Dr. Strangegonzo or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Percy Harvin
by Christopher Gates on Apr 28, 2009 8:10 PM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings
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PrintSo, in the week leading up to the draft, I wondered aloud whether Percy Harvin would be a good fit for the Minnesota Vikings' offense. At the time, I was relatively sure that the former University of Florida standout wasn't really on the Vikings' radar at that point, largely due to his character concerns, but also because I wasn't sure if Brad Childress' offense would be the best system to utilize the talents of someone like Percy Harvin.
Harvin's biggest strength, in my opinion, isn't his speed (although it's outstanding) or his open-field abilities (which are also great). . .but his uniqueness. If he's utilized correctly, he's a walking mismatch for opposing defenses. His speed means that linebackers can't cover him, and his amazing first step means that it's very tough to jam him at the line of scrimmage. He can line up out wide, he can line up in the slot, he can line up in the backfield. . .and his skill set gives opposing defenses something that they absolutely must pay attention to on every snap. But as we've seen over the past three seasons, the Brad Childress offense hasn't exactly been a bastion of creativity.
Have the Vikings made a mistake? Or are we about to see the "kick-ass offense" finally start to kick a little ass?
Many players, prior to the draft, will visit various NFL teams in order for those teams to interview them before investing a high draft pick in them. In the days leading up to the draft, Brad Childress took the fairly strange step of going to Percy Harvin down at the University of Florida's Gainesville campus instead. The results were, obviously, overwhelmingly positive. So much so that when it came time to pull the trigger on the 22nd pick in the draft, a spot where many thought that they'd select Arizona OT Eben Britton, the Vikings' brain trust decided to jump on Harvin instead.
So, does this mean we're going to be seeing a new dimension on offense for Minnesota? One guy certainly seems to think so. . .that being Vikings' wide receivers coach George Stewart.
"He does some things that we haven't had here," Stewart said. "From an explosive standpoint, you talk about the 'Wildcat' situation. So many things you can do with Percy Harvin athletically that we don't have here. You talk about what Randy Moss brought to this football team years ago. True speed, an ability to make plays. This kid is going to make plays for us."
So can Stewart foresee the Wildcat being worked into the Vikings offense? "I would sure hope so," he said. "With his flexibility. ... There are some options we can do with this young man that gives us a chance to be successful."
The thought of Harvin, Chester Taylor, and the best running back in football on the field together makes me a little giddy. It should make anybody that's watched this team over the past couple of years feel giddy, too. It makes me giddy to the point where I'm about to make a declaration that I'm not sure I've ever made here before. Hopefully you're sitting down for this one.
dramatic pause
I think that Brad Childress and the Minnesota Vikings have a plan to utilize Percy Harvin's talent and add another dimension to this offense.
Yeah, I can't believe I said it, either. But here's the way I see it.
You don't buy a Harley to do a paper route. You don't buy a rocket launcher to shoot at squirrels from your front porch. You don't go to the fanciest steakhouse in town to sit down and order a cheeseburger and fries.
And you don't draft a guy like Percy Harvin just to line him up in the slot on every play.
Percy Harvin is going to make this offense better, regardless of who's playing quarterback. He'll make teams pay for paying extra attention to Adrian Peterson. He'll turn 5-yard routes into 70-yard touchdowns. And while many people will be worried about his personal, off-the-field issues, I think he's going to have enough eyes on him and enough people around him to keep that from happening.
I have finally come around on this pick. While I may have been skeptical about it at this point a week ago, I really think we're on to something with the man who will wear #12 in Minnesota next season. So much so that I think I've found my next jersey investment. . .I just hope the stores in Minneapolis will have those in stock when I go back to the great white North in a couple of weeks.
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I’m glad you’ve come around, Gonzo. Spielman and Childress have been steadily adding weapons to this team since they arrived. Taylor, Wade, Shcaincoe, Hutchison, Pat Williams, and Antione Winfield weren’t exactly the flashiest additions right off, but they’ve been solid veteran additions; they laid the foundation of a solid, veteran team. The next step was drafting a feature back. Enter Purple Jesus and 2007, where we went 8-8, with the occasional flash of brilliance. The addition of a studly pass-rusher, a speedy wide-out, and a ball-hawk safety got us to the top of our division. Percy Harvin is icing.
