While others may have backed off the former University of Florida star because of a failed drug test prior to the February scouting combine, Childress flew to Harvin's home three days before the draft.

Harvin's 30.7-yard average and two touchdowns on kickoff returns and a rookie-best five touchdowns have rewarded the Vikings coach's personal evaluation and helped key Minnesota's 7-1 start.

"I felt I had to go get to know Percy, see where he came from," Childress said during his team's bye week. "I got to visit with him, his mom and dad. Grandma was over in a recliner. His sister, his little niece and their shitzu dog were in the living room.

"I had the shitzu on my left knee and the little girl on my right knee. I just said, 'This remind you of college recruiting?' "

Childress did his share of recruiting as an Illinois, Northern Arizona, Utah and Wisconsin assistant from 1978-1998.

"They all nodded, 'Yeah,' " Childress said.

"I said, 'Well, there's one big difference — I'm doing the choosing.' "

Childress says Harvin's parents moved to Minneapolis as a support system for the playmaker, who entered the league in the substance-abuse program, meaning he was subject to random testing for at least 90 days.

"I rode in Percy's car over to Gainesville and we went up and saw (Gators coach) Urban Meyer," Childress said. "Urban was painfully honest.

"The kid knew he was going to come in and be in the substance-abuse program. I told him what that entailed.

"I told his parents … You're going to make an investment like that, you want to know what you're getting."

What Childress got was a motivated slot receiver for quarterback Brett Favre.

Tied for third with 15 third-down receptions, Harvin was the first teammate Favre met upon his Aug. 18 arrival as a Viking. Said Childress, "Brett says, 'Hey, Percy, Brett Favre, nice to meet you — Make me look good.' "

Harvin has done that with 21 of 28 catches going for first downs.

"He's a good kid," Childress said. "Percy and (third-year receiver) Sidney Rice have struck a great friendship. Brett has done a great job mentoring those guys."

Entering the second to last season of his 2006 deal, Childress took two of this season's biggest gambles, drafting Harvin and convincing Favre to unretire for a 19th season.

"I'm not aware of anything that's happening," Childress said. "You do this for 30 years, there's different teams that stick with you.

"Brett stood in front of the team his third week and said, 'It will all be about the chemistry and how we come together. I've played on good teams. This team is talented enough.'

"This is a fun group, an array of characters and personalities really neat to be around."

Reaction Jackson: Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson torched New York Giants safety C.C. Brown on a 54-yard touchdown en route to a 40-17 runaway Sunday, then, busted a move on coach Andy Reid.

Jackson gave his burly coach a twirling, chest bump on the Lincoln Financial Field sideline. Reid, the former BYU offensive lineman nicknamed "Big Red" even caught a little air.

"That was definitely a cool thing," Jackson said. "As long as we're handling our business, Andy lets us be loose."

Why not? Jackson has six touchdowns of 50 or more yards, two shy of the record set by Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch's for the 1951 Los Angeles Rams and Devin Hester with the 2007 Chicago Bears.

Jackson has added incentive. He dedicated this season to his father, Bill Jackson, who died of pancreatic cancer in May.

"I'm just trying to do the best I can to make him proud," the 49th pick in the 2008 draft said. "I go out on the field before every game and just pray. I just think he's still around."

Jackson's NFC East-leading 5-2 team gets a big test Sunday night against the 5-2 Dallas Cowboys.

"We're ready to go out there and take what's ours," Jackson said.

Enlarge By Scott Boehm, Getty Images Vikings rookie Percy Harvin has scored five TDs throught the team's 7-1 start.