The statement that the NFL is a "copycat league" has entered the realm of the cliché, but it's actually rooted in some fact. When the Miami Dolphins debuted the Wildcat offense it took the league by storm, as did the read-option after Robert Griffin III engineered one of the greatest quarterback seasons ever as a rookie.

Before him, Cam Newton masked his very raw passing ability by also utilizing the read option.

Since then teams have figured out ways to contain both of those college-spawned schemes, and while they remain effective at times, offenses based on those concepts are generally considered unwise.

On Thursday night, the Seattle Seahawks opened the 2014 season by defeating the Green Bay Packers 36-16, and while running back Marshawn Lynch piled up the best statistics, the star of the night was wide receiver Percy Harvin.