Vikings finally line up a visit

**Marrdro** · 03-08-2010, 07:26 AM

The Vikings learned the value of having a kickoff specialist who can put the ball into the end zone on a consistent basis during the NFC title game, during which Thomas Morstead of the Saints routinely pinned Percy Harvin into taking touchbacks. Given that the Vikings also have a not-so-stellar coverage unit, the best way to lay the foundation for victory in the field-position battle is to force the opponent to start from the 20 after a score or at the start of one of the two halves.

Vikings finally line up a visit

Are we gonna just say goodbye to ole Shortwell or will they make a roster spot for a K who can get it past the 10 (with hang time).

**ejmat** · 03-08-2010, 07:48 AM

Marrdro wrote:

The Vikings learned the value of having a kickoff specialist who can put the ball into the end zone on a consistent basis during the NFC title game, during which Thomas Morstead of the Saints routinely pinned Percy Harvin into taking touchbacks. Given that the Vikings also have a not-so-stellar coverage unit, the best way to lay the foundation for victory in the field-position battle is to force the opponent to start from the 20 after a score or at the start of one of the two halves.

Vikings finally line up a visit

Are we gonna just say goodbye to ole Shortwell or will they make a roster spot for a K who can get it past the 10 (with hang time).

I read he led the league with 30 touchbacks in 2008. Beats the 4 or 5 from Longwell. However, I wonder if the Vikes do sign him who would be the outcast? Wikopedia said this guy can place kick and punt. He was cut from other teams so I don't know how accurate he is but if he can punt decent it would be nice to have someone that can do a duel role in that area.

**Marrdro** · 03-08-2010, 07:58 AM

ejmat wrote:

Marrdro wrote:

The Vikings learned the value of having a kickoff specialist who can put the ball into the end zone on a consistent basis during the NFC title game, during which Thomas Morstead of the Saints routinely pinned Percy Harvin into taking touchbacks. Given that the Vikings also have a not-so-stellar coverage unit, the best way to lay the foundation for victory in the field-position battle is to force the opponent to start from the 20 after a score or at the start of one of the two halves.

Vikings finally line up a visit

Are we gonna just say goodbye to ole Shortwell or will they make a roster spot for a K who can get it past the 10 (with hang time).

I read he led the league with 30 touchbacks in 2008. Beats the 4 or 5 from Longwell. However, I wonder if the Vikes do sign him who would be the outcast? Wikopedia said this guy can place kick and punt. He was cut from other teams so I don't know how accurate he is but if he can punt decent it would be nice to have someone that can do a duel role in that area.

Good find on the K/P capability.

Keep Shortwell for FG's, bring in a cat like Loyd who can KO and P.

Sure you loose Kluwe and his big leg, but who really cares at this point. Coverage was better last year, but still needs some work. At some point people will realize that they can keep adding all the ST's tacklers in the world, but if the kicker ins't getting it done, it won't matter.

I think some yutz on PPO has been asking for a cat like that for 2 or 3 years.

**Marrdro** · 03-08-2010, 09:25 AM

If Lloyd lands in Minnesota, he would have an excellent chance to be used exclusively on kickoffs. Veteran Ryan Longwell is coming off a season in which he made 92.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. Longwell had five touchbacks on 98 kickoffs. Lloyd has 51 touchbacks over the past two years and had 21 on 72 kickoffs last season. Lloyd has never attempted a field goal in two-plus NFL seasons.

Lloyd to visit Vikings
Not sure if I fully support carrying 3 kickers, but I sure hope this happens.

**ejmat** · 03-08-2010, 09:33 AM

Marrdro wrote:

If Lloyd lands in Minnesota, he would have an excellent chance to be used exclusively on kickoffs. Veteran Ryan Longwell is coming off a season in which he made 92.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. Longwell had five touchbacks on 98 kickoffs. Lloyd has 51 touchbacks over the past two years and had 21 on 72 kickoffs last season. Lloyd has never attempted a field goal in two-plus NFL seasons.

Lloyd to visit Vikings
Not sure if I fully support carrying 3 kickers, but I sure hope this happens.

