1 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: What up final hour nine to noon of a Friday 2 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: football feast. 3 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 2: It's Nordo here. 4 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: Alec Lewis of the Athletic has joined in studio. The 5 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: host had to see a man about a dog, and 6 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:22,680 Speaker 1: the other Friday football Feast co host Paul Charcion had 7 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: to catch a plane back to the rest stop in Utah. 8 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 1: So very very busy schedules for all involved. But again 9 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: alec Lewis of the Athletic joining us. 10 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 3: How you doing, brother, I'm good, Nordo. I'm little under 11 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 3: the weather. It's what happens when the seasoned in. But 12 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:39,520 Speaker 3: I feel like the reliever coming in in the seventh 13 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 3: inning to clean up the mess. I mean, you had 14 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 3: second and third no outs and you got to do 15 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 3: something about that. 16 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 2: I can, right, That's exactly right. 17 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 3: So hopefully I can provide as much relief as possible. 18 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:53,160 Speaker 2: On that front. 19 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: Well, well, not just that though you're you are a 20 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 1: little under the weather. But if you can play, you play. 21 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: That's kind of the culture that you've been brought up in. 22 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: If you can play, you play, There's no question. 23 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, no matter what you're dealing with, if 24 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 3: it's possible, you got to give everything you got and 25 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 3: then you know if if that's what I say, But no, 26 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 3: it feels like every year after these seasons, because you know, 27 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:20,319 Speaker 3: writing is just so ment physically taxing. Yeah, somehow that 28 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 3: you know, I find my way under the weather. I 29 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 3: know nobody really cares about it, and I know it's 30 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 3: really not that hard of a job, even though sports 31 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 3: writers often make it out to be really hard. So 32 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 3: it's kind of weird. But no, it's been an interesting week. 33 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 3: A lot of activity elsewhere at least, yeah, throughout the 34 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,400 Speaker 3: NFL and the Vikings building. 35 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 2: Not a lot of clarity at the moment, is what 36 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 2: I would say. Not a lot of clarity. Now, I 37 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: do want to get to that. 38 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: Sure, you wrote a piece yesterday just kind of where 39 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: we stand, and it was good in some ways, just 40 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 1: not just an update, but kind of insummation in terms 41 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: of things are happening elsewhere. But what is on the 42 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: home front, you know, how our various seats and how 43 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: hot are various movements that are potentially made or not made. 44 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 1: Haven't even had a season ending press conference yet, so 45 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: we'll have to wait until next week for that. But 46 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 1: I want to start here, extending from our conversation last 47 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 1: segment this time of year, were like, you know, okay, 48 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: playoff games, our favorite team's not in it, and so yeah, 49 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: I said I think I said Rams and Broncos in 50 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl, for instance, And I'm not necessarily even 51 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 1: married or super emotionally compelled by that. 52 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 2: I just think the AFCs is kind of a. 53 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: Two horse race based on home field advantage and some 54 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 1: other factors Broncos or Patriots, and it's a little muddy. 55 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 2: You're in the NFC. 56 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: You went with Sam the man formerly on the fan 57 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: donald and the Seahawks and then Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. 58 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 2: What a matchup that is what led you down that road? 59 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean the Seahawks have the best unit in 60 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,119 Speaker 3: the entire playoffs in my opinion, in their defense. 61 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 2: I mean that. 62 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 3: You know that defense top to bottom, from their front 63 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 3: to the amount of explosiveness and athleticism and instincts on 64 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:08,079 Speaker 3: the back end, and then the way Mike McDonald calls 65 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 3: the game from just a special perspective like that defense 66 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 3: gives me enough confidence regardless of where they're playing, who 67 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:19,760 Speaker 3: they're playing, it's easy for me to trust that one. 68 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 2: The Jaguars is a little more obviously. 69 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 3: Me going out on a limb and just buying a 70 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 3: team that I think has gone a little bit under 71 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,519 Speaker 3: the radar. I mean, at thirteen and four, they've beaten 72 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,360 Speaker 3: some pretty good teams. Believe they beat Denver pretty good, 73 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 3: yeah a few weeks ago. Their defense is multiple, they 74 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 3: do some different stuff, and then Trevor's been playing probably 75 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 3: the best he's ever played. They're not afraid to run 76 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 3: the football, and I think Liam Cohen, their play caller 77 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 3: and head coach, does a really good job of sequencing 78 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 3: and mixing it. So you know, getting past Josh Allen 79 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 3: is not going to be easy. But that Bills team 80 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 3: beyond Josh doesn't really do much for me. So that's 81 00:03:58,080 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 3: why the pick for me is what it is. 82 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 2: I do like yours. 83 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 3: Because I do, you know, watching these college football games, 84 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,120 Speaker 3: the trenches typically in this time of year, like it's 85 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 3: it's a safe bet to bet on the trenches, and 86 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 3: the teams you picked, I feel like have two of 87 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 3: the best trenches in the league. 88 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: Well, it's not about it's not about celebrating our own 89 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 1: touts or anything like that, but you've kind of been 90 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,000 Speaker 1: hot on the Jags. It's just kind of just preseason, 91 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: it's like, hey, what do you think about x X 92 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 1: Y Z team? Why you and I the Shanahan's team 93 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: out in the Bay or you know, the Bucks are 94 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: are probably going to struggle more than people think despite 95 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 1: it being a super mediocre NFC South. 96 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 2: You were hot on just the Jaguar. 97 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 1: Who's ever hot on the Jaguars prior to the season, 98 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: But you clearly saw something that you liked. 99 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 2: And then they've come to Fruition. 100 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, and it's it's not the town of Jacksonville, let 101 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 3: me tell you, it's one of the worst places ever. 102 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 3: But the team, no, I mean, like, look, I really 103 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 3: the crazy part is I really like Brian Thomas Junior, 104 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 3: and I thought to fit with Liam Cohen and that 105 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 3: re like in him as a receiver that was really 106 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 3: gonna blow up. 107 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 2: It really didn't. 108 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 3: And it took them acquiring Jacobe Myers from the Raiders 109 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 3: to allow this team to get to where they wanted 110 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 3: to go. But I just had faith that Trevor with 111 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 3: that staff, Liam Cohen and their OC Grant Yudinsky was here, 112 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 3: who I know has a mental respect from people here. 113 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 3: I just thought that would work out. I didn't think 114 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 3: they'd win thirteen games. I'm not gonna lie, and it'll 115 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 3: be interesting to see, like can their offensive line, which 116 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 3: can be up and down, can their defensive line, which 117 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 3: has a couple guys. 118 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 2: Performing the playoffs. We'll see, but I can't wait to 119 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 2: watch it all. I will say that to the Vikings 120 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 2: for a moment, the. 121 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: Loss of Grant Yudinsky, are you able to just in 122 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 1: some ways maybe sum up, Okay, this is a massive 123 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 1: gain for the Jaguars and here's why. And then that 124 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 1: also would speak to maybe how big, how little? 