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Captain America – “Dr. Banner, now might be a really good time for you to get angry.”
Bruce Banner – “That’s my secret Captain, I’m always angry.” – Marvel’s The Avengers (c’mon you guys knew this)
I wanted to open with that quote because that, in a nutshell, is Percy Harvin. From his days at Florida to the Vikings, Seahawks, Jets and now Bills, Percy’s personality and his playing style are reminiscent of a 184-pound Hulk – he runs through people. That is not without risk – the injuries Harvin has sustained and games missed bear noting. However, for a one-year “prove it” deal his skill is definitely something that can be integrated into the Roman offense.
We got @Percy_Harvin that’s who I always tried to play like on the field now I’m ballin with him
— Sammy Watkins (@sammywatkins) March 13, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAs you can see, Sammy’s happy, as his football Obi Wan is now a teammate. While the Bills will incorporate a power-based run game at its core, Roman is a synthesizer of the highest order. There’s going to be the power/wham/counter stuff as I’ve mentioned before, but the fly sweep, read option and speed option will most likely get the ‘Kaepernick’ sprinkle Roman utilized in San Francisco. Manuel and Taylor have done some form of it in either college or the pro’s – and Cassel has made a point since the trade to highlight his “wheels” as an underutilized part of his game. While I don’t anticipate it being the whole of the offense, having it as a wrinkle will allow a bit of confusion for the defense having to account for all 11 players on the field.
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Harvin being signed allows me to show one of my favorite plays during the 2012 Peterson run to 2,000 yards: when Harvin was put in the backfield (with Felton as fullback by the way) and letting him run. For the Bills, that puts their list of potential runners back to eleventy six, but that sort of creativity aside from just Harvin jet sweeps or reverses opens up the run game (and subsequent play-action game) to potentially even more open windows for Woods, Watkins and TE X (#ClayWatch continues).
Even Seattle prior to firing Percy out of the Emerald City used Harvin in the backfield with Lynch at times:
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In terms of helping special teams, Harvin has ranked 9th, 18th, 27th, 18th in total Kickoff return yards from 2009-2012. He also had 5 TDs during that span. He also had the the above return TD in the Super Bowl, his lone TD in 2013. He will be in the mix with Thipgen, Leo and Goodwin in the return game, but if the reports are true that he wants more of a shot at WR, mileage there may vary.
In the passing game, there are going to be a few ways he can help. Seeing him in the quick game – Harvin catching a a quick pass and attempting to destroy whoever is in front of him is also a trait shared by Watkins and Woods, so he’ll fit in fine. According to Pro Football Focus, Percy Harvin was 16th, 2nd, 2nd, and 5th in Yards after the catch from 2009-2012 so the Bills are going to be YAC-masters in 2015, as long as the trigger man plays within the system.
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Over the middle, the 20+ pound difference between Harvin and Watkins won’t show up with the first tackler; but the second/third guy? Most likely that’s going to end poorly. That’s what you’re getting with Harvin the receiver and not Harvin the gadget-guy. As I began this article, Harvin carries a lot of anger onto the field and it shows in that running style. But because of the whole ‘laws of physics’ deal, at some point during a game he’s going to need to come out and recover. To maximize his health and effectiveness in the offense, using Harvin as receiver first may be better than the typical “do everything” role he’s been cast in since his days as a Gator. Watkins, Goodwin and even Jackson at times can be used in some of the other roles to balance Percy out and allow his dynamism to potentially last for 16 weeks and after that the playoffs.
For Bills fans, it’s best to consider this next year with Percy akin to what just happened with Brandon Spikes only on offense – a player that wants to prove he’s more than what he’s known for and has found a fit with the Bills. Percy realizes if he can excel in this offense and behave in the locker room, the path to another big contract is still open, either in Buffalo or elsewhere. And if he does well enough to get the Bills a comp pick OR is worthy of an extension in Buffalo? Win-win.
And finally, the elephant in the room. Any of the Bills’ moves this off-season are going to be met with the question of, “how does this help the fact the QB position is [insert joke here]?” I’ll keep ringing the bell of, it’ll be what it’ll be until 2016 so just deal with it, but if you must freak out I won’t fight you. I am fine with any of the 3 QBs on the roster running the show, but I can be firmly put in the “let’s see what EJ can do with a coach” camp. Call me crazy. But let’s not do the “old Buffalo” thing of jumping on the Tyrod bandwagon just because 1. He’s a former late round pick and; 2. New/Shiny vs EJ is a 1st rounder shenanigans….
Excited about the combination of Sammy Watkins, Woods and Harvin. Not excited about Roman’s passing concepts. EJ can be a solid NFL starter.
— Ryan Riddle (@Ryan_Riddle) March 13, 2015
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As always, it’s just my opinion – so if you like it, hate it, whatever – hit me up @RDotDeuce.
#1FO
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