1 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,520 Speaker 1: Mike Us, the eldest member of the quarterback group. I 2 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:12,399 Speaker 1: want to see if he can become a player who 3 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: plays in the slot or if he's gonna play on 4 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:20,079 Speaker 1: the outside. If and when Pat Alpline has the year 5 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: that I think he's capable of this year, something like 6 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 1: that could could completely transform what we do. Hey, guys, 7 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: welcome to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. This is episode fifty two. 8 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:42,200 Speaker 1: I'm Siam, it's in your host. I'm joined by Chris 9 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: Corso and Jay Nelson from Vikings dot Com and boys, 10 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 1: we are nearly all systems a go. As the start 11 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 1: of the twenty twenty Verizon Vikings training camp is underway. 12 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: Rookies and quarterbacks have officially started hoarding today. Veterans start 13 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 1: reporting on Monday. And this thing is going to be interesting. 14 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 1: Chris cors So, tell me a little bit about we're 15 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: talking before the show, the process. What it takes just 16 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 1: for these guys to get in the building and be 17 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 1: allowed to start working out. Yes, it's gonna be an 18 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 1: interesting process. Each player that comes into the building has 19 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: to have two negative tests for coronavirus that are seventy 20 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 1: two hours apart. So if one player comes in on Monday, 21 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,040 Speaker 1: they're gonna have to test negative and then they will 22 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: have to test negative again on Thursday. To be able 23 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:46,839 Speaker 1: to do anything in the building. Every employee, front office member, 24 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: coach staff will have to do a survey as they 25 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 1: enter the building every single day to talk about their symptoms, 26 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: their temperature, a variety of things to make sure that 27 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 1: they get that approval to come into the building. And 28 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: the last thing is that everyone in the building is 29 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 1: going to have to wear a mask covering when they 30 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: walk around the TCO Performance Center. So and that includes 31 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 1: the players as well. So it's gonna be interesting, it's 32 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 1: gonna be different. There's going to be these contact tracer 33 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 1: devices that are on the staff and players to show 34 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: who has come into contact with whom. So if you're 35 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: in contact with someone who someday has a positive test, 36 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 1: the Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugerman will know exactly 37 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: who came close to that positive test person in the 38 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:42,240 Speaker 1: MA makes it really easy for them to find people. 39 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: And isn't there in terms of because for those of 40 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 1: you haven't known, there's tiers. There's Tier one, Tier two, 41 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 1: and Tier three in terms of who can you know 42 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 1: report and when they can report and when they can 43 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 1: be in the building. And I believe I heard Tier 44 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 1: one and two are allowed to intermingle and Tier three 45 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: is not allowed to intermingle and on those same systems. 46 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: Was this a joke or did I hear that? Literally 47 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: a buzzer will go off if they're within a certain 48 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 1: amount of feet of T two or T one. Yeah, 49 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: that is that device that I was talking about. So me, 50 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: it's amazing a Tier three employee. If I go near 51 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 1: anywhere near somebody like Kirk Cousins, my buzzers going off 52 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: and it's going to start ringing. So I will definitely 53 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:27,239 Speaker 1: make sure that myself being one of the Tier three 54 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,639 Speaker 1: would be a great name for Chris Corso's book, Chris Corso, 55 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: Tier Three, Tier Three, Chris Corso, Jay, it sounds like 56 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: there's not going to be any preseason games happening this year. 57 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 1: I mean, it's not set in stone, but it feels 58 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 1: slim to none at this point. There will officially be 59 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 1: no fans at any NFL training camps. Do you see 60 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 1: that hindering their preparedness for the season or are you 61 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: confident that the things are in place to get guys 62 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: ready to play? For me, The biggest bummer of it 63 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 1: is the preseason being eliminated. That is where in the 64 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: past you've been able to find your diamonds in the rough, 65 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 1: like you're Adam Feelins, who were more of your undrafted players. 66 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 1: I think with between that and the fact that they're 67 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: going to be it sounds like paring down the rosters 68 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 1: to eight instead of ninety during camp as would be 69 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: normal during a normal year. Those kind of opportunities for 70 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,280 Speaker 1: some of those guys are going to be fewer and 71 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 1: far between. It's going to be very slim for some 72 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: of them to be able to make that happen. But 73 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 1: in general, for me, I think given the fact there 74 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 1: was no offseason for these guys as far as being 75 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 1: on the field and being able to work together the camaraderie, 76 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 1: I think this buffer zone at the beginning of camp 77 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: is going to be something that they can use to 78 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 1: gel as a team and then finally just be able 79 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 1: to concentrate on football on the field. Yeah, it's going 80 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: to be way different. You're not going to have the 81 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 1: roar of the crowd and the excitement and the kind 82 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,039 Speaker 1: of the buzz at camp. But in general, I think 83 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,800 Speaker 1: once those guys are able to just focus on football 84 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 1: that might actually be a little beneficial to the team 85 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 1: since they've missed out on so much this past offseason. Yeah, 86 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: and let me hammer a couple of those things home. One, 87 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 1: you know, I think one of the negatives is, you know, 88 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 1: just the mass amount of draft capital spent in the 89 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 1: second half of the draft this year, which we were 90 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 1: all really enthused about. Those are the types of guys 91 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: I think you really would have liked to see get 92 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 1: run in preseason, and like you said, see a few 93 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 1: of them separate themselves. So in a year when the 94 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 1: Vikings had an abnormal amount of light round draft picks, 95 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: that that definitely is a source of frustration. But to 96 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:33,880 Speaker 1: the other side, I love training camp and I love 97 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: the fan aspect of training camp. I think you know, 98 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:37,799 Speaker 1: I used to go on man Cato all the time. 99 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: I was at the one last year up and Egan. 100 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,720 Speaker 1: It's just a wonderful experience. But I think you're right. 