You’re right—The Big Chill doesn’t go out of his way to be buddy-buddy for nothing. The man has a plan for this kid. Maybe he’s had a plan all along.
by virginia viking on Apr 28, 2009 8:35 PM CDT reply actions
Taylor
Remember Mewelde Moore? He was a tough, versatile player who could return kicks, pass block in the backfield, catch passes out of the backfield…and every time he got the ball something good seemed to happen. Yet Childress did not like him for some non-reason. The Vikings had a guy just like Chester Taylor on the roster already! That $FA could have gone to any number of other needs then and since.
Any coach who can’t put Mewelde Moore to good use is not going to get the most out of Harvin, either.
I don’t know. Childress felt like part of the decision making process picking Harvin in the draft. He did make a personal visit. Mewelde Moore was just here already. People tend to be more invested in something when they feel they were part of choosing it. It’s why people overrate their own players or casually release several players after gaining new authority.
by oblivionspocket on Apr 29, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
meweldemoore??
Maybe Childress didn’t name Moore the starter because he wasn’t very good. Maybe Childress thought Moore was expendible because he was expendible.
If Moore was this supreme talent he must have moved on to be a superstar somewhere right. Nope, he’s just a back up like he was here.
Moore was ok, but Taylor is a starting caliber runner. Anyone who thinks differently has their heads in the clouds.
by mightymushrat on Apr 29, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I’m not really looking to say moore is as good as chester taylor. I’m just saying if what KC Viking claims in his post is true, that moore and taylor are equals, then Childress didn’t make a move too out of the ordinary with the rest of human behavior. Of course, that’s all supposing Childress actually does have much say in signing free agents.
by oblivionspocket on Apr 29, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions
MM
Career highs in All-Purpose Yards: 1318 in 2005; 1114 in 2008; 1031 in 2004; 989 in 2006; only 311 in 2007. Mike Tomlin apparently knew that MM was good for about 800 more yards than Chilly thought he could get. Maybe Tomlin had noticed that MM was averaging about 5 yards per carry (4.9 as a Viking). Chester averaged exactly 4.0 in 2006, and MM had averaged 4.3 while starting 8 games the year before that.
Even if Moore wasn’t really as good as a starter, he definitely could have taken some of the load off Taylor’s shoulders, especially as he wore down. Remember 2006, the year they started out 4-2 and only won 2 of their last 10 games? I guess that was awesome for those who had some odd beef with Mewelde Moore, but it was absolutely infuriating for fans like me that hated watching a stubborn coach lose so that his favorite players’ feelings wouldn’t get hurt.
And another thing...
It’s about effing time we had an ego the size of PercyLand in that offensive locker room.
Peterson’s got a huge heart, always wants the ball, and runs over safeties with vicious aplomb. But he’s not… a diva. Largely, this has been a good thing. He leads by example, and has the respect of the whole team, and the league to show for it. He lights his own fire—and it shows in his eyes at crunch time.
But his swagger doesn’t quite spread, though, you know? He’s a Nice Guy at the end of the day, at the press conference podium. That smile of his is downright disarming. Personally, I’m glad that Harvin seems to have a bit of the devil in him, that he’s competitive to the point of getting into fights in high school, and that he’s arrogant to the point of getting caught for smoking dope right before the combine—that he’s got an edge to him. Randy Moss had an edge, didn’t he? He does in New England, too. It helps win games. Football is a violently competitive sport.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want Harvin to emotionally kidnap our Purple and Gold. I don’t want TO or Brett Farve in our huddle. Here’s the rub: it’s already AD’s team, and Percy Harvin knows it. The Purple Jesus will continue to carry our offense—but it might be expedient to have a demon in the wings.
by virginia viking on Apr 28, 2009 8:52 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I’m glad that Harvin seems to have a bit of the devil in him, that he’s competitive to the point of getting into fights in high school, and that he’s arrogant to the point of getting caught for smoking dope right before the combine—that he’s got an edge to him.
