When Rick Spielman talks Minnesota Vikings Jerseys 2019 , we listen. REALLY listen."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Rickspeak! 2019 Pre-Draft EditionNew,82commentsWhen Rick Spielman talks, we listen. REALLY listen. CDTShareTweetShareShareIt’s Rickspeak! 2019 Pre-Draft EditionBrian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsRight now, there is an elite fraternity of 32 men who are being paid millions of dollar to try and bluff, lie and cajole their way into the draft class of their dreams, while trying to deny their other 31 fraternity brothers the draft class of THEIR dreams.It’s a fascinating social experiment, and God forgive me but I LOVE this time of year. Who’s telling the truth, who’s floating trial balloons, and who’s flat out lying has become the best reality television in the country today, if you ask me.‘But Ted’ you say to yourself, ‘why do you enjoy grown millionaires lie about sports to each other? You have grandchildren now, don’t you want to expose them to honorable men, doing honorable things?’LOL sure Irv Smith black jersey , but this is just sports, so let’s lighten up a bit.So why do I like this? Because of the GM the Vikings have, one Rick Spielman, Professional Football Man of Leisure. Spielman has taken the pre-draft subterfuge to levels not seen since the height of the Cold War, and no it wouldn’t surprise me if he has runs dead drops and counterintelligence operations all the time.So when Spielman holds court with reporters prior to the draft, it’s must watch TV. But one cannot take Rick Spielman’s words at face value. No, no no no no noooooooo sir. Do that, and you’ll be disappointed when the Vikings first four picks aren’t a kicker, a punter, and two long snappers. You need to understand nuance, what’s real and what isn’t, and a full comprehension of the technical term we call pre-draft bullshit.That’s why I am here.* I am the World’s Self Proclaimed Rickspeak Expert, having obtained my PhD from Normandale Community College in the subject.** What I do is take what Rick says and translate it into what he REALLY means.**** Of all the reasons in the world as to why I’m still here Irv Smith Jersey Mens , this is like second to last.**Okay fine, it was just a Master’s***I make up everything. Nothing is real. Welcome to the Matrix, Neo. As is the custom, Rick had an opening statement before taking questions.What Rick Meant: We’re feeling good about this week, but I’m throwing out a bunch of names because I want everyone to know something. If this goes South and about nine months from now I walk in to the office and I’m told I have 30 minutes to clear out my office, these are the people I will set on fire on the way out the door. Don’t doubt me, I bought one of those Tesla flamethrowers. This place will look like a Japanese pillbox on Iwo Jima when I’m done.Q: How deep is this year’s offensive line class?What Rick Meant: It’s deep, but I hope guys like Gruden and whoever the manboy in Green Bay is have so many positions rated so deep that we have our pick of guys in the first three rounds. Cram it up your cramhole, LaFleur.Q: With all the big contracts that have been signed in recent years, how much of an emphasis is placed on acquiring additional draft picks and finding players in later rounds?What Rick Meant: Ehhhhh, I want to find the next Moritz Bohringer, if it’s all the same to you. Q: Has the arrival of Gary Kubiak altered the draft strategy at all?What Rick Meant: You do know Kevin Stefanski is the offensive coordinator, right? LOL I’m just messin’ with you guys Irv Smith Jersey nfl draft , it’s really Kubiak and his Denver Mafia. Well, he has introduced the concept of drafting offensive players to Zim, and I think we might be making headway on that. We’ll see. Q: Is there more of an emphasis to find players that can contribute immediately, due to the team’s salary cap restrictions? What Rick Meant: It is absolutely an emphasis when you’re paying 6 players like 99% of the salary cap.Q: Do you understand the local angst with the condition of the offensive line?What Rick Meant: So is taking Greedy WIlliams at 18 worth the end of my marriage? Yes...yes it is. I’m not sorry. You got angst? Drink. Be a man, and you bury that shit deep. Q: You’ve already determined the players that you grade as draftable. Does that bring to mind the possibility of trading back to get more picks?What Rick Meant: I will not reach Nirvana until I have acquired every seventh round pick. And it will happen one day. Oh yes, mark my words.Q: How have the NFL Draft smoke screens evolved over the years?Hi, Ted here breaking character for a minute. I can’t top that quote. I just can’t. This is Spielman gold. GOLD! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I just got played. Q: Do you believe anything that is out there being said in the media?What Rick Meant: It’s all terrible and a load of crap yet I love it and lap it up, much like Taylor Swift’s music. Q: Do teams ever use Top 30 visits to throw the scent off of players?What Rick Meant: We 100% do that.Q: Do you watch other general managers’ pre-draft press conferences? Is there anything that they say that is useful?What Rick Meant: I have people do that for me. I also have people read stupid garbage like this post, too. We know everything, all the time. We’re like the NSA for football.Q: Do you look to create some cap space to sign your upcoming draft class? Would you consider trading one of your current players?What Rick Meant: Yes, and I know exactly what we’re going to do to create cap space.Q: Do you consider having to clear cap space for the draft space a big deal? Or do you have a plan figured out?What Rick Meant: Okay, we really have no idea what we’re doing. It’s Rob’s fault. Q: What do you know about Kirk Cousins that you didn’t know before signing him a year ago?What Rick Meant: I know he hasn’t picked up a lunch tab yet. And I know he can afford it Everson Griffen Jersey , the cheap bastard.Q: How is Mike Hughes’ health?What Rick Meant: Anyone need a good corner still on their rookie contract? I AM OPEN FOR BUSINESS, BABY! Once again. . .and a day later than usual. . .it’s time for us to take a look around the interwebs and see what pundits everywhere are saying about the Minnesota Vikings, particularly where they have them ranked in relation to the other 31 less-important NFL teams. We know which direction the purple are likely heading in after Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots, but just how far in that direction are they going to move?Let’s find out, as it’s time for our weekly Power Rankings Roundup!Associated Press - #11 (Last week: #9)No Vikings-specific commentary from the AP this week.Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football - #14 (Last week: #12)Yep.SB Nation - #15 (Last week: #11)No Vikings-specific commentary from the mothership this week.MMQB, Sports Illustrated - #9 (Last week: #7)No Vikings-specific commentary from MMQB this week.Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk - #12 (Last week: #10)Pete Prisco, CBS Sports - #13 (Last week: #10)Bleacher Report - #11 (Last week: #9)Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports - #12 (Last week: #9)Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News - #12 (Last week: #9)Elliot Harrison, NFL.com - #12 (Last week: #9)USA Today - #12 (Last week: #9)ESPN - #12 (Last week: #9)Yep, drop offs from everyone across the board this week Anthony Barr Jersey , which should be expected. While all of the rankings still have the Vikings in the top half of the National Football League, that’s an awfully far cry from where this team has been in the past, and in particular early on in the season.Overall, the Vikings’ average ranking this week is down to 12.08, which is the second-lowest it’s been this season. It was at 13.75 following the Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and if this team doesn’t pull off a victory over Seattle on Monday night, I have a funny feeling we’re going to see a new low-water mark for this team.Here are the trends. Click to embiggen, if you dare.That’s your roundup for this week, folks. I’m not sure if it’s going to get any better when we do this again next week, but there’s always hope.