1 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: Attending HBCUs schools for some was not a choice. It 2 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: was the only alternative that a lot of us had. 3 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: I know what Hars Gillham went through, I know what 4 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:19,640 Speaker 1: Marlon Briscol went through. I know what Dave Lewis went through. 5 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 1: I know what Dave Mays went through. Those are men 6 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:24,439 Speaker 1: who punt it in the league before I got there. 7 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: But I was determined that I was not gonna let 8 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 1: someone else's thoughts shape my dream. What is up? Vikings fans? 9 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to episode number one, O two of the Minnesota 10 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: Vikings Podcast. This is Chris Corso, and this week the 11 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: show's a little bit different. There's no Game Henderson, he's 12 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: on vacation. Jay Nelson also out of the office. So 13 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: I bring in some pretty good reinforcements in Tatum Everett, 14 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: the Vikings Entertainment Network's newest employee, and of course Lindsay 15 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: Young and one of our producers who who's done a 16 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: ton of work on this very show, be Rag Brian 17 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: Rodgers joins the show. So I'll let Tatum kick it off. 18 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,320 Speaker 1: How is your first couple of weeks here with the 19 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: Vikings organization? Well, thanks Chris for having us, but pretty 20 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 1: good replacence. I'd say we're pretty awesome. I don't think 21 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:20,400 Speaker 1: I was as I should have been more excited, Like, 22 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 1: I am so excited to have just to have you 23 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:25,479 Speaker 1: guys on the show today. We have such a good 24 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:29,119 Speaker 1: show prepared. Yeah, I'm so excited, but I'm just giving 25 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: you a hard time, no worries, you know how excited 26 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: to show? Yeah, No, honestly, it's been so great to 27 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: be here in Minnesota and covering the Vikings last couple 28 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: of weeks at the end of Mini camp and now 29 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,320 Speaker 1: you know, training camp tickets are on sale right now. 30 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 1: We are their live Vikings dot Com slash training Camp 31 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: and you can get everything you need from their fourteen 32 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: practices that will be open. It's like forty thousand I 33 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 1: think some odd free tickets, so you gotta scoop them up. 34 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: And with all that excitement and buzz rounding the team, 35 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 1: I'm just really excited to be here. We have a 36 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: jam pack show today. We're going to talk about the 37 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: player with the most to prove at Vikings Training Camp. 38 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: All four of us have our picks. There's there's a couple. 39 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: I guess Tatum has a little curveball in there. It 40 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 1: might be more than I love it. I love that, Yeah, 41 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,959 Speaker 1: I love that. We also have a great guest today. 42 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: He was a one of the most motivational speakers, impactful 43 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: speakers surrounding the Vikings organization. It's punter Greg Coleman, who 44 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 1: recently got one of the most prestigious awards and was 45 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. So 46 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: really excited to get him on the show later. But 47 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 1: with that, I'm going straight to lindsay, who is your 48 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:49,959 Speaker 1: player that you are most excited for that has a 49 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,839 Speaker 1: lot to prove at Vikings training camp coming up here. 50 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 1: I gotta love kicking it off. It was hard for 51 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 1: me to come up with to narrow down to one person, 52 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 1: just because I think there are some new players that 53 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 1: I'm really excited about, some some veteran guys of course 54 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:05,519 Speaker 1: that I want to see what they can do, or 55 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: even some players coming back from injury. But the guy 56 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 1: that I decided to go with is defensive end Jalen Holmes, 57 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 1: and for a couple of reasons, I'm really excited to 58 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 1: see what he does during training camp this summer. You know, 59 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: he has mainly played on a rotational basis since being 60 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 1: drafted here to Minnesota, but last season he really had 61 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make starts. He was able to start 62 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 1: nine of fourteen games. As we all know, Daniel Hunter 63 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 1: was out last year with that neck injury, and Stephen Weatherly, 64 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:38,600 Speaker 1: who had been starting, he spent a season with the 65 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: Panthers and now he's back in Minnesota. So it was 66 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 1: really fun to see Jalen kind of come into his 67 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: own a little bit to have more of an opportunity 68 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: to make that statement. He did have career high numbers 69 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 1: last season, as you can imagine with him making those starts. 70 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: So he had thirty six tackles, two passes defense, two 71 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: tackles for loss, and he also was credited with four 72 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: quarter back hits. But I think, you know, it's fair 73 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: to say that the defensive line unit as a whole 74 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 1: last year did struggle a little bit in the pass rush. 75 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: The group only had twenty three sacks last season, and 76 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 1: I know that's something that that coach Zimmer wants to 77 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:18,279 Speaker 1: see really improve. And so I think going into training camp, 78 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 1: but I'm excited about is just watching this d line 79 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: group and you know, watching for Jalen to take that 80 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 1: another step forward. There's going to be a lot of competition. 81 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,479 Speaker 1: I think you obviously have as Stephen Weatherly back, Daniel 82 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 1: Is back, which is fantastic. We drafted to defensive ends 83 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 1: this year with Patrick Jones the second and Genaris Robinson, 84 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 1: and then you even have guys like dj Wantam who 85 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: was a rookie last year, or Kenny Willis who was 86 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 1: a rookie but ended up being on IR and so 87 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 1: there's just a lot of names there. And so I 88 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 1: think that Jalen has a really big opportunity in front 89 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,479 Speaker 1: of him, and I'm just hoping that we can see 90 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: him make the most of that. Yeah, Lindy hear coach 91 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,159 Speaker 1: Jimmer mentioned his name in the press conference last week. 92 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,160 Speaker 1: I mean, that's that's something to when you hear him 93 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: say Jalen Holmes. I mean, that's clearly one of the 94 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:06,720 Speaker 1: players he's looking at. And I love that you bring 95 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 1: up all the guys that are that have been added, 96 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: the guys who missed last year obviously number ninety nine 97 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 1: on one side. When you have him on one side, 98 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:17,240 Speaker 1: I feel like it's only gonna benefit a guy like 99 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: Jalen Holmes this year. So I like it you frame 100 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: that as a positive rather than maybe he might miss 101 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:25,360 Speaker 1: a few reps here and there, but I really like 102 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: that one. I'm going over to you, Tatum, what do 103 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:29,920 Speaker 1: you got? Yeah? I know we got, we said as 104 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: a curveball. I kind of think that maybe as a 105 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 1: cop out, probably because I do think that the places 106 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 1: to watch this season, the places of mote they'll have 107 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 1: the most impact on how the Vikings do, will be 108 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: in the trenches, along the lines of what Lindsay was saying. 109 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: So I took the other side of things and said 110 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: the offensive line as a whole. And the reason I 111 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: had a hard time picking one person is because there 112 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: has been so much fluidity there recently with Riley Reef 113 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 1: gone and the free agency, there's a lot of new names. 114 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: With the first round draft pick Christian Derris, will he 115 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,799 Speaker 1: be the starting left tackle? Whyatt Davis? In the third round? 116 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: Will he be a starting guard? You imagine he'll be 117 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 1: a right guard, consider they're not going to put you 118 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: two rookies there on the outside. But it's gonna be 119 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 1: so interesting to see how they build that chemistry during 120 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:21,839 Speaker 1: training camp with guys like Gared Bradberry, Dakota Dozer, Brian O'Neill. 