Huard: Antonio Brown could be one weapon too many for Seahawks’ offense
Oct 22, 2020, 10:23 AM | Updated: 11:36 am
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Former All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown is once again in the headlines and, once again, the Seahawks are linked to the often troubled wide receiver as a likely landing spot.
Related: Why are Seahawks reportedly interested in Antonio Brown now?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that Brown, whose eight-game suspension for multiple violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy is winding down, is looking for a new team. According to Schefter, the Seahawks are at the top of the list when it comes to teams likely to sign Brown, but others will likely be making a push as well.
Between 2012 and 2018, Brown was arguably the game’s top receiver, topping 1,000 yards seven times and recording 74 touchdowns while earning Pro Bowl honors seven times and four First-Team All-Pro honors. He also has a lengthy history of issues both related to football and off the field, which you can read about here.
When Brown is on the field and focused, he has shown he can be the game’s best. But Seattle’s offense is rolling and the receiving group led by DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett has been electric to start the season. Could adding Brown to the mix be too much for the offense to handle?
“Yes, absolutely. Yes,” former NFL quarterback Brock Huard told 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny and Gallant on Thursday.
Huard said that he has firsthand experience of seeing how having too many playmakers who want the ball can impact a team in a negative way.
When Huard was a backup for the Seahawks in 1999, Seattle started 8-2 behind quarterback Jon Kitna, but receiver Joey Galloway returned from his contract holdout and the team wanted to get him the ball. The Seahawks ended the season 1-5 and barely made the playoffs.
Now, the Seahawks are 5-0 with Metcalf and Lockett both on pace for 1,000-yard seasons, and fellow receivers David Moore and Freddie Swain have also played well. Plus, the Seahawks are expecting Phillip Dorsett to be activated from injured reserve at some point soon and Josh Gordon, who is awaiting reinstatement, could be back any time as well. And with that current group, quarterback Russell Wilson leads the MVP conversation.
“Is it possible to mess up a good thing? Yes,” Huard said.
Huard sees why the Seahawks have interest in Brown, because Wilson has been reportedly pushing for Seattle to bring him on board due to their personal relationship as the two have worked out in this past offseason and other offseasons.
“I could understand possibly in the offseason why Russell gravitated to Antonio, why he worked out with him,” Huard said. “Antonio Brown has a high work capacity and a high work ethic when it comes to practicing the game of football when he wants to do it. It is very, very high and I think that’s appealing to Russell.”
Big hurdles in terms of the Seahawks signing Brown are timing and the health of Seattle’s receivers.
“The season has occurred. Five games have occurred,” Huard said. “David Moore has never played better, Tyler Lockett is back to form and DK Metcalf is becoming one of the elite receivers in this game, and it is no, nay, never to Antonio Brown in my opinion … If David Moore were struggling, if DK Metcalf were injured (then it may make sense) … but on this day as we’re having this conversation, it’s no, nay, never. I just do not see that needed for this team.”
You can hear Huard’s full comments from the Blue 42 segment of Danny and Gallant in the podcast at this link or in the player below.
Follow Brock Huard on Twitter.
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