Percy's future w/ Vikings looking uncertain

[Cliff]

Report: Percy Harvin unhappy with Vikings offense, Not Contract

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... gs-offense

It's usually all about the money. But Percy Harvin's problems are reportedly not about the money.
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports that Harvin's complaints with the Vikings have been about football, not his contract. La Canfora's source says that Harvin's trade requests have been "based on the limitations of Minnesota's passing game" and not his deal.


So basically Harvin wants out because of Christian Ponder. That should go over well. Ponder, for one, didn't sound overly optimistic about Harvin sticking around after the season.

[PurpleJarl]

That doesn't make much sense to me, if that was really his only problem you would think we would wait it out for one more year and see what we do to address our passing this off season. I think if this is even true its just posturing.

[Bill Carson]

FWIW, I've heard Ponder is pretty much the least popular guy on the team. Nobody likes him or believes in him, they don't hang out with him, regardless what they might say to the media. It harkens back to T-Jack days where the front office just kept him in there regardless what it was doing to the team because of ego/stubborness/saving face, etc.

I gotta believe there's something more to the Harvin situtation than him just wanting big money.

[Mothman]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... gs-offense

Sigh... thanks for the link. At this point, I don't know if I can believe any of what's flying around until I hear it from Harvin, his agent or the Vikings. Rosenthal jumps to the conclusion that this is a Christian Ponder issue but that's not what La Canfora says in his report (link below) nor have we heard that from Harvin. Whatever Percy's issue is, I'm guessing it has something to do with his role, his production, what he thinks he can do and how that will get him paid. I simply do not believe this isn't about money first and foremost. I can believe it's not ALL about money but there's no way I'm buying that it's just about the offense and not the contract, not when we're talking about a player in the last year of his rookie deal.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/jason ... t-contract

At this point, we're back to the situation being a blank slate on which people can write whatever they want to believe (as I did just now—I'm aware of the irony). Is Harvin really upset at the offense and/or with Ponder or is this just a way to diffuse negative reactions to reports about the mega-deal he may be seeking and make him look like a concerned-but-dedicated player who just wants what's best for the team and isn't greedy at all? If he has issues with the offense are they issues with Ponder, Musgrave, his touches... what's the problem?

Maybe I shouldn't have written that "we're back to the situation being a blank slate" since we've probably been there all along.

In some ways, this is eerily reminiscent of the end of Culpepper's tenure with the Vikes.

[Mothman]

FWIW, I've heard Ponder is pretty much the least popular guy on the team. Nobody likes him or believes in him, they don't hang out with him, regardless what they might say to the media.

Where did you hear that, Bill?

[Bill Carson]

Where did you hear that, Bill?

Players and people players know. Can't name names, don't want to get anyone in trouble.

[Mothman]

Players and people players know. Can't name names, don't want to get anyone in trouble.

I understand but just to be clear: are you saying you heard this directly from players, from people players know, or both? Sorry about the 3rd degree, i'm just trying to understand how many filters this info went through before it reached your ears. For all I know, you're good pals with half of the team!

[Cliff]

Sigh... thanks for the link. At this point, I don't know if I can believe any of what's flying around until I hear it from Harvin, his agent or the Vikings. Rosenthal jumps to the conclusion that this is a Christian Ponder issue but that's not what La Canfora says in his report (link below) nor have we heard that from Harvin. Whatever Percy's issue is, I'm guessing it has something to do with his role, his production, what he thinks he can do and how that will get him paid. I simply do not believe this isn't about money first and foremost. I can believe it's not ALL about money but there's no way I'm buying that it's just about the offense and not the contract, not when we're talking about a player in the last year of his rookie deal.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/jason ... t-contract

At this point, we're back to the situation being a blank slate on which people can write whatever they want to believe (as I did just now—I'm aware of the irony). Is Harvin really upset at the offense and/or with Ponder or is this just a way to diffuse negative reactions to reports about the mega-deal he may be seeking and make him look like a concerned-but-dedicated player who just wants what's best for the team and isn't greedy at all? If he has issues with the offense are they issues with Ponder, Musgrave, his touches... what's the problem?

Maybe I shouldn't have written that "we're back to the situation being a blank slate" since we've probably been there all along.

In some ways, this is eerily reminiscent of the end of Culpepper's tenure with the Vikes.

