1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: Football is about the jimmies and joes and exes and 2 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: oh's check New York plenty. Ain't thank you, Bruce. It's 3 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 1: time to get out the shopboard and diagram some plays. 4 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: Here's what it all starts, right, here's why jam money, Chris. 5 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 1: This is Inside Football with former Colts and NFL coach 6 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:32,480 Speaker 1: Rick Venturi. Hello and welcome another episode on its way 7 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: here of Inside Football with Rick fin Terry. Thanks for 8 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: joining in. I'm Matt Taylor and the culture. Back to 9 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: work following the bye week, and now it's all about 10 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: getting ready for the home stretch of the regular season. 11 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:45,520 Speaker 1: Four games to go, and up next are the Minnesota 12 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: Vikings for the Colts here in week number fifteen RV. 13 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,240 Speaker 1: Welcome back again, man. I know you're kind of feeling 14 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: under the weather a little bit from that trip against 15 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: the Dallas Cowboys, so the bye week, I'm sure treated 16 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: you're right, but also trying to get to get well 17 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 1: in terms of illness that's going around here in Central 18 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 1: Indiana this time of year. Yeah, I really got hit 19 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: with it and it did come at the right time. 20 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: I mean, it's given me some time to recover. It 21 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:11,960 Speaker 1: just kind of hit me like a like a ton 22 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: of bricks. But you know, we'll get through it. We're 23 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: getting a little bit better every day. Well a lot 24 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: to get into. Let's talk about you're sort of a 25 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: recap of where the Colts are at thirteen games in. 26 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 1: As I said, four games to play coming off the buy. 27 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 1: So before we jump into the deep end on the vikings, 28 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 1: let's talk about the Colts at four, eight and one, 29 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: and certainly at this point here as we sit here 30 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: and talk now out of the playoff picture at the 31 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 1: moment inside the AFC, but thirteen games in, let's talk 32 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 1: about why, Rick the Colts have lost eight games? Can 33 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,479 Speaker 1: you give me the common denominators on why the Colts 34 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: are at where they're at right now? Let's start first 35 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,559 Speaker 1: on offense. Some of the common denominators that have contributed 36 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: to eight losses for the Colts. Well, you know, you're 37 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: exactly right, and what I would like to see, you know, 38 00:01:57,080 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: particularly coming off this bye week, I would really like 39 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: to see the coaching staff and this team come together 40 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: and say these are these are the issues that have 41 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: killed us, these are the reasons we've lost eight games. 42 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 1: But this is what we're going to show drastic improvement 43 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: on in the last month. I think that's the way 44 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 1: to look at it. I don't think there's any question 45 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: that the number one problem if you look at the 46 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: issues on offense is that point total. Yeah, you know, 47 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 1: being number thirty in the league and point total just 48 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 1: isn't gonna get it done. I think it all started 49 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: from the beginning with number two. You know, the rush statistics. 50 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: We just haven't been able to run the ball. We've 51 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 1: gone from the number two team in rushing in twenty 52 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 1: one to the number twenty five team in twenty two. 53 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: We haven't been able to establish Jonathan for you know, 54 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: several reasons, but I think that is critical because that 55 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: was our identity and everything, you know, kind of spun 56 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,920 Speaker 1: around that. I think number three and it kind of 57 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: goes hand in the hand with the lack of the 58 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 1: running game because when you're not running the ball on 59 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: first down and you're putting yourself in a lot of 60 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: disadvantage second downs, and then it just like dominoes, you 61 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 1: go into disadvantage third downs. Is the amount of sacks 62 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: forty six, you know, which leads the league, number thirty 63 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:24,839 Speaker 1: two in the league, you know, in which a lot 64 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: of fumbles occurred in those situations. But you know, we 65 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:33,360 Speaker 1: went again from a top ten team in protection, you know, 66 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 1: to the very last team in the league, and you just, 67 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: you know, when you start to add those and then 68 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: you know the actually to cap it off number four 69 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 1: and at the end of the day, if we if 70 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 1: we just and I think you and I have talked 71 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: about this. I think we talked about it on Monday 72 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: and you brought it up. If if we would have 73 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: just cut this in half, we would probably be in 74 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: the hunt. And that's when you add to the you know, 75 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: lack of running game lack and then the the sacks 76 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 1: is the giveaways. I mean, you know, thirty second in 77 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: the league in giveaways. You know, we go from you know, 78 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: the top team in the league in in number one 79 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: in turnover differential to the very very bottom in turnover differential. 80 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 1: And you know that's really killed us. And they've come 81 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: at such opportune and ten times you know, they've come 82 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:23,840 Speaker 1: on their side of the fifty, you know, in the 83 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 1: red zone, you know, at a point in the game 84 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 1: where we were gonna win it. I think of two. 85 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: I think of the Jonathan Taylor fumble against Philadelphia where 86 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: we had taken over the game momentum wise, and even 87 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 1: on the fumble itself, all he's doing is fighting for 88 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:43,359 Speaker 1: extra yardage. You know, he's busting through there on a 89 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: short yardage and the ball comes out and it changes 90 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: the game. And then I think of the Pittsburgh fumble 91 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 1: and unforced There just an exchange fumble on first and 92 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 1: goal on the one yard line against Pittsburgh when you're 93 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: gonna go ahead and put them away. So again, you know, 94 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: it's the point. Little is a culmination of the other 95 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 1: three rushing, sacks and giveaways, and those are the four 96 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:10,479 Speaker 1: areas that we really want to see improvement. I don't 97 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: expect you to go from the bottom to the top, 98 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 1: but I want to see substantial improvement in those areas. 99 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 1: All right, then, how about on defense, because I mean 100 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: that unit's been pretty good, it's been solid, it's been consistent, 101 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: but yes, you know, it hasn't been dominant or elade 102 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 1: or whatever you know, verb or adjective you want to use. 103 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: There's still areas of improvement there for the Colts defense. 104 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: In the final four games, where would those be for 105 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 1: this unit down the stretch? Yeah, and I think this 106 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: defense was on its way to be in a laite defense. 