It’s really hard to point out five players from Super Bowl XLIX who struggled the most. This was one of the most competitive Super Bowls in the recent history of the league. It was also decided on a bad play-call from the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff.
However, there were some players on both teams that simply didn’t perform on the league’s biggest stage. From New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount pulling a disappearing act to a certain Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, here are the five-worst performers from the Super Bowl.
1. Doug Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks
Baldwin may have scored one of Seattle’s three touchdowns, but that was his only catch of the game. Going up against an elite Patriots’ secondary, Baldwin disappeared at a time when Russell Wilson needed him the most. An inability to actually provide Wilson with any type of window to throw into, really did cost Seattle dearly when all was said and done.
Some were drawing the conclusion that Seattle’s receiving group was the most underrated in the NFL. That couldn’t be further from truth, especially after looking at how it performed in the Super Bowl. Led by Baldwin, Seattle failed at every turn here. It really is that simple.
2. Tharold Simon, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks
Courtesy of USA Today: Simon was eaten alive all night long.
When on the field this past season, Simon was an major weak spot for an otherwise dominant Seahawks’ secondary. After all, he did yield 10 receptions on 10 targets against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. And while the LSU product did come on towards the end of the regular season, it was obvious he was going to be a liability once Jeremy Lane went down with a severe injury early in the Super Bowl.
Simon proceeded to allow seven receptions for 90-plus yards and two touchdowns in the loss on Sunday night. Making matters more difficult for Seattle’s defense, Tom Brady was able to continually look in Simon’s direction without a consistent pass rush coming his way.
It might sound pretty odd to write this, but Seattle may have to actually go out there and either draft a cornerback early or sign one in free agency. Richard Sherman is the best cover guy in the NFL, but the Seahawks don’t really have much after that. Byron Maxwell is set to become a free agent and could very well be moving on. Outside of that, it’s hard to imagine Pete Carroll and company having any type of faith in Simon to play a big role next year.
3. James Carpenter, Guard, Seattle Seahawks
An impending free agent, Carpenter didn’t do himself any favors with a horrendous Super Bowl performance. Aside from compiling the second-worst grade among offensive linemen in the game, Carpenter struggled big time going up against Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork throughout the evening. Continually thrown into the offensive backfield, this young guard was dominated on a consistent basis. It’s not a good look for a player that will want to be paid big bucks in March. And in reality, Carpenter likely cost himself millions here.
4. LeGarrette Blount, Running Back, New England Patriots
Courtesy of USA Today: LeGarrette Blount put up quite an impressive disappearing act on Sunday.
It was rather obvious from the start of the game that New England was intent on spreading Seattle’s defense wide with quick passes. This is a philosophy that ended up helping the Patriots earn their fourth Lombardi Trophy. It’s also a philosophy that severely limited Blount’s impact on the game.
When this beastly running back actually saw the ball, it was a major struggle. Blount averaged just 2.9 yards on 14 attempts against a Seattle defense that had yielded an average of 132.5 rushing yards per game in its first two postseason outings. Without any type of balance on offense, New England was forced to ride the right arm of one Tom Brady. Luckily, the future Hall of Fame quarterback did everything that was needed of him to lead the Patriots from behind.
5. Luke Willson, Tight End, Seattle Seahawks
Not only did Willson fail to catch a single pass (or receive a single target), he was absolutely atrocious in run-blocking throughout the night. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the second-year tight end from Rice finished with a -2.1 grade in that category. In fact, Willson’s only contribution to the stat line was a penalty in 43 offensive snaps. That’s just plain horrible.
And while this athletic tight end did make some big plays for Seattle down the stretch, he was consistently horrible in the passing game during the season. In fact, Willson dropped nearly 13 percent of the passes thrown in his direction during the regular year. If nothing else, his performance in the Super Bowl tells Seattle that it must get a more consistent threat at tight end for Russell Wilson.
Photo: USA Today