BGM wrote:I accept that Locke is a cheaper option, but a better option? Potentially, maybe. He hasn't kicked in the NFL, so that is a statement that cannot be validly made. Something that cannot be undervalued is Kluwe's holding responsibilities. I know this may be laughed off as no big deal, but ask any place kicker how valuable the holder is to his success. But, this was a done deal longer ago than I would care to admit.
I do understand this is a business decision. Do I like it? Nope, not in the least. Will I stop cheering for the Vikings? Nope.
There certainly is no guarantee Locke will be better, but as the best punter in the draft, his talent suggests he will be. He doesn't have a long way to go to better than kluwe, considering kluwe was below average in every relevant statistic last year, and in some cases, well below average.
I understand why he will be missed by some, he was a fun personality and a great guy. He also had a few very good years punting in Minnesota. Unfortunately those good years are long in the past now, and have been replaced by mediocre to down right bad years. I think odds are highly in locke's favor to be a solid upgrade at the position and I wish more people focused on what he can bring to the team rather than focus on the things Chris no longer brings.
Cliff wrote:They're basically hoping to replicate what they did with Walsh last season. Replace a guy near the end of his career with someone who has more potential. Worked well with Walsh at least.
Hoping and reality don't always meet, but sometimes coaches operate at the same emotional level as fans. Draft someone with good credentials and you think/hope you have yourself another Pro Bowler. Good luck with that...
Longwell was at end of his career, and some would argue he played beyond it. Kluwe, not so much.
I'll be sorry to see him go as I liked him. The part I didn't care for was that he allowed himself to be distracted during the season. I play darts and I know when I'm not focused on shooting darts during the season my game suffers I'm sure the same is true for a professional football player also. During the six months of football season I don't care what a football players feels about a subject other than how they are going to win their next game. The other six months of the year I'll be happy hearing all about their political and religious views, but during the season I want them focused on trying to win the Super bowl.
For those from other boards saying DUIs, domestic disputes and speeding is ok though. You were not on this board then to see the heat those players took for their actions on this board (many wanted Cook thrown off the team) about creating distractions during the season, so stop saying this is only a gay issue. This is a football issue.
BGM makes a good point about his holding duty but maybe it might be better to have a QB or backup QB be the holder to allow the other team to have to worry about a fake FG.
I think the sacrifice would be worth it," Kluwe told Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune. "Now, I would hope that I would get the chance to play football again, because I think I can still play. But if it ends up being something that costs me that position, I think making people aware of an issue that is causing children to commit suicide is more important than kicking a leather ball.
I have major respect for this man and wish him the best of luck in the future.
And for all of you that are overemphasizing his statistics..
Ugh, I'll try not to get too ranty here, but ignorance annoys me. First off, all of you people so wisely spouting numbers, do none of you even bother to do research? I had almost EXACTLY my career average numbers for gross, and a career best for net, and while yes I mis-hit some punts, I also had a lot of very good punts, enough to continue being the statistically best punter the Vikings have ever had (which I hate having to say over and over but people don't seem to grasp the point). Do you know why my ranking was so low last year? Because that was the most drastically anomalous year in terms of punting averages in the HISTORY OF THE NFL. There's never been a year with that many guys having gross and net averages that high EVER. Not to mention, once again (for the seventh year in a row) I was asked by my coaches to try and hit the ball shorter, higher, and towards the numbers so our coverage guys would have an easier job. There were multiple times I hit a 48-52 yard punt with 4.6-4.8 seconds of hangtime (which is a perfectly good punt) and I got graded poorly by my special teams coach because it went over 44 yards. Not exactly conducive to putting up gaudy numbers. Also, you have got to be kidding me with the "30th in touchbacks" rating. Do you even know what that means? It means I was the third best punter in the league at NOT PUTTING THE BALL IN THE END ZONE ON +50s WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. As far as fair catches, well, feel free to watch the tape. As a team, we consistently face 6 man boxes on punt (leaving two guys to cover each gunner) because Cullen and I have the fastest get off time in the NFL (so opposing coaches know they won't have a chance to block a punt), and also because we haven't run a punt fake the ENTIRE time I've been with the Vikings (as well as our coverage teams being consistently not good over the years). Why on earth would an opposing special teams coach NOT double our gunners every time when that's clearly the best option available, and we haven't shown any game tape of breaking that tendency? Of course I'm not going to have many fair catches. Our gunners are usually getting down there the same time as our interior guys (through no fault of their own, it's amazingly hard to fight through a double team as a gunner and they do a hell of a job at it), which means the returner has time to run. I'll give you the punts inside the 20 this year, there were a few from the 50 to minus 45 I could have hit better that would have bumped me up a couple spots, but that's also dependent on our offense. We have Blair Walsh now. He makes long field goals. That means I don't take as many +50 opportunities as I used to and I'M OK WITH THAT BECAUSE I'D RATHER WE SCORE POINTS AND WIN THE GAME. I really really REALLY wish people would take the time to actually educate themselves on a subject instead of just cherrypicking numbers they think support their position without any idea of the context behind those numbers. The very fact you're posting on here means you have access to Google. Go do some research. (Or you can ask me, it's not like this isn't something I've spent almost 19 years of my life doing)
DCman11 wrote:
I have major respect for this man and wish him the best of luck in the future.
