1 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: You know, my boat was to just try and get 2 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:12,480 Speaker 1: an opportunity to play professional football somewhere down the road. 3 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: I knew it was going to be a long, difficult journey. 4 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: I knew there wasn't a lot of guys that looked 5 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: like me as far as my color was concerned. When 6 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:24,920 Speaker 1: I started playing that position, I felt like I had 7 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 1: really good leadership abilities, all the things that it takes 8 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 1: to be a quarterback. So it was just a matter 9 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: of somebody believing in me. You're giving me that opportunity. 10 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: What is going on, Vikings fans? Chris Corso here with 11 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 1: episode number eighty of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. I am 12 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 1: joined as always by producer Jay Nelson, and this week 13 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: we have Gabe Henderson from Vikings dot Com joining the 14 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: show as well. And guys, this is going to be 15 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: a short addition to the show, but a really special 16 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: addition to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast because Gabe has a 17 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: really awesome interview, a view that we don't get too often, 18 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 1: and that's Hall of Famer Warren Moon joins the show. Gabe. 19 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: It had so many things to talk about with Warren 20 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:10,919 Speaker 1: on the field, off the field, his time in Minnesota. 21 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:13,759 Speaker 1: What it was like coming up as an African American 22 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: quarterback in the NFL about twenty five years ago, which 23 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:20,959 Speaker 1: is crazy to even say when talking about Warren Moon's 24 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: career in the NFL. So with that, I bring in 25 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: Gabe Henderson. What's going on and what was it like 26 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: to talk to Warren Moon this week? It was really 27 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: cool when when Jay hit me up about the opportunity, 28 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:36,040 Speaker 1: I was like, are you sure, Warren Moon? Um, you know, 29 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 1: we were talking. I think we talked to like four 30 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: pm on Monday or earlier in the week, and he 31 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: was basically saying he was like, yeah, you know this, 32 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: this and that, and I was like, well, I'm about 33 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: to go watch his football life for like the third 34 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: time again, and then just reading that and just understanding 35 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: his story. It was great to just be able to 36 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: talk to him and see how open he was. You know, 37 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: when when guys get to that stature in their life 38 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: and their career, you know, they're kind of you know, 39 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: secluded and warm. Was very open. You know. We talked 40 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: about things from him growing up in California to going 41 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,640 Speaker 1: to Washington, to him choosing the CFL over the NFL, 42 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: like if he would do that over again, and many 43 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 1: other things. So it was really good to hear his 44 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 1: perspective on you know, his career and how he is, 45 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 1: you know, continuing to influence the guys, the current guys 46 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:25,080 Speaker 1: black and white in the NFL, which I think Vikings 47 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: fans are in for a treat for him. Obviously it's 48 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 1: Black History Month. It's really excited to share that content 49 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: with you guys. And uh, yeah, they talk about just 50 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 1: about everything. Gave a really good job on that interview 51 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: to get this show started. We talked about just about 52 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: every coaching hire that was made last week. The Vikings 53 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 1: were able to hire defensive backs coach Carl Scott to 54 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 1: fill that position. He comes from the University of Alabama. 55 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 1: So we're gonna start the show talking about Carl Scott, 56 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 1: what he brings the Vikings and how important it was 57 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 1: for Coach Zimmer to get him in the building. Here, Jay, 58 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: you kind of put together the background in bio on 59 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 1: Carl Scotts. Why don't you tell us a little bit 60 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:08,920 Speaker 1: about what this higher means for coach Zimmer at a 61 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:13,119 Speaker 1: really important position going forward. Yeah, this is typically Zimmer's 62 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: his pet project, this is his secondary So I'm sure 63 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 1: even with last year bringing in Toronte Jones. He wanted 64 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: a guy who's got some some cloud, He's got some background, 65 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: he's got some experience with this, and Carl Scott being 66 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: at Bama, which is a lot of people always kind 67 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: of joke it's basically like a professional team playing in 68 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 1: the college system. I think Carl Scott, with his background 69 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: and coaching and some of the people that he's put 70 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: out there, he's definitely got the accolades and the experience 71 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: behind him. That's it's going to be somebody that Zimmer 72 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 1: can trust. So Carl Scott was born in Houston, Texas, 73 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: and then went to McMurray University in Abilene, Texas from 74 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: two thousand and three to two thousand and six. In 75 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: two thousand and seven, he got his first chance at 76 00:03:56,760 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: Delta State as a graduate assistant. Two thousand eight to 77 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: twenty eleven, he went to Tusculum as the defensive backs 78 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 1: and linebackers coach. Twenty twelve to twenty thirteen, he went 79 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 1: to Southeast Louisiana as the linebackers coach, and in twenty 80 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:16,120 Speaker 1: fourteen he was promoted to the defensive coordinator and DV coach. 81 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: Twenty fifteen, he went to Louisiana Tech as the assistant 82 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: coach and safety's coach, and then in twenty sixteen and 83 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:28,919 Speaker 1: seventeen he was at Texas Tech coaching secondary. Twenty eighteen 84 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: to twenty twenty, he was then at Alabama coaching the cornerbacks, 85 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: and then as we all know, he's been hired as 86 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach, And that just shows 87 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:41,719 Speaker 1: you he's worked. Another guy here that we talked about 88 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 1: from before, worked his way up through the system, and 89 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: he's definitely earned it. So I'm excited to see what 90 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 1: Carl Scott's going to be able to do, especially with 91 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: some of the talent that he's worked with and has 92 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 1: had drafted in the NFL over the years. Thanks for 93 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 1: taking us through that, Jay, that is quite the list 94 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 1: of schools to pronounce tusco him. Kay Camp be an 95 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: easy one, that's for sure, But Yeah, what stands out 96 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 1: to me is what he did at Alabama under obviously 97 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,600 Speaker 1: head coach Nick Saban. Whenever you coach under Nick Saban, 98 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: you know the way of winning, just like Belichick in 99 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: the NFL, I think whoever gets the chance to coach 100 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: under Nick Saban takes those principles and all the things 101 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: that Saban teaches and preaches there at the University of Alabama. 