1 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 1: The teammates loving him as a leader, and that he's 2 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: really come in and owned this leadership role. And we 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: weren't even in the building yet, the team wasn't in 4 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: the building, and I immediately understood why his teammates love 5 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:23,640 Speaker 1: him and listen to him and respect him the way 6 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 1: that they do. Hey, everybody, welcome to Episode sixty nine 7 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. Dropped a tough one. That's 8 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: the nicest way that I can say that. We dropped 9 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: old Uncle Si fell apart on Sunday as he built 10 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: his hopes up and they were dashed in the last 11 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: couple minutes of the Dallas Cowboys game. But we're gonna 12 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 1: have to move forward. We're gonna talk Teddy, We're gonna 13 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: talk the Carolina Panthers, and we'll even talk a little 14 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 1: bit of Jared Allen. I'm joined as always by Chris 15 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: Corso Jay Nelson from Vikings dot Com, and boys, let's 16 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 1: start where I left my heart in Sunday's game. Chris, 17 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 1: this was not like the other losses this season, maybe 18 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: like the Tennessee Titans one, but this one had the vibe, 19 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: especially after the three wins. It had the vibe of 20 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:32,399 Speaker 1: it's going to be okay. Oh we give up a 21 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: score here, Oh this happens. You felt like the Vikings 22 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 1: were gonna come out on top in this one. Even 23 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 1: when the Cowboys scored that last touchdown. You thought, well, 24 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: we've moved the ball all day, we have all these weapons. 25 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: When that pass hit Justin Jefferson in the hands and 26 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 1: dropped to the turf, I think a lot of Viking 27 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 1: fans felt the way I felt, which was their heart 28 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 1: right down near their bladder. Tough, tough way to lose 29 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 1: that game, especially with so much on the line. There 30 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 1: are a few common denominators, and some of these losses 31 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:12,520 Speaker 1: I've gone back, I've done the go through the tape 32 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 1: sort of thing. Is it that we always have less 33 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: points than the other team. That's one of them. That's 34 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: number one. Number two is turnovers. The turnovers are a killer. 35 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: The Vikings offense was amazing in the second half, but 36 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 1: that's after a fumble by Kirk Cousins and another fumble 37 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 1: in this game in the first half. That it's just 38 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 1: we do the fun, exciting, amazing things like Justin Jefferson 39 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: breaking rookie records and Adam Thielan making one handed catches 40 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins having the best game of the season when 41 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 1: it comes to his statistics and passerrating and this and that, 42 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 1: the flashy Dalvin Cook stats. We do all the hard things. 43 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 1: I think, it's the easy things that show up in 44 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: the box score. And you look back and you say, damn, 45 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: we turn the ball over twice in the first half. Damn, 46 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: we had eight penalties for eighty yards, our highest penalty 47 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 1: total of the season. And you go back to the 48 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: Seattle game, you go back to the Tennessee game, You 49 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:12,960 Speaker 1: go back to all these games, and the same things 50 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:15,919 Speaker 1: are prevalent there. You let up the big play to 51 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 1: Tony Pollard, they running back for a huge game after 52 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: stopping the run all day. It's a few of these 53 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: big time things that they show up, and they're the 54 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: easy things, and they just they make me so angry, 55 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: probably as angry as you say. Well, first of all, 56 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 1: there's no way they make you as angry as they 57 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 1: make me, because we talked about this before the show. 58 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: I almost ruined Jay and I's friendship at the end 59 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: of that game. To me is tell us that story. 60 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: I want to hear it. No, thank you to me 61 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 1: the story and we talked about this on the post 62 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: game show, and I'm not going to spend an immense 63 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: amount of time dwelling on this game, um, but the 64 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: story of this game is what has been the story 65 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:07,839 Speaker 1: of this season, this football team. And you can pick 66 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: your reason. Whether it's youth and an experience with a 67 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: shortened offseason. You know, whether it's having a great running 68 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,240 Speaker 1: back and wanting to control the clock and play a 69 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: specific style of football. This team ebbs and flows with 70 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 1: its margin of errors. There's a very slim margin of errors. 71 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: When this team commits a small handful of really crucial errors, 72 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: when they get into the two three range, you get 73 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:38,800 Speaker 1: yourself into a lot of trouble. And if you look 74 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: back at the couple of close games that we really 75 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:46,560 Speaker 1: feel like we should have won, namely the Dallas Cowboys, 76 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 1: the Seattle Seahawks, and the Tennessee Titans, you can in 77 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 1: that Seattle Seahawks game, you can point to those two 78 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 1: crucial turnovers on your side of the football field coming 79 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,479 Speaker 1: out of the second half that shaped that game. You 80 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: did not have that margin of error in that matchup. 81 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: Everybody wants to talk about Alexander Madison. Could he have 82 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: bumped off the tackle, yes, absolutely, but those big mistakes. 83 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: He saw that in the Dallas game. It was the 84 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:18,839 Speaker 1: Kirk fumble, the Dalvin fumble, and then the penalty on 85 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,479 Speaker 1: the fake punt, and there you listed a lot of 86 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: other things that happened, but just from big time, big 87 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:31,479 Speaker 1: spotlight crucial mistakes, those three, any one of them could 88 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 1: have changed the course of the game. And you can 89 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: use examples just like that in the Tennessee Titans game. Jay. 90 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 1: So to me, the really frustrating thing here is knowing 91 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 1: that you have to execute on a certain level, is 92 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:53,119 Speaker 1: watching it not come together in such an important moment. 93 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: Because the Cowboys going into that game where minus thirteen 94 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 1: and turnovers. We talked about that last week, that regrets 95 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:02,719 Speaker 1: are two mistakes and only fourth and one and turning 96 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: that into a plus one win for the Cowboys put 97 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: you in a situation where you just were gonna have 98 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,799 Speaker 1: a tough time. The killer is think about right before 99 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 1: half when you had that sequence where Delvin got smoked 100 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 1: across the medal and he has the fumble, they pick 101 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: it up and you are within field goal range at 102 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:22,479 Speaker 1: that point, so that you're thinking three points there and 103 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: you try to get the double dip coming out a 104 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: halftime potentially, and so that happens. Cowboys get the ball, 105 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 1: they march it down and they kick the field goal. Well, 106 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 1: there's a six point swing right there, and you lost 107 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: by three. So at minimum, you look at that one 108 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 1: mistake and that's costing you at least three points off 109 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 1: the board, let alone six. I think the hardest part 110 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 1: for this team is that you're young. You're getting more experienced, 111 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 1: but you don't have the same savvy veterans like you 112 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 1: have before you. If you turn around and look at 113 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:53,280 Speaker 1: that Dallas Cowboy game last season, it was almost identical. 