Favre: Harvin “The Real Deal”
Posted by mikewobschall on November 12, 2009 – 6:53 amThe Vikings ability to execute an efficient and productive passing attack in 2009 is the function of several factors coming together simultaneously – a sound running game, good pass protection, the emergence of WR Sidney Rice, etc.
But, ultimately, the bookends behind the Vikings productive passing game this season have been 2 players who are in contrasting stages of their careers. QB Brett Favre, the NFL’s 2nd-rated passer, is a 19-year veteran. And his most electric target is Percy Harvin, the Vikings most recent 1st round pick.
Through the first 8 games of 2009, Harvin has been one of Favre’s most reliable targets. He’s 2nd on the team in receptions with 28 and he also leads the team and is 6th in the NFL in 3rd down receptions with 15. In fact, 60% of Harvin’s receptions and 1 of his 3 receiving TDs have come on 3rd down.
The difference in their experience level set aside, it’s clear Favre and Harvin have developed a rapport.
“Well, if you play long enough you get to a point where you don’t see, ‘rookie,’ (or) ’14-year veteran.’ You don’t see those. You just see ‘player,’” Favre said. “It doesn’t take long to figure out Percy Harvin can play. It didn’t take me long.”
While speaking with reporters at Winter Park on Wednesday, Favre said he had heard about Harvin before he signed with the Vikings. But once he joined the Vikings and saw the dynamic playmaker in person, Favre knew Harvin was a special player.
“Once I got a chance to see him in person, it didn’t take long to say, ‘This guy’s pretty good.’ I told him from day one, ‘Hey, you’re not a rookie. Don’t play like it. Don’t buy into that, ‘he’s going to make rookie mistakes,’ because I don’t. I don’t buy into it.’”
In addition to speed, elusiveness and ability to break tackles, Favre pointed out that Harvin has a “sixth sense’ as well, and all of those traits coming together are what have allowed Harvin to be this impactful.
Favre even pointed to players such as Harvin as reasons why his interception total this year is lower. He cited the 51-yard TD pass he had to Harvin at Lambeau Field as an example.
“The decision to throw the ball down the middle to Percy last week against Green Bay was not the best of decisions,” Favre acknowledged. “It was good initially, but I was kind of late throwing it down there. I thought when I let it go that I was going to allow the safeties (to close on the ball), which I did. It’s just kind of freaky how it turned out. Percy made me look good and turned what could have been a bad decision into a great play.
“It’s been outstanding efforts from all of our guys, but Percy is the real deal.”
Tags: Brett Favre, Percy Harvin
Posted in All, Mike Wobschall | 20 Comments »
By Ann on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
How many QB’s tell the press that their receivers make them look good? You’ve got to love this guy. A hall of fame quarterback that gives all the credit to all the other players on offense. The rest of the league can learn alot from Brett.
By Bobbie Jo Walker on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
I agree Percy Harvin is the “REAL” Deal…he is exciting to watch and you can tell he puts his heart and soul into the game. Favre and Harvin have a good connection and that helps win football games.
By optimisticskeptic on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
That’s funny, my coworkers and I were just arguing about how Favre makes Rice and Harvin look better than they are (v our playmakers making Favre look better), and that play was one of the main discussion points. I can’t wait to tell them that Favre agrees with me! Ha ha. I’m lovin’ Harvin right now, he’s made some catches that most receivers in the league won’t. His hands and toughness getting to the ball are as dangerous as his feet!
By Fogman on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Can you say ROOKIE OF THE YEAR? Enough said…
By wiscvikingfan on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Great article and it was a video worth watching. Brett has the Passion for the game and wants to win. If he can’t accomplish nothing if he doesn’t work with his receivers. It seems that the whole receiving core has gotten behind Brett and are learning and wanting to be better players. I hope that goes for TJ, too. TJ can learn a lot from Brett and I think he can be a great franchise QB for the Vikings in the near future. Brett can mold all his receiver into great players, but TJ will have to have the same mentality and approach that Brett has to continue having winning seasons when Brett’s gone.
