1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:04,160 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer has officially signed a three year contract extension. 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: I think it's huge for this organization, especially when you 3 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: bring in fifteen draft fits, which is a draft record. 4 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:19,319 Speaker 1: Can you win that big game? Of course, he's won 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,479 Speaker 1: a Wild Our game, he's won a Divisional game. He 6 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 1: hasn't gotten to that Super Bowl like Bud Grant Hast 7 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: At the same time, like he's bridling that door. What 8 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:33,559 Speaker 1: is going on? Vikings fans? This is episode fifty three 9 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. Welcome back to the show, 10 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 1: and before we introduce our guests on the show today, 11 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: this is episode number fifty three and today's podcast is 12 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: brought to you by Verizon, the network more people rely on. 13 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 1: Gives you more awesome to have Verizon on as a 14 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: sponsor for this show as we get ready for Verizon 15 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: Vikings training camp, and with that, I bring in Ven's 16 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: newest member, Gabe Henderson joins the show and as well 17 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 1: as producer Jay Nelson, who's here. How you doing pretty 18 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 1: good well? The number one story of the off season 19 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 1: that we've been tracking and following Vikings fans national fans 20 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:22,559 Speaker 1: of the NFL is when will Mike Zimmer get that 21 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: contract extension with the team. Last week. It wasn't totally 22 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: official when we've recorded episode number fifty two, but now 23 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: we can say that it is official. Mike Zimmer has 24 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 1: officially signed a three year contract extension extended to twenty 25 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: twenty three. It's awesome to have Zimmer entering his seventh 26 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: season with the Minnesota Vikings. That defense has been great 27 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 1: pretty much every year he's been here. So, Gabe, I 28 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: just want to get your initial takeaways of Mike Zimmer 29 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: being with the Vikings for three more years. Officially, I 30 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: think it's huge for this organization, especially when you bring 31 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: in fifteen in draft picks, which is a draft record. 32 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: Having Mike zimmerback, a guy who's known for developing young guys, 33 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: it's huge. And then just for team morale, like knowing 34 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: that your coach is going to be back. I think 35 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,799 Speaker 1: that's just like a breath of fresh air, like one 36 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: less thing you have to worry about. I mean, you 37 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:18,800 Speaker 1: don't have to worry about learning to play a new system, 38 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: and then you always know about you know that contract here, 39 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 1: I mean coach going through that his fani year of 40 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:27,400 Speaker 1: his contract without a deal. We all know that's not 41 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: always the best case, So knowing that he's here for 42 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 1: three more years after this year is it's like a 43 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: breath of fresh air. And I'm excited to have him 44 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: back hired by the Vikings in two and fourteen. Pretty 45 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 1: much has had a top ten defense every single year since. 46 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 1: He's been here, part of thirteen playoff teams in his 47 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 1: twenty plus years as a coach, in the NFL nine 48 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 1: division titles, and of course won that Super Bowl with 49 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 1: the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive coordinator during the nineteen 50 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: ninety five season. Jay, I mean, he's got to be 51 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:06,239 Speaker 1: in the top ten of NFL coaches heading into this season. Well, 52 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 1: that was one of the things that it sounded like 53 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 1: some of the reports, at least in the media was 54 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: some of the sticking points related to the fact that 55 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 1: he wanted to be compensated as a top ten coach 56 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 1: in this league. And like you said, given his history, 57 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 1: given his record, and the fact that for the last 58 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 1: chunk of time that he's had here with the Vikings 59 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: here for the seventh season now coming up, he's been 60 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 1: one of the upper echelon coaches in the league. So 61 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer not only getting the extension, getting the stability 62 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: not only for himself, but for his coaches and his 63 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: players to know that when he says something in the 64 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 1: locker room, it has teeth, it has longevity. Mike, not 65 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: only for this team but also throughout the league is 66 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: respected and he's earned this right at this point in 67 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: order to get this extension. So I think between being 68 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 1: a top tier coach in this league and now being 69 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: the longer term leader of this team for the next 70 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: three years, I think Mike Zimmers has earned this right 71 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: at this point and has definitely earned this contract. So 72 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 1: I'm happy to have him back here for the next 73 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 1: three seasons. Fifty seven thirty eight and one is the 74 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: record a five ninety nine winning percentage right there at 75 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 1: six hundred, the third all time Vikings head coach for wins, 76 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:24,799 Speaker 1: behind of course Denny Green and then Bud Grant. So 77 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: I mean, the accolades are all there. The one and 78 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 1: only thing that Zimmer needs to add to his accomplishments 79 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 1: are that is that Super Bowl win. As a head 80 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 1: coach in the NFL. He's two and three in the 81 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 1: playoffs with the Vikings, and that is probably for any 82 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: of the naysayers or Vikings fans who have been tough 83 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:47,239 Speaker 1: on him over the years. That's the one area where 84 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 1: they need to take that next step. And if he 85 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 1: can do that, he'll do something that none of the 86 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 1: coaches on the list for the Vikings have been able 87 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: to do, which is when a Super Bowl. I think 88 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: we've talked about you have to remind fans about that, 89 00:04:58,080 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 1: Jay No. But the whole point, like for me, I'm 90 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,039 Speaker 1: looking at this list of all time greats right you know, 91 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,839 Speaker 1: Bud Grant, Denny Green, Mike Zimmer, Jerry Burns as the 92 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 1: top four and all time wins. If you look at 93 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:10,839 Speaker 1: that list right now, Zimmer has fifty nine wins, forty 94 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 1: one losses, and a tie for the exact same amount 95 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 1: of games as Jerry Burns having fifty five wins and 96 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: forty six So he's already got four more wins than 97 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 1: Jerry Burns had in his entire tenure here at the Vikings. 98 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: But then you look at Denny Green, he had an 99 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,720 Speaker 1: additional seventy games on top of him, and you look 100 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:28,120 Speaker 1: on top of that at Bud Grant, he had an 101 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 1: additional one hundred and eighty games, which is insane to 102 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:35,279 Speaker 1: think about as a coach. So for me, the whole 103 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 1: point is that if somebody, if Mike Zimmer can come 104 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:40,840 Speaker 1: in here and get something like that, that means that 105 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: all of these different people, for all these years, and 106 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 1: how many veterans have talked about the fact that the 107 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: Vikings win one. Whenever they win one, everybody through all 108 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: the years, all the decades is going to celebrate. And 109 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,720 Speaker 1: that's all I'm getting at is if Mike Zimmer can 110 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: make that happen, Mike can run for mayor, he can 111 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 1: run for governor, he can do whatever he wants in 112 00:05:57,760 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: the state of Minnesota. He'll never have to worry about 113 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: food or drank for the rest of his life. So 114 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: that that's what I'm hoping for. I want to see 115 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:07,159 Speaker 1: Mike win it, so not only for selfishly as a 116 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 1: fan and as an employee, but for himself to have 117 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 1: that as you know, put that on his mantle for sure. 118 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: And I think that's that's like Jay said, that's held 119 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: over any head coach's head here. Can't you win that 120 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: big game? Of course, he's won a wild card game, 121 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: he's won a divisional game. He hasn't gotten to that 122 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 1: super Bowl like uh like Bud Grant hats. But at 123 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 1: the same time, like he's routling that door. So man, 124 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 1: it would be nice saying saying Mike Zimmer, you know, 125 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: walking around not paying for drinks or eating or having 126 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,279 Speaker 1: to pay for food. Coming up here, I want to 127 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: talk about the most recent um Mike Zimmer effect that 128 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: I can remember what he brings to this team, and 129 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: that is what happened in the wild card game against 130 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 1: the New Orleans Saints. And we went into that game. 131 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:53,360 Speaker 1: Everybody thought the Vikings were gonna lose. Every expert out 132 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: there said the Vikings, We're gonna lose. And the feeling 133 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 1: in the building that week was just like, we're winning 134 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: this game. And he brought a little twist to the defense, 135 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 1: putting Everson Griffin and Daniel Hunter on the inside of 136 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 1: the defensive line rather than rushing from the outside, and 137 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: it completely changed the entire game, like it just I 138 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: don't know, Gabe, if you remember watching that being with Washington, 139 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: but he put the two defensive ends in the middle 140 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 1: of the defensive line, something that like most coaches probably 141 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: wouldn't even think of doing, and it just it rattled 142 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 1: Drew Brees and it got us off to a crazy 143 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: start in that game. I think that is just a 144 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 1: great example of what Mike Zimmer can bring to this team. 145 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: For sure, having that variety and having thinking outside of 146 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: the box, being willing to make adjustments on the go. 147 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: I think that's one thing that separates Mike Zimmer from 148 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: a lot of other coaches, and one of the key 149 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: factors in him getting that extension is the fact that 150 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 1: he could win those big games. And of course we 151 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 1: know New Orleans having they were probably the most bragyball 152 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: team heading into the whole season last year. So being 153 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: able to make that adjustment, you don't you don't see 154 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: that every day. And having your players believing you and 155 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: trust to you and basically saying like, hey, look, this 156 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,120 Speaker 1: is going to work this game. Just trust me. You 157 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: haven't done this for sixteen I guess fifteen games last 158 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: year because they didn't play that the final home finale, 159 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: but hey, I know you haven't played in this possession 160 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 1: and your entire career in the NFL, but just trust 161 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: me on this. We will win this game. And having 162 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 1: that trust with the players and you know, having that 163 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: likability and being able to think outside of the box, 164 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 1: that's huge. And like I said, having him back is 165 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 1: just a breath of fresh air. Took a while for 166 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: the broadcasters to even figure out what was going on 167 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 1: in that game. And I'd also like to note that 168 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer's two playoff victories have come against the Saints 169 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: and Drew Brees, which have both been pretty memorable games, obviously, 170 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 1: the Minneapolis Miracle being the other one. Sou a bunch 171 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:00,839 Speaker 1: of milestones for coach Zimmer. He had in a thousand 172 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: yard rusher last year, and Dalvin Cook and a thousand 173 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:06,719 Speaker 1: yard receiver and Stefan Diggs and uh yeah, I mean 174 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: he just continued to have a effect on both sides 175 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 1: of the ball. Um for the Vikings. And a first 176 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:19,559 Speaker 1: All Pro award for Eric Kendricks at the middle linebacker position. 177 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: So um, a bunch of accolades and stats there for 178 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: you for you guys of what happened last year. Um. 179 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:29,720 Speaker 1: The accolades continued in this past week. The NFL's Top 180 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: one hundred was announced over NFL Network the past couple 181 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 1: of nights of this week, and man, there's some there's 182 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 1: some cool Vikings and guys on this list. The number 183 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 1: one was the first time member of this list, Dalvin Cook. 184 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: Jay Yeah, Dalvin Cook being thrown out his number twenty 185 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 1: one and basically leap frogging a bunch of his peers 186 00:09:52,280 --> 00:09:54,959 Speaker 1: for the first time on this list. It's kind of 187 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 1: crazy to me to think that he's been doing what 188 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:59,160 Speaker 1: he's been doing for the last four seasons. This is 189 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: the first time that people put him on the list 190 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 1: and they already moved him all the way to twenty one. 191 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: That was a pretty cool, pretty cool thing for him 192 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 1: to get those kind of accolades from his peers. Dalvin 193 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 1: is a special talent, and that's when you watch the 194 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: video of everyone describing the amount of linebackers, d lineman 195 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 1: and safeties who are talking about how difficult he is 196 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 1: to defend. Was a huge thing. So kudos to Dalvin 197 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 1: for making that giant jump afront of all of his 198 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 1: other teammates at this point. And I'll be curious to 199 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 1: see if he can move further up from twenty one 200 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 1: given the way this next season's going to go. Hey, Jay, 201 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: you emphasize all the way. So I want your take 202 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:39,719 Speaker 1: on this. What other guys on this list, because I 203 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: don't think you were meeting all the way when it 204 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: comes to Dalvin. But Eric Hendrick is a guy and 205 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 1: I'm saying like he's all the way down at eighty three, 206 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: so like up and like, are any of these cakes 207 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: warranted at all? I think for these guys, it's nice 208 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:55,320 Speaker 1: to be It's kind of like being for the Emmys. 