1 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:10,720 Speaker 1: Broadcasting live from Indianapolis, Indiana and the convention center. 2 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 2: It is the. 3 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:16,599 Speaker 1: KFA in Minnesota Vikings Annual National Football League Combine Journey 4 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:19,680 Speaker 1: and I'm Paul Allen. Pete Parsage joins on site and 5 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 1: order produces from FM one hundred point three KFAM and 6 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: joining us now is a sideline analyst, Ben Leeber. As 7 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:32,240 Speaker 1: we begin Combine two zero two six with some broadcast 8 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: team Steam and Ben joins us now, Ben, Pete and 9 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:40,520 Speaker 1: I here in Indianapolis at a jam Pack Convention Center, 10 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 1: which they used to call radio row. They still do. 11 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,239 Speaker 1: They probably could call it podcast Row because we got 12 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 1: a lot of got a lot of podcasters and just 13 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: a lot of ancillary things that are popping up here 14 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: in Indianapolis. And good morning, how are you? 15 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 3: Good morning to you guys as well. So because you've 16 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 3: been there for so long, do you have like the 17 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 3: Primo podcast spot now or no? 18 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:08,319 Speaker 1: Well, it changes yearly and we have great accommodations. That's 19 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:12,039 Speaker 1: how the Vikings Entertainment Network rowles. But Pete, wouldn't you say, 20 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: from from the last X amount of years we've done 21 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,400 Speaker 1: this together, this is combined sixteen For me, it's we're 22 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: in tight quarters. I mean it's it's quite cramped, and 23 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: it's growing. 24 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 4: I mean I think, I mean at least a few 25 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 4: years that I've been here. But Ben, this is I 26 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 4: don't know if for anybody out there who's ever worked 27 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 4: a trade. 28 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 1: Show, this no, it is. This is a This is 29 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: a trade show. 30 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 4: You're in a gigantic open area and then everybody's got 31 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 4: to carve out their little space. You get your little 32 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 4: foldable table that probably costs you five hundred bucks to run. 33 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 1: It for three days. Yeah, your little chairs. 34 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 4: I mean, it's it's a whole, it's a it is 35 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 4: a complete and total trade show vibe. 36 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is wild. Excuse me, it's wild that I 37 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 3: know the league year hasn't started yet, the new league year, 38 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 3: but it doesn't just feel like we've just like turned 39 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 3: the page on twenty twenty five. Like, yes, this is 40 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 3: like the true start of the off season, and it's 41 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 3: going to be super exciting. I know that free agency 42 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 3: is going to be exciting, should be exciting because we 43 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 3: got to make a lot of moves to get under cap. 44 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 3: But you know, I still think that we're going to 45 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 3: make some moves there and that I'll ultimately as we 46 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 3: all know that that's going to kind of dictate the 47 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 3: approach for the draft at the end of April. 48 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:24,079 Speaker 1: Well, the interesting thing about the Combine and we will 49 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: have interviews with Viking's head coach Kevin O'Connell, interim general manager, 50 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: acting general manager Rob Razinski. Those will air tomorrow. You'll 51 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:37,960 Speaker 1: hear Leslie Frasier today, later in the Combine show. You'll 52 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: hear Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski tomorrow. And they all have 53 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: a common thread this time of the year where it's 54 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 1: they they've done work on the draft, but not nearly 55 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: as much as they've done on free agency. So you know, 56 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: you talk to some of these coaches and gms and 57 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: what they know now about the draft is going to 58 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: pale in comparison to what they know even in like 59 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: a month and change. And you know, speaking of the draft, 60 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 1: I think we can connect some dots here from from 61 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,679 Speaker 1: my plane ride from many Minneapolis to Indianapolis yesterday. And 62 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: here's why. Sources tell me that ben leeber Our beloved Natcho, 63 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 1: is all over a tight end who played last year 64 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:22,519 Speaker 1: at Oregon. Can can you confirm or deny? 65 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 4: Okay? 66 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 3: So, so I'm not all over him his name's Kenyon Sadik. Okay, 67 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 3: I just proposed. So when I was doing some draft research, 68 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 3: you know, there might be some scenarios, very much, some 69 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 3: scenarios where you're looking at maybe the fourth best cornerback. 70 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 3: You might be looking at the third best defensive lineman. 71 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 3: Uh the number one running back in Jeremiah Love maybe 72 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 3: off the board. So looking at some of these scenarios 73 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 3: that people have already put out there with their mocks, 74 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 3: you know, one point ohs and two point oh's, and 75 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 3: I was like, well, a guy like Kenyon Side would 76 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 3: be very intriguing if you if you feel like he's 77 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 3: the best available player and a possession of need. He 78 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 3: was more just thrown out there, like, here's a hypothetical. Hey, 79 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 3: Vikings fans, how would you feel about this? 80 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 2: Would you get. 81 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:17,279 Speaker 3: Upset that we didn't we didn't attack you get a 82 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 3: quarterback or into your defensive lineman. Would you be okay 83 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 3: with what we think is a game changing tight end? 84 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: Well? He okay. The reason I asked is on our 85 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 1: flight here, uh there, I I sat next to a 86 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: young man who's like become my new BFF, best friend forever. 87 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:40,160 Speaker 1: His name is Atticus Sappington. And he's the kicker for Oregon. 88 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:43,919 Speaker 1: He's one of seven kickers at the combine, and he 89 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 1: was connecting from Portland sat right next to me. So 90 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 1: we talked about a lot of things over an hour 91 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 1: and change. And I didn't know until you know, until 92 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: we got dandy that that you like that Oregon tight end. Well, 93 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: Atticus and I have exchanged numbers, so we're going to 94 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,360 Speaker 1: be in touch with each other, and I'm gonna try 95 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 1: to get some steam on that Oregon tight end from 96 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: his teammate, the kicker, Atticus Sappington, who already put me 97 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,279 Speaker 1: on like we're talking about some Oregon players with whom 98 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 1: he played. I can't remember the guy's last name, the 99 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: safety Dylan. His first name is Deaneman. Thank you, Yeah, 100 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: well done. So we talked about him for about five 101 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 1: or ten minutes. I got no idea where he's going 102 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:26,919 Speaker 1: to be drafted. But if we're like cornerback safety hybrid 103 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 1: type dB Needy, I don't know where this guy's going 104 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 1: to be drafted. But Atticus Sappington, the kicker for Oregon, 105 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 1: basically made him sound like a combo between Ronnie Lott, 106 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:45,919 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith, and and Cam Chancellor. So I'm like, Okay, 107 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:48,160 Speaker 1: we'd be cool to draft somebody like that. I don't 108 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: know if you guys know anything about him. I hadn't 109 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 1: heard of him until that plane flight yesterday. But we 110 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 1: have an Oregon in to get everything we need for 111 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: that tight end that everybody tells me you love. 112 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, And the thing is, I think I don't want 113 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,719 Speaker 3: to put this out there without being one hundred percent true. 114 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 3: It might have been Daniel Jeremiah. One of his latest 115 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 3: mob drafts had Dylan Theenaman going to the Vikings at eighteen, 116 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 3: and it turned a lot of heads because I think 117 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 3: he had rated higher than Emmanuel McNeil Warren out of Toledo, 118 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 3: who is a little bit bigger body. He's probably more 119 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 3: of your true Cam Chancellor type of player, big time hitter, rangey, 120 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 3: but maybe not as rangy as themon So I think 121 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 3: it really turned a lot of Vikings heads because they're like, 122 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 3: wait a minute, we've been talking about these cornerbacks that 123 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 3: could be there. Caleb Downs, the safety from Ohio State, 124 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:44,800 Speaker 3: He's for sure going to be gone, probably most certainly 125 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 3: a top ten pick. So I think a lot of 126 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 3: people just looked at the safety position as like Okay, well, 127 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:52,679 Speaker 3: there's probably not going to be a guy at eighteen 128 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:56,559 Speaker 3: that we would covet that much. And according to DJ, 129 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 3: he was like, listen, the Theeneman. Every time you put 130 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 3: on the tape of Edaman, he just splashes. He looks 131 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 3: like he looks like the type of guy that you know, 132 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 3: he looks like a young Harrison Smith. And he kind 133 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 3: of joked around about how he's like, listen, you don't 134 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 3: there's no rule that you have to replace one white 135 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 3: safety with another white safety, but you know it definitely 136 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 3: would maybe work out in the Viking Saber saw the eighteenth. 