KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

[vicmantak]

High-pressure position? The Minnesota Vikings plan to really make their kickers sweat this summer.

Paul Edinger and Aaron Elling, in alphabetical order, are vying for a very important job, and each will be given plenty of opportunity in the coming weeks to prove to this team that he is worth keeping.

On the second day of training camp, there generally isn't much tension. But when either Edinger or Elling lined up to try a field goal on Sunday, just about every set of eyes around the practice field seemed focused on the football as it went flying through the air and through - or wide of - the goal posts.

That figures to be the way it will be for a while as the Vikings scrutinize an area in which they've been starving for stability since Mike Tice took over as coach in 2002.

Tice and special teams coach Rusty Tillman have changed their practice routine to include a significant amount of situational kicking drills sprinkled throughout the workouts - instead of saving everything for the end. If the offense is running plays in scrimmage-like fashion, Edinger and Elling must be ready at any time to run on the field and kick. Just like in a game.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/12271743.htm

[vicmantak]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

ADDENDUM:

Vikings: Kicking battle still even
August 13, 2005 3:42 PM ET

Aaron Elling and Paul Edinger each converted a field goal during the Vikings' preseason win over the Chiefs on Friday. Elling drilled a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter, and then Edinger followed up with a 48-yard trey just prior to halftime. The two kickers are locked in a battle for the kicking job that was vacated by Morten Andersen after last season.

AOL View
The only difference between Elling and Edinger came on kickoffs. Elling has definitely improved this area of his game, as he placed all but one of his kicks inside the five-yard line. Contrarily, Edinger had a clunker that landed at the 18-yard line. This one is still too close to call, so we'll keep you posted on this battle throughout the preseason.


Aaron's Game
Like a lot of kickers, Elling is a soccer player at heart. He was no Freddie Adu, but he was an All-State player in high school and All-Mountain West region player in college. In other words, he was more successful at that than he'll likely ever be at kicking pigskin…only the NFL pays slightly better.

[Marvelous]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

I'm willing to give Lindell a "hate free: chance this year.

[The_Philster]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

Hey Vic...thanks for posting these articles but we can't post full length ones...only a blurb (paragraph or two)..and a link...copyright laws and stuff http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssen...s/12271743.htm

[Historian]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

His kickoffs were just as long as the kickoff specialist the Colts had.

[BigZ]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

Lindell didn't look bad at all. Kickoffs were longer than last year and he's supposedly worked out this spring to build leg strength back.

What Lindell needs is a shot of confidence. Last couple of years the coaches wouldn't let him even try long ones. If they start going to him for 40+ yarders and he makes the first one, his head will be in the right place for him to have a great year.

[vicmantak]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

Come on fans! It seems that everybody are fine with Lindell...
I can only say that the only way to earn confidence is to win this kind of "battles" that Vikings are wisely bringing to their coaching staff.

[vicmantak]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

Posted on Tue, Aug. 02, 2005
Elling has leg up in kickoff
BY SEAN JENSEN
Pioneer Press

MANKATO, Minn. — In the Monday morning practice, Aaron Elling showed why he is the favorite to become the Vikings' kicker.

Elling easily kicked a 51-yard field and then blasted the ensuing kickoff 4 yards into the end zone.

But his challenger, former Chicago Bears veteran kicker Paul Edinger, also had a solid showing, nailing a 48-yard field goal, although his kickoff sailed only to the 10.

"The competition has been good for me because it brings out the best in everyone," a confident Elling said around lunchtime.

Yet both he and Edinger were humbled in the afternoon practice, with each badly hooking a field-goal attempt of less than 40 yards.

Fortunately for them, coach Mike Tice addressed reporters only after their good session.

"Both kickers hit their balls very, very well," Tice said. "I'm pleased with the competition. Aaron seems to have a stronger leg, and we knew that going in, as it pertains to kickoffs. Both of them hit their field goals very, very solidly."

Later, Tice reiterated that he is confident Elling or Edinger will allow him to finally carry just one kicker instead of a kickoff specialist and field-goal kicker.

[McGahee420]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

Lindell didn't look bad at all. Kickoffs were longer than last year and he's supposedly worked out this spring to build leg strength back.

What Lindell needs is a shot of confidence. Last couple of years the coaches wouldn't let him even try long ones. If they start going to him for 40+ yarders and he makes the first one, his head will be in the right place for him to have a great year.

Remember, we did play in the dome. No weather, and still can't make it into the endzone.

[LifetimeBillsFan]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

There's also a pretty good kicking battle going on in Cleveland (of all places!) where Tyler Jones was brought in to challenge P.Dawson as soon as the PK job in Chicago was determined.

While Lindell apparently is doing much better this season, I'm really not a fan and would have liked to see the Bills bring in a PK with a real chance to challenge him this year. T.Jones was one of this year's deep class of PKs that I was hoping the Bills would sign to do that and, like Jones, Dawson certainly has experience kicking in bad weather conditions. I hate to say it, but I just don't have a lot of confidence in Lindell to hit anything over 40 yards with the game on the line.

[vicmantak]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

There's also a pretty good kicking battle going on in Cleveland (of all places!) where Tyler Jones was brought in to challenge P.Dawson as soon as the PK job in Chicago was determined.

While Lindell apparently is doing much better this season, I'm really not a fan and would have liked to see the Bills bring in a PK with a real chance to challenge him this year. T.Jones was one of this year's deep class of PKs that I was hoping the Bills would sign to do that and, like Jones, Dawson certainly has experience kicking in bad weather conditions. I hate to say it, but I just don't have a lot of confidence in Lindell to hit anything over 40 yards with the game on the line.

Lifetime,

It's true. Tyler Jones was one of this year's class of PKs and I remember more than two mock drafts drafting him as a Bills 4th round pick.
On the other hand, Cleveland has nothing to loose and if someone offers something for Dawson, it seems that it could be done...

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: KICKER BATTLE TO WATCH

I'd take Lindell before either of those losers.