Will Reichard Is the Breakout Star of the Season at the Vikings.
Vikings have found a surprising source of stability in the form of kicker Will Reichard in a season of highs and lows and a lot of uncertainty. Although the team has had to deal with lineup changes, injuries, and unpredictable results, Reichard has proved to be one of the steadiest players on the field and most spectacular.
What he did last time not only amplified Vikings fans but also put him directly into the books of NFL history.
A Franchise-Defining Kick
Reichard set the Vikings franchise record with a 62-yard field goal. This was especially so for a team that had a long and emotional history of highs and lows in kicking.
The stadium was quietened down at the time when the ball shot in the air, and it erupted when the ball crossed the crossbar with a space to spare. It was not only a kick, but it was a declaration that the Vikings finally have a kicker whom they can rely on wherever they are on the field.
This kick in itself would be impressive, but it is just one of the highlights in a season full of them.
Constancy is Not Often Experienced in the NFL.
Reichard has had almost an automatic year. He has made all but an overwhelming percentage of his field goal attempts and has been a one-hundred percent extra point specialist. His calmness is the most striking, however far, however much.
It is true that many kickers find it difficult to make any kicks past 50 yards, and Reichard is establishing a reputation for making long kicks look like they were ordinary. The success of his 50-yard or more streak of kicks has made him one of the surest long-range weapons in the league.
In the case of Minnesota, this consistency has proved to be a game-changer.
Modifying the Strategy of Vikings.
The Reichard, being such a high-level player, has made the Vikings coaching staff increase the playbook. Goal line formations that score almost into the middle of the field are no longer automatic formations. Decisions on fourth down have a new calculation:
Why not give Reichard a shot?
The presence of a kicker who is able to effectively hit 60 yards and above completely alters the approach of the team in the late half and in the late game. It enhances positioning in the field, increases the chances of scoring, and makes defenses keep to the truth.
Reichard is now an asset, one that is valuable in much more than the special teams unit.
Unshakeable Under Pressure
The Vikings have been victims of shattering moments of heartbreaking kicking throughout the decades, but Reichard appears to be determined to write a different chapter. He is on the same rhythm, the same focus, and the same laser-like precision even during tense times.
Reichard performs with the same quality and consistency whether the team is losing, even, or trying to gain some advantage.
An Emerging Leader and a Potential Leader.
This season, Reichard is creating something better than a good performance it is the foundation to an impressive NFL career. At this rate, he may become one of the most legendary kickers ever to play in Vikings history.
His precision, distance, discipline, and composure are not commonplace. And it is coming at a moment of need in Minnesota like never before.
Conclusion
Will Reichard is not a kicker; he is turning into the engine of the special teams of the Vikings and one of the best up-and-coming stars in the league. The record kicks, the sheer consistency, and the performances that he has had have made him a player who can turn around a game with a single kick of the leg.