this is right on. (again with the caveat that his teammates and coaches at florida all really like the guy and vouch for him at every opportunity.) percy wants to fit in; he’s not TO, he won’t need the spotlight. but he is a cocky mofo when it comes to the football field, and he does bring that buzzword “swagger.” like how torry holt or santana moss have swagger. a player like this can boost a team’s confidence. and for the fan: awesome to watch.
also, after checking out a bit of his vikings press conference, he is in fact getting better in his dealings with the media. press conference following his SEC championship game MVP award [EDSBS]:
Percy Harvin in announced as MVP. He quickly alarms the quick-eared by thanking…his "lawya Dallas." Except he doesn’t say "lawya," but rather a word that begins with an ‘n’ and ends with an ‘a’, commonly used by black men in very casual situations to refer to other black men. (Longstanding joke that the racial slur in question may be subbed with the word "lawyers." Try it: it works much better than you might think.) Go to around the fifty second mark and listen very carefully–we thought we misheard it at the time, but nope, it’s right there. We’ll have to work on the media relations bit with Percy this offseason.
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 29, 2009 1:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Checked out the video
He definitely says it in there!
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Apr 29, 2009 1:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Here’s the rub: it’s already AD’s team, and Percy Harvin knows it.
yup. just like florida was tebow’s team. percy gets it. vikes fans: worry about his heel, not his supposed “character issues.”
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 29, 2009 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions
New Onterrio
I do worry about his character issues…the kind that may warrant a Whizzinator for Xmas as soon as possible.
i’ll check back in at the end of the year. hopefully vikings fans will give him a fair shot before labeling him the next onterrio smith.
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 29, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
First of all, love the Strangelove reference. Outside of Full Metal Jacket, that is Kubrick’s best film. But I digress. I am glad you have come around on the pick as well. I have been a pretty abashed fan of drafting the guy for a while now and I am very excited that they picked him up. The possibilities of what that kid can do on the field on Sundays keeps me up at night, I can only imagine what it will do to defensive coordinators. The Loadholt and Allen picks get me pretty excited as well. From all the video and write-ups I’ve seen since the draft, I feel like they found guys that can make an impact in their first years with each of the first 3 picks. OTAs, camps, and the season can’t get here fast enough so we can see the plan in action.
My Heart...
… is beating a little faster from excitement after reading this post. Well stated, as always, Gonzo. Thanks.
GO VIKES!
I couldn't answer the poll question
As much as I want to believe that we can really use Harvin correctly, I just couldn’t say we would. I’ll believe it with I see it.
That being said, this offense has the potential to be pretty awesome (and fun to watch)
Posible holdout
I dont know if this is true or not, but I sure f’n hope not.
I was just starting to get excited about him.
If he pulls a Bryant Mckinney, I will be PISSED.
Minnesota Vikings
BREAKING NEWS: It has been reported by a anonymous source that Harvin has refused to sign the rookie contract with the vikings due to a dispute over his role on the team.
They haven't even offered a rookie contract yet
The Vikes typically don’t start negotiating until the last minute, and generally start with their later round guys, and then sign their top 2 or three picks the day or two prior to training camp.
I wouldn’t worry about it.
Thoughts on the Vikings, Buckeyes, and Cardinals
www.purplebuckeye.blogspot.com
Sounds like Packer espionage to me
Keep in mind Wikipedia is updated by whoever wants to update. I think it shouldn’t be too hard to sign him. Ziggy doesn’t try to lowball people.
Wikipedia
They also had T. J. Douchemanzadeh listed as being with the Minnesota Vikings when he was in Minnesota being wined and dined.
I would take that with a grain of salt.
The Minnesota Vikings - Undefeated in the Playoffs at Lambeau Field!
No F***in way.
This had better not be true. How could they draft someone and them have him not want to join the team?? i mean, seriously, didn’t they spend like DAYS researching this guy ALONE? Wikipedia better be lying….
Its Wikipedia, any one can add anything and until its confirmed either way they will keep it on. In fact if you read the entire Percy Harvin entry, that info that he is refusing to sign his rookie contract isn’t even there. I would even venture that talks are just beginning so there isn’t even a contract that he could refuse if he was of the mind to do that.