102 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: That's not a bad thing to bring to the NFL level, 103 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:33,799 Speaker 1: that's for sure. And obviously Carl Scott is replacing Durante Jones. 104 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 1: He's taking over the LSU defensive coordinator position in college football, 105 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 1: and Scott's coming over from the rival of LSU Alabama 106 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 1: in which they had the title winning defense last year 107 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: allowed only nineteen point four points per game, third in 108 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,359 Speaker 1: the SEC and past defense. Gabe, you played the wide 109 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 1: receiver position in college at Liberty. I love throwing that 110 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:03,039 Speaker 1: in there whenever I tell Vikings fans kind of what 111 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 1: does he bring well? Like from the college level, you 112 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 1: look at some of you can run through some of 113 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: those stats, but what does he bring to the NFL 114 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: level and to the Vikings. I think he brings a 115 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: warm personality first and foremost. He's coached in the South 116 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 1: literally his entire career, so he understands what from the South. 117 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:25,679 Speaker 1: Guy game covering from the South and then coaching some studs, 118 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: I mean the guy. His resume speaks for itself. He 119 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: coached Treyvon Diggs's with the Cowboys, Patrick's or ten who's 120 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: arguably who might be the best cornerback in the draft 121 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: this year, Shyhene Carter, Xavier McKinney. I mean, there are 122 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 1: so many guys that he has coached and in these 123 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 1: groom and you know, like you said, coaching at Alabama 124 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 1: that that that says a lot right there. I mean, 125 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 1: the SEC is the modern well I wouldn't say modern 126 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:52,479 Speaker 1: day NFL, but a lot of guys in SEC said 127 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: that's the if you want to get prepared for the NFL, 128 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:56,840 Speaker 1: go play football in the SEC. And then this past 129 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,480 Speaker 1: year the Alabama Crimson tied were number one in the 130 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:04,599 Speaker 1: SEC for pass efficiency defense and scoring defense. Bringing a 131 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: guy of his caliber here, I think that only suits 132 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: well for these young corners, this young secondary and guys 133 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: like you know, Jeff Gladdeney, cam Vans or Harrison Hand. 134 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: I think they will thrive in a in a defense 135 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: that Carl Scott will prepare for those guys. I'm excited 136 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: to see what he can do here, man, because you 137 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: don't really get a guy like that with that caliber 138 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: coming in coaching the defensive backs group, with the type 139 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: of court that we have, not only on this defense, 140 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: not only in the defensive back room, but on this defense, 141 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: we know it's a complimentary thing. I know his wisdom 142 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:41,160 Speaker 1: was spread throughout the entire defense. You know it gave 143 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: It's a really important position just coaching this Vikings defense 144 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: because obviously you have the two co defensive coordinators, and 145 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: Adam Zimmer is one, but obviously his forte is the 146 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: linebacker position, which he coached for a number of years 147 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 1: here with the Vikings. And then you look at Andre Patterson, 148 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: who's widely regarded as one of the best defense to 149 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: line coaches in the NFL. He's also a co defensive coordinator. 150 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: So those two guys have their focuses at those two positions. 151 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: But one of the most important positions, one of the 152 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: youngest positions on the Vikings roster, is the defensive back position. 153 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: You have all these cornerbacks and Cameron Danzler and Jeff Gladney. 154 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: You can go down the list of all the young 155 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 1: guys that got really a substantial amount of snaps last season. 156 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: So Carl Scott steps into this role and it's a 157 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 1: big role to phil Obviously, Drante Jones did a really 158 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 1: good job that earned him a defensive coordinator position at 159 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 1: one of the top programs in the nation. So let's 160 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 1: look at the quote from Mike Zimmer. He says Carl 161 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: has a national championship level background and has coached some 162 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 1: of the best college players in the country. As Gabe 163 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 1: just talked about his input in the defensive backfield and 164 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:54,079 Speaker 1: working with our developing players there will be very important. 165 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 1: As I said, I mean, one more stat to throw 166 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 1: out there, the QB completion percentage was under fifty eight 167 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 1: percent last year against the Alabama defense. They had twelve 168 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 1: interceptions last year. Jay, So I just I think this 169 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 1: is such an important hire and I'm glad you put 170 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:15,560 Speaker 1: it in the prep for this week, Jay, because I mean, 171 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:18,200 Speaker 1: is there a more important position where the Vikings need 172 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 1: to improve this year? Well that on top of the fact, 173 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 1: just think about he's been working with a lot of 174 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:27,560 Speaker 1: younger players, or at least younger NFL type players, and 175 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: now he's coming from Alabama where some of these guys 176 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 1: are one year removed, and it's our youngest group that 177 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: we have on the team at this point, I believe. 178 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: So our secondary. Yeah, we have the veterans and Harrison Smith, 179 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 1: but who knows with all of the young talent that 180 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 1: came in and then again, who knows with free agency 181 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 1: and the draft coming up, if there's going to be 182 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: some more younger people coming in here. So a guy 183 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:51,200 Speaker 1: like Carl who's got experience and is used to working 184 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: with some of these younger guys as well, I think 185 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 1: he's going to fit right in to what our defense 186 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: is looking for. Well, that just about does it for 187 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: the coaching hires. I think we've covered every single one 188 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: over the past couple of weeks, and one of the 189 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 1: ones that we covered was Ryan Thicken being promoted to 190 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:09,480 Speaker 1: the special teams coordinator position, and it seems like Thicken 191 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 1: might have taken a step at solving some kicker competition issues. 