137 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: That's Ben Leeber. He's the sideline analyst, Pete Bursich and 138 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 1: yours truly Paul Allen in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine. 139 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: We're in the booth at Indianapolis Bends, our sideline analyst. 140 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 1: We call this broadcast team Steam. 141 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 3: Yeah. 142 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 4: I think the there are a number of different positions. 143 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 4: You talked about tight end, where at eighteen you might 144 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 4: get the best of the bunch, And don't you know, 145 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 4: in the tight end position, I think you have to 146 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 4: consider a little bit. I mean, say what you want 147 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 4: about TJ. Hocketson, He was their number two receiver at 148 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 4: fifty one receptions last year. And depending on how this 149 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 4: offense is going to change and who's going to be 150 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 4: running it at the quarterback position, that tight end might 151 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 4: be even more and more important. Other spot ben that 152 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 4: you can also get one of. Maybe the pick of 153 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 4: the litter is center or you know, and then linebacker. 154 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 4: Inside linebacker is another area. So safety, the middle of 155 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 4: offenses and defenses, right the guys on the edges, the corners, 156 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 4: and the offensive tackles and the wide receivers. Those guys 157 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 4: get paid a lot of money. But when you're at eighteen, 158 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 4: you might find you might find some value. You might 159 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 4: get the pick of the litter at the center position, 160 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 4: because that's again looking at the positions of need things 161 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 4: that have to be figured out. Center, running back, linebacker, safety, 162 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:37,079 Speaker 4: we need safeties and cornerbacks, and then inside into your 163 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 4: defensive lineman. And I think we can We've proven it 164 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 4: with guys like Levi Drake Rodriguez and Jalen Redman. We 165 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 4: can find value elsewhere or later in the draft. But 166 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 4: some of these premium positions, I mean, I just don't 167 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 4: see him going edge because you got enough talent in 168 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 4: that room. Unless someone falls to us. But yeah, I 169 00:08:57,840 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 4: don't think the tight end is out of the question. 170 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 4: I don't think safety's out of the question either. And 171 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:06,079 Speaker 4: then I guess with everything look at when you look 172 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 4: at corners and you look at safeties, the coverage skills 173 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 4: are not the most important thing with this defense. It's 174 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 4: your ability to tackle right. And if you're a safety, 175 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 4: or if I want to know who the best tackling, 176 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 4: hardest hitting, best blitzing safety is in this draft, yeah, 177 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,200 Speaker 4: I really don't care about coverage skills in that regard 178 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 4: because if you you might have a guy playing deep 179 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:30,200 Speaker 4: middle every once in a while or really designated in 180 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 4: that regard, but even for the corner back position, you at, 181 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 4: physicality in this defense matters quite a bit. 182 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:44,959 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I'll just say that my hope if I'm 183 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:48,680 Speaker 3: going to forecast this thing is, you know, I guess 184 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:50,679 Speaker 3: a couple of things that you were talking about there, Pete, 185 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 3: was you know the reason why Titan might be enticing 186 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 3: is just TJ. Hawkinson. You mentioned the receptions that you 187 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:00,679 Speaker 3: had this year. He does have the highest cap number 188 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 3: of any tight end in the league, and we are 189 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 3: certainly up against the cap as far as being able 190 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 3: to spend money. So since we're upside down with salary cap, 191 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 3: he just seems like the most logical guy to either 192 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 3: get moved or you know, you have to readjust his contract, 193 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 3: and whether he's willing or not to do that, we 194 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 3: don't quite know yet. So that's that might be a 195 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 3: position of me just because you know, we we subtracted 196 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:25,199 Speaker 3: a guy and now all of a sudden, it's a 197 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 3: it's a giant hole when you when you look at 198 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 3: the offensive centers, I I sort of look at that's 199 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 3: an area where free agency is going to be paramount. 200 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 3: I'm not sure you want to put in And let's 201 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 3: let's just say Jaj McCarthy is your quarterback. You know, 202 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 3: we all know that he he's still young, still very 203 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 3: very inexperienced. Do you want to put a rookie center underneath? 204 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 3: You know that he's got to take snaps from and 205 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 3: you still have then Donovan Jackson as a as a 206 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,440 Speaker 3: young guard to your left. I look at that as 207 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 3: a position of if we can save some money in 208 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 3: the salary cap, we have money to spend, go out 209 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 3: and get a veteran center. He can provide some stability, 210 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 3: some leadership instantly without having to work through things as 211 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 3: a young player. Now it comes to defensive tackles, this 212 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 3: will be really interesting because, as you were talking about, 213 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 3: I don't know if we technically need a quote unquote 214 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 3: edge rusher, but there are several guys in this draft 215 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 3: that could be moved down into what we would call 216 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 3: maybe a five technique or a three technique. Keldric Falk 217 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:31,599 Speaker 3: from Auburn. He's a six foot six, two hundred and 218 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 3: eighty five pound guy. He's played outside, he certainly can 219 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 3: move to the inside. Even a guy like Peter Woods. 220 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 3: He's a bigger body guy, but he gives you a 221 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 3: little bit more than just a big run stopper. He 222 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 3: can be a little bit more athletic on the inside. 223 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 3: So as the people are looking at this combine coming up, 224 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:55,440 Speaker 3: don't just turn your eye and say like, oh, we're 225 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 3: not looking at an edge rusher. Look at some of 226 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 3: these bigger body guys that are technically edge rug and 227 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 3: will they mature into kind of a hybrid, you know, 228 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 3: versatile player that can play on the interior defensive line, 229 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 3: because I think that that's still an option as well. 230 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: You're the very best. Thanks for helping with broadcast team. Steam. 231 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:15,959 Speaker 1: I enjoy the rest of the rest of your day, 232 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 1: and hopefully we'll see you soon. 233 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:20,199 Speaker 3: All right, Yeah, have fun, guys, enjoy see. 234 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: But oh we will yeh. That's Ben Lieber. Watch him 235 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: today on Twin Cities Live three to four thirty on 236 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: Channel five. Beloved Nacho liber Nordo produces nine to Now 237 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 1: and coming up in the next segment, Emmitt Johnson, who 238 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: was a standout running back at Richfield's Holy Angels, led 239 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: the Big Ten in rushing yards last year and led 240 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: the nation in all purpose yards. And Emmett is going 241 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: to join the nine to noon Combine presentation around the 242 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 1: corner part of the Timber Tech What's on Deck set list, 243 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: followed by Jordan Reed from ESPN. He's a draft analyst. 244 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 1: He'll be on site here in the neighborhood of ninety 245 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 1: Field Eights esp and draft analyst. He'll be with us 246 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: at about ten forty Central. Also Greg co Sell from 247 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 1: NFL Film so he'll be here at about eleven o'clock 248 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:15,240 Speaker 1: and Leslie Fraser will amplify the scenario in the final 249 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 1: segment of the radio show. Nordo Producers, He's pete Ursach. 250 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 1: I'm Paul Allen Welcome to Indianapolis, ladies and gentlemen, and 251 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 1: welcome to the twenty twenty six National Football League combine. 252 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 1: Matt Producer tells nine to noon that we have an 253 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 1: a talkback Tuesday sponsor and b we have some talkback 254 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 1: opportunities for you today, tied with a prize. And here's Eric. 255 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 1: Good morning, Nordo, Good morning brothers. And he's right. 256 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 5: It's a talker Tuesday nine to noon and it's presented 257 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 5: by Northern Fire Grilling and Barbecue Supply. That means I'm 258 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 5: looking for the tastiest talk back of the day. 259 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:53,000 Speaker 1: On the free iHeartRadio app. Who is a player you 260 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: love or a position you love? 261 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 5: Already getting steamed from the boys in the first segment, 262 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 5: Who do you love or a position you love into 263 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 5: the draft? 264 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: And why? 265 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,319 Speaker 5: What's your name? Where you're from? Hit us on the 266 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:06,319 Speaker 5: free iHeartRadio app with the talkback feature. One of you 267 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 5: will win a twenty five dollars gift cards Northern Fire. 268 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 5: We need our favorite team to up their game. You 269 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,439 Speaker 5: can up your grill game with Northern Fire Grilling and 270 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 5: Barbecue Supply on MINNETAKA get those talkbacks rolling and as 271 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 5: you heard of Minnesota native Cornhuskers running back Emma Johnson. 