By Fogman on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
TJ, a franchise QB for the Vikings….?? I thought we tried that one before….What, is this TJ’s 4th year? He is just not that good and I don’t think he will ever be a “franchise QB”. He has all the physical talents, but mentally he can not compete with Favre’s Brees’, Mannings’, Bradys’, etc….He just cannot improvise and read defenses. He has been given chances and more chances. He is at best a backup. The Vikes need to look elsewhere after Favre if they want to continue the winning ways.
By david tanton on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Harvin is fast and has an extra gear it seems. I haven’t seen him dropa ball and he plays offense and special teams—this takes stamina. He is rookie of the year!!!! The Vikings need to continue drafting players of his calibre in all positions.
By david tanton on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
At this pointof the season it seems the run defence ( despite a great year from Greenway) needs to be able to completely shut down the other team. I also feel there have been too many times when there hasn’t been a hole for A.P.. This is not all attributed to the fact that the other teams are playing run all the way because the Vikings have a strong passing game. When you need to grind out a long drive, it is necessary to get first downs on 2 or 3 consecutive running plays even if the other team guesses run you have to be a team that can run it anyway!!??!!
By Elle on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
This is a perfect example of the high level of character Brett Favre has, and why he excells as a leader.
By Skyler on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Brett Favre is such a humble player for giving the credit to the rest of the offense. You gotta love the way Brett plays the game, with passion. The man’s a true Hall of Famer.
By Trombles on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Frogman, TJ may be a franchise player, just not very likely. With the exception of Manning who has been unreal since day one, Bree’s and Brady took a couple of years before they became ‘good’ by NFL standards. That being said, I hope Favre comes back next year!
By SkolVikings on Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Concerning TJ…. I would like to see the defense solidify the secondary pass game so we can have some more comfortable leads. I don’t pretend to be a huge TJ fan, but, on the same token, in the limited work ive seen him do this season, he’s looking sharper. I like Favre’s character and work ethic, but there’s always a chance he’ll go down and I’d prefer to have TJ a little sharper. Also, if the D can keep the point spreads, we can rest Favre a bit for down the stretch.
By rap99 on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
OH MY GOD!!!!! are there still viking fans that stupid! TJ sucks, no if,ands or buts. this guy is not an NFL QB! how many times do we have to go through this! after seeing a real QB (FAVRE), and how he plays, and what he does, you really want to go back to TJ? i’m tired of having to say a rosary to see a completed pass!!!!!!!!!!! TJ can not read a defense, or look off defenders, or audible at the line,and he locks in on his receivers. TJ just does not have IT. if favre leaves next season, and we go back to TJ it will be the same s-h-i-t as the last few seasons. after living 5+ years without a real QB, we viking fans forgot what a QB could do, do not fall back into accepting poor play from our QB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST SAY NO TO TJ (and drugs)!
By FAVREWARDS on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
FAVRE AND HARVIN THE PERFECT DUO!!
By FAVREWARD'S on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
PETERSON & FAMILLY!!!
By Fogman on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Treble….TJ has not shown progress and what would the Vikes record be WITHOUT #4 Magic-man???? 4-4? 5-3 at best….How many chances is he going to get? He does not have the smarts to be an NFL QB. It took Aikman, Brady, Manning, Brees, Montana, Young, etc…about 3 years. What more can you do??
By Fogman on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Good post rap99, but the language is not necessary man. Kids read this…SKOL Vikes
By rap99 on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
FOGMAN, sorry, but i did post “say no to drugs”
By BERRIAN'S DA MAN on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
I hope Berrian gets his hammy healthy because they will need his experience to make a Super Bowl run, and he’s been so reliable in past years, how bad do people think he is needed? Hammy’s are tough to recover from, but don’t you think he helps open the field for Harvin and Rice even if he just takes the safety deep to open up the middle. I know everyone is on Harvin’s bandwagon but don’t forget we need Berrian healthy to win the Super Bowl, any thoughts about him?
By GJ on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
When the game is big, and the stakes are high, let Percy loose. He lives for this.Super Bowl bound. This is meant to be. Just examine his past