SEATTLE — Before Paul Richardson could enjoy his big moment, he first had to look for laundry on the field.
The Seattle Seahawks’ rookie receiver was almost certain he had secured the first touchdown of his NFL career when he caught a 10-yard pass from Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter. But because he has seen a few plays erased by penalty flags this season — including what he thought was his first touchdown a couple weeks earlier as well as a 22-yard catch earlier in Sunday’s game — Richardson took a quick moment to assess the situation.
“Every time I make a play, I’ve got to make sure before I celebrate that there’s no flags on the ground,” the second-round pick out of Colorado said with a grin. “But it all came together today.”
Not only did Richardson earn his first touchdown in Sunday’s 17-7 victory over the 49ers, he also had two big third-down conversions to keep scoring drives going. In the first quarter on third-and-6, Wilson hit Richardson over the middle and he hung on for a 9-yard gain despite a big hit from 49ers safety Eric Reid, which drew an unnecessary-roughness penalty. Then on Seattle’s first touchdown drive, Richardson ran a perfect route on third-and-10 to get just enough depth for an 11-yard gain, setting up a Marshawn Lynch touchdown run.
Richardson showing up more on game days had less to do with him doing anything different, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said, and more to do with him getting opportunities to make plays.
“He’s been fine,” Carroll said. “We haven’t gotten the ball to him much, but he’s a terrific catcher, he’s a good route runner — a beautiful curl route he hits on third down, a crucial (third-and-six), just a dynamite route and catch with guys hanging all over him. He’s just doing what he’s been doing, nothing special. He’s a really good football player.”
While Richardson celebrated his score, fellow receiver Doug Baldwin grabbed the ball to make sure the rookie would have a souvenir. Richardson said that ball will be a Christmas gift for somebody, but he wouldn’t say who and ruin the surprise.
“I remember my first touchdown and what it meant to me and how special it was,” Baldwin said. “It’s a rarity, you’ve got to cherish those moments.”
Richardson’s big day was just part of a strong showing for Seattle’s receivers, who made a few big plays without many opportunities. Baldwin turned three catches into 53 yards, Jermaine Kearse had 78 yards on five catches, including a 47-yarder, and Richardson had three very big catches for 30 yards. In Seattle’s run-first offense, receivers can often be overlooked, but it was a strong performance for oft-derided group.
“When you get your opportunities as a receiver, you have to make the best of them and he did that, and we had no doubt he was going to do that,” Baldwin said before bringing up one of his favorite insults of Seattle’s receivers from last season. “That’s just what the pedestrians do.”
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com
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