272 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: Hear him chat with Pa next. 273 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 2: Not to new. 274 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the twenty twenty six Indianapolis Scouting Combine. 275 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: I've been excited to play this for you for quite 276 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 1: some time. It is Emma Johnson, Nebraska Cornhusker running back. 277 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: He's at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine and he's going to 278 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: be drafted in the twenty twenty six NFL Draft. And 279 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 1: we'll start it like this, my main mam, Holy cow, 280 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 1: look you here, all that hard work down in Lincoln 281 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 1: is complete, and your dream of running the ball in 282 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: the National Football League is near. How fantastic is that? 283 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 2: Man? 284 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 6: That's a blessing. You know, I'm extremely blessed to be 285 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 6: in this position. I'm extremely blessed to be honoring. 286 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 3: God to the game of football. 287 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 7: Man. 288 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 6: And you know, it's a lot of hard work. You know, 289 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 6: it took me to get to this point. But this 290 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 6: isn't the ending point. 291 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 2: This is just the beginning. 292 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 5: Man. 293 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 6: I got a lot more things in store plan for myself, 294 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 6: and I just know that, you know, whatever NFL team 295 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 6: fixing me up is going to get, you know, a 296 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 6: great player on the field, but also a better person, 297 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 6: and I'm just ready to dominate the next level. 298 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: That's beautiful. Emmett is a Minnesota who played at Holy 299 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 1: Angels Richfield Now. Last year for the Huskers he ran 300 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:46,240 Speaker 1: for one four and fifty one yards and that's the 301 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: most of anybody in the Big Ten. That's absolutely fantastic. 302 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: So to get ready for the combine, EMMITTT, what are 303 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: you doing down in Miami? 304 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 6: Yes, sir, man, I'm training in Miami, speed training and 305 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,840 Speaker 6: also bank training, you know, doing a lot of different 306 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 6: things to focus on getting stronger and faster kind of 307 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 6: training like a track athlete. To be honest, but it's 308 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 6: been a lot of you know, mental test ups and 309 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 6: downs of grinding. 310 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: You know, some days you may. 311 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 6: Feel better in other days, but it's just putting your 312 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 6: hair down and working and trusted in the process and 313 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 6: then it's gonna it's gonna lead to success at this combine. 314 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: Okay, Well, you know, watching you from Afar and knowing 315 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 1: you for several years now, you're already fast and you're 316 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: already strong. So what is there going to train? Man? 317 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 6: You can always get better. There's there's no limits to greatness. Man, 318 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 6: you can always get better and everything, and so For me, 319 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:43,720 Speaker 6: I'm never going to be satisfied with how you know, 320 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 6: great I am. I'm morely gonna want more, and so 321 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 6: he can never be too fast or too strong. It's 322 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 6: never gonna hurt you to do that, especially at the 323 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 6: next level with how fast the game is and how 324 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 6: strong everybody is. I definitely want to be on top 325 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 6: of my game to dominate at this level. 326 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: You you, of course remember when Adrian Peterson ran here, right, Yes, 327 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: and of course, okay, I grew up watching Well there 328 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: we go. Okay, so AP's got some ho left to him, 329 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 1: one of the greatest in the history of the National 330 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 1: Football League. One thing, and I'm certainly not comparing you 331 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:15,680 Speaker 1: to Adrian, but one thing I could tell in two 332 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 1: thousand and seven calling Adrian's games is yet, Yeah, the 333 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:22,200 Speaker 1: jump cuts are great, Yes, the speed is elite. Yes, 334 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: he's unbelievably strong, But Adrian put the hits on the defenders. 335 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,160 Speaker 1: If you know what I mean. And when I when 336 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 1: in the times I watched you played, last, watch you 337 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 1: play last year, You correct me if I'm wrong, because 338 00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 1: I've never asked you this. You pride yourself in that, 339 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 1: don't you being the one to initiate the contact when 340 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:43,520 Speaker 1: you know it's coming. 341 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, certainly, I'm glad you said that I do. 342 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 1: I definitely do it. 343 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:49,359 Speaker 6: I grew up watching AP and I feel like that's 344 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 6: where I got my downhill physical running from a lot 345 00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 6: of people don't know. 346 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:53,919 Speaker 2: Man, I can I. 347 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 6: Can do inside zone, outside zone, I can catch the ball. 348 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 6: And so just to have violence aspect, you know, especially 349 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:00,960 Speaker 6: as a running back, uh, set it than toe and 350 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 6: a set of the message is huge. But I think 351 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 6: it's really scary when you can run, you know, run 352 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 6: through somebody and make somebody miss and make it tough 353 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 6: for a defender. So I think just being versatile and 354 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 6: having both of those has been special part. 355 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 7: Of my game. 356 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:14,520 Speaker 6: But yeah, as a as a running back, man, you 357 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:16,359 Speaker 6: want to set the tone for guys to make it 358 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:17,920 Speaker 6: hard on defenders, and I feel like that's what my 359 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:18,400 Speaker 6: game does. 360 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: Emmett Now, Uh, when when does your agent or does 361 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,160 Speaker 1: your family? Like, like, has everybody gotten you set set 362 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:29,359 Speaker 1: up for these interviews coming, these these twenty minute chats 363 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:33,200 Speaker 1: with coaches and gms and UH, player development people are 364 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: going to try to poke into everything. Are you ready 365 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 1: for those? Yes, sir, I'm ready for those. 366 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 6: But you know, most important. IM just going to go 367 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 6: in there and be myself. Man. I feel like the 368 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 6: interview process is just just who I am and showing 369 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 6: these teams who I am as a person and who 370 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,959 Speaker 6: I am as a player. But I'm definitely excited, man, 371 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 6: I'll have no problem with these interviews. I'm just gonna 372 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 6: go in there and uh be myself, like I said, 373 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 6: and dominate and just I'm excited for this next chapter 374 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 6: of my life. 375 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:01,120 Speaker 1: Emmett, You're gonna kill the interview. Let's be honest. You're 376 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 1: h yeah. I mean, you're a wonderful, open, god loving 377 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 1: young man who tells the truth. They vetted out so 378 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,159 Speaker 1: many things about you over the last three years you 379 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: don't even know about at that that are positive. So 380 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 1: I mean, I you're well spoken, eloquent man. You're going 381 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 1: to go in there and kill those I can't wait 382 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:19,359 Speaker 1: to hear about them. 383 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 6: This. 384 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,920 Speaker 1: Uh, this is Emma Johnson, Nebraska Cornhusker's running back and 385 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 1: he also played at Holy Angels in Richfield. He's going 386 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:28,680 Speaker 1: to be drafted in the twenty twenty six NFL draft 387 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: now here in Indianapolis. What drills matter to you most, like, 388 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: which ones do you want to do? Really well at. 389 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 6: Every single drill. Man, I want to do well and 390 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 6: every single thing. I feel like I'll be a fraud 391 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:44,679 Speaker 6: if I said I wanted to be good at one 392 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:47,439 Speaker 6: thing and not the other. So I'm here to dominating everything. 393 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 6: I'm doing every single drill, every single test because I'm 394 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 6: here to compete, and you know, I've been counted out 395 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 6: my whole life, and so I'm going to show the 396 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 6: world know who I am and show these coaches that 397 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 6: I'm the best running back in this draft. 