1 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: I was a younger due at the time, so I 2 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: was on scout team, so I got to go up 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:11,879 Speaker 1: against Brian all the time. And just being able to 4 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 1: go against somebody at that level every day, it just 5 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: prepared me for when I got my opportunity to go 6 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:20,800 Speaker 1: out there and Blue. I think just the overall attitude 7 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: of mindset that the coaches a pitch try to instilling players. 8 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: It's something that I grew a lot from developing a 9 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:33,239 Speaker 1: tough mindset there. It was huge. Jo. Welcome to the 10 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:38,199 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings Podcast, episode number one hundred. That's probably why 11 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: you notice new music because we got to celebrate episode 12 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: one hundred in a new fashion. And I'm excited to 13 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: have Jay Nelson here joining me as always, my name 14 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 1: is Gabe Henderson, and like I said before, welcome to 15 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: another edition of the Minnesota Vikings podcasts. Many campus here, 16 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: and boy hasn't been revealing. We have a lot of 17 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: news to talk about today, Jay. I mean the most 18 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,280 Speaker 1: obvious is Daniel Hunter, right, I mean he is back. 19 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: He is not practiced, but he is back and he 20 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 1: is on the field. And I think Minnesota Vikings fans 21 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: were very excited when they saw the Vikings social team 22 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 1: post him just you know, giving the thumbs up on 23 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:16,759 Speaker 1: Instagram and Twitter. So that is, I guess more importantly, 24 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: that is just good news for Vikings fans to hear. 25 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 1: But later coming up on the show, we have a 26 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: pit party and talking about Pitt Party, I'm talking about 27 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: Pitt Panther or Lumps, Brian O'Neill and Patrick Jones the second. 28 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 1: We'll be interviewing them later on in the show. So guys, 29 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 1: make sure you stay tuned to that. But Jay, you 30 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,479 Speaker 1: have been a part of the Minnesota Vikings podcast longer 31 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:40,080 Speaker 1: than I have, so congrats to you. Congrats to everyone 32 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 1: that have made Episode one hundred possible. Thank you more importantly, 33 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: But at the same time, you've seen this show evolve, 34 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: right Yeah. And here's the thing I can't take full 35 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: credit because I wasn't there at the beginning. We had 36 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 1: Nate Vaughan just kind of got to the point where 37 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 1: we had talked forever about doing a podcast, and Nate 38 00:01:58,000 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: just kind of looked at it and started writing a form. 39 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: At basically walked in with like a sony cam and 40 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: a mic and handed it to a host and he 41 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: and they just kind of sat there and month through 42 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 1: and started doing these podcasts and it kind of evolved. 43 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: Courso got involved after Nate had gone on to do 44 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 1: the voyage and so he's been in there, and then 45 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,959 Speaker 1: I kind of wedged my way in there a couple 46 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 1: of years ago, and it's been fun just to kind 47 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,959 Speaker 1: of see it evolved through all this stuff and so 48 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 1: being able to hit the century marks, it's kind of 49 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,800 Speaker 1: a cool moment. And just to see how this whole 50 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: thing has grown, and just to see how even the 51 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:33,640 Speaker 1: audio division of Vikings Entertainment Network has grown over the years. 52 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: It's been pretty special. So hitting that one hundred moment 53 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 1: it's pretty fun. Figured we'd change it up a little 54 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: bit and see if we can do some fun, new 55 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 1: and exciting things during the season. Absolutely well, moving to 56 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: some more exciting news. Well's I guess this is the 57 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 1: perfect podcast to I guess report. It's not breaking, but 58 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 1: the Vikings have reworked the contract of Daniel Hunter, and 59 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 1: like I said before, he has officially returned to camp. 60 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 1: He returned on Monday for his physical and participating in 61 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 1: the team activities both Tuesday, Winday and today which is Thursday. 62 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:06,079 Speaker 1: In case you don't know, some of the contractual adjustments right. 63 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 1: Of course. In two and eighteen, Danielle Hunter signed his 64 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 1: five year, seventy two million dollar deal. Here's in year 65 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: four of that deal this year, and in case you 66 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: didn't know, five point six million of his twenty twenty 67 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: one salary is a signing bonus now, so he gets 68 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: that money now. He doesn't have to wait until another year. 69 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: But that actually means it then adds an eighteen million 70 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 1: dollars roster bonus that officially triggers on the fifth day 71 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: of the twenty twenty two league years. So to sum 72 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: that all up, Danielle Hunter gets more money now, which 73 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: is five point six million, and then next year the 74 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,119 Speaker 1: Vikings have the option to either keep him, trade him, 75 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: cut him, or sign them to a longer deal, and 76 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 1: they have to make that decision by the fifth day 77 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: of the new league year, which is March of two 78 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: and twenty two. I think it makes complete sense to 79 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 1: extend him, but I'm not in the front office. We 80 00:03:57,560 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 1: know how much value this guy brings to this team. 81 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: Jay the youngest player in the NFL history to fifty 82 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: sacks that he's still twenty six years old, and he's 83 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: answering the prime of his career. So we know the 84 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: Vikings only had what twenty three sacks overall as a 85 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:18,839 Speaker 1: team last year. In twenty nineteen and twenty and eighteen combined, 86 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: Daniel Hunter had twenty nine sacks by himself, So we 87 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: know that that just adds value to the team right there. 88 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 1: But you've seen what he what he brings to this table. 89 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 1: I mean I've only seen him play in person one 90 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: time and I was on the opposing team and he 91 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: sacked our quarterback twice that game. But being on the 92 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 1: home team sideline, understanding what he does, understanding what he 93 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 1: means to this community, how key is it bringing Danil 94 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: Hunter back and having him back on I guess Lando 95 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 1: Lakesfield at mini games. This is the offseason talker that 96 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: has happened basically all last year and then leading up 97 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: this offseason saying is he gonna hold out? Is he 98 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:56,719 Speaker 1: gonna show up as he not? The reason why everyone's 99 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:59,479 Speaker 1: been asking that question is he is an absolute game wrecker. 