1 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:08,520 Speaker 1: I mean iron Sharpen's iron is probably one of the 2 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: little cliche, but it's it's true. I mean, we're gonna 3 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: challenge each other for sure. I think of how how 4 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: can I be my best self? And that's how I 5 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: approach it usually. You know, every team has it's it's 6 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 1: unique things to it. Kevin and they're his staff, and 7 00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: then just being at Minnesota and there's no other choice 8 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: for me at that point. You're listening to the Minnesota 9 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: Vikings Podcast. I'm your host, Tatum Everett. We've got producer 10 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 1: Jay Nelson here in studio. Gabe Henderson is off this week, 11 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: and we've got Craig Peterson. Hello, Hello, Cig Gabe. We're 12 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: so excited to have Craig game here. Yeah, Craig, you 13 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 1: know you've been on before. We always love having you 14 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 1: and your insight, so you are our co host. We're 15 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,240 Speaker 1: happy that you're here. We also have a guest later 16 00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: on that we're excited to be talking to because we 17 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: haven't spoken to Chris Read, newest offensive lineman for the 18 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: miss of Vikings since his opening press conference. Yeah yeah, 19 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: so it's good. Good to see him out, good to 20 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: see it he and everyone on the field this time 21 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:11,680 Speaker 1: of year and going through OTA practices and get to 22 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: know his his backstory is so so great and it's 23 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 1: it's just so cool. You know, um how I used 24 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 1: to watch training camp practices that when he was down 25 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: at Minnesota State, man Cato and m former college teammate 26 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 1: of Adam Thlan, he competed in some throwing events against CJ. Ham, 27 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:30,640 Speaker 1: like you know. I mean, so there's some really cool 28 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: backstory ties. And for him to get to come back 29 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: to Minnesota after a couple of years with some some 30 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: neat experiences. I mean, he was part of that Jaguars 31 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,480 Speaker 1: team that made it all the way to the AFC Championship, 32 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 1: and then he's with the really good Indianapolis Colts offensive 33 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 1: line last year. So he's bringing a breadth and depth 34 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: of experiences and just just super friendly too. So oh yeah, 35 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:56,760 Speaker 1: I mean it might be one of those what might 36 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:00,120 Speaker 1: be one of those signings that people aren't talking about 37 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 1: but should be talking about. I look at it and say, 38 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: everything that's old as new again for him, especially you 39 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: know he's back in Minnesota. Like you said, the ties 40 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: between Mankato and even the joint practices here the Jacksonville 41 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: team or where they were around. I think for a 42 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: guy like him, being able to come back to a 43 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:17,640 Speaker 1: place that's familiar sounds like, you know, he's been to 44 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: a couple of different locations so far in his career. 45 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,079 Speaker 1: I think if he gets back here and he can 46 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:26,639 Speaker 1: really solidify in that room as not only a role player, 47 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: but somebody that really contributes on a day to day basis, 48 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 1: I think you will get the best out of this 49 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 1: guy who's gonna want to stick here in a place 50 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:35,119 Speaker 1: that feels familiar to him. Yeah. I mean his face 51 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 1: lights up when he's like, yeah, this was like really 52 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:38,959 Speaker 1: exciting for me and my family to be able to 53 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: have this opportunity. And it's really neat to see him 54 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 1: kind of start jelling with the teammates. And I know, Craig, 55 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:47,399 Speaker 1: you've been out at OTAs and for me, I don't 56 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: know about you. Whenever I talk to people about the 57 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: vikings out in the community or fans or partners or whatnot, 58 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 1: they all they want to know is what's the mood 59 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: like in the building. And that seems to be kind 60 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:00,839 Speaker 1: of the hot topic right here. So let me ask you, 61 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: you were out at ots this week, what is the 62 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 1: mood like out there? Prior to this week. There's just 63 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 1: a general energy of positivity that you can feel and 64 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 1: it kind of permeates through through different walls and within 65 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 1: the position rooms. The just just zest and zeal and 66 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: almost everyone's learning something right now, you know, like school 67 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: is really in session. Coaches are some of the most 68 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 1: passionate teachers out there, and I'll challenge anyone who who disagrees. 69 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: I think the best coaches are the best teachers. Um So, 70 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: I think that they are having fun with this part 71 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: two and finally getting to work with these players that 72 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: they've may be seen a little bit on film and 73 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: try to evaluate, and now they're learning how they learn 74 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: and how to help each player reach their maximum potential 75 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: because you know, we're at nine players right now. We 76 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 1: have to be down to fifty three by the season start, 77 00:03:56,600 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: and then we you have to round out your practice 78 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 1: squad too, because you have to build that depth that's 79 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: required in the NFL. And Kevin O'Connell talked about that 80 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: in his press conference this week too, when they were 81 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 1: asking him kind of what's the vibe, what's the mood, 82 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: what's your tone, and what you guys are trying to set, 83 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 1: he said even for him, he's having to learn at 84 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: this point too, going oh yeah, I can actually make 85 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: the changes to the schedule on how we want to 86 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 1: do this, and he's got to be in charge of 87 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: the clock and everything else. So for a guy like him, 88 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,599 Speaker 1: not only are they implementing their own system, but he's 89 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 1: also having to kind of go through the motions of 90 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 1: I'm looking to somebody else that's supposed to be their job. 91 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 1: A wait, that's my job. And so I think the 92 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,719 Speaker 1: tone with that, and I think he really emphasized the idea, 93 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:37,719 Speaker 1: like you're just saying the classroom work is really important. 94 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: Now that they're actually getting onto the field, they can 95 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: start throwing some live reps out there. It kind of 96 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: feels like spring ball for college, just at a pro level, 97 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: and it's kind of weird. Spring ball was always I 98 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 1: think some people are kind of like, I don't know, 99 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:51,359 Speaker 1: I got to do springball at times in college, and 100 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 1: then there are other people are like, I get to 101 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 1: do spring ball. And I think the feeling right now 102 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: with that energy is kind of that I get to 103 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,359 Speaker 1: do this, you know. And they're excited to learn a 104 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 1: new system, figure out kind of what their role is. 105 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 1: They've got a new teacher in town, and we're at 106 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 1: a point where I think all of the players are 107 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: having to really dig into their playbooks, work with their coaches, 108 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: build that chemistry, and really do some work that it's 109 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 1: going to be super important during the OTA part. But 110 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: then once you get to mini camp and some of 111 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 1: those other areas, this is the time where it's really 112 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 1: important for them to really build that chemistry that they've 113 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 1: started over the last couple months. Yeah, finally get to 114 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 1: see it start translating. You've