398 00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:00,160 Speaker 1: You had some sweet receiving touchdowns last year, and think 399 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: and for the for the Huskers as catching the ball 400 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:07,400 Speaker 1: and uh and subsequently turning up the field and doing 401 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,520 Speaker 1: the right thing, as as catching the ball always been 402 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:13,399 Speaker 1: comfortable to you or if you had to work on it. 403 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:16,880 Speaker 6: Yes, sir, I've always been comfortable catching the ball. 404 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 3: You know. 405 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:18,680 Speaker 6: I came into high school when I was playing some 406 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:20,919 Speaker 6: slot receiver and even at a younger age, I've been 407 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,679 Speaker 6: able to catch naturally. But I would definitely say, uh, 408 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 6: that's the part of my game that, you know, continue 409 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 6: to improve throughout my career. I feel like me and 410 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:31,600 Speaker 6: my brother waking up every single day, my older brother, 411 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 6: Charles Johnson, catching two hundred single, two hundred passes every 412 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,159 Speaker 6: single morning. We would get up early morning, catch two 413 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,680 Speaker 6: hundred passes. And that way where I get to the game. 414 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 6: You know, I know that I've already done it, you know, 415 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,200 Speaker 6: a thousand times, and so catching the ball isn't you know, 416 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:47,680 Speaker 6: a problem for me. And I'm able to do things 417 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:49,440 Speaker 6: out of the backfield and also out of the slot. 418 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:52,200 Speaker 6: I feel like other runners don't really have that. And 419 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:54,320 Speaker 6: I would definitely just call myself a wide back to 420 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,000 Speaker 6: be honest, because i could run the whole rout tree. 421 00:20:57,240 --> 00:21:00,439 Speaker 6: And I've studied the great receivers, you know, I'm constantly 422 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,960 Speaker 6: in touch with, you know, Larry Fitzgerald, who obviously is 423 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,240 Speaker 6: one of the great to do it and play in 424 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 6: my high school. So I'm definitely learning a lot about 425 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:08,840 Speaker 6: the receiving game. I feel like I'll be able to 426 00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:11,439 Speaker 6: affect the next level that way, just as much as 427 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:12,120 Speaker 6: his running the ball. 428 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 1: When when you watched Kenneth Walker junior, Kenneth Walker in 429 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:19,879 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl, Kenneth Walker the second or junior, can't remember, 430 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:22,440 Speaker 1: but nevertheless Kenneth Walker, when you watched him win that 431 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 1: MVP and Super Bowl sixty, what did you see I mean, 432 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:28,800 Speaker 1: he's not the tallest in the world. He's thick up 433 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 1: top kind of like you. And he's fast kind of 434 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 1: like you. So like when you watched Kenneth Walker, what 435 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 1: did you see? 436 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 4: Yees, sir Man. 437 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 6: First off, just you know, congrats to him and on that. 438 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 6: But you know, I definitely my brother texted the group 439 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:44,159 Speaker 6: CHATL was just like I told him, I said, I'm 440 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 6: gonna be the next one to do that. Yeah, and 441 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:48,480 Speaker 6: so I see a lot of you know, similarities in that. 442 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,160 Speaker 6: But I just definitely know that from watching these backs 443 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:53,200 Speaker 6: at the next level, I know my game fits the 444 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:55,640 Speaker 6: next level really well and that I'm not just coming 445 00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 6: into the NFL just to be another running back. I'm 446 00:21:57,680 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 6: trying to dominate and be the best at it. So yeah, 447 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 6: props to him, but I'm definitely ready to kill this 448 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:02,960 Speaker 6: with this next level. 449 00:22:03,160 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 1: And EJ, it'd be great if if you ended up 450 00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:08,119 Speaker 1: being as good as Jamier Gibbs, that would be phenomenal. 451 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:12,119 Speaker 1: But like last year, they started using Jamiir in the 452 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: slot and they started lining them up very rarely but 453 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:19,280 Speaker 1: occasionally outside the numbers. And he's a running back. So 454 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 1: I think the NFL with these running backs you're right, man. 455 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 1: I mean they're going a certain way where it's not 456 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 1: just you know, offset eye or straight eye or single 457 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:32,200 Speaker 1: back or pistol or you know, or we're just gonna, 458 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:33,959 Speaker 1: you know, do this to do play action to get 459 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 1: the linebackers or safeties to bite. 460 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 2: Nah. 461 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 1: Man, if you got catching skills that they're lining running 462 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: backs up in the NFL all over the place these days, 463 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:42,359 Speaker 1: aren't they. 464 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 6: Yeah, man, Like I said, the game is transitioning, and 465 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:48,680 Speaker 6: I feel like that fits my game. Like I said, 466 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 6: I think that's why my game is going to be 467 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:53,159 Speaker 6: so effective at the next level. I believe I'll be 468 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:56,520 Speaker 6: a better professional player than college player just because of 469 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:58,680 Speaker 6: that ability and how the game's changing. You know, if 470 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:02,920 Speaker 6: give James took McCaffrey, Jon, you know, all these guys 471 00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 6: are catching the ball at the backfield. I watched a 472 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 6: lot of their games, and I just know I'm ready 473 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:08,160 Speaker 6: to dominate now. 474 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:11,960 Speaker 1: Emma Johnson at Nebraska, a couple of it was slow 475 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,639 Speaker 1: to go, a couple of years, a little slow to go. 476 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 1: I don't know whether it was better than the guys 477 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:17,360 Speaker 1: in front of him or not. That's not my business, 478 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:20,119 Speaker 1: but I know when he got an opportunity. Holy cow, 479 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:23,959 Speaker 1: one four hundred and fifty one rushing yards, So opportunity 480 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:27,720 Speaker 1: for you ended up leading to big time success. With that, 481 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:31,720 Speaker 1: said Emmett, how much did coach Matt Ruhle play into 482 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:35,200 Speaker 1: the big season you had last year, Sir. 483 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:37,920 Speaker 6: Man, I would just say, you know, the culture, you 484 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:39,840 Speaker 6: know he's built here, and like you said, man. 485 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:40,520 Speaker 3: The opportunity. 486 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,840 Speaker 6: It's always been about my opportunity to play at this level. 487 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:46,879 Speaker 6: And I just feel like, you know, the mindset that 488 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 6: he gave this team. You know, we've been through a 489 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 6: lot of ups and downs, but just allowing us to 490 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:53,920 Speaker 6: go out there and play free will be the aspect 491 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:54,159 Speaker 6: of it. 492 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:54,480 Speaker 3: You know. 493 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 6: For me, I've always spent a lot of time on 494 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 6: my game, just in the offseason, training on things that 495 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 6: to get better. And I'll definitely say, you know, the 496 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 6: moments and the years, I spent four hundred seventy five days, 497 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,159 Speaker 6: you know without getting my first hand off. You know, 498 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:11,000 Speaker 6: I took that really personal. Man. I spent a long 499 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:14,600 Speaker 6: time doing that, and you know, every time I was 500 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:17,359 Speaker 6: working and not getting what I wanted, which was not playing, 501 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:19,520 Speaker 6: I just just work even harder. And I feel like 502 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,000 Speaker 6: that's what led to me having success when I got 503 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 6: my opportunity because my whole life, people told me I 504 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 6: couldn't do this, couldn't do that, wasn't a d one player. 505 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 6: I've been kuinted out my whole life, even now after 506 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:32,160 Speaker 6: leading the country in all purpose, yards of being counted out. 507 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 6: But I'm just here to start show the world who 508 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 6: I am, you know, as a person. And I just 509 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 6: know that all the hard work that I put in 510 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:40,879 Speaker 6: up to this point is going to continue to. 511 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 3: Rise above others. 512 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:44,040 Speaker 6: Just because I've been through adversity. I know how to 513 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:46,159 Speaker 6: handle that throughout the ups and downs, and I have 514 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 6: a lot of faith in God, and God has just 515 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,639 Speaker 6: got me through this whole process too. 516 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 1: Hey man, he didn't have to choose you get to 517 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: be in this spot, but he did, and so therefore 518 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:56,800 Speaker 1: make the best of it for him. I'm just really, 519 00:24:56,880 --> 00:24:59,639 Speaker 1: really glad that you identify that, and that's really what 520 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:03,520 Speaker 1: brought them and and I together. But hold on, you 521 00:25:03,600 --> 00:25:05,920 Speaker 1: went nearly five hundred days without a gary while you 522 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 1: were at Nebraska. Why didn't you transfer? 523 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 6: Because I have a lot of self belief in myself 524 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 6: and a lot of self belief in God. Man, Obviously 525 00:25:14,320 --> 00:25:16,159 Speaker 6: you know this day and age guys don't get what 526 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:18,240 Speaker 6: they want, they kind of quit or go somewhere else. 527 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:20,800 Speaker 6: And I've never been afraid of competition my whole life. 528 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:24,000 Speaker 6: You know, I thrive myself off competition, So I do that. 529 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 6: Eventually I would get my opportunity if I just kept 530 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:28,920 Speaker 6: showing up and going to work every single day, and 531 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 6: they just making it undeniable, you know, making it undeniable, 532 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,200 Speaker 6: and so they couldn't say no to where or you know, 533 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:36,360 Speaker 6: couldn't take me off the field. And that's the same 534 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 6: thing going into the next level. You know, I know 535 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:41,520 Speaker 6: obviously adversity is a part of the journey, but I 536 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:44,120 Speaker 6: just know that I've been through a lot and I'll 537 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:46,800 Speaker 6: be able to dominate this this next level just because 538 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:48,640 Speaker 6: I'm gonna make sure I have no weakness. 539 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 2: You know. 540 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:50,639 Speaker 3: You can ask my running back coach, coach E. J. 541 00:25:50,760 --> 00:25:51,119 Speaker 2: Bartell. 