Percy Harvin Will Make An Immediate Impact For New York Jets

By Michael Compton @MWCompton on October 26, 2014

Despite his well-chronicled off-field issues with former Seattle Seahawks teammates, Percy Harvin will provide an immediate spark to a stagnant New York Jets offense today when the Jets host the Buffalo Bills at Metlife Stadium.

The Jets have lost six in a row and are in desperate need of a big-play weapon on offense. The speedy Harvin was clearly under-utilized with the Seahawks, and now has an opportunity to thrive in a new system. Harvin had just 22 catches for 133 yards and no touchdowns in Seattle this season.

It may take a few games and more than a week of practice reps to fully integrate Harvin into the offense, but his explosive talent (on and off the field) promises to make the Jets infinitely more watchable. Head coach Rex Ryan indicated this week that there will be packages for Harvin on offense and that he expects to use Harvin on kick returns as well.

Harvin’s presence should also help embattled quarterback Geno Smith in his up-and-down quest to prove that he is a legitimate franchise signal-caller. Harvin can stretch the field, something the Jets have lacked, and he is an obvious deep threat.

The Jets have had little success in recent years signing talented players with baggage. Mike Goodson, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes are a few that spring to mind. But at 1-6, the Jets appear to have made a smart gamble in overlooking Harvin’s reputation for being a challenge to deal with in the locker room. Harvin is an explosive player and will make the Jets better.

Whether or not the Jets have enough fire power around Harvin to beat the upstart 4-2 Bills today remains to be seen. But if Harvin can reinvent his locker room demeanor, “Act Like a Jet” and leave his troubles in the past, maybe, just maybe this blockbuster move by the Jets will pay off on the field. If not, there’s always next year.

Michael Compton is a Jacksonville Jaguars writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter at @MWCompton and connect with him on Google.