121 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 1: I mean, five of those guys that could potentially starters 122 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 1: have been drafted the last four seasons, so it's gonna 123 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 1: be a lot of youth, but and was sprinkled in 124 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: with a little bit of experience, so chemistry will be key. 125 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 1: And after last season's thirty nine sacks they allowed, it'd 126 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: be nice to see that number go way down. So 127 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:44,159 Speaker 1: for me, the offensive line will be the ticket to 128 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,799 Speaker 1: see how this will run all through Kirk and obviously 129 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: all of his weapons. So they've got to do their jobs, 130 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 1: and yeah, that's who I'm really hoping steps up this season. Yeah, 131 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: it's gonna be crazy for the offensive line, especially when 132 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:59,600 Speaker 1: a Riley Reef, who has been here forever, a team 133 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: cap and the veteran of this group. You mentioned Tatum 134 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: that all these players have been drafted in the past 135 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: four or so years. Now you have a rookie who's 136 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: going to step in at that spot that Riley Reef 137 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: leaves behind. That could either go really well or it 138 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 1: could go the other way. I think the Vikings coaches 139 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 1: like what they see from Christian Darisaw so far. Obviously 140 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:24,239 Speaker 1: you have a Brian O'Neill as well, with a looming 141 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: contract decision coming up, so I'm sure he'll want to 142 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 1: have quite the year. But what have you seen from 143 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: these guys so far? Like seeing the offensive line from 144 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: a far last year and then seeing all the players 145 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 1: that were added in the draft, a lot of young players. 146 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: What do you think just overall for this group coming 147 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: into this season. I mean, I think part of it 148 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: is like you're not the fifth You don't have the 149 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: fifth best rushing game in the league with a no 150 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 1: good offensive line. You know, like there is a lot 151 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 1: of potential there, and I think the amount of depth 152 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: that you can continue to build is super important throughout 153 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 1: the year. Obviously we saw that last year with a 154 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 1: lot of injuries, a lot of There are five different 155 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,440 Speaker 1: starting combinations throughout the season, so it would be great 156 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 1: to see some consistency so that they can build that bond, 157 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 1: be able to give Kirk more time. We know that 158 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: sometimes Kirk Cousins holds the ball a little bit too long, 159 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 1: Bible extra time. Make sure that they hold up there 160 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: into the deal. I guess you could say so to 161 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 1: answer your question, though, like I do think that this 162 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 1: could be a really solid group, and from what I've 163 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,439 Speaker 1: seen at camp, it's just it's really hard to tell. 164 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,560 Speaker 1: So early on for me personally, because I haven't really 165 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: seen too much team drills, I guess you could say, 166 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: especially without the pads on, it's really really hard to tell. 167 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: So I'm looking forward to training to kind of see 168 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,839 Speaker 1: that chemistry start for me, especially when we hit those 169 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 1: joint practices against the Broncos. Absolutely well, I love it. 170 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,599 Speaker 1: You are as new as you are with this organization 171 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: to pick the offensive line. That's exactly what the fan 172 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: base would want to hear. So I'm you absolutely nail 173 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 1: that one. I'm going to Brian Rogers, one of the 174 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 1: producers of this show, he makes his debut. I figured 175 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:15,839 Speaker 1: with all everybody out that we had to have be 176 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,840 Speaker 1: rage on to give his take on who he's looking 177 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 1: at um at Vikings training camp. So who's your pick us? Yes, yes, 178 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 1: I appreciate the opportunity to stay a few things on 179 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:28,480 Speaker 1: this here podcast that I've been involved with for a 180 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: year now. But the player I'm looking at most, I'm 181 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 1: staying on the offensive side of the ball, and I'm 182 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: going with BC Johnson. So a lot of Vikings Twitter 183 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: has been clamoring for who's going to be the wide 184 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 1: receiver three spot? You know, is it going to bring 185 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 1: in some veteran like Larry Fitzgerald, bring him home, or 186 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 1: go out and sign this guy or sign that guy. 187 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: And I'm sitting here acting like Okay, has everybody forgot that? 188 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:52,960 Speaker 1: BC Johnson is a young and up and coming receiver. 189 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 1: Like every chance that he's gotten to play, he's proved 190 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 1: to be a solid option. You know, I look back 191 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: to the Week twelve game against our line the last 192 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: year where he had seven receptions on seven targets, so 193 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 1: he caught everything that was thrown to him, and he 194 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 1: got seventy four yards as a total for the entire game, 195 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 1: and then with a very important two point conversion which 196 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: brought us within three points and then we ended up 197 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 1: winning that game on the next drive. But on the 198 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 1: second to last drive of that game where he got 199 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 1: that two point conversion, he had three receptions for forty yards. 200 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:25,560 Speaker 1: So if he's given the opportunity, he's shown that he 201 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:28,040 Speaker 1: can produce. But he's kind of been overshadowed by digs 202 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 1: and feeling his rookie year in twenty nineteen, and then 203 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 1: last year the breakout of Justin Jefferson kind of hindered 204 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 1: some of his opportunities. In addition, to the uptick usage 205 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 1: of tight ends in the passing game. I feel like 206 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: that has kind of hindered his lack of opportunities a 207 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: little bit. So I'm hoping that he kind of balls 208 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: out in the preseason and training camp and he earns 209 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,199 Speaker 1: himself that that wide receiver three spot behind Feeling and Jefferson. 210 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 1: That's a really good pick Garage, because I don't know 211 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 1: if you remember about last training camp, everybody was like 212 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 1: BC Johnson. BC Johnson, he was killing it like him, 213 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: Kirk had a connection. People kind of forgot about justin 214 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: Jefferson for a little bit, which was absolutely foolish. But yeah, 215 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: it's a really good pick because of what BC Johnson 216 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: was able to do during training camp last year. Obviously, 217 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: his role has been up and down with all the 218 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 1: stars on this offense, but I really like that one. 219 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: I'm bringing it all together for you guys. I heard 220 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: what Tatum had to say about the offensive line. I 221 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 1: hear you be Roger on the wide receiver three, I'm 222 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:29,319 Speaker 1: going with Kirk Cousins. I think Kirk Cousins has everything 223 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: and anything to prove this year. The Vikings obviously drafted 224 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,440 Speaker 1: a quarterback for the first time in a very long 225 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 1: time with one of their first couple picks in the draft. Obviously, 226 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:43,440 Speaker 1: they've been a few selections at quarterback a Nate Stanley 227 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 1: later on in the draft two years ago, but for 228 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: them to draft a guy like Kellen Mond, that means 229 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins, this is his year. I mean, he's thrown 230 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 1: for over four thousand passing yards five of the last 231 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:57,560 Speaker 1: six years, through for forty two hundred yards last year, 232 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: had a really good season with thirty five touchdowns. Obviously, 233 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: that's a tribute, a big time tribute to what Justin 234 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,560 Speaker 1: Jefferson was able to do. But those thirteen interceptions last year, 235 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 1: they were not not welcomed by the Vikings defense, which 236 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: which clearly struggled with a lot of players missing. I 237 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:18,560 Speaker 1: think he's got to take care of the ball. I 238 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:20,959 Speaker 1: think a lot of this will fall into place with 239 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: Tatum's take on the offensive line kind of coming together. 