The so-called Kick-Butt Offense got a Kick in the Butt

"The most dynamic offensive player in this draft. With the ball in his hands, he's downright scary. He's a big reason they're wearing championship rings in Gainesville."
Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden on Vikings WR Percy Harvin
The NFL Network set was unanimous in their opinion - the Vikings hit a home run with the #22 pick in Saturday's draft. I feel the same way. Now, the hope lies with Childress that he can figure out how to properly use Harvin.

Below is my blog entry from a week ago, prior to the news coming out that Childress personally went to Gainesville to visit with Harvin. Clearly, that conversation went well. Thankfully!

"I know it's a kick-ass offense when it's executed properly. It's been done with all different levels of people and personnel."
Brad Childress, Vikings Head Coach, Dec. 2006

A former co-worker of mine has a saying, "You're either on something or onto something." Childress, entering his fourth season, is on something with the above quote. In 2008, his team finished 25th in passing and failed to score at least 21 points in nine games. The year previous, Chilly's kick-ass offense finished 28th in throwing the ball. There's a reason why they went hard after free-agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who eventually signed with Seattle. The offense needs a kick in the ass!

It's hard to know with the triangle of authority (Childress, Rick Spielman, and Rob Brzezinski) who exactly is calling the shots, but let's not kid ourselves - Childress has plenty of power. His power rivals any coach in the league except for New England's Bill Belichick.

That's why I'm frightened as an observer with a vested interest based on what local draft expert Shawn Zobel told me on Saturday. Zobel, of draftheadquarters.com, spends more time breaking down a prospect's bubble butt than he does looking at the bubble butts of women. This college freshman knows his stuff. He has many acquaintances associated with the league, from his time spent at the Senior Bowl and the scouting combine, thus has good sources.

Zobel, from one of his trusted informants, hears that Childress isn't fond of Florida's Percy Harvin. He hears that a majority of the coaches want Harvin - if he's there when they select #22 in the first round next weekend - but Childress prefers to go with Arizona's Eben Britton.

That's where Harvin fits in.

His NFL comparision is New Orleans' Reggie Bush or Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, the latter from an excitement standpoint. Harvin is lightning fast and strong. He can catch and run, a trait that's extremely beneficial in Chilly's West Coast Offense. He can also line up in the backfield which would create nightmares for opposing teams. In his Florida career, he rushed for 13 touchdowns and had an average of 9.55 yards per carry.

He never returned a punt or kick while in Gainesville, but there is an expectation that his skills also translate to that area. An area in which the Vikings also need all sorts of help.

Harvin isn't without flaws. He reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the combine. Additionally, he reportedly scored just a 12 out of 50 on the Wonderlic test. It is alarming that he knew a test was coming in February and failed it anyway. That's why he's an option late in the first round. On talent alone, he would be a top-15 pick.

I don't buy the talk of Florida receivers not translating well to the NFL. Those examples played under Steve Spurrier and Ron Zook. Harvin played for Urban Meyer. It was a completely different system.

They can find a starting right tackle later in the draft. Zobel, and others, say this draft is deep at that position.