1 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,480 Speaker 1: Coming to this bigue. Like I say, you're one track minded. 2 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: You know what I mean. You want to do this, 3 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: you want to do that, you want to do that, 4 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 1: and it's all about you and me in the situation. 5 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 1: Now when you see the big picture, it's not ain't 6 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 1: all about that. It's about team and about going and 7 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,920 Speaker 1: doing your job and doing what's asked of Jews. We're 8 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:23,279 Speaker 1: gonna come to play, for sure, We're gonna we're gonna 9 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 1: turn some heads and do what we got to do. 10 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: Because him, since I've been here, been top ten defense 11 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: every year, so I don't see that being no different. Hey, 12 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: Vikings fans, welcome to episode number one oh five of 13 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. It's your host Chris Corso here 14 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: with Vikings dot COM's Gabe Henderson and of course producer 15 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: Jay Nelson. I'm excited as training camps off and running. 16 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 1: We had a night practice, We've had some fun events. 17 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 1: We've had some pads be put on at practice. Gabe 18 00:00:55,920 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: has all the insight being at multiple practices throughout the 19 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: past couple of weeks. So I'm super excited for this show. 20 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: Because we got a player guest back on the show. 21 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:11,400 Speaker 1: It's cornerback McKenzie Alexander, who head coach Mike Zimmer had 22 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: some great words about how he's accepted that nickel role 23 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: in this Vikings defense coming back from the Cincinnati Bengals. 24 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: So you'll hear Gabe's interview with McKenzie Alexander later on 25 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,559 Speaker 1: in the show. But first we're gonna talk a little 26 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: Vikings training camp and I'll bring in Gabe Henderson to 27 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 1: give his I don't know takeaways from his first Vikings 28 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:37,720 Speaker 1: petted practice as a member of the Vikings staff, even 29 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: though he's been here for like over a year already. Dude, 30 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: it was chippy. It has been chippy, but it's everything 31 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: that you expected. I feel like this week, every everyone 32 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 1: that I've interviewed, I've asked, how does it feel to 33 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: play football again? Because nothing up until this week has mattered. 34 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: Of course the mental side of the game. Your placement's 35 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: your hand placements where you supposed to be. Yeah, you 36 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: got to do that, But when the pads come on, 37 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: that's that's when it's game time. So it's been fun. 38 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 1: There's so many guys that stand out to me. I 39 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 1: think that the main guys Daniel Hunter. I mean that 40 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 1: everyone was worried, Okay, is he a hundred percent? Is 41 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: he back? Can he do this? Can he do that? 42 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 1: I think from the first play of one on ones 43 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: against Brian O'Neill, he showed that, hey, I am still 44 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 1: the Danil Hunter that you're used to seeing, and Brian 45 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 1: O'Neill basically said, I'm still the Brian O'Neill you're used 46 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:28,920 Speaker 1: to seeing. Also, that is I mean I said it before, 47 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 1: that is arguably the greatest one on one rep I've 48 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: ever seen in person between those two guys. And I mean, 49 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 1: you got out two all pros, two guys who are 50 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 1: the leader of their respective units on both sides of 51 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: the ball, and so many guys have just stepped up, 52 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 1: including those guys. And I'm just excited about the upcoming days, 53 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,240 Speaker 1: the upcoming weeks. Next week I will be talking Denver 54 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 1: Broncos join joint training camp practice. But so far, so good, 55 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,800 Speaker 1: so many guys standing out. Jake Browning, of course, is 56 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: that the key highlights so far. I mean, of course 57 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,360 Speaker 1: Kirk practice today, but the previous few days, Jake Browning 58 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:09,360 Speaker 1: has been taken all of the first team reps. And 59 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: I was telling people like being a former receiver when 60 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 1: your backup quarterback gets in, you're little hesitant, You're like, okay, 61 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:18,079 Speaker 1: like I'm the ball's not going to be in the 62 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 1: place around me. It used to being I'm not expecting 63 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 1: the accuracy to be on point. Literally, this Minnesota Vikings team, 64 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: this Minnesota Vikings offense did not miss a beat. We 65 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: saw the defensive guys, Harrison Smith P two, all those 66 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:32,679 Speaker 1: guys giving Jake Browning credit for giving them a good 67 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 1: look like there wasn't a drop off at all. And 68 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: so far as has been a great training camp. Well, 69 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: you talk about missing a few players. Obviously, the things 70 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: that have gone on with the Vikings have not been ideal. 71 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: At the quarterback position. Kellen montest is positive for COVID 72 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 1: nineteen and a few close contact cases including the Vikings 73 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. So not an ideal situation to 74 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 1: have to deal with, especially during a night practice, which 75 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: is one of the most fun events of the year 76 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 1: for Vikings fans at the TCO Performance Center. So a 77 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 1: little bit of a hurdle that the Vikings had to 78 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 1: go through going through that night practice and seem like 79 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 1: Jake Browning really had quite the performance at training camp 80 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 1: and to step into that role a guy who's been 81 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:18,839 Speaker 1: on the practice squad for as long as he's been 82 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: And I'm looking at Eric Smith's observations from night practice, 83 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:27,479 Speaker 1: and the twenty five year old was during eleven on 84 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 1: eleven team drills. He was twenty six or thirty seven 85 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: in past attempts. So when you hear a guy like 86 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 1: Patrick Peterson say there's no drop off there, that has 87 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 1: to be good for Jake Browning's chances of not only 88 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: making the practice squad again, but maybe being a potential 89 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 1: backup on this Vikings team. So really good time for 90 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 1: Jake Browning an unexpected amount of reps that he was 91 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: able to get in that night practice. That's my biggest 92 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 1: takeaway from the night practice. But I want to ask 93 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:59,159 Speaker 1: you one more thing, Gaye, before we bring in Jane Nelson. 