240 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:27,679 Speaker 1: But Tatum, what do you think about my Kirk Cousins pick. Honestly, Chris, 241 00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: I was going to pick them before I was going 242 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,079 Speaker 1: to pick the oh line because I do think that 243 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 1: this has got to be Kirk's here. He's got to 244 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:36,800 Speaker 1: take control of this team. Proved that he can build 245 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 1: off of, you know, the playoff win from two seasons ago, 246 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 1: because obviously they didn't make the playoffs last year. And 247 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 1: so he's a big money quarterback and he's gonna start 248 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: need to start playing like one I think, and I 249 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:53,720 Speaker 1: but I do think that he's got a lot of 250 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 1: weapons on either side of him. I think Herb Smith 251 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 1: will play a big and either entire Conklin will play 252 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,320 Speaker 1: a big part in this offensive scheme under first year 253 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: coordinator Clint Kubiak, and so it'll be it'll be really 254 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: interesting to see how things unfold with my point of 255 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:14,359 Speaker 1: the offensive line and obviously the wide receiver battle, and 256 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: hopefully that plays well into Kirk Cousins hands, because you know, 257 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: this could be a huge year for this team. It 258 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 1: just feels like all of the pieces are there, they 259 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 1: just have to come together. And too, just with the 260 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 1: defensive side of the ball. I know we only talked 261 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 1: about the one defensive player, but hopefully with all the 262 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: pieces that you guys talked about on offense, you know, 263 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: my hope is also that if the defense takes a 264 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 1: big step forward this season, you know, you're getting the 265 00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 1: ball back into Kirk's hands. You're giving the offensive line, 266 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 1: the receivers, the running backs more opportunities. And so I 267 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 1: think to Tatum's point, having it all come together is 268 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 1: you know what we're what we're really looking for, and 269 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: I think the potential is absolutely there. I agree eight 270 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:57,079 Speaker 1: point three yards per play last year for Kirk Cousins, 271 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: that was the highest per play in his four year 272 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: years with the Vikings. So I think that wide receiver, 273 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 1: that LSU guy that you're pretty familiar with, Tatum, had 274 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: a little bit to do with that break breaking tackles 275 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:11,960 Speaker 1: and doing the griddion to the end zone. I think 276 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:13,440 Speaker 1: he might have had a little bit to do with 277 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 1: that stat but I I don't know. I think I'm 278 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: so excited for the Vikings offense. I can't wait to 279 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 1: see what Dalvin Cook's going to do this year, having 280 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:23,440 Speaker 1: all the motivation in the world with some of the 281 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:26,560 Speaker 1: injuries and personal things he battled off the field last year. 282 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 1: So as a whole for the Vikings offense, I'll throw 283 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: this at you, Lindsey, what are you expecting for this 284 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: Vikings offense this year compared to last year? I think 285 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: the thing that I'm really excited about is, you know, 286 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 1: we did there are some key pieces that are not 287 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 1: here this year, with Riley Reef, with Kyle Rudolph, But 288 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 1: there's a lot of carryover from last season, which I 289 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:53,119 Speaker 1: think is going to be really significant. And I'm expecting, 290 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: you know, just as big, if not bigger, of a 291 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 1: year from Justin Jefferson. And I know maybe that's a 292 00:14:58,160 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: little bit of a hot take, just in the sense 293 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 1: our defenses are going to be really keyed into him, 294 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 1: But you know, I think he is confident. I think 295 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 1: he's just continuing to get better. He had an off 296 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: season this year that wasn't virtual that can only help him. 297 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: With a healthy Delman Cook and hopefully, like we talked about, 298 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: a kind of a new look offensive line, I'm super 299 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: excited to see what can happen, and I think the 300 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 1: offense can take another step forward after having a pretty 301 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 1: good year last year. I guess we've covered every position 302 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: on the offense and Tatum, you mentioned what you're expecting 303 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: for the tight end position, which is clearly very different 304 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 1: than it's been in years past with number eighty two 305 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: going to New York. So what are you expecting out 306 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: of the combo of er Smith Junior and Tyler Conklin 307 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: at the tight end position. Yeah, I think Brian touched 308 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: on it a little bit. So many teams are using 309 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 1: their tight ends as wide receiver number three in a way, 310 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 1: in a sense, and so I think that there's a 311 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: potential for rb Smith to really, I think, be a 312 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: breakout star here. Um. He has the hands, he has 313 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 1: the talent, he has the speed. I'm ready to see 314 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 1: that tandem because obviously it's good when you are blocking 315 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 1: for a guy like Dalvin Cook. You might get a 316 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 1: little gas sometimes, especially if you're growing us down down 317 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 1: the field once he ends the second second level. But 318 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: but yeah, no, I mean I think that there it's 319 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 1: a I think it's a great transition to have these 320 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: two guys fill the shoes of Kyle Rudolph, let them 321 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 1: be in a battle. Competition only breeds quality, and so 322 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 1: I think that could be a really good thing having 323 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: the tandem there. And honestly, like I said, I think 324 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 1: that Earth's gonna be my breakout guy to watch this year. 325 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 1: I love to hear that. Well, thank you, guys. I'm 326 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:48,000 Speaker 1: super excited, can't wait for Vikings training Camp. And someone 327 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,200 Speaker 1: else who's very excited for Vikings Training Camp is the man. 328 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 1: We're about to introduce. It's Vikings sideline reporter Greg Coleman, 329 00:16:56,760 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 1: obviously a long time punter for this very organization. So 330 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: let's go to that interview and let Greg Coleman take 331 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:07,200 Speaker 1: it away. This week's guest on the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 332 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 1: It's none other than the sideline analyst and obviously the 333 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: former Vikings punter Greg Coleman, who recently got off the 334 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 1: golf course. I know you had a tough day out there. Yeah, 335 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:23,880 Speaker 1: you know, I missed a couple of birdie putts, but 336 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 1: you know, all in all, you know, the game is 337 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 1: slowly coming around, slowly coming around. I love to hear it. Well, 338 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 1: obviously we're having you on the show because of the 339 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: honor that you just received and that's being inducted into 340 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,399 Speaker 1: the Black College Football Hall of Fame. What is the 341 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: feeling like and just talk about your experience there, and 342 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:46,400 Speaker 1: I know you were among many others and it had 343 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 1: to be the experience of a lifetime. Chris, I gotta 344 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 1: tell you, aside knowing that you know, I married my 345 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:59,159 Speaker 1: wife and seeing the birth of my children, I can't 346 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 1: think of any thing that I kind of put me 347 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: in a place of number one excitement, but humility as well, 348 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 1: to think that someone thought enough of you, that's something 349 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:18,400 Speaker 1: that you may have done warranted this great honor being 350 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: in a being in a fraternity of men like Doug Williams, 351 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 1: Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, Michael strahand, Mel Blunt, the late 352 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:31,639 Speaker 1: Ken Riley. The list goes great the you know, Bob Hayes. 