1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,600 Speaker 1: And welcome to the latest edition of Big Blue Kickoff 2 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 1: live here on Giants dot com. So glad you could 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: join us. As usual, it is presented by Corps Light. 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: He's Jeff Eagel's I'm Lance Meado. We got a jam pack. 5 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: Show is going to preview two more Giants opponents for 6 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: the upcoming season. Right off the top will focus on 7 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,119 Speaker 1: the Vikings, then will transition to the Redskins. Plush your 8 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: calls at two zero five one three two zero one 9 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: nine four five one three. You can also interact with 10 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 1: us on Twitter using hashtag Giants Chat. So right off 11 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 1: the top we will focus on the Minnesota Vikings and 12 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:33,200 Speaker 1: to further breakdown what to expect from the Vikings this season. 13 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:35,559 Speaker 1: We are now joined by Matthew Coller. He covers the 14 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 1: Vikings for Score North ESPN Radio in Minnesota. Matthew, you 15 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:42,160 Speaker 1: got Lance Meadow. Jeff Feagles here on Giants dot Com. 16 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:46,840 Speaker 1: Greatly appreciate the time today. How's everything? Everything is going well? Guys? 17 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: I cannot wait for training camp. We've been doing ranking 18 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: lists and outdowns and everything else, like I want some 19 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: football man. Yeah, well that's great. If you ever played football, 20 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 1: you wouldn't be saying that right now, if you're everybody 21 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: hates training camp, we're you kidding me. Now, I'm I 22 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 1: think we're all about the same way, Matthew. And it's 23 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: it's it's an exciting time of the year. And you know, 24 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 1: as I remember from a former player, this time there's 25 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: like a lull you kind of get into, like you 26 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 1: come back from your vacations and then you're sitting in 27 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 1: your living room and you're going, got I got ten 28 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: days left? What am I gonna do with these ten 29 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: days before I go through this training camp? And it 30 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: was kind of an anxious period and you used to 31 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:25,839 Speaker 1: check the days off and and get excited to go play. 32 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: And I guess it's a Vikings fan, you've gotta be 33 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 1: a little excited about this team. And so I know 34 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: that Lance is gonna ask you a couple of questions 35 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: and coach, I'll try to and I heard you're a 36 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: big You're a big punter fan. So we'll get into 37 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: matt while later. But um, you know, it just kind 38 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: of maybe gives a little synopsis on what's going on 39 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,839 Speaker 1: with the Vikings this year. Yeah, no, for sure. Actually, 40 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: I'm gonna need you to break down some old school guys, 41 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: how about Tom Tupa. Oh yeah, now we're talking. Now 42 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 1: we're talking. And then of course Dan and Lance they 43 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: love punting too, so we're all going to get along 44 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 1: real well with that's our favorite vision. Uh So, So 45 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: to answer your question, the kind of basic overview here 46 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: is that it's a real maker break season for a 47 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: lot of people in the Minnesota Vikings organization. I mean, 48 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 1: if you start with the head coach, Mike Zimmer, I mean, 49 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 1: I think he is widely respected around the league and 50 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 1: here in Minnesota as well. But when you set the 51 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 1: bar so high to make the NFC championship few years ago, 52 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:28,799 Speaker 1: and then you sign a better quarterback, or at least 53 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: you tell everyone that he's going to be better, you 54 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 1: don't make the playoffs, then the seat gets a little hot. 55 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 1: And uh, I think that that's kind of the general 56 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: feeling going in for for Zimmer, for Kirk Cousins. You know, 57 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: the Vikings are going to have to decide whether he's 58 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 1: their true franchise long term quarterback or whether they should 59 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,359 Speaker 1: start looking for other options because he's only on a 60 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 1: short deal. He signed a three year deal, so this 61 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 1: is year two of three, and this is when you 62 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: start deciding, Okay, are we going to give this guy 63 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: a contract extension? And last year a lot of the 64 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: blame fell on the shoulders of Andy Philippo, who is 65 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 1: the offensive coordinator. So they have named Kevin Fansky the 66 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: O C. They brought in Gary Kubiak, who I've been 67 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: calling the O g Uh. I've had a lot of 68 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 1: time to think of these things, guys, apparently, yeah so, 69 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: but but you know, I mean, this is a team 70 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: with a ton of talent across the board, and I 71 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: think it's very fair for ownership and for the fans 72 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: as well to set the bar extremely high. And if 73 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 1: they're not a team that's one of the best in 74 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: the NFC, then we may see some major changes. And 75 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 1: I think that everybody in Minnesota is feeling that pressure. Well. 76 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: I think you hit on a number of key aspects, Matthew, 77 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: in terms of changes on the offensive side of the ball. 78 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: And if you look back at two thousand eighteen, the 79 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 1: one thing that jumped out to me about the Vikings 80 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 1: is it just didn't seem like there was the balance 81 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: that we were so used to seeing previously, Matthew, in 82 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: terms of the passing game versus the running game, and 83 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: I'm sure that was one of the things that fueled 84 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 1: the change at O C. But what is the outlook 85 00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 1: for the running game this season with Dalvin Cook a 86 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 1: little bit more removed from that torn a c L. 87 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 1: You don't have Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon moved on previously 88 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: to the Niners. You know, are they convinced that Cook's 89 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: going to be the workhorse or there's still some question 90 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: marks there in terms of what could be done out 91 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: of the backfield. Yeah, so I think Mike Zimmer would 92 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: strongly agree with your statement that they needed more balanced 93 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 1: from last year. And I think that there was a 94 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: breaking point in New England where Delvin Cook was back 95 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: fully healthy and he ran something like nine times for 96 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 1: seventy five yards but only got the ball nine times, 97 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: And that just sent Mike Zimmer through the roof because 98 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: he's a huge believer in Delvin Cook as a complete 99 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:37,239 Speaker 1: game changer. And I could tell you that when Cook 100 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 1: came in as a rookie, and I know he ended 101 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 1: up tearing his A c L that year, but in 102 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:43,480 Speaker 1: training camp he was going up against Murray and McKinnon, 103 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: two proven back and he just blew right by them. 104 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 1: I mean, I think his talent level is so outstanding, 105 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 1: not only from a running back, but also he can 106 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:54,719 Speaker 1: go out and play wide receiver. If you want him to, 107 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: you throw him a swing pass and he can break 108 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: it for a touchdown at any time. And so his 109 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:03,279 Speaker 1: ability to create big plays is why Mike Zimmer wants 110 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 1: to get in the ball more off and he'll take 111 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: a few two or three yard runs if you're gonna 112 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: get you know, that yard run or or a big 113 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 1: touchdown or something like that, which I think Delton on 114 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 1: any play has that capability. The big question, of course, 115 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: is whether he's going to be able to stay healthy. 116 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: And I think that last year and I'm not a doctor, guys, 117 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: but my understanding is that the a c L recovery 118 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 1: had something to do with the hamstring that he wasn't 119 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 1: really able to have a full complete off season. So 120 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: this year, the fact that he is able to have 121 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,599 Speaker 1: a full complete off season, uh, they're gonna be given 122 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: him the ball I think twenty times on the ground 123 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: and throwing it to five to eight more times in 124 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 1: the air. I think that they want to have him 125 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 1: be the centerpiece, even though they have cousins and they're 126 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,039 Speaker 1: paying them all the money. They've got two of the 127 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 1: better receivers in the league. I think they want everything 128 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 1: to start with Delvin Cook, and his talent justifies that. 129 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:53,359 Speaker 1: It's just can you handle that workload? And they must 130 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 1: think so, because aside from drafting or running back in 131 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: the third round, they have put no kind of backup 132 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: plan or pair shoot in. If Dalvin Cook does not 133 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,320 Speaker 1: stay healthy, well, I think that you know, we all 134 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: we saw him coming out of college and knew he 135 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: was going to be an amazing running back and it 136 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 1: was unfortunately he got hurt and he was able to 137 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: get back into into some games at the end of 138 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: the year, and you know how injuries take a little 139 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: while to to work themselves out. But I think that 140 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 1: he's going to have an outstanding year if in fact, 141 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: that that offensive line can hold up, because you know 142 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 1: last year that offensive line was a disaster. I know 143 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: that the Vikings they went out and got Garrett Bradbury 144 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:31,599 Speaker 1: out of North Carolina State, talk a little bit about 145 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: that offensive line, because if that holds up and you have, um, hello, 146 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:40,480 Speaker 1: Dalvin I couldn't think of his name, um that get 147 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 1: him behind that offensive line and get that thing going. 148 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 1: Their running game when it will help their passing game 149 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:48,839 Speaker 1: for sure. No, you're you're absolutely right that the offensive 150 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 1: lines improvement in terms of your off season storylines I've 151 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: said to be able before. Like, you don't understand that 152 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: Vikings fans obsess over this offensive line because during the 153 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: entire Mike Zimmer era, they have just not been able 154 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,279 Speaker 1: to figure this out. You know, even going back to 155 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 1: Teddy Bridgewater and and just I believe he was number 156 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 1: one in the league most pressured quarterback in two thousand 157 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 1: and fifteen, and he was able to overcome it because 158 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: he was kind of savvy in the pocket. But Kirk Cousins, 159 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: that's not the way I would describe him. I mean, 160 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 1: he's not gonna, you know, break a couple of tackles 161 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 1: like Ben Roethlisberger or something, or take off like Russell Wilson. 162 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: That's really not Kirk Cousins game. He wants to drop 163 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: to the exact spot he's supposed to drop and execute 164 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 1: the play he's supposed to execute. And last year there 165 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: were many many times that he was not able to 166 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 1: do that because of the pass rush, especially the interior 167 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 1: pass rush, and when you guys look at the uh, 168 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 1: the the NFC North and the interior defensive lineman they have. 169 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: I think a team Hicks is the most underrated player 170 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: in the entire NFL, or maybe I just think that 171 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 1: because he demolished the Vikings every time they played to 172 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 1: the Chicago Bears last year. He did more damage to 173 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 1: the Vikings than even Khalil Mac did. And so that's 174 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: one of the main reasons that they've gone out and 175 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 1: drafted Garrett Bradberry as high as they did. And the 176 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 1: other bonus to draft in the center is that they 177 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: can move Pat elf Line over to guard, where he 178 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: was actually better in college. But the biggest questions for 179 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,400 Speaker 1: me are at the tackle positions. It's gonna be the 180 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: same two tackles as last year. Brian O'Neill is a 181 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: really athletic right tackle, but he really just didn't It 182 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 1: wasn't able to anchor against some of those amazing pass 183 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 1: rushers off the edge. He got driven back into the 184 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 1: into the quarterback all the time. And Riley Reeves getting 185 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: up there in age. You know, he's been around a 186 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 1: little while, he's dealt with some injuries. Last year he 187 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 1: was playing through a lot of injuries and you guys know, 188 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: I mean if you have a quarterback that isn't gonna 189 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 1: make up for that outside pressure, uh, and then you 190 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: have to go to a backup tackle or something like that. 191 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 1: It's gonna look a lot like last year. Even if 192 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: the running game is a little bit improved, it's I 193 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: think it still comes down to to those till two 194 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: tackles hold up against the great edge rushers in the NFL. Well, 195 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: and interestingly, Matthew Kirk Cousins is used to having some 196 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: offensive line issue us and maybe not necessarily consistent running 197 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: game because in his last few years in Washington he 198 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 1: dealt with very similar storylines. Now that doesn't mean you're 199 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: gonna single handily overcome it. So I don't think it's 200 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,319 Speaker 1: stunning to see some of the ups and downs in Minnesota. 201 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,679 Speaker 1: But if he does get good pass protection, he has 202 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: the establishment of a running game we've seen. You know, 203 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 1: Cousins could certainly thrive, and it also helps with the 204 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 1: wide receiver personnel as well as them also locking up 205 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 1: Kyle Rudolph and I don't think anybody expects them maybe 206 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 1: to fall off in terms of the production. But you know, 207 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: to me, the big question with Minnesota is is this 208 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: gonna be the season, Matthew, where a third wide receiver 209 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:37,680 Speaker 1: emerges or another weapon that we're not used to hearing 210 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: other than digs and feeling. And I know la Kwan 211 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: Treadwell is not far removed from being a draft pick 212 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:47,359 Speaker 1: and just it's never clicked. Are they beyond hope with Treadwell? 213 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 1: Is there's somebody else that's falling under the radar? How 214 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,959 Speaker 1: do you see perhaps the third wide receiver spot playing 215 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,440 Speaker 1: out this year? Yeah, I wouldn't be actually surprised if 216 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: Lakwan Treadwell got cut if he doesn't have a really 217 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 1: great camp, because I think that they've kind of reached 218 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 1: the end of their rope of hearing about how no, no, no. 219 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 1: This year is the year that Lakwan figures out how 220 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,079 Speaker 1: to run routes or or get the offense right or 221 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:12,839 Speaker 1: what it's like. Okay, you know, I mean, you guys 222 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:15,560 Speaker 1: know how this is with someone anybody who's drafted high. 223 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 1: It's you know, the first year as a reporter, you're 224 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: sort of like, Okay, I guess I could I could 225 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 1: see that maybe something went wrong or whatever. After two years, 226 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: after three years, all right, Okay, I think I know 227 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 1: what I've got with Lakwan Treadwell, and they've got some 228 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:31,640 Speaker 1: other intriguing names. One of them chat BB. You guys 229 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,839 Speaker 1: would remember Don b B. It's his son, and he 230 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:37,839 Speaker 1: was a guy who didn't even have a contract, came 231 00:10:37,880 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: in to try out for them last year and ended 232 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: up making the practice squad and then ends up on 233 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: the active roster. And they really like what they've seen 234 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 1: from him. He's kind of your ultimate underdog type of guy, 235 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: but he's also like a great route runner, is extremely 236 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: quick feed and Gary Kubiak shouted him out in O 237 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 1: t A S as a guy who really stood out 238 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: to him. So I think that there's a possibility there. 239 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 1: But really, if if I were betting on who that 240 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 1: other weapon is going to be the fourth weapon beyond 241 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: Rudolph and Seelan and Diggs, I would have to say 242 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 1: it's IRV Smith, who they drafted in the second round. 243 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 1: That I think that Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski want 244 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 1: to run a lot of bigger personnel. They want to 245 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: use their fullback. They want to use IRV Smith in 246 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: a lot of different situations. He can actually play fullback 247 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 1: at times, but he's fast enough where you can move 248 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 1: them out for a wide receiver, and I mean, I 249 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: think they want some of those situations where you can 250 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 1: use two tight ends to get a little look at 251 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,120 Speaker 1: the defense. You know, are they playing the man coverage 252 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 1: that they playing zone? Put them out at a wide 253 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,200 Speaker 1: receiver and see who stays out there. You know, those 254 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 1: types of things that are big advantages for offenses. And 255 00:11:40,679 --> 00:11:43,319 Speaker 1: I think that offenses today are kind of going one 256 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: way or the other. They're even using the eleven personnel 257 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 1: like the Rams do on every play and trying to 258 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 1: get you know, those boxes that are easy to run against, 259 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: or they're using big personnel and play action all the time, 260 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:56,839 Speaker 1: try to get the other team to put three linebackers 261 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 1: on the field. And I think that that's the direction 262 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 1: the Vikings will go. Other than trying to establish a 263 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: true number three wide receiver. Let's go to the defensive 264 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 1: side here. Um a little disappointment last year with from 265 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 1: the Vikings um on the defensive side. You know, the 266 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,360 Speaker 1: lose Sheldon Richardson. Okay, so you get a little bit 267 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 1: of lost. Their um additions are Shamar Stephen Stefan, Stephen 268 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: I Butcher names here by the way, Matthew Okay, it's uh. 269 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: And then I mean, I look, you look, I didn't 270 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: butcher your name. You're easy. Matthew is a really good 271 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: one for me. Um, talk a little bit about the 272 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 1: defensive side of the football and tell us what we 273 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:37,559 Speaker 1: can expect out of that defense. Yeah. So the addition 274 00:12:37,559 --> 00:12:41,959 Speaker 1: of Schmar stefan Um is an interesting one. He he 275 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 1: was part of the team for a couple of years. 276 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 1: They drafted him as a seventh rounder and then he 277 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,200 Speaker 1: went to Seattle for a year and came back. But 278 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: that position, though, that if you circle that, that's the 279 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 1: most interesting on the defense because Sheldon Richardson was a monster. 280 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 1: I mean, nobody ever questions that Sheldon Richardson to play football. 281 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:00,199 Speaker 1: It was whether he could keep his speed under one 282 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: thirty or whatever right on the on the road. So, 283 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: I mean, but from what I saw Sheldon Richardson last year, 284 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 1: he was a beast. I mean, he was really tough 285 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:12,560 Speaker 1: to handle, especially the pressure up the middle on opposing teams. 286 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 1: And they just don't really have that guy now. Shamar 287 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:17,360 Speaker 1: Steppen is more of a run stuffer. They've got some 288 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:21,079 Speaker 1: guys that they've drafted, Jalil Johnson, Jalen Holmes. There's another 289 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 1: undrafted guy they kind of like Hercules Manafa, who might 290 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: make the team, but nobody is really quite sure exactly 291 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: how they're going to rotate in. And the one thing 292 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 1: that I've learned from just watching Mike Zimmer for a 293 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: few years here covering the team is that he always 294 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 1: seems to find a solution to whatever problem they have. 295 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 1: You know, somebody gets hurt, like last year, Xavier Rod 296 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 1: and Trey Wayne both had injuries at times, and he 297 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 1: made adaptations to his defense and threw in Hope and 298 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 1: Hill who was an undrafted guy and hoping he'll play great. 299 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: And it's it just is a trend with Zimmer that 300 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:56,679 Speaker 1: I think he's one of the brightest defensive minds out 301 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 1: there that maybe this year what you'll see is Jamar 302 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 1: stepping in on rundowns and then they'll mix in maybe 303 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 1: Everson Griffin lines up over the guards or something like that, 304 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: and they used um Stephen Weatherley on the outside or 305 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,680 Speaker 1: they last year, all of a sudden, it was about 306 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 1: maybe week six or seven, they started using zone blitzes 307 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 1: on third downs, which before Mike Zimmer had always had 308 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 1: double a gap blitz is up the middle on third downs. 309 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 1: And then all of a sudden you're seeing defensive ends 310 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: dropped back in coverage and things like that, and opposing 311 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:27,720 Speaker 1: quarterbacks were completely lost. I think they sacked Detroit ten 312 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: times in a single game, uh when they decided to 313 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 1: switch up defenses. So, you know, I think it's very 314 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 1: rare that you have a defense that you can count 315 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: on year to year to write down. Okay, we know 316 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 1: that they're going to be a top ten defense, it's 317 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: just are they number one or are they number seven? 