94 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:04,360 Speaker 1: What have you seen from kJ Osborne? Because the wide 95 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 1: receiver three battle is one of my favorite storylines so 96 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 1: far in training camp. And I saw you post a 97 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:15,480 Speaker 1: little tweet video of a diving catch from kJ Osborne, 98 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 1: and I've been excited about this guy for a long time. 99 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: I have a really good friend that went to the 100 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 1: University of Miami that was very excited when the Vikings 101 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: drafted him a year and a half ago. So what 102 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: have you seen from kJ Osbourne. I love what he 103 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: brings from a physical aspect, but it seems like the 104 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: other parts of his game are finally starting to come 105 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 1: about here in his second training camp with the Vikings. Yeah, 106 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,559 Speaker 1: it's starting to all come together, just like you said. 107 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: And I think the confidence is the biggest thing that 108 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 1: stands out. He knows what he's doing. If you compare 109 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: training camp last year compared to this year. At this 110 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: point last year, like any rookie would be, he was overthinking, 111 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 1: second guessing himself, not able to fully be present or 112 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,159 Speaker 1: be aware of what was going on and what he 113 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:02,720 Speaker 1: was supposed to do at the same time. Now, and 114 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: if the game is slowed down, he's able to run 115 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 1: more Chris Rose, He's able to affect the defense in 116 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 1: a certain way. I think kJ Osborne can pretty much 117 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: do it all. As a slot receiver, he ran, he 118 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:15,679 Speaker 1: did slot. He played slot receiver at the University of Miami. 119 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: And so we are getting the kJ Osborne that Rick 120 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 1: Spillman drafted last year in the fifth round. We're excited 121 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:24,719 Speaker 1: to see what he's going to continue to do. But 122 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 1: so far, so good, and that's all you can ask 123 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: for him. When he's going against a guy like McKenzie, 124 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:32,039 Speaker 1: Alexander or pretty much every single play with the ones, 125 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 1: you're you're asking, hey, can you get open with a 126 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 1: six year event on you? Can you get open with 127 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: a Harrison Smith? Overtime, You're gonna ask him to do 128 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 1: a little bit more. You're gonna see, hey, can you 129 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: catch punts? Like? Are you a better punk returner? Can 130 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 1: you do this? Can you do that? Outside of wide 131 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,279 Speaker 1: receiver number three, I think the questions for wide receiver 132 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 1: number three are answered as of right now. Now. It's like, okay, 133 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 1: to solidify this role, we need you to do, we 134 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:57,159 Speaker 1: need you to be somewhere else. And I think he 135 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: has just stepped up in pretty much every aspect of 136 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 1: his game. He's more confident in catching punts, and I 137 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: think that confidence at the wide receiver three position, I 138 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:07,160 Speaker 1: guess is just learning the plays. I think that has 139 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: helped him just take a deep breath and relax and 140 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 1: say like, Okay, I can do this. Also, this is 141 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 1: what I'm being called to do also. So it's been 142 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: fun to see him well. BC Johnson goes down with 143 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 1: an injury last week, and that of course opens up 144 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 1: some reps for kJ Osborne. And we were talking about 145 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: the night practice. There was a play in the night 146 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 1: practice where kJ Osborne went deep and Jake Browning delivered 147 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 1: a great ball and you saw the way that kJ 148 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:34,880 Speaker 1: Osborne was able to adjust and make a big play 149 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 1: on the football. So he's making a ton of big plays. 150 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: One that gave captured a diving catch on the sideline 151 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: as well in the first petted practice. So watch out, 152 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: Vikings fans for kJ Osborne and what he can bring 153 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: to this wide receiver three battle. I'm gonna go back 154 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 1: to Jane or actually I'm going to introduce Jane Ellison now, 155 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: a guy who knows all about petted practices, being a 156 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 1: big time linemen back in the day. What have you 157 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: been your takeaway so far from from padded practices and 158 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 1: one of your favorite nights of the year, the night 159 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 1: practice that was a long time ago, Corso Jay putting 160 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 1: the pads on. And at this point, my body feels 161 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: that every single day when I wake up preach, you know, 162 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: I think the cool thing just even the topic that's 163 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:22,080 Speaker 1: been going on between these two players was the fact 164 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: that both of them had opportunities that were presented to them, 165 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 1: and both of them stepped up and made the most 166 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: of it. And the best part two is to see 167 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: the rest of the roster looking at these two guys 168 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: and saying, you know, these guys are doing the right 169 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 1: thing and they're getting rewarded for it. I think the 170 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: best thing with Browning was just seeing not only the 171 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 1: offense but the defensive players come up and give them 172 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:43,720 Speaker 1: some dap and just kind of, you know, loving them 173 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: up a little bit, saying, hey, this kid's really stepping 174 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:48,560 Speaker 1: up and really putting kind of a sticky position and 175 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 1: he's definitely making it happen. The other thing two with 176 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 1: Osbourne was, if you think about it, the two of 177 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 1: them have basically been getting all these reps for, you know, 178 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,719 Speaker 1: all last season together, and so the two of them 179 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: seem to be really working out well when both of 180 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,360 Speaker 1: them have the opportunity to step up and try to 181 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: take a little bit more of a prominent role at 182 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:08,959 Speaker 1: their position. Overall, for Saturday night, I think the thing 183 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: that was the most amazing to me was just the 184 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 1: amount of people that came. I heard that the number 185 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,679 Speaker 1: was around or a little bit over forty five hundred 186 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 1: people showed up to practice, and I had gone out earlier, 187 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 1: probably I don't know, an hour and a half or 188 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: so before everything was really going to kick off, and 189 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 1: it was a little light, and so I was just 190 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: kind of raising an eyebrow, like, I'm curious to see what, 191 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: you know, what's gonna happen. Who's going to show up? 192 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 1: And I went back out there with I don't know 193 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: forty five minutes before everything started, and the stands were packed, 194 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 1: the standing room only. Everyone was having a good time 195 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 1: stopping at the concession stands and running around, you know, 196 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: catching footballs and stuff. It was just it