1 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 1: It is time for x'es and o's with Minnesota Vikings 2 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: head coach Kevin o'connole. Welcome Minnesota Vikings Radio Network now 3 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: from the TCO studios at Egan. Here is the voice 4 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: of the Vikings, Paul Allen. 5 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 2: Welcome into X and O's with Kevin O'Connell, presented it 6 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:23,320 Speaker 2: by Ken Moore and heads up high Ves extending their 7 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 2: support of local families by providing affordable meals until November fourteenth, 8 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 2: from four to seven pm at all stores with hot 9 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 2: food service. These meals will continue to be available for 10 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 2: children ages twelve and under for free. For everyone else, 11 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 2: the same meal will be available for three dollars with 12 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 2: options for dine in or takeout. 13 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: This week. 14 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 2: The Minnesota Vikings will support this effort at Cottage Grove, Egan, 15 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 2: and Lakeville locations. To stop by your local high v 16 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,200 Speaker 2: to see your favorite Minnesota Vikings cheerleader, legend or Victor 17 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:50,560 Speaker 2: the Viking. Now X and O's of Kevin o'conn. 18 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connell, coach if the Minnesota Vikings joins us each 19 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 1: and every Tuesday at about this time in the business, 20 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: we call it XES and o's. If you're hearing it 21 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: live on Tuesday. Welcome if you're watching it at vikings 22 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:04,720 Speaker 1: dot com. Welcome if you're hearing it Wednesday evening with 23 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: the playback at x'es and o's welcome to you too, 24 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,400 Speaker 1: and the head coach joins us. Now, how are the 25 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 1: wife and kids and how are Bill and Suzanne doing well? 26 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 3: No pool jumps this past weekend as you as you saw, 27 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 3: my dad after the Lions game jumped in his non 28 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:24,919 Speaker 3: heated San Diego. 29 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: Pool, as did your mom, just about everybody did. 30 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 3: But unfortunately, no no pool pool jumps this past Sunday. 31 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: But there was there was some pool jumping, yeah there was, 32 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: but no diving board. 33 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 4: No, that's right, Yeah, no it was. 34 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 3: You know, they're doing well, kids are doing well, excellent, 35 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,119 Speaker 3: fighting through a little got some got a sick kid 36 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 3: at home. But you know, we're fighting through it a 37 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 3: little bit. Listeners out there going through the same four. 38 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: Children, right, Yes, so you have sick kid, which means 39 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: you're going to have six sick kids. Zah, exactly eventually. 40 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: But like a lot of things, that too shall pass. 41 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 4: Like a lot of things. 42 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: And and we welcome Kevin to the show. Now let 43 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 1: me ask you this question. Bill and Suzanne, I'm glad 44 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: things are well. Lee and the kids right on Chicago's 45 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,919 Speaker 1: plus fourteen and the take give with the league best 46 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: twenty takes. How's that happening? 47 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 3: Well, I think they you know, they've given up some yards, 48 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 3: they've owned up some plays, but they have really, you know, 49 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 3: very similar to us a year ago. 50 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 4: If you think about it. 51 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 3: Defensively, we were leading the league in turnovers and it 52 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 3: felt like all those extra possessions gave us a lot 53 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,359 Speaker 3: of opportunities to win games, you know, tight games, games 54 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 3: where we needed to, you know, find a rhythm offensively, 55 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 3: and we were able to do that. 56 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 4: And I think it's been very similar. 57 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,919 Speaker 3: You know, they've been able to force some big turnovers 58 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:49,359 Speaker 3: and some big moments and it's ultimately led to it's 59 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:52,799 Speaker 3: ultimately led to, you know, those guys having chances to 60 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 3: win a lot of games. They've you know, Ben's done 61 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:57,040 Speaker 3: a great job, you know, with that entire team, and 62 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 3: I think DA has kind of really centered on, hey, 63 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 3: we're going to force turnovers. We might give up a 64 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 3: play here or there, but we're going to be explosive 65 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 3: in forcing turnovers getting to the quarterback at times. They've 66 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 3: got a nice third down pressure package that's been very 67 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 3: successful for him, allowing them to get to the quarterback 68 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 3: and definitely a challenge. 69 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 4: As we learned in the opener. 70 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:18,239 Speaker 3: It took us a good bit there to find a 71 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 3: rhythm and then when we did, we were able to 72 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 3: move it and score. 