2012 was
filled with many pleasant surprises including 2 of the draft choices that left
a lasting impression with the hope these 2 players will be at this position for
years to come.
Matt Kalil
was picked 4th overall in the first round. A high pick you hope he
can help sooner than later. What does he do? He starts all 16 games and did not
miss a snap. He even had a blocked kick on special teams.
The Vikings
have been in so much need for someone who is consistent and can stand up
against the NFL’s best pass rushers. He did so and was an absolute blessing for
this team. His efforts put him in the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Vikings fans we
have much to be excited about this man. First year and in the Pro Bowl, can you
imagine the potential this giant man has?
Year 2 or as
some say, the sophomore year where many struggle I believe the man is up for
the challenge. He plays on a very gifted line that works well together. 2013 is
a huge year for Kalil because it will be another year of facing the best each
team has for pass rushers.
Kalil now
has a years’ worth of film to look at to see how he did and what he can do to
be better. He will get 2 more shots at the Packers, Bears and Lions. I can’t
wait to see him put Julius Peppers (Bears) and Clay Matthews (Packers) on their
butt.
The biggest advantage Kalil has comes in practice where he faces the best pass rusher in the NFL, Jared Allen. If this does not make him better I do not know what can.
75-Matt Kalil
The Vikings
drafted Blair Walsh in the 6th round in 2012. A bigger shock was
seeing the release of veteran, Ryan Longwell. The Vikes were trusting Blair
Walsh to be the kicker of the future.
I needed to
trust the team in this decision. I went to training camp eager to see how this
kid out of college would do. I spent most of camp shaking my head in disbelief.
The cannons that were coming off his foot were amazing. The distance was
incredible hitting 60 plus yards time after time. He was the talk of camp by
fans.
That was training
camp now onto the regular seasons and how would he do in game action? We got
the answer in the first game hit a 55 yard field goal on the last play of the
game to send the game into overtime. He then proceeds to hit a 38 yarder in
overtime to win the game for the Vikings. The season Walsh goes 10-10 in 50 yard field
goals breaking the Vikings record. He also scored 141 points breaking the
rookie scoring record.
The kickoffs
never got old to watch as we saw the return men for the opposing teams time
after time shaking their head in frustration not being able to bring the ball
out of the end zone.
The man was
gold time after time. The kick he made on the last play of the game to beat the
Packers at Mall of America Field sent the Vikings into the playoffs was
incredible.
It will be
hard to duplicate these stats but after seeing what Walsh did all year I am a
believer over and over again. I saw it happen in Mankato, the Mall of America
Field and watched the road games on TV. This man is an iron leg who is calm
under pressure.
Walsh was
deservedly rewarded with a trip to Hawaii. What a find in the 6th
round in the 2012 draft. Thank you Rick Spielman and staff for finding these
players and I look forward to see what the 2013 draft choices can bring.
3-Blair Walsh
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