By CHRIS TOMASSON | ctomasson@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: June 13, 2017 at 4:16 pm | UPDATED: June 13, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Marshall Koehn is not your typical kicker.
At the 2016 NFL scouting combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, faster than 10 wide receivers and all but one quarterback.
At Solon High School in Iowa, Koehn played receiver and defensive back and was an all-state second baseman who also competed in soccer and wrestling.
“I like to look at myself as an athlete,” Koehn said Tuesday after the first day of a three-day mandatory Vikings minicamp.
Then Koehn paused.
“But I’m a kicker out here,” he said. “It’s my job to make kicks.”
Koehn, who played at Iowa and tried out unsuccessfully to become the Miami Dolphins’ kicker as a rookie last year, is now battling incumbent Kai Forbath for the Vikings’ job. General manager Rick Spielman said last week the competition will extend into training camp.
Koehn’s “extremely strong leg,” Spielman said, gives him a “chance to be pretty special.’’
At Iowa, Koehn kicked a 57-yard field goal in 2015 to beat Pittsburgh on the last play. On kickoffs, he was one of the nation’s leaders in touchbacks.
“My leg strength is something I’ve always prided myself on,” Koehn said. “I feel like 55 (yards) and in, I can hit the ball through. My kickoffs are definitely something that’s a big part of my game.”
Kickoffs have not been a strong point for six-year veteran Forbath, one reason the Vikings have brought in competition.
Koehn had accuracy issues as an Iowa senior in 2015. He was a solid 16-of-20 on field goals but was 47 for 53 on extra-point attempts.
Undrafted in 2016, he was signed by the Dolphins to compete with Andrew Franks. In the preseason, Koehn was 2 for 2 on field goals, including one from 45 yards, and made his only extra-point attempt before being cut.
“That was huge, just to experience a training camp last year because now I’ve got one under my belt and I know what to expect,” Koehn said. “We’re both going to be competing. I think I have a shot.”
Link to whole story: http://www.twincities.com/2017/06/1...hn-battling-kai-forbath-to-be-vikings-kicker/
PUBLISHED: June 13, 2017 at 4:16 pm | UPDATED: June 13, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Marshall Koehn is not your typical kicker.
At the 2016 NFL scouting combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, faster than 10 wide receivers and all but one quarterback.
At Solon High School in Iowa, Koehn played receiver and defensive back and was an all-state second baseman who also competed in soccer and wrestling.
“I like to look at myself as an athlete,” Koehn said Tuesday after the first day of a three-day mandatory Vikings minicamp.
Then Koehn paused.
“But I’m a kicker out here,” he said. “It’s my job to make kicks.”
Koehn, who played at Iowa and tried out unsuccessfully to become the Miami Dolphins’ kicker as a rookie last year, is now battling incumbent Kai Forbath for the Vikings’ job. General manager Rick Spielman said last week the competition will extend into training camp.
Koehn’s “extremely strong leg,” Spielman said, gives him a “chance to be pretty special.’’
At Iowa, Koehn kicked a 57-yard field goal in 2015 to beat Pittsburgh on the last play. On kickoffs, he was one of the nation’s leaders in touchbacks.
“My leg strength is something I’ve always prided myself on,” Koehn said. “I feel like 55 (yards) and in, I can hit the ball through. My kickoffs are definitely something that’s a big part of my game.”
Kickoffs have not been a strong point for six-year veteran Forbath, one reason the Vikings have brought in competition.
Koehn had accuracy issues as an Iowa senior in 2015. He was a solid 16-of-20 on field goals but was 47 for 53 on extra-point attempts.
Undrafted in 2016, he was signed by the Dolphins to compete with Andrew Franks. In the preseason, Koehn was 2 for 2 on field goals, including one from 45 yards, and made his only extra-point attempt before being cut.
“That was huge, just to experience a training camp last year because now I’ve got one under my belt and I know what to expect,” Koehn said. “We’re both going to be competing. I think I have a shot.”
Link to whole story: http://www.twincities.com/2017/06/1...hn-battling-kai-forbath-to-be-vikings-kicker/
