1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,400 Speaker 1: What's going on, Vikings fans. Is Gabe Henderson here. 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 2: Just wanted to give you guys an update that after 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,520 Speaker 2: we recorded this week's edition of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast 4 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:11,559 Speaker 2: on Wednesday, we found out Wednesday night that the Vikings 5 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:16,080 Speaker 2: had officially traded for Rams now Vikings runner back Cam Akers. 6 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 2: And it is a move that caught a lot of 7 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,479 Speaker 2: fans by storm, but also a move that has a 8 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 2: lot of Vikings fans excited. And now we bring in 9 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 2: Vikings dot Com j Nelson to help me dissect what 10 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 2: the actual move means for this Minnesota Vikings team. Alexander 11 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 2: Madison is still on the roster. The only thing the 12 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 2: Vikings had to give up for Cam Akers is a 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six conditional sixth round pick for the Rams 14 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,479 Speaker 2: conditional a seventh round pick in twenty twenty six, so 15 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 2: we didn't have to give up much. But Cam Akers 16 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 2: is now officially a Minnesota Viking. 17 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:49,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's kind of crazy. There's been a lot of 18 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 3: rumors with him just in general, what was going to 19 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 3: happen to him. It was kind of funky that after 20 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 3: the first week or so and he wasn't getting a 21 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 3: lot of playing time, even social media wise, he was 22 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 3: kind of saying, I don't really know what's happening at 23 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 3: this point. There's been a lot of rumors, purely because 24 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 3: of having the West Phillips and Kevin O'Connell connection with 25 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 3: the Rams, that maybe this was a landing spot for him. 26 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 3: I just think it kind of shows that, you know, 27 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 3: the front office is going to do whatever they can 28 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 3: at this point to keep adding playmakers. And if you know, 29 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 3: whatever was going on in LA and it doesn't work there, 30 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:18,399 Speaker 3: you know, Koais made the move here, I'm sure with 31 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 3: Kevin's blessing to go out and get another playmaker. So 32 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 3: he's only twenty four years old, he's an exciting, dynamic 33 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 3: guy when he's on the field, and so I was 34 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 3: very intrigued and you know, put a little smirk on 35 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 3: my face when I saw Cam pop up. So hopefully 36 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:34,959 Speaker 3: this just kind of proves that, you know, yeah, we're 37 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 3: going to right now, but nobody at this point doing 38 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:40,759 Speaker 3: anything to think that the season's over. Like we're doing 39 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 3: everything we can to keep adding some names. 40 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 2: And speaking of adding names, the Vikings just added another 41 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 2: name to their offense and right guard or left guard 42 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 2: however you want to put it. Dalton Reisner. He's been 43 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 2: very active on Twitter. Vikings fans have been saying go 44 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 2: out and get Reisner. Well, Kevin O'Connell koasy Doflement said 45 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 2: they didn't listen to social media. They listened to the 46 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 2: needs of the offensive line with so many injuries, and 47 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 2: they acquired Dalton Reisner for one year I think worth 48 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 2: four million in free agency and to have a guy, 49 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: another guy to protect Kirk up front. What does this 50 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 2: mean for this Minnesota Vikings team. 51 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:15,160 Speaker 3: I think it's a really interesting move. I mean, we 52 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 3: know after the Philly game, it looked like we were 53 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 3: down to like six active guys on the roster at 54 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 3: that point during the game. So it just kind of 55 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 3: felt like, you know, he'd been in there before, there'd 56 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 3: been a couple of weeks that been kind of this 57 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 3: in between of when he had been here to this 58 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 3: past week. It just kind of feels like it was 59 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 3: a right fit, right time. And you know, if they 60 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 3: sign him for a one year deal, it's definitely a 61 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 3: proven deal. Fact he came in as a veteran after 62 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 3: the fact means it's a week to week thing kind 63 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 3: of for him. So like exactly so with no guarantees, 64 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 3: he's gonna have to earn it and prove it. But 65 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 3: here's the thing, Like, given his pedigree, in his background 66 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 3: and the numbers that he had put up in previous seasons, 67 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 3: it just feels like, if this guy works out, he's 68 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:54,640 Speaker 3: going to be kind of a steal for us. So 69 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 3: I think it sounds like he's happy to be here, 70 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 3: and a bunch of the public's happy that he's here too. 71 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 3: So just between both Dalton and Cam at this point, 72 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 3: it seems like two really solid moves and we'll see 73 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 3: what happens if they're up to speed for this weekend 74 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 3: or if it's going to be something moving forward. 75 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, the experience alone, you hit that right on the head. 76 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 2: Cam Akers has already won a Super Bowl with Kevin 77 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,519 Speaker 2: O'Connell and West Phillips. Dalton Reisner has already started sixty 78 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 2: two games in the NFL over three thousand snaps including 79 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 2: special teams. So there are two valuable players that the 80 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,799 Speaker 2: Vikings are adding to their roster and to help boaster 81 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 2: this offense. It only means the Vikings are still in 82 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 2: win now mode even though they're zero and two at 83 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 2: this point. But the next team up is the LA Chargers. 84 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 2: And that is the basis of this week's Minnesota Vikings 85 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 2: Podcast as we bring in former Vikings team reporter Eric Smith, 86 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 2: who is the senior editor for the LA Chargers, as 87 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 2: well as Josh mctellis the Swiss Army Knife for this 88 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 2: Minnesota Vikings defense. Both of those guys joined this show 89 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 2: and we hope all of you that are listening to 90 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: this Minnesota Vikings podcast enjoyed the rest of the show. Yo, 91 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 2: what's going on until the Week three edition of the 92 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 2: Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 93 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 1: My name is Gabe Henderson. 94 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 2: I'm alongside Jay Nelson, Eric Davidson and our special guest 95 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 2: of the night, mister Eric Smith. And by the way, 96 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 2: this show is brought to you by Pepsi. It is 97 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 2: made for Vikings watching Pepsi, the official soft drink of 98 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 2: the Minnesota Vikings. We just teased our guest of the night. 99 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 2: He's a former colleague of ours. He is the former 100 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 2: Vikings team reporter now serving as a senior staff writer 101 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 2: for the LA Chargers. 102 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 1: Our guy, mister Eric Smith. 103 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 4: Eric was going on, Man, what's up, guys, how are you? 104 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 4: It's great to be. 105 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: On, Glad to have you on. 106 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: I think it's still going to be kind of weird 107 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 2: at seeing you at US Bank Stadium on Sunday, but 108 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 2: not rocking purple on the other sideline. And I know 109 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 2: there's some some I guess drinks on the radar before 110 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 2: the game starts, but it's going to be so good 111 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 2: to see you, my friend. 112 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, for sure. I'm looking 113 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 4: forward to catching up with you guys and all the 114 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 4: other former former colleagues. And yeah, I mean, we obviously 115 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,160 Speaker 4: knew the Chargers were coming there this year, and when 116 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 4: we saw week three, you know, personally, I was very 117 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 4: happy that it wasn't like, you know, December or January, 118 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 4: and it wasn't going to be too cold. I've gotten 119 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 4: a little stoked out here in this in the sunshine, 120 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 4: and but yeah, but no, it's good. I'm excited. I'm 121 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 4: excited to see you guys, and hopefully we get a 122 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 4: good game. 123 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 3: Absolutely, I think, you know, for both squads at this point, 124 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 3: let's just rip the bandit off. Both of us are 125 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 3: all in two at this point, desperately looking for a 126 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 3: win this week. And so it's just kind of eerie 127 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 3: how both these teams currently are kind of mirroring each other, 128 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 3: you know, I guess what is the current temperature happening 129 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:35,599 Speaker 3: in Chargers Land. 130 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, frustration would probably be at the top of the list. 131 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:41,359 Speaker 4: This is not at all how the Chargers wanted to 132 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 4: start their season, given just you know, honestly, just the 133 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 4: expectations that this team had going into the season. You know, 134 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 4: Brandon Staley, the Chargers had totaled app preseason. He was like, 135 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 4: you know what, what what's your message to the team. 136 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 4: You know, the vibe right now, and he said, we 137 00:05:57,160 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 4: want to do everything at a super Bowl standard. That 138 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 4: was the to use And to me, that says, hey, 139 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,600 Speaker 4: they have losty goals, they want to make a run, 140 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 4: and they think they're one of the best teams in 141 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 4: the AFC. The two games, you know, we don't have 142 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 4: a win, and it's tough. It's tough to swallow that, 143 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 4: you know. Granted both losses have been by a combined 144 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,160 Speaker 4: five points, so it's not like we're getting blown out, 145 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:20,720 Speaker 4: you know, and the Chargers are right there in every game. 146 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 4: I mean, you guys know that's how the Vikings operate too, 147 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,039 Speaker 4: but it just hasn't fully clicked yet. But you know, 148 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 4: I say time it is running out. You know, you definitely 149 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 4: don't want to start going three one game. It's you know, hey, 150 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 4: if you lose one game, that's fine. Two two in 151 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 4: a row, okay, that's a little bit more cauche for concern. 152 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 4: But if you start owing three, I mean, that's a 153 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 4: tough hole to dig out of and try to get 154 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 4: your way back into the playoffs. 155 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 2: And I think especially with the level of players on 156 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 2: both teams, I mean, you guys have a top ten 157 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 2: quarterback in the league, maybe top five by some people. 