107 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:44,559 Speaker 1: You know, it was it's been in the top five. 108 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: You know, it's been in the in the top tier 109 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 1: in terms of fewest points, but it's kind of hit 110 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:54,479 Speaker 1: the wall in the last I want to say, three 111 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: weeks to four weeks, three and a half weeks. And 112 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 1: I think the things that dramatically have changed in that 113 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 1: period of time which has really cost us is we 114 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 1: have really slid down the hole in red zone defense. 115 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: And you know, we've gone back down to twenty seven. 116 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 1: At one time we were up there, and I realized 117 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: that a lot of our you know, we're in the 118 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: red zone a lot because our offense has put us 119 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: in the red zone a lot. But at the end 120 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: of the day, you know, if you're going to be 121 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: great on defense, you've got to turn those sevens into three. Yeah, 122 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: that's part of it, and we just haven't done that 123 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 1: as well. I think number two and I was praising 124 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,839 Speaker 1: this team at mid season, I mean praising them. You know, 125 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 1: we had gone from twenty ninth in the fourth quarter 126 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 1: points given up, we had gone up and we were 127 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 1: in the top five. We have really slipped, you know, 128 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 1: in the in the last three fourth quarters, we've given 129 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: up seven touchdowns, and so you know, now we've we've 130 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 1: dropped down to twenty three. So you know, red zone 131 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 1: fourth quarter defense has slipped on us. And then all 132 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 1: season long, we just haven't gotten takeaways. I mean, and 133 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 1: I think some of that is situational. You know, we 134 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 1: haven't played with hardly any leads. You know, we've been 135 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 1: down one score, two scores, and it's hard to take 136 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: it away when teams are taking the air out of 137 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 1: the football. But at the end of the day, it's 138 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: another dramatic statistic. You know, we're down from number two 139 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: takeaways in twenty one two number twenty nine and twenty two, 140 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: and that's you know, that kind of tells it all. 141 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: And then I think, and I can give you the 142 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: numbers in terms of yardage, but I can't give you 143 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: a critical down situation. But I felt it. I think 144 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 1: that we've really lacked the ability to control the movement quarterbacks. 145 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: The guys that have kept drives alive, and most of 146 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 1: them we know going in because they're terrific athletes, but 147 00:07:56,160 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: you know, recently it's gotten worse. Obviously, heard just killed 148 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: us in the fourth quarter. Picket really killed us. Pickett 149 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: killed us individually by keeping drives moving by moving outside 150 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: or inside the pocket and making plays. And then really 151 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: Prescott made a couple big time scrambles against this, you know, 152 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 1: and you know, particularly for the twenty first point, which 153 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,679 Speaker 1: at that point in the game in the second quarter 154 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 1: was a really tight game. So I think that, you know, 155 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: rush plans, control of movement quarterbacks have been critical. So again, 156 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: those are the four areas, and ironically at times we've 157 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 1: been good there. So what we want to do is 158 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 1: solid that up here in the last four weeks. You know, 159 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 1: something else that's sort of crept up on the Colts 160 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,439 Speaker 1: that not a lot of people are talking about is 161 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: rush defense. The Cults have allowed one hundred and seventy 162 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: seven rushing yards on average, and their last three games. 163 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 1: You know, that was sort of the hallmark of the 164 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:56,079 Speaker 1: Matt Eberflews defense, and the Colts had done a pretty 165 00:08:56,120 --> 00:09:00,319 Speaker 1: good job of that rushing defense, slowing down opposing running backs. 166 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:03,199 Speaker 1: But Ezekiel Elliot had some big runs, Tony Pollard had 167 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:06,199 Speaker 1: some big runs. So that rushing defense number is starting 168 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 1: to creep up here a little bit towards the end 169 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: of the season. You're exactly right, and a lot of 170 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 1: that is on the edge. To me, we've really lacked 171 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: an edge discipline, both on the movement quarterbacks, you know, 172 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: and then last week we were stopping Dallas pretty good inside, 173 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:26,679 Speaker 1: you know, and then you're exactly right, Elliott and particularly 174 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: Pollard just took us apart on the edge, you know 175 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,719 Speaker 1: as the game went on, and so you know, you 176 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 1: do have to throw that in there. Yeah, all right, 177 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 1: let's talk about winning players or players that have really 178 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:40,959 Speaker 1: excelled this season on both sides of the ball coming 179 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,599 Speaker 1: off of the buy. Some guys that can be winning forces, 180 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 1: you know, winning factors for the Colts in these last 181 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,319 Speaker 1: four games of the season. Yeah. Well, I'm going to 182 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: start with Gilmore. I mean, I think he's had a 183 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 1: great season. You know, he's had eight PBUs, he's had 184 00:09:56,840 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: two picks and in our four victories we've had, he 185 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 1: basically closed out every single game in the last series. 186 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: You know, he is the closer. I think that he 187 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: has lived up to the billing. You know, when we 188 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:13,680 Speaker 1: traded for him, we weren't sure what we were getting. 189 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:17,199 Speaker 1: We have gotten a tremendous player and a guy that 190 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: we're very very comfortable in matching up against. You know, 191 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:26,439 Speaker 1: their very very best player, which there's always one critical guy. 192 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 1: We're certainly going to see one this week. I would 193 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: say Gilmore number one. And then two guys I think, 194 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: and not to slide anybody, but two guys that to 195 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 1: me have had great seasons, have exceeded expectation tenfold. And 196 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: I'll start with Stewart. You know, I think that Stewart 197 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:49,719 Speaker 1: has become an elite interior lineman. I mean, fifty nine tackles, 198 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 1: three sacks, you know, eight tackles for losses. He has 199 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: been a disruptive force and a and a nose tackle 200 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: to plays with range, not just a space eater. He 201 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: has been a tremendous football player. And I think we 202 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: all saw him coming a year ago. I think he 203 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: just continues to grow every week. I mean, if anything, 204 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: to compliment to him, early in the season, all the 205 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 1: runs were directed away from Buckner to him. If you 206 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:21,839 Speaker 1: look at it closely, now most of the runs are 207 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 1: going away from him towards Buckner, you know, with a 208 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 1: lot of double teams, which is you know, that's kind 209 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,199 Speaker 1: of the compliment coming from the other team. And then 210 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:31,560 Speaker 1: the guy I think that goes hand in hand with 211 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 