125 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 2: Somewhere in the middle. 126 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 1: The loss was of Grant Yudinsky being a part of 127 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 1: this operation here in Minnesota. 128 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:05,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, I had someone I wrote about this for whatever 129 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 3: day it Wednesday, and I had someone there like, losing 130 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,359 Speaker 3: an assistant quarterbacks coach is sending things into a spiral. 131 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 2: And I was like, at the fair, very fair comment. 132 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 3: But Grant Yudinsky had a major role behind the scenes 133 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 3: in a lot. 134 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:21,680 Speaker 2: Of different capacities. 135 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 3: One, he worked really close with Kevin O'Connell and the 136 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 3: lead up to the game planning throughout the week, so 137 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:31,280 Speaker 3: that was part of it. Two, he was an extension 138 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:36,480 Speaker 3: of those conversations directly into the quarterback room, and so 139 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 3: he and Grant knew the system at a level that 140 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 3: was above and beyond probably any other staffer on the 141 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 3: Viking Vikings coaching staff. Josh McCown has done a great 142 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 3: job coaching that quarterbacks room. But one of the things 143 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 3: with Josh is he's been in a ton of systems. 144 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 3: He hasn't been steeped in Kevin O'Connell's system the way 145 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 3: that Grant was. 146 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 2: So they were kind of a perfect pair. 147 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,279 Speaker 3: You had the Josh McCown knows what it's like to 148 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 3: be in the cockpit up playing quarterback, and then you 149 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 3: had Grant Ydinsky, who knew all the intricacies of this system. Obviously, 150 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 3: Grant was also the assistant offensive coordinator. He leaves to 151 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 3: go to Jacksonville has been praised like relentlessly by players there, 152 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 3: which isn't a surprise to me. And then the Vikings 153 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 3: backfilled him with the guy Jordan Traylor, who just didn't 154 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 3: work as closely with Kevin O'Connell throughout the season. So 155 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 3: any good team they're gonna have brain drain. That's just 156 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 3: part of it. Yeah, and it's incumbent upon you a 157 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 3: to ensure you're not you're trying to keep the guys 158 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 3: you want to keep and then backfill with really good talent. 159 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,239 Speaker 2: And with Grant it was pretty clear early in the season. 160 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 3: I had multiple people tell me like this was a 161 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 3: big loss, like it was, And I know it's silly 162 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 3: probably to hear it, but there's just a synergy level 163 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 3: with some coaches that can lead you to success in 164 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,400 Speaker 3: a way that Grant and Kevin O'Connell syenergy obviously did 165 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 3: for a couple of years. 166 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's tough as an outsider, and I'm not discounting 167 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 1: the loss of Grant Yudinsky, and I would tend to 168 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: lean and agree with with everything you've said. The idea 169 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 1: of it, though, is you know, understanding the inner workings 170 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: of throughout the week, as you mentioned, So who is 171 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: the voice that a JJ McCarthy is hearing more from? 172 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 2: Is it? Is it from Josh McCown on a day 173 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 2: to day basis. 174 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 1: Maybe in this unique particular case, the head coach has 175 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: probably been a lot more keyed in, maybe than a 176 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 1: year ago. He could have trusted a Grant Yudinsky to 177 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: disseminate information and communicate and work with a Sam Darnold 178 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:36,000 Speaker 1: maybe more hand in hand than it would be now 179 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 1: with McCarthy, but just kind of understanding again the over 180 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,079 Speaker 1: the course of a week and next segment what we're 181 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: going to talk about Brian Flores the responsibilities of a 182 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:50,080 Speaker 1: head coach that he can't just be McCarthy's guru at 183 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: all times. He has to be connecting with Flores, he 184 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: has to be connecting at a more global level of 185 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 1: what's going on. And the loss of your potential in 186 00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 1: room mouth piece is a lot more significant than anybody 187 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 1: could have considered. 188 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 2: There's no question. 189 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 3: I mean, and and I mean not to just make 190 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 3: this grant Yedinsky radio OKAF. 191 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 2: But he's a fan like people will take your calls. 192 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:13,559 Speaker 3: But he had a huge role too, like even the 193 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 3: Josh Dobbs experience, Like he had a major voice in, 194 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 3: you know, providing Josh the requisite amount of knowledge on 195 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 3: what it would take to be able to perform this scheme. 196 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 3: And obviously Josh Dobbs and those games contributed to the 197 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 3: draft pick. 198 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 2: Can you think what he was when he was interviewing 199 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:32,679 Speaker 2: in Jacksonville. 200 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 1: Maybe he just omitted the Josh Dobbs part of the conversation. 201 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 3: He might have He might have, but no, like The 202 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 3: one thing I will say with this conversation is, you know, 203 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 3: oftentimes in my job, when I'm writing about this team, 204 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 3: you have to focus on the big subjects, the quarterback, 205 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 3: you know, the defense that's performing really, really well, and 206 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 3: you don't get to talk as often about the importance 207 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:58,239 Speaker 3: of some of these staffers. 208 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 2: And that is why, like. 209 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 3: You look around the league and some of the best 210 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 3: head coaches, Sean McVay is one of them, cultivating young 211 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 3: talent on your coaching staff is critical to developing players. 212 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 3: And like as much as we talk about the draft 213 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 3: hits or lack thereof, here with Quasi do flamensa like, 214 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 3: the draft is a twofold process. It's identifying and then 215 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,680 Speaker 3: it's developing once you bring guys in, and I think 216 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 3: you know that whole continuum, a lot of it falls 217 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 3: the responsibility falls on the coaching staff, and so it's 218 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 3: important to have those discussions. 219 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 2: In my opinion, I dig it, here's what we're gonna do. 220 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 1: We're gonna pause, and when we come back, we are 221 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 1: going to dig into where things stand on several fronts. 