My prediction...
Gonzo, beat the rush and go get yourself a Harvin jersey this year. Next year, I predict you’ll be ready for your first TJack jersey! That’s the kind of impact I’m awaiting.
And, I mean that in an entirely un-ironic way.
by Anthony Carter on Apr 28, 2009 10:18 PM CDT reply actions
"oh mercy, percy!"
the radio call for every harvin TD at florida. flip ahead to 3:22 in this video if you’re curious.
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 29, 2009 1:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Creativity
Chilli has had a couple years to be creative with AP and Chester and gang, result a dial tone offense. He just does not have it in him, which is why he needs yes men below him. I hope I am wrong and you are right. Martz would go crazy with offense with just a decent QB. If the offense once again holds back the team even though it has pro-bowl players then it is way past time to A) Promote the Defensive Coach and get a new Offensive Coach like Martz, or B) Get a Hall of fame head coach (there are a few waiting) and let them revamp this offensive staff to use the talents of the players on offense.
Wow... Crabtree slipped to 10. I wonder how far Maclin will slip
Wow. Maclin is still there!
Come on Vikings, move up in front of the Eagles and grab Maclin!
Shit… Eagles moved up to 19. I know they’re gonna get Maclin now.
Vikings are on the clock. Wow. Was that a record for time it takes to get a pick in?
I know it’s gonna be Harvin:(
What is Childress thinking?
Those were my thought on draft day. Now, just like Gonzo, my thoughts have changed. I am a fierce Childress hater. I do not think he properly uses the talent he has. The Vikings could be so much better with a different coach.
Now, I am starting to think that Childress might actually know what he is doing. I think if Childress actually wanted to bring in a true WR, he would’ve moved up to 19 to get Maclin. Childress has had his eyes set on Harvin this entire draft. He would not have done that if he didn’t have some grand plans for his latest 1st round pick. In past years, the Viking’s offense has left plenty to the imagination. But I truly think that this year, the Vikings will finally live up to their potential. “But we still need a QB!” true. But my money is on T-Jack. 9TDs, 2INTs in 5 and a half games. Not too bad. If Tarvaris will scramble at least 5 times a game, just imagine opposing defenses. AD in the backfield. T-Jack threatening to run. Harvin in the slot. RIce and Berrian on the outside. Shank running the seam!!
This is out year folks!!!! As Van Wilder says, write that down!
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Apr 29, 2009 1:07 AM CDT reply actions
Percy is STILL THERE
Those were my thoughts, I’ve wanted him for months. I agree that Childress also had his sights set on Harvin, and already has plans on how to use him. I also think that TJack is the guy, and I agree that he should run a few times per game, although 5 might not be an exact number. Chilly pretty much hand cuffed him to the pocket to keep him from getting hurt. IF he can do that safely, the threats would become basically un-stoppable. To many weapons could make for a beautiful season.
by Duluth Viking on Apr 29, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree
I’ve been a big backer of Harvin myself. Childress wouldn’t have gone to the effort of flying down to Florida if he didn’t have plans for this kid. I see our offense with the potential to be just as explosive as the 98 version. I can’t wait for the season to start.
I don’t think the offense will be quite that good. That offensive line was better as a unit. Cunningham and Brad Johnson were veteran quarterbacks. Randy Moss was bigger and faster than Harvin. No one on this offense will have anything close to Cris Carter’s skill set. Adrian Peterson and Hutchinson are the only players in this offense that are superior talents compared to the players who filled their positions in 98. That team was loaded.
by oblivionspocket on Apr 29, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Hindsight
tells us that the 98 team was loaded but how many people predicted a 15-1 regular season along with a record number of points by a team at that time? That team struggled in a few early games finding itself and it wasn’t until the Monday night breakout game against Green Bay that people outside of Vikings fans started to consider that team a threat for a title run. Tell the truth. Did you really expect that team to be that good after the way they miraculously came back in a game against the Giants the year before? New York totally collapsed in that contest in the final minutes. They lost the next game decisively the following week. The only major addition to that team the following year was a rookie with questionable character with incredible talent (kind of like, say, Percy Harvin?). Despite what you believe, I still feel this team has the potential.