101 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: I think it gives the team and all the units 102 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 1: that compose the team, coaching, training, all of it. It 103 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:55,479 Speaker 1: just gives them this focus that'll allow it to be 104 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: strictly about football on every single level, at every single moment, 105 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 1: and that might end up being a benefit for the team. Yeah, 106 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 1: And ultimately, I think having that ability to focus, like 107 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 1: you said, because of the amount of rookies and young 108 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: people we have on this team, is the critical component 109 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: that we've all been kind of raising an eyebrow at 110 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 1: this past offseason. Is just saying they're missing out on 111 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: this critical time. Yes, they're doing zoom classrooms or you know, 112 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:23,359 Speaker 1: some sort of online learning, but that is going to 113 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: be the critical piece. And so now it sounds like, 114 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 1: at least for a chunk of time, they're going to 115 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,480 Speaker 1: get that to start. Well, let's go through a couple 116 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 1: of training camp talkers here, and we'll be doing this 117 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: every week. But I think the one that everyone is 118 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 1: most interested in, or nearly most interested in, is the 119 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 1: wide receiver situation. Anytime you trade a superstar, that position 120 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: group comes underneath a microscope in the next season, So 121 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 1: Digs is out, you got Jefferson and Taj Sharpe in. 122 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:55,479 Speaker 1: You know a lot of people forget Chad Bbe is back. 123 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: Chad Beebe had to sit out. A lot of people 124 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: were excited about him going into last year. He's now year. 125 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 1: So I think there's gonna be a lot of comparative analysis. 126 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:06,599 Speaker 1: But I want to put you guys on the spot 127 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: with a fun question, and uh I was I was 128 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: talking with a writer you guys familiar with, Chris Shaddy. 129 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: Chris had Chris had a really interesting piece where he 130 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: pointed out that this is the third Superstar wide receiver 131 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: trade for the Vikings in the last fifteen years or so. 132 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 1: Moss gooes to Oakland, Percy Harvin goes to Seattle, and 133 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 1: now Stefan Diggs and they were all kind of you 134 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 1: all with a little bit of drama, all with a 135 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 1: little bit of like interesting pieces. And you know, the 136 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: Moss trade for most fans, that is still a thorn 137 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: in their side. They are very they feel like they 138 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: got the raw end of that. Now the Harvin one, 139 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: uh Spielman spun that into Xavier Roads and that Xavier became, 140 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 1: amongst other things, became a cornerstone to one of the 141 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: best defenses in the leagues for a lot of years. 142 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: So it's it's almost as if this Superstar wide receiver 143 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: trade is the tie breaker. And that was the crux 144 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 1: of his article that I thought was so interesting. So 145 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 1: my question to YouTube is when it's when this year 146 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 1: is said and done. Do you think fans are going 147 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: to be looking at the Diggs trade more on the 148 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: Harvin side or more on the Moss side. I think 149 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: it's going to be something like Justin Jefferson is always 150 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 1: going to be linked to Stefan Diggs, especially for Vikings fans. 151 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 1: I mean, when you pull a trade like that and 152 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 1: you're able to get a first round pick from the 153 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: Buffalo Bills, which many did not expect after that DeAndre 154 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: Hopkins trade. I think Jefferson coming in, he's shown the confidence. 155 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:44,319 Speaker 1: He already said he can't wait to be tackled by 156 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 1: Eric Kendricks in practice. Once they start tackling each other, 157 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 1: he's ready to go against the top players on the 158 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,719 Speaker 1: Vikings defense, and I think he's ready to go. I mean, 159 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: it's going to be exciting to see what he can 160 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 1: do because he not only has the skill in the 161 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: talent and college, but he has the opportunity like it's 162 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: there for him, it's waiting for him. It's up to 163 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 1: him what he's gonna do with it. Eighteen touchdowns in 164 00:09:07,640 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 1: college last year. I think there's gonna be a lot 165 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: of chances for him to make big plays for the 166 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 1: Vikings this year. Jay, let me let me just say 167 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 1: that I would like to be the first to donate 168 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:22,079 Speaker 1: to Chris Corso's political career because he did not remotely 169 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: answer that question, you weak little boy. It is because 170 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,319 Speaker 1: that's the interesting thing. Much like the moss trade, it's 171 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: receiver for receiver. I think the difference between the moss 172 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:35,959 Speaker 1: trade and the digs trade is Troy Williamson was kind 173 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: of a little bit unexpected at that pick, and you know, 174 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: it was a little bit of a surprise, whereas I 175 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 1: think Justin Jefferson, the common opinion on him, I would say, 176 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:47,920 Speaker 1: is higher at the time than what I think the 177 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:50,959 Speaker 1: common opinion was on Troy Williamson. Jay, why don't you 178 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 1: go ahead and dodge the question gladly? To be honest 179 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: with you, that was your point that you just made 180 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:58,319 Speaker 1: is actually what I was going to bring up to 181 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 1: given what Chris said, I'm super smart. Thank you the 182 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: linking of this piece with Justin Jefferson because of the 183 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 1: Troy Williamson situation that happened after Randy left. That is 184 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:12,680 Speaker 1: the thing that I think has always kind of made 185 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: Vikings fans gunshy just in general, just saying like, listen, 186 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:19,079 Speaker 1: you can say that yes, this trade happened, and are 187 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 1: you going to feel one way or the other. But 188 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 1: what it turns into is what happened the following year 189 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: and who was the person that possibly came in to 190 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: replace them? And since Williamson did not live up to 191 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,280 Speaker 1: the expectations of what he was drafted at, and Jefferson 192 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 1: by all accounts at this point, seems like he's going 193 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:39,079 Speaker 1: to be an absolute stud on this team. Having Diggs 194 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 1: produced the way that he did, having it be the 195 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 1: Diggs and Feeling combo, and now having a guy like 196 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: Justin Jefferson step into those kind of shoes. That is 197 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 1: the thing that on a local and national level everyone's 198 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 1: looking at to say, will the Vikings miss a step 199 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 1: or not? And I think for guys like Kubiak and 200 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 1: everyone within the Vikings wide receiver room, they're going to 201 00:10:57,920 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: be looking at a guy like Jefferson to be able 202 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: to step up and fit that production. Since the Vikings 203 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: offense was pretty dang solid last season, I'll answer it. 204 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 1: I think it's going to be more Harvin. I think 205 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 1: Randy Moss was a transcendent athlete for this team, and 206 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: he left with a return that was very questionable and 207 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 1: I think I just I'm with you, guys. I think 208 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: I think the return and and that's and we're just 209 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: talking about the one pick. We're just we're strictly talking 210 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:28,319 Speaker 1: about Justin Jefferson. Here. It doesn't start and end there. 