542 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 6: I would always bother him when I wasn't playing. I 543 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:55,720 Speaker 6: would come in his office and say, one of the 544 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:57,439 Speaker 6: things I need to do to get better on how 545 00:25:57,520 --> 00:25:59,920 Speaker 6: can I get on the field. I was constantly off 546 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 6: is asking him every single day. 547 00:26:02,119 --> 00:26:03,920 Speaker 1: And he knows he can tell you the story, but 548 00:26:05,280 --> 00:26:05,840 Speaker 1: he knew. 549 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 6: I was going to dominate when I got the opportunity, 550 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 6: just because I'd always come to him and ask what 551 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 6: I can get better? And then I think being coachable 552 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:14,000 Speaker 6: is really important in this game of football. And I 553 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:17,399 Speaker 6: think at this next level, I don't think I know, 554 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 6: you know, these coaches will be able to love love 555 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:23,359 Speaker 6: my mentality when it comes to being coachable and always 556 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:24,440 Speaker 6: wanting to be better. 557 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:28,560 Speaker 1: My main man, Emma Johnson down Nebraska, Cornhusker's running back 558 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 1: and formerly with Holy Angels Richfield A couple of clothes here, 559 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:34,840 Speaker 1: you know that with the Is it EJ? Barthel? That's 560 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:35,360 Speaker 1: what you said? 561 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:37,360 Speaker 6: Yeah, sir, my running back coach. 562 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:39,359 Speaker 1: Okay, well, there are one of two ways to handle 563 00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:42,160 Speaker 1: that conversation when you're going about five hundred days not playing. 564 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:44,920 Speaker 1: One is to go in there and say, don't tell 565 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:48,440 Speaker 1: anybody that I'm saying this, EJ. But this guy sucks 566 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:50,560 Speaker 1: and you know it, and his past protection is terrible. 567 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:54,240 Speaker 1: He keeps dropping passes, he's not in the playbook. Or 568 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:57,400 Speaker 1: what can I do to make the ones in front 569 00:26:57,440 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 1: of me better? And what can I do with EJ? 570 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 1: To make myself better? And c literally you you took 571 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:06,120 Speaker 1: the second approach. That's uh. You know that that's important, 572 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:06,680 Speaker 1: don't you think? 573 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:10,880 Speaker 6: Oh, definitely, it's definitely important. Like I said, you can't 574 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:14,520 Speaker 6: really I don't really compare my journey to others. I 575 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 6: just use my journey to help, you know, others, And 576 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:19,399 Speaker 6: I think that definitely just comes from you know, a 577 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 6: lot of people compare each other how much money this 578 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 6: person gets, you know? For me, you know, it's never 579 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:25,760 Speaker 6: really about the money part of aspect. I just cared 580 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:28,119 Speaker 6: about playing football and playing at a high level just 581 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:31,000 Speaker 6: to get to the NFL. And so everybody's journey is different. 582 00:27:31,280 --> 00:27:33,200 Speaker 6: I don't compare myself to anybody else, But I just 583 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:36,120 Speaker 6: control what I can and that's my effort and attitude 584 00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:38,360 Speaker 6: and how I attack every single day good and that's 585 00:27:38,359 --> 00:27:38,879 Speaker 6: what lung. 586 00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:39,359 Speaker 2: To my success. 587 00:27:39,520 --> 00:27:41,440 Speaker 6: You know, you never want to compare yourself to somebody else. 588 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:44,680 Speaker 1: Hm, My man preach with that. Uh what so what 589 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:45,639 Speaker 1: have you told yourself? 590 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 2: EMMITTT? 591 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:49,040 Speaker 1: What have you told yourself? Hey, this is the spot 592 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:51,040 Speaker 1: I think, or this is the spot I think I'm 593 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:52,159 Speaker 1: gonna be drafted. 594 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 6: In terms of a team. 595 00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:58,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, no, just like the spot like around one, jew, three, four, whatever. 596 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 6: I believe them round draft pick. And you know, I 597 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:04,080 Speaker 6: know that I'm the best running back in this draft 598 00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:07,359 Speaker 6: class and everybody will see that soon. Like I said, man, 599 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 6: I keep keep God first, and I'm gonna let him 600 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,360 Speaker 6: handle that. But I know I'm a first round draft 601 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:13,920 Speaker 6: pick and I'm the best running back in this draft, 602 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:15,359 Speaker 6: and these coaches will see that. 603 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:16,159 Speaker 2: All right. 604 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:18,520 Speaker 1: Well, I mean, say this happens. I mean, how are 605 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 1: you gonna feel if Notre Dames Jeremiah Love is drafted 606 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:21,359 Speaker 1: ahead of you. 607 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:25,879 Speaker 6: Well, you know that's his that's his journey, and I 608 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:28,960 Speaker 6: wish him the best. But I just know, you know, 609 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:30,360 Speaker 6: when it comes to me, I'm the best. 610 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, you're fantastic, man, But you know, uh well, I 611 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:35,440 Speaker 1: don't know. If I'm a surer get uncle to you. 612 00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 1: The advice would be, don't don't go online and read 613 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 1: like where people think you should be drafted and like 614 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:44,600 Speaker 1: the positives and negatives, know what I mean? 615 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:46,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, stuff. 616 00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:49,000 Speaker 6: Like I said, I'm a control what I can and 617 00:28:49,080 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 6: that's just dominating the sound buying and letting everybody else 618 00:28:52,240 --> 00:28:53,800 Speaker 6: see they can do the work on the internet. I 619 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:56,480 Speaker 6: kind of have this model, which is t otn tune 620 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:57,959 Speaker 6: out the noise that me and my brother go by. 621 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:00,400 Speaker 6: We just tune out everything and just forcused on what 622 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:02,560 Speaker 6: we can control. So you know people are going to 623 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 6: talk and say that, but like I said, the work 624 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:06,720 Speaker 6: is going to show and what's done in the. 625 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:08,960 Speaker 1: Dark soul is going to kind of light a pass 626 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:13,120 Speaker 1: protection big separator in the National Football League for running backs. 627 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:16,840 Speaker 1: What have you learned are keys to blitz, pick up 628 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:18,520 Speaker 1: and knowing what to do in pass pro? 629 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 6: Yeah, what you just said, the knowing part the IQ 630 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:25,600 Speaker 6: of it. I feel like a big part of pass 631 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 6: pros understanding where the lineman's going and who your PPR is, 632 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:32,960 Speaker 6: and that's the primary pressure responsibility. And so at the 633 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,479 Speaker 6: next level, you know, you do want to know who 634 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:37,840 Speaker 6: you're picking up, but also know the right techniques and 635 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,640 Speaker 6: that's like closing with distance, feeding them with speeds, getting 636 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:43,080 Speaker 6: the hands inside. I feel like pass pro is all 637 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:44,760 Speaker 6: just want to You have to want. 638 00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:44,920 Speaker 3: To do it. 639 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:47,120 Speaker 6: It's something that you have to sacrifice. For me, I 640 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:49,600 Speaker 6: care about it just as much as making a big 641 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:51,920 Speaker 6: run or a big catch for a touchdown. Like it's 642 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:54,360 Speaker 6: extremely important to me. And I know taking care of 643 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:57,120 Speaker 6: the quarterback is really important to me. And so going 644 00:29:57,160 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 6: into these meetings, you know, I'm treating it like I'm 645 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:01,320 Speaker 6: a whole life. I'm protecting the hell out of my 646 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:04,280 Speaker 6: quarterback and doing whatever it takes. But just know, like 647 00:30:04,360 --> 00:30:06,680 Speaker 6: I said, man, whatever it takes for the team to win, 648 00:30:06,760 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 6: that's what I would be wanting to do. And suppose 649 00:30:08,960 --> 00:30:09,480 Speaker 6: just another. 650 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:12,360 Speaker 1: Step of that. You of course know who emit Emmitt 651 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:16,440 Speaker 1: Smith and Walter Payton are, right, of course. Okay, Well, 652 00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:18,840 Speaker 1: I don't know if you can find this. I've seen 653 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 1: it somehow, but I just know it from calling games 654 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:24,840 Speaker 1: in the NFL. So long if you can find YouTube 655 00:30:24,880 --> 00:30:29,680 Speaker 1: or whatever, Emmitt Smith or Walter Payton pass protection I mean, okay, 656 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:33,440 Speaker 1: great runners, great catchers, hall of famers, best ever. I mean, 657 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 1: they lit those linebackers up, man, I mean they lit 658 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:39,400 Speaker 1: them up because they knew where to go, they had 659 00:30:39,480 --> 00:30:42,520 Speaker 1: the leverage, they were well prepared, like you said, and 660 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:45,200 Speaker 1: and so that'd be something to find that I think 661 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:47,040 Speaker 1: would be cool for you to watch. And hey, you 662 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:49,440 Speaker 1: know what, ma'am, when you're in the cities, when you're 663 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:52,360 Speaker 1: back in the cities, lets you me and CJ, your 664 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:55,000 Speaker 1: brother get together and go to a timber Wolves game 665 00:30:55,040 --> 00:30:56,479 Speaker 1: and maybe you guys come in studio. 666 00:30:56,520 --> 00:31:00,600 Speaker 6: Okay, oh yeah, for sure, definitely, man, I'm looking forward 667 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:03,360 Speaker 6: to meet and you are seeing you again, and you know, 668 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:05,840 Speaker 6: it's always been a blessing of being able to get 669 00:31:05,880 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 6: to know you and things like that. You know, God 670 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:09,480 Speaker 6: bless you, Paul, and thanks for giving me this opportunity 671 00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:10,800 Speaker 6: to do this today. 