158 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 2: We have, you know, a top five receiver, maybe top 159 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 2: three by some people. And you look at that and 160 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 2: say that's what you can build both teams around to 161 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 2: have success. But when you look at just you guys 162 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 2: can the trip over here. I believe it's a second 163 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 2: of six games this year where you guys are going 164 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 2: into a different time zone that's more than an hour different. Like, 165 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 2: how does the Chargers adjust to making another trip that's 166 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 2: two hours behind you? You guys schedule time. 167 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's not easy. It's not easy at all. I mean, 168 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 4: being out here on the West coast, travel is tough 169 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 4: for sure, you know. And we just had a game 170 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 4: in Nashville against the Titans where the kickoff was ten am, 171 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 4: west of Times, So you got to get up, get 172 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 4: some coffee, try and get yourself ready to go. And 173 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 4: it can be the same thing in Minnesota, you know, 174 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 4: I mean I know all too well, how loud. You know, 175 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 4: those Viking fans are going to be especially you know, 176 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 4: coming home at oh and two. They're going to be 177 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:41,160 Speaker 4: doing all they can to try to help the Vikings 178 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 4: get a win. It's gonna be a tough environment, you know. 179 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 4: For my money, probably the toughest environment all season. And yeah, 180 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 4: like jaysaid at the top, I think it's fair to 181 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 4: say you have two desperate teams that oh and two. Yeah, 182 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 4: I think it's going to be a great game. 183 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: I really do. 184 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 4: I mean, it's desperation, wrap it up and let's go. 185 00:07:57,800 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm excited. 186 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 2: I'm sure there's gonna be a lot of Vikings fans 187 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 2: excited because there are still a limited number of tickets 188 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 2: available for Sunday's game. I guess the Chargers on Vikings 189 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 2: dot com jam. 190 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, so, Eric, you know, one of the things that's 191 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,559 Speaker 3: been kind of a mirror between both of the teams 192 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 3: as well, has been you have a hot offense who's 193 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 3: scoring a lot of points and everything and then defensively, 194 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 3: you know, there's been kind of boom or bust with 195 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 3: certain pieces of it. You know, you guys, like you said, 196 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 3: you've lost by a combined five points. We've lost by 197 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 3: a combined nine points. You guys currently offensively are are 198 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 3: sixth in points scored at fifty eight, but thirtieth in 199 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 3: points allowed at sixty three. What do you think is 200 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 3: the biggest key for the Chargers this weekend coming into 201 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 3: a hostile environment there at US Bank Stadium. 202 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, like you said, two losses by five combined points, 203 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 4: it's been tough. The offense has been pretty good through 204 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 4: two games. You know. Week one, we ran the ball 205 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 4: really well. We too, we threw the ball really well. 206 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 4: It just hasn't clicked and been like fully clean yet. 207 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 4: I think, and I think a big point of emphasis 208 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:59,319 Speaker 4: that that was in overtime against Tennessee. I mean, the 209 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 4: Charger wo win the toss to have a chance to 210 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 4: win the game, and the offense goes three and out 211 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 4: and there was a couple of mistakes in there that 212 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 4: just can't can't happen when when you have the game 213 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 4: on the line like that. But if you're asking me, 214 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 4: the number one thing that the Chargers have to. 215 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: Do to win. 216 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 4: It's something that really I think no one has been 217 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 4: able to figure out yet, and that's try to slow 218 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 4: down justin Jefferson. You mentioned the points allowed, the Chargers 219 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 4: also ranked last in the NFL and explosive pass plays allowed, 220 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 4: and that you know obviously he's right up JJ's valley. 221 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:33,719 Speaker 4: So yeah, you know the Chargers and Brandon say that 222 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 4: they're going to have to have some type of crazy 223 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 4: game plan to slow them down. And even then, like 224 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 4: you just try to do the best you can. But 225 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 4: if the Vikings can gash the Chargers through the air, 226 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:45,679 Speaker 4: that's going to make for a long day. So they're 227 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 4: gonna have to try to find some sort of answer 228 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 4: to JJ, which you know we all know is much 229 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 4: easier said than done. 230 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, and just having that guy in number eighteen on 231 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 2: our team that makes the confidence level go up higher. 