got two more weeks of 115 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: OTS before you hit mandatory mini camp, and so, Craig, 116 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: what is the team or this or coaching staff's goals 117 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 1: during May? What do they hope to accomplish before you 118 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: hit that mini camp? You have to grasp who learns 119 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 1: by listening, who learns by doing. I feel like a 120 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: lot like coach O'Connell's talked about everything being from the 121 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 1: neck up for the start of the program, and now 122 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 1: I kind of view it as this stage is reinforced 123 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 1: by doing. But all eyes are even beyond the rookie 124 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: mini camp toward training camp when it when it comes 125 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: time to actually make this team the best it can 126 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: be and ready itself for Week one against oh those 127 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 1: Green Bay Packers. Yeah. You know. One thing I thought 128 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,800 Speaker 1: was really interesting too, And this week in one of 129 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: the press conferences, they were saying that one thing that 130 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:24,039 Speaker 1: is guaranteed is every year there will be a new team. 131 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: There's always turnover. You never have every single player come back, 132 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 1: you never have every single coach come back. There's always turnover, 133 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: There's always change. And I think how they're able to 134 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 1: transition here with some of the old dogs having to 135 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 1: work with new people, whether it's rookies or free agents 136 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 1: that came in. And I know that these guys are 137 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 1: all professionals. They look at this and say, I know, 138 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: this is my job, this is what I'm supposed to do. 139 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:49,159 Speaker 1: But I think that if you there are some critical 140 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: changes that have happened since basically January, and I think 141 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: this time is where guys like Eric Hendricks are, you know, 142 00:06:57,800 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 1: is having to work with Jordan Hicks to try to 143 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 1: figure out that whole chemistry and kind of how do 144 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: you function? What do I do? You've got a guy 145 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: like Reid who is just talking about walking in as 146 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 1: a new guy, even though he's come from multiple systems, 147 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: and just trying to figure out you know, who am 148 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: I working with, what are their personalities and how best 149 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: do we function? So I think that to me is 150 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: always what this time of year is about, is kind 151 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: of how do we function together? But now on top 152 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: of that, you have a brand new system for the 153 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 1: first time in eight years, so there's just a ton 154 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: of work to be done at this time of the year. Yeah, 155 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: I think Eric is gonna love playing next to Jordan Hicks. 156 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 1: I mean they've had there, I think both twenty fifteen 157 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 1: draft classmates, and Jordan had played with Eric silder brother 158 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 1: Michael and Philly, so they had kind of known each other. 159 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:44,440 Speaker 1: And now I mean they just both have such a 160 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: proven track record of being these these great tacklers. And 161 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 1: you look at how the Vikings have built things up 162 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 1: front with adding Harrison Phillips to Dalvin Tomlinson, and I 163 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: think that those two guys are going to free up 164 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: those middle linebackers to go make a lot of play. 165 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: And then you look to the outside and you have 166 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: Zadarius Smith part right, Neil Hunter and Danielle did his 167 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 1: first media session since I believe September. It's just so 168 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: like almost unfathomable because he came out looking like this 169 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 1: beyond mortal y m entity and just you know, but 170 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: so humble. That's that's what I love so much about 171 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: Daniel is like somehow he's he's just so humble. But 172 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: he actually said that the way the Vikings defense is 173 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: looking so far reminded to him a little bit of 174 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: how Minnesota chose to to do some things against Arizona 175 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 1: last year in Week two, and uh, he happened to 176 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 1: have three sacks in that game. He didn't bring that up. 177 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:49,199 Speaker 1: I remember he didn't bring that up. Let's go, yeah, 178 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:52,079 Speaker 1: you doing that? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I think you 179 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: you combine him. I love Zadarius Smith coming in with 180 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 1: the meat at the quarterback two point zero. Yeah, parkins 181 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,839 Speaker 1: to the old days, the guy to really help launch 182 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: this thing, and um, just really really cool opportunity. I 183 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:11,559 Speaker 1: think that that front seven has got so much experience 184 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 1: in leadership that uh, and then like the secondary is 185 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 1: working with veterans and newcomers as well and ascending players 186 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:25,319 Speaker 1: players that we need to make that next ascension too. 187 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: And the biggest thing too on all of these days 188 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: is do not get injured. Yeah, do whatever you can 189 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:33,839 Speaker 1: just to survive. You know, these are the time of 190 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: the year where it's this is the learning period, and 191 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 1: do whatever you can just to stay upright, do not 192 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: you know, don't go to the ground, and please do 193 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 1: not come off the field limping for or whatever reason. 194 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: It's just it comes down to making sure that they're 195 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:48,280 Speaker 1: doing what they're supposed to learn. Get out there, get 196 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: the reps, get the mental reps going, and we'll go 197 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: full boat at some point, you know, coming up here 198 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:55,320 Speaker 1: at the end of the summer. Yeah, and Chris even 199 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 1: talked about kind of the gentleman's agreement. Yeah, he did. 200 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 1: He did. That was a good kind of did you 201 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 1: ask that question? That was kind of funny because I 202 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,839 Speaker 1: mean people are looking at that line and they're looking 203 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:08,320 Speaker 1: at you know, Denil and z and they're like, wow, 204 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 1: like this could be a very scary front. And so 205 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 1: that's that's that's obviously what we want. Yeah, they walk 206 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 1: out with the white gloves, they shake hands and they 207 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 1: bow and then they walk to their side and it's 208 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:20,959 Speaker 1: just like a Suma wrestler, like here we go. Yeah, 209 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: we want to see good, but don't hurt each other. Right, 210 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: it's correct, there's a there's an amace ability and you're 211 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: still met teammates civil correct, Yes, that's probably goes out 212 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: the window long about week one, so actually before that 213 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 1: in camp, Yeah, that's the thing is, you know, for 214 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: these guys, this is this is all the putting the 215 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 1: best foot forward and getting getting soaking in everything that 216 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: they can with their coaches. And then when everything really 217 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 1: comes down to it, come training camp time, when everything's 218 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 1: live go, that is when you really see you have 219 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 1: a job to do. I have a job to do, 220 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: but I have to do my job to the best ability, 221 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:57,439 Speaker 1: and that's where things really get real. But this time 222 00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 1: of year, it's just fun to see them all out there. 223 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: It's fun to see them out there working, smile on 224 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 1: their face coming back in talking about how positive things 225 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 1: have ben and I think that that's just overall for 226 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: the culture of the not only the team, but the organization. 