73 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 1: Dallas Turner. I heard the press conference yesterday and I'm 74 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: you know, how can the league look at that sack 75 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 1: and find any problem with it? And as a teacher 76 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: like you are, you're a coach, but you're a teacher, Well, 77 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: how does one teach and subsequently how does one learn 78 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: to avoid whatever one allegedly did wrong. 79 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, you're here a lot during training camp, Pa Pete, 80 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 3: I think you're here every day, but you guys will 81 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 3: see those guys doing drills on the heavy bag or 82 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 3: on the tall bags of getting to the you know, 83 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 3: simulating getting to the quarterback, you know, striking and legally, 84 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 3: you know, understanding where the strike zone is. And then 85 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 3: the last phase of it that has become a big 86 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 3: part of the league of protecting quarterbacks is that you know, 87 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 3: you know, fully putting your body weight on top of 88 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 3: the quarterback is as he goes down. It's probably the 89 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 3: part of roughing the passer that you know, if if 90 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 3: a lot of the old school NFL fans and guys 91 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 3: that used to sack the quarterback a lot in the league. 92 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 3: I've talked to a lot of our former you know, 93 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 3: Vikings legends that look at that and say, how in 94 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 3: the world can that be a penalty? But the way 95 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,480 Speaker 3: the line by line rule of roughing the passer is now, 96 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 3: it is indeed a penalty. And you just got to 97 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 3: try to find a way to slide, you know, off 98 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:39,600 Speaker 3: to the side in any way, shape or formance now, 99 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 3: and it's very, very difficult to do. 100 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 1: I've always sounds like it's gonna lead to a face mask. 101 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 3: And well, either that or you know, you're gonna have 102 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 3: a guy missing some opportunities on sacks because they're you know, 103 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:52,039 Speaker 3: trying to maybe start that process to slide to the 104 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 3: side early or quarterbacks you know, unfortunately they do they 105 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,480 Speaker 3: do move. You know, Jonathan Garnard, if the quarterback didn't move, 106 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 3: Jonathan Garnard would have about ten right now with how 107 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 3: much he's gotten to the quarterback. 108 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 4: And that's just part of it. 109 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:06,919 Speaker 3: But it makes it very difficult for these guys to 110 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 3: play violently and physically and defeat blocks and then when 111 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 3: they arrive at the quarterback, there's a whole new set 112 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 3: of rules that are in play, and they've been you know, 113 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 3: it's been a few years now, that rule and we 114 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 3: understand it. 115 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 1: Okay, Well, and this is you know, this is not 116 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 1: like Paul Allen Homer announcer guy. Because in the game 117 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: at Ford Field, honestly, I thought there were two calls 118 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 1: against the Lions that I thought were garbage, And when 119 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 1: Pete and I are calling the game, I'm like, well, 120 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,039 Speaker 1: I don't get that man Hutchinson whomever else it was. 121 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,360 Speaker 1: So that this is just trying to get a hold 122 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: of it on a week to week basis, because we've 123 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 1: seen somebody sack hit and then huh they lunge their 124 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: body super heavy on top of the guy. That wasn't 125 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 1: it And so okay, so now if you wrap up 126 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: around the waist on the sack, well, your full body 127 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 1: weight's still coming down on somebody. I I just don't understand. Well, 128 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:04,360 Speaker 1: I think the press conference. 129 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 3: Yesterday, kay, we've had some you know, we had a 130 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 3: week to week instance of an interpretation of the rule, 131 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 3: and you know, not I know it was discussed a 132 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 3: little bit and it ended up being, you know, ruled 133 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 3: a clean play when there was fast motioned down by 134 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 3: a receiver and uh, kind of a pseudo crack black 135 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:25,720 Speaker 3: crack block on the gak on a screenplay. He ended 136 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 3: up making the play on the play, but we just 137 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 3: wanted clarity. So we got a little clarity and we're 138 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 3: told that was legal because of this, this and this, 139 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 3: so you know, and then we have a circumstance with 140 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 3: Adam feeling there on a pretty critical down where you know, 141 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 3: based upon some of those interpretations, we're trying to you know, 142 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 3: we're trying to execute kind of a pick play there 143 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 3: and you know at ad or behind the line of scrimmage, 144 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 3: and you have to try to make that legal. They 145 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:55,359 Speaker 3: determined it wasn't. There was a there was some levels 146 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 3: to it that kind of seemed like they were working 147 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 3: through it. 148 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,080 Speaker 4: But what I've learned in my four years time. 149 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 3: Is, you know, crew to crew, there's going to be 150 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 3: just different interpretations of how they see, depending on formations, 151 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 3: depending on things it's happening fast out there. Those officials 152 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:15,400 Speaker 3: have a very very difficult job. But I've just learned 153 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 3: that week to week, you know, the line could be 154 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 3: read in from the rule book the same way, but 155 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 3: might be played out a little differently. 