Cutting Kevin McDermott :Typical Mick & Dick scapegoating
Ya know, I have been pretty ambivalent about Zimmer and his record during his tenure (which, btw, is almost IDENTICAL in results to Chilly's tenure), but I gotta say that he and Dicky are total D-Bags when it comes to dealing with kickers, punters and, now, long snappers.
Yeah, MZ said he "loves" Kevin, but still, out of ALL the issues that have plagued this team regarding CHAMPIONSHIP aspirations since he's become HC, why do Micky and Dicky ALWAYS seem to scapegoat the kickers (and OC's, for that matter)? Is it because the prevailing "wisdom" among fans is that kickers and punters are a dime a dozen? That, since they don't typically engage in physicality on the field, they don't "qualify" as NFL players? Mick & Dick seem to hang on to QB's, WR's, OL-men, RB's, DB's , WAAAAAY beyond their usefulness. Why the quick hook for them? Because of the anticipated little, if ANY, backlash from fans about cutting the SOB who missed a FG? ? Let's not even get into the OC's....the SAME fan's that quote Kirk's passing stats as PROOF that he's the answer, are the SAME fan's that vilify DeFililpo's (sp?) play calling. Ummm, KC would NOT have had as many PASSING yards if the team wasn't, ya know, PASSING so frequently. Is that logic too hard to comprehend?
I think, and it's actually pretty obvious to a casual observer, that these 2 (Mick & Dick) appear to be more interested in their JOBS at this point than winning, certainly Saint Richard, "Patron Saint of Identifying Scapegoats for His Teams' Failures". I can't honestly say that I'd act any differently to cover MY ass.... 6 zeros on your annual salary can change one's perspective. But, good Lord, how many "scapegoats" can be presented to Viking fans before they (the fans) start to look at the COMMON DENOMINATOR in this unprecedented stretch of playoff ineptitude?
Since the the Vikings became part of the NFL, there has NEVER been a more UNSUCCESSFUL stretch of playoff futility than we are currently experiencing. The Vikings have never had such a pathetic run of playoff dysfunction during ANY 13 season stretch, INCLUDING their initial years as a TRUE expansion team in the early '60's. Thanks, Dicky!! Well done!!
2 playoff wins since 2006 SUCKS SWEATY, DIRTY DONKEY BALLS, and listening to fans fawning over the culprit of these results is nauseating.
But, yeah, let's applaud cutting McDermott and saving $750K.......but KEEPING a 1st rd WR that can't separate, run routes, or catch TD's to avoid a $1M cap hit. Too funny. Viking's fans are just soooo willing to eat whatever shit they're dishing out of the Wilf Castle in Eagan. Bon Appetit, boys and girls. Me thinks another 7-9 or 9-7 season is coming. Hope I'm wrong.
Peace
but KEEPING a 1st rd WR that can't separate, run
routes, or catch footballs to avoid a $1M cap hit.
I fixed that part for you.
I think that’s a lot of angst over a long snapper.
Dude. The new special teams coach wants his guys. They cut the LS now so he can catch on with another team. Its not angst-worthy. Cutting was drafted and this was inevitable. Shitting on every move the Vikings make is doing what exactly? I'm with you on being more results-oriented but cutting a LS is not going to ignite outrage in me as a fan.
I have issues with the way Zimmer handles kickers. But there is no basis to suggest he is more interested in keeping his job than in winning. I think he makes these moves because he thinks they are necessary to help us win. I don’t agree with every move, but I do not doubt his motive.
Am I missing something? I mean win and they get to keep their jobs. So yes keeping their jobs is most important. How does any scapegoat change that?
I really like what they're doing. Vikings may go from having an overpaid long snapper, 2 below average kickers, a holder without any athleticism and a separate return specialist who was unable to contribute elsewhere....to....
1 kicker, 1 rookie snapper and 1 holder/RS who is also your 3rd receiver.
@"StickyBun" said: Dude. The new special teams coach wants his guys. They cut the LS now so he can catch on with another team. Its not angst-worthy. Cutting was drafted and this was inevitable. Shitting on every move the Vikings make is doing what exactly? I'm with you on being more results-oriented but cutting a LS is not going to ignite outrage in me as a fan.
Agree with you StickyBun...some folks just got to take any itsy-bitsy thing and over dramatize it to death.
@"MaroonBells" said: I really like what they're doing. Vikings may go from having an overpaid long snapper, 2 below average kickers, a holder without any athleticism and a separate return specialist who was unable to contribute elsewhere....to....1 kicker, 1 rookie snapper and 1 holder/RS who is also your 3rd receiver.
I'm waiting to see what position this new kicker plays... is he our punter? Kicker? Both?
Also in response to the OP... it's a bit of a stretch to say Zimmer and Spielman are blaming McDermott for the kicking woes. Let's face the facts, the Vikings are tight on cap space and felt they had an opportunity to get younger and cheaper at LS. McDermott has been good, but I wonder if him losing part of a finger last season has affected his ability to snap consistently? It could be a reason the Vikings drafted the best college LS with one of their 7th rounders.
Regardless, I'm glad they settled on one guy and have the rest of training camp and preseason to get things right before the real games start.
@"Wetlander" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I really like what they're doing. Vikings may go from having an overpaid long snapper, 2 below average kickers, a holder without any athleticism and a separate return specialist who was unable to contribute elsewhere....to....1 kicker, 1 rookie snapper and 1 holder/RS who is also your 3rd receiver.
I'm waiting to see what position this new kicker plays... is he our punter? Kicker? Both?Also in response to the OP... it's a bit of a stretch to say Zimmer and Spielman are blaming McDermott for the kicking woes. Let's face the facts, the Vikings are tight on cap space and felt they had an opportunity to get younger and cheaper at LS. McDermott has been good, but I wonder if him losing part of a finger last season has affected his ability to snap consistently? It could be a reason the Vikings drafted the best college LS with one of their 7th rounders.
Regardless, I'm glad they settled on one guy and have the rest of training camp and preseason to get things right before the real games start.
No way to say for certain yet, but I think the fact that they've been grooming Beebe to be the holder, and the fact that both Wile and Bailey were kept from the media yesterday, is a pretty strong clue that they may want to use Ved-Vike as both.That said, it's pretty unusual. I remember a few instances where the punter would be the kick off guy, but has there ever been a single player who does all three--punt, kick off and place kick?
@"MaroonBells" said:@"Wetlander" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I really like what they're doing. Vikings may go from having an overpaid long snapper, 2 below average kickers, a holder without any athleticism and a separate return specialist who was unable to contribute elsewhere....to....1 kicker, 1 rookie snapper and 1 holder/RS who is also your 3rd receiver.
I'm waiting to see what position this new kicker plays... is he our punter? Kicker? Both?Also in response to the OP... it's a bit of a stretch to say Zimmer and Spielman are blaming McDermott for the kicking woes. Let's face the facts, the Vikings are tight on cap space and felt they had an opportunity to get younger and cheaper at LS. McDermott has been good, but I wonder if him losing part of a finger last season has affected his ability to snap consistently? It could be a reason the Vikings drafted the best college LS with one of their 7th rounders.
Regardless, I'm glad they settled on one guy and have the rest of training camp and preseason to get things right before the real games start.
No way to say for certain yet, but I think the fact that they've been grooming Beebe to be the holder, and the fact that both Wile and Bailey were kept from the media yesterday, is a pretty strong clue that they may want to use Ved-Vike as both.That said, it's pretty unusual. I remember a few instances where the punter would be the kick off guy, but has there ever been a single player who does all three--punt, kick off and place kick?
I think George Blanda might of done that with the Oakland Raiders way back when for one season.
@"MaroonBells" said:No way to say for certain yet, but I think the fact that they've been grooming Beebe to be the holder, and the fact that both Wile and Bailey were kept from the media yesterday, is a pretty strong clue that they may want to use Ved-Vike as both.
That said, it's pretty unusual. I remember a few instances where the punter would be the kick off guy, but has there ever been a single player who does all three--punt, kick off and place kick?
I can't recall a guy doing all three... it would be kind of unnerving to only have one kicker handling all the kicking duties (FGs, punts, and kickoffs). If he ever got hurt, we'd be in some serious trouble trying to find a K and a punter in-season if it was a long-term injury.
It seems like Bailey has the shortest leash considering his performance last season and during Training Camp (hasn't had a perfect practice yet)... but then Zimmer comes out and says he likes Dan and this move wasn't an indication that we were moving on from him. All I know is Vedvik is taking someone's spot because you don't trade a 5th for a kicker and then cut him.
It's going to be interesting to watch this unfold.
@"Wetlander" said:@"MaroonBells" said:No way to say for certain yet, but I think the fact that they've been grooming Beebe to be the holder, and the fact that both Wile and Bailey were kept from the media yesterday, is a pretty strong clue that they may want to use Ved-Vike as both.
That said, it's pretty unusual. I remember a few instances where the punter would be the kick off guy, but has there ever been a single player who does all three--punt, kick off and place kick?
I can't recall a guy doing all three... it would be kind of unnerving to only have one kicker handling all the kicking duties (FGs, punts, and kickoffs). If he ever got hurt, we'd be in some serious trouble trying to find a K and a punter in-season if it was a long-term injury.It seems like Bailey has the shortest leash considering his performance last season and during Training Camp (hasn't had a perfect practice yet)... but then Zimmer comes out and says he likes Dan and this move wasn't an indication that we were moving on from him. All I know is Vedvik is taking someone's spot because you don't trade a 5th for a kicker and then cut him.
It's going to be interesting to watch this unfold.
Yeah, I think all remain with the team until we've had a chance to see them compete. It's just nice to know that we have an exciting young prospect who can kick the hell outta the ball. Is that worth a 5th? Considering Bailey's problems in camp so far, I would say so. I've read a lot of moaning about that on twitter, but my God, you trade down 10 spots in the 3rd and you have your 5th rounder back. If there's one thing about Rick, he knows how to trade down.
@"Wetlander" said:@"MaroonBells" said:No way to say for certain yet, but I think the fact that they've been grooming Beebe to be the holder, and the fact that both Wile and Bailey were kept from the media yesterday, is a pretty strong clue that they may want to use Ved-Vike as both.
That said, it's pretty unusual. I remember a few instances where the punter would be the kick off guy, but has there ever been a single player who does all three--punt, kick off and place kick?
I can't recall a guy doing all three... it would be kind of unnerving to only have one kicker handling all the kicking duties (FGs, punts, and kickoffs). If he ever got hurt, we'd be in some serious trouble trying to find a K and a punter in-season if it was a long-term injury.It seems like Bailey has the shortest leash considering his performance last season and during Training Camp (hasn't had a perfect practice yet)... but then Zimmer comes out and says he likes Dan and this move wasn't an indication that we were moving on from him. All I know is Vedvik is taking someone's spot because you don't trade a 5th for a kicker and then cut him.
It's going to be interesting to watch this unfold.
pretty sure if you lose a kicker or punter, you are screwed in those departments anyway for that game. And if the punter is the holder, you are screwed again.
I like the move. We got 2 specialists instead of 3 now. Opens up room elsewhere, and I am sure we have someone that could punt in a pinch.
@"Wetlander" said:@"MaroonBells" said:No way to say for certain yet, but I think the fact that they've been grooming Beebe to be the holder, and the fact that both Wile and Bailey were kept from the media yesterday, is a pretty strong clue that they may want to use Ved-Vike as both.
That said, it's pretty unusual. I remember a few instances where the punter would be the kick off guy, but has there ever been a single player who does all three--punt, kick off and place kick?
I can't recall a guy doing all three... it would be kind of unnerving to only have one kicker handling all the kicking duties (FGs, punts, and kickoffs). If he ever got hurt, we'd be in some serious trouble trying to find a K and a punter in-season if it was a long-term injury.It seems like Bailey has the shortest leash considering his performance last season and during Training Camp (hasn't had a perfect practice yet)... but then Zimmer comes out and says he likes Dan and this move wasn't an indication that we were moving on from him. All I know is Vedvik is taking someone's spot because you don't trade a 5th for a kicker and then cut him.
It's going to be interesting to watch this unfold.
But the efficiency!! Now we can screw up all kicking with just one guy!!
Is this one of those jack of all master of none? You cant tell me that there hasnt been someone in 60 years capable of all 3 yet we were able to get for a fifth round pick.
Cutting McDermott wasn't scapegoating, it was cap management. Draft a cheap rook, whack the more expensive vet. Been going on for decades.
Now as for Zimmer's track record with kickers, I agree something is going on... I just have no idea what. Keeping Vedvik as far away from Zimmer as possible seems like a good plan to start with :p
rams kicker Frank Corral did both duties in 80-81. That is the last time.
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