This hardly seems fair, but the front office of the Seattle Seahawks has unearthed another gem. Jermaine Kearse looks like a keeper.
The second-year pro hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson and scored again on a 107-yard kickoff return. The receiver's second touchdown sunk a knife into the Denver Broncos as Seattle coasted to a 40-10 preseason victory Saturday night.
"They came to me and asked if I could return and I wasn't going to say no," Kearse said, via The Associated Press. "I got some reps during the week, and on Friday coach (Pete) Carroll told me I was going to be able to get the first one. It was definitely a blessing."
Take a look at the touchdown catch below. Wilson -- a magician on the play -- fumbles the snap, but recovers in time to calmly float a rope to Kearse's outside shoulder. Broncos cornerback Chris Harris had no shot at defending the ball, a credit to Kearse's crisp route-running.
"I just knew if I could sell the slant, and get him to bite on the slant, and come back out freely, I knew Russell would be able to get me the ball," Kearse told The News Tribune. "He (Harris) was playing off coverage. I wouldn't say it would have been harder if he was playing press, but I knew he was off. So he gave me some room to work with, and I just tried to get open as fast I could for Russell."
Not everyone slept on Kearse during the 2012 draft process:
Kearse operated under the radar in seven appearances last season. But ESPN analyst Louis Riddick recently compared Kearse, coming off a strong training camp, to Victor Cruz.
The Seahawks were dealt an ugly hand when Percy Harvin went under the knife for hip surgery. Golden Tate, however, is emerging as a breakout candidate, with Sidney Rice and Doug Baldwin filling out the formation on three-receiver sets. Kearse has proven himself a commodity on special teams and if he continues to make wise, quick decisions in the passing game, he's a good gamble to make an impact for the Seahawks.
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