Vikings coach Mike Zimmer seems baffled by kicker Daniel Carlson: 'Guys are supposed to do their jobs.'
In one of the worst days for special teams in franchise history, the Vikings had a punt blocked for a touchdown and then watched helplessly as Carlson, their rookie kicker, missed three field goals wide right, including a 35-yarder as overtime ended in a 29-29 tie with the Packers.
It would be shocking if the Vikings didn’t spend Sunday night strongly considering a move at kicker. Dan Bailey, the most accurate kicker in Cowboys history, is still available, as is — don’t laugh — Kai Forbath, whom the Vikings released in favor of Carlson.
“I don’t know,” coach Mike Zimmer said when asked if he had to make a move at kicker. “It’s too early. [General Manager] Rick [Spielman] and I have barely talked yet. Rick and I will sit down [Monday] and we’ll talk about it.”
As a fifth-round draft pick, Carlson is the highest-drafted kicker in franchise history. He’s got a giant leg, but even he admitted his confidence was gone when he went out to kick the potential game-winner.
“You know what? Guys are supposed to do their jobs,” Zimmer said. “Maybe we should have thrown the ball into the end zone a couple of times. I believed that [Carlson] was going to make it. They said, ‘Put it in the middle of the field.’ We put it smack dead in the middle of the field, and every day in practice, he drills them. That’s what’s disappointing.”
Carlson, who is 1 of 4 on the season, said he’s never missed three field goals in a game. His first miss from 48 yards was a good 10, 15 yards off the mark.
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