Speilman: Build thru the draft?

[PurpleKoolaid]

Another thing to consider is, why would any high profile FA sign with us, esp. a WR, unless they got huge money? It wouldnt be because of Ponder, nor AD. We have nothing to offer, other then maybe AD gets close to 2k yards again. But I doubt that thrills many receivers. Money is going to have to talk. Or Spielman is so secure in his job he thinks he has 4-5 years to build a team from scratch. which is stupid considering we were 10-6. And AD will be past his prime then.

[mosscarter]

victor cruz? he is no bigger than wright as far as size, at least make some sense when posting. what possible good would cruz do us? we need a bona fide number 1 receiver and at this point it will only come through the draft.

[losperros]

Another thing to consider is, why would any high profile FA sign with us, esp. a WR, unless they got huge money? It wouldnt be because of Ponder, nor AD. We have nothing to offer, other then maybe AD gets close to 2k yards again. But I doubt that thrills many receivers. Money is going to have to talk. Or Spielman is so secure in his job he thinks he has 4-5 years to build a team from scratch. which is stupid considering we were 10-6. And AD will be past his prime then.

I've noticed you point out more than once the possibility that AD could be past his prime by the time the Vikings become a complete team again. It's a valid concern and something I don't want to even think about. I really, really hope it doesn't happen that way. I want AD to get a Super Bowl ring and I want it to be with the Vikings.

I also think it's possible that a top tier WR will definitely think twice before signing with the Vikings. Ponder hasn't proven himself yet, the offense is a run first system, plus the WR corps is in disarray. So, yeah, Zygi will have to hand over some big bucks to a free agent receiver.

[The Breeze]

Now that is spot on Why did they not sign, Cassel, Matt Fynn, Mario Williams, Robert Meachum, David Boston, Jeff Garcia, Hayensworth, Jake Delhomme, (yes even Tebow), Assomwah (sp), and the list goes on for ever. Yes, it is true there are some really good free agents that become available but there are also lots and lots of high priced "busts". One teams trash often times is another teams perceived treasure. How is that working out for the Eagles and all of their high priced players they brought in
This has been and will continue to be Spielman's THREE YEAR rebuild plan mainly through the draft and resigning players that are familiar and fit into the system. I am sure we Viking fans are not much different from the rest of the NFL fans but it seems as though we want immediate gratification and will not settle for less. I like the idea of having 2 first round picks and 9 others. Look back at last years draft. Kalil was a no brainer but Harrison Smith is the bomb. I would love to get more young studs through the draft and build the team that way than bring in some older high priced players that could just as easily flop as not.

Don't forget Blair Walsh...without him we may have been 8-8.

[Purple bruise]

Another thing to consider is, why would any high profile FA sign with us, esp. a WR, unless they got huge money? It wouldnt be because of Ponder, nor AD. We have nothing to offer, other then maybe AD gets close to 2k yards again. But I doubt that thrills many receivers. Money is going to have to talk. Or Spielman is so secure in his job he thinks he has 4-5 years to build a team from scratch. which is stupid considering we were 10-6. And AD will be past his prime then.

I imagine that Spielman feels fairly secure, or at least should, as he has a three year plan and in his first full year as the GM the team went 10-6 and made the play-offs from dismal 3-13 record.
Yeah, why was it that, according to your jaded logic, the #1 free agent receiver, Mike Wallace signed with the Dolphins because of their great record and quarterback. Yep why would anyone want to play for the Vikings anyway

[losperros]

victor cruz? he is no bigger than wright as far as size, at least make some sense when posting. what possible good would cruz do us? we need a bona fide number 1 receiver and at this point it will only come through the draft.

I don't know who you're addressing this post to, but Victor Cruz is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. He's big enough.

Cruz also has 2628 receiving yards and 19 TDs in the past two seasons. That's probably why some people would love to see Cruz become a Viking WR. So would I.

If there is any chance that Spielman can lure Cruz in, then I hope Zygi opens his wallet and gets the guy signed.

[mondry]

Don't forget Blair Walsh...without him we may have been 8-8.

Yeah blair Wal$h was huge! I'm happy we have 10 picks, including 2 first rounders to find some more upgrades / gems!

[Reignman]

... and the year before that and the year before that...

Ha, you're both right, but it's not like the fans don't have a right to complain? We've won how many Lombardi's?

I imagine that Spielman feels fairly secure, or at least should, as he has a three year plan and in his first full year as the GM the team went 10-6 and made the play-offs from dismal 3-13 record.
Yeah, why was it that, according to your jaded logic, the #1 free agent receiver, Mike Wallace signed with the Dolphins because of their great record and quarterback. Yep why would anyone want to play for the Vikings anyway

The Dolphins threw a ton of money at him, so you missed his 2nd point where he said ...

But I doubt that thrills many receivers. Money is going to have to talk.

[Mothman]

Maybe there really was nothing the Vikings could do about Harvin. That said, I'm still not certain I completely understand how much of Harvin's complaints were ego motivated or maybe even valid. Here's what I know:

1) Both Harvin and Frazier are now on public record confirming that they talked to each other every day leading up to the trade, plus they have deep respect for each other. I am taking them at their word and therefore don't believe there was much, if any, friction between them. BTW, Kevin Williams said that if Harvin and Frazier had a shouting match after a game, then it happened behind closed doors because it never happened in the locker room.
2) Harvin has said he didn't like the way the team (re: Musgrave) ran the offense, particularly the passing game. I don't fully disagree with him.
3) Harvin did make a comment that might slam Ponder in a left-handed way regarding preparation. I'm not sure what to make of that.

None of this answers anything but it takes two to tango, so I really wonder if Harvin is really solely at fault here.

We'll probably never know. You're correct that it takes two to tango and for one reason or another, Spielman clearly felt the team would be better off in the long run if they traded Harvin. If it wasn't truly necessary, it may have been a big mistake. There are certainly justifications I can imagine for Spielman to trade Harvin that had nothing to do with Percy's attitude. For example, perhaps Spielman just didn't think paying a player with Harvin's skill set top 5 receiver money was a smart move. The media explanations for these things can't always be trusted so maybe Harvin didn't really force a trade but I find it hard to believe he didn't give Spielman very strong motivation to trade him simply because trading him runs counter to the core philosophy we seem to be getting from Spielman, which seems overwhelmingly in favor of keeping productive young players at the end of the their rookie contracts, rather than getting rid of them.

I guess at this point it doesn't matter since he's gone. Whatever led to the move, it's unfortunate that things came to that.

For what it's worth, I think the reported shouting match Harvin had with Frazier was during a practice, not after a game, but that detail isn't really important.

I agree with you about Winfield's case but that doesn't mean I like it. Keep in mind that as a fan I've just seen my two favorite current Vikings players get dumped from the team. It's difficult to be Mr. Spock logical about it.

LOL! I know what you mean. I'm very disappointed about Winfield. I would have liked to see him retire as a Viking.

Yes, that's what I'm saying too. I also am concerned about how this could impact both Christian Ponder's QB growth and Leslie Frazier's standing as a HC if next season goes awry.

That's a very legitimate concern and believe me, although I'm trying hard to give Spielman the benefit of the doubt here, it's not easy because whatever his plan is, it isn't readily apparent. In the end, I hope that turns out to be a good thing and that he'll pleasantly surprise us.

[Mothman]

I've noticed you point out more than once the possibility that AD could be past his prime by the time the Vikings become a complete team again. It's a valid concern and something I don't want to even think about. I really, really hope it doesn't happen that way. I want AD to get a Super Bowl ring and I want it to be with the Vikings.

I also think it's possible that a top tier WR will definitely think twice before signing with the Vikings. Ponder hasn't proven himself yet, the offense is a run first system, plus the WR corps is in disarray. So, yeah, Zygi will have to hand over some big bucks to a free agent receiver.

On the other hand, with AD in the backfield, a WR might see more single safety deep looks than he would playing for any other team.

[headless_norseman]

Yeah blair Wal$h was huge! I'm happy we have 10 picks, including 2 first rounders to find some more upgrades / gems!

Every mention I saw about the middle round pick we get next year for Harvin I assumed was a contingent forth or fith. But it's a THIRD!

....

[losperros]

On the other hand, with AD in the backfield, a WR might see more single safety deep looks than he would playing for any other team.

Then again, I wouldn't mind at all if opposing Ds had their safeties exclusively cover our WRs instead of worry about AD. I'll bet AD would agree!

[Demi]

... and the year before that and the year before that...

A couple more before that's and you run into the time we signed the biggest name free agent wide receiver off of a division rival. How'd that work out?

The top teams build through the draft. How many signings did the 49ers make on their way here? They didn't. They drafted, they suffered, and they finally had a good young team with solid chemistry. Even if that meant putting up with a questionable first round QB well past when they should have until they found a replacement they felt could do the job. Packers don't make many signings. Fans rallied against them! Favre went ballistic! Shortly after that they win their next super bowl.

[clones2]

I think some of you need to back and take a look at the last several years of drafts with what the vikes have done with their round 4-7 picks.

http://www.vikings.com/team/history/all ... rafts.html

How many of these guys do you know from 2011????

4. ..... CHRISTIAN BALLARD (106), DL, Iowa
5. ..... BRANDON BURTON (139), CB, Utah
6. ..... DEMARCUS LOVE (168), OL, Arkansas
6. ..... MISTRAL RAYMOND (170), DB, South Flordia
6. ..... BRANDON FUSCO (172), OL, Slippery Rock
6. ..... ROSS HOMAN (200), LB, Ohio State
7. ..... D'AUNDRE REED (215), DL, Arizona
7. ..... STEPHEN BURTON (236), WR, West Texas A&M

What a great year with all those picks huh???? Mostly the same from the other years as well. Take a look at the WR's and QB's theyve selected if you want a better laugh.

"Build through the draft"... Building "WHAT" exactly?????

[The Breeze]

someone hasn't been paying attention