While the Seahawks fell short of their ultimate goal this postseason, one positive the team can glean from the past few weeks that it can carry into next year is the play of Paul Richardson, who in Seattle's Divisional Round playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons made four catches for a game-high 83 yards, including deep grabs of 33 and 40 yards.
It was the latest in a string of impressive performances for Richardson, who since seeing his role increase following the season-ending leg injury to fellow receiver Tyler Lockett had been making the most of his increased snaps. Richardson recorded 13 catches for 206 yards while playing behind Lockett and starters Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse through Seattle's first 14 games, but over the team's final four contests to close the season he tallied 15 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns, including a how-did-he-do-that one-handed scoring grab in the Seahawks' Wild Card playoff win over the Detroit Lions.
For Richardson, Seattle's first pick in the 2014 draft who made significant contributions during the tail end of his rookie year but went on to suffer knee and hamstring injuries that forced him to miss a majority of his sophomore campaign, finishing his third year in the NFL strong gives him a good feeling going forward.
"It means a lot," Richardson said this past weekend from his locker at the Georgia Dome following the Seahawks' season-ending loss. "Before the game I talked to my uncle, father, and mother. They all prayed for me. I just asked God to shine through me. I asked him to use me as his instrument and he did. I just appreciate him using me as much as he could. I was able to come through."
Quarterback Russell Wilson, who spent last offseason training with Richardson, credited Richardson's play down the stretch to the effort he put forth on the practice field, where the acrobatic grabs Richardson has put on display in recent weeks have been routine.
"Paul Richardson had a great week of practice again, once again this week," Wilson said after Seattle's loss at Atlanta. "The past few weeks he's stepped up to the plate and done an unbelievable job. We want to use that for acceleration into next year. He's got great speed, he's got great hands, he's got great ability, loves the game, he's passionate, he had a great offseason. … It's good to see that. That's a positive. That's another positive."
Added Seattle head coach Pete Carroll: "I think the really great part about Paul is he finally has the chance to play on a consistent basis, and he showed up."
Richardson said his play the past few weeks gives him "a lot of confidence" heading into the 2017 season, when according to Carroll, Lockett "should make it" back in time for the start of the year.
"I know the team is waiting on Tyler to get back, that's a big factor on our offense," Richardson said. "So it was good for us to try to finish the postseason as strong as we can. I know the team will be happy to get Ty back and I'll be happy to see him recover."
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Even if Lockett returns in time for the start of next season to reclaim his role in Seattle's offense, what Richardson showed late in the year should still serve as an encouraging sign for the Seahawks, and with Richardson's play in mind, Carroll said when it comes to his team's receiving corps next year the club will "come back with the thought of battling and seeing who's going to get more play time."
"Going into the next year we're just counting on him being a big factor," Carroll said of Richardson. "I think he was able to give us the same sparks that Tyler gave us and we think the world of Tyler. It's a good looking group. He made some fantastic plays and I'm glad that he knows that going into the offseason and we know that going into the offseason. ... He did a great job for himself and he helped us."
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seattle Seahawks' trip to Atlanta for the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Falcons.
On Thursday afternoon, Seahawks employees lined 12 Seahawks Way to send the team off for the Divisional Round playoff game at Atlanta.
Fans were waiting near Sea Tac airport for the convoy of team buses to pass on the way to the airport.
A 12 flag adorns the machinery used to tow the Delta aircraft the team uses for its charter at Sea Tac airport.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, quarterback Russell Wilson makes his way across the tarmac to the waiting buses.
On Friday afternoon, players including Russell Wilson, Brandon Williams, Marcus Lucas and Cassius Marsh waited in the warm sunshine before boarding the buses for walk thru.
Tight end Marcus Lucas and receiver Jermaine Kearse pose for a photo before boarding the buses for walk thru.
Highway signs point the way to downtown Atlanta as the team heads to walk thru.
Cassius Marsh and Richard Sherman compare basketball post-up moves after departing buses at the walk thru site.
