Minnesota Vikings Release Kicker Blair Walsh
After missing more field goals and extra points than any kicker in the NFL this season, the Minnesota Vikings have released Blair Walsh.
This started last season. After a couple great seasons from Blair Walsh, the Minnesota Vikings won a lot of games with his kicks. It was the one kick that really mattered that sunk the ship for Walsh.
In his rookie season, Walsh was the best kicker in the NFL. He made 10 kicks from 50 yards or more. He also made the pro bowl. There was a lot of optimism after that first season.
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were on the verge of beating perennial power Seattle Seahawks in the last minute when they called on Walsh to win the game. It was a 27 yard chip shot. This should have been a gimme. It went wide left.
We have released K Blair Walsh. pic.twitter.com/bNR5t44ZWJ
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 15, 2016
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After being heckled by the national media, and left for dead by the local media, the question was what Walsh’s confidence would be coming into this year.
Coming into this season, the Vikings committed to Walsh as their kicker. He kicked well in the offseason and preseason, but those do not count.
So far this season, Walsh has missed 4 field goals, and 4 extra points. This is unacceptable. He has one job. If Walsh had made one of the two kicks he missed in Detroit in week 9, the Vikings would have won that game.
With a team built around defense, you are going to be in a lot of close games. The kicking game is extremely important. Walsh was not getting it done. It was time for him to go.
Next: A Minnesota Vikings Fan Perspective
The Minnesota Vikings brought in kickers after the Detroit loss to try to show Walsh that his job was not safe. Those who auditioned for the Vikes included Randy Bullock, Kai Forbath, Zach Hocker and Travis Coons. It is assumed that one of those guys will get the job.