Percy package a must

Vikings CB Cedric Griffin on first-round pick Percy Harvin: "He's fast, physical, strong, and he loves contact. He's got great hands and is learning the offense pretty well. He's going to be a great addition to our team for sure."
MANKATO -- In 2006, the Vikings failed to score an offensive touchdown in six games. Following that futile display, head coach Brad Childress proclaimed: "I know it's a kick-ass offense when it's executed properly. It's been done with all different levels of people andpersonnel. But I'm not shaken. It's a multiple system that you can runin just as easily as you can throw it."
Air Childress has yet to resemble Air Coryell or even Air Martz post-St. Louis. In '07 and '08, the Vikings scored 21-points or less nine times, much of which was a direct result of a passing game Spergon Wynn couldn't be proud of. With any semblance of a passing attack, the Vikings -- with a defense as good as any in the league -- would've matched and possibly surpassed their postseason win total of the last seven years. That tally: One -- definitely the Vikings' loneliest number.
Enter do-everything, but walk around in the Viktor the Viking costume, WR/RB/KR/PR Percy Harvin. Unprompted, former NFL coach/offensive guru Jon Gruden gushed about Harvin in early-April: "The most dynamic offensive player in this draft. With the ball inhis hands, he's downright scary. He's a big reason they're wearingchampionship rings in Gainesville."
What Harvin does or doesn't do this year will go a long way in determining whether Childress stays or goes. In the five practices Harvin has participated in, we've seen him return punts and kicks, catch passes while lined up wide and in the slot, and run the ball out of a conventional backfield and on an end-around. A "Percy Package", which was introduced by Florida coach Urban Meyer, is beginning to develop in camp. Soon enough, it'll marinate with opposing defensive coordinators, which will cause fits.
Recent history says rookie WRs don't produce in year No. 1. In the last decade, only one rookie has reached double digits in touchdowns and only 10 first-year WRs have managed to rack up 50-catches or more. But Harvin with his unique skill-set can be different. One way or another -- returns included -- he needs to touch the ball a minimum of 12-times a game. And Childress/offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will make sure that happens. When it does, he can reach the endzone seven or so times, finish with 45-catches, be the first return man threat in years, and average seven-yards per touch.
QB Sage Rosenfels on Harvin: "The only thing he can't do is throw like a quarterback. He brings a lot of things to the receiver position."
Most importantly, Childress hopes he brings wins. Early prediction: Childress gets his wish. With Denver's Knowshon Moreno and San Francisco's Michael Crabtree not in camp, Harvin will parlay these extra practice days into the offensive rookie of the year award.