232 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 2: But for you guys not having numbers thirty on your offense, 233 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 2: Austin Eckler, how big is that? I know you talked 234 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 2: about you guys run the ball well in week one 235 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 2: with Austin Eckler as the starting running back. With week 236 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 2: two he didn't play, and you gots threw the ball. Well, 237 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:13,600 Speaker 2: so how much of that effect is due to Austin 238 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 2: Eckler not being active for game day. 239 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, that's definitely a big piece. You know, it's 240 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 4: kind of up in the air whether or not he 241 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 4: plays on Sunday. I mean we're still a few days 242 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:24,680 Speaker 4: away from that, you know. 243 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:25,559 Speaker 1: I mean, the. 244 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 4: Chargers couldn't run the ball in Week two, mostly to 245 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 4: the Just Tennessee's defense. I mean, they have a fantastic 246 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 4: defensive front. They bottle everyone up really like it wasn't 247 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 4: just a one time thing against the Chargers. But yeah, 248 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 4: you know, I mean ideally, in an ideal world, you know, 249 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 4: the Chargers want to pound the rock and then hit 250 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,320 Speaker 4: these like deep explosive plays to play action with Herbert, 251 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 4: you know, showing off his skill set, and then you 252 00:10:49,679 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 4: know the obviously the receiver we have on the outside. 253 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 4: That's like the perfect game plan. But you know, rarely 254 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 4: does that happen in the NFL. You know, there's always 255 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:01,199 Speaker 4: something that goes on. But I think trying to establish 256 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:03,080 Speaker 4: the run early is going to be a pretty big 257 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 4: point of emphasis for the Chargers on Sunday. 258 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 2: Eric, these are two teams that made the playoffs this 259 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 2: past year and that was the expectations going into twenty 260 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 2: twenty three. But as we started the show this team, 261 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 2: both of these teams have started owing too. So how 262 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:19,959 Speaker 2: do you define success? I mean, I'm going to give 263 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:22,680 Speaker 2: you the league answer for the Vikings also because you 264 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 2: worked there for so long, But how do you defind 265 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 2: success for both teams? 266 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a good question. I think both teams are 267 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 4: in a much different spot. I think for the Chargers, 268 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 4: success this year is making the playoffs and going on 269 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:36,560 Speaker 4: a run. But the team did not shy away from 270 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 4: that in the offseason and the preseason, you know, leading 271 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 4: up to Week one, that was clearly the goal, especially 272 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,719 Speaker 4: given the way last season and in the playoffs. For 273 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 4: the Vikings, for success, you know, I think development of 274 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 4: young players I think is always something to keep an 275 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 4: eye on. But the biggest question probably has to do 276 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 4: with a quarterback, right, Like I know, Kirk is an 277 00:11:56,840 --> 00:11:59,319 Speaker 4: under contract next year and it's kind of up in 278 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:01,840 Speaker 4: the air with that. But you know, if your Steven 279 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 4: doesn't go the way you want and you end up 280 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 4: with a high pick, well then maybe you end up 281 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:08,800 Speaker 4: in a first round quarterback in the draft. And although 282 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:10,959 Speaker 4: this year will be bad because you didn't have a 283 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 4: good year. I think finding a long term quarterback would 284 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 4: be a success for the Vikings. 285 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 3: So really quick. Then if that's the case, you know, 286 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 3: one thing that we haven't touched on much then is 287 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,559 Speaker 3: been your defense there with the Chargers. You know, it's 288 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 3: something that with all the yards and everything that they've 289 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 3: been given up. I mean they have some superstars on 290 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 3: that defense still pass rushers in Khalil Mack and mister Bosa, 291 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 3: and then you've still got your Santa Samuel Junior and 292 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 3: some Durwin James and other guys in the secondary. Like 293 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 3: what is seemingly the issue then that that they've been 294 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,920 Speaker 3: having knowing that they've been giving up you know, three 295 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 3: hundred and thirty three yards a game passing and that 296 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 3: kind of stuff, Like you've had leads in all of 297 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:50,079 Speaker 3: these games, yet you just still can't close it out. 298 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 3: Like what has been the biggest thing defensively? Then that's 299 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 3: been so leaky for him? 300 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, like I said, it's been those like explosive pass 301 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 4: plays aloud, and it's it's frustrating and like almost like 302 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 4: confounding a little bit because like literally the staple of 303 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:07,760 Speaker 4: a Brandon's daily defense he apprecies some day one that 304 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,079 Speaker 4: he wants his defense to not give up big plays 305 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 4: through the air. He is fine if the charges give 306 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 4: up some the yards on the ground, but he'd rather 307 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:20,080 Speaker 4: give up a five yard run than a fifty yard 308 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 4: pass because then the offensives down the field is so 309 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 4: much quicker. But through two weeks, and really through the 310 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 4: first you know, a couple of years we've been here, 311 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 4: they just can't stop giving up big plays and the 312 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 4: coverage they're playing. You know, the players they have, they've 313 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 4: been in the system. These are the same coverages they've 314 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 4: ran for multiple seasons. Now, I don't know, it just 315 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 4: happen to click, you know, And I think that's what's 316 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 4: so frustrating. It's like, if you have a good defensive 317 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 4: coach and you have good defensive players, what's missing. I 318 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 4: think that's what we're trying to figure out right now. 319 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 2: Well, Eric Man, we certainly certainly appreciate your time. I know, 320 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 2: at owners meetings with the annual league media earlier this 321 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:59,079 Speaker 2: year you were doing a story. You were working on 322 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 2: a story with Brandon Staley and Kevin O'Connell. So I 323 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 2: know Vikings fans are looking forward to saying that that drop. 324 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 2: Is that on Chargers dot com? 325 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 1: Will that? Will that be out later this week? 326 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 4: Yeah? Yeah, we'll dot com on Thursday morning. 