1 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:06,800 Speaker 1: Week eighteen of the NFL season is upon us as 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:10,520 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings head east to place the Detroit Lions 3 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: this upcoming Sunday. This is the Minnesota Vikings Podcast presented 4 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:16,760 Speaker 1: by PEPSI. My name is Gabe Henderson. I'm alongside Vikings 5 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:20,319 Speaker 1: dot Com statum Everett Fox Nins, Amad Hicks, our guy, 6 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: and then our producer mister Eric Davidson AHMOD. We start 7 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: with first things first. This Minnesota Vikings team is seven 8 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: and nine and still has an opportunity to make the playoffs. 9 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, you need help, right. 10 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: But at the same time, when you, I guess, lose 11 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 1: to the Green Bay Packers in the fashion that you did, 12 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: how do you see this team bouncing back in the 13 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:45,160 Speaker 1: regular season finale against the Detroit Lions. 14 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 3: I don't know how they bounce back, Gabe. 15 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:49,680 Speaker 4: It's something that's a question I've been asked several times 16 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:52,960 Speaker 4: this week in my thought process behind that when coach 17 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 4: O'Connell has his team meeting, we'll had the team meeting 18 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 4: this morning. How did he motivate these guys to get 19 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 4: behind who's ever playing quarterble and this last month of 20 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 4: the season, you literally had your playoff They in your 21 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 4: hands win and you're in. And they lost three straight games, 22 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:09,399 Speaker 4: and it's like, how do we get motivated to go 23 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 4: play a Detroit Lions team that has everything to play 24 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 4: for right now? So I don't know where they go 25 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:15,200 Speaker 4: from here. I don't know how they get motivated. Justin 26 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 4: Jefferson said, they want to bring their a game on Sunday, 27 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 4: kind of go out on a high note. But like 28 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:21,399 Speaker 4: I said, there's so many variables. 29 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 5: Three percent chance, a chance. 30 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 3: There's a chance, probably have a better chance to win 31 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:28,039 Speaker 3: the lottery. 32 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 5: But stranger things have happened before. 33 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 6: For sure, they would join very rare company if they 34 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 6: were to make the postseason this year. 35 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 5: Especially the facts. 36 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 6: I think they'd be the sixth team ever to have 37 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 6: a losing record to be in the playoffs. So it's 38 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:45,320 Speaker 6: definitely something that is a stretch, but you do have 39 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 6: something to play for. I think despite the low percentage, 40 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 6: this team doesn't really want that salty taste in their 41 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 6: mouth as they head into the off season and a 42 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 6: lot of these guys will return and you've got a 43 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 6: really it was just not the. 44 00:01:58,000 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 5: End of the season they wanted. 45 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 6: You know, It's kind of felt like it was a sandwich, right, 46 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 6: Like you had, like, but like, it hasn't been. It 47 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 6: was a nice it was a nice mid season, and 48 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 6: it's just kind of take tuckered out. 49 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 3: Yeah. 50 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 4: You know, if you had to ask the Vikings before 51 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 4: the season started if they could go into Detroit with 52 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 4: the chance to go to the playoffs if they win 53 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 4: that game at the beginning of the season, I think 54 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 4: all the players would have signed up and said sign 55 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 4: up for that. You'll take that, you know. And speaking 56 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,920 Speaker 4: to the guys after they lost to Detroit here at 57 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 4: us Spank Stadium, all of them were motivated. They're like, 58 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 4: we're going to get them back. That was a fluke. 59 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,639 Speaker 4: This game shouldn't have happened. And then the Green Bay 60 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 4: game happens and it's like, man, like, how do you 61 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 4: carry over what momentum little momentum that you had to 62 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:38,640 Speaker 4: this game? And like Tatum said, there is a chance 63 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 4: to go to the playoffs and stuff like that, But 64 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 4: you got to look back three weeks ago when the 65 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:44,639 Speaker 4: bigger pitcher was there for the playoffs and all you had. 66 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:45,080 Speaker 3: To do was win. 67 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 4: It was a lot easier now than putting your faith 68 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 4: into three other teams that you need to lose. 69 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 3: This Sunday so complicated. I mean, but look. 70 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 4: Still somewhat of a good season because after the Josh 71 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 4: DAPs mania, the whole city was riding high. We were 72 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 4: talking about playoffs, we were talking about how much this 73 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 4: team had overcome this season, how well coach Flores has done, 74 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 4: and then I think everything just started to crumble all 75 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 4: at one time. 76 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 3: You know, this is a long football season. 