When the New York Jets acquired Percy Harvin from the Seattle Seahawks for a mere conditional mid-round pick, I stated that this trade could prove to be a great one for the Jets despite the risk involved, as Harvin could be a perfect fit. The Jets already have a top wide receiver on the outside in Eric Decker, and he can receive more room to operate with Harvin scaring defenses in the shorter areas of the field. While the Jets plan on allowing him to run some clearing routes downfield, which will also help open things up, his ability after the catch on shorter routes inspires fear in the hearts of defenses, and his ability to make things happen on bubble screens and small slot plays could prove to be a boon for both Decker and QB Geno Smith.
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Decker told the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra, that Harvin’s ability to draw coverage and his playmaking will help Decker receive less attention from defenses, allowing him to blossom for the Jets. He’s quietly played well this season, but Decker hasn’t been able to get off big numbers due to poor QB play and a lack of help around him.
He said, “Well, what’s important about (Harvin), his explosiveness, defensive coordinators key on that. And any way you can get the ball in his hands it really spreads the field, opens it up, vertical and horizontally, which is huge for me, running medium routes, certain crossing routes, some vertical patterns. Just allows more freedom on my side. We haven’t had that top-end speed he brings to the table, so hope we can utilizing it and get this offense clicking and make some more explosive plays.”
With 24 receptions for 323 yards and three touchdowns despite a nagging hamstring injury earlier this year, Decker has actually given the Jets their money’s worth so far when you put those numbers into context, and the fact that Geno now has a playmaker of a different ilk means that there’s no longer an excuse for him when it comes to inconsistent play.