100 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 1: And that is what Harrison Smith said this week and 101 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 1: his pressor you know, and he was asked, what's the 102 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: light getting him back? He is an absolute game wrecker. 103 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: He is a game changer, and given all the issues 104 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:11,840 Speaker 1: we had last season on the defensive line. We know 105 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,040 Speaker 1: what we were missing, and we saw all of the 106 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,839 Speaker 1: offseason moves, the return of Michael Pierce and then picking 107 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 1: up Tomlinson and a guy we're going to get to 108 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:25,159 Speaker 1: here shortly. But Daniel Hunter coming back here is another 109 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 1: piece of hope that that defensive line is going to 110 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 1: play better this year. It all comes down to if 111 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 1: he can stay healthy. And I think what you're seeing 112 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 1: here in this deal is it's kind of a buffer 113 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 1: for both of them. It's kind of a win win 114 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: where for the team there's no new money going into 115 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: this deal, but for him, all of his stuff is 116 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: basically front loaded, so it's basically converted to the signing bonus. 117 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: The team gets to pro rates that change out over 118 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: the next two years with the money that is officially 119 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: as signing bonus this year. But on top of that, 120 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:56,720 Speaker 1: like you said, the team basically has to either extend 121 00:05:56,800 --> 00:06:00,280 Speaker 1: him with a long term contract, trade him, which would 122 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 1: assume if he plays anywhere close to where he was before, 123 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: you're looking for a giant haul of picks and players 124 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: that would come back our direction, and then you would 125 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 1: either potentially cut him, which is highly unlikely because that 126 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: would open up like a ten point five million dollars 127 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,599 Speaker 1: dead cap hit next season, but that would also clear 128 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: twenty million dollars in cap space next year. So there's 129 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:23,119 Speaker 1: a little bit of a win win back and forth. 130 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 1: But I just don't really personally see that happening unless 131 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: something catastrophic happens, or you can let him play out 132 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: his contract and really roll the dice, because that would 133 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: be a twenty million dollar cap hit next season, but 134 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:37,600 Speaker 1: he could threaten to hold out for the next year, 135 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 1: he could threaten to walk. I just think when it 136 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:43,359 Speaker 1: really comes down to it, and with the front office 137 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 1: with what they want to do, daniol is basically banking 138 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: on himself saying I'm going to be back here in 139 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 1: same form and you're gonna have to pay me, And 140 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 1: the front office is saying, great, we'll pay you up 141 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: front your signing bonus here, but if you prove to 142 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: us that you're back in the same form, we will 143 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: gladly have to write that check. So to me, having 144 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 1: him back in the building, and if he comes back 145 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 1: to form even close to what he was before, it's 146 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 1: going to be an awesome, awesome asset to have back 147 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: on this defensive line. Yeah, I just think his presence alone, 148 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 1: let's say he doesn't. I mean, of course we know 149 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: he's going to get a lot of sacks this year, 150 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 1: but let's say he doesn't get a sack this year 151 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 1: at all. His presence alone in the run game, his size, 152 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: his stature, it automatically makes this team better, or you knows, 153 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,000 Speaker 1: an upgrade from from the output that we had on 154 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 1: the field last year. Not to say that, you know, fidio'deno, 155 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 1: bow did Juana, they didn't make they made plays. But 156 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 1: at the same time, Danielle Hunter, I mean, he's a 157 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: pro bowler, all pro. We need him back on this 158 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: team alongside Dalvin Tomlinson, Michael Pierce and then our newest 159 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: addition to the Minnesota Vikings defensive line. I guess welcoming 160 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 1: back Sheldon Richardson, who's of course we all know he 161 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 1: was with the Cleveland Browns the last two years. He 162 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: addressed that in his press conference earlier this week. But 163 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 1: like he said, him being cool with the organization here 164 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 1: and knowing everything that Mike Zimmer and coach Dre want 165 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: and what they bring to the table, Um, he's excited 166 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 1: to be back here. And it was just a perfect 167 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 1: fit for his career at this point and at this 168 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: point of where he is. So I'm excited about this. 169 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 1: He was here in twenty and eighteen, had four and 170 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 1: a half sacks forty eight tackles that year, and then got, 171 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: you know, the big contract for got the big contract 172 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 1: in Cleveland and we had dre On here a couple 173 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 1: of weeks ago and Drey was like hey. I was 174 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 1: like Drake, like, do you do you pick up the 175 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 1: phone and just say hey, my name is coach and 176 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 1: dre Patterson and then the player signs U and Drey 177 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 1: was like no, I mean he tells the guy straight up, 178 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 1: if you want a big contract elsewhere, this is where 179 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 1: you need to be. And Sheldon Richardson is a is 180 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 1: a byproduct of that, and then having him back here 181 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: for the twenty twenty one season with this revamped defense. Jay, 182 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: I'm excited, man, Yeah. I mean he was an absolute 183 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: force at the Jets, which is why when he did 184 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:55,199 Speaker 1: go to free agency and he didn't make his way 185 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: to the Seattle Seahawks prayer to coming to us. He 186 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: was a big name that was out there and everyone's 187 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 1: holy smokes, Sheldon Richardson's available and then when he did 188 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:04,839 Speaker 1: show up in twenty eighteen, you know, they kind of 189 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:07,080 Speaker 1: asked him, you know, what made you want to come here? 190 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,680 Speaker 1: And it was TCOPC. He walked in, He's like, have 191 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:12,680 Speaker 1: you seen this place? You know, like he was excited 192 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: about that. But I think given some of the other 193 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: quotes that he's had here from press conference the other day, 194 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 1: like you said, he knows he's not necessarily going to 195 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:23,720 Speaker 1: be a starter up front at this point in his 196 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: career because of the other two guys that are there. 