Looks familiar.  If you like Cecil Shorts, you may like Harvin too.  Source: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday I did a post about why the Jacksonville Jaguars should steer clear from Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver Percy Harvin, but sometimes it helps to get the other perspective as well.  Just like we did with Randy Moss when he announced he would be returning to play football for 2012, we’ll look at the positives as well as the negatives.  One of the major positives is that Minnesota wants to get rid of Harvin, badly.  He is a premier wide receiver talent that the team is trying to unload because of the headaches he causes for his coaches.  Some guess that he could be had for a second or third round pick.

The relative “cheap” value of getting a player like Harvin could be a boon for the Jags.  One year after getting consensus top receiver Justin Blackmon and the emergence of Cecil Shorts III, they will increase the effectiveness by creating a trio of receivers that have skills at bullying defenders and picking up yards after the catch.  Shorts and Harvin were at the top of the NFL in yards after the catch with 8.5 and 8.7 average YAC.  Shorts would benefit from having another big play receiver opposite him.

Blackmon may benefit the most out of having Harvin on the roster.  2012 was an odd season for the rookie largely because of the uncertainty opposite him.  Laurent Robinson proved to be inconsequential when on the field and it wasn’t until Shorts started making plays that Blackmon started to make plays of his own.  Having another receiver like Shorts in three-receiver sets would only open the field up more for Blackmon.  His big frame and tough play style could lead to even more YAC for him (4.5 average).

Another player benefitting from Harvin’s unique skill set would be Blaine Gabbert.  Gabbert will likely get the nod as the starter for Jacksonville – at least that’s the way the coach speak is making it out to be – and he must prove he is the franchise QB ex -GM Gene Smith thought he was.  With Harvin he would have three above average to excellent wide receiver threats, a good tight end in Marcedes Lewis, and an excellent running back in Maurice Jones-Drew.  If he can’t succeed with talent like that around him, then it will definitely be time for him to move on.

Harvin could do a lot for the Jags, but is he worth the risk?  As our own Zain Gowani pointed out in the comments:

…the build of our team (a team that doesn’t [sic] have a new coaching staff and a new culture and tons of young players and not too many veterans) makes it likely that our risk threshold for Harvin will be lower than another team that is closer to winning and have a strong stable of veterans (Patriots?)

The value could be just a little too great to pass up.

- Luke N. Sims

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Sounds good, right?

Well, kind of.

If you’re a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, it shouldn’t even matter.  In years past “receiver-deficient” would have been the perfect description for the Jags.  But now, with the emergence of Cecil Shorts III and Justin Blackmon, the Jags really don’t have a major need at the position.  They could use a good slot receiver, but – in my opinion – that may already be on the roster in Jordan Shipley.

While Harvin is by no means a super selfish player like Titus Young, having personality related issues with two head coaches (as bad as Brad Childress was, he didn’t deserve it) is major red flag for a rebuilding team not dying for his talent.  Gus Bradley will have a hard enough time turning the Jags around after a 2-14 season, he doesn’t need a potential headache on the sidelines to go with.  The Vikes really want to get rid of Harvin, who could be picked up with a second or third round pick, but they’re problem will likely not become a saint a la Cris Carter.

Stay away Mr. Caldwell.  Stay away.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

Middleton has been good, but he was absolutely decimated by Joe Flacco and Torrey Smith in the third preseason game.  While Christian Ponder is no Joe Flacco, Percy Harvin or whomever lines up opposite Middleton may get a lot of looks early to see if the cornerback has recovered from the punishment he took two weeks ago.

I think Middleton will rebound, but only time will tell.  If Christian Ponder is looking good against Middleton then the Jags may have reevaluate his use on the outside.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims