1 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: We very much remains Packers versus Vikings. Can you take 2 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 1: that leap forward the convinces ownership and convinces Quaisy and 3 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: Kevin without going down before you go back up. The 4 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: thing we've learned about the twenty twenty two Vikings is 5 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: that they are going to back up what Mark Wilf 6 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: said the day that they had the press conference announcing 7 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: that they were moving on from Mike Zimber and Rick Spielman, 8 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: which is they believe this can be a competitive team. Now, 9 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 1: the Vikings were only getting started with free agency, and 10 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,519 Speaker 1: we're here to catch you up on all things Minnesota Vikings. 11 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: This is MVP stands for the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. It's 12 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 1: episode one thirty seven, Free Agency and owners Meeting Version. 13 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Tatum Everett. I have producer Jay Nelson 14 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 1: in studio with me while Gabe Henderson is enjoying the 15 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: beautiful weather in Florida. Every time I see one of 16 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:58,279 Speaker 1: those videos come out from the interviews day, I get 17 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: a little bit jealous. Yeah, a little ridiculous. At this point, 18 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 1: I'm wholeheartedly waiting for a spring to actually fully kick in. 19 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: I know we got teased a couple of weeks ago. 20 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 1: Now we're back to the snowy, sleety, icy stuff and 21 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: seeing the palm trees and everybody wearing shorts. I was like, man, 22 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: that's the place to be this week. No, justin New 23 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 1: Orleans where I'm from, and I was wearing shorts and 24 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 1: walking around in T shirts, and I was like, man, 25 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go back and it's gonna be snowy. Must 26 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 1: be nice, I know, I know. Well, game has been 27 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:30,199 Speaker 1: hard at work. It's not just all fun and games 28 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,840 Speaker 1: down there in West Palm Beach. He's been interviewing several 29 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: of our front office as well as catching up with 30 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: a lot of media personalities from across the country. And 31 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: he will have an interview later on in this podcast 32 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: with NFL Networks Tom Pelcero in just a bit. But 33 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 1: first Jay, we've got to talk about some of the 34 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: moves that Vikings, GM Quasia Dopamensa has been making. You 35 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 1: guys touched on the biggest one really I think so far, 36 00:01:57,160 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: which was the addition of Zadarius Smith and one of 37 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 1: his friends from Green Bay was added not shortly after. Yeah, 38 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 1: recruiting some of these different guys to come in, that's 39 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: that's I think that's the thing that I think it's 40 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 1: been the most fascinating part of this has been seeing 41 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: with the new faces, new coaches, even some of the 42 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: new players now and they're pulling in some of their 43 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: their compatriots and friends and people that were teammates on 44 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: other teams. That's been the most fascinating part for me 45 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 1: is just to see who some of these new people 46 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 1: are that are coming in and just the rumors of 47 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 1: who else is still out there, what could they possibly 48 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: do um And it always comes back to the money, 49 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: trying to be able to you know, free some stuff up. 50 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 1: But at the same point, I think fans should be 51 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: fairly excited just to see the amount of changes that 52 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: have happened and some of the people that have been 53 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 1: brought in, especially in specific position groups that people have 54 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: felt were leaned going into this process. It feels like 55 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 1: they really have, you know, kind of waived the magic 56 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 1: wand and pulled some rabbits out of hats here to 57 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,399 Speaker 1: fill in this roster and some really decent ways. So yeah, 58 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 1: it's Zadarius Smith signing. We talked about Gabe and I 59 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: talked about that last week and just having him be 60 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 1: able to anchor with the Neil Hunter on the other end. 61 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,799 Speaker 1: Now we turn around and he you know, kind of 62 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: talks to a friend of his and brings him in 63 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 1: Chandon Sullivan cornerback, which is definitely a position group that 64 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 1: we've been talking about all offseason. I think initially we 65 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 1: started with four and now we've signed up. We're up 66 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,639 Speaker 1: to seven on the roster officially, but being able to 67 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: bring in a guy like Chandon Sullivan who's definitely got 68 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: some history. It's a nice name and a good person 69 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 1: to bring in here. I think I'm excited to see 70 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 1: a younger, younger face here who's got some good experience 71 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,079 Speaker 1: coming onto this roster. Yeah, you talk about the way 72 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: that things are all tied together, and he has ties 73 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: to Mike Petton, he has ties as areas Smith and 74 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 1: I think the my biggest takeaway so far in free 75 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: agency has been they the front office, Quacy and Kevin 76 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: and a lot of these coaches that they've brought on, 77 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: they go to what they know. You know, they are 78 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: getting players that they have experience with. Rarely do you 79 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: see an addition where they haven't had one connection to 80 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: a coach or a front office member. The familiarity, the 81 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: acknowledgment of this person is going to fit into our 82 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: system and I know them, and of a man of 83 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: character and this is what we're looking for. And so 84 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: a guy like Chandon Sullivan or even Nate Hairston who 85 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:16,799 Speaker 1: was added in the cornerback room as well. He played 86 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 1: last season for Vikings defensive coordinator at Dontel. So you've 87 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 1: got all these names that have a familiarity with the 88 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 1: guys that are coaching them up. It also shows intention 89 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:28,360 Speaker 1: when it comes to the front office and those coaches that, 90 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: like you said, they're bringing in people that they know 91 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: that they feel are going to be a good fit 92 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: with this new scheme that they're they're going to run 93 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 1: here on this team. I think that's been the hardest 94 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: thing to kind of wrap your head around a little bit, 95 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: is to say, well, how are we going to make 96 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: this transition from four three to three four, especially defensively, 97 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:46,720 Speaker 1: what kind of players are we going to have or 98 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:50,919 Speaker 1: thin at certain spots. They've been very intentional about grabbing 99 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: specific kinds of players that will fit that scheme. Well, 100 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: they've got history with a bunch of these coaches, those 101 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 1: people being able to vouch for them, being able to 102 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 1: find ways to I guess, convince them to join this team. 103 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: It has been inspiring at times. It's been very fun 104 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: to watch these guys walk in the door and basically 105 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,040 Speaker 1: say yeah, I'm here because I trust the coaching staff, 106 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 1: I like what we see on the roster, and I 107 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:20,599 Speaker 1: know that there are opportunities here in these positions. It's 108 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: been great just to see the level of talent of 109 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: some of these guys coming in here and to feel 110 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: like there's some fresh blood. It's been great. You say 111 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 1: the word intentional, and it really has come to that 112 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:30,920 Speaker 1: rings true. I think in this when you even look 113 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: at a guy like Zadarius who was supposed to be 114 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: somewhere else and backed out, and the Vikings playing the 115 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: waiting game and getting him and landing him, I mean, 116 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 1: it's been very As you said, intentional is probably the 117 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: best word just to use to describe this free agency 118 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 1: this year. Well, that was when there was such a 119 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 1: turnover and the coaching staff like Zadarius was a perfect 120 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 1: example of that for me, and that when he was 121 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 1: named as somebody who was going to be a free 122 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: agent testing the waters, my first thought was, well, we've 123 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: got a couple of guys that he knows. Yeah, And 124 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 1: so when they said he was going to Baltimore and 125 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 1: he was signing there, in the back of my mind, 126 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 1: I was like, oh, that's kind of a missed opportunity. 127 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 1: It just kind of felt weird, like, you know, we 128 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:10,360 Speaker 1: didn't even get him in the door just to talk 129 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 1: to him. It just felt kind of funky. And then 130 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: but then you find out the backstory and he had 131 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 1: been at the Ravens and had some history there and 132 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: it kind of made more sense as soon as they 133 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:21,720 Speaker 1: announced that, yeah, he had a deal and then all 134 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: of a sudden he had backed out of it. The 135 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:25,720 Speaker 1: first thing I thought was, he's got to be making 136 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 1: a stop here given the history of some of those people. 137 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:30,600 Speaker 1: And as soon as he walked in the door and 138 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:32,480 Speaker 1: you saw the smile on his face and he was 139 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: hanging out with people that he knew and was kind 140 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 1: of you know, checking out the place, and he was 141 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: pretty happy just to see it. There was there was 142 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 1: a lot of positivity coming out of that. It felt 143 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 1: pretty good. And I said last week basically he came 144 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 1: in for breakfast on the second day. I was like, good, 145 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: he's still here in the building. Yeah, And then I 146 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 1: saw him walk in for lunch and I saw him 147 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 1: wearing something different and it had a Norseman on. I 148 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: was like, that's a very good sign. And so, you know, 149 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:58,039 Speaker 1: shortly after that it was announced that he was staying. 150 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,920 Speaker 1: So again with these guys, with Channon Sullivan, Nate Harrison 151 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: and another guy we haven't talked about yet, Jesse Davis, 152 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: those three names being signed this past week. Again, they 153 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 1: don't feel like it's just kind of fodder for the position. 154 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 1: It feels like these are guys that are expecting to 155 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: have a fair shake to try and earn a starting spot. 156 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 1: And they've all three of them at this point have 157 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 1: history in this league and have starting ability at their position. 158 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: So it's going to be interesting to see kind of 159 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 1: what happens once camp starts and these guys really get 160 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: into the mix and just to see how they shine. 161 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,680 Speaker 1: It will definitely be a battle in that cornerback room. 162 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: The addition of some depth with Tye Smith being resigned. 163 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: He's been on the practice squidsman the league for a while. 164 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 1: Someone who's a real utility player comes in when there 165 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: are injuries and as well as a difference maker on 166 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: special teams. However, you know, I see you know, I'm 167 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: on Twitter, I look at fan comments. I get it. 168 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: You know, I've seen where it's like, okay, so you 169 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: have all these defensive pieces, where are the cornerback signings? 170 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 1: And it was for a couple of weeks we were 171 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: kind of wondering with the question mark and some late 172 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: additions there. But for me, you know, not to get 173 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: two ahead of myself, But how do you not try 174 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: and get a talented cornerback in the first round this 175 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: year in the draft? That's going to be the question. 