222 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 1: With the Minnesota Vikings, you cool with that, Alec love it, 223 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 1: That's Alec Lewis or the Athletic at Alec Underscore Lewis 224 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 1: via the X Machine and of course the Alec Lewis podcast. 225 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 1: You can get that on YouTube. I can listen to 226 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:56,719 Speaker 1: it on the free iHeart radio app. Tim Siegli's here 227 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: the whole thing. We're all we're all enjoying ourselves on 228 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: a Friday facet right here, nine. 229 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 4: To noon on. 230 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 2: Feasting on the fan nine to noon on a Friday. 231 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 1: It's Nordo here with Alec Lewis from the Athletic covers 232 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings. 233 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 2: Follow his work and subscribe. 234 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 1: There's probably he's got discount codes falling out of his pocket. 235 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 1: It's the Athletic dot Com, Alec. Where do things stand? 236 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,199 Speaker 1: Kind of the vibe with your most recent piece, I 237 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: believe yesterday, and we'll just start kind of with the 238 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 1: topic of topics and that's Brian Flores and earlier in 239 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 1: the show Pa in Charge, we're kind of running through 240 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 1: some coach openings, which I might ask your takes on 241 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: some of those things as well. I believe there are 242 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,559 Speaker 1: eight teams vying for a new head coach right now. 243 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,119 Speaker 1: But Brian Flores again in lieu of season ending pressers, 244 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: lining up in terms of when his contract ends, it's 245 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: got to be some time in the next few days, 246 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: open for business, open season, et cetera. 247 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 2: Just where are we ye with Brian. 248 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:04,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean he can obviously accept head coaching interviews 249 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 3: right now, and the only reported one thus far has 250 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 3: been with Baltimore. 251 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 2: That's a team, you know, they do things in a very. 252 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 3: Strict way, a very regimented way. They haven't had many 253 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 3: head coaches. 254 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 2: They're a very for them, right so maybe. 255 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, the ownership is very hands off, so it'll be interesting. 256 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:29,959 Speaker 3: They're gonna interview a ton of people in Baltimore. The 257 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 3: name jesse Mentor has come up a lot for me 258 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 3: in conversations there, so we'll see about that one. But 259 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 3: Brian floor is until his contract runs out, cannot interview 260 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 3: for lateral defensive coordinator positions, which is why you haven't 261 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 3: seen like the Dallas Cowboys, for example, interview that they 262 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 3: plan to interview Deonte Jones, the Vikings defensive pass game coordinator, 263 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 3: DB's coach. They can't interview Brian Flora as yet, but 264 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 3: it's my understanding that Dallas is gonna be really interested 265 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 3: and they have what the Vikings currently cannot offer, which 266 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:08,199 Speaker 3: is a quarterback who you'd have faith in to lead 267 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,840 Speaker 3: you to the playoffs and and lead you to playoff victory. 268 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 2: So it's going to be interesting. 269 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 3: That probably leads you to the question of why would 270 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 3: it make sense for Brian Flores to leave laterally for 271 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 3: a defensive coordinator position, And that gets to a bunch 272 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 3: of really good Yeah, I mean, it's I know what's coming. 273 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:30,720 Speaker 3: And again, the quarterback is a factor within that. But 274 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 3: that question that you'll probably ask me, it's it leads 275 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 3: you to a lot of difficult conversations and we'll just 276 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 3: kind of have to see where it goes. 277 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:41,559 Speaker 2: But I said at the beginning of hopping on. 278 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 3: Here, whether it's Brian Flores, whether it's the front office, 279 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 3: whether it's the rest of the coaching staff. As we 280 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 3: sit here Friday, there is not a lot of clarity 281 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 3: on a lot of it. And I'm not saying like 282 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 3: clarity from me, I don't know anything. I'm saying even 283 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:01,200 Speaker 3: when you talk to people, well, there is not much 284 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 3: clarity in terms of what things are going to look like, right, 285 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 3: And that's pretty interesting and it's probably pretty telling, and 286 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 3: so we'll just kind of see where. 287 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 1: It goes, Yeah, the so to that end, making a 288 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: lateral move, I think someone read into that and that 289 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 1: would be an indictment of the situation here and may 290 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: not just be because let's use Dallas. Dallas has dak 291 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 1: Dallas had high flying offense and nearly historically hideous Cowboys 292 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 1: defense and Maddieberfluss is moving on for a reason that 293 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 1: they would look at that and say, huh, there's no 294 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: way to make a lateral move that it can only 295 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: be about the quarterback. People would read between lines and 296 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 1: start saying, hmm, are there other things under the cover 297 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: of darkness, relationships, the status, long term vision of the 298 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 1: team at large that would be problematic to such a 299 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: degree that again, a coach may maybe we're all assuming, 300 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 1: rightly or wrongly, does vibe he wants to vie for 301 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: the chance to be a head coach again if that's 302 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 1: on his plate. This type of move, save for in 303 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: the short term solving some issues here on the home front, 304 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: that would be a problem. And are we reading Am 305 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: I reading too much into that? Or would there potentially 306 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 1: be an indictment of some issues here in Minnesota. 307 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 2: Yeah. 308 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 3: The way I'd answer that is in the past few 309 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 3: Friday football feats. When we've talked about Brian Flores, what 310 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 3: I've said plenty of times is Brian Flores is a direct, 311 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 3: kind of strong minded individual and that he is unafraid 312 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 3: to tell you what he thinks and tell you what 313 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 3: he prefers, and so like, there are just aspects of 314 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 3: the way he goes about that that you know, I 315 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 3: think teams that teams navigate, that you have to navigate, 316 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 3: and so in any situation, similar to John Ball in 317 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:03,520 Speaker 3: the Ravens, like they reached a point where it's like, Okay, 318 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 3: maybe this is time for us to separate and depart. 319 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 2: Will they reach that point here? 320 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 3: I don't have that answer right now, but there is 321 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 3: a lot to the conversation, is what I would say. 322 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:21,360 Speaker 3: And that's probably the easiest way I know. I just 323 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 3: say that right. 