I read this earlier, too. I was actually telling my family about it, because I thought it was worth mentioning. It just goes to show what kind of man he really is. He's actually been one of my favorite players for the past few years. I feel kind of silly for loving a punter, but it is what it is. There's no shame in my game. I'll wear his jersey proudly.
odinspeak wrote:Thankfully this distraction is gone, now the team can focus on DUI's and beating their girlfriends.
Lol.
I will admit, initially, I was pretty pissed because it sounded like this team didn't want someone who was outspoken (interestingly enough, even Peterson was told to tone it down by Frazier). However, after I looked into the situation a little deeper, I can see why Kluwe was all but gone. Anyway, it will suck having him gone. He was definitely a polarizing guy and I really enjoyed having him on the team.
A Randy Moss fan for life. A Kevin Williams fan for life.
Kluwe was a great guy. However he is regressing. Maybe the coaches were so ticked about his performance last season, and his "antics" did not make things any better. Kluwe said it himself that he does not think about his job off the field. When you have a job, especially a job like the NFL, everything you say on social media will blow up. Kluwe does have the right to voice his opinion but at the same time you have to respect the companies policies when it comes to talking to the media.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with his views on gay rights because I remember Priefer was mad about Kluwe's outburst on the whole Ray Guy thing. With many jobs, not just the NFL, we have to watch what we say because it can cost us our jobs. He gets paid to play football, no create attention on himself by getting involve in controversial topics. Like Priefer said that are ways to support his views without blabbling off to the media. He could have support gays by doing one of those gay marches. Or send a letter to the NFL about the Ray Guy thing. Every issue doesn't have to be fed to the media.
I do wish him the best of luck because he is still a decent punter, I think Locke is better anyways because he has a stronger leg and directional kick.
JEC334 wrote:Kluwe was a great guy. However he is regressing. Maybe the coaches were so ticked about his performance last season, and his "antics" did not make things any better. Kluwe said it himself that he does not think about his job off the field. When you have a job, especially a job like the NFL, everything you say on social media will blow up. Kluwe does have the right to voice his opinion but at the same time you have to respect the companies policies when it comes to talking to the media.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with his views on gay rights because I remember Priefer was mad about Kluwe's outburst on the whole Ray Guy thing. With many jobs, not just the NFL, we have to watch what we say because it can cost us our jobs. He gets paid to play football, no create attention on himself by getting involve in controversial topics. Like Priefer said that are ways to support his views without blabbling off to the media. He could have support gays by doing one of those gay marches. Or send a letter to the NFL about the Ray Guy thing. Every issue doesn't have to be fed to the media.
I do wish him the best of luck because he is still a decent punter, I think Locke is better anyways because he has a stronger leg and directional kick.
For me I was proud to have a guy like this on our team, someone who cared enough about others and what's happening in the "real world" to stand up and put it on the line. I would hope the Vikings would stand behind a man like this. . However difficult decisions have to be made every year and if this was based on football and putting together the best team then great.
hibbingviking wrote:Vikings should have drafted tyler wilson or landry jones instead of a punter. we have ponder and cassell for the next few years at least, two of the worst qbs in the league.
There's no shame in my game. I'll wear his jersey proudly. 
