RENTON — Darrell Bevell has a unique perspective on Percy Harvin.
It’s one from a rear-view mirror now.
Bevell has been the wide receiver’s offensive coordinator with the Seahawks for the past two seasons and also in Minnesota for Harvin’s first two NFL seasons with the Vikings, 2009-10.
And he’s the one around whom he had built much of Seattle’s play calling through the first five games of this season — until the Seahawks stunningly gave up on Harvin Friday and traded him to the New York Jets.
“I was disappointed, you know. I was disappointed,” Bevell said Wednesday following practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. “I did have a history with him, and I thought it would be a different outcome. But I guess that’s just the way it went.
“I think we have a phenomenal atmosphere here. It’s led by coach (Pete) Carroll. I think he gives the guys great freedom to be who they want to be. I think he sets the tone for the whole program. It’s an upbeat program. Obviously we are very positive here.
“It’s just disappointing.”
Harvin was catching the ball, on average, just 1.1 yards past the line of scrimmage as Bevell called bubble screens and hitch routes for him to, as Bevell reiterated again Wednesday, keep teams from double-teaming him downfield. Upon Harvin’s arrival with the New York Jets this week the wide receiver said he wasn’t happy that Bevell and the Seahawks didn’t throw to him more down the field.
“I had many conversations with him about it, just about his role and the things that we would ask him to do. He never articulated that to me,” Bevell said. “I mean, he caught a deep ball in the Washington game (40 yards for what would have been a touchdown but for a personal foul on guard James Carpenter that negated the catch); unfortunately it got called back. But the thing was we wanted to make sure he was going to be involved in the game and get the touches. You know, you can just double team somebody and just take him out of the game (with deeper balls).
“He never did. But we’ve moved on past that. It’s left in the past.”
Asked if there was a difficulty integrating Harvin’s skill set into what the Seahawks wanted to accomplish on offense, Bevell said flatly: “No.”
Fullback situation
Bevell said the Seahawks continue to try out fullbacks they could potentially sign before Sunday’s game. But he, Carroll and assistant head coach Tom Cable said they were wowed with how backup tailback Robert Turbin filled in as a 222-pound fullback last weekend against the Rams after Derrick Coleman broke his foot in a freak injury during pregame warmups.
If need be, all three coaches said they’d be comfortable with Turbin playing fullback again Sunday when the Seahawks (3-3) play at Carolina (3-3-1).
Turbin said last weekend was the first time in his football life that began when he was a tyke that he’d played fullback. He’s played wide receiver, tight end, even defensive lineman. But never fullback — until Sunday when Bevell told him that was where he was going minutes before kickoff.
“I was like, ‘Wait, wait … wait!’” Turbin said.
He said he was extra banged up from banging into Rams as a fullback, far more than he usually is backing up Marshawn Lynch as tailback and playing out of the hurry-up offense.
“I’m still sore right now,” he said.
That’s why Turbin was on Wednesday’s practice-participation report as “limited” by a shoulder injury.
Turbin played 30 of Seattle’s 71 offensive snaps against the Rams. If the Seahawks go with Turbin again as the fullback this weekend, expect Seattle to use split-back formations with Lynch as they did at times against St. Louis. That would give the offense increased versatility in running and passing to either one to either side on the plays when both are in the backfield.
Extra points
No-nonsense Cable on the trade of Harvin: “It was an issue. The issue is gone. And we move forward.” … The rest of that practice report included strong safety Kam Chancellor not participating because of the bone spurs in his ankles. Those will limit him in mid-week practices throughout much of the season. The ankles have slowed him in games, too. Sunday in Carolina part of his assignment will be in coverage against a tight end, Greg Olsen, who already has 41 receptions and is on pace for 90-plus this season. … Lynch got his normal, mid-week rest from practice. … The Seahawks list Coleman and tight end Zach Miller as out for Sunday. Carroll said Miller is getting better but his recovery from last week’s ankle surgery has been slower than expected. Miller is going with the team to North Carolina Friday so he can see Charlotte-based renowned ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson. Anderson is also the Panthers’ team’s orthopedist. … The team got a small surprise with the return to practice of tight end Luke Willson, the fill-in starter for Miller, and cornerback Tharold Simon, Byron Maxwell’s substitute starter last weekend. Willson missed last weekend’s game with a groin injury and Simon sprained his ankle in the second quarter while playing in his first NFL game. … Maxwell didn’t practice because of his strained groin, but Carroll said there is a chance Maxwell could play against Carolina. … Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner is still in a cast for his turf-toe injury. … Carroll made it sound like defensive tackle Jordan Hill (sprained ankle) is a long shot to play against the Panthers. … Center Max Unger (sprained foot) didn’t practice but did run Wednesday. The Seahawks are holding out hope he can play for the first time in three games against the Panthers.
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