One high profile FA wide receiver, two mid-round rookie WRs, one of whom looks to be explicitly a slot guy. Plus a well paid FA pass catching TE to join the one they already had on the roster. Even the good reports out of OTAs about second year player Stephen Burton, all have to be weighing heavily on his mind while he watches from the sidelines.

The Vikings are going to want to take advantage of all those guys while bringing the younger ones along. They no doubt want to raise Kyle Rudolph's presence in the offense this year. They're probably telling Simpson that he has the opportunity to be their #1 WR. They brought in TE John Carlson to catch footballs and we'll be seeing a lot more double TE passing formations. Harvin has to be feeling that his role will be diminished.

Maybe he just needs a hug.

Percy Harvin - WR - Vikings

The St. Paul Pioneer Press believes one of the "situations" Percy Harvin is upset with is his contract.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport heard otherwise, but the Press says the "speculation" is Harvin wants an extension. Harvin is slated to make just $2.47 million over the final two years of his rookie deal. Whatever the issues are, coach Leslie Frazier says he's "not alarmed at all," and that it's "not something that can't be handled." We might not know for sure until the Vikings report to camp.

Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press Jun 19 - 9:16 PM

Honestly, I have a hard time believing this is anything more than just a contract issue. Harvin has never seemed like the kind of player to be disgruntled about his role or potential playing time. And he has been a productive player the way he's been utilized, so... Seems like Pelissero is just stirring the pot to create a little more drama this offseason.

After reading many posts on this I would conclude his feelings are likely contract related. I don't recall athletes making statements like this except in contract situations. I think his reference to other receivers and the offense is a reference to the money being thrown around to them and not him. As for his role in the offense, he'd be pissed either because he's going to be doing a lot in the new offense and not getting paid commeasureately in comparison to the other guys, or his role is smaller and he won't get a chance to justify a bigger contract.

He probably figures with contracts being handed out, now would be a good time for them to extend him, and if they are "rebuilding" he'd like to think that he is one of the AD-type pillars that the Vikings would want to solidify as a long-term fixture. And there is precedence for big contracts with this much time remaining. However the most recent example in Minny was with Sidney Rice. Difference was Sidney had one good year and major injuries. Percy has had three great years but still played despite injury, so I wouldn't call it the same thing.

As for the idea that he might've faked migraines or milked it, from what I know about migraines they are stress related, and perhaps the stress of no contract might've hurt his head more than normal this past year???

All this being said, and things might get hairy at times, but ultimately I see Percy signing a long-term deal with the Vikings in the next 12 months. This is not Sidney Rice the sequel. And some of you guys are too quick to drop any player with the slightest character defects. If we were defending SB champions, then yeah, we can be picky about who stays or goes, but when you're 3-13 you need to get your fingers off the X button and worry about building a winner on the field. Teams don't hold up trophies at the end of the season for not putting up with any contract crap from its players.

Who are "all the WRs acquired" Jerome Simpson? They needed someone to start opposite him who's better than Michael Jenkins, Devin Aromashodu, Bernard Berrian and everyone else who lined up across from him last year. The other WRs they acquired other than Simpson are 2 4th round rookies, Bryan Walters and a few UDFAs.

Childs and Wright should have no ill-effect on Harvins playing time and the latters probably won't even make the team.


One of the issues has to be contract. The other could be philosophical (i.e. role, snap count, etc on offense) or maybe a personal problem with one of the coaches

C'mon Harvin, I love you as a player because you give it your all like AD, but you're going to go public about your feelings and not reveal why? That's low balling the club that drafted you when teams passed on you, and it's also a slap to the face of the fans.

To me, Harvin is best served as a slot WR who can run some special routes and do other "utility" positions (like spell RB, return kicks, etc), so while he is worth the money, I wouldn't pay him #1 money, and if it should come to it, I also would trade him...love the guy though, but gotta be smart too.

Though i dont like the fact that he went public i dont think this is going to be a issue. I think it was a heat of the moment type thing, Harvin has been a class act since hes been in the league and also has a sense of loyalty to minn that we took a chance on him. If it is in fact due to his role and wanting to have more snaps THATS A GOOD THING!! A player thats want to contribute more and make plays is a plus. If it is indeed about a contract i think the kid deserves a extension and is obviously a vital part of our offense and one of the most explosive players in the league. I think Frasier will calm him down an get him back on the field doing what he does best. Its all preseason jitter-bugs. Percy will have another great year an i think he will even have a better year than last. The addition of Simpson, Carlson, 2 arkansas boys will only make it easier for percy, he will get less double coverages an be able to be the monster that he is. I SMELL FOOTBALL IN THE AIR FELLAS!!! SKOL VIKES

Gotta hand it to this goldbrick, at least he found something else to use as an excuse to keep from practicing other than headaches.