Vikings GM Rick Spielman had no choice but to move on from Daniel Carlson

[purplefaithful]

Rick Spielman gambled and lost.
In terms of Sunday’s outcome, a tie felt like a loss, and the Vikings general manager had no choice but to admit he screwed up his kicker situation and had to fix it before more damage was done.
Spielman released rookie kicker Daniel Carlson on Monday after two games and one of the worst meltdowns imaginable in a 29-29 tie at Green Bay.
Carlson missed three field-goals attempts, including a potential game-winner from 35 yards as time expired in overtime. Carlson admitted that his confidence was shaken after his first two misses, and he might as well have packed his bags and headed home at that point.
His career with the Vikings was done.
Actually, this outcome was foreshadowed in the preseason when coach Mike Zimmer became so exasperated with Carlson after a missed field goal against Seattle that he opted for a two-point conversion following a touchdown.
Veteran Dan Bailey is expected to sign once he passes a physical, ending a failed experiment.
Chalk this up as a notable draft bust by Spielman and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, who presumably gave his recommendation before the organization drafted Carlson in the fifth round, the highest pick used on a kicker in team history.
The Vikings grew tired of Kai Forbath’s penchant for missing extra points so they rolled the dice on Carlson and it backfired spectacularly. The team pretended to hold a kicker competition in training camp but that was merely a ruse. As long as Carlson showed up with two legs, he had the job.
Spielman and coaches raved about Carlson’s strong leg, but they couldn’t account for his inability to handle pressure or failure.
The quick hook was Spielman’s only recourse because the Vikings are expected to contend for a championship, and the NFC is too formidable to not maximize every opportunity. The Vikings squandered a big one on the road against a division opponent...
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-gm-ri...493540341/

[Guest]

Spielman also seemed to send a message in a separate move. It certainly didn’t seem like coincidence that the team signed veteran receiver Aldrick Robinson one day after Laquon Treadwell had a nightmare outing.
Three seasons into his career and the former first-round pick still can’t be trusted. The team should put Treadwell on notice after his error-filled performance included an egregious drop that resulted in an interception late in regulation.
Treadwell was targeted a career-high six times and caught his first career touchdown pass. But he also dropped three passes and appeared to run the wrong route on another. So four of his six targets went haywire because of a lack of focus, or something.
Cutting Treadwell would be popular with fans, but the Vikings should try a different tactic in case that position encounters injuries at some point.
The team should demote Treadwell on the depth chart. Make him inactive on game day or give others playing time at the No. 3 receiver spot. Maybe that’s Stacy Coley, Brandon Zylstra or the new guy, Robinson.

[Guest]

The swiftness of the move surprised me, but it shows the pressure of winning in the NFL and how precious each possible victory is for a team during the course of a season. They pissed away a win in Green Bay because of Carlson and he had numerous times to win the game. Brutal. Can't afford to have that happen again in a similar situation so you sign Bailey and hope that he makes them because his history is that he does. That's all you can do, increase your odds to improve at a spot. Harsh for Carlson but that's life in the NFL.

I give credit for the organization to make this move so quickly, but at the same time I hated that they moved up to take a kicker in the 5th round. Hated it. But, I guess you can hit on a guy the same way you can swing and miss win that scenario. 

[Guest]

Some thoughts.  It takes a strong person to admit they made a mistake (learned that many years ago).  My hat is off to Rick for that.  Kudos for manning up.  For anyone to call him out that he made a mistake, "let the first person without sin cast the first stone". 

Second, Sticky, the swiftness of the move.  When you know you have an real problem, you've worked for years to build this team, and you know that the rear tire is flat, you fix the flat right now and keep driving.  Now.  We are not used to them fixing the flat right now.  

Dan Bailey was a hot commodity last week...he could have another ten years in this league.  Four (?) teams approached him and he said yes to this one.  So I'm with you on giving credit to the organization for moving quickly...we are just not used to that. 

I think there is a Zim-su, no BS attitude that has permeated up to Rick that says, "we got a problem, we know we made a mistake, we know how to fix it, we're going to fix it." 

And regarding the loss of a couple 6th round draft picks last spring, I loved Zim-su's response.  "We've got three UDFAs on this team right now.  We'll have another 6th round pick next year".

If this was the new Vikings reality, I'm all for it.

[Guest]

Maybe if Zimmer and the Flip had played  all 4 quarters instead of just one (the 4th ) the Vikings would not have been in the situation they were in.  Yes Carlson did blow it, but the way the Vikings play games also had a factor in the tie. Zimmer never comes out and blows teams away and then just keeps scoring.

We have seen it time after time, that when the Vikes get up by a few scores, next thing you know they are behind. The Vikings lack the killer instinct, mentality to finish off teams early and then run them into the ground.

[Guest]

@vikingknights said:
Maybe if Zimmer and the Flip had played  all 4 quarters instead of just one (the 4th ) the Vikings would not have been in the situation they were in.  Yes Carlson did blow it, but the way the Vikings play games also had a factor in the tie. Zimmer never comes out and blows teams away and then just keeps scoring.

We have seen it time after time, that when the Vikes get up by a few scores, next thing you know they are behind. The Vikings lack the killer instinct, mentality to finish off teams early and then run them into the ground.

Wow, and here I was going to give the team and coaches credit for resiliency (and if the kicker doesnt screw the pooch) keep the longest streak of winning @ Lamblow since Favre alive... B)

[Guest]

@vikingknights said:
Maybe if Zimmer and the Flip had played  all 4 quarters instead of just one (the 4th ) the Vikings would not have been in the situation they were in.  Yes Carlson did blow it, but the way the Vikings play games also had a factor in the tie. Zimmer never comes out and blows teams away and then just keeps scoring.

We have seen it time after time, that when the Vikes get up by a few scores, next thing you know they are behind. The Vikings lack the killer instinct, mentality to finish off teams early and then run them into the ground.

JMO, but too harsh here. Played a tough opponent on the road and would have won if the kicker makes a 35 yd FG.