353 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: The list goes on and on and on of of 354 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 1: great not only football players, but great men who attended 355 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:42,880 Speaker 1: HBCU schools. And and I got to tell you that 356 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:49,120 Speaker 1: attending HBCUs schools for some was not a choice. It 357 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,560 Speaker 1: was a It was an alternative. It was the only 358 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: alternative that a lot of us had because I too 359 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: wanted to be uh you know, go to one of 360 00:18:57,520 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 1: the major colleges and uh here in the state of 361 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: Florida about hell a coach, You tell me, Greg, we 362 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:07,239 Speaker 1: just got our alumni and staff ready to accept the 363 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:09,159 Speaker 1: fact that we're going to have a black quarterback at 364 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: damn show kay have a black kick. So you know, 365 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: you got to remember doing the time that I grew 366 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:20,679 Speaker 1: up was a time of integration and unrest, very similar 367 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 1: to what we're facing now. But but kids don't have 368 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 1: to face those walls and windows and doors being closed 369 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 1: in their faces like we did many many years ago, 370 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 1: and thank God for that. But Greg, the reason for 371 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: that is because of people like you, and I know 372 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 1: during the ceremony, Doug Williams called you a trailblazer. What 373 00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: does it like to hear someone who's also made such 374 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:48,400 Speaker 1: a mark on this game say that about yourself. Well, 375 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 1: it's so interesting that, you know, tell them that you 376 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 1: mentioned Doug, because my last year was in Washington and 377 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:58,919 Speaker 1: Doug and I being two of the dinosaurs on that 378 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: team as well, we would both kind of sit in 379 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 1: the you know, he was in one hot tub or 380 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 1: one cold tub and I was in the other, and 381 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: we would just talk about the things that we had 382 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:13,400 Speaker 1: experience during our years in the National Football League, things 383 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:17,880 Speaker 1: that the changes that we saw, and even not even 384 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:21,640 Speaker 1: having a glimpse or glimmer many many years later that 385 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 1: he would be a catalyst in creating such a great institution. 386 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:30,159 Speaker 1: But that term trailblazer, I don't apply it to me. 387 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: I applied to men who really broke the Calabarria in 388 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: the National Football League. Men, you know I was let's 389 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:42,680 Speaker 1: let's let's get this straight. I was not the first 390 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:46,960 Speaker 1: African American man to put his black foot on a 391 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:50,440 Speaker 1: brown ball. There were men who came before me who 392 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:54,679 Speaker 1: did that, who bridge that gap, but they were forced 393 00:20:54,680 --> 00:20:59,160 Speaker 1: to play other positions. Yeah. Wow, they tried to do 394 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:02,399 Speaker 1: that to me because of my athletic ability when I 395 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 1: was drafted by Cincinnati, playing wide receiver, trying out wide receiver, 396 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 1: defensive back, and then having to go out and compete 397 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:12,959 Speaker 1: against the other guys, other punters and kickers who had 398 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 1: been sitting around all day. I know what hars Gillam 399 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:18,439 Speaker 1: went through. I know what Marlin Briscoe went through. I 400 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:20,400 Speaker 1: know what Dave Lewis went through. I know what Dave 401 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 1: Mays went through. Those are men who punted in the 402 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:27,879 Speaker 1: league before I got there. But I was determined that 403 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:32,240 Speaker 1: I was not gonna let someone else's thought shape my 404 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: dream because I said when I was in high school 405 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:36,680 Speaker 1: that I wanted to be a punter. I wanted to 406 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 1: be a kicking specialist in the National Football League. Yes, 407 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,159 Speaker 1: did I have the physical ability to play other positions, 408 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:45,800 Speaker 1: Yes I did, but I chose not to do it. 409 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: Because it was one Sunday afternoon, I saw this guy 410 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,879 Speaker 1: from the Baltimore coats. It was muddy, rainy, bloody, and 411 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 1: everybody had on dirty uniforms. The punter walked out on 412 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: the field in his clean white uniform and clean and 413 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:01,960 Speaker 1: kick the all and walked back to the bench with 414 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: his clean white uniform. And at a very young age, 415 00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:06,680 Speaker 1: I said, that's what I want to do, and that's 416 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:14,360 Speaker 1: what I want to be. Betrayal blazer man, that that's 417 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:17,680 Speaker 1: that's that's a term that I hold in high esteem. 418 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:22,120 Speaker 1: But all of the adjectives that were used to describe 419 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 1: my career. It humbles you. It really does so great. 420 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 1: I love that you're talking about how you had your 421 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:33,400 Speaker 1: site set on this goal so early in life. Can 422 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 1: you just kind of share a little bit more about 423 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 1: what age that was for you? Um, and did you 424 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:40,800 Speaker 1: you know what kind of support did you have from 425 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: an early age at wanting to follow those dreams? Well, um, 426 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: you know, I did a little podcast on the power 427 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:51,919 Speaker 1: of words last week and talked about told that you know, 428 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 1: those business owners and in people seeking to take their 429 00:22:56,080 --> 00:23:00,879 Speaker 1: life to the next level, words are so valuable. And 430 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 1: at a very young age, when I started kicking podcns 431 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 1: over the fence, and then when I got a football 432 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,920 Speaker 1: kicking it over the electric wires out in front of 433 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:11,120 Speaker 1: the house, and then all the houses. But to hear 434 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 1: the people in the neighborhood say god, dang, they use 435 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 1: a few other adjectives that describe man. I've never seen 436 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 1: anybody kick a ball over a house like that. And 437 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 1: those words fed my spirit. And when I was in 438 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 1: sixth grade, I had a very dear friend of mine. 439 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 1: We attend the same church down here at Potter's House, 440 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:34,880 Speaker 1: a Christian travelership down here in Florida. A brother by 441 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:37,800 Speaker 1: the name of Gus Williams. Now both of us were 442 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 1: in the sixth grade. But Gus saw something in me, 443 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:43,199 Speaker 1: and after practice, we would go to my house and 444 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 1: we would practice. We even built a gold post in 445 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:49,280 Speaker 1: my yard. And Gus would call me Gopher. And I 446 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: don't know why he called me Golpher, but he that's 447 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:53,200 Speaker 1: what he did. He called me Golpher. Gopher. You can 448 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:55,720 Speaker 1: do this, man, you can kick this. When you can punt, 449 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 1: you can kick man. You can do this. Those words 450 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 1: from another one of my peers. We finished high school together. 451 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:05,680 Speaker 1: You know, we talk about it so many times. How 452 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:09,479 Speaker 1: his words encourage me, the words of others, the words 453 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 1: from people in the neighborhood, the words from my parents, 454 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:16,440 Speaker 1: the word from coaches and teachers in so many others. 455 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:20,399 Speaker 1: I took to heart because I love to hear those 456 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:25,840 Speaker 1: words describing me and my performance. So I worked even 457 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 1: harder not to disappointing those people who had faith and 458 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:34,439 Speaker 1: belief in my ability. So I had a support system 459 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 1: that was out of this world. But lindsay, one of 460 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:40,760 Speaker 1: the most amazing things was being exposed to the other 461 00:24:40,760 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 1: side of the track, to seeing how others live. You know, 462 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:47,159 Speaker 1: I ran track, and I've got an opportunity to go 463 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:50,560 Speaker 1: to other cities and see how other kids live, seeing 464 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:54,159 Speaker 1: what was possible. That's why I mean, if you can 465 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 1: expose a young person to the possibilities, you know his 466 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:03,040 Speaker 1: mind is. I mean, the possibilities are endless because once 467 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 1: he gets a glimpse of what's possible, man, And that's 468 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:11,359 Speaker 1: what it was for me. So I started at a 469 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 1: very young age and found out that a lot of 470 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 1: kids in my neighborhood didn't want a kid, They wanted 471 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:19,919 Speaker 1: to play other positions. Well, I was smart enough not 472 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:21,879 Speaker 1: to get hurt, not to get beat up, not to 473 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:25,119 Speaker 1: get bloody, so I would kick for both teams. Okay, 474 00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:28,959 Speaker 1: so who was the smartest one in the group. Sounds 475 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:34,040 Speaker 1: like you, thank you man. So you were drafted by 476 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:37,240 Speaker 1: Cincinnati and the Bengals, you didn't end up playing there. 