Transaction Rants: The NFC West Receives Receivers Edition

“This is the Seahawks team handshake, in case you ever need it”

Welcome to Transaction Rants! A new feature I just invented, and put in italics no less, that I will most likely never use again. Basically the gist of it is I take a trade or signing and say some stuff about it. Again, anyone can have a blog. Free agency starts today but that didn’t stop a few teams from making big moves yesterday.

Percy Harvin traded from the Vikings to the Seahawks

The trade isn’t going to be officially announced until tomorrow, but ESPN and other outlets are reporting that there is a first round pick involved and possibly other draft choices.

Everyone is focusing on what a big move this was for the Seahawks, but lost in all of this is what a great trade this is for the Minnesota Vikings. Percy Harvin was becoming a headache, who has headaches. You see what I did there? Some top notch migraine humor. Harvin is one of the most electric players in the league, but it certainly comes with some baggage. The former Florida Gator reportedly believes he should be paid like Calvin Johnson, which seems like a stretch. Calvin is a consummate professional, can go over the middle and take the top off the defense on the outside, is hardly injured, and has defeated the Madden curse. Percy is a slot receiver with nagging injuries and an overinflated sense of self-worth.

I still like the trade for Seattle. They won’t miss the draft pick nearly as much as some teams, seeing as they have one of the youngest cores out there, and they could use another dynamic play maker on offense. Because here’s the thing about Golden Tate…he isn’t that good. This is a calculated risk, but if it pays off it could change the balance of power in the NFC West. Harvin really is that explosive.

Who Wins:  At the end of the day I still think the Vikings win this trade. Combine with this the fact that they managed to fleece the Browns for multiple selections in last year’s draft, and still grabbed the player they were going to take anyway (Matt Kalil), and this Vikings front office is looking more and more shrewd every transaction.

Who Loses: NFC West corners. With all the attention that has to be paid to Marshawn Lynch, and the occasional Russell Wilson zone read, Harvin will get a lot of single coverage.

Anquan Boldin traded from the Ravens to the 49ers

I don’t remember there being a trade this noteworthy between a Super Bowl winner and loser anytime recently, and I’m too lazy to look it up!

It is strange to see Anquan Boldin traded for what seems like the equivalent of twelve dollars and a stick of gum (a sixth round draft pick) but it makes a lot of sense for the Ravens. Bolden didn’t want to take a pay cut, which meant Baltimore was on the verge of releasing him. Other teams knew this too, so getting value out of a trade was nearly impossible. A sixth round draft pick isn’t much, but it is better than nothing. The logic behind the trade seems to be that they are going to use the money that it frees up to resign veterans like Ed Reed. I’m not sure if I like that logic, as I think getting Reed’s salary off the books would be a blessing. Ed might be the greatest free safety of all time, but one of these years his wisdom isn’t going to make up for the toll that father time has taken on his body. Going forward, Flacco is going to need weapons if this continues to become more of a pass first offense.

It goes without saying that this is a great deal for the 49ers. Boldin is one of the toughest receivers in the NFL, and fits in perfect with the 49ers brand of physical football. Dude played with a broken face. And unlike Seattle’s situation with Percy, San Fran won’t have to give Anquan a brand new shiny contract.

Who Wins: The 49ers, obviously.

Who Loses: Vernon Davis, who will probably go from “graciously salty” about not getting the ball enough to “full on bitch mode” after Boldin absorbs some of his targets.

The Jets sign David Garrard

Imagine, for a moment, that you are a Jets fan.

…not a glamorous life, per se.

You are coming off of an embarrassing season, management is trying to trade away your only truly elite player, and all you want is some good news.  Well, check this out: David Garrard is on your favorite team! Instead of actually doing anything about the QB situation, the Jets seem committed to keep bringing in mediocre players to compete with Sanchez so that he looks more desirable. It won’t work.

Winner: David Garrard, who was probably more shocked than anyone to find out that he was employed again.

Loser: The reader. You don’t want to be reading about David Garrard, do you?

What do you think of these transactions? Rant along in the comments section!