1 00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: To Arizona we go. Mister Rob Razinski is executive vice 2 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,799 Speaker 1: president of football Operations for the Minnesota Vikings. He's also 3 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: the acting general manager, and he joins us. Now, good morning, Rob, 4 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:24,920 Speaker 1: How are you at seven forty seven am, Scottsdale time. 5 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 2: I am great, Pa. It doesn't sound like the weather 6 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 2: down here is too much warmer than it's just back 7 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 2: at home, though, you guys are going to push. 8 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: Seventy I think, no, we're doing okay. But by the 9 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: time you get back, you know how worksman, is Minnesota, 10 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 1: you'll probably fly right into some thirty five degree weather. 11 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: But the off season is hot for a lot of teams. 12 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: The drafts coming up. Man, It's just it's always percolating 13 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: in the National Football League. Rob, let's begin here. How 14 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: is just overall? How is the off season gone for you? 15 00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 1: As acting general manager? 16 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 2: It's been great. You know, it's been a real collaborative effort, 17 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 2: you know, with the personnel staff and KO and the 18 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 2: coaching staff, and you know, we had a process and 19 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,400 Speaker 2: a plan in place, you know that we set to uh, 20 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,119 Speaker 2: you know, to execute and you know some of it, 21 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 2: a lot of it went the way we wanted it 22 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 2: to go, and there are some times that you have 23 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 2: to pivot and and you know, change course. And I 24 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 2: think I'm just really proud of the things that we 25 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:25,479 Speaker 2: were able to accomplish, and also some of the discipline 26 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 2: we had, and you know, kind of pulling back the 27 00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 2: rains at times just to make sure we're stacking good decisions. 28 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: Those make for interesting conversations, right, I mean, you've been 29 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,800 Speaker 1: around so long, you know, nearly three decades around here, 30 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: but but now as acting general manager. Not saying that 31 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: your voice is different in the room, but I'm quite 32 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:45,839 Speaker 1: positive that it is. I just wouldn't know to what level. 33 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: But these are the These are like friendship and and 34 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 1: and business cohort related conversations. Right. 35 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 2: Sometimes they're tough, Absolutely, there's no question. And I think 36 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 2: you know, we been talking about all off season. You know, 37 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 2: as long as you can have honest, constructive dialogue. You know, 38 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 2: every nobody has any agenda. Everybody you know wants the 39 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 2: same goal. We all want to achieve the same thing. 40 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,919 Speaker 2: And so if we can have these honest conversations, we're 41 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 2: going to get to where we want to be ultimately 42 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 2: with decisions. But also is going to bring as closer as. 43 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 1: People and you know, the last time we chatted with 44 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: on that couch in Indianapolis with bursage to your left, 45 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 1: media right, the the implementing of of a philosophical approach 46 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 1: to team building, and you know, these are the very 47 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 1: very very early stages of implementing this approach to team 48 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 1: building is an easy staying patient, Rob. 49 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:45,959 Speaker 2: I think that's a big part of the PA, and 50 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 2: you know, you just you want to feel like you 51 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 2: have to steal all your quote unquote needs in March. 52 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:55,359 Speaker 2: You know, we don't kick off until September. There are 53 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 2: many many markets, you know, still ahead of us, and 54 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 2: I think there's going to be uniqu copperate community that 55 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 2: you know, may present themselves as we work through the 56 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 2: off season, and you know, we want to be ready 57 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: and have some dry powder, you know, to be able 58 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 2: to capitalize on those opportunities. 59 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 1: How would you describe team building for the now while 60 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 1: also looking at future years and balancing all of that. 61 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 2: A big part of what we're doing right now is 62 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 2: we're looking for the future. You know, we've you know, 63 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 2: we spent a lot of money in the last couple 64 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 2: of years, so we're being very very mindful of not 65 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 2: that there are any restraints whatsoever from ownership. But the 66 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 2: salary cap is a hard cap, despite what some people 67 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 2: might think. And so what we're trying to do is 68 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 2: make sure we're we're bridging towards twenty seven in the future, 69 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 2: you know, while also you know, putting the most competitive 70 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:48,839 Speaker 2: team we can on the field this year. 71 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 1: This is Rob Brazinski. He's the executive vice president of 72 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: football operations and acting general manager for the Minnesota Vikings. 