The NFL's annual meeting wraps up this afternoon from the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. This morning, all 16 NFC coaches held court for the conference's coaches breakfast in the Grand Ballroom. Included: Seattle's Pete Carroll, the proud new coach of standout receiver Percy Harvin, a Viking for his first four seasons in the league but now a Seahawks after last week's blockbuster trade.

I had a chance to briefly pick Carroll's brain on the move to land Harvin and how he hopes to wrap around his brain around the receiver's fiery personality, which at times is both his greatest strength and most dangerous weakness.

Here's a quick taste of Carroll's thoughts ...

Before the trade occurred, when you were trying to do some background on Percy and familiarize yourself with his situation, what specifically did you want to glean from Darrell Bevell, who had obvious comfort with him? What was some of his feedback
Carroll: Darrell had nothing but the best things to say. He said he had had a great relationship with Percy, which I found out after talking to Percy, that it was reciprocated. They work together really well. Darrell raved about his competitiveness. He raved about his work ethic. He raved about his talent. And it was a total positive, supportive perspective that Darrel had. So we felt compelled that that was a perspective that we had to call on, what Darrell provided. That cemented the idea for us as we were looking into it.

In some ways, Percy's personality can be a bit of a riddle. And people who know him well will tell you that his competitive fire is admirable but yet can get the best of him at times. How do you sense you'll be able to manage that and channel that fire in the right direction.
Carroll: I think it's that way with the greatest of the great athletes. I think that's a positive. Sometimes they push the limits. But they're like that because that's who they are. You know what I mean? So I don't have any problem with that. I have no problem with guys being highly, highly competitive. And so I think there's an understanding there that's needed. We've already talked about it. I want him to be as competitive as he can be, that way we make sure he's always helping this football team. So that's one thing I've had to learn, dealing with young kids. That nature has made him what he is. So if you think that that's a problem, you're missing the boat I think. So we're going to figure out how to help him along the way so he can translate that competitiveness to great play and championships and all that kind of stuff. I'm not worried about that one bit.

He was glowing at his introductory press conference. Did you have an immediate sense of why specifically he was so excited for a new start and to join the offense you guys have?
Carroll: I think, from what Percy said, it first started when he began to hear about Russell. He loves Russell's nature. He loves his approach to the game and his outlook about working hard and competing at all times. That resonated with Percy. And he started to check into it. And I think Russell wanted to see Percy. He came in and met with him when Percy was at our facility as well. Percy had a little background with me [from being recruited to USC]. He had tremendous background with Darrell. He knew that this was a young team coming up. So I think there were a lot of things that added up. So whatever he said, I know he felt very much in his heart.