176 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 1: One of the discussion points on all of us is 177 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 1: to say, when you were what two three weeks ago, 178 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: and you were looking at the situation, you're saying, man, 179 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: there's some definite holes at certain positions that you just 180 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: felt thin. And now that you've gone through and you've 181 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 1: addressed by at least bringing in competition, you've signed essentially 182 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: three cornerbacks now, and so we went from having four 183 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 1: on the roster to seven. Even the idea of bringing 184 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:36,559 Speaker 1: in Zadarius Smith as a pass rusher, you bring in 185 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: Harrison Phillips. On defense at the tackle position. You start 186 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: to look at it where the criticism was corners pass rush, 187 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,439 Speaker 1: especially on defense, you've addressed and brought in at least 188 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: a couple of bodies to do that next too, exactly right, 189 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 1: so you bring him in for the linebacker spot. There's 190 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,079 Speaker 1: still some names that are out there that are free 191 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,959 Speaker 1: agents that you know maybe could sign again, but we 192 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,319 Speaker 1: don't know for sure. But what it really comes down 193 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:01,079 Speaker 1: to is it gives you flexibility when it comes draft 194 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 1: time to say you don't necessarily have to draft for 195 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:08,199 Speaker 1: need out of necessity. It's draft for the talent. And 196 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: that is something that I think has been very done, 197 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: very very well by Quacy and the front office staff, 198 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 1: the scouting and the coaches, just to say, here's the 199 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: kind of players we're looking for, here's what we're comfortable 200 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 1: working with, here's the talent that we can play with. 201 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: And now that they've done this and put us in 202 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: a better position over the last two weeks, it's now 203 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: at a point where come draft time, you can have 204 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: the luxury of being able to pick top tier talent 205 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:33,679 Speaker 1: versus having to pick just for need. We've talked a 206 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: lot about these defensive guys, Jay, but there was a 207 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,720 Speaker 1: pretty significant signing on the offensive side of the ball 208 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 1: in offensive lineman Jesse Davis, a five year veteran who 209 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 1: is just with the Dolphins. Jesse Davis looks like a 210 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 1: prototypical perfect offensive lineman. Thirty years old, six foot six, 211 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 1: eighteen pounds. Oh that's it, Yeah, that's it. The thing 212 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: about Jesse is that's got me intrigued is the fact 213 00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 1: for the last five years being a starter down with 214 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 1: the Miami Dolphins. It's kind of an interesting story. Coming 215 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 1: out of Asseton, Washington and then went to college at Idaho. 216 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 1: He flipped from defensive tackle to offensive line in college, 217 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 1: which wow. You hear about certain positions like wide receiver 218 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:17,559 Speaker 1: to cornerback, yeah, but to do the defensive tackle to 219 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:20,959 Speaker 1: offensive tackle is a completely different skill set. But the 220 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: thing that's intriguing is he's got the height, he's got 221 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: the size, and he's got the pedigree. And that he 222 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 1: started for the last five seasons essentially for the Dolphins, 223 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 1: basically getting his first shot in twenty sixteen Week eight, 224 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 1: and he also played tackle that season, So it shows 225 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 1: up this guy's versatile in multiple positions. He's got the height, 226 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: and he's predominantly been right guard. So if you're telling me, like, 227 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 1: there's a chance here that we have Jesse Davis at 228 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 1: six ft six three eighteen standing next to Brian O'Neill 229 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: on that right side. Yeah, that is a nice tandem 230 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 1: and pair that you could work together with. And the 231 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: fact he's played eighty games in his career seventy two starts, 232 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 1: sixteen last season, it just shows, especially these last five 233 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 1: seasons have been very, very durable. So he's another great 234 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: addition as somebody that I think wasn't necessarily one of 235 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: the big names or people on tons of radars, but 236 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: he's the kind of guy that would potentially fit in 237 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: this system. So I just like when we had talked 238 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 1: about a guy like Mason cole leaving being versatile and 239 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: being a guard in the center. Now you have a 240 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:21,440 Speaker 1: guy like Jesse Davis walking in the door that can 241 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:24,839 Speaker 1: play multiple positions and has the pedigree, and I just 242 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: it's nice to bring in more competition at those positions 243 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 1: that people have been kind of clamoring for some extra 244 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: help at. So yeah, again, this help. But you think 245 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: that's like probably the I don't want to say weakest, 246 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 1: because I don't think that that they're weak by any means, 247 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: but they're probably the one. A couple of question marks 248 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: on the offensive side of the ball that the Vikings have. 249 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: When you consider a locket running back, locks at receivers, 250 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: lock a tight end, lock at quarterback, that's kind of 251 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 1: where you need. It's what makes the engine run. But 252 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 1: you also need to figure out your rotation. One thing 253 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 1: we've known on this team is when it comes to 254 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 1: the battle of a trick in the extra seventeenth game 255 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,080 Speaker 1: and all this stuff, you need to have depth at 256 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:06,839 Speaker 1: all of these positions. So a guy like Jesse Davis, 257 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 1: whether he comes in and earns a starting role or 258 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 1: is somebody who can be coming off the bench to 259 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,319 Speaker 1: spell a guy if he gets injured, if he gets tired, whatever. 260 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 1: A guy like Jesse Davis has history, knows what the 261 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 1: league is about, knows what it means to be professional. 262 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: And to have him come in and add some depth 263 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: and competition at that offensive line position I think is 264 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: going to be critical and crucial for everything that we 265 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 1: want to do, especially coming up again as a potential 266 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: position we need to draft in the twenty twenty two 267 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 1: draft in Vegas. So Jesse being able to help at 268 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 1: depth at that position helps give us more flexibility when 269 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 1: it comes draft time. Vikings, making several decisions for free agency, 270 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 1: took a little bit of break this week when they're 271 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 1: at the NFL Owners Meeting, and the owners meeting obviously 272 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: is not just about doing interviews with the Vikings Entertainment Network. 