1: him is Franklin. You know, Franklin went from what we 212 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 1: knew was a special team's star. He's really become that 213 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: middle linebacker hammer. One hundred and thirty one tackles, he's 214 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 1: got nine for losses, pbu's sack, force, fumble. I mean, 215 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 1: he has been one of our most productive guys in 216 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: you know, a week end week out. I think what 217 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: he's brought to us, and not to demean our other 218 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: linebackers are the linebackers are very athletic and they play 219 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 1: their roles well. But he brings to us what they don't, 220 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: and that is a hammer inside. Kind of a throwback 221 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 1: my type of linebacker in the old days. This guy's 222 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: a hammer, and yet he's not a stiff. We saw 223 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: him go back and make a really good past defense 224 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: in the end zone against the Cowboys. He's a tremendous leader, 225 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:26,679 Speaker 1: smart guy, you know, double major out of Syracuse. This 226 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 1: is a real special guy that's really come on, you know. 227 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 1: And then on the offensive side of the ball. I 228 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 1: want to point out the two rookies because I think 229 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: I'm not only going to point him out because of 230 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:40,679 Speaker 1: what they are, because I thought they would be good. 231 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: They didn't exactly start out great. Neither one of them, 232 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:46,680 Speaker 1: but they have really come on and I think they're 233 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 1: so vital in these last four weeks. And it's not 234 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: about development. I mean, I think they're guys that can 235 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: be pivotal in US winning and I don't think there's 236 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 1: a game we can't win here at the end. I've 237 00:12:57,520 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: looked at every single team and that is Pierson Woods. 238 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 1: I mean, Pierce has really become a game breaker on 239 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: the outside. We thought he would bring that, but he 240 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: has really done it lately. You know, the forty five 241 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: yard ball last week on the go route, catching the 242 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 1: fade for a touchdown. He's shown us what we have 243 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:19,679 Speaker 1: to have. I think we have to utilize him. I'll 244 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 1: get into the muscles week against Minnesota how to use them. 245 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: I think the key number where he stands out compared 246 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: to the rest of our receiver corps is the fifteen nine. 247 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 1: And that's what you have to have. Fifty nine per 248 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 1: catch is You've got to have those guys that at 249 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 1: are gaining yards with the catch, that are making things happen, 250 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 1: that are playmakers. And I'm gonna say the same things 251 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: about Gilani Woods. I mean, you know, again started out 252 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: has even had some injury problems. But when you look 253 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: at him now, you know he scored three touchdowns and 254 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: the very recent in the recent past, you know he's 255 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 1: now got a twelve one average. So if you put 256 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:59,439 Speaker 1: those two guys together, there are one two in terms 257 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:03,079 Speaker 1: of yards for catch, which tells you they're gamers. They 258 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 1: can get down field. Peers can get downfield on the outside, 259 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 1: Jilani on the inside. Both of them are red zone threats. 260 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 1: I think Jilani's just scratching the surface because of his 261 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: great size and girth inside the twenty and so again 262 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,560 Speaker 1: I think, not only do we have two gems here 263 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 1: that are going to develop, I think they're critical to 264 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: winning at the end. And then I think we have 265 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: two special teams gems. I don't think we could ask 266 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:33,440 Speaker 1: morea McLoughlin. You pointed it out last week. Three straight 267 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: fifty plus kicks, you know, his twenty two of twenty seven. 268 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: You know, he's just been outstanding. Really, he's just an 269 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: outstanding guy that you you know, you count on, and 270 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 1: our offense has faltered so much, but he has been 271 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: able to make long field goals to certainly keep games close. 272 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: And then I got to take my hat off the 273 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 1: guy that I think just excites all of us as Flowers. Yeah, yeah, 274 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 1: you know, you know he had the long of eighty nine. 275 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 1: You know, he's averaging thirty three. Yeah, and you know 276 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 1: he's you know, we liked him. I really like Flowers. 277 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 1: I like Flowers as a corner. I said that, and 278 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 1: he did make our team in his summer. I thought 279 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: he was the sweeper. But he is really explosive. And 280 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 1: you know, I think you and I sometimes, because our 281 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: offense has stalled so much, we're basically say take it out, 282 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: no matter how deep it is, because he is just 283 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,080 Speaker 1: fearless and he has a chance. So I'm just going 284 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: to point out those seven guys. There's a lot of 285 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: guys that, you know, I could be pointing out, but 286 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: I think those seven guys are also critical to success 287 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: that we might have here in this last month. All right, well, 288 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: let's talk about the task at hand. Let's turn the page. 289 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: The bye week is officially over. Up next or the 290 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings. The Cults are putting in work for them, 291 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: and they check in at ten and three on the 292 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: season here Rick and they lead the NFC North to 293 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: win for them on Saturday over the Colts would clinch 294 00:15:56,120 --> 00:16:00,400 Speaker 1: their first division championship since two thy seventeen. Everybody else 295 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 1: in that division is under five hundred. That's why they 296 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 1: can clench so early here in the season. Their gotta 297 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,520 Speaker 1: buy first year head coach Kevin O'Connell. He spent the 298 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: last couple of years as the offensive coordinator for the 299 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: Rams and won a Super Bowl last season. He needs 300 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: one more win, in fact, to tie Dennis Green for 301 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 1: the most wins by a Vikings head coach and their 302 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 1: first year on the job, and he can also join 303 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: Green as the only Vikings head coach to take their 304 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: team to the playoffs in their first season. Minnesota. As 305 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 1: you said, Rick, leading into this sort of off the air, 306 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 1: they might be one of the more deceptive elite teams 307 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 1: record wise the NFL seen in a long time. That's 308 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: because they set an NFL record this season by winning 309 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: their first nine one score games. So nine of their 310 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: ten wins have been by eight points or less. They've 311 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: won five games by five points or less, and when 312 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 1: they've lost, they've been blown out. They've lost three games 313 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 1: by an average of twenty one points per game. So 314 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: they're over seven games, or their seven games over five hundred, 315 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 1: I should say with a minus one point differential, and 316 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: they are the first ten and three team in NFL 317 