318 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 1: But anytime Zimmers in charge and the amount of talent 319 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: they have, you know, bringing back Anthony bar two, I 320 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 1: think that's one of those things that would be very 321 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 1: surprising if they dropped off as a defense. We're talking 322 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 1: with Matthew Collery covers the Vikings for score Nor ESPN 323 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 1: RADI in Minnesota, and as you just pointed out, Matthew, 324 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: I think that's what has separated Mike Zimmer and the 325 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: Vikings from the rest of the NFL. The continuity that 326 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 1: they've been able to maintain on defense is a big 327 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: reason why that unit has been so good. And you 328 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 1: brought up everything Griffin and we were talking about Sheldon 329 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 1: Richardson and some of his off the field issues. Well, 330 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 1: Griffin wound up missing a number of games because of 331 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: some personal issues off the field, yet you know, seemed 332 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: to produce when he came back. What is the outlook 333 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: for him this season and how confident they are in 334 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 1: being able to have him for sixteen games. Yeah, he's 335 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: a really interesting situation because I thought after the second 336 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 1: half of the season he was still good, but he 337 00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 1: wasn't the same guy. Uh. In two thousand seventeen, he 338 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 1: had a case for being the best defensive end all around, uh, 339 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 1: in the entire NFL. I think at least halfway through 340 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 1: that season we were talking about it, like, is he's 341 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: gonna get twenty something sacks? You know, because he was 342 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 1: dominating so much. And then last year he started off well, 343 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: you're right, had the personal issue. When he came back, 344 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: it just didn't have the same sort of pop, which 345 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: I would understand just being in the middle of the 346 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 1: season and you have to go, you know, deal with 347 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: your personal issues to come back. It could not have 348 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 1: been easy for him at all. But I found it 349 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: to be really interesting that the Vikings restructured his contract 350 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 1: to make sure they kept him around. With their salary 351 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 1: cap issues, they very easily could have said okay, bye bye, 352 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 1: Everson Griffin. Thanks for your service, but we'll take that 353 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 1: ten million and put it into a guard or a 354 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: tackle or a number three wide receiver. And instead they said, no, 355 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: we we want him to be back across from Danil Hunter. 356 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: And to me, that says that they must believe he's 357 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: back into his early two thousand eighteen and two thousand 358 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 1: seventeen shape. I think if it were me, I probably 359 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: would have tried to surround Kirk Cousins with a little 360 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: more talent or or fill out that offensive line a 361 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: little bit better than Josh Klein using that cap space 362 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 1: just because of Everson's age and what he's been through. 363 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: But when he's at his best, he has an unbelievable motor. 364 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 1: Like if you go back, and I love to do this, 365 00:16:56,880 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: watch the coaches tape after the game and you focus 366 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: on Everson Griffin, there are literally no plays off. And 367 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:05,639 Speaker 1: I think that that type of drive is sort of 368 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 1: the motor of the entire defense. And when he was 369 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: gone last year, it was kind of noticeable that that 370 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:13,920 Speaker 1: leadership part of it was lacking a little bit too. 371 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 1: It didn't seem like there was the same sort of 372 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: level of intensity and and that's probably part of it 373 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 1: as well. And it is amazing and I can't think 374 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 1: of too many times I've ever seen this before, guys 375 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:27,119 Speaker 1: where a defense stays together like this, and a lot 376 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: of guys take restructured contracts, lesser contracts. The Neil Hunter's 377 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:35,000 Speaker 1: contract is highway robbery for the Vikings. Uh, it really 378 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:38,560 Speaker 1: is incredible. And this defense, to a man, they say 379 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 1: they believe that they can leave this team to a 380 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: championship and that's why they want to be here. And 381 00:17:42,680 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: usually that's just like cliches, but their actions have shown 382 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 1: that that's what they truly believe. Yeah, it's remarkable how 383 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: Minnesota has been able to retain the services of so 384 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:57,199 Speaker 1: much defensive personnel. I agree with you. I've really marveled 385 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:00,119 Speaker 1: from afar how effective they've been. Well, since we have 386 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:02,120 Speaker 1: Jeff Feagles here, we've got to get to the special 387 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 1: teams unit, or else it would be cheating the audience 388 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: and cheating you, Matthew. And you know, I want to 389 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:10,199 Speaker 1: turn to the kicking game because, as you well know, 390 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: with a number of teams in the NFL, they just 391 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:14,919 Speaker 1: have had a hard time working out the kinks in 392 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 1: the kicking game to playoff the alliteration there, and Dan 393 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 1: Bailey was brought along, but you know, even he had 394 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: some of his ups and downs, not necessarily automatic like 395 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 1: he was in Dallas. How confident are they that this 396 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:28,480 Speaker 1: is not going to be a season where they've got 397 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:31,520 Speaker 1: to deal with some of those previous headaches. Well, I 398 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: think it tells you how confident they aren't with the 399 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:38,840 Speaker 1: fact that they hired a kicking consultant coach and in Naketing, 400 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 1: So you've got an extra person who's been brought in, 401 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 1: uh to keep Mike Zimmer away from the kickers. It's 402 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 1: just it's just and I don't blame Zimmer for this, 403 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:50,879 Speaker 1: but I think kickers are like the bane of his existence. 404 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 1: I mean, we know the Blair Walsh thing, but it 405 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 1: hasn't just been that. It was that they brought Blair 406 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,480 Speaker 1: Walsh back after he shanked it in two thousands fifteen 407 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:01,959 Speaker 1: to lose the playoff game, and then he was horrendous 408 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 1: the first half of the year and they lost some 409 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 1: games because of that and missed the playoffs by one game. 410 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 1: And then last year I believe they had the most 411 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 1: misses or the lowest percentage of any team combined. They 412 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: draft a kicker. Last year, he misses three field goals 413 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 1: in Green Bay. They tie the game because of that 414 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 1: instead of win. That's the difference between making the playoffs. 415 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: Like if if Mike Zimmer just had Adam Vinitari, he'd 416 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 1: be like the best coach in the league. It's it's 417 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:31,359 Speaker 1: really wild. So this year I think that they have 418 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,000 Speaker 1: tried to not put any pressure on Dan Bailey at all. 419 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 1: They believe he's back to being full health. He had 420 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:40,439 Speaker 1: dealt with some issues with the health in Dallas, and 421 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:44,119 Speaker 1: I'm not sure he was entirely. But if we get 422 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: halfway through camp, a couple of three season games in 423 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: and there's some shank Stal goals, I mean, the heat 424 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 1: is gonna get turned way up on Dan Bailey and 425 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: it's just I don't know, guys. It was really crazy 426 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:57,880 Speaker 1: to me. Kai for Bas hit a fifty two yard 427 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: field goal in a playoff game that the Vikings end 428 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:02,400 Speaker 1: up going on to win, to give them a lead 429 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:05,159 Speaker 1: in the fourth court fifty two yards and they didn't 430 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 1: bring him back the next year, and it was like, 431 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 1: you guys are just playing with fate here on. So 432 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:12,440 Speaker 1: it's it's one of the things that I think we 433 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,200 Speaker 1: focus on probably were like top five in the league, 434 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 1: and reporters focusing on kickers. Well, I'll tell you what, 435 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,479 Speaker 1: they don't have that much problem is that as your 436 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:22,480 Speaker 1: other people down in the same division, that would be 437 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: the Chicago Bears talking about a nightmare in that situation. 438 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 1: Holy smokes. But you know, I listen, I think that 439 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 1: kickers are a different breed. You know that, Matthew. And 440 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 1: the fact is is that Dan Bailey is a guy 441 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 1: that can you know, I feel like he was just 442 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 1: hurt all last season. He's still one of the most 443 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:40,760 Speaker 1: accurate kickers in the in the history of the league. 444 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:43,639 Speaker 1: Um So I think if he can get back healthy, 445 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: like you said, um that's any kicking indoors, which is 446 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:48,879 Speaker 1: another good thing for him. I think that he should 447 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 1: be able to handle that that position and be fine 448 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 1: with it the rest of the season, hopefully, because you know, really, 449 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: when you look back out in these games, they they're 450 00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:59,880 Speaker 1: they're so close sometimes. You know, these field goal kickers, 451 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 1: you know a lot of people don't like them, and 452 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 1: you go practiced on the side and nobody wants to 453 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: deal with him. But for God's sakes, they're the ones 454 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 1: that win your games. To put you in the playoffs, 455 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: and they're also ones to lose your games to keep 456 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: them out. Yeah, no, you're right. And I think that 457 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:16,920 Speaker 1: Dan Bailey is a really unflappable type of guy. Even 458 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 1: when he has struggled, he has he has that even 459 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:23,119 Speaker 1: when you talk to him, sort of that veteran presence 460 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:26,200 Speaker 1: to him where he doesn't ever seen shaken, where I 461 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:30,200 Speaker 1: would say the exact opposite for Blair Walsh in my experience. 462 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 1: I was gonna ask you, though, Jeff, what about what 463 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: about the long snapper and holder? I mean, how much 464 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 1: does this affect that the Vikings drafted along snapper. Kind 465 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 1: of baffling to draft along snapper, But how much does 466 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:44,679 Speaker 1: that impact because I think that they're looking at that 467 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,280 Speaker 1: well of course there and we've talked about this on 468 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:49,879 Speaker 1: the program before about um, you know, when you have 469 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:53,879 Speaker 1: these guys working together, just like a center and quarterback exchange. Okay, 470 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,000 Speaker 1: if you put a different center in there, Yeah, he's 471 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,160 Speaker 1: still gonna be able to snap the football to the quarterback, 472 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 1: but there's a different feeling. It's a different the ball 473 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 1: comes back under center. Same thing with snapper holding kicker. 