327 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 1: Best of luck with it. I'll be sure to promote 328 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: that on social media. I'm sure we all will. 329 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 2: But congratulations again man, looking forward to having you back. 330 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, me too, guys. I can't wait. You know the 331 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 4: game aside. I miss all you guys for sure. Look 332 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,600 Speaker 4: looking forward to catching up and yeah it. 333 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: Should be fun. 334 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 2: Always great talking to our guy, mister Eric Smith. Looking 335 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 2: forward to having him back here in Minnesota this upcoming Sunday, 336 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 2: but also coming back to the show when we get 337 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 2: back from the break. It's mister Josh mattelis Minnesota Viking Safety. 338 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 2: So don't turn the dow. We'll be right back with 339 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 2: the Minnesota Vikings podcast. Col Care and comfort is a 340 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 2: number one priority for dairy farmers, as wholesome milk starts 341 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 2: with healthy and happy cows. Brought to you by Undeniably. 342 00:14:53,880 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 3: Dairy Spallon Montage, the Twin City's premiere salon and spa 343 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 3: destination and proud official hair sponsor of the Minnesota Vikings 344 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 3: cheerleaders with three convenient locations and eat Dinah Woodbury and 345 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 3: Shan Hassan. There's a spawn close to you. Visit online 346 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 3: at spallon dot com. 347 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 2: All right, welcome back to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast, presented 348 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 2: by PEPSI. I'm Gabe Henderson, That's Jay Nelson, and we 349 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:27,120 Speaker 2: have the special privilege of sitting down with Minnesota Vikings Safety. 350 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 2: I don't I want to just call you the Minnesota 351 00:15:28,600 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 2: Vikings Swiss Army Knife, mister Josh Mintell, Gosh, thanks for 352 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 2: joining us, man. 353 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here. 354 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: Great conversations with you guys always, so I'm excited. Man. 355 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 2: It's first and foremost, this is a we had an 356 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 2: early bye week, had a two games and eleven days 357 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 2: however you want to put it, and then you got Friday, Saturday, 358 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 2: Sunday off. How did that look like? How did that 359 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 2: look for you those extra three days off? What did 360 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 2: you do in those days? 361 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 5: I would say a quick reset, you know, a lot 362 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 5: a lot of just you know, soaking in the family time. 363 00:15:58,160 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 5: You know, we don't have a bye week till week. 364 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 5: So you know, this was my one last shot. I 365 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 5: knew I had, you know, to just sit down and relax, 366 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 5: you know, watch some good football this Saturday and Sunday 367 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 5: and Monday. So I think, you know, it was just 368 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 5: a good reset for mentally physically just to hang around, 369 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 5: you know, do what I wake up and I have 370 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 5: a plan, you know, just kind of go through the 371 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 5: motions with the fam. I think that was a big part. 372 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 3: After the two games in eight days, you finally got 373 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 3: that little bit of a mini buy. But like you 374 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 3: already commented that week thirteen, real buy that's coming, knowing 375 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 3: that you've kind of got this this chrunk down of 376 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 3: eleven games that you're gonna have to run mentally, knowing 377 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 3: that the season just started and now you've got this 378 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 3: extra couple of days, how is that going to set 379 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 3: you up for the next eleven games until you get 380 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 3: to that next by. 381 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 5: Yeah, it's just about finding a routine, I would say. 382 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 5: You know, especially when we don't have two routine weeks 383 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 5: to start off the season. You know, you get the 384 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 5: long whatever you want to call it leading up to 385 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 5: the first game that's not a true game week, and 386 00:16:57,080 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 5: then you got the short week on the Thursday game. 387 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 5: So we haven't had a true routine week. So you know, 388 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 5: these next thirteen or eleven weeks is up until week thirteen. 