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His focus: more hang time, better placement.
By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: October 18, 2010 - 11:46 PM
Chris Kluwe placed four punts inside the 20-yard line Sunday and helped set up a go-ahead touchdown by flipping field position in the third quarter of the Vikings' 24-21 victory against Dallas .
But it was his "tackle" of punt returner Dez Bryant that inspired Kluwe to post his version of the play on his Twitter account (ChrisWarcraft).
"Did anyone get the license plate number of that @Dez_88 that ran me over?" he wrote.
Bryant sent Kluwe flying backwards at the end of his return along the Vikings sideline in the fourth quarter. Let's just say Kluwe's technique wasn't exactly textbook.
"I think E.J. [Henderson] is probably one of the best form tacklers on the team," Kluwe said. "He's probably taking notes from me."
Naturally, Bryant's return was nullified because of a holding penalty on Dallas.
"I don't even get credit for the tackle," Kluwe said.
Alas, that was about the only thing that went wrong for Kluwe on Sunday. The veteran punter continued his strong start to the season by playing a key role on a day when the Vikings special teams had a significant impact on the outcome.
Kluwe changed field position with his placement, forced two fair catches and hit a 53-yard punt to pin the Cowboys at their own 4-yard line at a crucial point in the game.
That punt came with the score tied at 14-14 in the third quarter. Kluwe's punt looked like it might go into the end zone, but a favorable bounce allowed it to be downed at the 4.
"We don't usually get a lot of opportunities to make the highlight reel," Kluwe said. "That's one of the few times where we can really shine."
The Vikings defense did not allow a first down and the offense got the ball back after a punt at the Dallas 49. They scored nine plays later to take a 21-14 lead.
Kluwe's punt was a key moment and -- he was happy to note -- it even made the highlight package of plays shown on the scoreboard.
"I was like, 'Sweet,'" he said. "That's probably the only time I'll ever make it on there."
The Vikings certainly are happy with Kluwe's production so far this season. The coaching staff asked him to focus more on hang time and placement than distance, and his change in approach has worked.
He ranks fourth in the NFL in net average (41.5 yards), tied for fourth in fair catches (nine) and is tied for eighth in punts inside the 20 with 11.
In five games, opponents have returned only nine punts for 24 yards against the Vikings. By contrast, Kluwe ranks 24th in the NFL in gross average.
"One of the things the coaches emphasized going into this year is just hanging the ball up there and making sure the guys have enough time to get down and cover it," Kluwe said. "If that means taking something off the total distance, as long as it helps out the team, that's what we have to do. I think we've been really consistent so far."


| Date/Opponent | Time | W | L | Score | Preseason |
| Aug 14 - at St. Louis | 7:00 PM | W | 28-7 | |
| Aug 22 - at San Francisco | 7:20 PM | L | 15-10 | |
| Aug 28 - vs. Seattle | 7:00 PM | W | 24-13 | |
| Sep 2 - vs. Denver | 7:00 PM | W | 31-24 | |
| Regular season | ||||
| Sep 9 - at New Orleans | 7:30 PM | L | 14-9 | |
| Sep 19 - vs. Miami | 12:00 PM | L | 14-10 | |
| Sep 26 - vs. Detroit | 12:00 PM | W | 24-10 | |
| Open | ||||
| Oct 11 - at N.Y. Jets | 7:30 PM | L | 29-20 | |
| Oct 17 - vs. Dallas | 3:15 PM | W | 24-21 | |
| Oct 24 - at. Green Bay | 7:20 PM | |||
| Oct 31 - at New England | 3:15 PM | |||
| Nov. 7 - vs. Arizona | 12:00 PM | |||
| Nov. 14 - at Chicago | 12:00 PM | |||
| Nov 21 - vs. Green Bay | 12:00 PM | |||
| Nov 28 - at Washington | 12:00 PM | |||
| Dec 5 - vs. Buffalo | 12:00 PM | |||
| Dec 12 - vs. N.Y. Giants | 12:00 PM | |||
| Dec 20 - vs. Chicago | 7:30 PM | |||
| Dec 26 - at Philadelphia | 12:00 PM | |||
| Jan 2 - at Detroit | 12:00 PM |
