February 14th, 2010 
Adam Warwas 
Posted in Star Tribune reporter Judd Zulgad caught up with Rick Spielman, the Vikings Vice President of Player Personnel, at the Vikings annual Artic Blast event.
First, it would be a mistake not to mention that the Artic Blast event is an annual fundraiser for the Vikings Children’s Fund and a great time for all. If you have a passion for snowmobiles (or snow machines for the Alaskans reading this… Fran) and are in the area, this would be a great event to put on your annual calendar.
Spielman was unusually forthcoming when discussing the offseason plans of the Vikings. Some of this could be smokescreen, but something tells me that what Spielman is saying is not too far from the truth.
QUARTERBACKS
Spielman echoed what many members of the Vikings organization already have said in regards to Favre’s decision making process.
“I think you go ahead and let Brett decide what he wants to do,” Spielman said. “I know the organization, from our ownership, from our coaches and I think from our fans out there, we’d love to have Brett Favre back for another year and see if we can make another run at this.”
It is strange that the Vikings seem to all agree that Favre has “earned” the right to avoid OTAs and Training Camp after only one season with the team. He spent over a decade with the Packers and they did not seem to think he had earned that right. However, his absence in last year’s training camp did not seem to have a negative impact on the season.
They seem content to wait as long as it takes for his decision, and I don’t blame them.
Spielman also said that awaiting a decision from Favre will have no impact on how the Vikings approach the quarterback position in the offseason.
“I know from an organizational standpoint, everybody would love to have Brett Favre back. But I don’t think that will influence what we’re going to do at the quarterback position either.”
The team has already met to discuss the free agency class, which will open on March 5th.
“We are in the process of all our meetings,” Spielman said, “so we’ll evaluate any potential trades out there, we’ll look and see if there’s anyone who gets cut, we’ll look and see what we have and re-evaluate where we are at with Sage and T-Jack. We’ll also evaluate this draft very closely. If there is a young, talented quarterback out there. I don’t think we’ll see Sam Bradford, I don’t know about Clausen. We’re going to be looking at Tebow, McCoy, all those top quarterbacks. And if any of those guys have the potential to come in and help us then we’ll definitely look at that in the draft as well.”
BRYANT MCKINNIE
Spielman did not downplay the disappointment within the organization in regards to Bryant McKinnie’s recent actions that got him kicked out of the Pro Bowl.
“I know from an organizational standpoint it should be – and these guys up here, these players that have played in Pro Bowls, the great players of the past – to get an honor to go play in the Pro Bowl is something that’s unique and something that should be cherished. It’s a privilege and honor to go there and play in a game like that and I know from an organizational standpoint that we were disappointed as well as a lot of our fans were how things turned out.”
It will be interesting to see how deep that disappointment runs, and whether or not the Vikings have had enough of McKinnie’s bi-annual disappointments.
CHESTER TAYLOR
It sounds like Chester Taylor will at least receive an offer from the Vikings prior to March 5th.
“That’s one thing that we’re in the process of discussing right now. Chester Taylor brings so much to this football team. He’s like the unsung hero of the offense. You hear about Sidney Rice and Shank and Percy Harvin and Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson. But what Chester Taylor does for this football team – not only on the field but off the field –he may be, as we look and we evaluate all the free agents out there, one of the top free-agent backs coming out. Especially in that role he plays in third down, it’s so valuable for us.”
It is possible that Taylor initially rejects an offer from the Vikings to test free agency. If Taylor sees no significant offers from other teams, then he could potentially opt to re-sign with the Vikings even if it is after March 5th.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
The Vikings apparently want to re-sign their unrestricted free agents.
“What our goal is and our intention is going into this is to sign Chester Taylor back, to sign Benny Sapp back, to sign Greg Lewis. He made a couple of big plays for us this year. If we can keep our own guys and try to get those guys back and then have another good draft, then I think we’ll be where we want to be.”
This makes sense. As a top-four team the Vikings will have very limited options when it comes to pursuing unrestricted free agents. As a 12-4 football team, getting back all the starters and many of your impact reserves is a great way to start an offseason. This would essentially free up the Vikings to take the best player available to them in the draft, regardless of their position, or to address future needs with very few immediate holes needing to be filled.