477 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 1: Then you go over to Cleveland and you play. I 478 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:42,520 Speaker 1: think it was about fourteen games with the Browns. What 479 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:45,160 Speaker 1: made you stick with the Vikings for ten or so years? 480 00:25:45,400 --> 00:25:47,800 Speaker 1: Why was that the team that you stuck with? And 481 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:51,159 Speaker 1: what was it about the franchise that really it was? 482 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:54,760 Speaker 1: It was like home to you. But Grant was such 483 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:59,320 Speaker 1: an evalue of talent. It wasn't one size spit all. 484 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 1: The way that he had treated where he treated a 485 00:26:02,440 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 1: Maghra shot was different than the way he treated Sammy White. 486 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:09,040 Speaker 1: The way he treated Jim Marshall was different than he 487 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:13,359 Speaker 1: would than he treated another defensive player. The way he 488 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:16,479 Speaker 1: treated fran Tarketing was different than he treated Tommy Kramer. 489 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:20,879 Speaker 1: And once Bud saw what number one, I had to 490 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:24,360 Speaker 1: create an opportunity, because you know, back then they could 491 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:26,400 Speaker 1: staship for three or four days and I would kick 492 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:28,240 Speaker 1: and Bud would go in as a guy to leave. 493 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:31,160 Speaker 1: And I tried tried out with four or five other teams, 494 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:35,040 Speaker 1: and nobody wanted to make a decision so I said, 495 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:38,159 Speaker 1: I had to create an opportunity. So one day I 496 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 1: practiced while they were at one end at Old met Stadium, 497 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:43,359 Speaker 1: I went to the other put a garbage can on 498 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 1: the on the gold line five and ten, and I 499 00:26:45,520 --> 00:26:47,320 Speaker 1: grabbed a bag of balls and I went to the fifteen. 500 00:26:47,359 --> 00:26:49,919 Speaker 1: I started kicking balls in the can, and I can 501 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:53,920 Speaker 1: remember some of the players stopped practicing in a mad 502 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:56,439 Speaker 1: and Ricky Young and Bobby Bryan and some of the 503 00:26:56,440 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 1: other Vets turned around and they were just describing. I 504 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 1: can't I can't say what they were saying, but it 505 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 1: was there were words that were used to embellish my 506 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:11,680 Speaker 1: talent and say, God, bless it. Man, We've never seen 507 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:16,000 Speaker 1: anybody kick a ball like that. So, after practice, But 508 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:20,680 Speaker 1: goes in and then I said he would go again. 509 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:22,920 Speaker 1: So we come out for Saturday practice and But comes 510 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:24,920 Speaker 1: up to me and he says, Oh, by the way, 511 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:28,760 Speaker 1: you're gonna punt against the Green Bay Packers tomorrow, So 512 00:27:28,840 --> 00:27:32,320 Speaker 1: go get a contract worked out with Mike Lynn. And 513 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:34,520 Speaker 1: he said, can you do that when you when you wanted? 514 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 1: I said, but all I need is an opportunity, and 515 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:40,480 Speaker 1: that you know, in the rest of his history, he 516 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 1: told me and it was like my special team's coach, 517 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:46,960 Speaker 1: my kicking coach at Florida and m Pop Kittles. I 518 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:48,639 Speaker 1: was in practice one day and I was just booming 519 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 1: him right down the middle of the field, and Pop said, well, baby, 520 00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:53,800 Speaker 1: why he kicking it right to him? I said, well, hell, Pop, 521 00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:57,000 Speaker 1: that's why he standed. He said, well, make him work 522 00:27:57,040 --> 00:27:59,920 Speaker 1: for his lunch too, don't you do all the hard work. 523 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:02,400 Speaker 1: Make him work for it. I said, what do you mean. 524 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:04,959 Speaker 1: He said, well, kick it where he ain't. Kick it 525 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:08,399 Speaker 1: to the right, kick it to the left. He's said, baby, 526 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:12,639 Speaker 1: if you do it consistently, they'll find a place for 527 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:16,119 Speaker 1: you at the next level. In words. Again, I was 528 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:19,240 Speaker 1: stupid enough to believe what Pop Kittles told me, and 529 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:21,320 Speaker 1: I kicked it to the right, and I kicked it 530 00:28:21,359 --> 00:28:23,719 Speaker 1: to the left. If I ever wanted to get on 531 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: the bad side of Bud Grant, kick the ball down 532 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:29,119 Speaker 1: the middle of the field. So my fourteen was kicking 533 00:28:29,119 --> 00:28:31,280 Speaker 1: it to the right and kicking it to the left. 534 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:34,200 Speaker 1: And to hear Howard co Sale on a Monday night game, 535 00:28:36,080 --> 00:28:40,200 Speaker 1: I don't know who Coffin was, but when he described 536 00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 1: there's gonna use the nickname you, I was not out 537 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: of Florida A and M University kicking it to the 538 00:28:49,560 --> 00:28:54,600 Speaker 1: Coleman coffin corner, and in those words were just I mean, 539 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:58,160 Speaker 1: they were just amazing because he labeled you that. And 540 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 1: when Howard labeled you nickname, I mean that was in 541 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:06,200 Speaker 1: So that's all I knew, Man, That's all I knew 542 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:08,080 Speaker 1: was kicking it to the corners, kick it where they ate. 543 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:10,880 Speaker 1: And as a result, you had a long career not 544 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 1: only here in Minnesota, but in in the NFL and 545 00:29:14,400 --> 00:29:17,800 Speaker 1: had laid it led you beyond and into the broadcasting 546 00:29:17,840 --> 00:29:20,560 Speaker 1: sector of it all. Still with the Vikings, I'm sure 547 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:24,320 Speaker 1: that you had something, you had a plan for yourself 548 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:28,200 Speaker 1: after you left playing, but did you expect to be 549 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:32,280 Speaker 1: in a sideline reporter for radio on the field? You know, 550 00:29:32,360 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 1: post career. I knew that that was one of the 551 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:40,280 Speaker 1: things that I wanted to do. There were several things 552 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:43,360 Speaker 1: that I wanted to do. But what gave me a 553 00:29:43,440 --> 00:29:45,760 Speaker 1: glimpse of reality is what I did not make it 554 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 1: after being drafted by Cincinnati. Because of the education that 555 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 1: I got at Florida and I graduated in three and 556 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:57,720 Speaker 1: a half years. I taught school, I taught high school history, 557 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:00,640 Speaker 1: but I still had a yearning in a in a 558 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:06,640 Speaker 1: niche for broadcasting for the microphone, because in high school 559 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:10,400 Speaker 1: and our basketball games, I would be the announcer, you know, 560 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:14,239 Speaker 1: the for our high school basketball games. And you know, 561 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 1: at A and M I did some stuff. I did 562 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:20,160 Speaker 1: some of the same things that So I tried to 563 00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:24,680 Speaker 1: polish my craft by doing some internships down at CCO. 564 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:28,240 Speaker 1: I went to Brown Institute for a couple of semesters. 565 00:30:28,320 --> 00:30:31,000 Speaker 1: So I knew that I had to prepare. Because I 566 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 1: always remember that preparation meets opportunity you're going to have success. 