The Atlanta Falcons have had problems making field goals throughout the preseason. To help them overcome the stumbling block, Atlanta has signed veteran kicker Blair Walsh.
Through three games in the preseason, Giorgio Tavecchio has struggled to kick the ball through the uprights. The former Oakland Raiders kicker has made just four of his eight field-goal attempts this preseason.
Due to his struggles, the team is bringing in Walsh—who was sitting at home during the 2018 season. The last time Walsh was kicking for a team in the NFL, he was with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017.
Before arriving in Seattle, Walsh spent five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. In his first four seasons in Minnesota, Walsh was fairly automatic, making 121 of his 142 field-goal tries. Additionally, he set the record with 12 consecutive 50-yard field goals made in 2013.
Then, in 2016, the former Vikings kicker began to struggle due to injuries and only played in nine games. Walsh would end his stint with the Vikings by making 12 of his 16 field goals.
After departing from Minnesota, Walsh joined the Seahawks in 2017. The veteran kicker had arguably the worst year of his career, making just 21 of his 29 field-goal attempts. Notably, Walsh missed a game-winning field goal in a late-season contest versus Arizona when Seattle was clawing for a playoff spot.
The Falcons are expected to have another high-flying offense in 2019 and they may be reliant upon their kicker to make field goals in certain moments. Therefore, signing a veteran like Walsh could be exactly what they need to solve their kicking problems ahead of the regular season.
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