197 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,559 Speaker 1: But what he was known for was you put him 198 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: in there on high pressure situations, especially on like third down. 199 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: He gets after it and he can be a play wrecker. 200 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,920 Speaker 1: He can be an upfield rusher on that defensive line. 201 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 1: And I think if we've talked about this numerous times, 202 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: just saying the way that Andre likes to rotate players 203 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: in over and over again and trying to keep guys 204 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: fresh and everything, I mean, you're talking Sheldon Richardson as 205 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:57,079 Speaker 1: as a backup d tackle. Possibly that is an embarrassment 206 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: of riches that you're you're bringing in here. And I 207 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 1: think the nice thing that you look at this too, 208 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: is say, you know, Sheldon felt like it was a 209 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: place that he wanted to return when he had the opportunities. 210 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,320 Speaker 1: So I think it's kind of a win win, And 211 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: if he wants to be here and he knows what 212 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: his role is going to be upfront, I just think 213 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 1: it's not only a great asset to have as a backup, 214 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 1: but it's also a kind of a safety measure in 215 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 1: case somebody gets hurt up front on that defensive line. 216 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 1: You've got then Sheldon Richardson, who's a definite starter and 217 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 1: knows what's going on in this league stepping back up 218 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 1: there and making some plays for you. So I think 219 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 1: it's a great play. I was really surprised when I 220 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 1: saw the name pop across Twitter and everything and just saying, 221 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: you know, the Vikings are working with this guy and 222 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 1: trying to get a deal done. I was like, heck, yeah, 223 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: bring him back in because I just think given everything 224 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 1: that happened last season, and we were just talking about 225 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 1: the sack numbers. I mean, I joked the other day 226 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:51,199 Speaker 1: it was kind of like, you know, Zim saying I 227 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 1: want some some you know, new defensive players in front 228 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: office just kind of joking saying who. And my reaction 229 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 1: was just saying all of them because they gone ham 230 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: bringing in new talent here, and I just think that 231 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 1: should make all Vikings fans super super excited that they're 232 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: not complacent at all. They are going for it this 233 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:12,319 Speaker 1: season with all the moves and the players are bringing in. 234 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 1: And I think Sheldon coming in here trying to working 235 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 1: on another one year prove a deal. You can see 236 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 1: him signing here long term next year too if everything 237 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 1: works out great, So I'm happy to have him back absolutely. 238 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:25,679 Speaker 1: Like you said, they have went ham, eggs and cheese 239 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 1: on this defensive line and free agency, and people still 240 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: forget that the salary cap is one hundred and eighty 241 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: two point five million, so there's not a lot of 242 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:35,679 Speaker 1: cheddar to give these guys. But at the same time, 243 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 1: Ropresentcy all those guys are making do and giving fans 244 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: their money's worth, and I'm excited to see like how 245 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: all the pieces of the puzzle will finally come together. 246 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,080 Speaker 1: And I guess just transition into mini camp this week, 247 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 1: it's it's really been fun to see the guys compete, right, 248 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: I Mean, that's the that's the obvious thing. But at 249 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: the same time, like I felt like things starting to 250 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 1: pick up I think Sheldon brought it up. He said, 251 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 1: you know, we're going around and running seventy five speed, 252 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:06,679 Speaker 1: but at the same time, you see guys running one 253 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 1: hundred percent or you see that you know, offensive lineman 254 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 1: doing certain certain moves that they wouldn't do, you know, 255 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: in a regular practice. So that the intensity is starting 256 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: to pick up, especially for what I saw this week 257 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: compared to Ota, so that that's probably been the biggest 258 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:24,960 Speaker 1: adjustment or biggest contrast between OTA's and mini camping. I 259 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: think it all goes back to just having Denial there. 260 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 1: I mean, just the impact that he has on his teammates, 261 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: impact from his locker room. We know he's a quiet guy, 262 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: but his presence alone has shown that. Okay, are the 263 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 1: football season is around the corner. It's time to prepare, 264 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: it's time to get with it. And there's a good team, 265 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: like we've put together a good team in place to 266 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 1: make a run here. So we'll see how it all starts. 267 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:50,560 Speaker 1: I mean, I mean, there's a lot of new faces, 268 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 1: but those new faces are veterans, and like Harrison Smith said, 269 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:56,360 Speaker 1: when it comes to the dB room, we go from 270 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: what the young the youngest group in the NFL last 271 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: year to arguably having one of the older groups. So 272 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: it's saying a lot. It is saying that this Vikings 273 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: team wants to win. Now, I'll know it's the real 274 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,440 Speaker 1: deal if Daniel Hunter gets in there and he gets 275 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: double teamed on every single snap, because that's what he 276 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:16,319 Speaker 1: can expect come in the regular season. But if you 277 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 1: double team Daniel, you still got a double team Dalvin 278 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 1: and Mike like that. That that is the that is 279 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: the excitement part of the embarrassment of Riches side, where 280 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 1: it's just like if you don't double team him, We've 281 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:32,319 Speaker 1: seen what's happened in the past when you have threats 282 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:35,640 Speaker 1: from the other side, and you know, they used to 283 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 1: have to double team