Vikings Kicker Blair Walsh: The Numbers Speak For Themselves
The NFL announced on Tuesday May 19 that the extra point would be moved back to being snapped from the 15. The Vikings are one team that is so fortunate to have a kicker with such a strong leg.
Minnesota drafted Blair Walsh out of the University of Georgia. The concern being talked about was that his senior year in Georgia was inconsistent. 2011 saw Walsh go 21-35 on Field goals and 46-46 in extra points. The big like was his big leg on long field goals as he was given the nickname “Athens Assassin” for these bombs he kicked.
2012 training camp in Mankato – Todd Walkingstick
Minnesota drafted him in the 6th round in 2012 and it paid dividends right away as his leg strength was shown several times in his rookie year. The kickoffs made NFL players just shake their heads as balls would go out of the end zone.
I looked at some numbers to see if the new distance would be concerning. Blair Walsh has converted 108-109 extra points in his career.
I also know the first 2 years he kicked a majority of his games in the Metrodome where the weather would not be a factor.
2014 saw the Vikings play their home games at TCF Stadium good old outdoor football in all-weather conditions.
Blair went 29-29 in extra points both at home and on the road. I looked at his 30-39 field goal range and for his career he is 28-31. He went 20-21 in 2012 and 2013 combined and in 2014 went 8-10 in this range for both home and away.
Eagles vs. Vikings from 2013 – Todd Walkingstick
I took another look at the 2015 Vikings schedule to see what is indoor if any. I find in 2015 Blair Walsh will get a great test as 2 games will be in a dome when the team goes to Detroit and Atlanta. The other game is in Arizona and a prime time game with the roof being retractable so we will wait and see how Arizona handles it.
The other major asset the Vikings have in this is long time long snapper, Cullen Loeffler who is as accurate as it gets. The holder last season was Jeff Locke so we will see if he continues or the team opts for a different holder. Training Camp will definitely be another story line to watch with the distance and how the trio of Loeffler, Locke and Walsh perform.
I am confident as ever that the Minnesota Vikings will not suffer with the new rule thanks to Blair Walsh’s leg.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
