1 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: To me that all points of the offense and at 2 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 1: fourteen either going to get a tackle or you might 3 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: get a guard that's you know, a future Pro Bowl 4 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: or a guard at that position. Defensively, when you watch 5 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:24,479 Speaker 1: Quddi Kay and what he does, man, that guy fits 6 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: what the Vikings do perfectly. What is going on? Vikings fans? 7 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to episode number eighty seven of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 8 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 1: It's the Defense, Defense, Defense Free Agency episode. And with 9 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: that we also have a member, an old member of 10 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: the Vikings Defense Pete Bursich, joins the show. The current 11 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: Vikings color analyst tells us all about the Vikings Free 12 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: Agency where yes, we did add defense, Defense, Defense, and 13 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 1: he also tells us his opinions on mock drafts and 14 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: we're going to talk through some mock drafts later on 15 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: in the show. With that, I bring in Vikings dot 16 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 1: COM's Gabe Henderson as well as producer Jane Nelson from 17 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 1: Vikings dot Com. What is going on, guys, I'm excited 18 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: to look through some mock drafts. I'm excited to hear 19 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 1: from Pete Bursich and of course talk through the latest acquisition. 20 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: Gabe of Nick Vigil the linebacker who has some connections 21 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 1: to the team and brings a lot of the characteristics 22 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: that Mike Zimmer's looking for in a linebacker to this defense. Yeah, 23 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: and adding senior defensive assistant Paul Gunther to the mix, 24 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 1: it makes it more meaningful now. Paul Gunther was Nick 25 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: Vigil's defensive coordinator in Cincinnati and now linking those guys 26 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: back up together, I think it's going to be a 27 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: matchmate in heaven. We know Eric Wilson it's not here, 28 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 1: So you know, right now, I feel like Nick vigilist 29 00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 1: pencil in in that will linebacker spot. But man, like 30 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: you said, defense, Defense, Defense, the Vikings did that in 31 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 1: free agency this year, so it's going to be interesting 32 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: to see how all of that will shape out, you know, 33 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: once we start get going here after the draft. It's 34 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 1: amazing because you have a Nick Vigil that rounds out 35 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: the class. When he officially signed with the team this 36 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: week Tuesday afternoon, he was in the building, signed his contract, 37 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: met with the media. We're gonna hear a clip from 38 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: that in just a little bit. But yeah, like like 39 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 1: Jay named this episode, defense, Defense, Defense, you have Nick 40 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 1: Vigil added Patrick Peterson as a cornerback Dalvin Tomlinson. You 41 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 1: add the players who had all these injuries throughout the 42 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:41,919 Speaker 1: year and opted out, and Michael Pierced, Daniel Hunter, Stephen Weatherly, 43 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: who signs a McKenzie Alexander. I mean, it's just unbelievable 44 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:48,080 Speaker 1: the amount of defensive players that have been added to 45 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:51,359 Speaker 1: this side of the ball. Ja That is the topic 46 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 1: for this episode. Three weeks from the draft, when the 47 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 1: Vikings come up with the number fourteen pick. I mean, 48 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: do you go offense at some point here? Like, it's no, 49 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 1: It's amazing that Mike Zimmer has been able to add 50 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:06,639 Speaker 1: this many players. The front office as well, They've added 51 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: a lot of talent to the defensive side of the ball. Yeah. 52 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 1: I think it just helps give you some flexibility coming 53 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:13,639 Speaker 1: up here in the draft whenever you always hear Rick 54 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: say he likes to take the best player available on 55 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: his board. There were a lot of questions last season, 56 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 1: especially at the end of last season, you know, what's 57 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 1: this defense going to look like? There were a lot 58 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: of free agents that were available, or at least a 59 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 1: lot of players that were potentially leaving. We've resigned some players, 60 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 1: but we've also went out and found some outside talent 61 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: with some seniority in some some veteran leadership to them. 62 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 1: This does provide then if you do decide, you know, 63 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: if they've already gone through and identified that the offensive 64 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: side of the ball, especially in hot topic areas like 65 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: offensive line, have a little bit more depth to them, 66 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 1: you know, addressing some of these different positions that were 67 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 1: definitely huge issues last season. This now gives them the 68 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: flexibility if they do decide that a d end, you know, 69 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: an edge rusher on defense is somebody that they can 70 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 1: jump on. Great, but it also allows them to look 71 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: at every other position that's on their board, knowing that 72 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: they've addressed the big issue of the defense from last 73 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: season that was as leaky and as poor as it was. 74 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: So I just think Zimmer probably wasn't too happy with 75 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:16,279 Speaker 1: the way everything went at the end of last year. 76 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 1: He said it was probably his worst defense that he's 77 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 1: ever had in his career. And the fact that we 78 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 1: were as tight as we were against the Cap and 79 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 1: now we've made all of these moves on defense. I 80 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 1: think it's it's smart on all fronts, and I as 81 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: a fan, look forward to seeing now what this does, 82 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 1: what kind of flexibility this gives for the draft and 83 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:36,039 Speaker 1: post draft when they try to bring in other free 84 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:37,840 Speaker 1: agents that are still left out there that haven't been 85 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:41,279 Speaker 1: signed yet. Well, Zimmer is rejuvenated, as he said in 86 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 1: his press conference, the defense is clearly clearly rejuvenated as well. 87 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: Let's hear from the latest member of this Vikings defense, 88 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:52,359 Speaker 1: and it's Nick Vigil who signed his contract at the 89 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 1: TCO Performance Center on Tuesday. Heynck, Welcome to Minnesota. I 90 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: was just curious, I know you meant and I'm connecting 91 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 1: with some of the coaches and whatnot, but just overall, 92 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: what sort of appealed to you about being in Minnesota 93 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: and being a part of my Zimmer's defense. Yeah, I mean, 94 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 1: I mean historically since he's been here, they've been one 95 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: of the best defenses in the league. They got a 96 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: lot of really good players, you know, hit linebackerro on 97 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: the d line, in the secondary, you know, Pro bowlers. 98 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 1: And I played in this system under Paul Gunther when 99 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: I was with the Bengals, so I'm very familiar with 100 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:26,480 Speaker 1: the system. Um and yes, that's a yeah, really a 101 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: pilling to me. Yeah, Nika's kind of curious where you 102 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 1: where do you best fit into this uh, into this defense. 