474 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 1: The longer they're together, the more they practice, the better off, 475 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:09,760 Speaker 1: they're gonna be if they're they're not in their their 476 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 1: interchangeable parts. Okay, but you know, if you're putting the 477 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 1: wrong breaks on a Mercedes, it's not gonna work. So 478 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: if you have that, you're changing the positions all the time. 479 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:20,680 Speaker 1: So bringing in a long snapper you drafted him, he'll 480 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:22,639 Speaker 1: have all the time to work together in the in 481 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,160 Speaker 1: the off season and then of course during training camp, 482 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: so that will help. I'm consuming that Matt Wilde holds 483 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 1: and you know that's good. It's a good thing because 484 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:32,960 Speaker 1: he if he did, he held for Dan Bailey last year. Um. 485 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:35,719 Speaker 1: I think the more importantly of the three positions, if 486 00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:38,119 Speaker 1: you're gonna change one of them, um, I think the 487 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: long snapper would be the one that you could change 488 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 1: the holding position because the holder after the end result 489 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:45,640 Speaker 1: is the guy gets the ball and puts it down 490 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 1: for the kicker. Right, So that's the one that you 491 00:22:48,119 --> 00:22:50,440 Speaker 1: don't want to mess up a lot. And I think 492 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 1: that you know, when you have to start messing with 493 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 1: the holder and the kicker and there and they're long snapper, 494 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:57,359 Speaker 1: there's gonna be some things that go wrong there. But 495 00:22:57,560 --> 00:22:59,640 Speaker 1: the more those guys can work together, the better. Off, 496 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 1: they will be Matthew, I can tell you that that's 497 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 1: an awesome breakdown, fantastic. I'm gonna use all that. You 498 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:08,159 Speaker 1: can use everything you know and listen. Go to Giants 499 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:10,399 Speaker 1: dot com. We're recording the this thing right now. You 500 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:12,400 Speaker 1: can watch it and see if you wanted some notes, 501 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:17,120 Speaker 1: you know, we'll we'll provide the transcription will later one 502 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: math you can use all of that knowledge. He is 503 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: Matthew Keller, who covers the Vikings for Score North ESPN 504 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:27,760 Speaker 1: Radio in Minnesota. Matthew greatly appreciate the tap of the inside. 505 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:30,640 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for breaking down the vikings for us. Yeah, 506 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:35,119 Speaker 1: thanks for having me really appreciate it. As the Giants 507 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:37,960 Speaker 1: and the Vikings will collide. As we look back over 508 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 1: here at our schedule, that is going to be in 509 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:44,040 Speaker 1: week five, October six, the Vikings are gonna come visit 510 00:23:44,119 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 1: the Giants, so one pm Eastern kickoff, So that will 511 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 1: be in early season matchup. And you know, the more 512 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 1: and more we talk to reporters who cover teams and broadcasters, 513 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 1: it just goes to show you as good as some 514 00:23:56,000 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 1: of these teams were last season. Jeff, everybody's got question marks, concerns. 515 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,280 Speaker 1: Everybody does, and I think you know, with the Vikings, 516 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:04,200 Speaker 1: I think that and and this is just from listening 517 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:06,439 Speaker 1: to Matthew and and doing a little bit of research 518 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 1: on these teams. We don't do a whole lot of it, 519 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:10,040 Speaker 1: but when you listen to these guys, you kind of 520 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:14,359 Speaker 1: soon realize where the where the where the needs are 521 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:16,720 Speaker 1: and what has to improve for that team to get better. 522 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:19,119 Speaker 1: The defense has always stayed together because they have a 523 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 1: defensive coach and that's my opinion, and I think he's 524 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:24,560 Speaker 1: he's in those meetings and he has those guys and 525 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 1: he's wants those his defensive players. It just goes to 526 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:30,159 Speaker 1: show you that they resign a guy who you know 527 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:32,480 Speaker 1: is a high energy guy and when he's gone that 528 00:24:32,560 --> 00:24:35,720 Speaker 1: he noticed how that has that that kind of went away. Well, 529 00:24:35,720 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 1: that's that's kind of the leadership. Sometimes you don't talk 530 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:39,800 Speaker 1: a lot about it's it's what you lead on the 531 00:24:39,840 --> 00:24:42,840 Speaker 1: field with rather than the vocal leaders. So teams will 532 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: sign guys back like that. But offensively, I mean there's 533 00:24:46,119 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 1: a lot of pressure on Kirk Cousins when you think 534 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 1: about him making what ninety million dollars guaranteed and he's 535 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:53,600 Speaker 1: only in the second of his third year contract and 536 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:55,760 Speaker 1: they're already starting to talk about maybe is he going 537 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:59,640 Speaker 1: to be the guy again? Holy smoke, ninety million bucks 538 00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:02,160 Speaker 1: they're of put in his pocket. He better play well 539 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:05,120 Speaker 1: this year. Um, and I think that, you know, last year, 540 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:07,280 Speaker 1: he puts a lot of pressure, and a lot of 541 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 1: guys do this. They put pressure on themselves when they 542 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,439 Speaker 1: come into a position because there is pressure that you know, 543 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:14,920 Speaker 1: you're the highest paid guy that's ever played the position. 544 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,800 Speaker 1: Ninety million dollars guarantee. I mean, I think that that 545 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:20,639 Speaker 1: guy can handle it because he's pretty cocky, you know 546 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:21,879 Speaker 1: what I'm saying. I mean, he is a guy that 547 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:26,440 Speaker 1: can really exactly. Um. I think that things around him 548 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:29,359 Speaker 1: has to be improved in that offensive line, and again, 549 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:32,960 Speaker 1: get Delvin Cook back. That's he has an outstanding running back. 550 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:35,080 Speaker 1: I love to watch that guy play. I'm with you. 551 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:38,400 Speaker 1: I think that Cook is more than capable of handling 552 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:40,880 Speaker 1: the loads. So I'm not that concerned that the Vikings 553 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:43,320 Speaker 1: have an addressed perhaps that kept charting. I know they 554 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: brought in a mirab Dulla who's a veteran who's with 555 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:48,520 Speaker 1: the Lions, and they've got all the pieces. If that 556 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 1: offensive line comes together, as we talk a lot about 557 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:53,840 Speaker 1: here with the Giants, I would expect the Vikings to 558 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:55,959 Speaker 1: bounce back. I think this is a team that has 559 00:25:56,240 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 1: too good of a coaching staff, too good of a 560 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,119 Speaker 1: group of talented And here's the other thing that they 561 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:03,520 Speaker 1: get somewhat overshadowed, Jeff when we talk about the pressure 562 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:06,600 Speaker 1: on Kirk Cousins. He had thirty touchdowns and tenant receptions 563 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:10,120 Speaker 1: last season, completed seventy of his passes. Those are really 564 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,320 Speaker 1: good numbers. They are outstanding, especially the ten interceptions. I 565 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 1: mean two thirty touchdowns. Um, you know that's yeah, I 566 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,680 Speaker 1: agree with you, and and it's and it really it's 567 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 1: you don't get to, you know, say wow, what a 568 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:24,639 Speaker 1: great year because they didn't do well the team. You know, 569 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 1: that's exactly what happened. Some guys have beautiful seasons, but 570 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:30,480 Speaker 1: it's lost in the scheff because they didn't make the playoff. Um, 571 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:32,800 Speaker 1: the expectations this year got to be even higher. That 572 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 1: does he have to play better than that? You know what, 573 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:37,480 Speaker 1: I don't know how much better he has to play? 574 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:41,240 Speaker 1: Thirty touchdowns and ten interceptions. I mean, so what throw 575 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:43,920 Speaker 1: five more touchdowns on there and maybe one less interception 576 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:46,199 Speaker 1: or something that's still a pretty good season. It's more 577 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,479 Speaker 1: of the dynamics of the offense and the the establishment through 578 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:50,720 Speaker 1: the running game and of course the offensive line. And 579 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:52,760 Speaker 1: now we're going to turn our attention back to the 580 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:55,399 Speaker 1: NFC East, the team that the Giants are going to 581 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 1: be seeing as usual two times this season, the Washington 582 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 1: Redskins in to break down Washington and talk about what 583 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:03,280 Speaker 1: to expect from them in two thousand nineteen. We are 584 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 1: now joined by their radio play by play announcer Larry 585 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:08,640 Speaker 1: Michael Larry got Lance Meado Jeff Feagles with the Iran 586 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:11,600 Speaker 1: Giants dot Com Big Blue Kickoff Live. Greatly appreciate the time. 587 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:14,800 Speaker 1: How's everything today, Hi, Larry, fantastic. How you guys doing today? 588 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:17,960 Speaker 1: We're doing very well. Good and we are inching closer 589 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 1: to the start of the season, as I'm sure you 590 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:22,879 Speaker 1: are anticipating training camp and us getting back to the 591 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:25,359 Speaker 1: xs and o's in the physicality of football, and clearly, 592 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:28,680 Speaker 1: hey huge storylines surrounding the Washington Redskins. No better place 593 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:32,359 Speaker 1: to start than the quarterback position, Larry. They acquire case Keenum, 594 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,399 Speaker 1: Colt McCoy trying to return to health after the injury 595 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:37,960 Speaker 1: last year, and then of course Dwayne Haskins being drafted. 596 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:42,159 Speaker 1: So as it goes heading into training camp, what do 597 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:45,919 Speaker 1: you say about the quarterback position, the battle who's right 598 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 1: now in the driver's seed in terms of at least 599 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:52,280 Speaker 1: being under center for week one? I think that driver's 600 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:54,120 Speaker 1: seat is open right now. I think it's like one 601 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 1: of those testla's, you know, it's one of those cars 602 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 1: that drives itself right now and then hopefully keep it 603 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:02,800 Speaker 1: on there. You know, I don't know right now. I 604 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:06,360 Speaker 1: think what obviously, with the quarterback situation that unfolded during 605 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 1: the draft, we will have plenty of discussions over the 606 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:11,840 Speaker 1: years about the quarterbacks on our respective teams, which I 607 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:14,480 Speaker 1: think is healthy for the rivalry and obviously adds a 608 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:17,479 Speaker 1: little sidebar to everything that happens. But right now, let 609 00:28:17,480 --> 00:28:21,439 Speaker 1: mean the coach coach has said several times quarterback competition, 610 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 1: and we really haven't seen something like that in a while. 