Everson and they used to have 284 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 1: to double team Lynvall just to try to prevent them 285 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 1: from wreck and stuff up the middle. But if you 286 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 1: if Daniel's back and he's playing the way he's supposed 287 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: to and you're not double team in that guy, he 288 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 1: is going to wreck a bunch of plays in your backfield. Yeah. 289 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:54,720 Speaker 1: So that is that is where think about last season 290 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 1: where we were so frustrated, where two three four yards 291 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: off the snap, they were already offensive line you know, 292 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: was getting a push on our defensive line and you're 293 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: just like, man, this just does not look normal. In 294 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 1: all the years that I've been here, you always had 295 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,080 Speaker 1: a stout defensive line. You always had stout defensive line 296 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:15,479 Speaker 1: to keep those linemen off the linebackers and let them roam. 297 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: And last year was just such an aberration and Zim 298 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 1: was so upset about it, which you understand. But to 299 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:23,480 Speaker 1: see what they've done this offseason and the amount of 300 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 1: money that they've spent on the defensive line the secondary, 301 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 1: addressing those areas that they are not accustomed to having problems, Man, 302 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: this is going to be a completely different looking Vikings 303 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 1: defense we all assume, and it like, you know, to 304 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: harken back to my cheesy line last week, mandatory Mini 305 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: camp is is motivational mini camp. And if these guys 306 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: are going to put out seventy eighty percent, that's fine 307 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 1: by me. Just don't get hurt and get some rest 308 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: and then get the heck back here just under six 309 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: weeks away. It's going to be a lot of fun 310 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: this mini camp. I'm really really excited about what this 311 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 1: could mean, given not only where we're at, but the 312 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 1: state of the division as well. In the NFC North. 313 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: So we'll see how this goes. Yeah, we'll see all 314 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 1: this goes for sure. Well, next up on the show, 315 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 1: we got the pit Party. I'm talking about Brian O'Neill, 316 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: Patrick Jones the Second. But before we get there, I 317 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: got to give a special shout out to my guy 318 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: Chris Corso. I guess Jay, for the second week in 319 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: a row, he has not been on this show because 320 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: he got married. He decided to say, you know what, 321 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 1: I'm not doing MVP. I'm going to get married instead. 322 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: So got some choice of warriors for him when he 323 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: gets back. Yeah, I mean priorities, dude, what are you 324 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: doing here? You're going to get married and doing all 325 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 1: that stuff. But he will be back next week, and 326 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:39,400 Speaker 1: I guess Next up is the interview with the Pitt Party. Well, 327 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: the Pitt Party has commenced here on the Minnesota Vikings Podcast, 328 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: episode number one hundred. I'm talking about Pitt Panther Alims 329 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 1: now Minnesota Vikings teammates. Well, I guess you guys were 330 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 1: college teammates. Also, Patrick Jones the Second and Brian O'Neill Fellas, 331 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 1: thank you for joining me. I think for starters, we 332 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: got addressed obvious, right, You guys were in college together 333 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: for two years but played them the same field for 334 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: one correct. Yep, that experience. What was that like? I mean, 335 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: for me, it just helped me get better. I was 336 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: I was a younger ud at the time, so I 337 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: was on a scout team, so I got to go 338 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 1: against Brian all the time, and just like I mean, 339 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 1: he was doing his things, so me just being able 340 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 1: to go against somebody that level every day, it just 341 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,560 Speaker 1: prepared me for when I got my opportunity to go 342 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: out there and play about you, Brian. It was fun. 343 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: I think we only had a couple of fights in practice. 344 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: It was good. It was good though. I mean, I 345 00:16:32,680 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 1: remember Pat when he was like seventeen eighteen coming in 346 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 1: and he showed up here a couple of weeks ago. 347 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 1: I was like, oh, damn, you're not a kid anymore. 348 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: He's grown. Man. You talked about, you know, some of 349 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 1: those practice fights. I mean, just being a from a 350 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:49,720 Speaker 1: college athlete myself, the receivers always say, you know, it 351 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: always start with one on ones with the defensive offensive linement, 352 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: and then that translates to team drills. But I guess 353 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 1: this vice versa for you guys, you said start with 354 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 1: the wide receiver DBS like talk about that competitive edge 355 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 1: that that helps make the team better. But you know 356 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 1: it gets a little chippy. Also, Oh, it always starts 357 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:09,280 Speaker 1: with the d line. First off, it's always they started, 358 00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 1: we gotta finish it. But no, that's good. It's I mean, 359 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,119 Speaker 1: I like doing that kind of stuff in practice. It 360 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 1: makes us better. Put us in. You know, it won't 361 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,280 Speaker 1: get harder than a one on one pass rush. Blocking 362 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 1: a one on one pass rush and practice and it 363 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 1: gets easier on something in my mind. And I know 364 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 1: padd to learned. We do that a lot around here 365 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 1: every day, one on one pass pro, multiple raps. So 366 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:35,160 Speaker 1: it's fun. What about you, Pat oh Man, I almost 367 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: saying it always starts with the old line. I mean 368 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 1: they're always doing extra stuff after the place, So then 369 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 1: you feel me blab. I think it's cool though, because 370 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 1: when you get I feel like when you get people 371 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: mad out, then y'all getting a little scratch. Then you 372 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,639 Speaker 1: get to see like what people really got, because then 373 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 1: they're gonna bring you know, they're gonna bring it all 374 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:53,399 Speaker 1: the nice rep So then you just want to go 375 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:55,120 Speaker 1: out there and you're gonna bring your Also, then you're 376 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: really going at it, and I feel like that's how 377 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 1: you get better when you turn with the tone like that. 378 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 1: Pat you in the jerk college career as all the 379 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,119 Speaker 1: consensus all American, Brian, we know you were a top 380 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:08,719 Speaker 1: prospect in college. Also all acc by the coaches, um 381 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:12,679 Speaker 1: you guys this perspective on Pitts like why did you 382 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: guys choose Pitt and how did Pitt prepare you for? 383 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:18,719 Speaker 1: You know this NFL moment. I mean I chose Pit 384 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,360 Speaker 1: because it was the biggest scholarship offer I had coming 385 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 1: out of school, to be honest, coming out of high school. 