156 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 4: And that's part of football. 157 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: McArthur. Your quarterback, who, in your estimation would be the 158 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 1: best quarterback in the history of Minnesota Vikings football all 159 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: the way back to sixty one, It would be Fran 160 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: target Fren Tarkenton hof right, So that that would be 161 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: the statistical and realistic right answer. In fran Tarkinson's first 162 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: four starts, he threw one touchdown in six interceptions. He 163 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: completed fifty percent of his passes, in his yards per 164 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: attempt was a whopping five and a half five and 165 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: a half, fair to say, and he ended up in 166 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: the Hall of Fame. Fair to say. With young, inexperienced quarterbacks, 167 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: there have been and will be performance related swings. Yeah, 168 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:05,760 Speaker 1: is it just fair to say that? 169 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 5: Yeah. 170 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 3: I think it's just you know, there's going to be 171 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 3: natural growing pains that sometimes on earth themselves, where you 172 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 3: know it could be the same rep from a practice 173 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 3: rep that was I mean, Jaja had an unbelievable week 174 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 3: of practice last week, maybe one of the best Friday 175 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 3: practices we've had around here in a long time, and 176 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 3: and that went for our whole team. But then when 177 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 3: you get into the games and just you know, snaps 178 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 3: accumulating on top of each other from a standpoint of 179 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 3: you know, protections and you know, getting hit as you're 180 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 3: throwing on certain plays. Even when I thought, I thought 181 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,719 Speaker 3: our old line did a pretty decent job protecting them 182 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 3: and giving them some clean pockets, what. 183 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 4: Was the pocket movement? 184 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 3: Like, did you move into some issues where maybe there's 185 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,000 Speaker 3: three or four more completions if we're not getting the 186 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 3: block shot from one of those d linemen as we're 187 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 3: navigating the you know, the the home base of the pocket, 188 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 3: and that can our tackles. We're doing a good job 189 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:00,600 Speaker 3: sett in the width for the most part. Sometimes it's 190 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 3: a subtle climb instead of two or three climbs, just 191 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 3: things that as you watch the tape, I mean, it's 192 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 3: incredibly powerful learning moments, and we're you know, we're talking 193 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: about the player's fourth start, as you mentioned. But all 194 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:18,319 Speaker 3: of that being said, I think he's really shown some 195 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 3: real flashes of the true competitor. And this guy is 196 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 3: out there given absolutely everything he possibly can. And as 197 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 3: we've talked about, sometimes it's not the scramble, you know, 198 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 3: and put yourself in harm's way. It's just check it 199 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 3: down to Howkinson on the back side of the formation. 200 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:33,719 Speaker 4: For a game eight. 201 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,079 Speaker 3: He did it a couple times in the game to 202 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 3: Jordan Mason on one Aaron Jones on another play action. 203 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 3: They were combined games of twenty between the two completions, 204 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 3: and I hit the headset and told him that might be. 205 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 4: My favorite play of the day right there. 206 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 3: Wow, just because it's just the understanding of a shot 207 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 3: called not necessarily meaning a shot taken completion mindsets, no 208 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:59,000 Speaker 3: matter what the variation of the play is. And and 209 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 3: it became difficult for our whole group, you know, being 210 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 3: behind the chains, you know, due to the self inflicted 211 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 3: things that we had pre snapped the other day. And 212 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 3: you would have loved to see some of those plays, 213 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 3: you know, earn first downs off of runs, maybe stack 214 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 3: some more runs. I would have loved to see it, 215 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:18,600 Speaker 3: because that's, you know, what our plan was going into 216 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 3: the game. But plans are always something that need to 217 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 3: be adjusted to try to win the football games. 218 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 1: Kevin, with and you just mentioned it with with the 219 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: tip passes at the line, is it or as you 220 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: would say, block shots, Is it mostly an offensive lineman's 221 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:37,439 Speaker 1: job to present as you would say those block shots 222 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 1: to prevent that is or does most of it fall 223 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:40,960 Speaker 1: on the quarterback. 