I don't like having 3 kickers either but I would like to keep Longwell and have a guy that can kick the ball in the endzone on kick-offs. If this guy has any talent at all in the punting department then it would be a good thing. As long as he isn't a common shank artist then I would give up the 45 yard punts for 40 yarders with some hang time and a few more touchbacks every now and again.

**Marrdro** · 03-08-2010, 09:42 AM

ejmat wrote:

Marrdro wrote:

If Lloyd lands in Minnesota, he would have an excellent chance to be used exclusively on kickoffs. Veteran Ryan Longwell is coming off a season in which he made 92.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. Longwell had five touchbacks on 98 kickoffs. Lloyd has 51 touchbacks over the past two years and had 21 on 72 kickoffs last season. Lloyd has never attempted a field goal in two-plus NFL seasons.

Lloyd to visit Vikings
Not sure if I fully support carrying 3 kickers, but I sure hope this happens.

I don't like having 3 kickers either but I would like to keep Longwell and have a guy that can kick the ball in the endzone on kick-offs. If this guy has any talent at all in the punting department then it would be a good thing. As long as he isn't a common shank artist then I would give up the 45 yard punts for 40 yarders with some hang time and a few more touchbacks every now and again.

Although not quite the disdain I have for the Noodle, Kluwe is right up there, so you wouldn't get a rise out of me if they got rid of his booming leg/ass.

I'd much rather have a cat who can kick it to the right spot rather than a guy who just kicks the shit out of it and doens't have a KLUWE were its going.

**12purplepride28** · 03-08-2010, 10:09 AM

I'm actually really excited about this. I hope we sign him, because I've been wanting a KOS for a few years, I think we could have won the NFC Championship game if we didn't give up a couple huge kick returns. And on top of it all, I love using this guy in madden, never heard of him before I used him, but I just like him.

**Marrdro** · 03-08-2010, 10:17 AM

12purplepride28 wrote:

I'm actually really excited about this. I hope we sign him, because I've been wanting a KOS for a few years, I think we could have won the NFC Championship game if we didn't give up a couple huge kick returns. And on top of it all, I love using this guy in madden, never heard of him before I used him, but I just like him.

Damn, I was gonna bump you up a couple of columns on the ole spreadsheet until you went down the Madden rabbit hole.... :P

**NodakPaul** · 03-08-2010, 10:25 AM

I am all for it, even if it means keeping 3 kickers on the sheet.

**Mr Anderson** · 03-08-2010, 10:27 AM

Marrdro wrote:

ejmat wrote:

Marrdro wrote:

If Lloyd lands in Minnesota, he would have an excellent chance to be used exclusively on kickoffs. Veteran Ryan Longwell is coming off a season in which he made 92.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. Longwell had five touchbacks on 98 kickoffs. Lloyd has 51 touchbacks over the past two years and had 21 on 72 kickoffs last season. Lloyd has never attempted a field goal in two-plus NFL seasons.

Lloyd to visit Vikings
Not sure if I fully support carrying 3 kickers, but I sure hope this happens.

I don't like having 3 kickers either but I would like to keep Longwell and have a guy that can kick the ball in the endzone on kick-offs. If this guy has any talent at all in the punting department then it would be a good thing. As long as he isn't a common shank artist then I would give up the 45 yard punts for 40 yarders with some hang time and a few more touchbacks every now and again.

Although not quite the disdain I have for the Noodle, Kluwe is right up there, so you wouldn't get a rise out of me if they got rid of his booming leg/ass.

I'd much rather have a cat who can kick it to the right spot rather than a guy who just kicks the shit out of it and doens't have a KLUWE were its going.

You'd think someone could teach Kluwe to do kickoffs.

He certainly has the leg... and it can't be that tough, I'm sure he used to do it in high school.

I don't like the idea of using a roster spot for a guy to kick deep. Most of the time it won't hurt us, and really isn't a big part of why we lost in the NFCCG.

It would be nice to have a guy who can do it all, kickoffs and accurate field goals, but I think it's more important for us to create some depth in other places, and keep last years team together. It's a good group with a lot of chemistry built, even if the kicker/punter/ls are barely a part of the team, they contribute.