324 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: Now because I think about it from his personality as 325 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: and we mentioned this earlier on the show, just kind 326 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 1: of what led to his departure in Miami and now 327 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 1: there are lawsuits associated with it, but just kind of 328 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 1: the did he did he during his time in Miami 329 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: get on the nerves, whether it could be players, it 330 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 1: could be other coaches like wow, this you know this 331 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:43,160 Speaker 1: guy's in my face. 332 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 2: This guy is. 333 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: Not all hugs. And maybe if you if you worked 334 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 1: with him every day, you'd get the hugs. But if 335 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 1: you didn't work with them very often, if you were 336 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 1: on the offensive side of things, and the only time 337 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 1: you chatted with the coach was when he was you know, 338 00:16:57,040 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 1: MF and you about offensive inadequacies or things we've heard 339 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: from Tua, which I think it's a cop out from Tua. 340 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: Tuas lay in all of his personal blame at Flores's 341 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:09,200 Speaker 1: feet when he's gone, and we've only seen him continue 342 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 1: really to degrade and devolve at that spot. So I'm 343 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 1: kind of putting that on Tua's plate. But if it 344 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:20,280 Speaker 1: is that, then I'm simultaneously okay, So that would be 345 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 1: maybe that's him and there are issues with that style, okay, 346 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 1: so that would be on Minnesota's side. 347 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 2: Right. 348 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: Well, I'm also seeing the head coach in the final 349 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 1: TCO studio Day x's and o's with head coach Kevin O'Connell. 350 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:39,399 Speaker 1: I'm watching him. His life is flashing before his eyes 351 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,479 Speaker 1: as PA asks him kind of a seemingly innocuous but 352 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:43,800 Speaker 1: maybe a bit of a leading question. 353 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 2: It was a great question. 354 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:49,200 Speaker 1: Is Harrison Smith, do you think he'd be kind of 355 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,200 Speaker 1: there would be a connection to if Flores returns, Harrison 356 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 1: Smith is more likely to return. 357 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 2: And I look at the coach. 358 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: Coach goes almost completely white, as if it's like, oh 359 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,159 Speaker 1: my god, what is my defense gonna look like without 360 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,600 Speaker 1: Flores or hit Man in twenty twenty six. So there's 361 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 1: a grading personality factor. But I also kind of witnessed 362 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 1: reading through reading between the lines with the head coach. 363 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:13,479 Speaker 1: This is a coach who knows what it can be 364 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,439 Speaker 1: like with him and worries about what it would be 365 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: like without him. 366 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,919 Speaker 3: Yeah, And what I would say, you know, specific to 367 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:24,880 Speaker 3: the player conversation, whether it's Harrison, whether it's Stefan Gilmour, 368 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 3: whether it's Josh Mattelis, whether it was even Harrison Phillips 369 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 3: while he was here, Like, you have not heard one 370 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:36,159 Speaker 3: thing from any cam binam one thing from any of 371 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 3: these guys that's not positive about their experience with Brian Flores. 372 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 3: Like I was having a conversation with one of the 373 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 3: players the other day and they were saying to me, 374 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 3: like the way he does it, the way he teaches 375 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:51,520 Speaker 3: the willingness that he is to be aggressive, the willingness 376 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 3: that he has to shoot it straight like that is 377 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 3: very much appreciated among that group. So you know the 378 00:18:57,359 --> 00:19:00,880 Speaker 3: TA stuff. You know, you've heard Ryan Fitzpatrick talk about it. Yeah, 379 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:03,840 Speaker 3: in the past, there there were other Miami Dolphins players 380 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:06,439 Speaker 3: that talk about it that there's a lot of dynamics 381 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:09,200 Speaker 3: to that as far as you know, you're talking about 382 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:15,439 Speaker 3: Kevin O'Connell. Like I say this all the time, to 383 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 3: to stand up in front of a room of professional athletes, 384 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 3: you have to be in alpha and you have to 385 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 3: have ego like to be able to command that type 386 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:26,160 Speaker 3: of room. 387 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 2: Successfully in a room of alpha's exactly. 388 00:19:29,040 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 3: And so like you have that in general, and then 389 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 3: it just becomes a question for for everybody internally of 390 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 3: how like where is the line with that and where 391 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 3: does it bleed over into being too much? And I 392 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 3: think that's something for all these that all these coaches 393 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 3: have to navigate and check on a daily basis. And 394 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 3: it's it's it's interesting, like I've covered the NFL now 395 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 3: for four seasons and I have read a lot and 396 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:56,000 Speaker 3: I've learned a lot, and I've observed a lot about 397 00:19:56,000 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 3: how certain people handle certain situations. And it's it's really 398 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 3: revelatory to watch that, to observe it, to hear about it, 399 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 3: and I think it tells you a lot and so, 400 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 3: and it's not confined to just the Vikings building, like 401 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:14,960 Speaker 3: you have these types of conversations and situations really throughout 402 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:15,480 Speaker 3: the NFL. 403 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 2: It's kind of what the league is. 404 00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:21,920 Speaker 3: So again to come back to like ground zero, bit 405 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 3: like the baseline of it, we'll see about Brian Flores. 406 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 3: Do I think it's possible that he leaves, whether it's 407 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 3: for a head coaching job or a lateral defensive coordinator position. Yes, 408 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 3: I do think that's possible. And then you lead yourself 409 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 3: down down the road of well, then who would replace him? 410 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:40,919 Speaker 3: And the most obvious Canada internally is Deronte Jones. But 411 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,440 Speaker 3: the problem with that is Deronte is going to have 412 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 3: multiple defensive coordinator interviews elsewhere as well, which leads to 413 00:20:48,040 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 3: more uncertainty. And that's how I would sum up what 414 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:53,880 Speaker 3: this off season is for the Vikings. It is an 415 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 3: off season of uncertainty in a lot of different respects. 416 00:20:57,160 --> 00:21:01,320 Speaker 1: I mean, that's an absolute kick to the pants. No no, no, no, 417 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:05,640 Speaker 1: not you if he leaves for a lateral job. I mean, 418 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: just ponder that for a second. Oh yeah, again, that 419 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 1: is an absolute kick to the pants, given how much 420 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:15,480 Speaker 1: he matters to this defense. And even if that results 421 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 1: in Hey Dernte Jones, we root for Dernte to find 422 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: the most in his career, but for him to take over. 423 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 2: You know, I go back in time a bit. 424 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:27,320 Speaker 1: I remember the Lions they lose to the pack at 425 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 1: Lambeau and there was that reporter who just he kind 426 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 1: of alluded to, Hey, you know, Ben Johnson's gone, couldn't 427 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: you just do exactly what he did? And Campbell did 428 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:44,160 Speaker 1: not take it well, and maybe rightly rightfully so. But Derante, 429 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,879 Speaker 1: you know you can replicate, but can you you know, 430 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:50,600 Speaker 1: from a decision making standpoint, pulling the strings all of 431 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:54,200 Speaker 1: that for him to leave for a lateral position again, 432 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,880 Speaker 1: the indictment factor of what that means, because I can't 433 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:01,160 Speaker 1: imagine the vikings. You know, the Wilfs. The Wilfs want 434 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 1: to win. So are you gonna get out bid? Are 435 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 1: you truly gonna? You know? 436 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 2: Is is it even about that at this stage? 