Cleveland Browns Should Pursue Disgruntled WR Percy Harvin

Now, I am not one to jump the gun and say that every player released, on the trading block or requesting a trade should be on the Cleveland Browns radar—that's not realistic.

However, that was before this passed before my eyes:

I have to admit, the Browns pursuing Percy Harvin wouldn't be a bad move, should the Minnesota Vikings honor his trade request. Harvin is a jack-of-all trades wide receiver, who was also lined up as a running back last season. He caught 87 passes for 967 yards and six scores and rushed 51 times for 342 more yards and two additional touchdowns.

He's been plagued by recurrent migraines and given the impression that he's not durable, but Harvin has missed just three games in the past three seasons. He's had some off-field issues related both to drug use and general character concerns, but there's no denying what a positive impact he's had on the Vikings offense. 

That's enough to make anyone's eyes widen, especially a Browns fan's. The Cleveland receiving corps is built out of draft picks and younger players, and it's clear that veterans acquired either by trade or free agency aren't generally in the management's plans. However, Harvin could represent a shot in the arm to the Browns' overall offense that may be too much to ignore.

With numbers like that, clearly he'd help out rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden immeasurably. Lined up at running back, Harvin could throw off opposing defenses who are looking for him to either catch a pass or for Trent Richardson to get the carry. 

Considering the struggles that quarterback Christian Ponder has had as a Viking, the Browns have quite the bargaining chip to dangle in return for Harvin in Colt McCoy.

I've made it clear that if the Browns are going to move any quarterback this year, it should be Seneca Wallace, but this is a very big exception to that stance that I am willing to make.

Having said that, there are a number of reasons that this trade will likely never happen.

The fact is, Harvin has simply requested a trade. That doesn't mean it will be granted. The wideout is unhappy with his $915,000 payday this year and the fact that he's used so sparingly (he was active for just under 60 percent of all offensive snaps last season), but the Vikings don't have to comply.

In fact, they more than likely won't. The Vikings are in terrible shape on offense—far worse than the Browns, without question—and need Harvin on their roster more than they need to rid themselves of a disgruntled player.

In addition, these gems, courtesy of ESPN's Tom Pelissero, cannot be ignored:

Clearly, to say there is bad blood between Harvin and his former head coach Brad Childress is a bit of an understatement. Now that Childress is the Browns' offensive coordinator, there's little chance the team would bring on a player who would doubtless deteriorate the relationship between the offense and their coordinator.

Therefore, while there is finally a veteran receiver the Browns should be looking into, that doesn't mean they will or that they can. The Vikings aren't likely to let Harvin go, and even if they did, the terrible relationship between Childress and Harvin makes it practically impossible for the team to pursue him, no matter how good of a fit he would be.

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