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Harvin Expects To Play Much Faster This Time Out
As Newark Star-Ledger staffer Darryl Slater reminded readers, Percy Harvin got one week to prepare for his first game with the Jets, following his trade from Seattle. Now, with three games under his belt, one-third of the way through a nine-game tryout with the Jets, Harvin believes he can have a much greater impact this time around against the Bills.

The Jets will take on the Bills in Detroit Monday night, attempting to avenge a 43-23 loss on Oct. 26, Harvin’s debut. Harvin said playing in that game, with such a limited knowledge of the playbook, “was real tough.”

“That’s why I couldn’t play as fast as I wanted to play, because I was still trying to make sure I lined up in the right place, and didn’t want to look like I didn’t know what was going on out there,” he said. “This time, I’ll be able to play much faster. I won’t be thinking so much.”

Michael Vick has raved about Harvin’s impact on the offense through three games. While the Jets’ offense hasn’t been perfect in its past two games – a loss at Kansas City and a win over the Steelers – the Jets didn’t turn the ball over in either contest. That is a huge step forward from the six-turnover debacle against the Bills.

“To see in these three weeks how our offense has grown, it only makes me chomp at the bit for what we can do going forward,” Harvin said.

In his first game, Harvin caught three passes for 22 yards, and ran four times for 28 yards. The next week, against the Chiefs, he broke out with 11 catches for 129 yards, plus a run for 8 yards, and a 65-yard kickoff return. Against the Steelers, Harvin caught three balls for 23 yards, and ran six times for 33 yards.

Three games down, six to go, as Harvin tries to show the Jets (or any other NFL team) that he is worthy of earning the $10.5 million, non-guaranteed base salary due to come his way next season. Or at least a dollar figure close to that.

Harvin said it took him about a week and a half to learn the Jets’ West Coast offense. While he hasn’t mastered it, he is “a lot” farther along now than he was leading into his debut against the Bills.

“As far as lining up, timing, I’m way ahead of where I was,” he said. “I’m not thinking so much now. As soon as the play is called, I know exactly where I need to be, and all the adjustments and all the audibles to it. So I think I’ll be able to play much faster this game. There are still little things here and there that come up, but they’re not overall plays. Just maybe little checks or hand signals.”

The Jets’ coaches are also getting a better handle on Harvin’s strengths in their offense, said head coach Rex Ryan.

Will that help Harvin thrive in the final six games, as he plays for the large chunk of coin that could come his way in 2015?

“We do have a good feel for him now,” Ryan said. “We were working him again in two-minute situation (during Monday’s practice), so we’re getting him up to speed on no huddle and all that stuff as well.”