77 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 4: It's very hard to be successful through eighteen weeks, and 78 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 4: we saw a catch up. 79 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, I just think it's for me personally, it's just 80 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 1: how the injuries started to stack up later in the year. 81 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 1: Of course, Justin Jefferson goes down against the Kansas City 82 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 1: Chiefs and it's like, okay, well what do we do? 83 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: And then the Vikings righttle off of five game win streak. 84 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: During that win streak, Kirk Cousins goes down. So just 85 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,919 Speaker 1: understanding the injuries, I mean, injuries happen to every team 86 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 1: every time of the year, but for the Vikings, you 87 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: look at him to say that the importance of those injuries, 88 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: how that affected where this team is right now? How 89 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: big do you think early in the season, those couple 90 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: of losses, how do you think that dictated? You know, 91 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: kind of where we are right now with trying to 92 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: still figure out how do we get into the play. 93 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 4: So it means everything because if you just clean up 94 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 4: some of those turnovers in the first five games where 95 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 4: the Vikings went one and four, they're probably four and one, 96 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 4: and now we're not talking about needing to win to 97 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 4: go into the playoffs. You could have got some of 98 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 4: those wins in the middle of the season, like Tatum 99 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,920 Speaker 4: talked about, and then everything's good. Now you're just talking 100 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 4: about getting healthy, resting your guys going into the playoffs. 101 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 4: But it's hard to overcome injuries in the NFL. But 102 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,119 Speaker 4: yet every team has to do it, and I think 103 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 4: the Vikings did pretty much a good job of it. 104 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 4: But the two injuries that I don't think they could 105 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 4: overcome DJ Wantam and Bira Murphy Junior. 106 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 3: Bira Murphy hasn't been out there. 107 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,160 Speaker 4: That's been a huge part of their downfall the last 108 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 4: couple of weeks, and then missing DJ Wantam show versus 109 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 4: the Packers, the Vikings couldn't get any rush on Jordan Love. 110 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 4: So I think that's what it all boiled down to. 111 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 4: It's injuries for this team, because if everybody's healthy, even 112 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 4: without Kirk Cousins, there's still a. 113 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:40,039 Speaker 5: Playoff team easily. 114 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 6: I mean the injuries, I think, and you said you 115 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 6: said every team goes through it, and. 116 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 5: They really do truly feel that way. 117 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 6: Obviously, it just has felt like it really hit the 118 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 6: people that it just couldn't hit this time around. This 119 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 6: team was very delicately built. You know, they're very intentional 120 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,559 Speaker 6: with what they where they place things and the depth 121 00:04:57,600 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 6: that they had in those certain positions, and I think 122 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 6: at time it showed that maybe the depth wasn't as 123 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:05,159 Speaker 6: good as they wanted it to be there. They needed 124 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:07,279 Speaker 6: their number one guys in there, and and for me, 125 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:08,479 Speaker 6: that's that's the main thing. 126 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 5: It was the. 127 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 6: Weird turnover issues that you thought could be solved after 128 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 6: week five when they started the wind streak, and then 129 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:18,599 Speaker 6: they come back to haunt you in the end. But 130 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 6: then again, that's also when you have all the injuries, 131 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 6: especially as the quarterback position. I think if you had 132 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:27,720 Speaker 6: said again before season, oh, you'll be still with. 133 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 5: A chance, this is very still chance. 