227 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: It's a it's a fun breath of fresh air just 228 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: to see how this is going to turn out. As 229 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: well as the leafy trees on the hillside there you go. 230 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: Finally springish green grass looks much better out there than 231 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 1: a few months ago, that's for sure. Yeah, you can 232 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 1: actually like get out there and get a little sweat. 233 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 1: I mean, the other day get getting a little sunburned. 234 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:28,839 Speaker 1: I was like, oh, okay, yeah, you gotta watch that one. 235 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:32,280 Speaker 1: Don't hate I'd rather be sunburn rather be sunburn. If 236 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,719 Speaker 1: we talk about training camp and um and I think 237 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,320 Speaker 1: the exciting news that really has come out most recently 238 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: is that it's funny because we thought that we were 239 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 1: rid of Davante Adams and now we open up this 240 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: preseason against the Raiders in Las Vegas and we get 241 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,559 Speaker 1: to see no other than Davante Adams. How about that? 242 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: Maybe for a couple of series. Maybe nothing crazy, but 243 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: it's an exciting way to open up the season in 244 00:11:56,080 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: Allegiance Stadium. That's on Sunday, August fourteenth, and then obviously 245 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:02,240 Speaker 1: we'll head into the forty nine ers and end the 246 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 1: preseason in Denver on August twenty seventh. Yeah, get to 247 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: see Russell Wilson. Maybe not that point, it is the 248 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,839 Speaker 1: last preson you might see it like one series. Maybe. 249 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: I think teams are still trying to figure out how 250 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 1: they want to use game three. Yeah, yeah, preseasons, right, 251 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: because it's not the fourth when you're right, Yeah, but 252 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,480 Speaker 1: I think it's also got to be something like it'll 253 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 1: be weird for them because they'll have two games under 254 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:28,560 Speaker 1: their belt. I know George. I believe George had the 255 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 1: attitude of, yeah, just get these guys healthy and get 256 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 1: them out of here. You know, they don't want to 257 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:34,200 Speaker 1: have something like that happened. At the same point, if 258 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: you get through two games and they're just not clicking, 259 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 1: you might see him for a series or two just 260 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 1: to get him some sort of reps. But I think 261 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:43,360 Speaker 1: that's always a crazy risk to take when it comes 262 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:46,079 Speaker 1: to those kind of games. But we'll see, Yeah, they're 263 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson and Orange Era, you know, just it's it's 264 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: exciting three to games. Like like seeing those preseason games, 265 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:56,720 Speaker 1: I wasn't at all like, oh okay, I was like, oh, 266 00:12:56,960 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 1: this is kind of interesting. And I think those will 267 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:02,440 Speaker 1: be what the two most furthest West games. That's such 268 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,200 Speaker 1: a weird su I love all the schedule release and 269 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:07,600 Speaker 1: all the quirks that come out of it, and I 270 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 1: mean just the way that opponents shook out this year. 271 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 1: Minnesota's is as far west as the regular season goes um. 272 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: But then it also makes sense with us being kind 273 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 1: of a centralized part of the country that we'd be 274 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 1: heading towards the Sands of Las Vegas. One of my 275 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: favorite more than I can, but yeah, one of my 276 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 1: favorite places. Allegiance Stadium is pretty amazing. The great part 277 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 1: is I believe the architects are the same ones that 278 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:36,200 Speaker 1: did US Bank. If you go in there, you can 279 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: see very similar features. One thing that they have with 280 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 1: with Allegian stadiums, it's very very much an oval um 281 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 1: and so there's there. But if you go in there 282 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 1: and you really start to look at things like video 283 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 1: board locations, the downtown kind of glass skyline area of 284 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:55,120 Speaker 1: the stadium, Allegian Stadium is set up in many ways 285 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:57,959 Speaker 1: very similar to US Bank Stadium. So it'll be fun, 286 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 1: I think, for the team to get in there and 287 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 1: really really take a shot there. You know, we've got 288 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:03,839 Speaker 1: some people that used to work with us here in 289 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 1: Minneapolis that help run Allegian Stadium, and we've got some 290 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:08,559 Speaker 1: really fun tours and stuff that they've just kind of 291 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 1: shown us. And I think it's a great stadium, gonna 292 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: be a fun place to play for many years to come. Awesome. Yeah, Well, 293 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 1: speaking of seeing these guys hit the field and start playing, 294 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 1: let's welcome in our guests because I feel like we 295 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: could talk about schedule Willie all day, but you guys 296 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: probably want to hear from Chris Reid. He's a really 297 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 1: great personality, somebody that really could solidify himself and this 298 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 1: starting rotation potentially for this offensive line down the line, 299 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 1: and we talked to mill him about that as well. 300 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 1: And welcoming into the Minnesota Vikings podcast for the first time, 301 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: is Chris Read one of our newest offensive lineman, but 302 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: no stranger to Minnesota. How's it being being back? It's great, 303 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 1: you know, It's just I've missed out on some of 304 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: the you know, the weather. You know, I got here 305 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 1: it was sixty degrees and then it went down to 306 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 1: thirty again, and I'm like, oh, that's right now I 307 00:14:56,560 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: remember Minnesota. Yeah, now it's beautiful out and and then 308 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 1: I'm like, I love the summers up here in the 309 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 1: spring and especially the fall. The spring. Did we have 310 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 1: a spring? Not really, it's truncated. I was wondering about that. 311 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:11,520 Speaker 1: You blink you miss it? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. 312 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: I know. You've got it. You know, your wife is 313 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 1: from here, a lot of ties here. As the excitement 314 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: level kind of has it? Has it gone up since 315 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: you've been here and kind of been around this facility, 316 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: getting the call that in signing and just all that 317 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: excitement was it's just kind of carried over, like it's 318 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: not really gone away. It's how I put it, like 319 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: my teammates are up here, I have my school as 320 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: an hour and thirty minutes away, and my wife Sam 321 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: is an hour away. I know so many people in 322 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: the cities that have been a big part of my life. 323 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 1: So it's just really cool, kind of coming full circle 324 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: back to Minnesota. Have you played at US Bank Stadium before? 