Percy Harvin trade, Inside the head of a NFL GM
By Dan Salem
Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Percy Harvin got traded mid week, crushing his fantasy owners. But more importantly, what were Seattle Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider and New York Jets’ GM John Idzik thinking? Wink, wink, pat on the back, say no more. The Percy Harvin trade, inside the head of a NFL GM. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in part one of this week’s TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.
DAN:
The New York Jets traded for Percy Harvin, or the Seattle Seahawks traded away Percy Harvin. Both are technically accurate, but only one speaks to the truth of things.
New York Jets general manager John Idzik is a former member of the Seattle Seahawks, actually having previously worked under current Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season, so presumably Schneider knows what he is doing. These facts open the door on many outstanding questions regarding Percy Harvin being traded, questions only the GMs themselves can answer.
Let’s go inside their brains. Let’s try to figure out what the heck went down, because from a distance the trade only kinda sorta makes sense for either team. But first my initial reactions.
Initial Reactions:
– Woo the New York Jets are getting a super talented wide receiver, a real weapon for Geno Smith to play with and a true number one receiver. My team is making moves! Then reality sets in. My team needs to win all of their games to make the playoffs and one new player is most likely not going to make that happen.
– This ordeal reminds me of when Kevin Garnett got traded to the Boston Celtics from the Timberwolves. One friend doing another friend a solid. In this case, Idzik taking a disgruntled player off the hands of his former co-worker.
What Idzik must be thinking about Percy Harvin:
– Percy Harvin on the roster makes my soon to vacant head coaching position infinitely more appealing to new candidates. The defense has studs on it, but the offense lacked name talent. Now we have a known commodity to sell.
– If I pat Scheider on the back, he owes me one down the road. I’d love to steal their assistant coach as my new head coach in December.
– Rex Ryan talks too much. Let’s push his buttons a bit and see what he has to say now. Adding this player AFTER the Patriots game will really rile him up.
– I hope we start winning games now.
What Schneider must be thinking about Percy Harvin:
– Must remove locker room virus before this season truly implodes… what kind of name is Percy anyways? Ridiculous.
– This team was supposed to be a run first offense, so who needs wide receivers anways?
– Opening up the cap space… defending a title is hard, but rebuilding to win in 2015 is way easier than repeating. Every other year, yes please!
I’m guessing you have a more serious take on the trade, so go ahead. What actual thoughts went through these general managers’ minds to trade Percy Harvin?
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TODD:
Don’t sell yourself short. A lot of your points, even the ones in jest, seem pretty spot on…except for that outlandish Kevin Garnett analogy! With the Wolves, Garnett was disgruntled; here, everyone else is disgruntled with Harvin; big difference.
The move from New York’s point of view was obvious, even clear of any hand-shaking or back-scratching that may or may not have occurred between old co-workers. The Jets receive a supremely talented dude on a completely non-guaranteed contract moving forward, and they gave up essentially nothing to get him.
Done and done.
Even though Harvin didn’t work out in Seattle, and the offensive coordinator reportedly struggled to find ways to use him, it doesn’t mean he’s no longer a viable offensive weapon elsewhere. That alone makes him worth some risk. Add in the fact that the Jets are essentially taking on no risk at all, and what’s not to like here? Idzik can release him in the offseason if this trial doesn’t pan out and owe him nothing beyond 2014. If it does work well and Harvin stays on the roster, they lose a mid- to late-round compensation draft pick.
As for Schneider, once it “became apparent things weren’t going to work out” with Percy in Seattle, he did his best to get something for Harvin. Supposedly, if the trade didn’t mesh, the Seahawks were just going to outright cut Percy anyway. So you may be right about Idzik doing his former employer a solid here.
The only clear loser in this deal is Rex Ryan. However, that too is just happenstance. This deal makes sense from all sides regardless of the coaching situation or place in the standings of the Jets. With how long it usually takes new recruits, especially wide receivers, to acclimate themselves to a new offense though, there is no chance Harvin helps the Jets make the playoffs or helps Ryan keep his job. The only outcome is people will expect Ryan’s offense to perform better even if those hopes are misguided.
So how long until Bill Simmons’ throwaway fake trade of Rex Ryan and a first-round pick for Jim Harbaugh comes to fruition?
DAN:
Oh snap! I completely forgot you could trade coaches now. If its Rex Ryan, a first rounder, and a third rounder, for Harbaugh and a fourth, you’ve got yourself a deal.