386 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 1: It was my best chance to play Division one, big 387 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 1: time college football, and I loved it. I loved everything 388 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:34,440 Speaker 1: about it for four years. About you, PJ, I'll chose Pitt. 389 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: I mean that's just where I felt most comfortable. And 390 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:39,479 Speaker 1: I just looked at how Pit just they've known him 391 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 1: for doing great things where they d linement over the 392 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: past years, and then I think it's just it's just 393 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:46,879 Speaker 1: crazy how I ended up at a place like the 394 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:49,439 Speaker 1: Vikings that's known to do great things with the D lineing. 395 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 1: So I guess it all worked out well. And following 396 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: up on that, Patrick, you know you just said. I mean, 397 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,200 Speaker 1: Pitt has known as being kind of a defensive lineman factory. 398 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: There's a ton of great prospects and people that have 399 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 1: come into this league and had huge success. What do 400 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:04,720 Speaker 1: they teach there that makes it so special? Like what 401 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 1: do you feel you really gained being at Pitt during 402 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 1: that time? Oh? Yeah, just like just like the coach 403 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:13,600 Speaker 1: and just the defensive mentality and just like the aggressiveness 404 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: we play. I feel like that all just translates over 405 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:17,480 Speaker 1: to being a good D line. Like you said, we 406 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,199 Speaker 1: run to the ball the time. We're just playing an 407 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: aggressive upfield and it's just you just build on that 408 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:24,920 Speaker 1: when you're on't coming in there and you just try 409 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: to do your best secret to a nice level. On 410 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: top of that, then for Brian going against that every 411 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 1: single day and knowing that they're trying to kind of 412 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 1: bring their a game like that, how do you feel 413 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:35,880 Speaker 1: like that helped you during your time at pit when 414 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 1: you grew. I mean, I think it helped me tremendously. 415 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:40,199 Speaker 1: You know, they do a really good job with their 416 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:42,400 Speaker 1: D line. I had a lot of respect for coach Partridge, 417 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,959 Speaker 1: who's the D line coach there, And looking back on 418 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,600 Speaker 1: it now. In twenty sixteen and twenty seventeen, the scout 419 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:51,200 Speaker 1: team I was going against every day had multiple draft 420 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: picks on it and multiple draft picks who are here. 421 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: So like at the time, you just you're doing what 422 00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 1: you think you're doing, but you don't really realize it 423 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,400 Speaker 1: at the time you're playing against the NFL guys. UM, 424 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 1: and that really helped. But I think just the overall 425 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,639 Speaker 1: attitude of mindset that the coaches that PIT try to 426 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: instill in players. Uh, it's something that I grew a 427 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: lot from UM and kind of had to grow up 428 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:14,960 Speaker 1: and learn to be tough right away right when you 429 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:19,000 Speaker 1: get there. So UM, developing a tough mindset there was huge. 430 00:20:20,040 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 1: You talk about that mindset, that motor. UM. We were 431 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: talking a little off camera. I don't know which coach 432 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:27,679 Speaker 1: it was, but I heard a story about how one 433 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 1: of the defensive coaches that that coaches at University of Pit, like, 434 00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:33,919 Speaker 1: every single every single time the first I guess the 435 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:36,400 Speaker 1: offensive ball carry carries the ball in practice, he makes 436 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 1: sure all eleven defenders are near the ball for the 437 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: play ins UM. That's just I mean, that's coaching mindset, right. 438 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:46,479 Speaker 1: But I guess for you, Pat how how did that 439 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,919 Speaker 1: you know, that motor or that work ethic transit? How 440 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,680 Speaker 1: is that translated so far to the NFL. I mean, 441 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 1: I can't really say how that translates to the NFL 442 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:57,119 Speaker 1: yet because I haven't really played in the NFL game yet, 443 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:00,679 Speaker 1: But but hopefully it translates the same way did in college, 444 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:03,440 Speaker 1: just running to the ball. Whenever you see eleven gods 445 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 1: in the pitching, you know, when you run to the ball, 446 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 1: you have a better chance of making the plate. So 447 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 1: that's what some of them to keep doing, keep running 448 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: to the ball. I guess, like Brian, I mean I 449 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: think that the obvious I mean, of course many campus here. 450 00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:18,919 Speaker 1: The obvious talk right now is the Neil Hunter right like, 451 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:22,160 Speaker 1: he's back. You've been going up one on one against 452 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:25,439 Speaker 1: him in practice for the past couple of years. What 453 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:28,640 Speaker 1: is that like? And then for Pat, you know you're 454 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:30,800 Speaker 1: learning from a guy like the Neil Hunter. Can you 455 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 1: just talk about that presence just alone? You know, I 456 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,640 Speaker 1: think he's the best in the NFL. I don't think 457 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:40,160 Speaker 1: it's close, to be honest, I've had to block everybody 458 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: at this point, pretty much everybody, and being able to 459 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:45,120 Speaker 1: go against him every single day in practice is huge, 460 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:47,480 Speaker 1: and you know when he got banged up last year 461 00:21:47,720 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: in camp, not being able to have that every day, 462 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 1: I think I definitely missed that aspect of practice because 463 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:56,160 Speaker 1: nothing was harder than a Wednesday or Thursday in practice 464 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:58,399 Speaker 1: when he was and I had to go, and everything 465 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 1: really slowed down in the games. Um, So I'm really happy, Hey, 466 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: that he's healthy, be that he's back, and see, I 467 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 1: think I'm happy that I get to go against him 468 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:08,639 