611 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:26,639 Speaker 1: I mean a pure quarterback competition. And you guys know 612 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:29,720 Speaker 1: the cast of characters. You've got case keenum Um, who 613 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 1: has you know, pretty much proven what he can do 614 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 1: as a starter in his time that he's played. You 615 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:35,679 Speaker 1: have Colt McCoy who has been kind of banged up 616 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 1: over time, and you have Dwayne Haskins Jr. The first 617 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 1: round pick. So but you'd have to, you know, be 618 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 1: on mars not to figure out that Dwayne Haskins was 619 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 1: drafted with that first round pick to be the starter 620 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:49,120 Speaker 1: one day. So the question becomes what happens if camp? 621 00:28:49,320 --> 00:28:51,920 Speaker 1: How important are these preseason games, if at all. We've 622 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 1: kind of discounted these preseason games for so many years now, 623 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:58,400 Speaker 1: but I really believe in this instance, what we see 624 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 1: in preseason might give you a little bit of an indication, 625 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 1: or it could put somebody back if they don't play 626 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:06,960 Speaker 1: well in one of those games. It's got the fans excited, 627 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:10,520 Speaker 1: that's for sure. Everybody likes a quarterback controversy in this town. 628 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:14,200 Speaker 1: Not quite a controversy yet. It's a competition, but once 629 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:17,320 Speaker 1: they start making plays or making mistakes, it'll it'll it'll 630 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 1: heat up. Well, I think, you know, you have two 631 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 1: veteran guys there in this competition that are going to 632 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 1: give Dwayne Haskins a run for his money, just because 633 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:28,000 Speaker 1: of the of the leadership and the experience they has. However, 634 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 1: you know, you look at Dwayne Haskins in the upside 635 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:32,960 Speaker 1: to him is is his athleticism is big arm things 636 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,920 Speaker 1: like that. What is Dwayne Haskins in your opinion, Larry 637 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:38,640 Speaker 1: have to do in these in training camp or in 638 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:41,720 Speaker 1: these preseason games to earn the starting job or do 639 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:45,520 Speaker 1: you think in your mind, um, can you do it? 640 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:48,320 Speaker 1: I think you can do it. I mean I think 641 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 1: And again, you know, the coach has stated that it's 642 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 1: a competition. So if it is a competition, then obviously 643 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:57,240 Speaker 1: for him, he's got to play mistake free when he 644 00:29:57,280 --> 00:30:00,240 Speaker 1: gets first team reps. Still don't know how those reps 645 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 1: are going to be distributed during training camp. We'll find 646 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:06,120 Speaker 1: out a week from tomorrow's first day of practice in Richmond, 647 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 1: so well we'll get our first taste in. But just 648 00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:13,120 Speaker 1: you know, play air free, learned the playbook, take command 649 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 1: of the huddle. He's got, He's got a lot to learn. 650 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:18,600 Speaker 1: Is as much physical ability as he has. He's still 651 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:21,200 Speaker 1: a rookie. And you know, I didn't have to call plays. 652 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:22,840 Speaker 1: You know, they had to play calling system from the 653 00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 1: sidelines at Ohio State. And there's a lot of nuances 654 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:28,120 Speaker 1: that he has he's got to get coached up on. 655 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:30,680 Speaker 1: But you know, that big arm, but obviously is something 656 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 1: you can't and you can't overlook. So this becomes a 657 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 1: very interesting battle because of what case Keendom. You know 658 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:38,400 Speaker 1: what he can do, and and he's his first year 659 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:40,880 Speaker 1: in the offense, but he's been just about every offense 660 00:30:40,920 --> 00:30:43,720 Speaker 1: there is, and Dwayne is just purely clean out at 661 00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:47,800 Speaker 1: school between has been very reserved. H he hasn't you know, 662 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 1: he's been He's been just watching learning. I think he's 663 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:53,240 Speaker 1: been doing what they wanted him to do, because that 664 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:57,480 Speaker 1: is really his biggest challenge is to learn learn every 665 00:30:57,560 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 1: nuance to play pro quarterback. And and that doesn't happen overnight. 666 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:03,920 Speaker 1: If it happens overnight, you've got an extremely special kid. 667 00:31:04,560 --> 00:31:07,360 Speaker 1: So we'll see, we'll see. I think, you know, again, 668 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:10,400 Speaker 1: playing mistake free. You get put in the preseason game 669 00:31:10,440 --> 00:31:12,680 Speaker 1: and maybe you're playing with the twos or the threes, 670 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:15,479 Speaker 1: and you're out there and you make some mistakes. If 671 00:31:15,520 --> 00:31:17,720 Speaker 1: he gets the chance to play with the ones in preseason, 672 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:21,320 Speaker 1: that might be an indication which way this is leaning, 673 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:23,320 Speaker 1: But I don't think. I mean, we've got about two 674 00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:26,120 Speaker 1: weeks here before we even three weeks from tomorrow's the 675 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:29,400 Speaker 1: first preseason game, so we'll see what he does in practice. 676 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:32,080 Speaker 1: They got a lot of a lot of padded practices 677 00:31:32,280 --> 00:31:36,040 Speaker 1: front loaded in their in their training camp schedule. So 678 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:37,880 Speaker 1: we'll we'll find out in a couple of weeks where 679 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 1: he stands well. Whoever is under center at any point 680 00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:43,440 Speaker 1: this season, Larry clearly is going to be dependent on 681 00:31:43,480 --> 00:31:46,640 Speaker 1: the offensive line. And you look back at two thousand eighteen, 682 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:48,200 Speaker 1: I don't know if there was a team that had 683 00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:51,000 Speaker 1: to deal with so many injuries at one position, then 684 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:53,560 Speaker 1: my goodness, what the Washington Redskins had to deal with that. 685 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:55,680 Speaker 1: We know they've got a lot of proven commodities on 686 00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:59,120 Speaker 1: that offensive line, but there's some speculation about Trent Williams 687 00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:01,640 Speaker 1: and his happiness and whether or not he's going to 688 00:32:01,680 --> 00:32:04,160 Speaker 1: hold out at the left tackle spot. And Eric Flowers, 689 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:06,720 Speaker 1: the former Giant, is now in the mix. What's the 690 00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 1: assessment to this group from a health perspective, also from 691 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:13,960 Speaker 1: a productivity standpoint, Well, you're right, Lands last year was 692 00:32:14,080 --> 00:32:16,520 Speaker 1: just devastating on the offensive line. We didn't think the 693 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:18,840 Speaker 1: two thousand and seventeen could be topped the two thousand 694 00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:21,400 Speaker 1: and eighteen. Sure did. I think they went through eight 695 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:25,160 Speaker 1: guards last year. It just was just incredible, and just 696 00:32:25,200 --> 00:32:27,200 Speaker 1: every time you turned around another guy was going down, 697 00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:29,640 Speaker 1: and just there are several occasions you had a guy 698 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:31,840 Speaker 1: come in on a Friday and he played on a Sunday. 699 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:33,840 Speaker 1: And that is not the that's not your best plan. 700 00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:36,600 Speaker 1: That's not a good strategy, I don't think. So you 701 00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:39,280 Speaker 1: bring up Trent. You know, Trent obviously wasn't here during 702 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:41,960 Speaker 1: the off season program. He never did participate in the 703 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:44,960 Speaker 1: off season program, but he didn't participate in the mandatory 704 00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:47,760 Speaker 1: minicamp which he had in the past. So we'll see. 705 00:32:48,120 --> 00:32:49,800 Speaker 1: We'll see on his status when he gets there. You 706 00:32:49,880 --> 00:32:53,280 Speaker 1: got some young players. Brandon Sheriff is healthy, he was 707 00:32:53,360 --> 00:32:57,160 Speaker 1: hurt last year. Morgan Moses first offseason for him without 708 00:32:57,160 --> 00:32:59,960 Speaker 1: a surgery. He is healthy. The center Chase ruly As 709 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:02,560 Speaker 1: seems to be in pretty good shape. Uh drafted a 710 00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:06,840 Speaker 1: couple of offensive lineman Martin out of Indiana and Pierce 711 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:09,480 Speaker 1: Baker out of Alabama. Those two players can play guard. 712 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 1: Pierce Baker play center as well. And Janet Christian, the 713 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,800 Speaker 1: second third round pick last year, didn't play much because 714 00:33:16,800 --> 00:33:19,560 Speaker 1: of an injury last year. And you mentioned Flowers who 715 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:23,040 Speaker 1: have they had airmarked at guard because you know, obviously 716 00:33:23,120 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 1: the Redskins played the Giants twice a year, and we 717 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:29,160 Speaker 1: saw Eric Flowers and we know, you know how our 718 00:33:29,240 --> 00:33:31,560 Speaker 1: defense events, you know, played against Eric. But you know what, 719 00:33:32,080 --> 00:33:33,920 Speaker 1: and maybe a change in position for a kid like 720 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:37,240 Speaker 1: that who does have ability would be uh, it would 721 00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:39,800 Speaker 1: be the start up, something new for him. But you know, 722 00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:42,640 Speaker 1: I think health wise they're okay. I think they got 723 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:45,440 Speaker 1: a little bit of death this year. But your best 724 00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:48,200 Speaker 1: offensive lineman is Trent Williams. And and that right now 725 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,720 Speaker 1: is a question where everybody's waiting to see, you know, 726 00:33:50,760 --> 00:33:53,680 Speaker 1: what happens next week. Well, you know last year, you 727 00:33:53,800 --> 00:33:56,640 Speaker 1: got people got really excited about Darius Guys at the 728 00:33:56,640 --> 00:33:59,000 Speaker 1: beginning of that, you know, the preseason. Unfortunately he had 729 00:33:59,040 --> 00:34:01,040 Speaker 1: that torn e c L give us a little bit 730 00:34:01,080 --> 00:34:03,840 Speaker 1: of update on him and where Adrian Peterson is going 731 00:34:03,920 --> 00:34:05,560 Speaker 1: to fit into this role this year. I know he 732 00:34:05,560 --> 00:34:08,080 Speaker 1: had obviously was forced into a lot of action because 733 00:34:08,120 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 1: of the injury. Talk a little bit about the running 734 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:12,879 Speaker 1: the running back position in general, but more importantly about 735 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:16,759 Speaker 1: Darius Guys and and Hiss comeback. Well, you know, he's uh, 736 00:34:17,040 --> 00:34:19,799 Speaker 1: he's a unique individual. He's a he's a very fiery guy, 737 00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:22,400 Speaker 1: very passionate guy, and he didn't get a chance to 738 00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:24,680 Speaker 1: play last year. First preseason game he went down, and 739 00:34:24,719 --> 00:34:28,080 Speaker 1: you know, obviously very long, grueling rehab for him. He 740 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:30,919 Speaker 1: really committed to it. A couple of setbacks along the way, 741 00:34:30,920 --> 00:34:34,239 Speaker 1: but he put it. He put a video of himself out, 742 00:34:34,920 --> 00:34:37,080 Speaker 1: I think on Instagram yesterday where he was just doing 743 00:34:37,080 --> 00:34:40,160 Speaker 1: some maniacal drills running on the practice field here. I 744 00:34:40,200 --> 00:34:42,399 Speaker 1: do think you will see very little of him early 745 00:34:42,440 --> 00:34:44,719 Speaker 1: in camp. I think, you know, the plan might be 746 00:34:45,239 --> 00:34:47,040 Speaker 1: and make sure he's at the starting gate when the 747 00:34:47,040 --> 00:34:51,640 Speaker 1: season starts. And Adrian Peterson played beyond expectations last year. 748 00:34:52,440 --> 00:34:54,399 Speaker 1: He blew the team away when they needed a running back. 749 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:56,400 Speaker 1: They brought it a bunch to to work out and 750 00:34:56,520 --> 00:34:59,160 Speaker 1: he wasn't barely sweat and after the workouts, so they said, Wow, 751 00:34:59,600 --> 00:35:02,000 Speaker 1: this guy in pretty good shape. And you talked about 752 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:03,920 Speaker 1: a gas tank. He seems to have a bigger gas 753 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:06,520 Speaker 1: tank than most. So I think he's gonna be prime 754 00:35:06,600 --> 00:35:09,640 Speaker 1: for a year. Chris Thompson, the third down back, you know, 755 00:35:09,719 --> 00:35:12,360 Speaker 1: has been healthy for the first time in off season, 756 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:14,919 Speaker 1: didn't have any kind of setbacks this year, so he's 757 00:35:15,040 --> 00:35:17,480 Speaker 1: he's looking real good in the off season drills. P 758 00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:19,319 Speaker 1: Ryan was a draft pick a couple of years ago. 759 00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:21,960 Speaker 1: He got a lot of the first team reps during 760 00:35:21,960 --> 00:35:24,600 Speaker 1: the off season. Because of the absence of a p 761 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:28,279 Speaker 1: he didn't participate in the voluntary program, and guys, you 762 00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:30,440 Speaker 1: know it wasn't going to be practicing during the off season. 