114 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 1: Where they're driving down the field, they're within the ten 115 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: yard line, they're trying to get a first down or 116 00:06:57,440 --> 00:06:59,600 Speaker 1: a score to beat us, and we're trying to hold 117 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:01,960 Speaker 1: on by the skin of our teeth. And what happens 118 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 1: in that game is Eric kendricks On a fourth dound 119 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 1: play knocks the past to Zeke and that seals the 120 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 1: victory for us. On this one, you couldn't get one 121 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 1: of those crucial and critical stops at the last drive 122 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 1: for the Cowboys. They convert it, they take a three 123 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 1: point lead, and now we're playing from behind with under 124 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: two minutes to go. Those kind of mistakes of like 125 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: you said, the penalties and the missed huge opportunities on 126 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: that punt, those are the things that are the difference 127 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: this year. And I'm hoping that these are all things 128 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 1: that are being seared or scarred into the memories of 129 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 1: a lot of these younger players as they're going to 130 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 1: mature as an NFL player, because hopefully when they get 131 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: in those kind of situations again, we don't have to 132 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: face this, but it's been crucial in two or three games, 133 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,920 Speaker 1: and that takes you from losing record to a winning 134 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 1: record if you flip those games. It's just a huge 135 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: thing this season, and it's been very frustrating to watch 136 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: as a fan and a member of the team. And 137 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 1: if you look at the constant thing on conversation of 138 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 1: the and the over analysis of Kirk Cousins performance, you know, 139 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: this was one basically quintessentially the spot where this conversation lands, 140 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 1: and you watch everybody just break into party lines basically 141 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 1: with their arguments. Kirk plays a hell of a game. 142 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: He does at a certain point what I've been promoting 143 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 1: and asking for all season. The Cowboys go down. Michael 144 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:34,599 Speaker 1: Pollard forty two yard touchdown run, huge shift in the game. Boom, 145 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: seventy five yard touchdown drive, shift the momentum back twenty eight, 146 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,720 Speaker 1: twenty four. But then, Chris, you know, to fuel the 147 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: other side of that conversation, they have a drive to 148 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: put the game away and they can't put it away. 149 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: And then, despite in my opinion it not landing on 150 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: the quarterback at all, on their final attempt to win 151 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 1: the game, they you know, it's four downs and it's over. 152 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: So this was a game that I thought Kirk played well, 153 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 1: but it was also the exact sort of performance that 154 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:08,440 Speaker 1: plays into this stupid conversation that is making me want 155 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 1: to leave Twitter. Eventually, the fans seem to blame Kirk. Well, 156 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: let me let me tell let me tell you. Also, 157 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: I am everybody on this who listens to the show 158 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 1: knows I'm like a giant fan before I'm capable of 159 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 1: being anything else. I'm the sort of guy who I 160 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:29,840 Speaker 1: am in multiple Viking fan Facebook groups like I'm a 161 00:09:29,880 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: psychopath right and the you are? I love the team. 162 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,440 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, Chris, I'm sorry that I'm a fan and 163 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: you're just a guy that works. But I I've had 164 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: to leave a couple of them, because I'm like, hey, 165 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 1: if any of you cycle like it's one guy, one 166 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: guy will post like, oh look at how good Kirk did, 167 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: and all you haters think this, and then some other 168 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:55,320 Speaker 1: guy will come in post ye yeah, but this. It 169 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: is a nightmare of a conversation. But in this game, 170 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 1: I thought Kirk did what he needed to do. You 171 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 1: can find some culpability in that second to last drive. 172 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:10,319 Speaker 1: But to me again, like I said to Jay, this 173 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: was more about your margin for error and your crucial mistake, 174 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: your three crucial mistakes, what I believe to be the 175 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 1: three bright crucial mistakes. All Right, I'm gonna go on 176 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: to Kirk rant here and Jay can decide whether he 177 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 1: wants to keep it or not. I wish I had 178 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: one of those Tony reality mute buttons. Right now, It's 179 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 1: time for Chris's little rant. Every year Kirk goes through 180 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 1: this pattern with the Vikings, where we start out the 181 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:43,559 Speaker 1: season we give him like ten attempts where we pass 182 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 1: the ball and we run the ball every single time. 183 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: Then he starts to say, oh, I need to force 184 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:51,160 Speaker 1: my arm and start throwing. So then he starts to 185 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 1: do that, he makes mistakes we go to two and 186 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 1: two where we score six points in Chicago last year 187 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 1: and everything's all messed up and every fan out there 188 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 1: is blaming Kirk for everything that happened. Then he says, 189 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 1: you know what, I'm done with this. I'm not gonna 190 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 1: worry about what everyone thinks of me anymore. I'm just 191 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: gonna start chucking the ball and slinging it around. Last year, 192 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: he wins October NFC Player of the Month on offense 193 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 1: because of his performance of not caring anymore what people think. 