Blair Walsh continues to cost the Minnesota Vikings points, but head coach Mike Zimmer still won’t commit to bringing in competition for his struggling kicker.
At least “not yet.”
From Andrew Krammer of ESPN1500:
The Vikings have not made plans to bring in any kickers for tryouts, Mike Zimmer said. “Not yet.”
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 4, 2016
Zimmer’s tone seems to be changing about his team’s precarious kicking situation. Few would blame him. Walsh, who famously shanked the game-winning kick against the Seattle Seahawks in last year’s playoffs, missed another field goal during Minnesota’s 24-10 win over the New York Giants on Monday night.
The ESPN broadcast showed a visibly frustrated Zimmer immediately after the 46-yard miss. It has becoming increasingly clear his patience with Walsh is nearing the end.
Through four games, Walsh has missed three field goals and a pair of extra points. The Vikings haven’t suffered in the win column as a result of the 11 lost points, but it’s certainly possible they could down the road.
Zimmer knows it.
“We need to make those, or it’s going to bite us in the rear end,” Zimmer said Monday night.
Minnesota is 4-0 and looking at a potentially special 2016 season. Walsh already cost Zimmer’s team a chance to advance deep into last year’s playoffs. A few more misses, and Zimmer shouldn’t hesitate to make the change. Robbie Gould and a host of available of kickers are just a call away.
