The Seattle Seahawks made two big moves this week, trading for high-profile wide receiver Percy Harvin and signing defensive end Cliff Avril. These moves show that the Seahawks are serious about winning a Super Bowl this upcoming season, says sports commentator Art Thiel.
Hawks go 'high profile' during first week of free agency
The Seahawks were expected to be conservative during the free agent signing period, but instead made two huge moves.
"They came out with fireworks, bells and whistles, and are making as big of an impact as any team in the NFL."
Cliff Avril signed in free agency
Art says one of the most glaring weaknesses that the Seahawks needed to address going into next season was a pass rusher, and defensive end Cliff Avril might have been the best that any team could have landed.
"(Avril) was on some pre-free agency charts rated as the number one free agent available. He's a 6 (foot) 3 (inches), 260 pound defensive end, and a very good pass rusher...which was the Seahawks biggest weakness last year, and he was hired to fix that."
Percy Harvin arrives in exchange for first-round draft pick
Art explains that getting a wide receiver like Percy Harvin has a tremendous upside, but he has had his problems in the past.
"He is an exceptional talent, but has also been an exceptional headache for his teams starting in high school, through college, and again professionally. But it appears that Percy Harvin has the contract, the coach, and the team that will make it all worth while (for him), and I just don't think he would say a negative word about anything."
Seattle, finally, appeals to high-level players
Why are the big name players all of a sudden willing to come play in Seattle when they weren't in the past? Art says it is a combination of success and team philosophy.
"Part of it is the success of last season. They (the Seahawks) have also demonstrated an adaptability, flexibility, and creativity that is very attractive to players...The stars are lining up, and the Seahawks have made a statement that 2013 is a Super Bowl year and they are paying to get that young talent now."
You can find Art Thiel's work at Sportspress Northwest and crosscut.com.
