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          New York Jets

          Percy Harvin's debut: Seven touches, no big plays, no coup

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterOct 27, 2014, 01:20 AM
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Potential coup? Not exactly.

          The New York Jets made a concerted effort to feature Percy Harvin, but the speedy, all-purpose player made little impact Sunday in the 43-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium.

          Harvin started the game and played 42 snaps on offense, touching the ball seven times for 50 yards. He ran four times for 28 yards and caught three passes for 22 yards. As expected, he was the primary kickoff returner, finishing with six returns for a 24.0 average.

          After nine days of hype, it turned out to be a pedestrian debut for Harvin, who had only four practices since being traded by the Seattle Seahawks.

          Rex Ryan saw it differently.

          "All things considered, I thought Percy played really well," the Jets' coach said. "That's not an easy task. We were going to let him play more than we let on. It was a huge challenge for a guy coming into a new team, but I thought he did a great job. This guy is a big-time playmaker. I'm happy he's on our team."

          Ryan's boss, general manager John Idzik, had called the trade a "potential coup." The coaches used Harvin as if they were trying to make Idzik look smart -- or keep Harvin happy. The mercurial receiver didn't like his role in Seattle, saying he wanted to be used more.

          So the Jets obliged.

          They tried to reinvent Harvin in a week, giving him a new role. Instead of a "gadget" receiver, lining up in the slot and in the backfield, they used him primarily as a conventional wideout on the outside of the formation. He lined up in the slot only four times, plus another eight times in the backfield, cutting into Chris Johnson's playing time. Afterward, Johnson made a couple of cryptic comments about his lack of playing time.

          The Jets moved heaven and earth for Harvin, but the stars weren't aligned. He was targeted nine times, including Geno Smith's first interception, resulting in only three catches.

          Harvin said it was the most outside-receiver he has played since high school.

          "Just being on the outside, I welcome that, just to expand my game," said Harvin, who left the game briefly in the first quarter for a concussion test in the locker room. "I can play the slot and the running-back things, but playing on the outside is something I want to add to my game. It's something I did fairly well."

          Harvin's presence was felt on the Jets' first touchdown, starting with the play that set it up. Michael Vick faked to Harvin on a read-option and gained 8 yards to the Bills' 2-yard line; Harvin's presence froze the Bills. On the next play, Harvin came in motion as if he were going to get the ball on a jet sweep, softening the middle for Chris Ivory, who busted through the line for a 2-yard touchdown.

          It was one of the few well-executed plays by the Jets.