I find it interesting that Spielman went out of his way to praise Lewis for his big plays, as a reader recently said the same exact thing in the comments section. And who says us fans don’t know what we’re talking about?
PAT WILLIAMS
As I recently stated, all indications are that Pat Williams will return for another season.
“We are so early in the offseason yet, but we are anticipating all of our players being back. Now Pat had injured his elbow toward the season of the season, missed a [game], but played very well in the Dallas game. He played excellent in the New Orleans game. So right now as far as we know Pat Williams is going to be back and be a Minnesota Viking next year.”
Again, avoiding retirements for one more year (Pat Williams and Brett Favre) would go a long ways towards the Vikings being able to make another run at the Super Bowl next year. Getting all of the starters back, getting players healthy, and adding another solid class of rookies would make for another great season of football.
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Sounds like a whole bunch of atta boy coach speak to Freds.
But it’s that time of year. For a team that makes the final four, one hopes they don’t have to make a ton of moves.
Many mocks show Clausen slipping, would you take him at our #1?
Freds, things should get pretty interesting with the rules that are in place. Clausen would be hard to pass up if he’s still on the board.
Easy there, Mr. Smoots. Nothing wrong with a little coach-speak from time to time. Keeps everything in its place until the time is right. I realize you were not always enthralled with the wisdom of your coaches, but it has its place in the general order of things.
I say I am 99% positive that Clausen doesn’t fall out of the top 10… 75% positive he doesn’t fall out of the top 5.
I give it a 30% chance the rams take him #1 overall.
This coming from a guy who has Tebow going in the first round? Humpf….
When they drafted John Sullivan out of Notre Dame, I remember them being excited about his experience in Notre Dame’s pro style/West Coast offense, and noting their offense has a lot of similarities. Given that was a center, I’d imagine the QB might really perk their interest if he slid (not to #30 most likely, but slid to the point they could trade up without giving up their entire draft and/or next year’s draft).
But who knows? I know Childress doesn’t necessarily make the draft picks, but I think he has to be on board. And I think he likes more athletic QBs. I have no idea how they evaluate a quarterback, though.
I’ve noticed that insider opinion on Clausen seems to be more lukewarm than his production (which is outstanding) would maybe suggest. So maybe he will slide. It happens sometimes. And while sometimes those guys turn into Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers, sometimes the buyer beware indicators were accurate and the guy ends up becoming Brady Quinn or Brian Brohm. Who knows?
It’d be nice, but I don’t see Clausen slipping.
I noted that even Spielman refers to our #2 as T-Jack. Huh. Well, we know Spielman holds a good hand, and if he’s going to bet on the River or the Turn, that remains to be seen. Like you said, Adam, there is not a lot of wiggle room for this team until draft day. I really like hearing how highly he values Chester. As I stated before, lets stand pat at RB.
Did Spielman actually say T-Jax was the number two QB? I’ve never heard that. If Vike give T-Jax the number 2 tender that would suggest there is no clear number 2. From previous comments and relationships (Dolphin) Spielman has been the Sage booster.
Nevertheless, discussing even possibility of drafting a QB if Favre re-upped is revealing. Can’t never accuse Spielman of being deceptive or overly guarded in his roster comments. He’s a press favorite…which should be read as a liability in a GM
Lost – I referenced TJack as the #2 simply on the basis that he was in that role the entire season. As to where he is on the classified depth chart, I don’t think that has ever been stated. Just my assumption from the season.
freds…….interesting point about Clausen “falling” to #30……I’ve always been a little jealous of teams like the Steelers getting a better player in the bottom 10 than we did in the top 15…….but I think I’m likin’ the bottom pick…..instead of having 5 or 6 quality players to choose from at the top, it seems like 4 of your top 5 picks get whittled away (OL, CB, S, DL, RB, whatever) and one of them falls to you, making the choice a little easier…but only a little!
I’ve read Clausen has all the physical tools and smarts, but his leadership skills have been questioned……still can’t imagine him falling to #30…..think Spielman and Childress would pass on 1st yr QB this yr…..they’ll take the highest rated OL or DL at #30, IMO
pass on 1st “round” QB this year…..
