1 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Audible, be presented by three M the 2 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. It is exciting 3 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: time in the great state of Minnesota as Minnesota Vikings 4 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: Football commence us for the thirty first time enfranchise history. 5 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: I'm Gabe, that's Tatum. Welcome inside the TCO studios for 6 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: another edition of the Audible. And now for a wild 7 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: Card edition of the Audible, we bring in a wild 8 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 1: card of guests. Mister ben Lieber h I was gonna 9 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: say something nice about you, but I don't have anything 10 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: nice to say, so I would just talk about that. 11 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 1: I'll try, I'll try to win you over in this 12 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,480 Speaker 1: short segment. Well, Chad Greenways is also our guests for today, 13 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: and guys, I appreciate you both for joining us. This 14 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: is exciting times. Like we said to start off the show, 15 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: but I want to get things started off with this. Um. 16 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 1: You guys have played in five combined Vikings playoff games together. Um, 17 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: how would you describe just a Vikings home playoff game? 18 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 1: First of all, when you say that, I get immediately 19 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 1: disappointed because of eleven years and you playing five, it's crazy. Um, 20 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: So it just shows you how hard it is. It 21 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:21,040 Speaker 1: shows you how hard it's be some very good teams 22 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:22,400 Speaker 1: over those years, and it shows you how hard to 23 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:24,640 Speaker 1: get in the playoffs, But to get a home game 24 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:26,399 Speaker 1: in the playoffs is even harder. It just it's so 25 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: much parodies, so many good players, so many good teams. 26 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: But the Cowboys game at home for US UM that 27 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 1: we played together with in UM was the second loudest 28 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 1: game I've ever played in Wow. Um, it was the 29 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,120 Speaker 1: most fun I've probably ever had in a football game. 30 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:46,480 Speaker 1: And when you get a playoff game at home, the 31 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 1: energy is just is different, and it's it's electric, it's 32 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: a different speed, it's a different level. Um, you simply 33 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 1: can't prepare for as a as a player. And I 34 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: think the fans bringing that energy. And you know, I 35 00:01:57,720 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: probably hit all the main points. But yeah, if you 36 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: have anything different, I got nothing to say. Yeah, I 37 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: got nothing to say. But and Ben plays really well 38 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 1: in home playoff games, just served way not I. I yeah, 39 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: I made a couple of plays in that in that 40 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: Cowboy game. No, all this echo the same things that 41 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:13,960 Speaker 1: Chad was saying. I mean, it's it is special, and um, 42 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 1: you know they're we're hearing from a lot of guys 43 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: saying like, oh my gosh, this is my first playoff game, 44 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 1: and so it's I hope they really soak it in. 45 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:22,560 Speaker 1: It's hard because, right you don't want that to be 46 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 1: a distraction, you know, because there is still a game 47 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:26,360 Speaker 1: plan that you have to get ready for, and you 48 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 1: really everything gets ratchet up. Your preparation gets ratchet, like 49 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: if you think that you're preparing for the regular season games, 50 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: like you don't want any stone unturned for these playoff games. So, um, 51 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: it's very intense during the week, and the nice thing 52 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 1: about being at home is you do sort of like 53 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: pick up on that energy through osmosis through the course 54 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 1: of the week and then you know, Saturday hits and 55 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: you can just feel this energy building and it is 56 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: kind of nice that it's it's like the perfect time, 57 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 1: Like nobody wants to play that first game on primetime 58 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 1: at like seven thirty at night because you're at home 59 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:58,080 Speaker 1: in the hotel room and you're just like geeked up, 60 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 1: Like how can I calm down? You know? So I 61 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 1: think this three thirty kick is like probably perfect. Sleep 62 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: in a little bit if you can and go out 63 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:07,920 Speaker 1: there and execute the crowd. We know, us Bank stadium 64 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: is one of the best, if not the best environments 65 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 1: in all of the NFL. So I'm keyed up for it. 66 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,520 Speaker 1: I can't I can't wait to see how the crowd 67 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,119 Speaker 1: affects what the Giants do, and they will, They absolutely 68 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 1: will affect the game. So I have to ask you, then, 69 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: what is the loudest game you've been a part of. 70 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: Loudest game was that same year in New Orleans. So 71 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 1: we don't want to give this as any credit out 72 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: of way to get and not talk about that team, 73 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: but I mean the preparation around that playoff runs. Specifically, 74 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 1: we work with a local company to even give us 75 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 1: listening devices in our ears because while playing, because we 76 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: knew the crowd was going to be significantly louder in 77 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: New Orleans. Obviously going on the road and the offense 78 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 1: have to deal with that. It was a level like 79 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: you can't explain to somebody, like I can't put in 80 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: words what that experience was like. It was an amazing experience. 