was a 197 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: really fun atmosphere to feel like we're finally back to 198 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: something normal. And I think that was the best part 199 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:53,079 Speaker 1: of Saturday night was it was a beautiful night. Everyone 200 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:54,959 Speaker 1: was having a good time. Yes, they were probably a 201 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 1: little disappointed that the full compliment of roster wasn't there, 202 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 1: but overall, as a beginning of training camp and the 203 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,959 Speaker 1: first big event that we've had with everybody, the turnout 204 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: was fantastic. So for everybody that was able to make it, 205 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:09,600 Speaker 1: that was awesome. Thank you for showing up, And for 206 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: everybody that wasn't hopefully you've got some time here yet 207 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:13,840 Speaker 1: in the next week or so that you can still 208 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: come out to Vikings training camp here at TCPC and 209 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: just enjoy your time at Usbank Training Camp, and hopefully 210 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:23,319 Speaker 1: you'll buy some tickets here coming up for not only 211 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:27,520 Speaker 1: this Saturday's at the stadium, but for Denver showing up 212 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: here for joint practices next week. So yep, enjoy your 213 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 1: time and it's good to see everybody again. Well that'll 214 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 1: do it for our little recap of the night practice 215 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 1: on Saturday night. Looking forward as we're recording this podcast. 216 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: Thursday morning, the Vikings activated Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley 217 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: from the reserve slash COVID nineteen list. Kirk did confirm 218 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: that he had six negative COVID tests in a positive 219 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: conversation with head coach Mike Zimmer heading into being activated 220 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: on the Vikings roster. So let's see what happens there. 221 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 1: I'm just excited to have the Vikings starting quarterback back 222 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: on the field for petted practices. He did say that 223 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:12,679 Speaker 1: he's never missed four practices in his entire career, dating 224 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 1: back to high school in Michigan State, so definitely something 225 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: that kirk isn't used to and hopefully we have him 226 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:21,720 Speaker 1: and all of our players back on the field and healthy. 227 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: I know that's what Vikings sands want. I know that's 228 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 1: what head coach Mike Zimmer wants for his roster. Looking 229 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: at some roster moves that were made, the Vikings did 230 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 1: bring in a few quarterbacks to kind of get through 231 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 1: that little hurdle that they went through the past couple 232 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 1: of practices. Case Kukis was signed and then released with 233 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: the new roster moves of bringing Stanley and Cousins back. 234 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:50,439 Speaker 1: But Jake Etling, a former LSU quarterback, a seventh round 235 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,680 Speaker 1: draft pick in twenty eighteen, he spent time with the Patriots, 236 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 1: the Falcons, and most recently was on the Seattle Seahawks 237 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: practice squad. He hangs around will continue to be a 238 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: camp arm for this team. Another tough hurdle for the 239 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:09,680 Speaker 1: Vikings organization, obviously losing a former first round draft pick. 240 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 1: Jeff Gladney was expected to be one of the top 241 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:17,199 Speaker 1: cornerbacks on this roster, going through a domestic violence situation 242 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 1: in the state of Texas. He had his indictment this 243 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 1: past week, and the Vikings did release the following statement. 244 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: Following our review of today's indictment on August third against 245 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 1: Jeff Gladney, we have decided to release Jeff immediately. As 246 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 1: we previously said, we take these matters very seriously and 247 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 1: condemn all forms of domestic violence. Due to the ongoing 248 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: legal nature of this matter, we are unable to provide 249 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:47,040 Speaker 1: further comment. So you heard it there. That's the statement 250 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: from the organization. None of us three on this podcast 251 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:53,199 Speaker 1: are going to have any further statements, just being employees 252 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 1: of the Vikings organization. So it's an unfortunate situation and 253 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 1: all the Vikings can do is move forward and lean 254 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 1: on that depth at the cornerback position. So looking forward, 255 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: we have a couple of good things on this show, 256 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,440 Speaker 1: But I want to go right to Gabe's conversation with 257 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: cornerback McKenzie Alexander, who's part of that depth at the 258 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: cornerback position. Head coach Mike Zimmer has been very excited 259 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: with what Alexander has brought to the team so far 260 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 1: in training camp. So let's listen to that conversation with 261 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 1: Gabe and McKenzie Alexander. Yo, Yo, what's going on? McKenzie. 262 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: Alexander is here? Six year cornerback back in the purple Mac. 263 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 1: How you doing, man, slow motion with it today? I 264 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:38,839 Speaker 1: hear that. Man. Man, you know this time of the year, 265 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 1: you know, it's all about getting better every day, right, 266 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 1: How has this transition been for you, just, you know, 267 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:46,239 Speaker 1: getting back out there on the field here in Minnesota 268 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: where I guess where you were drafted. Of course, of course, man, Man, 269 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: First of all, I'm happy to be back, happy to 270 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 1: be around the guys, you know what I mean, building 271 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 1: team chemistry and stuff like that. It's fun, man, getting 272 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:00,319 Speaker 1: back out there for sure. So going to to your 273 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,480 Speaker 1: six right sirus, sir? Have you like, what have you 274 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:06,520 Speaker 1: learned about yourself just from when you walked in from 275 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: the first day hair back in twenty fourteen, twenty fifteen. 