New Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin says that as soon as word broke that he was being traded from Minnesota to Seattle, quarterback Russell Wilson contacted him to schedule offseason workouts.
“Russell was texting me from the moment that this thing was put together, Russell was already texting me things that we’re going to do this offseason, we’re set to go to California and work already,” Harvin said at his introductory press conference in Seattle today.
Harvin thanked the Vikings and their fans for the time he spent in Minnesota, and he mentioned multiple times how much he loved playing with Brett Favre. But he acknowledged there were “situations that I won’t get into” that caused problems with the Vikings. Those “situations” may have included Harvin’s frustration with quarterback Christian Ponder, whom Harvin reportedly complained about repeatedly.
Whatever issues came up in Minnesota, there’s little doubt that he’s happy to have his days as a Viking behind him.
“Becoming a Seahawk, it’s a big relief. I’m very grateful for this opportunity I’ve been given,” Harvin said. “This thing is just so awesome on so many levels.”
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell have already talked about the role Harvin will have, which will include lining up at wide receiver, lining up at running back, and returning kicks. Bevell previously coached Harvin in Minnesota and told Carroll he believes the Seahawks can make unique use of Harvin’s talents.
“He is such a threat as a wide receiver who can run and catch the football as well as anybody,” Carroll said. “He’s just a gifted ballplayer.”
Carroll said that when he was the coach at USC, he tried hard to recruit Harvin out of high school. Unfortunately for Carroll, Harvin’s mother said she didn’t want Percy that far from her home in Virginia.
“He really was the No. 1 player in America when we were recruiting him, and I think Mom just said, ‘We’re not letting him go that far from home,’” Carroll said.
That recruitment was seven years ago. Now Carroll finally has his man.