81 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: It was a loss, and I could ask that question 82 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: a lot about that that specific loss. It was like 83 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: when you grow up, when you know, like we did. 84 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 1: Small town in South Dakota played nine man football and 85 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 1: in the town of four hundred people. It's like, you 86 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 1: don't care about if you lost the NFC title game 87 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: or not at the end of the day because you 88 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 1: made it NC title game. But that was the loudest 89 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 1: game for me by far. I mean, it was unexplainable. 90 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: Hell lot, it was. Yeah, hands down. When they when 91 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: they seed eighty thousand people in that stadium, and everybody 92 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 1: knows that the culture in New Orleans, I mean it's 93 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: a party atmosphere the whole time, so they were ready 94 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 1: to go. It was loud. And you know, I don't 95 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,160 Speaker 1: know about you. I know there's probably other other compounding 96 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 1: factors to it. But when we landed back home after 97 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 1: that loss, and then I got home, it was like 98 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:37,920 Speaker 1: what maybe three in the morning, four in the morning 99 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: or something like that. I sat on my couch just 100 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 1: kind of like in the darkness, trying to process everything, 101 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: and in my ears felt like I was just at 102 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,359 Speaker 1: a rock concert. Still, you know, you have that like 103 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: buzz and that like ringing to your to your head 104 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: and your ears, and I don't know if I was 105 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 1: all the tears that what we're saying. No, it definitely 106 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: like it reverberated for a long time, and hours after 107 00:04:58,279 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 1: the game, I was like, damn, that was a loud 108 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: play man. How do you calm that noise down? Right? Like? 109 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: You don't want to have any stones unturned? You don't 110 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,839 Speaker 1: want to you know, miss an assignment or miss any 111 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: like everything's just ramped up. So how do you calm 112 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: that down during the week because you're probably not going 113 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 1: to sleep Saturday night going into that game. It does 114 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: take a special kind of focus, first of all, to 115 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: play the game we play anyways, and to be I 116 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 1: always thinking, this helmet, right is a sort of this room, 117 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: this environment when it's loud, like it's just you and 118 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: your thoughts and you have to And these guys they 119 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 1: played a full season, even if they rookies, and some 120 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 1: of these guys have played many seasons. They've been in 121 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 1: that moment where the only person that you can hear 122 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: is yourself because it's so loud. Become so loud, you 123 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: can't hear anybody. Your ability to lock in to your 124 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: thoughts and your focus is which is going to come 125 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 1: from your preparation, so that no stone unturned, full preparation. 126 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: What's this look going to give me? What's this motion 127 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: going to give me? What's the personnel, Like, what's that 128 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: going to give me to transition all that knowledge into 129 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:58,280 Speaker 1: supreme focus snap after snap after snap, Whether you made 130 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 1: a massive play on second down and now it's third, 131 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:03,679 Speaker 1: or you've just got a you made a massive mistake 132 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 1: and missed a tackle or whatever, your ability to move 133 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 1: on and focus the next play is more paramount now 134 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: because every mistake is heightened, every big play is heightened. 135 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:15,800 Speaker 1: It matters. Everything matters so much, and it takes a 136 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:18,840 Speaker 1: mental focus with all that going on, and that's will 137 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: be the difference in who wins this game. Is that 138 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 1: mental focus. You guys know who I am. Like, I 139 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: don't like to like talk about myself that much, but 140 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 1: walking away, walking away from where you got twenty two minutes, 141 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 1: walking away from the Saints game specifically, the one thing 142 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 1: that was actually kind of proud of myself was, like 143 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: I remember being in the game. It wasn't until late 144 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 1: in the game that I sort of broke focus. You know. 145 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 1: It's actually you and I having a conversation along with 146 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:48,159 Speaker 1: Jared Allen. I think when we were our offense was 147 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:50,559 Speaker 1: getting ready to, you know, hopefully kick the game winning 148 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 1: field goal at the end of regulation. That's the only 149 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 1: time that we actually talked about the what ifs, Like 150 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 1: we talked about, you know, something that was going to 151 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: happen after the game. I would And the thing is 152 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: I was a veteran at that point in time, Like 153 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: I don't know how I would have handled that situation 154 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 1: if I'm a rookie or or first a second year player. 