Parker Romo in July, during his first stint with the Vikings. (Craig Lassig/The Associated Press)
The competition on Nov. 5, a Tuesday off day for the Vikings: Tanner Brown, 24, who has spent time on the Rams practice squad; Andre Szmyt, 26, a former UFLer who has spent time on the Bears practice squad; Tristan Vizcaino, 28, who kicked in 10 NFL games for four teams from 2020 to ’22; and Randy Bullock, 34, an 11-year NFL veteran who has kicked in 144 games with six teams, including six for the Giants last season.
Romo misses one kick but recovers nicely. That’s enough to tell Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels that Romo had spent the past three-plus months staying sharp and could handle the pressure of a competition. That, essentially, is the only reason the other four were invited.
Daniels and coach Kevin O’Connell have always loved the big leg on Romo’s 5-11, 175-pound body. Always loved the competitive “edginess” he brings. They just didn’t know when they signed him last winter that they would draft Reichard, whom Daniels, the team’s master moniker-maker and biggest WWE fan, has labeled “Stone Cold Killer.”
If Reichard is Stone Cold, what is Romo? With seconds to gather his thoughts, Daniels said, “I would say Park’s like ‘The Undertaker.’ Park looking to bury you.”
The comparison is shared with Romo, who went by John Parker Romo during his first stint with the Vikings but says he prefers just Parker. He’ll take “The Undertaker,” if “Hat” — Daniels’ nickname — says so.
“He told me what he said to you guys,” Romo said with a laugh. “I don’t know too much about ‘The Undertaker’ or the WWE or WWF or whatever. But it sounds good to me. Mostly, ‘Hat’ just calls me ‘Park.’ ”