New York Jets: In Admission of Guilt, GM Idzik Finally Upgrades Gang Green

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After months of inaction beginning with free agency, New York Jets general manager John Idzik pulled the trigger on a shocking move that seemingly nobody saw coming. On Friday the Jets acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, as originally reported by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

There was little choice for Idzik but to make a splash in some way. Heat has come down on the GM in recent weeks and deservedly so, as Jet fans and the NFL viewing public have been further exposed to his ineptitude in acquiring talent for Rex Ryan to work with. There’s even been an existing sentiment that Idzik may and should follow Rex out the door if he were to be fired at season’s end. The Jets have played seven games with $20+ million dollars of cap space and more than few holes to fill with it.

OK, I’ll give him some credit where it’s due. In this admission of guilt, Idzik has landed a talent that drastically upgrades the Jet offense. Even though Seattle was practically giving #11 away and the Jets were far from the first team Seahawks GM John Schneider called.

Since the trade, Harvin and the term ‘red flag’ has become synonymous it has come to light that the 26-year old became a distraction for the defending champs both on and off the field. It didn’t come as a surprise to Seattle, who knew they were getting a problem child capable of misbehavior from the Minnesota Vikings. True to form, Harvin wore out his welcome as he did most of the places he’s been since high school.

Harvin disrupted the chemistry of his most recent team by apparently starting fights in the locker with more than one his teammates. It’s important to add that pleasing Harvin and forcing touches for him inside the offense became a chore for Pete Carroll’s staff and they felt it was best to move on. Given the red flags and Harvin’s well chronicled injury history, he was more trouble than he was worth in the Pacific Northwest.

On the Jet side of things, the surprise of it all feels kind of like Idzik woke up out of his coma on Friday and said: “I’m going to finally improve our team today.” With a trade no less? It’s befuddling but welcome news for gang green—a team desperate for upgrades on both sides of the ball.

The Jets could always decide to cut bait with Percy and move forward if the experiment is a failure for whatever reason. He is under contract for four more seasons (through 2018) and $40+ million total but there is no guarantee he will be wearing green beyond this year. If Harvin is cut the Jets will lose only a sixth round pick and if he’s on the team in 2015, gang green will fork up a fourth rounder. The deal is low risk, high reward for the Jets; it costs them nothing if they decide to let Harvin go, as all of his guaranteed money will be off the books following 2014.

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It can’t be disputed that Harvin is a dynamic athlete—more so than almost any player in the league when healthy. His ability to contribute in a variety of ways with his speed and playmaking gives the Jets an added dimension. His capabilities range from receiving and turning in massive YAC (yards after catch), running the sweep, end around or out of the backfield; not to mention returning kicks. At the very least, Harvin will draw attention from opposing defenses and open up the field a bit.

Considering the Jets’ current predicament at 1-6, this move smells of desperation and gives off a ‘too little too late’ vibe on the surface. While Idzik and New York are indeed desperate and a move like this has come far too late, this trade does serve a purpose in 2014.

Geno Smith’s many transgressions are a significant part of the reason why the offense has been unable to gain any momentum. With that, the jury is still out on Smith whether you like it or not because he’s Idzik’s draft pick and one that the GM still seems to believe in the West Virginia product.

Plus if we’re being completely honest, some of Geno’s growing pains have been aided by the lack of talent put around him. If the former Florida Gator can integrate himself into the offense it would obviously upgrade the receiving unit enormously. He could provide the Jets with a receiving weapon to go alongside Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley and upstart tight end Jace Amaro while helping supply a more legitimate basis for evaluating the second year quarterback.

That was likely Idzik’s primary motive—to give his young quarterback another weapon in hopes it would help Smith’s progression and show a clearer picture of the Jets’ QB situation following 2014.

It’s not only Geno that’s still gong through the audition process, either. This is a tryout for Harvin, too. He’s an electrifying talent who needs to prove he can stay relatively healthy, regain his old form on the field and finally improve his personal conduct. We’ll hope for the best but won’t hold our breath.

The aftermath of this deal is getting ugly in the media as more and more reports surface about Harvin’s questionable behavior in the past. For the Jets things are much simpler. Anyone who’s been around or watched this team knows how badly weapons needed to be added to a sometimes woefully inept offense.

The goal is to put points on the board and win games. How Harvin will be featured exactly by Marty Mornhinweg is unknown; what we do know is that gang green has been starving for an offensive boost and Harvin is certainly capable of providing it.

John Idzik woke up and rolled the dice, hoping to show a lucky seven. It’s too late for 2014 but only time will tell if Percy Harvin has a future in green and white.