get over it
percy will be offensive rookie of the year FACT
They had a lot of doubts about APS durabilty in his draft FACT
they said jared allen was a dumb risk FACT
all this nonsense is blown up. weed and boat orgys isnt all that bad, we all would of done it. doesnt make us bad football players..who even looks up to football players as role models,
STOP LOOKING FOR REASONS TO DOUBT US AND RESPECT
Creativity Does Not Win Games
Welcome to the dark side. Games are won by having more fatal offensive weapons on the field at one time than your opponents can figure out how to stop, while having more defenders coming at your opponents offense than they know how to block. Vince Lombardi did not beat you by being cute. He beat you by the repetitious execution of plays which you couldn’t stop, even though you knew they were coming at you, time and time again. I said before that if Harvin passed the scratch and sniff test, then I’m for him. The mystic triangle must have decided Mr. Harvin is smart enough to figure out that having a Super Bowl ring to flash around is more impressive than any of his other choices in life. Take care of the team and the team takes care of you; screw up and you wash out and we take back all the money. (One actually can be a brash individual without being intensely stupid.) The Vikings now have more weapons than most defenses can take away. Loadholt open more holes and add that fraction of a second for whomever wins the new QB competition to read the opposing defense, find which option in the play that that defense can’t handle, and then pull the trigger on it. Let them worry about Shiancoe, then burn them with Berrian deep. Have them double up Berrian, and kill them with Harvin slashing through after the catch. Get them to back out of the box with your receivers, then ram Peterson right down their throats until the clock dies. You don’t have to invent any new plays; you just need to install plays previously invented elsewhere and use the summer to get the team to learn to perform them with workmanlike precision. Who cares if you call it the KAO, the “name-your-poison west coast offense with supersized curly fries” or whatever else strikes your fancy. Having a knockout counterpunch for whatever your opponent tries on you will win you many a fight. We don’t need to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy with the magic spell of a genius intellect, we just need to coldly ready and practice our countermoves for whatever they’ve got to throw at us. Then, it’s like shooting ducks in a barrel.
I’m all for an old fashioned play action pass or run offense. I don’t get all the excitement surrounding the wildcat. In the end, if the guy you snap the ball to can’t throw worth a damn, you’re just sacrificing flexibility in attack for a gimmick. For the most part, tricky hand offs, tosses, and laterals in the backfield just give defensive lineman and linebackers time to get into the backfield and disrupt running lanes. Sure, the so called “wildcat” caused a few exciting plays last year, but now everyone will be coached to defend it. It won’t work very well.
I’d rather have a receiver who could catch the ball in the middle of the field than a receiver who liked to run out of the backfield like a running back. It’s not like the Vikings will line up with five wide receivers, force the defense into a dime package, then shift Harvin into the backfield for a hand off. The Vikings have Adrian Peterson and Taylor to run the ball. They’re not going to use many sets without a HB.
I guess the best result of drafting Harvin would be fewer nine men in the box type defenses where the strong safety cheats up to play the run. If Bernard Berrian and Harvin require coverage deep down the field, the other team is going to need two safeties playing the pass. The second possible positive outcome is that Harvin runs dump off routes, then does enough after the catch to force the defense to keep a second eye on him. Ideally, Harvin can be a well rounded receiver making possession catches, making deep catches on deep post and flag routes, and then also making a few exciting runs after the catch on short routes.
If Harvin turns out to be a non threat as a receiver, which apparently is often the case with former Gator receivers, he’s not going to help the offense very much.
by oblivionspocket on Apr 29, 2009 4:31 AM CDT up reply actions
My instinct is that Childress believes that basic plays with strong enough personnel are unstoppable, the wildcat chatter is just a smokescreen, but Harvin (from what I’ve read about him) will be an excellent option for screens and the occasional reverse. I don’t see us getting as creative as Todd Haley this year (sadly…)
The value of this draft will probably swing on how well Loadholt plays at right tackle – good line play makes everybody better, but if he turns out to be a bit lead-footed for the spot we might not have time to get Harvin, Berrian or Rice the ball.