134 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 6: At the final game and you've had four quarterbacks, I 135 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,599 Speaker 6: think that's also something you're like, wow, really, how are 136 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 6: they able to do that? 137 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's it's hard to build that continuity when you 138 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 4: don't even know who your quarterback is. 139 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 3: And I said that as our Fox nine podcasts the 140 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 3: other day. 141 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 4: You know, as a former wide receiver, you love your 142 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 4: playbook because the basic playbook is put in at the 143 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 4: beginning of the season, and then in the middle of 144 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 4: the season and later on you just get all those 145 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 4: new wrinkles on ways to get the ball, or when 146 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 4: you're putting you're putting in a new quarterback, you're not 147 00:05:57,040 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 4: getting many new wrinkles. You're going back to the basic plays, 148 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 4: the basics, and it kind of hinders what you can 149 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:04,839 Speaker 4: do offensively. And I think coach O'Connell had to spend 150 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 4: a lot of time evaluating his own team and who 151 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 4: was gonna play, rather than dissecting his game plan about 152 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 4: how to attack these defenses. 153 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 3: So I think this was. 154 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 4: Kevin O'Connell's like toughest stretch that maybe he's been through 155 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,840 Speaker 4: as a coach. I don't know all about his coaching past, 156 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 4: but I know last year he had all the pieces, 157 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 4: he had all the veterans, everybody was there. This year, 158 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 4: he was riddled with injuries, had to come up with 159 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 4: a new playbook on the fly. Weekend and week out, 160 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 4: and that is absolutely hard to do. So Kevin O'Connell 161 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 4: did a great job, but I also think he could 162 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 4: have done better. And I think that's where he'll try 163 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 4: and build on this offseason and understand that, hey, if 164 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 4: the offense is tailored around JJ, I got to do 165 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 4: better making sure that we have backup pieces in case 166 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,039 Speaker 4: a guy like that goes down, or making sure that 167 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,719 Speaker 4: this offense is complimentary to every quarterback and not just 168 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 4: Kirk Cousins or Nick Fullins. 169 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: I mean, you hit that right on the head. I've 170 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:51,480 Speaker 1: told this story a few times. I was in Washington 171 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 1: during the same time that Kevin O'Connell was there in 172 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen. He was an offensive coordinator and that was 173 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: the year that Alex Smith broke his leg. And Alex 174 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 1: Smith broke his leg. Two weeks later, Colt McCoy starts 175 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: the game after his Two weeks later, Cote McCoy he 176 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: breaks his leg. Then we go Mark Sanchez, then Josh Johnson, 177 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: and we go through a four quarterback system in about 178 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: a span of five to six weeks. And I was saying, well, 179 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: if anybody's built for Kirk Cousins getting injured, here, or 180 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 1: a quarterback carousel here, Kevin O'Connell is, and initially we 181 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 1: saw what that looked like. But still like, no matter 182 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 1: if you've been through this thing three or four times, 183 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: it's so tough to change your game plan midweek. I mean, 184 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 1: I just remember being here when Jaren Hall was getting 185 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 1: his first start in the NFL against Atlanta Falcons, and 186 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: I mean I get here early. I'm here at like 187 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 1: seven am, and Jaren Hall is like walking with this iPad, 188 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: finishing up his breakfast, walking down the hallway, and I'm like, dude, 189 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 1: I can only imagine what that week looked like. On 190 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: top of Josh Dobbs staying here on a Friday, going 191 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 1: through about three hundred plays on the playbook with the 192 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 1: assistant quarterbacks coach just trying to figure out the game plan. 193 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: So you really can't make this up a mide And 194 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 1: I know, just being a dB of former dB in yourself, 195 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: when you see a different quarterback every game, the first 196 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 1: thing you look at and say is like, I should 197 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 1: be getting some interceptions. Absolutely, And that's no fault to 198 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connell. That's no fault to Nick Mullins or anybody. 199 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: It's just the name of the game, and the timing's 200 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 1: not there exactly. 201 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 4: So you watch film, you know how a receiver runs 202 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 4: his route, you know after several couple of weeks, but 203 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:23,560 Speaker 4: the quarterback still has to decipher that timing and when 204 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 4: to release that football. And so the dB may have 205 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 4: done better homework and like, look, I know on this 206 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 4: drop he's gonna do this, so I can go cut 207 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 4: this out. As a dB, you're licking your chimps when 208 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 4: you see all these different quarterbacks come in. It wasn't 209 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 4: because you're like, look, they don't know what they're doing. 