194 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 1: This year, he comes one week short of winning November 195 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 1: Player of the Month with how he performed in the 196 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 1: past four games. And I think this game was probably 197 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: the first one where he literally said, I don't care 198 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,079 Speaker 1: what anyone thinks. I'm going to sling the ball around 199 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 1: the field and have the confidence and not think about 200 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:45,839 Speaker 1: singles and doubles and whatever it may be. I'm gonna 201 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 1: go for it for what I know I have the 202 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 1: capability to do. And that touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson 203 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: was one of the best throws I've seen him make 204 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: as a Viking because he just threw it. You knew 205 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: he knew, he knew himself. It was going to be 206 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 1: a touchdown and he didn't care about what anyone else thought, 207 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 1: and it was probably one of the best moments I 208 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: think of his career with the Vikings obviously taking away 209 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 1: the playoff game last year in New Orleans, but he 210 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:17,319 Speaker 1: didn't do it. The last two drives. He didn't do it. 211 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 1: And that's the case where Vikings fans can go and 212 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,480 Speaker 1: they can say it's Kirk's problem. This Kirk's problem that 213 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 1: he didn't do it on the last two drives. So 214 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: that's super frustrating. I texted you side before the last 215 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:30,440 Speaker 1: drive and I was like, all right, here it is. 216 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: Here's this chance he can save what everyone says about him, 217 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: he can save exactly he's done it all game, but 218 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:42,079 Speaker 1: he could actually save the team rather than when Vikings 219 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: fans say the defense saves Kirk this and that. So 220 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 1: that's my little rant on Kirk. Obviously, I work with 221 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: him during the season. I love him as a person, 222 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: and I think he's one of the better people in 223 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: this league when it comes to just being a normal guy. 224 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: But Vikings fans seem to have an issue with him 225 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: as a quarterback, him and the money he makes, and 226 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: I just hope before his time is done here with 227 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: the Vikings that he has at least one more chance 228 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 1: in the playoffs to make it right, and I wouldn't 229 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:17,679 Speaker 1: want anyone else to do it. There goes my heart 230 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:21,079 Speaker 1: side for Kirk and Rent. As far as rants go, 231 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 1: it was medium. As far as content goes, it was medium, 232 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:30,439 Speaker 1: But I support you and the quarterback, so I'm glad 233 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: it was part of the show back for the twenty 234 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,960 Speaker 1: twenty season. His Pass or Play free to play fantasy 235 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 1: style game build your weekly lineup via digital trading cards 236 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: that are randomly given to you. Users can't elect to 237 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 1: keep the first card sent to them and insert that 238 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 1: player into their lineup, or pass and move on to 239 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 1: the next card. If a user chooses to pass on 240 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 1: all three cards, they can come back the next day 241 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: for one new card. Fans can win week lee and 242 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 1: season long prizes. For information, visit Vikings dot com Slash 243 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 1: Pass or Play. Let's jump forward to the Carolina Panthers game. 244 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 1: It looks like Teddy's gonna play as of right now. 245 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: You know, Teddy is a Teddy is a guy that 246 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: has you know, we just got done talking about Kirk. 247 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: Teddy is a guy that seems to have limitless love 248 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 1: from this organization and its fans, and one could argue 249 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 1: that kirk Kirk has a lot more arm talent and 250 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 1: has put up an endless amount of better performances. I'm 251 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 1: not here to compare the two. I'm just pointing out 252 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 1: some things that I think might be accurate. But it'll 253 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 1: be great. I'm a Teddy Bridgewater fan. It'll be really 254 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: great to see him out there, and it'll be really 255 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: with McCaffrey unlikely to play, it'll be great to watch 256 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: Teddy try to beat this team because that's what it's 257 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: gonna be. Mike Zimmer loved him. It's gonna be Zimmer's 258 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:07,840 Speaker 1: defense against a Teddy Bridgewater led offense. And if you're 259 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 1: one of those weirdos like me who likes secondary emotional storylines, 260 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: that's a great one. Jay. Yeah, I think the thing 261 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: was Teddy had a ton of equity, not only from 262 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 1: the fans but from the organization, like you said, and 263 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 1: seeing him have the comeback and go through the journey. 264 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 1: I think part of the reason why fans loved him 265 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 1: so much was he was that feel good guy when 266 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: he was here, and just he wasn't able to fulfill 267 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 1: what was in the minds of all the fans that 268 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 1: was out there, and they felt like he got short changed. 269 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 1: And it was something where the organization, you know, they 270 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: couldn't necessarily wait to see if he was going to 271 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: be able to play at that point, they weren't going 272 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: to put the organization on hold. They had to keep moving. 273 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 1: And I know, from the top down, coaching, front office, players, etc. 274 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 1: Everybody loves Teddy. I think it'll be fun to see 275 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: Teddy come back here. It'll be fun to see how 276 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: he does. At the same point, you know, we're all 277 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: rooting for the Vikings to win this week. It's kind 278 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 1: of the I hope Teddy does great for the rest 279 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: of his career except for when he plays the Vikings. 280 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 1: And hopefully this weekend we'll get to see a Vikings defense. 281 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: I can get right with that Caroline offense. Well, hopefully 282 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: the pass rush can get right, Chris, because nineteen sacks 283 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 1: on Teddy Bridgewater so far this season. I mean, Teddy's 284 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:22,400 Speaker 1: completing seventy two percent of his passes. But if you 285 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: can get pressure in as he can move. We know 286 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: that he's talented on the run, but if you get 287 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: some pressure in his face, you can take a little 288 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 1: bit of that stress off your young corners and maybe 289 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: introduce him into into a bit of a long day. 290 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 1: I mean, the last six games Teddy's played, the Panthers 291 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: are owing six and p J. Walker came in and 292 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 1: won a big game for them against the Lions last week. 293 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: So I love Teddy. I'll never forget the moment that 294 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:50,000 Speaker 1: he had at US Bank Stadium coming in against the 295 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: Bengals and it was his first time back on the field. 296 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:55,960 Speaker 1: It's probably the loudest that I've ever heard US Bank Stadium, 297 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: and I believe Dalvin Cooks said that today. He said 298 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 1: that was the loudest US Being Stadium has ever been 299 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:04,240 Speaker 1: with him as a player. So I know Vikings fans 300 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: have that that rooting interest for Teddy, but it can't 301 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: be this week. It cannot be this week. Like we 302 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,880 Speaker 1: have so much on the line in this game that 303 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 1: there needs to be an all out. We need the 304 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 1: pass rushback. We didn't have a pass rush last week 305 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:21,639 Speaker 1: against Andy Dalton. That was what really was missing for 306 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:26,160 Speaker 1: the defense in that game. Obviously, the cornerback plays coincides 307 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 1: with that. So just like you said, say I'm looking 308 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 1: for a DJ one, I'm a Hercules made offa who 309 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 1: we talked to last week. I'm looking for some of 310 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 1: these young guys to step up and make some plays 311 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 1: for the Vikings defense. Well, the Carolina Panthers defense is 312 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 1: about as middle of the pack as middle of the 313 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 1: pack could be nineteenth in the league. So just off 314 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 1: the literal center, and they're giving up almost twenty five 315 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:52,360 Speaker 1: points a game, and they're okay against the run. They're 316 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,919 Speaker 1: a little worse against the past. You know, I'm probably 317 00:17:55,960 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: definitively worse against the past. And to me, after that 318 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,440 Speaker 1: game went down like that, and as I sit here 319 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 1: and I talk about the margin of error, Jay, if 320 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:11,720 Speaker 1: you can get after Teddy and you can put the 321 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 1: Panthers offense on the sideline, I'm not sitting around rooting 322 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:20,919 Speaker 1: for a close game here. I want to blow the 323 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 1: doors off these guys. If you're giving up the six 324 00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:26,640 Speaker 1: most passing yards in the league, and you know a 325 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: handful of passing touchdowns and they don't really get after 326 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:35,200 Speaker 1: the quarterback incredibly well, they have sixteen sacks. I think 327 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 1: they've only you know, picked the ball off five times. 328 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 1: It's not a devastating pass defense. And with the emergence 329 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 1: of IRV Smith lately, and we all know what all 330 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: the other weapons are doing. I know we have Dalvin. 331 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:48,919 Speaker 1: I want to see him have a big game. I 332 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 1: want to establish everything from there. But I'm really looking 333 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: for this team to not only try to get a 334 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:57,080 Speaker 1: win here, but to get in there and control and 335 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 1: dominate a game. Yeah. I think of all the types 336 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 1: of Carolina teams that you could face, this is about 337 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: as favorable a matchup as you can find. And the 338 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:08,440 Speaker 1: reason why I say that is because, don't get it twisted. 339 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:12,560 Speaker 1: Carolina is run through Christian McCaffrey, and this season in general, 340 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:15,200 Speaker 1: part of their struggles have been they had an identity 341 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:18,679 Speaker 1: and offense and the identity's gone, so now the offense 342 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 1: is trying to make up for the defense that is also, 343 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 1: like you said, almost middle or lower middle of the pack. 344 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,120 Speaker 1: And I think if your offense, if we're serious about 345 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:30,920 Speaker 1: being able to have Delvin do what he's done having 346 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,200 Speaker 1: feeling which we don't know what's going to happen yet 347 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: with him given the COVID protocols, but Jefferson emerging and 348 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:39,480 Speaker 1: like you said, IRV Kyle, who's been getting into this 349 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 1: offense as well, jump on. These guys, do not let 350 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: you know, defensively, make them start questioning, but offense, make 351 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 1: them play from behind. That is where we play best. 352 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: When we get a lead, we start pounding the rock, 353 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 1: we start getting some confidence, especially in the offensive line, 354 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:57,320 Speaker 1: and you start moving people, especially their defensive line. If 355 00:19:57,320 --> 00:20:00,199 Speaker 1: you're this team, jump out to a lead and us 356 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: keep the hammer down. Because they are not a team 357 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 1: that does well at this point. Missing their superstar running 358 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,320 Speaker 1: back wide receiver Combo, they don't have the chance as 359 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: much to try to comfort behind. But they have some 360 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,119 Speaker 1: talented playmakers on this team. It's just not what you 361 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 1: would normally see. And I'm not gonna let us waste 362 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: any time on this because this is a real dumb 363 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: side talker. But I love the storyline of Justin Jefferson 364 00:20:25,119 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 1: going up against his college offensive coordinator. I Justin Jefferson's 365 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:31,080 Speaker 1: got a bit of that chip on his shoulder. He's 366 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,680 Speaker 1: got a bit of show off and important moments to him. 367 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,480 Speaker 1: And to get to play against the guy who called 368 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 1: your games, who heat they obviously have an incredible relationship, 369 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: but to get out there and put up a big 370 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:47,520 Speaker 1: number with one of your former running mates on the 371 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 1: other side of the field, I think that's a really 372 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:53,399 Speaker 1: fun thing. So that's that storyline is something that my 373 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:57,200 Speaker 1: dumb fanhood will be watching this weekend. Let's let's get 374 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 1: a little more in depth with the Carolina Panthers, and 375 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 1: we're gonna have Eric's myth, the Vikings team reporter do that. 376 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:07,920 Speaker 1: As he interviewed the Carolina Panthers team reporter Kristen Belboni 377 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: about the twenty twenty Panthers squad, they were able to 378 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:14,680 Speaker 1: talk about Teddy fitting in in Carolina, the Panthers change 379 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 1: in culture now that Matt Rule is there, and the 380 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: emerging leaders that are on that team. So, without further ado, 381 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:27,719 Speaker 1: Eric and Kristen take it away. I'm Viking team reporter 382 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: Eric Smith, and I'm happy to be joined today by 383 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:32,919 Speaker 1: a Christian Balboni, who is the team reporter for the 384 00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 1: Carolina Panthers. Kristin, thanks for coming on today. Yeah, thanks 385 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,639 Speaker 1: for having me. Pretty get to chat with you. The 386 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:41,480 Speaker 1: Vikings and Panthers obviously will square off Sunday at US 387 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:44,959 Speaker 1: Banks Stadium, and we'll start with the most obvious storyline 388 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,439 Speaker 1: of Sunday's game, and that is Teddy Bridgewaters return to Minnesota. 389 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: Kind of a two part question here, on Teddy, how 390 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,880 Speaker 1: beloved is he as a teammate in the locker room 391 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,280 Speaker 1: and kind of as the leader? And how have you 392 00:21:56,320 --> 00:21:58,879 Speaker 1: looked on the field this season in his first full 393 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:02,880 Speaker 1: time starting role and knee Andrey back in twenty sixteen. 394 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:07,600 Speaker 1: Great question about the teammates loving him as a leader, 395 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 1: and I'm sure you have experience with that and the 396 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 1: legacy that he left in Minnesota, but it is so 397 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:17,719 Speaker 1: much a part of who he is. That leadership. I 398 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 1: think it's really like core to him being a quarterback. 399 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: And you know, we started to hear about it a 400 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:26,359 Speaker 1: lot in the off season of just these guys, even 401 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:29,600 Speaker 1: on defense, saying that he's really come in and owned 402 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,240 Speaker 1: this leadership role. And we weren't even in the building yet, 403 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: the team wasn't in the building, and so you know, 404 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 1: I know he went out of his way in the 405 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:40,280 Speaker 1: off season to get to know everyone, you know, whether 406 00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:43,080 Speaker 1: that was through text or zoom meetings, all of that 407 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:44,760 Speaker 1: kind of stuff, and it really started there. And I 408 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 1: just have been so impressed just with that piece alone, 409 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 1: that you could come in and command a team and 410 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:54,200 Speaker 1: be an established leader when you're starting with a brand 411 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,040 Speaker 1: new team with a lot of new teammates, a new 412 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:58,200 Speaker 1: coaching staff, and or in the middle of a pandemic 413 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:03,159 Speaker 1: no OTAs very limited offseason, and he did that. I 414 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:06,000 Speaker 1: just think it's it's so impressive, and the first time 415 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 1: that I got to meet him at you know, of 416 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:13,199 Speaker 1: course as socially distanced setting, I really understood it. He 417 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 1: has a way of talking to you like you're the 418 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:19,480 Speaker 1: only thing that matters, and listening to what you say 419 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,119 Speaker 1: and being very thoughtful about everything he says. Just that 420 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 1: quiet confidence, and I immediately understood why his teammates love 421 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:30,480 Speaker 1: him and listen to him and respect him the way 422 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:33,239 Speaker 1: that they do. And you know, I think you see it. 423 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 1: And it's almost appropriate that all of this started with 424 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:40,520 Speaker 1: the Panthers in kind of unforeseen times, because you know, 425 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:43,520 Speaker 1: that's got that's so hard, and so now when the 426 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 1: team goes through things that are also tough, I mean, 427 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:50,879 Speaker 1: he's just totally poised for whatever comes his way and 428 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:52,560 Speaker 1: the team's way. You know, I was watching him on 429 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:55,240 Speaker 1: the sidelines with p J Walker, who's not able to 430 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: play in the Panther's last game against the Lions, and 431 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 1: I mean every step of the way, he was right 432 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:02,959 Speaker 1: there with PJ. And he's someone who, of course, as 433 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: Vikings fans know, has been through so much and he's just, 434 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:10,439 Speaker 1: you know, just such a leader in any situation. And 435 00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 1: it's very very cool to see from my perspective. And 436 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:18,359 Speaker 1: then you talked about how he looks physically. You know, 437 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:23,160 Speaker 1: I haven't been able to tell that there has been anything, 438 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 1: you know, involving his past injuries that has hampered him 439 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:30,359 Speaker 1: this season. Now I'm not a doctor, but to you know, 440 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,360 Speaker 1: to my sideline reporter, I think he looks good. And 441 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 1: we've seen that him running. We've seen him scramble on 442 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 1: a fourth and fourteen. We've seen him running into the 443 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:41,639 Speaker 1: end zone a couple of times, making plays with his legs, 444 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 1: and so you know, to me, he looks good. You 445 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:48,159 Speaker 1: wouldn't know if you didn't know about his injury history. 446 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:51,240 Speaker 1: I think that Viking tight end Kyle Rudolph that at 447 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 1: bet last week, the longest tenured Viking, he said, out 448 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 1: of any teammate he've had, Teddy is the most beloved 449 00:24:56,560 --> 00:24:58,639 Speaker 1: player in the locker room that you've seen in the 450 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:01,160 Speaker 1: last ten years. And you know what does the Teddy 451 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,520 Speaker 1: plays on Sunday? You know, like he said, he missed 452 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:05,280 Speaker 1: that game again the Lion and we'll see what his 453 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:08,640 Speaker 1: status is the week kind of goes along. But switching 454 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:11,639 Speaker 1: over to Panther's head coach Matt Rule, I know he's 455 00:25:11,640 --> 00:25:14,399 Speaker 1: then his first season in Carolina and the Panther the 456 00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:16,919 Speaker 1: four and seven. How has he kind of put his 457 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:19,159 Speaker 1: stamp on the team, you know a little bit more 458 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:21,240 Speaker 1: than halfway through the season, and what does he kind 459 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:24,160 Speaker 1: of want the team's identity to be. Yeah, I think 460 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 1: he's put his stamp on this team in every single way. 461 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,199 Speaker 1: It's a it's a big emphasis in the building and 462 00:25:30,359 --> 00:25:33,040 Speaker 1: from day one that they want their brand to be 463 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:37,520 Speaker 1: tough and hard working, detail oriented. He's a big process person. 464 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 1: And I know that these are things that all coaches say, 465 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:42,200 Speaker 1: but that is that is who he wants this team 466 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: to be. In the coaching staff, it's all about the process. 467 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: And that's actually something that I think we saw in 468 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 1: the Panther's last game against the Lions. They had just 469 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:55,040 Speaker 1: come off of this really really tough second half against 470 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:58,160 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay Bucks and it was a worst loss 471 00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:01,720 Speaker 1: of the season for the Panthers, and they just all 472 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:04,119 Speaker 1: from Matt Rule to the coaching staff, to some of 473 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:07,639 Speaker 1: the veterans like Shack Thompson preached attention to detail and 474 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:10,960 Speaker 1: buying into this process that this coaching staff has brought. 475 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:15,040 Speaker 1: And I think that everyone on the team felt like 476 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:18,160 Speaker 1: the win last Sunday against the Lions, where they shut 477 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:21,840 Speaker 1: the Lions out, was a result of this team executing 478 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: on the process that Matt Rule and the coaching staff 479 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 1: have laid out, which is, you know, a film study, 480 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:32,520 Speaker 1: attention to detail, technique, confidence, doing just your job and 481 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 1: not trying to make the big play, trusting in the 482 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:38,720 Speaker 1: game plan. So I think all of those things is 483 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,680 Speaker 1: what Matt Rule is trying to build here. And you 484 00:26:41,720 --> 00:26:44,040 Speaker 1: see it just you know, you really see it every day. 485 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:45,679 Speaker 1: It's not just something that he talked about when he 486 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:47,880 Speaker 1: was hired and that kind of goes by the wayside. 487 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 1: There are signs all over the building that say what's next. 488 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:54,639 Speaker 1: It's what's next mentality, the attention to detail, building a 489 00:26:54,760 --> 00:26:58,320 Speaker 1: personal process. That's what they want from each player in 490 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:03,080 Speaker 1: order to maximize everything that they do. So I think 491 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:06,720 Speaker 1: that this last win is what I would guess that 492 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:09,240 Speaker 1: Matt Rule and the coaching staff would say is the 493 00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 1: most emblematic of the process that they want to build. Yeah, 494 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:14,640 Speaker 1: you mentioned that twenty to nothing win over the Lions, 495 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 1: you know, a shutout win at home, you know, obviously 496 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,240 Speaker 1: a step in the right direction for what Matt Rule wants. 497 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:22,440 Speaker 1: But how did that kind of play into the big 498 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 1: picture view of the Panthers right now with about two 499 00:27:25,320 --> 00:27:27,359 Speaker 1: thirds of the way into the season. Do they have 500 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:30,240 Speaker 1: vision that making maybe a late run to the postseason 501 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:32,200 Speaker 1: they might have to win out? But what sort of 502 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:34,240 Speaker 1: the vibe on that, Eric. I don't want to sound 503 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:37,440 Speaker 1: like a coach and do coach speak here, but I 504 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:40,920 Speaker 1: could not tell you because if you ask anyone on 505 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:43,240 Speaker 1: this team or this coaching staff, they would just say, 506 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 1: you know, we want to go one to know this 507 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,280 Speaker 1: week and we're not thinking about that. And I think 508 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:50,200 Speaker 1: I do think that that is part of the whole 509 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:52,240 Speaker 1: process that we were talking about with with Matt Rule 510 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:54,679 Speaker 1: and Joe Brady and Phil snow of the offensive and 511 00:27:54,760 --> 00:27:59,240 Speaker 1: defensive coordinator, is that they are just so laser focused 512 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:02,199 Speaker 1: on every little detail going into this game with Minnesota 513 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:04,720 Speaker 1: that I don't think that they stop and think about 514 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:07,400 Speaker 1: what that win means for the rest of the season, 515 00:28:07,960 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 1: or at least that's what they would tell me and 516 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:12,719 Speaker 1: the media. So but I also think that they are 517 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 1: very clear about the fact that they want to win 518 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 1: every game. You know, I've heard Matt Rules say there 519 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:19,280 Speaker 1: are times where they'll you know, they've been known for 520 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:22,320 Speaker 1: doing these special teams of fake punts or going for 521 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 1: it in long situations, and you know, he does those 522 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:26,720 Speaker 1: things because he wants to win every game, no matter 523 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:29,560 Speaker 1: how much they are down, and so you know he's 524 00:28:29,920 --> 00:28:31,800 Speaker 1: set up, I'm not going to punt the ball away 525 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:35,560 Speaker 1: if we have a chance to win. I'm playing to win. 526 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:38,680 Speaker 1: I'm coaching to win every game. So yeah, of course 527 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:40,800 Speaker 1: they want to be they want to win out and 528 00:28:41,280 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: make a run at the playoffs. But I think that 529 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:46,760 Speaker 1: they are just so hyper focused on this next game 530 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:49,960 Speaker 1: and just executing on the little things and correcting all 531 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:52,640 Speaker 1: of the little problems that have kept them from winning 532 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 1: those close games. And I think they really feel like 533 00:28:54,920 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 1: if they can do that, then the rest will take 534 00:28:56,840 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: care of itself. But I do think this win was 535 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:02,400 Speaker 1: a big deal for confidence, for showing that, you know, 536 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:05,560 Speaker 1: if enough of those little details go right, this very 537 00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:08,560 Speaker 1: very young team has the potential to do something like 538 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:10,920 Speaker 1: shutting out an opponent, which you know, only one other 539 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 1: team has done. I believe this season so so kind 540 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:15,120 Speaker 1: of heading in the Sunday's game. It might be a 541 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:17,320 Speaker 1: little bit weird for Vikings fans, you know, they don't 542 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:20,240 Speaker 1: see the Panthers every season, usually maybe every two or 543 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:22,920 Speaker 1: three seasons. But for me, it's still a little weird 544 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,520 Speaker 1: not seeing Luke Keekley's name on the rafter. He retired 545 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:30,040 Speaker 1: and he'd now with the Panthers as a scout. You know, 546 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 1: for so long he was a faith of that defense 547 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:34,920 Speaker 1: and probably the face of the franchise. So who's kind 548 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 1: of stepped up on defense and being and been a 549 00:29:37,360 --> 00:29:40,600 Speaker 1: key player for that unit this season. Yeah, it's still 550 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:43,280 Speaker 1: weird for me. You know, before joining this team as 551 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:45,640 Speaker 1: the team reporter, I was a Panthers fan. I am 552 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:48,080 Speaker 1: a Panthers fan, and I think that you can ask 553 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:49,800 Speaker 1: any Panthers fan it's weird for them not to have 554 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:52,600 Speaker 1: Luke Keekley out there. Probably take a couple of years 555 00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 1: to really get used to it and for it to 556 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:56,800 Speaker 1: sink in. But he's still here in the building and 557 00:29:56,840 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 1: as you said, contributing as a scout, which is great. 558 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 1: But I think anyone would tell you that there's not 559 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 1: one person that could fill his role. He is such 560 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 1: an incredible player is the leader of that defense, the 561 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 1: quarterback on defense for so many years, and you know, 562 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:17,840 Speaker 1: not just his talent, but his ability to put his 563 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:20,440 Speaker 1: guys in the right situations based on what he was 564 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:23,600 Speaker 1: seeing at the line. It's just something that doesn't come 565 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 1: around very often, and that's why he is such an 566 00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:29,080 Speaker 1: important part of this franchise overall. But I think there 567 00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:32,200 Speaker 1: have been several guys, you know, I think the veterans 568 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 1: Check Thompson has done a great job and Trey Boston 569 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:38,240 Speaker 1: in terms of the leadership role and really trying to 570 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:42,640 Speaker 1: put these young guys in positions to succeed, knowing that 571 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:45,560 Speaker 1: there's not a lot of veteran presence on the defensive side. 572 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:48,959 Speaker 1: You know, the Panthers drafted seven rookies on defense, and 573 00:30:49,080 --> 00:30:52,040 Speaker 1: every single one of them played in that game against 574 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:55,640 Speaker 1: the lines. So this is a very young team that's 575 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:58,080 Speaker 1: still learning and still getting used to the NFL, and 576 00:30:58,120 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 1: so those guys have stepped up from a leadership effective. 577 00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:03,400 Speaker 1: Jeremy Chin, though, I think, is just going to be 578 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:08,200 Speaker 1: a really incredible player now. He plays outside, so you know, 579 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:11,880 Speaker 1: and Luke was obviously middle linebacker, so different, but I 580 00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:16,280 Speaker 1: think he has that same versatility now he's you know, 581 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:18,520 Speaker 1: not all the way through his rookie season, still got 582 00:31:18,560 --> 00:31:21,680 Speaker 1: a lot to learn and develop. But I just think 583 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 1: he's a special player. I think he's a very smart player, 584 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:26,960 Speaker 1: and I think he's gonna be a great the more 585 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:29,120 Speaker 1: and more he plays. We'll get you out of here. 586 00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:32,480 Speaker 1: One final question here, what the Panthers biggest challenge when 587 00:31:32,480 --> 00:31:34,440 Speaker 1: it comes to the Viking. We talked so much about 588 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:37,320 Speaker 1: the Panther the last few minutes, but what is that 589 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:40,200 Speaker 1: team focused on this week? What the key to getting 590 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,760 Speaker 1: a win against Minnesota? Well, I think I think it's 591 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:45,600 Speaker 1: got to be Dalvin Cook, right, being able to stop 592 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:49,160 Speaker 1: him or limit him. With the Panthers win over the Lions, 593 00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:52,280 Speaker 1: you know, the running back they were facing was Adrian Peterson, 594 00:31:52,320 --> 00:31:57,080 Speaker 1: who's a legend, but not in his prime anymore. DeAndre 595 00:31:57,160 --> 00:32:00,120 Speaker 1: Swift was out of that game for the Lions, and 596 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:02,680 Speaker 1: so certainly that that made things a lot easier on 597 00:32:02,840 --> 00:32:07,680 Speaker 1: the Panthers run defense. But the week before, Ronald Jones just, 598 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:13,080 Speaker 1: I mean just really really destroyed the Panthers Dave, I 599 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:14,680 Speaker 1: don't know how else to say it. And that's what 600 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:17,000 Speaker 1: he did. Um we saw that one night. It was 601 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:19,760 Speaker 1: a ninety eight yard run for a touchdown was just 602 00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:21,760 Speaker 1: one of the things that he was able to do 603 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:26,200 Speaker 1: against a Panther's defense that that wasn't being gap sound 604 00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:29,000 Speaker 1: and playing the way that they should with the attention 605 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:31,680 Speaker 1: to detail. So I think anytime you faced Dalvin Cook, 606 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:35,360 Speaker 1: that's going to be your number one issue, especially for 607 00:32:35,400 --> 00:32:37,760 Speaker 1: this young Panthers defense. But you know, I talked to 608 00:32:37,840 --> 00:32:41,160 Speaker 1: Matt Rule and he said, something that he really really 609 00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:42,920 Speaker 1: wants the team to focus on this week is that 610 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:45,800 Speaker 1: the Vikings are such a mentally tough team. They'll they'll 611 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:48,680 Speaker 1: find ways to get it done, find ways to stay competitive, 612 00:32:48,680 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 1: and that's something that he wants this Panthers team to 613 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:54,600 Speaker 1: grow into. He wants that's something that he wants them 614 00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:57,960 Speaker 1: to aspire to. And so he said, you know, we 615 00:32:58,040 --> 00:33:01,000 Speaker 1: got we gotta put last week behind us and really 616 00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:03,000 Speaker 1: focus on this game because of the way the Vikings 617 00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:05,680 Speaker 1: approach everything. So I think that that's something that he's 618 00:33:05,720 --> 00:33:08,920 Speaker 1: really looking at, is can we hang with this very 619 00:33:09,040 --> 00:33:12,239 Speaker 1: tough minded Vikings team. Christ And we definitely appreciate your 620 00:33:12,280 --> 00:33:14,720 Speaker 1: time and let's oot for a good one on Sunday. Yeah, 621 00:33:14,760 --> 00:33:16,280 Speaker 1: thank you so much for having me, Eric. This was 622 00:33:16,280 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 1: a lot of fun. Great interview with Eric and Kristin Balboni, 623 00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 1: thank you so much for that. Eric Smith Vikings dot com. 624 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:26,960 Speaker 1: Check out all of his work, guys. I thought the 625 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:30,760 Speaker 1: really interesting part there was listening to her speak about 626 00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:35,920 Speaker 1: Luke Keekley and how his absence you know something that 627 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:38,560 Speaker 1: Vikings fans have dealt with a little bit this season. 628 00:33:38,640 --> 00:33:43,320 Speaker 1: Some major absences leaves a group of players trying to 629 00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:45,760 Speaker 1: figure out who they are and what they're doing. And 630 00:33:45,920 --> 00:33:48,040 Speaker 1: with McCaffrey out on the other side of the ball, 631 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:54,320 Speaker 1: you kind of have both units developing an identity on 632 00:33:54,360 --> 00:33:57,080 Speaker 1: the run. Jay. Yeah, and you think about it too, 633 00:33:57,120 --> 00:33:59,360 Speaker 1: if they were also missing Teddy last week. I mean, 634 00:33:59,640 --> 00:34:02,640 Speaker 1: the prizing thing is that you have a backup quarterback 635 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:04,760 Speaker 1: and both sides of the ball trying to figure it out. 636 00:34:04,800 --> 00:34:07,400 Speaker 1: And yet they also shut out Detroit last week twenty 637 00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:09,879 Speaker 1: to nothing. Now's the first time detroitsmen shut out since 638 00:34:09,920 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 1: two thousand and nine, so like that was no small feat. 639 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:14,160 Speaker 1: So you know, if they're starting to feel themselves a 640 00:34:14,160 --> 00:34:16,160 Speaker 1: little bit at this point, you know, that's a team 641 00:34:16,160 --> 00:34:18,160 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to definitely take serious this week. And 642 00:34:18,440 --> 00:34:20,800 Speaker 1: if Teddy comes back, that'll just help provide another boost 643 00:34:20,800 --> 00:34:25,080 Speaker 1: in that locker room. Join me Paul Allen, along with 644 00:34:25,120 --> 00:34:29,120 Speaker 1: former Vikings linebacker and current radio analyst Ben Lieber after 645 00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:32,960 Speaker 1: every Vikings game as we host Between the Lines, analyze 646 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:35,720 Speaker 1: the game, break it down from all angles, and discuss 647 00:34:35,760 --> 00:34:38,960 Speaker 1: what it means for your favorite team moving forward. Watch 648 00:34:39,000 --> 00:34:42,080 Speaker 1: each week via Vikings dot Com, the Vikings App, YouTube, 649 00:34:42,239 --> 00:34:45,440 Speaker 1: and all of the team's other digital and social platforms. 650 00:34:45,680 --> 00:34:52,879 Speaker 1: For information, visit Vikings dot com slash Between the Lines. Well, 651 00:34:52,920 --> 00:34:56,440 Speaker 1: It's game day any day, folks play the new Vikings 652 00:34:56,440 --> 00:34:59,320 Speaker 1: Scratch Off lottery game from the Minnesota Lottery with a 653 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:02,960 Speaker 1: top prize of one hundred thousand dollars. Are you game? 654 00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:06,960 Speaker 1: Just say I'm in? Get more details at m N 655 00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:11,160 Speaker 1: Lottery dot com and Jay and Chris. After that seamless 656 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:15,479 Speaker 1: promotional drop on my part, I want to transition into 657 00:35:15,520 --> 00:35:17,839 Speaker 1: a final quick talker before we get you guys out 658 00:35:17,840 --> 00:35:20,759 Speaker 1: of here to enjoy either Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or the 659 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:26,600 Speaker 1: rest of your hopefully normal weekend. Jared Allen named one 660 00:35:26,640 --> 00:35:30,600 Speaker 1: of four first year eligible Pro Football Hall of Fame 661 00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:37,520 Speaker 1: semifinalist candidates for the two thousand twenty one Modern Era class. 662 00:35:38,120 --> 00:35:42,040 Speaker 1: He joins Peyton Manning Charles Woodson and Calvin Johnson. You know, 663 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:48,479 Speaker 1: pretty good class. Jared. We're gonna talk about this more 664 00:35:48,520 --> 00:35:52,080 Speaker 1: as it goes, but just a quick moment here to 665 00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:55,080 Speaker 1: kind of celebrate. I had a friend who told me 666 00:35:55,120 --> 00:35:58,120 Speaker 1: in our industry, in the entertainment industry, when I was 667 00:35:58,160 --> 00:36:01,799 Speaker 1: out trying to do and failing selling TV shows in Hollywood, 668 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:05,160 Speaker 1: you know, even every rung of the ladder is an 669 00:36:05,160 --> 00:36:08,840 Speaker 1: impressive one. It's to try to get to the top 670 00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:12,320 Speaker 1: of a mountain is such an incredibly difficult task that 671 00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:13,960 Speaker 1: every once in a while you have to stop and 672 00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:18,680 Speaker 1: look around and go, oh, he's look, how high up 673 00:36:18,680 --> 00:36:21,960 Speaker 1: on this mountain I am. And to me, that's this 674 00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:24,640 Speaker 1: moment right here. I think Jared Allen is obviously going 675 00:36:24,680 --> 00:36:26,680 Speaker 1: to be a Hall of Famer. He's a first year 676 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:31,240 Speaker 1: eligible nominee, which is really really impressive. But just whether 677 00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:34,400 Speaker 1: I'm not ready to discuss if he'll get the votes, 678 00:36:34,440 --> 00:36:37,040 Speaker 1: if it'll happen. To me, this is just a moment 679 00:36:37,080 --> 00:36:43,600 Speaker 1: to celebrate him even being in this position. And he 680 00:36:43,719 --> 00:36:47,000 Speaker 1: was such a fan favorite. This is so exciting for 681 00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:49,960 Speaker 1: the Vikings organization and and for a guy with such 682 00:36:49,960 --> 00:36:52,560 Speaker 1: a unique story coming from the Chiefs here and then 683 00:36:52,600 --> 00:36:55,560 Speaker 1: having this incredible career. It's it's just great for the 684 00:36:55,680 --> 00:36:58,520 Speaker 1: organization in the fan base. Chris, Yeah, really fun fact. 685 00:36:58,600 --> 00:37:01,960 Speaker 1: Growing up out of Minnesota, I really loved using the 686 00:37:02,040 --> 00:37:05,319 Speaker 1: Vikings in Madden because I could rush the passer with 687 00:37:05,400 --> 00:37:08,400 Speaker 1: Jared Allen and I could run the ball with Adrian Peterson. 688 00:37:08,440 --> 00:37:10,759 Speaker 1: They were like the best Madden team because you had 689 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:13,719 Speaker 1: two players that you use on both sides of the 690 00:37:13,760 --> 00:37:16,040 Speaker 1: ball in video games. It was about as good as 691 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:18,600 Speaker 1: it gets, especially when they had Farve on one of 692 00:37:18,640 --> 00:37:21,160 Speaker 1: those teams and you finally had a pretty good quarterback 693 00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:24,799 Speaker 1: as well. But really quick, I was able to meet 694 00:37:24,880 --> 00:37:29,360 Speaker 1: Jared Allen doing a skool lol for Vikings connected along 695 00:37:29,360 --> 00:37:32,360 Speaker 1: with Grant Redpath on one of those Thursday nights that 696 00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:35,200 Speaker 1: we're here at the facility, and I just remember Jared 697 00:37:35,239 --> 00:37:38,840 Speaker 1: Allen coming in and telling some of the funniest stories 698 00:37:38,880 --> 00:37:43,560 Speaker 1: of all time of his post retirement career and even 699 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:47,799 Speaker 1: sharing a nice cold Milliar light with him. That was 700 00:37:48,120 --> 00:37:50,200 Speaker 1: probably one of the coolest nights of working with the 701 00:37:50,280 --> 00:37:52,360 Speaker 1: Vikings was to be able to meet one of the 702 00:37:52,360 --> 00:37:55,000 Speaker 1: players I grew up loving from the Vikings, even growing 703 00:37:55,120 --> 00:37:58,839 Speaker 1: up in a different place. So Jared Allen is a 704 00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:02,000 Speaker 1: fan favorite for the good reasons, and uh yeah, it 705 00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:05,400 Speaker 1: was a pleasure to meet him and hear how he 706 00:38:05,680 --> 00:38:10,480 Speaker 1: is in an elite Curler, so I couldn't leave that out. Jay, 707 00:38:10,600 --> 00:38:13,040 Speaker 1: just want to make a quick announcement. While we're announcing 708 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:15,839 Speaker 1: that Jared Allen is a semi finalist candidate, I also 709 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:19,080 Speaker 1: would like to announce that fun fact. Chris might not 710 00:38:19,239 --> 00:38:21,320 Speaker 1: know what a fun fact is. Take it away, Jay, 711 00:38:22,440 --> 00:38:25,799 Speaker 1: fun facts with an extra ass on the curler. Now 712 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:30,279 Speaker 1: that's a fun fact for Yeah, I used to play Madden. Well, 713 00:38:30,280 --> 00:38:33,480 Speaker 1: that is a fact. That is a fact. I guess 714 00:38:33,480 --> 00:38:35,680 Speaker 1: I used to play Madden with the Vikings. Now I 715 00:38:35,800 --> 00:38:37,960 Speaker 1: work here. It's a it's a cool story. And it 716 00:38:38,040 --> 00:38:40,160 Speaker 1: was because of him. It was because of him. It 717 00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:43,200 Speaker 1: really was. Okay, you've you've convinced me. It's an immensely 718 00:38:43,239 --> 00:38:45,799 Speaker 1: fun fact. You're right, where's number sixty nine? I'm in 719 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:48,560 Speaker 1: for him in at all. The best thing for me 720 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:50,640 Speaker 1: with Jared was when we did make the trade for him. 721 00:38:50,680 --> 00:38:52,640 Speaker 1: I remember him walking in the door. And I've actually 722 00:38:52,719 --> 00:38:55,480 Speaker 1: been working on another side project here with the Vikings, 723 00:38:55,880 --> 00:38:57,640 Speaker 1: and one of the things we were having to do 724 00:38:57,719 --> 00:38:59,400 Speaker 1: is go through a bunch of old archive tapes and 725 00:38:59,400 --> 00:39:01,880 Speaker 1: one of the things that came in that I found 726 00:39:02,040 --> 00:39:04,439 Speaker 1: was Jared Allen's first interview and it was actually Ben 727 00:39:04,520 --> 00:39:08,160 Speaker 1: Lieber sitting down with Jared at our draft party and 728 00:39:08,239 --> 00:39:10,439 Speaker 1: they were talking about it and everyone kind of saw 729 00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:13,400 Speaker 1: the cowboy hat and you know, larger than life personality 730 00:39:13,400 --> 00:39:14,960 Speaker 1: and everything and kind of saying get to know you, 731 00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:16,880 Speaker 1: and he's like, don't get a twist. I'm a cowboy 732 00:39:16,920 --> 00:39:20,000 Speaker 1: from California. I like my sushi, and so it just 733 00:39:20,080 --> 00:39:22,000 Speaker 1: kind of showed you he had the rough gruff and 734 00:39:22,040 --> 00:39:25,239 Speaker 1: he had he had the Kentucky waterfall going on, and 735 00:39:25,280 --> 00:39:27,400 Speaker 1: he had the hat and the cowboy boots at the 736 00:39:27,480 --> 00:39:32,840 Speaker 1: same point. He matched not only that personality outside, but 737 00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:35,479 Speaker 1: on the field he was dominant and I think that's 738 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:38,840 Speaker 1: the reason that everyone loved him across the board. You 739 00:39:38,880 --> 00:39:41,040 Speaker 1: still see his jerseys all over the place on game 740 00:39:41,120 --> 00:39:43,680 Speaker 1: day and even walking out in public. And the best 741 00:39:43,719 --> 00:39:45,520 Speaker 1: part of it on top of that, too, was he 742 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:48,200 Speaker 1: was a guy with the heart with his Wounded Warriors 743 00:39:48,239 --> 00:39:50,880 Speaker 1: project that he still works for now. You know, we 744 00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:53,239 Speaker 1: still work with him as an organization when he has 745 00:39:53,239 --> 00:39:56,360 Speaker 1: different events coming up. He is the total package and 746 00:39:56,560 --> 00:39:58,560 Speaker 1: knowing that he had a chip on his shoulder when 747 00:39:58,600 --> 00:40:00,960 Speaker 1: he walked in coming from Kansas because of things that 748 00:40:01,000 --> 00:40:03,880 Speaker 1: had happened there, kept everything on the straight narrow and 749 00:40:03,960 --> 00:40:06,319 Speaker 1: was able to do what he did and climb up 750 00:40:06,320 --> 00:40:09,720 Speaker 1: the ranks all time for the Vikings for total sex. 751 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:12,160 Speaker 1: I think it's a matter of time before he gets 752 00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:13,560 Speaker 1: into the Hall of Fame. If he gets into the 753 00:40:13,560 --> 00:40:17,239 Speaker 1: first ballot, that's incredible, But at minimum he's one of 754 00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:19,640 Speaker 1: the fifty greatest Vikings and he's on the All Decade 755 00:40:19,640 --> 00:40:22,640 Speaker 1: team for the twenty tens. And Jared Allen definitely will 756 00:40:22,760 --> 00:40:25,040 Speaker 1: be a Ring of Honor member and hopefully a Hall 757 00:40:25,080 --> 00:40:28,240 Speaker 1: of Fame member here very soon for the organization. Absolutely 758 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:30,560 Speaker 1: a couple of clings here before we close the show. 759 00:40:30,760 --> 00:40:33,439 Speaker 1: Checkout Vikings dot com for all your latest Vikings news. 760 00:40:33,520 --> 00:40:36,280 Speaker 1: Check out this week's episode of Under Center with Kirk 761 00:40:36,320 --> 00:40:40,560 Speaker 1: Cousins special guest. And this is a great one. I 762 00:40:40,640 --> 00:40:42,560 Speaker 1: know we talk about it every week, but this is 763 00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:46,000 Speaker 1: the guy I listened to. This is fantastic legendary broadcaster 764 00:40:46,280 --> 00:40:50,799 Speaker 1: Dan Patrick. You can grab it on the app. Just 765 00:40:50,840 --> 00:40:55,120 Speaker 1: a fantastic show. Tune into Vikings Postgame Live every week 766 00:40:55,160 --> 00:40:58,520 Speaker 1: fifteen minutes after each game from inside US Bank Stadium. 767 00:40:58,560 --> 00:41:02,840 Speaker 1: Get a breakdown of the game, including highlights, staffs, analysis 768 00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:06,840 Speaker 1: and more. Tune in on Vikings dot com and the 769 00:41:06,880 --> 00:41:09,560 Speaker 1: app and the social media channels, and finally, check out 770 00:41:09,560 --> 00:41:12,800 Speaker 1: our boy Chrissy Corso and our other boy, Gabe Henderson 771 00:41:12,800 --> 00:41:16,840 Speaker 1: as they do Vikings Vantage Friday nights, six thirty pm 772 00:41:16,960 --> 00:41:23,080 Speaker 1: KFAM This week Special guest Ron Johnson. Guys, setback Dallas. 773 00:41:23,920 --> 00:41:28,000 Speaker 1: You find yourself on the verge of football no man's land. 774 00:41:28,160 --> 00:41:30,920 Speaker 1: You're not rooting for a draft pick, You're not rooting 775 00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:34,240 Speaker 1: for a playoff spot. You're so close to falling into 776 00:41:34,520 --> 00:41:39,360 Speaker 1: football waste land. Now to cope with last week's defeat, 777 00:41:39,760 --> 00:41:41,719 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to get these next two and then 778 00:41:41,760 --> 00:41:44,480 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to shock, you know, shock some people 779 00:41:44,800 --> 00:41:46,840 Speaker 1: and get one or two of the ones that people 780 00:41:46,880 --> 00:41:48,720 Speaker 1: thought you might not get at the end of the season. 781 00:41:48,760 --> 00:41:51,759 Speaker 1: But it has to start with this Panthers game. Jay, 782 00:41:51,800 --> 00:41:54,279 Speaker 1: what are you looking for this weekend? Defensive line? We 783 00:41:54,360 --> 00:41:56,680 Speaker 1: brought it up earlier. I want that defensive line to 784 00:41:56,680 --> 00:41:59,400 Speaker 1: get some pressure, get some more sacks on Teddy. We 785 00:41:59,480 --> 00:42:02,480 Speaker 1: know that Teddy is very good at hitting the intermediate 786 00:42:02,480 --> 00:42:04,680 Speaker 1: and the short passes. If you can get some pressure 787 00:42:04,680 --> 00:42:06,839 Speaker 1: on him and get him thinking even more, that's when 788 00:42:06,840 --> 00:42:08,680 Speaker 1: you can possibly get him to make a mistake. So 789 00:42:08,920 --> 00:42:11,239 Speaker 1: that's for me. I love Teddy, but you gotta get 790 00:42:11,280 --> 00:42:12,680 Speaker 1: in his face this week and you gotta get some 791 00:42:12,719 --> 00:42:16,480 Speaker 1: pressure on him. Christopher Corso, my biggest thing I think 792 00:42:16,719 --> 00:42:21,200 Speaker 1: is getting the offense going early. Like we say, I 793 00:42:21,200 --> 00:42:24,160 Speaker 1: think I say that a lot. But last week, while 794 00:42:24,200 --> 00:42:26,439 Speaker 1: the offense had a great game, they did not get 795 00:42:26,480 --> 00:42:29,319 Speaker 1: going early. They were super slow. We go down at 796 00:42:29,320 --> 00:42:32,800 Speaker 1: halftime and it's up to Justin Jefferson and Adam Feeling 797 00:42:32,840 --> 00:42:35,400 Speaker 1: to get going. Obviously, we might not have feeling in 798 00:42:35,440 --> 00:42:38,600 Speaker 1: this game. So who steps up to get this offense 799 00:42:38,640 --> 00:42:42,160 Speaker 1: going early? Is it Bc Johnson? Is it Chad Beebe? 800 00:42:42,480 --> 00:42:45,200 Speaker 1: I need to see one more Vikings wide receiver have 801 00:42:45,320 --> 00:42:47,440 Speaker 1: an impact on this game. It could be Irv Smith. 802 00:42:47,680 --> 00:42:49,760 Speaker 1: I'm cool with that too. I normally have a pretty 803 00:42:49,760 --> 00:42:53,400 Speaker 1: strong thing I'm looking for. To me, my Viking soul 804 00:42:53,560 --> 00:42:56,640 Speaker 1: is just looking for a rebound. I need something to 805 00:42:56,680 --> 00:42:58,960 Speaker 1: bring me back to a place of hope. I need 806 00:42:59,000 --> 00:43:01,160 Speaker 1: a big win this week, and I want to walk 807 00:43:01,160 --> 00:43:04,120 Speaker 1: into that Tampa. It's you got to get two wins here, 808 00:43:04,120 --> 00:43:05,920 Speaker 1: but I want to walk into that Tampa Bay Bucks 809 00:43:05,960 --> 00:43:08,680 Speaker 1: game feeling like we have something to play for, and 810 00:43:08,760 --> 00:43:11,880 Speaker 1: that starts with this win. So, given how we started 811 00:43:11,880 --> 00:43:15,200 Speaker 1: this show, I'm just looking for us to keep our 812 00:43:15,400 --> 00:43:19,120 Speaker 1: dramatic errors to a minimum. If you keep your dramatic 813 00:43:19,280 --> 00:43:22,000 Speaker 1: errors to a minimum, with the type of football team 814 00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:25,839 Speaker 1: and talent we have, and the skill we have in 815 00:43:25,920 --> 00:43:28,360 Speaker 1: terms of coaching and game planning, we should be in 816 00:43:28,440 --> 00:43:32,920 Speaker 1: really good shape. Hey, we hope everybody has a fantastic Thanksgiving. Guys, 817 00:43:32,960 --> 00:43:35,080 Speaker 1: please take care of yourself, take care of your families, 818 00:43:35,120 --> 00:43:36,479 Speaker 1: and we will see you next week.