Doug Baldwin blames Percy Harvin trade for Seahawks slow start vs. Rams

Baldwin told ESPN’s Terry Blount that the trade may have negatively affected the psyche of the team:

“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.”

Shortly after the trade occurred reports surfaced of altercations that Harvin had with players in the Seattle locker room. Among them was one between Harvin and Baldwin, which Baldwin confirmed as true on Sunday. However, he brushed it off as something any family does and did a tribute to Harvin following a 9-yard touchdown reception on Sunday.

While the team struggled to get things going until the second half against the Rams, Baldwin had a solid performance with a career-best 11 receptions for 123 yards. Still, he thinks the timing of the Harvin trade is the reason the Seahawks fell into a 21-3 deficit early.

“There’s obviously a lot of things that went on this week that affected the team in numerous ways,” Baldwin said in the locker room after the game. “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.”