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:10,159 Speaker 1: history to have a negative point deferential. So certainly a 318 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:13,639 Speaker 1: perplexing team. Offensively, they've got a lot of elite talent 319 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 1: on a Kirk Cousins at quarterback, Dalvin Cook at running back, 320 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 1: superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson, reliable and tough possession receiver 321 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: Adam thieland on that side of the ball. Defensively, we'll 322 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: talk about it when we get into the musk. That's 323 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,880 Speaker 1: where they've struggled. Right now. They rank thirty second, dead 324 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 1: last in total defense, and they've allowed at least four 325 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: hundred yards and five straight games, which is a dubious 326 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 1: franchise record. So, Rick, what else stands out to you 327 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 1: about the Vikings heading into Week fifteen here on the 328 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 1: big picture? Yeah, you know, there isn't any doubt about it. 329 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: I mean, you've kind of chronicled it there, you know. 330 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: I think I think you have to give it to 331 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:54,720 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connell. I think a couple of things that he's 332 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 1: come in and done, you know, I think he's kind 333 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:01,880 Speaker 1: of changed the atmosphere the uh it had. It had 334 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 1: grown very harsh and cold, under Zimmer Uh and I 335 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:10,479 Speaker 1: think that he's changed that part of it. Uh. You know, 336 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:14,040 Speaker 1: he's a young guy with some juice. UM. And I 337 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: think in that respect, the team has flourished and they've 338 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:22,880 Speaker 1: adapted to it. Um environmentally anyway, UM. You know, they're 339 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:27,880 Speaker 1: a tale of two cities. Really. UM. Their offense is very, 340 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 1: very explosive. UM you named it. Uh. They have two 341 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:37,480 Speaker 1: sensational players. UM. You know, Dalvin Cook is a big 342 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:40,480 Speaker 1: time runner. You know, he has nine hundred and fifty 343 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 1: yards rushing. Uh. And then if you think he's a handful, uh, 344 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 1: you look at Jefferson who has ninety nine catches. UM, 345 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:54,440 Speaker 1: who is in the conversation, if not the best UH 346 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,120 Speaker 1: wide receiver in the National Football League. He is just 347 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: a sensational player that and do it all. And you know, 348 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:07,400 Speaker 1: I think that O'Connell hasn't done a good job with Cousins. 349 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:12,639 Speaker 1: I think Cousins is solid too good, not great, But 350 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:16,720 Speaker 1: I think he's had a really efficient year. They've done it. 351 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 1: They've done a good job. One of their other terrific stats, 352 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:22,439 Speaker 1: you know, as they're right at the top of the 353 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 1: league in the you know, in the turnover differential, they're 354 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:29,919 Speaker 1: number four at plus six. So they've been very efficient 355 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:33,400 Speaker 1: with a quarterback and they've been very careful with the football. 356 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:37,400 Speaker 1: They just haven't turned it over a lot. You mentioned it. 357 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:42,640 Speaker 1: They've got some complimentary players to those two guys. Feeling 358 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 1: is a very very solid two. They acquired Hockinson who's 359 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 1: a very very talented guy, and he's kind of become 360 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:56,639 Speaker 1: the number two even over Feeling in in terms of 361 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 1: third down behind Jefferson. So, I mean, you know, their 362 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:05,439 Speaker 1: offensive line really came apart last week in the loss, 363 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:07,880 Speaker 1: and I was waiting for that to have ANOW. They're 364 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 1: gonna get Derresaw back this week. They've been playing without 365 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 1: him and it's really hurt them at left tackle. You 366 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:17,120 Speaker 1: remember Deresaw from the draft there a couple of years 367 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 1: who was a guy we were interested in and so 368 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 1: offensively as explosive and good stats, you know, like you said, 369 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 1: number ten in the league and scoring, and then on 370 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: the other side of the ball, they're horrendous, and they're 371 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:35,960 Speaker 1: horrendous getting more horrendous. You know. They claimed, like all 372 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:38,960 Speaker 1: of us do, that they were a bend but don't 373 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 1: break team. You know, that was able to hang on 374 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: in the red zone and keep the point total at 375 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:50,399 Speaker 1: least winnable. But in the last five weeks they're really breaking. 376 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: It's not bend and don't break, they're really breaking. In 377 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,400 Speaker 1: the last five weeks, Matt, they've given up over four 378 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 1: hundred yards every week and then last week it was, 379 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,640 Speaker 1: you know, kind of hit rock bottom against the Lions 380 00:21:02,119 --> 00:21:04,199 Speaker 1: in that it was not only four hundred plus but 381 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:08,239 Speaker 1: no sacks, no turnovers. I mean, they just they just 382 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: really got destroyed. So, I mean, I think that's their 383 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:15,080 Speaker 1: issue now, you know, And on a big picture, the 384 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: couple of things they do do is despite all those 385 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 1: negative statistics, as you said, thirty two in the past 386 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 1: thirty two in total defense, one thing they do do 387 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:27,960 Speaker 1: is they can take it away and that's kind of 388 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: saved them for a long time. They were you know that, 389 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:32,679 Speaker 1: I think their number eight in the league and takeaways. 390 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: And then they have two rushers that if they gain advantage, 391 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 1: which they're having trouble lately, but if they gain advantage, 392 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 1: you know, then you have a couple of key rushers 393 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: that can really make the difference, you know, in Zadarius 394 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 1: Smith and in Hunter and I'll get into those guys 395 00:21:50,119 --> 00:21:53,120 Speaker 1: into the mix. So, I mean, those are the issues. 396 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 1: I don't know if I'm going to pronounce his name 397 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:57,400 Speaker 1: right because I haven't had chance to visit with you yet, 398 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:00,919 Speaker 1: but they have a real dangerous return man in uh 399 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:03,679 Speaker 1: nawaugu And I don't know exactly how he says that, 400 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:07,520 Speaker 1: but he is kna and wan Wu is a very 401 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 1: very dangerous return guys. So you know, those are those 402 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: are the highlights of the venture barometers that kind of 403 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 1: give you the mixed bag in points. Giving up their 404 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 1: number twenty four which is bad, in turnover differential there 405 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:24,359 Speaker 1: number four which is really good, and then their QBR 406 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 1: is decent. He's right in the middle at seventeen, at 407 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 1: fifty three three. So you know, there's reasons for them 408 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:32,920 Speaker 1: to uh, you know, to have won ten and and 409 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:35,959 Speaker 1: there's reasons that they shouldn't have won ten, right, They 410 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,800 Speaker 1: found ways to close games out. That's what it's all about. Man, 411 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 1: You gotta win ugly. It doesn't matter how you get him. 412 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:43,360 Speaker 1: He just gotta get them. Let's roll out the blueprints 413 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:45,720 Speaker 1: for the Colts. When the Vikings have the ball, let's 414 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:49,280 Speaker 1: start there. Because the Vikings are a very consistent offense 415 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 1: guided by Kirk Cousins. He ranked seventh in the NFL 416 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:55,760 Speaker 1: this season in passing their tenth and scoring twenty four 417 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: points per game. Pretty good inside the red zone, and 418 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,480 Speaker 1: their team that won't beat themselves. They only have fourteen 419 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:04,720 Speaker 1: turnovers all season. They're nine and oh this season when 420 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: they win the turnover battle. Cousins and his eleventh season 421 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 1: in the NFL through for a season high four twenty 422 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 1: five last week and they're loss against the Lions. He 423 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 1: ranks fourth and passing yards in team history. His main target, 424 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 1: young superstar Justin Jefferson. He had two twenty three receiving 425 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 1: last week against the Lions. That was a team record 426 00:23:24,119 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 1: and the most receiving yards in a game all season. 