567 00:30:36,560 --> 00:30:39,280 Speaker 1: So I knew that I had to be prepared. Now. 568 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 1: The path that I took to the Viking Sideline was 569 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:47,640 Speaker 1: one that was not one that that I wanted to 570 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:49,560 Speaker 1: do right away because I thought I could still play. 571 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:52,600 Speaker 1: I mean, if Mike listen, if Zimmer called me to 572 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 1: day and say, hey, can you give us thirty five 573 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:57,560 Speaker 1: yards out of bounds, you durned skippy, I'll put on 574 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:00,720 Speaker 1: that uniform right now. My wife to tell me to 575 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:03,560 Speaker 1: get your all behind out of the way before somebody 576 00:31:03,760 --> 00:31:06,360 Speaker 1: kills you. Well, I've been twenty two years on the 577 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:08,920 Speaker 1: sideline and I don't think I've been hit yet so 578 00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 1: you keep your head on a swivel. But I've always 579 00:31:12,280 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 1: had an interest in a love for the game. I 580 00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:19,360 Speaker 1: always observed things that we're not so common to the 581 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:24,160 Speaker 1: naked eye, and that intrigued me. And when I got 582 00:31:24,200 --> 00:31:30,800 Speaker 1: the opportunity to be a sideline analyst, sideline correspondent, whatever 583 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,760 Speaker 1: you want to call it. And we have a great team. Man. 584 00:31:33,920 --> 00:31:37,880 Speaker 1: The butts that we have now is I think we're 585 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 1: the best in the league with Paul Allen on lead 586 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:44,160 Speaker 1: vocals and Pete and Ben Lieber coming to the team, 587 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:48,520 Speaker 1: you know several years ago added a fresh freshness and 588 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:52,040 Speaker 1: a new dimension. I just love what we do. I 589 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:56,360 Speaker 1: love what we have and uh, it's it's the Cats 590 00:31:56,400 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 1: me out, guys. I'm just going to tell you it's 591 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:01,480 Speaker 1: the Cats me out. And I think this year is 592 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:04,160 Speaker 1: going to be one heck of a year. We got 593 00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:08,000 Speaker 1: the defense back together, we got Cookie healthy, we putting 594 00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:12,640 Speaker 1: zimm has made some great moves through free agency. You know, guys, 595 00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 1: I would say I can't wait until training camp, but 596 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:19,080 Speaker 1: I can wait until training camp because you know, I 597 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:21,719 Speaker 1: got a lot of tea times to get done before 598 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:26,280 Speaker 1: before the end of July. Great you mentioned coach Zimmer, 599 00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:28,640 Speaker 1: And you know, I think it's just great that you 600 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:32,320 Speaker 1: got to play for Bud Grant and now you work 601 00:32:32,560 --> 00:32:35,480 Speaker 1: with coach Zimmer kind of in a different capacity. And 602 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:38,120 Speaker 1: you know, they may have coach football decades apart from 603 00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:39,880 Speaker 1: each other, but I do think most would agree there 604 00:32:39,880 --> 00:32:43,240 Speaker 1: are a few similarities between the two. What is it 605 00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:46,120 Speaker 1: like to be one of the first people to get 606 00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:48,400 Speaker 1: a one on one with Coach Zimmer coming off the 607 00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:51,480 Speaker 1: field after our game. Well, when we win, it's great. 608 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:56,240 Speaker 1: When we don't win, I gotta tell you, I gotta 609 00:32:56,280 --> 00:32:58,960 Speaker 1: be on my p's and ques because I get it. 610 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:03,680 Speaker 1: I understand the emotion and to catch the raw, the 611 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:06,960 Speaker 1: raw emotion just coming off the field, whether it's a 612 00:33:07,080 --> 00:33:10,120 Speaker 1: win or loss. And even in a win, it could 613 00:33:10,160 --> 00:33:12,719 Speaker 1: be tough because we may have lost a key player 614 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:16,640 Speaker 1: an injury, we may have gotten some bad news about 615 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:20,800 Speaker 1: a player's family or or anything like that. So the 616 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:24,040 Speaker 1: range of emotion goes from top to bottom. But the 617 00:33:24,160 --> 00:33:28,000 Speaker 1: similarities are the same. You're paid to win football games. 618 00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:30,480 Speaker 1: But Grant told me that a long time ago. He said, 619 00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:33,480 Speaker 1: I can get anybody off the street to play football, 620 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:36,760 Speaker 1: to put on the purple uniform. But we're paid to 621 00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:39,480 Speaker 1: win football games, and we don't, and when we don't win, 622 00:33:39,920 --> 00:33:43,640 Speaker 1: changes are going to be made. So in terms of similarities, 623 00:33:44,320 --> 00:33:49,160 Speaker 1: they both are stricklers for detail. I watch him doing 624 00:33:49,160 --> 00:33:53,440 Speaker 1: a course of practice, doing training camp, the minute details 625 00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:56,400 Speaker 1: where he'll stay after with a defensive bat and say, hey, no, 626 00:33:56,480 --> 00:33:58,600 Speaker 1: you got to open up at forty five degree angle. 627 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:06,280 Speaker 1: This way. Little things and once that player grasp and 628 00:34:06,480 --> 00:34:10,880 Speaker 1: believe in the technique that Mike zimmer It has preached 629 00:34:10,920 --> 00:34:12,920 Speaker 1: for weeks and weeks and months and months and months, 630 00:34:13,120 --> 00:34:15,640 Speaker 1: you can see that player elevate. You can see his 631 00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:18,640 Speaker 1: play go to the top because he's confident in what 632 00:34:18,719 --> 00:34:21,160 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer has told him. Some guys get it right 633 00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:23,560 Speaker 1: away and some guys it takes a little while. But 634 00:34:23,640 --> 00:34:26,719 Speaker 1: when you get it, you see a difference with like 635 00:34:26,880 --> 00:34:30,080 Speaker 1: nobody's business. And those are the little things that I 636 00:34:30,160 --> 00:34:32,680 Speaker 1: love about Zimmer. Let me let me share this one 637 00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:37,640 Speaker 1: quick story. When we hired Zimmer, I go to introduce myself, 638 00:34:38,880 --> 00:34:41,040 Speaker 1: said coach, my name is And before I could say it, 639 00:34:41,080 --> 00:34:44,520 Speaker 1: he said, Greg, I know who you are. Wow, I've 640 00:34:44,520 --> 00:34:46,879 Speaker 1: watched I've looked at all of these pictures on the wall. 641 00:34:46,920 --> 00:34:52,040 Speaker 1: He said, you guys, you legends are the foundation of 642 00:34:52,080 --> 00:34:55,520 Speaker 1: this organization, he said. And I don't know what happened 643 00:34:55,800 --> 00:35:00,359 Speaker 1: with previous administrations, but you let your guys know that 644 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:04,200 Speaker 1: this is their home. The door is always open to them. 645 00:35:04,239 --> 00:35:06,560 Speaker 1: They can come to practice whenever they want to. And 646 00:35:06,600 --> 00:35:09,120 Speaker 1: I know that you know the organization is working on 647 00:35:09,160 --> 00:35:12,520 Speaker 1: some other things, but you guys are welcome here. That 648 00:35:12,560 --> 00:35:16,399 Speaker 1: has not always been the case. And before I can 649 00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:19,200 Speaker 1: introduce myself, he already knows my name. He knows who 650 00:35:19,239 --> 00:35:22,279 Speaker 1: I am. Man. Can you imagine what that meant to 651 00:35:22,360 --> 00:35:25,760 Speaker 1: me to my comrades. And when they come to practice 652 00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:30,319 Speaker 1: and Mike Zimmer calls their name welcoming them to I mean, 653 00:35:31,040 --> 00:35:33,960 Speaker 1: it's unbelievable. And he old you some form of players 654 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:36,760 Speaker 1: to come and share some stories with his current team. 655 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:41,160 Speaker 1: It is unbelievable. I am so fortunate to get an 656 00:35:41,160 --> 00:35:44,319 Speaker 1: opportunity to share some things with our rookies. And I 657 00:35:44,360 --> 00:35:47,920 Speaker 1: don't take it for granted, but sometimes those of us 658 00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:50,719 Speaker 1: who are long in the tooth, some of us dinosaurs, 659 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:54,440 Speaker 1: can share some things, some potholes that they don't have 660 00:35:54,520 --> 00:35:57,680 Speaker 1: to step in because we've been there. We know where 661 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:00,480 Speaker 1: the potholes are. And that's one thing that I can 662 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:05,360 Speaker 1: really appreciate about Mike Zimmer that anyone who knows you, 663 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 1: Greg and they know that you're a man of faith, 664 00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:09,960 Speaker 1: they know that you take it upon yourself to create 665 00:36:10,120 --> 00:36:12,680 Speaker 1: relationships with a lot of the players on the team. 666 00:36:13,040 --> 00:36:14,680 Speaker 1: And one thing that always stood out to me is 667 00:36:14,680 --> 00:36:17,759 Speaker 1: seeing what you do after the game. When the game's over. 668 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:22,200 Speaker 1: You're in a huddle, kneeled down in prayer with players 669 00:36:22,239 --> 00:36:25,480 Speaker 1: not only from the vikings, but players with the opponent 670 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:28,160 Speaker 1: as well. So can you just tell his hands, like, 671 00:36:28,239 --> 00:36:31,000 Speaker 1: how that started, how you started doing that, how you 672 00:36:31,040 --> 00:36:34,000 Speaker 1: became such a prominent part of that, and what that 673 00:36:34,600 --> 00:36:37,840 Speaker 1: means to you following each and every game. Well, it 674 00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:41,600 Speaker 1: didn't start after my career. You know. We had a 675 00:36:41,640 --> 00:36:46,040 Speaker 1: great fellowship doing my tenure as a player, and I 676 00:36:46,120 --> 00:36:49,520 Speaker 1: was one of the leaders of our Bible study in 677 00:36:49,560 --> 00:36:54,239 Speaker 1: our chapel group, and our current chaplain, Tom Lamphere is 678 00:36:54,239 --> 00:36:58,480 Speaker 1: not always on the field after the games, so in 679 00:36:58,600 --> 00:37:03,320 Speaker 1: assisting him, not only doing chapel, but during the weeks 680 00:37:03,719 --> 00:37:06,799 Speaker 1: when our players and coaches and people in the organization 681 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:09,200 Speaker 1: are struggling with some things and they need an ear. 682 00:37:11,160 --> 00:37:14,160 Speaker 1: I just thank God that I'm in a position that 683 00:37:14,160 --> 00:37:17,000 Speaker 1: He's placed me in to be at the right place 684 00:37:17,040 --> 00:37:20,759 Speaker 1: at the right time to share a prayer, to share 685 00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:24,200 Speaker 1: a word of encouragement, a shoulder to lean on, an 686 00:37:24,280 --> 00:37:28,880 Speaker 1: ear to listen. Because I don't care how being a 687 00:37:29,000 --> 00:37:33,399 Speaker 1: player is. He can be all pro Hall of Famer man. 688 00:37:33,440 --> 00:37:36,080 Speaker 1: When you cut it, he bleeds. We all believe. We 689 00:37:36,239 --> 00:37:42,680 Speaker 1: all have issues in life where where we need an 690 00:37:42,760 --> 00:37:47,440 Speaker 1: encouraging word. We may have different faiths, which a lot 691 00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:49,800 Speaker 1: of our players do, and I respect those different faiths, 692 00:37:51,080 --> 00:37:55,120 Speaker 1: but I can only say what has brought me through many, 693 00:37:55,160 --> 00:38:00,200 Speaker 1: many years of ups and downs. And our comm can 694 00:38:00,200 --> 00:38:05,400 Speaker 1: remember in the locker room before games, before we go 695 00:38:05,440 --> 00:38:08,520 Speaker 1: out doing our pregame talking Jerry Birds, the late grade 696 00:38:08,560 --> 00:38:10,480 Speaker 1: Jerry Birds, and he's in and he's dropping the F 697 00:38:10,600 --> 00:38:13,040 Speaker 1: bombs and all this stuff and saying what we can 698 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:15,000 Speaker 1: do and we're gonna kick these and we're gonna do this, 699 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:17,480 Speaker 1: and we're gonna do And after he gets through Rent 700 00:38:17,480 --> 00:38:19,080 Speaker 1: and Raven and all the F bombs and all that 701 00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:21,799 Speaker 1: kind of stuff, he say, Okay, touch come only lead 702 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:24,120 Speaker 1: us into Lord's prayer. I said, yeah, you need to. 703 00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:31,719 Speaker 1: After all of that, I love that, but but I 704 00:38:31,800 --> 00:38:36,000 Speaker 1: get the opportunity to to share a word of faith, 705 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:39,560 Speaker 1: whether it's with our team during chapel or the opposing 706 00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:44,160 Speaker 1: team coming in town. That's really one of the special 707 00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:46,880 Speaker 1: things that I get a chance to do being with 708 00:38:46,920 --> 00:38:50,279 Speaker 1: this organization. And Tom Lanfear does a great job. I mean, 709 00:38:50,320 --> 00:38:54,040 Speaker 1: we have chaplain's great men from all across the country. 