Purple bruise wrote:
Geez do you really think that Manning MIGHT have wanted to come and play for a 3-13 team with the really great wideouts that the Vikes have and the wonderful o-line which would have protected him so well?
Maybe getting to play with AD would have made it worth while, oh wait, seems as if AD was rehabing from a horific knee injury and there was much uncertainty as to whether or not AD would come back and regain his previous form.
Shoot, I bet Spielmen's tunnel vision really screwed them from getting Manning.
Apparently, unlike you and many others, I believe that Spielman is doing a great job all around especially since this is the first year that he is in controll. He put together a great draft and filled in many of the glaring weaknesses on the team. I did not expect him to fix everything in one year but it seems that many did. As far as Ponder goes, I think that this year will decide Ponder's future or maybe he is being patient enough to see what Ponder can do with more experience, better receivers and better line protection. News flash... a lot of really good QB's did not develop for a couple of years (you have seen the list so I won't repeat it).
Spielmen's career is always on the line just as any GM's is and the bottum line is how the team is playing and progressing overall. If Ponder fails and is not replaced then that will all be on Spielmen. You think that he might realize that just a little or is it too much tunnel vision on his part?
I was respectful to you in my response and would appreciate the same in return. I don't know what other interactions you are having on the board, but as far as I'm concerned I have no problem with you and would like it to stay that way.
In regards to your points:
How do you know what Manning was looking for or what he might do unless you contact him and express interest? Maybe Manning wanted to continue playing inside in December, for example. Just because something is unlikely, and I admit Manning coming to the Vikings would have been unlikely, doesn't mean it's impossible. Spielman could have explored it, and in my view there was little harm in that.
As far as playing with AD goes, Manning could have found out through his own means if AD looked likely to return and be effective. Besides, it wasn't as if Manning had no questions around his recovery, either.
In regards to your tunnel vision comment, the only question there is was this alternative considered? If the answer is no, then yeah, Spielman made up his mind that they were going with Ponder and that was it. And the concern going forward if that is the case is that Spielman will continue to make decisions like that.
I didn't expect Spielman to fix everything in one draft, and he did do a good job with that so far, but it's just one draft where he had the #3 pick in the first round and the 3rd pick of the 2nd to work with. One would hope Spielman succeeds in that situation. On the other hand, we have the $5 million contract handed to John Carlson and the failure to do anything at the WR position in FA, in addition to other questionable moves made when Spielman and Frazier had equal say (trading a 6th rounder for McNabb, signing Ayodele, once again failing to address the WR position) so I'd say the jury is still out as to how effective Spielman will ultimately be.
And as for Ponder developing, how long do you think he should get? Another year? Another two? Until the Vikings can stand back and say they've got the stud WR and offensive line? The way I see it, it doesn't matter that they don't have those things because they have AD and AD forces teams to play run every time he's on the field. Ponder is getting defensive looks that are as favorable to an NFL QB as he'll ever see bar none. Even with "better" WR's and a better offensive line, without a guy producing like AD is producing defenses will shift to emphasize the pass.
I'd say the odds of the Vikings finding this mysterious #1 stud WR and completely addressing their offensive line deficiencies before AD is in decline are about the same as Manning deciding to come to Minny. If that is true, how much longer should Ponder get? Where would you draw that line?
Cutler playing with the Vike's o-line and receivers would be a joke. He played like crap last night almost throwing 2 pick 6's and you could say that he lost the game for the Bears. Yeah Marshall saved his #### and he put up good passing numbers but that was all about Marshall. Any QB would put up numbers like that if they had a young Randy Moss, a Calvin Johnson or a Brandon Marshall. 
I would like to have Fitz on the Vikes but not at that cost. And yet you criticize the Vikings for not making better trades but this is one of your ideas 