Coffee & Cigarettes: Seahawks links for Friday

Thank goodness it's TGIF Blue Friday.

Seattle Seahawks' Percy Harvin will play vs. Saints - NFL.com
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed that Percy Harvin will play against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. Can Seahawks fans count on a big role for the playmaker in his return?

Seahawks: Will rare Triple Crown bring defensive player of the year award? - Seattle Seattle Seahawks | Examiner.com
Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor spearheaded the league's best defense, which netted a rare trifecta by allowing the fewest points (14.4 per game) and yards (273.6) and the most takeaways (39).

Titans targeting Quinn? | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
There’ve been enough rumors involving Seattle coordinators Dan Quinn and Darrell Bevell that most fans probably have trouble keeping them all straight. It’s becoming apparent, though, that one to pay close attention to is the Tennessee Titans’ interest in Quinn.

Round 2 with the loquacious Marshawn Lynch | HeraldNet.com - Seattle Sidelines
Marshawn Lynch, who until recently was a man of no words when it came to the media, is now a man of few words, but to avoid further fines from the league, he spoke following practice for the second time in as many weeks. As was the case last week, Lynch was brief in his answers, though this week’s session lasted a bit longer thanks to some rapid-fire questions, as well as the presence of fullback Michael Robinson, who stood next to Lynch in the locker room with his arm around the running back.

Seahawks’ Harvin: ‘I’m going to give it all I have’ | Sportspress Northwest
Nearly two months after his most recent game, WR Percy Harvin says he's ready for Saturday's playoff game. No restrictions, so he will return kickoffs.

Russell Wilson has proved himself to Seahawks teammates | Larry Stone | The Seattle Times
Quarterback Russell Wilson has earned respect of teammates and coaches with his coolness and performance under pressure. He’ll try again to lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

Former Seahawk Walter Jones is Hall of Fame finalist | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
Former Seahawks offensive tackle Walter Jones, the team’s left tackle from 1997 through 2008, is one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Four to seven of the 15 will be selected on Feb. 1.

GM John Schneider’s natural innovation has lifted Seahawks | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
He didn’t even have a Wikipedia page when the Seahawks hired him four years ago, and his friends still like to remind him that he’s short. But general manager John Schneider is ... The Natural.

Seahawks’ secret weapon: the home-field advantage at CenturyLink | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
Seahawks players say the noise made by the 12th Man at CenturyLink Field affects their opponents and also pumps them up. The Seahawks are 66-30 at CenturyLink during the regular season, 5-1 in the playoffs.

It’s official: Seahawks’ Percy Harvin will play Saturday | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin left no doubt Thursday, he will play Saturday against the New Orleans Saints. “Absolutely,” said Harvin, who has played just one game this season for Seattle.

Russell Wilson cool under playoff pressure - NFC West Blog - ESPN
RENTON, Wash. -- Just like Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, receiver Jermaine Kearse was one of seven Seattle rookies in the 2012 season who were

Seattle Seahawks helped Percy Harvin keep trying - ESPN
Percy Harvin almost gave up. His surgically-repaired hip just wasn’t getting better after suffering a setback when he returned for one game, Nov. 17, against the Vikings.

Percy Harvin adds to Saints' degree of difficulty - ESPN
With receiver Percy Harvin back in the lineup, the Seattle Seahawks' offense is now even more versatile and dangerous than it was when the New Orleans Saints faced them last month.

Person of Interest: Percy Harvin, the wild card - 710sports.com
After taking a closer look at Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Danny O'Neil puts the focus on another player who could be a major factor in Saturday's divisional-round playoff game between Seattle and New Orleans: Percy Harvin.

Seahawks' Percy Harvin set to play against Saints - 710sports.com
For as unpredictable as Percy Harvin's status has been this season, the Seahawks receiver left no room for uncertainty when asked if he's playing Saturday. Receiver Percy Harvin will play Saturday for the first time since Nov. 17. "For him to be able to have to opportunity to join us now is really exciting I know for him and for us, too," coach Pete Carroll said. (AP) "Absolutely," Harvin told reporters Thursday afternoon. Returning kicks, too? "Absolutely," he said.

Divisional Round Weekend preview: Saints-Seahawks - NFL.com
After capturing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks get their first chance to defend their home turf when the New Orleans Saints visit. Can the Saints pull off the upset?

Trent Dilfer s thoughts on New Orlenas Saints-Seattle Seahawks - ESPN
As expected, ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer had a lot of insightful thoughts on the upcoming rematch between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks -- from the reasons why he thinks Seattle’s defense gets away with being so physical in coverage to his belief that the Saints should speed up their offensive tempo the second time around.

The euphoric, solemn, authentic Jim Harbaugh: A rhino among house pets, and a one-of-a-kind NFL personality
Jim Harbaugh’s players know him best, because he is still essentially and eternally part of them, and not exactly one of the calmer examples of them.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Film Room: Sean Payton
The Seattle Seahawks obliterated the New Orleans Saints in Week 13 of the regular season. The scoreline was 34-7 and even that didn't do the massacre justice. After that trip to Seattle, the Saints have rebounded. They didn't win the NFC South, but they made the playoffs as the sixth seed. In the wild card round, they beat the Eagles in Philadelphia to set up a rematch with the Seahawks in Seattle.

