Minnesota Vikings Sign Kickoff Specialist Rhys Lloyd

An excellent little move. Longwell can kick field goals in his sleep but was coming up short on kickoffs. We should see a lot more opponent drives starting at the 20.

i’d like to see them sign ryan clark, so our safety play isn’t a black hole of suckiness.

not to religious, but it is nice to see the Vikes of the bench, even if it is for a kicker. Also now showing intrest in a LT, no just get a DB and we are going to be set for the drat(Selecting BPA over team needs)

Know this guy from Galaxy days….My beloved (shiff sniff) Galaxy exist no more, but they drew more fans for games than Frankfurt Eintracht ever did or will (and my cousin was a cheerleader – so also some gooooood partying!!!)….He will add value to the ST no doubt!

Ya know, I never even thought about the need for a kickoff specialist until now, but this was a great move. Longwell indeed did have some issue with his distance. And though our kickoff coverage was just fine last year, now it could even go as far as being called a strength.

Not only can he help boot it on kick offs, but Im pretty sure he used the rugby punt style while with the Gophers. Could be of some use in short-yardage-punt situations. Though, Kluwe has been a pretty solid punter over the years.

He can smash that thing on kickoffs. He was one of the better kickers Gophs had in years. Mabe with Longwell aging he can pick up some tips. I remeber when Lloyd kicked a game winning field goal against Wisc. He went nuts and ran to get the Ax. Not even being American born he sure knew what it meant to get that AX. I like the move.
As for LT. I think it is worth visiting about. Lots of guys come back and do welll when they get a change of scenery. Lt’s confidence was shot. Much like when Roger Craig came and LeRoy Hoard. they were considered done bu thad some ammo left to help the team.
Maybe this is what LT needs. WOW! Could you imagine him on short yardage passes?
Even if he get 800 yds rushing and 40-50 receptions. Might be worth trying.

Since the rosters are limited we will have to lose someone to take on the services of a kicking specialist. I believe we need depth on our kick-offs and this is a good signing. I realize that we always carry a couple of special team players on the roster but every body really counts. I’m thinking that every new guy that is drafted will have to play ST and do double duty in order to make this roster.

Longwell is still one of the best field goal kickers in the NFL hands down, but his kickoffs weren’t anything to write home about. We could have used this signing back in ‘08 when our kick coverage was atrocious, but it still doesn’t hurt to have a guy that makes sure our opponents start at the 20 a lot more often.

Cool to have a Gopher and a soccer player on the Vikes too :)

he could be a good addition to the backfield, especially with AP’s fumblitis.

I’m just not sure about the numbers. Obviously the guy can do the job or the Vikings wouldn’t have signed him.

But according to NFL.com, Lloyd is only averaging a few yards more than Longwell on his kickoffs. I don’t understand how 2 or 3 more yards results in so many touchbacks…

Give Longwell credit. He did a good job kicking off.

But hopefully Lloyd can do a great job kicking off.