763 00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:33,399 Speaker 1: So I think they've got plenty of running running backs 764 00:35:33,400 --> 00:35:35,160 Speaker 1: in the room. And Bryce Love wa pick up from 765 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:37,520 Speaker 1: Stanford who was coming back from an injury and his 766 00:35:37,560 --> 00:35:40,640 Speaker 1: senior year in college. He had been projected as maybe 767 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:42,719 Speaker 1: the top running back two years ago, but he got hurt, 768 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:46,279 Speaker 1: so they took a shot on him. But again back 769 00:35:46,320 --> 00:35:49,000 Speaker 1: to the previous comment, we know ourselves. Unless that offensive 770 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:51,640 Speaker 1: line is gonna make some holes, your running backs are 771 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:54,880 Speaker 1: gonna have anywhere to go. So a lot of optimism 772 00:35:54,920 --> 00:35:57,719 Speaker 1: about the Redskins running game. I think they've got a 773 00:35:57,760 --> 00:36:01,400 Speaker 1: pretty good room of running backs with offensive line being healthy. 774 00:36:01,440 --> 00:36:04,040 Speaker 1: And then Guys is kind of a wild card because 775 00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:07,239 Speaker 1: he isn't every down back, and Chris Thompson is as well, 776 00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:08,880 Speaker 1: but you know he's a little smaller. They prefer to 777 00:36:08,960 --> 00:36:11,640 Speaker 1: use him in third down. And Adrian Peterson, you know, 778 00:36:11,680 --> 00:36:14,040 Speaker 1: you want to keep feeding the beast the ball, So 779 00:36:14,800 --> 00:36:17,160 Speaker 1: it's a it's a nice combination. I think there's good 780 00:36:17,160 --> 00:36:19,200 Speaker 1: optimism on the ring game this year for the Skins. 781 00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:21,200 Speaker 1: And if you look at the numbers last season. To 782 00:36:21,239 --> 00:36:24,120 Speaker 1: your point, Larry, Adrian Peterson when he ran for ninety 783 00:36:24,160 --> 00:36:26,080 Speaker 1: six yards in a game five and two, and then 784 00:36:26,160 --> 00:36:28,520 Speaker 1: second half of the season offensive line gets banged up 785 00:36:28,680 --> 00:36:31,120 Speaker 1: two and seven when he's below ninety six yards. So 786 00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:33,480 Speaker 1: I'm agreement with you. I mean, if the offensive line 787 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:36,360 Speaker 1: comes to play he's healthy, they could certainly still be dangerous. 788 00:36:36,360 --> 00:36:39,279 Speaker 1: We're talking to Larry Michael, the radio play by play 789 00:36:39,280 --> 00:36:41,840 Speaker 1: announcer for the Washington Redskins. Then we get to the 790 00:36:41,880 --> 00:36:44,600 Speaker 1: receiving corps. Larry, and while I think there's some question 791 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:47,360 Speaker 1: marks on the offensive line, in my personal opinion, I 792 00:36:47,400 --> 00:36:50,120 Speaker 1: think the receiving corps maybe the biggest question mark for 793 00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:53,160 Speaker 1: this team. You lose Jamison Crowder, he goes to the Jets. 794 00:36:53,440 --> 00:36:55,560 Speaker 1: There's some upside and a guy like Trey Quinn who 795 00:36:55,560 --> 00:36:58,160 Speaker 1: was hurt last season, but you know, Josh Dockson, I 796 00:36:58,160 --> 00:37:00,799 Speaker 1: think the clocks ticking there in terms of his consistency. 797 00:37:01,160 --> 00:37:03,520 Speaker 1: You had Paul Richardson was banged up and they just 798 00:37:03,600 --> 00:37:07,399 Speaker 1: drafted Terry McLaurin. What is your feelings of this receiving corps, 799 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:10,840 Speaker 1: which is gonna be so critical obviously to whichever quarterback 800 00:37:11,040 --> 00:37:13,640 Speaker 1: plays the bulk of the reps this season. Well, I 801 00:37:13,640 --> 00:37:16,239 Speaker 1: mean it's almost like you're one of our fans their lance, 802 00:37:16,280 --> 00:37:18,279 Speaker 1: because that's the emails I get to the TV show 803 00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:20,600 Speaker 1: all the time. You know, where's the number one receiver? 804 00:37:20,719 --> 00:37:23,000 Speaker 1: Had an email today? Who's the Redskins number one receiver? 805 00:37:23,080 --> 00:37:25,759 Speaker 1: You'd wanted to be Josh Dockson. You'd wanted to be 806 00:37:25,880 --> 00:37:28,440 Speaker 1: Josh docks And he's a former first round pick and 807 00:37:28,520 --> 00:37:31,319 Speaker 1: he's had a couple of injuries along the way. He's 808 00:37:31,360 --> 00:37:33,359 Speaker 1: in the last year of his contract, and normally when 809 00:37:33,400 --> 00:37:34,840 Speaker 1: you see a player like that, you know he's just 810 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:37,280 Speaker 1: gonna go all out and try to just make something 811 00:37:37,320 --> 00:37:39,480 Speaker 1: happen this year because he wants to, you know, he 812 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:41,400 Speaker 1: wants to be a highly paid wide receiver in the 813 00:37:41,480 --> 00:37:44,600 Speaker 1: National Football League. To me, that's a great motivated factor. 814 00:37:45,040 --> 00:37:48,600 Speaker 1: Paul Richardson got hurt last year and he's that deep threat, 815 00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:51,680 Speaker 1: but you don't know how he's gonna figure in. You 816 00:37:51,719 --> 00:37:55,160 Speaker 1: didn mention Trey Quinn Crowder became a little too expensive 817 00:37:55,200 --> 00:37:57,319 Speaker 1: for the I think the Redskins allowed him to go. 818 00:37:57,360 --> 00:37:59,000 Speaker 1: As much as they didn't want to see him go, 819 00:37:59,719 --> 00:38:02,719 Speaker 1: they weren't prepared to pay what was gonna get paid 820 00:38:02,719 --> 00:38:06,320 Speaker 1: for that slot receiver. But tray Quinn had been the understudy, 821 00:38:06,800 --> 00:38:09,840 Speaker 1: has great hands, great round were out running ability, and 822 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:12,480 Speaker 1: you mentioned McLaren, who's probably the fastest of the bunch. 823 00:38:12,840 --> 00:38:14,839 Speaker 1: He didn't mention a guy named Can Sims who made 824 00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:17,879 Speaker 1: the team last year. Sixth four receiver out of Alabama 825 00:38:18,360 --> 00:38:21,560 Speaker 1: made the team last year and on the first kickoff, 826 00:38:21,640 --> 00:38:23,799 Speaker 1: the opening kickoff of the opening game, had a high 827 00:38:23,840 --> 00:38:26,880 Speaker 1: ankle spring on special teams and he was shelved. So 828 00:38:27,320 --> 00:38:29,480 Speaker 1: he's kind of like the secret reaping. There's no secret 829 00:38:29,480 --> 00:38:33,080 Speaker 1: weapons in the NFL. Obviously, everybody scouts everybody. But he's 830 00:38:33,120 --> 00:38:37,160 Speaker 1: a player that could step up unexpectedly, someone who the 831 00:38:37,160 --> 00:38:40,520 Speaker 1: Redskins fans know about, haven't seen much of him. Very 832 00:38:40,600 --> 00:38:42,759 Speaker 1: talented and if he you know, if he can get 833 00:38:42,760 --> 00:38:44,759 Speaker 1: I mean get through get through camp, everybody gets the 834 00:38:44,760 --> 00:38:48,000 Speaker 1: starting get healthy. You don't you might not identify a 835 00:38:48,080 --> 00:38:50,719 Speaker 1: number one receiver, but do you have to have a 836 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:54,040 Speaker 1: number one receiver? I guess maybe you do, you know, 837 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:56,760 Speaker 1: I think that could evolve over the season. Josh Dockson 838 00:38:56,840 --> 00:38:59,120 Speaker 1: is a guy, you know, obviously playing final year of 839 00:38:59,160 --> 00:39:02,040 Speaker 1: his contract. A lot of heat on him to perform 840 00:39:02,080 --> 00:39:03,839 Speaker 1: this year. And you've got some youngsters in there too. 841 00:39:04,040 --> 00:39:06,719 Speaker 1: Kelvin Harmon, the player out of Jersey you went to 842 00:39:06,840 --> 00:39:10,440 Speaker 1: NC State, was NC State's all time receiver. He looks 843 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:13,480 Speaker 1: like an outstanding player. Fell in the draft because of 844 00:39:13,520 --> 00:39:15,799 Speaker 1: a slow time in the forty at the combine, But 845 00:39:15,880 --> 00:39:17,600 Speaker 1: he looks the part two. So I think they've got 846 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:20,680 Speaker 1: plenty of receivers. Might they lack a clear number one? 847 00:39:21,040 --> 00:39:24,239 Speaker 1: Probably at this point they do. Well, I know you 848 00:39:24,239 --> 00:39:26,280 Speaker 1: have a number one tight end over there in Jordan 849 00:39:26,360 --> 00:39:29,200 Speaker 1: Read because he's a he's a he's a giant killer. 850 00:39:29,480 --> 00:39:31,640 Speaker 1: Along with that, we're gonna go to the defensive side 851 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:34,600 Speaker 1: and um one giant killer. And I'm sure that Eric 852 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:37,480 Speaker 1: Flowers is happy to see as a teammate is Ryan Karrogan, 853 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:39,960 Speaker 1: because I tell you that as a man, he is 854 00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:42,920 Speaker 1: a playmaking beast that yet he all he does is 855 00:39:42,960 --> 00:39:45,880 Speaker 1: make tackles and stacks against the giants. Let's go to 856 00:39:45,920 --> 00:39:48,120 Speaker 1: that defensive law. Actually, it's gonna stay with the linebackers. 857 00:39:48,120 --> 00:39:50,000 Speaker 1: I'm curious to see you a little bit about what's 858 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:52,440 Speaker 1: happening um with that defense and where they're going to 859 00:39:52,480 --> 00:39:55,880 Speaker 1: be this year. Well, you mentioned karg and he mentioned 860 00:39:55,880 --> 00:39:58,160 Speaker 1: the obvious with Flowers. I didn't want to just flat 861 00:39:58,160 --> 00:40:01,400 Speaker 1: out say that, but I didn't. You know, obviously, we 862 00:40:01,160 --> 00:40:03,760 Speaker 1: we we all watched the same games the last few years, 863 00:40:04,440 --> 00:40:07,320 Speaker 1: so you know, but Karagan is an outstanding player that 864 00:40:07,360 --> 00:40:09,400 Speaker 1: it really takes nothing away from him. And it's the end, 865 00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:11,719 Speaker 1: not point to finger at Erica's Karrigan is really good. 866 00:40:11,760 --> 00:40:14,120 Speaker 1: But the fact that they got a chance to draft 867 00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:17,200 Speaker 1: Montess went in the first round, a player that could 868 00:40:17,239 --> 00:40:20,279 Speaker 1: be opposite carrying, a player who on third down is 869 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:23,480 Speaker 1: going to have to demand attention. And Kerrigan we are 870 00:40:23,560 --> 00:40:25,319 Speaker 1: kind of like, you know, who's rushing the passer for 871 00:40:25,320 --> 00:40:27,960 Speaker 1: the Redskins last couple of years, it's been Karragan and 872 00:40:28,120 --> 00:40:30,960 Speaker 1: who else. Now you put him in there, and he 873 00:40:31,040 --> 00:40:32,920 Speaker 1: is a freaking nature. He looks a lot like a 874 00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:37,160 Speaker 1: Carris or Haley. He's got this long, lean body and 875 00:40:37,239 --> 00:40:39,520 Speaker 1: he's a pass rusher. So that's going to help car 876 00:40:39,600 --> 00:40:43,000 Speaker 1: again a lot. Ryan Anderson, the third year player at Alabama, 877 00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:45,759 Speaker 1: as kind of we had Preston Smith last year. He 878 00:40:45,840 --> 00:40:48,440 Speaker 1: left by a free agency, so Ryan Anderson is going 879 00:40:48,480 --> 00:40:50,040 Speaker 1: to step in there too, so I think they're pretty 880 00:40:50,040 --> 00:40:53,680 Speaker 1: good shape at outside linebackers. The loss of Ruben Foster 881 00:40:53,760 --> 00:40:56,000 Speaker 1: on the first day of O T a S at 882 00:40:56,040 --> 00:40:59,439 Speaker 1: the time was really devastating. It was an emotional loss 883 00:40:59,440 --> 00:41:03,240 Speaker 1: because the guy gone through so much to become active, 884 00:41:03,280 --> 00:41:05,239 Speaker 1: to play, to go through all of the issues he 885 00:41:05,320 --> 00:41:08,839 Speaker 1: went through, and he really was just a model model guy. 886 00:41:09,840 --> 00:41:11,360 Speaker 1: Really get to know a guy. If you work in 887 00:41:11,400 --> 00:41:13,879 Speaker 1: the same location you guys know, sometimes what you hear 888 00:41:14,400 --> 00:41:16,080 Speaker 1: isn't what you get. And this guy was great, and 889 00:41:16,080 --> 00:41:18,440 Speaker 1: he went down, you know, basically the first day of 890 00:41:18,440 --> 00:41:20,719 Speaker 1: O T a S. So they kind of have to 891 00:41:20,719 --> 00:41:23,640 Speaker 1: reassess where they're at. Inside drafted a guy Cole Holkim 892 00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:27,279 Speaker 1: out of North Carolina. Uh. He's a little bit undersized 893 00:41:27,320 --> 00:41:30,080 Speaker 1: for linebacker, but he's got great speed, makes a lot 894 00:41:30,120 --> 00:41:34,080 Speaker 1: of tackles. And last year Shawn Dion Hamilton's another Alabama player, 895 00:41:34,160 --> 00:41:36,640 Speaker 1: was drafted and he was coming off an injury his 896 00:41:36,719 --> 00:41:38,520 Speaker 1: last year at Alabama. By the end of the year 897 00:41:38,560 --> 00:41:41,359 Speaker 1: he had stepped in at the inside backer spot and 898 00:41:41,360 --> 00:41:43,879 Speaker 1: and he looked really good. So, you know, I guess 899 00:41:43,920 --> 00:41:47,360 Speaker 1: there's some question marks there, No question marks about the 900 00:41:47,360 --> 00:41:50,080 Speaker 1: strength of the team. The heart of the team is 901 00:41:50,120 --> 00:41:53,080 Speaker 1: the defensive line of his football team. They invested two 902 00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:57,120 Speaker 1: first round picks, They invested money and Matt Ianitis out 903 00:41:57,120 --> 00:42:00,000 Speaker 1: of Flemington, New Jersey. He's really grown as a player. 904 00:42:00,640 --> 00:42:02,839 Speaker 1: They've got a couple of other guys who give them depth, 905 00:42:02,920 --> 00:42:06,319 Speaker 1: him Settle, Caleb Brantley. The defensive line of this team 906 00:42:06,400 --> 00:42:07,799 Speaker 1: is the heart and soul of the team, and it's 907 00:42:07,840 --> 00:42:10,160 Speaker 1: also the heart and soul of the leadership of the team. 908 00:42:10,280 --> 00:42:12,799 Speaker 1: They bring this attitude and I want to say, it's 909 00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:14,880 Speaker 1: like they like to brag us a little bit of 910 00:42:14,880 --> 00:42:18,160 Speaker 1: their Alabama attitude. But you know what's gonna happen. It's 911 00:42:18,280 --> 00:42:20,359 Speaker 1: pretty much what's gonna happen when we get out there. 912 00:42:20,360 --> 00:42:22,880 Speaker 1: It's in our hands. And I think they have taken 913 00:42:22,960 --> 00:42:26,239 Speaker 1: leadership brains of the team, and it's undeniable if you're 914 00:42:26,200 --> 00:42:28,360 Speaker 1: around the football team. The defensive line is the strength 915 00:42:28,400 --> 00:42:31,239 Speaker 1: of the team. So that's going to help the guys 916 00:42:31,239 --> 00:42:33,000 Speaker 1: in the back end. And and again a lot of 917 00:42:33,000 --> 00:42:37,160 Speaker 1: familiarity here because we have your former number twenty one. 918 00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:40,760 Speaker 1: Of course here he cannot wear twenty one, but but 919 00:42:40,760 --> 00:42:43,200 Speaker 1: but there he wore twenty one. And and just to 920 00:42:43,239 --> 00:42:45,799 Speaker 1: look at that guy in practice and say, you know, 921 00:42:46,000 --> 00:42:48,719 Speaker 1: you know, how did he end up with the Redskins. 922 00:42:49,400 --> 00:42:51,800 Speaker 1: I just I can't believe that that he's on the team. 923 00:42:51,800 --> 00:42:55,080 Speaker 1: He's and it's obviously all these Sean Taylor references and 924 00:42:55,160 --> 00:42:59,000 Speaker 1: he idolized Sean Taylor, who is still you know, revered 925 00:42:59,000 --> 00:43:01,880 Speaker 1: in this building. It just only seems like yesterday he 926 00:43:01,920 --> 00:43:05,319 Speaker 1: passed away and it's been over ten years. But to 927 00:43:05,360 --> 00:43:07,839 Speaker 1: put him in the in the secondary has completely changed 928 00:43:07,840 --> 00:43:10,080 Speaker 1: the complexion of the secondary. And he's such a team 929 00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:14,160 Speaker 1: first guy from what I can see, and another instant leader. 930 00:43:14,760 --> 00:43:17,600 Speaker 1: So to me strengthen the teams of defense, I don't 931 00:43:17,600 --> 00:43:20,279 Speaker 1: think I'm telling any secrets by saying that they they 932 00:43:20,320 --> 00:43:22,919 Speaker 1: missed a lot of money in the defense and they're 933 00:43:22,960 --> 00:43:24,960 Speaker 1: gonna have to step up. The beginning of the schedule 934 00:43:25,040 --> 00:43:27,080 Speaker 1: is very tough. You know a lot of them to 935 00:43:27,080 --> 00:43:29,319 Speaker 1: be NFC East games, so the Patriots in there early 936 00:43:29,360 --> 00:43:33,160 Speaker 1: as well, open with the Eagles. So you know the schedule, 937 00:43:33,360 --> 00:43:35,319 Speaker 1: you're going to find out early about the football team. 938 00:43:35,360 --> 00:43:37,840 Speaker 1: How ready they're going to be. Absolutely and Larry you 939 00:43:37,920 --> 00:43:40,279 Speaker 1: just brought up Landed Collins. It's amazing. The more and more. 940 00:43:40,360 --> 00:43:43,120 Speaker 1: You list the personnel, how much crossover there is between 941 00:43:43,120 --> 00:43:45,760 Speaker 1: the Giants and the Redskins. It's so many former players 942 00:43:45,800 --> 00:43:47,880 Speaker 1: I know d r C also on the Redskins roster. 