Percy's future w/ Vikings looking uncertain

[Mothman]

Another article on Percy and the Vikes being "all good": http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/88331 ... ta-vikings


Someone in the comments section stated that Percy had checked into a substance abuse program for an addiction to pain killers. Obviously, we have to consider the source (some random anonymous poster w/o any substance to support the claim), but this sounds like something that could possibly be true, given his previous problems with migraines.

One other point: I find it a little odd that we have not heard ANYTHING about how his ankle is or what he's doing to treat it.

Nobody other than Harvin and the Vikings is really in position to know much about that so unless they're talking, there's nothing to report. Frazier has said trainer Eric Sugarman is monitoring Harvin's rehab and there has been more than one report that Harvin isn't expected to have surgery on the ankle.

Thanks for the link.

[Eli]

there has been more than one report that Harvin isn't expected to have surgery on the ankle.

Those reports... did they come directly from either Harvin or someone in the Vikings organization?

[Mothman]

Those reports... did they come directly from either Harvin or someone in the Vikings organization?

They were reported by various writers but the source was Leslie Frazier.

Harvin is supposed to be back at the team's facility soon to conduct his exit interview and physical so maybe we'll get more info on the status of his ankle at that point.

[Eli]

They were reported by various writers but the source was Leslie Frazier.

Frazier was quoted as saying he "hoped" Harvin wouldn't require ankle surgery. Pretty much like Ponder said he "hoped" Harvin would be back next year.

[Mothman]

Frazier was quoted as saying he "hoped" Harvin wouldn't require ankle surgery. Pretty much like Ponder said he "hoped" Harvin would be back next year.

What's your point?

I was commenting from memory but here's what I've read (recently) on the subject:

Q: What is the status with his ankle? Will he need surgery?
A: "I haven't been told he's going to have to have surgery."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 63891.html

Percy Harvin's season is over, but he shouldn't need surgery on his injured left ankle, Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said on Thursday.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Perc ... says120612

Harvin isn't among the Vikings expected to have surgery in the offseason and Frazier said the ankle is "headed in the right direction" as far as he has been told.

http://min.scout.com/2/1255923.html

Q: How is Percy’s health? Do you have an update on his ankle?
A: When he comes in to do his physical – everything I’ve been told, it’s heading in the right direction – but he has to go through this physical and I’ll learn more after he gets through with his physical.

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/V ... 03d60ca6b5

[PurpleMustReign]

What's your point?

I was commenting from memory but here's what I've read (recently) on the subject:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 63891.html
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Perc ... says120612
http://min.scout.com/2/1255923.html
http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/V ... 03d60ca6b5

I'm still not convinced, Jim. Do you have 5-8 more quotes/sources?

[PurpleMustReign]

We finally got rid of the Moss, the Smoot, the Dwight Smiths, even the big head Darren Sharpers. Heck even got around to McKinnie. There's only one glaring drain on morale left. And it's time to get rid of him too!

We got rid of Moss because the previous owner was giving MN one last F-U before he sold the team.

If you want a team of only pussies and angels, just watch Little League sports.

[Mothman]

I'm still not convinced, Jim. Do you have 5-8 more quotes/sources?

LOL!

I just don't understand why it seems people are looking SO hard for the potential dark side of this situation. Do they want bad news?

[losperros]

We got rid of Moss because the previous owner was giving MN one last F-U before he sold the team.

If you want a team of only pussies and angels, just watch Little League sports.

Exactly! Difficult personalities are part of the game in NFL, especially among stud receivers (which is what Harvin is). While some fans may want Harvin and his play-making abilities to go to another team, it appears as if the Vikings organization thankfully doesn't feel the same.

[losperros]

LOL!

I just don't understand why it seems people are looking SO hard for the potential dark side of this situation. Do they want bad news?

The anti-Harvin group will really hate the following from Aj Mansour at KFAN:

When asked point-blank if Percy was suspended from the team for conduct detrimental to the team, Spielman quickly replied saying, "No."

"Percy comes to work every day," Spielman continued. "Everybody sees what Percy puts on the field. He plays the game as hard or harder than anyone else in the NFL...We have no issues with Percy Harvin."

The more and more we hear from players, coaches and members of the Vikings front office, I struggle to get the feeling that the organization is at odds in any way with Percy Harvin. Their tone, their carefully chosen words and their overall attitude towards the way this enigmatic season has played out for Percy wreaks more of a concerned parent than it does of a disgruntled employer.

http://www.kfan.com/pages/vikingsblog.h ... e=10689567

[PurpleKoolaid]

Has PH ever gotten fines, been repremanded? For all these issues he has? Has Fraizer fined him for blowing up at him in front of not only his own players , but the entire world? Maybe the coaching staff isnt handling this right? I would really like to know how much trouble PH has gotten into, or if the Vikes just dont know how to handle extremely talented players with attitde problems.

[Mothman]

The anti-Harvin group will really hate the following from Aj Mansour at KFAN:



http://www.kfan.com/pages/vikingsblog.h ... e=10689567

Good stuff. Thanks for the link, Craig.

[Mothman]

Has PH ever gotten fines, been repremanded? For all these issues he has? Has Fraizer fined him for blowing up at him in front of not only his own players , but the entire world? Maybe the coaching staff isnt handling this right? I would really like to know how much trouble PH has gotten into, or if the Vikes just dont know how to handle extremely talented players with attitde problems.

It seems to me that they're handling him just fine. Where's the big problem? Harvin got upset during a mini-camp, talked to the coach and came back happy. That was obviously handled fine. Harvin was happy and productive during almost all of the time he played this season. There's no need to fine him for getting momentarily angry during a game. Coaches and players understand that the sport can get intense and emotional and outbursts will happen.

That leaves the heated argument Frazier and Harvcin reportedly had shortly before Harvin was placed on IR and logically, it seems likely that was about Harvin being shut down for the season and placed on IR. He probably didn't want that but again, there's no need to fine him if he was being passionate about wanting to play.

Since then, all we have is Harvin resting and rehabbing. No outbursts, no issues, nothing but speculation and worry from fans and reporters.

It seems to me that everything has been handled quite well. All that likely remains is getting Harvin healthy, figuring out what the Vikes want to pay him and seeing if they can come to terms on a new contract.

[soflavike]

He's a special player and we need his playmaking abilities badly. I hope we can keep him.

[VikingLord]

He's a special player and we need his playmaking abilities badly. I hope we can keep him.

Plus at just 24 years old he's still young by NFL standards. He's entering the prime of his career and has learned the nuances of the game, how defenses play coverage, and how to prepare himself. People say he's not yet one of the best receivers in the game, but give it another season or two and he very well could be, or at least among them.

I think there are only 2 ways Harvin leaves:

- The Vikes determine he's not a fit and don't want him
- Harvin determines he's not a fit and doesn't want them

Absent those two, they'll do everything they can to extend him this offseason and it will come down to $$$. Harvin may get a slightly more incentive-laden contract at this point given his injury history, but it will be a big number regardless with a lot of guaranteed cash. Assuming this gets done, Spielman's options at WR in FA will be dried up, so if there is a draft where the Vikes need to unearth the next great pro wideout, this is it.