About a week ago an enterprising St. Paul sportswriter was in Florida covering the start of the Minnesota Twin spring training. He decided to take advantage of his location by setting up camp outside the home of Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin. This reporter wanted to ask the talented receiver, again, whether he'd be in Minnesota next season. The reporter got the some form of the "no comment" for his intrusion. Many Vikings fans applauded the the efforts of this reporter. I call it stalking.
The football offseason is supposed to be a time of reflection and hope. Most importantly, hope. Every team has a clean slate. Every team has a chance in the coming season. The offseason is a time for improving the team. Building from within or adding new players. It's a fun time. A peaceful time. It's frustrating when that peace is shattered by annoying extra stuff. Two years ago it was the lockout. That was the worst. Last year it was the Vikings stadium battle. This year it's the circus that the media has created around Percy Harvin. For months now, Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier and general manager Rick Spielman have stated that they expect Harvin to be in Minnesota this year. They want Harvin in Minnesota this year. No matter how many times that they answer the question, they are still asked, "Will Percy Harvin be traded?" It's ridiculous. I've never understood why the same question has to be asked so many times. This circus isn't Vikings-driven or Harvin-driven. This entire fiasco is media-driven.
Percy Harvin is team-oriented. He is well liked by all of his Minnesota Vikings teammates. The only problems that he had was being injured when his team was driving for the playoffs and how he has been used in the Vikings offense. The latter is a significant issue and needs to be resolved but I don't see it as an issue that can't be put to rest. I don't see it as anything close to an issue that would lead to Harvin's departure from Minnesota. He is the most versatile receiver in the NFL. He might even be the most versatile football player in the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised if he lined up at corner and excelled. While the Vikings use him in many ways they could use him in more. Despite his versatility, he's pigeon-holed as a slot receiver. Just because he stands under six-foot he's considered too small to play outside the numbers. Few force the same restrictions on DeSean Jackson and he's smaller than Harvin. When the Vikings do put Harvin out wide it's nearly always for a quick passes. They're often effective but it becomes predictable. He's rarely sent downfield. Outside receivers do not have to be a certain size. Talented players can make plays all over the field so let them. Before the explosion of three receiver sets, receivers of all sizes were sent downfield. Now, you have to over six-foot to go deep and under six-foot to run from the slot.
I've watched Percy Harvin play football for four years. I'm convinced that he has no limitations in an offensive game plan. He can do it all. He can line up inside, outside, in the backfield. He can catch, run, return kicks, block. He can score form anywhere on the field and has. He's also a very emotional football player. His intense competitiveness always has those emotions at the surface. The Vikings will be best served if Percy Harvin's immense football skills are unleashed.
Oh, and the media needs to shut the hell up.
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