209 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 1: It's nice to be nominated. And I think for a 210 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:00,679 Speaker 1: guy like Dalvin to get the twenty one and he 211 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 1: jumped over the top of Kendricks at eighty three, Harrison 212 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 1: Smith at number sixty four, Kirk Cousins at number fifty eight, 213 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 1: and Denil Hunter at number forty, all of those guys 214 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 1: had incredible seasons last year. So for Delvin then to 215 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 1: go ahead and shoulders above that to number twenty one, 216 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: basically almost doubling what Daniel Hunter had got, I think 217 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:24,680 Speaker 1: it really showed you how much the rest of the 218 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 1: league valued Delvin's work and what he did last season. Yeah, 219 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: I think a few Vikings on this list are a 220 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 1: little underrated. I mean, Eric Kendricks, we just talked about 221 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:38,320 Speaker 1: All Pro linebacker being recognized for that and it's the 222 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 1: first time that he's on this list at number eighty three. 223 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith was eighty three last year, which is amazing 224 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:48,439 Speaker 1: to me. Now he's sixty eight. At least he's getting 225 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: a little more recognition being in the league for what 226 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: thirteen years by now, and then Kirk Cousins moves up 227 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 1: twenty spots from seventy eight to fifty eight, which is 228 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: I think a pretty fair, pretty fair rating. Hunter, who 229 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: is the youngest player I'm gonna keep saying the stat 230 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 1: the youngest player in history in NFL history to fifty sacks. 231 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 1: He's his number forty and there's like a bunch of 232 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 1: pass rushers in front of him. So he was fifty 233 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 1: seven twenty nineteen and now he's forty. As you said, Jay, 234 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:22,040 Speaker 1: so Gabe, who's like the one that really sticks out 235 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 1: for you that like has some he's got to have 236 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 1: some issues. Many Like, who's the guy that's like I 237 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: need to be moved up higher? Harrison Smith? The guy 238 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 1: is a future Hall of Famer, Like he's been All 239 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:38,719 Speaker 1: Pro multiple times, like he I mean, he's been a 240 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl and multiple times, like he was, like, come on, 241 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:44,719 Speaker 1: just put some respect on his name, please, Like this 242 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 1: guy is a baller. And then Eric Kendricks like eighty three, 243 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: like he was a first team All Pro this fast season. 244 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 1: I guess I don't know, I mean, I don't do 245 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:56,720 Speaker 1: all of the I don't do any of the voting, 246 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 1: and I know a lot of this can be subjective, 247 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 1: but after talking to Eric Kendricks earlier, like he was 248 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: pretty humbled about it, but you can tell just based 249 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: off his body language that like, all right, like y'all 250 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: gotta be tripping having me at eighty three. But hey, 251 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 1: so this first time on the list, right, and just 252 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 1: that that's an accomplishment by itself, just to have that 253 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: honor and respect. But this list is very, very subjective. 254 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 1: I know that is a very opinionated response to your question. 255 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 1: But Harrison's with me, Eric Kendricks or two or the 256 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 1: two for me. So you spend some time talking to 257 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 1: Eric Kendricks as he got ready for this crazy training 258 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: camp and year with the coronavirus going on. So tell 259 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: us a little bit about that conversation, what you learned 260 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 1: from Eric. It was a really good conversation that interviews 261 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: should be posted sometime in the air, I say, coming days. 262 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 1: It was one of those things where Eric was, you know, 263 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 1: he's very humble to be selected in the top one hundred, 264 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 1: but at the same time, I think his ultimate goal 265 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: is to win that Super Bowl. Not having as much 266 00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: time to prepare of course preseason games is what I'm 267 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: talking about. Racialize. You can tell that is something that 268 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 1: when I asked him, it's a concerner kiss. But I 269 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,199 Speaker 1: think his biggest thing that he said probably two or 270 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 1: three times, was all I can do is control what 271 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 1: I can control. I won't give too many more nuggets, 272 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: just to make sure you guys go check it out 273 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: on the website when it releases, But he's very confident 274 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: and excited coming back this year and being a first 275 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 1: team All Pro this past year awesome. Yeah. We spoke 276 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: to Vikings former linebacker coach Adam Zimmer this offseason and 277 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 1: he described the moment when Kendricks found out that he 278 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: was an All Pro in the huddle and all the 279 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 1: linebackers in that crew were just so excited for him, 280 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 1: and he said it was a moment where like people 281 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: got emotional and in that huddle for the Vikings linebacker 282 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 1: unit last year. So that's how much that award means 283 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 1: to the Vikings coaching staff and Eric Kendricks teammates. For 284 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: him to finally be recognized going down the list for 285 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 1: the NFL Top ten, all of the one hundred players, Jay, 286 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 1: why don't you run through those. Sure, we'll start at 287 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 1: number ten with running back Derrick Henry from Tennessee. Everybody 288 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: saw what he did, especially in the playoffs, which was 289 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 1: an incredible run, literally, and so Derrick Henry jumps in 290 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 1: at number ten. Number nine was cornerbacks to Fan Gilmour 291 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: out of the New England Patriots. Everyone recognized him as 292 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 1: basically being what Bill Belichick always wants, which is a 293 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 1: shutdown corner. Number eight was wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who 294 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 1: was moved in the offseason to the Arizona Cardinals. DeAndre 295 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:30,720 Speaker 1: is known as one of the best, if not the 296 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: best hands in the league, and so it was great 297 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: to see him get to number eight. Number seven tight 298 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 1: end George Kittle from the San Francisco forty nine Ers, 299 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 1: again another monster of a season. Number six was kind 300 00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: of a surprise to me. Running back Christian McCaffrey at 301 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: a Caroline. I figured he might be a little bit higher, 302 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 1: just purely because he won a thousand and a thousand 303 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 1: last year, but great for him to land at number six. 304 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: Number five was wide receiver Michael Thomas off of the 305 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: New Orleans Saints. We all know what he did last 306 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: year and he is an absolute game changer for the 307 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: New Orleans Saints. Number four quarterback