Percy Harvin

[Arjuna]

Anyone catch that blow up he had on the side lines? I really don't think he is going to re sign with us when his contract is up. He is frustrated and I believe he feels his talent is being wasted here. That's just my thoughts on it obviously, I could be totally wrong. I just can't see him re signing with us. He wants to win and I don't think he will have any remorse walking out of town or demanding a trade. He will go some where that has an established QB and Headcoach/OC. I can't really blame him either, unless Ponder and Musgrave completely turn it around I would walk out too.

[VikingLord]

You're not alone in thinking that. I've thought the same thing, too. Why Harvin is going after Frazier, though, is what concerns me. If he's frustrated with Ponder I'd expect him to go after Ponder. Ditto for Musgrave. But he's not going after either of them - he's directing his frustration at what he perceives is the source and that is Frazier. As to why that is, that's the million dollar question.

[Eli]

I think you're right. The Vikings may need to offer a ridiculous amount of cash to entice him to extend his contract. If the rest of this season goes in the direction that it looks like it's going, and next season isn't a _lot_ better, then I think Harvin will just wait for free agency, no matter what he's offered. He has absolutely nothing to prove in Minnesota. Then there's also the fact that starting in 2014 he'd be playing outside on the frozen turf of TCF Bank Stadium.

And I'm not sure how much the Vikings value him relative to his talent level (or more importantly, what Harvin believes his talent level to be). It's proven damned hard to actually use him effectively without a good QB. You can't keep throwing him slants and bubble screens, and running him out of the backfield now surprises no one.

[Mothman]

You're not alone in thinking that. I've thought the same thing, too. Why Harvin is going after Frazier, though, is what concerns me. If he's frustrated with Ponder I'd expect him to go after Ponder. Ditto for Musgrave. But he's not going after either of them - he's directing his frustration at what he perceives is the source and that is Frazier. As to why that is, that's the million dollar question.

Or he's directing his frustration at the guy in charge because he figures he can do something about it... or just because he needed to vent.

He's entitled to be frustrated and if he was upset because Ponder missed him on that screen (which was going nowhere but for lost yardage anyway since two Seattle defenders were bearing down on Harvin) maybe he just needed to vent. However, IF that's why he was frustrated, I hope he talked to Ponder once he settled down. Emotions run high during games but what he really needs to do is get on the same page with his QB when it comes to that throw. On that play, and if I remember correctly, both times they failed to connect on the same basic screen against TB, I think Harvin ran the route in a way that would make the throw a lateral. Ponder threw it like a forward pass, out in front of Harvin. Considering the way he's been playing, I'm guessing these are misfires from Ponder but during the Tampa Bay game, Mike Mayock suggested Ponder might be trying to avoid making that pass a lateral (for obvious reasons). It's possible Harvin is curving that route too wide and not turning up the field soon enough and Ponder is throwing it where he thinks Harvin will go.

Just speculating... the point isn't who is at fault, it's that the constructive thing is to get on the same page and hopefully, Harvin and Ponder will do that.

As for the idea that Harvin might not re-sign because he got hot under the collar in a game: as I said, emotions run on the sidelines. If the Vikes want to keep Harvin, he's probably not going anywhere unless he decides to go through a prolonged holdout. The team holds the cards. Harvin is under contract through next season and he's the kind of player they'd probably consider putting the franchise tag on if they can't get a deal done before his contract expires. A LOT will transpire before the two sides sit down start negotiating a deal and even more before they absolutely have to finish a new deal.

Eli raised a point I was going to bring up: how much do the Vikes value Harvin? As Pelisssero has been pointing out, the Vikes manufacture a lot of his touches. There's no doubt he's a very valuable asset to the team. I'm sure they want to keep him as a part of their present and future but I have to imagine there's a price at which they might balk. Will they consider Harvin worth the kind of money a top outside receiver would receive?

[Arjuna]

We will probably have to franchise him. I just don't see him wanting to re sign with us with our QB situation and the offense in general. His trade demands earlier in the year were about the offense right? I think he feels his talents are being wasted here, and I don't necessarily disagree. If I were in his position I would try to walk as a free agent to a team with a better situation. How many times can you franchise a player, is there a limit? I just get the feeling all he wants to do is win, in Minnesota or some where else, I don't think he will feel obligated to stay and help rebuild. He played for a winner at Florida and came in with Favre in 2009. Losing isn't something he takes well.

