At any given time, there are nine players on the baseball diamond, five on the basketball court and eleven on the football field. Each sport has designated positions for its players. In baseball, you have three outfielders, first through third base, a pitcher and a catcher. In basketball, you have your point and shooting guards, your small and power forwards and your center. In football, depending on your offense or defense and your respective coordinators, you also have certain players for set positions.

That has changed lately as traditional lines have been blurred. We are officially in the era of the hybrid athlete. Expect that to continue to change.

These days, players are more athletic, more dynamic, yet it might just work to their detriment. I bring this up because after a spectacular rookie season, Percy Harvin was not voted onto the Pro Bowl roster. He only made it after DeSean Jackson was moved to wide receiver. Go ahead, call me a homer for defending a Florida Gator. I’ve been called worse. But Harvin was as vital to the Minnesota Vikings surge this year as any other offensive player including Brett Favre. That’s right, I said it.

As a rookie, Harvin caught a ball in every game this season. He tallied nearly 800 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Does that make him a wide receiver? Yes. He also averaged nine yards a carry (and no fumbles) on a team that featured the best running back in the game. Does that make him a running back? Sure. He also has 42 kick returns for 1156 yards and two touchdowns. Does that make him a special teams threat? Damn right. So, other than a freak of nature, what is he?

This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2010.