276 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously when you're a young guy. Yeah, you're 277 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,560 Speaker 1: you're so focused on whatever whatever your goal was set 278 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 1: for you to be. You know what I mean, You're 279 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: just one minded, one track minded, you know what I mean. 280 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 1: But going on you're six now. For me, I mean 281 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: shooting man's man the big picture of seeing a big 282 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:28,360 Speaker 1: picture about things and seeing how everything makes makes sense 283 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 1: and being patient with the process. Man, Yeah, for sure. 284 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 1: So I mean. Of course, Jim had his press conference 285 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: earlier this week and he said, I'll just quote him. 286 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: He said, when when asked about McKenzie about you know 287 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 1: how you've grown immatured, he said, there were times when 288 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: you were difficult and he's very unfortunate that he was 289 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 1: more hard headed than you were. But you're a completely 290 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 1: different player now listening, not making mistakes. Like what does 291 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:56,200 Speaker 1: that mean? Man? Just growth? You know what I mean? 292 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: You come to this thing, like I said, you're one 293 00:14:58,200 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: track minded, you know what I mean, you want to 294 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 1: do this, you want to do that, you want to 295 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 1: do that, and it's all about you and then you know, 296 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: you get to year six like me, like I'm in 297 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 1: a situation now when you see the big picture, it's 298 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: not all about that. It's about team and about growing 299 00:15:09,320 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 1: and doing your job and doing what's asked of you. 300 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: So that's all it's about. What was I would say, 301 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: what was a catalyst for you know? Just I guess 302 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 1: changing your mindset. It's like, all right, this is this 303 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 1: is work, this is ball because you know every rookie 304 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: goes through that right for us, and like I mean, 305 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 1: you what number two cornerback coming out of high school 306 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: like five star recruit going to Clempson two years. Like 307 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 1: we're talking big baller here, So like, what was what 308 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: was that that that that mindset? Yeah, man, I can 309 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: say a lot, but what I will say is is 310 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 1: you know, when you're thrusted as a young kid and 311 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: you're going you're in the process where it's like you've 312 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: been the best your whole life. You've been the best 313 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: in the country. You know, you've been the best in college. 314 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: You coming to the pros and thinking it's the same thing, 315 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 1: but it's just it's so different, you know what I meaning. 316 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: Guys just have to understand that it's just not even 317 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: what you think it is because you're not thrust it 318 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 1: as beauty. I would thrusted as it being a guy 319 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: here right away, you know what I mean. And sitting 320 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: patient was hard for me. So when you look at 321 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 1: the overall process of where I've been in the things 322 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: that I've I've went through, it's like it's a it's 323 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,160 Speaker 1: a blessing in this guise at the same time, because 324 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:14,400 Speaker 1: you know, I wasn't talk to be patient, you know, 325 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: to come in and do my thing and right this 326 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 1: and do that. But that's not how it always works. 327 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 1: Sometimes you gotta wait and be patient, right, and that's 328 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: the hard part for some young guys. I understand that, man, 329 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: And like going into year six, I mean, I'm pretty 330 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: sure you can like tell your story to young guys 331 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,120 Speaker 1: going through this process now. And you think of all 332 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 1: these rookies first round, second round, that's just like, man, 333 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: I'm coming in here to play. You're drafting me this earlier. 334 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 1: I'm trying to play. But you know, what would be 335 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:39,840 Speaker 1: your advice to a young guy or let's just say 336 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 1: Cameron Danceler, Right, I'm sure he's probably going through growing pains, 337 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: but like the guy has, you know, made plays, but 338 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:49,720 Speaker 1: he's got three veterans in front of him. That's hey, 339 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 1: I'm here to help you, but I'm here also to 340 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 1: teach you. So what's your advice for teaching him to 341 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 1: be patient and then make the most of his opportunity. 342 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 1: You know the crazy thing about Kim is he's already 343 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: came in a conversation with me about that and I 344 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 1: just told him, Man, honestly, you got to just be patient, 345 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 1: you know, to work hard, you know, to follow up. 346 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 1: Let let our actions show you. You know, as older 347 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:09,760 Speaker 1: guys that you know what we're doing and stuff like that, 348 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: and just and take notes and just you know, pick 349 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 1: up the defense as much as you can and and 350 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: learn how to be a pro, you know, to mean 351 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 1: early as possible, you know what I mean? So man, 352 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 1: that pro I just honestly, I harp on that patience process, 353 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:23,359 Speaker 1: just being patient, you know, work hard and put yourself 354 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: and just to win each place. So so he's learning, 355 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: he's getting he's coming along really well too. So I'm 356 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 1: proud of That's all you can ask man, And sir, 357 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: I'm excited to see just what you and and brush. 358 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 1: I can't cant doing that secondary. It's sure, first time 359 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:39,679 Speaker 1: playing with him since you go, I got last year college, right, 360 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:42,640 Speaker 1: So was it hard getting that chemerastry back or where 361 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 1: we're just like, bro, I know who you are. Let's 362 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: let's get that, let's get it, let's get this money. 363 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: It's easy. Yeah. I think we're both rowdy guys to mean, 364 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 1: when it's time to go out and play and do 365 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 1: what we gotta do. So it was easy, you know, 366 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 1: knowing him in college, so it was it's easy. You know, 367 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 1: I could say some stuff to get under his skin 368 00:17:57,680 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 1: and laugh and joke with him and stuff like that. 369 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 1: So it's always fun. Man. So we know, you know 370 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,119 Speaker 1: right now, I mean the depth charts still up in there. 371 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:06,919 Speaker 1: I'm not here to talk depth chart, but I mean 372 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 1: you've been running with the ones in the nickel position, 373 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 1: and I mean nicol is I don't know. I feel 374 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:14,200 Speaker 1: like it's I started looking in. I feel like nickel 375 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: is a position that you have owned as far as like, Hey, 376 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:19,240 Speaker 1: a receiver, come here in the slot. I got you, Like, 377 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: I can play outside, but receiver, come here in the slot. 378 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: I got you? Like, why do you take so much 379 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:28,400 Speaker 1: pride and being that that solid nickel for this defense? 380 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 1: I mean, that's that's why I'm asked to be, you 381 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 1: know what I mean. You know, before I thought the situation. 