Most of John Schneider's moves as Seattle GM have been measured, with little risk for potentially great reward.
But, with the Seahawks poised to strongly contend for a Super Bowl title, he made his boldest move yet Monday when he reportedly agreed to send three draft picks, including Seattle's first-rounder next month, to Minnesota for mercurial playmaker Percy Harvin.
So much for taking our advice on the matter.
The Hawks and Harvin reportedly had agreed on a long-term contract, which figures to pay him at least $10 million per season, and Harvin merely needed to pass a physical for the deal to become official at 1 p.m. March 12.
Harvin missed the final seven games last season after suffering a bad ankle sprain against the Hawks in Seattle. He also had an appendectomy in December.
This deal continues the Seahawks' ongoing, ill-advised trend of paying big bucks to veteran receivers. They have to hope it works out better than the three others, especially the Deion Branch trade made by Tim Ruskell in 2006: The Hawks gave up a first-rounder and gave Branch a deal worth $6.5 million a year.
The deal for Harvin, a superlative but injury-prone talent, figures to nearly double that and trump the contracts for T.J. Houshmandzadeh in 2009 ($8 million a year) and Sidney Rice in 2011 ($8 million).
Pete Carroll and Schneider have never been afraid to take gambles. They did it on Marshawn Lynch and on Rice. But this one trumps them all -- for price and risk.
The Hawks wagered a couple of mid-round picks on Lynch, and they paid only cash for Rice. But for Harvin, they have to pay both. And he has to stay healthy, in mind and body, and perform to make it worth it.
If he does, the Hawks' offense -- which scored 150 points in a three-game stretch late last season -- could be nigh unstoppable in 2013.
The Hawks reportedly gave up the 25th pick and a seventh-rounder in next month's draft and a 2014 third-rounder for Harvin, who was the 22nd overall pick in 2009. Using the standard (albeit antiquated) draft value trade chart, that equates to about the 18th or 19th pick overall.
Considering the Hawks have used their first-round picks for players generally rated as second-rounders the past two years, this qualifies as a good use if Harvin can stay on the field. A healthy Harvin certainly is better than any rookie receiver would be -- those guys usually take two or three years to figure it out.
Harvin also knows Darrell Bevell's offense and played with Rice in Minnesota. Bevell showed some nice creativity with Russell Wilson last season and surely has ideas on how to incorporate Harvin, who is known for his open-field running ability (his 8.9 yards after the catch were best among NFL players with at least 10 catches). If he uses Harvin to greatest effect, Bevell -- who garnered interest as a head coach this offseason -- could very well find himself running his own team next season.
Some are calling this a "win now" move. While it certainly helps, it is much more than that -- assuming Harvin stays healthy. He will be just 25 in May, so this is certainly a long-term commitment that also happens to make the Hawks better immediately.
Harvin has been known as a malcontent in Minnesota, but Carroll's locker room might be a better fit for him. Being reunited with Bevell and Rice on an ascending playoff team figures to help.
Then Harvin just needs to stay on the field. Migraine headaches were an issue his first three years, and the 5-11, 184-pound dynamo has played through hamstring, hip and rib injuries. Last season, he missed the final seven games with a bad ankle sprain suffered in Seattle on Nov. 4.
The Hawks have done a good job of managing the health of most players. Lynch (back) and Rice (legs, shoulders) are prime examples of guys with recurring ailments who were managed well for most of last season. Rice started every game for the first time in his career.
Despite the injury-shortened season, Harvin still caught 62 passes for 677 yards and three touchdowns. Rice led Seattle with just 50 catches and 748 yards. Golden Tate had 45 for 688. Both scored seven times.
In four seasons, Harvin has played 54 games, with 280 catches, 3,302 yards, 20 TDs. He also has run for 683 yards and four scores. He has scored at least once on kick returns in each season (two as a rookie in 2009), and his five TD returns are the most in the league since 2009.
A tribute to his versatility: Harvin is one of three players since the 1970 merger (along with Brad Smith and Brian Mitchell) to record four rushing touchdowns, four receiving touchdowns and four kick-return TDs, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
The trade created a ton of buzz around the league and elicited the expected reactions from his former and future teammates.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota's 2,000-yard running back, obviously was upset about losing his fellow playmaker.
He tweeted: "The best all-around player I ever seen or you'll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!"
Seattle's receivers saw it from both sides: Harvin is competition for balls but also makes them better.
Golden Tate told ESPN.com's Josina Anderson: "It's a business. The Seahawks are trying to do whatever they think is necessary to put together a Super Bowl quality team. If this is one of the steps they think works to accomplish that, then that's their choice. I don't think it will impact any of our work habits. We are still going to grind and let the cards play out the way that they will."
Later in the day, Tate tweeted (edited): "Last year people said we had one of the worst WR corps. Less than a year later people are eating their words. We have weapons everywhere!"
Doug Baldwin's first tweet: "Oh snap we getting Percy!!! Haha! We getting better by the minute!"
Later, Baldwin addressed questions about losing playing time/receptions: "To answer all of y’all. It doesn’t change anything for me. In this business you have to compete for a job every day. Doing that regardless."
Find out the other ripple effects of the Harvin trade on the roster and salary cap.
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