325 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: I have a couple times. Yeah, it's It's one of 326 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: my favorite stadiums in the NFL for sure. Yeah. Yeah. 327 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 1: You were up here with the joint practices in the 328 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: preseason to kickoff twenty eighteen. I believe, yep, yep. I 329 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 1: was with Jackson all at that time. I think we 330 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: played that and then I played one more time. I 331 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: think with the Panthers. We were up here. Uh yeah 332 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty oh, the no fan season. That must 333 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 1: have been weird being in that stadium. It definitely was. 334 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: It definitely was very very quiet, very very quiet. Well, 335 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: got the first week of OTA's in the books. Um, 336 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: you know you've been with a few teams now and 337 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: how does it compare, Like, how does this one compared 338 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: to the ones that you've done in the past. Um, 339 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 1: it's it's very similar. I think, Uh, we're taking care 340 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: of each other well, you know, and it's it's it's hard. 341 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: It's hard to temper down football players, right like, but 342 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:35,359 Speaker 1: I think everyone's really being a pro, you know. And uh, 343 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: it's similar to other places I've been and I really 344 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: haven't had an ota in the last two years. Um, 345 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 1: just with COVID and then last year, you know, the 346 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: players decided to do like a two week walk walks 347 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: last jog through with Indie. It was really beneficial, but 348 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: it wasn't you know, a full you know, two three 349 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 1: months of a workout. So it's it's it's it's been 350 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 1: really nice being up here, getting to know everybody, kind 351 00:16:56,880 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: of bonding with teammates, getting to know the old line, 352 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 1: getting no offense, so it's been really awesome. Yeah, as 353 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: a newcomer, how do you establish that kind of trust 354 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 1: with the defensive line? Say I'm gonna do this much 355 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: right now. This is May. You know, we're not we're 356 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 1: not playing for the trophy in May, so yeah, I'll 357 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: do me. You do you, But we'll we'll reach this agreement. Yeah, 358 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:19,880 Speaker 1: it's just about working together. And you know, sometimes there's 359 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:22,239 Speaker 1: miscommunication or you know, one guy goes hard and then 360 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,159 Speaker 1: you have to pick it up. And yeah, it's just 361 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 1: a work. It's ongoing. It's an ongoing like um, just 362 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 1: collaboration with offense and defense. So you know, as long 363 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 1: as and the key is just not to get anyone 364 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,720 Speaker 1: hurt right now, like no one, no one necessarily wins 365 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 1: a job. And this type of environment, you know, where 366 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: you're to learn, get better as a team, and grow. 367 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 1: And then when camp hits, that's when the competition starts. 368 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 1: You know, you're you're a new guy, but there are 369 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 1: so many new faces around here, new coaching staff. Does 370 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: that make it a little bit, I guess easier to 371 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 1: make that transition for you? Yeah, a little bit. I 372 00:17:57,280 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 1: mean every time I go to a new place, it's 373 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: always you're learning so many things at once. So you know, 374 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 1: I've learned just to kind of you know, I'll look 375 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:07,399 Speaker 1: up the roster and just kind of remember names. I'm 376 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 1: not the greatest with names of all time. So and 377 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 1: then you're also on top of the offense, you're get 378 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 1: to know the coaches, you know, the teammates, you know, 379 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:17,840 Speaker 1: the staff, you know just training staff, weight room staff. 380 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 1: So there's just a lot of stuff that goes into 381 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 1: and that's why I love being here in this offseason 382 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:24,959 Speaker 1: stuff because I get to know everybody before camp. So 383 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 1: it's been awesome. Is it kind of comforting with so much? 384 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,880 Speaker 1: So many of your teammates learning from new teachers too, 385 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:35,120 Speaker 1: so like everyone's learning together. Coaches know that they're doing 386 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,440 Speaker 1: a lot of teaching right now. Yeah, I mean it's 387 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:39,880 Speaker 1: it's really good to have a lot of different viewpoints too. 388 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: Everyone learns a different way or maybe if a coach 389 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: says it one way, but then an older player or 390 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 1: even even a younger player. I learned from younger players 391 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:49,879 Speaker 1: too that you know, if they say it, how they 392 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 1: think about it, Oh maybe it maybe it one or 393 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:53,919 Speaker 1: two more people actually then all of a sudden get it. 394 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:57,880 Speaker 1: And so that kind of back and forth with coaches 395 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:00,919 Speaker 1: and players is really really helpful. What kind of a 396 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:05,160 Speaker 1: teacher is your position coach Chris Cooper, Um, Well, he's 397 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 1: really good. He's very detailed. Um he's a player himself, 398 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: so he has that type of language and knowledge to 399 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: relay that to and relate a little bit to the players. 400 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 1: He's he's it's nice because he's figuring it out as 401 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:19,720 Speaker 1: as we figure it out as well. I mean he 402 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 1: knows it ahead of time, but he's more it's it's 403 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,240 Speaker 1: like a collaboration again, and it's just you know, he's 404 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 1: teaching it then you know one of us I say 405 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: something that maybe hits his brain different, and he tries 406 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 1: to teach it different ways, so everyone can kind of 407 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,400 Speaker 1: get it at the same time. So it's it's he's 408 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:37,479 Speaker 1: been really good at it. And also justin m Scotti 409 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 1: has been very good helping out too. And sometimes I'll 410 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 1: sit back there and just run ideas and thoughts by 411 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 1: him and he'll even things out for me or you know, 412 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:48,199 Speaker 1: maybe it clarifies something for someone else. So it's been 413 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:50,000 Speaker 1: really nice. And they're kind of like in the same 414 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 1: generation as you too, right, I mean they don't feel 415 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:54,280 Speaker 1: like they're that much older. It's like you have players 416 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 1: who are like just with you, like a real collaboration. Yeah, yeah, no, 417 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: it's it's awesome. And as I get older in the league, Egan, 418 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: I'm starting to get closer to coaches ages. It's a 419 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:05,639 Speaker 1: little weird. I'm so so a little bit of ways. 420 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:08,680 Speaker 1: But yeah, I know, just a little more common ground. 421 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 1: Just wait until you can be around long enough to 422 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 1: look at the ages in the birth years of the 423 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: Rush and think back to the high school days when yeah, 424 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 1: it's a real trip. No, that's true. Um, I know 425 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:24,160 Speaker 1: right now when you look out at OTAs, you're looking 426 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:25,880 Speaker 1: at first team reps and what's going on, and you're 427 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: in a little bit of a rotation right now with 428 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: Jesse Davis. So does that kind of make you I mean, 429 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 1: you've been a fighter your whole career, like there's no lying, 430 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:34,919 Speaker 1: Like you have worked your way to be in the 431 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:38,000 Speaker 1: NFL for the career of longevity. So now you're kind 432 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 1: of here and you have some more competition. Do you 433 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,959 Speaker 1: like that kind of fuel to your fire? Yeah? I 434 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:45,920 Speaker 1: think you always get I mean iron sharpens iron is 435 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:48,600 Speaker 1: probably one of the little cliche, but it's it's true. 436 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: I mean, you get the best out of each other 437 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:53,600 Speaker 1: when you have competitions like that. And um, I know Jesse, 438 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 1: I play with him in twenty nineteen the Miami He's 439 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:57,879 Speaker 1: a great Paul, You're a great guy. Yeah, I mean 440 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:00,360 Speaker 1: we we're going to challenge each other for sure, and 441 00:21:01,359 --> 00:21:03,280 Speaker 1: you know, like like I said before, the you don't 442 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: win something here, you're learning, you're working together and can't 443 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 1: when the competition starts. Even then, as an old alignman, 444 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 1: I never think of it as a competition with him. 445 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:14,960 Speaker 1: I think of how how can I be my best self? 446 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 1: And that's how I approach it usually, you said in 447 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:21,159 Speaker 1: the opening pressor, I thought this was really interesting, kind 448 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:23,800 Speaker 1: of indicative to to I think what everyone has been 449 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 1: saying about these guys where the coaching staff is not 450 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:30,199 Speaker 1: a fear driven system, it's an environment the foster's players 451 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 1: taking over and growing. How has that manifested during the 452 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:38,359 Speaker 1: offseason training programs and now an OTAs I'd say, just 453 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:43,639 Speaker 1: the back and forth between players and coaches, and you know, 454 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:45,520 Speaker 1: I feel like I can walk up to you know, 455 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:48,280 Speaker 1: coach O'Connell or even West and just talk with them 456 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 1: about a question I have or something if or even Chrittan, 457 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: and there's just like this communication that's just a kind 458 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,920 Speaker 1: of ongoing and flowing through. And that's really how it 459 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:02,159 Speaker 1: kind of starts, you know. And then uh, in season, 460 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 1: you know, when players decided to do something, the coaching 461 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:07,640 Speaker 1: staff responds and listens and kind of the other way around, 462 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 1: and there's this that ongoing work and respect. Um it's 463 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:13,440 Speaker 1: not my way or the highway, it's you know, how 464 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 1: can how can we do this the best way? And 465 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:19,040 Speaker 1: taking answers from everybody and kind of putting that together. 