224 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 3: It's hard to put it all on the old lineman. 225 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 3: We teach techniques to try to get hands down. If 226 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 3: you guys want to leave their feet, the next thing 227 00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 3: they should find is the earth. From a standpoint d 228 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 3: lineman leaving his feet, we should be you know, legally 229 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 3: putting that player on the. 230 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 1: Ground, don't have somebody fall on in with the body weight. 231 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 3: But it's also it's also you know, some of those 232 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:08,959 Speaker 3: whether it's technique and fundamentals of eliminating some internal penetration, 233 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 3: some push, you know, away from the slide side. 234 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 4: There was actually the throw. 235 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 3: Where we jj maybe one of the most impressive throws 236 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:19,959 Speaker 3: you know, we've had this year when he threw about 237 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:22,439 Speaker 3: it was second and fifteen. He threw about a twenty 238 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 3: five yard strike to the front line and justin many 239 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 3: many times has come down with that ball. 240 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:27,959 Speaker 4: He didn't in that case. 241 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 3: But that was even following through through some of that push. 242 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 3: But then other times there was issues in the game 243 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 3: where just the great initial pocket movement, finding that home 244 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 3: base and that safe space in the pocket, but then 245 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 3: continuing to allow that momentum to take him right up 246 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 3: into the back of either a Blake or a Donovan 247 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 3: or a Fries and then those guy Baltimore was huge 248 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:56,720 Speaker 3: in the interior. They weren't really dynamic rushers, but they 249 00:11:56,760 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 3: affected the quarterback by getting either push or when they 250 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 3: were blocked. 251 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 4: They were getting their hands up and getting their hands 252 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 4: on some. 253 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 3: Footballs, which were critical because all all four of the 254 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 3: block shots. You know, you know, it's easy for me 255 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 3: to sit back and say they're all completions, but when 256 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 3: you turn on the tape and see you know, Jordan 257 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 3: Edison on a backside in cut wide open or yeah, 258 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 3: you know the third and third and three in the 259 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 3: red zone before we went forward on fourth and three, 260 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 3: I mean that is a walk in touchdown up you know, 261 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 3: as he wraps around that linebacker, which would have been 262 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 3: a phenomenal progression played by JJ. He did everything right, 263 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 3: just a little bit too much movement. And you know what, 264 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 3: the first thing he said yesterday when I was watching 265 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 3: the game with him was, you know, if I could 266 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:41,319 Speaker 3: just settle down on that second or third hitch, and 267 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 3: I you know, got a big smile on my face 268 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 3: and I said, what do you think we're going to 269 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,560 Speaker 3: be working on this week and then that's that's where 270 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 3: we're at right now and having a blast doing it 271 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 3: with him, But we've got to find a way to 272 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:52,080 Speaker 3: win football games at the same time. 273 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: I mean the way you just explain that, and as 274 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:57,319 Speaker 1: smart as you are, you can use that to your advantage. 275 00:12:57,760 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: You know what's happening in front of you. I mean, 276 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,719 Speaker 1: now we're getting cute and tricky. Here, hold the ball 277 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 1: a little longer, but like fakes and they go up 278 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: because we know everybody blocks your shots. Oh wow, you know, 279 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 1: and then something with it. I just said, that's generally 280 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: how people like you think. Is taking something that it 281 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 1: may be bogging you are not working great, use it 282 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:16,839 Speaker 1: to your advantage. 283 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 3: Hey, well, that's the thing with the block shots is 284 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 3: working great, And the result of the play end up 285 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 3: being such a stark contrast of what the actual reality 286 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 3: was and doesn't bode well for kind of you know, 287 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 3: digesting what happened. You know, either from the chalk you know, 288 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 3: where we stand on the sidelines, or from the stands 289 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 3: or up where you call the game. 290 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 4: It doesn't make it any easier for any of us. 291 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 2: Come join us a vikings country with a special Vikings 292 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 2: guest Tuesday, November eighteenth, at five point thirty at Wildborne Hopkins, 293 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:48,559 Speaker 2: presented by Middle of Light. Score prizes including tickets in 294 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:51,199 Speaker 2: the Middle of Light Lounge at US Bank Stadium. Details 295 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 2: full schedule at Vikings dot com, slash Vikings Country, more 296 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 2: X and O's around the Corner on the Minnesota Vikings 297 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 2: Audio Network. Get rid to Vikings fans. The Bears are 298 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 2: in town and we're bringing you a chance to meet 299 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:05,680 Speaker 2: NFL legends Mike Singletary, Pat Williams and John Randall and 300 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 2: WCCO personality Jason to Russia at the Metronic booth on 301 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 2: the Pregame Plaza Sunday November sixteenth, from ten to fifteen 302 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 2: to eleven to fifteen am. Swing by for a free 303 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 2: blood pressure check and put your grip and agility to 304 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 2: the test. Is all happening thanks to Metronic. Back to 305 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 2: X ANDOSA Kevin O'Connell. 