273 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,679 Speaker 1: It's also about talking about these rule changes, and there 274 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 1: was a very significant one this week regarding the NFL 275 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:05,439 Speaker 1: overtime rule. There's a lot of discussion going on, especially 276 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:07,719 Speaker 1: given the last couple of years when it comes to 277 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: overtimer rules and how the whole distribution of who gets 278 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: the ball coin flip. I think I saw the stats 279 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 1: saying that essentially in the regular season when it goes 280 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: to the overtime rule of who's going to win, if 281 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:21,959 Speaker 1: it's what's going to happen, it's about fifty fifty on 282 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: who wins. But in those scenarios in the playoffs, the 283 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: team that wins the coin flip is ten and two. 284 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 1: And that was I think between the Chiefs a couple 285 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 1: of years ago where they never got a shot against 286 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 1: the Patriots and then this past season where the where 287 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: the Bills really everyone was so frustrated with that game 288 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,599 Speaker 1: because everyone had played so well, including the Bills, that 289 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,079 Speaker 1: you just felt they kind of got short changed on that. 290 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: And so this whole overtime rule proposal that came up 291 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: and they had the discussion and they enacted this week. 292 00:13:56,760 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: I think, honestly, in my opinion on my side, gets fair, 293 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: and that too, I would and I understand, you know, 294 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 1: the information that's out there is the Viking said ruled 295 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: against it. The reason why we was due to the 296 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 1: time limit. They were looking at it saying it felt 297 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:14,400 Speaker 1: kind of weird that there could be just you know, 298 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:19,400 Speaker 1: open ended no time, like a nine minute drive or something. Yeah, 299 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: so and I understand that, and they know that's that's, 300 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: you know, and I understand why the team voted that way. 301 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 1: The same point. On my end, I look at it 302 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: as if you're telling me that you can get the 303 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:33,400 Speaker 1: best possible football game out of it, and know that 304 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: you know the exactly well that the specific game that 305 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: we were just looking at the fact that that game 306 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,800 Speaker 1: was probably one of the most epic playoff games period 307 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: in NFL history, and you got to the end and 308 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: you felt like we wanted to see the Bills have 309 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 1: a chance to answer because the game was a slugfest. Yeah, 310 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: both teams were throwing haymakers back and forth the entire game, 311 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 1: and then to get to the end and be like, Okay, 312 00:14:58,200 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: this guy gets to throw a punch, but the other 313 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: guy doesn't. Yeah, it just felt kind of weird, and 314 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 1: so I understand it. And honestly, the fact that they're 315 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:08,120 Speaker 1: only doing it four playoff games, I'm okay with that too. Yeah, 316 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 1: I think it's a good call. I mean, seven of 317 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: those ten victories you talked about all were one on 318 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 1: the opening drive. So it really is a distinct advantage 319 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: in the postseason. And when you're talking about a team 320 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 1: that has qualified for the postseason, who has one of 321 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: the best records in the league, like, you need that chance, 322 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 1: you need that opportunity. Basically, both teams now have the 323 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 1: possession of the ball and overtime. Matter what happens on 324 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: that opening possession, it kind of falls, you know. You 325 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: know that if they score both times and it kind 326 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: of kicks off, the next score wins, which I think 327 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 1: is fair. Yeah, And I've seen some criticism also saying 328 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: now you're going to see teams that are going to 329 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 1: be more hesitant. Instead of saying we want the ball first, 330 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 1: they're going to say we want the ball second, because 331 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 1: then you have an idea of, well, they kicked the 332 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 1: field goal, so now we can either hit a field 333 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: goal or a touchdown to win it. It was already 334 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 1: like that right essentially, but it was the idea of 335 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 1: if you were the team that wins at an overtime. Currently, 336 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 1: a lot of teams say we want it first because 337 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 1: if we score a touchdown, it's over right now. They're 338 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: going to say we might want the ball second because 339 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 1: we know exactly when we would know what would happen 340 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: to the other. It's impossible to create a purely level 341 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 1: playing field day. You're going to nitpick this no matter what. 342 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 1: It might change the next ten years too. But in 343 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: the end, I think it's fair that both teams get 344 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: a shake to try and score. After that, you know, 345 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: sudden death, all bets are off. Do whatever you need 346 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 1: to do. But for me, at least, it feels fair 347 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 1: in the playoffs that both these teams, if it's a 348 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 1: tie game going into the playoff round, both these teams 349 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 1: have a shot to score. Yeah, I mean, I agree 350 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: with you. I think something had to change. It was 351 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: just you just felt like so much was left on 352 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 1: the table, and you shouldn't feel like that at the 353 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 1: end of the game. You really shouldn't. So yeah, I'm 354 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 1: with you. I think it's a great overtime rule. Can't 355 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: wait to see it go into action. It's kind of 356 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: funny for me because I feel like the NFL overtime 357 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: rule was so reactionary, and that game was like two 358 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: months ago and it's already changed, you know, like you 359 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: think of like things changing and it takes time, But 360 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: that was like such a reaction. But I think it's 361 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 1: because there have been multiple instances and the fact that 362 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 1: there is a sample size, like if this was the 363 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 1: you know, they had changed the rule last year and 364 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: this was the only game that that happened. I mean, 365 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 1: the fact that that the Patriots Chiefs game was felt 366 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:22,159 Speaker 1: that same way, where you felt like, we want to 367 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:24,000 Speaker 1: see Mahomes get a chance to get the ball and 368 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,920 Speaker 1: answer what the Patriots had done in that game. But 369 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 1: I think the fact that you can look at it 370 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: and say ten and two is very much a tilted field. 