Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin continuing to excel despite more attention

Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin has been receiving all kinds of attention during his record-setting touchdown reception streak – during games, in the media, and even off the field.

Despite the newfound spotlight, the Pro Bowl alternate told “The Huddle” on 710 ESPN Seattle that nothing has changed schematically to account for his 29 catches and 11 touchdowns over the last five games. It’s all about opportunities and a clicking offense.

“Same gameplan, just got more targets,” he said. “…It was phenomenal that our offense had become as efficient as we have become. That’s been something we’ve been working on for quite a number of years now, so it’s nice that it’s finally clicking.”

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Baldwin, who called his health a “challenge” at this point in the season, said he’s noticed defenses playing him intermittently different, sometimes bringing a safety to help the nickel corner, or using a different technique to guard him than was previously shown on film.

“They can’t really do much, we’ve got such a great offense, so many weapons,” he said. “You’ve got Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett who are capable of doing anything against man-on-man, one-on-one coverage. And then you’ve got to keep a guy on Russell Wilson because he can get outside the pocket and make magic happen.”

Baldwin borrowed Wilson’s “ignore the noise” mantra when asked how he’s dealing with the newfound national media attention.

“It’s not that you don’t hear it,” he said. “You can’t avoid it, but at the same time, I don’t allow it to affect me emotionally, mentally. I’ve got a job to do and I’m just trying to do the best that I can at that job.”

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While Baldwin has had no problem with the attention he’s getting from defenders, he does find off-the-field intrusions a little bothersome, especially when he’s with his family.

“It really irritates me because I only get to spend so much time with my family, and so when people come up and say, ‘I hate to be rude,’ well, you are being rude,” he said. “This is the only time I get to spend with my family. Those are the only times that it bothers me, but the rest of the time I’m cool with it.”

Baldwin said he had a vivid memory of being turned down for an autograph as a kid by an athlete who was out with his family.

“It kind of rubbed me the wrong way, but now being in that situation I understand it,” he said. “He was out with his family – that’s time he wants to spend with his family and not be bothered. He’s a normal guy just like the rest of us.”

Luckily for Baldwin, a new beard has helped him somewhat disguise his famous mug in Seattle.

“It actually has worked a little bit,” he said. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do with it, though. That’s not the purpose of the beard; the beard is just from pure laziness right now.

“My typical defense is when they say ‘You look familiar,’ I say, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’ ” he added. “I’m just here to get my McDonalds.”