103 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:36,039 Speaker 1: What do you envision your role being on this defense? Yeah, 104 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: I mean from the years I was playing in Paul Gunther, 105 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 1: I played all all three of the positions, you know, 106 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: so I think my versatility sounds that can help the 107 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 1: team out, you know, whatever they need or anything like that, 108 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:49,040 Speaker 1: along with special teams. You know, I played a lot 109 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: of special teams throughout my career, so you know, I'm 110 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:55,280 Speaker 1: just whatever can help the team win. I'm good with Nick. 111 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 1: You mentioned your familiarity with Paul Gunther and and being 112 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: involved in that type of defense. Where why do you 113 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: feel so comfortable in that defense? Like why where do 114 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: your strengths kind of like come out of by playing 115 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,839 Speaker 1: in that system. Yeah, I mean it's a defense where 116 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 1: you play a lot of different coverages. Um, you got 117 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: to be able to do, you know, quite a bit 118 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: of different things. You got to be a smart player 119 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 1: where you can think, um and diagnose you know, very fast, 120 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,280 Speaker 1: and I think I do a good job of that. 121 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 1: And then yeah, I mean just the techniques I think 122 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: is one of the biggest things in this defense. You 123 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: got to be very technique sound because you do do 124 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: a lot of different stuff. And I think so that 125 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 1: plays in my strengths in that aspect. Yeah, that's a 126 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: super interesting quo. Just clip that you cut out there, Jay, Like, 127 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 1: it seems like the Vikings front office and coaches that 128 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,719 Speaker 1: they've just kind of hand picked some of these players. 129 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: They they had these these needs that they've been addressing 130 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 1: over the past couple of weeks. They've been throwing it 131 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: all out there on the whiteboard, as coach Zimmer said, 132 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 1: they're looking through. They need a linebacker in this spot. 133 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 1: They need Xavier Woods in that second safe spot. They 134 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:04,679 Speaker 1: need Dalvin Tomlinson to help out with that run defense 135 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 1: that clearly struggled last year. So, Gabe, when you hear 136 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: a guy like Nick Vigil have these things in common 137 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: with Paul Gunther with the scheme, knowing where he fits, 138 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 1: like what is he gonna bring? Like is he the 139 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 1: type of player that's going to start on this team 140 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: at that linebacker position? Like I said before, I think 141 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: he's penciled in for sure. He's been a starter at 142 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 1: linebacker three out of the five years in his career. 143 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: You don't hand pick a guy on the first day 144 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: of free agency and expect him not to come in 145 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: and make a contribution right away. A lot of teams 146 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 1: don't use I mean, we run a four to three, 147 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: but that will linebacker isn't always in the game at 148 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 1: all times. So with Nick vigil being that will linebacker, 149 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: you can also use them on special teams. He can 150 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 1: also be somebody that you can move around, you know, 151 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 1: if somebody goes goes down, or if you know Eric 152 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: Kendricks or Anthony Barris tire Hey, this guy he has 153 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: experienced playing those positions. I think, similar to what he said, 154 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 1: you can pretty much plug and play him anywhere you 155 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 1: want on the field of that linebacker spot. And I 156 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 1: think he's he's only going to add value to this 157 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,559 Speaker 1: linebacker room because you still have young guys like Troy 158 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: Dye who's still trying to get cut up to speed. 159 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: And now you know a guy that's that that has 160 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 1: an outside perspective that's been on two different teams. He 161 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: adds value. He adds you know, clarity for a guy 162 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 1: like Troy Dye, who who want I mean, everybody is 163 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: always looking for an outside opinion like how do they 164 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 1: do this there? Or how do they do this there? 165 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: And I think Nick Vilgrel does that. I mean, he 166 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,320 Speaker 1: has some you know, the tangible parts, but he also 167 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: has the intangible parts of, you know, running a defense 168 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 1: before in his career, and now I think with that said, 169 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: you have to at least puncil him in as a starter. Well, 170 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,199 Speaker 1: we had Paul Gunther on the show a few weeks 171 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 1: ago and he literally was talking about his relationship with 172 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer that goes back to Cincinnati, the fact that 173 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: he brought Nick Vigil into Cincinnati after Mike Zimmer left. Well, 174 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,680 Speaker 1: Nick Vigil says that him and Paul Gunther, while they're 175 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: working in Cincinnati, they're looking at tapes of coach Mike 176 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,439 Speaker 1: Zimmer's defense. Like that stood out to me that this 177 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:10,959 Speaker 1: guy was literally being taught and studying Mike Zimmer's defense 178 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: while with Paul Gunther in Cincinnati. So the ties are 179 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 1: just they go back years bringing Nick got like Nick 180 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 1: Vigil to the Minnesota Vikings. But one thing that stood 181 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:26,680 Speaker 1: out to me Jay was his love for bull riding, hunting, fishing, 182 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 1: being an outdoorsman. I know Gave had said he's familiar 183 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 1: with Vigil's brother, who he clearly has a great relationship with, 184 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 1: But this guy seems like the absolute total perfect fit 185 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: here in the Twin Cities. Jay Yeah, that was something 186 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 1: we talked about a couple of weeks ago when we 187 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 1: were saying, you know, I wonder if these guys are 188 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 1: outdoors guys or anything, if they're like the fish or 189 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: hunt or whatever, they'd fit right in. Yeah, I think 190 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: Nick's going to be in a similar boat. He was 191 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: actually asked that by one of the media members just 192 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 1: about his days in Utah, and he talked about growing 193 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 1: up riding bulls and kind of the fact that he 194 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: and his brother are still raising horses and training horses 195 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,079 Speaker 1: and things like that, and he said he loves doing 196 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:06,599 Speaker 1: outdoors activities, and so he's just like, yeah, you know, I 197 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: I look forward to getting to Minnesota and see if 198 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 1: there's any kind of outdoor activities that really stick and 199 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: that he could have some fun with. I think if 200 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: he's able to come here and you know, get some 201 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 1: free time going on, I'm sure there's going to be 202 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: plenty of people that are willing to take him out 203 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:21,840 Speaker 1: and show him around a little bit if he wants 204 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: to do some outdoor stuff. So I know b Rob 205 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 1: was always a big horse guy through his wife that 206 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 1: she used to race and train horses and do barrel 207 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:32,080 Speaker 1: racing and stuff and there were other people around here 208 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: that would always take people out, and there's always some 209 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: local people here as well that are willing to do 210 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 1: some guide service and stuff too. So I'm sure Nick 211 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: Vigil will fit right in if that's the kind of 212 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: stuff he decides to do in his free time when 213 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:45,680 Speaker 1: he's here in Minnesota. Yeah. Well, one guy who I 214 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: think would be great to show him around Minnesota would 215 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: be former Vikings linebacker Pete Bursas, who clearly knows everything 216 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 1: about the area. He knows everything about the position he studied. 