National Football League

Harvin's fast, but Vikings rookie plays tough, too

Published Nov. 12, 2009 8:17 a.m. ET

foxsports

Percy Harvin was picked in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings primarily for his versatility and exceptional speed. Turns out the kid from Florida is plenty tough, too. Harvin has five touchdowns - three on passes and two on kickoff returns - in eight games. He has 28 receptions for 369 yards, eight carries for another 39 yards and his average of 30.7 yards per kickoff return ranks second in the NFL behind Miami's Ted Ginn. Because of a positive drug test before the draft, Harvin dropped to the No. 22 selection, allowing Minnesota to get him. "I believe I was put on this team for a reason," he said. Here's what impresses the Vikings the most, however: He has the instincts to adjust his routes on the fly, and he's not afraid to lower his head and run straight up the middle with the kickoff teams sprinting full tilt toward him for the tackle. "As I say, he's not afraid to die," coach Brad Childress said. "Just run through the smoke and come out the other end," special teams coordinator Brian Murphy said. Harvin is proud of the way he doesn't "dance around" when he begins his returns and approaches the pack. "That's just been part of my game since I was little. I'm not afraid of contact. If I see a hole, I'm going to hit it whether I get hit or not," he said. Harvin has also made several catches in traffic, his left shoulder taking enough of a pounding to land him on the injury report multiple times. Then there was the enduring image of Brett Favre's first month with the team, when the old quarterback celebrated his first Vikings touchdown pass by running to the end zone and body-slamming the recipient, Harvin, to the turf. "He's built like a running back," Favre said, referring to Harvin's 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame. "He plays like he's 6-5." The Vikings (7-1) host Detroit (1-7) this Sunday. Harvin had a touchdown reception in the win over the Lions in September, though coach Jim Schwartz was pleased his kickoff coverage team was able to keep him from any long returns. "But he was maybe one tackle away from busting a long one," Schwartz said on a conference call with the Minnesota media. "He has that potential on every play. When teams choose not to punt to you or kick to you, it's a sign of respect. It's a sign of how explosive a player you are. Very few people in this league reach that status. He's a rookie, but he's reached that status." Schwartz didn't express surprise about Harvin's willingness to get hit, either. "We evaluated him hard for the draft. There was even a possibility of playing him at running back, which he did at Florida a bunch of times," Schwartz said. "He lined up at quarterback, he lined up at running back, he lined up at wide receiver. Multidimensional player. You can't do those types of things if you're not tough, if you're not strong. It's one thing to be fast, but to be a running back and carry the ball inside like he has in the past, you have to be tough." From all accounts, Harvin has picked up the offense quickly. He was rarely yelled at by coaches during training camp while reporters are allowed to watch the entire practice, and Childress credited Harvin for his ability to grasp the responsibilities receivers have in Minnesota's version of the West Coast offense. Receivers coach George Stewart has helped, as has Favre. "You might have a 10-yard route, but obviously if somebody is standing there you want to cut it down to 8 or not get contact," said Harvin, who also called Favre "the king" at advising how and when to adjust a route. Despite their 19-year difference in age, Harvin and Favre have clicked. "I told him from day one: 'Hey, you're not a rookie. Don't play like it. Don't buy into it,"' Favre said. "He can run. He's strong. Good hands. All that can help, but you've got to have wherewithal to make plays when plays are not there. He's got it." Favre cited his long throw to Harvin in the Green Bay game against heavy coverage. Favre credited Harvin for jumping in front of the defenders and turning what could've been a bad decision into a 51-yard touchdown. "Percy made me look good," Favre said.