73 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: The owners meetings are taking place in Arizona, and Rob 74 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: was nice enough to join us. Kevin O'Connell, head coach 75 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: about twenty minutes from now. Who gets the final call 76 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: for you guys on draft picks? And I asked, because like, 77 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: if a bunch of the rookies help right away, it'll 78 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 1: be clear you never can leave that role. Rob, Well, in. 79 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 2: This business, oh Pa, you know, I mean, you're not 80 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:24,919 Speaker 2: going to know on the rookies right out of the 81 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 2: gate anyway. I mean, I think the worst thing you 82 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 2: can do in judging a class is to look at 83 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:34,719 Speaker 2: the draft grades, you know, on you know, whatever it is. 84 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 2: May first, you know, part of what we do with 85 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:39,719 Speaker 2: our rookies is is there's a plan for them for 86 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 2: the future too, And so you obviously want as many 87 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,719 Speaker 2: guys as possible to help, you know, immediately in twenty 88 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 2: twenty six, but we're also looking for is to have 89 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 2: a plan in place. You know, what's going to be 90 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 2: the role for year one, but eventually what's the future 91 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: developmental and growth plan for the players too? So you 92 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 2: know I would just to you know, judging any class 93 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 2: on immediate impact, you know, you've got to give it 94 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 2: just a little time. 95 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 1: Hey, hey, Rob, what what are you guys? Uh? Non 96 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 1: draft free agency related? What do you guys like about 97 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 1: offensive lineman Ryan Vandermark, formerly with the Buffalo Bills. 98 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 2: This is just the case. We're just really really proud 99 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 2: of our personnel staff, our pro staff, all our evaluators, 100 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 2: you know, just looking at every opportunity. You know, the 101 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 2: restricted free agency market is a market that exists, but 102 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:37,640 Speaker 2: it doesn't get a ton of play. And you know, 103 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 2: our staff did the work, really liked this guy for us, 104 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 2: and we are fortunate that you know, we were able 105 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 2: to bring in the Minnesota. 106 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 1: So so is it fair to say with van Demark? 107 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 1: You know here here we are in March, so we're 108 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 1: not going to give any spots away in March for 109 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: September games, but just fortifying the Minnesota Moving Company, trying 110 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 1: to find ways to fortify the trenches on both sides 111 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: of the ball. And the mark seems to fit. Is 112 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:01,640 Speaker 1: that there. 113 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:06,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's exactly right. You know, just a really really 114 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:09,040 Speaker 2: important position, you know on our football team, you know, 115 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 2: offensive line, specifically tackle, and you know, just like other 116 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 2: you know, positional groups, you just want as much depth 117 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 2: as possible. 118 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: What Rob, what what approach to the draft are you 119 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 1: guys taking this year that maybe has been missed the 120 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: last handful of years. 121 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 2: I can't really look back to the past, but you know, 122 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 2: like we've been saying, you know, our philosophy is just 123 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 2: to you know, objectively, get these players graded, get our 124 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 2: board set, you know the way we like the talent, 125 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 2: and you know, to it's kind of cliche, you're going 126 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 2: to try to fill your needs, but you also have 127 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 2: to be mindful of the depth of the draft and 128 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 2: the talent of the draft, and we're just going to 129 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:58,359 Speaker 2: try to add good football players at every pick that 130 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 2: we're selecting. And honestly, that's simply going to be our goal. 131 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,919 Speaker 1: Rob Razinski, A couple of quickis to close here, appreciate 132 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:09,159 Speaker 1: the time my brother tell us about Emily Baddess. Now 133 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: that's your main assistant, all right? Uh? She She's one 134 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 1: of the kindest people you'll meet and seems to have 135 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 1: a very bright future in the game. Did Did I 136 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: lay that out the right way? You did? 137 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 2: I'm hesitant to speak on