217 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: Nick Vigil has a lot that he can teach him, 218 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,640 Speaker 1: So I'm excited for those who to meet. And when 219 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: we bring up Pete Bursch, why not introduce him to 220 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 1: the show. He is going to give us a breakdown 221 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: of all the free agency moves as well as look 222 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 1: forward to the NFL Draft. Let's kick it over to 223 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: our interview with Vikings color analyst Pete Bursch. All right, well, 224 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: welcome back to the Minnesota Vikings podcast, where you're three 225 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:27,480 Speaker 1: weeks away from the Vikings fourteenth overall pick in the 226 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:31,800 Speaker 1: NFL Draft, So why not bring in color analysts Pete 227 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: Bursch to come in talk free agency and talk about 228 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,559 Speaker 1: what's ahead with the Vikings and the draft. What's going on, Pete, Oh, 229 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: not much, just getting ready for the the end of 230 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: April like everybody else. And it's the time of year 231 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 1: where we all get to play GM, right, Let's face it, 232 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 1: that's all we left, you know, and you research the players, 233 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 1: and what's what's amazing to me is trying to find 234 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,440 Speaker 1: information you have to pay for it. And I'm thinking 235 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 1: to myself, who pays for this information? I mean, really, 236 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: who does? Who wants to know? Who's willing to pay 237 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: money to find out who the second best offensive guard 238 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 1: is in this draft? I mean, answer me that question. 239 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:15,160 Speaker 1: I think just about everybody's paying for Todd mcshay's or 240 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: mault Kiper's mic draft mock drafts at this point. I mean, 241 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 1: you know, it's unbelievable. And I think right before COVID hit, 242 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: we saw this thing just explode, you know, with the 243 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 1: moving of it from see it almost became as big 244 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,520 Speaker 1: as the playoffs. I really do. I think that people 245 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: just absolutely love the draft. The dollars speak that way. 246 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:39,480 Speaker 1: I mean, I know it's gonna be a little different, 247 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 1: I think this year, but you know, hopefully I'll get 248 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,719 Speaker 1: back to normal soon because it's a it's a fun night. 249 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: It wasn't as a player, but right now, at this 250 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 1: time in the stage of my career, it's a great night. 251 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: I hear that. And I know you've been doing a 252 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,079 Speaker 1: ton of film work on a lot of the draft 253 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 1: picks heading into this this draft. We'll get into that 254 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 1: a little bit later, but first I want to go 255 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 1: back and talk about this free as period for the Vikings. 256 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 1: And you've been doing film reviews on just about every player, 257 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: and one stands out to you. We were talking before 258 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: the show, the big man in the middle, Dalvin Tomlinson. 259 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 1: I know you like what he brings to a defense. 260 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: So can you tell Vikings fans what you see when 261 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 1: you look at his film and what he brings to 262 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:21,080 Speaker 1: the middle of his Vikings defensive line. Well, there's a 263 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 1: couple of things. Number one is his durability. You know, 264 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 1: he hasn't missed a game I don't believe his entire career. 265 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 1: But his skill set is also is also pretty remarkable. 266 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: Now the Giants had him at nose tackle for the 267 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 1: most you know, most of the time, but he has 268 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: he plays with an unbelievable pad level. Now you're saying, yeah, 269 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 1: I know he's big, he's sick something over three hundred 270 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 1: and something pounds, but you can't just be big. And 271 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: he has unbelievable footwork. He's such a great athlete and 272 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: his feet are so fluid and so good. Centers can 273 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 1: get their head across his body. But he has feet 274 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 1: who are that are good enough, and his hands are 275 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 1: super strong. He plays with a great pad level. What 276 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: that means is low man wins. It's kind of the 277 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 1: old saying in football. But his ability to press and 278 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: push back an offensive lineman with just one hand because 279 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:17,599 Speaker 1: he understands the pressure points. I think, you know, you 280 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 1: you put someone in that in that defensive line room 281 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: like that, um, you know they're gonna they're just they're 282 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: just gonna excel. And he, I think, can be so 283 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 1: much better. I think he has so much room from 284 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 1: improvement only because of those skills, because of the fact 285 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 1: that he has that those physical abilities, he can continue 286 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: to get better and better and better. So I think 287 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: the best football for him, you know, is ahead of him. 288 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 1: And he's he's just very He's just again an unbelievable athlete, 289 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 1: super strong, very hard to block him one on one. 290 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 1: He you know, you know we all loved Linball Joseph. 291 00:14:57,400 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: I know he's not as big as Linball, but I 292 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 1: I think he's every bit as strong, probably a little 293 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 1: bit faster. Yeah. Andre Patterson has a pretty good history 294 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 1: of taking a free agency guy from the New York 295 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: New York Giants and pretty much hand selecting him. I 296 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 1: think that's again what he did with Dalvin Tomlinson. So 297 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: you gotta love that. But looking at the cornerback position, obviously, 298 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,120 Speaker 1: the big name that the Vikings added to this roster 299 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 1: was Patrick Peterson. And you're talking about a guy who 300 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 1: literally made the Pro Bowl every single year for the 301 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: first eight years of his career. I mean for a 302 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: guy too literally call up a general manager and be like, hey, 303 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: this is this is Patrick Peterson's agent. He wants to 304 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 1: come here on a one year deal. Can you guys 305 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: make it happen? Like, have you heard of that before? 