427 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:29,040 Speaker 1: He's in his third year out of LSU holds the 428 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:32,400 Speaker 1: NFL record for receiving yards by a player and their 429 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:36,600 Speaker 1: first three NFL seasons simply remarkable forty five hundred yards 430 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: for his career, and he leads the NFL and receiving 431 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 1: yards so far this season. The running game goes through 432 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook. Now in a sixth season, he has the 433 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:47,919 Speaker 1: fourth most rushing yards in franchise history in the fifth 434 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 1: most rushing yards in the NFL since the start of 435 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:53,359 Speaker 1: last season, although they're not running the ball very effectively 436 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 1: here as of late. I'm sure you're going to get 437 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:57,879 Speaker 1: into that here in just a second. Adam Feelin and TJ. 438 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 1: Hawkinson at tight end really good lementary pieces in the 439 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,639 Speaker 1: passing game for Cousins. So what else do we need 440 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 1: to know about the vikings on offense going into this 441 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:09,040 Speaker 1: game in week fifteen? Yeah? No, you hit it on 442 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:12,240 Speaker 1: the head. I mean they're they're winning because they take 443 00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:14,920 Speaker 1: care of the football and this has been a very, 444 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:20,520 Speaker 1: very efficient season for Cousins. I will always say good, 445 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 1: not great. I think you know where I'm coming from 446 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:28,080 Speaker 1: on Cousins because we've done games with him before, you know. 447 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 1: I think when you look at this offense, it's it's 448 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:35,520 Speaker 1: kind of important to understand what is the offense. And 449 00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 1: when you look at O'Connell, he is a disciple of 450 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: Sean McVeigh and Jay Gruden, John's brother when they were 451 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: together in Washington, and what he's done his offense looks 452 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 1: like a combination of Mike Shanahan and John Gruden. It 453 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 1: really does. It's a combination of those two concepts, and 454 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:04,880 Speaker 1: by that I mean the Shanahan influence which runs through McVeigh. 455 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:10,439 Speaker 1: Is the zone runs, uh, you know, the zone runs 456 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:16,119 Speaker 1: um basically, and then the play actions and the bootlegs 457 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:19,320 Speaker 1: and and Cousin runs a ton of bootlegs, just a 458 00:25:19,359 --> 00:25:22,399 Speaker 1: ton of book legs. And of course the zone runs 459 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:25,359 Speaker 1: go through Cook as you said, and it's it's kind 460 00:25:25,359 --> 00:25:28,639 Speaker 1: of that combination. On first down, it's a it's a 461 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:34,800 Speaker 1: Mike Shanahan type of team zone run, bootleg, play action shot, 462 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 1: you know, that kind of stuff. And then if if 463 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 1: they get in a little bit more of passing situations, 464 00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:44,360 Speaker 1: you know, then if it's kind of the Gruden family, 465 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 1: which comes from walsh Um, you'll see a lot of bunches, 466 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:53,520 Speaker 1: a lot of tight splits, coves on both sides and stacks, 467 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:58,640 Speaker 1: you know, in crossing routes, and they'll what I call compress, 468 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:01,480 Speaker 1: get the defense down and then expand back out. You'll 469 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 1: see the defense really tightened down, and then you'll see 470 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:07,640 Speaker 1: Jefferson run a big corner to get to the outside. 471 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:11,679 Speaker 1: And that's kind of the West Coast version. And you know, 472 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: Cousins is good in that situation where he's getting back 473 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,720 Speaker 1: and you know, really releasing the ball quick. And so 474 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:23,640 Speaker 1: that that's kind of the combination structurally on really what 475 00:26:23,680 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: they do. Now, you know, talent wise, it's really simple. Now, 476 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,560 Speaker 1: don't get me wrong, they have good players, but it's 477 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:33,359 Speaker 1: two guys. It's two guys you have to stop and 478 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:36,480 Speaker 1: one guy you have to effect, you know, and you 479 00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:39,120 Speaker 1: know I'll get into the must from that standpoint, and 480 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:41,240 Speaker 1: you know, the first thing you have to do. Just 481 00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:44,760 Speaker 1: think as we start this in terms of must, think 482 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:49,320 Speaker 1: of one hundred and one thousand, okay, and one thousand 483 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,760 Speaker 1: is the rusher, Okay, that's Cooks. He's at nine to fifty. 484 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:55,240 Speaker 1: If you had his passing yard, he's just well over 485 00:26:55,280 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 1: a thousand, and then one hundred is the reception for Jefferson, 486 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:03,200 Speaker 1: who's at ninety nine with a whole month to go. 487 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:05,639 Speaker 1: So if you think, if we have to stop the 488 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:08,159 Speaker 1: hundred and the thousand, you don't have to be a 489 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:11,200 Speaker 1: rocket science after that. And the first thing we got 490 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: to do is we can't let the running game get going, 491 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:19,040 Speaker 1: because I will tell you this, this offensive line. If 492 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:22,639 Speaker 1: they get behind like they did against the Lions, and 493 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:24,920 Speaker 1: they start have to throw and catch up, and they 494 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:27,760 Speaker 1: don't have their zone running game and they don't have 495 00:27:27,840 --> 00:27:31,159 Speaker 1: their play action and everything's dropped back, they fall apart. 496 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,080 Speaker 1: They fell apart last week. Up and down the line, 497 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:36,240 Speaker 1: you could take a number. You can go from O'Neill 498 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:38,840 Speaker 1: on the right, you know, to the right guard to 499 00:27:38,920 --> 00:27:42,520 Speaker 1: the left tackle. I mean, Detroit just mauled them up front. 500 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 1: So what you can't do is let them get that 501 00:27:46,119 --> 00:27:48,680 Speaker 1: running game going to Cook. And that means we have 502 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:52,919 Speaker 1: to be really tough inside. We have to control that 503 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:55,720 Speaker 1: line of scrimmage, and then kind of what we talked 504 00:27:55,760 --> 00:27:58,840 Speaker 1: about before in our what do we have to do 505 00:27:58,880 --> 00:28:01,879 Speaker 1: to get better? Can be much more disciplined on the 506 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 1: edge because Cook is a home run hit or now 507 00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 1: he's he's a guy that can shake it and bake it. 508 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:09,680 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, he's nine to fifty and he's 509 00:28:09,720 --> 00:28:13,520 Speaker 1: also four point five and he has eight touchdowns. So 510 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:17,680 Speaker 1: I think the number one must is we can't let 511 00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:20,840 Speaker 1: this running game get a going at all. And now 512 00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 1: one A or I'll call it number two, but it's 513 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:26,560 Speaker 1: one A being because you have to do this simultaneously. 514 00:28:27,320 --> 00:28:31,199 Speaker 1: Is we have to schematically take away Jefferson. You know, 515 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 1: as much as I as much as I like Gilmore, 516 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 1: and I think he could do a good job. You know, 517 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:39,880 Speaker 1: in parts of this game, what they're gonna do is 518 00:28:39,960 --> 00:28:43,240 Speaker 1: they move. They do a great job of moving Jefferson. 519 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:45,840 Speaker 1: This is the Bill Wolf stuff. They will do a 520 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 1: great job of moving Jefferson around so that you can 521 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:53,720 Speaker 1: you can't ensure that one guy has him. And then 522 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 1: they're gonna line him up in bunches and stacks so 523 00:28:56,840 --> 00:28:59,120 Speaker 1: that you can't get your hands on him. You can't 524 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:02,880 Speaker 1: get the free says, they will get him free access 525 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:06,520 Speaker 1: into the secondary. So you have to have a scheme 526 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:11,360 Speaker 1: where you always have a trap on him. Okay, you can't. 527 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:13,520 Speaker 1: If you think you're gonna play him all day, then 528 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:15,960 Speaker 1: you need to be coaching on Friday night NAT, not 529 00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:20,280 Speaker 1: on Sunday afternoon. Is the guy's ninety nine catches, fifteen 530 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:25,160 Speaker 1: hundred yards, fifteen two and six and six touchdowns. So 531 00:29:25,640 --> 00:29:27,600 Speaker 1: you know, like I said, you don't have to be 532 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:31,280 Speaker 1: a rocket scientist to understand is you have to stop 533 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:35,120 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook and you have to stop Jefferson period. Then 534 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: I believe you can stop those two schematically. But remember 535 00:29:38,720 --> 00:29:41,800 Speaker 1: it's got to be schematically. On Jefferson. I don't think 536 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 1: you're gonna be able to play him one on one 537 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:47,560 Speaker 1: all day. And then number three, I mean you got 538 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:52,560 Speaker 1: to handle the Hawkinson's particularly Hawkinson becomes important on third down. 539 00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:57,000 Speaker 1: Jefferson's number one. On third down, Hawkinson's number two, but 540 00:29:57,080 --> 00:30:00,160 Speaker 1: you got to handle him with talent and physicality the 541 00:30:00,560 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 1: you know, same thing with theel and you're gonna have 542 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 1: to double the other guy. So you're gonna have to 543 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:08,520 Speaker 1: handle those two guys that way. I think the other thing, 544 00:30:08,520 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 1: and I've kind of mentioned it in the philosophy section, 545 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 1: is you really have to do a good job of 546 00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:19,240 Speaker 1: this week against their stacks and bunches and coves and 547 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:22,240 Speaker 1: motion and all that stuff, because they're gonna get you 548 00:30:22,280 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 1: to lose men if you're not careful. You have to 549 00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:28,080 Speaker 1: be able to sort all those things out. And then 550 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:31,520 Speaker 1: number four and really this should go with one and 551 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:34,720 Speaker 1: two again. As I said, you stop two guys and 552 00:30:34,840 --> 00:30:39,480 Speaker 1: you affect the third. You stop Cook and you stop Jefferson, 553 00:30:39,880 --> 00:30:43,040 Speaker 1: and then you affect Cousins and force him into a 554 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:46,000 Speaker 1: bad game. The first thing you got to do with Cousins, 555 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:49,080 Speaker 1: I've said this every time we've ever played him wherever 556 00:30:49,120 --> 00:30:52,040 Speaker 1: he was, is you have to close off his edges. 557 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:56,880 Speaker 1: He's an exceptional guy on the move to the outside 558 00:30:56,920 --> 00:30:59,640 Speaker 1: on boots. He's made a living with this. You know 559 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:04,200 Speaker 1: O'Connell coached him. O'Connell was the quarterback coach in Washington 560 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:07,520 Speaker 1: back in two seventeen, and I can remember him playing 561 00:31:07,560 --> 00:31:10,240 Speaker 1: back there for Jay Gruden, running those boots all the time. 562 00:31:10,760 --> 00:31:13,680 Speaker 1: You've got to close off the edges and don't let 563 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:16,800 Speaker 1: him get out there because he will destroy you if 564 00:31:16,840 --> 00:31:20,440 Speaker 1: you let him do that. Keep the pocket dirty. I 565 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:24,280 Speaker 1: do think that he's a competitive guy, and he's a 566 00:31:24,280 --> 00:31:28,160 Speaker 1: tough guy, but I do think he starts to backfoot things. 567 00:31:28,160 --> 00:31:31,440 Speaker 1: In other words, he will stop stepping into him if 568 00:31:31,480 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 1: the pocket is dirty. Okay. The other thing I want 569 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:38,280 Speaker 1: to do against him, and against this team, not just him, 570 00:31:38,920 --> 00:31:41,120 Speaker 1: is I want to blitz the hell out of him Matt. 571 00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:45,040 Speaker 1: First of all, Cook is a poor protector. Okay, you 572 00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:48,880 Speaker 1: can run over Cook with a linebacker. And then the 573 00:31:48,920 --> 00:31:51,480 Speaker 1: other thing is once you eat up to help for 574 00:31:51,520 --> 00:31:55,200 Speaker 1: those offensive linemen, then everybody else is one on one. 575 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:58,800 Speaker 1: So I want to do that. Here's how I think 576 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:01,800 Speaker 1: of Here's what I think of Cousin. I think he's 577 00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:03,920 Speaker 1: you know, and I don't know if you realize this 578 00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:06,400 Speaker 1: or not, but he's had more hits and more pressures 579 00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 1: than anybody in the league. This year, So I mean 580 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:12,240 Speaker 1: they are poorous if you get the advantage and take 581 00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:15,400 Speaker 1: away their bread and butter. I've always thought in in 582 00:32:16,760 --> 00:32:22,240 Speaker 1: Cousins that he's highly paid, he's often hit okay, and 583 00:32:22,280 --> 00:32:25,920 Speaker 1: he has the absolute worst face and body language in 584 00:32:25,960 --> 00:32:29,280 Speaker 1: the league. So you know, get up there and destroy 585 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:33,160 Speaker 1: him and make that sour puss look bad all day. 586 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:36,480 Speaker 1: I don't know where we go from that, but I 587 00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:39,320 Speaker 1: love it. That's good stuff right there. That's that's on 588 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:42,560 Speaker 1: the field. That's also diagnoses off the field, right their 589 00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:46,160 Speaker 1: body language with Rick fin Terry here on Insight Football. 590 00:32:46,280 --> 00:32:48,920 Speaker 1: All right, well, let's shift over to the Vikings on defense, 591 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:52,080 Speaker 1: and as we said this unit might be there, it 592 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:54,880 Speaker 1: might end up being I should say they're achilles heel 593 00:32:55,000 --> 00:32:58,000 Speaker 1: because you know, the offense is putting up points, they're 594 00:32:58,040 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 1: finding ways to win close games. But the Vikings come 595 00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:03,680 Speaker 1: into this game dead last and total defense, giving up 596 00:33:03,720 --> 00:33:06,800 Speaker 1: over four hundred yards per game on average. They're also 597 00:33:06,960 --> 00:33:10,840 Speaker 1: dead last in passing defense, giving up two eighty seven 598 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:14,080 Speaker 1: through the air a game, and they've allowed five straight 599 00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:16,960 Speaker 1: quarterbacks to throw for at least three hundred yards. That's 600 00:33:17,040 --> 00:33:21,120 Speaker 1: also a dubious franchise record, and they're giving up big 601 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:24,719 Speaker 1: plays on a consistent basis. They've allowed fifty one completions 602 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:28,040 Speaker 1: over twenty yards. That's second to last in the NFL. 603 00:33:28,120 --> 00:33:30,320 Speaker 1: That might be good news for a Colts offense that's 604 00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:32,520 Speaker 1: trying to push the ball down the field here in 605 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:35,280 Speaker 1: the last four games of the season. But despite all 606 00:33:35,320 --> 00:33:37,760 Speaker 1: of that, Rick, they've got a lot of talent on 607 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:40,520 Speaker 1: that side of the ball. Individually speaking, right, Daniel Hunter 608 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:43,640 Speaker 1: seven sacks. He's ninth or has the ninth most sacks 609 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:48,560 Speaker 1: among active players since twenty sixteen. Zadarius Smith, a defensive end, 610 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:53,560 Speaker 1: leads the NFL with seventy quarterback pressures forty nine quarterback hurries. 611 00:33:54,240 --> 00:33:58,479 Speaker 1: Jordan Hicks Eric Kendricks. Two really good veteran linebackers, Patrick 612 00:33:58,560 --> 00:34:02,520 Speaker 1: Peterson and Harrison Smith veteran members in that secondary. I mean, 613 00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:05,880 Speaker 1: Peterson's gone to eight Pro Bowls, Smith's gone to six 614 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:09,680 Speaker 1: Pro Bowls. Rick, Why have the Vikings been so flimsy 615 00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:12,480 Speaker 1: on defense despite some big names on that side of 616 00:34:12,520 --> 00:34:14,839 Speaker 1: the ball for them? You know, I think of I 617 00:34:14,880 --> 00:34:17,680 Speaker 1: think of Tom Cruise's line in Maverick when they ask 618 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:23,719 Speaker 1: him that question and he said, it's one of life's mystery. 619 00:34:20,960 --> 00:34:26,520 Speaker 1: It really is a mystery. And I'll tell you what 620 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:29,080 Speaker 1: a mystery on a little simple game that I play. 621 00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:31,520 Speaker 1: When I when I when I do the depth chart, 622 00:34:31,600 --> 00:34:33,720 Speaker 1: and then I do the depth chart before I start 623 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:35,640 Speaker 1: looking at tape, and I have all the numbers and 624 00:34:35,680 --> 00:34:38,720 Speaker 1: everybody in front of me hand done old school number 625 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:42,200 Speaker 1: one pencil. And then when I finish, I go around 626 00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:45,799 Speaker 1: and I give color codes to different people's blues for 627 00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:49,040 Speaker 1: blue chip, green for really good, and then you know, 628 00:34:49,080 --> 00:34:52,399 Speaker 1: I'll circle guys that I think are solid players, maybe 629 00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:55,799 Speaker 1: not great players, with solid and on defense, I have 630 00:34:56,200 --> 00:34:59,279 Speaker 1: seven circles. I mean, now that that's that, that's this 631 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:01,719 Speaker 1: kind of valid dating what you had to say. I mean, 632 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:05,000 Speaker 1: they they have enough talent that they should be better 633 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:09,879 Speaker 1: than they are, but they they have just really struggled totally. Uh, 634 00:35:09,880 --> 00:35:13,320 Speaker 1: and it's gotten worse and worse, and I think they've 635 00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:18,560 Speaker 1: lost some confidence. Um. Their scheme is very simple. I 636 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:21,839 Speaker 1: think that's a little bit of an issue. Um they are, 637 00:35:22,120 --> 00:35:25,080 Speaker 1: and I think it plays to our advantage, not just 638 00:35:25,120 --> 00:35:27,960 Speaker 1: the fact that they have the poor stats, but I 639 00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:31,919 Speaker 1: think the style they play really helps us. Um. They're 640 00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:36,719 Speaker 1: basically an over defense team, which we work against, you know, 641 00:35:36,840 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 1: every day. In training camp and every time that somebody 642 00:35:40,960 --> 00:35:44,600 Speaker 1: stays in an over defense against us, we have tended 643 00:35:44,640 --> 00:35:48,160 Speaker 1: to run the ball extremely well. That's kind of been 644 00:35:48,239 --> 00:35:51,799 Speaker 1: our wheelhouse, and so you know, I'm hoping for that. 645 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:55,839 Speaker 1: I don't they They've got decent, you know, run statistics, 646 00:35:55,880 --> 00:35:58,320 Speaker 1: but I think, you know, I think we can gash 647 00:35:58,360 --> 00:36:02,520 Speaker 1: them there. They will bring the nickel off the edge 648 00:36:02,520 --> 00:36:04,760 Speaker 1: on first down to try to make that a little 649 00:36:04,760 --> 00:36:07,360 Speaker 1: bit tougher, and so we've got to make sure we 650 00:36:07,480 --> 00:36:10,640 Speaker 1: always are alert for Sullivan coming off that edge number 651 00:36:10,680 --> 00:36:15,640 Speaker 1: thirty nine on first down, and then they use two changeups. 652 00:36:16,520 --> 00:36:20,239 Speaker 1: They'll get in an even look kind of into four 653 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:24,239 Speaker 1: man even, and then Kendrick will walk up in the 654 00:36:24,280 --> 00:36:27,000 Speaker 1: middle and you know, kind of give you a five 655 00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:30,160 Speaker 1: man front to shut down to run with Hicks behind him. 656 00:36:30,480 --> 00:36:33,360 Speaker 1: They normally play some kind of man to man coverage 657 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:37,200 Speaker 1: with that. They're not a good press team, and that's 658 00:36:37,239 --> 00:36:39,440 Speaker 1: one of the reasons. If you're not a good press team, 659 00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:42,400 Speaker 1: you're going to give up a ton of yardage like 660 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:47,160 Speaker 1: they do. And then they will mix a big five 661 00:36:47,280 --> 00:36:51,560 Speaker 1: in there. They will put different guys in there and 662 00:36:51,719 --> 00:36:55,400 Speaker 1: get into a five man double sink, which you know 663 00:36:55,480 --> 00:36:57,560 Speaker 1: the way they're playing right now, and as much as 664 00:36:57,560 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 1: we've struggled, I would think that they would do that 665 00:36:59,719 --> 00:37:03,359 Speaker 1: right off the bat, no question about it. And then 666 00:37:03,480 --> 00:37:06,719 Speaker 1: on first down they're very simplastic in the coverage. It's 667 00:37:06,719 --> 00:37:11,240 Speaker 1: either a three deep or it's either a man demand 668 00:37:11,320 --> 00:37:14,520 Speaker 1: free and even when they're blitzing, it's a man to 669 00:37:14,600 --> 00:37:18,440 Speaker 1: man free. There's very little sophistication in the scheme, and 670 00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:21,319 Speaker 1: so I think that really helps you. You You know exactly 671 00:37:21,360 --> 00:37:23,960 Speaker 1: what you're you're gonna get. You're gonna get like a 672 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:27,600 Speaker 1: forty six sky or a thief or something like that. Now, 673 00:37:28,040 --> 00:37:31,000 Speaker 1: if you get a little bit longer situations, if they 674 00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:35,319 Speaker 1: get ahead and account, then they will give you some 675 00:37:35,440 --> 00:37:39,400 Speaker 1: Cover two. But they really like Cover eight, which is 676 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:42,719 Speaker 1: a quarter quarter and then a roll a week or 677 00:37:42,760 --> 00:37:45,560 Speaker 1: they'll do a reverse eight. They'll go quarters to the 678 00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:48,359 Speaker 1: week side and roll up on the strong side. So 679 00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:51,440 Speaker 1: they'll mix those a little bit, a little bit of 680 00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:54,040 Speaker 1: Tampa two if they get ahead, if they get on 681 00:37:54,120 --> 00:37:56,840 Speaker 1: third down, you'll get a little bit more man demand 682 00:37:56,960 --> 00:38:02,080 Speaker 1: variations up front. On third down, the guy they move 683 00:38:02,200 --> 00:38:05,480 Speaker 1: around is Zadarius Smith. I'll get into that in a minute. 684 00:38:06,080 --> 00:38:08,440 Speaker 1: Uh he's the guy. They'll move around. He'll be on 685 00:38:08,480 --> 00:38:10,360 Speaker 1: the edge and Hunter will be on one edge, and 686 00:38:10,360 --> 00:38:12,960 Speaker 1: then the next time you get on third down, they'll 687 00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:15,200 Speaker 1: be in kind of a three two and all of 688 00:38:15,239 --> 00:38:18,600 Speaker 1: a sudden, Zadarius will be inside. So he's a guy 689 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:22,120 Speaker 1: they're really consciously, um, you know, trying to get to 690 00:38:23,040 --> 00:38:26,040 Speaker 1: you're right about their talent and you know the strength 691 00:38:26,040 --> 00:38:29,080 Speaker 1: of their team is of course Zadarius Smith with nine 692 00:38:29,120 --> 00:38:33,759 Speaker 1: and a half sacks, in Hunter with seven. You know 693 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:38,920 Speaker 1: Hicks and uh, you know Hicks in Kendrick are you know, 694 00:38:39,200 --> 00:38:42,360 Speaker 1: very very good linebackers. They have well over two hundred 695 00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:47,960 Speaker 1: tackles together. Smith, who missed last year last week, the 696 00:38:47,960 --> 00:38:52,040 Speaker 1: the other Smith, Harrison Smith is a playmaker. I think 697 00:38:52,040 --> 00:38:55,040 Speaker 1: he has ten pass breakups and five picks as the 698 00:38:55,080 --> 00:38:58,439 Speaker 1: strong safety. You know, he's a perennial pro bowler. Buying 699 00:38:58,480 --> 00:39:03,160 Speaker 1: him's not bad Peterson. Now, Peterson got smoked last week 700 00:39:03,200 --> 00:39:07,560 Speaker 1: with a double move by Detroit, but he's been very solid. 701 00:39:08,440 --> 00:39:11,759 Speaker 1: The biggest issues to me with them is their defensive 702 00:39:11,880 --> 00:39:16,200 Speaker 1: interior is really just average in my opinion, I think 703 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:20,799 Speaker 1: it's really marginal. And then their second corner, the guy 704 00:39:20,840 --> 00:39:24,719 Speaker 1: away from Peterson, has really been an issue now Evans, 705 00:39:25,080 --> 00:39:29,840 Speaker 1: they were playing Evans, he went on injured reserve, Skelly played, 706 00:39:29,880 --> 00:39:32,880 Speaker 1: and then they got Danzler back last week, who they like. 707 00:39:33,719 --> 00:39:37,880 Speaker 1: But both Skelly and Danzler have really just been you know, 708 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:41,840 Speaker 1: they've been worked over at that second corner position, you know, 709 00:39:41,840 --> 00:39:46,040 Speaker 1: and again their weakness is overall defense and past defense, 710 00:39:46,080 --> 00:39:50,000 Speaker 1: they have survived on two things, you know, takeaways and 711 00:39:50,160 --> 00:39:53,359 Speaker 1: getting after the quarterbacks if they get ahead. I mean, 712 00:39:53,480 --> 00:39:57,759 Speaker 1: keeping them at a disadvantage is so important because this 713 00:39:57,840 --> 00:40:02,879 Speaker 1: is a bad defensive team period. There amatically poor. They're disjointed, 714 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:06,439 Speaker 1: they don't play well together, they make mistakes, and then 715 00:40:06,480 --> 00:40:10,799 Speaker 1: they really even though I can put seven circles, they 716 00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:14,040 Speaker 1: don't have the ambient players, Matt, there's not you know, 717 00:40:14,080 --> 00:40:15,919 Speaker 1: I can put the circles, but I don't put any 718 00:40:15,960 --> 00:40:19,520 Speaker 1: blue over there. There's nobody that even though numbers are decent, 719 00:40:19,600 --> 00:40:21,680 Speaker 1: there's nobody that I'm going to just lose a lot 720 00:40:21,680 --> 00:40:25,200 Speaker 1: of sleepovers. So I mean that is the issue, all right. 721 00:40:25,239 --> 00:40:29,439 Speaker 1: The Colt's offensive must okay. I think number one, you've 722 00:40:29,480 --> 00:40:32,879 Speaker 1: got to dominate first down and that's a mix. That's 723 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:36,319 Speaker 1: a mix of run the quick rhythm. I like the 724 00:40:36,440 --> 00:40:40,319 Speaker 1: RPOs to play actions. Again, if they stay in at 725 00:40:40,320 --> 00:40:43,560 Speaker 1: over defense, which they're gonna you want to go right 726 00:40:43,640 --> 00:40:47,480 Speaker 1: into that open side with Jonathan and just keep powering 727 00:40:47,520 --> 00:40:50,360 Speaker 1: the three on the other side. If they go sink, 728 00:40:50,440 --> 00:40:53,279 Speaker 1: just power the heck out of it. But again, keep 729 00:40:53,320 --> 00:40:56,640 Speaker 1: the RPOs going with Matt, keep the play action going, 730 00:40:57,600 --> 00:41:00,560 Speaker 1: no question about that. But you've got to in first 731 00:41:00,600 --> 00:41:03,399 Speaker 1: down and if we're going to be successful, we have 732 00:41:03,480 --> 00:41:06,520 Speaker 1: to establish Jonathan Taylor right off the bat to keep 733 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:11,440 Speaker 1: their defensive line on its heels. Number two, we definitely 734 00:41:11,480 --> 00:41:15,200 Speaker 1: have to control the edges, particularly if in fact we 735 00:41:15,320 --> 00:41:18,920 Speaker 1: get to second and longer a third and long. You know, 736 00:41:19,040 --> 00:41:23,240 Speaker 1: there's no question that Smith and Hunter are very, very solid. 737 00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:26,759 Speaker 1: You're talking about seventeen sacks between the two of them. 738 00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:30,759 Speaker 1: Hunter will always be on the edge and Smith will 739 00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:34,280 Speaker 1: be both on the edge and inside. As a spinner. 740 00:41:35,120 --> 00:41:38,040 Speaker 1: We've got to do a really good job on those guys. 741 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:41,080 Speaker 1: We've had our issues. We have to know when to 742 00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:43,960 Speaker 1: help and don't let guys out there one on one. 743 00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:48,280 Speaker 1: Don't let them a bad defense beat us with something 744 00:41:48,320 --> 00:41:51,759 Speaker 1: that we know is our liability and their strength. You 745 00:41:52,480 --> 00:41:55,520 Speaker 1: can't let that happen. Coaching wise, and then this is 746 00:41:55,560 --> 00:41:57,680 Speaker 1: what you're going to expect. This is something that we've 747 00:41:57,680 --> 00:42:00,560 Speaker 1: shown all kinds of issues and they do pretty well. 748 00:42:01,080 --> 00:42:04,240 Speaker 1: And that's expect them to walk up on third down 749 00:42:04,800 --> 00:42:09,920 Speaker 1: into those A gaps with their linebackers with Hicks, you know, basically, 750 00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:15,080 Speaker 1: basically with Hicks in that situation in Kendrick, they're going 751 00:42:15,120 --> 00:42:18,200 Speaker 1: to walk up there and they're gonna try to attract you, 752 00:42:18,640 --> 00:42:21,160 Speaker 1: and they're gonna then come smoking off the edge. And 753 00:42:21,239 --> 00:42:24,680 Speaker 1: that's where we've had so much trouble. Teams that make 754 00:42:24,840 --> 00:42:28,719 Speaker 1: us block inside, get us attracted inside, and then come 755 00:42:28,760 --> 00:42:31,759 Speaker 1: off the edge. So all that number two, number one 756 00:42:31,880 --> 00:42:35,160 Speaker 1: is running, Number two is protect it. Really then number 757 00:42:35,200 --> 00:42:37,799 Speaker 1: three we've got to attack that two corner and I 758 00:42:37,840 --> 00:42:39,440 Speaker 1: want to get out for him with Pierce, just like 759 00:42:39,480 --> 00:42:42,959 Speaker 1: I said Pierce last week on their weakest corner. Same 760 00:42:43,040 --> 00:42:47,160 Speaker 1: thing here. You know, wherever Peterson's lining up, whether he's 761 00:42:47,239 --> 00:42:50,759 Speaker 1: matching or whether he's staying on the right side, we 762 00:42:50,800 --> 00:42:52,839 Speaker 1: want to go after the other guy, and we want 763 00:42:52,840 --> 00:42:55,920 Speaker 1: to go after him a lot, because that's how you 764 00:42:55,960 --> 00:42:59,880 Speaker 1: get points. It doesn't matter whether it's Scaley or Dam's. 765 00:43:00,560 --> 00:43:04,279 Speaker 1: Both guys are limited and will give up explosive plays 766 00:43:04,320 --> 00:43:07,520 Speaker 1: and they'll both struggle with Pierce and then I think 767 00:43:07,600 --> 00:43:10,640 Speaker 1: number four, and I think this is the key is 768 00:43:10,640 --> 00:43:13,040 Speaker 1: in a game like this, we've got to take care 769 00:43:13,040 --> 00:43:15,759 Speaker 1: of the ball. We've talked about this all season long. 770 00:43:16,200 --> 00:43:19,160 Speaker 1: If there's one thing that's cost us this season, it's 771 00:43:19,160 --> 00:43:21,440 Speaker 1: been given a ball away. There's no doubt about it. 772 00:43:21,600 --> 00:43:25,080 Speaker 1: Fumbles and picks have defined us and killed us in 773 00:43:25,160 --> 00:43:29,040 Speaker 1: twenty two. And their strength, really, other than the two 774 00:43:29,080 --> 00:43:32,400 Speaker 1: great players at receiver and running back, is really turnover ratio. 775 00:43:32,480 --> 00:43:36,319 Speaker 1: They've played clean. We have to play clean. We got 776 00:43:36,320 --> 00:43:40,120 Speaker 1: to beat the Vikings at their own game. Again. I 777 00:43:40,160 --> 00:43:44,160 Speaker 1: think the remainder of this season, the last four, if 778 00:43:44,200 --> 00:43:47,040 Speaker 1: we're gonna make it happen, it's going to spin on 779 00:43:47,160 --> 00:43:50,279 Speaker 1: our ball. Security could not agree more. I think that's 780 00:43:50,320 --> 00:43:52,120 Speaker 1: why Matt Ryan has a little bit of a chip 781 00:43:52,160 --> 00:43:54,640 Speaker 1: on his shoulder going into this final stretch of the season, 782 00:43:54,719 --> 00:43:56,680 Speaker 1: trying to prove that he is not the player that 783 00:43:57,120 --> 00:43:59,600 Speaker 1: you know perceptionally everybody thinks that he is now at 784 00:43:59,600 --> 00:44:02,520 Speaker 1: age thirty seven. So definitely gonna be looking out for that, 785 00:44:02,960 --> 00:44:05,200 Speaker 1: all right, Rick the clothes out here. The Colts have 786 00:44:05,280 --> 00:44:07,799 Speaker 1: had the bye and they've had time to reflect and 787 00:44:07,840 --> 00:44:11,160 Speaker 1: heal and get mentally prepared for the final four games, 788 00:44:11,200 --> 00:44:14,319 Speaker 1: starting with Minnesota on Saturday. And like you said, the 789 00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:17,239 Speaker 1: Vikings are good record wise, but Jeff Saturday was right 790 00:44:17,280 --> 00:44:19,600 Speaker 1: when he said that this is a very winnable game 791 00:44:19,640 --> 00:44:21,200 Speaker 1: coming up, and I know that you agree with that 792 00:44:21,280 --> 00:44:24,080 Speaker 1: as well. I want to see the Colts battle. I 793 00:44:24,200 --> 00:44:27,000 Speaker 1: want to see them play relatively mistake free as far 794 00:44:27,040 --> 00:44:30,200 Speaker 1: as the turnovers are concerned, and see what they can 795 00:44:30,239 --> 00:44:32,919 Speaker 1: do when they actually play efficient football and they don't 796 00:44:33,000 --> 00:44:36,000 Speaker 1: hurt themselves. And these final four games of the season. 797 00:44:36,080 --> 00:44:38,440 Speaker 1: So what say you? What would be your message to 798 00:44:38,480 --> 00:44:41,319 Speaker 1: the guys this week if you're inside that locker room 799 00:44:41,360 --> 00:44:44,600 Speaker 1: following the bye week going into the home stretch. Well, 800 00:44:44,640 --> 00:44:46,719 Speaker 1: this is how I feel about this. This is how 801 00:44:46,760 --> 00:44:48,920 Speaker 1: I really feel about this, and I think it matters 802 00:44:48,920 --> 00:44:51,719 Speaker 1: in the last four weeks. I think in the end, 803 00:44:51,760 --> 00:44:54,680 Speaker 1: as you said, they've had time to reflect, to get 804 00:44:54,760 --> 00:44:58,680 Speaker 1: well and really to fix problems. And to me, this 805 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:01,319 Speaker 1: is a great way to se start this final quarter 806 00:45:01,320 --> 00:45:05,000 Speaker 1: of the season. I honestly believe this. You know, I 807 00:45:05,040 --> 00:45:07,680 Speaker 1: may live to regret it. This to me is the 808 00:45:07,719 --> 00:45:10,240 Speaker 1: worst ten and three team I've seen in a long time, 809 00:45:10,840 --> 00:45:15,600 Speaker 1: but it would provide a great, high profile and confidence 810 00:45:15,680 --> 00:45:18,720 Speaker 1: building win for us, not only coming down the stretch 811 00:45:18,800 --> 00:45:22,440 Speaker 1: but going into next season. It will come down to 812 00:45:22,600 --> 00:45:26,040 Speaker 1: stop and cook in Jefferson and press hering cousins just 813 00:45:26,080 --> 00:45:30,359 Speaker 1: like I said, and then putting together a balanced, efficient, 814 00:45:30,920 --> 00:45:36,680 Speaker 1: non turnover offensive attack to exploit a putrid defense. This 815 00:45:36,800 --> 00:45:39,880 Speaker 1: is a battle of a good Minnesota offense versus a 816 00:45:39,960 --> 00:45:43,400 Speaker 1: good Colts defense, and a bad Colts offense versus a 817 00:45:43,440 --> 00:45:46,719 Speaker 1: bad Minnesota defense. So something's got to give. That's all 818 00:45:46,760 --> 00:45:50,399 Speaker 1: there is to it. This last month is about you, 819 00:45:50,800 --> 00:45:54,799 Speaker 1: meeting you the player individually. How do you want to 820 00:45:54,840 --> 00:45:59,799 Speaker 1: be remembered and your essence as a competitor. You can 821 00:46:00,040 --> 00:46:05,400 Speaker 1: finish this thing strong and solidify your resume and propel 822 00:46:05,480 --> 00:46:10,719 Speaker 1: the horse shoes into nineteen into two twenty three, or 823 00:46:11,320 --> 00:46:14,560 Speaker 1: you can phone it in and then you define yourself 824 00:46:14,600 --> 00:46:18,520 Speaker 1: for life. That fourth quarter at Dallas can never ever 825 00:46:18,680 --> 00:46:22,799 Speaker 1: be repeated. It has to be reversed totally and make 826 00:46:22,840 --> 00:46:26,960 Speaker 1: it happen in Minnesota. Rick, great stuff as always inside 827 00:46:26,960 --> 00:46:29,719 Speaker 1: football with the one and only Rick Ventury. Good to 828 00:46:29,760 --> 00:46:32,479 Speaker 1: be back with you this week. Rick, after not doing 829 00:46:32,520 --> 00:46:35,000 Speaker 1: this in terms of breaking down the blueprints last week, 830 00:46:35,080 --> 00:46:37,560 Speaker 1: so really really appreciate it. Have a great rest of 831 00:46:37,600 --> 00:46:40,160 Speaker 1: your week, and get well. Man. Gotta get you healthy 832 00:46:40,239 --> 00:46:43,200 Speaker 1: for the stretch run. So take some meds, get some 833 00:46:43,280 --> 00:46:45,839 Speaker 1: good sleep, and wake up healthy here the next couple 834 00:46:45,880 --> 00:46:48,239 Speaker 1: of days. All right, Matt, all right, I appreciate you 835 00:46:48,320 --> 00:46:51,759 Speaker 1: right there, Rick Ventury as always for Inside Football this week, 836 00:46:51,800 --> 00:46:54,600 Speaker 1: breaking down the Minnesota Vikings and the Colts looking for 837 00:46:54,640 --> 00:46:57,200 Speaker 1: that marquee win here late in the season. And as 838 00:46:57,239 --> 00:46:59,440 Speaker 1: always for the latest on the Colts, you can check 839 00:46:59,440 --> 00:47:02,160 Speaker 1: it out Colts dot Com, the Colts Mobile app, and 840 00:47:02,239 --> 00:47:05,560 Speaker 1: be sure to subscribe to everything on the Colts Audio Network. 841 00:47:05,600 --> 00:47:08,919 Speaker 1: For Rick Ventury, I'm Matt Taylor. Great stuff this week, 842 00:47:08,960 --> 00:47:11,360 Speaker 1: and we'll do it again next week on another installment 843 00:47:11,360 --> 00:47:14,760 Speaker 1: of Inside Football next Wednesday right here on the Colts 844 00:47:14,760 --> 00:47:15,799 Speaker 1: Audio Network. So on,