306 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: Last five they've run at one eighty five eclip under 307 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 1: an eighty five yards eclip. What what's that doing to 308 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 1: help them win? 309 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 3: Well, they're they're they're running the ball, they're running all 310 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 3: the complimentary plays off of their run game. I think 311 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 3: their O line has really gelled when you watch them, 312 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 3: and then I think what that's allowing them is not 313 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 3: to be so dropback oriented in the early downs. You're 314 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 3: just you're seeing a lot more of the deeper play actions. 315 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 3: You're seeing a lot more of the keepers, the movement game, 316 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 3: the screen game off of their run game. And you 317 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 3: know what we've got to try to do is stop 318 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 3: that run game and force them to be a little 319 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 3: bit more of a one toentional team, you know, by 320 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:05,080 Speaker 3: putting them behind the chains first and fifteen second and longs. 321 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 1: Things like that wide receiver DJ Morris three touchdowns, one receiving, 322 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 1: one rushing, one passing. The Jefferson pass Sunday was a beauty. 323 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: How do you know when to run tricks like that? 324 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 3: Well, you're you're attempting to call them in, you know, 325 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 3: in moments where we've had We've had several called this 326 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 3: year where we just didn't get the look and we 327 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 3: end up, you know, canning the play, changing the play 328 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 3: to something else and coming back to it again and 329 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 3: trying to get the look and trying to get the look. 330 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 3: That was a little bit more of a longer yardage 331 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 3: situation where kind of a breather play for JJ where 332 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 3: he doesn't have to drop back and read the defense 333 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 3: and make protection calls, and we elicit the response that 334 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 3: Justin gets when we throw them the ball. Now, ideally, 335 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 3: you know, in a world where you get the exact 336 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 3: look you want for the play and there's one player 337 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 3: to block and you have three linemen to block them, 338 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 3: ideally you'd like to find a way to get those 339 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 3: yards to sub hurt and then we would have started 340 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 3: the game four four on third down and what does 341 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 3: that look like? There was some frustration there just overall, 342 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,760 Speaker 3: just you know, one or two guys just understanding a 343 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 3: little bit more about you know, what we were looking 344 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:14,640 Speaker 3: for there. 345 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 4: And that's on me. 346 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 3: That's got to give the clarity to these guys because 347 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 3: I know when I do it, they respond and perform. 348 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: Saving the best for last, it involves the Jalens first, 349 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: the guy on offense. 350 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 5: Here's the talkback. Good morning, coach O'Connell. This is Corey 351 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 5: from theloof Minnesota. That Jalen Naylor performances past Sunday against 352 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 5: the Ravens was absolutely electric. My question for you is 353 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 5: going forward, will opposing defenses have to pay more attention 354 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 5: to Speedy and will that open up more targets for 355 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 5: Jets Addison and Hockinson. 356 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 4: Thanks for your time and I hope you have a 357 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 4: great day. 358 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 1: Thanks, Bod. 359 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a great question, And really we've been you know, 360 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 3: you and I have talked about Speedy a lot on 361 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 3: this show. Just any chance I get publicly to talk 362 00:16:58,000 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 3: about it, because it's not always. 363 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: Since two preseasons ago when you featured him in the 364 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: preseason game. 365 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's just not always. 366 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,719 Speaker 3: The ball doesn't always find him, but it did this 367 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 3: past Sunday, and and and he was, you know, absolutely 368 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:13,880 Speaker 3: fantastic some third down, some big third down plays, some 369 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:17,440 Speaker 3: explosives and and and Speedy is just playing fast, he's 370 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 3: playing through contact. He's getting a lot of one on 371 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 3: ones because of Jordan and Justin and TJ. And there's 372 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:25,679 Speaker 3: a lot of featured coverage to take away some of 373 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 3: those guys sometimes, and Speedy goes to work in those moments. 