210 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 4: They're still trying to find some confidence when they get 211 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 4: out there, whereas if number eight was out there, you're like, 212 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 4: all right, let me be a little timid because I 213 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 4: know if I miss step right here, he's going to 214 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 4: fire it past me. So you know, it's definitely the 215 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 4: defensive backs have had an advantage this year, especially not 216 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 4: having justin Jefferson, and then he comes back and TJ. 217 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 3: Hockinson goes down. 218 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 4: So it's the offense never had their full arsenal like 219 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 4: we expected. I mean, you talk about the running backs 220 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,360 Speaker 4: they bring in, Cam Akers tears his achilles like it 221 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 4: just seems the offensive line. 222 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 3: Darres always out some games on Neil Bradberry. 223 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 4: It's just just so much inconsistency on that offense. It's 224 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 4: kind of hard to place the blame on coach O'Connell 225 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:12,959 Speaker 4: and be like, you know, what they should have done better. 226 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 4: It's like you get dealt the hand of cards and 227 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 4: then go make something. 228 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 6: Happens when they're still in so many one score games 229 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 6: at the same time, which is incredible to think with 230 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:23,720 Speaker 6: all of that incontinuity, right, I mean. 231 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 1: I just always say, like tell us or somebody who 232 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,680 Speaker 1: makes seafood every day, tell them to don't make seat 233 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: food today and go make steak, and they've never made 234 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:37,320 Speaker 1: steak or start exactly, and I mean it takes time 235 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,959 Speaker 1: to start to build the recipe for success. And we 236 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: know we have that in this building. It's just been 237 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 1: kind of tough trying to figure that out. And I mean, 238 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 1: kudos to to Brian flores Are earlier this year trying to, 239 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: you know, help the offense with the defensive side of 240 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:55,920 Speaker 1: the ball, blitzing, showing disguises, but still last game losing 241 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 1: thirty three to ten. A lot of people look at 242 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 1: that and say, well, where does the defense go for here, 243 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:01,320 Speaker 1: and I guess ask my question for you before we 244 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:01,839 Speaker 1: go to break. 245 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 4: You know, that's a good question, one I've been asked 246 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 4: this week too. I don't think it's on Flora's I 247 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 4: think he's, like we said coming into the season, coach 248 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 4: Flores did not have a lot of star power when 249 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 4: we talk about best defenses in the NFL. He inherited 250 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 4: a defense that was ranked thirty first last year, and 251 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 4: just up until a couple of weeks ago, that defensive 252 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 4: unit was ranked top ten. 253 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 3: Chris minimal pieces. 254 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 4: With Jordan Hicks being out and you know, only having 255 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 4: dj Wanaman Danil hutter Hunter to get after the quarterback 256 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 4: and not having any real star power at the cornerback position. 257 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 4: You know what I'm saying, Like, when you look at 258 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 4: Brian Flores's schemes of late, it's always like, we're gonna 259 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 4: blitch you. We're gonna get after the quarterback, and we're 260 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:43,080 Speaker 4: gonna play man the man coverage. We're gonna put our 261 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 4: best corner guys cover guys on the best receivers. You 262 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 4: can't do that with this defense, and they play a 263 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:50,440 Speaker 4: lot of zone And what we saw versus Green Bay 264 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,079 Speaker 4: was Jordan Love was not that inexperienced quarterback that we 265 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 4: saw that first time around. He had a chance to 266 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 4: go back look at the film break it all down. 267 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 4: Because once you get past the smoking mirror in the 268 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 4: seven to eight guys at the line of scrimmage and 269 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 4: you realize that these two were dropping out, these guys 270 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 4: are sliding over here, you don't have to rush through 271 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:09,720 Speaker 4: your reads anymore. So when you pick up your pass 272 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 4: protection and there's no rush getting