As a thought though What do people know about Radovich? If Loadholt has to play guard, would Radovich be an upgrade on Cook? What other options do we have if Loadholt doesn’t pan out?
by ViolentSilence on Apr 29, 2009 5:21 AM CDT up reply actions
From what I've read
Chillie feels that Rado’ is a LT, and will not give him reps at Right side, even if the “Load” proves easy enough to move around.
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Apr 29, 2009 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Ducks in a barrel?
Who keeps ducks in a barrel? I like the post, I agree with the post, but where do you keep your fish?;)
by DBQViking on Apr 29, 2009 6:21 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
of course...
…and the ducks also drank the water, making the shotgun formation that much more effective. FYI, I now keep my fish in the old cigar box, but please don’t get me started on that story…
Too late. You mentioned it, you have to tell the rest of it.
In AP I trust
by FarvaForTheVikings on Apr 29, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions
No Way This Goes Well
I liked Harvin at Florida. He’s a special player.
But Chilly will not use him in any special way. He just doesn’t have a clue how to use him.
And regardless of what Chilly says about how badass his offense is, all you have to do is actually watch the games to see the lie.
Can't help it but.......
“Gentlemen, stop fighting, this is a war room!”
Love that movie!!!!!!
Now, back to the matter at hand. While I still don’t thnk we really needed Harvin, now that we have him, wether or not he is a big play maker will depend on two things.
A. T-Jack FINALLY breaks out after three years or Sage actually becomes something more then a career back-up.
B. Chilly actually opens up the air attack whichs seems to be his major fault and my frustrations with him the last three years, as well as point A being another major frustration.
If both these happens, then yes, a combo of Harvin and Berrian with Wade and Rice as 3rd and 4th will give us a good edge with A.P. possibly breaking the 2K mark as D’s would be forced to cover not only him but also the WR’s. But these are BIG if’s folks. If T.J. has another subpar year and Sage is still a career backup, it’s going to be a frustrating offense again this year with the D tiring out by season’s end.
If things do work out to the best then yes, I think 13-3, 12 – 4 are within reach. If T-Jack stumbles out of the gate again and Sage takes over, Chilly will keep that playbook closed and with some of the teams we will be playing this year, another 10-6 finish or possibly worse.
So, drink your distilled water and replenish your natural bodily fluids! lol I can qoute that movie all day long.
Oh, and if Ive mistype somthing, forgive me. I’m visiting my sister in Ohio right now using my laptop keyboard.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk"
It’s standard that QBs don’t come into their own until their fourth years. Was it the case that Rogers FINALLY became an NFL starter in his fourth year? I wouldn’t be so dramatic about TJack. If he has a breakout year this year (which I believe he is poised to have), it would have been in keeping with his projected time schedule when he came into the league.
by Anthony Carter on Apr 29, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Cant be dramatic when stating scenerios and facts. Since it supposedly always takes a QB to get into the flow in 4 years, how does one account for Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Ben Rothlesberger, Peyton Manning and so on. Some of these guys no one figured would do anything for sometime or never heard of to begin with. While they are perhaps more then the norm, we have heard the last few years how ready T.J. has been. While I am not going to start another T-Jack debate, it while depend alot on whether or not he does have a break out season or not, 1 year, 3 years or 4 years in the NFL or not. Nothing dramatic about that.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk"
by VikesFaninNM on Apr 29, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, you killed your arguement in your statement. The QBs you listed aren’t normal ones. They’re the exceptions to the rule. Although you could argue Rothlesberger really wasn’t that great his first couple seasons, and that it was the team around him. Manning had a terrible record his first season too.
Typically there’s a learning curve, which is to be expected. Its alot faster in the NFL than it is in college. More complex too.
I'm not so sure he killed his argument
Payton showed his stuff even that first year. and as for 4 years, all last summer people were saying that it takes 3 years for a QB to really develop. will we be saying it takes 5 years for a QB develop next summer?