Patrick Mahomes from Kansas City. 308 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 1: This is one people are pointing at this morning, discussing 309 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: on all the sports talkers saying, you know, if he 310 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: won the MVP of the Super Bowl and did what 311 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: he did, got the Giant contract, and he's still only 312 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: number four on this list, that's kind of crazy. Number 313 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: three d tackle Aaron Donald from the LA Rams. Again, 314 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: another absolute game changer that you have to be able 315 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: to offensively game plan for every single week. Number two 316 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 1: quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks. Russell's been doing 317 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 1: it year in and year out. And the number one 318 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:36,720 Speaker 1: player on this list was quarterback Lamar Jackson from the 319 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: Baltimore raven. So, Boys, what do you agree with and 320 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,720 Speaker 1: what don't you agree with in this top ten list? 321 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: I guess I just have to start with I am 322 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:49,520 Speaker 1: putting Patrick Mahomes number one on every single possible list 323 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: that recognizes the best players in the NFL. And that's 324 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 1: no offense to Lamar Jackson or Russell Wilson, but he is. 325 00:16:57,320 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: If I'm starting a team and I have the number 326 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 1: one overall pick, I am going nowhere else other than 327 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:07,440 Speaker 1: Patrick Mahomes. So that that's one thing that I'll say. 328 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: I see Michael Thomas at number five. Obviously, he's the 329 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: top wide receiver who had the best almost one of 330 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: the best wide receiving years in NFL history, breaking the 331 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:21,439 Speaker 1: receptions record, so definitely that he deserves to be in 332 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 1: that spot. I think George Kittle might be a little 333 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:27,440 Speaker 1: high at number seven. To be honest with you, I'll 334 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:31,159 Speaker 1: let Gabe take it from there. Yeah, George Kettle, that 335 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 1: is pretty high, especially over like DeAndre Hopkins and stuff 336 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: up on Gilmour. I think, well, I do agree with you. 337 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,200 Speaker 1: Patrick Mahomes should be top of this list. I think 338 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 1: he's the best player in the league. I think Lamar 339 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,879 Speaker 1: Jackson is the most exciting player in the league to watch. 340 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: But I think after Pat Mahomes one through well, two 341 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 1: through six, it's pretty much a toss up, Like it's like, 342 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 1: what do you prefer from two through six? I mean, 343 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:58,080 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson are down, old, Michael Thomas, Christian McCaffrey, Lamar Jackson, 344 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:01,919 Speaker 1: like you pick your poison after Pat Mahomes. So I 345 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: think the top ten list, I think they probably have 346 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 1: more trouble trying to figure out we're not in trouble, 347 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: but more difficulty trying to figure out who's going to 348 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: be how we're going to select this top ten and 349 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:15,880 Speaker 1: go from there. But I wasn't two like Lamore Jackson. 350 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 1: He's a second or third best player in the league. 351 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: But Pat Mahomes for sure you saw us to eat. Yeah, 352 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: any final thoughts. The crazy thing to me, Like you said, 353 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 1: I too saw George Kittle and kind of raised an 354 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: eyebrow thinking that he was top ten. But hey, I 355 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:33,520 Speaker 1: think tight ends are going to be happy that they 356 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 1: got a guy in the top ten no matter what 357 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,640 Speaker 1: happens on this one. The other thing that was interesting 358 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 1: was that there were only two defensive players in this 359 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:42,400 Speaker 1: top ten, so that just kind of shows you, even 360 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: on the player's side, they're recognizing how much offensive players 361 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 1: are changing the game at this point. And so kudos 362 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: to Stefan Gilmour and Aaron Donald for making this list 363 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 1: at this spot. And again, I think my guy. I 364 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: love Christian McCaffrey. I've had been a fan of his, 365 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 1: watching him at Stay for and Everything and just what 366 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: he did and even just watching the video last night 367 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:08,400 Speaker 1: of him being announced that way, you just saw everybody 368 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 1: across the league saying, what this guy's doing is kind 369 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:13,119 Speaker 1: of crazy, So you know, great for him that he 370 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 1: was the top running back on this list. We will 371 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: shift gears, and as this is not a normal season 372 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:24,159 Speaker 1: in the NFL, we have to cover the coronavirus COVID 373 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:30,239 Speaker 1: nineteen concerns the transactions designations that the NFL has for 374 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 1: some of the players who decide to opt out, some 375 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 1: of the players who obviously have the virus. So we're 376 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:38,440 Speaker 1: going to go through that right now. And Gabe is 377 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:40,959 Speaker 1: also going to give us some information because he spoke 378 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: to Peter King of NBC Sports about kind of what 379 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: he's learned being a big primetime reporter and being able 380 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,679 Speaker 1: to see some of the NFL facilities and how teams 381 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:55,919 Speaker 1: are preparing for this. So I'm going to lead it 382 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 1: off with some info here. Obviously, players have the decision 383 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 1: to opt out of the twenty twenty NFL season. By 384 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 1: August fourth. The Vikings had a player who opted out, 385 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: and that's new free agent acquisition Michael Pierce, who stands 386 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:15,400 Speaker 1: at over three hundred pounds and does have a history 387 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 1: of asthma and his family, so um he did have 388 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:22,159 Speaker 1: a high risk sort of situation and medical records that 389 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 1: would make him a high risk opt out for for 390 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 1: what the NFL would designate him as. So tough blow 391 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:32,320 Speaker 1: for the Vikings in the middle of the defense. Looking 392 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:34,639 Speaker 1: at what the other designation would be. And this is 393 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: what a lot of players are doing. It's it's called 394 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:40,879 Speaker 1: a voluntary opt out. And these are players who pretty 395 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: much just have have made it their their option to 396 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 1: opt out of the season and decide that that it's 397 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: not for them and they care about the health of 398 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,439 Speaker 1: either their family, their their children, they're their significant others. 