EAGAN, Minn. -- Will Reichard jogged out Saturday for his first NFL field goal attempt, and the circumstances couldn't have been more routine.
The spot was from 36 yards, a bit longer than an extra point. In five seasons at Alabama, Reichard had converted 95% of his kicks from that distance or shorter. Only one of his 397 career attempts, field goals or extra points, had been blocked. His first professional training camp had gone almost flawlessly. This one was going in.
And then Reichard, the first kicker selected in the April draft (No. 203 overall), got a true welcome to the NFL -- and to Minnesota Vikings lore.