Blair Walsh Named NFC Special Teams Player Of The Week

Sep 12th, 2012 at 11:07 am by Dan Zinski

The Vikings have themselves a kicker. After going 4-4 on field goals this Sunday against Jacksonville, including a game-tying boot from 55 and a game-winner from 38, rookie Blair Walsh has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Huge accomplishment for Walsh after all the doubt being flung his way post-draft and during his somewhat shaky preseason. I guess you could understand the doubt after the draft. I mean it's not every year a team uses a 6th round pick on a kicker. That was bound to raise some eyebrows.

How does Rick Spielman's decision to draft Walsh and cut Ryan Longwell look now? Incidentally, Longwell was the last Viking kicker to win NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. That happened back in 2008. Here's hoping Walsh keeps up the good work. The Vikings are going to need him with all the close games they're sure to find themselves in over the course of the season.

Tip of the hat to long snapper Cullen Loeffler and holder Chris Kluwe for their part in this honor. They'll be getting dinner out of it I would assume. Unless Walsh is cheap.a