Ryan Longwell News

Blair Walsh is the kicker the Vikings drafted to replace veteran Ryan Longwell. It didn't take long for that to happen.

The Vikings didn't start signing their picks as early as some other teams, but they aren't wasting any time catching up.

In the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings surprised a lot of people by grabbing a kicker, Blair Walsh out of the University of Georgia.

Rookie minicamps are a lot like college orientation: A chance to get new players acclimated to NFL life before the upperclassmen show up.

Hope this finds you all well - I am sorry to have left you linkless yesterday, but I got laid out with some sort of stomach bug on top of severe back pain.

Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers are going to meet with place kicker Dave Rayner along with two other free agents - DE Matt Roth and LB Brandon Johnson.

JANUARY 02: Kicker Blair Wlash #57 of the Georgia Bulldogs converts a field goal against the Michigan State Spartans in the Outback Bowl January 2, 2012 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Florida.

Reliable placekickers are like warm socks on a cold day. We tend not to think about them while they are doing their job, but we sure notice their absence.

I know we have Billy Cundiff and he is here as our starting kicker this year and this isn't a topic about cutting Cundiff for another kicker.

We're Black and Blue All Over: We spent a good part of Monday night following the Minnesota Vikings' stadium vote in the state House of Representatives, so Tuesday morning we should shift to the other big story going on in the NFC North.

Today is the first day of a new era for the Vikings for better or worse. As you probably know, If the stadium effort passes then the future looks bright in Minnesota for the Vikings.

Supporters of a new Vikings stadium pleaded for votes in the Minnesota House on Monday, calling it their "one chance" to preserve the team's future in the state.

The offseason changes continue with the Denver Broncos . On Monday, the team confirmed that GM Brian Xanders is out.

Minnesota Vikings' Ryan Longwell makes a 49 yard field goal during the second quarter of the Minnesota Vikings game against the New Orleans Saints on December 18, 2011 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

You think if he is healthy, we should bring him in. He's supposed to be the 5th most accurate kicker in the NFL.

I realize most of Minnesota, and a good portion of the NFC North, is focused on Monday's scheduled debate and vote on the Minnesota Vikings stadium bill.