Buds -
Don’t assume….you know what they say about assume don’t you?
Come on now, you’re losing your edge coach.
Freds thinks that strategically they should let Chester go. We need a little flexibility to bring in a free agent at a position of more need, corner, offensive line and linebacker come to mind.
Chester is a luxury not a need.
I agree on Chester, Freds…
So, when I assumed the picture of the young lady you posted the other day was a memoir from an ill-advised boat trip of several years ago, I may have been wrong? OK, I shall sharpen my edge.
So, we are left to agree to disagree on Chester. That’s not so bad I guess. But I know we agree that OL is near the top of the “need to upgrade” list. Go get ‘em, Rick!
Buds -
That was Brian Macinnies gal.
Krugs –
Your probably right, they would pass on Clausen. I think they’d be nuts to do so. Fred would grab him up at 30. The thing Freds likes is the improvement Clausen has shown in the past couple years. I don’t know that this guy will be a star, but I do think he will be very good in the coming years.
I think the Vikes will be in the bottom 6 to 8 in their draft selection position for the next hand full of years, with that, they will not see a high end QB prospect in the draft. They can only hope someone falls or they give away a bunch of picks to move up. If they believe Sage can lead this team, they may choose to do nothing. If they think TJax is their guy. Welcome to 10-6 and a first round loss for the next decade.
QB is important enough that Freds doesn’t care if the Vikes give away the farm to get a good QB. We need it.
freds…..couldn’t agree more on QB, Brett was/is a 2 yr fix, but BC has yet to find his QB of the future…..Spielman mentioning Tebow and McCoy sounds like “decoy” to me, and maybe Canfield or Skelton in rds 3-5 is there targeted “piece of clay”, while Sage plays out his contract…..and I still say TJ gets “moved” at some point!
GO VIKES!!!!!
Krug, I agree 100% with You and Freds, The QB position is too important not to address this year, And Freds hit the nail on saying 10-6 and 1st round loss (Against the Eagles the year before) for the next 10 years…
I would hope that Favre makes the decision to come back and makes it soon.
For the sake of the team’s ability to start working/evaluating players now (Both in the draft, free agency and possible trades) and also and maybe more importunately, so Favre can start an off season program to get his 40 year old body ready for the season.
If we are set at QB it would make things a lot easier to go after a CB (The biggest need in my opinion if Griffin is slow to heal and Winfield continues to age.)
I think I would rather see us go after our second biggest need, QB, later in the draft, say the 2nd or 3rd round. On the other hand, if Clausen or Bradford are there at #30, it would be hard to pass on them.
I love Chester but he does seem to be a bit of a luxury at this point. AD is getting better at his blocking and receiving skills and if the opportunity comes up to trade Chester for a need, either thru a draft pick or trade, I’d hate to see him go but go he must.
I think Pat Williams has another good year left, especially if we use him sparingly like we did this last year.
McKinney, get rid of his slimy ass.
And yep, it’s “snow machines” up here in Alaska and getting pretty close to riding time for me. . .
The time has come and gone to trade Chester… that isn’t going to happen.
A 6th or 7th round compensatory pick could be had if he is allowed to walk, however.
coffee’s starting to kick in…..the part of me that says we pass on Clausen, if there, is the fact that Brad has his extension and bought himself a yr or two to “find” a QB…..another thought….AD/fumbles and PH/migrains = sign CT
TRADE BMAC!!!!! (difficult, but doable) is doable a word?
Fran, I couldnt agree more. But we need a good enough pick for Bmac to land one of the top tackles in the draft. And their still called snowmobiles around here.
Agreed… getting a pick from the Raiders, Bills, Seahawks, or Niners would be acceptable…
Perhaps a first rounder and a late pick too?
The guy isn’t a BAD LT. He’s just a BAD person and I’ve never cared for him. I’d rather see us switch Loadholt over and look to the draft for our future LT.
If we have to stay with the Mcgangsta’, I’m ok with that too but he’s the only player on the team I wouldn’t mind seeing “pancaked” a couple of times a season. . .