466 00:22:19,119 --> 00:22:21,760 Speaker 1: And that's kind of how I see this team kind 467 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 1: of developing right now. Have you had that before? Yeah, 468 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 1: I mean I've I think last year, um in Indianapolis 469 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,919 Speaker 1: it was it was it was an older team and 470 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 1: and that's how I kind of saw it. Everyone was 471 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 1: working together to do what's best for the team, and 472 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 1: the coaches listening to players. We had like a leader 473 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 1: leader development team, and um, you know they had you know, 474 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:46,200 Speaker 1: the veteran guys on the team and guys who have 475 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:48,160 Speaker 1: been there a long time would meet with the head 476 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:52,119 Speaker 1: coach and discuss things and you know, and any anyone 477 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:55,159 Speaker 1: could ask them to bring a subject up when they 478 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:57,439 Speaker 1: would and they talk about it and then they just 479 00:22:57,480 --> 00:22:59,639 Speaker 1: figure out a common point where you know, this is 480 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:01,639 Speaker 1: what's for the team and go from there. So that 481 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,679 Speaker 1: was kind of and it's been here and there for 482 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:07,719 Speaker 1: other teams, but I think Indianapois has really realized it. 483 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:12,119 Speaker 1: When you were looking around, you know, like in this 484 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:14,359 Speaker 1: offseason trying to figure out where you wanted to go next. 485 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 1: Was that part of the decision coming here? Like did 486 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,360 Speaker 1: that knowing that environment or seeing the firsthand that environment 487 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 1: and thinking it could be that way here? Yeah, I'd 488 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:26,040 Speaker 1: played a factor. You know. Every team has it's it's 489 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 1: unique things to it, and I just think the culmination 490 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 1: of Kevin and they're his staff, and then just being 491 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: at Minnesota and like just all of that, it was 492 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:40,920 Speaker 1: just too good to pat, Like, there's no other choice 493 00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:42,679 Speaker 1: for me at that point. All right, Craig, We're going 494 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:45,159 Speaker 1: to end this one with a little bit of a 495 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:47,879 Speaker 1: more fun question. I think we're going to do some 496 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:51,160 Speaker 1: offensive line superlatives. I know you're the new guy around here, 497 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:53,920 Speaker 1: you know, but so far, I'm just going to throw 498 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:56,919 Speaker 1: out a couple of descriptives, and I want you to 499 00:23:57,040 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 1: just think of the first person who comes to mind 500 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:02,439 Speaker 1: from the offensive line room. Okay, okay, who was the 501 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: most talkative. I like Brian, Brian o'neils could be a 502 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:08,639 Speaker 1: little talkative in a good way and a good way, 503 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 1: you know what. I think it's so funny because I 504 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 1: think offensive lemen are either really big tuckers or they 505 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:19,520 Speaker 1: don't say a word. There's there's like both ends of 506 00:24:19,560 --> 00:24:24,399 Speaker 1: the spectrum and like it's like there's very little middle ground. 507 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 1: Like you're you're on the Tucker end of the spectrum, 508 00:24:27,320 --> 00:24:30,000 Speaker 1: and that's great. It's it's awesome to welcome you into 509 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,200 Speaker 1: this space. What he's trying to say is you make 510 00:24:32,280 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 1: our job easy. Thank you, and you don't hold it 511 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:40,680 Speaker 1: against the non talkers. You just want to, like everyone, 512 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,160 Speaker 1: tell them show us your personality a little bit more. Man, 513 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 1: it's hard to tell the story of the non talkers. 514 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:50,480 Speaker 1: It's easier to tell the stories of the talking So 515 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:54,080 Speaker 1: but you know, we like them all. But I was 516 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:57,120 Speaker 1: just thinking about that, like, uh, several years into this, 517 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:04,640 Speaker 1: there's definitely that that position room I think has like yeah, yeah, 518 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:08,159 Speaker 1: that's too funny. Speaking of funny, who's the funniest in 519 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:11,360 Speaker 1: the room, somone's got a laugh that just as soon 520 00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 1: as he laughs, everyone laughs. I mean, it's kind of 521 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,560 Speaker 1: infectious in that way. So it's funny that you talked 522 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:20,359 Speaker 1: about the talkability of these guys because my next one 523 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:22,720 Speaker 1: that I put on here was who doesn't say much? 524 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:28,120 Speaker 1: But when they do it's profound. Yeah, right, Like they 525 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 1: may not say much, but then they're like, put Jesse 526 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,639 Speaker 1: in that category. I mean, he's quiet, but then he 527 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: says something and it's it sticks with you a little bit. 528 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:40,760 Speaker 1: It's funny. It's just out of nowhere. But yeah, that's good. 529 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: Who has the cleanest locker? Oh? I didn't even looked 530 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 1: at everyone's locker? Definitely not me. You can nominate yourself 531 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:52,359 Speaker 1: if you want. Um, you know, I'll probably give it 532 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:56,400 Speaker 1: to Garrett. Okay, but I honestly I haven't seen everyone's lockers. 533 00:25:56,440 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 1: Well then maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it's not 534 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:02,800 Speaker 1: so noticeably bad, right, Like they're all kinds of technical. 535 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 1: You're right, I haven't noticed any terrible lockers they're walking on. Okay, 536 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:11,720 Speaker 1: who is the biggest music fan? You know? Honestly, I 537 00:26:11,720 --> 00:26:14,320 Speaker 1: don't know. Do you guys pick jams for your room 538 00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:17,159 Speaker 1: at all? No, we don't listen to music in the 539 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:20,280 Speaker 1: line room. I say, Garrett and Brian's usually pick like 540 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 1: the weight room music, gotcha? You know? I say, they 541 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:26,400 Speaker 1: kind of what are there? What's on their Spotify? Was today? 