710 00:38:54,520 --> 00:38:58,080 Speaker 1: U you know, Tony Dunge, Marvin Winan's going go to Detroit, 711 00:38:58,760 --> 00:39:01,560 Speaker 1: Tony Evans, you know, doctor Tony Evans. When we go 712 00:39:01,600 --> 00:39:04,040 Speaker 1: to Detroit, I mean we would go to Dallas. So 713 00:39:04,120 --> 00:39:08,319 Speaker 1: we have great men of faith who have spoken into 714 00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:10,799 Speaker 1: the lives of our men for years and years and 715 00:39:10,920 --> 00:39:14,879 Speaker 1: years in post game, win, loser, draw, And I tell 716 00:39:14,920 --> 00:39:18,240 Speaker 1: our men, God really doesn't care whether you win and lose. 717 00:39:18,840 --> 00:39:21,440 Speaker 1: It's what you do with the platform that He gives you. 718 00:39:22,080 --> 00:39:26,680 Speaker 1: And we encourage our men with hope and faith and belief, 719 00:39:26,719 --> 00:39:29,239 Speaker 1: you know, because you know, hope is a gasoline that 720 00:39:29,280 --> 00:39:33,200 Speaker 1: fuels your faith. And I keep this this little mustard 721 00:39:33,239 --> 00:39:36,760 Speaker 1: seed Matthew seventeen twenty says, if you have the faith 722 00:39:36,760 --> 00:39:39,240 Speaker 1: the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains. 723 00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:41,960 Speaker 1: Because we all have mountains in our life. So you 724 00:39:42,040 --> 00:39:46,160 Speaker 1: got to keep trusting, keep hoping and keep believing. Yeah, 725 00:39:46,239 --> 00:39:50,160 Speaker 1: such a great message, especially we shared together as both 726 00:39:50,200 --> 00:39:54,200 Speaker 1: teams gather. I think that's pretty cool. Greg, you mentioned 727 00:39:54,200 --> 00:39:57,000 Speaker 1: a little bit ago about this excitement you have for 728 00:39:57,080 --> 00:39:59,480 Speaker 1: this team, in particular with all of the moves this 729 00:39:59,560 --> 00:40:03,160 Speaker 1: office season. Uh. You know, the players are coming back 730 00:40:03,239 --> 00:40:07,400 Speaker 1: now with health, hopefully not as many injuries things of 731 00:40:07,440 --> 00:40:10,440 Speaker 1: that nature. So as training camp begins in July and 732 00:40:10,560 --> 00:40:13,120 Speaker 1: a bit, is there a player that you're watching to 733 00:40:13,239 --> 00:40:15,920 Speaker 1: have either a breakout season or one player in particular 734 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:20,759 Speaker 1: you're most excited to see. Man, I'm interested to see 735 00:40:20,760 --> 00:40:25,960 Speaker 1: what Peterson brings to this secondary with his experience, with 736 00:40:26,000 --> 00:40:30,360 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith back there, with some of our young corners 737 00:40:30,400 --> 00:40:36,280 Speaker 1: who were baptized last year. But more than any particular player, 738 00:40:36,920 --> 00:40:41,640 Speaker 1: I've watched Dalvin Cook mature as a leader through deed 739 00:40:41,920 --> 00:40:46,759 Speaker 1: and through words. Here's here's my take on this team. 740 00:40:47,160 --> 00:40:50,240 Speaker 1: Last year. It could have went pear shape very easy. 741 00:40:50,280 --> 00:40:54,360 Speaker 1: With the pandemic and younger players coming in. They're just 742 00:40:54,520 --> 00:40:56,719 Speaker 1: making it to the National Football League. Man, I want 743 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:58,000 Speaker 1: to get out on the talent. I want to go 744 00:40:58,000 --> 00:40:59,719 Speaker 1: to a restaurant. I want to go a concert. I 745 00:40:59,760 --> 00:41:01,880 Speaker 1: want to do this. I want to do that. But 746 00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:07,319 Speaker 1: the leadership on this team kept these guys together and 747 00:41:07,600 --> 00:41:11,240 Speaker 1: the togetherness and the bond that they've built through COVID 748 00:41:11,800 --> 00:41:15,440 Speaker 1: and through all of the different odds and ends and 749 00:41:15,960 --> 00:41:18,440 Speaker 1: the testing and all of that stuff. Because all it 750 00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:21,920 Speaker 1: took was one player to go out and bring that 751 00:41:22,200 --> 00:41:26,839 Speaker 1: virus back to the organization. It was a miracle. It 752 00:41:26,920 --> 00:41:29,920 Speaker 1: was a miracle that we finished the season. So Number one, 753 00:41:30,040 --> 00:41:33,200 Speaker 1: I'm looking for that togetherness because if you look at 754 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:37,040 Speaker 1: any championship team, they always talk about chemistry. They always 755 00:41:37,080 --> 00:41:40,600 Speaker 1: talk about the ball bouncing their way. This team is 756 00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:43,759 Speaker 1: a close knit team. They not only like each other, 757 00:41:44,320 --> 00:41:46,120 Speaker 1: they love each other. When you get a bunch of 758 00:41:46,120 --> 00:41:48,640 Speaker 1: men that love each other, they stay healthy. You got 759 00:41:48,719 --> 00:41:51,320 Speaker 1: Daniel back, you got Peers back in the middle. We 760 00:41:51,480 --> 00:41:54,600 Speaker 1: bring in Sheldon Richardson back. Hell baby, I can't wait 761 00:41:54,719 --> 00:41:57,359 Speaker 1: until this thing gets off. You know you talk about 762 00:41:57,360 --> 00:42:00,320 Speaker 1: the pregame preachs, we's gonna be locked and loaded because 763 00:42:00,320 --> 00:42:07,400 Speaker 1: I'm ready. I am ready, man. We love that excitement. Yeah, 764 00:42:07,600 --> 00:42:10,920 Speaker 1: I mean, there's no better way to end this interview 765 00:42:10,920 --> 00:42:14,040 Speaker 1: with that that Greg Coleman is ready to go. He's 766 00:42:14,080 --> 00:42:16,680 Speaker 1: just received one of the most prestigious honors in the 767 00:42:16,719 --> 00:42:19,200 Speaker 1: Black College Football Hall of Fame. So congrats to you 768 00:42:19,239 --> 00:42:22,360 Speaker 1: on that and I cannot wait to see you out 769 00:42:22,920 --> 00:42:26,640 Speaker 1: at Vikings training camp at the TCO Performance Center. Thanks Grace, 770 00:42:26,680 --> 00:42:30,840 Speaker 1: I appreciate it, guys, Lindsay Tatum. Right, guys, thank you 771 00:42:30,920 --> 00:42:33,880 Speaker 1: so much. I really appreciate you too. All Right, Guys, 772 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:36,719 Speaker 1: I don't know about you. I have the goosebumps every 773 00:42:36,719 --> 00:42:38,680 Speaker 1: time I hear that guy speak. He is one of 774 00:42:38,719 --> 00:42:43,040 Speaker 1: the most inspiring motivational speakers of all time. So I 775 00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:45,680 Speaker 1: have to throw to you, Tatum, because I think that 776 00:42:45,719 --> 00:42:48,520 Speaker 1: was your first time speaking to the one and only 777 00:42:48,560 --> 00:42:53,239 Speaker 1: Greg Coleman. So what are your initial takeaways from that conversation. Yeah, no, 778 00:42:53,320 --> 00:42:56,839 Speaker 1: I feel like I walked away with a whole anthology 779 00:42:56,880 --> 00:43:00,880 Speaker 1: of life lessons from just his anas that he shared 780 00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:05,920 Speaker 1: about growing up and have the power of words. And 781 00:43:06,120 --> 00:43:08,960 Speaker 1: you know, I think the most impressive thing for me 782 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:12,320 Speaker 1: is he could have chosen to listen to those people. 783 00:43:12,440 --> 00:43:15,320 Speaker 1: He could have chosen to not follow his passion of 784 00:43:15,440 --> 00:43:18,520 Speaker 1: kicking and become a skilled player, which everyone you know, 785 00:43:18,600 --> 00:43:20,719 Speaker 1: most kids usually want to be skilled players. They want 786 00:43:20,719 --> 00:43:23,120 Speaker 1: to get out there and be the flashy guy that 787 00:43:23,200 --> 00:43:26,640 Speaker 1: scores all the touchdowns and Greg was like, I'm good. 788 00:43:26,719 --> 00:43:28,399 Speaker 1: I'm really good at this and I'm going to stick 789 00:43:28,440 --> 00:43:30,799 Speaker 1: to it. And so I think that's a really great 790 00:43:30,840 --> 00:43:33,880 Speaker 1: message for you know, not just athletes, but all of 791 00:43:33,960 --> 00:43:37,200 Speaker 1: us to listen to and hear, because you know, we 792 00:43:37,280 --> 00:43:39,400 Speaker 1: all should be able to be that free and follow 793 00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:43,279 Speaker 1: our passions and not listen to negativity and things like that. 794 00:43:43,440 --> 00:43:47,520 Speaker 1: So no, I thought he was fantastic. What a huge 795 00:43:47,600 --> 00:43:51,200 Speaker 1: honor it is to be in the Black College Football 796 00:43:51,200 --> 00:43:55,359 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame, and no doubt one of many honors 797 00:43:55,360 --> 00:43:59,280 Speaker 1: he will be, you know, bestowed from now until whenever, 798 00:43:59,400 --> 00:44:01,319 Speaker 1: because I have a feeling he is going to make 799 00:44:01,360 --> 00:44:04,439 Speaker 1: it into a couple other hall of fames. So yeah, 800 00:44:04,480 --> 00:44:07,880 Speaker 1: my biggest takeaway from that conversation was exactly what you're 801 00:44:07,920 --> 00:44:10,319 Speaker 1: talking about Tom when he was like, yeah, they wanted 802 00:44:10,360 --> 00:44:12,160 Speaker 1: me to play a wide receiver. I was a track 803 00:44:12,200 --> 00:44:14,959 Speaker 1: star in college, but I I saw that that punter 804 00:44:15,080 --> 00:44:18,200 Speaker 1: and I didn't want to get my jersey dirty again. 805 00:44:18,280 --> 00:44:21,240 Speaker 1: That is such a unique take from a unique person. 806 00:44:21,840 --> 00:44:24,360 Speaker 1: And lindsay you've been talking to Greg. I know you 807 00:44:24,400 --> 00:44:27,200 Speaker 1: have an article on viks dot com kind of recapping 808 00:44:27,280 --> 00:44:31,440 Speaker 1: his experience being inducted into that Black College Football Hall 809 00:44:31,480 --> 00:44:34,840 Speaker 1: of Fame, which is quite quite the experience for anybody. 810 00:44:34,880 --> 00:44:38,160 Speaker 1: So what were your overall takeaways from just being a 811 00:44:38,200 --> 00:44:41,440 Speaker 1: part of another great conversation with Greg Coleman. Yeah, like 812 00:44:41,480 --> 00:44:44,000 Speaker 1: you said, not my first time chatting with Greg, but 813 00:44:44,080 --> 00:44:46,200 Speaker 1: I every time I listened to him or chat with him, 814 00:44:46,239 --> 00:44:47,960 Speaker 1: I feel like I could just talk with him all 815 00:44:48,040 --> 00:44:51,080 Speaker 1: day because he always has like new or different little 816 00:44:51,120 --> 00:44:54,440 Speaker 1: nuggets or of life advice, like Tatum said. And the 817 00:44:54,440 --> 00:44:57,520 Speaker 1: thing I love about Greg is just how authentically himself 818 00:44:57,560 --> 00:44:59,560 Speaker 1: he is, even in the stories that we're talking about 819 00:44:59,560 --> 00:45:02,000 Speaker 1: when he was no like I wanted to be a kid, 820 00:45:02,080 --> 00:45:04,200 Speaker 1: Like why wouldn't I want to be the punter and 821 00:45:04,360 --> 00:45:06,560 Speaker 1: not like get hurt and banged up and dirty and 822 00:45:06,560 --> 00:45:09,160 Speaker 1: all those kinds of things. I love that he is 823 00:45:09,200 --> 00:45:11,880 Speaker 1: just totally real and himself and the things that he 824 00:45:11,920 --> 00:45:15,319 Speaker 1: talks about, whether it's his faith or having relationships with 825 00:45:15,320 --> 00:45:17,439 Speaker 1: other people, caring about other people that he like really 826 00:45:17,440 --> 00:45:19,719 Speaker 1: lives those out and so um I love that our 827 00:45:19,760 --> 00:45:21,920 Speaker 1: fans get to hear from him and just want them 828 00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:23,839 Speaker 1: to know, you know, that's who he is, and we're 829 00:45:23,920 --> 00:45:26,919 Speaker 1: lucky to have him as part of the organization. Yeah, 830 00:45:26,920 --> 00:45:29,200 Speaker 1: and I think fans would hear him on Sundays and 831 00:45:29,200 --> 00:45:31,120 Speaker 1: they hear him on the sidelines, they might think that 832 00:45:31,160 --> 00:45:34,400 Speaker 1: like his his little motivational speed, like like it's an act, 833 00:45:34,719 --> 00:45:38,399 Speaker 1: Like no, that's him, Like he's not. That's literally who 834 00:45:38,400 --> 00:45:43,279 Speaker 1: he is. I think like Hallway conversation, I don't know, 835 00:45:43,400 --> 00:45:46,960 Speaker 1: Chris golf