Monthly archive: October, 2012

Vikings May Not Face Locker

October 2, 2012, by 6 comments

As the Vikings look to move to a 4-1 record, and stay atop the NFC North, their next opponent may be without their starting quarterback.

Titans quarterback Jake Locker hurt his left shoulder last Sunday and reports are surfacing that Locker will not play this coming weekend in Minnesota.  Instead, the 37 year old Matt Hasselbeck is expected to be at the helm of an offense that is being criticized by just about everyone, including their own star running back.

In relief of Locker, Hasselbeck accounted Tennessee’s only two touchdowns last Sunday, but he also committed three turnovers at the hands of Houston’s dominant defense.  Hasselbeck started every Titans game in 2011 but lost the job to the up-and-coming Locker this offseason, which surprised nobody.

What will be a surprise is if Hasselbeck finds enough success against Minnesota this weekend that a quarterback controversy is added to the many controversies currently plaguing the Titans.

Harvin Opens Up

October 1, 2012, by 41 comments

Percy Harvin is enjoying one of his most productive and drama-free seasons of his career thus far, but it was not without a rocky start.

As many of you will remember, Harvin caused a firestorm of reports and speculation when he openly expressed his displeasure with the Vikings organization this offseason and followed up by requesting a trade.  Rick Spielman and Leslie Frazier seemed to quickly placate the star utility receiver, but we never heard for certain what Harvin’s issues were exactly.

Harvin has now opened up, following a game that was essentially won because of his opening kickoff return for a touchdown, and says that his problem stemmed from players not knowing where they fit into Minnesota’s offense.

“I think it was just the identity of our offense,” Harvin said via 1500 ESPN. “Not only me, just guys knowing exactly what the coaches (were) asking of them on a week-to-week basis. Not playing one position one week, and come in and not totally having a grasp on what they’re asking for the next week.

“I think (offensive coordinator Bill) Musgrave has done a great job — I said it all offseason — of putting (Kyle) Rudolph in great situations. We’ve got a package for Jerome (Simpson), which you’ve seen, where we’ll take shots downfield. So everybody knows their role, knows what the coaches expect them to do. Now you can just sit back and try to do it at the highest level you can.”

Harvin is on pace for a 120 catch and 1,200 yard season, not including his contributions on special teams and rushing the ball, which means his pending contract extension is likely to get more and more expensive with every week he stays healthy and production.

Sitting at 3-1 and on top of the NFC North, that is a good problem for the Vikings to have on the horizon.