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Souhan: Logical to assume Spielman has to produce a winner to keep his jobThe Vikings have been patient with lack of playoff success over GM Rick Spielman's 12 years. But how long will that last?When Spielman traded for Bradford last summer, he indicated that he believes the current roster can win big. He also might have been thinking, consciously or subconsciously, that he must win big soon to keep his job.
I agree with Spielman. He has built a strong roster, and he should be trying to win big, soon.
But if after a dozen years Spielman has one playoff victory to show for his efforts, the Wilfs will have to question whether Spielman’s efforts have yielded enough results.
I’m not necessarily advocating the firing of Spielman, even if the Vikings falter this year. There is downside risk to every firing. There is great risk that his replacement will turn the Vikings into the 49ers or Jets.
But the Wilfs have achieved almost all of their goals save one. They have learned how to operate an NFL franchise. They have produced playoff teams. They have landed a publicly financed stadium that is the envy of the NFL and is guaranteed to make them wealthier.
All that remains is winning a Super Bowl. A second straight disappointing season this deep in Spielman’s tenure likely would be viewed as problematic for ambitious owners, especially as the Super Bowl comes to town.
http://www.startribune.com/souhan-it-s-l...443096093/
I like Spielman. He's a fairly exciting GM. That said, I don't disagree with the sentiment of the article. His leash has to be getting shorter and shorter...
Quote: @Clanzomaelan said:
I like Spielman. He's a fairly exciting GM. That said, I don't disagree with the sentiment of the article. His leash has to be getting shorter and shorter...
Well said...Whatever metaphor you want to use, the heats-up and scrutiny is increasing...A dozen years is a long time for 1 playoff victory. To F'ing many.
I don't have a huge problem with the way Spielman has done things. 1 playoff win is the reality, but does the perspective change if Blair Walsh makes a chip shot field goal and we beat Seattle? Where are we last year if Teddy doesn't blow his knee up a week before the season starts?
I think Rick has put this team in position to be a contender, but things have been derailed by freak circumstances.
This year is a potential turning point with AP gone, Norv gone, Kalil gone, and a new offensive line. If the arrow points up and the team shows potential, he should be fine without a playoff win. If the arrow points down and they have a 4 to 6 win season, he will likely be gone also.
I have concerns with the slot corner position on defense and the right tackle on offense. I also worry a bit about the offensive scheme. If those three issues turn out fine, I expect the Vikings to have a good season and push for the division title.
I won't mince words. It would be absolute lunacy to fire Spielman. Any objective evaluation of this roster says the talent in there. Again, I think Zimmer is the one on the hot seat. If he can't turn what is clearly one of the best young rosters in the NFL into a winner, that's on him.
All depends on the season and how it unfolds. If they have a losing record it's realistic to see them both gone IMO..
Wouldn't make that assumption. It's an assumption about Wilf, basically, that doesn't bear up under scrutiny. Wilf has shown extreme loyalty and faith in RS and has stated he wants to model his franchise on that of the Giants. One hallmark of that franchise is they hire front office execs and basically leave them there a long time. The concept is that as long as you are drafting reasonably well and hiring decent people, success will eventually arrive. I think it would take more than one bad year in a row to get Wilf thinking about relieving RS. The organization looks at last year as an aberration though personally I think the faith in Zimmer is unwarranted at this point, as he made so many mistakes last year and the big question mark remains, did he learn from any of it?
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
I won't mince words. It would be absolute lunacy to fire Spielman. Any objective evaluation of this roster says the talent in there. Again, I think Zimmer is the one on the hot seat. If he can't turn what is clearly one of the best young rosters in the NFL into a winner, that's on him.
Greetings on a beautiful day in Denver... Hopefully you're getting out and enjoying it!
Question... If we put up another stinker, and they keep RS... Is Zimmer toast (let's assume no wild stories of losing the locker room, no rumors of overworking the team and causing injuries)?
I'm with you on the fact that Zim may be feeling more heat than RS at this point.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
I won't mince words. It would be absolute lunacy to fire Spielman. Any objective evaluation of this roster says the talent in there. Again, I think Zimmer is the one on the hot seat. If he can't turn what is clearly one of the best young rosters in the NFL into a winner, that's on him.
Well said.
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