May 20, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin (11) participates in organized team activities at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
We all knew it was coming. With the Vikings travelling to Seattle to play against their former star wide receiver Percy Harvin, the fans and media would be all over the comparisons to their first round draft pick, Coradarrelle Patterson.
Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kick during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns defeated the Vikings 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
It is far too early in Patterson’s career to compare their careers. Harvin has had numerous season of both success and frustration with injuries. Patterson is likely to get his first NFL start at wide receiver on Sunday, while Harvin has accumulated 45 games played over four years with Minnesota.
It also isn’t a fair comparison to judge them based on their performance so far this year. Patterson has been eased into play as a wide receiver while making a splash as a kickoff return man. Meanwhile, Harvin has struggled with his health, dealing with a hip injury that has held him out of action until this week.
So, without being able to use either of these factors to judge these players, it will all start with the Vikings vs Seahawks game on Sunday. Even then, the one game between these two teams won’t even begin to the the story of the careers of these two dynamic players. They should both have excellent careers, but sadly they won’t be able to avoid comparisons to each other for as long as they both play.