NFL news roundup: Percy Harvin, Emmanuel Sanders help drive big expectations on offense
Whether it’s returning players or the big acquisition, teams around the league have retooled on offense and are set for some big things. At least, fans certainly hope so.
49ers blog Niners Nation takes a look at players who are returning for the 2013 season, and they like what they see. Kendall Hunter is on the mend from an Achilles' tear, but they see his speed and vision adding depth to San Francisco's power running game. It won't happen automatically, though, and they lay out what it would take to make sure Hunter is adding everything he's capable of adding.
Percy Harvin is another player capable of contributing big things to the offense, and Seahawks blog Field Gulls has an incredibly detailed look at how that might happen. Formations, plays and the defensive schemes the Seahawks are likely to see are all diagrammed out, and they see a lot of possibility for Harvin in Seattle. Harvin didn't come cheap, but a close look shows he might be worth the high price.
Steelers fans would be forgiven for not being as optimistic as Seahawks fans. Mike Wallace is plying his trade in Miami, and there are some questions as to where that will leave Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh passing game. Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain considers the issue, and finds reason for optimism. They expect Emmanuel Sanders to step up in his new role as the No. 1 receiver, and players like Jerricho Cotchery to have career years.
In more modest takes on the offense, Jaguars blog Big Cat Country has a long piece on rookie offensive tackle Roderick Tomlin. Coming from Murray State, Tomlin faces a bigger jump in competition than many rookies. He isn't expected to contribute immediately, but the team likes what they see and there could be big things down the road.