her because I don't want 138 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 2: anybody to try to come in and swoop in and 139 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 2: take her away, because she is that talented. I don't 140 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 2: know what I would do without her. You know, Emily 141 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:34,760 Speaker 2: has been with the Vikings now. I think she should 142 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 2: be starting year five now, and she has been instrumental 143 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 2: in everything we're doing. I don't do anything from a 144 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 2: financial standpoint without you know, having Emily's opinion. And she's 145 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 2: phenomenal and she's even a better person, and and that's 146 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 2: that's what this. 147 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 1: Is all about. That's awesome, man. It's been great watching 148 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: her grow the last half decades, very very gifted. Do 149 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: you find the draft to be deep with defensive tackles? 150 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 2: N You know that the draft every year is going 151 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 2: to vary on depth of you know, the positions, and 152 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 2: I think some of it's going to depend upon, you know, 153 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: the scheme. You know in what different teams are looking for. 154 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 2: You know, I don't really want to comment specifically on 155 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 2: any particular positions, but there there's a lot of really 156 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 2: really good players in this draft that we think that 157 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 2: are going to be great Minnesota Vikings. 158 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 1: Yes, sir, last one. What has been most different for 159 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 1: you Rob the last few months manning this role compared 160 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 1: to being the chief money man? 161 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 2: You know, it's it's it's really been when you're working 162 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 2: with Kevin O'Connell and you having a partner like that, 163 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 2: and you have the ownership group we have, and and 164 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 2: you have the personnel staff and the business staff, and 165 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 2: you know, guys like Jeff Anderson and Sammy I mean, 166 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:57,599 Speaker 2: we just we have so many great people and we 167 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 2: all work together, and you know, it's business is a grind, 168 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 2: but it's a privilege and and honor. And we're also 169 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 2: having a lot of fun. And that's one of the 170 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 2: things we talk about all the time is we're gonna 171 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 2: we're gonna enjoy this process. We're going to enjoy the 172 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:14,959 Speaker 2: people that were around and and uh, I've just been 173 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,960 Speaker 2: really enjoying all the interaction and in the support of 174 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 2: everybody has been amazing. 175 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:21,959 Speaker 1: What what what what? Like, for instance, is the fun 176 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: part of the equation. I mean like light bulb moments 177 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: where somebody says something and then they get pushed back 178 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: and then it like all comes together that that would 179 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: seem to be fun. 180 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 2: It's more like this, Like I'm looking at Jeff Anderson 181 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 2: right now, and I'm looking at his shoes and the 182 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 2: length of his pants, and I'm just like, what you're 183 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 2: doing today. You're you're at the league meetings, You're down there. 184 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 2: Oh no, you're supposed to be looking the part, and 185 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 2: you know, it's just it's more about having fun with 186 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 2: people and laughing and you know, you know that's that's 187 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,320 Speaker 2: that's what we like to do. So that's what I 188 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 2: mean from a fun standpoint. 189 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, with the leader of the communications department, Jeff Anderson, 190 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 1: I mean you started it, so I'm just going to 191 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 1: finish him. While you were talking, I found myself googling 192 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: Hammer Made stores in Scottsdale. So yeah, and we can 193 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: get some of those straight those nice straight leg slacks 194 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 1: and those tight shirts and everything. But hey, i haven't 195 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 1: felt my ribs in thirty years, so I'm envious of 196 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: how he's put time into his body. 197 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 2: Oh you're the best man. That's funny. 198 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 1: All right, later, brother, have a great time and I'll 199 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: see you when you get back here. 200 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 2: Okay, yeah, thanks for having me. Take care guys. 201 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, see him. That's Rob Razinski. He's the executive vice 202 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 1: president of football operations for your Minnesota Vikings, also the 203 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 1: acting general manager from the NFL owners meetings, and Kevin O'Connell, 204 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 1: head coach of the team, joins about fifteen minutes from now. 205 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,959 Speaker 1: Nordo Produces and I'm Paul Allen, Happy Monday. This is 206 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 1: nine to now.