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Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh: ‘I have to do better’

By Adam Carlson

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There is something going on with the Minnesota Vikings kicking game.

Aug 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) walks off the field after missing a 49 yard field goal attempt against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

At one time, Blair Walsh was praised for his accuracy and booming leg.  He set many Minnesota Vikings franchise records as well as some NFL records during his rookie season for his accuracy and kick power, but since then, things have seemed to go downhill.  In fact, things got so bad during the week 2 preseason game against the Oakland Raiders that fans were showing serious concern for the well-being of the kicker position.

This shouldn’t be the case.  The Minnesota Vikings recently locked up Blair Walsh on a 4 year, $13 million deal that makes him one of the highest paid kickers in the NFL.  This commitment shows that the team still believes in Walsh, but his 0/3 performance against Oakland has started to put things in doubt again, at least from a fan perspective.

According to an article on the ESPN website, Blair Walsh is well aware of the struggle that he is facing and knows that it can’t continue.

"“It didn’t feel real good with how I hit the ball obviously, and the results showed that,” Walsh said. “I have to do better. Preseason or regular season, that cannot happen, and I know that.”"

Blair Walsh is right.  Three missed field goals and one missed extra point left 10 points on the field for the Minnesota Vikings.  Luckily for Walsh, it is still the Minnesota Vikings preseason and he has some time to iron out the kinks.

"“You have got to out there and do your job, make your kick and move on. One miss leads to the other. You make one of those first two, they all come off of each other.”  Walsh said. “When you miss, you’ve got to look at your next kick as the only kick that you have left. Take each opportunity one at a time, I know it sounds cliche, but that’s what keeps guys in the league and that’s what keeps us around.”"

Hopefully, this approach will result in more kicks made in the future.  We know Blair Walsh still has the leg strength to boom kicks, as he is still one of the best in the NFL when it comes to touchbacks from kickoffs, but he needs to get that accuracy down PAT.  Pun intended.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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