943 00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:50,520 Speaker 1: And you mentioned the impact that you've already seen from 944 00:43:50,600 --> 00:43:54,640 Speaker 1: Landed Collins, but big picture perspective, even beyond Collins the 945 00:43:54,800 --> 00:43:57,279 Speaker 1: safety position, Larry, there's been a lot of turnover there 946 00:43:57,280 --> 00:44:01,640 Speaker 1: in Washington. How much does Landing in your opinion, provides stability, 947 00:44:01,800 --> 00:44:05,279 Speaker 1: be that stabilizing force for the back end so that 948 00:44:05,640 --> 00:44:08,480 Speaker 1: the corners even you get better production out of him 949 00:44:08,800 --> 00:44:11,400 Speaker 1: for what maybe they were missing as a security blanket 950 00:44:11,400 --> 00:44:14,920 Speaker 1: at the safety position in years prior. Wells, I mean, 951 00:44:14,920 --> 00:44:16,880 Speaker 1: you can only talk about it being on paper, right 952 00:44:16,920 --> 00:44:19,440 Speaker 1: because we haven't seen these guys. They've got a jealousy unit. 953 00:44:19,480 --> 00:44:21,080 Speaker 1: But as you look at it on paper and you 954 00:44:21,120 --> 00:44:22,960 Speaker 1: look at him on the practice field and you get 955 00:44:23,000 --> 00:44:25,799 Speaker 1: to meet him, talk to him and know what he 956 00:44:25,880 --> 00:44:28,120 Speaker 1: brings the team, I think you're on the money. I mean, 957 00:44:28,160 --> 00:44:32,160 Speaker 1: he is a solidifying factor maybe for the entire defense, 958 00:44:32,200 --> 00:44:35,319 Speaker 1: because the defensive line is already solid. Those guys just 959 00:44:35,360 --> 00:44:37,399 Speaker 1: there a unit within a unit, and they're very very 960 00:44:37,400 --> 00:44:39,160 Speaker 1: tight knit group. Now you put a guy back there 961 00:44:39,200 --> 00:44:41,600 Speaker 1: like him, who's gonna be a traffic cop back there, 962 00:44:41,680 --> 00:44:43,879 Speaker 1: but also who's gonna be asked to do a lot 963 00:44:43,880 --> 00:44:47,120 Speaker 1: of different things, and so he is prepared to do that. 964 00:44:47,239 --> 00:44:49,960 Speaker 1: He's not a rookie's not a second year guy, and 965 00:44:50,080 --> 00:44:51,480 Speaker 1: you know, putting them back there, I think that's a 966 00:44:51,520 --> 00:44:54,759 Speaker 1: great point. The Redskins have had a revolving door at 967 00:44:54,760 --> 00:44:57,120 Speaker 1: safety pretty much for the last ten years. I mean, 968 00:44:57,600 --> 00:45:00,400 Speaker 1: they thought they had a tandem and Sean Taylor and 969 00:45:00,560 --> 00:45:03,399 Speaker 1: Laurent Landry that would last them a good long time. 970 00:45:03,400 --> 00:45:06,799 Speaker 1: And obviously history is what it is, and really since 971 00:45:06,840 --> 00:45:08,880 Speaker 1: then that's you're going back away, so that you know, 972 00:45:08,880 --> 00:45:11,600 Speaker 1: that would have evolved anyway, but I really haven't had 973 00:45:11,880 --> 00:45:14,680 Speaker 1: a solid presence back there. Maybe DJ Swerringer was that 974 00:45:14,800 --> 00:45:17,120 Speaker 1: for a couple of years, but as things began to 975 00:45:17,160 --> 00:45:19,520 Speaker 1: pile up last year and injuries began to pile up, 976 00:45:19,880 --> 00:45:22,120 Speaker 1: he ended up getting released at the end of the 977 00:45:22,200 --> 00:45:24,640 Speaker 1: year during the season, and I think that was a 978 00:45:24,719 --> 00:45:26,759 Speaker 1: move of looking at the future that they needed to, 979 00:45:27,200 --> 00:45:29,319 Speaker 1: you know, maybe get guys in here that you know, 980 00:45:29,320 --> 00:45:31,400 Speaker 1: we're gonna be leaders and that we're gonna you know, 981 00:45:31,440 --> 00:45:33,560 Speaker 1: talk to talking and walk to walk. Collins comes in 982 00:45:33,600 --> 00:45:37,759 Speaker 1: here first day here, got immediate respect from his teammates 983 00:45:38,360 --> 00:45:40,160 Speaker 1: and you know, agetting to know him a little bit. Again, 984 00:45:40,200 --> 00:45:41,680 Speaker 1: you guys know him a lot better than me. He 985 00:45:41,719 --> 00:45:43,920 Speaker 1: was there for many, many years. But he seems like 986 00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:45,840 Speaker 1: an all business guy. And he's not a guy that 987 00:45:45,880 --> 00:45:47,560 Speaker 1: you happened that much. I don't see him you happened 988 00:45:47,600 --> 00:45:50,080 Speaker 1: that much. So we'll see, we'll see. But I think 989 00:45:50,080 --> 00:45:53,440 Speaker 1: you're on point. I think he's a solid, solidified factor 990 00:45:53,480 --> 00:45:55,960 Speaker 1: for the secondary, which really needed one. Well, one thing 991 00:45:55,960 --> 00:45:57,879 Speaker 1: you're going to see out of him is he's he's 992 00:45:57,880 --> 00:46:00,960 Speaker 1: a gamer. The guy that he like not like to 993 00:46:01,000 --> 00:46:04,120 Speaker 1: come off the field. Um, he's that he's the ultimate 994 00:46:04,200 --> 00:46:06,200 Speaker 1: box safety, if you will. He makes a lot of 995 00:46:06,239 --> 00:46:09,239 Speaker 1: tackles and you know those type of players, they that 996 00:46:09,360 --> 00:46:12,160 Speaker 1: just lead. That's leadership on the field, leadership. He's not 997 00:46:12,200 --> 00:46:14,520 Speaker 1: a big talker off the field either, and that's why 998 00:46:14,560 --> 00:46:16,279 Speaker 1: the guys like him in the locker room. So I 999 00:46:16,280 --> 00:46:18,799 Speaker 1: think that he'll be a good addition to that secondary 1000 00:46:18,840 --> 00:46:21,080 Speaker 1: and um, hopefully you know he doesn't have two good 1001 00:46:21,120 --> 00:46:24,560 Speaker 1: days that during the season, Well, he's got a running 1002 00:46:24,600 --> 00:46:27,839 Speaker 1: back to deal with that. Right eye followed each other 1003 00:46:27,920 --> 00:46:30,600 Speaker 1: already in the open field. So that question has been 1004 00:46:30,600 --> 00:46:32,640 Speaker 1: asked the land in quite a bit. And you know, 1005 00:46:33,160 --> 00:46:35,440 Speaker 1: and that's what that's what makes us robbery better than 1006 00:46:35,480 --> 00:46:38,360 Speaker 1: most because you know, the reds can't hate the Giants, 1007 00:46:38,360 --> 00:46:41,080 Speaker 1: but you're not the cowboys, that's right. Yeah, And I agree. 1008 00:46:41,160 --> 00:46:43,600 Speaker 1: I think that everybody is safe to say that. And 1009 00:46:44,200 --> 00:46:46,760 Speaker 1: we've had we've had. One of one of my former 1010 00:46:46,840 --> 00:46:52,000 Speaker 1: partners is a very unique individual. He is pretty much 1011 00:46:52,040 --> 00:46:55,200 Speaker 1: a Hall of Famer with two organizations, and he's not 1012 00:46:55,239 --> 00:46:58,440 Speaker 1: on the broadcast crew anymore. But he taught me about 1013 00:46:58,440 --> 00:47:02,520 Speaker 1: that Redskins giant robbery named Sam Huff. Sam Huff told 1014 00:47:02,520 --> 00:47:04,600 Speaker 1: me when he was with the Giants and Ali Sherman 1015 00:47:05,040 --> 00:47:08,839 Speaker 1: man they would consider the Redskins two wins automatic before 1016 00:47:08,840 --> 00:47:11,239 Speaker 1: the season started. But then he got traded to the 1017 00:47:11,239 --> 00:47:14,560 Speaker 1: Redskins and he wanted nothing more than just annihilate and 1018 00:47:14,719 --> 00:47:17,680 Speaker 1: Ali Sherman. And in fact, one year he called the 1019 00:47:17,680 --> 00:47:21,400 Speaker 1: time out when the Redskins were up forty two, so 1020 00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:25,880 Speaker 1: they kicked a field goal to make So you guys, 1021 00:47:25,920 --> 00:47:29,640 Speaker 1: you guys, that's a little bit of the Redskins Giants history. Um, 1022 00:47:29,680 --> 00:47:32,919 Speaker 1: you know, and Sam Sam again revered in both organizations. 1023 00:47:32,920 --> 00:47:34,960 Speaker 1: So you know, I think, and now you got this 1024 00:47:35,040 --> 00:47:38,879 Speaker 1: quarterback situation that's gonna you know, obviously, how often? How 1025 00:47:38,920 --> 00:47:40,680 Speaker 1: often is that going to be mentioned when these two 1026 00:47:40,680 --> 00:47:45,279 Speaker 1: teams play, When the question would be the first time 1027 00:47:45,320 --> 00:47:48,680 Speaker 1: they play, will either of these young guys be playing? 1028 00:47:48,719 --> 00:47:52,319 Speaker 1: That's week four? Will either of these young guys be 1029 00:47:52,400 --> 00:47:56,720 Speaker 1: playing week four? I don't know. I don't know. That's interesting. 1030 00:47:57,480 --> 00:47:59,480 Speaker 1: If it was week eight, I think it'd be a 1031 00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:02,319 Speaker 1: little different conversation because there's more of a chance for 1032 00:48:02,640 --> 00:48:04,680 Speaker 1: either one of these teams that start to go south, 1033 00:48:04,760 --> 00:48:06,399 Speaker 1: and then you kind of know that these young guys 1034 00:48:06,560 --> 00:48:08,400 Speaker 1: are eventually going to make it into the lineup. But 1035 00:48:08,440 --> 00:48:10,560 Speaker 1: I don't know. That's gonna be a tough question. Well, 1036 00:48:10,600 --> 00:48:12,680 Speaker 1: it's certainly will be a conversation when they meet again 1037 00:48:12,800 --> 00:48:15,840 Speaker 1: in week sixteen. I think that and we got so 1038 00:48:16,040 --> 00:48:20,400 Speaker 1: tough we we will indeed, Larry, he is Larry Michael 1039 00:48:20,440 --> 00:48:22,759 Speaker 1: the Redskins radio play by playing out So Larry, really 1040 00:48:22,800 --> 00:48:25,040 Speaker 1: appreciate the time in the inside. Ah, he's good talking 1041 00:48:25,080 --> 00:48:26,960 Speaker 1: with you, and look forward to crossing paths this season. 1042 00:48:27,000 --> 00:48:30,040 Speaker 1: Thanks you so much, Larry, appreciate it. Take care of you, 1043 00:48:30,120 --> 00:48:32,319 Speaker 1: got it, Larry Michael once again weighing in on the 1044 00:48:32,360 --> 00:48:34,800 Speaker 1: outlook of the Washington Redskins. A lot of great stuff 1045 00:48:35,080 --> 00:48:37,239 Speaker 1: in terms of the question marks that they have on 1046 00:48:37,360 --> 00:48:40,200 Speaker 1: offense and defense. And it's interesting because it's almost like 1047 00:48:40,239 --> 00:48:43,560 Speaker 1: the complete opposite of the Giants, right their strength is defense. 1048 00:48:43,640 --> 00:48:46,400 Speaker 1: As Larry pointed out right, the Giants have more question marks, 1049 00:48:46,400 --> 00:48:48,359 Speaker 1: and the Giants feel a little bit better maybe about 1050 00:48:48,400 --> 00:48:50,480 Speaker 1: their offense going into the season. But you know, you 1051 00:48:50,480 --> 00:48:53,120 Speaker 1: look at that Redskins offense is a big question mark. 1052 00:48:53,200 --> 00:48:55,959 Speaker 1: I mean at the receiver position. I mean those that's 1053 00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:58,759 Speaker 1: not a that's not in my opinion, that is not 1054 00:48:58,880 --> 00:49:01,759 Speaker 1: a very strong ride receivers. Well, I mean that's why 1055 00:49:01,800 --> 00:49:04,000 Speaker 1: I brought that up. Donbelieve him. I'm looking at these 1056 00:49:04,080 --> 00:49:06,319 Speaker 1: names and then maybe they prove us wrong. But I mean, 1057 00:49:06,600 --> 00:49:09,839 Speaker 1: this is not a good situation. And you know, with 1058 00:49:10,200 --> 00:49:13,600 Speaker 1: that offensive line if it last year, I remember, remember 1059 00:49:13,680 --> 00:49:16,600 Speaker 1: we were it was unbelievable what the Redskins did with 1060 00:49:16,640 --> 00:49:19,200 Speaker 1: that offensive line. They had nobody last year. I'm especially 1061 00:49:19,280 --> 00:49:21,480 Speaker 1: the second game because the first game the Redskins ran 1062 00:49:21,680 --> 00:49:24,000 Speaker 1: all over the Giants. He had that big run. But 1063 00:49:24,040 --> 00:49:26,279 Speaker 1: they were healthy. The offensive line was healthy. Yeah, I 1064 00:49:26,280 --> 00:49:29,040 Speaker 1: mean it's just so we'll see what happened. But that's 1065 00:49:29,040 --> 00:49:31,680 Speaker 1: a good you know, I feel like Dwayne Haskins is 1066 00:49:31,719 --> 00:49:34,000 Speaker 1: going to be that. His his acumen is pretty good. 1067 00:49:34,120 --> 00:49:36,480 Speaker 1: He's he I mean, the guy can. He really is 1068 00:49:36,520 --> 00:49:39,440 Speaker 1: good as far as the game of football and understanding 1069 00:49:39,480 --> 00:49:41,160 Speaker 1: and how quickly he's going to be able to turn 1070 00:49:41,160 --> 00:49:43,560 Speaker 1: around the next level is something to be seen. But 1071 00:49:43,840 --> 00:49:46,080 Speaker 1: you know, you look at case Keenum, a guy who 1072 00:49:46,160 --> 00:49:47,560 Speaker 1: has been in the league a long time and have 1073 00:49:47,719 --> 00:49:52,080 Speaker 1: done plenty of offenses around where he's been at UM. 1074 00:49:52,400 --> 00:49:54,760 Speaker 1: I would pencil in him as the game one starter. 1075 00:49:55,360 --> 00:49:57,799 Speaker 1: But I but I feel like it's not gonna be 1076 00:49:57,920 --> 00:50:01,799 Speaker 1: how bad Case plays. It's gonna be when Dwayne Haskins 1077 00:50:02,400 --> 00:50:05,080 Speaker 1: the coaching staff feels he's ready, and then he's going 1078 00:50:05,120 --> 00:50:07,040 Speaker 1: to go in well. And the other thing that we 1079 00:50:07,080 --> 00:50:09,839 Speaker 1: didn't necessarily have time to bring up because it's pure speculation, 1080 00:50:10,280 --> 00:50:15,160 Speaker 1: how much does Jay Gruden's job security Jeff influence the 1081 00:50:15,200 --> 00:50:18,080 Speaker 1: decisions he makes at the quarterback position. You know, he's 1082 00:50:18,120 --> 00:50:20,680 Speaker 1: even jokingly thrown out, I don't know if I'm gonna 1083 00:50:20,719 --> 00:50:23,400 Speaker 1: be here next season, And once again, everybody loves to 1084 00:50:23,440 --> 00:50:25,480 Speaker 1: read into that, and I don't know if there is 1085 00:50:25,520 --> 00:50:28,960 Speaker 1: anything to read into that, but if cases playing decent, 1086 00:50:29,120 --> 00:50:32,720 Speaker 1: the team is though not necessarily translating that to wins, 1087 00:50:33,280 --> 00:50:36,719 Speaker 1: does now he have motivation? Alright, let's see what we 1088 00:50:36,760 --> 00:50:38,720 Speaker 1: could do with the young quarterback. Maybe the front office 1089 00:50:38,760 --> 00:50:42,000 Speaker 1: feels I could develop it. You know, listen, if there 1090 00:50:42,080 --> 00:50:44,399 Speaker 1: is one team in the National Football League that gets 1091 00:50:44,440 --> 00:50:47,200 Speaker 1: the heat, that heat comes from that front office and 1092 00:50:47,320 --> 00:50:50,880 Speaker 1: Dan Snyder absolutely know it. Dan Snyder picks up the 1093 00:50:50,880 --> 00:50:53,520 Speaker 1: phone and calls down there or whatever. It's on. Uh, 1094 00:50:53,560 --> 00:50:56,319 Speaker 1: this guy's going in. Hey, it's week five. I want 1095 00:50:56,320 --> 00:50:58,960 Speaker 1: to see him. Now he's going in. It's something I 1096 00:50:58,960 --> 00:51:00,919 Speaker 1: think he gotta take it. That gets iteration, And I'm 1097 00:51:00,920 --> 00:51:02,919 Speaker 1: with you. In terms of the receiving corps, I think 1098 00:51:02,960 --> 00:51:05,400 Speaker 1: that the Redskins have potential. You know, I read some 1099 00:51:05,440 --> 00:51:07,600 Speaker 1: of these names. Tray Quinn, I'm very high on. I 1100 00:51:07,600 --> 00:51:09,480 Speaker 1: would not be surprised if he has a really good season. 1101 00:51:09,640 --> 00:51:13,000 Speaker 1: Terry McLaurin their early draft pick. So you know, those 1102 00:51:13,040 --> 00:51:16,200 Speaker 1: two guys could be productive. It's just the could have, 1103 00:51:16,239 --> 00:51:18,200 Speaker 1: would have should a game a little bit with the Redskins. 1104 00:51:18,200 --> 00:51:20,960 Speaker 1: You know, if Josh Doxon made some catches, we'd probably 1105 00:51:21,000 --> 00:51:23,160 Speaker 1: be talking about him a little bit differently. I remember 1106 00:51:23,280 --> 00:51:27,040 Speaker 1: there was a Monday night game Jeff Chiefs Redskins Kirk Cousins. 1107 00:51:27,320 --> 00:51:29,920 Speaker 1: He he doesn't have a great prime time record, specifically 1108 00:51:29,960 --> 00:51:33,000 Speaker 1: on Monday Night. Well, that game, he throws into the 1109 00:51:33,120 --> 00:51:35,920 Speaker 1: end zone perfectly placed for Josh Doxon, would have been 1110 00:51:35,960 --> 00:51:38,400 Speaker 1: a go ahead touchdown and docks and drops it. You know, 1111 00:51:38,680 --> 00:51:40,959 Speaker 1: does everybody remember that when you think of a random 1112 00:51:41,000 --> 00:51:42,840 Speaker 1: Monday night game? No, which is another reason why I 1113 00:51:42,840 --> 00:51:45,040 Speaker 1: hate quarterback records. But we'll save that for a whole 1114 00:51:45,040 --> 00:51:48,440 Speaker 1: other program here on Big Blue Kickoff Live. In the meantime, 1115 00:51:48,680 --> 00:51:50,640 Speaker 1: let's head to the phone lines and try to give 1116 00:51:50,680 --> 00:51:53,360 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to weigh in on a few topics 1117 00:51:53,360 --> 00:51:56,960 Speaker 1: as we end the program. Two zero five one three, 1118 00:51:57,080 --> 00:51:59,960 Speaker 1: Keith is in Cranford. Keith, Welcome to Big Blue Kickoff. 1119 00:52:00,120 --> 00:52:03,239 Speaker 1: What do you okay? I just want to say I 1120 00:52:03,280 --> 00:52:07,560 Speaker 1: love your show and I've been watching it for years. Um, 1121 00:52:07,719 --> 00:52:09,560 Speaker 1: the first time I've ever been able to get in 1122 00:52:09,680 --> 00:52:13,880 Speaker 1: and give you a call. But I also helped build 1123 00:52:13,920 --> 00:52:16,400 Speaker 1: the original Giant Stadium and built and helped build the 1124 00:52:16,600 --> 00:52:19,560 Speaker 1: new stadium also, so we did a hell of a job. 1125 00:52:21,960 --> 00:52:24,640 Speaker 1: So but the main thing that I'm what I can 1126 00:52:24,719 --> 00:52:28,600 Speaker 1: say is I like the way there they redid the 1127 00:52:28,760 --> 00:52:32,439 Speaker 1: offensive line. Proof is in the pudding. When we start 1128 00:52:32,440 --> 00:52:34,560 Speaker 1: putting pads on everything else, I want to see what 1129 00:52:34,600 --> 00:52:38,560 Speaker 1: it really can do. Hopefully gives um Eli a bit 1130 00:52:38,600 --> 00:52:42,120 Speaker 1: more time, because I really do like Eli and I 1131 00:52:42,160 --> 00:52:45,719 Speaker 1: want to see them perform able to open up some 1132 00:52:45,800 --> 00:52:48,880 Speaker 1: holes for the run also. But the main, main, the 1133 00:52:48,960 --> 00:52:52,040 Speaker 1: main things that I'm looking at is on defense, because 1134 00:52:52,080 --> 00:52:54,120 Speaker 1: in the last quite a few years, we've e been 1135 00:52:54,800 --> 00:52:56,760 Speaker 1: tight ends have been eating our lunch and I'm hoping 1136 00:52:56,800 --> 00:52:59,640 Speaker 1: Pepper's is part of the answer. But I like the 1137 00:52:59,640 --> 00:53:03,239 Speaker 1: fact we really have If we can come up with 1138 00:53:03,280 --> 00:53:06,080 Speaker 1: a strong secondary, I think you can solve a lot 1139 00:53:06,080 --> 00:53:09,759 Speaker 1: of our problems, because I don't. I think we might 1140 00:53:09,800 --> 00:53:11,319 Speaker 1: have a bit of a pass rest, but I'm not 1141 00:53:11,360 --> 00:53:13,359 Speaker 1: sure it's how good it's gonna be. So I just 1142 00:53:13,400 --> 00:53:15,479 Speaker 1: want to know what you thought about how we're gonna 1143 00:53:15,520 --> 00:53:19,120 Speaker 1: be covering the tight ends. Well, I think that I 1144 00:53:19,160 --> 00:53:23,560 Speaker 1: think at the linebacker, the outside linebacker position, Okay, um 1145 00:53:23,840 --> 00:53:25,319 Speaker 1: you get you got a little bit of you got 1146 00:53:25,360 --> 00:53:27,960 Speaker 1: a little bit of better speed, Okay, I think that's 1147 00:53:27,960 --> 00:53:30,120 Speaker 1: where it's all about. I mean your your your linebacker 1148 00:53:30,160 --> 00:53:32,359 Speaker 1: has got to be able to cover and in years past, 1149 00:53:32,440 --> 00:53:34,040 Speaker 1: I mean, you're right about the tight ends. I mean, 1150 00:53:34,080 --> 00:53:36,800 Speaker 1: let's just talk about Jason Wentten. I mean and and 1151 00:53:36,800 --> 00:53:39,680 Speaker 1: and um and read and just the Earth's I mean, 1152 00:53:39,920 --> 00:53:42,080 Speaker 1: the list goes on. And not that those guys are 1153 00:53:42,120 --> 00:53:44,759 Speaker 1: chopped Liver. They're pretty darn good tight ends. But for 1154 00:53:44,800 --> 00:53:46,920 Speaker 1: some reason, the Giants have always had a problem covering 1155 00:53:46,960 --> 00:53:49,840 Speaker 1: those guys. So I do believe that your Bill Peppers 1156 00:53:49,840 --> 00:53:52,320 Speaker 1: will be helpful there because I think your Bill Peppers 1157 00:53:52,320 --> 00:53:56,520 Speaker 1: is a better cover safety than Landon Collins was. I 1158 00:53:56,560 --> 00:53:59,120 Speaker 1: absolutely agree with that. So we'll see. But you're right, 1159 00:53:59,200 --> 00:54:01,560 Speaker 1: the proof is in the potting here, and I think 1160 00:54:01,560 --> 00:54:04,360 Speaker 1: that that is a point that coach betcher And is 1161 00:54:04,400 --> 00:54:06,520 Speaker 1: certainly making on this defense, is that we got to 1162 00:54:06,560 --> 00:54:10,279 Speaker 1: cover better from the tight end position. Because offenses today 1163 00:54:10,440 --> 00:54:12,600 Speaker 1: they run that personnel where they have that line, those 1164 00:54:12,640 --> 00:54:15,480 Speaker 1: linebackers get matched up on those tight ends. That's a mismatch, 1165 00:54:15,520 --> 00:54:17,840 Speaker 1: and that's what they're trying to go at another I 1166 00:54:17,840 --> 00:54:22,799 Speaker 1: think we might have a mismatch for other teams. Well, 1167 00:54:22,840 --> 00:54:25,200 Speaker 1: if Evan Ingraham stays healthy, absolutely, I mean, if he 1168 00:54:25,200 --> 00:54:27,520 Speaker 1: could build off what he did in the final four games. 1169 00:54:27,880 --> 00:54:30,080 Speaker 1: I'm certainly with you there, Keith. Another thing I want 1170 00:54:30,080 --> 00:54:31,680 Speaker 1: to throw out on the defensive side of the ball 1171 00:54:31,760 --> 00:54:33,640 Speaker 1: that I'm not saying he is going to be lined 1172 00:54:33,719 --> 00:54:36,080 Speaker 1: up on tight ends. But is somebody Jeff that they 1173 00:54:36,120 --> 00:54:39,439 Speaker 1: could experiment with. Is Julian Love one of their draft picks, 1174 00:54:39,440 --> 00:54:42,719 Speaker 1: because Love's got the versatility to be a corner slash safety, 1175 00:54:43,040 --> 00:54:45,279 Speaker 1: you know, play out of the slot moved to the outside. 1176 00:54:45,560 --> 00:54:47,960 Speaker 1: That's a guy that I think is intriguing to watch, 1177 00:54:48,040 --> 00:54:51,240 Speaker 1: depending on how quickly he picks up on the defense, 1178 00:54:51,280 --> 00:54:52,800 Speaker 1: that they may want to throw out there too in 1179 00:54:52,880 --> 00:54:56,200 Speaker 1: those circumstances. Sure. I mean. The other thing I feel 1180 00:54:56,320 --> 00:54:58,719 Speaker 1: is also that what they're doing with the defense is 1181 00:54:58,800 --> 00:55:03,160 Speaker 1: up there, giving it a lot more flexibility. So I 1182 00:55:03,200 --> 00:55:07,279 Speaker 1: think they're gonna be harder to figure out what they're 1183 00:55:07,280 --> 00:55:10,480 Speaker 1: doing because they have people that can do more things together. 1184 00:55:10,560 --> 00:55:13,600 Speaker 1: You know. Well, there's that versatility factor. I think you 1185 00:55:14,200 --> 00:55:16,719 Speaker 1: and that that that makes it a lot more interesting. 1186 00:55:16,840 --> 00:55:18,640 Speaker 1: And if you can not show them what you're gonna 1187 00:55:18,640 --> 00:55:21,600 Speaker 1: do and sort of keep them guessing a little bit more, 1188 00:55:21,800 --> 00:55:24,040 Speaker 1: I think that's helpful. Well, I think you bring up 1189 00:55:24,040 --> 00:55:25,520 Speaker 1: a really good point and we'll let you go on 1190 00:55:25,520 --> 00:55:27,319 Speaker 1: that note, Keith, thanks so much for tuning in, Thanks 1191 00:55:27,320 --> 00:55:29,799 Speaker 1: so much for following the show, and piggybacking off of 1192 00:55:29,880 --> 00:55:34,040 Speaker 1: his point. I think when you're playing the Giants defense 1193 00:55:34,120 --> 00:55:37,080 Speaker 1: this season, Jeff, and normally you always look for, right, 1194 00:55:37,120 --> 00:55:38,920 Speaker 1: who's the guy that maybe he is going to demand 1195 00:55:38,920 --> 00:55:40,959 Speaker 1: the double team? Jeff? Who do we want to throw 1196 00:55:41,000 --> 00:55:43,920 Speaker 1: away from we want to avoid? I don't know if 1197 00:55:43,960 --> 00:55:47,239 Speaker 1: the Giants necessarily have one or two guys that immediately 1198 00:55:47,360 --> 00:55:50,600 Speaker 1: draws in the attention of an opposing offensive coordinator. So 1199 00:55:50,719 --> 00:55:54,080 Speaker 1: that alone, I think goes to the point that Keith 1200 00:55:54,160 --> 00:55:56,400 Speaker 1: was bringing up that there is a bit of an unknown, 1201 00:55:56,480 --> 00:55:58,560 Speaker 1: and with a bit of an unknown and guys being 1202 00:55:58,560 --> 00:56:01,000 Speaker 1: moved around and mixed and act, you know who's gonna 1203 00:56:01,080 --> 00:56:02,719 Speaker 1: lead this team in sacks? I think you can throw 1204 00:56:02,760 --> 00:56:04,520 Speaker 1: out a bunch of different names. You know, who's gonna 1205 00:56:04,520 --> 00:56:07,200 Speaker 1: be the top coverage guy, who's going to be maybe 1206 00:56:07,200 --> 00:56:09,040 Speaker 1: one of the young guys that was a little bit 1207 00:56:09,160 --> 00:56:12,000 Speaker 1: quiet last season that's going to emerge that adds some 1208 00:56:12,080 --> 00:56:15,080 Speaker 1: intrigue to this defense. And we talk about other defenses 1209 00:56:15,120 --> 00:56:17,839 Speaker 1: and other teams, you right away can pretty much come 1210 00:56:17,920 --> 00:56:20,120 Speaker 1: up with a player that you just asked about. You 1211 00:56:20,120 --> 00:56:22,840 Speaker 1: know this this team? No, you really can't. You know 1212 00:56:22,840 --> 00:56:24,480 Speaker 1: who is who is going to be your guy that 1213 00:56:24,560 --> 00:56:27,080 Speaker 1: leads the team in sacks. Is it going to come 1214 00:56:27,080 --> 00:56:29,240 Speaker 1: from the interior or the gonna come from the outside. 1215 00:56:29,239 --> 00:56:32,040 Speaker 1: I don't know, to be honest with you, I actually 1216 00:56:32,120 --> 00:56:35,120 Speaker 1: think it's gonna come from inside. I really period defense 1217 00:56:35,200 --> 00:56:38,440 Speaker 1: want interesting? I really do you mean like a Dexter 1218 00:56:38,600 --> 00:56:42,000 Speaker 1: Lawrence or a B. J. Hill That I feel Dexter 1219 00:56:42,160 --> 00:56:45,280 Speaker 1: Lawrence is kind of the X factor in this defense 1220 00:56:45,320 --> 00:56:47,920 Speaker 1: because I think he's so versatile, how he can be, 1221 00:56:48,040 --> 00:56:51,839 Speaker 1: how they can use him. But I feel like he's 1222 00:56:52,320 --> 00:56:55,920 Speaker 1: he just understands the game of football so well and 1223 00:56:55,960 --> 00:56:57,480 Speaker 1: that not only is he going to get in the 1224 00:56:57,520 --> 00:57:00,520 Speaker 1: face of the quarterbacks you watch, he will be knocking 1225 00:57:00,560 --> 00:57:02,440 Speaker 1: down balls at the line of scrimmage because he's a 1226 00:57:02,480 --> 00:57:05,680 Speaker 1: big dude. But I also by watching him on film, 1227 00:57:05,800 --> 00:57:08,400 Speaker 1: I see him he and seeing him in a practice. 1228 00:57:08,440 --> 00:57:10,680 Speaker 1: He has good presence as far as where the football 1229 00:57:10,800 --> 00:57:12,800 Speaker 1: is going, both in the air and on the ground. 1230 00:57:13,320 --> 00:57:15,080 Speaker 1: And I think he's gonna make some big plays. And 1231 00:57:15,200 --> 00:57:18,040 Speaker 1: you've got you know, you got the whole just that 1232 00:57:18,080 --> 00:57:20,960 Speaker 1: whole defensive line. I think is fun to watch. It's 1233 00:57:21,000 --> 00:57:23,600 Speaker 1: been finally built up to. I think that that's where 1234 00:57:23,600 --> 00:57:25,880 Speaker 1: the sacks are going to come from. Now Listen, Um 1235 00:57:25,960 --> 00:57:28,960 Speaker 1: Carter and Marcus Golden. Of course they've got to have 1236 00:57:29,040 --> 00:57:31,600 Speaker 1: good years. I think they want to. Marcus Golden is 1237 00:57:32,440 --> 00:57:35,080 Speaker 1: that guy has a motor man, you know, so he 1238 00:57:35,160 --> 00:57:36,640 Speaker 1: will be I saw him in some of the O 1239 00:57:36,760 --> 00:57:39,160 Speaker 1: t A practices. That guy is in the face of 1240 00:57:39,160 --> 00:57:41,480 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks every team are granted they're going against some 1241 00:57:41,640 --> 00:57:45,520 Speaker 1: you know, Nate Solder is not there, so Grammers is 1242 00:57:45,560 --> 00:57:47,240 Speaker 1: not there, So who are they behind there? Behind the 1243 00:57:47,280 --> 00:57:50,320 Speaker 1: second team tackles and so you know, Yeah, he makes 1244 00:57:50,320 --> 00:57:53,360 Speaker 1: some plays in there. But I think those could the 1245 00:57:53,400 --> 00:57:55,320 Speaker 1: sacks could come from the outside, but I have a 1246 00:57:55,320 --> 00:57:57,280 Speaker 1: feeling that they're the leaders are going to be from 1247 00:57:57,280 --> 00:58:00,200 Speaker 1: the inside. Well, I think Golden's an X factor for 1248 00:58:00,320 --> 00:58:03,160 Speaker 1: what you just laid out. If Golden taps back into 1249 00:58:03,200 --> 00:58:05,400 Speaker 1: what he did in two thousand six, Jeff, I mean, 1250 00:58:05,440 --> 00:58:07,560 Speaker 1: that would be a huge bonus for the Giants. And 1251 00:58:08,080 --> 00:58:12,280 Speaker 1: here's another name, Oh Shane Ziminez. Maybe Ziminez surprises a 1252 00:58:12,280 --> 00:58:15,240 Speaker 1: lot of people and has an impressive rookie campaign. He 1253 00:58:15,280 --> 00:58:17,840 Speaker 1: gives you something that's also I think a pleasant surprise. 1254 00:58:17,920 --> 00:58:20,280 Speaker 1: There's no question. It's just a matter of his maturity 1255 00:58:20,320 --> 00:58:22,440 Speaker 1: and how and how he can pick up things. You know, folks, 1256 00:58:22,520 --> 00:58:24,680 Speaker 1: I can tell you that you know just by listening 1257 00:58:24,720 --> 00:58:26,919 Speaker 1: to people, and they're always they say the same things. 1258 00:58:27,000 --> 00:58:29,720 Speaker 1: Rookies are rookies. You're obviously a rookies because it's the 1259 00:58:29,840 --> 00:58:33,280 Speaker 1: first year. You know that, but it's you're there. It's tough. 1260 00:58:33,560 --> 00:58:37,320 Speaker 1: It's really difficult because the game at this level is 1261 00:58:37,400 --> 00:58:40,120 Speaker 1: much different than the game. Talk about Dwayne Haskins Okay 1262 00:58:40,160 --> 00:58:42,400 Speaker 1: Ohio State. He has to learn how to call plays 1263 00:58:42,400 --> 00:58:44,720 Speaker 1: in the huddle. You know, when he was in Ohio State, 1264 00:58:44,720 --> 00:58:46,920 Speaker 1: they were calling the plays in the sideline. So I 1265 00:58:47,000 --> 00:58:49,920 Speaker 1: was gonna ask him about that, um Larry about how 1266 00:58:49,960 --> 00:58:51,520 Speaker 1: how did he see? How did that go? How did 1267 00:58:51,520 --> 00:58:54,320 Speaker 1: that transition him gett into plays in in in mini 1268 00:58:54,320 --> 00:58:57,080 Speaker 1: camp and O t s. And that's something different because 1269 00:58:57,840 --> 00:59:00,640 Speaker 1: from a college player standpoint, you come to line scrimmage, 1270 00:59:00,640 --> 00:59:02,520 Speaker 1: you're looking at coverages and this that you don't have 1271 00:59:02,600 --> 00:59:05,360 Speaker 1: to remember a play because they're giving it to you 1272 00:59:05,400 --> 00:59:07,600 Speaker 1: as you're seeing it on the field. That's a different 1273 00:59:07,640 --> 00:59:09,560 Speaker 1: step that you have to take and that that takes 1274 00:59:09,560 --> 00:59:11,960 Speaker 1: some maturity, and that's what I'm leading into. Like these 1275 00:59:12,000 --> 00:59:13,960 Speaker 1: other guys like the X Men, he's gonna have to 1276 00:59:14,040 --> 00:59:17,960 Speaker 1: learn the game of football from the coach Betcher's perspective 1277 00:59:17,960 --> 00:59:20,240 Speaker 1: and how to play his defense. It's a great point. 1278 00:59:20,240 --> 00:59:22,720 Speaker 1: Plus Haskins also is only just a one year's daughter, 1279 00:59:22,880 --> 00:59:25,720 Speaker 1: that's right, a lot less experience than some of these 1280 00:59:25,720 --> 00:59:27,960 Speaker 1: other rookies specifically, like a guy like Daniel Jones. And 1281 00:59:27,960 --> 00:59:30,520 Speaker 1: it's so difficult to play quarterback in the National Football 1282 00:59:30,560 --> 00:59:33,000 Speaker 1: League because it takes more than just throwing the football. 1283 00:59:33,040 --> 00:59:35,120 Speaker 1: It's it takes you got to learn how to call plays, 1284 00:59:35,120 --> 00:59:37,600 Speaker 1: you gotta learn how to read defenses. You have to 1285 00:59:37,760 --> 00:59:41,680 Speaker 1: just be so much more into the game and situational football, 1286 00:59:42,120 --> 00:59:44,880 Speaker 1: understand where you are on the field at times when 1287 00:59:44,880 --> 00:59:46,640 Speaker 1: there's two minute game and you're in the four minute 1288 00:59:46,640 --> 00:59:48,600 Speaker 1: game and you're you know, before the half, how many 1289 00:59:48,600 --> 00:59:50,760 Speaker 1: time outs you have. There's usually a lot of guys 1290 00:59:50,760 --> 00:59:53,080 Speaker 1: in college that just the coaches are doing all that 1291 00:59:53,160 --> 00:59:55,920 Speaker 1: for you. That's not what's You're gonna be asked to 1292 00:59:55,920 --> 00:59:58,600 Speaker 1: do that yourself now. And it's a big learning process. 1293 00:59:59,440 --> 01:00:01,800 Speaker 1: So that is gonna wrap up today's edition of Big 1294 01:00:01,800 --> 01:00:05,160 Speaker 1: Blue Kickoff Live certainly appreciate everybody from tuning in. It 1295 01:00:05,320 --> 01:00:08,280 Speaker 1: was well that when you preview two opponents, it flies 1296 01:00:08,360 --> 01:00:11,360 Speaker 1: by when you're having fun. And speaking of that, tomorrow, 1297 01:00:11,680 --> 01:00:13,920 Speaker 1: we will continue our preview of the NFC East, the 1298 01:00:13,920 --> 01:00:15,680 Speaker 1: Cowboys and the Eagles, and that is going to wrap 1299 01:00:15,800 --> 01:00:18,360 Speaker 1: up every opponent that the Giants will see at some 1300 01:00:18,440 --> 01:00:21,240 Speaker 1: point this season. But we appreciate everybody tuning in for 1301 01:00:21,360 --> 01:00:24,640 Speaker 1: Wednesday's edition to the program. Stay locked to Giants dot 1302 01:00:24,720 --> 01:00:26,520 Speaker 1: com for all the latest Big Blue Kickoff Live is 1303 01:00:26,560 --> 01:00:29,520 Speaker 1: always presented by Corps Life. For Jeff Eagles, I'm Lance Meadow. 1304 01:00:29,640 --> 01:00:31,800 Speaker 1: Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday. We will speak to 1305 01:00:31,800 --> 01:00:34,120 Speaker 1: you tomorrow right here on Giants dot Com. Have a 1306 01:00:34,120 --> 01:00:34,320 Speaker 1: go on