371 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 1: And so the fact that they did take the time 372 00:17:34,760 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 1: and really kind of talk this through, and there were 373 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:39,399 Speaker 1: multiple teams that had thrown similar proposals out there. The 374 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 1: fact that they came down to this rule and agreed 375 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 1: on this rule is something I felt like, you know, 376 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 1: there were there was a precedent. There is statistics to 377 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 1: show it. And you know, one thing the league has 378 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,320 Speaker 1: very much been willing to do is review year after 379 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 1: year after year, and if for some reason something comes 380 00:17:57,080 --> 00:17:58,720 Speaker 1: up and it just doesn't feel like it's not working, 381 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 1: they're willing to make that change. A lot of discussions, changes, 382 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: a lot of things going on down at the owner's meeting. 383 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 1: If you can only be a fly on the wall 384 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,439 Speaker 1: for those, we did have Gabe Henderson down there at 385 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 1: West Palm Beach to catch up with several of the 386 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 1: NFL media talent as well as our front office guys. 387 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 1: And so right now, let's kick it out to Gabe 388 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: in Florida for an interview with the NFL Networks Tom Pellasero, 389 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: what is here right now is the NFL Annual League 390 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: Meeting and what have you learned about just everything that 391 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 1: has been transpiring thus far. Well, it's early. You know, 392 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:37,640 Speaker 1: the rules votes are always one of the last things 393 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: that they do, so obviously we're gonna be looking at 394 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 1: potential changes to overtime, whether that goes to a vote, 395 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: whether it actually gets twenty four votes to pass. Now, 396 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: there's obviously some significant diversity equity and inclusion measures that 397 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:51,120 Speaker 1: are taking place here, including the formation of the Diversity 398 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 1: Advisory Committee, which Roger Goodell has said back at the 399 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:55,399 Speaker 1: Super Bowl that he was going to do to address 400 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 1: some of the concerns regarding diversity and hiring and beyond that. 401 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,800 Speaker 1: It's a lot of the team focused stuff. You know, 402 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: obviously it was a draft awarded to Detroit. Hard Knox 403 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 1: went to Detroit within the NFC North, But you know, 404 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:09,679 Speaker 1: a lot of it is just kind of getting the updates. 405 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:12,000 Speaker 1: I feel like, almost and I don't want to undersell 406 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 1: these meetings game, but after three weeks of bonkers things happening, 407 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: happening within the league, it almost feels like this is it. 408 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 1: Like it, even though there's certainly some big ticket items 409 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: still hanging out there Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield, among others, 410 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:31,240 Speaker 1: it kind of feels like we're done and now it's 411 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,200 Speaker 1: the ramp up to the draft, which is kind of 412 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: a little semblance of normality after a crazy a couple 413 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: of years. While we're here, I know you were talking 414 00:19:37,320 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 1: about some things that's been going on in some of 415 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:41,639 Speaker 1: those meeting rooms. The overtime, like the overtime rule of 416 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:43,960 Speaker 1: what that means for the NFL. And if whether that 417 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 1: gets pasted or not, like, what do you think that 418 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:48,119 Speaker 1: means for the future of the league if that is 419 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 1: something that goes into action. The thing to understand what 420 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:54,160 Speaker 1: the NFL when they change rules, they never do anything. 421 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,320 Speaker 1: Is he coming up behind me? There? You just get out. 422 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: It's a great level of walkie. The NFL never does 423 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 1: anything you know, overly, quickly or rarely, I should say that. 424 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 1: They jump ahead and do things. They want to think 425 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:11,119 Speaker 1: things through, they want to do them incrementally. So you 426 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 1: had to change a number of years ago with overtime 427 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 1: and needing to score a touchdown the opening possession to 428 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:19,360 Speaker 1: prevent the other team from having possession. Now they're considering 429 00:20:19,440 --> 00:20:22,400 Speaker 1: another potential change. They're really centers around giving the second 430 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:24,520 Speaker 1: team and possession in overtime, so you don't have Josh 431 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:27,720 Speaker 1: Allen sitting there on the sideline and never touching the football. 432 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 1: But there's all kinds of competitive considerations that go into that. 433 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:34,000 Speaker 1: There's strategy considerations that go into it as well. Ultimately, 434 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: the NFL is an entertainment business. The consumers of that 435 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: entertainment product would like to see Josh Allen get back 436 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 1: onto the field. And so it's a matter of how 437 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 1: do you do it in a smart way to do 438 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: it for postseason only, do you do it on a 439 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,040 Speaker 1: one year experimental basis, do you do it across the board. 440 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:55,199 Speaker 1: I don't anticipate that the more stark proposal gets through 441 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: in terms of being able to score a two point 442 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: conversion on the opening possession to end the game right there. 443 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:01,800 Speaker 1: Otherwise as the second team get possession. But I had 444 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 1: a head coach tell me yesterday that he thinks, even 445 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 1: if they do the each team gets a possession rule, 446 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,159 Speaker 1: you may see the first team going for two on 447 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:13,560 Speaker 1: the first possession after score touching, because you could end 448 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: the game and or not even to end the game. 449 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 1: This is just saying if even if you have both 450 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: teams able to have possession, you could have more teams 451 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 1: going for two because you don't want to give up 452 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 1: your advantage as the first team. Where then okay, you 453 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 1: score touchdown, kick national point, their team scored touchdown, they 454 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:28,720 Speaker 1: go for two and they and they end the game exactly. 455 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 1: So there's all these kinds of ins and outs. This 456 00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: that's the stuff that they talk about. Doesn't sound like 457 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 1: there was a lot of conversation between the head coaches 458 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:36,639 Speaker 1: and the general managers when this was presented for the 459 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: first time on Sunday. But it's owners who cast the vote. 460 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:42,639 Speaker 1: There's some owners who are never going to vote for 461 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 1: anything that resemblance change, and there's other owners who maybe 462 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:48,359 Speaker 1: listening to him Mike Tomlin who's saying I'm a traditionalist, 463 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 1: I think he's played defense well. I feel like a 464 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: lot of these owners here are trying to figure out, Okay, 465 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 1: how do we get a Lombardi Trophy in our building? 