192 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 1: The Vikings signed Greg Joseph, a kicker, to the practice 193 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 1: squad last week. Thicken did talk about how he completely 194 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: trusts Dan Bailey, but obviously the struggles last year and 195 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: what kind of went down with Bailey and having a 196 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 1: season that he hasn't had so far in his NFL career, 197 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: it's only smart to bring in another option at that position, 198 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 1: in which the Vikings ranked last in the NFL last season. So, Gabe, 199 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: why don't you tell us a little bit about what 200 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: Greg Joseph brings to the Vikings special teams unit. I 201 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 1: think like you hit it right on the head. He 202 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: brings depth, and I think during the off season you're 203 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:53,679 Speaker 1: looking for as much death as you can to not 204 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 1: only earn a spot on the roster, but also pushed 205 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 1: the starters that are on the team. I mean, I 206 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: feel like he does both of that, both of those things. 207 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:03,680 Speaker 1: I mean last year he spent the twenty twenty year 208 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:05,679 Speaker 1: on the Buccaneers practice squad. I'm not sure if the 209 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 1: practice squad guys get a ring, but if he does, 210 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: he's a super Bowl winning kicker. But if you, if 211 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: you like, rewind back to twenty and eighteen when he 212 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:15,560 Speaker 1: was with Cleveland, he was seventeen and twenty for phil 213 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: goals twenty five or twenty nine and extra points forty 214 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: seven touchbacks from sixty nine kickoffs. And he's familiar with 215 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:25,800 Speaker 1: the guy that's already on this team, Britain Coquin. He 216 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,199 Speaker 1: was his holder back in two and eighteen on phil 217 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 1: goes and extra point So there's a little bit of 218 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:34,719 Speaker 1: familiarity there in that special team's room. And I think 219 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: Ryan Ficken he's gonna he's gonna watch every kick. He's 220 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: gonna literally focus on every single detail coming in. Being 221 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:46,680 Speaker 1: the new special teams coordinator, Ryan Ficken knows what he 222 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: has and Greg Joseph, and I think Greg Joseph he 223 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 1: has to earn a spot on this team and he 224 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:55,000 Speaker 1: has all offseason to do so. But like in my 225 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: conversation earlier with Ryan Ficken earlier this offseason, he's he said, 226 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: Dan Bailey still is a phenomenal kicker despite all of 227 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: the wolves that happened at the end of the last season. Like, 228 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 1: Dan Bailey is still arguably one of the greatest kickers 229 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 1: in NFL history, and we don't want to discount that. 230 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 1: But there's a competition growing and it'll be exciting to 231 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: see this offseason. It's always good to have competition at 232 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 1: every position, doesn't matter if it's the kicker, the quarterback, 233 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:22,719 Speaker 1: the linebacker. I mean, you always want to bring in 234 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:26,680 Speaker 1: some sort of competition because obviously that makes the player better. 235 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: Especially when you're kicking field goals every day during training camp, 236 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: you need at least two guys there. So I'm happy 237 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 1: we brought in Greg Joseph and I'm happy that Ryan 238 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 1: Ficken took it upon himself to probably go get another kicker. 239 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 1: Definitely a good thing for the Vikings heading into the 240 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: offseason program. That brings us to the main interview of 241 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: the podcast, and we touched about on it a little 242 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: bit earlier in the show, but really awesome interview that 243 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 1: Gabe got to do with Warren Moon. Obviously, Black History Months, 244 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 1: so we had to go with the theme of the 245 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: be the change movement at the Kings had this entire 246 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:04,560 Speaker 1: season with everything that went on in the Twin Cities 247 00:13:04,600 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: this year. So Gabe, I just want you to give 248 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: a little introduction and introduce yourself with Warren Moon here, 249 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 1: So just tell us a little bit about this interview 250 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 1: and take it away. Yeah, as I said before, this 251 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: is a very introspective interview from Warren Moon. He was 252 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 1: very open and candidate with some of the issues that 253 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,679 Speaker 1: he had to go through and being able to talk 254 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 1: to him about the former NFL versus the current NFL 255 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 1: and how he was able to stay motivated through everything 256 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: that he had went that he had to go through, 257 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:39,719 Speaker 1: you know, not signing to the NFL coming straight out 258 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:43,079 Speaker 1: of college because there were no African American starting quarterbacks 259 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: in the NFL. So hearing his thoughts on nat going 260 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 1: to the CFL winning five grade cups. I'm not going 261 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 1: to give it all the way. I'm pretty sure Vikings 262 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: fans know it. But without further ado, here is just 263 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: a Warren Moon all right. We're here inside the TCO 264 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 1: studios and today I have the privilege, the special privilege 265 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 1: of being joined by the legendary Hall of Fame quarterback 266 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: aka the greatest player in NFL history to where the 267 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: jersey number one, mister Warren Moon. Warren, thank you for 268 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 1: joining me. How are you? I'm doing a great game, 269 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:16,960 Speaker 1: but it's great to talk to you. And I always 270 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: look back at my Vikings days with a lot of 271 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:24,040 Speaker 1: great memories, a great city to live in, great fan base, 272 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 1: and hopefully I still have some fans up there. Does 273 00:14:27,040 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: it seem like going on twenty five years since you've 274 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,240 Speaker 1: been up here playing for the Vikings? Like I know, 275 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: it's been twenty years since I actually put on a uniform, 276 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: so that time just seems like it's flown by. But 277 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: I've been involved in football so much during that time 278 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 1: that it doesn't seem like it's been that long because 279 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: I've still been involved in the game. But you know, 280 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: I've been to Minneapolis many times since then, But it 281 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 1: seems like every time I go back, it's changed and 282 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 1: grown some more. So it's still a great place to live. 283 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 1: I still have a lot of really good friends up there. 