Harvin has ‘nothing to say’ about rumors

Percy Harvin had “nothing to say” about rumors he is unhappy with the Vikings again and that the team may be looking to trade him.

Amid reports that the Vikings are looking to trade receiver Percy Harvin and a denial by general manager Rick Spielman, the subject of all the speculation – Harvin himself – declined to elaborate.

Harvin was tracked down at his home in Florida by St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter Brian Murphy, who was covering the Twins’ spring training in Florida. Harvin didn’t want to talk about a potential trade.

“I got nothing to say about any of that,” Harvin told the Pioneer Press before entering his house and closing the door.

Last week, Spielman tried to shoot down a report from WCCO radio and television that said the Vikings were looking to trade Harvin.

“We have no intent of trading Percy Harvin. Percy Harvin is under contract and we expect him, just like all of our players under contract, to be here,” Spielman said in a roundtable session with reporters Friday in advance of the NFL Scouting Combine. “He is a very good football player, but he knows what he does for our football team.”

Harvin led the Vikings last year with 62 catches for 677 yards and was their leading kickoff returner, averaging 35.9 yards on 16 returns.

However, his season ended early. He was placed on injured reserve after suffering ligament damage in his left ankle. He didn’t play in the final seven games of the season and did his rehabilitation in Florida instead of staying with Vikings trainers in Minnesota. He hadn’t spoken publicly with reporters since being placed on injured reserve.

Reports have also indicated Harvin is considering holding out if he doesn’t have a contract extension before training camp starts in late July. Harvin is in the final year of his rookie deal and scheduled to make $2.9 million.

A report last Friday said that Harvin was unhappy with the Vikings offense, but he was the league’s leading receiver through the first half of the season. Spielman expressed confidence in offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave.

“I know Bill Musgrave does a great job I think trying to get Percy the ball in his hands,” Spielman said. “But I’ll leave that between the coaches and Percy. That’s something that’s between coach and Percy.”

Harvin did say during the season that he was concerned earlier in 2012 with receivers knowing their role in the offense, but he said that had been cleared up.

Spielman cautioned last week that people shouldn’t believe all the reports.

“I know there’s a lot of sources, there’s a lot of rumor. There’s so much stuff flying out there this time of year that comes from everywhere,” Spielman said. “… I would just say don’t believe all the half-truths or the rumors or the no-truths that are out there because there is so much stuff that flies around.”

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Tim Yotter is the publisher of Viking Update. Follow Viking Update on Twitter and discuss this topic on our message boards. To become a subscriber to the Viking Update web site or magazine, click here.

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