Last year, Vikings coach Brad Childress called out punter Chris Kluwe for failing to employ directional punting against Reggie Bush of the Saints.
This year, Kluwe is using directional punting. Apparently, he's aiming for the fifth row of the stadium.
In a field-position battle that has been, so far, anything other than the shootout that many anticipated, Kluwe has shanked a 19-yard punt, giving the Steelers the ball just beyond the Minnesota 40.
The initial spot had the punt at only 12 yards.
Kluwe also has launched a 35-yard punt during the game.
Bottom line? Look for the Vikings to hold a Gong Show tryout for punters this week. Just like they did last October after Kluwe's struggles against the Saints.
Chris Kluwe could be getting cut soon
Posted by Mike Florio on October 25, 2009 1:29 PM ET
Permalink
54 Comments 
Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Top Stories
Florio, you did a piece awhile back about the networks inexplicably not showing a replay in a game where the ability to watch a replay on the screen could have helped the Lions decide to throw a flag on a questionable play. Time to look into that again. The 3rd and 7 pass the Steelers just threw looked very questionable as well, and all four people watching the game at my house (none of them fans of either team) found it incredibly odd that Fox didn't show a replay. The Vikings eventually threw a flag and lost the challenge. Who's working the production truck? Who makes those decisions? Which teams do they root for? You can bet if this was repeatedly happening to the detriment of the Steelers, Pats, or Cowboys it would stop. Instead it's the less successful and small market teams.
I agree that the punts were horrible - but could have had anything to do with the direction the vikings were going?? Might want to turn on the TV Florio instead of needlessly starting ridiculous rumors.
Looks like Kluwe was too busy tripping icarus Friday night.
Launcher, huh? Is Chris Kluwe reading this during the game? After this story, when the Vikes switched sides, Kluwe booted a 52 yarder. Whoever launcher is, he might be right.
When is NBC holding tryouts for Florio's job? Anyone can write this crap.
Adrian Peterson may be getting cut soon....Some how Adrian Peterson started the game vs the Vikes by going for -1 yards on 6 carries.
Hey Florio..Do you have a quota on the number of posts you need to write on game day? I can't tell you how much of my life I waste reading some of this crap.
Screw Chris Kluwe, how about that screw job by the officials? Fvare throws a TD pass to Rice to go ahead by 4 points and they call it back for a bullshit tripping penalty against Dugan and the Steelers then get a fumble return for a TD. The officials just screwed the Vikings out of their 7th win of the season.
The officials should be used for target practice after the game. They shouldn't have that much power in controlling a teams outcome, they are not smart enough to have that much control.
Now Harvin returns one for a TD and we are back to a 3 point game. The Vikings would beat the shit out of the Steelers were it not for gifts given to the Steelers by the officials.
Dugan ran over a official as well during that return, good, they deserve that much for screwing the Vikings over like that. Make up bullshit penalties just to keep the Vikings out of the endzone and gift wrap a win for the Steelers.
Thr tripping penalty against Dugan....I'm speechless. Congrats Steeler fans,it's not your fault the game was officiated so poorly.
Desperate to have something, anything, to write about Florio?
The Steelers were hand delivered a win today. They didn't deserve a win today at all. The Vikings lose because of piss poor officiating and that is all. They still had a chance to win in at the end had it not been butter fingers by Chester Taylor.
Two things stuck out to me today. 1. The Vikings can hang with any team in the NFL, and 2. The officials still suck ass. The Vikings should be 7-0 right now, and their only loss of the season was to the officials who can control the outcome of a game.
the officiating on both sides of the ball was absolutely horrendous. The amount of holds that were let go on big plays. Drive halting calls. I also don't want to see this on NFL network when they have Mike Pererra explain them because he rarely ever allows his refs to take the blame. Hes a goof these refs are goofs.
Oh and chester taylor goofed.. :(
Go Suck It Vikes N Farve. You are a whining sack of crap.
I agree with the Canadian there were bad calls all around.
BTW you got lucky against the Ravens so you had one coming and today was it.
The Officials are in the tank again for Pittsburgh, I guess two gift Superbowls weren't enough, they had to hand the Viking game to them.
Oh well, just makes next week's game even more interesting. How is it possible for a team to go 6-0 and then end up tied for first place by Week 8?
Viking fans meet the real BF. viking football is now fun to watch. The whole team will melt down into a puddle of failure. LA in 2012.
