Vikings’ Walsh Aims for Bounce Back Season

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The first field goal by Blair Walsh this season that counted for Minnesota on the scoreboard, exhibition game or not, was good from 51 yards out.

Never mind that the ball hit the crossbar before bouncing over for three points. The kick in Cincinnati was satisfying for the Vikings and their agonized fans, who haven't forgotten about his unfathomable miss in January that kept the team from moving on in the playoffs.

Coach Mike Zimmer and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer have repeatedly expressed pride in the way Walsh has bounced back this spring and summer from that infamous 27-yard field goal attempt with 22 seconds left in the frigid air that veered left and sealed a 10-9 victory for Seattle in the first round of the playoffs.

The Vikings will face Seattle again this week in their second preseason game.

Former Vikings QB Ron Vander Kelen dies at 76

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Ron Vander Kelen has died. He was 76 years old.

Vander Kelen was drafted by the New York Jets in the AFL out of Wisconsin. Instead of going to the Jets, he opted to sign with the Vikings as a free agent.

Vander Kelen played five seasons -- largely backing up Fran Tarkenton -- and threw for six touchdowns, starting five games.He led the Vikings to a 34-13 win over Philadelphia when Tarkenton was out with an injury and became the first Minnesota quarterback to to win his first start as a rookie.

The Vikings, in a statement announcing Vander Kelen's death, say the team has passed along its condolences to Vander Kelen's family.