Speaker 1: in camp again this year and probably make him for 469 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 1: a more stressful couple of weeks. But it'll help me 470 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 1: down the line for sure. I mean, I mean, you 471 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 1: haven't seen him playing in person, but you've seen him 472 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: out there. And Jay and I were talking before, like 473 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 1: his presence, could you expound a little bit about that. 474 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 1: He was like just everything he does, like the way 475 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 1: he approaches the drills and everything he just like he's 476 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:30,480 Speaker 1: just a technician, Like he does everything the way you're 477 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 1: supposed to do it so far, like like far as 478 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 1: the drills, like his footwork, his pale level with his hands, 479 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 1: so like what I do is like as a young 480 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:40,879 Speaker 1: guy there, I just I literally watch him. I literally 481 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:43,440 Speaker 1: stand behind him and watch everything he does. He probably 482 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:47,040 Speaker 1: probably like, what's his dude doing watching me all day? 483 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 1: But I mean, I got an opportunity like that to 484 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:52,200 Speaker 1: watch somebody that that's did everything I want. Like, that's 485 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:54,560 Speaker 1: doing everything I want to do. So I'm gonna watch 486 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:56,640 Speaker 1: him and just learn from him as much as I can. 487 00:22:56,840 --> 00:22:59,920 Speaker 1: While these two, I mean, I guess it's a similar story, right, 488 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:03,000 Speaker 1: you know, third round draft picks, you know, just you 489 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 1: gotta work, you gotta get on the team. I mean, 490 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 1: you got the opportunity to play. But at the same time, 491 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 1: when you got drafted, when did you actually hear from 492 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:18,040 Speaker 1: your teammate, Brian? I got to drafted, right, I got drafted? Hey, Brian, 493 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:21,159 Speaker 1: what was that conversation? Like it was cool. I was 494 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:24,080 Speaker 1: actually in Pittsburgh, back on campus for a wedding of 495 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:26,720 Speaker 1: another former teammate, Okay, and I'm like in a big 496 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:28,480 Speaker 1: group of people and I see that we picked him, 497 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:33,040 Speaker 1: and I'm like, oh, I got calm. I go outside him, 498 00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:35,399 Speaker 1: like he probably has a thousand people he needs to 499 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:37,480 Speaker 1: talk to right now, just remember and how it went 500 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 1: from me. But he answered and we talked for a 501 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:42,080 Speaker 1: couple of minutes, and yeah, now we're now. We see 502 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:44,159 Speaker 1: each other every day. You went from being kind of 503 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:45,919 Speaker 1: the lone ranger from Pitt to now be in the 504 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:49,960 Speaker 1: three amigos. What's that like having some familiarity with those 505 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:52,320 Speaker 1: guys here in the locker room with you. Oh, it's cool, 506 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,639 Speaker 1: it's fun. It's fun to see familiar faces. Um. I 507 00:23:55,720 --> 00:23:57,160 Speaker 1: try to help him out as much as they can. 508 00:23:57,280 --> 00:23:59,800 Speaker 1: They know that that I'm here for him. Um. But 509 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: we'll see in camp. We'll see in camp. Make sure 510 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 1: they're on their pacing cues, make sure gold in the 511 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:07,399 Speaker 1: right way. We'll keep them straight, We'll keep them straight. 512 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:09,160 Speaker 1: I was gonna say, it's almost like one of those 513 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:11,520 Speaker 1: things when like you're you know, I have two younger brothers. 514 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 1: So when the younger brothers would come up and it's like, yeah, 515 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: now I got these guys here with me, I can 516 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 1: kind of bring them along. At the same point, I 517 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: can give them a little bit more of a hard 518 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 1: time too. Oh yeah, I'm sure we'll have our battles 519 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: and one on ones for of course many camp ota 520 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 1: is it's the only, you know, the only time in 521 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 1: the year that dolfhensive defensive line you really can't get 522 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 1: a good look of. Okay, this is what this guy's doing. Well, 523 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:34,080 Speaker 1: because everything is just you know, grab the jersey, get 524 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:37,119 Speaker 1: your hand placement here and there. But now once you 525 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 1: know training campers starting now, training camper is starting to 526 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 1: roll around. How do you think, Brian, that Pat's game 527 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:45,520 Speaker 1: from what you've seen on film can translate to the NFL. 528 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,800 Speaker 1: I think it's gonna translate very seamlessly. I think he 529 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:52,080 Speaker 1: has the right attitude, he has the right mindset. I 530 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: think he's asking the right kinds of questions. I think 531 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 1: I can learn a lot based on the kinds of 532 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:59,280 Speaker 1: questions people are asking and from what I've seen on 533 00:24:59,359 --> 00:25:01,880 Speaker 1: the field. Sof it's gonna be great. I mean, just 534 00:25:01,920 --> 00:25:04,840 Speaker 1: like anybody, we all have, you know, a learning curve 535 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:07,520 Speaker 1: or first camp, our first couple of games. But I 536 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 1: have no doubt with the guys we have there to 537 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 1: help bring them along and coach Dre and you know, 538 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 1: coach them and Adam and everybody that you know, it'll 539 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,120 Speaker 1: be good. It'll be smooth. I have no reservations. It'll 540 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:21,880 Speaker 1: be all right. I mean it's it's a little different, right, 541 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,720 Speaker 1: you know, offense defensive line. But you talk about that 542 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:26,919 Speaker 1: learning curve, like, what was that learning curve for you 543 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:29,640 Speaker 1: and when did it you know, finally click like, hey, like, 544 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 1: I'm in the NFL. This is my job. Now I 545 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:36,159 Speaker 1: gotta go out here and perform. Yeah. The way I 546 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 1: describe it to younger guys is that if you played 547 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:41,160 Speaker 1: a college season, there was one or two games where 548 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:43,840 Speaker 1: there was an elite NFL guy that you had to 549 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:47,439 Speaker 1: go against one or two games out of twelve. Now 550 00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:50,200 Speaker 1: now you have seventeen of those guys in a row. 551 00:25:50,760 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 1: Every single guy you see weekend and week out is 552 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:56,280 Speaker 1: the best player you ever saw in college. But I 553 00:25:56,400 --> 00:26:00,080 Speaker 1: probably started to feel like not like I was, I 554 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 1: don't know, drinking water through a fire. It was probably 555 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:05,719 Speaker 1: like week ten or twelve of my rookie year. Okay, 556 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:08,639 Speaker 1: I mean it took it took a while. Um, and 557 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:11,399 Speaker 1: I'm still not there yet, so that a longways to go. Still, 558 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:14,239 Speaker 1: Like that's almost scared. As you said, you're still out 559 