437 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 1: I mean, that's just nutty to me, the idea of 438 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 1: a lateral move at this stage. 439 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:14,240 Speaker 3: No, and you you said the right thing of I 440 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:17,640 Speaker 3: mean Deontae Jones as as highly as people think of them, 441 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:19,560 Speaker 3: both in the building and throughout the league. Like he 442 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:23,399 Speaker 3: interviewed last year for multiple positions, one of them. I 443 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:26,480 Speaker 3: spoke to an executive at the Combine about that interview. 444 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:28,439 Speaker 3: Sat in the interview there, like that guy's going to 445 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:30,480 Speaker 3: be a defensive coordinator, and we think he's going to 446 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:33,800 Speaker 3: be a really good defensive coordinator. But you're taking like 447 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:38,160 Speaker 3: there's no regardless of whether their scheme, continuity or respect 448 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:40,880 Speaker 3: factor internally, Like that is a that I mean, you're 449 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:43,440 Speaker 3: taking a leap, just like the Lions were with both 450 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 3: their coordinator positions this year. So yeah, I mean it's 451 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 3: it would be Brian Flores defenses here. I mean, he 452 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 3: took a defense that was twenty third in Dvoa to 453 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:58,360 Speaker 3: eleventh with very little personnel improvement, and then the last 454 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 3: two years they've been third and second. I mean, what 455 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 3: he's done here from a defensive perspective cannot be overstated. 456 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,760 Speaker 3: And he's done it without a I mean, frankly, they 457 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:13,959 Speaker 3: haven't drafted a full time starter since twenty twenty one, 458 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:18,640 Speaker 3: and Brian Flores has had major personnel influence which factors 459 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 3: into it too. So yes, to add a potential Brian 460 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:27,160 Speaker 3: floor as departure atop everything else would be really hard 461 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 3: to swallow, and it would be really difficult as the 462 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 3: Vikings try to configure the puzzle to get back to 463 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:36,640 Speaker 3: playoff contention. 464 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:38,520 Speaker 2: In twenty twenty six. 465 00:23:38,720 --> 00:23:41,800 Speaker 1: I got who was the who's the defensive starter they 466 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:48,200 Speaker 1: drafted in twenty twenty one. I'm trying to Josh Mattelis, 467 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 1: was that twenty twenty one? 468 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:51,480 Speaker 2: Could be wrong? 469 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:55,680 Speaker 1: But I believe it might be twenty twenty twenty twenty 470 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 1: because they took Pat Jones before you were here. We 471 00:23:59,560 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 1: had the four greatest third round picks than the history 472 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 1: of Vikings football. We had Kellen man Chas Surat, Wyatt Davis, 473 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,439 Speaker 1: and Pat Jones. That was twenty twenty one. They did 474 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 1: draft Cam bind him, but he's not here anymore. 475 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 2: Was that twenty one? 476 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:13,920 Speaker 1: That was twenty one? Okay, Cam bine mentell us the 477 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 1: uh yeah, twenty twenty. That makes it sound even slightly. 478 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 3: But it's crazy like that statistic I've heard that nugget 479 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 3: is something I've come back to. It's like Brian Flores 480 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:27,960 Speaker 3: has done a lot of this by free agent signings 481 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:32,240 Speaker 3: that in many situations were influenced by his own evaluation, 482 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 3: and I came on here. I hosted Barrero's show, I 483 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:36,800 Speaker 3: think last week or two weeks ago, and one of 484 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:39,840 Speaker 3: the things that I started that show with was his 485 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:44,600 Speaker 3: personnel influence is also something that's very, very hard to replace. 486 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:47,159 Speaker 3: He knows what a system is, he knows what he 487 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:49,160 Speaker 3: wants it to be, and he knows which players fit 488 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:49,920 Speaker 3: that system. 489 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,880 Speaker 2: And that's hard to find. Yeah, wow, okay. 490 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:56,240 Speaker 1: Well you completely sidetrack me now, I mean this is yeah, 491 00:24:56,280 --> 00:24:58,120 Speaker 1: you looks like you're going through it over there. Well, 492 00:24:58,119 --> 00:25:01,920 Speaker 1: we don't talk about and maybe maybe we should. It's 493 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:05,080 Speaker 1: difficult because the way that we are kind of framed 494 00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:09,320 Speaker 1: up nine to noon is the game that just happened, 495 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:11,920 Speaker 1: the game that is about to be, and what's good 496 00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 1: and bad we talk about. 497 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:14,280 Speaker 2: Of course, draft. 498 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:17,360 Speaker 1: Season were dominated by We're dominated through it the summer, 499 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 1: throughout the summer and through training camp and you know, 500 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 1: final fifty three and you know where these guys are 501 00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:26,000 Speaker 1: going to slot into the story. But then you have 502 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: this whole season goes by, like I'm not going to 503 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:30,560 Speaker 1: talk about, you know, a missed pick from five years 504 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:33,920 Speaker 1: ago in the middle of October. You know what I mean, 505 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:36,040 Speaker 1: but now this, I mean, here we are it's nine 506 00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 1: to eight team out of the playoffs. Straft situation's hideous. 507 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:44,240 Speaker 1: This draft situation is brutally bad and needs to needs 508 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: to improve. Now, maybe I'm being a bit hyperbolic in 509 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,720 Speaker 1: that regard. Brutally bad. Is it the worst the NFL 510 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:52,520 Speaker 1: has ever seen? Probably not. But in terms of the 511 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:55,760 Speaker 1: injury sustained, combined with the lack of ability to supplement 512 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:59,400 Speaker 1: it with the young cats, with second stringers, in combination 513 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 1: with the fact that you have so much cash invested 514 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:07,199 Speaker 1: in veteran players, some of which oh injury prone, and 515 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:10,399 Speaker 1: and then not having that draft equity to replace it, 516 00:26:11,119 --> 00:26:12,680 Speaker 1: these are these are dire straits. 517 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:14,399 Speaker 2: Ma man No, and I will say this like not 518 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 2: to be negative radio here. 519 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 3: I mean Dallas Turner showed a lot down the stretch, 520 00:26:18,840 --> 00:26:20,520 Speaker 3: and in terms of I mean he was a guy 521 00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:23,640 Speaker 3: who's been drafted who could potentially be a big time, 522 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:27,000 Speaker 3: full time starter. Jay Ward I thought had some flashes 523 00:26:27,040 --> 00:26:29,800 Speaker 3: down the stretch. But it's I mean, Dallas Turner, you trade, 524 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:32,240 Speaker 3: you bet, he'd better be a full time starter with 525 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:34,840 Speaker 3: what you traded. And then Jay Ward, we'll see if 526 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:38,360 Speaker 3: he can ascend to that level. So yeah, I mean, 527 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:41,239 Speaker 3: you talk to anybody in the league. Drafting is the 528 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:44,800 Speaker 3: lifeblood of the organization. Hitting in the draft and developing 529 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 3: guys who you have drafted will dictate whether you are 530 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:51,919 Speaker 3: good or not. And I mean really to this point, 531 00:26:53,320 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 3: since Quasidopla Mensa got here in twenty twenty two, it's 532 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:59,679 Speaker 3: been Jordan Adison, It's been Will Reikerd, it's been Jaalen Naylor, 533 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 3: and then there are a lot of you know, maybe Levi. 534 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:04,080 Speaker 2: Drake Rodriguez, but a lot of question marks. 535 00:27:04,080 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 3: And that has contributed in large part to why the Vikings, 536 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:09,440 Speaker 3: even though they did finish. 