"If x equals y and y equals x, then what is x divided by y? And why isn't 103 yards plus 7 points the right algorithm to convince Vikings coaches that Percy Harvin should return every kick regardless of his offensive responsibilities?

After all, next to Adrian Peterson, Harvin is Minnesota's most electrifying playmaker, someone with four kickoff returns for touchdowns, which no other Viking has accomplished in the 51-year history of the franchise. He is a threat to break off huge gains whenever he has the ball in open space and create mismatches with his speed.

Yet the determining factor for Harvin dropping back to receive is whether he should be protected during the change of possession so he can be targeted downfield in the passing game.

That philosophy, plus the randomness of San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding suffering a season-ending knee injury during Harvin's 103-yard, game-opening return Sunday, conspired to limit him to one return opportunity against the Chargers. "