The ties that bind kicker Kai Forbath to the Vikings can be traced back to UCLA, where he trains in the offseason with fellow former Bruins and new teammates Jeff Locke and Kevin McDermott, as well as with the player he replaces in Minnesota, Blair Walsh. Here's a few facts about Forbath:

• He won the 2009 Lou Groza Award (college football's top kicker)

• His first career NFL field goal was a 50-yarder vs. the Vikings

• The Pro Football Hall of Fame has his record-setting ball after he made 17 consecutive field-goal attempts to begin his career.