211 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 1: You have to look at the whole docket. But you know, 212 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:35,559 Speaker 1: there wasn't this sort of steam heading into camp with 213 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:40,200 Speaker 1: Troy Williamson like there is Justin Jefferson. Next question that 214 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: you guys won't want to answer, this is fun for me. 215 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: Now grow up, Chris Corso and handle this question. Gary 216 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 1: Kubiak's taken over play calling. Are we going to Stefanski? 217 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: Could be? Stefanski was? It was All of us were 218 00:11:56,679 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: huge fans of him, and he's was interestingly wide open 219 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 1: at times and then very conservative at times. Will we 220 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: see with Gary Kubiak, Chris, will he fall more conservative 221 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:13,679 Speaker 1: then Stefanski or will he fall on a more aggressive 222 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: side than Stefanski? Well, we all know Gary Kubiak has 223 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,280 Speaker 1: been linked to the running backs throughout his career and 224 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:23,520 Speaker 1: having one of the top running offenses every single year 225 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 1: he's been in this league as an offensive play caller, 226 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: so I expect him to do more of the running 227 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook as many times as he can a game 228 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 1: and be able to use that to set up the 229 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 1: play action for Kirk Cousins. So I think we're gonna 230 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:42,559 Speaker 1: go conservative in that aspect. Cousins through ten interceptions the 231 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:47,560 Speaker 1: year before and had just six this previous year with 232 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: Gary Kubiak on staff kind of directing Stefanski, so I 233 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: think you'll continue to see him try to limit the 234 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: mistakes for Cousins. But I definitely yeah, I'd say it 235 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:01,199 Speaker 1: will be a little more conservative than last year. Well, 236 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 1: let me just point out that too often people you know, 237 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: conservative in terms of offensive play call and is connected 238 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 1: to maybe maybe as a negative connotation, And that's not 239 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: the way the question was posed because to me, I 240 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 1: think you look at your pieces and your assets around 241 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 1: your entire football team and you decide what the proper 242 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: approach is, and so that this is more of a 243 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,560 Speaker 1: question of how do you think he'll use our pieces 244 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: than naming either of the approaches as right or wrong. So, Jay, 245 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 1: I've now allowed you to answer that question with free conscience. 246 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 1: Go ahead, you want to see somebody sit on a fence, right, 247 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,280 Speaker 1: watch this one here. Yeah, I think the conservative side 248 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:40,199 Speaker 1: of it is going to be the running back side 249 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 1: of it, and that they're going to try to move 250 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: the ball, especially if you get a guy like Dalvin 251 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:47,679 Speaker 1: on the field consistently and he can stay healthy. I 252 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 1: think that will be viewed as conservative. But what that does, 253 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: like you said, Corso, was set up the play action pass. 254 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: And I think given the confidence that Kirk had even 255 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: in that final or in the news playoff game where 256 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,960 Speaker 1: he was hitting the deep shot in overtime going for 257 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 1: the throat to try to win the game, that is 258 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,200 Speaker 1: what I think will happen within this Kubiak offense. I 259 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 1: think you went from essentially the student to the teacher 260 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 1: now doing the play calls. And I think as a 261 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:17,079 Speaker 1: guy like Kubiak when he was in Denver, they would 262 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: pound the rock, but then they would take those shots 263 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 1: downfield and they would connect. And if you have some 264 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: of your speed burner guys, you have a feeling healthy 265 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: back and if, like we said before, if Justin Jefferson 266 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: steps up, you have some serious weapons, including the tight 267 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: ends in order to take some deep shots here and 268 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 1: pound the rock and then take those shots when necessary. 269 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 1: Next question for the two of you in this new 270 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: game that I've just slowly slid into as the show 271 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: has developed, What exactly and when will it get done? 272 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: Dalvin's contract? Tell me the money amount. I'm just kidding, Chris, 273 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 1: Chris almost dropped in his pants. That was a joke. 274 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: We are not going to dive into that. We're just 275 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 1: gonna sit and hope that our favorite running back has 276 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: a great season. I do want to talk about the 277 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: offensive line. I think a big thing for the offensive 278 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: line this year is we have stacked it over the 279 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: last number of years with youthful potential is what I'll 280 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 1: call it. There's youthful potential all over this line. In 281 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: order for this team to take a giant step forward, 282 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: I think some of that youthful potential needs to turn 283 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: into on the field high level productivity. So, and I 284 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,600 Speaker 1: know we on this show, I think, are a lot 285 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 1: higher on the offensive line than some other people. So 286 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: I'm curious to hear what you guys think if you 287 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:40,440 Speaker 1: had to pick a spot to see that potential turn 288 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: into production on the old line, where do you see 289 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: that most likely coming from? Chris? Yeah, I mean you 290 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: have Brian O'Neill. I think he's pretty much become one 291 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: of the anchors of this offensive line, probably the best 292 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: player at such a young age, and I expect him 293 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:57,600 Speaker 1: to take a big step this year, whether it's at 294 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: that right tackle position where he's played, or if or 295 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 1: if we push him over to the left side and 296 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: Riley Reef goes into the interior part of the offensive line. 297 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 1: But I really expect him to be the most consistent 298 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 1: player on the offensive line. But I want to see 299 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 1: Garrett Bradbury, last year's first round pick, really grow in 300 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 1: this offense and become more of a leader out there. 