389 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 5: It's more about just getting a routine in place. You know, 390 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:09,160 Speaker 5: how can you prepare yourself to play at a high 391 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 5: level on Sundays Mondays with whichever ones we play. But 392 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 5: I think, you know, just finding that routine and figuring out, 393 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,480 Speaker 5: you know, what we need to do to attack, attack 394 00:17:18,560 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 5: each day to get better. I think it's gonna be 395 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 5: a big part for us. Josh, you did an initial 396 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,199 Speaker 5: press conference when you signed your two year extension. You 397 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 5: did a press conference, you did your signing video that's 398 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:31,280 Speaker 5: on Vikings dot com. But no one has really talked 399 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 5: to you when I heard anything signing that that big 400 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:37,720 Speaker 5: contract man, First and foremost, congratulations, thank you. But two, like, 401 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 5: what is life like now? I would say life is 402 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 5: the same, But life is good? I would say, you know, 403 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 5: it definitely helps having a peace of mind, especially you know, 404 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:49,919 Speaker 5: the past three years, I didn't even know if I 405 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 5: was gonna make the team, you know, to know now 406 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,439 Speaker 5: know like the team is extending me and I'm going 407 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 5: to be here for three years to two after this one. 408 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 5: I think it's just really really good for me to 409 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 5: just have that peace of mind and just going out 410 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 5: there and playing free. 411 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 1: I think. 412 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 5: You know, it happened right before the season, so it 413 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:12,159 Speaker 5: was already in the period where you know, you couldn't 414 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 5: have too much time to you know, enjoy it, you know, 415 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:16,479 Speaker 5: enjoy the reward. But at the end of the day, 416 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:18,159 Speaker 5: you know, we got a job to do, and you know, 417 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 5: I'm getting paid to play football, you know, and that's 418 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 5: what we're doing now. So it's just exciting knowing I 419 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:24,399 Speaker 5: can go out there and play free and I have 420 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 5: to worry about all those other things that come with it. 421 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 2: Six round draft pick, University of Michigan COVID. Year was 422 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 2: your first year slowly starting to learn the ropes. Last year, 423 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:36,160 Speaker 2: towards the end of the season, you get your first 424 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:38,919 Speaker 2: sea on your jersey because Brian O'Neill goes, now, just 425 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 2: your story of how you got here, man, like, what 426 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:43,720 Speaker 2: has that been, Like? What has been that drive that's 427 00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 2: kept you going to get to this point? I would 428 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:47,000 Speaker 2: say resiliency. 429 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:50,760 Speaker 5: I always talk about how my mom is a big 430 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 5: part of like the way I approached life and the 431 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 5: way I just see things. And it's just because you know, 432 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 5: I've seen her get knocked down so many times and 433 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 5: stand back up, you know, like nothing's happened, and just 434 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 5: having that example growing up. You know, I've always been 435 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:06,439 Speaker 5: one of those tough kids who get knocked down and 436 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 5: stands back up faster than you know, the guy who 437 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,119 Speaker 5: probably knocked me down. So I would say, you know, 438 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:13,639 Speaker 5: just being able to keep pushing and keep working and 439 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,480 Speaker 5: keep getting better and keep grinding. You know, when you 440 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 5: got all these other outside factors like COVID, you get 441 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:21,480 Speaker 5: cut on peace squad, you know you're not playing, you 442 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 5: can let all those things affect you. But you know, 443 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 5: for me, it's just kind of just how can I 444 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 5: be the best me every day? How can I go 445 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:30,199 Speaker 5: out there and portray myself in a good light, you know, 446 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,879 Speaker 5: and help the team. I think a big part of 447 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:34,800 Speaker 5: it is being the team guy. I think, you know, 448 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:38,680 Speaker 5: I go about every season and every every practice, every game, 449 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 5: every minute I'm into building is trying to help this 450 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:44,680 Speaker 5: organization win. And I think, you know, just approaching things 451 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 5: the right way has gotten me to this spot. And 452 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:49,679 Speaker 5: I think I would just continue to keep being me 453 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:51,480 Speaker 5: and keep reaping the rewards. 454 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 3: And I think that's part of the reason why you 455 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 3: do have that you know, Captain's patch on your jersey 456 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 3: at this point, you know, last year, it'd expressed just 457 00:19:57,160 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 3: how much that meant to you to get that honor 458 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:01,639 Speaker 3: there later in the season, and then this year to 459 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 3: be voted as one of the captains. What does that 460 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 3: mean for you? Like you talked about your journey, to 461 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 3: go through that journey, get to that point where now 462 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:10,439 Speaker 3: you're recognized as a leader in the locker room and 463 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:13,160 Speaker 3: just you know, like your voice has even extra meeting 464 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:15,359 Speaker 3: at this point, given how everybody else looks at you. 465 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:16,640 Speaker 1: It's amazing. 466 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 5: I think anytime you get to get voted by your 467 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:22,679 Speaker 5: peers and you know, the guys who where it matters 468 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 5: the most, the guys where you look left and right 469 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 5: and you see them on the field with you, I think, 470 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 5: you know, being voted by them has definitely held a 471 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:30,120 Speaker 5: special place in my heart. 