The Vikings were preparing for the 2009 draft when Rick Spielman revealed an interesting tidbit during a media session.
Spielman had not yet been promoted to general manager, still carrying the title of vice president of player personnel. But he oversaw draft preparations, and in doing so Spielman noted the organization had assigned "red dots" to 78 prospects, thus eliminating them from consideration.
Players received red dots primarily based on character or injury concerns. The Vikings wouldn't touch them.
"Can't take the dot off," Spielman said at the time. "It's a big scarlet tag, and you can't take it off."
That story came to mind with reports that a Vikings contingent that included Spielman spent time evaluating running back Joe Mixon at Oklahoma's Pro Day this past week.
Does Mixon get flagged as a character risk after being suspended from football for one season for punching a woman in the face at a restaurant? The Vikings should apply a red dot in this case because any potential that Mixon might find trouble again is not worth the risk.
Drafting Mixon would fly in the face of Zygi and Mark Wilf's declaration that player conduct is a top priority.
Fundamentally, I believe in second chances and a person's ability to atone for past mistakes. But I also believe that public perception and risk of future problems are powerful factors that professional teams must weigh in personnel decisions.