301 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 1: Obviously last year was just his rookie year. So those 302 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: two players are the ones that bet are going to 303 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: be anchors of this offensive line for years to come. 304 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:32,560 Speaker 1: And I really want to see those two guys take 305 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 1: a big step here, Jay, I agree with that. I 306 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 1: also think that not only having Bradbury back for another year, 307 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 1: and like you said, I think O'Neill being an anchor 308 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: on the one side, I want to see what's going 309 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: to happen with that other tackle and ken a guy 310 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: like an Ezra Cleveland who just got drafted here, can 311 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: he step into that role. Because if you're telling me 312 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: that essentially the outside tackles and the center are solidified 313 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: and now we've we've had some you know, solid work, 314 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:00,920 Speaker 1: but we've also had some questions. Yet'm know what's going 315 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 1: to happen with the guards. If you're telling me that 316 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: the corners and the middle are solidified, and then we 317 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 1: can work out what's going to happen with the guards. 318 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: You are looking at a young core for a team 319 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: that has a Delvin Cook type running back playing for them, 320 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,439 Speaker 1: that can produce for many, many years to come. And 321 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:19,640 Speaker 1: I think that would be huge for this team to 322 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:21,639 Speaker 1: finally answer the question of what's going to happen with 323 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: the offensive line. The fans are gonna of this podcast, 324 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:26,399 Speaker 1: are gonna get sick of hearing it. I am dying 325 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 1: on the Pat elf line hill this year. I think 326 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:31,679 Speaker 1: he I think I've said it a bunch of times. 327 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 1: He's had a lot of He's had a lot of 328 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:36,680 Speaker 1: position coaches, a lot of coordinators, a lot of position switches. 329 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: And this year is the year that I think you 330 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:44,400 Speaker 1: see Pat rise up against that criticism and have a 331 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: really really strong year. Check in with me on Twitter 332 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: in about three and a half months and see how 333 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,880 Speaker 1: people are reacting to that consistent thought process of mine. 334 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 1: But I'm really I'm really looking for a good year 335 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: from pat elf Line for a couple of reasons. I 336 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 1: just think he's in line for it, and two, if 337 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,479 Speaker 1: it happens, I think it could be transformative for the 338 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 1: offensive line. If and when pad alf Line has the 339 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:14,439 Speaker 1: year that I think he's capable of this year, I 340 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:16,680 Speaker 1: think people could look at this line and go, oh wow, 341 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:19,639 Speaker 1: look look at this now, look look at as something 342 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: like that could could completely transform what we do. And 343 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: I'm a believer that that's that's in the realm of 344 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 1: possibility this year. Let's do Uh, since we're on position groups, 345 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: let's do what as as training camp is about to start, 346 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: what position group battle are you looking forward to the most? 347 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 1: For me, it's obviously the cornerback position. It's the position 348 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 1: where we lost two of the starters for the past 349 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:52,240 Speaker 1: three to four years, and Trey Wayne's and Xavier Rhodes 350 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,679 Speaker 1: there they are both gone now. So it's Mike Hughes, 351 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:59,200 Speaker 1: who is the eldest member of the cornerback group, so 352 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 1: he's he's gonna have to step up this year. I 353 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:04,120 Speaker 1: want to see if he can become a player who 354 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: plays in the slot or if he's gonna play on 355 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:08,639 Speaker 1: the outside. We've seen him do a little bit of both. 356 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 1: Um when he's healthy. But you look, you go down 357 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:14,879 Speaker 1: this list and the top seven guys I think are 358 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,199 Speaker 1: the ones that are really gonna have a chance to 359 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 1: get reps with the starters, and that's Mike Hughes Uh, 360 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:24,720 Speaker 1: Jeff Gladney, Holton Hill, and Chris Boyd, the two young 361 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: cornerbacks out of Texas. And then Cameron Danzler, Harrison Hand 362 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: and Novelle clark U the UDFA from Central Florida. That's 363 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: my group of seven that I really want to see 364 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 1: battle it out. Chris Boyd and Holton Hill had some 365 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 1: games last year where they really stepped up and looked 366 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 1: like they could do it. But they also had moments 367 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,439 Speaker 1: where they they showed their their youth out there and 368 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:50,719 Speaker 1: they were beat on big plays. Um. I can remember 369 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: the Cowboys game was a game where these these guys 370 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:57,639 Speaker 1: really struggled. So, um, let's see who rises to the 371 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 1: cream of the crop. Jeff Gladney the first pick for 372 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: the Vikings. There's gonna be a lot asked of him 373 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 1: this year, So I don't know what's gonna happen. They're 374 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:09,879 Speaker 1: all it's a bunch of young guys, Chris, let me 375 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,400 Speaker 1: tell you a couple of things. One great, great answer, 376 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:19,159 Speaker 1: great pick and anytime somebody combines two common phrases into 377 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:22,919 Speaker 1: one common phrase. You just said, rise to the cream 378 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:25,760 Speaker 1: of the crop, and it's maybe the funniest damn thing 379 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 1: I've heard in a hundred years. I too, am very 380 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:32,480 Speaker 1: curious to see who will rise to the cream of 381 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 1: the crop with the cornerbacks, and I love it. Another 382 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 1: thing I keep hammering home on this show is I 383 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:42,639 Speaker 1: love that we have two stud all pro level capable 384 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:45,800 Speaker 1: safeties and now we can just let these guys fight, 385 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:48,680 Speaker 1: these young guys fight, and just cycle them out there 386 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 1: and see who are the guys that want it the 387 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: most and who are going to produce the best. I'm 388 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 1: really excited about that, Jay, Who in what group are 389 00:20:57,560 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: you curious to see who rises to the top of 390 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 1: the cream of the crop. That should be a new 391 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: TV show title, that'd be that'd be fun to watch. 392 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:08,879 Speaker 1: One A and one B for me are the secondary, 393 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: but the one B for me is the wide receiver group. 