466 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,280 Speaker 1: And the Vikings are right now in that same conversation 467 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: with Mark Wolf ownership here and they got new leadership 468 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:04,680 Speaker 1: with quasiful mints like Kevin O'Connell, and I know the 469 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:06,679 Speaker 1: last time we talk we talked about how it's too 470 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:10,199 Speaker 1: early to figure out what the Vikings process is going 471 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: to be with these new regime. Now there's been moves made. 472 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 1: What have you learned about Kevin and Quasy's process about 473 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:19,399 Speaker 1: how they want to attack free agency going into the year. 474 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:21,560 Speaker 1: I think in terms of process, you'll learn more about 475 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:23,000 Speaker 1: that as we get through the draft and as you 476 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 1: see even kind of go through their full first year together. 477 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 1: I would say the thing we've learned about the twenty 478 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:30,000 Speaker 1: twenty two Vikings is that they are going to back 479 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 1: up what Mark Wilf said the day that they had 480 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,040 Speaker 1: the press conference announcing that they were moving on from 481 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman, which is they believe this 482 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 1: can be a competitive team now. They expect to compete. Now, 483 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 1: there's a lot of owners who might say that, and 484 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: then the moves that they make and the players they 485 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:48,120 Speaker 1: let go reflect a different reality. But if you look 486 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 1: what the Vikings have done here, they've been aggressive. They 487 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 1: went out and add another pass rusher in Zadarius Smith. 488 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:56,960 Speaker 1: They retained a Neil Hunter, they retained Kirk Cousins. They 489 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:00,480 Speaker 1: obviously released Michael Pierce, but they added Harrison Phillips and 490 00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:03,479 Speaker 1: other defensive tackle. In other words, there's nothing that they 491 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:05,639 Speaker 1: did to make you go they're looking to take a 492 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 1: step back. At minimum, the Vikings appear to be saying, Okay, 493 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:12,199 Speaker 1: we want to see whether Kevin O'Connell and a new 494 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:14,399 Speaker 1: staff gets more out of the roster that we had 495 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 1: in place, obviouls Se, Anthony Bar's free agents, there's other changes, 496 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 1: but we want to see can we win in twenty 497 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,680 Speaker 1: twenty two. If not, then maybe we take the step back, 498 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: or if all of a sudden you play lights out 499 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 1: and you get into the playoffs, maybe you feel like 500 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:28,000 Speaker 1: you don't have to do the full ground up rebuild. 501 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: So it's been more impressive the way the Vikings have 502 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: found I guess cat flexibility through this process of being 503 00:23:34,680 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: in the negatives, or I guess just being here in 504 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 1: Florida and this hotel that we're staying at. I mean, 505 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:42,520 Speaker 1: Rob Razinski's here, so he's always finding ways to make 506 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 1: things work, and there's a variety of different things that 507 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:46,879 Speaker 1: The Kirk Cousins contract was a good example too of 508 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:49,440 Speaker 1: the process, which is it's almost like what you see 509 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:52,360 Speaker 1: in baseball sometimes where you buy up a free agency 510 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:54,960 Speaker 1: year at a what you consider to be a reasonable rate, 511 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: even though you're investing in advance. You do that because 512 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:00,560 Speaker 1: it protects your potential options and depending what is this season, 513 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: maybe you can work with Kirk Cousins now is no 514 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:06,040 Speaker 1: trade clause on a trade next offseason, or you're not 515 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 1: operating from a free agency perspective if you're trying to 516 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 1: work out an extension. So all those different things play 517 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,679 Speaker 1: into all that. In terms of this resort, I mean, 518 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: it's basically the Sistine Chapel in the lobby, you know, 519 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:23,200 Speaker 1: the palm trees, everything else. Rappaports over there again, this 520 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:26,720 Speaker 1: is unbelievable. He doesn't stop. Yeah, this place is this 521 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:28,280 Speaker 1: place is great. I think the big thing too, is 522 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:30,639 Speaker 1: we haven't had one of these since twenty nineteen. And 523 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:34,400 Speaker 1: I remember back in twenty twenty and COVID of course 524 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:37,600 Speaker 1: hit and really affected the United States. March eleventh of 525 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: that year. Free agency was the following week. We did 526 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:42,440 Speaker 1: free agency from home. Nobody really knew what the future 527 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 1: was going to hold. One of the big things that 528 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,440 Speaker 1: was lost immediately was the NFL Annual Meeting went away, 529 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:50,239 Speaker 1: and that was like the first major cancelation of an 530 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 1: NFL event and one of the only cancelations of an 531 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:56,159 Speaker 1: NFL event. We didn't have the Annual Meeting again last year. 532 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:59,200 Speaker 1: There were other meetings that were affected. Obviously, Combine was 533 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,760 Speaker 1: different in things, play every single game, play the Super 534 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:05,959 Speaker 1: Bowl on time both years to be able to continue 535 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:07,720 Speaker 1: to move forward. And now they're in a place where 536 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:11,320 Speaker 1: from a business perspective, from a competitive perspective, everything things 537 00:25:11,359 --> 00:25:13,199 Speaker 1: are in good enough shape that this meeting is going 538 00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 1: to end a day early. There's not that much to 539 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:18,000 Speaker 1: vote on. They feel like the game is in a 540 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: really good place, and I think it's a testament to 541 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:23,400 Speaker 1: a lot of different people, from the ownership, the commissioner, 542 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:26,640 Speaker 1: the NFL office, to the players, to the players union 543 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:28,680 Speaker 1: that worked well with the league throughout this to be 544 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:30,440 Speaker 1: able to keep this thing on track. I mean, it 545 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 1: didn't happen in other sports or miss paychecks. You know, 546 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:36,040 Speaker 1: Obviously the economics of the NFL shifted, the salary cap 547 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:38,800 Speaker 1: went down, but everybody got paid for every game that 548 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,240 Speaker 1: they played in and every game was played, right. That's 549 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:44,880 Speaker 1: pretty amazing when you think about everything that the league 550 00:25:44,920 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: and the country went through over the past couple of years. 