537 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 2: Nine and eight, had the season that they had. 538 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:13,200 Speaker 1: All right, well, we got plenty of time to rip 539 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:17,200 Speaker 1: the GM and the drafts, but specifically with Flores eight 540 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:20,200 Speaker 1: coaching openings and that's kind of you know, he didn't 541 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 1: get he got interviews. There was an interesting spot in 542 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:25,640 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three. I had to be reminded of this 543 00:27:26,320 --> 00:27:31,560 Speaker 1: that new GM in Arizona, Manti Ausenfert had actually interviewed 544 00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:33,719 Speaker 1: him and he was a finalist for that head coaching 545 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:36,720 Speaker 1: job and then turned that down because he became the 546 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 1: defensive coordinator here. Now, for me, personally, I read through that, 547 00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:42,600 Speaker 1: I say, well, he probably knew he wasn't going to 548 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:46,680 Speaker 1: get the head coaching job, which then puts him in 549 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,400 Speaker 1: a spot where, yeah, this was just a better fit 550 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:51,479 Speaker 1: for me, and everyone's happy and goes away. They get 551 00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:56,639 Speaker 1: Jonathan Gannon instead. But that's an interesting connection. Is it 552 00:27:56,680 --> 00:28:00,880 Speaker 1: truly just Raiders? Because of Brady Rooney fan family, because 553 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 1: of his connection there with Tomlin, he was there as 554 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 1: an assistant, all of that. I mean, when you look 555 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 1: at these eight that are open, you mentioned he's being 556 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:12,159 Speaker 1: interviewed for Baltimore, for the Baltimore spot, Are any of 557 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 1: these realistic? 558 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 3: I mean, I think the Vegas one is definitely interesting. 559 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:21,400 Speaker 3: But you know, I've seen some people throughout the industry 560 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 3: like go to you know, Flora's give me the head 561 00:28:23,560 --> 00:28:25,520 Speaker 3: coach and Dave Ball will be the OC and it'll 562 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:27,119 Speaker 3: be Patriots West. 563 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 2: I'm like, can we slow down? 564 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:28,960 Speaker 1: Really? 565 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:31,159 Speaker 3: From what I like, we should probably slow down on 566 00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 3: that being you know thought. But I mean even Manti 567 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:36,920 Speaker 3: Austen for it. He spent time, if I'm not mistaken, 568 00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 3: in the Patriots buildings. 569 00:28:38,360 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 2: They knew each other. Yes, there's a crossover there. 570 00:28:41,280 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 3: So my mind does go to you'd have, you know, 571 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 3: that would be where you'd have the leg up in 572 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:51,400 Speaker 3: Vegas and Vegas and Arizona. But also Brian Flores will 573 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 3: probably be fairly selective too, like, what is the owner situation? 574 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 3: Given what he was exposed to in Miami? What is 575 00:28:58,400 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 3: the quarterback situation? 576 00:28:59,760 --> 00:29:01,040 Speaker 2: I mean? And that is a critical thing. 577 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:03,880 Speaker 3: If you're about to pair yourself in your second and 578 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:08,080 Speaker 3: probably last head coaching opportunity to a situation, you better 579 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:10,720 Speaker 3: have faith in what you're doing at that position. So 580 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 3: it's hard, I guess, to sum it up for me, 581 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:17,800 Speaker 3: It is hard to pick out one of these specific 582 00:29:17,840 --> 00:29:20,440 Speaker 3: situations and connect obvious dots. 583 00:29:20,520 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 2: We can agree that Miami's probably not. 584 00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 3: I would be quite quite surprised Tennessee not seeing it, 585 00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:29,920 Speaker 3: or the Giants because the Giants were in that hole. 586 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:38,080 Speaker 1: Kerfuffle about Belichick wishing him a congratulatory the congrats text wrong, Brian. 587 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 2: That's right. 588 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:41,280 Speaker 3: I also don't know after Brian Flores saw what Jackson 589 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:43,960 Speaker 3: Dart looked like against his defense, I'm not sure how 590 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:47,920 Speaker 3: you know how excited he'd be. But really, it is 591 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 3: hard to pick out one of these situations and link 592 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:54,560 Speaker 3: the two together pretty obviously, which would lead you down 593 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 3: the path of Okay, if he doesn't get a head 594 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 3: coaching job, would he seriously leave laterally for a defense 595 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:03,600 Speaker 3: coordinator position? And what are the Vikings going to have 596 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:10,000 Speaker 3: to do to ensure monetarily and situationally that you know, 597 00:30:10,160 --> 00:30:13,120 Speaker 3: ensure to him that it is worth being here for 598 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:13,720 Speaker 3: the long haul. 599 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:15,960 Speaker 2: This is just a cloudy, freaking rats nest. 600 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:19,960 Speaker 1: And by the way, even if he goes to the Raiders, 601 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:23,120 Speaker 1: the Raiders would have to know Flores would have to 602 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:28,160 Speaker 1: know who's the absolute stone cold killer, rockstar oc that's 603 00:30:28,200 --> 00:30:31,240 Speaker 1: going to develop the Fernando Mendoza or you know, we're 604 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: just throwing him at number one, and it sounds like 605 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,240 Speaker 1: he's favored to be there, but it would be like, 606 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:38,560 Speaker 1: I have to know that Mike McDaniel, who's on the market. 607 00:30:38,560 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 2: We talked about him earlier. 608 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:42,240 Speaker 1: It sounds like there's some steam that maybe Detroit wants him, 609 00:30:42,560 --> 00:30:44,760 Speaker 1: and what that would mean in terms of changing Golf 610 00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:47,120 Speaker 1: and Gibbs and and just how much of a boost 611 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:49,160 Speaker 1: that would or wouldn't be to that offense that was 612 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,960 Speaker 1: already top five. But you would have to have all 613 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 1: of those pieces in place. 614 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:56,560 Speaker 3: And that's what I mean really for weeks and months 615 00:30:56,600 --> 00:30:58,719 Speaker 3: like that is a lot of what happens here is 616 00:30:59,160 --> 00:31:01,960 Speaker 3: coaches line up up staffs. When they're talking on the 617 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:05,040 Speaker 3: field two hours before a game. Sometimes some of those 618 00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:07,240 Speaker 3: conversations would you be interested if. 619 00:31:07,080 --> 00:31:08,160 Speaker 2: This win this? 620 00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:11,360 Speaker 3: And that's I mean, that's so much of the lead 621 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:13,760 Speaker 3: up to this week, and then this week is really 622 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:18,360 Speaker 3: kind of the rocket fuel to the seriousness with a 623 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:22,440 Speaker 3: lot of those conversations. And that's why it has been interesting. 624 00:31:22,520 --> 00:31:25,440 Speaker 3: Some teams have worked really fast, Like look at Miami, 625 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 3: they're already reported to have a new general manager in 626 00:31:29,280 --> 00:31:32,400 Speaker 3: John Eric Sullivan from Green Bay, and you've had you know, 627 00:31:32,440 --> 00:31:36,920 Speaker 3: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers essentially fired their whole like offensive staff, 628 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:39,880 Speaker 3: and that was reported on Wednesday. Then you have the 629 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:45,120 Speaker 3: Viking situation where hasn't been much, which doesn't necessarily mean 630 00:31:45,640 --> 00:31:49,000 Speaker 3: that everything is just moving into twenty twenty six the 631 00:31:49,040 --> 00:31:49,880 Speaker 3: same way it's been. 632 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:55,360 Speaker 1: Flores could take Deurante with him too, couldn't they That would. 