284 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: Time brings changed, and one of the words for the 285 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: Vikings this year was be the change. With all the 286 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 1: injustice and everything going on. When you think of that word, 287 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 1: be the change, what's the first thing that comes to mind? 288 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 1: You should make yourself be part of the solution for 289 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: that change. So whatever it takes for you to help 290 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:22,440 Speaker 1: that that change happen, you should be hopefully willing to 291 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 1: do that, because you can't have change without people being 292 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 1: willing to stick their neck out and make some sacrifices 293 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:30,840 Speaker 1: to make that change happen. That should it makes you 294 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 1: be part of the solution. Being a part of that solution, 295 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: I think for you know, just young African Americans coming up, 296 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: when when they look at somebody that the model, you know, 297 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 1: black quarterback that made it to the Hall of Fame, 298 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: it's like, Okay, that's the solution. Warren Moon is that guy, 299 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 1: like he was the guy that set the bar high 300 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 1: going into it. I know you have a very unique 301 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 1: story going into it, being from California, you know, Junior College, 302 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 1: Washington to the you know CFL and NFL. Was was 303 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: the goal to be that change, that solution. You know, 304 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 1: My goal was to just try and get an opportunity 305 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:07,320 Speaker 1: to play professional football somewhere down the road. I knew 306 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 1: it was going to be a long, difficult journey. I 307 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: knew there wasn't a lot of guys that looked like 308 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 1: me as far as my color was concerned when I 309 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:17,040 Speaker 1: started playing that position. But when you looked at say 310 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 1: pro football, or when you looked at college football with 311 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 1: coming out of schools that actually throw the football, that 312 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 1: give you an opportunity to go into the National Football League, 313 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: you just didn't see a lot of guys like myself. 314 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: So I knew it was going to be a difficult journey. 315 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 1: But I also felt like I had the skills to 316 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 1: do that, and I felt like I had a really 317 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 1: gifted arm. I felt like I had great work ethic, 318 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: I felt like I had really good leadership abilities, all 319 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: the things that it takes to be a quarterback. So 320 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 1: it was just a matter of somebody believing in me 321 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 1: and given me that opportunity. So there were many doors 322 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: closed in my space, but there were also some doors 323 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: open that allowed me to keep moving on my journey, 324 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:57,840 Speaker 1: and that journey was a long, hard, difficult one, but 325 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: it was one that I would do again to if 326 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: I had to do it, because I learned so much 327 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 1: about myself, I learned so much about people, and I 328 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:08,679 Speaker 1: was able to accomplish the things that I set out 329 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:11,199 Speaker 1: to accomplish, which is the greatest part of all of it. 330 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: You know, growing up, for you, the quarterback position for 331 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: the African American was, you know, not in question. So 332 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: for you growing up, why the quarterback position? You know, 333 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 1: I wasn't the fastest kid on the block, but I 334 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 1: wasn't the slowest. I wasn't the smallest kid on the block, 335 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 1: but I wasn't the biggest. But I also had one 336 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 1: of the best arms on the block. And I also 337 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,640 Speaker 1: had ability to make people follow me. So those were 338 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 1: kind of characteristics that I thought drew me to the 339 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 1: quarterback position in football. It was the same way. When 340 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: I played basketball, I was a point guard. I was 341 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 1: a guy that distributed the ball and everybody. I was 342 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 1: more of the leader of the team. When I played baseball, 343 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 1: I was a shortstop, so I was a guy that 344 00:17:48,040 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: was making sure the interfield was functioning the proper way. 345 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: So every time I played sports, I was in some 346 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 1: position where I was a decision maker or I was 347 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 1: a leader. So the quarterback position was just as comfortable 348 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 1: for me as anything, and I loved it. I started 349 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:05,840 Speaker 1: playing when I was eleven years old and I played 350 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: it all the way until I was forty four as 351 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 1: a professional football player. So it was a position that 352 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 1: I was I think I was born to play. It 353 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 1: was just a matter of getting other people to believe 354 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: the same thing that I believe. You go to the CFL, 355 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: before you go to the NFL. If you had to 356 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,160 Speaker 1: do it all over again, I mean, we know the situation. 357 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 1: I mean, no NFL team was going to draft your 358 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 1: quarterback being because of the color of your scam. But 359 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 1: understanding what you know now, would you do the same 360 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 1: thing all over again? If the opportunity to present it itself, 361 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 1: if the situation was the same as it was back 362 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:41,719 Speaker 1: then as it would be now, yes I would do 363 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:45,720 Speaker 1: the same thing again. But fortunately it's not, and the 364 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: guys have so many more opportunities to prove themselves today. 365 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 1: And I like to feel like I had a little 366 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:53,400 Speaker 1: bit to do with that change, to do with that mindset, 367 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,880 Speaker 1: So that's not the way I wanted to come out 368 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: of playing college football. You know, I was a Packade 369 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: Player of the Year. I was Rosebow's most valuable player. 370 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 1: I felt like I at least deserved a chance to 371 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: get drafted and go to an NFL team and show 372 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:08,440 Speaker 1: what I could do it. If I wasn't get enough, 373 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 1: then you cut me and I move on and do 374 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: something else. But to not even me given the opportunity 375 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: in your own country, that was slapping the face to me. 376 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 1: So I felt like I was going to go anywhere 377 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:20,640 Speaker 1: they were going to give me an opportunity to play 378 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: a quarterback. It was in Siberia, they had a league there. 379 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:26,679 Speaker 1: I would have went and played there, but Canadian Football 380 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:28,640 Speaker 1: League gave me that chance, and that's why I went 381 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:31,800 Speaker 1: up there. I don't regret it for one minute going 382 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: up there, because of the success that I had, because 383 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:37,359 Speaker 1: of the friendships and relationships that I made up there, 384 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 1: just a new culture and everything. So it was good 385 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:42,320 Speaker 1: for me, it was good for my family. I was 386 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: on five championship winning teams in a row, something that 387 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: hasn't been done in team sports and any other sports since. 388 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,719 Speaker 1: So that's something that's very special that I can always 389 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 1: hang my hat on. So you go from people telling 390 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 1: you that you can't play quarterback to being a Hall 391 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:58,280 Speaker 1: of Famer. How did you stay motivated throughout that process? 