551 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:48,399 Speaker 1: We were talking a little bit off camera. This is 552 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:50,679 Speaker 1: year twenty for you, just covering the NFL and its 553 00:25:50,760 --> 00:25:53,879 Speaker 1: totality and just understanding that you said that this is 554 00:25:53,920 --> 00:25:56,320 Speaker 1: the craziest offseason that you've been a part of. A 555 00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:59,119 Speaker 1: lot of those moves have been made going to the AFC, 556 00:25:59,280 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 1: which the Vikings only play five AFC teams this year. 557 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 1: What do you think all those moves mean for this 558 00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: Viking steam that's trying to revamp its roster and continue 559 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 1: to build on what Mark Wilf said, in his interview 560 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:11,480 Speaker 1: of being a competitive team in the NFC North, I 561 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:14,359 Speaker 1: think it starts out in the division. As you said, 562 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 1: the Packers, they trade away to Vante Adams, I mean 563 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:20,280 Speaker 1: that's a significant piece loss. I would anticipate and expect 564 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:22,400 Speaker 1: that the Packers are going to be aggressive here. They're 565 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: not just going to draft a couple of rookies and go, hey, 566 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 1: figure it out, Aaron. They're gonna make some moves here. 567 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:28,640 Speaker 1: They're gonna add some veterans to the receiving group. They're 568 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 1: going to find a way to put it together. And 569 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: they got a pretty strong program. They a strong running game, 570 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:35,200 Speaker 1: strong offensive line. I anticipate that they're going to be 571 00:26:35,320 --> 00:26:37,680 Speaker 1: just fine. You look at the Bears, they're a little 572 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:39,359 Speaker 1: bit in the in between. You know, you talk about 573 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:41,280 Speaker 1: the moves that signal something different than way you might 574 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 1: be presenting. Trade away Khalil Mack now it made sense. 575 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 1: They got draft picks, they picked up cap space. He's 576 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:48,800 Speaker 1: an older player who if he's not descending, he's certainly 577 00:26:48,840 --> 00:26:51,600 Speaker 1: not an US ending player at this point. But what 578 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: do you really expect the Bears to be? They got 579 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: a young quarterback in justin fields you're going to have 580 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:59,199 Speaker 1: a vastly different looking skill group around him, Allen Robinson 581 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 1: being gone, so you got some questions there. And then Detroit. 582 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:03,639 Speaker 1: I mean, we'll get an up close look at him 583 00:27:03,680 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 1: on hard knocks. I I think they're going to be 584 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:08,359 Speaker 1: fun to watch. They should be better than they were 585 00:27:08,359 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 1: a year ago. They played better down the stretch with 586 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,800 Speaker 1: Dan Campbell calling the plays along with Ben Johnson. Those 587 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:14,680 Speaker 1: guys worked really well together, kind of having more of 588 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 1: a plan, you know, the physical running game taken on 589 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:20,240 Speaker 1: the profile of their head coach. But again, I don't 590 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:22,120 Speaker 1: know that you look at the Lions and say they're 591 00:27:22,119 --> 00:27:24,439 Speaker 1: ahead of where the Vikings are in twenty twenty two, 592 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:27,680 Speaker 1: it very much remains Packers versus Vikings for the top 593 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:29,680 Speaker 1: of that division. The Packers have been the Kings of 594 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,720 Speaker 1: the division in recent years, and we'll see whether or 595 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:35,960 Speaker 1: not again a new coaching staff, new schemes, a lot 596 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:38,920 Speaker 1: of the same players. Can you take that leap forward 597 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:42,720 Speaker 1: that convinces ownership and convinces Quaisy and Kevin that you 598 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:45,800 Speaker 1: can continue on this path forward without going down before 599 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:47,840 Speaker 1: you go back up. Lastly, I know this is a 600 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:50,520 Speaker 1: business where we like to talk about the big moves, 601 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:53,440 Speaker 1: but we always ask what's next? So what is the 602 00:27:53,560 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 1: next priority for the Vikings? You have all these free 603 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:59,920 Speaker 1: aident sign of Zadarius Smith. You answer that the cornerback's 604 00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:02,159 Speaker 1: feel like that's a big void. But what's next after that? 605 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,000 Speaker 1: The corner is definitely a spot that they're just going 606 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: to have to address, and there's gonna be something like 607 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 1: they're always our third wave free agents who were kind 608 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:11,119 Speaker 1: of sitting out there. There could be potential trades, There 609 00:28:11,160 --> 00:28:13,639 Speaker 1: are possibilities. I would anticipate. The draft is certainly a 610 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:16,480 Speaker 1: spot to look. You know, they felt like, you know, 611 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 1: from an offensive line perspective, they felt pretty good about 612 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 1: where they were at the tackle positions. Darrisaw played great 613 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 1: when he finally got on the field last season. You know, 614 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:25,920 Speaker 1: the interior was kind of where you wanted to upgrade, 615 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:28,600 Speaker 1: So I wouldn't be surprised if there's continued upgrades there. 616 00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:30,920 Speaker 1: You could always use another receiver, you know, Adam feeling 617 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:33,200 Speaker 1: at this point of restructuring his contract to stick around 618 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:35,680 Speaker 1: another move that suggests we're trying to win right now, 619 00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:37,920 Speaker 1: but you're going to need another receiver at some point 620 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:40,320 Speaker 1: along the way. Or Smith coming off an injury, could 621 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:42,200 Speaker 1: you add a tight end. I certainly think that's possible, 622 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 1: especially with Conklin Leavin. You got strong running backs, you 623 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:47,239 Speaker 1: got a quarterback, and then that's going to be one 624 00:28:47,240 --> 00:28:49,320 Speaker 1: of the other big questions here is at what point 625 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 1: do you draft a quarterback? Yet Kellaman, who was a 626 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 1: third round pick last year out of Texas A and M, 627 00:28:53,960 --> 00:28:56,080 Speaker 1: we didn't see much of him. It does not sound 628 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,080 Speaker 1: like it was inspiring in practice to the point that 629 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:01,760 Speaker 1: you wanted him to get more action on the field. 