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Apr 29, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Didnt kill my arguement
Who thought Ryan was going to do what he did? About the only one who anyone thought was going to do something was Manning. Steelers still were with Tommy “I could only hack the XFL” Maddux. Brady relaced Bledsoe after he got injured. But yes, after this season, if T.J. Doesnt improve, what do we do? Give him year 5, 6,7, 8 to improve? I have my doubts about T.J. and blame more of Chilly for shoving the kid in waaaaaay to fast, but my thought is, fine, give him another shot this season, but nothing more, I would considered him damaged goods if you will and time to move on.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk"
by VikesFaninNM on May 1, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree in that this is the last year for Jackson to lay claim to the starting position. I can live with him playing the entire season because if he fails, the Vikings are in a position to get a great QB next year and if he wins, we as fans win as well. Seems like a win-win situation if I ever saw one.
Here's my concerns:
- I worry that we’re going to see a lot more of the stupid f***ing short passes on first down. You know, the ones where our QB throws a poor ball and we end up in 2nd and 10 all the damn time. This team should run the ball 75% of the time on first down even when the other team knows it’s coming — we have road graders up front and the best back in the league, there’s no excuse to not be in 2nd and 6 or 7 just about every time.
- I worry that we’re going to get pass happy without stretching the field, which is going to heavily impact our running game. I DO NOT want to see the Philadelphia Eagles offense of dink and dunk with our personnel. ADP should be getting 25-30 touches a game, minimum, with Chester and Percy splitting another 15-20 between them. Run the ball and stop the run, control the clock, and this team should do very well.
I’m not Childress’ biggest fan or his biggest critic, but it pisses me off to no end when the Vikes drive the ball down the field on the back of ADP and score a TD only to come out on the next possession and throw the ball three times and punt. This has happened INNUMERABLE times over the past two years and it’s just ridiculous that it even happens. This coaching staff occasionally gets too smart by half, and outsmarts themselves into going away from their best offensive option, which is #28. I’m afraid that with Harvin’s flexibility this is going to happen more often as they try to get the ball in his hands where he can make plays.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
KAO
While I don’t believe in Chilly being truly creative, I don’t think he has to be. What I really hope to see is a good mix of running plays (majority), short, intermediate, deep passes mixed up sufficiently that the other team can’t predict them. It’s very frusturating to see 9 in the box and a QB that doesn’t audible to a pass. Throw the occasional WR screen to Harvin and have him run lots of short crossing routes (assuming Sage can make the throws or TJax improves his accuracy and timing).
I highly doubt they stick in 9. That’s just silly. There’d be no deep coverage. 8 is more likely.
Anyways, we didn’t face stacked boxes as much as people seem to think last year. Yes, they were there of course, but not frequently. Which is why Peterson didn’t bust out huge TDs this last season, because he had an extra defender past the second level to make miss.
And yet
we have seen 9 in the box countless times. it has been very frustrating to see us fail to capitalize by audibleing time after time.
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Apr 29, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Eh...
Opposing defenses stacked eight in the box a lot, and even when they didn’t the safeties knew they could play close to the line. Frerotte didn’t exactly have a cannon for an arm, so the deep threat wasn’t there. They had a much better chance of helping on a Peterson run than they did getting beat deep.
When Peterson busted deep runs, it was usually a combination of making one or two guys miss and great downfield blocking by the Vikings wide receivers. He didn’t bust out as many because the run was the obvious focus of the defense. When Tarvaris had his four TD game against the Cardinals, they weren’t prepared because I’m sure their gameplan didn’t change much. They watched the run, and Tarvaris was accurate on his mid- to long-range passes. Ate them up.
It’s a mesh of a lot of things; bottom line is that it’s pretty hard for a running back to break as many deep runs when he’s the focus of the defense, week in and week out, especially when the opposing coaches had the previous years’ game film to go off of.
Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!
Not drinking the PHarvin koolaid
The passage of time does not make the pick any less risky. His lack of control off the field is still an issue and could keep his on field time to a minimum. I hope his issues are behind him. To expect our veterans to babysit him is ridiculous. They have other things to do than worry about a rookie brat. And what makes you think PHarvin will heed their advice when it is 11:00 at night an all the veterans are home with their families.