672 00:31:10,880 --> 00:31:11,560 Speaker 3: I appreciate it. 673 00:31:11,800 --> 00:31:15,080 Speaker 5: Minnesota native and corn Husker's running back EMMTT Johnson a 674 00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:17,680 Speaker 5: little draft chat with PA and speaking of the draft 675 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:20,880 Speaker 5: when you were return looking for elite opinions and takes 676 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:23,880 Speaker 5: not just into the Combine, but of course into April's 677 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:27,120 Speaker 5: draft where the Vikings sit at eighteen and more. Pete Bursich, 678 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:30,800 Speaker 5: PA and ESPN's Jordan Reed are gonna be live from 679 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 5: Indianapolis next. 680 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:32,400 Speaker 2: It's nine to. 681 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:41,040 Speaker 1: Hey, guys, Max for Meagan here. 682 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:43,680 Speaker 8: I know safety is a need for this team in 683 00:31:43,760 --> 00:31:46,360 Speaker 8: this draft, but if we wanted to wait a little 684 00:31:46,440 --> 00:31:50,200 Speaker 8: longer into one of the later rounds, Xavier Wampa out 685 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:54,280 Speaker 8: of Iowa is a cold blooded killer. He has a 686 00:31:54,440 --> 00:31:58,440 Speaker 8: nose for the football, He loves contact, he loves to 687 00:31:58,520 --> 00:32:02,080 Speaker 8: hit people, and he knows how to play the ball. Yeah, 688 00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:03,880 Speaker 8: we could probably get him a lot later than some 689 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:06,280 Speaker 8: of these bigger names, but that kid's a dog and 690 00:32:06,360 --> 00:32:07,520 Speaker 8: he knows how to play football. 691 00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:17,960 Speaker 1: Thanks bye. All right, welcome back to the twenty twenty 692 00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:22,440 Speaker 1: sixth National Football League Scouting Combine. This right here is 693 00:32:22,640 --> 00:32:26,840 Speaker 1: Jordan Reed, draft analyst for ESPN, a longtime friend of 694 00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:30,280 Speaker 1: the radio shows and yours truly, and you have to 695 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:32,840 Speaker 1: be excited, man, it's the twenty twenty six combine. What 696 00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:33,240 Speaker 1: do you think? 697 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:35,760 Speaker 7: I'm excited at PAS like the lead up to Christmas 698 00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 7: for me. You know, this is like our Holy Gril, 699 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:40,800 Speaker 7: our lead up to Christmas before we get to April. 700 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:42,560 Speaker 7: So I'm excited to see how these players come out 701 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:45,000 Speaker 7: here and play. But also my first interview every year 702 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:47,040 Speaker 7: is always my buddy, is it really? I always love 703 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:49,360 Speaker 7: joining you and Pete man, that's tradition. Five years ago 704 00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:51,320 Speaker 7: was my first combine. You cost me, You gave me 705 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:51,760 Speaker 7: a chance. 706 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:55,040 Speaker 1: You cost me money. This year, you just cost you. 707 00:32:55,120 --> 00:32:57,400 Speaker 4: You didn't spill the coffee because of him. No, that 708 00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:59,720 Speaker 4: was Curly that spilled the cop What I'm saying you 709 00:32:59,760 --> 00:33:00,440 Speaker 4: did hit. 710 00:33:00,360 --> 00:33:03,760 Speaker 1: Your knee on that on the table because of Jordan. Okay, 711 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:06,200 Speaker 1: we just watched Pete go pear shaped and over about 712 00:33:06,280 --> 00:33:09,000 Speaker 1: forty five seconds with a coffee spill. A hit of 713 00:33:09,040 --> 00:33:11,200 Speaker 1: a knee and then Jay Reid rolls in and now 714 00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:14,040 Speaker 1: we got to start thinking about the draft. Yeah, I know, Well, 715 00:33:14,320 --> 00:33:16,920 Speaker 1: if we're if we are your first interview every year, 716 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:19,160 Speaker 1: you must be going alphabetically starting it out. 717 00:33:19,240 --> 00:33:20,200 Speaker 2: No, not at all. 718 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:22,480 Speaker 7: Five years ago, you know, it was my first combine 719 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 7: and you were the first person that actually gave you 720 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:24,920 Speaker 7: my first interview. 721 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:26,800 Speaker 2: So that's like a little tradition. While let's I have 722 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:27,600 Speaker 2: every single year. 723 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:31,000 Speaker 1: You're so nice. Now we a kfam the home of 724 00:33:31,040 --> 00:33:35,000 Speaker 1: the Vikings. Nordo is the producers taking some talkbacks today 725 00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:37,440 Speaker 1: and we just had a really good one from somebody 726 00:33:37,560 --> 00:33:42,360 Speaker 1: involving a player named from Iowa, Xavier wonk Pa. Xavier 727 00:33:42,520 --> 00:33:46,160 Speaker 1: wonk Pa. My man on the talkback formulated some opinions, 728 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:47,320 Speaker 1: what can you tell us about him? 729 00:33:47,440 --> 00:33:48,320 Speaker 2: Hey, he's a fun player. 730 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,880 Speaker 7: Man. He came in as a very highly touted recruit 731 00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:54,560 Speaker 7: into Iowa. Didn't quite live up to the expectations that 732 00:33:54,600 --> 00:33:56,320 Speaker 7: a lot of people had of him. He's more so 733 00:33:56,480 --> 00:33:58,760 Speaker 7: of your bucks safety that can come down really strong 734 00:33:58,800 --> 00:34:02,120 Speaker 7: against the run. He doesn't improve in some faces against coverage. 735 00:34:02,200 --> 00:34:03,960 Speaker 7: Not somebody you really want playing a whole bunch of 736 00:34:04,040 --> 00:34:06,920 Speaker 7: man coverage, but in his zone. He has really good eyes. 737 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:08,560 Speaker 7: He can make plays on the ball too, So more 738 00:34:08,560 --> 00:34:10,239 Speaker 7: of a later round guy, but he's gonna have to 739 00:34:10,280 --> 00:34:12,399 Speaker 7: come in and play special teams. That's where he's gonna 740 00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:14,680 Speaker 7: have to make his living. But eventually you hope he 741 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:15,960 Speaker 7: can develop into something more. 742 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:18,320 Speaker 1: All right, now, for those of you who follow Jordan's 743 00:34:18,360 --> 00:34:22,120 Speaker 1: work at ESPN dot com writing about the draft and 744 00:34:22,160 --> 00:34:25,080 Speaker 1: stuff like that, it's year round now. As I said 745 00:34:25,120 --> 00:34:27,560 Speaker 1: in the opening segment, you know what's interesting about the 746 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:30,800 Speaker 1: combine When you talk to coaches and some general managers, 747 00:34:31,120 --> 00:34:34,239 Speaker 1: but specifically coaches, they're like, all right, well, I can 748 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:36,160 Speaker 1: talk about the draft a little bit, but I mean, 749 00:34:36,320 --> 00:34:39,840 Speaker 1: I'm all in on free agency right now. So for 750 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:43,719 Speaker 1: you who focuses on the draft year round, how much 751 00:34:43,960 --> 00:34:46,640 Speaker 1: changes from what you start writing about during the season, 752 00:34:46,880 --> 00:34:49,440 Speaker 1: end of the season, after the senior ball where we 753 00:34:49,680 --> 00:34:53,520 Speaker 1: are now up to the draft. Is it a fluid situation? 754 00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:56,080 Speaker 7: It is, And you pay very close attention to free 755 00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:59,440 Speaker 7: agency just because if they feel that need in free agency, 756 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:02,240 Speaker 7: let's say the do go out and sign a safety 757 00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:04,840 Speaker 7: or a cornerback, that's something that you pay attention to 758 00:35:04,960 --> 00:35:07,600 Speaker 7: because the need won't be as pressing, or they won't 759 00:35:07,640 --> 00:35:10,160 Speaker 7: look to draft somebody as early just because they paid 760 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:12,840 Speaker 7: a lot of money or they filled some depth spots 761 00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:14,560 Speaker 7: at those positions. So you always want to pay close 762 00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:17,960 Speaker 7: attention to free agency just because that probably pushes that 763 00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:19,600 Speaker 7: need down the board a little bit for some of 764 00:35:19,640 --> 00:35:20,040 Speaker 7: those teams. 765 00:35:20,239 --> 00:35:23,560 Speaker 4: All right, So speaking of areas of need, just give 766 00:35:23,640 --> 00:35:26,920 Speaker 4: me at eighteen who you think the like. 767 00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:28,000 Speaker 1: You know which way they could go. 768 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:32,200 Speaker 4: So we're looking at a center, running back position, maybe 769 00:35:32,280 --> 00:35:36,719 Speaker 4: inside linebacker obviously, safety and corner day tackle, interior defensive 770 00:35:36,800 --> 00:35:41,040 Speaker 4: tackle at the safety position. Is there anybody there that's 771 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:43,480 Speaker 4: worthy of the eighteen or would you is there somewhere 772 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:46,480 Speaker 4: somebody later on that could that you think could provide 773 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:47,160 Speaker 4: a lot of value. 774 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:50,080 Speaker 7: Well, assuming that Caleb Downs out of Ohio State is 775 00:35:50,120 --> 00:35:53,880 Speaker 7: gone unless something catastrophic happened, he sitting be there at eighteen. 776 00:35:53,960 --> 00:35:56,160 Speaker 7: But two players that I think would be great additions. 777 00:35:56,239 --> 00:35:59,480 Speaker 7: The first one is Dylan Thieneman out of Oregon. He's 778 00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:01,560 Speaker 7: one that I think they're gonna like quite a bit. 779 00:36:01,640 --> 00:36:04,560 Speaker 7: He can play. He played mostly free safety during his 780 00:36:04,640 --> 00:36:06,880 Speaker 7: time at Purdue. He was that middle of the field 781 00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:09,880 Speaker 7: guy that really ran sideline. The sideline that mistake e 782 00:36:10,000 --> 00:36:12,480 Speaker 7: Racer on the back end. But at Oregon they really 783 00:36:12,920 --> 00:36:15,080 Speaker 7: really allowed him to play three different positions. He played 784 00:36:15,080 --> 00:36:17,200 Speaker 7: at nickel spot, he played some strong safety, and he 785 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:19,920 Speaker 7: was interchangeable at that free safety spot. So he's one 786 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:21,440 Speaker 7: that I think they'll have quite a bit of interesting. 787 00:36:21,520 --> 00:36:24,680 Speaker 7: And the other is in Manuel McNeil Warren out of Toledo. 788 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:28,520 Speaker 7: He's one that's just steadily skyrocketed up boards throughout the season, 789 00:36:28,600 --> 00:36:29,759 Speaker 7: So he's one I think it's going to be an 790 00:36:29,760 --> 00:36:32,399 Speaker 7: elite tester as well, So he's one I definitely think 791 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:34,160 Speaker 7: is going to be in contention for the pick at 792 00:36:34,200 --> 00:36:34,600 Speaker 7: eighteen too. 793 00:36:34,640 --> 00:36:37,120 Speaker 4: Which one's the best blitzer? We only blitzed about forty 794 00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:39,560 Speaker 4: percent of the time, so we need to know who's 795 00:36:39,600 --> 00:36:40,080 Speaker 4: the best one. 796 00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:42,640 Speaker 2: I think McNeil warren is the better blitzer. 797 00:36:42,680 --> 00:36:45,120 Speaker 7: He's a little bit more physical just because he has 798 00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:47,879 Speaker 7: more experience around the line of scrimmage. But I think 799 00:36:48,320 --> 00:36:50,440 Speaker 7: Thianeman is a little bit more sure of a tackling. 800 00:36:50,719 --> 00:36:52,719 Speaker 1: All right, And I'm glad you said that. 801 00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:53,120 Speaker 2: Now. 802 00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:57,319 Speaker 1: I had heard the name Dylan Pieneman, but YAH didn't 803 00:36:57,360 --> 00:36:59,880 Speaker 1: really know anything about him. So I said this in 804 00:37:00,040 --> 00:37:02,200 Speaker 1: the opening segment. I mean, this is just how God 805 00:37:02,280 --> 00:37:04,800 Speaker 1: put this plane flight, and it was incredible. We're flying 806 00:37:04,840 --> 00:37:08,279 Speaker 1: from Indianapolis, excuse me, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and I got this 807 00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:12,279 Speaker 1: this kid next to me wearing Oregon garb, and we 808 00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:16,839 Speaker 1: introduce ourselves and his name is Atticus Sappington. So he's 809 00:37:16,880 --> 00:37:19,800 Speaker 1: one of seven kickers here. So he and I talked 810 00:37:19,840 --> 00:37:23,040 Speaker 1: the entire flight about a million different things, and he 811 00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:25,560 Speaker 1: was telling me about Dylan, and he was just telling 812 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:29,360 Speaker 1: me about his work ethic, how he's a zero problem 813 00:37:29,440 --> 00:37:32,399 Speaker 1: off the field, a lot of things you just said. 814 00:37:32,640 --> 00:37:34,960 Speaker 1: And I'm like, well, this sounds good enough to eat. 815 00:37:35,080 --> 00:37:38,880 Speaker 1: I mean this, this sounds like exactly something Brian Flores 816 00:37:38,960 --> 00:37:43,280 Speaker 1: is looking for. And now you're saying, Dylan Thieneman or Theeneman. 817 00:37:43,920 --> 00:37:47,040 Speaker 1: He he could be a first route definitely a top 818 00:37:47,080 --> 00:37:47,600 Speaker 1: twenty pick. 819 00:37:47,760 --> 00:37:50,759 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think so we got Yeah, if you want him, 820 00:37:50,800 --> 00:37:52,400 Speaker 7: you're probably gonna have to take him at eighteen, just 821 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:54,399 Speaker 7: because he's probably not gonna be there in the second round, 822 00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:57,200 Speaker 7: just because of how consistent he is in every single facet. 