[Texas Vike]

Anyone catch that blow up he had on the side lines? I really don't think he is going to re sign with us when his contract is up. He is frustrated and I believe he feels his talent is being wasted here. That's just my thoughts on it obviously, I could be totally wrong. I just can't see him re signing with us. He wants to win and I don't think he will have any remorse walking out of town or demanding a trade. He will go some where that has an established QB and Headcoach/OC. I can't really blame him either, unless Ponder and Musgrave completely turn it around I would walk out too.

His frustration could have been due to several factors or a combination of any of the following:

1) on that drive he had a great run that ended with a punishing hit and some trash talking at the end of it. I think it got him seriously motivated to get a TD to put it in Seattle's face.

2) Ponder missed that 2 yard pass to him.

3) On third down AD missed the blitz pickup and Ponder's attempt failed; Harvin may have been frustrated by the play call and/or blocking scheme.

4) I think he had some lingering frustration from having fumbled and caused a serious momentum shift in the game earlier.

His outburst, coupled with his mention to the press that the Vikings needed to polish the fundamentals, are bad signs IMO. He was 'all good' when we were winning, but now we're seeing frustrations come out and it's going to create friction on the team.

In another thread someone depicted Ponder's problems as originating in his "softness"; it was a convincing argument. Juxtapose Ponder's softness to Percy's willingness to play hurt and push himself beyond pain. I think Percy's frustrations are understandable--he's willing to put everything on the line to win. I suspect it bothers him deeply when he doesn't see the same spirit in some of his teammates/coaches.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I think he unhappy here. He got alot more plays called his way, which he wanted in the offseason. But now he has a QB that cant get him the ball. Hes every bit as good (and big) as Steve Smith, but ponder doesnt have the accuraccy or arm to get it to him fast enough down the field. We all saw that yesterday.

I think Harvin is more frustrated with Ponder then any of us. And he took it out on Fraizer. Or maybe theres alot more going on then any of us know. I personally think we should be thinking QB next year mor then WR. And if I am right, what a waste of 2 years, an overall 12yr pick, and ADs time.

[APeterson07]

Let Harvin do what he wants to do! He wants the ball plain and simple. He is the BEST wepon the team has besides AP. When you can't give the qb any time to throw the ball to a wide open reciever like Harvin is, I'd be angry too. Someone needs to get the offensive line together and leave them in a room until they figure out the passing protections issues they need to solve. Maybe they need to have a brawl and wake up. I mean without a qb that can run for his life he will NOT have any protection.

Another thing what is the coaching staff doing to correct the issues? Seems to me like nothing has been done.

[APeterson07]

I think he unhappy here. He got alot more plays called his way, which he wanted in the offseason. But now he has a QB that cant get him the ball. Hes every bit as good (and big) as Steve Smith, but ponder doesnt have the accuraccy or arm to get it to him fast enough down the field. We all saw that yesterday.

I think Harvin is more frustrated with Ponder then any of us. And he took it out on Fraizer. Or maybe theres alot more going on then any of us know. I personally think we should be thinking QB next year mor then WR. And if I am right, what a waste of 2 years, an overall 12yr pick, and ADs time.

You may be right on the drafting of a qb this draft but, I think we would need to lose the rest of the games to have a shot at the better qbs in the draft. But we cant put all the blame on Ponder. The oline could not protect there family in a time of need. I have to say in the passing game they might be the worst in the entire league!

[BGM]

You're not alone in thinking that. I've thought the same thing, too. Why Harvin is going after Frazier, though, is what concerns me. If he's frustrated with Ponder I'd expect him to go after Ponder. Ditto for Musgrave. But he's not going after either of them - he's directing his frustration at what he perceives is the source and that is Frazier. As to why that is, that's the million dollar question.

Maybe he knows that voicing his frustration to the head man will yield changes and/or results?

[PurpleMustReign]

Did they ask Frasier or Harvin about it today?

[Eli]

Reports are he's on crutches and is a long shot to play Sunday.

If that's the case we've officially reached/eclipsed the 2006-7 level of suck at the WR position.

Or, we just might see what the passing game is capable of when they're not forcing the ball into Harvin's hands.

[Mothman]

Did they ask Frasier or Harvin about it today?

Here's the story:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Viki ... 110512?t=2

Receiver Percy Harvin, using crutches to get around the Winter Park locker room Monday after suffering a sprained left ankle in Sunday's loss at Seattle, would not rule himself out for the Lions game but acknowledged it's a "long shot" he will play.

Harvin admitted to being in "a lot of pain" and said the sprain was in three places. An MRI showed that Harvin had not fractured the ankle.

[Mothman]

Souhan: Curiously, public chooses to ignore Harvin's diva act

[PurpleMustReign]

Here's the story:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Viki ... 110512?t=2

That doesn't explain his blow up...