633 00:31:55,200 --> 00:31:57,680 Speaker 3: Be a possibility, But I would imagine at this point 634 00:31:57,800 --> 00:32:02,160 Speaker 3: Durante wants to call plays leaves he deserves the call play. 635 00:32:02,360 --> 00:32:04,200 Speaker 3: I do know they're very close, so I wouldn't be 636 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 3: surprised if that happened. But like the one that I'd 637 00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:10,960 Speaker 3: look at is New York with Aaron Glenn believe they 638 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 3: know each other and Durante and and. 639 00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:16,680 Speaker 2: Why would Deante do that? It's a great question. But 640 00:32:17,120 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 2: the other thing is if. 641 00:32:17,960 --> 00:32:20,440 Speaker 1: They not have one interception the whole year, they did 642 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:22,800 Speaker 1: not have one or takes, that's. 643 00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:24,360 Speaker 2: One of the nobody talks about that. 644 00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:29,040 Speaker 3: It's absurd the Jets didn't have one pick the whole year. 645 00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:34,600 Speaker 1: Defensive head coach goes out there first, Aaron gn needs 646 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:37,480 Speaker 1: some new ideas because he's like, he'll just line it 647 00:32:37,560 --> 00:32:38,320 Speaker 1: up and play man. 648 00:32:38,360 --> 00:32:41,080 Speaker 3: You're like, this is not nineteen ninety seven, and you 649 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:44,720 Speaker 3: do not have dion and I mean, it's just not 650 00:32:44,840 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 3: the situation. But that's kind of his mom. 651 00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:49,520 Speaker 1: This is what happens when you live in purgatory too, 652 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:53,760 Speaker 1: like with the Vikings, because sadly never reached the mountaintop, 653 00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:57,040 Speaker 1: right and but they've never really been awful either, which 654 00:32:57,080 --> 00:32:59,680 Speaker 1: actually is is a good thing. I prefer not being 655 00:32:59,800 --> 00:33:03,320 Speaker 1: three in thirteen or two and fifteen or whatever the 656 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:05,400 Speaker 1: Jets are. They won two or three games this year, 657 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:08,400 Speaker 1: but think about at the beginning of the year, it's 658 00:33:08,480 --> 00:33:12,800 Speaker 1: Aaron Glenn, and you have Sauce Gardner. Okay, we're sad 659 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:16,520 Speaker 1: that DJ Reid left in free agency. You have Quinn Williams. 660 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:21,880 Speaker 1: You end the year with your two best defensive players leaving. Oh, 661 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:25,120 Speaker 1: we're happy for for Harrison Phillips. We don't have an 662 00:33:25,200 --> 00:33:29,160 Speaker 1: interception the entire year. You're trying to sell yourself all 663 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:34,920 Speaker 1: summer on justin fields. Bryce Hall has been unable to 664 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:37,280 Speaker 1: be found with a compass and a GPS. 665 00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:39,400 Speaker 3: He's away until the end. 666 00:33:40,280 --> 00:33:42,800 Speaker 2: What I mean, that's awful. 667 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:45,440 Speaker 3: What's the Jets? It is the Jets, which is it's 668 00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:46,280 Speaker 3: just not surprising. 669 00:33:46,360 --> 00:33:49,080 Speaker 1: So if you're Derontae Jones, you want to go call Yes, 670 00:33:49,160 --> 00:33:51,760 Speaker 1: I get to call plays for Aaron Glenn, but it's 671 00:33:51,760 --> 00:33:55,719 Speaker 1: the freaking Jets versus I know I'm DC in name only, 672 00:33:55,960 --> 00:33:59,160 Speaker 1: but I get flores get I get to take a 673 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:02,440 Speaker 1: little bit of a juice from that fruit that is 674 00:34:02,480 --> 00:34:04,400 Speaker 1: provided on the field, and I can use it in 675 00:34:04,440 --> 00:34:07,440 Speaker 1: my own interviews to go eventually find a team that 676 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:10,560 Speaker 1: is not the Jets and further my career. 677 00:34:11,040 --> 00:34:14,040 Speaker 3: I mean, if I were his representation, I would probably 678 00:34:14,080 --> 00:34:16,400 Speaker 3: be like, you know, we're gonna need a lot of 679 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:18,279 Speaker 3: years and a lot of money to be willing to 680 00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:18,839 Speaker 3: do this one. 681 00:34:18,960 --> 00:34:22,239 Speaker 1: We're gonna need some certain guarantees. That three year deal 682 00:34:22,320 --> 00:34:23,040 Speaker 1: better be five. 683 00:34:23,640 --> 00:34:24,120 Speaker 2: Let's do this. 684 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:27,879 Speaker 1: We'll pause maybe just kind of NFL playoffs at large. Man, 685 00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:31,279 Speaker 1: we got some badass games this weekend, dude, so let's 686 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:32,919 Speaker 1: roll on that as we try to put a rap 687 00:34:32,960 --> 00:34:35,400 Speaker 1: on a Friday feast. Alec Lewis of the Athletic is 688 00:34:35,400 --> 00:34:36,640 Speaker 1: in studio with me Nordo. 689 00:34:36,719 --> 00:35:11,160 Speaker 4: It's the fan. 690 00:34:56,200 --> 00:34:59,880 Speaker 2: Final segment, nine to noon. Pa in Charts. 691 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:02,440 Speaker 1: It was so awesome to see Charts Church back in 692 00:35:02,480 --> 00:35:04,760 Speaker 1: the building today for the first two hours of the show. 693 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:06,800 Speaker 2: Pa departing a bit early. 694 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:10,200 Speaker 1: He's going to see a man about a dog, I believe, 695 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:13,560 Speaker 1: Oh baby Teddy, and and Charts is headed back to 696 00:35:13,600 --> 00:35:17,160 Speaker 1: the rest stop in Utah. So safe travels for both 697 00:35:17,200 --> 00:35:19,160 Speaker 1: of them. So it's it's Me Nordo and then Alec 698 00:35:19,239 --> 00:35:22,680 Speaker 1: Lewis of the Athletic Playoff Football. Well, first of all, 699 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:25,200 Speaker 1: did you you watched last night's college game? 700 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:25,400 Speaker 4: Right? 701 00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:27,359 Speaker 2: Yeah? I mean I was what was I gonna not? 702 00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:27,879 Speaker 4: How good? 703 00:35:27,920 --> 00:35:28,600 Speaker 2: How good was that? 704 00:35:28,719 --> 00:35:28,960 Speaker 4: I mean? 705 00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:33,319 Speaker 1: Just exceptional? Carson Beck. I have trouble rooting for Carson Beck. 706 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:35,200 Speaker 1: I don't have a dog in the fight. It's kind 707 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:37,919 Speaker 1: of like, you know, Kiffin leaves I forget what the 708 00:35:37,920 --> 00:35:40,160 Speaker 1: the other the coach, who's the coach that took over 709 00:35:40,200 --> 00:35:42,720 Speaker 1: for Gold there we go, kind of leaves him holding 710 00:35:42,719 --> 00:35:45,200 Speaker 1: the bag as he heads down to the Bayou. And 711 00:35:45,239 --> 00:35:48,600 Speaker 1: this chamberless, this quarterback hat just a blast to watch. 712 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:51,759 Speaker 1: I don't know if that translates into the NFL. It's 713 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:55,720 Speaker 1: hard to root for Carson Beck. But that drive last 714 00:35:55,800 --> 00:35:58,440 Speaker 1: night was I mean, that's going to be in Miami. 715 00:35:59,239 --> 00:35:59,920 Speaker 2: That's mythic. 716 00:36:00,360 --> 00:36:02,399 Speaker 1: I think if if, and if they close it down 717 00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:05,360 Speaker 1: a week from now, unbelievable moment for the Canes. 718 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:08,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, I've I mean, he played at Georgia forever, Carson Beck, 719 00:36:08,600 --> 00:36:10,680 Speaker 3: and so I was I mean, I'm an Alabama guy, 720 00:36:10,719 --> 00:36:12,120 Speaker 3: so I. 721 00:36:11,520 --> 00:36:14,560 Speaker 2: Never thought no long, not not quite. 722 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:16,920 Speaker 3: But all you could say watching that final drive on 723 00:36:16,960 --> 00:36:19,680 Speaker 3: those third downs is like all right, like you just 724 00:36:19,719 --> 00:36:20,320 Speaker 3: tip your. 725 00:36:20,239 --> 00:36:21,440 Speaker 2: Cap to them. 726 00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:23,200 Speaker 3: But it was a heck of a game, and then 727 00:36:23,200 --> 00:36:27,000 Speaker 3: tonight's game should be amazing too. Indiana, Oregon, I think 728 00:36:27,239 --> 00:36:29,680 Speaker 3: you just handles it. I mean, I think it's gonna 729 00:36:29,680 --> 00:36:32,840 Speaker 3: be tough for him too. But I Indiana, just to 730 00:36:32,920 --> 00:36:35,560 Speaker 3: me is the most complete team in the country. And 731 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:37,840 Speaker 3: they run the ball, they stopped the run, They control 732 00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:41,320 Speaker 3: the line of scrimmage. The quarterback makes a good decisions. 733 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:44,520 Speaker 3: So we'll see. But I can't wait to watch it. 734 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:47,160 Speaker 3: Can't this is I feel bad for my couch on 735 00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:48,840 Speaker 3: a weekend like this. I mean, there's gonna be an 736 00:36:48,880 --> 00:36:51,719 Speaker 3: intention probably at some point, but it's just part of it. 737 00:36:52,560 --> 00:36:54,920 Speaker 2: Playoff games this weekend. Packers and Bears. 738 00:36:55,320 --> 00:36:55,600 Speaker 4: Man. 739 00:36:55,640 --> 00:36:57,799 Speaker 1: Now, you you said you've covered the NFL, so you've 740 00:36:57,800 --> 00:37:01,400 Speaker 1: covered the vikings for four seasons. Two of those seasons 741 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:04,439 Speaker 1: you've gotten to watch wild card weekend sadly without any 742 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:07,840 Speaker 1: extensive work duties. And this would be the second of 743 00:37:07,880 --> 00:37:11,840 Speaker 1: those four Packers and Bears. Dude, I mean Packers favored 744 00:37:11,880 --> 00:37:14,960 Speaker 1: on the road. There, it's windy, there's gonna be some 745 00:37:15,080 --> 00:37:17,600 Speaker 1: sleet in the mix, but it's short and the first 746 00:37:17,640 --> 00:37:21,320 Speaker 1: two games both were dynamite to the final second type bits. 747 00:37:21,920 --> 00:37:23,839 Speaker 1: What do you think Packers and Bears a border battle 748 00:37:23,880 --> 00:37:25,839 Speaker 1: of a different kind that's on Saturday night. 749 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:28,880 Speaker 3: It's such a good game, such a fun matchup for me. 750 00:37:28,960 --> 00:37:31,120 Speaker 3: You're right about those first two games, Like I watched 751 00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:33,400 Speaker 3: the I think second one few weeks ago in my 752 00:37:33,440 --> 00:37:35,560 Speaker 3: New York hotel room, and I was just, I mean 753 00:37:35,600 --> 00:37:38,040 Speaker 3: by myself, just I mean enjoying the heck out of it, 754 00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:42,360 Speaker 3: which is probably not something to advertise or whatever. But yeah, 755 00:37:41,719 --> 00:37:44,920 Speaker 3: I think the Packers have a chance, have a good chance. 