472 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 1: You know. 473 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:34,439 Speaker 5: I think all eight of us, you know, definitely know 474 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:36,160 Speaker 5: that it's a big task, but you know, I think 475 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:37,919 Speaker 5: we're all up for it. I think being a captain 476 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 5: of an NFL team is something you know, I would 477 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:42,359 Speaker 5: talk about for the rest of my life, you know, 478 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 5: bigger than any any game that I've won so far, 479 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 5: unless you know, obviously it's a big game, but bigger 480 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,480 Speaker 5: than any game that I played in one any pick 481 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 5: that I've had, I think that see all my chest 482 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 5: means a lot, you know. I think you walk into 483 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 5: my house, you see that right as soon as you 484 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:58,919 Speaker 5: walk in, got the jersey up, even got it up 485 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:00,920 Speaker 5: on my goal board. That was one of my biggest goals, 486 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 5: you know, going into the season, was to get voted captain, 487 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 5: just because I think it's such a high honor and 488 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:07,680 Speaker 5: I'm excited to lead this team, you know, every every 489 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 5: week we go out there and I think, you know, 490 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 5: it definitely helps me be more all my stuff, you know, 491 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,360 Speaker 5: it helps me approach things in a different way knowing 492 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:17,880 Speaker 5: that I got to be a leader for sure. 493 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:20,120 Speaker 3: And that's actually something that you know, even now when 494 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 3: you talk to the legacy players and the legends that 495 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 3: are a part of this organization, they still talk about 496 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,959 Speaker 3: the guys as Jim Marshall comes to mind, literally nicknamed captain, 497 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 3: that's how everybody looks at him. Still fifty years later, 498 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 3: at this point, he still remembered as captain. So for 499 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,320 Speaker 3: you to earn that congratulations, that's a huge honor. 500 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:37,760 Speaker 1: Thank you. 501 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:40,320 Speaker 3: How much fun is playing on this defense this year, 502 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:42,359 Speaker 3: you know, just kind of how aggressive it seemed through 503 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:44,199 Speaker 3: the first two games. How much fun is it for 504 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:45,320 Speaker 3: you guys to be able to go out there on 505 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:46,120 Speaker 3: a weekly basis. 506 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 5: I think it's really fun. I think it's just going 507 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 5: to continue to be more fun when we start stacking 508 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 5: wins in a win call them, and we start getting 509 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 5: more turnovers. You know, I think the type of defense 510 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 5: we play is a high risk, high reward defense. So 511 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 5: you know, once we start getting the rewards, think, you know, 512 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 5: we're gonna start having a lot more fun. We're still 513 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 5: you know, it's still new to a lot of us, 514 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 5: I mean pretty much all of us. 515 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: So I think, you know, once we getting a good. 516 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:10,880 Speaker 5: Handle on it and figuring out how this defense works 517 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 5: and uh, what all of our specific roles look like 518 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 5: in the defense, I think, you know, it's just going 519 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:16,960 Speaker 5: to just keep elevating and elevating. 520 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 2: High risk everyward. Explain that for a fan who doesn't 521 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:22,200 Speaker 2: know what that actually means. When it comes to executing place. 522 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 5: We're aggressive, so you know, you can sit back and 523 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:28,359 Speaker 5: play low risk, low reward, which is letting, you know, 524 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 5: letting the ball get caught in front of you, not 525 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:31,720 Speaker 5: letting anything deep, and then you could play. 526 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:33,880 Speaker 1: A high reward high risk where you're blitzing. 527 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:36,560 Speaker 5: You know, you're banking on guys, you know, getting getting 528 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 5: the quarterback down. You know, you got eyes, you got vision, 529 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:41,919 Speaker 5: you're breaking on the ball. You know, you sacrifice not 530 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,439 Speaker 5: having as much people in coverage, you know, because you're 531 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 5: sending a lot of a lot of pressure. So I 532 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 5: think you know the way the ways we do that 533 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:51,000 Speaker 5: and the ways we implement that within our scheme. I 534 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:53,399 Speaker 5: think it does a great job of being a high risk, 535 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:55,480 Speaker 5: high reward but smart at the same time. You know 536 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:57,680 Speaker 5: where we're just not throwing it every play, and then 537 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:00,920 Speaker 5: you know we we have guys having bunch of explosives 538 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 5: on us. I think we have only gave up two 539 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:05,359 Speaker 5: or three, four, three or four explosively in the past 540 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:07,160 Speaker 5: couple of games, which which isn't a lot a lot 541 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:09,439 Speaker 5: of its second half too, So you know, I know 542 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:12,360 Speaker 5: it's a team game and it's a complimentary game. So 543 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,560 Speaker 5: I'm excited to see what this little rest break does 544 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 5: for this team, just understanding that are we got to break, 545 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:20,159 Speaker 5: guys are fresh, and now the guys need to go 546 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 5: back there and play again. 547 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 3: Jack. Yeah, I think with that though, the high risk 548 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 3: Harry ward, that means that for you guys on the 549 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:27,840 Speaker 3: back end, there's gonna be a whole lot of one 550 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 3: on one and exactly. 551 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:31,680 Speaker 5: Fifty fifty deep ball situations. That's what we like to 552 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 5: call them. Fifty to fifty means they got a good 553 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:36,360 Speaker 5: chance of catching the ball as we do. And as 554 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:38,199 Speaker 5: a dB, we're gonna have to make a lot of 555 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:40,520 Speaker 5: those plays, majority of them if we want to have 556 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:41,119 Speaker 5: a good defense. 557 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:44,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, as a as a defensive back, when you play 558 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:46,920 Speaker 2: a guy in Justin Herbert, who is the most past 559 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:50,119 Speaker 2: attempts since entering the league, Like, what does that do 560 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:50,560 Speaker 2: for you? 561 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 1: Understanding that being a dB? Yep, they're attacking you. Yep. 562 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 5: Our biggest thing the more I think the big thing 563 00:23:57,560 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 5: about him is how good he is with the football 564 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 5: in his hands. You say you talk about his past attempts, Well, 565 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 5: we talked about today how this year so far they 566 00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:07,719 Speaker 5: have no turnovers, not a pick, not a fumble, not anything. 567 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:09,280 Speaker 1: So they do a great job protecting the ball. 568 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 5: And that's with ten being as good as he is, 569 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:13,479 Speaker 5: you know, knowing where to go with the ball and 570 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:16,440 Speaker 5: his ball placement. So I think knowing that they are 571 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 5: a big pass happy offense, you know, they like explosive 572 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:22,640 Speaker 5: plays down the field with their big receivers Mike Williams 573 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 5: and Keenan Allen. I think that as defensive back, you know, 574 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,120 Speaker 5: we gotta challenge this week. You know, we got to 575 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 5: make sure we keep the ball in front of us, 576 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 5: We got to make sure we win those fifty to 577 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:34,000 Speaker 5: fifty deep ball situations, and you know we got to 578 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:35,360 Speaker 5: make them pay when he makes a bad through. 579 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:35,680 Speaker 1: Yeah. 580 00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 3: I think I saw the stat that said that they're 581 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:41,400 Speaker 3: the first team with fifty plus points and zero interceptions. 582 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:41,840 Speaker 1: Crazy. 583 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:44,239 Speaker 3: That's zer and two crazy like that there's never kind 584 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:45,800 Speaker 3: never happened AND's. 585 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:45,959 Speaker 1: Kind of crazy. 586 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:48,720 Speaker 3: So it just shows you, like how potent they can be. Yeah, 587 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:51,119 Speaker 3: and you know the whole thing too, Like we've been 588 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:53,680 Speaker 3: looking for being able to get more turnovers and get 589 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 3: more opportunities, especially defensively, just to help the offense get 590 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 3: the ball back in their hands and let him go 591 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:00,080 Speaker 3: score some points. I think that's going to be a 592 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 3: fun challenge for you guys this week is just to 593 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:03,800 Speaker 3: get those guys to do something they haven't done so 594 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:04,719 Speaker 3: far through two games. 595 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:07,919 Speaker 2: My last question for you is just understanding we started 596 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:10,080 Speaker 2: this year, are owing to two games that we should 597 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:12,400 Speaker 2: have easily won, but you can't get those games back. 598 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 2: What is the message now in the locker room? What 599 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:17,040 Speaker 2: are some what what is Kevin o'conno, Brian Floores? What 600 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:19,080 Speaker 2: are they preaching now to get these guys back on track? 601 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:20,880 Speaker 2: Going to la A sense. 602 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 5: Of urgency is the phrase being used, A sense A 603 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:27,399 Speaker 5: sense of urgency. And you know, it's not really everybody 604 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:30,280 Speaker 5: being superman. You know, everybody making plays that they're not 605 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 5: supposed to make. It's about everybody executing the game plan, 606 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:36,440 Speaker 5: doing your job one hundred and ten percent, and being 607 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 5: intentional about our work and our preparation. I think, you know, 608 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,000 Speaker 5: if we attack the week the right way and we 609 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 5: go into the game and you know we have that 610 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:47,080 Speaker 5: good preparation and foundation set, I think you know we'll 611 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:49,639 Speaker 5: be in a good spot on Sunday and let our 612 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:52,320 Speaker 5: players just play. And I think a lot of it 613 00:25:52,359 --> 00:25:54,359 Speaker 5: is self inflicted. And you know, if we limit the 614 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:57,080 Speaker 5: self inflicted wounds, you know our skys to the limit. 615 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:00,240 Speaker 5: Our limit is through the skuys. So my majority, you know, 616 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:01,919 Speaker 5: you know how it goes. Schilling is the roof, you 617 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 5: know how you know how it goes. 618 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:07,720 Speaker 2: Look, our defense man is so good to see that 619 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:10,560 Speaker 2: our defense is a dependable unit so far, and I'm 620 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:13,000 Speaker 2: just looking forward to seeing how that kind of culminates 621 00:26:13,040 --> 00:26:15,120 Speaker 2: to win. So Josh appreciate you joining us man, Thank 622 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 2: you guys, thanks for having me Vikings fans. Before we close, 623 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 2: just want to let you know again there are a 624 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 2: limited number of tickets for Sunday's game against the Chargers. 625 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:28,639 Speaker 2: They're available right now on Vikings dot com for j Nelson, 626 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:31,359 Speaker 2: Josh Mantelis, Eric Smith, and Eric Davidson. 627 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:33,120 Speaker 1: Guys, we will talk to you next week.