Questions Answered: Ivan Pace Out, Trust in the Kicker, Cam Akers vs. Vikings

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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the September 20th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Questions Answered: Ivan Pace Out, Trust in the Kicker, Cam Akers vs. Vikings

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

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Q: Who will play in place of Ivan Pace Jr. this weekend?

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Answer: Kamu Grugier-Hill.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores could also be creative, using other safeties, for example, in Pace Jr.’s place. Josh Metellus comes to mind because of his versatility.

But if we’ve learned anything about Minnesota over the last two games, the roster depth has suddenly arrived. Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell stepped up when Justin Jefferson missed the last few drives against San Francisco — an example of newfound depth.

Of course, Pace Jr. will be missed, but we don’t think Minnesota’s defense will swirl down the toilet without him. This depth chart is suddenly pretty spiffy.

Q: Do you have complete faith in the Vikings’ new kicker, or are you waiting for something terrible to happen?

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A: Yes.

There’s also some generalized paranoia regarding Vikings kickers — but that probably won’t go away until the team finally wins its first Super Bowl. Will Reichard has performed wonderfully since joining the team in April, and even if he misses a field goal at some point, it’s not cause for panic. That happens.

We can’t really describe it, but we trust Reichard. It’s likely because the purple team is more than overdue to find an organically drafted or signed kicker of its own. Reichard is that, and he is “the guy.”

Q: Do you expect Cam Akers to bust the Vikings’ chops on Sunday? A big game?

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Answer: A little bit. We’ll say 75 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

Akers would’ve fit in nicely on this Vikings’ depth chart, but after some summer mystery over his status — ESPN claimed he signed with the Vikings — he chose Houston, and that was that.

Now, in Week 3, Texans’ running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce may not play, leaving Akers as the last man standing. He’s talented and should have a decent afternoon versus Minnesota’s defense.

We say a productive outing for Akers but nothing memorable. Tip of the cap to him for recovering from two torn Achilles.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.