Harvin traded

[Demi]

Not sitting out. Just sitting on the sideline watching his offense on the field nursing a shoulder, ribs, ankle, concussion etc.

[PurpleJarl]

Demi hit it spot on. he didn't miss a lot of full games true. But he was out more often the peterson it felt like for most of his career. Which is not something I expect from a slot receiver. With how often he is needing a breather on the sideline I wouldn't be surprised if he played about as much as if he missed 2-3 games each year.

[GoldenBear91]

WOW... probably a bit high for someone who has yet to play all 16 games.

Agreed.

[GoldenBear91]

Many think it is cliche' but team chemistry really does matter and having someone like Harvin around who actively wants to be gone is toxic. So no matter how potentially talented he is...it doesn't matter. He needed to leave and the vikings will be fine without him.

Hope Harvin is happy in his new surroundings.

[yezzir]

Before he got injured late last year, I'm pretty sure Harvin played in more games per season than the average WR.

[dead_poet]

Leslie Frazier joked (I think) he'll write a book someday on the layers on the Percy Harvin saga. "It's complicated."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Why_ ... says032013

[Bill Carson]

My fear is that Harvin just became a scapegoat of sorts, and the lack of faith in Ponder is deeper amongst the team than just one player. Glad we got a lot in return for Harvin, but I don't see this as the final straw to create a harmonious locker room. Ponder has got to step it up this year.

[Mothman]

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Why_ ... says032013

Thanks for the link.

My fear is that Harvin just became a scapegoat of sorts, and the lack of faith in Ponder is deeper amongst the team than just one player. Glad we got a lot in return for Harvin, but I don't see this as the final straw to create a harmonious locker room. Ponder has got to step it up this year.

He does but I seriously doubt his presence on the team is a divisive force in the locker room.

On that note, this section of the article dead_poet inked to above is interesting:

Frazier downplayed the impact of any deterioration in the relationship between Harvin and quarterback Christian Ponder, saying, "I don't know if it played a major role. Those guys respected each other, from my impression. It didn't play the role that most would think. ...

"It never countered anything we were trying to do team-wise. What we tried to do game plan-wise on offense or how we tried to approach opponents, the relationship between our quarterback and Percy never interfered with what we were trying to do to win a ballgame."

I wouldn't underestimate the role this may have played in the decision to trade him either:

One of the dirty little secrets about Percy Harvin as an NFL receiver is how often he's not where he's supposed to be.

He's unbelievable once he gets the ball in his hands. He's as dangerous in space as anybody in the league. And he did improve as a route-runner in 2012, before an ankle injury ended his fourth, final and finest season with the Minnesota Vikings after nine games.

But it's tough to get someone the ball when the quarterback doesn't know where he's going to be, which is why the Vikings manufactured so many of Harvin's touches near the line of scrimmage -- something the Seattle Seahawks surely will do after trading for him, too.

Coupled with the lack of a vertical threat at split end, Bill Musgrave's offense evolved to heavily emphasize short throws that only enhanced Christian Ponder's reputation among some scouts as a one-read quarterback who is challenged to produce in the intermediate to deep passing game.

Harvin wanted to be paid like a top receiver but as some of us have pointed out in the past, despite his immense talent, he doesn't bring the same things to the table that a top receiver brings. In the end, the combination of the limitations described above, his attitude issues (whatever they were) and especially his financial expectations might have been enough for Spielman to just decide he wasn't worth the money.

We'll probably never know...

[Cliff]

My fear is that Harvin just became a scapegoat of sorts, and the lack of faith in Ponder is deeper amongst the team than just one player. Glad we got a lot in return for Harvin, but I don't see this as the final straw to create a harmonious locker room. Ponder has got to step it up this year.

I don't think it really matters. The NFL is a production business and if Ponder can't produce then he'll be replaced. The team doesn't need to have "faith" in him, but they should be trying to encourage him rather than bashing him.

Anybody expecting the team to give up on their 1st round QB after 1.5 seasons just isn't being realistic ... including Harvin. That being the case, it's best for the team to shut your mouth and do your best. If you have an issue with your co-worker you don't start screaming at your boss in the middle of the office about it. His actions were unprofessional even if you agree with his stance on Ponder.

Again, that is IF it's his biggest reason for going.

[Texas Vike]

My fear is that Harvin just became a scapegoat of sorts, and the lack of faith in Ponder is deeper amongst the team than just one player. Glad we got a lot in return for Harvin, but I don't see this as the final straw to create a harmonious locker room. Ponder has got to step it up this year.

Legit concern, but just as there are posters here that are more level-headed than others in their critique of Ponder's play, there must be a wide spectrum among the players too. I suspect that Percy was holding up one (far) end of that spectrum. I'd bet that Rudolph, for example, holds quite another perspective.

From what I can tell, Percy never really had the right attitude with helping Ponder succeed. Replacing that attitude with Jenning's attitude is like breathing fresh air. But you're right, that air could get foul really quick if Ponder doesn't develop. I suppose that's why we got Cassell.

It is interesting that Percy ended up in Seattle, where his outburst with Frazier occurred.

[PurpleJarl]

Anyone remember when we got Favre. and how excited Percy was to be learning from the best? or something like that he said. To me this just sorta shows how selfish he is. Obviously talented, but its not like he didn't make mistakes his first year. But he learned all he could from the HoFer now when the roles were (sorta) reversed he bad mouths the heck outta him and bails. Now obviously the skill levels are completely different but its not like PH is on his sunset ride. He just now seems to strike me as a pure diva. If it ain't going great, Percy aint going.