630 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:03,800 Speaker 1: But we'll see whether a year two he's able to 631 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 1: make a leap, or if the opportunity presents itself on 632 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 1: the quarterback that they like is there, and whether it's 633 00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:11,880 Speaker 1: the first round, the second round, the third round, wherever 634 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 1: do you take another swing at the quarterback. That, as 635 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 1: much as anything, is going to tell us kind of 636 00:29:16,920 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 1: where they stand in the big picture. On Kirk Cousins 637 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:20,800 Speaker 1: at a time that they gave him that short term 638 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:22,560 Speaker 1: extension to kind of be a bridge to a decision 639 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:24,360 Speaker 1: they'll make a year from that. Right, well, hopefully the 640 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:26,640 Speaker 1: bridge between now and us getting back to Minnesota is 641 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:31,000 Speaker 1: more sun because this is not what Minnesota appreciate your 642 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:33,680 Speaker 1: time today. Tom Pillets are always a pleasure of talking 643 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:40,800 Speaker 1: to you. Gabe was able to catch up with several 644 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:45,480 Speaker 1: NFL Network and ESPN personalities down in Florida, plus Quacy, 645 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:48,560 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connell and Vikings owner Mark Wilf. And you can 646 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 1: check out all of those interviews on Vikings dot com, 647 00:29:51,920 --> 00:29:55,680 Speaker 1: the app, YouTube, or wherever you get your latest Vikings content. 648 00:29:56,280 --> 00:29:59,680 Speaker 1: Jay Free Agency is slowing down a little, but preparations 649 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:02,000 Speaker 1: for the draft or kicking into high gears. We enter 650 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:06,920 Speaker 1: the month of April aka The Final Countdown The Vegas Europe. 651 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:09,600 Speaker 1: Europe was a great album back in the eighties. Yes, 652 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:11,760 Speaker 1: the Final Countdown. Anytime I hear that now I think 653 00:30:11,840 --> 00:30:14,440 Speaker 1: of job from Arrested Development. It's so hard to not 654 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:16,920 Speaker 1: sing it as you say it, like the Final Countdown 655 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:22,240 Speaker 1: just seems so boring. Yeah, unless you say exactly no, 656 00:30:22,360 --> 00:30:24,959 Speaker 1: it's it's great. The fact that it's in Vegas this year, 657 00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 1: I know there is a ton of interest in that. 658 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:30,000 Speaker 1: I have some people that I know, some family members 659 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:32,200 Speaker 1: as well who are going to go to Vegas purely 660 00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:35,240 Speaker 1: with it being in Vegas. And they just had announced 661 00:30:35,560 --> 00:30:38,120 Speaker 1: this week as well, Kansas City and Detroitter the next 662 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:42,040 Speaker 1: couple of years for the Draft for locations, So being 663 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:43,800 Speaker 1: in Las Vegas, I think this is going to be 664 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:47,600 Speaker 1: a huge party. Nashville is a huge party in the past, 665 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 1: and so now a place, you know, Vegas, finally getting 666 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:52,240 Speaker 1: to do it Vegas style. I think a lot of 667 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:54,200 Speaker 1: people are going to really enjoy their time there. And 668 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:58,640 Speaker 1: I'm really curious to see what fireworks happen during the Draft, 669 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:01,600 Speaker 1: because there's always something crazy that happens literal and figuratively. 670 00:31:02,680 --> 00:31:04,360 Speaker 1: It's definitely gonna be fire. You got to do it big, 671 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:06,640 Speaker 1: It's it's gonna be amazing. I can't wait to see 672 00:31:06,840 --> 00:31:09,800 Speaker 1: the spectacle, what it looks like. It's been a you 673 00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 1: know I do. I watched Cleveland, I thought it was 674 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:15,400 Speaker 1: very nice. But having been in Nashville for the Draft 675 00:31:15,560 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 1: is probably my best sports memory, or one of the 676 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:21,720 Speaker 1: top ones, because it was amazing to see that many 677 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:29,480 Speaker 1: people there and the NFL their ability to just make 678 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:33,080 Speaker 1: even something like the Draft look cool and make it 679 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:36,760 Speaker 1: a fan centered event. I just feel like, you know, 680 00:31:37,280 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 1: all of my feelings, aside about working in the NFL, 681 00:31:40,080 --> 00:31:42,840 Speaker 1: I've always respected the NFL for their ability to turn 682 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:46,720 Speaker 1: something like the Draft into an entire fan spectacle. That's 683 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:48,400 Speaker 1: the thing if you really think about it, you have 684 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:52,120 Speaker 1: to try to cater to thirty two different fan bases. Yes, 685 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:55,000 Speaker 1: that is a really hard thing to do. I was 686 00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:57,880 Speaker 1: even making the comment I was thinking about with Vegas, 687 00:31:58,000 --> 00:32:00,200 Speaker 1: like it's going to be hard to deal with the 688 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:03,200 Speaker 1: distraction of Vegas and that if you cannot keep their 689 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:06,920 Speaker 1: attention and have them want to be there. Everything else 690 00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:09,239 Speaker 1: that's going on in Vegas at this point, especially right now, 691 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:11,920 Speaker 1: it's as bonkers as it's ever been. Oh yeah, people 692 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 1: need wanting to go out and do things exactly, and 693 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 1: you know, the crowds there, it's been crazy and just 694 00:32:18,240 --> 00:32:20,280 Speaker 1: to see kind of the vibrancy that the city has 695 00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:22,680 Speaker 1: come back to after everything that's happened with the pandemic. 696 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 1: You're in Las Vegas, so you better be able to 697 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:28,600 Speaker 1: keep their attention span. And I think the NFL does 698 00:32:28,640 --> 00:32:30,880 Speaker 1: it better than any other league at this point, being 699 00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:34,240 Speaker 1: able to give the fans a spectacle of what they want, 700 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:37,480 Speaker 1: keep them engaged, get them excited about their draft picks. 701 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:40,480 Speaker 1: And then the fact that it is in Las Vegas. 702 00:32:40,840 --> 00:32:45,240 Speaker 1: They have the best entertainment people period in that area. 703 00:32:45,320 --> 00:32:48,360 Speaker 1: And I think that the NFL itself when it comes 704 00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:50,200 Speaker 1: to being able to pull locals and be able to 705 00:32:50,280 --> 00:32:52,280 Speaker 1: have them help with the show. It's going to be 706 00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:54,560 Speaker 1: above and beyond anything they've done in the past. Well, 707 00:32:54,600 --> 00:32:57,200 Speaker 1: i haven't been to Las Vegas since I was sixteen, 708 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 1: and I'm heading to the draft. Be Yeah. You know, 709 00:33:02,120 --> 00:33:03,440 Speaker 1: if you've made it to the end of this podcast, 710 00:33:03,520 --> 00:33:05,959 Speaker 1: you'll learn a very interesting fact about myself. The only 711 00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:09,280 Speaker 1: time I've been to Vegas was for a student council convention. Interesting, 712 00:33:09,360 --> 00:33:11,680 Speaker 1: total high school nerd. Yeah, that's fine. Hey, you know 713 00:33:11,920 --> 00:33:13,800 Speaker 1: it was fun, it was beautiful. So I did the 714 00:33:13,840 --> 00:33:15,760 Speaker 1: whole tour of everything, right, I mean that was like 715 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:21,320 Speaker 1: a while ago, yes, early two thousands. Um, so it's been. 716 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:24,120 Speaker 1: It's been a while since since I've been. But I'm 717 00:33:24,120 --> 00:33:25,960 Speaker 1: excited to go see it for the draft and see 718 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:28,640 Speaker 1: how it stacks up against Nashville because you don't have 719 00:33:28,680 --> 00:33:32,520 Speaker 1: a personal tut love and affinity for the way that 720 00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:36,080 Speaker 1: was done. I cannot wait. And I hope it's yes, 721 00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:39,840 Speaker 1: I hope it's extra, which I'm also very appreciative. Well, 722 00:33:39,840 --> 00:33:42,520 Speaker 1: if you want some extra Minnesota Vikings podcast, be sure 723 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:44,920 Speaker 1: to subscribe to our channel. You get all the latest 724 00:33:44,960 --> 00:33:48,200 Speaker 1: episodes as their release leading up to the twenty twenty 725 00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:52,080 Speaker 1: two NFL Draft. Thanks for listening this week for Jay 726 00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:54,640 Speaker 1: and myself. We will see you guys next time.