5 things to watch during the Vikings preseason game vs. the Seahawks

The special teams situation

Coming into the season, the Vikings looked like they were going to be content just banging their head against the wall with their special teams unit.

After re-signing struggling kicker Dan Bailey last spring, the only major move that Minnesota had made was bringing in Austin Cutting to challenge Kevin McDermott for the long snapper job. After Bailey went 4-for-4 on extra points in New Orleans last week, it seemed like things would be settled.

Then, just two days after the Saints game, the special teams unit got a major overhaul. McDermott was cut to install Cutting as the team’s new long snapper and the Vikings acquired kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik from the Baltimore Ravens.

This looked like a normal move from a team that has blown three draft picks on kickers this decade, but became even more intriguing when it was found out that Vedvik can punt as well.

With Vedvik now in the fold, the question on everybody’s mind is just who will be the odd man out in Minnesota. With the investment made into the new guy, both Bailey and punter Matt Wile are going to have their head on a swivel while Vedvik will look for an opportunity to show he is the man for the job (or even both jobs).

Usually, punts and field goals are a good time to schedule a beer run or a bathroom break. But the addition of Vedvik should make things interesting in an otherwise meaningless game.