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,399 Speaker 1: there yet, especially after coming off of last year in 560 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 1: the year before that, I mean, being mentioned with just 561 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:21,120 Speaker 1: some of the top names. I'm not sure what your 562 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:23,879 Speaker 1: goals are going for it, which brings me to my 563 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 1: next question. Understanding that hey, like I can be a 564 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: perennial pro at right tackle, Like, what are your goals 565 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 1: back in the playoffs. I don't really have I don't 566 00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:39,120 Speaker 1: really have personal ones that I'll throw out there. But 567 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:41,800 Speaker 1: I want this team to be back to elite status 568 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:45,040 Speaker 1: and contending and winning games and winning the division and 569 00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:47,600 Speaker 1: you know, being being one of those teams that makes 570 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:50,120 Speaker 1: a run. I want people to talk about the Vikings 571 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:53,639 Speaker 1: in a very very positive light. I guess, Pat, I 572 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:57,680 Speaker 1: mean there's there's always you know, phases to an offseason. 573 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:02,080 Speaker 1: I mean, rookie minicamp OTAs any campus now over. I'm 574 00:27:02,119 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 1: not even gonna ask for season goals, but your goal 575 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:07,600 Speaker 1: heading into training camp. You know, we got five weeks off, 576 00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:11,880 Speaker 1: Like what what does that look like between those five weeks? Oh, 577 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:13,760 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm just gonna be working. I mean we 578 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 1: got right now the holding them is extremely competitive, So 579 00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:20,679 Speaker 1: I'm really coming there and bring my hid game and 580 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:22,480 Speaker 1: i just want to build to just put myself in 581 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:24,639 Speaker 1: a position walking health the team win as much as 582 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:28,520 Speaker 1: I can. I guess, you know, seventeen games this year, right, 583 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:32,200 Speaker 1: like has I as I sunk? I guess sank anyat 584 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:34,199 Speaker 1: for you, Brian? I mean, I know, like Pat, this 585 00:27:34,280 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 1: is all you know, you go from, you know, twelve 586 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:40,399 Speaker 1: games last year ten games and then now now seventeen games. Brian, Like, 587 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,520 Speaker 1: not many people know how big that seventeen game is, 588 00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:47,639 Speaker 1: So give me your thoughts. I mean, I'm excited. I 589 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:51,120 Speaker 1: think you know, I've played seventeen games before. I mean 590 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 1: we've played we've made a playoff run before, so it's 591 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 1: not like a completely foreign thing to me. But um, 592 00:27:57,320 --> 00:27:59,680 Speaker 1: I think it puts more responsibility on the player day 593 00:27:59,680 --> 00:28:03,160 Speaker 1: to day, week to week, whether it's in September, October, November, 594 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:06,159 Speaker 1: taking care of your body, getting out in front a 595 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:09,360 Speaker 1: little knicks or injuries here and there, staying on top 596 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:11,200 Speaker 1: of your sleep and nutrition and that kind of stuff. 597 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:13,359 Speaker 1: Because the team is healthy, is at the end of 598 00:28:13,359 --> 00:28:15,000 Speaker 1: the year is probably gonna be the team is playing 599 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:18,119 Speaker 1: the best. So I like to put it as you know, 600 00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:21,080 Speaker 1: a bigger individual responsibility for me to keep my body right, 601 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:24,200 Speaker 1: my mind right to go. You know, let's go twenty games. 602 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 1: I'm ready for it. I love it. I guess my 603 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 1: last questions for you Pat understanding that, understanding what you 604 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:35,040 Speaker 1: know Brian just said, understanding that, Hey, your body is yours, 605 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:37,359 Speaker 1: your business, like your body is your money maker. Like 606 00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:40,680 Speaker 1: how is your mental approach to the game changed? I'll 607 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: just I mean for me. For me, it's kind of 608 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:45,680 Speaker 1: it's kind of easier because like all I gotta do 609 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:49,200 Speaker 1: is worry about playing football. So I really just I 610 00:28:49,320 --> 00:28:51,400 Speaker 1: really just focus. When I wake up in the morning, 611 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:54,000 Speaker 1: I just think, I gotta I gotta put myself on 612 00:28:54,120 --> 00:28:57,320 Speaker 1: the best position that I could be to be successful today. 613 00:28:57,440 --> 00:28:59,719 Speaker 1: So that's how I really wake up every morning, approach 614 00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:02,400 Speaker 1: to day, and I realized that end goal is to 615 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:04,480 Speaker 1: do what I need to do so that my Boddy 616 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:06,640 Speaker 1: could be an ultimate Sea. I'm looking forward to it. 617 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:09,880 Speaker 1: Guys like Pitt Panthers Pitt Party. We've got three of 618 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 1: you guys. Now, I know this is gonna be fun, 619 00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:15,800 Speaker 1: a lot of great I guess just experience now. So Brian, 620 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:18,120 Speaker 1: no more getting jumped in Hayes in the locker room. 621 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:19,600 Speaker 1: Now you got a couple of teammates that can back 622 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 1: you up. Right, that wasn't happening before. You worry about that, 623 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:27,840 Speaker 1: awesome man. Well, I appreciate both of you guys joining 624 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:30,160 Speaker 1: me today. Best a lot going forward. Thank you. Appreciate 625 00:29:32,360 --> 00:29:34,960 Speaker 1: never a dull moment with those two guys, especially former 626 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 1: college teammates now NFL teammates. I'm excited to see what 627 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 1: both of their careers hold going forward. With the Purple 628 00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 1: we know Brian O'Neill one of the best right tackles 629 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:46,600 Speaker 1: in the league. He's going to give Patrick Jones the 630 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:48,920 Speaker 1: second you know, some teaching lessons in one on ones 631 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 1: come training camp. But at the same time, it's only 632 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 1: going to make both of those guys better. But transitioning. 633 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 1: It was just announced that Kevin Williams would be inducted 634 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:58,440 Speaker 1: into the Vikings Ring of Honor. Of course, if you 635 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:00,680 Speaker 1: don't know who Kevin Williams is, he drafted in the 636 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:05,160 Speaker 1: first round two thousand and three, ninth overall, and Jay, 637 00:30:05,320 --> 00:30:08,040 Speaker 1: you saw this guy play six time Pro Bowl, five 638 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 1: time First Team All Pro, All two thousands of All 639 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:13,080 Speaker 1: Decade Team. I can keep going, but what were some 640 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 1: of the things that that you remember about his play? 641 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:17,080 Speaker 1: I mean, Kevin was one of the integral pieces of 642 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:19,640 Speaker 1: the Williams Wall. He and Pat Williams were the guys 643 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:23,200 Speaker 1: that anchored That's where so many people who were fans 644 00:30:23,240 --> 00:30:25,920 Speaker 1: of that era, the early two thousands era and seeing 645 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,120 Speaker 1: what they did are so excited right now about Thomlinson 646 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:30,080 Speaker 1: and Pierce and hopefully getting a couple of guys like 647 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 1: that to really kind of deja vu this whole thing 648 00:30:33,720 --> 00:30:36,360 Speaker 1: and be able to do that. Kevin was known as 649 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:38,840 Speaker 1: kind of the silent assassin when it came to this 650 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:41,840 Speaker 1: stuff because he didn't say very much, but man did 651 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:43,840 Speaker 1: he just let it all hang out on the field. 