399 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 1: Uh So it's a voluntary opt out and a high 400 00:20:56,359 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: risk opt out are the two designations that players are 401 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:03,280 Speaker 1: given when they want to sit out the season for 402 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:06,959 Speaker 1: health reasons. So you had the chance to catch up 403 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 1: with Peter King and talk to him about his tour 404 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:12,720 Speaker 1: the Vikings facility game. So tell us a little bit 405 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:16,680 Speaker 1: about what you learn from Peter King and what he 406 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 1: kind of related to you on how the NFL teams 407 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:23,400 Speaker 1: are approaching this this weird sort of season. Peter King, 408 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: you know, he's like one of the most knowledgeable guys 409 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:30,199 Speaker 1: in all of professional media, having over four decades in 410 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:33,919 Speaker 1: this business. He basically just talked about, you know, just 411 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 1: all of the measures that teams are taking to make 412 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:40,160 Speaker 1: sure players are safe, from the tiers to the tracking devices, 413 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:43,520 Speaker 1: and you know, what are the chances, what will teams 414 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: do in case somebody you know on a team does 415 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 1: get COVID and how that all you know plays itself out. 416 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:51,719 Speaker 1: I mean, Peter was one of those things, was one 417 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 1: of those guys that's on the board of saying like, hey, 418 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:56,560 Speaker 1: let's let's get back to football as long as it's safe. 419 00:21:56,920 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 1: And after viewing the Vikings facility and touring, he was like, hey, 420 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:03,600 Speaker 1: there's like the Vikings along with other teams have a 421 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:07,880 Speaker 1: lot of safety precautions in place to make sure these 422 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 1: players and the staff and everyone you know surrounding are 423 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 1: are safe and are healthy and can make sure that 424 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:17,119 Speaker 1: they are able to play come Sunday. I mean, of 425 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: course things are going to happen. Of course, we hear 426 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: news every single day, something new every single day. But 427 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:25,360 Speaker 1: as of right now, obviously all these teams have their 428 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:29,560 Speaker 1: id r IDERO plants approved heading into the season, and 429 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:31,400 Speaker 1: the Vikings are won. They just got there's a proved 430 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:34,240 Speaker 1: a couple of days ago. So the interview with Peter 431 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:37,600 Speaker 1: King was from COVID nineteen to Return to Play, how 432 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook is basically a quarterback's best friend and this 433 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:43,399 Speaker 1: offense will go as far as Kirk Cousins take it. 434 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:46,879 Speaker 1: But Kirk Cousins will only go He's only as good 435 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:48,879 Speaker 1: as his running back in Dalvin Cook. So it was 436 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:52,480 Speaker 1: a very detailed conversation on the website right now and 437 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:56,159 Speaker 1: which Peter just offers so much. I mean, he has 438 00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:58,320 Speaker 1: so much knowledge, so it was great to sit down 439 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: and talk to him and learn what teams are doing 440 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 1: to make sure this season is as good as possible. 441 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:08,679 Speaker 1: Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, there's a video of 442 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 1: him taking Peter King on a tour of the TCO 443 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:15,879 Speaker 1: Performance Center and showing kind of the all the things 444 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:19,879 Speaker 1: that the Vikings Athletic training staff and Coronavirus committee are 445 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:22,919 Speaker 1: doing to keep the players safe. So definitely check that 446 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 1: out if you haven't yet. Speaking of Eric Sugarman, he 447 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:30,920 Speaker 1: was diagnosed with the coronavirus and had a chance to 448 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:33,640 Speaker 1: just get away from the facility and work from home. 449 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 1: That was something that broke national news and he is 450 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:41,920 Speaker 1: definitely healthy. He's doing well, which will relate to Vikings fans, 451 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:44,639 Speaker 1: which is awesome and the Vikings can't wait to welcome 452 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: him back into the building. But heading back to those 453 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 1: two designations, the voluntary opt out and the high risk 454 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:54,720 Speaker 1: opt out, if you choose to not be a part 455 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 1: of the season with one of these two designations, you 456 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 1: cannot return for the tire twenty twenty one NFL season. 457 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:06,960 Speaker 1: That's something that Jay has highlighted on our outline here 458 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 1: because obviously, when Michael Pierce makes this decision, it's a 459 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:13,320 Speaker 1: tough one because he's not able to come back and 460 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 1: the Vikings are gonna have to fill that void in 461 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 1: the middle of the defensive line. Looking at the roster, Jay, 462 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:25,199 Speaker 1: there have been a few Vikings who have had to 463 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:29,119 Speaker 1: go on the reserve slash COVID nineteen list as they 464 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 1: were diagnosed with positive coronavirus tests. So what this means 465 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:37,920 Speaker 1: is that they've either been diagnosed as a positive test 466 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 1: or that they've been potentially exposed to somebody in their 467 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,120 Speaker 1: outside life. So part of it is they go on 468 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:46,880 Speaker 1: this list and we don't fully know on the medical 469 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:50,919 Speaker 1: side what officially happened with them, So they could have 470 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:53,399 Speaker 1: been diagnosed or it could be something where a family 471 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 1: member or they had some symptoms or something. So this 472 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 1: whole list is going to be updated on a daily basis, 473 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,720 Speaker 1: and there's many reasons for it, but as of now, 474 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:06,119 Speaker 1: for those first three days that they've that PR has 475 00:25:06,160 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 1: put out a statement. The names that have been on 476 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: these lists, as far as the rookies and the veterans 477 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:14,679 Speaker 1: at this point are as follows. So on the twenty 478 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,480 Speaker 1: seventh on the Reserve COVID daily list, you had tackle 479 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 1: Blake Brandell out of Oregon State. You had safety Brian 480 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:24,440 Speaker 1: Cole the second out of Mississippi State. You had offensive 481 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: lineman Tyler Higbee, and you had wide receiver Justin Jefferson. 482 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: So Justin was the big name, especially on that first day, 483 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:33,840 Speaker 1: and so it raised a lot of eyebrows for people. 484 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 1: But as we learn more about this, we'll have to 485 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:38,800 Speaker 1: look long term what's going to happen with him, whether 486 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 1: it was a short term piece or a long term piece. 487 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:44,520 Speaker 1: On the twenty eighth, the reserved opt out officially came 488 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:47,400 Speaker 1: out for d tackle Michael Pierce. I heard Michael doing 489 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 1: the rounds on some of the national podcasts and radio stations, 490 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: just explaining his decision and why he did it, and 491 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:56,520 Speaker 1: the asthma designation that he has, and the fact that 492 00:25:56,560 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 1: the team knew about this going into the season, so 493 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:01,639 Speaker 1: after all the discuss that they've had, they felt like 494 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 1: it was the right decision for him to do active 495 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: non football injury For two different players on the twenty 496 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:10,960 Speaker 1: eighth cornerback Neville Clark and wide receiver Courtney Davis out 497 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:13,359 Speaker 1: of Texas A and m seven twenty nine, the reserve 498 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:18,439 Speaker 1: covist Daily nineteen list was defensive Ennafadi Adenibo, linebacker Cam Smith, 499 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:22,479 Speaker 1: and tackle Oli Udo. So there's some bigger names on 500 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:25,760 Speaker 1: this list as far as players that we were talking 501 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,399 Speaker 1: about all offseason that we were looking to have help 502 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 1: and contribute given some of the different position battles that 503 00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:34,439 Speaker 1: are going to be open. So hopefully these guys can 504 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:37,119 Speaker 1: make a speedy recovery for not only themselves but for 505 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,399 Speaker 1: their families and be able to get back on the 506 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:42,840 Speaker 1: field as fast as possible. Yes, seven vikings on the 507 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 1: reserve slash COVID nineteen list as of seven twenty nine, 508 00:26:47,320 --> 00:26:50,120 Speaker 1: two on the active non football injury list, and one 509 00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:53,520 Speaker 1: Michael Pierce with the with the opt out. So definitely 510 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:57,399 Speaker 1: the coronavirus is having an effect on the Vikings roster. 