be good for the Seahawks. He’s not here to take over the show, it’s already really good without him. He’s here to add the whip cream and even the cherry to the banana split. That’s right baby, he’s here to add that flavor!

October 14, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) runs with the ball against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 38-26. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Pete Carroll said (I believe during the press conference introducing Harvin) that the Seahawks plan to pass more this upcoming season because Russell is obviously farther along and they kept the shackles on him a little bit early. Just like the rest of the 12th Man should be concerned by that, I’m really not sure that’s wise with the weapons the Seahawks possess at running back, not including Percy. Even with all of the hype (and even though I kinda dismissed it), the statement when it was made automatically scared me, a lot. If his arrival means the end of the running game as it is, Seattle won’t be better off, it’s that simple.

Not to worry though because after careful consideration of the context in which the statement was made, I don’t believe Carroll meant to say that the Seahawks were going to move away from the run game, even mostly. In fact I’m now convinced he doesn’t actually want to pass the ball more in their overall scheme. What I think what he meant to say is that the Hawks will not HAVE to run when they don’t want to or can’t afford to, especially early in the season like they did last year.

But don’t get it twisted, this team is built to be a run-first outfit with Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin needing the ball in their hands. Again, they need the ball in their hands. NEED! I do think that Turbin in particular will get more involved after his small breakout at the end of his rookie season. It will be a great addition to Beast Mode’s production and Turbin’s ability to catch the ball is going to become as important as any other part of the offense on third down.

Here’s the biggest factor for me, all of that Harvin talk and the ability to do a thousand things with him and all this is going to make Marshawn more dangerous than ever before per carry, because he’ll likely be facing one less defender in the box on a much more regular basis. What’s that mean? Well, Beast Mode will be seeing the ball a whole heck of a lot, which is great for the Seahawks!

What do you think 12’s, does Marshawn come close to his 1,590 yards on 315 carries that ranked 3rd in both categories among running backs last season, in 2013? More pressingly, how important is it that he does approach that mark to protect Russ, even with all of the outside weapons now stockpiling?