Percy Harvin named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Percy Harvin's first catch as an NFL player went for 21 yards and a first down. He scored his first touchdown in the third quarter of Week 1 with the Minnesota Vikings. And he topped his first weekend as a professional, back on Sept. 13, with a 33-yard average for three kickoff returns.

Some of us don't need a degree in dramatic structure to know foreshadowing when it pops open our eyes.

A full regular-season later, Virginia Beach's Harvin emerged Wednesday as The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, two days after he was added as the second rookie to the NFC's Pro Bowl roster.

The former is only right, because the latter is only fair.

Denver's Knowshon Moreno could make a case; he led rookies with nine touchdowns to Harvin's eight.

Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace could pound his chest; he's the only rookie receiver to have 20 catches of 20-plus yards. Harvin had 15.

The New York Giants' Hakeem Nicks could say "Wait a minute. I tied for the rookie lead with 790 receiving yards." Harvin could say, "So did I. By the way, any of you fellas return two kickoffs for touchdowns?"

Crickets.

Collect Harvin's every contribution, all 2,081 yards of it, and it adds up to two obvious conclusions: Harvin wins the rookie award, and the Vikings win the guts award. They're inextricably linked circumstances that helped carry 12-4 Minnesota to the NFC North title and a first-round playoff bye.

Not only did the Vikings take a shot on Harvin at No. 22 in the draft when others passed - Harvin had "character" issues in high school and college, remember - they hired Brett Favre, who made Harvin matter immediately as a receiver.

"I credit my success to him," Harvin told SI.com last month. "Brett has taught me so much. I couldn't have come into a better situation than what I have."

Favre arrived raving about Harvin's talent and football savvy: "Make me look good," he told Harvin on his first day. Harvin complied, and not just by catching 60 balls, which tied Indianapolis' Austin Collie for the most by a rookie.

Playing in 15 of the 16 games, Harvin also gave Favre a first-down safety net and a downfield option the veteran wasn't afraid to employ. Of Harvin's catches, 70 percent gained first downs. Among rookies who caught 40 balls, only the Tennessee Titans' Kenny Britt's 81-percent first-down efficiency was better.

On the Vikings, only No. 1 receiver Sidney Rice caught more deep throws.

Harvin finished fourth in the league in kickoff returns at 27.5 yards per chance, though he had only 14 of his 42 chances in the season's second half.

And until Harvin, no Viking - ever - had run back two kickoffs for touchdowns nor accumulated as many all-purpose yards in one season as his 2,081.

All over the field is where Harvin's promise lay. On the cusp of the postseason, all over is exactly where Harvin, 21, has begun to build a solid reputation and a Pro Bowl resume.

He had occasional struggles with migraine headaches, a long-time burden it turns out. At 5-foot-11 - maybe - and 184 pounds, Harvin endured an early shoulder injury amid the taxing length and intensity of the professional season.

As for the more uncertain elements of Harvin's profile, i.e. that fateful, failed drug test at the scouting combine, perhaps you noticed Harvin's name has been in the news, except for his migraine issues, only for his outstanding play.

Oh, and now for claiming a really impressive honor.

Tom Robinson, 757-446-2518, tom.robinson@pilotonline.com