Pervy and Vikes-n-favre.....I said I wasn't going to come here and talk trash after the Steelers won...and I won't. But officiating? I agree that the officiating in the game was horrible. Of course you're talking about calls going against the Vikes...but what about the offensive pass interference call that went against the Steelers????? Not only was it within 5 yards, but Heath Miller was literally BLOCKED INTO the defender....once again...WITHIN 5 YARDS....and to boot, on the other side of the field. As close as the game was...that could have given the Steelers 4 more points pretty much the entire game. No excuses.....
Vikes-n-Favre...you're HIGH. The Steelers defense won that game for them. Is it the officials fault that Favre thew 2 pick 6's????? NO!!!! Stop whining...The Steelers D bent but didn't break. The Vike's had pretty drives but coudlnt' finish them. Is that the ref's fault? There were blown calls on both sides of the football. Like I said...the Steelers should have had 4 more points on the board the entire game. You LOST. Tough break.
Leading up to the game I had a lot of respect for Vikings fans...but after they lose seeing the excuses they come up with I'm disappointed. Get over it, you're 6-1, still a great record. There was no doubt it my mind what was going to happen today but I kept my mouth shut about it. Heinz Field isn't the best place to come to and play. Your first lost came on the North Shore....if this game happens again late in the season...it's happening again. Deal with it. Favre played great, unfortunately noone else on your team did. I'm going against my own rule here and saying......LOSERS! BTW, that is a response to the fans b/c you're such sore losers. Did you really think you're going undefeated?
Pervy....PLEASE spread some knowlege here!! Don't let me down as well!!!
Gerbilassboy - Favre was solid. Chester had the ball bounce off his fingers. Didn't like the play call though. Watch your back lil man, Favre is going to unleash hell in Lamblow next Sunday. We beat up the Steelers today, and the the Pack is not close to their level!
It was a high pass, that was ill advised the screen was covered and BF had the time to look off. Classic childress (nice use of half your red flags) and BF get used to it purple fans. You will boo him
Pervy...you and I have been having intelligent conversations all week. DON'T RUIN IT!!! The Steelers were beat up by the Vikings today?? HOW?? HAHAHAH!!! It as a physical game all around. AP was held in check on the ground. The Vike's took the usual adavantage of the screen game which accounted for most of AP's yards. That was no surprise. How about when you had 1st and goal on the 1/2 yard line and couldn't punch it in??????? Remember that???? You got BEAT. It was a close game all around, there is really no excuses to go around on either side of the ball. Ben was only sacked once...MAYBE twice? With that hardcore d-line of yours I would have expected more. Once again I think Bruce Arians kept the game close more than anything else. If the Steelers don't fire him after this season I'll be beside myself. We were having GREAT success running the ball off the right tackle ALL DAY. Sh*t happens. Deal with it. It could be worse. You could have lost to the Ravens too which I predicted.
Are you clown getting worried yet? Playing for your lives in MN? No SB no stadium. It is fun to watch, please, please extend Chili.
I like how you Vikings fans skim over the fact that the Steelers had a perfectly legit TD taken away early in the game b/c of a bogus OPI call. We can call those two iffy calls a wash if you like, but don't act like the refs are in the bag for the Steelers when they got a couple of bad calls as well. Good teams just deal with stuff like that and move on. They don't play the woulda shoulda coulda game and throw a tantrum like 5 year olds. Grow up you pathetic morons...Vikes lost fair and square.
Brett thru a bad pass in a bad position. Nice try at being elete. once again purple fans are drying tears with the hedi hair out of their eyes. Viking fans sit down and pee, welcome to Lambeau next week.
@ Vox's Mommy- Congrats on the win. A win is a win. But to say this would happen again if we met is not logical. You said only Favre played good. Come on Vox? Sidney Rice looks like Jerry Rice with 11 balls for 136 yards. Percy lights up your kickoff coverage at a crucial time. Ben had 175 yards and Ward one catch for 3 yards. Our young secondary did good against the #1 qb. We killed ourselves with penalties(both right and phantom lol)
Don't tell me that when Brett and company had a first down after AD trucked Gay silly,you and every other Steeler fan we not praying for divine intervention? Well you got it. A shitty play call and a ball off of Chesters usually sure hands. But hey, shit happens. We came to your house and had a shot to put it away in the last 2 minutes. We didn't. Hope you can give us that much Vox. I found out today that the Vikings are not perfect,but a very real team that could beat anyone!