after you, Jordan Love 273 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 4: was just able to sit back and just pick the 274 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:16,680 Speaker 4: zone apart because the Vikings are his zone heavy team. 275 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:20,479 Speaker 4: So I think that the Vikings need to improve defensively 276 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,880 Speaker 4: in the offseason, whether that's the cornerback position, the interior 277 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 4: defensive line, or just the outside linebacker position. I think 278 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 4: that coach Flores only had a certain number of tools 279 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 4: to work with, and at the end of the season 280 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 4: those tools started to wear out, and so now he 281 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 4: needs to re sharpen that toolkit. He needs to go 282 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 4: get some more tools and some more people. Because we 283 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 4: all talked about coach Flor's just putting guys in the 284 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 4: right position to make plays. Now you need game changers 285 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 4: and playmakers. You just dont need system guys. You need 286 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 4: guys that go out there and go change games on 287 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:48,679 Speaker 4: Sunday afternoons. 288 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:49,839 Speaker 2: Well yeah, game changers for sure. 289 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 1: We're gonna need our game changers to step up in 290 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: the regular season finale this upcoming Sunday against the Detroit Lions. 291 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 1: We will have more with Ahmad Hicks right here on 292 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings podcast right after the BREAKO. 293 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 6: Blonde Montage is the Twin Cities premier salon and spa 294 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:11,839 Speaker 6: destination and proud official hair sponsor of the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders, 295 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 6: with three convenient locations any Dinah, Woodberry and Chan Hassen. 296 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 6: There is a balon close to you. 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That's www dot my pure Lucks dot 305 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 6: Com Backslash Vikings. 306 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast presented by Pepsi 307 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 1: Gabe Henderson. I'm inside the TCOL Radio studio with Tatum 308 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: Everett from Vikings dot Com, Foxnonza Mott Hicks, and our 309 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 1: producer Eric Davidson. Guys, we were talking about just where 310 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: do the Vikings go from here right before the break, 311 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 1: and it's now time to move on to talk about 312 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: this upcoming Sunday with this Detroit Lions team that is 313 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: locked into that three seed playing in their regular season 314 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: home finale. They're going to get a home game next 315 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 1: week against the Los Angeles Rams. But still, when you 316 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 1: look at just recipes for success for the Vikings, where 317 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:35,520 Speaker 1: do you start when it comes to this week eighteen 318 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 1: matchup against the Lions. 319 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 3: A out, fast, fearless, physical football leaving it all out 320 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 3: of the table. 321 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 4: This is not the time where you'd be like, oh, well, 322 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 4: you know, I want to get through the season, you know, 323 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 4: uninjured and get to the offseason healthy. 324 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 3: You gotta leave it all out on the line. 325 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:49,719 Speaker 4: Like I'm not telling anybody to go out there and 326 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 4: go get injured, but like this Detroit Lions has everything 327 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:55,199 Speaker 4: to play for, they have several guys coming back from 328 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 4: injury like CJ. Gardner Johnson who just want to get 329 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 4: out there and get some reps and get some live 330 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 4: action before the play out starts. So these guys are 331 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 4: coming in and they're going all out, and so the 332 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,080 Speaker 4: Vikings can't come in there with this timid mindset like, well, 333 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 4: you know, it is our last game, I just want 334 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 4: to get through it. You know, don't get hurt. If 335 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 4: you go through that, it's going to be forty to 336 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:13,319 Speaker 4: nothing like on Sunday. So they got to come out 337 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 4: there and play like they have everything to lose. Play 338 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:18,800 Speaker 4: like if they win, they get in the playoffs. Because 339 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 4: if they don't take care of business, there's no chance 340 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 4: to get the playoff. So they have to play like 341 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 4: they have nothing, I mean everything to play for and 342 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 4: nothing to lose and. 343 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 3: Got to give it their all. That's where they start. 