09-18-2018, 02:14 AM
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/
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/