Tennessee Titans Need To Take A Flyer On Percy Harvin
By Les Bailey
When the Chicago Bears, and New York Jets are able to complete the paperwork on the Brandon Marshall deal when free agency begins on Tuesday afternoon, and providing Marshall passes the customary physical, wide recceiver Percy Harvin should hit the marketplace.
Harvin will be one of the more dynamic receivers who will be available during the 2015 free agency period, but after being shown the door in Minnesota and Seattle, comes with some baggage. Enough baggage that new Head Coach, Todd Bowles felt compelled to bring in Marshall.
Not only has Percy Harvin had issues with migraine headaches that go back to his days in Florida, he also has missed extensive time due to hip, and ankle surgery.
Even as far back, as the days when Harvin was taking hand-offs from Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow, he was pretty much a slot receiver/running back, who has never really developed as an NFL route runner, but is a unique play-maker.
He is a player that has to have the right system where he can use his talent, and at present, the Tennessee Titans really have no offensive game plan that fits Harvin’s style.
Around The NFL writer, Chris Wesseling posted in a February 6th article on NFL.com that the most likely landing spot for Harvin is in New England, with the Patriots.
"New England Patriots: Bill Belichick has “always liked” Harvin, going back to the 2009 cat-and-mouse game with Minnesota that eventually led to former Vikings coach Brad Childress gloating about snatching the Florida playmaker from thePatriots‘ grasp. Six years later, Belichick’s fascination with Harvin is well documented. Harvin’s skill set is ideally suited to the short passing game that Tom Brady has mastered, as evidenced by the fourth-quarter dissection of the NFL’s best defense in Super Bowl XLIX."
Not only has Belichick always been a stickler for route running by his wide-receivers, he demands it. But has been known to look the other way if someone has a unique talent like Harvin.
With the possibility of losing Danny Amendola in free-agency because of salary-cap concerns , this could be a fit for both parties. Until Harvin wears out his welcome there.
Percy Harvin was drafted in the first round(22nd over all) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2009. He caught 51 passes for the Jets in 2014, for 483 yards, and one touchdown.
It will be an expensive proposition for the Jets if they decide to send Harvin packing. He signed a six-year deal for just over $64 million, of which, $14.5 million was guaranteed. A yearly base salary at $10.5 million is all applicable to the cap.
Percy Harvin was yet another deal Gang Green made while former Head Coach, Rex Ryan was trying to right a sinking ship. Todd Bowles, and the new staff will likely part ways and suck-it-up.
Wesseling also lists the Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Miami Dolphins as possible suitors for Percy Harvin’s talent.
Based on price performance issues, Percy Harvin is not a headache(no pun intended) the Tennessee Titans need in this time of almost total rebuild. I say we take a flyer here, and save the phone call to Harvin’s agent.