Kluwe's last punt?

[countyline]

Will Ziggy boot his arse out of town?

[Scott K]

I give Kluwe's odds of being here next year, about the same as I give the Patriots of cutting Brady, and trading their next 3 years picks to us for Webb.

[luckydog25]

I believe it was on this day a year ago the vikes cut Longwell. The Monday after the rookie mini camp. They didn't use a 5th rounder to come in for a competition IMO. My guess is he will get cut today. Frees up somewhere around 1.5 million if they do cut him.

[nofishfisherman]

He's gone. Just don't see any reason to keep him after spending a pick on a punter.

Kluwe just hasn't been kicking the ball well overall and he's been down right bad when kicking outdoors. With the kicker friendly dome on its way out I don't see the vikings investing in someone who has struggled kicking outdoors.

Personally I like Kluwe. I think he's pretty funny regardless of his politics, I just wish he could kick the ball better.

[Scott K]

He isnt being let go for his on field skillz, or lack thereof, it is his mouth off the field that is putting him on the unemployment line. He was warned last year by the FO, and he then went out right after that and opened his yap back up. It didnt help that he had a bad year on the field, but he had an acceptable year on the field. Just to many distractions over all, and it cost him.

He has some strong beliefs, and likes to talk in public about them, Ziggy likes the players to stay out of the media, and wants to run a clean show, without players in the media for everything.

[schmitty3]

I'm glad he'll be gone. He sucked anyway, and didn't know how to keep his mouth shut. Glad I don't have to watch anymore shanks off the side of his foot at Lambeau or Soldier Field anymore.

[luckydog25]

They just cut him.

[Fish Head]

He isnt being let go for his on field skillz, or lack thereof, it is his mouth off the field that is putting him on the unemployment line. He was warned last year by the FO, and he then went out right after that and opened his yap back up. It didnt help that he had a bad year on the field, but he had an acceptable year on the field. Just to many distractions over all, and it cost him.

He has some strong beliefs, and likes to talk in public about them, Ziggy likes the players to stay out of the media, and wants to run a clean show, without players in the media for everything.

I'm not so sure that's true. That's what everyone keeps implying, but I believe he's cut because he's simply not punting well. They did the same thing with Longwell last year. If Longwell had been outspoken like Kluwe, everyone would have said it was due to his political beliefs. The truth is, Kluwe isn’t that good.

Kluwe ranked 17th in net punting last year. Not terrible, but it's in the bottom half of the league. What doesn't show up on that statistic is that he is a terrible directional punter. MANY times they have the coverage called for a punt left and he kicks it to the right (or vice versa). Remember when Reggie Bush returned 2 punts for TDs in a game? Both of those were supposed to be kicked out of bounds! In addition, he seems to always have a game where he will have a couple completely shanked punts. You can't win when that happens. A shanked 16 yard punt is the same as an interception. You can't have your punter causing turnovers.

Politics aside... I'm glad he's gone. It worked great with Walsh/Longwell last year, I hope for the same this year.

[Fish Head]

I'm glad he'll be gone. He sucked anyway, and didn't know how to keep his mouth shut. Glad I don't have to watch anymore shanks off the side of his foot at Lambeau or Soldier Field anymore.

Amen!

[DTro]

Favorite player in a long time. Hate to see him go.

[Duffman]

Quote:

"So long, Minnesota, and thanks for all the fish!" he wrote (@chriswarcraft) on Monday morning, May 6.

"Thank you to all the fans, my teammates, and the Wilf family for the past 8.5 years. I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

"And thank you everyone for your support. Remember, one label does not define who you are as a person "

Classy guy leaving with class. Kinda sucked as a punter though, at all the wrong times.

[mrklean]

never forget watching him punt to Devin Hester

[Slabasaurus]

I dig the nod to douglas adams in his farewell tweet.

"So long, and thanks for all the fish."

I wonder if he tried to execute a double backflip through a hoop while singing the star spangled banner too

I never minded his off the field antics... except his band isn't really my cup of tea.

[solbes]

Yeah I liked him on the 93x show in the mornings. They were giving him grief this morning saying he would always come on even when not invited. I understand many people didn't like his politics.

As a punter I won't lose any sleep by making a switch. I do wish him the best, if he doesn't punt again the guy will be busy doing something.

[Fish Head]

Favorite player in a long time. Hate to see him go.

We're all free to have our own opinion, but seriously... your favorite player in a long time is a punter that's not very good? I'm assuming that must be based on his off the field stuff only.

[Fish Head]

never forget watching him punt to Devin Hester

I was going to mention that in my early post too, but I thought it was getting too long. All day he punted to Hester and every one of those was supposed to be kicked out of bounds. I couldn't believe they didn't cut him the very next day.

[grizrunner]

Hopefully Locke can hold for Walsh as good as Klewe did. They better start taking reps right away. I wouldn't be surprised if Locke takes over on kickoffs too.

[DREZLER]

Maybe he will learn to not blab so much and just play football. The vikings didn't hire him so he can blab his opinion about everything all over social media

[SkunkedAgain]

For the most part, Kluwe was a good punter for the Vikings through the years. He expressed himself (which I'm fine with either way) at the wrong time, meaning that his numbers slipped and he was getting to a contract year. Nothing more, nothing less. His outspoken nature undoubtedly hastened the departure but it likely would have happened regardless.

[zepman]

Simply put he is replaceable...and for less $$$. It's the way of the NFL.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

If you think he was cut because of his off the field antics, you're wrong!

Remember, we have a woman-beating thug starting in the defensive backfield..... It's all about the money and his decline in performance.

Adios, Kluwe! You were a decent punter (a stud 2 yrs ago!)

[RumRiverRat]

He sucked last year.

He is too busy being an activist and trying to be a rock star.

[rundrave]

We're all free to have our own opinion, but seriously... your favorite player in a long time is a punter that's not very good? I'm assuming that must be based on his off the field stuff only.

A local sports writer mentioned that Kluwe is a favorite player to many because he is a smart, interesting, individual in a league of robots. He also mentioned that people admire Kluwe more for his refusal to let himself be defined by his job. For his courage to be himself. For his understanding that there are more important things in life than football, and that it’s OK, even for football players themselves, to admit that.

[MUSKY18]

Happy to see him go. Although I didn't agree with his off the field things, it was/is his right to have his opinion and freely express it.

For those of you who posted that he wasn't a directional punter, thats not true at all. Seemed like about once a game he would kick it directly at the sidelines, even when they were only 10-15 yards away. At least he saved time on the clock??? But it is what it is, he hasn't had the best couple of years, and youth is cheaper. Plus with this Locke kid, the Vikings are getting a punter who can also kick if something were ever to happen to Walsh. Good call on their part.

[chasineyes]

Quote:

He also mentioned that people admire Kluwe more for his refusal to let himself be defined by his job. For his courage to be himself

HA, it's easy to be "couragous" when you pulling down these kinds of numbers...

Contract: 7 yr(s) / $8,735,000

Average: $1,247,857

Signing Bonus: $1,700,000

Free Agent Type:UFA

[CaptainMusky]

A local sports writer mentioned that Kluwe is a favorite player to many because he is a smart, interesting, individual in a league of robots. He also mentioned that people admire Kluwe more for his refusal to let himself be defined by his job. For his courage to be himself. For his understanding that there are more important things in life than football, and that it’s OK, even for football players themselves, to admit that.

I agree with that 100%. How many football players could hold a candle to how eloquently Kluwe spoke? Few.

I admire him for taking a stand for what he believes in BUT, had it not been for his job as a punter in the NFL NO ONE would even had paid attention to anything he said. So, i could see tremendous frustration on behalf of the Team focussed toward him because at a glance he could be using his "fame" as a punter to bring more attention to his words, which is completely wrong IMO.

[Scott K]

"fame" as a punter

haha, now thats funny right there!

[rundrave]

"fame" as a punter

haha, now thats funny right there!

LOL how's this for a rebuttal: LINKY

[CaptainMusky]

LOL

I was chuckling myself as I typed it.

[Scott K]

Looks like Kluwe found a job at the Raiders