Jump to content

Special K (and P and LS and the rest of the special teams unit)


Klomp

Recommended Posts

 
 
 
 
1 minute ago, vikesfan89 said:

I'm sure Vikings fans are quick to jump on the kickers but that's because they keep letting us down.

Fair point you made about Longwell. Maybe it wasn't Anderson PTSD but that Walsh's miss in the playoffs triggered memories of Anderson. But it's interesting looking at the numbers, Walsh's percentages here aren't that far off from Longwell's numbers here....and Forbath after him was solid on FGs too.

I do think the PAT change has played a role in it. Walsh's confidence was shot, Zimmer didn't help matters, and now every kicker that's followed hasn't been good enough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Walsh had a great first season which helped his percentage but I think it was more that he missed a 27 yarder in the playoffs and has no chance to redeem himself. Fans had all offseason to wonder how he'd bounce back and he didn't do much to give confidence back to the fans. Maybe Zimmer was a little hard on him. In hindsight they probably should have just stuck with Forbath. He at least didn't make you question his confidence.

Didn't they hire a kicking coach? Hopefully that helps

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Ozzy said:

ztjoljpg42osobqxusu9.jpg

I think this guy was a big reason for the kicking issues.  The Blair Walsh disaster was awful, the kid was a great kicker and his confidence was just destroyed.  He had issues with Chris Kluwe and apparently made jokes about him.  Daniel Carlson last year, a kicker who clearly is decent in a different environment even that same exact season.  This guy not being around will help a lot I think, and Vedvik will be either the answer to the punter question, the holder question or the main kicker question.  Dan Bailey is ok but is not what he was, this Vedvik kid seems legit talent wise and now there is not a coach to mess him up mentally.  

There are a lot of teams looking for a kicker or punter, heck the Raiders just released their punter so the Vikings are lucky to get this guy and not Chicago or Green Bay.  

 

Expecting greatness out of a position is the same one expects from any position, just like expecting great LB play or CB play.  And great Vedvik could learn from Justin Tucker that one year in Baltimore.  

I think Priefer mainly got by due to the greatness of Harvin, Sherels and Patterson.

Edited by SteelKing728
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, SteelKing728 said:

I think Priefer mainly got by due to the greatness of Harvin, Sherels and Patterson.

Other way around. Priefer was a big reason for their success.

If people don’t think Priefer is one of the best special teams coordinators in the league, then they really just weren’t paying attention. 

If any coach is to blame for the problems this team has had with its kickers, the blame falls squarely at Mike Zimmer’s feet. His open distain for the position group has created this mess. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, SteelKing728 said:

But I don't think its worth cutting him for that. He's a decent punter.

That's why it is worth cutting him.  You can find decent punters anywhere.  Hell, if you can find a decent punter and a good holder, that's an upgrade right there.  So, in the end, I think it's obvious that Wile's going to get cut, and Vedvik is going to be the punter (and maybe part-time kicker).    

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, SemperFeist said:

Other way around. Priefer was a big reason for their success.

If people don’t think Priefer is one of the best special teams coordinators in the league, then they really just weren’t paying attention. 

If any coach is to blame for the problems this team has had with its kickers, the blame falls squarely at Mike Zimmer’s feet. His open distain for the position group has created this mess. 

Agreed.  Priefer did wonders with the return game and the coverage.  While Sherels was very good, he likely wouldn't have even been in the NFL if it weren't for Priefer.  Sherels showed promise, but Priefer supported him...every year.  How many years were we talking about Sherels on the bubble?  Priefer's problems started and ended with the specialists, as he didn't put as much emphasis on them, as he expected them to perfect their craft.  Maybe that's partially the reason why Kluwe blew up more on him over the other issue (as in a passive-aggressive sort of way), who knows?  But @SteelKing728, you are severely short-changing him if you think he just got by on the greatness of the 3 you mentioned.    

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/14/2019 at 9:44 AM, swede700 said:

That's why it is worth cutting him.  You can find decent punters anywhere.  Hell, if you can find a decent punter and a good holder, that's an upgrade right there.  So, in the end, I think it's obvious that Wile's going to get cut, and Vedvik is going to be the punter (and maybe part-time kicker).    

Why would we trade a 5th then for a punter?

Granted a 5th really isn't much, but teams don't usually trade picks for a punter.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, SteelKing728 said:

Why would we trade a 5th then for a punter?

Granted a 5th really isn't much, but teams don't usually trade picks for a punter.

I personally think that was what the market dictated, considering the Vikings were competing with reportedly 3 other teams for his services.  And supposedly before his horrific assault last year, he reportedly was being moved for a similar pick.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

New specialist Kaare Vedvik had his turn with field goals Thursday, as the former Raven made five of six attempts. Beebe held for the first three tries as Vedvik was good from 33 and 37 yards before pushing his 40-yarder wide to the right.

Punter Matt Wile held for Vedvik for his final three attempts later in a team session. Vedvik was true from 40, 44 and 47 yards to cap off a successful day. Wile also got plenty of work at punter at the end of practice, two days after Vedvik handled those duties in practice. Wile uncorked numerous long punts, including at least four that traveled 65-plus yards to a waiting Beebe. He then worked on shorter punts near midfield, with three of four of them going for touchbacks. Wile ended on a high note as Jeff Badet caught his final attempt inside the 10-yard line on the final play of practice.

https://www.vikings.com/news/3-observations-vikings-defense-stingy-in-3rd-down-session?sf217620592=1

Edited by vike daddy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jan Stenerud, about Vedvik joining the Vikings:  “I think it’s terrific. It’s an exciting journey for him, and I’m thrilled to death for him. Minnesota is a great place with all the Scandinavian background and all that stuff, and kicking indoors with all the Scandinavian fans, I think it’s absolutely wonderful.’’

Conversations between the two are in a mixture of Norwegian and English since Stenerud said “it’s easier to talk about football in English.’’ While there is no translation in Norwegian for punt, the word for kick is “sparke.’’

https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/17/vikings-kaare-vedvik-has-a-big-fan-in-hall-of-fame-kicker-and-fellow-norwegian-jan-stenerud/

 

@Cearbhall

Edited by vike daddy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, vike daddy said:

posted by a Bears fan, but I can't find anything to substantiate it:

"Word is that we offered a conditional 5th for vedvick, and the conditions where basically a lock to be met. We were only out bid by Minn offering a 5th completely without conditions."

Here comes the speculation that they expect the Vikings pick to be higher

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, vikingsrule said:

Certainly not unwarranted considering Chicago won the division covincingly and the league knows who Cousins is at this point.

Chicago won the division because of their extreme luck in turnovers and a 4th place schedule.  I expect them fully to come back to earth this season.  People can speculate that the Vikings pick will be higher, but I don't think that will be the case.  Both teams will likely be in the bottom half of the first round, but I expect the Bears to be much closer to 15-16 than the Vikings will be.  Either way, if the Bears were serious in solving their kicking issue, which they seem to believe is their main issue, they would have at least matched the Vikings offer. 

Edited by swede700
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...