Browns and Vikings take different approaches to waiving their wayward kickers
The Vikings and the Browns both released their kickers this week after field goal and extra point misses ruined their chances at a Week 2 win, but the two head coaches had very different things to say about their kicking situations when speaking to the media.
The Browns and the Vikings failed to come away with wins in their respective games Sunday afternoon, and in both cases, their teams' kicking performances were primarily to blame.
Both franchises have since parted ways with their kickers, but the way the coaches addressed media about the decision could not have been more different.
Minnesota kicker Daniel Carlson went 0-3 on field goals in his former team's 29-29 tie with the Packers. Two of those misses came during overtime, including a 35-yard boot that would have won the game for the Vikings.
Head coach Mike Zimmer had no qualms about releasing the former Auburn kicker, calling the decision a "pretty easy" one.
"Did you see the game?" Zimmer added.
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Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson showed much more mercy when he talked to kicker Zane Gonzalez after his dreadful performance in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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The second-year kicker out of Arizona State misfired on a 52-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game in the final seconds. He also missed two extra-point attempts and an additional field goal en route to the Browns' 3-point loss to the Saints.
Jackson confirmed reports that Gonzalez was playing with a groin injury in Sunday's contest, but said thatThe Browns waived Gonzalez Monday to make room for rookie free-agent Greg Joseph after he worked out for the team earlier in the day.
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Minnesota decided to go a completely different direction with the future of their kicking staff. The Vikings swapped out their fifth-round draft pick up for veteran Dan Bailey. The former Cowboy is the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history.
Vikings are signing former ... @ Adam Schefter
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