344 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 6: I want to see aggressive, aggressive play. I feel like 345 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 6: this is your time too as a coach. Not that 346 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 6: not that I'm telling them what to do, but I 347 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 6: don't know they totally listen right to make those play 348 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,360 Speaker 6: calls that you've maybe wanted to test out, that you 349 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 6: wanted to see, like what works what doesn't work, Could 350 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 6: I use Ty Chandler next season in this capacity, Like 351 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 6: you're trying to evaluate your current roster and what's going on. 352 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 6: You have a lot of decisions this offseason. These guys 353 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,240 Speaker 6: are also playing for their contracts, playing for future contracts 354 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 6: potentially with other teams. 355 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 5: So I think, like you want, they wanted this. I 356 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:06,200 Speaker 5: think they want to put good. 357 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 6: Tape out there, and I think that this coaching staff 358 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 6: could really learn a lot from their players. 359 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,440 Speaker 5: Maybe putting them a more aggressive situation. 360 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 2: For sure, that's a good point. 361 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: I mean, your everything that you're doing right now is 362 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: playing for your next contract, Like this is a resume 363 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: building game. As far as whatever I put on tape 364 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 1: that next team is going to see. I mean, I 365 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: mean there's over twenty guys on their last year of 366 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 1: their deal right here on this Cerrent Minnesota Vikings roster. 367 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 2: So you just be a professional. 368 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: If you're justin Jefferson, like you said in this interview 369 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 1: WARS pres conference earlier this week, I mean, no matter 370 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 1: who's that quarterback, you just got to go out there 371 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: and make the plays. I mean, Kevin O'Connell said, you know, 372 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,680 Speaker 1: Jaron Hall, this is not the end of the future 373 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: of Jaron Hall, Like, it's just a young guy that 374 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 1: got his first ever home start his rookie season against 375 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: prime time exactly on New Year's Eve. So his time 376 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 1: here is not done. Neither is Nick Mullins. And if 377 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 1: you're Nick Mullins, and let's just hypothetically saying, I'm not saying. 378 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: I mean, as we record this podcast, we don't know 379 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 1: who's starting, and I have no insight. But if you're 380 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 1: Nick Mullins and you've played the lines a couple of 381 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: weeks ago and you threw for a career day, chances 382 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: are if you're Justin Jefferson, you're saying, well, look, I'm 383 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 1: gonna break the one thousand yard mark this year. Justin 384 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: Jefferson is one hundred and eighteen yards away from getting 385 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: his fourth consecutive one thousand yard season. And it's not 386 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: about all the stats. I mean, status isn't everything, but 387 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 1: when you look at long term, long term longevity, and 388 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: that that argument, if you're JJ, like I need one eighteen. 389 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 6: If I'm Nick Mullins, I want the ball, I say, 390 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 6: I mean, in that case, you have to put Mullins 391 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 6: in right, gonna get give me my one eight s 392 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 6: Nick Mullens, is your best chance for JJ to hit 393 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 6: that record. Look, I know it's not about that. 394 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 2: If you look at the stats, you're completely it right. 395 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 4: I'll say this, Nick Mullins threw for seven hundred yards 396 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 4: and two games you had a chance to win versus 397 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 4: the Bengals. It was the defense that couldn't get the 398 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 4: job done. Versus the Lions. He did miss a wide 399 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 4: open Justin Jefferson at the end of the game. So 400 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,880 Speaker 4: what quarterbacks misthrows all the time? He threw for four 401 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 4: hundred yards versus team, they came within one score of 402 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:13,359 Speaker 4: beating them. What more can you ask for? Like at 403 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 4: the beginning of the season when the Viking started one 404 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 4: in three or one in four, Kirk Cousins was throwing 405 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:19,119 Speaker 4: the ball for a lot of yards, but he was 406 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 4: turning the ball over. It was the same story for 407 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:23,479 Speaker 4: Nick Mullins. So I didn't understand the benching. 