382 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 1: Um now, I'm just you know, old as year six. 383 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 1: So for me, it's just about coming in and and 384 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:40,879 Speaker 1: being a key player for wherever they needed me to be, 385 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 1: you know me. So, and that's being in the slot 386 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 1: right now, so, you know, and just doing my job. Man, 387 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, I'm enjoying this process, not fighting 388 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:50,679 Speaker 1: this process in life is much easier on that for me, 389 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:52,640 Speaker 1: you know what I mean. So, and I'm having fun 390 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:54,439 Speaker 1: doing it, man, you know what I mean. You know, 391 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:56,440 Speaker 1: I don't. I don't have new expectations as far as 392 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 1: you know what's gonna happen at the end of the day. 393 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 1: But to go out there and be the best card 394 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:01,960 Speaker 1: and be the best pro out there and compete and 395 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:04,680 Speaker 1: win obviously. So I love my I love the process 396 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:06,320 Speaker 1: of it. I don't have an issue with it, you 397 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 1: know what I mean. It was growing pains before, and 398 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: I love it, you know what I mean. Wherever they 399 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 1: ask me to be, how be there and do it? 400 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:12,920 Speaker 1: You know what I mean. So it don't don't matter 401 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: to me. I'm a versatile player, but my job is 402 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: my job. It's it's funny you said versatile, right, because 403 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,359 Speaker 1: two things Zimmer said. The nickel position is the hardest 404 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 1: possession to play in this defense, sir, but he says 405 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: you can do it. And I quote he says, you 406 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,920 Speaker 1: were physical, you were smart, and you're versatile. Yeah. How 407 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: does that? How do those attributes make a good nickel 408 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: in this defense? I mean you gotta, I mean, you 409 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:40,359 Speaker 1: gotta understand the defense. You gotta be very smart, you 410 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 1: gotta be physical, and you gotta be you gotta be 411 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 1: able to run to you know what I mean. In 412 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:47,119 Speaker 1: this defense, you gotta be able to think about plays 413 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: before they happened and process process them. And when you're 414 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 1: when you're ready to go, make players usually line up 415 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: and it's just easy and that this defense is tough. 416 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:57,680 Speaker 1: You gotta be able to be on your your heels, 417 00:19:57,720 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 1: you got, you got, you gotta have that, your mind 418 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: got to be right in his defense for sure, and 419 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:03,360 Speaker 1: I'm able to do it, you know what I mean. 420 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,200 Speaker 1: So it's showing my vertilities, hards, you know, knowledge, understanding 421 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:09,639 Speaker 1: the game concepts and stuff like that. And he's able to, 422 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 1: you know, put different defenses up and I'm able to, 423 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:14,120 Speaker 1: you know, go out and execute them like he wants 424 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:17,640 Speaker 1: me to. So, Man, that's you can't ask for anything anymore. Man, 425 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:19,399 Speaker 1: showing that you can go out and you know what 426 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: I mean, do things that he wants you to do. 427 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 1: And that's that's value right there, in my opinion, absolutely, man. 428 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 1: And I never asked players about other possessions on the team. 429 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 1: But since you are in the slot, and since I'm 430 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 1: a former receiver myself, you're you're you're playing wide receiver 431 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:36,680 Speaker 1: three I played slot, so you're you're guarding the slot 432 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:39,080 Speaker 1: receiver all day in practice, and I know you're giving 433 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:41,280 Speaker 1: these slot receivers some good working camp, of course, But 434 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:44,040 Speaker 1: I gotta ask you man, regarding these slide receivers right now, 435 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: and that's giving you some good work and making you better. Yeah, 436 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,159 Speaker 1: I think I think all of them are giving me 437 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:50,639 Speaker 1: good work in my opinion, you know what I mean. 438 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 1: In my opinion, I don't take nobody for granted. Um. 439 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:56,200 Speaker 1: Everybody who steps in front of me is an elite guy. Um. 440 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,359 Speaker 1: And if you saw our roster, if you saw you 441 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:00,200 Speaker 1: see our roster, we got some pretty good guy on 442 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,840 Speaker 1: the roster too. But then you know, if you see 443 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:04,959 Speaker 1: our schedule, now that's a whole nother story. We got 444 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:07,199 Speaker 1: some you got some teams and some players that's come 445 00:21:07,359 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 1: come up and um and try to have a good game, 446 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:11,720 Speaker 1: and you know, and that's my job to be ready 447 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:13,320 Speaker 1: for it. And we got we got a good talent 448 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: at receiver too, you know what I mean. So I'm 449 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: getting work, good work by everybody. So it's it's gonna 450 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:19,479 Speaker 1: be a fun year, you know what I mean. If 451 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:21,920 Speaker 1: you saw our schedule, man, we got some teams rolling there, 452 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: got the game off. I mean, what week one Cincinnati, 453 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 1: of course, they got a couple of receivers there. They 454 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:31,240 Speaker 1: got Jamar Chase, but they got they got some guys 455 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 1: on the slot. I mean, you still got the boy. 456 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:35,880 Speaker 1: But I think you know that I'm not gonna talk 457 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:37,680 Speaker 1: guys and talk names. But you know I'm not saying 458 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: names neither. Yea, you know what I mean. I'm just 459 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:41,320 Speaker 1: saying I'm just thinking. You know, I mean, it's the NFL, right, 460 00:21:41,359 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 1: everybody's good weekend a week out. But you know, I 461 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:47,200 Speaker 1: guess that just elevates your level of play and I'm 462 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 1: excited just to see what you can do here. But 463 00:21:50,280 --> 00:21:54,200 Speaker 1: you know, last year defense wasn't the best any every 464 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:56,360 Speaker 1: other year Mike Zimmern has had a top ten, top 465 00:21:56,400 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 1: eleven defense since he's been here. So now with the 466 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 1: names on this roster, I mean on the defensive side 467 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:04,880 Speaker 1: of the ball, what we did in free agency this year, 468 00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 1: it's a trick question for you. It's the identity of 469 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:13,679 Speaker 1: this team offense or defense. Man. You know what, at 470 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:15,560 Speaker 1: the end of the day, I hope it's both. To me. 471 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:18,359 Speaker 1: What we're we're strong. We got a strong point on offense, 472 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 1: really good, very explosive ballers, fallers, you know what I mean. 473 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:23,800 Speaker 1: On defense, you know, this is probably, in my opinion, 474 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:25,959 Speaker 1: this is probably the best roster I've been a part of. 475 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:29,119 Speaker 1: In my opinion. Um, so, I mean defense, we're gonna be, 476 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:31,240 Speaker 1: We're gonna we're gonna have something. We're gonna come to 477 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 1: play for sure, and we're gonna we're gonna turn some 478 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: heads and do what we gotta do. But like like 479 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:37,680 Speaker 1: it is, you know it. Him has been top since 480 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:39,800 Speaker 1: I've been here, been top ten defense defense every year, 481 00:22:39,880 --> 00:22:42,920 Speaker 1: So I don't see that being no different in my opinion. 