The Seahawks were greeted by former University of Washington and current Boston Celtics basketball player Isaiah Thomas. Thomas, who played his high school basketball, is an avid 12 and good friend of Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse (right).
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell instructs quarterback Russell Wilson during walk thru.
After their part of the walk thru, offensive players play a game of tapping a football in the air, and they were joined by Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas for a couple of rounds.
Running back Thomas Rawls stretched out on the turf of the indoor practice facility at Georgia Tech.
Former Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette was also a visitor to walk thru, and he visited with receiver Jermaine Kearse.
The Seahawks walk into the Georgia Dome for a quick visit on Friday, the day before the game.
Seahawks running backs Terrence Magee, Alex Collins, Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise pose for a camera phone as they walk off the field at the Georgia Dome.
On Friday night, hundreds of enthusiastic 12s gathered for a Seahawks rally in downtown Atlanta.
On game day, Russell Wilson walks from the hotel to the waiting buses for the trip to the Georgia Dome for the Divisional Round playoff game.
Seahawks head coach greets former player turned broadcaster Michael Robinson on the field before the game.
Bobby Wagner signs autographs for fans after completing his early warmups.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson walks off the field after his early warmup throws.
Now dressed for the game, Seahawks quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin leave the locker room and head to the field for pregame warmups.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin, along with quarterbacks coach Carl Smith gather together for a word before taking the field.
Minutes later, the defensive backs, led by Kam Chancellor and Richard Sheman headed down a walkway from the locker room to the field for pregame warmups.
Defensive backs including Jeron Johnson, DeShawn Shead, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Dewey McDonald form their traditional pregame huddle.
Quarterback Russell Wilson greets his teammates including Devin Hester and Paul Richardson as they return to the locker room following pregame warmups.
Defensive end Frank Clark wore custom cleats for the game.
Tight end Jimmy Graham found a moment to himself in the locker room in the moments before the game.
The Seahawks gather around team leaders Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett, Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin and Richard Sherman before leaving the locker room for kickoff.
The Seahawks stand at attention for the national anthem prior to kickoff.
The Seahawks started the game strong behind the running of Thomas Rawls.
Jimmy Graham yells after scoring the game's opening touchdown on a pass from Russell Wilson on the game's first drive.
Richard Sherman listens to instruction from defensive coordinator Kris Richard during a media time out.
Seahawks defenders including Mike Morgan, Jeron Johnson and Kam Chancellor make a tackle in the first half.
Speedy receiver Paul Richardson heads upfield after a first half pass reception.
At halftime, defensive coordinator talked to his players in the locker room.
On the other end of the locker room, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith instructed Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin.
Seahawks personnel wait as the team's medical staff attended to injured cornerback DeShawn Shead.
Wide receiver Paul Richardson catches a long pass up the right sideline.
Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin sacks Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan in the third quarter.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin lunges but can't quite get to a long pass thrown by quarterback Russell Wilson.
Seahawks fans in the stands at the Georgia Dome show concern as the clock runs in the second half.
Seahawks defensive tackle Michael Bennett gets into the Atlanta backfield to tackle Falcons running back Tevin Coleman for a loss.
Seahawks return specialist Devin Hester takes a kickoff 78 yards to set up a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls sits on the bench in the final moments of the game.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll stand on the field during a replay challenge in the fourth quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin and return specialist Devin Hester sit on the bench after the final whistle ended the Seahawks season with a loss in the Divisional Round at Atlanta.
Quarterback Russell Wilson and defensive lineman Michael Bennett walk off the field together after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll spoke to the team in the visitor's locker room after the game.
Seahawks Jermaine Kearse, Doug Baldwin, Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman listen to head coach Pete Carroll's postgame talk in the visitor's locker room at the Georgia Dome.
The Seahawks join hands for the final time of the 2016-17 season.
Head coach Pete Carroll walked through the locker room and hugged players after the game.
The Seahawks descend the stairs after arriving back in Seattle well after midnight on Sunday morning.