511 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: Hopefully all these players will stay healthy and be able 512 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:05,720 Speaker 1: to return before the NFL season begins, So that could 513 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 1: probably be the one and only positive out of any 514 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: of this is that they can get healthy and get 515 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,320 Speaker 1: it out of the way before the season starts. So 516 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:19,159 Speaker 1: keep an eye on that coronavirus list on Vikings dot com. 517 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:24,080 Speaker 1: Yours truly is updating the roster and the coronavirus list 518 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:28,399 Speaker 1: at a daily basis level because there always seems to 519 00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:30,960 Speaker 1: be either a positive test or new news on the 520 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:34,439 Speaker 1: transaction wire. For the Vikings and certainly a lot of 521 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 1: other NFL teams battling this virus, there's been a ton 522 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:44,240 Speaker 1: of high risk and voluntary opt outs across the league, 523 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 1: most notably Gave. A lot of Patriots are deciding that 524 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 1: they are not going to play this season. Dante high Tower, 525 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:55,920 Speaker 1: the linebacker, was a big name on that list. Yeah 526 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:58,120 Speaker 1: for sure, Dante high Tower. I mean we saw him 527 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:02,359 Speaker 1: all on you know NFL network. I mean with his 528 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:06,480 Speaker 1: you know decision to opt out fullback Dan Vitel, running 529 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:11,280 Speaker 1: back Brandon Bowden, an offensive Linbern Nige torn and I 530 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:14,119 Speaker 1: think just from a personal standpoint, I respect these guys 531 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:16,720 Speaker 1: for you know, I don't think bands should blame these 532 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 1: guys for actually, you know, opting out. I mean they're 533 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:22,639 Speaker 1: they're taking their their health and safety, um, you know, 534 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 1: very seriously. So it's one of those things where you know, 535 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:28,159 Speaker 1: they know their bodies better than anybody else. But this 536 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:31,200 Speaker 1: was new. It's especially with Dante Highttower as well as 537 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:34,520 Speaker 1: you know, other guys in the league from from numerous 538 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:38,200 Speaker 1: teams that's deciding to opt out this upcoming year. Damian Williams, 539 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 1: the running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Chung 540 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:44,720 Speaker 1: also the safety for the Patriots, big veteran there, the 541 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:48,880 Speaker 1: Giants left tackle Nates Solder. Um, all these players are 542 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:52,360 Speaker 1: opting out. Marquis Goodwin, who's a wide receiver in his 543 00:28:52,440 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 1: first year for the Eagles. Uh yeah, a bunch of 544 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 1: big names that have decided that that it definitely isn't 545 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:02,400 Speaker 1: right to play this sea. He's a very notable player 546 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:05,680 Speaker 1: who has a reason, a real, real reason to opt out. 547 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 1: That's offensive lineman Laurent DuVernay Tardiff of the Kansas City Chiefs. 548 00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 1: He's a medical doctor and he's decided to take his 549 00:29:14,080 --> 00:29:16,800 Speaker 1: time and be on the front lines and take care 550 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:21,720 Speaker 1: of coronavirus patients instead of playing the NFL season, which 551 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:26,720 Speaker 1: is definitely something that is honorable, more than honorable, probably 552 00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:30,560 Speaker 1: a hero in his own rights, so definitely a notable 553 00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 1: name there. All right, guys, onto some football news for 554 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,200 Speaker 1: Verizon Vikings twenty twenty training camp. I'm gonna throw a 555 00:29:38,240 --> 00:29:41,160 Speaker 1: couple of singers at you, guys, of players that you 556 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:44,440 Speaker 1: are looking out for for each of these categories. So 557 00:29:44,480 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 1: the first one is going to be thrown at Gabe 558 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 1: and it is who is going to be the MVP 559 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:55,120 Speaker 1: of Vikings training camp. The MVP of Vikings training camp 560 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 1: will be Mike Hughes, the guy we aren't talking about 561 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 1: a lot with so many questions arcs heading into this 562 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:06,640 Speaker 1: off season with at will after quarterback position, I think 563 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:08,760 Speaker 1: he's going to be then MVP that helps step up 564 00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 1: and you know right now he's penciled in as a starter, 565 00:30:11,240 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 1: but anything can happen. I mean last year I think 566 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:16,360 Speaker 1: it well. Last year of course he played fourteen games, 567 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:18,800 Speaker 1: but one of his big things just staying healthy. So 568 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 1: if healthy, I think he will be the MVP. To 569 00:30:20,840 --> 00:30:24,680 Speaker 1: shear Jay, I'm going with head coach Mike Zimmer, the 570 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:27,080 Speaker 1: main reason why is because they have to get all 571 00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:29,760 Speaker 1: of these guys up to speed and essentially a six 572 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:32,400 Speaker 1: week period and the very first game they're going to 573 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:35,320 Speaker 1: play is live Bullets for week one of the season. 574 00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:37,960 Speaker 1: So for me, it's got to be on the head 575 00:30:37,960 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 1: coach and the coaching staff to make sure that these 576 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:43,000 Speaker 1: guys are minding their pus and ques and everything that 577 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:45,360 Speaker 1: they did in the classroom for all of the off 578 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 1: season will actually translate during a very small amount of 579 00:30:48,440 --> 00:30:50,400 Speaker 1: time before they have to get on the field and 580 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:54,280 Speaker 1: start playing some absolute killers at quarterback and some absolute 581 00:30:54,320 --> 00:30:57,360 Speaker 1: killers on the defense. So it's going to be it's 582 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:00,120 Speaker 1: gonna take everybody from the top down to make this 583 00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:03,640 Speaker 1: thing happened. For me, my MVP is going to be 584 00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:08,080 Speaker 1: the running back number thirty three, Dalvin Cook, because he 585 00:31:08,280 --> 00:31:13,160 Speaker 1: is there at the Vikings Tco Performance Center. The contract 586 00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:16,800 Speaker 1: talks and rumors and and holdouts and and all that 587 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:20,120 Speaker 1: that is not something that seems to be at all 588 00:31:20,160 --> 00:31:22,800 Speaker 1: of an issue as he has checked into Verizon Vikings 589 00:31:22,840 --> 00:31:26,840 Speaker 1: training camp. So, um, I think, as as you said before, Gabe, 590 00:31:26,880 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 1: as he goes, this Vikings offense goes and and he's 591 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:34,000 Speaker 1: going to be one that's fun to watch at training camp. 592 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:37,120 Speaker 1: Next this is a little different. It's going to be 593 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 1: who is the player that fans are not thinking about 594 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:45,880 Speaker 1: that you are thinking about Gabe, I'm thinking about BC Johnson. 