Percy Harvin's departure from Seattle came as a surprise to many. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin admitted Monday in his first comments since being traded Saturday that he was frustrated in Seattle and now wants to put the past behind him.
“It definitely was,” Harvin said after his first practice with the Jets when talking about his frustration with his former Seahawks. “I wanted to get downfield a little bit more.”
The Seahawks traded Harvin to the Jets for a conditional sixth-round draft pick on Friday. Reports surfaced Saturday that Harvin had physical altercations with players and was a destructive force in the Seattle locker room.
Harvin denied that he refused to re-enter the game against the Dallas Cowboys — his last one in Seattle. Multiple reports indicated Harvin didn’t go back in against the Cowboys and the Seahawks were concerned he would shut down if not involved more in the offense.
Former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson, now an analyst with NFL Network, revealed Sunday that he was the one who broke up the fight between Harvin and wide receiver Golden Tate. It was reported that Harvin gave Tate a black eye during a fight before the Super Bowl earlier this year. Tate now plays for the Detroit Lions.
Harvin said he had no issues with his former teammates.
“I have no ill will with that team,” he said.
Harvin added that he did not have anger management issues with his former teams in Seattle and Minnesota.
“All I can say is for people to judge me off what you see,” he said about his past.
Coach Rex Reed is supportive of his newest player.
“It’s about moving forward,” Ryan said Monday when asked if he needed to hear Harvin explain past actions.
Harvin smiled and said he is very familiar with Ryan when asked about his new coach.
“I love him. Love him, love him,” he said.
According to Harvin, he believed the Jets decided between quarterback Mark Sanchez and Harvin in the 2009 draft.
Harvin dealt with injuries in 2013 and underwent hip surgery that limited him to one game, but he came up big in the Super Bowl with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Prior to the trade, Harvin had 22 receptions for 133 yards and no touchdowns through five games in 2014.
Ryan said Harvin will return kicks for the Jets and he will use Harvin on offense this week against the Buffalo Bills. Harvin spent the weekend learning the playbook with the offensive coaches.
Ryan also said Harvin “will fit right in” in the Jets’ locker room.
Geno Smith is hoping Harvin will help him become a better quarterback.
“Well you know the YAC (yards after catch), he is a dynamic player, you can give him the ball in space like I said, and he can make guys miss,” Smith said. “He has that home run ability, so to have a guy like that who can make explosive plays and give our offense that extra edge I think is going to make us all better.”
Smith likes his first impression of Harvin in practice.
“Pure speed, the guy is fast,” Smith said. “He has great hands, he runs good routes. We have to get him caught up to speed with our offense. We’re putting things together for him. He is a dynamic player and we are lucky to have him.”
Smith isn’t concerned about reports of Harvin’s past problems.
“I mean stuff like that happens in every locker room,” Smith said. “You have to just be able to manage it. You have to be able to manage it. In this locker room we don’t have a problem. We don’t have any issues. I’m not sure what went on down there, but we will welcome him in with open arms. We look forward to having him here for a long time.”
Harvin, 26, has 303 receptions for 3,452 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career. The former first-round pick of the Vikings also has five scores on kick returns.
“This could be a potential coup for the New York Jets,” general manager John Idzik said, commenting for the first time on the trade.
At 1-6, the Jets are non-contenders, but Idzik insisted “it’s not too late.”
