Sherman seemed to get Carroll's message.
"He was really clear that the last thing he wanted to do was take something away from our team, what we had accomplished," Carroll said.
Sherman became the focal point of attention — both positive and negative — after Seattle beat San Francisco 23-17 on Sunday to win the NFC championship.
Sherman was already going to be in the spotlight for what he did on San Francisco's final offensive play, twisting his body to deflect a pass intended for Crabtree into the air and allowing time for teammate Malcolm Smith to run over and make an interception in the end zone to clinch the Seahawks victory.
The athleticism on the play was worthy of praise. But Sherman's antics from that point drew praise from some for being honest and unfiltered, and criticism from others for being too harsh and combative.
"This is a very emotional kid and that's what drives him," Carroll said. "We did sit down and talk about it because I want him to present himself in his best light. He's an incredible kid.
BELICHICK'S CLAIM
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick isn't one to say much that qualifies as newsworthy at his press conferences, affairs which usually consist of brief, nondescript answers and little in the way of openness. But if you, in his opinion, cross the line, that apparently changes.
Speaking the day after New England fell to the Broncos, 26-16, in the AFC championship game, Belichick called out Denver receiver Wes Welker for his hit on cornerback Aqib Talib that injured Talib's left knee and forced him to miss the rest of the game, saying that Welker was purposely trying to knock Talib out of the game, according to ESPN Boston.
“It was a deliberate play by the receiver to take out Aqib. No attempt to get open,” Belichick said.
No penalty was called on the play, in which Welker, a former New England receiver, crossed paths with fellow receiver Demaryius Thomas in an apparent pick/rub maneuver and appeared to hit Talib at about the same time that quarterback Peyton Manning's pass reached Thomas.
The hit came early in the second quarter and marked a turning point in the game. Talib had been matched up on Thomas, the Broncos' top receiver, and after Talib went out, the Patriots secondary had no match for Thomas or Denver's passing game at all.
Thomas went on to total seven catches for 134 and yards and one touchdown, part of Manning's 400 yards and two touchdowns through the air. It was deja vu for New England — the team also lost Talib in last year's AFC championship against the Ravens, leading to Joe Flacco attacking the weakened Patriots’ secondary in an eventual Baltimore win.
The other interesting wrinkle of the story is Welker's history with Belichick, with Welker having played for the coach with the Patriots before he left for Denver last offseason. Belichick referring to Welker merely as "the receiver" may indicate their relationship is icier than previously thought. Of course, the fact that the normally taciturn Belichick would even call Welker out at all probably signifies that anyway.
HARVIN EXPECTED TO PLAY
The Seattle Seahawks expect wide receiver Percy Harvin to return to action in Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos. Fox Sports reports Harvin, although not close to playing in Sunday's NFC championship win over San Francisco, should suit up in 13 days at MetLife Stadium.
After Harvin suffered two head injuries in the divisional playoff win over New Orleans, the Seahawks had decided to err on the side of caution with his health, not taking any chances with his symptoms.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, during a guest spot on Seattle radio station ESPN 710, echoed the sentiment that Harvin will be good to go to boost their offense vs. Denver's own injury-riddled defense.
As we saw against the Saints, just the presence of the mismatch-creating Harvin and a big catch or two can make a huge difference for quarterback Russell Wilson and the Seahawks' passing game. That means the Broncos will need to spend good time planning how to cover him in the next two weeks.
MANNING CHANGES THE GAME
Defenses still win Super Bowls, unless there’s a Manning involved
The Seattle Seahawks just proved that defenses win (NFC) championships, as they gave up both the fewest points and fewest yardage of any team during the 2013 NFL regular season. It’s true that defenses still win Super Bowls in this pass-crazed offensive era — except when a Manning is playing in the big game.
Of the past 10 super Bowl champions, only three have managed to do it after being ranked No. 20 in both scoring and total defense. The good news for the Denver Broncos, who were 22nd in both categories this season, is that Peyton Manning overcame similar rankings to lead the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI.
His brother Eli Manning just did it two years ago, as he helped get his defensively challenged Giants hot again at the right time. Drew Brees and the Saints were the other team to pull it off, at the expense of Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLIV.
There is inspiration, however, to draw from Manning’s most recent, disappointing trip four years ago. New Orleans was ranked first in both scoring and total offense that season, just like Denver is heading into Super Bowl XLVIII.
2003: Patriots (No. 1 in points allowed, No. 7 in yardage allowed) 2004: Patriots (No. 4 in points allowed, No. 9 in yardage allowed) 2005: Steelers (No. 3 in points allowed, No. 4 in yardage allowed) 2006: Colts (No. 23 in points allowed, No. 21 in yardage allowed) 2007: Giants (No. 17 in points allowed, No. 7 in yardage allowed) 2008: Steelers (No. 1 in points allowed, No. 1 in yardage allowed) 2009: Saints (No. 20 in points allowed, No. 25 in yardage allowed) 2010: Packers (No. 2 in points allowed, No. 5 in yardage allowed) 2011: Giants (No. 25 in points allowed, No. 27 in yardage allowed) 2012: Ravens (No. 12 in points allowed, No. 17 in yardage allowed)
BOWMAN TEARS ACL AND MCL
San Francisco linebackers coach Jim Leavitt says he remains optimistic that NaVorro Bowman will be playing when the 49ers open new Levi's Stadium next season.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said after Sunday's NFC championship game that the All-Pro linebacker is believed to have a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. There was no word Monday on potential surgery.
Left guard Mike Iupati also broke his left ankle in the 23-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He says he doesn't know whether he will need surgery but is scheduled to be further evaluated Tuesday.
Contributors: Ben Estes, Rana L. Cash, Vinnie Iyer, The Associated Press
VIDEOS:
Ross Tucker Super Bowl preview
Evolution of the QB position
Championship Sunday remix
