Percy Harvin‘s character has come into question following reports of fights with former teammates Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin, but Breno Giacomini, who played with him in Seattle, isn’t concerned, writes Seth Walder of the Daily News. “Almost everybody in this locker room’s been in a fight before, we play football,” the Jets‘ offensive lineman said. “Oh, it happened twice? Who cares. He’s a good competitor, that’s what it is.” More from around the NFL..
- Jets coach Rex Ryan expressed similar thoughts on his new star wide receiver, saying “Nobody’s perfect,” Walder writes. The Jets have had experience with wide receivers and off the field issues in the past. Braylon Edwards, for the most part, stayed out of trouble during his Jets tenure. Santonio Holmes, meanwhile, was cut after several reported locker room disruptions.
- The Browns briefly considered putting Johnny Manziel in at quarterback on Sunday while Brian Hoyer was having a tough time against the Jaguars, writes Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. “It was discussed briefly, but it was a situation where we still wanted to…at least try to end the game with Brian on a positive note,” coach Mike Pettine said. Hoyer appears poised to have some significant leverage as he approaches free agency this offseason but more outings like Sunday’s will change his forecast for 2015.
- Despite his slow start, the Ravens should give Torrey Smith a new deal, opines Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun. Smith has just 18 catches for 308 yards and four touchdowns so far this year, but he’s a strong No. 2 receiver and offers great leadership in the locker room.
- Rookie Marcus Martin is going to get the “first shot” at replacing the injured Daniel Kilgore in the starting lineup, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said, according to Steve Corkran of the Mercury News. The club lost their starting center to a left leg fracture in the third quarter of their blowout loss to the Broncos.