Minnesota Vikings training camp battles: Kicking competition

Candidate one: Kai Forbath

After cutting Walsh, the Vikings were in need of a replacement and decided to bring in six-year veteran Kai Forbath.

Compared to Walsh, Forbath was a breath of fresh air converting all 15 of his field goal attempts in his seven appearances. Unfortunately Forbath only made 78.6 percent of his extra points, missing three, and his performance can be described as admirable at best.

Undrafted out of UCLA in 2011, he failed to make the roster for his first two teams (Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccanneers) before winning the starting gig with the Washington Redskins, where he spent just over three seasons after kicking a 50-yarder in his debut against the Vikings.

Before signing with Minnesota last year, Forbath spent 2015 with the New Orleans Saints. Despite kicking in a dome for half of his games, he produced, by far, his worst career season, making only 69.2 percent of his attempts.

Fortunately, Forbath rebounded last season in Minnesota, but not to the extent he is without competition.  As you can see from the table above, Forbath’s performance varies drastically from season to season and he appears to be on course for another down year. To retain his position, Forbath will have to show that he is able to buck this worrying trend.

One area Forbath has shown gradual improvement in is his kickoff power, increasing his average each year from 2012-2015. Forbath clearly recognizes the importance of this area and as he continues to enhance this aspect of his game.

"”Kickoffs are a big thing I worked on this off-season. So I’m excited for another year and to show that I got better.”"

Forbath has impressed spectators at training camp thus far.

If he can demonstrate consistency and an increase in leg strength, Forbath should be able to hold off his competitor.