course conversation, Like it's the same every time, 836 00:45:47,000 --> 00:45:49,920 Speaker 1: and I love it. Garage, what were your impressions being 837 00:45:49,960 --> 00:45:53,040 Speaker 1: on here and for that conversation. I mean, even before 838 00:45:53,040 --> 00:45:55,120 Speaker 1: I started working for the Vikings, I would listen to 839 00:45:55,160 --> 00:45:58,000 Speaker 1: the pregame preach before the boom of Greg Coleman, and 840 00:45:58,120 --> 00:46:00,560 Speaker 1: it would always get me fired up. Think back to 841 00:46:00,600 --> 00:46:04,560 Speaker 1: the twenty seventeen season. Religiously would listen to the pregame 842 00:46:04,600 --> 00:46:07,319 Speaker 1: preach before I watched the game on TV, and it 843 00:46:07,320 --> 00:46:09,960 Speaker 1: would always get me fired up. So once I finally 844 00:46:09,960 --> 00:46:12,279 Speaker 1: got to meet Greg Coleman, I saw that that's like 845 00:46:12,400 --> 00:46:14,359 Speaker 1: we were just saying, that's exactly who he is, like 846 00:46:14,560 --> 00:46:16,640 Speaker 1: in real life. That's not an actor or anything. It 847 00:46:16,719 --> 00:46:19,200 Speaker 1: was just it was super awesome to see. I've gotten 848 00:46:19,239 --> 00:46:20,799 Speaker 1: to know him a little bit over the past few 849 00:46:20,840 --> 00:46:23,279 Speaker 1: years working with him, and he's just the best. So 850 00:46:23,480 --> 00:46:27,799 Speaker 1: just another great conversation with the great Greg Coleman. One 851 00:46:27,840 --> 00:46:30,880 Speaker 1: thing that Greg mentioned was Zimmer as a head coach 852 00:46:30,960 --> 00:46:33,800 Speaker 1: and being able to bring legends back into the building, 853 00:46:33,880 --> 00:46:37,960 Speaker 1: making them feel welcome, educating himself knowing who these Vikings 854 00:46:38,040 --> 00:46:41,200 Speaker 1: legends are. Well, lindsay, you just put together a story 855 00:46:41,239 --> 00:46:45,560 Speaker 1: on Vikings dot Com on this year's Ring of Honor inductee, 856 00:46:45,560 --> 00:46:47,759 Speaker 1: which will be happening later on in the season. That's 857 00:46:47,840 --> 00:46:52,319 Speaker 1: Kevin Williams half a member of the Williams Wall in 858 00:46:52,360 --> 00:46:55,239 Speaker 1: the middle of this Vikings defense. So why don't you 859 00:46:55,280 --> 00:46:58,600 Speaker 1: tell us about that experience being there when Kevin was 860 00:46:58,640 --> 00:47:01,360 Speaker 1: honored by the team, he got the message from the 861 00:47:01,360 --> 00:47:04,440 Speaker 1: Wills at the TCO Performance Center, and you put together 862 00:47:04,640 --> 00:47:07,000 Speaker 1: a pretty cool article based on I think it was 863 00:47:07,040 --> 00:47:11,279 Speaker 1: his number choice when he first joined the Vikings organization. Yeah, so, 864 00:47:11,320 --> 00:47:13,839 Speaker 1: as someone like me who you know, born and raised 865 00:47:13,880 --> 00:47:17,800 Speaker 1: Minnesotan watched the Vikings, definitely loved watching the Williams Wall 866 00:47:18,400 --> 00:47:20,440 Speaker 1: and seeing them succeed on the field. To now kind 867 00:47:20,440 --> 00:47:23,160 Speaker 1: of be in this different capacity and see Kevin and 868 00:47:23,320 --> 00:47:26,080 Speaker 1: be announced as this year's Ring of Honor inductee is 869 00:47:26,120 --> 00:47:28,560 Speaker 1: super exciting and I think we all know, like with 870 00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:30,839 Speaker 1: the pandemic and with everything that's been going on, it's 871 00:47:30,840 --> 00:47:33,759 Speaker 1: been awesome to see little pieces of things start to 872 00:47:34,200 --> 00:47:36,120 Speaker 1: you know, go back into normalcy. And so to be 873 00:47:36,200 --> 00:47:40,080 Speaker 1: able to have Kevin out here to Twin Cities Orthopedics 874 00:47:40,160 --> 00:47:43,200 Speaker 1: Performance Center to have him get that surprise was really 875 00:47:43,200 --> 00:47:45,879 Speaker 1: really awesome. And I had the privilege of going over 876 00:47:45,920 --> 00:47:48,879 Speaker 1: to the Minnesota Vikings Museum with him and sort of 877 00:47:49,040 --> 00:47:52,640 Speaker 1: just kind of taking in his tour. Jessica Fochet gave 878 00:47:52,680 --> 00:47:55,279 Speaker 1: him a tour over there, and he loved looking at 879 00:47:55,320 --> 00:47:57,800 Speaker 1: you know, the purple people eaters display and the Jim 880 00:47:57,800 --> 00:48:01,120 Speaker 1: Marshall column that's in there, and some of these awesome 881 00:48:01,160 --> 00:48:04,600 Speaker 1: defensive linemen that have come before him, and it was 882 00:48:04,640 --> 00:48:06,839 Speaker 1: really cool to kind of see things through his eyes, 883 00:48:06,840 --> 00:48:09,120 Speaker 1: through his perspective, and then just to take a seat 884 00:48:09,120 --> 00:48:11,600 Speaker 1: down with him and chat with him about his experience 885 00:48:11,680 --> 00:48:14,239 Speaker 1: that day, about his experience with the Vikings, just sort 886 00:48:14,280 --> 00:48:16,760 Speaker 1: of what this honor means to him and his family, 887 00:48:17,280 --> 00:48:19,319 Speaker 1: and like you mentioned, you know, he talked about how 888 00:48:19,360 --> 00:48:22,319 Speaker 1: when he came into the Vikings, obviously when you're when 889 00:48:22,360 --> 00:48:25,399 Speaker 1: you're drafted, you have limited numbers to choose from at 890 00:48:25,440 --> 00:48:29,480 Speaker 1: the time he chose number ninety three, not really realizing 891 00:48:29,600 --> 00:48:32,719 Speaker 1: in that moment that Hall of Famer John Randall, or 892 00:48:32,760 --> 00:48:35,600 Speaker 1: eventual Hall of Famer at that point John Randall had 893 00:48:35,600 --> 00:48:37,799 Speaker 1: worn ninety three before him, and he realized that he 894 00:48:37,840 --> 00:48:40,760 Speaker 1: had big shoes to fill, which is the headline of 895 00:48:40,800 --> 00:48:43,319 Speaker 1: that article. And so it was really cool listening to 896 00:48:43,440 --> 00:48:46,040 Speaker 1: him just sort of that internal pressure that he put 897 00:48:46,080 --> 00:48:48,799 Speaker 1: on himself, because he's a pretty soft spoken guy, but 898 00:48:48,880 --> 00:48:51,240 Speaker 1: to reflect on that this many years after his career 899 00:48:51,719 --> 00:48:53,600 Speaker 1: was really cool. So yeah, I highly encourage people to 900 00:48:53,680 --> 00:48:55,600 Speaker 1: check that out and just get a little behind the 901 00:48:55,600 --> 00:48:59,279 Speaker 1: seams glimpse of his day. Tatum, how excited are you 902 00:48:59,719 --> 00:49:02,120 Speaker 1: just seeing a lot of these legends? Yeah, you talked 903 00:49:02,120 --> 00:49:05,960 Speaker 1: to one today. Just all the legends around this organization, 904 00:49:06,040 --> 00:49:08,960 Speaker 1: they are a big part of what happens with the 905 00:49:09,000 --> 00:49:11,960 Speaker 1: current team. I'm sure you experienced that in your time 906 00:49:12,000 --> 00:49:15,560 Speaker 1: in Nashville and obviously being an LSU cover an LSU 907 00:49:15,680 --> 00:49:17,919 Speaker 1: as well. So just how excited are you to start 908 00:49:17,920 --> 00:49:21,000 Speaker 1: to meet some of these vikings legends, hear their stories 909 00:49:21,000 --> 00:49:23,640 Speaker 1: and I don't know if anyone can be Greg Coleman. 910 00:49:25,360 --> 00:49:28,279 Speaker 1: I think that's the best Sometimes the best part about 911 00:49:28,320 --> 00:49:30,880 Speaker 1: these Um, you know, getting to know a team and 912 00:49:30,960 --> 00:49:35,279 Speaker 1: being somewhere new is is learning the traditions, learning the 913 00:49:35,440 --> 00:49:38,680 Speaker 1: history behind the teams and really the Vikings of you know, 914 00:49:38,719 --> 00:49:42,120 Speaker 1: one of the richest histories in the league. To come 915 00:49:42,160 --> 00:49:44,839 Speaker 1: in here, you know, and to get to know this 916 00:49:44,880 --> 00:49:47,520 Speaker 1: team and embrace this team is you know, one of 917 00:49:47,520 --> 00:49:50,880 Speaker 1: the main reasons I wanted to work for this team. 918 00:49:50,920 --> 00:49:54,400 Speaker 1: I think, um, meeting a guy like Kevin or talking 919 00:49:54,400 --> 00:49:57,239 Speaker 1: to Crag like that's that's almost also sometimes why we 920 00:49:57,280 --> 00:49:59,040 Speaker 1: get into this and why a lot of us have 921 00:49:59,160 --> 00:50:01,799 Speaker 1: gotten into this broadcasting business or want to work in 922 00:50:01,880 --> 00:50:05,640 Speaker 1: sports just because we grew up watching guys like Greg 923 00:50:05,680 --> 00:50:09,120 Speaker 1: and Kevin and and the Vikings greats and to be 924 00:50:09,160 --> 00:50:11,239 Speaker 1: able to be surrounded by them and get to know 925 00:50:11,320 --> 00:50:14,160 Speaker 1: them and hear their stories is what makes life interesting. 926 00:50:14,239 --> 00:50:18,320 Speaker 1: And so I think that's also something you know, obviously, 927 00:50:18,360 --> 00:50:21,759 Speaker 1: I'm really excited to know and visit the museum like 928 00:50:21,880 --> 00:50:23,440 Speaker 1: things like that. I can't wait to check off my 929 00:50:23,480 --> 00:50:26,000 Speaker 1: to do list. And I think that's a perfect way 930 00:50:26,040 --> 00:50:29,160 Speaker 1: to end this episode. I think we covered it all. 931 00:50:29,200 --> 00:50:32,520 Speaker 1: I think Greg Coleman covered just about everything. I mean, 932 00:50:32,600 --> 00:50:34,719 Speaker 1: he's got me excited for training camp. I know all 933 00:50:34,760 --> 00:50:37,040 Speaker 1: of you guys, all of you three are very excited 934 00:50:37,560 --> 00:50:40,280 Speaker 1: to be back out there, be back back on the field, 935 00:50:40,320 --> 00:50:43,879 Speaker 1: seeing the guys and pads, none of those mini camp 936 00:50:43,920 --> 00:50:48,760 Speaker 1: workouts that are college talents boom. Yeah, I'm all about safety. 937 00:50:48,760 --> 00:50:50,960 Speaker 1: I like the safety astack, but I can't wait to 938 00:50:51,000 --> 00:50:55,080 Speaker 1: see him pit each other. I seriously agree with that. 939 00:50:55,239 --> 00:50:58,200 Speaker 1: I know the joint practices or something that I'm really 940 00:50:58,239 --> 00:51:01,680 Speaker 1: looking forward to when the Vikings will obviously practice against 941 00:51:01,719 --> 00:51:05,200 Speaker 1: the Denver Broncos with many familiar faces coming to the 942 00:51:05,200 --> 00:51:08,879 Speaker 1: TCO Performance Center for a few days. So we are 943 00:51:09,040 --> 00:51:12,440 Speaker 1: very much looking forward to training camp at the TCO 944 00:51:12,520 --> 00:51:15,960 Speaker 1: Performance Center when it kicks off on July twenty eighth. 945 00:51:16,640 --> 00:51:19,719 Speaker 1: Those open practices kick off for you the fans, So 946 00:51:19,800 --> 00:51:22,719 Speaker 1: I would go right now to Vikings dot com. Go 947 00:51:22,760 --> 00:51:25,279 Speaker 1: get some tickets, most of them are free, so go 948 00:51:25,400 --> 00:51:28,480 Speaker 1: check those out and also checkout Vikings dot com, the 949 00:51:28,560 --> 00:51:32,279 Speaker 1: Vikings social media platforms, all of the articles and videos 950 00:51:32,360 --> 00:51:35,800 Speaker 1: on all of our digital platforms. Especially a member of 951 00:51:35,840 --> 00:51:39,680 Speaker 1: the Vikings organization, Craig Peters, He recently wrote a long 952 00:51:39,760 --> 00:51:44,399 Speaker 1: form article on the winding, long career of the long 953 00:51:44,520 --> 00:51:49,040 Speaker 1: time Viking Scout Conrad Cardano, who recently retired from his 954 00:51:49,160 --> 00:51:51,800 Speaker 1: position in the front office. How many years was it, Lindsay, 955 00:51:51,840 --> 00:51:55,120 Speaker 1: I think like thirty. Yeah, it was like thirty plus years, 956 00:51:55,280 --> 00:51:57,360 Speaker 1: so I think it was maybe a couple over thirty. 957 00:51:57,400 --> 00:52:01,120 Speaker 1: But yeah, long, long time in the organization, has great 958 00:52:01,200 --> 00:52:04,200 Speaker 1: stories not only about the team, but how things have 959 00:52:04,360 --> 00:52:07,400 Speaker 1: changed over the years as far as the scouting process goes. 960 00:52:07,440 --> 00:52:09,719 Speaker 1: So it was really an interesting story to me and 961 00:52:09,719 --> 00:52:11,840 Speaker 1: I think it would be for other Vikings fans as well. 962 00:52:12,400 --> 00:52:15,080 Speaker 1: Go check that out on Vikings dot com. It's called 963 00:52:15,200 --> 00:52:19,240 Speaker 1: Reels and the Road, The Story of a long time 964 00:52:19,440 --> 00:52:23,440 Speaker 1: Vikings Scout. So thank you guys again. I appreciate the 965 00:52:23,560 --> 00:52:28,439 Speaker 1: amazing reinforcements of Tantum, Everett, Clinsay, Young and of course 966 00:52:29,440 --> 00:52:34,240 Speaker 1: that's that's right, you got me, and obviously Brian Rogers, 967 00:52:34,280 --> 00:52:37,400 Speaker 1: one of the main producers behind the Minnesota Vikings podcast. 968 00:52:37,800 --> 00:52:41,120 Speaker 1: We are very excited to take a long and needed 969 00:52:41,520 --> 00:52:44,440 Speaker 1: week off for July fourth, so we will see you 970 00:52:44,520 --> 00:52:48,040 Speaker 1: the week after that with episode number one oh three 971 00:52:48,160 --> 00:52:51,080 Speaker 1: of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. We will see you in 972 00:52:51,120 --> 00:52:51,720 Speaker 1: a few weeks