Harvin traded

[dead_poet]

The Vikings hand was probably forced and considering people speculated we'd be lucky to a get 3rd as early as last week just a 1st was a win for the Vikings. Plus we got two other picks. You never know that 7th could be used to trade up or we good get luckily.

I seriously doubt whoever is drafted will be as much of an impact player as Percy Harvin. HOWEVER, I will grant the possibility that this is a team sport and there's a chance that the multiple picks will allow the Vikings to be an overall improved TEAM. It'd be a lot easier to digest if the Vikings were stacked at WR like GB. No matter how you slice it, as it stands, they had one of the worst receivers in the league last season and it showed with a near dead-last pass offense. Now they are THE worst. Let's just say that Ponder has his work cut out for him, as does Musgrave. As does Spielman and Frazier.

I know you love Percy but how much more do you think he was worth?

I'd have started at two first-rounders, but a first and a fourth this season and a second next season would've made this a lot easier to swallow. But I know it's more complicated than his on-field performance only (contract, attitude, etc.). From what I've been seeing out there, "experts" think it was a win-win and we didn't get hosed. I suppose I shouldn't be too disappointed.

He commanded a lot of money

IMO he's worth a lot of money.

and there's questions about how long before he breaks down given his play style

I see this all the time. It's football. Boldin plays the game similarly. It's not a given that physical players have a higher deterioration rate or are more likely to be injured. I understand the theory, but I don't buy it. Rice avoids contact and he's one of the most brittle players in the game. Everybody's body is different and the wrong hit can end anybody's career at any time.

I would not have paid him Top 5 WR money and it seems the Vikings didn't want to either.

Given what he brings to an offense? I would've. But only if that would've shut him up and let him focus on football.

I still think it's a shame AD didn't rub off on him. That's a professional.

[MDviking]

While it is a shame to see such a great talent go, I think this is really a best case scenario for the situation the Vikings were in. To get three picks, one being a first, for a deal that with each passing day was forcing the FO's hand and lowering the team's leverage, I am ecstatic to get that much in return. Now they just need to draft wisely and avoid blowing their cap space on an overvalued free agent and they'll be in good shape.

[dead_poet]

DP, look at it this way. For a prime RANDY MOSS, in a similar situation, we got a 1st, 7th and Napolean Harris.

We got basically the same exact thing for Harvin.

And look how well that turned out.

[dead_poet]

Different people running the team.

And I'm talking about in terms of value. Hindsight of what we did with those picks is irrelevant.

I'll tell you this though. I was 10000000% more upset when Moss was traded than I am about this.

Too many unknowns for my liking.

Pro Bowl Receiver vs. unknown draft picks. I suppose I'll start this mantra now:

"In Rick We Trust" while drinking a lot.

[Viva la Vikings]

This happens just before FA. I have a feeling we could make a big splash.

[Viva la Vikings]

This happens just before FA. I have a feeling we could make a big splash.

Sign Jennings and trade up to draft a number one.

[dead_poet]

I'm also worried that this now almost forces our hand if/when we whiff (or skip) the big-name free agents and it could negatively affect our ability to acquire a premiere MLB.

At this point I'm just searching out ways to hate this. I just HATE losing dynamic playmakers on an offense that sorely needs them and is simultaneously devoid of them.

"In Rick We Trust"

[Mothman]

I'm also worried that this now almost forces our hand if/when we whiff (or skip) the big-name free agents and it could negatively affect our ability to acquire a premiere MLB.

At this point I'm just searching out ways to hate this. I just HATE losing dynamic playmakers on an offense that sorely needs them and is simultaneously devoid of them.

"In Rick We Trust"

It may help to remember that if he was determined to get out of Minnesota, they were probably going to lose him anyway.

Siefert has a good perspective on it:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... -be-step-1

The Vikings will receive the Seahawks' first-round draft pick, No. 25 overall. According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, they will also get a 2013 seventh-round draft pick and a mid-round pick in 2014. That's a higher sum than many had predicted, but to me a first-round pick should have always been the minimum compensation required. It leaves the Vikings with enough firepower (No. 23 and No. 25 in the first round) to move far up in the draft if they want.

I'll have a longer column coming up in a moment, but let's make something clear: This move must be considered the start of something else. Sometimes you have to clear out the cupboard before you re-stock it. The Vikings' offense is worse today than it was yesterday, which makes tomorrow just as important as today. Or something like that.

[MDviking]

I'm also worried that this now almost forces our hand if/when we whiff (or skip) the big-name free agents and it could negatively affect our ability to acquire a premiere MLB.

At this point I'm just searching out ways to hate this. I just HATE losing dynamic playmakers on an offense that sorely needs them and is simultaneously devoid of them.

"In Rick We Trust"

DP, how does this lessen the chance of getting a linebacker when we'll have more draft picks and more cap space by not extending Harvin? I know the need for WR goes waaay up, but it is a deep draft for WR so they don't necessarily have to blow two R1 picks on them.

Percy was a dynamic playmaker, but who says he even would've played? I'm not sure what was true and what wasn't with the media reports, but if he was as disgruntled as they say he was, he might've sat out the first seven weeks and walked at the end of the season for nothing but a compensatory pick. It's great to have playmakers, but they have to *want* to play.

It will be interesting to see what Seattle pays him; if it ends up being $10mil/year, you know he just didn't want to play for Minnesota, because I'm sure they would have kept him for that much.

*Edit, Jim you kind of beat me to it above.

[The Breeze]

Echoing the sentiments of others here, I have to applaud the end result of this situation.

In an offseason rife with stars restructuring their contracts to help their teams, we have Percy's reality that it's about money first. My belief is that he would have made his money here had he been able to play out his contract with more dignity.

Anyway, great return on him with the picks. I see the Vikes as being 2 years away from being serious contenders, assuming QB pans out, so getting caught over a barrel on Harvin's contract next year would have sucked in many ways.

Definitely bitter sweet but better off in the long run.

[billingsviking]

compensation?

We are getting "AT LEAST" this years first round pick from Seattle.

[Mothman]

Remember this too. We don't now what Seattle gave him. If they gave him anything close to what he was asking for, then that means the Vikings didn't think he was worth and the trade makes sense.

If he ended up getting a reasonable deal from them, that means either A) he just didn't wanted be in Minnesota anymore or B) The relationship really was fractured behind the scenes.

Either way the Vikings hand was forced.

Well said. I'm eager to learn what Seattle is going to pay Harvin.

[petev_sj]

Jennings/Allen/Austin/Wright - perfect combo of speed, strength, playmakers, route precision!! Best WR core since our 3 deep. Percy who????

Way too much to spend on 1 position. The Vikings are a run first team, and as long as AD is there, they always will be.

[dead_poet]

It may help to remember that if he was determined to get out of Minnesota, they were probably going to lose him anyway.

Siefert has a good perspective on it:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... -be-step-1

I just have a big reservation about trading away a proven commodity for unknown quantities.

The Randy Moss trade for Troy Williamson and Erasmus James is still too fresh in my mind.

[PurpleMustReign]

I just have a big reservation about trading away a proven commodity for unknown quantities.

The Randy Moss trade for Troy Williamson and Erasmus James is still too fresh in my mind.

I hope thie isn't a repeat of that... who knows, maybe it will be polar opposite...