Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE
Whenever the ball is in Percy Harvin’s hands, something good is bound to happen. The Minnesota Vikings have finally begun to take advantage of that fact, and it has helped them off to a surprising 5-3 start in 2012.
With the Vikings finally understanding just how electrifying Harvin can be, they’re getting him the ball on a consistent basis, effectively elevating him into the NFL’s 2012 MVP candidacy. Has Harvin done enough in 2012, though, to prove that he’s the most explosive player that the league has to offer?
What really makes Harvin a special player is his versatility. It doesn’t matter where he lines up; whether he’s at wide receiver, running back or kick returner, Harvin is always a threat to go for six. With the ability to make plays all over the field, it’s become so difficult for defenses to find ways to slow him down. Even when the defense is in position to bring him down, Harvin finds a way to avoid tackles and pick up extra yards.
Through the Vikings’ first eight games of the 2012 campaign, Harvin has been a focal point on offense, evidenced by his outstanding production. So far this season, the dynamic playmaker has hauled in 60 passes (first in the NFL) for 667 yards (second in the NFL) and three touchdowns. He has also carried the ball 18 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. Just imagine if Harvin could play quarterback, too.
To top it all off, Harvin also has 15 kickoff returns for 535 yards, including a 35.7 yards-per-return average (second in the NFL) and a 105-yard touchdown. Only one of his returns hasn’t gone for at least 20 yards and he leads the league in returns of over 40 yards with four. If that’s not impressive, you’re standards are way too high.
As the Vikings continue to find better ways to utilize his skill set, Harvin should find himself among the elite NFL wide receivers. Although he has yet to elevate himself to the elite level of players like Calvin Johnson or A.J. Green, the versatility and ability to lineup in the backfield makes Harvin just as explosive.
Harvin is only 24-years old and still has plenty of growing to do as an NFL player. With his migraine issues seemingly in the rear-view mirror and a bright future ahead of him, the sky is the limit for the Vikings’ young sparkplug.
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