652 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:47,600 Speaker 1: You saw it in the when the announcement was made. 653 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 1: All of his former teammates especially you saw like Chad 654 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:53,680 Speaker 1: Greenway and Ben Lieber, even Eric Sugarman, the trainer, everyone 655 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:56,960 Speaker 1: just said that his nickname was the Ticket and it 656 00:30:57,000 --> 00:30:58,520 Speaker 1: was one of those things that are like, we could 657 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:02,280 Speaker 1: not be happier for a guy who was basically a 658 00:31:02,320 --> 00:31:05,680 Speaker 1: better representative than anyone could be for the Minnesota Vikings 659 00:31:05,800 --> 00:31:09,000 Speaker 1: organization during his era, and it's because he spoke with 660 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:11,200 Speaker 1: his actions on the field. He didn't say much, but man, 661 00:31:11,520 --> 00:31:15,320 Speaker 1: he was an absolute beast on the field. So to 662 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:17,720 Speaker 1: see Kevin get this recognition is awesome and it just 663 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:19,920 Speaker 1: kind of proves people that do it the right way 664 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 1: when they get rewarded. Everyone's really happy for him. One 665 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:25,160 Speaker 1: of my favorite anecdotes though, was whenever you would talked 666 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:27,280 Speaker 1: to Kevin, you would you would ask him, you know, 667 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:30,320 Speaker 1: what's it like being the best athlete in your family, 668 00:31:30,360 --> 00:31:32,360 Speaker 1: And he would always say, I don't know, ask my wife, 669 00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:34,680 Speaker 1: because his wife was a really good basketball player at 670 00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:37,720 Speaker 1: Louisiana Tech that made a run to the Final four, 671 00:31:38,240 --> 00:31:40,640 Speaker 1: and so he used to always kind of joke and 672 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 1: everything that He's like, yeah, I'm not even the best 673 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:45,000 Speaker 1: athlete in my family. My wife's got that honor. So 674 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:48,360 Speaker 1: to see Kevin get this this honor and get this award, 675 00:31:48,960 --> 00:31:50,400 Speaker 1: it's going to be a lot of fun to celebrate 676 00:31:50,400 --> 00:31:52,280 Speaker 1: it here coming up during the season. Yeah, well, that's 677 00:31:52,360 --> 00:31:54,240 Speaker 1: that's what he's supposed to say, right, I mean, my 678 00:31:54,280 --> 00:31:56,440 Speaker 1: wife's the best athlete in the family. My kids take 679 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:58,480 Speaker 1: all the james from her. Right, we'll just go through 680 00:31:58,520 --> 00:32:00,960 Speaker 1: and rewind this for or so when he gets back, 681 00:32:01,040 --> 00:32:03,560 Speaker 1: just to at least give them a launching pad moving forward. 682 00:32:04,480 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 1: I love it. Well, we'll have full coverage of Kevin's 683 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:09,320 Speaker 1: exciting revealed on Vikings dot com and all of our 684 00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:14,440 Speaker 1: social media platforms. But mini camp training OTAs, all the 685 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:19,520 Speaker 1: organized offseason activities are over, Jay, it is finally training camp. 686 00:32:19,520 --> 00:32:21,840 Speaker 1: We are five weeks away. There will be a pretty 687 00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:24,600 Speaker 1: extensive break between now and then, and I'm sure guys 688 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 1: would go back home, go train to whatever they need 689 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:29,600 Speaker 1: to do. But I guess after July four, football is 690 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:34,120 Speaker 1: officially back. And I'm excited, man, final thoughts, Just excited 691 00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:37,160 Speaker 1: that we've had all of the offseason speculation. What's gonna 692 00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:39,479 Speaker 1: happen to Neil, what's gonna happen with the players, how 693 00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:41,840 Speaker 1: are we going to revamp this roster? What's going to happen. 694 00:32:41,880 --> 00:32:44,560 Speaker 1: I mean, just think about what the discussion was in February, 695 00:32:44,600 --> 00:32:46,720 Speaker 1: let alone the beginning of March when when we're trying 696 00:32:46,760 --> 00:32:51,400 Speaker 1: to figure out free agency. This team has completely bought 697 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:54,360 Speaker 1: all in and gone all in to make it work 698 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:57,440 Speaker 1: for this season and with their eyes on the horizon 699 00:32:57,480 --> 00:32:59,640 Speaker 1: for next season two of what they could build. But 700 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:02,200 Speaker 1: there are a ton of players right now working on 701 00:33:02,200 --> 00:33:05,080 Speaker 1: one year deals, meaning that they're going to bring their 702 00:33:05,120 --> 00:33:08,080 Speaker 1: a game to try and get that next contract coming 703 00:33:08,160 --> 00:33:10,760 Speaker 1: next season. And I just feel like there are so 704 00:33:10,800 --> 00:33:14,200 Speaker 1: many veterans now on this team that have had a 705 00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:18,280 Speaker 1: ton of experience and successful experience, including Super Bowl rings, 706 00:33:18,320 --> 00:33:20,720 Speaker 1: that you bring them on this team, and I think 707 00:33:20,760 --> 00:33:24,600 Speaker 1: there is something really fun, real special bubbling underneath the 708 00:33:24,840 --> 00:33:27,160 Speaker 1: surface right now on this team. So I'm really excited, 709 00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:30,160 Speaker 1: not only for my summer to be done like them 710 00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:33,360 Speaker 1: in just under six weeks, but for training camp to 711 00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:36,040 Speaker 1: hit and to really see what we're potentially working with here. 712 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:38,800 Speaker 1: So hopefully everybody goes back and has a great summer 713 00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:41,600 Speaker 1: break and really enjoys their time because there's gonna be 714 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:42,920 Speaker 1: a lot of work to be had, but there's gonna 715 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:44,720 Speaker 1: be a lot of fun to be had too, oh 716 00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:47,120 Speaker 1: for sure. Not And obviously the last piece of content 717 00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:50,240 Speaker 1: that we will post this week is Vikings Vantage myself 718 00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:53,120 Speaker 1: as well ast Eric Smith. We will have NFL Networks 719 00:33:53,120 --> 00:33:55,040 Speaker 1: Tom Pella Sero on the show and Tom he was 720 00:33:55,080 --> 00:33:57,960 Speaker 1: at practice on Wednesday, and we'll talk about, you know, 721 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:00,480 Speaker 1: all things to Neil Hunters showed him Richard's in the 722 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:03,600 Speaker 1: off season in general, and I'm excited to actually get 723 00:34:03,600 --> 00:34:05,120 Speaker 1: that going. So guys, make sure you stay tuned the 724 00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:08,120 Speaker 1: Vikings dot com to check that out. And my final thought, 725 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:12,120 Speaker 1: Jay is what I said before five weeks, five weeks 726 00:34:12,200 --> 00:34:16,160 Speaker 1: before training camp starts, it's looking like it'll look a 727 00:34:16,160 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 1: little bit more close to normal. It'll be more normal 728 00:34:19,560 --> 00:34:21,600 Speaker 1: than twenty twenty one. So I'm excited just to be 729 00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:24,759 Speaker 1: able to see people in person and actually be able 730 00:34:24,800 --> 00:34:26,880 Speaker 1: to see things up close and have I guess, just 731 00:34:26,920 --> 00:34:29,080 Speaker 1: have fun doing it, man like this has been a long, 732 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:32,680 Speaker 1: long twenty twenty a long I guess, past few months. 733 00:34:32,680 --> 00:34:36,160 Speaker 1: So the quicker we can get to normality, the quicker 734 00:34:36,280 --> 00:34:38,160 Speaker 1: Vikings fans can get back in the stadium. So guys 735 00:34:38,160 --> 00:34:40,719 Speaker 1: in the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy, do what you 736 00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:42,799 Speaker 1: need to do to make sure the people around you 737 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:45,359 Speaker 1: were healthy. And I guess the last thing I can 738 00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:47,680 Speaker 1: say is thank you for joining us for episode number 739 00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:49,840 Speaker 1: one hundred of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast.