House Spielman built takes shape

[PurpleJarl]

Just out of curiosity. How much would Childs need to contribute for him not to be seen as a bust. Obviously the ceiling and expectations are much lower for a forth rounder vs a first.


I figure if he can have one really productive season before a possible re-injury or be a dependable 3rd or 4th for a long time I would see it as a resounding success.

[Eli]

There was nothing automatic about either pick. They weren't required to draft a kicker. They still had to assess the talent available and make a decision.

The Vikings had 38 year old Ryan Longwell moldering on the roster in a year in which they unceremoniously gutted the team of older, has-been and never-was players. The overwhelming consensus among scouts was that this was the best draft for kickers in at least ten years. I guarantee you that they had long ago decided to get one of the top three kickers on the board.

[Mothman]

The Vikings had 38 year old Ryan Longwell moldering on the roster in a year in which they unceremoniously gutted the team of older, has-been and never-was players. The overwhelming consensus among scouts was that this was the best draft for kickers in at least ten years. I guarantee you that they had long ago decided to get one of the top three kickers on the board.

That's not really the point. The point is they made the decision so they get credit for making it. They didn't have to to address their kicking issues by drafting a kicker or by drafting one of those 3 kickers. There was nothing automatic about it. It was their choice.

[Eli]

Yes, it was the point. Nobody put a gun to anyone's head, but it was as automatic as any pick the Vikings organization has ever made.

[Mothman]

Yes, it was the point. Nobody put a gun to anyone's head, but it was as automatic as any pick the Vikings organization has ever made.

LOL! Was drafting Walsh the only option with that pick or the only way to replace Longwell? Everything other conceivable choice automatically off the table?

I get that you're saying the option to choose between those 3 kickers was off the table but that doesn't make the choice automatic. It's ridiculous to say Spielman didn't make the pick, the Rams and Texans made it for him. He absolutely made the pick and he had plenty of other options available to him. He chose Walsh. He deserves credit for making a good choice. It's that simple.

[Eli]

Spielman could also choose to come to work in short shorts and a halter top, but he doesn't. Good move, Rick. Let's see if we can repeat this tomorrow. You're on your way.

[Mothman]

Spielman could also choose to come to work in short shorts and a halter top, but he doesn't. Good move, Rick. Let's see if we can repeat this tomorrow. You're on your way.

I get it. You're not sold on Spielman but for Pete's sake, give the guy credit for the good decisions he's made. If they aren't enough to convince you he'll keep making them, that's understandable but you're just trying to diminish choices that worked out great for the team this year. They needed a kicker, they identified a kicker they liked, drafted him and he was excellent. They needed a left tackle, they chose a good one and he had an excellent season. They needed a safety and... you get the idea. These are examples of a GM doing exactly what he's paid to do. That should be encouraging.

[Eli]

I'm not diminishing the choices. They worked out great. I'm trying to temper the gushing over Spielman's genius in making them. I'll certainly grant him Harrison Smith. Great pick, and it was obvious how bad they wanted him by giving up another player to move up.

Let's see how he does picking 23rd in the draft. Things get a lot less obvious down there.

[Mothman]

I'm not diminishing the choices. They worked out great. I'm trying to temper the gushing over Spielman's genius in making them. I'll certainly grant him Harrison Smith. Great pick, and it was obvious how bad they wanted him by giving up another player to move up.

Let's see how he does picking 23rd in the draft. Things get a lot less obvious down there.

I agree. He'll definitely be facing a tougher challenge in this draft.

[Mothman]

Soielman has a lot of big decisions to make:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Peli ... 011013?t=2

[Just Me]

I'm not diminishing the choices. They worked out great. I'm trying to temper the gushing over Spielman's genius in making them. I'll certainly grant him Harrison Smith. Great pick, and it was obvious how bad they wanted him by giving up another player to move up.

Let's see how he does picking 23rd in the draft. Things get a lot less obvious down there.

Smith was #29 - So I'd say he's 1 for 1 in that area so far. Will he bat 1.000 or .500 is the question? (I'm hoping for the former).

[CalVike]

LOL! Was drafting Walsh the only option with that pick or the only way to replace Longwell? Everything other conceivable choice automatically off the table?

I get that you're saying the option to choose between those 3 kickers was off the table but that doesn't make the choice automatic. It's ridiculous to say Spielman didn't make the pick, the Rams and Texans made it for him. He absolutely made the pick and he had plenty of other options available to him. He chose Walsh. He deserves credit for making a good choice. It's that simple.

I'm sorry, Eli, but I really think drafting a kicker from GA who was 21-35 in his senior year and fixing his mechanics to make him 35-38 or whatever it was in his rookie year with the NFL record on 50 yarders is pretty impressive. MANY teams go the free agent route on kickers and Longwell was not a free agent and due significant money in 2012. It was NOT an obvious no brainer to do what they did. Win: Spielman. The Vikings took significant criticism on this board for spending a draft pick on Walsh. Please give credit where credit is due.

[losperros]

I agree. He'll definitely be facing a tougher challenge in this draft.

And I agree as well.

OTOH, I'm not so sure that picking at 23rd is all that bad if one looks at what the Vikings need. For example, for this draft anyway, there are some good WRs that wouldn't be a stretch to take at that point. In fact, the 23rd spot is one of the reasons why I think the Vikings might go with a WR in R1.

Maybe not as urgent as a the WR need but something to keep in mind is that there are several impressive OL and DL players that should be there for the 23rd pick too.

I think the Vikings staff scouts well. They should be able to get a quality player in R1, regardless when they pick.

[jackal]

I was really jazzed about Child's too.. hopefully he can make a full recovery, and be a stud for us at some point..

[saint33]

Not giving spielman credit for Walsh is ridiculous. Walsh wasn't exactly the consensus 3rd kicker, or even a guaranteed draft pick. His senior season was horrible and it really hurt him, it spielman saw something in him he could fix.

He drafted walsh, period. Anytime you draft a player who is all pro in his rookie season, you deserve the credit he's awarded. If not, what is he ever going to get credit for? If he drafts a hof safety in the 6th round, are you going to say he should have drafted him earlier to prove he really wanted him, or that his hand was forced because he was the best safety left on the board?