Post by Jor-El on Sept 21, 2021 14:09:31 GMT -6
That means in order to keep Carlson around, the Vikings would have had to stomach a full season of poor kicking before he was able to work on it in the off season, or they could have just taken their lumps for a couple of weeks while he worked on it in the regular season. Considering he had already lost the team a win, I just don't think either of those options were practical.
The best move the Vikings could have made using hindsight was to waive Carlson and put him on the practice squad once he cleared waivers. Then let him fix his kicking, put him on the practice squad again in 2019 when he was not very good and Bailey was much better, and having him replace Bailey in 2020.
The Vikings just got Carlson a couple of years too early and unless he is the next Justin Tucker, it was the right move to not be patient with him.
OK, so the Vikings spent a 5th-rounder (in terms of kickers, a high choice) on a PK with a flaw, but didn't know it. They had him at OTAs and didn't see his issue. They watched him through TC and didn't recognize he had a problem and anointed him the PK over Kai Forbath.
But we should have confidence in their selection and handling of Greg Joseph?
... and neither is this Chris guy.