As for utilizing his talents on the field; I believe that even Chilly will find a way to use him IF his Fla. receiver skills set translates to the NFL. Not a slam dunk, but I think more than likely his skills translate to the NFL.
My conclusion is that this was a high risk, high reward pick. I would not have made this pick. I hope to be proven wrong. (I ignored his injury status on purpose)
Veterans...
No, of course the veterans wouldn’t be expected to “baby sit” him. Instead, they will give him advice, tell him how to survive in the league, and to stay out of trouble. If he doesn’t heed their advice, he’s in a world of trouble for a few reasons:
1.) He would lose the respect of the team. That’s a big no-no as a rookie.
2.) He’s already enrolled in the substance program because of his Combine test; testing positive again would mean a suspension and severe reprucussions.
3.) He would jeopardize any leverage he has for future contracts. I know, it’s early, but unless he backs it up on the field, he’ll get his rookie contract and that’s it. It’s all about the money. Let’s hope it doesn’t go to his head.
There’s so many negatives that I would hope he’s mature enough to realize the opportunity presented before him. He’s a kid. We all either are there, or have been there, at one point. Not necessarily in that exact position, but it’s easy to make mistakes. Can he learn from them? That’s the big question. I think on the big stage, with guys who have gone through it before, Harvin is set up to succeed.
If he wants to.
I think he does.
Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!
I would not have picked him either.
I was pretty upset that Oher fell in our laps and we did not take him. Loadholt is a beast at straight ahead run blocking, but I think we were good in that area last year. We really needed to improve the right side pass blocking, and I’m not sure they did that. Oh well, I do feel that the Vikes have improved the team as a whole from last year.
"Skol pa fiskande"
Harvin...
I think this pick is gonna work out for the better. Harvin is gonna add even more explosiveness to the offense and be a threat score on special teams like Reggie Bush. I think his cockiness will help bring a kind of swagger to the team all around. Chilly nows this is it so he’s gonna try to utilize Harvin any way he can. This is the jolt the Vikings needed to put them over the top.
Voted NO
I dont think the Vikings know how to best utilize Harvin,…at least not yet. He is such a unique talent in terms of skills that it may take some time before he finds a defined role in this offense. I do think the coaching staff is really excited to have such a dynamic weapon to play with and will eventually find out what he does well and what he doesnt.
His most immediate contributions should come in the return game which was a major weakness last season. The Vikes have a great D and a sub par O so the must do a better job with field postion.
Who knows, he may end up being a third down scat back (screen/draw/swing) when Chester leaves. If you check out the youtube highlights you will notice the great skills he has as a runner. The kid is tough, he doesnt do a whole lot of dancing, he sees a whole and explodes up field. Harvin turns into a RB when he gets the ball in his hands.
Steal of the draft
Colt Anderson!!!!!!!!!! Best FA signing in years. For all you Viking junkies who haven’t heard of him; great safety out of Montana.
Technically,
he wasn’t drafted so he can’t be the “steal of the draft”. : ) But I get that you are excited, even if it is (I assume) a Montana homer pick.
Steal of the draft
That’s why he is a steal. We didn’t even have to use a pick….A freebie and a great one at that. MontanaVike has a Utube link that show’s his highlights. They were some great game changing plays. I had forgotten that it was Colt who had made some of those hits and Interceptions, but I remembered watching all of them live and the video brought back great memories. He is a playmaker. Ok so maybe I’m biased, but gotta plug da homeboy.
Paul is a real estate novelist...
Since stories are floating that Favre is leaving retirement for the Vikings, I’m launching a disinformation campaign saying Madden is coming out with him, the Vikings are in secret negotiations with a soon-to-be exconvict QB, and a wide out fiendishly smoked dope before the combine, just so he could drop down and get into the same backfield with AD. (Merely because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that we aren’t out to get you. If you’re not afraid of the 2009 Vikings, that’s great; you’re falling right into my trap.)
This is especially funny
when you realize that one of the free agents we signed after the draft is the ex-Virginia Tech QB from last year.
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