482 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:46,840 Speaker 1: I mean, if top ten defense and then he had 483 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:49,120 Speaker 1: the same offense from last year return honestly top two, 484 00:22:49,240 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 1: you know we're gonna be, We're gonna be tough, you 485 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 1: know what I mean. So I'm just being humbled about it. 486 00:22:52,800 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: But we got a good we got a great roster too. Yeah, 487 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:57,640 Speaker 1: for sure, you got a guy named P two. P two, 488 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:04,239 Speaker 1: that's the guy. Like I'll get you right of here 489 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: with this, like two more questions, like why is P 490 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:11,199 Speaker 1: to the guy still in your number ten? I know 491 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:14,720 Speaker 1: what I've seen just personally, and I will attest to 492 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:16,480 Speaker 1: you he is the guy, But just being in the 493 00:23:16,480 --> 00:23:19,640 Speaker 1: meeting room, seeing him on the field, conversing with him, 494 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:23,000 Speaker 1: why is he the guy man? His level of football knowledge, 495 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 1: you know what I mean, Plus you gotta add a 496 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:26,440 Speaker 1: skill set, you know what I mean, He's probably the 497 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:31,160 Speaker 1: he's in He's the best corner that I've been just 498 00:23:31,480 --> 00:23:34,160 Speaker 1: around personally overall, you know what I mean, Because it's 499 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 1: skill set, speed, quickness, knowledge, understands the games, knows when 500 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:41,800 Speaker 1: to do certain things. Know when he got his Arsenal's crazy? Yeah, 501 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:43,399 Speaker 1: you know what I mean, his arsenal. You're like a 502 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:46,080 Speaker 1: lot of guys can play corner and doesn't don't have 503 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:49,159 Speaker 1: an arsenal. They don't have They might have three you know, 504 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:51,880 Speaker 1: they might have a jumper. If you playing basketball terms, 505 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 1: let me twist it up, you might have a jumper. 506 00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 1: You might got a guy who's a mid range shooter. 507 00:23:56,240 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: You might have a you know, a dunker, you know 508 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:01,439 Speaker 1: what I mean. In m Lebron playing football, he can 509 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:03,560 Speaker 1: do it all. You know what I mean, Big, fast, quick, 510 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:04,760 Speaker 1: could do it all, you know what I mean. So 511 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:07,080 Speaker 1: you can't knock his game at all. And I love 512 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:09,000 Speaker 1: that about his game. Watching him, he's like, man, he 513 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 1: levels up my game. Okay, he go get a people, 514 00:24:10,720 --> 00:24:13,120 Speaker 1: he go get to pick my turn. Let me get mine. 515 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 1: You know what I mean. So, and he's a smart player, man, 516 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:17,439 Speaker 1: and you watch him, he's he's an ultimate pro too. 517 00:24:17,520 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: That's what I love about him. So, you know, Lebron 518 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:21,320 Speaker 1: teamed up with Westbrook and I feel like you got 519 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:24,920 Speaker 1: some Westbrook in your game. Yes, so I love Westbrook's game. 520 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 1: He's crazy. It's just a dog, very nasty man. He's 521 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 1: just so aggressive and he want to kill you ever, 522 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:35,480 Speaker 1: every every drive. He's just man. I love him. Man, 523 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:36,960 Speaker 1: I get you out of here with this man, because 524 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 1: Vikings fans are excited to have you back. I'm excited 525 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 1: to have you back. I'm happy to be back. First 526 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:43,080 Speaker 1: of all, I'm glad you're happy to be back. So 527 00:24:43,359 --> 00:24:46,680 Speaker 1: now that you are back, quarter fans getting back from 528 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:48,880 Speaker 1: the Mac, man, they're getting the playmaker I got who 529 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:50,679 Speaker 1: Cam coming there? Be consistent, you know what I mean, 530 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:53,360 Speaker 1: helped his team win each weekend and week out period. 531 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 1: Mckens are Alexander going into year six about the ball 532 00:24:57,560 --> 00:24:59,760 Speaker 1: out this year. Thanks for jumping on man, no problem, 533 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:04,880 Speaker 1: Thank you, Yes, sir, that was an awesome conversation with McKenzie. Alexander. 534 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:07,719 Speaker 1: I'm a big fan of him coming back to this organization. 535 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:10,359 Speaker 1: I think the amount of players that have been brought 536 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:15,360 Speaker 1: back to this Vikings defense. Stephen Weatherly, Sheldon Richardson, It's 537 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:18,600 Speaker 1: just amazing the culture that Mike Zimmer has created on 538 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:21,119 Speaker 1: this Vikings defense, that you get a bunch of guys 539 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,320 Speaker 1: that want to come back for less money and be 540 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: a part of this Vikings defensive group. So, Game, I 541 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:29,600 Speaker 1: gotta ask you, what's your takeaways from that conversation. I 542 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:33,240 Speaker 1: believe it was your first conversation with McKenzie. Yeah, first 543 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:36,040 Speaker 1: ever conversation. And of course, so you know how this works. 544 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 1: When you find something in common or you find something 545 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:42,399 Speaker 1: that somebody likes, you run with it. And he loves basketball, 546 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 1: so relating he said. When he said P two is 547 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:48,320 Speaker 1: Lebron James, I'm like, well, you're a mommy of Westbrook 548 00:25:48,359 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: and you guys just teamed up and that just started 549 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 1: in an entirely different conversation. But I honestly think he 550 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:57,919 Speaker 1: is genuinely excited to be back. You know a lot 551 00:25:57,960 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 1: of guys, you know, say like, yeah, I'm happy to 552 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 1: be here, this is where, this is where I want 553 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 1: to be. Like I genuinely felt that this is where 554 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:08,639 Speaker 1: he really wants to be and he's grown clearly, and 555 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:11,080 Speaker 1: he talked about it, you know, being the best player 556 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,240 Speaker 1: in the country, being the number two cornerback in the country, 557 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,240 Speaker 1: coming out of high school, only playing two years at Clemson, 558 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:19,160 Speaker 1: understanding that he's always been the best player on every 559 00:26:19,160 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 1: team he has been on throughout his entire life, and 560 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 1: then getting to the NFL and not being that guy. 561 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:27,960 Speaker 1: It takes growing pains. So for him understanding those growing 562 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,520 Speaker 1: pains and understanding where he's come from and understanding how 563 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 1: he can make this team better with his new mindset 564 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:35,680 Speaker 1: and his new approach to the game, I think it 565 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 1: is going to pay dividends. I mean, he even said 566 00:26:37,640 --> 00:26:40,159 Speaker 1: this is the best defense he's ever been a part of. 567 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:43,159 Speaker 1: So for a guy going into year six saying a 568 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:45,959 Speaker 1: quote like that, that says a lot. He says, it's 569 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:49,040 Speaker 1: gonna be a top two defense, corps, so top two defense, 570 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:52,160 Speaker 1: like we know Mike Zimmer like he's had a top 571 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:55,240 Speaker 1: ten defense his entire ten year here outside of last year. 572 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:59,479 Speaker 1: But put a top two defense with the same offense 573 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:01,879 Speaker 1: you have stent like, I'm not gonna get too far 574 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 1: ahead of myself. But clearly the optimism is very high 575 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:08,200 Speaker 1: on the team side, not on the media side, but 576 00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:11,919 Speaker 1: the team side, and I think that optimism, yeah, you 577 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 1: have to be cautious with it, but I think that 578 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 1: caution is not as warranted as it was in previous years. 