The Vikes lost a lot of close games last year, and they have a lot of talent, but were abysmal where they lacked talent. Some very wise moves and this team is a playoff contender again.

As for this year’s #3 overall pick, the Vikings could do worse than Kalil, or one of the other top Tackles. If they find the right trading partner they can trade down with and stay in the top 10.

That said, If RG3 is still on the board at #3, and they pass on him or trade out of that spot, it could end up haunting this franchise. If Ponder doesn’t pan out, and RG3 is as good as advertised, Spielman will never live that down, and will never get another GM job in the NFL.

Ponder showed promise last year, but at this point, I’m not even sure he’s the best QB on the team. Joe Webb outplayed Ponder the last month of the season, not just with his legs, but with his arm as well.

Thanks in advance………….

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I’ll take the misfortunate pick of Mandarich over the historical hornswoggling the dummies in MN suffered in the Hershel Walker trade. Dimwitted idiots!
……
…..you are STILL at at it huh??? Absolutely pathetic.

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I’ll take the misfortunate pick of Mandarich over the historical hornswoggling the dummies in MN suffered in the Hershel Walker trade. Dimwitted idiots!

2000 – 3rd – C. Samuels Wash
2001 – 2nd – L. Davis – Arz
2002 – 4th – M. Williams – Buff
2004 – 1st – R. Gallery – Oak
2006 – 4th – D. Ferguson – NYJ
2007 – 3rd – J. Thomas – Clev
2007 – 5th – L. Brown – Arz
2008 – 8th – J. Long – Mia
2009 – 2nd – J. Smith – St L
2010 – 4th – T. Williams – Wash

What jumps out at me about this list is that drafting a bust is a fairly likely scenario. Also, look how most of those teams still suck.

Now look at top 5 QB picks since 2000

2001 – 1st – M. Vick – Atl
2002 – 1st – D. Carr – Hous
2002 – 3rd – J. Harrington – Det
2003 – 1st – C. Palmer – Cinn
2004 – 1st – E. Manning – NYG
2004 – 4th – P. Rivers – SD
2005 – 1st – A. Smith – SF
2006 – 3rd – V Young – Tenn
2007 – 1st – J. Russell – Oak
2008 – 3rd – M. Ryan – Atl
2009 – 1st – M. Stafford – Det
2009 – 5th – M Sanchez – NYJ
2010 – 1st – S. Bradford – St L
2011 – 1st – C. Newton – Car

This lists has a bunch of busts as well, but notice some of the QBs completely turned bad teams into playoff teams (Vick, Palmer, Manning, Rivers, Young, Ryan, Stafford, Sanchez)

I’m not saying that each of those QBs deserves all the credit for turning a bottom dweller into a playoff team – but I think it’s pretty clear that if you have a shot a franchise QB you take it.

Almost all the top teams have great QBs but many top teams don’t even have particularly good LTs (Pitt, Balt, GB, NYG, Indy in 2010, Philly in most of their good years). All those teams had very good QBs none had a top 10 LT.

The top teams that do have a good LT didn’t get them high in the draft as a rule (NO – Bushrod 4th round, NE – Matt Light 2nd round).

As well, teams have made many huge mistakes taking LTs high in the draft (Buff – M. Williams, Oak – Gallery, Arz – Levi Brown – I could go on).

Teams that land star QBs with a top pick almost invariably become top teams. Teams that land star LTs often don’t manage much success (Mia – Long, Clev – Joe Thomas).

LT is the most overrated position in football.

The Vikings made a big mistake reaching for Ponder last year. Now they are going to compound that error by not trading up to get RG3. Trading away Ponder for say a 2nd rounder and using that pick to chase the LT position is far more likely to lead to good results.

That’s what you get when get a nimrod like Spielman who rates IQ as the most important stat for a QB. That’s what he loves about Ponder. Anyone who has ever listened to Dan Marino (13 on the Wonderlic), Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Montana, or many other greats – knows that many top QBs aren’t exactly mensa material.

Steve Riley played LT.

There are quite a few higher end WRs available (potentially) via free agency, and a couple of high end CBs available via free agency and/or trade.

I really, REALLY hope this happens. I also really hope that the Vikings draft a bunch of OLs, DBs and WRs in the draft.