Chalk Talk: Seahawks can rediscover their run game - 710sports.com
Seattle's running game took a step in the right direction in the regular-season finale as Marshawn Lynch rushed for 97 yards against St. Louis, nearly ending a six-game stretch in which he didn't finish with triple digits.

Firing head coaches is becoming more commonplace in NFL | The MMQB with Peter King
The conclusion of another NFL season brought us the involuntary separation of multiple head coaches and their staffs from their respective teams in what unfortunately has become an annual ritual for this time of year.

The Notebook: Collapses, comebacks & getting ready to do it all again - SBNation.com
Retired defensive end Stephen White opens up his first postseason edition of his Notebook.

Power meals: Seahawks chef plays key role in team’s success | Local News | The Seattle Times
Seahawks chef Mac McNabb makes massive meals that are healthful, tasty and filling, while working in what the Bellevue native says is his dream job.

Divisional Playoff Rankings - Post-Season Fantasy Football Guide - Rotoworld.com
Mike Clay provides rankings and analysis for this weekend's Divisional playoff games.

2013 NFL all-rookie team, defense: Sheldon Richardson runaway Defensive Rookie of the Year - SBNation.com
A few defensive rookies became immediate stars in 2013.

Rain expected in Seattle, New England on Saturday - NFL.com
Weather is expected to be a big factor in this Saturday's Divisional Round Weekend games. Instead of snow or bitter cold, however, rain will complicate matters.

Seahawks' Earl Thomas speaking up, loud and clear | Seattle Seahawks | The News Tribune
Earl Thomas has matured from rookie loose cannon to vocal leader at safety for Seattle’s standout defense

Person of Interest: Percy Harvin, the wild card - 710sports.com
After taking a closer look at Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Danny O'Neil puts the focus on another player who could be a major factor in Saturday's divisional-round playoff game between Seattle and New Orleans: Percy Harvin.

Divisional Round Weekend: Saints-Seahawks - NFL.com
After capturing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks get their first chance to defend their home turf when the New Orleans Saints visit. Can the Saints pull off the upset?

Seahawks depth chart: Backup QB Tarvaris Jackson embraces role, but dreams of Super Bowl
Some might call him an insurance policy, but Seahawks backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has something that even starting QB Russell Wilson lacks - eight years in the NFL - and the experience, both on and off the field, to match.

Bill Barnwell on the NFL playoffs - Grantland
Everything you need to know (and more) about Saints-Seahawks and Colts-Patriots

Division Preview: New Orleans at Seattle
On the surface, this does not appear to be a very even matchup. In home games in 2013, Seattle outscored opponents by 15.4 points per game, an average that includes the loss to Arizona. In road games during the regular season, the Saints were outscored by 4.6 points per game. Both of those averages, of course, include Seattle’s 27-point demolition of the Saints in Seattle just six weeks ago. The 20-point difference between Seattle’s average home margin and the New Orleans’ average road margin — which, for brevity’s sake, I’m going to call the “projected MOV” — is very high, even by historical standards. In fact, only 20 playoff games since 1950 featured a game with a larger projected MOV.

Percy Harvin to have no limitations after nearly landing on injured reserve | ProFootballTalk
Percy Harvin’s season with the Seattle Seahawks nearly ended two weeks ago.

Marques Colston flys under the radar, just the way he likes it | The MMQB with Peter King
Marques Colston’s résumé is full of accolades and milestones, but the most crucial moment of his professional football life doesn’t appear anywhere in the media guide or the record book. After the Saints were thoroughly whipped by the Cowboys, 30-7, in a preseason game on Aug.

NFL Prospect Focus: Kelcy Quarles and Ego Ferguson | National Football Post
These two SEC D-linemen will be premium picks

Divisional Game Rankings: Broncos, Niners, Saints look for revenge - CBSSports.com
La Canfora: Four games, three rematches. The Saints look to avenge a blowout loss, Peyton faces the pesky Chargers while the Niners owe Cam and company. And don't forget Brady vs. Luck.

2014 NFL Draft: Cyrus Kouandjio, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix turning pro - CBSSports.com
Alabama LT Cyrus Kouandjio and S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will reportedly forgo their senior seasons and enter the 2014 NFL Draft.

Colts' Pep Hamilton says Pats find ways to figure out your signals - CBSSports.com
On Wednesday, Colts OC Pep Hamilton hinted at the 2007 Spygate scandal when answering a question about facing the Pats when he was an assistant with the Jets.

2014 NFL Draft: Timmy Jernigan leaving FSU for NFL; trio stays - CBSSports.com
Timmy Jernigan, the No. 3-rated defensive tackle in the nation, will enter the 2014 NFL Draft, while another trio of underclassmen will return to Florida State next season.

After Further Review: Focus on DT Knighton, safety Mitchell - CBSSports.com
Coming off bye weeks, the Broncos and Panthers are rested and ready for their playoff openers. Denver's Terrance 'Pot Roast' Knighton and Carolina safety Mike Mitchell might make a big difference this weekend.

Steve Smith: I'm less healthy than I was yesterday - NFL.com
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (knee) downgraded himself from 71 percent Wednesday to 57 percent one day later, telling reporters Thursday's practice "didn't go as well as I thought it would."