Percy Harvin's days as the Minnesota Vikings' top playmaker
might be over, thanks to fallout from an argument with his coach.
Reports from Minneapolis say the team is serious about
trading Harvin, supporting speculations after a November argument he had with
coach Leslie Frazier. It's not the first set-to Harvin had with a Vikings boss
— he also quarreled with previous coach Brad Childress a couple years ago.
Last week, Frazier said the team had no concrete plans for
Harvin next season.
Central to the current trade talk is GM Rick Spielman's
references to Harvin being hard to handle because of his outspoken nature.
QB Christian Ponder also has made statements suggesting he
has distanced himself from Harvin.
Percy Harvin's days in Minnesota could be numbered,
according to reports. (AP Photo)
Wary suitors know of Harvin's attitude, plus expected high
salary request — NFL.com suggest it might take $10 million per season to
satisfy his contract demands. And, the site suggests any team calling Spielman
might be asked to pony up assets that include a high 2013 NFL Draft pick;
NFL.com sees something in the second or third rounds.
That said, the site also cited comments from a Vikings
writer who pegs Bill Belichick as a party of interest. If changes are coming
for Belichick's New England Patriots wideout corps — as in, Wes Welker on the
free-agent market — Harvin might fit the notion of a playmaking slot receiver.
The Pats also have to keep top wideout Brandon Lloyd happy,
which might make Harvin too expensive. The Boston Globe says it's not out of
the question Belichick would look for help in the draft, but also says
free-agent options include Danny Amendola from the St. Louis Rams or Joshua
Cribbs from the Cleveland Browns.
Just don't chisel Lloyd into the 2013 roster; The Globe and
ESPNBoston.com say he isn't as strong a fit as the Patriots thought. Lloyd is
due a roster bonus of $3 million this offseason. And that, NFL.com notes, could
find Belichick looking at free agents including Mike Wallace from the
Pittsburgh Steelers or Greg Jennings of the Green Bay Packers.
Harvin, then, might be more than an outside possibility.
Another, according to ESPNBoston: Anquan Boldin, if he and the Baltimore Ravens
can't reach an amicable agreement, although Boldin has said he will retire if
the Ravens release him.
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