Kluwe to return

**Zeus** · 02-20-2007, 08:05 AM

http://www.startribune.com/510/story/1012440.html

Kluwe to return

The Vikings have extended a tender offer to exclusive rights free agent Chris Kluwe, meaning the punter will remain with the team for at least another season. Kluwe, who finished 25th among 32 punters with a 42.3 gross average in 2006 and 28th in net average at 35.6 yards, will receive a one-year deal worth $435,000.

The Vikings' list of exclusive rights free agents (ERFA) includes linebacker Heath Farwell and safety Will Hunter. The ERFA designation is attached to a player whose contract has expired but who has three or fewer tenured years in the NFL. A qualifying offer from that player's team keeps him from being an unrestricted free agent.

JUDD ZULGAD

=Z=

**Ltrey33** · 02-20-2007, 06:39 PM

Cool. His numbers suffered because of Childress's "directional" kicking approach, but I still think he's a pretty solid punter. He's no Mitch Berger, but he's not Darren Bennett either!

**VikesfaninWis** · 02-20-2007, 07:06 PM

That is good news I guess.. His numbers weren't that good last season, but I am wondering if either his knee surgery, or Childress was the reason why his numbers were down.. Either way, I guess its good that he will remain a Viking..

**sp0njah4Life** · 02-20-2007, 07:13 PM

This is a good signing. He had a solid year as a rookie up until he got hurt. I'm guessing that last year his knee was still bothering him a little and the introduction of directional punting from Childress.

**BadlandsVikings** · 02-20-2007, 07:16 PM

This is better than bringing in a new punter.

**mr.woo** · 02-20-2007, 07:22 PM

crazy predictions for next year: KLuwe is a prowbowl kicker. there i said it. make fun of me if you want but i see him geting there.

**singersp** · 02-20-2007, 07:26 PM

"mr.woo" wrote:

crazy predictions for next year: KLuwe is a prowbowl kicker. there i said it. make fun of me if you want but i see him geting there.

He has a long way to go. He finished 25th among 32 punters last year.

One could make the argument about directional kicks, but out of the 93 he punted, how many were directional & intended to drop short vs how many were intended to go deep?

**arrested_developer** · 02-20-2007, 07:28 PM

my theory why his numbers were down because childress often wimped out in his playcalling once he got to midfield, usually resulting in a punt. kluwe would only have 50-55 yards to work with, and he wouldn't want to get a touchback, so he'd obviously try to get it around the 10, which would have meant a shorter punt of 40-45 yds.

**tjohnson** · 02-20-2007, 07:29 PM

it would have been nice to see them go after todd sauerbrun. the guy looked great for new england and the patriots weren't going to re-sign him with josh miller coming back.

**mr.woo** · 02-20-2007, 07:37 PM

"singersp" wrote:

"mr.woo" wrote:

crazy predictions for next year: KLuwe is a prowbowl kicker. there i said it. make fun of me if you want but i see him geting there.

He has a long way to go. He finished 25th among 32 punters last year.

One could make the argument about directional kicks, but out of the 93 he punted, how many were directional & intended to drop short vs how many were intended to go deep?

i think he obviously has the talent
and the only question is his leg. if ts all healed up and childress has him working all offseason i see no reason why he cant be a top five punter.