The Seattle Seahawks have been at the center of controversy after Friday's eyebrow-raising trade of WR Percy Harvin to the New York Jets.
With reports leaking regarding Harvin's "anger issues" and fights with fellow wideouts Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks seemed to be affected by all of the noise surrounding them during Sunday's 28-26 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
Or at least that's what Doug Baldwin alluded to after the game.
Courtesy of ESPN.com:
"Obviously the shock of the transaction and what took place there made for a bit of an emotional roller coaster," Baldwin said. "When something that drastic happens, right before we get on the bus [to go to the airport for the trip], there is going to be an emotional impact. I felt we handled it to the best of our ability, but I think it might have been a factor in some way."
The Seahawks trailed by 15 at the half, looking out of sync at several points during the first 30 minutes. Baldwin says Friday's transaction played a part in that.
"There's obviously a lot of things that went on this week that affected the team in numerous ways. As a competitor, you don't want to admit those things. But as a human, it is human nature. It took us a little while to get on track. I'm just proud we responded the way we did and fought until the very end."
Baldwin also admitted to the reported physical altercation he had with Harvin this past offseason.
"It is true," he said. "However, when you deal with somebody 12-to-14 hours a day, you are going to have issues and conflict, just like any family."
In regards to the alleged Harvin/Tate skirmish that led to a black eye for Golden Tate during Super Bowl week, Baldwin was less forthcoming.
"I mean, you guys read the reports," Baldwin said. "I don't think I need to say anything else about it."
Baldwin went on a rant after last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, screaming to anyone with earshot, "we need to quit BS-ing ourselves and get serious."
Baldwin was more composed after the Seahawks' second-straight defeat, yet things still remain very uneasy in the locker room of the defending Super Bowl champs.
MORE:
Report: Seahawks Players Feared That Percy Harvin Had Broken Golden Tate's Neck
Report: Russell Wilson Wanted To Help Percy Harvin With His "Anger Issues"
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