BleedGopher
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per Nik:
WHY WON’T SPIELMAN DRAFT GOPHERS?
There can only be two reasons for this. The first and worst reason is that he doesn’t want to be labeled lazy or get the notion that he’s a “homer” for taking players from the Gophers’ program. Maybe Spielman doesn’t want to be seen as a general manager who drafts players for fan service, taking names from their college team that he knows will excite them and be instant favorites. Perhaps though, he does this in what he sees as a favor to these players. Maybe he passes on these prospects to avoid putting them in a situation where the expectations and hopes for success are too high for them ever to match.
Spielman has only selected one Golden Gopher in his tenure as the Vikings’ general manager. In 2010, he used a fifth-round choice on Minnesota linebacker Nate Triplett. This was a bit of a shocker at the time as Triplett was seen as a fringe draft prospect. Nonetheless, hopes were high that he could provide some quality depth while becoming a core special teamer.
Triplett was cut before the season started. He hung around the league for a little while, spending time on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad and eventually signing with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts cut him in 2011, and the following year he signed with Tampa before leaving the team in the 2012 preseason.
If one of these is the reason for Spielman passing on Gophers, he needs to get over it. The Gophers’ program is in good hands and will continue to churn out successful NFL players. If Spielman continues to pass on these prospects because it would be a “homer pick,” or if the failure of Nate Triplett haunts him to this day, he’s going to miss out on some quality football players down the road.
zonecoverage.com
Go Gophers!!
WHY WON’T SPIELMAN DRAFT GOPHERS?
There can only be two reasons for this. The first and worst reason is that he doesn’t want to be labeled lazy or get the notion that he’s a “homer” for taking players from the Gophers’ program. Maybe Spielman doesn’t want to be seen as a general manager who drafts players for fan service, taking names from their college team that he knows will excite them and be instant favorites. Perhaps though, he does this in what he sees as a favor to these players. Maybe he passes on these prospects to avoid putting them in a situation where the expectations and hopes for success are too high for them ever to match.
Spielman has only selected one Golden Gopher in his tenure as the Vikings’ general manager. In 2010, he used a fifth-round choice on Minnesota linebacker Nate Triplett. This was a bit of a shocker at the time as Triplett was seen as a fringe draft prospect. Nonetheless, hopes were high that he could provide some quality depth while becoming a core special teamer.
Triplett was cut before the season started. He hung around the league for a little while, spending time on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad and eventually signing with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts cut him in 2011, and the following year he signed with Tampa before leaving the team in the 2012 preseason.
If one of these is the reason for Spielman passing on Gophers, he needs to get over it. The Gophers’ program is in good hands and will continue to churn out successful NFL players. If Spielman continues to pass on these prospects because it would be a “homer pick,” or if the failure of Nate Triplett haunts him to this day, he’s going to miss out on some quality football players down the road.
Why Doesn't Rick Spielman Draft Golden Gophers? - Zone Coverage
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV with a convincing 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, a couple of familiar faces were celebrating on
zonecoverage.com
Go Gophers!!
