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Sideline Series: Rick Spielman talked about the draft and other interesting things

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

In what appears to be a new segment or series from the Vikings, Vikings GM Rick Spielman recently took calls from Vikings Rewards members as part of the 'Sideline Series' exclusive to Rewards members to answer fan questions.

I found this particularly interesting, since Spielman actually kind of opened up about some of their behind-the-scenes strategies and analysis regarding the draft and the offseason. I took the liberty of transcribing the 'interview' and highlighting the things Rick actually opened up about.

Regarding the scouting process

The scouts are assigned a positional group in addition to a geographic location. They sit in on positional meetings during Training Camp, listening for specific traits and corrections that are mentioned by the coaches during those meetings so that when they are back out on the road they have a better idea of what to look for specifically regarding what the coaches want.

On his late round/undrafted philosophy

He confirmed (not that we needed it) that he likes to have as many picks in the 5-7th rounds as he can get to use on players that fit the traits they are looking for. Also noted that they do as much work scouting the later round part of the board as they do in the "first part" of the draft board. Specifically said that he'd "rather have 10 chances to hit on 2 players than 2 chances."

Oli Udoh in particular was identified through analytics based on physical traits, but they also had coaches work with him at the East-West game to, for example, clean up his base when he run blocks or his hands in pass protections. "Those are things we think we can clean up with our coaching staff." But if a player is pinging all the other physical and ancillary measures they are looking for they are more confident in taking swings on those players in those later rounds. Brought up that The Vikings have the most UDFAs playing on the team in the NFL - and in significant roles. By the time the draft rolls around they have crossed off a lot of late-round names from their board.

On the Mattison pick

The 3rd round was "interesting", from the fact that they had 5 or 6 names up there that they were willing to take. He said they look at the draft board horizontally, with players being in different categories (talent) and that the players in each category are of similar talent. The philosophy in the 3rd round was that continuing to trade back allows you to gain draft capital while still having the possibility of grabbing one of the guys in that 3rd round category - "all of those players could have filled a need."

But Mattison was their pick at 102 because of his position on their board relative to the other running backs, in addition to him being a complementary back to Cook. Rick also noted that Mattison is always going to move forward on contact, and that is a good trait. So they were able to land a player to fill a need, in addition to accumulating later round picks. Noted that Mattison was very competitive, passionate, intelligent during interview.

Wobby: When drafting a player (RB) are you trying get someone who has similar skills to your main back so you can plug them in if they need a break or get injured?

Rick: As long as they're a schematic fit, they want to get different styles of players so the defense can't hone in on one game plan. Also noted the difference in defending Rudolph (H-back) and Irv Smith ("true wide" TE) - if they're both out there you can't defend them both. It's all about gaining a competitive advantage.

On the potential plans to shift around the offensive line

How the Bradbury/Elflein situation plays out (position-wise) will start when "everyone gets in". One thing that is important to Rick is the ability to play both guard and center on inside of the OL. "What happens if your center gets hurt? - You need someone else who can snap the ball". Rick noted that Bradbury had 700+ snaps in 2016 at LG, and they evaluated those snaps.

They used analytical measures to determine the top 20 areas that are most important for an offensive guard (specifically mentioned 20-yard shuttle, intelligence score, 10-yard split and flying-20). They have an analytical version of a "good starting guard" (and center) using data back to 2005. In that model, Bradbury checks every box for a good center, and all but 1 "tiny" box to be a good guard. He reiterated importance they place on bringing in guys who can play multiple positions to give the coaches the flexibility to field the best 5 players.

Wobby: Where does the tape fit in to the analytical model you discussed?

Rick: The tape is the "whole key." They put the players in their initial positions on the board based on their tape. After they're in those positions (previously referred to as categories on the horizontal board), then you distinguish between players based on the other tools you have. Predictive modeling ("How does Bradbury fit at guard") being one of those tools. These tools do not move players up and down the board, but they can help you answer those kinds of questions that pop up during the draft.

Wobby: What if a player doesn't have any tape at guard, but you think based on the modeling that he can play guard?