306 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: A player of this magnitude wanting to join a roster 307 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: at this point in his career. Now you have to 308 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: understand when Rick Spielman took that call, he's probably thinking 309 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: of himself. Am I the fourth or fifth team? Yeah, 310 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 1: this guy's called and said that too. But you watch, 311 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: you know, you watch film on Patrick Peterson. Again, he 312 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: has only missed a handful of games his entire career, 313 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:06,800 Speaker 1: and that was only that was because of off the 314 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: field stuff. But he is a corner that week in 315 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: and week out, played against the opposing team's number one 316 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: wide receiver. And so you wonder does he have any 317 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:20,840 Speaker 1: gas left in the tank? You know, why would it? 318 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: Why would it? You always ask yourself why would a 319 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 1: team let a guy like him go? Why would they 320 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: let a great player go? And I think, you know, 321 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 1: you bring him here. It makes sense only because you 322 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: have a young defensive backs room, you know, especially the 323 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: cornerback position. So you bring it in this guy here 324 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 1: to hopefully add another level of intelligence, add another level 325 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: of work ethic, show these young guys how to watch film, 326 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: what they need to do, make them accountable, you know. 327 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: And he's not going to be on the field for 328 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: every snap, right you can you can rotate some guys in, 329 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: keep him a little bit fresh. But he still has 330 00:16:57,040 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 1: the tools and he still has the talent. But he's 331 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: such a smart player. And that's what I love most 332 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: about him. On film was um, you know, he had 333 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: an interception against Cleveland, I think two years ago. It's 334 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: a situation where you know he's covering, he's you know, 335 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: he's he's covering receiver and knows the route basically that 336 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:16,679 Speaker 1: they're running just by the formation and what's happening in 337 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:18,239 Speaker 1: front of them and able to you know, jump and 338 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: intercept the football. So that kind of intelligence and awareness 339 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:25,640 Speaker 1: too is so huge. Um. But I think if they 340 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 1: keep him, you know, on the field just eighty percent 341 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 1: of the time, he can play at a level um 342 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,479 Speaker 1: that's very similar as as the you know, the Cardinals 343 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:37,119 Speaker 1: had seen. I mean, he's gonna be in you know, 344 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: he's gonna have his jersey retired out there, he'll be 345 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:42,640 Speaker 1: in their Ring of Honor probably because he has been 346 00:17:42,680 --> 00:17:44,840 Speaker 1: that kind of an impact player. Yeah, and you have 347 00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: to leve a guy with a chip on his shoulder 348 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 1: that says he has some more gas left in the 349 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 1: tank and wants to come play from Mike Zimmer right 350 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: in course. So I think the one thing is that 351 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,800 Speaker 1: those two guys that you just mentioned, that's what Another 352 00:17:56,840 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 1: thing I hope they bring to this defense is a 353 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:01,320 Speaker 1: chip on their show. There a little nastiness, you know, 354 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 1: a little that group, you know, that group had a 355 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: rough year last year. So anybody that comes back, you know, 356 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:11,160 Speaker 1: they they need to turn. They need to just forget 357 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:14,880 Speaker 1: completely about Holly want about their you know, the game 358 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,439 Speaker 1: day and how they acted. They have to you know, 359 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:19,679 Speaker 1: take this thing to the next level line thing. Tomlinson 360 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,679 Speaker 1: and hopefully Patrick Peterson have that attitude. Yeah, they need 361 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: to watch the film of Alvin Kamara running up and 362 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 1: down the field and say that's not a Mike Zimmer defense. 363 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 1: And I think that's what happened here in free agency. 364 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 1: So a few more players. The last players in free 365 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:36,440 Speaker 1: agency I want to touch on is Nick vigil who's 366 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 1: a linebacker that's your position. I want to hear what 367 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:41,600 Speaker 1: you've seen from him. And then also the safety Xavier 368 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: Woods from the Dallas Cowboys that was signed. He's a 369 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: very interesting player, as you were saying before the show. 370 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:51,720 Speaker 1: So tell us what those two guys bring to the defense. Um. 371 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:57,920 Speaker 1: Nick Vigils is an extremely athletic linebacker. He's fast enough 372 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: to cover running back out of the backfield. UM. I 373 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 1: think as a coverage guy, a nickel player. He brings 374 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:09,919 Speaker 1: everything that you want. So if if Anthony Barr or 375 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 1: Kendricks something were to happen to him and they couldn't 376 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: play in third down. I think Nick Vigil can step 377 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 1: up and play play that position very very well. UM. 378 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:22,400 Speaker 1: As a base linebacker, he'll be a you know, he'll 379 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 1: probably be a Sam UM. He doesn't bring the big 380 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 1: size and the huge physicality. I think that that position 381 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: has in the past, but the game's you know, the 382 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: game is changing. UM, but very very good in coverage 383 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 1: and he's very very good in zone coverage as well. 384 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 1: He understands what's going on around him and where he 385 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 1: needs to fit and you know, UM. In the in 386 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,920 Speaker 1: the in the film Room segment with Nick Vigil, we 387 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 1: show instances where he's you know, widening his zone when 388 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:51,439 Speaker 1: a runner, when the receiver in front of him is 389 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 1: going to the flat, he understands that they're trying to 390 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 1: bring a dig in behind him. And those are the 391 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: kinds of things that you and you heard Zimmer say 392 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 1: that about that linebacker. In the past, we got some 393 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: guys that just don't have the awareness that you need. Well, 394 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 1: Vigil has this so um to be the starting Sam 395 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: linebacker UM and to be a guy that could jump 396 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 1: in on third down, I think he's gonna he's gonna 397 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:15,719 Speaker 1: fill that. You know, fill that, you know that void 398 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:22,879 Speaker 1: just absolutely perfectly. Now. Xavier Woods. Xavier Woods watching film 399 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:26,120 Speaker 1: on him, he kind he's a sixth round pick um. 400 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:29,159 Speaker 1: He reminds me, and I almost don't want to say it, 401 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 1: but I will, but he's kind of a poor man's 402 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:34,000 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith. And what do I mean by that, Well, 403 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:41,400 Speaker 1: he's you know, he's a he's a good versatile safety. UM. 404 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 1: He can do all those season you think about the 405 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:46,439 Speaker 1: position of safety, it's kind of like the position a 406 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 1: tight end, where you got to be a receiver and 407 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 1: an offensive lineman, play both sides. You have to do 408 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:52,480 Speaker 1: a lot of different things. That takes a while to learn. 409 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: Xavier Woods does all of that. He plays in the box. 410 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:59,160 Speaker 1: He can play in the box. He's a good tackler. UM, 411 00:20:59,680 --> 00:21:02,679 Speaker 1: he's discipline in his zone drops, he can play the 412 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:04,920 Speaker 1: deep middle, he could play the deep half, he could 413 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 1: play quarters, he can blitz. So he's very versatile, and 414 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:11,399 Speaker 1: I think in that other safety position we've been missing 415 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:14,399 Speaker 1: a little bit of that. So that's what that's the 416 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: versatility our defense will have is you have two safeties 417 00:21:18,119 --> 00:21:20,359 Speaker 1: now that can really do everything that you ask him. 418 00:21:20,359 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 1: Because a lot of times if a team has a 419 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: safety that doesn't blitz and you bring him down on 420 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 1: the line of scrimmage, the quarterback goes, Okay, he's dropping back. 421 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 1: It's come. You know, the blitz is coming from this direction. 422 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: You know, so they figure that stuff out. But with 423 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 1: Woods and Harrison Smith together, you know, I really think 424 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 1: you have two corners or two safeties excuse me, that 425 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 1: that can do everything you ask him them and it's 426 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 1: going to give from a game planning standpoint, the defensive 427 00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 1: coaching staff a lot of flexibility in getting being able 428 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,760 Speaker 1: to be created with that position. Yeah, very interesting that 429 00:21:56,800 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 1: you bring that up with Xavier Woods, because clearly Mike 430 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:02,439 Speaker 1: zimmer is looking for that sort of characteristic from that 431 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:05,280 Speaker 1: other safety position. We know Anthony Harris made all the 432 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:07,640 Speaker 1: big plays in the world, but maybe he wants someone 433 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 1: who's really going to be able to do multiple things 434 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 1: rather than have all those interceptions and then leave the 435 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 1: league in that category. And I think the main thing 436 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 1: are the big mental breakdowns in coverage, and we saw 437 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: way too much of that last year. You know, you 438 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:28,200 Speaker 1: assume that a veteran safety knows, you know, when you're 439 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:32,160 Speaker 1: in quarters you had this, And now with the deep 440 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 1: posts and the play actions and all these all the 441 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: passing off and all these different things that safeties have 442 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 1: to do with covered receivers down the field. You know, 443 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:43,760 Speaker 1: you have to be smart and you can't afford to 444 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 1: mess up because if one guy messes up, you know, 445 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 1: a linebacker that was a beauty playing linebacker. You mess up, 446 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 1: they move the chains. If you're a safety and you 447 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,800 Speaker 1: mess up, no one behind it. So yeah, it's a 448 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 1: little bit more critical that those guys back there do 449 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 1: not make mistakes. Absolutely well, you said everyone's a GM 450 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 1: this time, I'm a year. I'm gonna make Pete Bursich 451 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: the GM of the Minnesota Vikings at this spot number fourteen. Overall, 452 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:10,400 Speaker 1: you're on the clock. What position are you going with? 453 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:13,880 Speaker 1: And maybe give us a name or two, or maybe 454 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 1: you're trading back. I don't know, you're the GM. You 455 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:19,880 Speaker 1: tell me, yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna trade back and 456 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:23,040 Speaker 1: get four other first round picks for this year and 457 00:23:23,080 --> 00:23:27,199 Speaker 1: then six first round period. How easy that is, I mean, 458 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:31,320 Speaker 1: it's brilliant, right, brilliant on my part. You know, you've 459 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:36,119 Speaker 1: addressed the defense and the free agency market. You've brought 460 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 1: in guys who yes, of course they're veterans, they're free agents. 461 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:41,800 Speaker 1: But then again, you can have younger guys who are 462 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:43,800 Speaker 1: let go and you bring them in. But you bring 463 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: back a guy like you know, uh, you know, like Weatherly, 464 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:49,800 Speaker 1: you bring back McKenzie, Alexander, the guys that have been 465 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 1: in the system before. So you definitely grew up on 466 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: defense just by the people you brought in. You're not 467 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:01,760 Speaker 1: gonna have eight defensive linemen starting this year that you 468 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:04,720 Speaker 1: know had never have never started before, or guys that 469 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:07,280 Speaker 1: are just activated off practice squad. You're not looking to 470 00:24:07,320 --> 00:24:10,000 Speaker 1: do those kinds of things. To me, that all points 471 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:14,040 Speaker 1: of the offense. And at fourteen you are either going 472 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: to get a tackle, which you know we could use, 473 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:20,399 Speaker 1: or you might get a guard that's uh, you know, 474 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:22,520 Speaker 1: a future Pro Bowl or a guard at that position 475 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:28,399 Speaker 1: you would hope defensively at that position, corner maybe or 476 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 1: defensive end. I think of the film that I've seen, 477 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:34,440 Speaker 1: the guys that I've watched, I think Could He Pay 478 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:36,920 Speaker 1: from Michigan would be the only guy that that would 479 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:40,600 Speaker 1: fit that category. I mean, you know, you mentioned Andre 480 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:42,919 Speaker 1: Patterson before and you watch Could He Pay? And what 481 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:48,760 Speaker 1: he does? Man, that guy fits what the Vikings do perfectly. 482 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:53,200 Speaker 1: I mean, just from a technique standpoint, size standpoint, He's 483 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 1: he you know he. I think he has a lot 484 00:24:56,200 --> 00:24:59,679 Speaker 1: of upside just in the technique alone. But boy, he 485 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 1: is the speed and you know the way he can 486 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 1: dip his hips and get around the edges of guys 487 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 1: he does. He flashes things on film that you know 488 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,400 Speaker 1: that that can't be taught. But if you have those skills, 489 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 1: a guy like Patterson can can develop them. Oh, just 490 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:17,639 Speaker 1: so I would be super excited with a guy like 491 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:20,160 Speaker 1: with a guy like QUITTI pay last question for me. 492 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 1: If one of those big time wide receivers is available 493 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,720 Speaker 1: at number fourteen and Devantas Smith has been thrown around 494 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:31,400 Speaker 1: in some mock drafts from Alabama, do you go offense 495 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: with that flashy position like last year? I mean that 496 00:25:34,359 --> 00:25:37,280 Speaker 1: I'm just throwing it out. I love the flashy free 497 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:40,399 Speaker 1: agency moves that were made. Would you ever go with 498 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 1: a wide receiver early in this draft? Well, you know 499 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 1: we we we seem to to draft an unbelievable receiver 500 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 1: in the first round about every twenty two years. You know, 501 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:58,639 Speaker 1: you know and so, and I forget that, I forget 502 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:02,400 Speaker 1: the receiver's name. From the twenty two years before Randy Um. 503 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 1: But he was I think he was Rookie of the 504 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 1: Year or almost Rookie of the year. So we've got 505 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 1: about twenty twenty one years to go before we you know, 506 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 1: need to do that again. Uh you know, so in 507 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 1: that if that's the case, that's a perfect I think 508 00:26:17,560 --> 00:26:19,639 Speaker 1: spot where you want to trade down a slot or 509 00:26:19,640 --> 00:26:22,720 Speaker 1: two and if you have someone identified and pegged that 510 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:25,600 Speaker 1: maybe he gets more equity later in the draft, um, 511 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:28,879 Speaker 1: because he's depending on you know, there's a lot of 512 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:30,959 Speaker 1: guys who are probably going to be backups that are 513 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,280 Speaker 1: still on the market right now, whether or not you 514 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:34,639 Speaker 1: can bring you know, whether or not you need to 515 00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:37,679 Speaker 1: bring those guys back. You know, you need depth, you know. 516 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:41,400 Speaker 1: I think it's at certain positions, um, you know, especially 517 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:44,919 Speaker 1: offensive line. I mean, you know, so it'd be a 518 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:48,439 Speaker 1: good chance I think if you're staring a receiver in 519 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 1: the face at that position to just you know, to 520 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:55,119 Speaker 1: just trade down. So Pete's going old line or someone 521 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: on the defensive side of the ball from a corner 522 00:26:57,480 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 1: or a defensive you either draft or side your speed 523 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:03,159 Speaker 1: in that position. At fourteen in the first round, you 524 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:06,879 Speaker 1: either get yourself a tackle or defensive end. Guys at 525 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:09,879 Speaker 1: play on the edges. Yeah, the further you are away 526 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:12,879 Speaker 1: from the football, the harder it is physically, but the 527 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:15,840 Speaker 1: easier it is I think mentally, right, So you need 528 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:18,159 Speaker 1: someone that plays either on the edge of the offense 529 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 1: or the edge of the defense. This was your interview 530 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:22,800 Speaker 1: to be an NFL GM. I think you passed the test. 531 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:26,160 Speaker 1: I'm i'm I would go with exactly what you said 532 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:29,440 Speaker 1: there as well, So Pete, I appreciate it. I look 533 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:32,240 Speaker 1: forward to watching all of your film reviews on all 534 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:35,239 Speaker 1: of these college prospects going into the draft. They will 535 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:37,959 Speaker 1: be on vikings dot Com all the Vikings platforms. And 536 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:40,719 Speaker 1: thanks again for joining us, Pete. We look forward to 537 00:27:40,760 --> 00:27:43,520 Speaker 1: the number fourteen overall pick in just a few weeks. 538 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 1: Thank you all right, Well, thanks to Pete Persich. I 539 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:53,359 Speaker 1: literally we had a history lesson with Pete today because 540 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:56,359 Speaker 1: every time I talked to Pete Persich, I learned something 541 00:27:56,400 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 1: new about the game of football. And it's just been 542 00:27:59,320 --> 00:28:02,399 Speaker 1: awesome too to have him around the building, and we 543 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:05,920 Speaker 1: continue to look to do more with him with all 544 00:28:06,119 --> 00:28:09,560 Speaker 1: Vikings content game. I know you literally have been going 545 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 1: through college film with Pete and breaking down some of 546 00:28:12,840 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 1: the players that you guys love the most. I mean 547 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 1: that's is he not the best guy to talk XS 548 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,880 Speaker 1: and ols with? Yeah, And that's the reason why he's 549 00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:23,880 Speaker 1: the color commentary guy on Cafe on the number one 550 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 1: sports radio show in America during Vikings games with Voice 551 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 1: of the Vikings Paul Alan. Pete Verstage is a genius 552 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:34,000 Speaker 1: when it comes to understanding the game he played it. 553 00:28:34,119 --> 00:28:37,120 Speaker 1: And that's no slot to Ben Lieber, who is also 554 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,960 Speaker 1: phenomenal at his job. I mean, those two guys like, 555 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 1: we're lucky to have him. Like, let's be real, we're 556 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 1: lucky to have those two great defensive minds working with 557 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 1: the Vikings. But yeah, pete Verstage, I tell him all 558 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 1: the time, like I could literally talk to you for 559 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:55,520 Speaker 1: an hour about one position and not not be a 560 00:28:55,600 --> 00:28:59,239 Speaker 1: dull moment. His brain, how it works, and how he 561 00:28:59,320 --> 00:29:02,840 Speaker 1: understands and coverages people need to hear that. Put it 562 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:04,640 Speaker 1: that way. One of the coolest things with Pete is 563 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 1: the fact that he's a legacy. Like his father played 564 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 1: for the Dallas Cowboys, he grew up in the NFL world, 565 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:14,240 Speaker 1: went to Notre Dame and you know, played coached and 566 00:29:14,280 --> 00:29:17,440 Speaker 1: now he's doing analysis like he has been around this 567 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:20,080 Speaker 1: game his entire life, and so when he kind of 568 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 1: looks at different things and analyzes things, there's so many 569 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:26,200 Speaker 1: years of I guess reference that he can pull from 570 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 1: that makes it so interesting. So yeah, it's a lot 571 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:30,560 Speaker 1: of fun just to pick his brain once in a 572 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:32,400 Speaker 1: while and be able to sit down with him, and 573 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 1: it's really awesome that he was willing to help us 574 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 1: out here today. Well, since we're talking about how much 575 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:39,880 Speaker 1: we love Pete and all of his in depth analysis, 576 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 1: we're going to move forward to the segment that he 577 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,520 Speaker 1: actually hates the most, and that is the mock drafts 578 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:49,880 Speaker 1: that Jay has pulled here from all over the internet. 579 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:54,480 Speaker 1: That's literally the biggest pet peeve of Pete Bursch is 580 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:57,720 Speaker 1: looking at mock drafts and picking players in certain spots. 581 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:01,440 Speaker 1: But we're gonna do it anyway because it's three weeks 582 00:30:01,520 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 1: until the NFL Draft, Like it is just one of 583 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 1: the most exciting times of the year. We recapped all 584 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:10,640 Speaker 1: free agency. It doesn't seem like there's much left for 585 00:30:10,720 --> 00:30:13,880 Speaker 1: the Vikings to do from a free agency perspective, which 586 00:30:13,960 --> 00:30:17,760 Speaker 1: means all eyes turn to what player the Vikings will 587 00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 1: take with the number fourteen overall pick, and looking at 588 00:30:21,880 --> 00:30:25,680 Speaker 1: Pro Football Talk, they picked the exact same player that 589 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:29,840 Speaker 1: Pete Bursus just picked, and that's defensive edge rusher Quitty 590 00:30:29,920 --> 00:30:33,200 Speaker 1: Pay out of the University of Michigan. Gabe, and I 591 00:30:33,280 --> 00:30:36,520 Speaker 1: know you've studied this guy in and out, looking at 592 00:30:36,560 --> 00:30:39,080 Speaker 1: his film, seeing what he can do as a pass rusher, 593 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:42,719 Speaker 1: a six four, two hundred and seventy two pound pass rusher. 594 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:45,360 Speaker 1: He's also a senior, so he's been around the block 595 00:30:45,720 --> 00:30:48,320 Speaker 1: a little bit. What do you see from Quitty Pay? 596 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:51,240 Speaker 1: And do you like this pick for the vikings that 597 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:55,320 Speaker 1: Pro Football Talk has at the number fourteen overall pick. Man, 598 00:30:55,360 --> 00:31:00,480 Speaker 1: if Quitty Pay can fall to us at fourteen, probably 599 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:04,920 Speaker 1: the pick of the draft. Like he's a plugin play 600 00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:09,120 Speaker 1: type of guy six four, two seventy two runs a 601 00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 1: four to five seven. I know, you know, we all 602 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:15,120 Speaker 1: worked for the team, so we can't really speculate much. 603 00:31:15,560 --> 00:31:18,120 Speaker 1: But when I first watched his film, and it's just 604 00:31:18,120 --> 00:31:21,480 Speaker 1: just me talking. The organization probably doesn't represent this, but 605 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:24,200 Speaker 1: he was. When I watched the film, the first thing 606 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:26,640 Speaker 1: I wrote was he is the most pro rady defensive 607 00:31:26,760 --> 00:31:30,760 Speaker 1: end in this draft. And Pete Bursh's would would I 608 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:32,479 Speaker 1: know he would. He would agree with that. Like what 609 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:35,360 Speaker 1: he does on film, his knee been, his punch off 610 00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:39,320 Speaker 1: the line, his hips, like it is second to none. 611 00:31:39,320 --> 00:31:40,720 Speaker 1: And Okay, you can go back and look at the 612 00:31:40,720 --> 00:31:43,240 Speaker 1: stats and say, well this guy only had two sacks 613 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:45,280 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty, only six and a half sacks in 614 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:48,320 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen. Well we got a guy named Danil Hunter 615 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:50,720 Speaker 1: on our team who only had four and a half 616 00:31:50,760 --> 00:31:53,960 Speaker 1: sacks in his career at LSU. Now he's the youngest 617 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:56,760 Speaker 1: player in NFL history to get fifty sacks and I 618 00:31:56,800 --> 00:31:59,400 Speaker 1: think he's still third in his draft class in sacks. 619 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:02,440 Speaker 1: And Daniel hud didn't even play last year. Like put 620 00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:05,800 Speaker 1: Quitty Pale on the other side of Daniel Hunter or 621 00:32:05,840 --> 00:32:08,200 Speaker 1: whoever be at d n for the Vikings, Like this 622 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:12,160 Speaker 1: is a top fifteen sack defense and that's with Michael 623 00:32:12,160 --> 00:32:15,600 Speaker 1: Pearson Dalvin Thomlinson as a defensive tackle like this, like 624 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:20,040 Speaker 1: he ultimately makes this defense better immediately week one from 625 00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:22,680 Speaker 1: the jump. I mean, if he's going to be that 626 00:32:22,840 --> 00:32:25,680 Speaker 1: type of impact player, I have a hard time believing 627 00:32:25,680 --> 00:32:28,840 Speaker 1: that Mike Zimmer will pass on him if he's available 628 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:32,200 Speaker 1: at the number fourteen overall pick. I know that pass 629 00:32:32,280 --> 00:32:35,760 Speaker 1: rushing was probably the biggest. I don't know. I don't 630 00:32:35,760 --> 00:32:37,840 Speaker 1: want to call it a weakness, but it was the 631 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:39,960 Speaker 1: spot that we were missing the most last year. When 632 00:32:39,960 --> 00:32:42,320 Speaker 1: you don't have a Daniel Hunter, you don't have the 633 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 1: Everson Griffin of years past. And obviously Stephen Weatherly was 634 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:50,959 Speaker 1: away with the Carolina Panthers. So when you talk about him, 635 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:54,640 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer, defense and all starts with that pass rusher. 636 00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:58,520 Speaker 1: And that's exactly what Daniel Jeremiah has us doing with 637 00:32:58,600 --> 00:33:02,240 Speaker 1: the number fourteen overall pick as well. It's Jalen Phillips 638 00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:05,160 Speaker 1: defensive end of the University of Miami. I know this 639 00:33:05,200 --> 00:33:09,880 Speaker 1: guy is a big bodied pass rusher. He's tall, he's lean, 640 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:14,160 Speaker 1: He's the exact body type that I know Mike Zimmer 641 00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:17,480 Speaker 1: looks for in a defensive end. Jay and I'm pretty 642 00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 1: sure his tape is kind of similar to what you'll 643 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:22,760 Speaker 1: see in the Big ten in Quitty Pay. This is 644 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 1: just in the ACC at the University of Miami. Yeah, 645 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:27,959 Speaker 1: and prior to that, he was at the PAC twelve 646 00:33:27,960 --> 00:33:30,720 Speaker 1: for two years. He originally started at UCLA and through 647 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:33,880 Speaker 1: twenty seventeen to twenty nineteen. He's a six foot five, 648 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:36,800 Speaker 1: two hundred and sixty six pound defensive edge rusher. I mean, 649 00:33:37,080 --> 00:33:39,400 Speaker 1: who does that sound like? At this point? You know 650 00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:42,760 Speaker 1: you're Daniel Hunter types. I guess what you're seeing here 651 00:33:42,840 --> 00:33:45,880 Speaker 1: is you're seeing Daniel Hunter ask body types of the 652 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:48,880 Speaker 1: ones that everyone's going after now, Guys that are ridiculously quick, 653 00:33:48,920 --> 00:33:52,480 Speaker 1: super long, and for a guy like Jalen Phillips who 654 00:33:52,800 --> 00:33:55,760 Speaker 1: just reaked havoc when he was playing at Miami. You know, 655 00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:57,360 Speaker 1: it was kind of fun to watch some of his 656 00:33:57,440 --> 00:34:00,440 Speaker 1: tape earlier too. And I think either one of these guys, 657 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:03,480 Speaker 1: Jalen Phillips or Quity Pay, like you guys said, if 658 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:06,040 Speaker 1: you plug him in on day one at least in camp, 659 00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:07,960 Speaker 1: I think there's gonna be a lot of eyes being 660 00:34:08,400 --> 00:34:11,239 Speaker 1: opened just to think about what could happen with this 661 00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:14,359 Speaker 1: defensive line given what happened last season. So either one 662 00:34:14,400 --> 00:34:15,919 Speaker 1: of these guys I think would be a home run 663 00:34:15,960 --> 00:34:19,640 Speaker 1: for this Vikings defense. We discussed all of the defensive 664 00:34:19,880 --> 00:34:23,160 Speaker 1: players that were added in free agency. Clearly these experts 665 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:26,200 Speaker 1: think that Mike zimmer is going to double down along 666 00:34:26,200 --> 00:34:29,000 Speaker 1: with Rick Spielman in the Vikings front office with that 667 00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:32,640 Speaker 1: first pick in the first round. But Looking at another 668 00:34:32,719 --> 00:34:36,360 Speaker 1: website at cbssports dot com, they do a bunch of 669 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:39,120 Speaker 1: mock drafts. They have a bunch of different experts who 670 00:34:39,200 --> 00:34:42,240 Speaker 1: all give their picks at the position. Three of four 671 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:46,200 Speaker 1: actually go with the offensive line, which many experts out 672 00:34:46,239 --> 00:34:50,520 Speaker 1: there have identified as a need for your Vikings. Ryan 673 00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:54,799 Speaker 1: Wilson goes with Christian Darisau, the old lineman from Virginia Tech. 674 00:34:55,120 --> 00:34:58,200 Speaker 1: I know he's a big bodied player, definitely one that 675 00:34:58,239 --> 00:35:01,680 Speaker 1: can fit that left tackle type of spot, which is 676 00:35:01,719 --> 00:35:05,080 Speaker 1: obviously a need for the Vikings as well. Josh Edwards 677 00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:08,239 Speaker 1: goes with Elijah Vera Tucker, the old lineman at a 678 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:11,600 Speaker 1: USC another tackle as well as Pete Prisco, who goes 679 00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:14,799 Speaker 1: with a guy that I really like, Rashawn Slater out 680 00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:18,480 Speaker 1: of Northwestern, a big time tackle as well. When you 681 00:35:18,520 --> 00:35:21,120 Speaker 1: look at some of these guys at that at that spot, 682 00:35:21,440 --> 00:35:25,160 Speaker 1: I mean, I know Rashawn. I love the big ten lineman, 683 00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:29,439 Speaker 1: whether it's a stereotype or whatever you want to call it. Jay, 684 00:35:30,760 --> 00:35:33,280 Speaker 1: I love going big ten in this spot. For some reason. 685 00:35:33,719 --> 00:35:36,080 Speaker 1: I think that's because over all these years, the Big 686 00:35:36,080 --> 00:35:38,120 Speaker 1: ten has always been kind of the road greater team 687 00:35:38,160 --> 00:35:41,600 Speaker 1: that's always had okay quarterback play, but some pretty good 688 00:35:41,680 --> 00:35:44,040 Speaker 1: running backs, and so I just think you get some 689 00:35:44,080 --> 00:35:46,839 Speaker 1: of these beefy farm boys that are still out there 690 00:35:47,239 --> 00:35:50,319 Speaker 1: from all over the place. But I think, you know, 691 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:52,720 Speaker 1: there's been a lot of hype going on with Rashawn 692 00:35:52,760 --> 00:35:55,080 Speaker 1: Slater at Northwestern. There were a lot of people, especially 693 00:35:55,120 --> 00:35:57,319 Speaker 1: in this area, that talked about him, and we're looking 694 00:35:57,360 --> 00:36:01,440 Speaker 1: at him, and then you saw Deresha and then Paintings say, 695 00:36:01,480 --> 00:36:05,920 Speaker 1: well those guys, all of those guys the talk right now. 696 00:36:05,960 --> 00:36:07,920 Speaker 1: It's kind of weird because at first everyone was like 697 00:36:07,960 --> 00:36:10,839 Speaker 1: offensive line, offensive line, offensive line for the Vikings. Now 698 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:13,200 Speaker 1: it's kind of switching to d edge. And with some 699 00:36:13,239 --> 00:36:15,160 Speaker 1: of the trades that have happened in the league, people 700 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:17,600 Speaker 1: are starting to speculate now that if you know, some 701 00:36:17,680 --> 00:36:20,239 Speaker 1: of those those quarterbacks that we thought we're going to 702 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:22,919 Speaker 1: go early and cannibalize up for some of those teams 703 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:25,319 Speaker 1: and would drop some of these different position groups to us. 704 00:36:25,680 --> 00:36:28,120 Speaker 1: Now that teams have been making moves and trading quarterbacks 705 00:36:28,120 --> 00:36:30,960 Speaker 1: and stuff like that for the last two weeks, people 706 00:36:30,960 --> 00:36:33,319 Speaker 1: are starting to say, you know, some of those top 707 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:35,760 Speaker 1: tier positions, especially if the offensive line might get gobbled 708 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:37,600 Speaker 1: up a lot sooner than we'd want them too, So 709 00:36:38,120 --> 00:36:40,920 Speaker 1: I am curious to see, you know, if there's going 710 00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:42,879 Speaker 1: to be any more movement here in the next two weeks. 711 00:36:42,920 --> 00:36:45,239 Speaker 1: There was discussion about the Falcons being the four pick 712 00:36:45,840 --> 00:36:48,920 Speaker 1: being willing to move out. But for me, I'm hoping 713 00:36:49,000 --> 00:36:51,359 Speaker 1: that some of these big body the offensive linemen, if 714 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:54,239 Speaker 1: a quitty pay has gone, are able to drop to us, 715 00:36:54,239 --> 00:36:55,759 Speaker 1: and that would make our decisions a heck of a 716 00:36:55,800 --> 00:36:58,279 Speaker 1: lot easier. Well, there's a big time right up on 717 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:02,480 Speaker 1: Christian darr saw on Pro Football Focus. Their latest mock 718 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:05,719 Speaker 1: draft has us going with him out of Virginia Tech. 719 00:37:05,880 --> 00:37:08,960 Speaker 1: Som just looking looking at what they have here. He's 720 00:37:09,000 --> 00:37:13,720 Speaker 1: a six five, three hundred and fourteen pound frame. I'd 721 00:37:13,719 --> 00:37:17,600 Speaker 1: say that's left tackle esque. The sixteenth ranked player on 722 00:37:17,719 --> 00:37:21,760 Speaker 1: PFF's big Board. Broke out in twenty twenty an Elite 723 00:37:21,920 --> 00:37:26,000 Speaker 1: ninety five point six overall grade, which is a very 724 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:30,520 Speaker 1: respectable slate for them against the acc pass rushers that 725 00:37:30,600 --> 00:37:33,080 Speaker 1: he had to go against game. I don't know, I 726 00:37:33,120 --> 00:37:35,600 Speaker 1: think this guy might fit as well. I know he 727 00:37:35,680 --> 00:37:37,839 Speaker 1: was picked by one of the one of the guys 728 00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:40,879 Speaker 1: over at CBS Sports, But when I see six five, 729 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:43,560 Speaker 1: three hundred and fourteen pounds. I think that that is 730 00:37:43,560 --> 00:37:45,920 Speaker 1: the kind of fit that Mike Zimmer is looking for 731 00:37:46,040 --> 00:37:50,640 Speaker 1: on this offensive line. Yeah, somebody that's big, strong, long arms, 732 00:37:50,840 --> 00:37:53,839 Speaker 1: and stays under his feet. And the good thing about 733 00:37:53,920 --> 00:37:57,239 Speaker 1: Christian Darrisaw he played in the similar offense at Virginia Tech, 734 00:37:57,600 --> 00:38:01,719 Speaker 1: So the learning curve won't be as as major as 735 00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:04,480 Speaker 1: big as a guy like Elijah Vera Tucker who you 736 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:06,920 Speaker 1: know played more than more in a spread. I think 737 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:10,520 Speaker 1: this guy, Christian derrissaw, I feel like he's underrated, put 738 00:38:10,560 --> 00:38:13,839 Speaker 1: it that way. But if he's available, which I think 739 00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:16,400 Speaker 1: he will be, because you still got your Pine Seals, 740 00:38:16,520 --> 00:38:18,320 Speaker 1: your Rashawn Slaters, who I think will be in the 741 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:22,000 Speaker 1: top ten. I think Christian Derrissa is a guy that 742 00:38:22,040 --> 00:38:24,680 Speaker 1: can you know, come in and plug and play immediately. 743 00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:27,920 Speaker 1: We know that left tackle spot is open, and we 744 00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:30,399 Speaker 1: know that is I mean, according to Clint Kubiak, left 745 00:38:30,400 --> 00:38:33,240 Speaker 1: tackle is the hardest spot to play in the NFL, 746 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:36,200 Speaker 1: So there's gonna be a lot expected from him. But 747 00:38:36,239 --> 00:38:38,000 Speaker 1: I think you know, if they slide him in that 748 00:38:38,040 --> 00:38:41,120 Speaker 1: spot with this size, he fits. Now it's just figuring 749 00:38:41,120 --> 00:38:43,719 Speaker 1: out how to see mesh against other defensive ends and 750 00:38:43,719 --> 00:38:46,080 Speaker 1: I think he'll be I think he'll be fine. Kirk 751 00:38:46,120 --> 00:38:47,239 Speaker 1: may have to get the ball out of his hands 752 00:38:47,239 --> 00:38:49,880 Speaker 1: a little quick, but I think he will be fine. Well, 753 00:38:50,080 --> 00:38:52,560 Speaker 1: this is the league of the pass rusher, that's for sure, 754 00:38:52,640 --> 00:38:54,919 Speaker 1: and all of the experts have us either going with 755 00:38:55,320 --> 00:38:58,880 Speaker 1: a pass rusher or the guys who protect the quarterback 756 00:38:59,040 --> 00:39:02,080 Speaker 1: from the past Russia. So clearly that is an area 757 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:05,319 Speaker 1: that we want to either protect against or add too. 758 00:39:05,840 --> 00:39:09,000 Speaker 1: I think that that will certainly be though. Both of 759 00:39:09,040 --> 00:39:11,800 Speaker 1: those positions will be picked pretty early in the draft, 760 00:39:12,040 --> 00:39:16,160 Speaker 1: whether it's with the first round pick, third round pick. Obviously, 761 00:39:16,239 --> 00:39:17,799 Speaker 1: we have a ton of fourth round picks as well, 762 00:39:17,880 --> 00:39:21,680 Speaker 1: so we'll have to see what happens on draft night. Obviously, 763 00:39:21,719 --> 00:39:24,799 Speaker 1: the trade back could be a big time scenario. As 764 00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:27,719 Speaker 1: we know, the Vikings don't have their second round pick 765 00:39:27,840 --> 00:39:32,040 Speaker 1: this year. They made that trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars 766 00:39:32,040 --> 00:39:34,760 Speaker 1: for Unique and Gackway, so they do not have that pick. 767 00:39:35,000 --> 00:39:37,319 Speaker 1: We'll see if they're able to make a trade and 768 00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:40,759 Speaker 1: accumulate that pick. We know what Rick Spielman does on 769 00:39:40,840 --> 00:39:44,640 Speaker 1: draft night. He is always finding ways to accumulate picks, 770 00:39:44,760 --> 00:39:48,000 Speaker 1: especially early on in the draft. So guys, I think 771 00:39:48,040 --> 00:39:50,680 Speaker 1: that's just about. That'll just about do it for this 772 00:39:50,719 --> 00:39:54,239 Speaker 1: episode of the podcast. But any final thoughts Jay before 773 00:39:54,239 --> 00:39:56,680 Speaker 1: we go. We just talk about every single week that 774 00:39:56,680 --> 00:40:00,480 Speaker 1: this thing is getting closer closer weekly. Again with the drafts, 775 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:02,479 Speaker 1: it's always the kind of the blowing in the wind 776 00:40:02,480 --> 00:40:04,960 Speaker 1: and shifting of seeing what's happening. And it is a 777 00:40:05,000 --> 00:40:07,920 Speaker 1: lot of fun seeing as of now those two and 778 00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:10,640 Speaker 1: three draft picks already being traded, the fourth one up 779 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:13,000 Speaker 1: for grabs, and just to think about the fact that 780 00:40:13,000 --> 00:40:15,919 Speaker 1: you're getting this much movement already three weeks out. What's 781 00:40:15,920 --> 00:40:18,320 Speaker 1: it going to be like on draft night itself? Especially 782 00:40:18,360 --> 00:40:20,080 Speaker 1: there was a lot of trades that happened last year 783 00:40:20,440 --> 00:40:22,120 Speaker 1: and it's kind of shaping up that it might be 784 00:40:22,120 --> 00:40:24,880 Speaker 1: in a similar boat this year too. So yeah, pay attention, 785 00:40:25,360 --> 00:40:27,080 Speaker 1: keep it, keep up on it. Even though Pete doesn't 786 00:40:27,120 --> 00:40:28,520 Speaker 1: like the mock drafts, it's kind of fun to pay 787 00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:31,800 Speaker 1: attention and do a bunch of film study and reading 788 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:33,359 Speaker 1: here for the next couple of weeks and get ready 789 00:40:33,360 --> 00:40:35,160 Speaker 1: for it because it's it's always one of my favorite 790 00:40:35,160 --> 00:40:38,520 Speaker 1: times a year. Yeah, Jay, hit on everything like that. 791 00:40:38,760 --> 00:40:41,960 Speaker 1: I mean, it's gonna be a very interesting and exciting 792 00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:44,440 Speaker 1: couple of weeks, and even though these mock drafts are 793 00:40:44,480 --> 00:40:47,560 Speaker 1: just mocks, I feel like people forget that they think that, Okay, 794 00:40:47,600 --> 00:40:50,319 Speaker 1: the Vikings are going to select this player. But these 795 00:40:50,440 --> 00:40:53,359 Speaker 1: these mock drafts are great. But I think the big 796 00:40:53,400 --> 00:40:56,680 Speaker 1: thing now is just figuring out how do certain players 797 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:59,759 Speaker 1: fit within a certain scheme. Like it sounds great on paper, 798 00:40:59,920 --> 00:41:03,040 Speaker 1: but if they don't fit within the scheme, that's probably 799 00:41:03,120 --> 00:41:05,680 Speaker 1: the main reason why a certain team doesn't draft a player. 800 00:41:05,719 --> 00:41:09,440 Speaker 1: And I'm excited. We know, we know that there's there 801 00:41:09,520 --> 00:41:11,759 Speaker 1: are a few holes for the Vikings to address in 802 00:41:11,800 --> 00:41:15,080 Speaker 1: the draft, so it'll be exciting to see what they do. 803 00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:17,600 Speaker 1: Where they go, will they move up, will they move back? 804 00:41:18,680 --> 00:41:20,040 Speaker 1: Of course, I know you love this time of the 805 00:41:20,120 --> 00:41:22,040 Speaker 1: year because there's so many unknowns, and I feel like 806 00:41:22,200 --> 00:41:25,600 Speaker 1: you thrive off of unknowns and figure trying to figure 807 00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:28,520 Speaker 1: it out. I love it, man. I love discussing just 808 00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:31,720 Speaker 1: about anything, from who's gonna start at the second safety 809 00:41:31,760 --> 00:41:34,279 Speaker 1: position too? Are we gonna go oh line with the 810 00:41:34,320 --> 00:41:36,200 Speaker 1: first pick or we're gonna go defensive line? I mean, 811 00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:40,720 Speaker 1: I mean, even just asking Pete Bursis to describe Dalvin 812 00:41:40,760 --> 00:41:43,840 Speaker 1: Tomlinson and how he fits in the middle of this 813 00:41:43,960 --> 00:41:46,200 Speaker 1: Vikings defensive line and if he's a three technique or 814 00:41:46,320 --> 00:41:49,319 Speaker 1: nose tackle like this is my favorite time of the year, 815 00:41:49,600 --> 00:41:53,600 Speaker 1: the most anticipation. Obviously, we didn't expect the Vikings to 816 00:41:53,600 --> 00:41:56,480 Speaker 1: be able to add this many players in a weird, 817 00:41:56,600 --> 00:42:00,160 Speaker 1: weird year in free agency. So very exciting time for 818 00:42:00,160 --> 00:42:04,279 Speaker 1: the Vikings, very exciting time for Vikings fans to check 819 00:42:04,320 --> 00:42:08,600 Speaker 1: out everything on Vikings dot Com. Vikings dot coms Lindsay 820 00:42:08,640 --> 00:42:11,640 Speaker 1: Young is working on the Getting Open series that we've 821 00:42:11,640 --> 00:42:16,799 Speaker 1: been covering just about all all offseason on the Vikings platforms, 822 00:42:17,480 --> 00:42:20,520 Speaker 1: covering all mental health challenges that are going on around 823 00:42:20,520 --> 00:42:25,120 Speaker 1: the organization. The newest episode features the Thelings Adam Thelan 824 00:42:25,200 --> 00:42:29,239 Speaker 1: and his wife Caitlin Thelan, who talk about mental health 825 00:42:29,280 --> 00:42:32,680 Speaker 1: challenges around their foundation and what they're doing to help 826 00:42:32,920 --> 00:42:36,040 Speaker 1: the calls. So really cool content there. Go check out 827 00:42:36,080 --> 00:42:39,399 Speaker 1: that piece on Vikings dot com. But that'll do it. 828 00:42:39,719 --> 00:42:41,799 Speaker 1: As we said, we are three weeks away from the 829 00:42:41,880 --> 00:42:45,880 Speaker 1: NFL Draft. We will be covering every aspect of the 830 00:42:45,960 --> 00:42:49,359 Speaker 1: draft heading up to the big event for Vikings dot 831 00:42:49,360 --> 00:42:53,080 Speaker 1: COM's Jay Nelson, Gabe Henderson, and of course our friend 832 00:42:53,080 --> 00:42:56,520 Speaker 1: Pete Bersich. This was episode eighty seven of the Minnesota 833 00:42:56,600 --> 00:42:58,719 Speaker 1: Vikings podcast. We Will See You Next Week.