394 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: The fact that you essentially have a number one in 395 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: what we assume is Adam feeling and then you literally 396 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 1: have eleven more guys on the roster that are going 397 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:21,960 Speaker 1: to be duking it out not only for the wide 398 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:26,200 Speaker 1: receiver position but also skill positions for kick returner, put returner. 399 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,520 Speaker 1: These guys are where we found our diamonds in the 400 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: rough for the last how many years on this team. 401 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 1: I think your BC Johnson's, your BB's they have some 402 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 1: established pieces to them. But justin Jefferson is we all 403 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 1: assume we want him to step up and handle this. 404 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: But what's going to happen with the Dylan Mitchell, What's 405 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: going to happen with the kJ Osbourne Taj Sharpe being 406 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,480 Speaker 1: a guy that is a veteran that other people. There 407 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:54,359 Speaker 1: was an article that was written basically saying that the 408 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:56,680 Speaker 1: rest of the league was actually courting this guy pretty 409 00:21:56,720 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: strongly in free agency, and so there are a lot 410 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: of people who leave in him that given the right 411 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 1: situation essentially getting out of Tennessee where they were so 412 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:06,960 Speaker 1: run heavy, he could step up in here as well 413 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,400 Speaker 1: and become a number two, number three wide receivers. So 414 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 1: that that position for me, there are so many bodies 415 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:14,720 Speaker 1: in there that can fill so many holes within that 416 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 1: this roster of the final roster, the wide receiver something 417 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 1: is going to be something very very interesting to keep 418 00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:23,320 Speaker 1: your eyes on. I'll throw an extra one in there, 419 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:27,880 Speaker 1: and it's the the opposite defensive end spot with the 420 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 1: departure of Everson Griffin. A Foddy is a guy who 421 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 1: you know played, is capable of playing that position and 422 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: really quietly had a really great year last year and 423 00:22:38,800 --> 00:22:41,199 Speaker 1: a year of big time improvement. So I want to 424 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:43,119 Speaker 1: see if he can take that jump. You know, you 425 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:45,200 Speaker 1: got the draft pick that Chris had on the show 426 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks ago, and in DJ Wantam, I'm 427 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:51,160 Speaker 1: really that's always been a strength for this team and 428 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:53,639 Speaker 1: the development of young guys has always been there, and 429 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 1: it's it's been quite a while since one of those 430 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 1: spots has been up for competition in the preseas season, 431 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:05,280 Speaker 1: So it'll be really interesting to see how that comes together. Chris, 432 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:08,800 Speaker 1: this is one that you've probably been waiting seven months for. 433 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,920 Speaker 1: What are your expectations for Daddy Kirk? How do you 434 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:18,239 Speaker 1: see this season? Because I think and those of us 435 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:20,680 Speaker 1: who are excited to see what he does this year, 436 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:25,080 Speaker 1: I think you can recognize that at this point this 437 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: offense is built to support what Kirk Cousins does. It's 438 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 1: like you know, you're six foot four and you're you're 439 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 1: looking to buy a house and you walk into a 440 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 1: house and all the counters are two foot tall, and 441 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:39,480 Speaker 1: you drill your head on the ceiling in the basement. 442 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:41,000 Speaker 1: You're like, I don't think this is for me. I 443 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: need one of those tall guy houses. Well, the football 444 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,959 Speaker 1: house that's been built around Kirk. Everybody seems to be 445 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: that's on in the team seems to be a supporter 446 00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:52,240 Speaker 1: of him. He loves the play action. He's got one 447 00:23:52,280 --> 00:23:54,080 Speaker 1: of the best running backs in the league. He's got 448 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 1: wide receivers that fit his skill set. You heard Taj Sharpe. 449 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:00,400 Speaker 1: You know the type of routes at Taj to run 450 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:02,320 Speaker 1: and he likes to get behind people. And he said 451 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 1: Kirk throws one of the best deep balls he's ever seen. 452 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:08,879 Speaker 1: It's like everything has been put and now you're coming 453 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 1: off that monumental win for him. Given the narratives of 454 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: the past and the playoffs last year, everything seems to 455 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,520 Speaker 1: be lining up. It reminds me, and this one went 456 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: the other way. But the two thousand, I can't remember 457 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:27,920 Speaker 1: the exact year, but Dante the famous everything slowing down quote, 458 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:31,280 Speaker 1: and he wasn't the only one who felt that. I 459 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:34,120 Speaker 1: think everybody watched him walk into that season and thought 460 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: everything was coming together. Now, I'm not saying that Kirk 461 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 1: is gonna have a season like that. I'm just giving 462 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 1: a comparative analysis. But everything is right there for him 463 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:48,320 Speaker 1: to have the season that we all think he's capable of. 464 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:53,119 Speaker 1: And Chris, he's your boy. What is Daddy Kirk going 465 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: to do this year? Well, he threw for over four 466 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:58,880 Speaker 1: thousand yards in five seasons in a row, and last 467 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:01,880 Speaker 1: year was the first one where he didn't. He only 468 00:25:01,920 --> 00:25:05,440 Speaker 1: threw for thirty six hundred yards in this Gary Kubiak 469 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 1: molded Stefanski offense. I think it's gonna be another similar season. 470 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:16,400 Speaker 1: He had his career high total in only having six interceptions. 471 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:18,480 Speaker 1: All the years before that, he had ten or more 472 00:25:19,119 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 1: in the NFL the past five seasons that I just mentioned, 473 00:25:22,280 --> 00:25:24,639 Speaker 1: So I think it's gonna be trying to balance the 474 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:28,720 Speaker 1: mistakes work with a lot of young players as his receivers, 475 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 1: and justin Jefferson, I think IRV Smith is gonna come 476 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 1: along as one of the big players that he's gonna 477 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:36,960 Speaker 1: want to target. When I talked to Gary Kubiak in 478 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:39,600 Speaker 1: the offseason, I mean, he kept mentioning we're giving HERV 479 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:42,520 Speaker 1: a little more. We're giving HERV a little more. So 480 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:44,879 Speaker 1: I think that that two tight ends set is going 481 00:25:44,920 --> 00:25:46,919 Speaker 1: to be really big for the offense this year and 482 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,919 Speaker 1: really big for Kirk. So I see him thrown for again. 483 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:55,400 Speaker 1: That thirty five hundred yard, twenty five touchdown, five interceptions 484 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: is what I'm gonna go with. And if he's around 485 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,960 Speaker 1: that seventy percent completion percentage that he's been at the 486 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 1: past two years, I think, I think that's what it's 487 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:05,840 Speaker 1: going to be. But yeah, keep keep going with the 488 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:07,960 Speaker 1: play action. I would like to see him get out 489 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 1: of the pocket a little more on his own rather 490 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:13,480 Speaker 1: than needing the play action to do so. So if 491 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:16,200 Speaker 1: he can make some moves outside the pocket a little more, 492 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:19,439 Speaker 1: that will definitely help his cause, because we've seen what 493 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 1: happens when he gets too comfortable just being in the pocket. 