155 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: But it was years of sort of training and getting 156 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 1: ready and mentally ready for that. But you know, the 157 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 1: day that the hour is getting ready for that game, 158 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: like I remember just being like calm and focused and 159 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: like this is it, Like we can't accelerate time. It's 160 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 1: the kickoffs going to get here no matter what, no 161 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,119 Speaker 1: matter what we do, So like, let's just play each play. 162 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: And that was the one thing I think Childress did 163 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: a really good job of, like he'd always pounded that 164 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 1: in our heads. And you know some of it's Leslie 165 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 1: is so important too, because he wasn't just an amatic 166 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: characters him be up and down. He was just yeah, 167 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 1: you know, and I think I think, you know, translating 168 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: that into this team. That's all these tough games that 169 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: these guys have played. The one thing that koc has 170 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: talked about is just you know, playing each play, you know, 171 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: and then rising, rising and getting your best when it's needed. 172 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 1: And I think that they've been mentally trained to do 173 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: that for the season. So hopefully these guys are are 174 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: in that mind because it does matter, It really matters. Yeah, 175 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 1: the monotony of the week helps you. You know the 176 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: fact that it's week eighteen, nineteen whatever it is now 177 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: in their season, and even with the preseason games, you 178 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 1: look forward to that this is my Wednesday, this is 179 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: my Thursday, this is my Friday. It's so value because 180 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: it keeps you centered in ground and focus, just like 181 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: it did week three, Week four, Week five. You know, 182 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 1: you know in the back of your mind what's coming. 183 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 1: But I do think that helps with your your ability 184 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: to corents sort of just stay calm. This is what 185 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 1: I normally do on Wednesdays. Nothing's different here, right, So 186 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 1: that helps. You're watching or listening to the Audible with 187 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: Chad Greenway and Ben Lieber, and I wanted to ask you, guys, 188 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: as veterans with playoff experience, if you're sitting in a 189 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 1: room with some rookies or guys that don't have playoff experience, 190 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 1: as you mentioned earlier, which so many of these guys don't. 191 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 1: What are you telling them? It's going to take nothing physical. 192 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: This is truly the part of the season where it's 193 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 1: a full mental game. And yes there's physical pieces of this, right, 194 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 1: but but your preparation is going to be all mental 195 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: and your ability to focus is going to be the 196 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,559 Speaker 1: impact of the game. And you're physically good enough because 197 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 1: we're here, right, our team is good. You're individually good enough. 198 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 1: We can get the job done. Now it's about can 199 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: you go out and execute when all the chips are 200 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 1: on the table. And that's really what it comes comes 201 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 1: down to you, and also why it's so important to 202 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,320 Speaker 1: have a home game, to have that little advantage in 203 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:14,679 Speaker 1: some cases of massive advantage to be at home. Now 204 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: you're not jumping on your plane, you're staying, You're sleep 205 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: in your bed and more, You're getting more time with 206 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 1: your family, which helps ground you. You're going to the 207 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 1: normal hotel, hotel that you're used to. UM. All that 208 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: stuff makes just subtle differences in your weak if anything, 209 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: just to less less in the anxiety. UM, and then 210 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 1: to go into a stadium that you know, you know 211 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: where the entrances, you know what time to get there, 212 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: you know the route. I mean, all that stuff sort 213 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 1: of matters, and small and small doses, I'd one hundred 214 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,079 Speaker 1: percent agree. I mean you as a team and individually 215 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 1: you belong. Yeah, like we get that out of the way, 216 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 1: you know right now, Like you belong to be in this, 217 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 1: in this game, in this in this situation. So now 218 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: it comes down to, you know, the benefit is playing 219 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: these guys just a couple of weeks ago, so everything's 220 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 1: pretty fresh. Go back watch the film. What mistakes do 221 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: we make? What can we expect from them? And the 222 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: only way that you can play fast is to not think. 223 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: And the only way to do that is to be 224 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 1: well prepared. And if you are well prepared and you 225 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 1: know every look that the offense is going to give you, 226 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,599 Speaker 1: you know every motion and shift that's that's going to 227 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: come up, and you're keyed in, dude, then then you 228 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 1: can just you know, shut the brain off and go 229 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: and make plays. And that's why they play, they say, 230 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,679 Speaker 1: you know, playoff football is faster. You know, as long 231 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: as they take care of their week of preparation, they're 232 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 1: going to go out and fly around. Yeah. How much 233 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 1: does familiarity play into this game? Right? I mean you 234 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: go back to the O eight season, I believe you 235 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 1: guys had already played UM, that team in the regular season. 236 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 1: This New York Giants team, we just played him two 237 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 1: weeks ago. So yeah, they're not in the same division 238 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 1: like the NFC North, but we've played them. So how 239 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 1: much does that play into going into a playoff game 240 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: and having that extra edge? Yeah, I think I think 241 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 1: it's you know, I think the momentum from last week 242 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: the Bears game, honestly is paramount because you want to 243 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,959 Speaker 1: have momentum going into a season. I can say, UM, 244 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: in the O nine season, that was really interesting because 245 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 1: we lost little momentum in the last month of the season. 246 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 1: And UM in the E eight season as well, we 247 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:06,840 Speaker 1: were we had we've had left like eight nine wins 248 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 1: in a row in the middle of the season. He's 249 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 1: sort of puttered in and sputtered in and you didn't 250 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 1: you didn't really bring that best to that playoff game. UM. 251 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:18,560 Speaker 1: In this in this case, you you beat the Giants 252 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: in a dramatic fashion a couple of weeks ago, you 253 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,199 Speaker 1: game momentum going into the playoffs with the big win 254 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 1: last week. I think that all matters. And and I 255 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: and I think the more interesting part now being out 256 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 1: of the game and watch the game, is how the 257 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 1: coaches handled this. How are you going to game plan? 258 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 1: You come in with a game plan that that can win. 259 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 1: I think it matters a lot. I mean, especially when 260 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 1: you when you play a guy like se Quon Barkley. 261 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,320 Speaker 1: You know, for a lot of these guys, you only 262 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 1: hear about him, you watch highlights, you play that first game, 263 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 1: and you know, sometimes these guys get they get you know, 264 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 1: they get brought up and made bigger than maybe what 265 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: they are. Not not taking anything away from because he's 266 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 1: a special player, but I think as as a defensive player, 267 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:55,679 Speaker 1: now that you played him just recently, are like, okay, 268 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: I know what he brings. You know, I can I 269 00:11:57,679 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 1: can feel his power. You know, it's like playing aj 270 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 1: Dill and Green Bay. You know you got a big back, 271 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: big legs. How do we gotta take this guy on? 272 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: You feel that, you know, playing playing that one of 273 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:08,319 Speaker 1: those games and you can get into a couple of hits. 274 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 1: You're like, all right, now I'm prepared. You know, now 275 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: now I know exactly you know when he's gonna spin 276 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 1: or how he's gonna spin, and what you know, how 277 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: how am I going to attack him if I'm going 278 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: to hit him low this time? So all of that 279 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:21,240 Speaker 1: does matter getting those reps, But keep in mind they're 280 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:24,320 Speaker 1: doing the same thing to you, that's true, and they're 281 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 1: going to do that same thing to Dalvin Cook, which 282 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: who I want to get into because yeah, you know, 283 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 1: he had a big game a couple of weeks ago, 284 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 1: but still there's opportunities for this Minnesota Vikings to get 285 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 1: him involved. So being former linebackers, you've got to have perspectives. 286 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 1: So we'll have more with Ben Leeber and Chad Greenway 287 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 1: when we come back. Stay tuned for more of the 288 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:46,080 Speaker 1: audible presented by three M, the official science partner of 289 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings, from the field to the roof and 290 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: everywhere in between. Three M, the official science partner of 291 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings, is here. Visit Fightings dot com backslash 292 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: skull Science to learn more. We are back. This is 293 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:11,920 Speaker 1: the audible courtesy of three M. I'm Gabe Henderson. That's 294 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: Tatum Everett. To her left is Chad Greenway. Into his left, 295 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 1: it's mister Ben Lieber. And right before we went to 296 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: the break, we were talking about se Quon Barkley in 297 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 1: as a linebacker. You know that, you know, facing him 298 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 1: one time, you kind of have an idea of what 299 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 1: he's going to do. You got to redo that over again. 300 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: But switching to Dalvin Cook getting him going, You guys 301 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 1: are linebackers. I was looking at a stat. Dalvin Cook 302 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:39,000 Speaker 1: had six rushes for I believe five point seven yards 303 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: per carry in the first quarter of that Giants game. 304 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: He had eight carries the final three quarters. How do 305 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: you get him going? And what kind of pressure does 306 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 1: he put on a linebacker? And he puts all sorts 307 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,439 Speaker 1: of pressure on linebackers. I mean I can remember a 308 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: game playing against guys like like a Reggie Bush from 309 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 1: from my era. When I was playing against him, we 310 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: were against these guys. They're they're so impossible to stay 311 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 1: in front of. You have to not only you know, 312 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: beat him to the edge. They can cut back and 313 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 1: each on the backside. Then you have to cover him 314 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: and pass pass routes. I mean, it is it is 315 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 1: a tall task and to have that's why having a 316 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:10,719 Speaker 1: guy like Dalvin so it's so important to have a 317 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:12,559 Speaker 1: guy like him and then get him involved early. I 318 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:14,599 Speaker 1: think he's like a he's like the Hooper, right, you 319 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: want to see that first one go in. And once 320 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 1: you see that first one going, watch out. Same thing 321 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 1: with Dalvin. You get him go in the first quarter, 322 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: like he said, man as I think that again, it 323 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 1: does depend on the game and how it's going. But 324 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: you got to keep feeding him the feeding the rock 325 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: and find ways he get him the ball because I mean, 326 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 1: obviously we all can see what he can do. He's dynamic. Yeah, 327 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: I think it's I think it comes down to just 328 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 1: commitment to the run game, you know, you know, that's 329 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: that's the one thing that that you know, O'Connell's kind 330 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: of talked about. There's some games because the game flow 331 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 1: in the game situation that like he may you know, 332 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 1: reflecting on it, probably could have run the ball a 333 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 1: little bit more. And and that's kind of the the 334 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 1: end the season self scout on himself, I think you 335 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 1: go into this game, like with the stat you're even 336 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: talking about, and from what we know about Dalvin is 337 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 1: just let the guy go. Yeah, man, Like, I I 338 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 1: know that we are a past centric team, but like 339 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:06,360 Speaker 1: what really gives defenses problems is finding that true balance 340 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 1: and you know, if we can get him involved in 341 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: the past game, you know, obviously involved in the run game, 342 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 1: and then you know, we can open some stuff up 343 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:17,200 Speaker 1: in the passing game. I think it's all going to be, um, 344 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: you know, in concert together and hopefully this is the 345 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:22,240 Speaker 1: most balance game that we've played, because I think we 346 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 1: all enjoy watching him run and we know the stress 347 00:15:24,920 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: it puts on the defense. And also Les Phillips commenting 348 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: that when you get down in games like this team 349 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 1: has been doing early on, it's very hard to establish 350 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: the run after you get like that. But I'm going 351 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 1: to switch things up to the defensive side of things. 352 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: And we have a fan question show called Pick six, 353 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: and there are so many questions about is this defense 354 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: ready for playoff football? So I wanted to ask you too, Ben, 355 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: I'll start with you. You see them every game close up. 356 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,600 Speaker 1: Is this defense ready for the postseason? Yeah? I think 357 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: it's ready. And I think that the thing that I've 358 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: been watching the last couple of weeks is that the 359 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: way our defensive line has been able to create some chaos. 360 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: And I think to play playoff football, you do have 361 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: to win in the trenches. Um, you know, the games 362 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: that we've lost, You look at the Dallas game, you know, 363 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: we didn't. We didn't win in the trenches, you know, 364 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: the games that we're losing. I feel, I really truly 365 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 1: believe that we're we're not winning on both sides of 366 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 1: the ball. Up front the last couple of weeks. I mean, 367 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: even this this this Bears game this last week, Dalvin 368 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,760 Speaker 1: was involved, you know, penetrating up front um even getting 369 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: your hands up to tip balls. That's really going to 370 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 1: help the secondary out. So I do think, uh, those 371 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 1: guys up front are going to give us a big 372 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: advantage and hopefully, you know, getting with the crowd noise, 373 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: they can get off on the snap a little bit 374 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: quicker and and really create some some havoc. Yeah, I 375 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: would say that's I mean to kind of read already 376 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: said it's it's gonna be important, and the front seven 377 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 1: is gonna be where this game is won at the 378 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 1: end of the day. I mean, our ability to make 379 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: plays in our passing game is because of our front, 380 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 1: our offensive line, and our ability to to for our 381 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 1: dvs to play well. It's because it's going to because 382 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,280 Speaker 1: of our defensive line and our ability to can get pressure. 383 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: But also Jones can beat you with his feet, and 384 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,440 Speaker 1: that's sort of an under sort of talked about part 385 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:06,880 Speaker 1: of his game that I've sort of been thinking about 386 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: is you got to be mindful of that. Because he 387 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:11,199 Speaker 1: is still a young quarterback. He's to be in a 388 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:13,919 Speaker 1: very heightened situation as well. If we can speed up 389 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:16,879 Speaker 1: his decisions with our pass rush, that's gonna be very 390 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 1: good for us. I'm gonna read this statum. Eric Kendricks 391 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:23,960 Speaker 1: has the most single season solo tackles, which is eighty 392 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 1: eight since two thy twelve when Chad Greenway did it 393 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,919 Speaker 1: with ninety eight tackles. Oh, what does Eric Kendricks mean 394 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:33,920 Speaker 1: to this defense? Or why can't he get eleven more? 395 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:35,880 Speaker 1: That is true, it's really at the question we should 396 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,960 Speaker 1: be Eric. I got a chance to play with Eric. 397 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: Just a tremendous person first of all, but an unbelievable player, 398 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 1: so instinctive, so his ability to he's like a tesla. 399 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:47,879 Speaker 1: I mean, he gets off the line quick and his 400 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 1: ability to take a first couple steps as impressive. But 401 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,200 Speaker 1: he is sort of that guy that has the knows 402 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 1: for the ball. He knows he can feel it, he 403 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:57,479 Speaker 1: can sense it, he can see it, and then he 404 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: makes those decisions do I go underday go over? He's 405 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:02,480 Speaker 1: at enough to do both. Um is very good, so 406 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 1: fun to watch. I love watching him play. Yeah, I 407 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: loved watching him kind of run the alleys, you know, 408 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: when he diagnoses a play and he sees something that's 409 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:12,879 Speaker 1: gonna hit maybe off tackle or perimeter, watching him just 410 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: kind of navigate and find that lane because it's you 411 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: know there there are there's highlight players. You're like, damn, 412 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: that was that was sweet. But if you get in 413 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: the film room and you realize man, for you to 414 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:24,400 Speaker 1: like key in on that, and maybe that's not even 415 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: your responsibility, but for you to instinctively think that that's 416 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: where it's gonna go, and you hit it like he 417 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 1: hits it so tight. He's he's close to the lineman. 418 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:34,400 Speaker 1: He's not bubbling out. He's not believe it because yeah, 419 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:36,399 Speaker 1: if you don't believe it, you take a different route, 420 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,719 Speaker 1: you don't make it. Yeah, so you gotta believe it, 421 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:42,679 Speaker 1: see it go and he goes His angles are so tight. Um. 422 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:45,439 Speaker 1: You know, I'll bring up a J. Dillon again. You 423 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,119 Speaker 1: know this actually happened. I think last year, dude, we 424 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: all know how big that guy is and and I 425 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 1: watched Kendricks take him on head on and stand him 426 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: up and I'm like, I knew that he was tough, 427 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:58,919 Speaker 1: I didn't know he brought the pop like that, you know, 428 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 1: And so he he kind of is the perfect you know, 429 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:03,719 Speaker 1: he's the all around package. You know, just hasn't made 430 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 1: enough plays in the past game this year that we're 431 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 1: used to, but we've seen his hands, you know. Oh yeah, 432 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: It's funny when we've had him on the show before, 433 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 1: he was talking about how he's not a typical linebacker 434 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: as far as his size, and he talks about like, 435 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:16,719 Speaker 1: you know, gives him love for like the smaller, you know, 436 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,399 Speaker 1: faster life backers like that. He's not typical in a 437 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: lot of ways, and most of them because he's better 438 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:23,920 Speaker 1: than the typical person. I mean, he is far and 439 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: away above average in every category and it doesn't matter. 440 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:29,119 Speaker 1: It just goes to show you it doesn't matter what 441 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:31,639 Speaker 1: you look like or how big you are. That guy's 442 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:33,840 Speaker 1: got a heart that is massive, but he's got a 443 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 1: lot of physical tools to go with it. So to me, 444 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: he's the most fun guy to watch on this team. Why, 445 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:43,440 Speaker 1: I mean, well, am a backer right, um. Yeah, having 446 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: a personal experience just knowing him and knowing who he 447 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 1: is and knowing what's going on in his head because 448 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: he is a quirky, funny dude. This love when he 449 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 1: makes a place. I know exactly what's gonna say when 450 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 1: he goes the sidelines in something crazy. So love that guy. Ben. 451 00:19:55,560 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: How would you describe the way that this cultures change 452 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: since last season? I think it's I think there's a 453 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 1: there's an equal amount of respect, um. And not to 454 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,280 Speaker 1: say that the old regime and the old staff didn't 455 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 1: respect the players, but I think the players feel like 456 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:18,639 Speaker 1: the coaches aren't aren't just like preaching from up high, 457 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:20,719 Speaker 1: you know, and coaching down to them. I think that 458 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 1: there is a leveling out of of we're gonna treat 459 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 1: you guys like like men. It is very cliche in 460 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 1: this business, like all the players like would shoot me 461 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 1: like a man and do this and do that. It 462 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:34,000 Speaker 1: doesn't always take place, and I think, um, I think 463 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:35,960 Speaker 1: what this staff has done is just kind of level 464 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 1: the playing field. You know, we're gonna we're gonna coach 465 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 1: you hard, we're gonna love you up. You know, we're 466 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 1: gonna give you hard expectations, and we're gonna let you 467 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: know when you fail. But we're not gonna like we're 468 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:47,359 Speaker 1: not gonna you know, you may make you a pile 469 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 1: of rubble, you know, so they keep the guy's confidence high. 470 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: And um, you know, I heard from some of the 471 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,719 Speaker 1: defensive players. You know, this is this year. When they 472 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 1: started off the year, they really got to know each 473 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:01,000 Speaker 1: other on a personal level. And that was important for 474 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,280 Speaker 1: the coaching staff. But it's also important for the players 475 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,480 Speaker 1: to get to know one another. We don't you know, 476 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: we're like a lot of men, you know, we don't 477 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: share our feelings and share our personal lives. But they 478 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:12,640 Speaker 1: really let guys be vulnerable and open up. And from 479 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: a lot of the defensive players, you know, it really 480 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:16,760 Speaker 1: brought the team together, at least on the defensive side, 481 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:20,320 Speaker 1: that hey man, we care about you as a person 482 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: and not just you as a player. And I think 483 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: that goes a long ways. I think we got thirty 484 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:27,440 Speaker 1: more seconds in the show. So I'm gonna ask both 485 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 1: of you guys, what is one thing that the Vikings 486 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 1: need to focus on to secure a W on Sunday? 487 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 1: Pass rush? Yeah, one pass rush for me, creating havoc 488 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: for for Jones and making the places in the back end. Yeah, 489 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:44,239 Speaker 1: I think, you know, I don't know what the number is, 490 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:47,119 Speaker 1: but we can't give them any sort of life thinking 491 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 1: that se Quon can beat us. And if you know, 492 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 1: if it's you know, under two and a half yards 493 00:21:52,119 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: to carry, then then so be it. But I think 494 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 1: you know where we play our best is when we're 495 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 1: smashing the run our first and second down, and then 496 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 1: we can use the pass rush on third down and 497 00:22:02,359 --> 00:22:04,760 Speaker 1: got to have it plays. So I'm really looking for 498 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 1: our run defense to just squash se Quon Martha. We 499 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 1: do that. I don't care that Daniel Jones can run 500 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:12,199 Speaker 1: the ball. He's not going to beat us with his 501 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: legs for four quarters. I love that. While the Vikings 502 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:19,920 Speaker 1: are seven and seven all time in Wildcard games and 503 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: franchise history, let's make it eight this one this Sunday 504 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:25,719 Speaker 1: against the New York Giants. For Ben Lieber, Chad Greenway, 505 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 1: Tatum Everett. My name is Gabe Henderson. See you all 506 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: next week. Thank you for joining us for this week's 507 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:35,280 Speaker 1: episode of The Audible. The Audible is presented by three AM, 508 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:37,880 Speaker 1: the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings.