Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman spent much of last year making headlines whenever he spoke. He became a go-to interview for anyone wanting to make some news.
Now an All-Pro player, Sherman appears to be purposefully toning things down this offseason. His interview with NFL Network's Lindsay Rhodes on Monday night's "NFL Total Access" was a great example. Asked if the Seahawks are focused on the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers, Sherman pushed the conversation elsewhere.
Harrison: Power Rankings
Elliot Harrison tops the Power Rankings with a pair of NFC West squads for the second time in a row. But who's No. 1? **More ...**
"There are a lot of teams to beat (in the NFC)," Sherman said, mentioning the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers as two other strong contenders.
Sherman also didn't want to get in a back-and-forth with his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh, about the NFC West and called the battles with Falcons wide receiver Roddy White a "nice rivalry." Sherman also said he's not going out of his way to take the high road.
"I'm just taking a road I always take," Sherman said. "I don't let anyone push me to answer a certain way. I answer with the truth."
The truth is just a little less salacious this year. Sherman can't help but be interesting anytime he speaks, but the volume of his rhetoric has been turned down.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