494 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: It doesn't It normally doesn't turn out good against a 495 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 1: team like the San Francisco forty nine ers. Jaye Nelson, 496 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:30,439 Speaker 1: I think for Kirk, if he did what he did 497 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:32,520 Speaker 1: last season, given the questions that we had on the 498 00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 1: offensive line, I'm going to tie back the other question 499 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:37,040 Speaker 1: that we had from before. If you're telling me that 500 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:40,359 Speaker 1: that offensive line solidifies, there's no reason why he couldn't 501 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:43,400 Speaker 1: hit four thousand yards in a season. He has, like 502 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:46,119 Speaker 1: you said, all the weapons that he potentially needs. The 503 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:48,400 Speaker 1: front end of the season usually offense is a little 504 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:51,119 Speaker 1: bit slower to solidify if you have all these questions 505 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:53,320 Speaker 1: marks on what's going to happen with wide receivers, and 506 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:55,359 Speaker 1: then you've got some of your guys, like you said, 507 00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:57,639 Speaker 1: Irv getting more run at this stuff and with Dalvin 508 00:26:57,720 --> 00:27:01,400 Speaker 1: getting mixed back in. If every think goals right, I 509 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:04,360 Speaker 1: think that Kirk is poised to have a gigantic season 510 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:07,440 Speaker 1: if everything can solidify here in the short amount of time. 511 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,280 Speaker 1: They're going to have to get everybody on the same page. Yeah, 512 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 1: I agree with you. I think he's in line to 513 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:15,120 Speaker 1: have a really good season. And it's the same thing. 514 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:17,080 Speaker 1: It's tied to my belief that I think we're going 515 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:20,680 Speaker 1: to see a jump up in offensive line production this year, 516 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:22,919 Speaker 1: and obviously those two things go hand in hand. The 517 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 1: reason I did the long preamble before the question is 518 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:32,119 Speaker 1: because I Kirk is a guy that I view he 519 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,760 Speaker 1: has that ability to snowball, and I mean that in 520 00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 1: a good way, Like when he feels confidence and then 521 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:45,119 Speaker 1: he feels confidence around him, it just picks up and 522 00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:48,399 Speaker 1: it just snowballs. I think about this moment a lot 523 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 1: two years ago, right before the de Filippo season, right 524 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:58,920 Speaker 1: before everything started to kind of go the struggle direction. 525 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:01,040 Speaker 1: We had that early season aim against the Green Bay 526 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:04,880 Speaker 1: Packers and we were down by guy I don't even 527 00:28:04,920 --> 00:28:07,119 Speaker 1: remember how many jay, but we were down by a 528 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:10,200 Speaker 1: bundle in the second half, and all of a sudden, 529 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:13,680 Speaker 1: Kurt came out and hit a couple throws. And this 530 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:17,920 Speaker 1: was before his production was even polarized by the fan base. 531 00:28:17,960 --> 00:28:21,200 Speaker 1: I think at that point most fans were just psyched 532 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:25,119 Speaker 1: to have a productive quarterback. And I think he made 533 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 1: a few throws early in that second half that you went, 534 00:28:28,119 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 1: oh boy, and then you saw the team rallying, and 535 00:28:30,800 --> 00:28:33,159 Speaker 1: then you saw him sticking some throws in there. And 536 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:35,960 Speaker 1: then remember late in that game, I think it was 537 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:39,440 Speaker 1: Thelanard Diggs I can't remember, but he put that ridiculous 538 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:43,280 Speaker 1: ass throw right near the corner down by the goal line, 539 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 1: right there, and you're like, well, that's one of the 540 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:49,280 Speaker 1: best throws I've ever seen. And he has that ability 541 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:53,440 Speaker 1: when he's feeling it, and when those around him are 542 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:57,080 Speaker 1: really behind him and running with him, he really really 543 00:28:57,120 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 1: snowballs and becomes one of these guys like this is 544 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 1: one of the best quarterbacks in the league for sure. 545 00:29:02,480 --> 00:29:05,560 Speaker 1: And the reason I did that preamble before the question 546 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:08,800 Speaker 1: is that's the place we're in. He's got a coordinator 547 00:29:08,840 --> 00:29:12,480 Speaker 1: he likes. He's got a great running back in Alexander Madison, 548 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:14,840 Speaker 1: who we will talk about on this podcast at some point. 549 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 1: That's another guy that I have immense expectations for. He's 550 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:22,240 Speaker 1: got wide receivers who fit him, were just the defense. 551 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:25,080 Speaker 1: Everything is right there. So I think this could be 552 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:28,400 Speaker 1: one of those things where I have regular positive expectations 553 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:30,160 Speaker 1: for him. Like I think, you get it, thirty five 554 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 1: hundred four thousand yards low interceptions do really well. But 555 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 1: I think there's this ceiling on it. I think there's 556 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 1: this world where if he comes out and in the 557 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:43,840 Speaker 1: first two three games, things click and everybody is falling 558 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 1: together in the right way and everything's landing, and like 559 00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:49,080 Speaker 1: you said, IRV Smith steps up a little bit and 560 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:52,320 Speaker 1: takes on a role where you could go, there's a 561 00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 1: ceiling of, Oh, this guy's having a monster year, part 562 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:00,440 Speaker 1: of a two with Kirk, Like you said, you see 563 00:30:00,480 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 1: the confidence kind of oozing from him, and you see 564 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 1: him kind of get on a roll and he's just 565 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 1: kind of, you know, directing traffic and telling here here, here, 566 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:09,880 Speaker 1: here here, and he's just clicking the best part for 567 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:11,520 Speaker 1: me what I love to see on that and he 568 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:13,960 Speaker 1: saw it last year, especially after the controversy happened, and 569 00:30:13,960 --> 00:30:16,239 Speaker 1: then he just turned into a kind of a you know, 570 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:18,720 Speaker 1: screw this, I'm just going to go for it. When 571 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:21,720 Speaker 1: he bites down on his mouthpiece and just says, this 572 00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:24,360 Speaker 1: is on me, let's make this happen. That is fun 573 00:30:24,440 --> 00:30:27,120 Speaker 1: to watch because, like you said, you get those kind 574 00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:30,840 Speaker 1: of throws where he's lacing in a shot to feeling 575 00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:34,040 Speaker 1: on the pylon and you're just looking that going how 576 00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:36,720 Speaker 1: is that possible? How did he lace that in there 577 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:39,400 Speaker 1: exactly where it needed to be. That is the Kirk 578 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:42,680 Speaker 1: that I think the fans are dying for, because that 579 00:30:42,760 --> 00:30:45,560 Speaker 1: reminds you of seeing your gun slingers from the past, 580 00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 1: like your five types, where they just get into this 581 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:51,240 Speaker 1: mindset and they're going, I'm going to make this happen, 582 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:53,960 Speaker 1: come hell or high water. And if Kirk turns into 583 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:56,760 Speaker 1: that guy, all of the questions and the fans that 584 00:30:56,840 --> 00:30:59,080 Speaker 1: are that are, you know, raising eyebrows saying is this 585 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:00,960 Speaker 1: going to be a thing? What is the ceiling? What's 586 00:31:00,960 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 1: he going to be like? That kind of season will 587 00:31:03,560 --> 00:31:06,600 Speaker 1: shut everybody up forever, and it is awesome to watch. 