392 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: I think just was having that chip on my shoulder 393 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:04,679 Speaker 1: that people said I couldn't do something, so that motivated 394 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 1: me to keep showing that I could. And then the 395 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 1: fact that I played probably in one of the most 396 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 1: quarterback competitive errors that you could that you could think 397 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,560 Speaker 1: of when I played, whether it was with Dan Marino 398 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 1: or or Joe Montana, or John Elway or Troy Aikman 399 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: or Steve Young or all these guys Jim Jim Kelly 400 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,800 Speaker 1: Boomera Sizes and all these guys that I played with 401 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 1: during that time. If I was going to consider to 402 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:31,680 Speaker 1: be one of the best, I had to compete against 403 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,000 Speaker 1: these guys. So my game had to stay at a 404 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 1: certain level in order to do that, because I knew 405 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: how I knew how these guys thought, and I got 406 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 1: a chance to know all these guys, so I knew 407 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:43,640 Speaker 1: if I was going to be on top of my game, 408 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:45,159 Speaker 1: I had to I had to put the work in, 409 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: and I had to continue to keep trying to be 410 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:50,119 Speaker 1: consistent because these guys weren't gonna let up either. So 411 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 1: what's your take on you know, the game back then 412 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:55,720 Speaker 1: when you play, when it was the pocket quarterback league, 413 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:58,320 Speaker 1: you didn't run as much to now where NFL teams 414 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 1: are looking for a quarterback to mobile and move around 415 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: in the pocket. Yeah, the game has definitely changed here 416 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,639 Speaker 1: in the last probably ten fifteen years or so that 417 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,400 Speaker 1: these quarterbacks have to be a little bit more hybrid 418 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,000 Speaker 1: as far as being a little more athletic. And I'm 419 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:16,480 Speaker 1: not talking just African Americans. I'm talking white quarterbacks as well. 420 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:20,359 Speaker 1: You look at Justin Herbert, you look at Josh Allen, 421 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 1: you look at Joe Burrow. He has a great ability. 422 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 1: It's too bad he got hurt, but he has a 423 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:27,359 Speaker 1: nice movement. I mean, there's a lot of guys that 424 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:29,119 Speaker 1: can move today, and you have to be able to 425 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 1: do that to be able to make plays. Because one 426 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: of the differences in what I played, those defensive games 427 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 1: weren't running four four four or five four or six 428 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:39,680 Speaker 1: like these guys are right now. The game is a 429 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:42,200 Speaker 1: little bit more speed involved because it's a wide open 430 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:45,320 Speaker 1: game with all the passing that's going on. So quarterbacks 431 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:48,280 Speaker 1: have to have the ability to make a guy miss. Yeah, 432 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:50,199 Speaker 1: they have to have the ability to get outside the 433 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:54,080 Speaker 1: pocket and buy time, and sometimes they have to have 434 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: the ability to run the football. So the game has 435 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:59,680 Speaker 1: definitely changed, the stylish change. Going back to when you played. 436 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: It started this interview off with you know, being the 437 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 1: change and you know things changing over time. For you though, 438 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:07,440 Speaker 1: with all the change that happened in your life, when 439 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 1: was that moment when you were like, Hey, I'm right 440 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 1: where I'm supposed to be, right when I need to 441 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 1: be there. I think when I finally signed my first 442 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 1: NFL country in nineteen eighty four, when I came back 443 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:21,679 Speaker 1: from Canada, that had always been my dream and to 444 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,479 Speaker 1: play in the NFL, I felt like I had proved 445 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: enough to get to that point. I also felt that 446 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,520 Speaker 1: I was learning an organization where I could help them 447 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:34,720 Speaker 1: build build something special. I was being paid very very well. 448 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:36,439 Speaker 1: I was the highest paid player in the league, So 449 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,800 Speaker 1: I think everything was falling into place right there when 450 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 1: I when I went to Houston, I know it wasn't 451 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:43,840 Speaker 1: going to be easy as far as a transition, because 452 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 1: this was a two and fourteen team when I got 453 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 1: there and didn't have a lot of talent. That was 454 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:51,359 Speaker 1: the time that I thought, Okay, everything that I had 455 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:53,479 Speaker 1: dreamed of as a kid is happening right now. Now, 456 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:55,960 Speaker 1: now it's time for me to take it and take 457 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,680 Speaker 1: it to the next level. Rewinding back to eighty four 458 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 1: when you, you know, got drafted league, you were the 459 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: only starting black quarterback in the NFL. When you fast 460 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:06,280 Speaker 1: forward to now when you see, well, I think it's 461 00:23:06,280 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 1: eight or nine different NFL teams and now with black 462 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:12,160 Speaker 1: starting quarterbacks. Is that what you envisioned, you know, back 463 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:14,439 Speaker 1: in the day when you were playing, That's what I 464 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 1: had hoped for. And there were different times even throughout 465 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 1: that time, maybe in the late nineties early two thousand 466 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:26,120 Speaker 1: were you know and Donovan McNabb and Achilles Smith and 467 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:29,919 Speaker 1: just different guys like that we're starting at the same time. 468 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:32,320 Speaker 1: I don't think there was ever as many as nine, 469 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: but I think there was many as six or seven, 470 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:36,919 Speaker 1: and then it's just kind of grown from there. Actually, 471 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,520 Speaker 1: I think this year opening day, you know, with Dak 472 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:41,959 Speaker 1: Prescott before he got hurt in that, I think there 473 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: was ten total on opening Day this year they were 474 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:46,680 Speaker 1: African Americans. And that's that's a third of the league, 475 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 1: and that's that's that's a great compliment to what's happened 476 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: with change over the years. And I could probably say 477 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:56,800 Speaker 1: five of those ten were five of the top quarterbacks 478 00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:00,479 Speaker 1: in the game. So not only are they start but 479 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:02,639 Speaker 1: there's some of the best players or some of the 480 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,000 Speaker 1: highest paid players in the league. There's some of the 481 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:07,199 Speaker 1: highly endorsed players in the league, and some of them 482 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:09,480 Speaker 1: in the face of the league, so that part of it. 483 00:24:09,800 --> 00:24:12,479 Speaker 1: So much progress has been made in that area. I 484 00:24:12,480 --> 00:24:14,880 Speaker 1: think Vikings fans, you know, having you here, they want 485 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:17,160 Speaker 1: to know, you know, during your three years here, ten 486 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:19,760 Speaker 1: thousand passing yards, fifty eight touchdown. So what were some 487 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 1: of your greatest memories of being in Minnesota? You know, 488 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:26,399 Speaker 1: first of all, living there just just really really nice people. 