It really is back to not knowing where anyone inside the situation actually stands. Harvin could be equally unhappy with his contract and the offense.

Heck, Harvin could just want to be in a different venue or bigger market. Who knows.

One thing is clear ... until we hear a report from Harvin or the team, it's almost worthless to keep reading these reports.

[Mothman]

It really is back to not knowing where anyone inside the situation actually stands. Harvin could be equally unhappy with his contract and the offense.

Heck, Harvin could just want to be in a different venue or bigger market. Who knows.

One thing is clear ... until we hear a report from Harvin or the team, it's almost worthless to keep reading these reports.

Yep... and it's frustrating!

[Purple bruise]

Oh brother show me ONE comment from any team mate about Ponder
Vikings talk Christian Ponder:
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_222 ... huddle-and

[Purple bruise]

I really agree with this take from a Viking fan regarding Ponder
Thomas Fowler said:
"As a Florida transplanted life-long Vikings Fan who has a son at Florida State I have seen a lot of Ponder. He had ZERO talent around him at FSU...at least at the Offensive skill positions. He was QB when FSU changed Head Coaches and O-Coordinators so had to learn multiple schemes. He comes to Minnesota in a year with no Offseason Camps and a past his prime prima donna Donovan McFlabb who refused to mentor him. Mid season his Rookie year he's thrown to the fire on a bad bad Vikings team. He comes to Camp this year and the Vikings make no moves to get him a true stud WR to go along with Percy. Instead he gets Jerome "420" Simpson and John "the Invisible Man" Carlson and both implode. Percy gets hurt and our best WR is a Rookie who was on the bench for two thirds of the season. Lighten up on Ponder folks. He's still learning and still in need of NFL starting material at WR. He's extremely intelligent and a very personable guy. He's not a Diva or someone who demands attention or star treatment and that's very refreshing these days. Ponders'..and the Vikings..best days are coming soon"

[Bill Carson]

I understand but just to be clear: are you saying you heard this directly from players, from people players know, or both? Sorry about the 3rd degree, i'm just trying to understand how many filters this info went through before it reached your ears. For all I know, you're good pals with half of the team!

Yes, both. Directly from one player, and indirectly (2nd hand) from people I know that are personally close to other players.

I know they tow company lines in interviews. I guess I would too if those were my paychecks.

[Mothman]

Yes, both. Directly from one player, and indirectly (2nd hand) from people I know that are personally close to other players.

I know they tow company lines in interviews. I guess I would too if those were my paychecks.

Thanks. I'd be surprised if that were true (aren't Ponder and Rudolph supposedly good pals?) but it's certainly interesting info to "file away".

[Mothman]

Still more info...

From Twitter:

Pioneer Press
‏@VikingsNow
Rick Spielman said the #Vikings "have no intent" of trading Percy Harvin; they expect him to be in camp like the rest of their players.

... and from PFT (with a link to the tweet):

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... cy-harvin/

Speaking to a small group of reporters, Spielman said the Vikings have “no intent” to trade Harvin.

The key words are the words in quotes. “No intent.”

Intent can change. Especially if someone offers the Vikings a package of picks and/or players that could prompt intent to change.

There's no way they're going to let Spielman kill the swirling trade talk that easily!

Still more:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Rick ... rvin021513

"I know there's a lot of sources. There's a lot of rumor," Spielman said. "There's so much stuff flying out there this time of year that comes from everywhere. I know where we stand and there's the people in this organization -- it's a very close circle on what gets out -- and so I sit there and look at some of the stuff.

"But I would just say don't believe all the half-truths or the rumors or the no-truths that are out there because there is so much stuff that flies around and flies around on the draft kids before the draft."

Asked if he expects Harvin to hold out absent a new deal, Spielman said. "I'm not going to get into hypotheticals. ... We expect all our players under contract to be here."

[PurpleMustReign]

I frequently talk to one of the blades of "grass" of the Metrodome turf (I am not going to tell you which blade of grass that it is however), and he said, according to his friend who is a blade of grass in one of the endzones, that Harvin is upset that one of the Metrodome seats turned him down for a date and now he doesn't want to play in that building anymore.
This is a very high ranking piece of turf, just so you know. He is really in the know. Trust me. I'm serious.