823 00:37:57,239 --> 00:37:57,879 Speaker 7: It is very rare. 824 00:37:57,880 --> 00:38:00,960 Speaker 2: It's a fine a safety that's interchanged like that. On 825 00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:02,759 Speaker 2: the college level, a lot of times, you get either 826 00:38:02,840 --> 00:38:03,640 Speaker 2: or he's a. 827 00:38:03,600 --> 00:38:06,719 Speaker 7: Strong safety or free safety, but he's had experience at both. 828 00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:08,680 Speaker 7: He's gonna come in and be a key, key contributor 829 00:38:08,719 --> 00:38:10,759 Speaker 7: on special teams as well, and he has a ton 830 00:38:10,840 --> 00:38:12,480 Speaker 7: of ball production too, so I think he would be 831 00:38:12,520 --> 00:38:12,960 Speaker 7: a great. 832 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:16,640 Speaker 1: Fit now my new best friend forever Atticus Sapping. Jim 833 00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:21,920 Speaker 1: also was saying some good things this morning about Oregon 834 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:24,719 Speaker 1: tight end Kenyon and Sadik. What do you know about him? 835 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:28,280 Speaker 2: Fantastic player, man, I'm a big fan of Kenyan. 836 00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:30,399 Speaker 7: Sadik a little bit on the side at about six 837 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:33,520 Speaker 7: to two hundred and forty pounds, but I think he's 838 00:38:33,520 --> 00:38:35,040 Speaker 7: going to be the talk of the combine when we're 839 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:37,239 Speaker 7: talking about as far as testing, he's probably gonna jump 840 00:38:37,280 --> 00:38:39,640 Speaker 7: over forty inches in the vertical. I think he's probably 841 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:42,080 Speaker 7: gonna run somewhere in the high four fours, and he 842 00:38:42,120 --> 00:38:44,400 Speaker 7: could even exceed eleven feet in the broad jump. That 843 00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:47,640 Speaker 7: wouldn't be surprising at all. He's that true traditional f 844 00:38:47,840 --> 00:38:50,320 Speaker 7: tight end, but he does have some capabilities of blocking 845 00:38:50,680 --> 00:38:52,480 Speaker 7: as well. He's more of a tryhard guy that can 846 00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:54,960 Speaker 7: generate some movement. He's not somebody that you know, he's 847 00:38:54,960 --> 00:38:56,800 Speaker 7: not a George Kittle type or anybody like that. But 848 00:38:56,960 --> 00:38:59,160 Speaker 7: he can get in the mix and be involved in 849 00:38:59,200 --> 00:39:01,200 Speaker 7: the run the game, especial on those single blocks. There's 850 00:39:01,280 --> 00:39:03,520 Speaker 7: no sense of him being a coward or anything like 851 00:39:03,600 --> 00:39:05,439 Speaker 7: that as far as a blocker. So he definitely will 852 00:39:05,680 --> 00:39:07,040 Speaker 7: put it what I like to call put his face 853 00:39:07,080 --> 00:39:08,799 Speaker 7: in the fan and roll the sleeves up and get dirty. 854 00:39:08,840 --> 00:39:10,839 Speaker 7: He definitely is willing to do that. But where he's 855 00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:13,000 Speaker 7: gonna come in and change your offense right away is 856 00:39:13,320 --> 00:39:16,120 Speaker 7: the receiving aspect. He's a great scene runner. They do 857 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:18,040 Speaker 7: a lot of tight end leaks and tight end wheels 858 00:39:18,160 --> 00:39:19,759 Speaker 7: with him as well, So I think Kevin is gonna 859 00:39:19,920 --> 00:39:21,239 Speaker 7: if they do end up taking him, he'll be a 860 00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:22,279 Speaker 7: really good weapon for Kevin. 861 00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:26,400 Speaker 1: Jordan Reid, ESPN Draft Analysts, longtime front of the radio shows. 862 00:39:26,440 --> 00:39:28,960 Speaker 1: Combine number six for you, Yes, sir, Combine number six 863 00:39:29,040 --> 00:39:30,759 Speaker 1: for Jordan Reid ESPN dot Com. 864 00:39:30,840 --> 00:39:33,719 Speaker 4: Follow all of his work. He's really really good at 865 00:39:33,760 --> 00:39:35,840 Speaker 4: what he does with the draft. Pete give me some 866 00:39:35,960 --> 00:39:39,120 Speaker 4: Day two running backs, Bugadarian. 867 00:39:38,440 --> 00:39:40,960 Speaker 2: Price running back at Another Dame. He's one that I like. 868 00:39:41,200 --> 00:39:43,480 Speaker 7: Demon Claiborne out of Wake for It is somebody that 869 00:39:43,520 --> 00:39:45,759 Speaker 7: I think they're gonna like quite a bit just because 870 00:39:45,800 --> 00:39:48,080 Speaker 7: of the receiving aspect that he brings to the table 871 00:39:48,719 --> 00:39:51,719 Speaker 7: really good in past protection as well. He's similar to 872 00:39:51,800 --> 00:39:53,640 Speaker 7: Sed deec of where somebody that's a try hard guy, 873 00:39:53,719 --> 00:39:55,719 Speaker 7: not scared to put his face in the fan either, 874 00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:58,840 Speaker 7: but he's so electric. Pete, he's one of those consistent 875 00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:00,600 Speaker 7: guys that you can use in the back field. You 876 00:40:00,640 --> 00:40:02,400 Speaker 7: can split him out wide. You even can put him 877 00:40:02,440 --> 00:40:05,719 Speaker 7: in some advants ages of situations against against some linebackers 878 00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:08,200 Speaker 7: and safeties as well. So Demon Clayborne his one name 879 00:40:08,239 --> 00:40:10,000 Speaker 7: to definitely keep an eye on that. I think that 880 00:40:10,040 --> 00:40:12,480 Speaker 7: they're gonna like quite a bit. In another Minnesota's own 881 00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:14,279 Speaker 7: Emma Johnson, Yeah, he's one of that. I think they're 882 00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:16,520 Speaker 7: gonna like quite a bit too. He brings an explosive 883 00:40:16,560 --> 00:40:17,319 Speaker 7: factor to the table. 884 00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:21,480 Speaker 1: So we actually the chap before you was Emma Johnson. 885 00:40:21,560 --> 00:40:24,040 Speaker 1: I recorded it over the weekend he went to Richfield's 886 00:40:24,040 --> 00:40:28,000 Speaker 1: Holy Angels. Pete's son Ryan played with him at Holy Angels, 887 00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:30,120 Speaker 1: so we both known them for a while. And his 888 00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:34,680 Speaker 1: brother CJ. Just wonderful, wonderful young man and fourteen fifty 889 00:40:34,719 --> 00:40:37,080 Speaker 1: one in Nebraska last year led the Big ten, led 890 00:40:37,120 --> 00:40:40,360 Speaker 1: the NFL in all purpose yards and with them. Correct 891 00:40:40,360 --> 00:40:42,120 Speaker 1: me if I'm wrong here, because he's not the biggest 892 00:40:42,160 --> 00:40:46,000 Speaker 1: guy in the world. He's fast, he's physical. Past protection 893 00:40:46,360 --> 00:40:48,640 Speaker 1: always has meant a lot to Himma Johnson, which I 894 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:50,400 Speaker 1: think is going to help him in the draft. But 895 00:40:50,719 --> 00:40:52,600 Speaker 1: is he one of those running backs that puts the 896 00:40:52,719 --> 00:40:55,800 Speaker 1: hit on you. He's just a physical kind of guy, isn't. 897 00:40:55,640 --> 00:40:56,320 Speaker 2: He He is. 898 00:40:56,440 --> 00:40:58,960 Speaker 7: He definitely brings what I like to call physicality to 899 00:40:59,040 --> 00:41:00,919 Speaker 7: the party. But also he has a lot of juice 900 00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:02,759 Speaker 7: of where he can move around and you know, he 901 00:41:02,800 --> 00:41:04,360 Speaker 7: can avoid a lot of people as well. And I 902 00:41:04,440 --> 00:41:07,080 Speaker 7: think that's what was missing from Minnesota's offense last year. 903 00:41:07,080 --> 00:41:09,680 Speaker 7: They didn't have Remember when Dalvin used to take those 904 00:41:09,719 --> 00:41:12,480 Speaker 7: six yard runs and tournament of sixty yard runs. That's 905 00:41:12,520 --> 00:41:14,279 Speaker 7: what Emma Johnson is capable of. And I just think 906 00:41:14,320 --> 00:41:16,839 Speaker 7: that's missing inside the Vikings offense right now. 907 00:41:16,880 --> 00:41:19,480 Speaker 1: All right now, we have a teammate at KFAM as 908 00:41:19,520 --> 00:41:21,320 Speaker 1: part of the morning show, The Power to a Marning 909 00:41:21,360 --> 00:41:24,439 Speaker 1: Show named his nickname is Meat Sauce, and he loves 910 00:41:24,520 --> 00:41:28,120 Speaker 1: the NFL Draft more, probably more than anybody on our staff. 911 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:32,000 Speaker 1: So he sent me six questions, and we're calling it 912 00:41:32,160 --> 00:41:34,359 Speaker 1: six for Sauce, So I'm going to use the first 913 00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:37,279 Speaker 1: one for you, six for Sauce. Jordan Reed, a high 914 00:41:37,400 --> 00:41:41,200 Speaker 1: ENDESPN Draft analyst who is the best defensive player in 915 00:41:41,280 --> 00:41:44,720 Speaker 1: the draft. Who's the best defensive player in the draft period. 916 00:41:45,239 --> 00:41:47,759 Speaker 2: Itb be Caleb Downs safety out Ohio State to me. 917 00:41:48,040 --> 00:41:50,719 Speaker 7: And he's not the physical freak that we've seen in 918 00:41:50,840 --> 00:41:54,200 Speaker 7: years past, like Derwin James and Kyle Hamilton, Ed Reed, 919 00:41:54,360 --> 00:41:57,640 Speaker 7: Eric Berry, He's not those, but as far as instinctive, 920 00:41:58,120 --> 00:42:00,600 Speaker 7: how smart he is, the different positions that he can play, 921 00:42:01,520 --> 00:42:03,560 Speaker 7: the leadership that he's going to bring right away, we're 922 00:42:03,560 --> 00:42:06,160 Speaker 7: talking about somebody that's been All American at two blue 923 00:42:06,200 --> 00:42:09,520 Speaker 7: blood programs at Alabama and Ohio State. I just don't 924 00:42:09,560 --> 00:42:12,040 Speaker 7: see how this guy ends up being a bust in 925 00:42:12,080 --> 00:42:13,360 Speaker 7: the NFL, and I think he's going to be a 926 00:42:13,480 --> 00:42:15,719 Speaker 7: very high caliber starter. The player that he reminds me 927 00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:19,000 Speaker 7: of is Budda Baker out in Arizona. Very similar players 928 00:42:19,239 --> 00:42:21,440 Speaker 7: about five ten, one hundred and ninety five pounds, but 929 00:42:21,520 --> 00:42:24,280 Speaker 7: somebody that's really physical could play around the line of scrimmage. 930 00:42:24,280 --> 00:42:26,000 Speaker 7: You coul put him in man coverage as well, I 931 00:42:26,080 --> 00:42:28,160 Speaker 7: definitely think he's one of those guys that can wear 932 00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:29,839 Speaker 7: a green dot on the next level. 933 00:42:29,880 --> 00:42:31,320 Speaker 2: That's how high I think of Caleb Downs. 934 00:42:31,920 --> 00:42:35,399 Speaker 4: I think another big not that we'll be let's say, 935 00:42:35,520 --> 00:42:38,240 Speaker 4: walking in these waters, but Rvel, Reese and Sunny styles 936 00:42:38,239 --> 00:42:40,359 Speaker 4: to linebackers from Ohio State. 937 00:42:40,840 --> 00:42:44,200 Speaker 1: Talk to him, who's better of the two and where 938 00:42:44,200 --> 00:42:45,719 Speaker 1: do you think the two of them are going to go? 939 00:42:46,440 --> 00:42:49,640 Speaker 7: Strictly as a linebacker, Pete, I think Sonny is better. 940 00:42:50,160 --> 00:42:52,640 Speaker 7: But if we're talking about the totality and the versatility, 941 00:42:52,760 --> 00:42:54,440 Speaker 7: then r Vel is going to give you more. And 942 00:42:54,520 --> 00:42:57,480 Speaker 7: that's why you're seeing so many debates on where exactly 943 00:42:57,600 --> 00:43:01,200 Speaker 7: is Rvl going to call home as a positions a linebacker. 944 00:43:01,400 --> 00:43:03,880 Speaker 7: I've went back and forth a million times honestly about it. 945 00:43:04,320 --> 00:43:06,920 Speaker 7: I like him better as a linebacker right away, but 946 00:43:07,120 --> 00:43:10,400 Speaker 7: he can develop into something more as an EDG dresser, 947 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:12,960 Speaker 7: especially if it's taking somebody, let's say the Jets at 948 00:43:13,000 --> 00:43:14,839 Speaker 7: number two overall. You're not going to take an off 949 00:43:14,920 --> 00:43:17,799 Speaker 7: ball linebacker at number two overall. But if you place 950 00:43:17,920 --> 00:43:20,719 Speaker 7: him at defensive ending, interchange him back and forth, now 951 00:43:20,760 --> 00:43:23,640 Speaker 7: you're getting more value for that spot. But I have 952 00:43:23,800 --> 00:43:26,000 Speaker 7: Sunny as my eighth overall player, and I have our 953 00:43:26,120 --> 00:43:28,359 Speaker 7: Bill as my number four overall player, and I think 954 00:43:28,360 --> 00:43:30,040 Speaker 7: both are going to end up going inside the top ten. 955 00:43:30,320 --> 00:43:33,680 Speaker 1: Now, the Atlanta Falcons general manager just did his press 956 00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:37,239 Speaker 1: conference and he confirmed first day of the league year, 957 00:43:37,520 --> 00:43:40,400 Speaker 1: the Falcons are going to cut Kirk Cousins. Okay, so 958 00:43:40,600 --> 00:43:43,160 Speaker 1: now you know Jordan Reid also as a Vikings fan 959 00:43:43,280 --> 00:43:45,719 Speaker 1: from Randy Moss day has gone by. That's really how 960 00:43:45,800 --> 00:43:48,120 Speaker 1: we met. It was Ford Field on a Thanksgiving and 961 00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:51,680 Speaker 1: just things like that. It's a long story. So following 962 00:43:51,960 --> 00:43:55,680 Speaker 1: the squad as closely as you do. McCarthy had some 963 00:43:55,800 --> 00:43:58,920 Speaker 1: good moments nearing the end of the season. Twenty three 964 00:43:59,040 --> 00:44:01,480 Speaker 1: years of age. He got a full off season with him. 965 00:44:01,920 --> 00:44:04,480 Speaker 1: But Kevin O'Connell, the head coach who you will hear 966 00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:08,560 Speaker 1: tomorrow on these airwaves, has been opened saying that, you know, 967 00:44:08,719 --> 00:44:12,120 Speaker 1: we want a veteran backup who will compete with JJ McCarthy. 968 00:44:12,880 --> 00:44:15,560 Speaker 1: You know all the names, Is there anything that jumps 969 00:44:15,600 --> 00:44:18,080 Speaker 1: out to you where you think this would be a 970 00:44:18,280 --> 00:44:22,320 Speaker 1: good veteran to be in that room to help JJ 971 00:44:22,920 --> 00:44:24,120 Speaker 1: and also compete with him. 972 00:44:25,000 --> 00:44:27,359 Speaker 7: So there's three names, and I think one of these 973 00:44:27,400 --> 00:44:29,359 Speaker 7: three guys are going to end up being the starter 974 00:44:29,560 --> 00:44:32,760 Speaker 7: in Minnesota. One is Kirk Cousins, the other is Geno Smith, 975 00:44:33,000 --> 00:44:35,359 Speaker 7: and then the other is Matt Jones. I think those 976 00:44:35,400 --> 00:44:36,880 Speaker 7: are the three names that they are going to end 977 00:44:36,960 --> 00:44:40,759 Speaker 7: up discussing come up with that. I think the Raiders 978 00:44:40,800 --> 00:44:43,080 Speaker 7: are gonna either trade or cut Geno just because they 979 00:44:43,120 --> 00:44:45,000 Speaker 7: want to give the keys of Fernando Mendoza. 