489 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:29,480 Speaker 1: Even though it's cold, it's not as cold as you 490 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 1: think it is. Sometimes because you get used to it, 491 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:33,639 Speaker 1: your blood, I guess it gets a little bit thicker. 492 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 1: It offered me everything that I wanted you off the field, 493 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 1: as far as great restaurants, they had, great entertainment, you know, 494 00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 1: music industry, being there with Prince and that whole thing. 495 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:46,359 Speaker 1: I was there during that time, got a chance to 496 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:49,479 Speaker 1: meet him and hang out with him some. But then 497 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:52,600 Speaker 1: the football organization was stopping on say first class. They 498 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:54,880 Speaker 1: did everything the right way. I love playing for Guinny Green, 499 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,679 Speaker 1: probably one of the best coaches I ever played for 500 00:24:57,840 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 1: in the NFL. Great mo Elevator. Really took care of 501 00:25:01,280 --> 00:25:04,720 Speaker 1: the players. Always wanted to make sure we were we 502 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:07,720 Speaker 1: were arrested and fresh for games every week, which was 503 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:10,359 Speaker 1: something I loved being an older player when I got there. 504 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:13,399 Speaker 1: Just a lot of positive things about being in Minneappolisite. 505 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:15,919 Speaker 1: You know, won a couple of division titles, but just 506 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 1: never were able to get over the hump as far 507 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:20,880 Speaker 1: as you know what. What our album and goal was 508 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:23,399 Speaker 1: was to win a Super Bowl. But we did have 509 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:26,080 Speaker 1: some success there. You talk about Danny Green, and we 510 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 1: all know how important Community Tuesday was to him being 511 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:31,040 Speaker 1: the water pay a Man of the Year yourself in 512 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:35,120 Speaker 1: nineteen eighty nine, What does Community Tuesday mean to you 513 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:38,040 Speaker 1: and going forward? Well, first of all, it's a way 514 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:41,520 Speaker 1: to humble yourself from all the accolades and adolation you 515 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:44,159 Speaker 1: get throughout the week getting ready for a game and 516 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:47,760 Speaker 1: what happens in that game on Sunday. So whether you 517 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:49,960 Speaker 1: have a great game and everybody blowing your head up 518 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 1: and telling you how great you are, or whether you 519 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:55,280 Speaker 1: have a bad loss and you feel like you know 520 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:57,560 Speaker 1: the end of the world is coming. You know, Tuesday 521 00:25:57,600 --> 00:25:59,160 Speaker 1: comes and all of a sudden you get a chance 522 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:01,119 Speaker 1: to go out in the commune unity. And it was 523 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:03,320 Speaker 1: just a football game. You lost the football game, but 524 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,639 Speaker 1: here's somebody who might be struggling with finding food that 525 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:11,080 Speaker 1: particular week, or eating a new backpack with school supplies 526 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 1: and whatever the case may be. You have a chance 527 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 1: to make a difference in those people's lives. And I 528 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 1: loved the community Tuesday and Dinny was huge on that. 529 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 1: He asked us every week on Wednesday, okay, who who 530 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:24,360 Speaker 1: didn't go out in the community, who did go out 531 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: in the community, And it was something that was very 532 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 1: important to him and it became very important with a 533 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:32,120 Speaker 1: lot of players in the league, well including myself. Well, 534 00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:33,679 Speaker 1: before we get you out of here, I'm not going 535 00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:36,199 Speaker 1: to talk about the Seahawks and Vikings games at all. 536 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:38,879 Speaker 1: I know that you still work for the Seahawks, and 537 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:43,280 Speaker 1: I know that's not a sweet were in purple right now, 538 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:47,199 Speaker 1: that's what you know that. Well, I appreciate it, one. 539 00:26:47,280 --> 00:26:49,919 Speaker 1: I know Vikings fans appreciate you. Also. Thank you again 540 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:53,120 Speaker 1: for your time today and stay safe in the meantime. Yeah, 541 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 1: thanks for having me on man. Like I said, I 542 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 1: appreciated my time with the Vikings. I rooted for him 543 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: all the time and you love my It's whenever I 544 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:02,320 Speaker 1: get a chance to come in to the Twin City. 545 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:06,120 Speaker 1: So go Vikings and thanks for all the fans out 546 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 1: there that they always rooted for me. Thanks again, Gabe 547 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:16,719 Speaker 1: for that great discussion, a really really interesting interview. That 548 00:27:16,840 --> 00:27:20,080 Speaker 1: was thirteen minutes of the interview and you can catch 549 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 1: the full version on Vikings dot com or the Vikings 550 00:27:23,080 --> 00:27:26,600 Speaker 1: YouTube channel. We wanted to leave the most for that 551 00:27:26,840 --> 00:27:30,120 Speaker 1: video version on Vikings dot com and the Vikings YouTube page. 552 00:27:30,119 --> 00:27:33,159 Speaker 1: Will make sure to go check that out. One of 553 00:27:33,160 --> 00:27:35,440 Speaker 1: the biggest things I took from that game was the 554 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 1: CFL bite, like having it just because the color of 555 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:41,920 Speaker 1: his skin. To have to go play in the CFL 556 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:46,160 Speaker 1: and prove his abilities at that quarterback position, like if 557 00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:50,160 Speaker 1: you if you describe perseverance like that is amazing to me. 558 00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:52,680 Speaker 1: And to see what he did at that level. Then 559 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:56,239 Speaker 1: go to the NFL and when he's playing alongside the 560 00:27:56,240 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 1: competition of John Elway and Dan Marino and Steve Young, 561 00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:02,159 Speaker 1: some of the guys that he mentioned there to be 562 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,000 Speaker 1: an African American at that quarterback position and being a 563 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:07,679 Speaker 1: role model for so many people really stood out to me. 564 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:09,960 Speaker 1: So I really appreciate you doing that interview game and 565 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:12,439 Speaker 1: sharing it with the Viking stance. Yeah, for sure. It 566 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:15,080 Speaker 1: was great talking to him. And one thing that probably 567 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 1: stood out to me was the fact when I mean 568 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:20,080 Speaker 1: I asked him, you know, would you do it again, 569 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:22,639 Speaker 1: like would you go through the CFL again if the 570 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 1: opportunity was the same, the situation was the same, and 571 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:28,400 Speaker 1: he said he would, And going through everything, he learned 572 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:32,600 Speaker 1: more about himself, learned about you know, the obstacles, understood 573 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:34,840 Speaker 1: during that moment that it was bigger than him, and 574 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:38,200 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's so I think just for people 575 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:41,800 Speaker 1: in general, just having somebody who understands the moment and 576 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:45,560 Speaker 1: understanding that the moment isn't about them, I think that's 577 00:28:45,600 --> 00:28:48,320 Speaker 1: so inspirational, not just for you know, football players and 578 00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:52,160 Speaker 1: athletes and people of color, but just for everybody in general. 