Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) returns a kickoff for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals to start the game but the play was called back on a penalty by the Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Listen, I was caught abuzz when this news broke that the Vikings were looking to trade Percy Harvin. He’s a dynamic player, a threat to score a touchdown every time he touches the ball and is far too talented to send away at the ripe age of 24 unless of course the Vikings can get a first round pick and then some for him. Think Herschel Walker type deal here.

What I don’t understand is the following… Who on God’s Green Earth is Mike Max? Is this some sort of random reporter at WCCO who’s trying to build a name for himself with sort of hack job on how Harvin blew up on coach Leslie Frazier months ago? What did he add to the story that’s not already Tom Pelissero’s work? It was indeed Pelissero who broke that story weeks ago on this blow-up toward Frazier while also hedging his bet that Harvin’s future with this team was uncertain. I, for one, want to hear something new before being up in arms over Harvin’s future with the team unless it’s from Pelissero or KFAN’s Paul Allen on the team. No disrespect to others (who’s names will not be mentioned), but there just hasn’t been enough credibility established towards breaking news since Jeremy Fowler left the Pioneer Press to follow his true love in the college game.

But what’s still struggling is that we’re still entering a giant abyss here. When there’s Percy Harvin there’s drama. And unless you’re talking to either general manager Rick Spielman or coach Leslie Frazier, both of which will give you canned answers, there’s nothing new to report here. Neither has spoken to the media today, the NFL calendar doesn’t allow free agency to begin until Marcy 12th and you mean to tell me that doesn’t play into when this Mike Max breaks the story? What is known though is both Spielman and Frazier think highly of Harvin as a “football player” and whether that’s to play into a contract extension or leverage his trade value has yet to play out. Then there’s Percy who changes his state of mind more often than other human. Let’s just be patient here while realizing the Vikings continue to move in the right direction with nearly every major issue (including Harvin) kept under lock and key. Favre Watch was draining enough.

Jon Merckle may be followed on Twitter @thevikingpig

Jan 26, 2013, Honolulu, HI, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) poses with the most valuable player trophy after the 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The pillow fight… I mean half-assed hungover game after All-Stars party for a week in Honolulu… Actually the Pro Bowl was played tonight and those who watched saw the NFC defeat the AFC 62-35. In fairness to the players effort, it was a fairly decent game with a good effort put forth for the fans. A total of 7 Vikings made the trip, but none played as well our own tight end Kyle Rudolph who had five catches for 122 yards and a touchdown taking home the Most Valuable Player award. Yes, he was a substitute for Tony Gonzalez at the tight end positions, but who cares? And lets also forget about the fact that the AFC was mostly playing man coverage and Rudolph spent the game feasting on linebackers who were too slow and inexperienced to cover him.

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit was after the game Rudolph was interviewed by ABC’s Michelle Tafoya and was asked on the quarterback play comparing Christian Ponder to the quarterbacks of this game to which he responded, “It was incredible. To play with the guys like Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Russell Wilson; before the game Drew was grabbing me and telling me little adjustments to do on certain routes. To play with those guys is a dream come true and an awesome feeling.” Rudolph then went on to talk about how “awesome” it was to spend time with Peyton Manning over the week. Quite interesting. In no way should that be taken as a shot at Ponder, but it may shed light that Ponder is nowhere close to being considered a top shelf quarterback amongst his teammates and gives Vikings fans a sample of his potential if utilized on a loaded offense.

Jon Merckle may be followed on Twitter @thevikingpig

Nov 11, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Christian Ponder (7) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Lions 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Over last week’s game versus the Green Bay Packers running back Adrian Peterson took one step closer to immortality with a 21 carry, 210 yard performance while quarterback Christian Ponder took several steps backwards with many questioning if he belongs as the quarterback of the future let alone deserving to start right now. Through 12 games Adrian now has 234 carries for 1446 yards averaging giving him a punchers chance of reaching the lofted 2000 yards on a season that has only been achieved five times. Ponder on the other hand struggled mightily going 12/25 for 119 yards. On the season Ponder is 240/384 for 2305 yards equating to 6.0 passing yards per attempt. But no one wants to talk about Ponder. Getting back to Adrian’s shot at history only five times has a running back ran for over 2000 yards in a season. They are as follows…

Eric Dickerson, Rams, 1984: 379 carries, 2105 yards, 5.6 rushing yards per attempt

Barry Sanders, Lions, 1997: 335 carries, 2053 yards, 6.1 rushing yards per attempt

Terrell Davis, Broncos, 1998: 392 carries, 2008 yards, 5.1 rushing yards per attempt

Jamal Lewis, Ravens, 2003: 387 carries, 2066 yards, 5.3 rushing yards per attempt

Chris Johnson, Titans, 2009: 358 carries, 2006 yards, 5.6 rushing yards per attempt

Of those five backs four of them made the playoffs in their extraordinary year. Dickerson’s Rams, Lewis’ Ravens and Sanders’ Lions all lost in a Wild Card game. And of course, Davis’ Broncos went on to win the Super Bowl defeating the Atlanta Falcons (damn that ’98 season). But that’s not where we’re going with this even though it’s really hard to miss out on the playoffs when a team has such a dominant running back who strikes fear into defenses and eats away at time of possession. We went back to look at how their quarterbacks faired and here were the results…

Jeff Kemp, Rams, 1984: 143/284 for 2021 yards, 7.1 passing yards per attempt

Scott Mitchell, Lions, 1997: 293/509 for 3484 yards, 6.8 passing yards per attempt

John Elway, Broncos, 1998: 210/356 for 2806 yards, 7.9 passing yards per attempt

Kyle Boller, Ravens, 2003: 116/224 for 1260 yards, 5.6 passing yards per attempt

Vince Yonng, Titans, 2009: 152/259 for 1879 yards, 7.3 passing yards per attempt

Notice anything? Yep, us too. No running back has ever ran for over 2000 yards in a season while averaging more rushing yards per attempt then their primary quarterback achieved in passing yards per attempt. I know this is a very unscientific study, however it does illustrate Adrian’s supremacy in football and the putrid pathetic pitiful piteous play of Ponder. Has it been close in some circumstances? Absolutely! And I suppose we could point out that the slimmest of margins was Kyle Boller being closest to Lewis and how Boller was reached for in the first round, finished his career with a losing record never being considered a top flight starter anywhere and is out of the league now being married to famous blonde named Carrie Prejean. But you get the point.

EDITORS NOTE: In the comments section someone pointed out we forgot OJ Simpson’s 1973 season. Ironically Simpson did average more yards per carry than in 6.0 than quarterback Joe Ferguson’s 5.7 YPA. My mistake on that one you guys. I guess if there’s a takeaway it’d be the first time in close to 40 years.

Jon Merckle may be followed on Twitter @thevikingpig