408 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 6: I mean that's a fair statement for sure. I think 409 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 6: you saw the pop that they had when they came 410 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:30,439 Speaker 6: out in the second half, and you do kind of 411 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:34,440 Speaker 6: wonder to yourself if I think that's a question anyone 412 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 6: would ask himselves, says if Mullins had started what would 413 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 6: have been the difference. However, I do understand why coach 414 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:43,640 Speaker 6: made that decision. You know, I think at this point 415 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:47,360 Speaker 6: in time, you are just doing your best to try 416 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,120 Speaker 6: and find something that sticks. And it's I always make 417 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 6: the analogy it's like when you're cooking pasta and you 418 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 6: need to throw it out the wall to see if 419 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,199 Speaker 6: it's ready and see what sticks. And I think that's 420 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:00,160 Speaker 6: kind of what they're doing right now, which is why 421 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 6: going back to the first half of the show, I 422 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,439 Speaker 6: want to see the aggressive mindset. I want to see, 423 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 6: you know, I don't know who I. I mean, he's 424 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:10,320 Speaker 6: got a tough decision ahead of him. There are three 425 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 6: guys out there, like does he throw a curveball and 426 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 6: throw out dobs? 427 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 5: Like who would all lose their minds? 428 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:15,919 Speaker 4: You know? 429 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 5: Am I here for the entertainment value? Of course I 430 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 5: am so. 431 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:21,159 Speaker 3: I don't know. 432 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 6: I'm kind of excited to see it's It's a I 433 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 6: feel sometimes, honestly, like while we've been waiting out these 434 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 6: quarterback announcements, it's like taking me back to my college 435 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:35,919 Speaker 6: football covering days, because I feel like, you know, in 436 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 6: those days, you would always just like wait and see 437 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 6: who so and so would say it was starting and 438 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 6: then we're kind of feel like I was back there 439 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 6: because I really haven't felt that in the NFL in 440 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:44,680 Speaker 6: a long time. 441 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,000 Speaker 2: I mean LSU's quarterback situations. 442 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 5: They let's move on to the next subject. 443 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: You know what. 444 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 2: They figured it out now, Jayden days, they. 445 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:54,719 Speaker 3: Got they had, they've had back. 446 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 5: They have gone back to back. Great guys, heis and winners. 447 00:18:58,080 --> 00:18:58,959 Speaker 5: We love that for us. 448 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 2: I was about they give you problems, figured it out. 449 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:05,360 Speaker 6: I also lived through the if you got two quarterbacks, 450 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 6: you got no quarterbacks and all that talk that we 451 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 6: used to go through. 452 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 5: And that's I didn't say that about this team. 453 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: I mean because right now, no matter the position, there's 454 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:17,200 Speaker 1: only one quarterback on the roster, or only one quarterback 455 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:19,280 Speaker 1: that can play at one time in a game. And 456 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 1: you got you can have two running backs in the 457 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 1: game at one time, two receivers, so on and so forth, 458 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:26,000 Speaker 1: but that quarterback you have to make a firm decision. 459 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:29,200 Speaker 1: And Kevin O'Connell each week when he's addressed the media, 460 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 1: he's been firm about his decision, you know, kind of 461 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:35,880 Speaker 1: no matter what the press or outside opinion has thought 462 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: about him. And I'm a I'm firm on no matter 463 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: if it's right or wrong, make a full speed decision. 464 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:43,399 Speaker 1: And if you're firm with that, then so be it. 465 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 6: If you were to put on the Kevin O'Connell hat, 466 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:47,880 Speaker 6: who you going with? 467 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 3: He showed your. 468 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:53,400 Speaker 6: Hand maybe a little yeah, I do, maybe showed your. 469 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 5: Hand a little bit earlier, And honestly. 470 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:55,919 Speaker 3: I don't think it matters. 471 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 4: And I'm going to be honest with you guys, like, 472 00:19:57,720 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 4: just put anybody out there right now, see what you got. 473 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 4: Give Josh Jobs an opportunity to redeem himself so he 474 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 4: can go get some money and be a backup quarterback 475 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 4: this offseason. 476 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 5: Do you put three active quarterbacks roster? 477 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 3: Well, so here's my thing. 478 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 4: Nick Molins and Jared Hall are under contract through next 479 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:16,400 Speaker 4: season anyway, regardless. So I think if if we're doing 480 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:19,280 Speaker 4: a service to anybody, it's putting Josh Jobs out there, 481 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 4: because either he sinks or he swims. And you know 482 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:22,959 Speaker 4: what I'm saying, like, give him a chance to make 483 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 4: some money, redeem himself after those two bad weeks that 484 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 4: he had. Maybe he does well and gives you some 485 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:30,439 Speaker 4: some momentum to head into the off season with, and uh, 486 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 4: you know, go from there. 487 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 1: I look at it and say, you know, like, while 488 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:37,959 Speaker 1: everything sounds good, I just know that the I mean 489 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:42,560 Speaker 1: you play ball right Like in that locker room, nobody 490 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: is thinking. 491 00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 2: About next week. 492 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 1: Like everybody is thinking about, all right, what do we 493 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:50,240 Speaker 1: gotta do to win this game? Because one if we 494 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:52,920 Speaker 1: win whatever, say what you want, you end the season 495 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 1: on a high note. Just think about the Lions last year. 496 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:57,199 Speaker 1: They knew, I mean, the Vikings have a chance, But 497 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: the Lions last year did not have a chance before 498 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 1: they played the Green Bay pack and then that statement 499 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: win that they put on primetime against the Green Bay Packers, 500 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:08,920 Speaker 1: like say what you want. But everything from that game, 501 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 1: as far as momentum translated to. 502 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:13,640 Speaker 6: This season, no catapult to them. I think into being 503 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:15,120 Speaker 6: the media darling. 504 00:21:14,920 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 2: Exactly, I get it. 505 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: I get it that the Vikings fans are going to 506 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 1: be in Detroit this upcoming Sunday, and it's going to 507 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 1: be a big time, big time NFL matchup. As this 508 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:26,600 Speaker 1: Detroit Lions team are looking to close their season out strong, 509 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:28,719 Speaker 1: but this Minnesota Vikings team is looking to close their 510 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:30,960 Speaker 1: season out even stronger. No matter how you look at 511 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: the records, this is a divisional foe and as you 512 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:37,240 Speaker 1: can tell this is going to be a physical game. 513 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,600 Speaker 1: Every time you get at divisional foe. Every game is 514 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:42,959 Speaker 1: going to be physical where there's starters, backups, coaches, so 515 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 1: on and so forth. 516 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:44,640 Speaker 5: Am you gonna be there? 517 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:44,920 Speaker 3: Yes? 518 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 4: I will be there at least Saturday morning. Oh okay, 519 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:49,840 Speaker 4: we leave earlier than you guys. 520 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:50,199 Speaker 3: I know. 521 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,439 Speaker 4: Yeah, I do not have plans. We get there I 522 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:57,679 Speaker 4: think around noon or something like that. Gotts, No, no 523 00:21:57,720 --> 00:21:59,480 Speaker 4: live shots, just put together a little story. 524 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:01,280 Speaker 3: For the night time. Oh and then, uh, you know, 525 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 3: I'm free. So if you guys have plans to invite me, 526 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 3: I'm free. 527 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:06,680 Speaker 1: I was looking at Keith Lee's TikTok. I guess there's 528 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:09,760 Speaker 1: a food haul in Detroit that is pretty popular, So 529 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 1: I think that's where I'll be. 530 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 3: I think to hit that up there. 531 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:13,760 Speaker 5: Well, that's exciting. 532 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 6: We'll see you on Fox Game Day Live that morning 533 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 6: beginning at ten am, and we'll have. 534 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 3: All the optimism on that show. 535 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:21,640 Speaker 4: We'll talk about how the Vikings need to pull off 536 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 4: the wind and what ways they will win. So I'll 537 00:22:24,080 --> 00:22:27,440 Speaker 4: be more optimistic than I am now in this podcast. 538 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 4: I will have more optimism on Sunday Vikings Game Day. 539 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:34,640 Speaker 1: I think honesty is key and I and and that's 540 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 1: why I'm glad we had a healthy conversation about, you know, 541 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 1: what the Vikings need to do going forward, Win loser, 542 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 1: draw and we'll see this upcoming Sunday twelve noon kickoff 543 00:22:42,960 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 1: on Fox at Ford Field. So for my Higgs, Tatum Everett, 544 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 1: our producer Eric Davidson, my name is Gabe Henderson, and 545 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:52,600 Speaker 1: thank you guys again for tuning into the Minnesota Vikings podcast, 546 00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 1: brought to you by Pepsi. Pepsi, that's what I Whether 547 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,679 Speaker 1: you were hosting a tailgate party or getting together with 548 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: family and friends for the holidays, dairy is a staple 549 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:07,320 Speaker 1: to bring creamy, rich goodness to your table. Find delicious 550 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:10,520 Speaker 1: through recipes at usdairy dot com to up your game. 551 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:12,760 Speaker 2: Brought to you by Undeniably Dairy.