Dolphin fan here. Spielman is a very good college scout - its the trades that have done him in. He overpays at every possible opportunity, and rarely gets equal value in return. For example:
** Feeley for a #2
** Ricky Williams for 2 #1's
** Lamar Gordon for a #3
** Ogunelye (coming of a 16 sack season) for only Booker and a 3rd round pick
** Trading a fourth round pick to move up one spot in the draft to select Vernon Carey (when Vince Wilfolk was still on the board and rated highly by the Phins staff)
etc...
To his credit, he has managed to consistently find excellent talent outside of the first round - Chambers, McMichael Will Poole, Rex Hadnot, etc. In fact, in 2002 Spielman had Anquan Boldin on the telephone during the Dolphins pick, only for Wannstadt to overrule him and pick Eddie Moore in the 2nd.
So while this is a popular move to bash, it may turn out to be an ok hiring by the Vikings if someone keeps Spielman in line with regards to trade value. Remember, excluding their 2004 seaon when they finished 4-12 (the year Ricky reitred), the Dolphins had always been a very talented squad and were playoff contenders every year. The problem in Miami between 2001-2003 was not a lack of talent, but a lack of coaching that led to annual December flameouts.