542 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 1: How is like house music? I think was today? So wow? 543 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:31,960 Speaker 1: It was a little well but I needed my glow 544 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 1: sticks in the weight room, right, that's good though, does 545 00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:39,439 Speaker 1: get you going? Uh, do any of them have a 546 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:43,160 Speaker 1: secret talent? Not not that I've never yet, right, I mean, 547 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 1: you just gotta get it. You know, we have the 548 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:48,399 Speaker 1: we have the rookies coming up, and we're getting to 549 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:51,159 Speaker 1: know the rookies a little bit. So I'm excited to 550 00:26:51,160 --> 00:26:54,679 Speaker 1: see what they bring and what talents they have. So um, 551 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:56,680 Speaker 1: there'd be another question to ask later on. For sure, 552 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:59,879 Speaker 1: awesome in the bank. I'm sorry. Yeah, you always had 553 00:26:59,880 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 1: to put him on the spot for some talent show, 554 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:05,199 Speaker 1: of course. Yeah, they've been doing great. So what do 555 00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:08,160 Speaker 1: you think for Darien's talent would be? He's a parent, 556 00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:10,879 Speaker 1: so I mean probably a great dad. He must be 557 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 1: a great dad, right, responsibility that is what that is 558 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:17,359 Speaker 1: what his talent is because he has his story is 559 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:20,800 Speaker 1: so inspiring. Yeah, absolutely, and you know the challenges of 560 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:24,000 Speaker 1: parenting a little one too. Yep, yep, I do about 561 00:27:24,040 --> 00:27:26,080 Speaker 1: to go on, dad got he's got two. And then 562 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:28,680 Speaker 1: I believe his brother he's he's a guardian of his brothers, 563 00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:30,680 Speaker 1: so he said, so, I mean, he's got a full 564 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:33,280 Speaker 1: household and he's doing great. So you get to be 565 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:35,159 Speaker 1: a girl, dad though, Yeah, I do get to be 566 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:37,960 Speaker 1: a girl. Dad get to be Yep, No, I'm I'm 567 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:41,119 Speaker 1: very lucky and she's she's amazing. So it's nice to 568 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,400 Speaker 1: have some family help though. If you guys are up here, right, 569 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:44,760 Speaker 1: I mean, you don't have to do it all on 570 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:47,840 Speaker 1: your own anyway. Yeah. Currently my my my mom is 571 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:49,520 Speaker 1: down and watching her right now, so I get to 572 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:52,840 Speaker 1: go join her and help out be a dad. So 573 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:55,760 Speaker 1: I'm excited about that. It's really fun. Well, thank you 574 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,440 Speaker 1: so much christ for being here because we just appreciate 575 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:00,720 Speaker 1: your time. We're so excited to have you here and 576 00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:03,480 Speaker 1: to see what's next for this team as it continues 577 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:06,360 Speaker 1: to form. Right. We want to encourage fans to look 578 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:09,720 Speaker 1: up all the training camp dates because that's what you 579 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 1: want to see. You want to see. You like seeing 580 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 1: fans in the training camp stands right, So yeah, I 581 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:16,960 Speaker 1: mean you you have up close and personal views in 582 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:20,399 Speaker 1: your past or training camp has gotten the sideline pass 583 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 1: going and checked out the action, check out what Dealon 584 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:27,159 Speaker 1: was doing. I'm a little sad it's not man Kido anymore. Yeah, 585 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:31,399 Speaker 1: but these facilities are amazing, so I see why. Yeah, 586 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:34,200 Speaker 1: Jake's pizza order, where you got? Where are you getting? Oh? 587 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,119 Speaker 1: I can't remember all their pizza or it feels like 588 00:28:37,119 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 1: it's been so long. I'm like a sausage mushroom like pizza. Yeah, 589 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: I probably go classic a little by that. Okay, yeah, excellent. Well, 590 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 1: Like I mean when you when you're on there on 591 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:52,600 Speaker 1: the field watching the preparations are for an NFL season 592 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 1: and now you think and you're you're preparing for yet 593 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:58,080 Speaker 1: another one for you, Like, I mean, do you do 594 00:28:58,120 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 1: you think back to those days? Do you do you 595 00:29:00,040 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 1: remember those days of training camp and left? What keeps 596 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:05,680 Speaker 1: you going through the hard times the dog days of 597 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 1: training camp? Yeah, I think it's teammates. It's it's known 598 00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 1: that like when you're going through and it's it's just 599 00:29:11,880 --> 00:29:13,800 Speaker 1: a tough day and maybe you messed up a couple 600 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:17,000 Speaker 1: of times, and just you know, everyone else is there too. 601 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:19,360 Speaker 1: They're in the same spot you're in, They're working the 602 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,480 Speaker 1: same amount of work. Like it's that's and that's what 603 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:27,200 Speaker 1: makes great teams is realizing that and now that's something 604 00:29:27,280 --> 00:29:30,440 Speaker 1: special that not everyone gets to experience. So going through 605 00:29:30,480 --> 00:29:33,160 Speaker 1: it with teammates is is kind of that key. Well, 606 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:34,880 Speaker 1: it sounds like you got a good group in there. 607 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,520 Speaker 1: You guys are getting along and wish you all the 608 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:40,000 Speaker 1: success this season. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me on. Thanks. 609 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,200 Speaker 1: I thought it was hilarious when you were talking to 610 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:48,120 Speaker 1: Chris about the personalities of offensive lineman because I mean, 611 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 1: he's a quiet guy, but he's a talker. Yeah, I 612 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:52,280 Speaker 1: kind of feel like you might be in the middle 613 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: a little bit. I don't know, maybe so just but 614 00:29:54,720 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 1: you might might depend on the day. I just ten 615 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 1: twelve years of doing this. There's there's offensive linemen that 616 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:05,760 Speaker 1: that really enjoyed speaking and talking, and then there's offensive 617 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:07,960 Speaker 1: linemen that that's not their bag. And you know, you 618 00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:12,600 Speaker 1: understand that. You try to make it all work. Obviously, 619 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:14,800 Speaker 1: it makes it easier on us when we have to 620 00:30:14,840 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 1: tell stories where they're willing to share their stories. Um, 621 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:22,800 Speaker 1: and so it's it's interesting I thought that, Um his 622 00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:26,200 Speaker 1: intro press conference was just so dynamic and engaging and 623 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:30,280 Speaker 1: fun and just he had that energy at the podium too, 624 00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:33,360 Speaker 1: and like the really cool connections to Minnesota and how 625 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,320 Speaker 1: his wife and her family really kind of looped him 626 00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:40,040 Speaker 1: in on being a fan of the NFL, like he 627 00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:42,520 Speaker 1: hadn't even watched that much grown up. Like, it's always 628 00:30:42,520 --> 00:30:44,920 Speaker 1: fun to me to hear like folks that have multi 629 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:48,160 Speaker 1: year careers in the NFL that that really didn't center 630 00:30:48,240 --> 00:30:52,000 Speaker 1: on that from from the get go, so um, but 631 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:55,000 Speaker 1: it's it's super cool. I'm sure that they'll they'll be 632 00:30:55,040 --> 00:30:58,160 Speaker 1: fixtures at training camp too, with Rochester being so close, 633 00:30:58,240 --> 00:31:01,160 Speaker 1: and uh, I gotta imagine for sure that would be 634 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,360 Speaker 1: really really neat. I think you had fun with that too, 635 00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:06,240 Speaker 1: like thinking about like which which guys are at each 636 00:31:06,320 --> 00:31:08,680 Speaker 1: in the spectrum too so and you you had some 637 00:31:08,720 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 1: awesome questions to get to know um, the rest of 638 00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:15,240 Speaker 1: the group better too. Now the thing is, I think 639 00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:17,080 Speaker 1: you have to get more than just Chris. Now you 640 00:31:17,080 --> 00:31:18,960 Speaker 1: got to do I may have to start a whole 641 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:21,080 Speaker 1: series on them. I think now you get to start 642 00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:24,320 Speaker 1: getting them talking about Chris. You know what's Chris quirks? 643 00:31:24,360 --> 00:31:27,000 Speaker 1: But I think that's the I think you know, you're 644 00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:30,160 Speaker 1: you're both right in that offensive linemen. You typically are 645 00:31:30,200 --> 00:31:32,960 Speaker 1: the speak when directed to like you know, kind of 646 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:35,560 Speaker 1: a thing. It's like go grab a shovel, start digging, 647 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:38,160 Speaker 1: like do your job kind of an attitude. Um, but 648 00:31:38,320 --> 00:31:40,440 Speaker 1: these guys all have personalities too, and so for a 649 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:42,080 Speaker 1: guy like Chris, who's the new guy to come in 650 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:44,360 Speaker 1: and do this was very very helpful. So thank you 651 00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:46,160 Speaker 1: to Chris for taking the time to do that. I 652 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:48,520 Speaker 1: love it. I mean, I'll say this, like, we are 653 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:50,800 Speaker 1: pretty pretty lucky to be able to get these guys 654 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:53,560 Speaker 1: on a regular basis, to be on the podcast, to 655 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:55,400 Speaker 1: come in and have these conversations and get to know 656 00:31:55,480 --> 00:31:58,280 Speaker 1: them like they are very much opening up to us 657 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:00,800 Speaker 1: and in you know, as face, and you start to 658 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:03,160 Speaker 1: you know, you may want to root for Chris just 659 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:05,200 Speaker 1: a little bit more because you've heard his story, which 660 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 1: I think is so neat and um and really one 661 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:12,640 Speaker 1: of the more like rewarding parts of the job. For sure. Absolutely, Yeah, 662 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:15,000 Speaker 1: it's it's just so much fun to be able to 663 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:20,520 Speaker 1: share their stories, relay their backgrounds, try to combine the 664 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:23,640 Speaker 1: helmet on and the helmet off content for sure. And 665 00:32:23,960 --> 00:32:26,720 Speaker 1: speaking of content, you guys are super busy. I mean 666 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:30,400 Speaker 1: you're trying to catch your breath from draft party or 667 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:33,120 Speaker 1: just the draft in general. Yeah, then you had to 668 00:32:33,240 --> 00:32:37,440 Speaker 1: end all schedule release and you've had ota collaborate every year, right, 669 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:41,960 Speaker 1: everything is a spectacle. Yes, Well, you know, we're so 670 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:45,840 Speaker 1: fortunate to be in a league that people care about 671 00:32:45,960 --> 00:32:51,640 Speaker 1: so much. Even four months before the opening kickoff, Um, 672 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:55,800 Speaker 1: you know, I always really take a moment, even even 673 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:59,160 Speaker 1: when things are busy, to just appreciate the fact that 674 00:32:59,520 --> 00:33:02,840 Speaker 1: that fan support is so great for the NFL and 675 00:33:02,920 --> 00:33:05,560 Speaker 1: the Vikings because it allows us to do something we 676 00:33:05,600 --> 00:33:09,040 Speaker 1: love so much. Yeah, and that that involves also the 677 00:33:09,280 --> 00:33:12,800 Speaker 1: getting Open series that you're colleague. Lindsay is doing right 678 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:16,840 Speaker 1: now and making an impact in different ways. Yeah. Absolutely. 679 00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:19,600 Speaker 1: And one of the more recent features she's done has 680 00:33:19,880 --> 00:33:24,600 Speaker 1: been on former Vikings offensive lineman Mike Harris. And he 681 00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 1: had a medical condition where he had to step away 682 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:30,200 Speaker 1: from the game and it had never been previously diagnosed, 683 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:33,320 Speaker 1: went through a really rough patch, you know, if you 684 00:33:33,400 --> 00:33:35,840 Speaker 1: if you think about something you love so much, and 685 00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:38,680 Speaker 1: I mean things, things were really ascending for him too, Jay, 686 00:33:39,360 --> 00:33:42,120 Speaker 1: I know you remember how how everyone in the building 687 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:44,920 Speaker 1: was excited about the steps Mike was taken on the gridiron. 688 00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:48,600 Speaker 1: So then it's gone, you know. And and so he 689 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:51,440 Speaker 1: went through a spell where he's he's learning where do 690 00:33:51,520 --> 00:33:53,600 Speaker 1: I go from here? You know? And now he's found 691 00:33:53,600 --> 00:33:56,520 Speaker 1: ways to be connected to the game. And h Lindsay 692 00:33:56,880 --> 00:34:01,120 Speaker 1: told it so so carefully and artfully and has received 693 00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:04,280 Speaker 1: feedback from others, including a family going through a very 694 00:34:04,320 --> 00:34:08,319 Speaker 1: similar medical condition and they're they're trying to get the 695 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:11,200 Speaker 1: help that they need for that family member, and it's 696 00:34:11,280 --> 00:34:15,240 Speaker 1: it's just like, if that story helps that one family, 697 00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:19,319 Speaker 1: I mean, it's hard to hardest say. It's just so 698 00:34:19,400 --> 00:34:24,120 Speaker 1: great that the platform can help others. And I think 699 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:27,239 Speaker 1: that's the ultimate goal of this entire piece is try 700 00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:30,600 Speaker 1: to help people understand like you're not alone. And for 701 00:34:30,880 --> 00:34:33,200 Speaker 1: a guy like Mike, you know, I was here during 702 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:35,399 Speaker 1: the recording and after the fact we were talking as well, 703 00:34:35,440 --> 00:34:37,600 Speaker 1: and just I think the hardest thing when you when 704 00:34:37,640 --> 00:34:40,960 Speaker 1: you're those guys is you didn't do anything wrong, yet 705 00:34:41,000 --> 00:34:43,919 Speaker 1: you still lost the thing that you love and then 706 00:34:43,960 --> 00:34:46,000 Speaker 1: it's kind of the now what you know? And I 707 00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:48,799 Speaker 1: think for even a guy like Mike, who was as 708 00:34:48,840 --> 00:34:51,680 Speaker 1: young as he was, found out about this condition and 709 00:34:51,760 --> 00:34:54,600 Speaker 1: just wants to be able to continue to do those things. 710 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:57,040 Speaker 1: And I think if you're somebody like that, who's you know, 711 00:34:57,080 --> 00:34:59,360 Speaker 1: the alpha of the alpha, the one of the one percent, 712 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:01,640 Speaker 1: and you get to that point and then to have 713 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:05,480 Speaker 1: something so small that's like a millimeter off be the 714 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:08,479 Speaker 1: thing that keeps you from doing that, I think there's 715 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:10,600 Speaker 1: a lot of questions and you know, I think there's 716 00:35:10,880 --> 00:35:13,719 Speaker 1: a chance for potential bitterness and those kind of things, 717 00:35:13,760 --> 00:35:15,920 Speaker 1: and I think that that is a piece that you 718 00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:17,719 Speaker 1: have to process for the rest of your life just 719 00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:19,480 Speaker 1: to try to find a way to be okay with it. 720 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:22,880 Speaker 1: And I think once you know Mike now has figured 721 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:25,120 Speaker 1: out between the treatment that he needed to try to 722 00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:28,080 Speaker 1: help him as much as he can, finding other support groups, 723 00:35:28,080 --> 00:35:30,200 Speaker 1: finding other people that he can work with, finding other 724 00:35:30,239 --> 00:35:33,440 Speaker 1: groups and things that help give him purpose. That is 725 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:35,319 Speaker 1: the thing I think that's going to help him long term. 726 00:35:36,040 --> 00:35:38,600 Speaker 1: Even having somebody reach out and say, hey, we're going 727 00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:40,720 Speaker 1: through something similar, can you help us out? I think 728 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:45,080 Speaker 1: it at least helps him provide some sort of hope 729 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:48,120 Speaker 1: from the situation to say, here's what I went through, 730 00:35:48,280 --> 00:35:50,280 Speaker 1: Here's what you can kind of expect, but here's something 731 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:53,760 Speaker 1: that even I'm going through still. And I think in general, 732 00:35:53,960 --> 00:35:56,360 Speaker 1: every single episode you're going to be able to extrapolate 733 00:35:56,400 --> 00:36:00,240 Speaker 1: something from those episodes to know that it's helping multiple people. 734 00:36:00,280 --> 00:36:02,799 Speaker 1: And it's also to the point where the NFL is 735 00:36:02,880 --> 00:36:05,560 Speaker 1: retweeting things that are coming out of this series. I 736 00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:08,120 Speaker 1: think that just helps show how impactful this can be, 737 00:36:08,160 --> 00:36:11,080 Speaker 1: not only for our organization and the people involved, but 738 00:36:11,320 --> 00:36:13,080 Speaker 1: all across the league and all across the world who 739 00:36:13,160 --> 00:36:15,719 Speaker 1: pay attention. Yeah, a big shout out to Lindsay Young 740 00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:17,759 Speaker 1: for doing that No Shoes on the podcast last week 741 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:20,160 Speaker 1: talking about it, and we also props to Jay for 742 00:36:20,239 --> 00:36:23,239 Speaker 1: the audio elements because that's such a neat touch I 743 00:36:23,239 --> 00:36:26,200 Speaker 1: think you guys have added. There's also something exciting going 744 00:36:26,280 --> 00:36:29,800 Speaker 1: on right now within our walls. The Vikings are hosting 745 00:36:29,840 --> 00:36:32,759 Speaker 1: for the first time ever, a diversity coaching summit and 746 00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:35,800 Speaker 1: this was the brainch out of coach assistant head coach 747 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:38,959 Speaker 1: Mike Petton back in twenty twenty when he was still 748 00:36:39,239 --> 00:36:43,000 Speaker 1: with Green Bay Packers and COVID HIT, so he didn't 749 00:36:43,000 --> 00:36:47,080 Speaker 1: get to put his idea in motion, but they went 750 00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:51,879 Speaker 1: through a rigorous selection process identified twelve candidates to come 751 00:36:51,920 --> 00:36:57,480 Speaker 1: in for a three day experience. The coaches are almost 752 00:36:57,560 --> 00:37:05,000 Speaker 1: all the participants are working in college environments UM and 753 00:37:05,000 --> 00:37:06,960 Speaker 1: they're they're trying to work their way up to coaching 754 00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:10,520 Speaker 1: ladder and UH coach Patton was talking about how hard 755 00:37:10,520 --> 00:37:14,360 Speaker 1: it is sometimes to if the if the pipe doesn't 756 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:17,399 Speaker 1: have the water in it, that's you know, and so 757 00:37:17,600 --> 00:37:20,960 Speaker 1: like this is designed to hopefully be a launch point 758 00:37:21,040 --> 00:37:24,680 Speaker 1: that other teams can follow across the league and really 759 00:37:24,719 --> 00:37:27,920 Speaker 1: increase opportunities for folks who may have been overlooked in 760 00:37:27,920 --> 00:37:31,000 Speaker 1: the past who have put forth good work. I think 761 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:32,759 Speaker 1: it was important that they went through and they were 762 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:36,920 Speaker 1: so meticulous and identifying the people and bringing them in. UM. 763 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:41,840 Speaker 1: The participants are going through sit through meetings, they make presentations, 764 00:37:41,880 --> 00:37:46,160 Speaker 1: they're on the field for for the for an Ota practice. 