FanPost

Unquantifiable Discrepancies; Rick Spielman Edition

I'd first like to say that before around 2009 (coincidentally around the same time I started reading the DN), I had no idea who Rick Spielman was. I kind of knew that we had a wierd front office power system, but no idea who it really consisted of until I took the next step in fandom and started reading the DN. Turns out he was a pretty important dude. Not only is he the current Minnesota Vikings GM, but he is a topic of both success and failure around these parts. Why is this? Well I'm not exactly sure.

In most logistical debates that circulate in the media or even here in the pits of the Daily Norseman fanpost section, there is the supermajority who believe one way, and a small but extremely passionate group of individuals who believe the opposite. To each, his own; but in the case of Rick Speilman, it seems as though the opinions are split in half. Certainly no odd thing in the real world; for example: Republicans vs Democrats, Babtists vs Catholics, turkey vs ham (hehehe... turkey, duh); the thing is that with these groups, they base their arguments on what the deem politically, economically, and religiously right. They also have a lot to gain from choosing these arguments, be it political success, spiritual growth, or a good meal. These types of descrepancies are quite normal, as decisions based on difficult topics like these are not quite as cut and dry as determining the successes or failures of a general manager. And there lies the problem.

Why is it that there are such equal differing opinions about a person who's successes and failures are quite quantifiable? Why is there no supermajority, when logic says that there should be? I honestly have no idea. I would like not to think that a lot of people have not just 'gone with what they felt' and latch on to that idea because the person next to them has suggested it, but I realize that there are a good amount of people who will do this in every study. Go out into public with a camera and ask people what their opinions are of random fake topics, for example: "what do you think about the Vikings trading Adrian Peterson". You will find that a lot of people will not question the validity of the report, but instead make up something on the spot or cling to the bias of the reporter. The Jimmy Kimmel show does this often, and it is quite comical (and a little sad) to see how easily people will give their opinions on topics they know nothing about. Look up 'lie witness news' for examples of what I'm talking about.

Now, as I said above, when previously uninformed participants of a study are told something, often they will go along with the narrative of the reporter, so I will refrain from giving my opinion just yet. Putting a poll at the bottom of a post which is completely biased will usually do nothing but stroke the ego of the writer, because of what I mentioned above. So, I'd like to ask you all to help me with this, if you will.

How good or bad of a job has Rick Spielman done in Minnesota particularly, but not exclusively, since he's been named the general manager? Sub par, adaquate, or exceptional. What can we actually judge Speilman on? Should we judge just the GM Spielman, or the triangle of authority Spielman? How instrumental was he in drafting Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson and the FA signing of Jared Allen? What about the countless other free agent flops or the drafting of Christian Ponder? Can we ever really allocate blame or glory on that which we don't know? Of course we can, but we probably shouldn't. He was one of three members of the T.O.A. when these things happened, so I say we should stay away from it. Who knows how far and well his voice was heard back then. Things were a real mess back then. Touch on this in the comments if you must.

I emplore you to do thorough research on his drafting and free agent signings since he has been named GM so you are as much educated you can be before engaging in what I hope will either a fierce debate that will resolve the issue, or the forming of a supermajority. Please accelerate the conversation by posting what you think in the comments. Thanks! :D

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.