595 00:31:46,680 --> 00:31:49,760 Speaker 1: We've talked about guys who you know, all these rookies 596 00:31:49,960 --> 00:31:52,560 Speaker 1: justin Jefferson will you know making a media impact with 597 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:55,720 Speaker 1: Sharp You briefly talked about him. But BC Johnson is 598 00:31:55,720 --> 00:31:58,240 Speaker 1: one of those guys that made some big plays out 599 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:01,360 Speaker 1: last year. Thirty one catches towards ninety four yards, three 600 00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:04,080 Speaker 1: touchdowns like that. I mean when his number was called, 601 00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:06,520 Speaker 1: he may plays. Of course, he got a majority of 602 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:09,000 Speaker 1: his playing town when Adam Filling went down, but when 603 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:11,080 Speaker 1: he got his number called, he did what exactly what 604 00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:13,880 Speaker 1: he's supposed to do. So I think he's going to 605 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 1: have a lot of not just knowledge, but just game 606 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:21,120 Speaker 1: experience coming in and that's you know, that's a step 607 00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:24,120 Speaker 1: above a lot of other guys who aren't adjusted to 608 00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:26,640 Speaker 1: the NFL speed yet. And granted we don't have a preseason, 609 00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 1: so I think the coaches will expect a lot from 610 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:32,560 Speaker 1: a guy like BC Johnson who's actually seeing some gameplay actions. 611 00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:35,560 Speaker 1: So I think we should we will hear his name 612 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:39,800 Speaker 1: a lot this upcoming season, Gabe goes wide receiver, where 613 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:43,040 Speaker 1: will Jay go. I'm actually going to go to a 614 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:47,040 Speaker 1: hot button position group right now, which is the defensive line, 615 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:49,080 Speaker 1: and I'm gonna look at a couple of guys like 616 00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 1: armand Watts who had a really strong start of the 617 00:32:51,880 --> 00:32:54,280 Speaker 1: season last year and got injured. And then I'm also 618 00:32:54,320 --> 00:32:56,840 Speaker 1: going to start pointing fingers at guys like Jalil Johnson 619 00:32:56,840 --> 00:32:59,240 Speaker 1: and Shamar Stephen and that they're going to have to 620 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:01,719 Speaker 1: step in now and take a bigger role than they 621 00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:04,520 Speaker 1: had last year. I know those guys had played more 622 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:07,240 Speaker 1: often and had done a good job, but they're going 623 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:10,000 Speaker 1: to now be looked at as the guys to fill 624 00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:11,840 Speaker 1: in here. And who knows what's going to happen with 625 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:14,360 Speaker 1: some of those rookies coming in, but those veterans on 626 00:33:14,400 --> 00:33:16,600 Speaker 1: the defensive line are definitely going to get some more 627 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:20,200 Speaker 1: run given Michael Pierce having to opt out for his 628 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:22,680 Speaker 1: medical reasons. So those guys are going to be the 629 00:33:22,680 --> 00:33:25,360 Speaker 1: guys I'm gonna be watching just to see what happens 630 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:28,400 Speaker 1: in Mike Zimmer's defense when he heavily relies on those 631 00:33:28,480 --> 00:33:31,360 Speaker 1: d tackles to do what they do. My player is 632 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:36,560 Speaker 1: going to be Chris Boyd, the cornerback for the Vikings. 633 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:40,240 Speaker 1: He led the Vikings special teams in tackles last year, 634 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:44,520 Speaker 1: really made his way into the league on special teams, 635 00:33:44,520 --> 00:33:47,960 Speaker 1: but started to be thrown into that cornerback position. And 636 00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:51,320 Speaker 1: I always bring up this Week seventeen game that meant 637 00:33:51,360 --> 00:33:54,960 Speaker 1: absolutely nothing to the Vikings as they already had their 638 00:33:55,040 --> 00:33:59,200 Speaker 1: playoff seeds set at home at us Bank Stadium, and 639 00:33:59,280 --> 00:34:02,600 Speaker 1: Chris Boyd played probably one of the best games I've 640 00:34:02,600 --> 00:34:06,360 Speaker 1: seen a young cornerback play rookie cornerback in a long time. 641 00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:09,560 Speaker 1: Heading into his second year. We know the Vikings do 642 00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:12,319 Speaker 1: not have Xavier Rose and Trey Waynes this year, so 643 00:34:12,560 --> 00:34:14,719 Speaker 1: it will be a guy like Chris Boyd who will 644 00:34:14,760 --> 00:34:17,600 Speaker 1: have to step up and be a big part of 645 00:34:17,600 --> 00:34:21,880 Speaker 1: this Vikings defense. So watch out for Chris Boyd heading 646 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:25,520 Speaker 1: into year two. The next question is going to be 647 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:30,879 Speaker 1: who is the ex factor for the Vikings heading into 648 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:34,719 Speaker 1: training camp game. It's got to be Kirk Cousins, right, 649 00:34:34,880 --> 00:34:37,439 Speaker 1: I mean, just coming off, I think the obvious answer 650 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:39,640 Speaker 1: is Kirk Cousins. But if I'm not being too obvious, 651 00:34:39,680 --> 00:34:42,960 Speaker 1: I think it's Anthony Barr. You know, the precture is 652 00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:44,879 Speaker 1: not going to be on his shoulders anymore to just 653 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:47,960 Speaker 1: you know, play like a maniac. So now he can 654 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:51,440 Speaker 1: actually be seen because everybody won't be looking at him, 655 00:34:51,440 --> 00:34:54,160 Speaker 1: so it'll be I think he'll be the most valuable 656 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:58,200 Speaker 1: player on this Vikings defense. And then of course defense 657 00:34:58,200 --> 00:35:00,640 Speaker 1: wins championships, and of course Kirk kind of Kirk Cousins 658 00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:03,840 Speaker 1: has to win those games for the defense to actually 659 00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:07,239 Speaker 1: be able to do what they're supposed to do. I'll 660 00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:09,040 Speaker 1: do the same thing with you. I'll go one offense, 661 00:35:09,080 --> 00:35:11,960 Speaker 1: one defense. I too, just like everybody else, is going 662 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:14,359 Speaker 1: to point at Kirk Cousins in order to keep it 663 00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:17,759 Speaker 1: going and his leadership and the poison. Another year in 664 00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:20,960 Speaker 1: a system with the same style of offense but a 665 00:35:21,000 --> 00:35:24,520 Speaker 1: different offensive coordinator and Gary Kubiak, hopefully Kirk will be 666 00:35:24,560 --> 00:35:26,520 Speaker 1: able to just pick up where he left off and 667 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:29,279 Speaker 1: just keep running further than he did last season. On 668 00:35:29,320 --> 00:35:31,319 Speaker 1: the defensive side, for me, it's going to be another 669 00:35:31,360 --> 00:35:33,359 Speaker 1: guy that was in that top one hundred lists, and 670 00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:36,000 Speaker 1: for me it's Harrison Smith. He has to be the 671 00:35:36,080 --> 00:35:38,640 Speaker 1: lynchpin on the back end of that defense because with 672 00:35:38,680 --> 00:35:41,440 Speaker 1: all the new guys coming in the secondary, and guys 673 00:35:41,440 --> 00:35:43,920 Speaker 1: like Anthony Harrison, Harrison Smith, they're going to have to 674 00:35:43,960 --> 00:35:46,160 Speaker 1: be the leaders back there and make sure people are 675 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:47,759 Speaker 1: going to be in position and doing what they need 676 00:35:47,800 --> 00:35:50,319 Speaker 1: to do. So a guy like Harrison Smith, for me, 677 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:53,000 Speaker 1: is going to be even more critical this season to 678 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:55,880 Speaker 1: be a general at the far back end, helping make 679 00:35:55,920 --> 00:35:57,840 Speaker 1: sure that everyone on the secondary is getting up to 680 00:35:57,880 --> 00:36:00,839 Speaker 1: speed on what they're supposed to do. I like the 681 00:36:01,080 --> 00:36:03,680 Speaker 1: X factor offense and defense, so I'm gonna do the 682 00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:08,160 Speaker 1: same exact thing as well. My guy on offense is 683 00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:13,160 Speaker 1: none other than IRV Smith Junior, because I think without 684 00:36:13,800 --> 00:36:18,840 Speaker 1: that established second wide receiver, obviously you have Justin Jefferson 685 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:22,520 Speaker 1: and Adam thieland, but you can say other than them, 686 00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:24,799 Speaker 1: the other guys are gonna be battling it out for 687 00:36:24,840 --> 00:36:27,880 Speaker 1: the third spot. I think IRV Smith can be that 688 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:31,600 Speaker 1: third spot because I see Gary Kubiak going with a 689 00:36:31,600 --> 00:36:34,160 Speaker 1: lot of two tight end sets with Kyle Rudolph and 690 00:36:34,239 --> 00:36:37,280 Speaker 1: IRV Smith out there, and that's something that we continue 691 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:40,160 Speaker 1: to hear from Gary Kubiak throughout the offseason that he's 692 00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:42,919 Speaker 1: thrown a little more here, a little more there at 693 00:36:42,960 --> 00:36:46,480 Speaker 1: IRV Smith. So IRV Smith has the ability to be 694 00:36:46,560 --> 00:36:49,200 Speaker 1: a superstar in this league. A lot of people forget 695 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:52,880 Speaker 1: he's only like twenty one years old still, so I 696 00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:56,239 Speaker 1: see a lot of things in the future for IRV 697 00:36:56,320 --> 00:36:59,400 Speaker 1: Smith Junior in his Vikings offense and on the defensive 698 00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:02,239 Speaker 1: side of the ball. I'm gonna say a name that 699 00:37:02,520 --> 00:37:04,920 Speaker 1: a lot of people probably aren't thinking about that and 700 00:37:05,000 --> 00:37:07,240 Speaker 1: that's what that's what I think of as an X factor. 