765 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:49,239 Speaker 1: Their presentations are going to be recorded, They're going to 766 00:37:49,440 --> 00:37:54,680 Speaker 1: receive written feedback. And the networking component of the coaching 767 00:37:54,719 --> 00:37:59,880 Speaker 1: industry too is really important. So our coaches here can 768 00:38:00,160 --> 00:38:05,640 Speaker 1: um really connect and put that face, put that that 769 00:38:05,800 --> 00:38:09,799 Speaker 1: teaching style or that that personality, that that grasp of 770 00:38:09,880 --> 00:38:12,960 Speaker 1: a system and ability to relay it and they'll always 771 00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:16,759 Speaker 1: remember that. And UM that that stands out so much 772 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:21,280 Speaker 1: stronger than the number of resumes that that would just 773 00:38:21,280 --> 00:38:23,319 Speaker 1: just come in, so that they have to pop in 774 00:38:23,360 --> 00:38:27,360 Speaker 1: this industry and the connections helps so much. So, Props 775 00:38:27,400 --> 00:38:30,400 Speaker 1: to coach Petton for for envisioning this, Props to the 776 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:34,880 Speaker 1: participants for for chasing their dreams yea and really going forward, 777 00:38:35,000 --> 00:38:38,919 Speaker 1: and to the Vikings organization. I know Eric kendricks Um 778 00:38:39,280 --> 00:38:41,920 Speaker 1: asked him about it too. And he thought it was 779 00:38:41,960 --> 00:38:44,880 Speaker 1: so cool that that the organization is is putting this 780 00:38:44,960 --> 00:38:47,560 Speaker 1: in motion to increase opportunities. And I think if you're 781 00:38:47,560 --> 00:38:50,399 Speaker 1: one of those university or college coaches, you just look 782 00:38:50,440 --> 00:38:53,040 Speaker 1: at this as a peek behind the curtain of you 783 00:38:53,040 --> 00:38:56,120 Speaker 1: know what, you're in a similar profession, but this is 784 00:38:56,200 --> 00:38:58,239 Speaker 1: kind of how we do it here. What can I 785 00:38:58,280 --> 00:38:59,880 Speaker 1: take from that and go back. It's almost like a 786 00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:03,040 Speaker 1: spring internship for those coaches to be able to go 787 00:39:03,080 --> 00:39:05,400 Speaker 1: back and not only think about how can we potentially 788 00:39:05,600 --> 00:39:07,680 Speaker 1: do things a little differently where we are, but then 789 00:39:07,719 --> 00:39:10,799 Speaker 1: even something for their future just to have aspirations and 790 00:39:10,840 --> 00:39:13,439 Speaker 1: goals and if they want to work their way into 791 00:39:13,560 --> 00:39:16,200 Speaker 1: working into the NFL or wherever else however they would 792 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:19,280 Speaker 1: want to do, it just gives them another opportunity, as 793 00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:22,279 Speaker 1: like you said, networking, but also just to create some 794 00:39:22,360 --> 00:39:25,480 Speaker 1: new ideas on something that they're already currently doing. It 795 00:39:25,560 --> 00:39:27,880 Speaker 1: was also great because Mike Petton is a name that 796 00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:30,600 Speaker 1: people recognize in the NFL as a former head coach. 797 00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:33,080 Speaker 1: He comes in with a huge resume. He's been in 798 00:39:33,080 --> 00:39:35,720 Speaker 1: Minnesota now for a while, but we've never really heard 799 00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:38,279 Speaker 1: from him. We haven't heard his thoughts and anything, so 800 00:39:38,400 --> 00:39:39,960 Speaker 1: being able to hear him talk the other day and 801 00:39:40,440 --> 00:39:43,920 Speaker 1: to understand what his passions are in his motivations, I 802 00:39:43,960 --> 00:39:45,560 Speaker 1: think personally that was kind of what I was most 803 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:48,000 Speaker 1: excited to see, as well as the ability to make 804 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:51,239 Speaker 1: this opportunity happen, which is pretty cool. There was a 805 00:39:51,360 --> 00:39:54,319 Speaker 1: great authenticity in what he said. You could tell it 806 00:39:54,400 --> 00:39:57,520 Speaker 1: was coming directly from his heart. And you can also 807 00:39:57,600 --> 00:40:00,279 Speaker 1: get a window into why it was so important coach 808 00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:03,319 Speaker 1: O'Connell to hire Mike Patton Um and bring him in 809 00:40:03,360 --> 00:40:07,040 Speaker 1: as an assistant head coach UM going back to their 810 00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:10,560 Speaker 1: time when when coach was still a QB and Mike 811 00:40:10,600 --> 00:40:13,440 Speaker 1: Petton was a coach with the Jets, so they had 812 00:40:13,480 --> 00:40:17,839 Speaker 1: some over overlap um there and really connected and I 813 00:40:17,880 --> 00:40:23,200 Speaker 1: think that um, the wealth of experience that that coach 814 00:40:23,239 --> 00:40:26,960 Speaker 1: Petton can add to a first year head coach is 815 00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:29,000 Speaker 1: going to be something that's going to be relied on, 816 00:40:29,080 --> 00:40:31,880 Speaker 1: and it's it's awesome. I know that the coach Oconnell 817 00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:33,480 Speaker 1: wants to do things his own way, and like you 818 00:40:33,480 --> 00:40:36,000 Speaker 1: were saying, he's learning it is his way now right, 819 00:40:36,800 --> 00:40:39,840 Speaker 1: he is the highway. Right, Like you can lay the 820 00:40:39,920 --> 00:40:42,480 Speaker 1: groundwork for the highway, this is your ability to pave 821 00:40:42,520 --> 00:40:46,080 Speaker 1: the road. Yeah, yeah, so um, but I think that 822 00:40:46,400 --> 00:40:49,280 Speaker 1: you know, having having someone that's been in your shoes 823 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:52,239 Speaker 1: down the hall that you can call and ask about 824 00:40:52,280 --> 00:40:56,239 Speaker 1: anything and then not be afraid to either implement what 825 00:40:56,280 --> 00:40:58,680 Speaker 1: they tell you or say, you know, I've I've thought 826 00:40:58,719 --> 00:41:02,279 Speaker 1: it over. I appreciate what your perspective is, but maybe 827 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:05,399 Speaker 1: I'll try this instead. And I think that that's kind 828 00:41:05,400 --> 00:41:09,719 Speaker 1: of part of the culture that's really been emphasized here too, 829 00:41:09,880 --> 00:41:14,640 Speaker 1: is like evaluate ideas, listen here, and then decide. And 830 00:41:14,680 --> 00:41:16,600 Speaker 1: it's kind of the way that Quasy kind of went 831 00:41:16,640 --> 00:41:19,520 Speaker 1: through the draft to pull it in as many perspectives 832 00:41:19,560 --> 00:41:22,040 Speaker 1: as possible, but somehow being able to sort through that 833 00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:26,840 Speaker 1: information and prioritize it to match what he felt ultimately 834 00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:29,880 Speaker 1: was best. And a guy like Patton also is paying dividends, 835 00:41:29,880 --> 00:41:31,880 Speaker 1: and when they went and brought in Shannon Sullivan and 836 00:41:31,960 --> 00:41:35,480 Speaker 1: Zideria Smith, you know, having familiarity with those guys, they 837 00:41:35,480 --> 00:41:37,760 Speaker 1: are willing to come here. And they even cited having 838 00:41:37,760 --> 00:41:39,920 Speaker 1: a guy like you know, Petton in the building to 839 00:41:40,040 --> 00:41:42,920 Speaker 1: help ease that and make it attractive to come here 840 00:41:42,920 --> 00:41:46,480 Speaker 1: to Minnesota. So I feel like, again this goes back 841 00:41:46,520 --> 00:41:48,520 Speaker 1: to all of the collaborative stuff that's been talked about. 842 00:41:48,960 --> 00:41:50,719 Speaker 1: You've got these new guys coming in here with this 843 00:41:50,760 --> 00:41:53,120 Speaker 1: new attitude, and I think having a guy like Mike 844 00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:55,239 Speaker 1: here is going to show dividends in multiple ways, not 845 00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:58,080 Speaker 1: just on the field. Yeah, it feels very intentional a 846 00:41:58,080 --> 00:42:00,440 Speaker 1: lot of these signings now that you kind of have 847 00:42:00,480 --> 00:42:03,120 Speaker 1: a couple months to let them sink in a lot 848 00:42:03,120 --> 00:42:05,360 Speaker 1: of these coaching hires, the way they've put things together. 849 00:42:05,400 --> 00:42:07,319 Speaker 1: I think the word that always comes into my mind 850 00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:10,200 Speaker 1: is intentional, yeah, which is you know, it's it's nice, 851 00:42:10,200 --> 00:42:13,880 Speaker 1: it's refreshing. Yeah. And I think that they frequently explain 852 00:42:13,960 --> 00:42:17,839 Speaker 1: the why yes to when they're in meetings, and I 853 00:42:17,880 --> 00:42:22,040 Speaker 1: think that that's that's also an important component. Um, just 854 00:42:22,200 --> 00:42:25,080 Speaker 1: because if if it is something new, well why are 855 00:42:25,080 --> 00:42:29,040 Speaker 1: we doing it this way? Oh okay, no, I get it. Yeah, 856 00:42:29,120 --> 00:42:31,640 Speaker 1: that makes more sense. All right. Well, even though I 857 00:42:31,640 --> 00:42:33,560 Speaker 1: haven't done that before, I guess I'm going to give 858 00:42:33,600 --> 00:42:37,360 Speaker 1: this an open mind and right full heart. Shows purpose. Yeah, 859 00:42:37,360 --> 00:42:39,440 Speaker 1: it just shows that it's not just lip service. There 860 00:42:39,520 --> 00:42:41,160 Speaker 1: is a meaning and a reason behind it. And I 861 00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:43,799 Speaker 1: think with all these guys in the building, they're probably 862 00:42:43,840 --> 00:42:45,080 Speaker 1: going to look at it and say, just give me 863 00:42:45,120 --> 00:42:46,920 Speaker 1: a reason why we're doing this work and show me 864 00:42:46,920 --> 00:42:49,400 Speaker 1: where it's going to pay off, and then we'll go 865 00:42:49,480 --> 00:42:51,600 Speaker 1: do it. And I love all of that so much. 866 00:42:52,320 --> 00:42:54,680 Speaker 1: I'm just hoping that it yields results. Right at the 867 00:42:54,760 --> 00:42:56,279 Speaker 1: end of the day. That's all we need. We just 868 00:42:56,360 --> 00:42:59,000 Speaker 1: need some wins, right, Yeah, And I mean you can 869 00:42:59,360 --> 00:43:01,719 Speaker 1: you can look back to Kendricks the other day during 870 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:04,840 Speaker 1: his media session. I mean, he was not shy about 871 00:43:04,880 --> 00:43:11,920 Speaker 1: saying that he wants to win. Yeah, to win, you know. 872 00:43:12,080 --> 00:43:15,319 Speaker 1: So it's it's like whatever he can do to help, 873 00:43:15,560 --> 00:43:17,719 Speaker 1: whatever the team can do to help. I think that 874 00:43:18,719 --> 00:43:21,799 Speaker 1: like everyone's on the same page there, and there's there's 875 00:43:21,800 --> 00:43:24,840 Speaker 1: a good culture in place that the coach O'Connell was 876 00:43:24,880 --> 00:43:28,680 Speaker 1: even appreciative and said, like, have inherited several great players 877 00:43:28,680 --> 00:43:31,200 Speaker 1: to help me get this thing going. You always hear 878 00:43:31,239 --> 00:43:32,920 Speaker 1: about the rookies and everybody talking about I just want 879 00:43:32,920 --> 00:43:35,279 Speaker 1: to stick around and get my second contract. When you're 880 00:43:35,280 --> 00:43:37,279 Speaker 1: around for a while, a guy like Kendricks, you start 881 00:43:37,320 --> 00:43:40,279 Speaker 1: seeing kind of eventually the end of the line, you're like, 882 00:43:40,520 --> 00:43:42,040 Speaker 1: I don't care, I just want to win. You know, 883 00:43:42,080 --> 00:43:44,319 Speaker 1: how many times do we see guys take pay cuts 884 00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:46,000 Speaker 1: to go play for the Patriots or something, to walk 885 00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:48,959 Speaker 1: out with a ring for their career. That is something 886 00:43:48,960 --> 00:43:51,080 Speaker 1: they're trying to build here too. So I'm hoping that 887 00:43:51,560 --> 00:43:54,920 Speaker 1: between guys like Kendricks and Hicks and even Zadarius or Denil, 888 00:43:55,640 --> 00:43:57,840 Speaker 1: with those two guys haven't gone through some injury stuff 889 00:43:57,880 --> 00:43:59,759 Speaker 1: like they can talk about how precious a resource the 890 00:43:59,840 --> 00:44:02,319 Speaker 1: time time is for your career and hopefully everybody gets 891 00:44:02,360 --> 00:44:07,440 Speaker 1: in the same boat and starts rolling rote the boat. Yeah, 892 00:44:07,520 --> 00:44:10,680 Speaker 1: all right, does it totally does. On that note, we'll 893 00:44:10,680 --> 00:44:12,439 Speaker 1: wrap things up here. Thank you so much to Craig 894 00:44:12,440 --> 00:44:14,719 Speaker 1: Peters for being on the podcast this week. Oh it's 895 00:44:14,760 --> 00:44:17,520 Speaker 1: such a great time. Look forward to it next time too. Yeah, 896 00:44:17,560 --> 00:44:19,600 Speaker 1: your insight is always great. You can catch his work 897 00:44:19,640 --> 00:44:22,719 Speaker 1: on vikings dot com or along onto the app. You 898 00:44:22,760 --> 00:44:24,520 Speaker 1: know what, I think one out of three chances is 899 00:44:24,560 --> 00:44:29,000 Speaker 1: this article. I'm doing all right well for Jay Nelson, 900 00:44:29,080 --> 00:44:32,799 Speaker 1: Craig and Tatum. Well I'm Tatum for myself, I guess yeah, 901 00:44:32,840 --> 00:44:35,160 Speaker 1: that's you. You know, great way to end things. We're 902 00:44:35,239 --> 00:44:36,799 Speaker 1: ending on a high note. Thanks for listening, and we'll 903 00:44:36,800 --> 00:44:37,440 Speaker 1: see you next week.