588 00:31:06,640 --> 00:31:09,360 Speaker 1: So I am begging for that to happen this season 589 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:11,760 Speaker 1: just as a fan and as an employee. It is 590 00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:13,520 Speaker 1: very fun to watch when you see a guy like 591 00:31:13,640 --> 00:31:17,920 Speaker 1: Kirk go for it on that level. Last talker, Good 592 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:21,080 Speaker 1: Morning Football this week had a discussion with Maurice Jones, Drew, 593 00:31:21,240 --> 00:31:25,080 Speaker 1: Peter Schreger, and Shaun O'Hara was on there about the 594 00:31:25,280 --> 00:31:29,600 Speaker 1: Vikings possibly being a sleeper contender in the NFC this year. 595 00:31:29,640 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 1: Shregger thinks it's whope. I love Peter Schreger. I think 596 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:35,880 Speaker 1: he is so great. On that show, he said he 597 00:31:35,880 --> 00:31:39,160 Speaker 1: thinks the Vikings should be in the conversation given their 598 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:42,360 Speaker 1: ability to go down to New Orleans, New Orleans? Am 599 00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:45,280 Speaker 1: I from there? For their ability to go to New Orleans? 600 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:47,480 Speaker 1: What happened to me right there? Did I have a 601 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:51,000 Speaker 1: Southern stroke in the middle of that? And when in 602 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:54,600 Speaker 1: the wild card round. His biggest concerns are obviously the 603 00:31:54,720 --> 00:32:00,200 Speaker 1: changes on defense and digs being gone. Shawn O'Hara, He 604 00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 1: I think his confidence is in Zimmer on the defensive 605 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:05,080 Speaker 1: side of the ball. Is what I took from it 606 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:07,480 Speaker 1: is this. You know, he's got this young core. The 607 00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:11,440 Speaker 1: offense is a little more established, and I paraphrasing, he's 608 00:32:11,440 --> 00:32:13,600 Speaker 1: got this is what he does, he grows young guys. 609 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:17,680 Speaker 1: Drew's main concern is a lot of people's concern Delvin 610 00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:20,360 Speaker 1: Cook being a hold out. I don't know why I 611 00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:23,760 Speaker 1: just described an entire episode of Good Morning Football to you, guys, 612 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:29,040 Speaker 1: but I would say, when you hear people saying that 613 00:32:29,160 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 1: your team, our team, the Vikings are a sleeper contender, 614 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:37,920 Speaker 1: what's your reaction. I love hearing the outside perspective and 615 00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:41,560 Speaker 1: from these national reporters. And when the Vikings played the 616 00:32:41,600 --> 00:32:45,120 Speaker 1: Saints and the change Chris's bio changed Chris's biography to 617 00:32:45,400 --> 00:32:49,240 Speaker 1: third tier outside perspective Tier three. How the how the 618 00:32:49,320 --> 00:32:51,560 Speaker 1: cream of the crop rose to the top of the 619 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:58,520 Speaker 1: crop by Chris Carso no forward normally normally Pete Schrager 620 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:01,680 Speaker 1: is the is the fan of the Vikings. He usually 621 00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:05,240 Speaker 1: gives us some positivity, but um no, it's it's to 622 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:07,480 Speaker 1: hear them still character as I says, a sleeper is 623 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:10,560 Speaker 1: fine by me. I think that's where Zimmer likes to be. 624 00:33:10,680 --> 00:33:12,800 Speaker 1: He likes when everyone says that we're not going to 625 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:15,400 Speaker 1: beat the Saints on the road in the playoffs. He 626 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:19,240 Speaker 1: likes when we're we're considered the third best team in 627 00:33:19,280 --> 00:33:22,120 Speaker 1: the NFC North. I think that's when the Vikings play 628 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:25,360 Speaker 1: their best is when they are characterized as the sleeper. 629 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:28,960 Speaker 1: My biggest concern is a team like the San Francisco 630 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:31,640 Speaker 1: forty nine ers, who the team our season ended too 631 00:33:32,160 --> 00:33:34,360 Speaker 1: on the road last year. Looking at some of the 632 00:33:34,400 --> 00:33:37,720 Speaker 1: top teams in the NFC, we're gonna have to rise 633 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:40,080 Speaker 1: to that level, and I think the biggest area where 634 00:33:40,120 --> 00:33:41,840 Speaker 1: we have to rise to their level to be on 635 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:45,600 Speaker 1: that level is the offensive line being able to protect 636 00:33:45,680 --> 00:33:49,160 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins. As we said in that previous segment, that 637 00:33:49,280 --> 00:33:51,880 Speaker 1: is what broke down in the biggest game of the 638 00:33:51,880 --> 00:33:54,920 Speaker 1: season where we lost at the end. I think if 639 00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:58,280 Speaker 1: the offensive line can take that next step, we can 640 00:33:58,320 --> 00:34:01,040 Speaker 1: be on the level all of those top teams in 641 00:34:01,040 --> 00:34:04,360 Speaker 1: the NFC. Because our defense certainly is one thing that 642 00:34:04,440 --> 00:34:07,000 Speaker 1: Shan O'Hara pointed out in that clip when they were 643 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:10,480 Speaker 1: discussing us was that the Vikings only won two division 644 00:34:10,520 --> 00:34:13,520 Speaker 1: games last year. That is a huge point. We were 645 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:15,560 Speaker 1: ten and six at that point. So if you even 646 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:18,680 Speaker 1: get one more or two more, you're potentially hosting a 647 00:34:18,680 --> 00:34:21,360 Speaker 1: playoff game at home. And just think if you're hosting 648 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:23,360 Speaker 1: a game versus being at New Orleans or what the 649 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:25,719 Speaker 1: implications would have been. Maybe we don't go to San 650 00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:28,759 Speaker 1: Francisco and the playoffs. I think if you can take 651 00:34:28,800 --> 00:34:31,719 Speaker 1: care of what you need to at home in your 652 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:35,359 Speaker 1: own division and you can have another season where you're 653 00:34:35,400 --> 00:34:38,799 Speaker 1: getting into that double digit column. This team, like we 654 00:34:38,880 --> 00:34:42,080 Speaker 1: just said, with the offense especially, is poised to do 655 00:34:42,200 --> 00:34:45,959 Speaker 1: some damage like they did last year. So again, keep 656 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:48,759 Speaker 1: saying that you're not on the top, keep looking at 657 00:34:48,800 --> 00:34:50,400 Speaker 1: us as a sleep or pick whatever you want to 658 00:34:50,400 --> 00:34:51,880 Speaker 1: talk about. At the beginning. It doesn't matter at the 659 00:34:51,880 --> 00:34:54,279 Speaker 1: beginning of the year. Depends at the end and when 660 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:56,480 Speaker 1: you start to make those runs late in the season, 661 00:34:57,040 --> 00:34:59,320 Speaker 1: those are the things that count and that is what matters. 662 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:02,160 Speaker 1: So find by us. The Vikings have always liked it 663 00:35:02,239 --> 00:35:04,520 Speaker 1: when especially Zimmer's always liked that when you're you're the 664 00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:08,040 Speaker 1: underdog and in the end, it's great to prove them wrong. Well, 665 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:11,000 Speaker 1: so here's here's my counter hope. Because I think you 666 00:35:11,000 --> 00:35:13,520 Speaker 1: guys are right. I think this team thrives as an underdog. 