Green Lantern: Jets May Be A Mess, But Harvin Trade Should Bode Well For Future
By Jeff Capellini
WFAN.com
John Idzik has had one rough season. It may ultimately end up costing him his job.
However, despite all the mistakes that have led some fans to literally take it upon themselves to force him out, the Jets' general manager did make one decision that has worked out well for his 2-11 team.
Trading basically nothing for Percy Harvin.
The veteran wide receiver has been the real deal since Idzik shipped a conditional draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks for his services back on Oct. 17.
When the trade was made, the situation stood to benefit both parties. Harvin, long associated with explosive, game-changing ability on the field and explosive, team chemistry-damaging ability off it, needed to prove he could be productive and not a locker room cancer at the same time, or else he would run the risk of receiving a third strike -- as in his walking papers from a third team.
So far with the Jets, the 26-year-old multi-purpose stud has done precisely that.
The Jets needed a playmaker and though Idzik acted several months too late to get one to help save this season, in Harvin he did find a difference-maker for the future.
Harvin is easily the most talented receiver on the team and adds an element as a kick returner the Jets haven't seen since the heyday of Brad Smith. His complete repertoire was on display on Sunday in Minnesota. He caught six passes for 124 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown and racked up another 109 yards on four kickoff returns before an injured ankle in the fourth quarter sidelined him for the rest of the game.
Harvin has always had a problem with injuries, and the Jets sure could have used him in overtime as they eventually lost 30-24 to the Vikings, but if we're thinking long term I believe Harvin's overall value far exceeds both his injury risk and the potential chaos he could cause in the locker room if things, for some reason, don't go his way.
His 25 receptions, including 13 for first downs, 306 yards, and 12.2 yards-per-reception average in six games give an indication of what Harvin is capable of from scrimmage.
And that's with the Jets not having a real quarterback.
Harvin is also averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 24.6 yards per kickoff return.
Going forward, Harvin teaming with Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley out wide, plus tight end Jace Amaro and bruising running back Chris Ivory, gives the Jets legitimate players at the skill positions, something fans demanded be brought on board following last season's surprising 8-8 campaign.
If this offseason the Jets finally figure out quarterback, a position they really haven't had reason to crow about since Vinny Testaverde in 1998 and the absolute best days of Chad Pennington's injury-ravaged regime during the early part of the century, they could be on the road to recovery.
Harvin has to be part of whatever solution the Jets come up with.
Why wouldn't he? Well, it's complicated depending on where you fall on his value to the Jets. There are some people out there who are not in love with the fact that Harvin is due roughly $42 million over the next four seasons. But in a league where teams are always forced to make tough decisions based on salary cap hits and the like, the Jets not only traded for a very good player in Harvin, they also traded for a very good contract, as far as flexibility goes.
If at any point over the next four seasons the Jets decide things with Harvin are not working out -- he's become a menace off the field, can't stay on the field due to injuries or simply falls off the production map -- they can cut him with no hit whatsoever. Starting next season, Harvin is not owed a dime of guaranteed money through 2018.
So, the onus is on him to literally play, and play well, for pay. It's not every day you see this type of scenario, especially with a player of Harvin's ability. One has to figure there's no way Harvin wants to be traded, or in this case likely released, by yet another team. If he is he will almost certainly not see an on average $10 million-per-season contract again, and that's even if he remains healthy and productive. The word is already out on Harvin the malcontent, and though the Jets haven't seen that side of him yet, if they do, rest assured the entire league will be reminded about it.
Having Harvin already under contract, presumably healthy and motivated, allows the Jets to turn their attention to any number of problematic areas. While it appears free agency will not solve their issues at quarterback, unless of course they plan to infuriate the fan base by going after a pedestrian Brian Hoyer or someone of that ilk, all of the cap space they will have -- and it should be substantial -- can be used to address the aging offensive line and linebacker corps, their nonexistent cornerback situation and a safety position that took steps backward in 2014.
Whoever the quarterback does end up being next season -- be it Geno Smith, someone selected in the first round of the draft or a veteran signed simply as a placeholder for a season -- having Harvin anchoring what really is a very good receiving corps will only help the Jets be better on offense than they would have been otherwise.
It's no coincidence that all three of the Jets' primary receivers are in their 20s, with four years left on their current contracts.
I'm not saying Percy Harvin has been miscast as a bad guy or is misunderstood, and therefore a victim. Is he capable of acting up like he did with other teams? Of course. But I see no reason why he would choose to do so with the Jets. He is not in a position of power. If nothing else, if he wants to keep being a highly-paid player and, perhaps, ever wants to get his deal redone so that he can get some guaranteed cash, he'd have no choice but to be a model citizen and player playing at the highest levels he's capable.
In a season where the Jets have done very little right, they find themselves in a win-win situation with probably their most talented player.
That's a small step toward the beginning of the healing process.
Read more columns by Jeff Capellini and follow him on Twitter at @GreenLanternJet
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