Aug 27, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe (4) catches the snap to hold a field goal attempt against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter at the Metrodome. The Cowboys win 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The expected move has indeed happened. Chris Kluwe has been let go by the Minnesota Vikings. Jeff Locke, who was taken in the fifth round of this year’s draft, will be the punter. Kluwe tweeted after his exit physical, “So long Minnesota and thanks for all the fish.” He then added:

Thank you to all the fans, my teammates, and the Wilf family for the past 8.5 years. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.

— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) May 6, 2013

A sad sad day for fans. I mean that. Kluwe is a true character in a sport that is sadly devoid of true characters. In my years as a Viking fan, Kluwe has to rank as one of the most colorful and entertaining players. Up there with guys like John Randle and Randy Moss.

Some people will unleash conspiracy theories around Kluwe’s release. They will say he was cut because Mike Priefer disagrees with his politics. They will say the buttoned-down corporate Vikings front office was made too nervous by his many stances on political and social issues. Or maybe he was just cut because he was owed $1.45 million. And he wasn’t that good of a punter anymore.

Maybe that’s all it was.

But there will always be questions. As for the on-field stuff? Jeff Locke is now the punter. That role is especially important to a team like the Vikings who play more of a ball-control style. Controlling field position is huge for a team that wants to go the running-and-defense route. This isn’t going to be an explosive big-play team as long as Christian Ponder is QB. That’s a fact. So the punter matters.

Oh and just a question. What happened to that open punter competition? Seems like Kluwe never got his turn. Oh well. Onward…

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Let’s get to the vitals on Tree Top Travis Bond. He is listed at 6-6, 329 but his weight has gotten up as high as 372. That dwarfs even Phil Loadholt. Obviously the Vikings do not want Bond getting back to that weight.

This would qualify as beefing up the offensive line, even if Tree Top never gets back to full Tree Top status. Earlier the Vikes took Jeff Baca of UCLA as well. So they’ve added to their options on the offensive line. They should have a nice deep line when the season rolls around. And maybe one of these guys will push Brandon Fusco who is probably the weak link along that unit.

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Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Michael Mauti speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Double-dip again? Why not?

Earlier today the Vikings took Penn State linebacker Gerald Hodges. And in the seventh round they selected his former Nittany Lions teammate Michael Mauti. That’s the second double-dip this draft after the UCLA twofer of Jeff Locke and Jeff Baca. That’s a first-name double-dip too! My head is spinning.

As you recall, the Vikings pulled this two-for-one bit three times last year, taking two players each from USC, Notre Dame and Arkansas. Quirky but not really significant.

What do we need to know about Mauti himself? He is 6-1, 243. He has had injury problems, having undergone multiple knee surgeries. He played outside in college but might be able to play inside. Maybe there is value here if he’s past the knee problems. Will we see him lining up on Sundays alongside his former teammate Hodges? Yeah I wouldn’t be laying any money on that.

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