Rick: Many of tackles this year were projected at guard. We grade them according to their ability and where their value is on our draft board. But then we take it a step further and use the model to see what would happen if we did play him at guard. Even if the model says "don't do it" we are going to do it anyway just to see - it's not the answer to the test it's just another tool to raise a question and make sure you're thoroughly evaluating the player. Eventually the tape will tell you what he is, if he can or can't do that.

On the salary cap and signing the draft picks

Cap planning starts in January, as they go through personnel/free agency/draft meetings Brzezinski is involved in those meetings doing "cap planning". They have a plan for each phase of the offseason. "I wouldn't believe everything that you read", the reported numbers might be correct but there are things in motion behind the scenes. Everything is pre-planned, "things might look tight now" but they know where they need to be in June and they have a plan that they are following. All the draft picks will be signed.

Wobby: You and George Payton (assistant to the GM) and Brzez go back a long time, explain that relationship.

Rick: George has worked with Rick for 20 years, and Rob and the scouts since 2006. Everything goes smooth on draft day because they keep the whole picture in mind when they are putting together the draft board. There isn't as much talking as you might expect during the draft because it is all planned. They know when to "start fielding calls for trades", they are all very familiar with each other. Rick doesn't want to be on the phone during the draft so he can think about the players remaining and the potential to lose players if they move back.

Did Chris Spielman teach you anything you use today?

Rick mentioned that being a successful football player boils down to 3 basic things: how smart you are as a football player, how passionate you are about what you do, and how eager you are to keep improving. He got Chris' perspective before the Zimmer hire on what makes a good coach from the player's perspective - "If I believe a coach is going to make me a better player, I will do anything to do what he asks me to do. Players need to have a true belief in the coach to be successful under that coach."

Wobby: does seeing Harry get emotional talking about Barr coming back make you feel good about the locker room you're building?

Rick: It's the culture, the Vikings have a pretty unique culture in the NFL. The biggest thing is the type of players they're trying to bring in, like-minded guys who grow and care for each other so when you go through adversity you band together instead of splintering (they do have to qualify on the field first). That makes for the unique situation and gives "the best chance for success."

Wobby: that goes back to what you were talking about earlier, that you take into account many more things than just the tape when you evaluate players.

Rick: If the player loves the game is a huge part of it and it plays a big part in the Vikings' analytical approach from psychological and intelligence testing to having the scouts talk to every source they have (regarding non-football aspects of the players), to having the coaches involved and talking to their sources. They dig as deep as they can to make sure they can answer every question about a player.

Which of the 4-7th round picks (from 2019) is most ready to contribute right away if needed?

This is hard to answer right now. They felt very strongly about Samia, he was higher on the board than where they took him so they traded up in the 4th to get him. Also noted that Cameron Smith is a good football player. But a lot of that will be determined once they get in, evaluation starts on Thursday night when the rookies walk in the door. That evaluation evolves, heavily relying on thecoaching staff and their talent in developing the traits the coaches are looking for. They need to have these guys ready to play if any of the starters get injured because of how top-heavy the roster is constructed right now. That's why it is so important that everyone is together and on the same page. "There are a couple of guys from last year's draft who didn't get to play as much but they're going to play significant roles for us this year." (I assume this means Holmes and Hughes)

Wobby: everyone likes to talk about the draft and free agency, but no one likes to talk about development. (PREACH).

Rick: Player development is the thing that separates teams in the NFL. You can't have $10M backups behind the $10M starters. Sometimes it takes players 2-3 years before it "clicks" for them, every player is individual. The coaches work hard to get them ready to play if their number is called on.

Which of the picks before 18 were the biggest surprise

Rick doesn't judge any other GM because he knows the whole process he himself has to go through every year (BORING AF)

Wobby: you guys go through so many possibilities, I'm sure you ran into some scenarios you'd already see.

Rick: I never run through "too-good-to-be-true" scenarios. We always put ourselves in a worst-case scenario to figure out those strategies because then you don't have to scramble for an answer if a bad scenario arises during the draft.

On what happens now, between draft and the rest of the offseason

Sunday was a big day, finalizing rookie mini-camp (UDFAs). They have 40 players coming in for tryout, never know who you're going to find at mini-camp (Sherels, Ham, Thielen, Beebe). They saved 2 roster spots for those kinds of guys. Scouts get a couple weeks off (200 days away from home each year), but in May the whole process starts over.


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