374 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 3: And we got to continue to give him opportunities to 375 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:33,439 Speaker 3: do that. But yes, I think the second part of 376 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:37,119 Speaker 3: that question is accurate. You've got to really decide, you know, 377 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 3: when we're able to throw the ball outside of our 378 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:43,200 Speaker 3: consistent commitment to running the ball, you got to really 379 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 3: decide how you want to handle the weapons that we 380 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 3: do have, because justin Jordan Speedy, tj Aaron Jones out 381 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:55,119 Speaker 3: of the backfield have have proven to be playmakers that 382 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 3: can change the game at any time and really elicit 383 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 3: a response from the defense that helps kind of make 384 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 3: everything go. And we've just got to find a way 385 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 3: to make those plays eliminate the negatives. Run the football consistently, 386 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,400 Speaker 3: and when we get to those weighty downs and those 387 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:13,240 Speaker 3: third downs, those red zone opportunities like we did in 388 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 3: the game the other day, Jalen Naylor had two big 389 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:17,960 Speaker 3: conversions on third down and he had a fourth down 390 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 3: touchdown when we absolutely had to have it to keep 391 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 3: that game within reach. 392 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 1: And lastly, the Jalen's saving the best for last. I mean, 393 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,440 Speaker 1: you know, the early part of the game, I think 394 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: he had six tackles in a quarter and a half 395 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 1: something like that. Jalen Redmond was all over the place. 396 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,440 Speaker 4: He's been fantastic I a lot. 397 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,400 Speaker 1: The story is unbelievable if you get into the depth 398 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 1: of the blood clots and his best friend died at 399 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 1: age twenty three, and you know everybody gave up on him. 400 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: Carolina made it exposed him, not a negative way, but 401 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 1: other teams can come get him. You know, he had 402 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 1: a calf strain. Couldn't figure out what was going on. 403 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:55,440 Speaker 1: It was blood clot related. Ye, quiet going kind of guy, 404 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 1: but he is just a rolling ball up butcher knives 405 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:03,879 Speaker 1: on that defensive line, getting around specifically these bigger offensive linemen. 406 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:06,320 Speaker 1: I thought in the first half, I thought, that's as 407 00:19:06,359 --> 00:19:08,200 Speaker 1: good a work against the run as I've ever seen 408 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: him do. 409 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 4: And he's lined up absolutely everywhere. 410 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 3: I mean, you've seen him at defensive end, You've seen 411 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 3: him at nose, you've seen him at three technique. I mean, 412 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:19,639 Speaker 3: he is capable of just about anything. And we really 413 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 3: have needed that just with the versatility of Jalen Redman 414 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 3: allows Hargrave and Jonathan Allen to be not only in 415 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:30,960 Speaker 3: their multiple spots they're comfortable at, but playing the play 416 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 3: style that we brought them here to do. And that's 417 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 3: been big over these last couple of weeks seeing that 418 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:38,800 Speaker 3: come to life. But I'm so glad you asked about him, 419 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 3: and he has been a phenomenal, phenomenal story And if 420 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:44,200 Speaker 3: you see him walking the halls around here, he's never 421 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,360 Speaker 3: ever had a bad day, you know, since I've. 422 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: Had him, same with Elijah Williams's. 423 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 3: It really is remarkable because those guys, I mean, yeah, 424 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 3: you know, I've seen some d lineman now have some 425 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 3: bad days just because they got to be down there 426 00:19:57,760 --> 00:20:01,320 Speaker 3: in the trenches all day long. But Jalen Redmond has 427 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:03,120 Speaker 3: had some swagger about him and. 428 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 4: His performances have been fantastic. 429 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 1: Why why I laughed when I mentioned Elijah up undrafted 430 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: from Morgan State, worked his tail opt to pick the 431 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,159 Speaker 1: active roster. I don't know if he had been on 432 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:15,879 Speaker 1: too many airplanes. You know, It's like he was so 433 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:19,359 Speaker 1: wide eyed with these cities teams get to fly to 434 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: and the hotels and the wow. I mean, he's just 435 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:26,439 Speaker 1: so authentic and fantastic, just like Jalen Redmond, just like you. 436 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:28,879 Speaker 1: Tear it up this weekend, all right, appreciate you and 437 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: we will preview lambeau Field next week. 438 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:32,880 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us for this week's episode of X's 439 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 2: and O's with Kevin O'Connell. X's and O's is presented 440 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 2: by Ken Moore and is an official production of the 441 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 2: Minnesota Vikings Audio Network