980 00:44:46,080 --> 00:44:47,200 Speaker 2: And if you just throw away. 981 00:44:47,080 --> 00:44:49,239 Speaker 7: Last year, and I know he wasn't very good last year, 982 00:44:49,480 --> 00:44:52,680 Speaker 7: Gino was a very serviceable starter in Seattle, and I 983 00:44:52,840 --> 00:44:55,560 Speaker 7: just think with Geno he brings that veteran presence that 984 00:44:55,719 --> 00:44:58,759 Speaker 7: you know, can run the offense at a, you know, 985 00:44:58,920 --> 00:45:01,320 Speaker 7: a somewhat pedestrian type of level. He's not gonna go 986 00:45:01,320 --> 00:45:03,160 Speaker 7: out there and be an absolute disaster. And I think 987 00:45:03,200 --> 00:45:05,719 Speaker 7: Kevin wants somebody that can bring back the down the 988 00:45:05,800 --> 00:45:08,359 Speaker 7: field element part of the offense too. Yes, I think 989 00:45:08,400 --> 00:45:11,120 Speaker 7: Geno somebody that does play the position fearless and he's 990 00:45:11,160 --> 00:45:15,640 Speaker 7: not scared to take chances down the field. It's honestly, 991 00:45:15,680 --> 00:45:17,800 Speaker 7: it's not the best option, but I think training in 992 00:45:18,400 --> 00:45:21,400 Speaker 7: a veteran like Geno Smith, somebody that can challenge and 993 00:45:21,480 --> 00:45:24,600 Speaker 7: be high quality insurance in case JJ doesn't turn out 994 00:45:24,600 --> 00:45:26,520 Speaker 7: to be the player that they thought he would be. 995 00:45:26,840 --> 00:45:28,759 Speaker 2: I think Jeno Geno could be a vible options. 996 00:45:28,760 --> 00:45:30,759 Speaker 4: All right, Jordan, Jordan has a lot of things to do. 997 00:45:31,080 --> 00:45:33,920 Speaker 4: Time for two more, Pete, we'll go back to college. 998 00:45:33,960 --> 00:45:35,440 Speaker 4: I didn't know you did the I didn't know the 999 00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:38,560 Speaker 4: pro the pro side of the pro personnel wing was 1000 00:45:38,920 --> 00:45:39,319 Speaker 4: opened up. 1001 00:45:39,760 --> 00:45:42,040 Speaker 1: He talked about all these veterans in the league now 1002 00:45:42,200 --> 00:45:44,279 Speaker 1: like over the last five, six, seven years. You know, 1003 00:45:44,480 --> 00:45:47,640 Speaker 1: so that notes are still valuable, right, But interesting to 1004 00:45:47,719 --> 00:45:50,080 Speaker 1: just see the notes and and and the brain power 1005 00:45:50,160 --> 00:45:53,040 Speaker 1: and then see what they become compared to what you 1006 00:45:53,200 --> 00:45:55,439 Speaker 1: saw in college. That's a fascinating part of the job. 1007 00:45:55,560 --> 00:45:59,319 Speaker 4: But sock interior defensive lineman, real quick looking at the list, right, 1008 00:45:59,400 --> 00:46:04,080 Speaker 4: if Peter Will, Caleb Banks, Caden McDonald, Leo Hunter, any 1009 00:46:04,120 --> 00:46:07,560 Speaker 4: of those guys available at eighteen and if so, which 1010 00:46:07,640 --> 00:46:10,759 Speaker 4: ones and who's your favorite. 1011 00:46:10,400 --> 00:46:10,879 Speaker 1: Of that group? 1012 00:46:11,040 --> 00:46:13,640 Speaker 7: I think all those guys will still be on the board. Honestly, 1013 00:46:14,120 --> 00:46:16,560 Speaker 7: I think the run on defensive tackles probably starts at 1014 00:46:16,600 --> 00:46:19,080 Speaker 7: sixteen with the Jets. I think that's where you see 1015 00:46:19,120 --> 00:46:22,120 Speaker 7: your first interior defender come off of the board. But 1016 00:46:22,280 --> 00:46:24,880 Speaker 7: I look at Peter Woods, I think somebody like him 1017 00:46:24,920 --> 00:46:27,520 Speaker 7: could come in and be that, you know, that big 1018 00:46:27,640 --> 00:46:30,480 Speaker 7: impactful guy in the middle, something that the Vikings really haven't. 1019 00:46:30,280 --> 00:46:31,560 Speaker 2: Had in a long time. 1020 00:46:31,680 --> 00:46:34,640 Speaker 7: That disruptive three technique, that guy that can get up 1021 00:46:34,640 --> 00:46:36,520 Speaker 7: the middle. He can play some one, he could play 1022 00:46:36,560 --> 00:46:39,480 Speaker 7: some nose. With how much Brian flore has really interchanges 1023 00:46:39,840 --> 00:46:42,000 Speaker 7: those guys up front. He has experienced playing the five 1024 00:46:42,080 --> 00:46:44,439 Speaker 7: and the seven last year. He played more so zero 1025 00:46:44,600 --> 00:46:47,200 Speaker 7: one and three this past season, but he has some 1026 00:46:47,320 --> 00:46:50,000 Speaker 7: experience with actually standing up at three hundred and five 1027 00:46:50,080 --> 00:46:52,440 Speaker 7: pounds six to two. So I think Peter Woods definitely 1028 00:46:52,480 --> 00:46:54,840 Speaker 7: would be a viable option. But if they want to 1029 00:46:54,840 --> 00:46:56,759 Speaker 7: get somebody, you know, if they want to trade up 1030 00:46:56,760 --> 00:46:59,080 Speaker 7: in the second round or anything like that, I think 1031 00:46:59,160 --> 00:47:01,200 Speaker 7: Caleb Banks somebody that I think they'll have a lot 1032 00:47:01,239 --> 00:47:02,000 Speaker 7: of interesting. 1033 00:47:01,719 --> 00:47:04,800 Speaker 1: As welly Jalen Redmand just then followed you on Twitter. 1034 00:47:05,760 --> 00:47:06,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, outside of. 1035 00:47:06,640 --> 00:47:09,600 Speaker 1: Jalen, Jalen mix for sure, what do you think of 1036 00:47:09,680 --> 00:47:14,319 Speaker 1: Darryl Jackson, junior Florida State Seminole defensive tackle six five 1037 00:47:14,400 --> 00:47:17,640 Speaker 1: and changed three twenty eight, two time Honorable Mention All 1038 00:47:17,719 --> 00:47:19,000 Speaker 1: acc last couple. 1039 00:47:18,840 --> 00:47:22,160 Speaker 7: Of years humongous dude, really close man, He's every bit 1040 00:47:22,200 --> 00:47:23,360 Speaker 7: of the measurables. 1041 00:47:22,920 --> 00:47:23,480 Speaker 2: That you listed. 1042 00:47:23,800 --> 00:47:25,880 Speaker 7: Had an opportunity to see him throughout the season and 1043 00:47:26,160 --> 00:47:28,799 Speaker 7: at two All Star games over the past month as well. 1044 00:47:28,840 --> 00:47:31,560 Speaker 7: He participated in the Shrine Game and then also at 1045 00:47:31,600 --> 00:47:33,520 Speaker 7: the Senior Bowl as well, and he was a standout 1046 00:47:33,840 --> 00:47:36,320 Speaker 7: in both of those games. Probably ends up going somewhere 1047 00:47:36,400 --> 00:47:38,919 Speaker 7: late second early third round, if I had to guess, 1048 00:47:39,000 --> 00:47:41,640 Speaker 7: that's really where that run of these defensive tackles that 1049 00:47:41,680 --> 00:47:44,359 Speaker 7: we're talking about could continue on into there. 1050 00:47:44,400 --> 00:47:47,000 Speaker 2: But once again, explosive up the field. It's just consistency 1051 00:47:47,080 --> 00:47:47,400 Speaker 2: with him. 1052 00:47:47,440 --> 00:47:49,360 Speaker 7: I want to see him put it all together, just 1053 00:47:49,440 --> 00:47:51,840 Speaker 7: because I think he has early day two talent, but 1054 00:47:52,280 --> 00:47:53,960 Speaker 7: just the hot and cold flashes with him, I think 1055 00:47:54,000 --> 00:47:54,839 Speaker 7: he needs to clean that up. 1056 00:47:55,120 --> 00:47:58,400 Speaker 4: Of these guys who in keeping our defensive scheme in 1057 00:47:58,440 --> 00:48:00,320 Speaker 4: my scheme, in my which one of them got the 1058 00:48:00,360 --> 00:48:03,000 Speaker 4: best bull rush? Because we'll send the seven eight guys 1059 00:48:03,000 --> 00:48:04,840 Speaker 4: at one time, walk them up on lion scrimmage, and 1060 00:48:04,840 --> 00:48:06,719 Speaker 4: a lot of times the shortest path is just over 1061 00:48:06,760 --> 00:48:08,920 Speaker 4: the guy in front of you. So bull rushing, in 1062 00:48:09,040 --> 00:48:12,360 Speaker 4: my opinion, is extremely valuable. Which one of these the 1063 00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:15,280 Speaker 4: guys that we're talking about is the most powerful strictly 1064 00:48:15,280 --> 00:48:15,680 Speaker 4: bull rush. 1065 00:48:15,719 --> 00:48:17,320 Speaker 7: We're talking about Lee Hunter, who was one of my 1066 00:48:17,400 --> 00:48:21,040 Speaker 7: favorite players overall, regardless of position in this year's class. 1067 00:48:21,160 --> 00:48:23,879 Speaker 2: Came from UCF to Texas Tech. He was the hub 1068 00:48:24,000 --> 00:48:24,880 Speaker 2: of that defense man. 1069 00:48:24,920 --> 00:48:27,680 Speaker 7: You hear about David Bailey and Romela Hyatt and Jacob 1070 00:48:27,760 --> 00:48:30,480 Speaker 7: Rodriguez and all these other players, but Scott Christian Melayer. 1071 00:48:30,600 --> 00:48:33,000 Speaker 7: The player that made it go was Lee Hunter and 1072 00:48:33,000 --> 00:48:36,200 Speaker 7: also Christian Hiller. Lee Hunter, I mean Christian Millers. We 1073 00:48:36,200 --> 00:48:38,200 Speaker 7: didn't even talk about him. He's another player that probably 1074 00:48:38,239 --> 00:48:40,160 Speaker 7: ended up going around two. It was only a run 1075 00:48:40,400 --> 00:48:43,040 Speaker 7: one year starter at Georgia, but he has some exciting 1076 00:48:43,239 --> 00:48:45,120 Speaker 7: He put some exciting stuff on field too. 1077 00:48:45,560 --> 00:48:48,080 Speaker 1: All right. Lastly, we promised I was chatting with some 1078 00:48:48,160 --> 00:48:51,400 Speaker 1: people earlier today Fernando Mendoza will go first to the 1079 00:48:51,480 --> 00:48:56,000 Speaker 1: Las Vegas Raiders. A to close do you think Mendoza 1080 00:48:56,480 --> 00:48:59,719 Speaker 1: fits in the NFL, and like like at what level 1081 00:48:59,719 --> 00:49:02,840 Speaker 1: do you think he'll be really really good or whatever. Secondly, 1082 00:49:03,280 --> 00:49:05,600 Speaker 1: I've been told now by two people this morning, it's 1083 00:49:05,640 --> 00:49:07,600 Speaker 1: like good things. The Vikings don't need to draft a 1084 00:49:07,680 --> 00:49:10,400 Speaker 1: quarterback because this ain't a great quarterback draft. I mean 1085 00:49:10,440 --> 00:49:12,200 Speaker 1: it's just like I mean, one guy said, it's a 1086 00:49:12,280 --> 00:49:15,640 Speaker 1: bad quarterback draft. If you're looking for quarterbacks who can 1087 00:49:15,719 --> 00:49:16,960 Speaker 1: help you for years. 1088 00:49:17,000 --> 00:49:19,640 Speaker 7: If you're looking for a starter, it is I think Mendoza. 1089 00:49:21,520 --> 00:49:23,480 Speaker 7: You know, it's debatable about Todd Simpson. I see him 1090 00:49:23,480 --> 00:49:24,799 Speaker 7: more as a Day two guy. But if you're looking 1091 00:49:24,840 --> 00:49:26,439 Speaker 7: for somebody that could come in and play right away, 1092 00:49:26,520 --> 00:49:28,239 Speaker 7: Mendoza he's the only one. 1093 00:49:28,400 --> 00:49:28,520 Speaker 2: Now. 1094 00:49:28,560 --> 00:49:31,120 Speaker 7: If you're looking for a developmental guy or somebody a 1095 00:49:31,239 --> 00:49:33,200 Speaker 7: late round lottery ticket, I think this is a great 1096 00:49:33,280 --> 00:49:33,880 Speaker 7: draft for that. 1097 00:49:34,040 --> 00:49:34,200 Speaker 3: You have. 1098 00:49:34,360 --> 00:49:38,359 Speaker 7: You know Garrettnusmeyer, LSU, Drew Aller at Penn State who's 1099 00:49:38,400 --> 00:49:40,759 Speaker 7: hurt right now, even Carson Beck at Miami. So if 1100 00:49:40,760 --> 00:49:43,560 Speaker 7: you're looking for a backup to eventually develop or you're 1101 00:49:43,560 --> 00:49:46,359 Speaker 7: hoping they developing the more, Yes, but this draft isn't 1102 00:49:46,400 --> 00:49:49,120 Speaker 7: one for starters. But on Mendoza, you know, you hear 1103 00:49:49,200 --> 00:49:51,200 Speaker 7: Jared Goff, you're Kirk Cousins. But the player that he 1104 00:49:51,320 --> 00:49:54,520 Speaker 7: really reminds me of, just stylistically, it's Sam Brafford. He 1105 00:49:54,600 --> 00:49:56,600 Speaker 7: reminds me so much of Sam when he was coming 1106 00:49:56,600 --> 00:49:59,480 Speaker 7: out of Oklahoma. Another former number one overall pick, the 1107 00:49:59,560 --> 00:50:02,080 Speaker 7: Vikings got the first inexperience with Sam just. 1108 00:50:02,120 --> 00:50:04,760 Speaker 2: A naturally accurate quarterback, great leader. 1109 00:50:04,920 --> 00:50:07,960 Speaker 7: The thing that really stands out to me most about Fernando, though, 1110 00:50:08,400 --> 00:50:09,480 Speaker 7: is just the resiliency. 1111 00:50:09,719 --> 00:50:11,640 Speaker 2: Just think of all the moments of adversity he. 1112 00:50:11,719 --> 00:50:14,400 Speaker 7: Was able to overcome this year, going into Oregon and 1113 00:50:14,440 --> 00:50:17,360 Speaker 7: winning early on in the season, going into Iowa and 1114 00:50:17,480 --> 00:50:20,120 Speaker 7: winning the big hit against Ohio State on the very 1115 00:50:20,200 --> 00:50:22,239 Speaker 7: first player of the game, the last drive in the 1116 00:50:22,239 --> 00:50:25,720 Speaker 7: fourth quarter against Penn State, taking constant hits against Miami 1117 00:50:26,040 --> 00:50:27,880 Speaker 7: and scoring the game win a touchdown. So just the 1118 00:50:28,000 --> 00:50:31,080 Speaker 7: moments of adversity he was able to overcome, which is 1119 00:50:31,120 --> 00:50:32,520 Speaker 7: something he's gonna have to deal with early on in 1120 00:50:32,640 --> 00:50:34,239 Speaker 7: Las Vegas while they're building up the roster. 1121 00:50:34,360 --> 00:50:36,320 Speaker 2: But I think he has what it takes to succeed. 1122 00:50:36,680 --> 00:50:37,920 Speaker 1: Do you still live in North Carolina? 1123 00:50:37,960 --> 00:50:39,040 Speaker 2: I do live in Charlotte, all right. 1124 00:50:39,120 --> 00:50:42,279 Speaker 1: Well we are at New Orleans, at Tampa Bay, then 1125 00:50:42,360 --> 00:50:44,520 Speaker 1: at San Francisco the Jets and so on. You know 1126 00:50:44,600 --> 00:50:48,239 Speaker 1: what the schedule is, or US Bank Stadium. You know 1127 00:50:48,280 --> 00:50:50,080 Speaker 1: where we got you. Anytime you want to come with 1128 00:50:50,160 --> 00:50:52,759 Speaker 1: your wife, Well, we see you with a road again 1129 00:50:52,840 --> 00:50:53,759 Speaker 1: this year, and you will I was. 1130 00:50:53,760 --> 00:50:56,160 Speaker 7: Just telling Tatum over there that we're definitely gonna make 1131 00:50:56,200 --> 00:50:58,120 Speaker 7: it to one game. I'm not I'm sure exactly which one, 1132 00:50:58,480 --> 00:51:00,399 Speaker 7: but we're definitely coming to win. We haven't been since 1133 00:51:00,480 --> 00:51:01,280 Speaker 7: the game in Detroit. 1134 00:51:01,400 --> 00:51:04,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, you're awesome, man. God bless you Ilved. You love 1135 00:51:04,520 --> 00:51:07,560 Speaker 1: you buds too. Thanks you, Budding Jordan Reed, ESPN and 1136 00:51:08,160 --> 00:51:11,799 Speaker 1: ESPN dot com. More coverage from Combine twenty twenty six 1137 00:51:11,960 --> 00:51:14,680 Speaker 1: on KFA N and Vikings dot com after this