579 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:21,280 Speaker 1: Top two defense. That's quite the statement. I know. He 580 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:24,160 Speaker 1: came in as a second round draft pick from Clemson, 581 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:27,000 Speaker 1: a guy who hadn't let up an interception in all 582 00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:29,439 Speaker 1: of his years there in the SEC, and he had 583 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:32,639 Speaker 1: a lot of confidences first time around, as Mike Zimmer 584 00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 1: said in his press conference of this past week. But 585 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:39,680 Speaker 1: I think it took him going away and maybe seeing that, 586 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,840 Speaker 1: you know, the grass isn't always greener, going to another 587 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:45,879 Speaker 1: organization and free agency and wanting to come back and 588 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:49,239 Speaker 1: take less money on a short term deal. I just 589 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:51,960 Speaker 1: really like what the situation is for McKenzie. And I 590 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 1: mean we talked about it glad and he's gone. He's 591 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 1: not on this team anymore, and that nickel position is 592 00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:00,280 Speaker 1: wide open for the taking, and I don't know if 593 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:02,199 Speaker 1: there's gonna be any other guy for the job than 594 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:06,119 Speaker 1: McKenzie Alexander, because you have the big time cornerbacks and 595 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:10,480 Speaker 1: Patrick Peterson and a Cam Danceler who's a longer rangeyer 596 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:14,680 Speaker 1: type cornerback on the outside, So I see that nickel 597 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 1: position being McKenzie Alexander's to lose, and I'm really excited 598 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:22,560 Speaker 1: what he can bring, what he's learned, how he's matured 599 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 1: as a player under head coach Mike Zimmer, and clearly 600 00:28:26,359 --> 00:28:28,679 Speaker 1: the head coach has taken note of what he's been 601 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:32,200 Speaker 1: able to do so far. So really good conversation, Gabe. 602 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:33,960 Speaker 1: I like how you loosen him up a little bit. 603 00:28:34,160 --> 00:28:36,480 Speaker 1: He's definitely one that knows how to have fun and 604 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 1: knows how to talk about things off the field, like 605 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:43,600 Speaker 1: the NBA. So really great conversation. And with that, let's 606 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:46,400 Speaker 1: look forward. We talked about one of the biggest events 607 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: in Vikings training camp, and that was the night practice. 608 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 1: But Jay, I believe there's a I don't know, maybe 609 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:55,640 Speaker 1: a better event on the way here this Saturday, August 610 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:59,120 Speaker 1: seventh at us Bank Stadium. Yeah, we're gonna kind of 611 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:01,720 Speaker 1: dust the cowboy off and just get everything shined up 612 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 1: and new and just making sure that everything works down 613 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:07,840 Speaker 1: at us Bank Stadium. Once again. Everyone here is excited. 614 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 1: We're working really really hard. There's been a lot of 615 00:29:10,400 --> 00:29:12,400 Speaker 1: big projects. Everyone's been trying to get off the ground 616 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:14,800 Speaker 1: and get ready to roll So this Saturday, we're going 617 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:16,840 Speaker 1: to take the first stab at it down at us 618 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:20,959 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium around noon. Go to Vikings dot com Slash 619 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 1: Training Camp and go get your tickets for basically our 620 00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:27,200 Speaker 1: first practice at us Bank Stadium with everyone coming and 621 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:29,760 Speaker 1: hang out in the lower bowl and run around and 622 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:33,000 Speaker 1: just check everything out again. We're looking forward to seeing 623 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,160 Speaker 1: everybody and for us, it's going to be a nice 624 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:37,960 Speaker 1: kind of smile moment just to see people back in 625 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 1: the building. Last year, that was the thing that we 626 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:43,440 Speaker 1: missed the most, was just having anybody back in the building. 627 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 1: It felt hollow. So having fans back in for practice 628 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:48,400 Speaker 1: on Saturday is going to be a lot of fun. 629 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:51,320 Speaker 1: So go get your tickets Vikings dot com Slash Training Camp. Yeah, 630 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:55,200 Speaker 1: ticket prices for adults twenty dollars, Kids seventeen and under 631 00:29:55,200 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 1: our ten dollars and children under a certain height. Those 632 00:29:59,080 --> 00:30:02,560 Speaker 1: tickets are free. So go to Vikings dot com Slash 633 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:05,680 Speaker 1: Training Camp. You can find all the information there. And 634 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:08,240 Speaker 1: I am really excited for the Denver Broncos to be 635 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:11,320 Speaker 1: in town. I know all of the connections there. There 636 00:30:11,320 --> 00:30:15,400 Speaker 1: are a ton of them. You have the assistant general manager, 637 00:30:15,600 --> 00:30:18,840 Speaker 1: the former assistant general manager, of the Minnesota Vikings. George 638 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:22,760 Speaker 1: Peyton returns as the general manager of the Denver Broncos. 639 00:30:23,040 --> 00:30:25,520 Speaker 1: You have Kelly Klein coming back, who was a big 640 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:29,360 Speaker 1: time member of the personnel staff as a scout here 641 00:30:29,360 --> 00:30:32,240 Speaker 1: who worked her way up to being the highest ranking 642 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:37,000 Speaker 1: female personnel official in the NFL. So really key members 643 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 1: of this organization the past decade that will be back 644 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:43,320 Speaker 1: in Minnesota. You're also forgetting one more in his name's 645 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:47,360 Speaker 1: Theodore Well Pat Shermer too. Pat Sherman, Oh my god, 646 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:49,880 Speaker 1: Theodore Teddy's gonna be walking on campus. It's gonna be 647 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:51,600 Speaker 1: kind of it's gonna be fun to see him and 648 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:53,640 Speaker 1: just see the reaction of the guys that were still here. 649 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:56,800 Speaker 1: But yeah, yeah, there's a lot of Minnesota connections on 650 00:30:56,840 --> 00:30:58,200 Speaker 1: this one. It's gonna be a lot of fun to 651 00:30:58,200 --> 00:31:00,800 Speaker 1: have those guys in that only for practice on the 652 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:03,240 Speaker 1: eleventh and twelfth, but then for that first preseason game. 653 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:06,160 Speaker 1: So you know, as Gabe started the show, he said 654 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:08,560 Speaker 1: things were getting a little chippy in practice. You know, 655 00:31:08,640 --> 00:31:11,240 Speaker 1: when there's a new set of colors standing across from you, 656 00:31:11,280 --> 00:31:12,920 Speaker 1: it's going to ratch it up to the next level. 657 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:15,880 Speaker 1: So again for those practices too, if you get the 658 00:31:15,960 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: chance to come out, go grab those tickets, because that's 659 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:20,880 Speaker 1: gonna be a fun couple days. How did I forget 660 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 1: Titty Bridgeway right? I mean, I don't know how I forgot. 661 00:31:25,720 --> 00:31:27,680 Speaker 1: Maybe it's just because of all the respect I have 662 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:31,080 Speaker 1: for Kelly Klein and George Peyton. We didn't even mention 663 00:31:31,160 --> 00:31:35,160 Speaker 1: offensive coordinator Pat Schermer coming back to the Twin Cities 664 00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:38,280 Speaker 1: and the impact that he had on the Vikings best 665 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:43,840 Speaker 1: season in the past what decade when they were thirteen 666 00:31:43,880 --> 00:31:46,320 Speaker 1: and three with case Keenum and the starting quarterbacks. So 667 00:31:47,080 --> 00:31:50,440 Speaker 1: it will be a reunion at us Bank Stadium for 668 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 1: the fans to see, and I believe that we're expecting 669 00:31:53,960 --> 00:31:56,440 Speaker 1: a decent amount of fans at us Bank Stadium, the 670 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:59,360 Speaker 1: most fans that we've had in a very long time 671 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:03,120 Speaker 1: at the Vikings home stadium. So, Gabe, what are you 672 00:32:03,200 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 1: most looking forward to for the practice coming up on Saturday. 