Minnesota Vikings OTAs: Team scoring is about to go way up thanks to under-the-radar rookie
The Minnesota Vikings started OTAs (organized team activities) on Monday and there is plenty of buzz surrounding the team. A QB battle, UDFAs looking to make a name for themselves, and of course, the insertion of the rookie class with the rest of the roster. But unlike the headliners named J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, […]
The Minnesota Vikings started OTAs (organized team activities) on Monday and there is plenty of buzz surrounding the team.
A QB battle, UDFAs looking to make a name for themselves, and of course, the insertion of the rookie class with the rest of the roster.
But unlike the headliners named J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, kicker and 6th-round pick Will Reichard won't generate a ton of headlines.
But if you like points, there is no rookie you should care more about than Reichard:
Get To Know Will Reichard
One thing we know about the Vikings is that they are going to put up points. Whether it be Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy at the helm, the surrounding weapons, offensive line, and play-caller all have revamped a Vikings offense that is seventh in scoring since HC Kevin O'Connell took over, and that includes the revolving door at QB last season.
But with those concerns hopefully behind Minnesota, the team could have decided to cut corners at kicker.
Instead, they used their sixth-round pick on Alabama legend and all-time NCAA points leader, Will Reichard.
Reichard's 547 points accounted for is the most in the history of college football.
One of the nation's longstanding pastimes, anytime you hold the record for scoring the most points in the history of a sport where scoring points is what determines winners and losers…
You are probably pretty good at your job.
Reichard made 99% of his extra points and 84% of his field goals during his time at Alabama.
And while he joined the rest of the Vikings rookie class at OTAs on Monday, he won't be expected to have the same learning curve as others.
A 50-yard field goal in college is…
A 50-yard field goal in the NFL. Sure the hashes are different, but the game is easily transferrable on the physical side.
The question is, can Reichard carry over the confidence that allowed him to set the all-time scoring record for college football?
That's going to be put to the test starting this week.
Sure it's Reichard's job to lose, but he has to beat out veteran kicker John Parker Romo who was signed in March.
It would be a shock if he didn't, but we're talking about a rookie vs. a veteran.
But look, Minnesota wouldn't have used a draft pick on a special teamer if they weren't confident in Reichard's ability to come in and perform from day one.
And if all goes to plan, that performance will result in a lot of points.
Multiple veterans will be fighting for starting jobs as the Minnesota Vikings begin OTAs
It's funny how things are parsed in the NFL. Take the Minnesota Vikings, for instance. On the surface, a 7-10 2023 season, losing Kirk Cousins and signing Sam Darnold/drafting J.J. McCarthy, and then a defense that's reshaping its personnel may seem like a rebuild. But if you ask the Vikings, it's a "competitive rebuild". Sure, […]