579 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:55,320 Speaker 1: And Warren Moon's such a great guy. I mean, nineteen 580 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:59,160 Speaker 1: eighty nine NFL Man of the Year, Denny Green, we know, 581 00:28:59,280 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 1: you know, Community Tuesdays was huge for him, so when 582 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 1: Warren Moon got to the Vikings, it was a match 583 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 1: made in heaven. So it was it was a great 584 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:10,719 Speaker 1: time talking to him, and Jay was very instrumental throughout 585 00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:13,480 Speaker 1: that entire process. Yeah, it was really cool. You know, 586 00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:16,000 Speaker 1: we'd kind of been brainstorming a little bit and trying 587 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:17,960 Speaker 1: to figure out some people went to PR and talk 588 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:21,120 Speaker 1: to them and they've brought up the idea of Warren 589 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 1: and we've talked to him before with skull stories and everything, 590 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 1: and he's just he's an awesome, awesome person and a 591 00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:29,560 Speaker 1: great interview and he absolutely knocked it out of the 592 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:32,840 Speaker 1: park and gave great job with the questions and to 593 00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 1: be honest, you know, some of the pointed questions that 594 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:37,320 Speaker 1: you asked that need to be addressed in this kind 595 00:29:37,320 --> 00:29:39,840 Speaker 1: of stuff. And given his history, the fact that he 596 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:42,160 Speaker 1: was willing to be as open and as honest as 597 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:44,840 Speaker 1: he was, I think that's what made it so much better. 598 00:29:44,960 --> 00:29:48,200 Speaker 1: So kudos to you guys and everybody involved, and you know, 599 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:50,120 Speaker 1: thank you to our PR staff and everybody else for 600 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 1: helping set up this interview. Yeah. One thing I want 601 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:54,680 Speaker 1: to add to that too. If you look at the 602 00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:58,160 Speaker 1: Vikings during this time they had Warren Moon they had 603 00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:00,640 Speaker 1: Randall Cunningham, and they had a guy who I grew 604 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:03,600 Speaker 1: up absolutely loving when you grew up on the East 605 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:06,960 Speaker 1: Coast and you know all about Dante Colepepper being a 606 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:10,320 Speaker 1: Minnesota Viking, like that was the team that I followed, 607 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:13,479 Speaker 1: that I played with in Madden, Like, I'll never forget 608 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:15,920 Speaker 1: what Dante Colepepper did for the game. He did for 609 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:20,040 Speaker 1: the position, and obviously different people of color so have 610 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:24,000 Speaker 1: a really long history at that position gave of breaking barriers. 611 00:30:24,360 --> 00:30:27,560 Speaker 1: And if you talk to Dante Colepepper and Randall Cunningham, 612 00:30:27,800 --> 00:30:30,800 Speaker 1: they give a bunch of credit to Warren moon because 613 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 1: for an African American quarterback bat then you had to 614 00:30:33,840 --> 00:30:36,000 Speaker 1: be able to run, Like Warren Moone wanted to be 615 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 1: a pocket quarterback and that just wasn't the Norman back then. 616 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:43,960 Speaker 1: So for Warren Moone to withstand all the bs that 617 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:46,320 Speaker 1: he had to go through and still stick to what 618 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:50,280 Speaker 1: he knew what was best, it ultimately inspired generations of quarterbacks. 619 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:53,240 Speaker 1: We see all these pocket quarterbacks white and black now, 620 00:30:53,560 --> 00:30:56,320 Speaker 1: but I think even in a conversation, it's just like, dude, 621 00:30:56,320 --> 00:30:59,080 Speaker 1: what's the modern bay quarterback? Is a running quarterback? It's 622 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:01,400 Speaker 1: a dual threat quarterback. So it's just crazy to see 623 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:04,000 Speaker 1: how the game has changed, and just saying you know 624 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:08,280 Speaker 1: him as a huge inspiration to the game, being able 625 00:31:08,360 --> 00:31:12,440 Speaker 1: to grow was was great to learn and understand. That 626 00:31:12,560 --> 00:31:14,400 Speaker 1: stood out to me too a game because you asked 627 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:16,719 Speaker 1: him me. You're like, why did you choose the quarterback position? 628 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:19,880 Speaker 1: And he's like, I wasn't that fast? So that was 629 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:24,560 Speaker 1: a pocket quarterback sou Yeah, really interesting interview. Like I said, guys, 630 00:31:24,600 --> 00:31:27,320 Speaker 1: you can go catch that in full on Vikings dot 631 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:30,840 Speaker 1: com and the Vikings YouTube channel. Definitely worth your time. 632 00:31:31,160 --> 00:31:33,640 Speaker 1: The last topic to talk about here is there's some 633 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 1: key dates coming up. It's a little bit of a 634 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,680 Speaker 1: slow time in the Vikings offseason. A lot of the 635 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:41,360 Speaker 1: coaching hires were made as we touched on earlier in 636 00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:43,640 Speaker 1: the show, but there are some dates that we want 637 00:31:43,640 --> 00:31:46,840 Speaker 1: to keep you guys up to speed with here. Stay 638 00:31:46,840 --> 00:31:49,960 Speaker 1: tuned as we cover all of these NFL events, the 639 00:31:50,080 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 1: college pro days. It's a it's a really weird hear guys, 640 00:31:53,960 --> 00:31:56,640 Speaker 1: like the Combine is not happening due to COVID, so 641 00:31:56,720 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 1: all of these colleges are going to start having these 642 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:02,280 Speaker 1: pro days for their top players to work out in 643 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 1: front of the scouts and things like that, so it 644 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:08,560 Speaker 1: won't be the traditional offseason with that combine. So look 645 00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:10,320 Speaker 1: out for some of those pro days when you're looking 646 00:32:10,360 --> 00:32:13,280 Speaker 1: at the Alabamas and the ls Ughes and the Clemsons 647 00:32:13,320 --> 00:32:15,960 Speaker 1: and all those big programs in the big ten SEC 648 00:32:16,680 --> 00:32:18,720 Speaker 1: and all around the country. But those will be really 649 00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:21,880 Speaker 1: cool to track. And then another big date coming up. 650 00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:27,479 Speaker 1: The franchise and Transition tag designation window is February twenty 651 00:32:27,520 --> 00:32:31,280 Speaker 1: third through March ninth, Jay, why don't you lay out 652 00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 1: what that means to Vikings fans because there's a lot 653 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:36,880 Speaker 1: of players that they're going to have to make some 654 00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:40,080 Speaker 1: decisions on in the Vikings front office by that March 655 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:43,000 Speaker 1: ninth date. That's just it. So you have the window 656 00:32:43,080 --> 00:32:45,000 Speaker 1: from the twenty third to the ninth where you have 657 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:47,320 Speaker 1: to formally make your decisions. I'm using only one of 658 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:50,440 Speaker 1: these tags per season, if you choose to. Last year, 659 00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:52,920 Speaker 1: we use the franchise tag on Anthony Harris when he 660 00:32:52,960 --> 00:32:55,760 Speaker 1: was going to potentially become a free agent. Here's the 661 00:32:55,760 --> 00:32:59,280 Speaker 1: abridge definition of these tags. So a transition tag is 662 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:02,480 Speaker 1: used unrestricted free agent, so clubs have the ability to 663 00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:05,600 Speaker 1: match any offer from a competing club. Teams still have 664 00:33:05,680 --> 00:33:08,880 Speaker 1: the ability to try and match those tags, So if 665 00:33:08,920 --> 00:33:13,040 Speaker 1: that happens, then the home club that puts the transition 666 00:33:13,040 --> 00:33:16,280 Speaker 1: tag on those players would then be obligated to pay 667 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:19,480 Speaker 1: another player top ten money if they have another offer. 668 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:21,800 Speaker 1: If they choose to keep them, great, they still get 669 00:33:21,840 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 1: the player. If they don't, then that player can leave 670 00:33:25,240 --> 00:33:27,200 Speaker 1: in free agency and sign with that other club who 671 00:33:27,200 --> 00:33:31,160 Speaker 1: has made them an offer. As for franchise tags, each 672 00:33:31,160 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 1: club again can use only one an unrestricted free agent. 