The Minnesota Vikings have made some interesting decisions when it comes to kickers over the years. Will Daniel Carlson be the next to break fans’ hearts?
Week 3 of the preseason is typically the most important week to gain the most information on your team heading into the regular season. The number one priority for the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason was the offensive line, but that was not good enough to warrant consideration.
No, you see, that would’ve been too simple. Having nothing but question marks regarding depth in the offensive line while losing a significant piece from your starting lineup in Joe Berger was easy street.
Instead, it was determined by general manager Rick Spielman that what warranted significant attention and evaluation was the kicker position.
Who cares that Kai Forbath has been head and shoulders better than his predecessor/thief who posed as an NFL kicker in Blair Walsh.
The Vikings cut the automatic Ryan Longwell in favor of the “potential” for Walsh in the sixth round of the 2012 draft. Walsh certainly turned out to be a Vikings legend as we anxiously await his induction into the team’s ring of honor.
Fast forward to now where Minnesota decided to let go of Forbath in favor of the “big leg” Daniel Carlson by trading up in this year’s draft to select him in the fifth round.
Forbath, while not perfect (especially in the extra points department), had proven to be quite reliable particularly late in games. Bottom line, Forbath never cost the Vikings a game.
The 49-yard field goal to put the Vikings up by six early in the fourth quarter in the divisional round against the Saints wasn’t enough. The 53-yard field goal to retake the lead with 1:29 left in regulation putting Minnesota up 23-21 certainly wasn’t worth raising hell about.
Where’s the fun in that? We needed more.
In comes Daniel Carlson with a similar up and down pattern of collegiate production including a bad senior year at Auburn compared to the aforementioned Walsh at Georgia. But hey they both had big legs coming into the draft much like JaMarcus Russel had a big arm!
Now with Forbath being cut from the roster, Carlson got to show his stuff in his first game as the official starting kicker for the Minnesota Vikings on Friday.
He tallied up two missed field goals, both from 42 yards. Although let’s make sure we give credit where credit is due, Carlson did make an extra point kick. Bravo for that.
That’s one heck of a start, but for some reason Minneosta head Coach Mike Zimmer didn’t seem thrilled with Carlson’s performance.
When asked if he was concerned with Carlson’s two missed field goal attempts Zimmer responded, “Yes, yes. Definitely.”
Well, that’s not very nice. Zimmer also spoke on why he decided to go for a two-point conversion instead of an extra point after a touchdown scored by a one-yard run by Latavius Murray.
“Just let (Carlson) know if he’s going to miss them, I’m going to go for two,” Zimmer said after Friday’s game.
Kicking woes already in the preseason? Let’s get the grade school kids ready to draw a motivational picture for our kicker again, shall we?
And while there may be criticism regarding Zimmer’s comments in how it may affect Carlson’s psyche, allow me to lead the brigade. We must coddle the young man with the routine pat on the back as we did so many times for the previous SEC kicker we drafted.
Minnesota Vikings
It’s also important to know that even if he misses his kicks, Carlson can bring something that doesn’t show on the box scores; leadership and integrity. If that doesn’t warrant trading up in the fifth round, I don’t know what will.
Although I must say, there’s something about stressing out while watching your kicker walk out on the field that’s been sorely missed. That old feeling returned as Carlson lined up for the extra point attempt following the Kyle Sloter touchdown pass to Jake Wieneke in the fourth quarter.
Once the kick went through we could all sigh in relief, together, as a family. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Forget Super Bowls, what’s most important is the need of unnecessary drama.
Why rely on a kicker who’s demonstrated the mental fortitude to make tough kicks when needed in the playoffs when we can put all that pressure on a rookie coming off a bad senior season?
After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Oh, that’s right.
Let us unite in celebrating a toast to Rick Spielman for channeling his inner Beyoncé at “upgrading” a kicking position of which wasn’t necessary. That took courage and guts. Cheers to the upcoming season!