The Minnesota Vikings have been silent all offseason to answering their needs during free agency. On top of that, the Vikings scratched 78 names off of their potential draft picks before the draft and thus narrowing the field even more. As such, many who became spoiled by Minnesota’s ‘09 offseason spending spree were deflated by the lack of activity from the Vikings this offseason.

Lone and behold, the Vikings make a bold move in the NFL Draft by selecting Percy Harvin #22 overall. A move that is considered very uncharacteristic of Head Coach Brad Childress and company. Even more so was the fact that it was a day-of-decision.

Harvin possesses the great ability to take it the distance every time from several positions on the field. He has natural hands and a certain quickness that negates his mediocre 4.41 forty-yard dash he did at the combine. Besides coming with great achievements of being on two national championship teams and much more.

He has great versatility to play around the offense due to Florida moving him around due to depth issues. As such, Harvin has played both runningback and wide out with exceptional numbers. In 2008 he rushed for 660 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught for 644 yards and 7 touchdowns.

With that said, the question the Vikings now face is how to use young Harvin in their offense with Adrian Peterson and Bernard Berrian? Will the Wildcat be born in Minnesota next to #28? Will the Vikings put Chester Taylor, Percy Harvin and AP in the backfield? Will they set up a reverse? The possibilities go on and on.

How does this involve Brad Childress you might wonder?

Coach Childress is known for his conservative views and plays which has gotten him labeled as a “softy” by many Viking fans and critics. He is now entering the fourth year of his five year contract with the Vikings, managing a very talented roster. The problem is his results aren’t exactly yeilding what they expected. He’s getting good enough results to keep him, but poor enough to keep people unhappy. But with Harvin, that may change.

By adding more possible plays and formations, Childress’ playbook becomes a lot less conservitive and much more dangerous. Especailly if the Vikings get a big name QB for this squad, then Berrian and Harvin may become the next big recieving threat in the NFL.

When you think about it, picking Harvin on it’s own got Childress to walk out of his comfort zone and grab a big name out there rather then playing it close to the vest for a pick that was safe such as offensive line.

Childress will need to make 2009 count, more then ever on the eve of his final year of his five year contract. If he wishes to not only get an extension, but simply live out his remaining contract, he needs to risk big in order to take a shot at winning big.

Many veiw that’s the case with grabbing Harvin and pursuing the likes of Brett Favre. Childress knows with the talent he already has, this is his shot (or two) to lead the purple to their first Super Bowl championship.