The Art of Football GMing by Rick Spielman

This is actually what I think is happening. Very well summarized by the author. Spielman, himself has been burned one too many times so keep the cards close and "pull a Patriots" and make any deal that much better.  I like that attitude. No "sexy" splashes but solid deals that will build a dynasty.

Interesting times...

On one hand I can't complain as a fan at making the playoff's 2 of the past 3 seasons and getting to the NFCCG this past year with QB2 and RB2. 

OTOH, I see the NFC as really stacked with Philly, Rams, Saints, Vikings and even GB with Rogers all strong contenders next season. 

Can't stand still, gotta get the QB right...40 years of not getting back to the big game is forever. Dont F it up RS. 

I think the Vikings are going to make a big move. Outside of QB, the team already has a championship-caliber roster. They just need something to remove all doubt. Something that makes them either dominant on defense or takes them to the next level on offense. Or maybe both. 

Team is so close they can taste it. The cap space is there. I don't see them being passive this offseason. Maybe that means going all in on Cousins. Maybe that means breaking the bank for Richardson. 

@"MaroonBells" said: I think the Vikings are going to make a big move. Outside of QB, the team already has a championship-caliber roster. They just need something to remove all doubt. Something that makes them either dominant on defense or takes them to the next level on offense. Or maybe both. 

Team is so close they can taste it. The cap space is there. I don't see them being passive this offseason. Maybe that means going all in on Cousins. Maybe that means breaking the bank for Richardson. 

Can I dream for both lol! 

The recent success has bought Spielman a bit of a reprieve (from me).

But he was the one who decided to have Shaun Hill as his backup in 2016 and then did not trust him to play when Teddy unfortunately went down.

Trading away a 1st and a 4th was a terrible move and the results have proved that out.

If Hill was not good enough then he should not have been the backup.

If Case was the backup in 2016 would he do the same trade?

The Patriots lost Brady in 2008 they did not panic and trade away 1st round picks for an oft injured QB on his 2nd team who was already willing to move him.  They played Matt Cassel all season.

He also panicked and drafted Ponder in the 1st round of 2011.  That was a 2nd round pick at best.

So, is he playing the rest of the GMs or are they playing him?

Seems like Howie Roseman played him.

I hope that he gets it right but I am afraid that he will pick one of the current 3 and HOPE that they are good enough.

I think what happened with Bridgewater was a freak thing, but yah - if you dont believe Hill can back-up for a season if necessary than dont have him on the roster.  Packers found out how important it is to have a decent back-up @ QB too.  Not only did trader Rick panic on Ponder, it sure looks like they did the same thing at WR with Treadwell.  

That said, the team is close to SB and RS deserve credit for that. But as we know, close yesterday doesnt guarantee future success. 

Sam had a decent year he started, but there were plenty of other
problems with the team that season.  I thought the trade looked
reasonable until we found out Sam would miss the entire season last year.  I don't
put that on RS at all.  More like typical Viking bad luck.

I agree RS most likely whiffed on Treadwell, but there aren't any guarantees.  It happens to every team.   He also made great low cost additions with Thielen and Diggs, so that does even it out a bit.

Spielman isn't perfect by far.  No doubt we have had some busts, but it can be argued we have more talent on the field than any team in the NFL.  The trade for Bradford was done in by the collapse of our o-line injuries.  He still broke an NFL record for QB completion %.  Even it was a dink and dunk season, that is a record to be proud of with all the pressure he was facing every down.

@"Buddah" said: Spielman isn't perfect by far.  No doubt we have had some busts, but it can be argued we have more talent on the field than any team in the NFL.  The trade for Bradford was done in by the collapse of our o-line injuries.  He still broke an NFL record for QB completion %.  Even it was a dink and dunk season, that is a record to be proud of with all the pressure he was facing every down.

I'm not sure we have more talent than anyone, but it's good talent. Defensive ineptitude in the CG aside, QB hurt us again. 73 QBR in the playoff's finally caught up to the team. The Vikings wont take the next step (imo) until QB is solidified and improved.  A familiar chant among the franchises fans. 

"I'd look back and think 'Don't be dead, Sam.' " tells me all I need to know about that season, and Bradpool survived that bombardment for a whole year. We are on the cusp, I'm actually more and more against a Cousins-level trade to keep the machine running and improving.  We have 3 excellent character guys who can at any time shine... just a matter of who shines most.  How many teams can say that?  

Of course that being said, I think we're a little OL depth from that next level.  QB is not what I'm worried about. Baltimore won a ring with Trent (Mike is never in the same room at the same time) Dilfer based on a very similar defensive schema.  A decent QB not having a "horseshoe" to rely on but just consistent performance would handle that.  Love Case, but I'm no longer sure we can rely on that much luck. Luck peters out in the late playoffs rather consistently.