667 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:18,000 Speaker 1: I think Zimmer's a fantastic coach no matter what role 668 00:35:18,040 --> 00:35:20,000 Speaker 1: they're playing. But I do think he I think your 669 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,600 Speaker 1: guys are right. I think he enjoys the underdog role. 670 00:35:22,640 --> 00:35:26,200 Speaker 1: I think he revels in the criticism and being able 671 00:35:26,239 --> 00:35:30,160 Speaker 1: to rally against it. But what I really want for 672 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:33,440 Speaker 1: this team is I want to see him succeed in 673 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:36,719 Speaker 1: the opposite role. I want to see them. I want 674 00:35:36,719 --> 00:35:40,120 Speaker 1: to see them. I would, you know, selfishly, I would 675 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:41,960 Speaker 1: love to see us come out and run up four 676 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:43,959 Speaker 1: and oh five and oh six. I mean, no matter 677 00:35:44,160 --> 00:35:46,160 Speaker 1: for what reason, I would love us to do that. 678 00:35:46,560 --> 00:35:48,799 Speaker 1: But I'd like other teams to be coming into us 679 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:52,040 Speaker 1: and and everybody in the national media going, oh, this 680 00:35:52,120 --> 00:35:54,919 Speaker 1: is a this is a super Bowl contender, This isn't 681 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:58,000 Speaker 1: a sleeper. These are the guys, these are a possible 682 00:35:58,040 --> 00:36:00,560 Speaker 1: one seed. I'd like to host a home play off game. 683 00:36:00,719 --> 00:36:03,520 Speaker 1: I'd like to host an you know, an NFC championship game, 684 00:36:03,560 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 1: because that's that feels like the thing that you know, 685 00:36:08,080 --> 00:36:09,880 Speaker 1: it would be nice to see us break through. It 686 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:12,000 Speaker 1: would be to get into those moments, to be the 687 00:36:12,080 --> 00:36:14,919 Speaker 1: lead dog and to run away from people. And that's 688 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:18,239 Speaker 1: you know, that's a tough thing to that's a tough thing, 689 00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:24,000 Speaker 1: especially given the the basically the large return of the 690 00:36:24,040 --> 00:36:27,439 Speaker 1: three best teams in the conference, arguably outside of where 691 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:31,640 Speaker 1: we believe our team stands. The Packers, the Saints, you know, 692 00:36:31,800 --> 00:36:34,200 Speaker 1: the Niners, and the Seahawks, the four best teams. They're 693 00:36:34,239 --> 00:36:37,560 Speaker 1: all pretty you know, intact and returning, so they have 694 00:36:37,600 --> 00:36:39,920 Speaker 1: a lot of the benefits that we have and keeping 695 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:42,640 Speaker 1: a lot of their staff and players together. So you know, 696 00:36:42,719 --> 00:36:46,080 Speaker 1: it's going to be hard to necessarily rise and rise 697 00:36:46,120 --> 00:36:50,000 Speaker 1: above those guys in any quick manner. But that that's 698 00:36:50,040 --> 00:36:51,600 Speaker 1: where I want to see the team. I want to 699 00:36:51,600 --> 00:36:53,360 Speaker 1: I don't want to be a sleeper. I want to 700 00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:56,120 Speaker 1: be a lead dog. I want to be a contender, 701 00:36:56,160 --> 00:36:58,320 Speaker 1: And I want this team to go through a season 702 00:36:58,680 --> 00:37:02,640 Speaker 1: of getting the shot that contenders get. You know that 703 00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:06,960 Speaker 1: that to me would wildly benefit this team. Now, of course, 704 00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:10,080 Speaker 1: what a luxury. What you know, it's a dumb thing 705 00:37:10,080 --> 00:37:11,279 Speaker 1: for me to sit here and go I want to 706 00:37:11,280 --> 00:37:14,040 Speaker 1: be so good. Everybody wants to beat us. But I 707 00:37:14,120 --> 00:37:16,799 Speaker 1: just wanted to throw that out there with the you know, 708 00:37:16,880 --> 00:37:20,960 Speaker 1: comparatively to the underdog conversation. Let's let's close on something 709 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:25,200 Speaker 1: related to that, Mike Zimmer. The media this week has 710 00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:31,279 Speaker 1: floated out that Mike is uh In is a there 711 00:37:31,360 --> 00:37:36,560 Speaker 1: is a pending Mike Zimmer contract extension being finalized. It 712 00:37:36,560 --> 00:37:41,200 Speaker 1: has not been finalized, announced, or formalized by us, so 713 00:37:41,239 --> 00:37:44,560 Speaker 1: we're not going to speculate on that or the terms. 714 00:37:44,600 --> 00:37:50,960 Speaker 1: But I will say that even the even the leak 715 00:37:51,160 --> 00:37:55,040 Speaker 1: of the possibility of that information as a Viking fan 716 00:37:55,520 --> 00:37:57,520 Speaker 1: got me going. I mean, I'm I grew up in 717 00:37:57,680 --> 00:38:01,680 Speaker 1: I was fifteen years old in nineteen eight, so Denny 718 00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:05,759 Speaker 1: Green is always I spent a long time thinking there 719 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:08,840 Speaker 1: would never be a Viking football coach that I would 720 00:38:09,920 --> 00:38:13,480 Speaker 1: root for more than I rooted for Denny Green, and 721 00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:18,000 Speaker 1: Zimmer has risen easily to that level. So the fact 722 00:38:18,080 --> 00:38:21,160 Speaker 1: that we might be tacking him in here for a 723 00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:24,719 Speaker 1: few more years is really really exciting. Like I said, 724 00:38:24,719 --> 00:38:28,160 Speaker 1: when it becomes an actual piece of announced information, will 725 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:30,920 Speaker 1: really go through it on this podcast. But just given 726 00:38:31,040 --> 00:38:33,600 Speaker 1: the leaked media information, I'm sure you guys are pretty 727 00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:35,880 Speaker 1: through the roof as well. I mean, you have to 728 00:38:35,960 --> 00:38:38,560 Speaker 1: be He's won sixty percent of his game since he's 729 00:38:38,600 --> 00:38:42,040 Speaker 1: been here fifty seven, thirty eight and one, and he's 730 00:38:42,120 --> 00:38:48,080 Speaker 1: had the defense finished top five multiple seasons, twenty fifteen 731 00:38:48,120 --> 00:38:51,319 Speaker 1: and twenty nineteen two seasons where we went pretty far 732 00:38:51,320 --> 00:38:53,840 Speaker 1: in the playoffs. It's just about getting over that hump, 733 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:57,960 Speaker 1: that next step. But he clearly has us a contender 734 00:38:58,320 --> 00:39:01,920 Speaker 1: in the NFC year after year to year. So that's 735 00:39:01,960 --> 00:39:04,840 Speaker 1: all you ask for as a fan, and he's clearly 736 00:39:04,880 --> 00:39:08,120 Speaker 1: obviously has the impact on the defensive side of the ball. 737 00:39:09,160 --> 00:39:11,640 Speaker 1: But we want to see it all come together. And 738 00:39:11,680 --> 00:39:15,239 Speaker 1: I think with Gary Kubiak's staying and being the one 739 00:39:15,280 --> 00:39:18,120 Speaker 1: to take over the offense and finally some to have 740 00:39:18,239 --> 00:39:21,120 Speaker 1: someone who's been here the year before be on the 741 00:39:21,160 --> 00:39:22,960 Speaker 1: offensive side of the ball, I think this could be 742 00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:26,200 Speaker 1: the year where it happens. But yeah, you got you 743 00:39:26,239 --> 00:39:29,680 Speaker 1: gotta appreciate what Mike Zimmer has done here as a fan. 744 00:39:29,880 --> 00:39:33,200 Speaker 1: Having the defense to be a defensive first team is 745 00:39:33,680 --> 00:39:37,520 Speaker 1: always exciting. Everyone has feared his defense, his double a 746 00:39:37,640 --> 00:39:41,200 Speaker 1: gap blitz in every single game and we always have 747 00:39:41,200 --> 00:39:43,000 Speaker 1: a chance to win every game. I think that's all 748 00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:45,320 Speaker 1: you could ask for as a fan from your head coach, 749 00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:48,080 Speaker 1: and clearly our players love him. A guy like Bud 750 00:39:48,080 --> 00:39:50,600 Speaker 1: Grant set the tone. And what did fans love about 751 00:39:50,640 --> 00:39:54,000 Speaker 1: Bud Grant. He was the tough, no nonsense, nobs kind 752 00:39:54,040 --> 00:39:56,200 Speaker 1: of coach that would lead from the front. He's still 753 00:39:56,280 --> 00:39:58,800 Speaker 1: running out there and his older age, you know, and 754 00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:02,640 Speaker 1: the freezing call in a polo shirt and he's he's 755 00:40:02,800 --> 00:40:05,920 Speaker 1: he is the personification of toughness. And I think the 756 00:40:05,920 --> 00:40:08,319 Speaker 1: reason why people love Mike Zimmer at this point is 757 00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:11,279 Speaker 1: he is essentially, in a way a Bud Grant two 758 00:40:11,320 --> 00:40:14,560 Speaker 1: point zero. He leads from the front, nobs, he doesn't 759 00:40:14,600 --> 00:40:18,520 Speaker 1: want any excuses. He constantly tells the players when something happens, 760 00:40:18,520 --> 00:40:21,080 Speaker 1: he says, nobody's gonna feel sorry for us, and nobody's 761 00:40:21,120 --> 00:40:23,040 Speaker 1: going to give us an inch. So guess what, you 762 00:40:23,040 --> 00:40:24,359 Speaker 1: got to go out and earn it. And I think 763 00:40:24,360 --> 00:40:26,480 Speaker 1: a guy like Zimmer not only can he, you know, 764 00:40:26,600 --> 00:40:29,640 Speaker 1: talk tough, but he's backing it up with wins, going 765 00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:32,920 Speaker 1: to playoff games, winning big games in the playoffs. I 766 00:40:32,960 --> 00:40:36,080 Speaker 1: think Mike Zimmer being a part of this team, the 767 00:40:36,239 --> 00:40:39,279 Speaker 1: fans and the players and the front office, everybody knows 768 00:40:39,320 --> 00:40:42,319 Speaker 1: that they have a competent, successful leader and a guy 769 00:40:42,360 --> 00:40:44,080 Speaker 1: like Mike, and I think it'll be great if they 770 00:40:44,080 --> 00:40:46,160 Speaker 1: can lock him up for the long term. Well, thank 771 00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:50,200 Speaker 1: you guys for for being willing to let me throw 772 00:40:50,280 --> 00:40:52,440 Speaker 1: questions at your face throughout this episode. That's going to 773 00:40:52,480 --> 00:40:55,920 Speaker 1: do it for us. I insist Viking fans that you 774 00:40:55,960 --> 00:40:58,879 Speaker 1: stay tuned to Vikings dot com and all of our 775 00:40:58,920 --> 00:41:03,080 Speaker 1: social media for the eist in Vikings News as Bison 776 00:41:03,280 --> 00:41:07,000 Speaker 1: Vikings Training Camp twenty twenty gets kicked off. Here just 777 00:41:07,040 --> 00:41:08,920 Speaker 1: some stuff that's up there that's really great. Right now, 778 00:41:08,920 --> 00:41:12,560 Speaker 1: Craig Peters reviews how the new look safeties on the 779 00:41:12,640 --> 00:41:15,560 Speaker 1: Vikings defense could help out during the twenty twenty season. 780 00:41:15,640 --> 00:41:20,880 Speaker 1: During his Exes and O's article, Lindsay Young helps further 781 00:41:21,040 --> 00:41:23,560 Speaker 1: the breakdown at TAJ Sharp and or Lunch Break article, 782 00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:26,680 Speaker 1: and check out the continued coverage of Cameron and friends 783 00:41:26,840 --> 00:41:32,120 Speaker 1: Bracelet Bunch charity fundraiser from this past week in Rosemont, Minnesota, 784 00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:35,120 Speaker 1: with the help of her gracious host, the Family of 785 00:41:35,239 --> 00:41:38,160 Speaker 1: Vikings fullback c J. Ham. It's just it's such a 786 00:41:38,200 --> 00:41:41,920 Speaker 1: great thing that those families are out there doing. Follow 787 00:41:41,960 --> 00:41:45,720 Speaker 1: us on all the social media platforms and just stay tuned, 788 00:41:46,239 --> 00:41:49,360 Speaker 1: We are there. Football is coming and we're going to 789 00:41:49,440 --> 00:41:52,160 Speaker 1: be covering training camp every single week and we will 790 00:41:52,200 --> 00:41:54,280 Speaker 1: see you guys next week