Seattle receivers still fighting for respect

Seattle wide receivers Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin play with a massive boulder on their respective shoulders.

Part of the reason is that they were not drafted coming out of college and have made it their life’s mission to prove NFL scouts wrong.

“The majority of our room is undrafted, minus two guys,” Kearse said. “But we have a lot of talent in our (wide receivers) room. I’ve watched these guys practice.”

The Seattle receivers will see a familiar face in the Super Bowl in New England cornerback Brandon Browner, a former teammate.

“It’s going to be exciting to go against (Browner), especially in a game like this,” Kearse said. “Going against him last year in practice with stuff, he’s a real competitive guy.”

Kearse and Baldwin had to lead the group after Percy Harvin was traded to the New York Jets during the regular season for a conditional pick.

Baldwin led the team with 66 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns. Kearse, who had a big touchdown catch in overtime against Green Bay in the NFC Championship game Jan. 18, caught 38 passes for 537 yards and one touchdown.

“Well, the receiver guys, they’ve been doing a phenomenal job,” Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson said. “Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin, they’ve been lights-out for us all year. They’ve made a lot of big-time catches. Jermaine’s catch last week, Doug’s catch last week. I love the guys that I have around me.”

Paul Richardson, Ricardo Lockette and Brian Walters round out the group. Lockette played at Fort Valley State.

“I love the guys that are around me,” Wilson said. “I trust that they’re going to make the play when they need to make the play, and I trust that they’re going to make the consistent play.”