All this talk about Chester being a luxury. Psshaw.
krug nailed it, AD fumbles and Harvin migraines: suddenly THOSE two are the luxuries and Taylor is the workhorse running back. He’s servicable as the number one RB, and knows this offense.
I’m with Coach, I want Taylor back.
Doable is a word, I believe. Like saying “the picture of the corpulent woman Freds posted shows a woman who is not very doable.”
Tomb,Agreed 100% on Not very doable… Yuck!!!
Tombs….well done, Freds grade school used that example many times while your old pal was in school. Doable is a word.
When it is put that way, Chester is much more reliable than the other two… Makes ya lean toward keeping Chester…
Chester was a butterfingers as a starter, as well. He’s just as liable to put the ball on the ground as anybody else.
Honestly, I would love to see the Vikes draft either a big bruiser or a guy with blazing speed.
Adam, Adam, Adam… there can be no doubt that the most likely player on the Viking roster to put the ball on the ground is clearly AP. You lost yourself there for a minute, sir. Do not minimize the turnover factor with AP. It contributed to two VERY big losses this year. The fact of the matter is, there are times when Chester is a more effective runner than AP. Now, the reasons for that are arguable, but I say we not lose sight of his value to this team. Most successful teams have a #2 runner who is not that far from the #1 guy.
Agreed Grant… but the other facts are that AP will be the #1 regardless of who is at #2, and therefore his fumbles NEED to be fixed int he offseason and are a compeltly seperate issue than who #2 will be. The fumble problem is dependant on AP and his coaches working hard this offseason.
There are times when Chester is more effective, but those times are running out due to his age. Letting him leave and getting a 6th round compensatory pick is fine by me… as there are numerous running backs taken in late rounds or even undrafted that turn out to be very good starting-quality backs at half the price and half the investment.
Look at Pierre Thomas as the latest example of an undrafted RB who helped lead his team to get a ring.
I’m not meaning to minimize AP’s fumbles, but rather minimize the importance of the runningback position all together. Running is important, but right now these guys are a dime a dozen.
Mr. Tombinator, I shall now respond to your expanse of the English language by asking you if, perchance, Mr. Spielman was trying to obnubilate the true position of the organiziation on some of these players and issues?
Depending entirely on the audience at hand, your question strikes me as either rhetorical or didactic in nature. A man in Mr. Spielman’s position will always seek to obfuscate that facts. To paint him and those in the same position as him around the league as clandestinely shielding their true intents with assertations that may be to the contrary is really an allegory of the quasi-ecumenical push the demanding and capricious public has fomented, even unknowingly demanded. He really is nothing more than a doppelganger of his predecessors and peers, who are in turn a product of an evolution of enhanced and perpetual media. Wouldn’t you concur?
Very Nice!
to think an hour ago I was writing “doable”!
Nothing worse than two drunk bloggers trying to use goods english.
I ain’t ne’er had much use fer book lernin’s.
Geez, and I was so proud of my new word…
I have no choice but to concur. I got nothin.
If it’s somehow any consolation, I still think farts are funny.
Yet another reason to keep Favre on the payroll. The guy LOVES to fart and his favorite trick is still having folks pull his finger. Percy falls for it everytime.
HOLY SH**!! Maybe I just stumbled on the reason for those migraines!
Nope, not much consolation, but I do need to tell you that to about 90% of the US population, your 1:29 told them absolutely nothing. It is something to either be proud of or ashamed of, not sure which.
However, it did tell me how hard you must work, and the adjustments you have to make, to blog with us normal folks. I think I speak for all of us when I say thanks for your efforts on our behalf.
There’s a little bit of floccinaucinihilipilification going on here.
Hey CC good to see ya. What the heck does that word mean? Sorry you didnt make the Hall of Fame.
Yeah, cc, along with no small amount of bull sh**!
I believe it is worth noting that Tomb misspelled “pashaw” earlier in the day here. The poor man struggles with the English language, but he’s still a keeper!!
Imagine my chagrin, Coach!
I’ll do 50 burpees as an act of contrition.
I will render that an acceptable expression of remorse and compensation for said action, Tomb. (Damn, I gotta quit talkin’ like that!!)
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