NFL teams
Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Smith: Percy Harvin isn't in this alone

NFL, New York Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Now comes the Percy Harvin balancing act for the New York Jets.

From all indications, the newly acquired wide receiver will have a prominent role in his Jets debut Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, but quarterback Geno Smith said Wednesday the team can't change its offensive approach to accommodate Harvin.

"This isn't video games," Smith said. "We've got to go out and play football. I do understand what he can bring to the table and I expect him to make great plays -- don't get that misunderstood -- but we've got to play football.

"We've got [Eric] Decker, we've got [Jeremy] Kerley, we've got Jace [Amaro], we've got Jeff [Cumberland]. We've got a bunch of guys and we've got to get the ball into their hands. We're putting together a game plan for the Buffalo Bills. It's not based on one or two players."

Of course, the Jets are ranked 26th in total offense, so maybe change wouldn't be a bad thing.

Coach Rex Ryan wouldn't get into specifics regarding Harvin's projected role, except to say it's "unrealistic" to expect him to play most of the snaps on offense. Ryan said it will take time before Harvin gets comfortable with the playbook. He will return kickoffs and possibly punts, according to the coach.

"I think he's a special, special talent," Ryan said.

Harvin wasn't made available to the media. After speaking to reporters Monday, he will be off limits until Friday.

The Jets, who acquired the mercurial Harvin last Friday in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, believe he can be a game-changer on offense. The Seahawks felt the same way, but it never materialized. They used him mostly near the line of scrimmage -- screen passes and speed sweeps -- limiting his opportunities as a downfield receiver.

Harvin has acknowledged he was frustrated by that role. Ryan hinted the Jets have a few wrinkles in the game plan.

"When you look at how we're going to use Percy, it might be different than how he was used in Minnesota or how he was used in Seattle," Ryan said. "I guess time will tell, but I truly believe with his kind of talent, it's going to be a big help for our offense."

Do the Jets know something the Seahawks and Vikings didn't?

"I wouldn't say that," Ryan said.

Imagining the potential headline, he cracked: "Ryan slams Seahawks!"

"I know how that's going to be played," he said. "That's not it at all. Maybe your systems are different. They may have had him in a different role than we have him in."

To a man, the Jets praised Harvin's playmaking ability.

Decker, who played alongside elite receivers while with the Denver Broncos, said Harvin "will come in and be an impact player for us, for sure."

He said he got a first-hand look at Harvin's playmaking ability, recalling the Seahawks' 43-8 rout of the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Decker believes Harvin can provide a missing ingredient -- big plays.

The Jets (1-6) have produced only three pass plays over 30 yards, none in the last three games. And they have lost six straight, their longest losing streak since 2007.

"Shoot, he should be out there every play on offense," Smith said. "I'm not the guy calling the plays or signaling in personnel -- we're going to mix it up, we're not going to overwork anybody or over-emphasize getting anybody the ball -- but he's a dynamic player and he can make plays for us. I expect to see him out there a bunch."

^ Back to Top ^