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Raptorman wrote: A poor year? How do you figure? His overall net average is the highest it's ever been. His return yardages are the second lowest they have ever been. So where is he screwing up?

Idk, it seems like he is having many problems kicking outdoors... he shanked a few in Chicago IIRC and, as I said, I have never been as high on him as some others have. I still have flashbacks to that game in NO s few years ago when Reggie Bush returned two for TDs and should have had another but he tripped on his way to the End Zone.

BGM wrote: So, tune him out.

I'm sorry, just have to jump on my soap box for a moment. It always strikes me as strange that we always compartmentalize things like this. He's a football player, so what does he know about politics. He's a plumber, what does he know about foreign policy. We have become a society that devalues the Renaissance Man - someone who is athletic, artistic, intelligent and has *gasp* eloquent and varied opinions. We value simplicity and convenience, instead, and that saddens me beyond consoling.

here's the thing, if he starts a facebook page for ray guy to be in the hall or if he brings it up in an interview, that's different. when he puts something on his uniform for all to see, it looks like he's begging for attention. that's why it's annoying. did you really need to put that on your uniform? you can't see how that's annoying to fans and his coach, especially given his past? very few are whining about his guitar playing or WOW gaming, but did anyone ask for his opinions?

I agree with Demi. Whatever your opinion on Kluwe's methods it is hard to deny the dramatic exposure it got for Ray Guy's cause. I'd say it was $5,250 well spent, guerilla marketing at it's finest. The simple question you should all ask is this: How many people had no idea who Ray Guy was now do thanks to Kluwe? The answer is A LOT. Promotional Genius IMO.

Also, I agree with Mondry. Why is this even an issue?

Just testing the water to see what the fan reaction will be if Spielman cuts another player without compensation. In a couple months when Kluwe is traded, or released, most of you will back Spielman, because of his antics. Late night assault, no punishment, political twitter and post it notes, equals a cancer.

joe h wrote:Just testing the water to see what the fan reaction will be if Spielman cuts another player without compensation. In a couple months when Kluwe is traded, or released, most of you will back Spielman, because of his antics. Late night assault, no punishment, political twitter and post it notes, equals a cancer.

Did I miss something? What late night assault?

Political Twitter? Who cares? If it bothers you, don't subscribe. You have that freedom. As does Kluwe for speaking his mind.

He's an average to below average player at an easily replaceable position, and one who's had stretches of very poor performances this year. After months of having to respond to Kluwe's crusades, I can't blame a coach for getting annoyed. I'd expect them to look into replacing him in the offseason.

Vikes have the 3rd best return avg for opposing teams. Kluwe is doing just fine. This is the sort of mentality I have trouble with coaches - they tell players to keep this sort of stuff in-house, but turn around and babble about non important stories like this in the public. Coach can shove it it on this one, and I probably didn't agree with half of Kluwe's stances here.

I guess I just don't understand why it bothers people. Do you really think Adrian freaking Peterson is gonna be like "you know, i wanted to rush for 2200 yards but kluwe did wear a patch on his uniform so maybe we should focus on that instead."

This actually feels very typical of coaches and organizations where the guy performs pretty well, so it's a non issue. However, shank like what? 2 punts? and suddenly it's "i can't stand how out going this guy is! Let's get rid of him!"

Seems like their are some control issues there, coach whats his name (already don't remember the guy) just wants some grunts he can order around.

mondry wrote:I guess I just don't understand why it bothers people. Do you really think Adrian freaking Peterson is gonna be like "you know, i wanted to rush for 2200 yards but kluwe did wear a patch on his uniform so maybe we should focus on that instead."

This actually feels very typical of coaches and organizations where the guy performs pretty well, so it's a non issue. However, shank like what? 2 punts? and suddenly it's "i can't stand how out going this guy is! Let's get rid of him!"

Seems like their are some control issues there, coach whats his name (already don't remember the guy) just wants some grunts he can order around.

Actually, this thread is what seems typical to me: a complete overreaction to a few moments of understandable irritation from the special teams coach.

All we have here is a special teams coach who is tired of being asked to respond to non-football issues regarding his punter. That's understandable. He's not stepping up to the podium each week to discuss Kluwe's opinions, he's there to talk football, to discuss his special teams unit. After a while, the questions about Kluwe's tweets, political views, post-it antics, etc. probably get tiresome because they have nothing to do with Mike Priefer. They're Kluwe's opinions, not his, but he's asked to comment on them anyway because he's the ST coach.

Priefer didn't say anything about wanting to get rid of Kluwe, about wanting grunts to order around, etc. All he said was that the distractions are getting old for him and that Kluwe needs to focus on punting and holding. Somehow that leads to comments like Dan referring to the Vikings as a "franchise of numbskulls", talk about control issues, the Vikings wanting to get rid of Kluwe, etc. It's a bit much...

Put yourself in Preifer's shoes. When you get up to discuss your special teams unit each week, do you want to actually discuss what's happening with that unit or do you want to discuss Kluwe's views on Ray Guy or same sex marriage?

Not every molehill has to become a mountain, guys.

Mothman wrote:
Put yourself in Preifer's shoes. When you get up to discuss your special teams unit each week, do you want to actually discuss what's happening with that unit or do you want to discuss Kluwe's views on Ray Guy or same sex marriage?

He's the special teams coach, in fact without Kluwe, what is there to talk about?

mondry wrote: He's the special teams coach, in fact without Kluwe, what is there to talk about?

His work with Walsh?

Mothman wrote:
Put yourself in Preifer's shoes. When you get up to discuss your special teams unit each week, do you want to actually discuss what's happening with that unit or do you want to discuss Kluwe's views on Ray Guy or same sex marriage?

Simple. His response should be. "Do you have a football question?"


But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

How much of a distraction could this have been?

Raptorman wrote:. His response should be. "Do you have a football question?"

But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

That's close to what he did. He said he didn't want to talk about it. He added that the distractions were getting old for him but I don't see why that's a big deal. The guy had a human moment. We all do that.

Coaches can't win with fans. When they just deliver "coach speak", they get criticized for not saying anything substantial. On the other hand, one little personal opinion slips out and it turns into a controversy. Ironically, while so many are eager to defend Kluwe's right to express his opinions, Priefer is getting blasted for expressing his...

Mothman wrote: That's close to what he did. He said he didn't want to talk about it. He added that the distractions were getting old for him but I don't see why that's a big deal. The guy had a human moment. We all do that.

Coaches can't win with fans. When they just deliver "coach speak", they get criticized for not saying anything substantial. On the other hand, one little personal opinion slips out and it turns into a controversy. Ironically, while so many are eager to defend Kluwe's right to express his opinions, Priefer is getting blasted for expressing his...

Now don't go using the idea of equality between player and coaches.


Personally, I don't care if anyone expresses their opinions, as long as it is not distraction to the team and the games they play.