The Way We Hear It — draft edition Harvin headlines first round’s five most risky picks 3) ILB Rey Maualuga, USC 4) CB Vontae Davis, Illinois (Jr.) http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2009/wwhi040909.htm
Wow, I was unaware of character issues with Harvin, I knew of the concerns with the others in the top 5 list. I would not want anypart of Harvin in the 1st round before knowing of the character concerns, now, I would completely remove him from my board. Vontae Davis is another I would have absolutely zero interest in. Surprised to see Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nicks listed as a possible character concern on the bottom of the article. Wonder what the deal with those guys?
Percy Harvin was involved in riot basically in high School at Virginia Beach. One of the reasons he ended up at Florida was that many schools backed off due to drug and his affiliations rumors. Florida was the one school that took a chance. He has been rumored to be on the fence at UF for a while now and if the was not so damn productive probably would have been Boatang'ed a couple years ago. Ingram is not much better from what I hear although Ingram seems a bit sharper. Harvin is known as a thug and is not real liked outside of a few select teammates...that is what I hear anyway,and you know where that comes from Joey. That is what I hear anyway...do not take as gospel but it came from folks friendly to UF.
I was aware of the riot in High School but figured he straightened himself out by now... If the info came from the source you mentioned to me than I would not touch him with a 40 foot pole..
IMO theres a difference between immaturity (they are just a bunch of kids) mentioned for guys like Crabtree, Rey and Vontae, and verified failed drug tests/academic suspensions of a Raji or the apparent laundry list that Harvin totes around. Its up to the staff to decide whether some of these guys really are just college wonders or whether they can mature a bit with some age, peer pressure, good coaching etc. Nearing the bottom of the first round, if a guy like Rey or Vontae is still there, I would be very hesitant to pass.
IMO Vontae being called a "diva" is more than just immaturity. But my main reason for not wanting him is that I think he's over-rated. I think he has the measurables but won't be as good of a player many of the other CBs available later. As for Rey, my biggest gripes are that I don't think ILB should be a 1st round position unless you think he's going to be really special. And I have questions about his instincts,(IMO he guesses and just runs downhill too often) and I rate instincts as one of the most important ILB characteristics. IMO there are a host of ILBs available from the 3rd - 6th rounds that are likely to give equivalent production.
By whom? Crabtree is a legit top 5 pick. Malauga and Davis in the late first would be tremendous value. Harvin could have a Devin Hester impact if he stays out of trouble. The thing I found oddest is that Andre Smith wasnt on that list.
I tend to disagree with the Crabtree and Harvin selection on this list. IMO Harvin is a player, no matter where you put him, he is going to perform for you. I think what makes ANY player a risk is the wrong team drafting them, IMO.
How much of a factor is Harvin going to be though if he is constantly getting in trouble? I agree that Harvin is dangerous on the field but I just dont think all his problems are worth a high pick.
They're all overrated as players, not value. Look at Crabtree. How many routes has he ran on the tree? He already has average long speed; if he can't run routes, he can't create separation and then he can't be effective. Maualuga has trouble dropping from what I've seen and has character issues all over the place. Vontae Davis blows many assignments on the football field, is a one hit wonder in run support and is a mouth piece for his team. He's been in the dog house at Illinois and has been deemed "uncoachable." He talks a big game, but he doesn't play one; That remind you of anyone? Think family member. Harvin is dynamic, absolutely is but he hasn't spent a lot of time focusing on one position therefore being raw at WR and he's always injured. He's very cocky, has anger management issues, calls out his teammates and has been involved with drugs apparently. I wouldn't touch any of those players but they're going to go high because of one thing; potential.
Interesting, so Matt Stafford can be filmed engaging in..err...risky...behaviour while intoxicated...nope no character problem there... Anyone notice that save for V. Davis, the postions those players play are not considered "premium" positions? No Qb, No OLB...the players they did list were not marked down due to lack of talent, they are marked down because #1 picks on them would be a poor value, Rey M in the top 10 was "too scary"?
Percy Harvin- When he was on the sidelines of the SEC Championship(that he had to sit out) and Tebow drove UF in for either the tie or go ahead score, every Gator fan in the stadium was out of their seats. Percy didn't move from where he was standing....arms were crossed...and he barely broke more than a smile. This speaks volumes to me! Not the kind of leadership/character/attitude I want from a 1st or 2nd round pick. Stamp him with the cancer tag and remove him from our board.
Harvin was never a favorite of mine.... This video is further proof on why I do not want him anywhere near the Dolphins.... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZuu1xYZOoE"]YouTube - Florida[/ame] Urban looked like he wanted to knock Percy on his A** for that stunt..... When I played football you would never even think of doing something like that to the head coach.... Ever....
Apparently there are many other reasons not to draft Percy...... How do you think Sparano or Parcells would react to a player slapping them on the a**?.......... Meyer did not exactly look all warm and fuzzy afterwards either....
After looking at that Harvin video, I found this one related. Our former safety. A few familiar names in those lineups too. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF2N3He4Vb4"]YouTube - Jarvis Williams- The HIT![/ame]
Percy was alos on the sidelines watching the Alabama offense and he even huddled with the defense on the sideline and he actually figured out what routes Julio Jones would run before the snap. The defense said they would not have been able to shut the Alabama offense down if not for that info. I guess that was not enough for some people. I am honestly shocked by these so called character concerns. Percy did have problems in high school, But he NEVER showed anything like that when he was a Florida. He always showed the willingness to do whatever was needed for the team no matter what it was. This really shocks me alot. I obivously follow Florida Football really close and I am shocked by that article. I have never ever heard about a problem form anyone about Percy which includes alot of people i know in Gainesville.