Minnesota Sports Forum

It was a fun day at the game yesterday, but you've never heard 66, 000 get so quiet so quickly after Tate somersaulted into the end zone for the game winner. Very disappointing loss against the team I think is our competition in the division, but there were some bright spots. I think we won the battle in the trenches for the first time in three weeks...our offensive line was better than theirs, and Bradford showed how accurate he can be when given time. The running game was poor again, but at least there were some holes...just not backs talented enough to take advantage of them. I think AP may be back before the end of the month, and by mid-December, will be a big factor in regenerating this offense.

The defense really missed its best linebacker yesterday. In a year where Barr hasn't made any big plays, Kendrick is a real spark for our defense and his absence was notable yesterday. Munnerlyn has quietly had a terrific season too, and replacing him with a rookie went he went down yesterday really hurt our pass coverage. Finally, Rhodes' injury was noticeable...Stafford doesn't target him on that last drive if he is healthy. If we don't get most of those guys back, I don't see us winning in DC next week.

But of course the big story yesterday was Walsh...the game doesn't go to overtime if he makes a simple extra point. Khans and Monster are both right...we should have moved on Gould last month when he was available (cap issue, perhaps?) but it's unlikely that there is a kicker out there now that we can plug in mid-season and be confident with. You gotta know that Spielman has been turning over every rock out there looking for an upgrade at kicker. If I'm wrong and there is a suitable candidate out there, I suspect Walsh will be released today...but I'm skeptical.

Finally, Mike Zimmer is one of the best coaches in the NFL, but he also had a big role in yesterday's loss...his clock management in the final minute was horrendous. There was no need to call any timeouts on our final drive...the clock was set up beautifully for us to score and leave almost no time on the clock for Detroit. And instructing Walsh to squib kick rather than kick it deep could have taken another 5-10 seconds off the clock (and reduced the chance of a long runback). The characteristically cool Zimmer panicked in the final minute, and has as much to do with the loss as Walsh.

The Bears cut Gould after the preseason with no kicker on their roster after he missed 2 PATs in the final game again the Browns...

http://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/17467302/chicago-bears-releasing-kicker-robbie-gould
http://es.pn/2bQEF9h

It's worth reading the article about Gould's struggles and I'm saying this as a guy that's been a fan of Gould since obviously he has had a very good career.

We're bringing in kickers for tryouts. Tells you all you need to know about their confidence in Blair.

khans2k5 wrote:We're bringing in kickers for tryouts. Tells you all you need to know about their confidence in Blair.

Sure they should bring in guys. For example Bullock who they brought in is in the same draft class and Blair and has had his own success in the league. On one hand it's a bit weird he doesn't have a job but on the other hand...he doesn't have a job. Blair could be that next guy doing tryouts for teams. We will see what happens but I do stand by my comment that the guy they bring in could easily come with his own hiccups...that's why that guy is available.

monsterpile wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:We're bringing in kickers for tryouts. Tells you all you need to know about their confidence in Blair.

Sure they should bring in guys. For example Bullock who they brought in is in the same draft class and Blair and has had his own success in the league. On one hand it's a bit weird he doesn't have a job but on the other hand...he doesn't have a job. Blair could be that next guy doing tryouts for teams. We will see what happens but I do stand by my comment that the guy they bring in could easily come with his own hiccups...that's why that guy is available.

That is certainly the risk. We just need a change at this point as much as Walsh does.

bleedspeed177 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:We're bringing in kickers for tryouts. Tells you all you need to know about their confidence in Blair.

Sure they should bring in guys. For example Bullock who they brought in is in the same draft class and Blair and has had his own success in the league. On one hand it's a bit weird he doesn't have a job but on the other hand...he doesn't have a job. Blair could be that next guy doing tryouts for teams. We will see what happens but I do stand by my comment that the guy they bring in could easily come with his own hiccups...that's why that guy is available.

That is certainly the risk. We just need a change at this point as much as Walsh does.

Zimmer's comments yesterday were very telling. When asked if he was confident Walsh could be successful with the Vikings, he replied he thought Walsh could be a good kicker. Conspicuously absent were the words "for us". I think if any of the guys they are bringing in are successful in the workout, Walsh will be replaced if Spielman can find the cap space...they probably have to restructure contracts again, and that could be a tough thing.

Multiple people are reporting Walsh stays for now.

"Like @AdamSchefter, hearing the Vikings don't plan to sign a kicker today. It's still Blair Walsh for now."

They have worked out guys now so if they decide to go a different direction down the road now they have their info.

Also Pruitt released and Heinicke is on the roster. One TE had to go the only reason they had 4 on the roster this long is Heinicke was hurt. Pruitt had some injuries and I wonder if that kept him from getting on track. It's amazing Ellison came back for the start of the season playing right away and a couple days ago scored a TD. He isn't a star but a solid versitile player.

Barreiro was unhappy about the news that Walsh would be kicking at least this Sunday, and I get where he's coming from based on Zimmer's comments yesterday and today...his lack of confidence in Walsh can't be helpful for Walsh. But I think there are two issues with the Vikes finding a new kicker.

1) there are reports of 8-10 teams that at currently unhappy with their kickers. I get the feeling the same kickers are trying out for all these unsatisfied teams (and apparently not looking very good seeing as none of them have been signed)

2) even if they find someone they think is a clear upgrade over Walsh, how are they going to find enough cap space to sign him?

It looks like we are stuck with Walsh for awhile...let's hope he can return to form.

longstrangetrip wrote:Barreiro was unhappy

I stopped reading in disbelief right there.