673 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:37,440 Speaker 1: This guarantees that player a top five salary at their 674 00:33:37,440 --> 00:33:40,760 Speaker 1: position for the upcoming season, and we've tended to use 675 00:33:40,800 --> 00:33:42,840 Speaker 1: these tags kind of sparingly over the years, but in 676 00:33:42,840 --> 00:33:45,960 Speaker 1: certain situations, like Anthony Harris coming off of his really 677 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:49,120 Speaker 1: good twenty nineteen season last year, the Vikings did use 678 00:33:49,160 --> 00:33:51,600 Speaker 1: a franchise tag on him for the twenty twenty seasons. 679 00:33:51,680 --> 00:33:54,480 Speaker 1: So pay attention to that March ninth date and we'll 680 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:57,120 Speaker 1: see if the Vikings decided to make any tag decisions 681 00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:00,360 Speaker 1: or designations for the upcoming season or potent actually, you 682 00:34:00,360 --> 00:34:02,560 Speaker 1: could see some of the veterans that you know and 683 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:06,080 Speaker 1: I have watched over the years possibly leaving free agency. 684 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:08,799 Speaker 1: So that March ninth date is going to be key 685 00:34:08,920 --> 00:34:11,040 Speaker 1: for those positions, and that just kind of leads up 686 00:34:11,080 --> 00:34:14,799 Speaker 1: to the week before free agency kicks in, So lots 687 00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:17,919 Speaker 1: of interesting stuff here to pay attention to, and it's 688 00:34:17,920 --> 00:34:19,840 Speaker 1: always exciting just to kind of see what's going to 689 00:34:19,880 --> 00:34:22,640 Speaker 1: happen at only from that twenty third to the ninth window, 690 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:25,640 Speaker 1: but then once free agency formally kicks in, definitely an 691 00:34:25,680 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 1: important day to track for Vikings fans. I believe you 692 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:32,040 Speaker 1: will have some information on some key players on the 693 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:35,440 Speaker 1: Vikings list, whether we're going to keep them or not 694 00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:39,320 Speaker 1: keep them, or maybe go with that franchise tag for 695 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:41,600 Speaker 1: one of the players like we did with Anthony Harris 696 00:34:41,960 --> 00:34:45,400 Speaker 1: at the safety position last offseason, and that leads us 697 00:34:45,480 --> 00:34:49,280 Speaker 1: up to the NFL free agency window. That negotiating windows 698 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:54,520 Speaker 1: starts on March fifteenth through the seventeenth. Players can officially 699 00:34:54,560 --> 00:34:58,320 Speaker 1: start signing on March seventeenth. That is always a fun time. 700 00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:02,320 Speaker 1: I remember last offseason, that's a right when COVID started 701 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:05,480 Speaker 1: and it kind of brought people back to a little 702 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:08,120 Speaker 1: bit of sports and seeing some news around the league, 703 00:35:08,120 --> 00:35:10,719 Speaker 1: and it was definitely something that turned us away from 704 00:35:10,719 --> 00:35:13,160 Speaker 1: all the crazy stuff that was happening in the world 705 00:35:13,239 --> 00:35:16,719 Speaker 1: last offseason, so look forward for that, and look forward 706 00:35:16,760 --> 00:35:19,480 Speaker 1: for the NFL Draft. I think we're about eleven weeks away. 707 00:35:20,120 --> 00:35:23,840 Speaker 1: It's currently still scheduled to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, 708 00:35:24,280 --> 00:35:28,040 Speaker 1: April twenty ninth through May one. Vikings at the fourteenth 709 00:35:28,040 --> 00:35:31,759 Speaker 1: overall pick. Very exciting for that. So that's really it. 710 00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:34,200 Speaker 1: With the dates coming up, obviously this is a slow 711 00:35:34,239 --> 00:35:37,719 Speaker 1: time of year, so really awesome quick episode of the 712 00:35:37,719 --> 00:35:40,759 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings podcast. But I'll throw to you, Gabe, you 713 00:35:40,760 --> 00:35:43,880 Speaker 1: have any final thoughts before before we go here. I 714 00:35:43,960 --> 00:35:46,400 Speaker 1: think you know, with all these dates coming up, I 715 00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:49,799 Speaker 1: think the optimism starts to build, and we see it 716 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:53,360 Speaker 1: every year, but I think the optimism is pretty practical 717 00:35:53,400 --> 00:35:56,200 Speaker 1: and realistic for Vikings fans this year. So it will 718 00:35:56,280 --> 00:36:00,319 Speaker 1: be very intriguing to see who the Vikings take, who 719 00:36:00,320 --> 00:36:02,880 Speaker 1: the Vikings selected free agency, if they if that's the 720 00:36:02,920 --> 00:36:05,560 Speaker 1: route they want to go, and so on and so forth. 721 00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:10,400 Speaker 1: But it's an exciting time coming in Jack. The biggest 722 00:36:10,440 --> 00:36:12,879 Speaker 1: thing with the Vikings typically in the past has been 723 00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:16,600 Speaker 1: free agency. We're not typically a huge splashing team, at 724 00:36:16,640 --> 00:36:19,319 Speaker 1: least we haven't been for a few years, and I 725 00:36:19,360 --> 00:36:21,200 Speaker 1: think A lot of that goes back to there's always 726 00:36:21,239 --> 00:36:22,560 Speaker 1: the debate, I know he used to have it for 727 00:36:22,680 --> 00:36:26,440 Speaker 1: years of you can supplement in free agency, but you 728 00:36:26,480 --> 00:36:29,160 Speaker 1: really want to build through the draft. Curious to see 729 00:36:29,200 --> 00:36:31,160 Speaker 1: what happens. We had a lot of turnover last year, 730 00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:36,080 Speaker 1: especially defensively in free agency, and I'm curious just to 731 00:36:36,080 --> 00:36:37,719 Speaker 1: see what's going to happen this year. You know, there's 732 00:36:37,760 --> 00:36:40,239 Speaker 1: some rumors swirling around about some of the bigger name 733 00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:44,000 Speaker 1: players or some veterans on this team. In the end, 734 00:36:44,040 --> 00:36:46,520 Speaker 1: what it really comes down to is, you know, the 735 00:36:46,880 --> 00:36:50,359 Speaker 1: front office having to make business decisions and players having 736 00:36:50,360 --> 00:36:52,680 Speaker 1: to do its best for them, and some of them, 737 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:55,560 Speaker 1: to their credit, they are betting on themselves in order 738 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:57,719 Speaker 1: to make sure that they can further their career and 739 00:36:58,239 --> 00:37:02,080 Speaker 1: be as you know, financially creative as possible. So it's 740 00:37:02,080 --> 00:37:04,239 Speaker 1: always a weird time a year because you want to 741 00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:06,640 Speaker 1: keep the good players on your team, but sometimes just 742 00:37:06,680 --> 00:37:09,279 Speaker 1: when it comes down to even financially, it's just not 743 00:37:09,360 --> 00:37:12,400 Speaker 1: an option. So it's something that's that's interesting to pay 744 00:37:12,440 --> 00:37:15,719 Speaker 1: attention to it, and also to just realize these are 745 00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:18,080 Speaker 1: people's lives, these are people's careers, and to try to 746 00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:21,000 Speaker 1: treat them accordingly, especially when it comes to social media. 747 00:37:21,120 --> 00:37:25,040 Speaker 1: So it's it's hopefully in the end, whenever people are 748 00:37:25,080 --> 00:37:27,880 Speaker 1: making decisions, whether it's front office or the players themselves, 749 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:31,160 Speaker 1: in the end, remember that they're humans and to try 750 00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:35,200 Speaker 1: to treat them as such. It's a great point. Appreciate it, guys. 751 00:37:35,200 --> 00:37:38,080 Speaker 1: And yeah, there's a lot of good things coming from 752 00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:41,239 Speaker 1: the Vikings Entertainment Network, especially from Gabe. He's done a 753 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:43,840 Speaker 1: really good job talking to just about every one of 754 00:37:43,840 --> 00:37:47,200 Speaker 1: those assistant position coaches, especially the ones who have been 755 00:37:47,200 --> 00:37:50,560 Speaker 1: promoted or moved into new spots. You can check those 756 00:37:50,640 --> 00:37:53,880 Speaker 1: all out on Vikings dot Com, the Vikings YouTube channel, 757 00:37:54,160 --> 00:37:57,440 Speaker 1: all over the Vikings platforms. They are just about everywhere. 758 00:37:58,080 --> 00:37:59,719 Speaker 1: The other thing I want to shout out is the 759 00:37:59,840 --> 00:38:02,920 Speaker 1: Vikings Vantage, which was a show that Gabe and I 760 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:07,040 Speaker 1: co hosted throughout the season last year. It aired on 761 00:38:07,120 --> 00:38:10,920 Speaker 1: Kathan on Friday nights throughout the season. We're getting that 762 00:38:10,960 --> 00:38:16,239 Speaker 1: going again, Gabe. We had Sam Extrom from The Purple Insider. 763 00:38:16,719 --> 00:38:18,879 Speaker 1: He's been covering the Vikings for a really long time, 764 00:38:19,520 --> 00:38:21,839 Speaker 1: five or so plus years and he was a really 765 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:24,160 Speaker 1: good guest this week. That will be out on this 766 00:38:24,280 --> 00:38:27,719 Speaker 1: channel and hopefully airing on kay Fan soon as well, 767 00:38:27,840 --> 00:38:31,040 Speaker 1: so be on the lookout for that. And thanks again 768 00:38:31,120 --> 00:38:34,000 Speaker 1: to Warren Moon and the work that Gabe did on 769 00:38:34,080 --> 00:38:36,520 Speaker 1: this episode and the work that Jay did on the 770 00:38:36,560 --> 00:38:41,480 Speaker 1: prep for this episode recapping the Carl Scott Higher that'll 771 00:38:41,520 --> 00:38:44,680 Speaker 1: do it for this episode of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 772 00:38:45,040 --> 00:39:00,680 Speaker 1: Until next time, have a great week end school The 773 00:39:04,440 --> 00:39:04,720 Speaker 1: two