673 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 1: I'm just looking forward to saying how Christian Darressaw and 674 00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:13,480 Speaker 1: White Davis how they fare against defenensive linemen that don't 675 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:15,800 Speaker 1: wear the same color as them, seeing our Christian Derrissaw 676 00:32:15,800 --> 00:32:19,200 Speaker 1: against von Miller, or seeing some of those guys match 677 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:21,040 Speaker 1: up against you know, some of these elite guys that 678 00:32:21,120 --> 00:32:25,200 Speaker 1: the Denver Broncos have. If if we're looking for a test, 679 00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:28,800 Speaker 1: if we're looking for where these certain rookies are in 680 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:31,719 Speaker 1: their progression or in the progression of their career, I 681 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:34,760 Speaker 1: think next Wednesday, next Thursday, it tells you everything you 682 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:38,160 Speaker 1: need to know. And for a guy in Christian Dressaw 683 00:32:38,240 --> 00:32:40,280 Speaker 1: and a guy in Why Davis or a guy in 684 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:43,960 Speaker 1: Chasserata or Patrick Jones, the second where are they in 685 00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 1: their development process? In their developmental process. Of course we'll 686 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:48,920 Speaker 1: see some of the ones. They'll they'll get some some 687 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:52,680 Speaker 1: good work, but probably towards the end of the week 688 00:32:52,720 --> 00:32:54,560 Speaker 1: they're not going to get as much work as we're 689 00:32:54,560 --> 00:32:56,720 Speaker 1: accustomed to because you want to keep those guys healthy. 690 00:32:56,760 --> 00:32:59,360 Speaker 1: But I just I'm just looking forward to the competition. 691 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:01,480 Speaker 1: We know the fans will be there, We know the excitement, 692 00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:04,160 Speaker 1: the energy would be there, the trash talk would be there. Now, 693 00:33:04,200 --> 00:33:07,440 Speaker 1: when you remove all of that, who's actually going to 694 00:33:07,480 --> 00:33:09,560 Speaker 1: show up and come to play? All the talk is 695 00:33:09,560 --> 00:33:11,320 Speaker 1: out of the picture. At this point. I mean, we're 696 00:33:11,960 --> 00:33:13,720 Speaker 1: less than well, we're a little bit over a week 697 00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:17,640 Speaker 1: from the first preseason game, So are you ready, Like 698 00:33:17,680 --> 00:33:20,960 Speaker 1: are you how how has that work been all offseason? 699 00:33:21,040 --> 00:33:23,160 Speaker 1: How has that got you to this point? So put 700 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:25,720 Speaker 1: up her shutout? Definitely well. The joint practices that the 701 00:33:25,800 --> 00:33:27,920 Speaker 1: Vikings have been able to have over the past couple 702 00:33:27,960 --> 00:33:31,000 Speaker 1: of seasons. The Vikings had gone to Cincinnati a few 703 00:33:31,080 --> 00:33:34,480 Speaker 1: years back in practice there with Mike Zimmer's old team, 704 00:33:34,560 --> 00:33:37,440 Speaker 1: the Cincinnati Bengals, and of course a few years ago 705 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:41,880 Speaker 1: we hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars at the TCO Performance Center, 706 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:44,880 Speaker 1: and I just think it ramps up the intensity. It 707 00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 1: gets the team excited to hit and go against teams 708 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:51,640 Speaker 1: in different colors. As Gabe said, so I'm really excited 709 00:33:51,680 --> 00:33:54,760 Speaker 1: to see what the joint practice brings heading into that 710 00:33:54,880 --> 00:33:59,320 Speaker 1: first preseason game against the very same team. Jay, what 711 00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:02,280 Speaker 1: are your fine takeaways as we get out of episode 712 00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:05,360 Speaker 1: number one oh five here, I think given the stuff 713 00:34:05,400 --> 00:34:07,560 Speaker 1: that you were just talking about, even just now, young 714 00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:11,000 Speaker 1: guys stepping up and get making the most of their opportunities. 715 00:34:12,200 --> 00:34:15,319 Speaker 1: That's one of the best parts of preseason is when 716 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:18,040 Speaker 1: you start to see some of these people that definitely 717 00:34:18,080 --> 00:34:21,759 Speaker 1: shine and pop out. That's where we saw a Dan 718 00:34:21,840 --> 00:34:24,640 Speaker 1: Shacenta flying down the field last season. That's where we 719 00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 1: saw and Adam Feeling years ago, you know, really making 720 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:31,600 Speaker 1: everything flash on the field, and that's where you start 721 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:33,319 Speaker 1: to see some of these guys with your you know 722 00:34:33,840 --> 00:34:36,680 Speaker 1: what wop failure and some of these different guys. I 723 00:34:36,760 --> 00:34:40,680 Speaker 1: want to see what happens, like you said, against another 724 00:34:40,920 --> 00:34:42,720 Speaker 1: set of colors, but I want to see what happens 725 00:34:42,719 --> 00:34:45,680 Speaker 1: when they're flying live in a preseason game. We're going 726 00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:48,400 Speaker 1: to be basically a week away from that, so Saturday 727 00:34:48,440 --> 00:34:49,879 Speaker 1: is going to be more of a practice. We're gonna 728 00:34:49,880 --> 00:34:53,080 Speaker 1: have the Brocco show up. But coming up with next Saturday, 729 00:34:53,200 --> 00:34:57,400 Speaker 1: that first preseason game, it's going to be electric in 730 00:34:57,400 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 1: my eyes because we're finally going to have people back 731 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:01,600 Speaker 1: in the build and we're finally going to have actual 732 00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:04,640 Speaker 1: football at us Bank Stadium with a full house. That's 733 00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:06,480 Speaker 1: going to be a lot of fun. Going to be 734 00:35:06,560 --> 00:35:10,399 Speaker 1: a ton of fun. The first preseason game will take 735 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:15,880 Speaker 1: place on Saturday, August fourteenth at US Bank Stadium three 736 00:35:16,000 --> 00:35:19,920 Speaker 1: pm Central Time against those Denver Broncos. So it seems 737 00:35:19,920 --> 00:35:23,800 Speaker 1: like it will be a nice long reunion and stay 738 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:27,680 Speaker 1: for the Denver Broncos organization. Here with the Minnesota Vikings, 739 00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:30,840 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to football games back at us Bank Stadium. 740 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:33,680 Speaker 1: It's one of my favorite things of being a member 741 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:37,520 Speaker 1: of this organization for the past. Oh, this is your 742 00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:40,239 Speaker 1: seven coming up for me, Jay, I'm getting close to you. 743 00:35:40,400 --> 00:35:44,520 Speaker 1: Ye holy, I can't believe it, but I'm so excited. 744 00:35:44,600 --> 00:35:47,399 Speaker 1: I'm ready for football. I'm ready for fans back at 745 00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:49,960 Speaker 1: our stadium. I want to see a skull Chan. I 746 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:52,759 Speaker 1: know Gabe hasn't seen one yet in person, so I'm 747 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:55,160 Speaker 1: sure you're looking forward to that, Gabe. Yeah, I actually 748 00:35:55,160 --> 00:36:00,000 Speaker 1: saw it last weekend, but it was only unfortunate. Unfortunate 749 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:04,880 Speaker 1: doesn't count, yeah, yea. So unfortunately, I will not be 750 00:36:04,920 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 1: in attendance this Saturday, so it's going to have to 751 00:36:07,160 --> 00:36:10,600 Speaker 1: wait until preseason week number one. So next well, I 752 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:12,440 Speaker 1: guess this upcoming Saturday I will not be here. But 753 00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:15,680 Speaker 1: next Saturday I'll be able to see the full skull 754 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:18,960 Speaker 1: chant live. Hopefully it's sixty six thousand, but it's a 755 00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:21,280 Speaker 1: preseason game. If it's a little bit less, like forty 756 00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:23,480 Speaker 1: thousand will do. At this point, like, I just want 757 00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:25,839 Speaker 1: to see it in person. I love it. Well, you're 758 00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:28,680 Speaker 1: saving it for an actual game, or I mean, maybe 759 00:36:28,680 --> 00:36:31,560 Speaker 1: not an actual game, a preseason game, but that'll do 760 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:34,640 Speaker 1: for sure. That'll do it for this episode of the 761 00:36:34,640 --> 00:36:38,399 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings Podcast, and we will be back next week 762 00:36:38,960 --> 00:36:42,520 Speaker 1: when Vikings football will be set to happen at us 763 00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:43,280 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium.