Kicking Commanded Spotlight for Vikings in Preseason
It isn’t easy to make grandiose suggestions or determinations from a single preseason game, especially the first one. That said, one of the most jarring realities would always come in the kicking game. An entirely new kickoff format was being introduced, and Will Reichard was making his professional debut.
Kicking Commanded Spotlight for Vikings in Preseason
From an aesthetic standpoint, it’s impossible not to see the new kickoff as weird. Short of being a diehard XFL fan, it looks so out of sorts that watching the opposition stand pat as the ball flies into the air is odd. Once the action starts, though, it’s hard not to be excited about it.
Rather than pounding the ball into or through the end zone as has become so customary, a level of intrigue for the kickoff has been restored. The NFL has also accomplished that reality while making one of the most violent events in a game much safer. It was great to see both sides push the ball toward the 25-yard line, and different blocking strategies were certainly in play.
Minnesota didn’t take any chances with regard to different kicking strategies. Reichard put the ball within the landing zone each time and avoided any desire for a line drive. Daniel Carlson did look to send a ball driven toward the corner of the field, but the illegal kick allowed the Vikings to start at the 40-yard line. It remains to be seen how often strategies will be utilized and what will be deemed worthwhile once the game starts to matter.
Reichard, specifically, was going to be under a microscope. He is the first rookie kicker that Minnesota has employed since Mike Zimmer jettisoned the Raiders Carlson just a few games into his pro career. The Alabama product lined up for his first professional field goal and promptly watched as it was swatted down and blocked. From there, things improved.
Kickoffs went well for Reichard, and he was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra-point attempts. It didn’t take long for him to be thrust into a pressure situation, either. As the Vikings worked their way down the field with time running out,
Reichard lined up for a 38-yard field goal with three seconds left. He banged it right through the uprights to give Minnesota their first preseason win since 2019.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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