701 00:37:07,560 --> 00:37:11,480 Speaker 1: I'm going with a fotty O'denibo who will be probably 702 00:37:11,560 --> 00:37:17,160 Speaker 1: this starting right right defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings. 703 00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:19,760 Speaker 1: Everyone knows about the Neil Hunter. A lot of people 704 00:37:19,840 --> 00:37:23,440 Speaker 1: forget about a Fatti Odenibo having six sacks last year. 705 00:37:24,239 --> 00:37:26,920 Speaker 1: I see him taking a huge step and we all 706 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:30,719 Speaker 1: know he likes to take out his sword after he 707 00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:33,759 Speaker 1: has that sack, so that's his celebration. I see a 708 00:37:33,760 --> 00:37:37,480 Speaker 1: lot of swords going into the turf this year as 709 00:37:37,480 --> 00:37:41,040 Speaker 1: a fodio'denibo has a few sacks. So those are my 710 00:37:41,120 --> 00:37:43,120 Speaker 1: two X factors, because I like to think of guys 711 00:37:43,120 --> 00:37:46,399 Speaker 1: who are like people aren't totally thinking about, but they 712 00:37:46,440 --> 00:37:49,600 Speaker 1: have really big chances to have a big impact on 713 00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:52,520 Speaker 1: both sides of the ball. So um the last question 714 00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:55,560 Speaker 1: for you guys, and let's go to Jay first on 715 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:59,360 Speaker 1: this one. Who is a rookie to watch in Verizon 716 00:37:59,560 --> 00:38:02,719 Speaker 1: Viking training camp. I mean, you could say Justin Jefferson, 717 00:38:02,800 --> 00:38:06,279 Speaker 1: but we're gonna we're gonna go with a few options here. 718 00:38:06,719 --> 00:38:09,319 Speaker 1: For me, it's going to be a guy that got 719 00:38:09,360 --> 00:38:12,960 Speaker 1: a lot of hype, especially after the draft, and I 720 00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:15,359 Speaker 1: think the reason why is because of what people are 721 00:38:15,400 --> 00:38:18,440 Speaker 1: angling for his future to be. But I want to 722 00:38:18,480 --> 00:38:20,760 Speaker 1: see a guy like dj Wonham be able to step 723 00:38:20,840 --> 00:38:23,879 Speaker 1: up in training camp and see what he can do. 724 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:27,759 Speaker 1: Because if you remember in those first years with Denil Hunter, 725 00:38:27,760 --> 00:38:31,239 Speaker 1: you would see little flashes during especially during the preseason games, 726 00:38:31,280 --> 00:38:33,600 Speaker 1: which we aren't going to get this year, but you 727 00:38:33,680 --> 00:38:37,280 Speaker 1: started to hear rumblings of this kid who had the length, 728 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:39,799 Speaker 1: but he needed to have, you know, some work with 729 00:38:39,880 --> 00:38:43,320 Speaker 1: some coaches. And eventually the following season, fans were upset 730 00:38:43,400 --> 00:38:45,799 Speaker 1: when they heard that Jared Allen was leaving. And I 731 00:38:45,840 --> 00:38:49,200 Speaker 1: remember talking to some people just saying, Okay, there's this 732 00:38:49,239 --> 00:38:51,120 Speaker 1: other guy who's coming up and you heard his name 733 00:38:51,160 --> 00:38:52,960 Speaker 1: a little bit and they're like, yeah, but it's Jared Allen, 734 00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:54,640 Speaker 1: And I'm like they had to make a decision where 735 00:38:54,640 --> 00:38:56,880 Speaker 1: they're going to keep Jared's larger contractor where they going 736 00:38:56,960 --> 00:38:59,040 Speaker 1: to move on to the next thing and go after 737 00:38:59,080 --> 00:39:01,239 Speaker 1: this kid named Denil Hunter. And we've all seen how 738 00:39:01,280 --> 00:39:03,799 Speaker 1: that's played out. So for me, a guy like dj 739 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:06,319 Speaker 1: Won him getting some of the accolades and some of 740 00:39:06,400 --> 00:39:09,480 Speaker 1: the eyeballs saying this could be the next Denil Hunter. 741 00:39:09,960 --> 00:39:11,520 Speaker 1: That's a guy for me that I want to see 742 00:39:11,560 --> 00:39:14,480 Speaker 1: how he does, not only in camp, but into the 743 00:39:14,520 --> 00:39:17,440 Speaker 1: season and see his progression this season. So I'm excited 744 00:39:17,480 --> 00:39:21,399 Speaker 1: for dj Won him. I'm looking at a guy from 745 00:39:21,440 --> 00:39:25,919 Speaker 1: Boise State, as were Cleveland. You know, he's he's fit 746 00:39:26,040 --> 00:39:28,520 Speaker 1: for this offense. He brand the outside zone scheme at 747 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:31,879 Speaker 1: Boise State. Of course, Alexander Madison was his running back, 748 00:39:32,280 --> 00:39:35,760 Speaker 1: and with you know, all the uncertainty at offensive line, 749 00:39:36,880 --> 00:39:39,640 Speaker 1: there's a legit chance that he gets some meaningful playing 750 00:39:39,640 --> 00:39:41,000 Speaker 1: time this year. I had a chance to talk to 751 00:39:41,080 --> 00:39:44,320 Speaker 1: Matthew Coller and I was reading one of his publications 752 00:39:44,719 --> 00:39:46,799 Speaker 1: on the Purple Inside, and he was basically saying like, 753 00:39:47,239 --> 00:39:51,600 Speaker 1: there's almost two different variations of offensive line this year 754 00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:54,200 Speaker 1: heading to training camp. And while that, you know that 755 00:39:54,280 --> 00:39:57,080 Speaker 1: can raise some eyebrows, I think the biggest thing is that, hey, 756 00:39:57,120 --> 00:40:00,239 Speaker 1: we have depth whole line and having that young talent 757 00:40:00,360 --> 00:40:02,360 Speaker 1: right there. Maybe if he's a left tackle left guard, 758 00:40:02,640 --> 00:40:06,040 Speaker 1: I think that could possibly be a wait for him 759 00:40:06,080 --> 00:40:08,879 Speaker 1: to get some media playing time with all the uncertainties 760 00:40:08,880 --> 00:40:12,040 Speaker 1: and question marks surrounding just the entire offensive my position. 761 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:14,160 Speaker 1: So he's a guy got my eye on. You don't 762 00:40:14,239 --> 00:40:16,040 Speaker 1: draft the guy in the second round if you don't 763 00:40:16,040 --> 00:40:18,719 Speaker 1: have them keep in him. I'm not gonna say he's 764 00:40:18,719 --> 00:40:21,120 Speaker 1: gonna play Week one, but at the same time, I 765 00:40:21,160 --> 00:40:24,839 Speaker 1: think there are some high expectations for him coming in here. 766 00:40:25,080 --> 00:40:26,840 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna go with one of the top picks. 767 00:40:27,360 --> 00:40:32,400 Speaker 1: I'm going to go with Oregon linebacker Troy Die because 768 00:40:32,920 --> 00:40:35,080 Speaker 1: I really like so. I like, I've gotten a chance. 769 00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:37,360 Speaker 1: You've talked to a bunch of these guys game, and 770 00:40:37,600 --> 00:40:39,120 Speaker 1: I've gotten a chance to talk to a few of 771 00:40:39,120 --> 00:40:41,640 Speaker 1: them too, and I was just super impressed by, like 772 00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:44,480 Speaker 1: his demeanor and he seems like such a smart guy, 773 00:40:44,560 --> 00:40:48,799 Speaker 1: and just looking back at his career at Oregon and 774 00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:51,960 Speaker 1: how much of an impact he had and the Big 775 00:40:52,080 --> 00:40:54,680 Speaker 1: Rolls Bowl game that he played with like a broken 776 00:40:54,719 --> 00:40:58,759 Speaker 1: thumb and still had like ten tackles and two forced fumbles, Like, 777 00:40:59,160 --> 00:41:01,279 Speaker 1: I think this guy has the body type to be 778 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:04,719 Speaker 1: like ready to play in the NFL like today, And 779 00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:07,360 Speaker 1: that's why I pick him, because I just think that 780 00:41:07,440 --> 00:41:10,759 Speaker 1: he has the he's got the build, he's got the 781 00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:15,160 Speaker 1: Anthony Barr build, and I know how happy coach Adam 782 00:41:15,239 --> 00:41:17,879 Speaker 1: Zimmer is to have him a part of that linebacker crew. 783 00:41:17,960 --> 00:41:20,880 Speaker 1: So I am going with Troy Dye. Just wrapping up. 784 00:41:20,920 --> 00:41:23,400 Speaker 1: Stay tuned to Vikings dot com and all our social 785 00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:27,120 Speaker 1: media channels for the latest in Vikings news. Heading into 786 00:41:27,239 --> 00:41:31,080 Speaker 1: Verizon Vikings training camp, you'll have daily pr updates on 787 00:41:31,120 --> 00:41:35,000 Speaker 1: the player designations for coronavirus as we've talked about, and 788 00:41:35,040 --> 00:41:38,799 Speaker 1: they're going to be a ton of media availabilities and 789 00:41:38,840 --> 00:41:42,880 Speaker 1: press conferences with all your favorite Vikings starting on Monday 790 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:47,560 Speaker 1: with newly signed head coach Mike Zimmer. A few things 791 00:41:47,560 --> 00:41:52,120 Speaker 1: to check out on Vikings dot com. Vikings head editor 792 00:41:52,640 --> 00:41:56,000 Speaker 1: Craig Peters has a story on Peter King's predictions for 793 00:41:56,080 --> 00:41:59,480 Speaker 1: the upcoming Viking season. As we talked about, Gabe got 794 00:41:59,480 --> 00:42:02,520 Speaker 1: a chance to interview Peter King, so check those both 795 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:06,240 Speaker 1: out on Vikings dot com, and there are a ton 796 00:42:06,760 --> 00:42:11,440 Speaker 1: of training camp preview articles and videos heading into Verizon 797 00:42:11,520 --> 00:42:14,880 Speaker 1: Vikings training camp. Gabe has talked to just about everybody 798 00:42:14,960 --> 00:42:17,520 Speaker 1: that you can talk to in his short time here 799 00:42:17,560 --> 00:42:21,160 Speaker 1: with the VN. So awesome job, Gabe, and thank you 800 00:42:21,280 --> 00:42:25,400 Speaker 1: again Jay for putting this show together. We are super 801 00:42:25,520 --> 00:42:30,080 Speaker 1: excited as we all get ready for what is to 802 00:42:30,160 --> 00:42:34,480 Speaker 1: be of this training camp. The real field work will 803 00:42:34,520 --> 00:42:38,080 Speaker 1: proceed and begin on August seventeenth, so we have some 804 00:42:38,200 --> 00:42:41,480 Speaker 1: time before you get to see the Vikings and coaches 805 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:45,920 Speaker 1: really doing those football activities. So as we said, keep 806 00:42:46,280 --> 00:42:48,919 Speaker 1: it with Vikings dot Com and all of our platforms. 807 00:42:49,239 --> 00:42:53,280 Speaker 1: This was episode fifty three of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 808 00:42:53,840 --> 00:42:56,799 Speaker 1: Stay safe out there, everybody, and we will see you 809 00:42:57,080 --> 00:42:57,800 Speaker 1: next week