I gotta say, that was a great game... I really wish we could have pulled off the victory, HOWEVER the Vikings played really well against the Defending Super Bowl champions. The secondary wasn't to terribly bad, gave up a couple of plays, but we were in the game the entire time, NO way we lose next week, the Packer's have a good offense, but they're defense is nowhere near the Steelers. Good Game, that's what football is about...
p.s. Tripping?! Gimme a Fuckin Break.
Once again the vikings fail when they had the chance to step up and be big time. Terrible fans, terrible stadium, terrible team, terrible coach. It's fun to watch. Just remember no SB no stadium.
Wow. You Viking fans have the guts to tell Packer fans to stop blaming the refs for their loss on MNF but yet you go ahead and pull the same excuse when you lose.
Hyprocites.
So out of character for a purple fan. 4 life, good point.
Pervy...good post. I'm not taking anything away from you. Beside yourself, there was a lot of Vike's fans here talking unwarrented crap. When AP trucked Gay I WAS scared. That was a cool play and a great run. That dude is a beast. WG didn't have a chance LOL.
Rice had a great game and our offense underperformed IMO. We seemed to be having SOME success running the ball, but once again we didn't seem to take advantage of it. However, w/ the way the game was playing out we didn't have much time to run the ball. The Vikes did a good job of controlling the clock. They just couldn't cash in. The Steelers shot themselves in the foot w/ some pentalties as well (3 offisides calls against Casey Hampton alone, 1 on a BIG sack by Lamarr Woodley). Play calls go both ways, and see my disagreement in my above post about Bruce Arians genius (detect the sarcasm) play calling.
I will say this, the game was close. VERY close. The Vikes hung in there in a VERY tough place to play. That alone deserves some kudos. The Steelers had opportunities to increase the lead and put the game away but couldn't. The game was ours for the taking. See Rashard Mendenhall's fumble....That was GAME OVER.
You know I will give credit where it's due Pervy...and I gotta give the Vikes credit. That was a hard fought game. Not a shootout like I thought, but big plays pretty much defined the game.
P.S. - Purple Raid...I agree w/ all of your post except the last part of course. That trip call was iffy...but you DID get lucky on the offensive pass interference call against Heath Miller...that was complete BS.
Guys quit suck- ing each other it was a 10 point game.
Nice game vi-queers this is the Farb we've been waiting for since like three weeks ago, looks like he's finally arrived!!!
Say it with me: "Vintage Favre" "The Gunslinger"
Yes Queens, he did lose the game for you, deep into the red zone and he fumbles for a backwards score!
But wait that's not enough, he then feels like he just has to throw that screen?
Here's a stupid idea, instead of handing the ball to Mr. Bread n' Butter A. Petersen "He" then feels its up to him to play hero and win this thing in the end?
-Pst! Thank you Bart!
The meltdown, count-down has officially started!
Mr. Florio
This is long after your (stiring the pot) post but Kluwe has been punting fine and one bad punt does not justify being cut. When you do things correctly like he has been doing, no one notices but you drop one bad punt...
As for the game it was always an uphill battle against the media and the Vikings proved they can compete. When we smash the Packers next week and go into the bye we will see what the media says then.
Hodad
jorge...your an a-hole and a hater. I had to endure Bret Favre as a Viking fan for many years and we won some and lost some but as much as I dispised being beat by the Packers I always was impressed by his play for a full 60 minutes during every game.
Bret Favre did not lose this game but I will bet you that he takes responsibility for it for he is a true leader. We had some breaks earlier in the season and how a team responds to that is the true character of a team. The Vikes never quit against the World Champions and I beleive that the Steelers will be looking at their mistakes as much as the Vikings, when they look at the film from this game
Talk your drunken smack after next week...if you can.
The Vikings barely beat the 49'ers, Packers, and Ravens and you want to queef that they can hang with anyone in the league? Minny isn't that good. They certainly aren't "league elite" so much as lucky so far. So now the luck runs out and you get a taste of the B.S. calls/officiating that have helped you thus far and whine whine whine.
It will show up as a loss on the Vikings record. There won't be any asterisks next to it for poor officiating just like there won't be for many other teams who lose because of crappy calls or last minute efforts by another team. Take your loss and clean the sand out of your vagina.
You can talk smack about Favre, but here's the difference between him and Florio's favorite, Jeff George. When Jeff George threw an interception, he would turn and walk off the field. When he was stripped of the ball, Favre chased after the Steeler who recovered the ball. When he threw the interception, Favre chased after the Steeler who made the pick. When Harvin was shaken up, Favre ran 30+ yards down the field to check on him. That's why there's no schism and why his teammates made him a captain.
Hodadhobbs says: October 25, 2009 8:32 PM
jorge...your an a-hole and a hater........
Nice one clown! Just cause I don't "root" for thee old weeper anymore that makes me an a-hole and a hater? He's Q.Backing my most hated rival so I'm supposed to cheer him on right?
Fool. Do you not know what a rival is?
We talk smack here chump! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Anyhoooows, "when they look at the film from this game" they will see that "Mr. Waffle" did fumble and cost them the game, never mind that you had that kickoff return for a score.
It wasn't Favre returning it was it?
I love to read about the purple fans defending the man they hated and said was over rated for all those years, suck it hard purple fans. Pathetic display in the 4th today, no pulling sunshine out of your arses.
I'll point this out to you Queens fans: You had decisive wins against cuppy-cakes, but when you played against teams that are worth anything, you just barely got by, whats that say about your ballyhooed team?
Jorge- You are the ultimate pendajo. Stick to a sport that you may have some insight on such as soccer or stickball. You are as credible in your football takes as Schlereth or Salisbury. ByeBye Puto
Carl,
I never hated Favre when he was with GB. I only wanted the Vikings to beat him. In fact, I wished we had him. Now we do--better late than never.
Percy that's all u got? You are a stool much like your viking fan brothers. At least the players you mocked have actually worn shoulder pads, unlike you a male cheerleader.
Hey Carl, what do you pull out of your arse? Is it green and gold, or brown and furry?
that was not a bullshit call by the refs, you are not allowed to block below the waist or called a chop block, he did so trip the guy, stop making excuses about losing, our defense put on the fierce pressure on Favre when he fumbled and then the interception. our defense rattled that old ass Favre. our defense kept you punks in check! we won the game so go suck eggs viking fruit fans! I love how James Harrison sacked Favre on the last play of the game sacked him hard. Favre's magic did not work on a real team(steelers). Suck it down you lost the game ha ha
viking fruits! Packers will beat you next in the rematch!
@ Carl Gerbshit
Firstly Minnesota isn't a terrible team, you just are an idiot. Second, you can say terrible fans all you want it really means nothing to anyone. Third, you can keep bringing up the fact we haven't won a Superbowl but again it has nothing to do with the present. Besides you've only had 1 superbowl in your lifetime, unless your some bad ass grandpa who likes to talk smack and chirp people and teams all day then you don't have much to talk about. And about that superbowl for all we know you are some punk ass teenager who was 7, so you didn't fully even realize what was going on. You sound like my friend who is a lifelong packer.
I never liked Favre and I was totally against him coming to Minnesota from day 1. You can go check all my posts from previous threads if you want. But I love what he brings, I love the fact that he can lead the Vikes on drives to make up for mistakes and letdowns earlier in the game. He also brings an added passion to the game.
Those turnovers for TDs made me cringe no doubt and I was furious, but he shouldn't be cut down and called pathetic because of it. You are just a sad little man. The game should have been won by the Vikings but that 2nd turnover was just too costly. Brett Favre is allowed to make mistakes once in a while, especially when hes winning games average QBs could not.
Also everyone making a big deal about 1 loss, get over it. Theres still 9 games left in the regular season anything can happen.
Peace Out!
Why are so many here saying Favre had a meltdown? He fumbled once returned for a touchdown, could happen to anyone, and he had a screen pass bounce off Chester's hands. The pass wasn't high like some here say, and Chester had two blockers out front, so there was no reason NOT to throw it. as far as officiating, I really didn't think it was that horrible. To have the OPI called was the right call. The play was considered a pick, which is illegal, no matter where the ball goes, and Dugan did throw his right leg in the air. The game could have gone either way, neither team beat up the other, and the game was nowhere near as lopsided as the score. Honestly, I wouldn't be suprised to see this matchup sometime next year.
@gerbilintheass- lol you are such a digusting puke. And stand corrected tool, I wore the pads beyond high school,I'm sure you never played any real ball. That is why your takes are empty and devoid of common sense. Whats the matter,did I expose you as the gay Jorge too? Get a life and follow that worthless team in Green Bay.You know,the one Brett shit on.And will Nov. 1st
I really don't understand the complaining about the refs. Thought you Viking fans didn't do that?
As a Vikes fan I have mixed emotions on the game. Obviously disappointed they lost. But a lot of good came from it. Our defense shut their offense down nearly completely other than two drives. And really the Vikings would have won if not for the two fluky defensive TD's, one of which was set up by a horrific tripping penalty call on a Vikes TD. That was one of the worst calls I've seen in a while.
It was frustrating that first half Roethlisburger had almost a dozen passes either get tipped into the air or hit a Vikings defender in the hands. Yet not one pick. Then the Vikings have two tipped balls all game long and one goes for six the other way when the Vikings were going to at least tie the game to send it to over time and possible score a TD for the win.
Ah well. Sometimes it just doesn't go your way. If they play as well at Green Bay as they did at Pittsburgh, and don't have any cheesy TD's go the other way, they'll win easily.
I expected this loss. I'm only upset a little, because they had the ball and were driving to win.
Hats off to the Steeler d for coming up with the big plays when needed.
I actually think this is better for the Vikings in the long run, they weren't going undefeated anyway.
Now they are going into lambeau, knowing they let 1 get away.
I think they will go into the game next week pissed off.
Steeler fans, congrats.
But, that old man shredded you for over 300 yards. Held "sure fire HOF" Hines Ward to 3 yards.
You have things to work on too.
Not blaming th officials because they were horrible both ways.
When is the last time anyone saw a game with that few holding penalties?
I'll take 6-1 at this point. I'm not worried about 1 loss, as I said, I expected this.
Good take Chickenfoot.Officials sucked both ways the more I watch it. Now that it's a new day,I'm just ready to shred the Pack. I do feel good about that game yesterday too. We had victory in our hands over the champ and a fluke Taylor miss ended it. We are a scary team that can beat anyone.
I watched the game at a bar in the city i live in.
The Packer "fans " were more interested in the Viking game.
You know what is pathetic?
That Packer fans root harder for the Vikings to lose with Favre than they do for the packers to win.
Favre walked on water for 16 years in GB, now that he is a Viking, you hear " that' Vintage Favre for you.."
Pathetic.
I really hope Minnesota goes into lambeau and just pummels them.
We will Chicken, we will.
I think the D stepped up pretty damn admirably (secondary) without having Winfield, Big Ben threw roughly 130 yards less than he usually does, but in the end, its about winning and we just didn't get it done. That's ok, as much as I'd want to go in to Lamblow 7-0, I'd rather lose to the Steelers and then come out of GB 7-1 going into the bye... because, overall the Packers are NOWHERE near Pittsburgh. Rodgers is looking great, he's a good QB I don't deny that, never have, but all around they just have a good QB-WR tandem.
I don't understand the constant teasing of Mike Florio.
Who's the bigger idiot.. Mike Florio for getting paid to write articles or those who continue reading his articles for free then proceed to bitch about them.
Wiscdave says:
October 25, 2009 9:04 PM
You can talk smack about Favre, but here's the difference between him and Florio's favorite, Jeff George. When Jeff George threw an interception, he would turn and walk off the field. When he was stripped of the ball, Favre chased after the Steeler who recovered the ball. When he threw the interception, Favre chased after the Steeler who made the pick.
---------------------------
....and when it looked like Ryan Clark was going to block him, he dropped to his knees. Great play, Brett. What happened to all the "he just loves to play" BS? That was the story when Favre threw that crackback block in the preseason.
Apparently he only "wants to play" when HE's throwing the block and the guy he's blocking doesn't see him coming.
Did Jimmy just say something within the galaxy of supporting the Minnesota Vikings?
I think I'm going to faint.
Jimmy, you are an enigma wrapped in a riddle folded neatly over a conundrum.
I'm in a good mood so i will give the vikings fans what they want. Let's say the tripping penalty was never called. That means the Steelers don't get a score for the fumble return. Since the Steelers did not score, it also means they would not be kicking off, so no TD return for Harvin. Vikings are up 17-13 and we let the game proceed from there.
Well, the Steelers had one more score and the vikings didn't. There is no controversy about the interception return for a TD so that one counts. Guess what vikings fans, that still leaves us with a 20 - 17 Steelers victory.
There, aren't you happy now?