756 00:37:45,640 --> 00:37:47,800 Speaker 3: The question for me is can they stop the run 757 00:37:48,560 --> 00:37:50,520 Speaker 3: the Bears offensive line? 758 00:37:50,760 --> 00:37:51,279 Speaker 2: How about this? 759 00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:54,520 Speaker 3: So the Bears revamped their interior offensive line just like 760 00:37:54,560 --> 00:37:57,480 Speaker 3: the Vikings did. Those guys have played together for like 761 00:37:57,680 --> 00:38:02,120 Speaker 3: seventy plus percent of snaps the Vikings, you know, the 762 00:38:02,200 --> 00:38:04,279 Speaker 3: starting five they wont it only played together for eighty 763 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:07,440 Speaker 3: three snaps all season. Yeah, that's a pretty clear indication 764 00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:10,400 Speaker 3: of the way things went and on both front. But 765 00:38:12,080 --> 00:38:13,960 Speaker 3: I don't know. At some point, I just wonder if 766 00:38:14,000 --> 00:38:16,399 Speaker 3: the Bears defensive turnover luck runs out? 767 00:38:16,520 --> 00:38:17,240 Speaker 2: Am I crazy? 768 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:18,239 Speaker 4: I don't. 769 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:19,320 Speaker 2: I don't think you're crazy. 770 00:38:19,360 --> 00:38:22,080 Speaker 1: I've used this and this is such an easy, low 771 00:38:22,120 --> 00:38:25,640 Speaker 1: hanging bid all year? Is they feel like the twenty 772 00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:30,000 Speaker 1: twenty two Minnesota Vikings where everything went their way and 773 00:38:30,080 --> 00:38:33,440 Speaker 1: every close matchup and the stats are kind of playing 774 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:36,840 Speaker 1: themselves out this way. Fourth quarter Kleb is really good 775 00:38:36,920 --> 00:38:40,479 Speaker 1: and this team has I believe trailed in like five 776 00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:43,080 Speaker 1: or six different games, not just in the second half, 777 00:38:43,080 --> 00:38:45,719 Speaker 1: but like two minutes left in the game, and he's 778 00:38:45,760 --> 00:38:47,960 Speaker 1: found his way back and it took ot and the 779 00:38:47,960 --> 00:38:49,920 Speaker 1: one you're talking about while you were watching in your 780 00:38:49,920 --> 00:38:54,200 Speaker 1: New York hotel room. But it's just is that sustainable 781 00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:57,560 Speaker 1: over the course of Now you know, we're talking three 782 00:38:57,600 --> 00:39:00,920 Speaker 1: postseason games just to get to the Super Bowl. I 783 00:39:00,920 --> 00:39:03,480 Speaker 1: think that's gonna be tough. It is all and the 784 00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:06,120 Speaker 1: cliches by the way of it's always hard to beat 785 00:39:06,120 --> 00:39:09,480 Speaker 1: a team three times in the same season, although they split. 786 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:12,000 Speaker 1: Excuse me, the Bears won in ot that one night, 787 00:39:12,040 --> 00:39:14,840 Speaker 1: but I just think at some point that the music's 788 00:39:14,880 --> 00:39:16,640 Speaker 1: gonna stop and they're not going to find a chair. 789 00:39:16,800 --> 00:39:19,040 Speaker 2: And I like the twenty twenty two Vikings Cup. 790 00:39:19,080 --> 00:39:22,120 Speaker 3: But the thing for me is their defensive coordinator, Dennis 791 00:39:22,160 --> 00:39:25,840 Speaker 3: Allen compared to ed Don Intel is much more flexible 792 00:39:25,840 --> 00:39:28,680 Speaker 3: and nimble and willing to like heat them up. 793 00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:29,680 Speaker 2: So well, it wasn't that. 794 00:39:29,719 --> 00:39:33,480 Speaker 1: The thing was it was ed Ontel because there was 795 00:39:33,560 --> 00:39:36,600 Speaker 1: no d I haven't heard that's pretty good. 796 00:39:37,360 --> 00:39:39,719 Speaker 3: I mean, it's not good for anybody here listening, But 797 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:43,759 Speaker 3: so there's that. And then Caleb compared to Kirk like 798 00:39:43,960 --> 00:39:47,280 Speaker 3: just more dynamic, and there probably is more variants there, 799 00:39:47,600 --> 00:39:50,920 Speaker 3: but the variance does allow for the high end stuff 800 00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:51,759 Speaker 3: to be possible. 801 00:39:51,840 --> 00:39:56,239 Speaker 2: So no, I can't. I cannot wait to watch that game. 802 00:39:56,680 --> 00:39:58,040 Speaker 3: And then they are just a bunch of them, like 803 00:39:58,080 --> 00:40:01,360 Speaker 3: we talked about Jacksonville and Buffalo, I mean, even the 804 00:40:01,400 --> 00:40:04,480 Speaker 3: Patriots against the Chargers and Drake May and Justin Herbert. 805 00:40:04,600 --> 00:40:06,840 Speaker 2: It's it's gonna be hard not to enjoy. 806 00:40:07,360 --> 00:40:09,759 Speaker 3: I mean, it's not gonna be easy to enjoy not 807 00:40:09,800 --> 00:40:12,640 Speaker 3: having the Vikings in it, but be easy to enjoy 808 00:40:12,719 --> 00:40:13,239 Speaker 3: watching them. 809 00:40:13,239 --> 00:40:16,040 Speaker 1: No, it's easy. It's that for sure. I still just 810 00:40:16,080 --> 00:40:18,759 Speaker 1: feel the NFC is so much muddier. I mean, I 811 00:40:19,760 --> 00:40:23,080 Speaker 1: the Seahawks best route, and even if they didn't have 812 00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:25,239 Speaker 1: the one seed who wins better on the road than 813 00:40:25,239 --> 00:40:28,000 Speaker 1: these Seahawks have the last couple of years under McDonald, 814 00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:33,120 Speaker 1: it's just Philly can wake up, the Rams can go 815 00:40:33,280 --> 00:40:36,279 Speaker 1: MVP on it, right, and just McVeigh just smartest guy 816 00:40:36,320 --> 00:40:39,400 Speaker 1: in room for a few weeks. The Niners, I think 817 00:40:39,440 --> 00:40:42,279 Speaker 1: they're too hurt to do it, but they're certainly going 818 00:40:42,360 --> 00:40:44,920 Speaker 1: to be part of the conversation, and simply by nature 819 00:40:44,960 --> 00:40:47,480 Speaker 1: of being in the second spot. If the Bears can 820 00:40:47,520 --> 00:40:49,879 Speaker 1: get by the Packers, there are some advantages that head 821 00:40:49,920 --> 00:40:52,560 Speaker 1: their way. I just I still look, it's like Broncos 822 00:40:52,560 --> 00:40:55,240 Speaker 1: are Patriots for me. But then it's just very cloudy 823 00:40:55,239 --> 00:40:55,840 Speaker 1: in the NFC. 824 00:40:56,080 --> 00:40:57,799 Speaker 3: I was talking to a buddy last night, like, I'm 825 00:40:57,840 --> 00:41:01,120 Speaker 3: just gonna bet on trenches and quarterback play. 826 00:41:01,360 --> 00:41:03,080 Speaker 2: That's just what I think on all fronts. 827 00:41:03,080 --> 00:41:06,560 Speaker 3: And so, I mean, Philadelphia is interesting because their defensive 828 00:41:06,600 --> 00:41:10,040 Speaker 3: front is so freaking good. The Rams, I feel like 829 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:13,479 Speaker 3: both of their offensive and defensive lines lines I really 830 00:41:13,520 --> 00:41:14,000 Speaker 3: really like. 831 00:41:14,120 --> 00:41:16,200 Speaker 2: And Stafford. 832 00:41:17,040 --> 00:41:19,719 Speaker 3: Like it'll be you know, he hasn't played exceptional last 833 00:41:19,760 --> 00:41:22,399 Speaker 3: few weeks. So the Rams, the Rams for me, might 834 00:41:22,440 --> 00:41:25,279 Speaker 3: be the most interesting team entering the playoffs because for 835 00:41:25,320 --> 00:41:27,400 Speaker 3: most of this year I thought they were the clear, 836 00:41:27,520 --> 00:41:29,880 Speaker 3: far and away best team in the NFL, and then 837 00:41:29,920 --> 00:41:32,680 Speaker 3: they've kind of struggled and stumbled a little bit recently. 838 00:41:32,719 --> 00:41:36,680 Speaker 2: So how about that game in Atlanta? Weird? But everything 839 00:41:36,680 --> 00:41:37,640 Speaker 2: with Atlanta's weird? 840 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:41,200 Speaker 1: Well, they well, yeah, everything's Kirk's going to be back 841 00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:42,680 Speaker 1: here in a few months, Right, we'll get to talk 842 00:41:42,719 --> 00:41:43,239 Speaker 1: to Kirk again. 843 00:41:43,320 --> 00:41:46,319 Speaker 2: You excited about that? It's absurd people are running with 844 00:41:46,360 --> 00:41:46,840 Speaker 2: that already. 845 00:41:46,960 --> 00:41:50,000 Speaker 1: Huh, Well, it's the it's the Russell Wilson effect, right, 846 00:41:50,040 --> 00:41:52,680 Speaker 1: Broncos paid him like thirty million dollars while he got 847 00:41:52,680 --> 00:41:55,000 Speaker 1: the league minimum with with Pittsburgh. Why can't you just 848 00:41:55,040 --> 00:41:56,200 Speaker 1: do the same thing here with Kirk? 849 00:41:56,280 --> 00:41:58,080 Speaker 3: We don't have time. But it's like, okay, so's he 850 00:41:58,120 --> 00:42:01,959 Speaker 3: gonna be the starter? Oh yeah, because Kirk really wants 851 00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:05,600 Speaker 3: to do another situation where he gets mixed signals from 852 00:42:05,600 --> 00:42:08,520 Speaker 3: the team. I'm sure that's what Kirk really wants to do. Well, 853 00:42:08,640 --> 00:42:11,440 Speaker 3: I will say he is on the list of options. 854 00:42:11,960 --> 00:42:14,000 Speaker 3: That's a long list that the Vikings are going to have. 855 00:42:13,920 --> 00:42:14,480 Speaker 2: To sort through. 856 00:42:14,520 --> 00:42:16,080 Speaker 1: Why doesn't he just come here and go win the 857 00:42:16,160 --> 00:42:19,160 Speaker 1: job and JJS rides the pine and learns for a year? 858 00:42:19,400 --> 00:42:22,279 Speaker 3: Yis it's it's a possible. I mean, I wouldn't say 859 00:42:22,480 --> 00:42:24,120 Speaker 3: it's rule it out at the moment. 860 00:42:24,160 --> 00:42:26,920 Speaker 1: Would you agree that Darnald was always going to start 861 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:28,680 Speaker 1: last year regardless? 862 00:42:28,719 --> 00:42:31,399 Speaker 2: No question? No question? Okay, no question. 863 00:42:31,480 --> 00:42:34,000 Speaker 3: But then if you're Kirk, similar to starting with Michael 864 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:36,840 Speaker 3: PENNOCKX right behind you, you have one bad game and 865 00:42:36,880 --> 00:42:39,120 Speaker 3: the noise from everybody is going to be throwing JJ 866 00:42:39,239 --> 00:42:41,400 Speaker 3: back in, But you are a professional paid millions and 867 00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:43,960 Speaker 3: millions of dollars, should probably be okay with that noise. 868 00:42:44,080 --> 00:42:47,000 Speaker 2: I want Kirk to come back, do you? I miss Kirk? Really? 869 00:42:47,280 --> 00:42:51,000 Speaker 1: I don't know. I Kirk's great love Kirk. He's thirty 870 00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:51,759 Speaker 1: seven years old. 871 00:42:51,800 --> 00:42:54,920 Speaker 3: He was playing bingo last night. He's on Instagram. Of course, 872 00:42:54,960 --> 00:42:56,280 Speaker 3: of course he was playing bingo. 873 00:42:56,480 --> 00:42:57,600 Speaker 2: Now you don't miss him as much. 874 00:42:57,680 --> 00:43:02,040 Speaker 1: He was drinking tang okay whatever. He's a Cracker Barrel resort, 875 00:43:02,960 --> 00:43:05,040 Speaker 1: underrated restaurant. My friend, I've always liked it. 876 00:43:05,080 --> 00:43:05,880 Speaker 2: You've been a big. 877 00:43:05,719 --> 00:43:09,040 Speaker 1: Cracker Barrel fan. Thanks for hanging out man always. That's 878 00:43:09,080 --> 00:43:13,400 Speaker 1: Alec Lewis. Thank you for listening to the Friday Football Feast. 879 00:43:13,920 --> 00:43:16,719 Speaker 2: The program is next, have a terrific weekend 880 00:43:22,640 --> 00:43:25,960 Speaker 4: Podcast, Today's Paul Allen Show, or listen back to previous 881 00:43:25,960 --> 00:43:28,920 Speaker 4: show and interviews like going to the iHeartRadio app or 882 00:43:29,080 --> 00:43:30,880 Speaker 4: kfan dot com