Now, however, the Vikings are facing the prospect of taking the field Sunday with their top two receivers both on the shelf, a circumstance that would transform a strength into a decided weakness.

We all know more than enough about the problems facing Percy Harvin.  He missed practice all last week due to migraines, then had to sit out the Cincinnati game.  We hoped he’d be better this week, but when the team took the practice field on Thursday…no Percy.

The good news on Harvin is that, on Friday, he was back at practice.  In spite of this, the Vikings’ Friday injury report lists Harvin as questionable.  Obviously, considering the nature of Harvin’s problem, pretty much every week will be a crapshoot as regards his status.

The loss of Harvin vs. Cincinnati was made easier to swallow because we still had Sidney Rice, who has become a 1,000-yard receiver and Pro Bowl candidate a year after nearly attaining bust status.  Unfortunately, Sidney too is experiencing an illness, has missed some practice this week, and is officially questionable for the Carolina game.

If Rice and Harvin are both unable to go, Sunday’s game will become a little reminder of 2008, when Bernard Berrian was our undisputed #1 receiver.  Of course, in ’08, we still had Bobby Wade as the #2.  Should Rice and Harvin sit, Greg Lewis would be our second receiver.

Now would be a good time to send Percy and Sidney any positive healing energies you might have the power to transmit.

Wade first admitted that he was “caught off guard” by his sudden release, then went with the usual spiel about how it’s all a business and everyone understands that.  He then said that, from what he could see, there was no schism or any other kind of division in the Vikings locker room over Brett Favre.

And then it was on to the shots.

“I want to be part of a program that’s about growing,” Wade said when asked why he chose the Chiefs over the other teams that contacted him (reportedly, the Colts and Titans). “I want to be part of a program that’s excelling, that’s not moving backward but moving forward. I wanted to play with a quarterback that’s going to be here for awhile. Matt Cassel is a proven quarterback in this league and this is his opportunity to really shine.”

Translation:  The Vikings are going nowhere with Favre, who is old and washed-up, unlike the Chiefs who have a young, talented quarterback and are on the uptick.

Dear Bobby:  Vikings 1-0, Chiefs 0-1 (without Cassel, I realize).

Bobby then went after Brad Childress‘s conservative offensive philosophy.  “”There are a lot of opportunities…especially in this offense,” he said. “It’s not run, run, run, run, run. This is an opportunity to have a balanced attack.”

Bobby’s right about the Chiefs.  They stink in the running game and the passing game.  Very balanced.

By the way, if he thinks he’s going to catch more than the 58 balls he caught last year in the Vikings’ “unbalanced” offense…well, he’s just off his nut.

Wade joins a Chiefs receiving corps that drops off considerably after the #1 guy, Dwayne Bowe.  He gives them a decent little slot receiver with okay hands and a little shiftiness but not a whole lot of explosive downfield potential.

He can also be used as a return man, if you don’t mind the occasional muff.

Wade was of course dumped in somewhat controversial fashion by the Vikings.  He was originally slated to be cut, but agreed to restructure his contract, taking half his original $3 million salary for the year.  Less than a week later, the Vikes reneged on the deal, kicking Wade to the curb and replacing him with Greg Lewis.

There is as yet no proof to back up many people’s belief that Brett Favre played a direct role in Wade’s release.