1 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,119 Speaker 1: He was just telling me, like, don't open up too much, 2 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: keep that shoulder in a little bit. So they had 3 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: to come through you. You know. The next thing in practice, 4 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: I was guarding one of our receivers and I did 5 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: it and I heard my coach y, yeah, use that 6 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: pet Peas my first year in the league. I mean, 7 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: we're playing Green bas arrival game of the week. I 8 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 1: don't get him other better than that. So yeah, I'm 9 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: definitely excited. The whole team. You're excited. You know we're 10 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: gonna show up with your life. Welcome to the Minnesota 11 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 1: Vikings Podcast. This is episode one hundred and sixty. My 12 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: name is Tatum Maverick. We've got Game Henderson producer Jay 13 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: Nelson and recording it for us, Eric Davidson over here. 14 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:44,479 Speaker 1: So we had a full room today. We had a 15 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,919 Speaker 1: full room earlier as well when we welcomed rookie defensive 16 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: back at Caleb Evans as a part of our interview 17 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: that we've been doing with a lot of these players 18 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: leading up into the season opener. And you know, guys, 19 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:58,279 Speaker 1: the defensive back room is getting a little bit interesting 20 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 1: with injury developments, roster cut developments. What are your thoughts 21 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: on that game, Jay and I we're just talking. The 22 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: Harrison Hand news is still kind of of a shock 23 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 1: to me because he always provided really good depth for 24 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 1: this team. So one that means Andrew Booth is fine. 25 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connell said that earlier today, So seeing that I'm 26 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: like a Caleb Evans, this is going to be his 27 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 1: time to shine. So there's always a bigger plan than 28 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 1: what we see in this room, and I'm excited to 29 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: see how that plan shakes out starting September eleventh. But 30 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:31,920 Speaker 1: that was that was probably the biggest news for me. 31 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,639 Speaker 1: The cornerback position is a position where we need depth. 32 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 1: It's probably not the strongest position group on our team. 33 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:43,199 Speaker 1: So seeing Harrison Hand not on this roster anymore, I'm like, okay, Kevin, 34 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 1: we trust. I mean, it could be a situation where 35 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: we could pick somebody up off of another list of 36 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 1: cut players this week as well, and we don't, like 37 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: you said, no, the ultimate goal for sure, And at 38 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 1: least on my end when I was trying to kind 39 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 1: of rationalize us just a little bit too, is thinking 40 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: about this is possibly one of those things where they 41 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 1: just understand as coaches, maybe he doesn't fit what they're 42 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: looking for you know, he's had his chances in the 43 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: past working with this team, and he put in some 44 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 1: time and was a serviceable player for this this defense, 45 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: but maybe he just wasn't going to fit and they 46 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: already knew this, so they're gonna let him go. He's 47 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,399 Speaker 1: a guy who's a veteran who can possibly jump onto 48 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:18,079 Speaker 1: another squad. You know, sometimes that happens too, where there 49 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:20,519 Speaker 1: will be veterans that they just they understand, like, hey, 50 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:22,560 Speaker 1: we're gonna cut you now, so that it doesn't have 51 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 1: to be in kind of the mass call for the 52 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: fifty three man roster type feeling, and a guy like 53 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: Harrison Hand I would assume is going to get some 54 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: some look at other places if not fit here, then 55 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: you know, I got a feeling that he's gonna at 56 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: least have some chance to try to make a roster 57 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: moving forward. So we'll see how this shakes out. But yeah, 58 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 1: that was one of the first kind of bigger names 59 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 1: along with with you know, Albert Wilson on the releases 60 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 1: that I've happened the last couple day. Yeah, Albert Wilson, 61 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 1: who had a really big preseason game against the Raiders 62 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 1: no longer with the team another veteran who was waived 63 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: this week, the number had to get down to eighty 64 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,519 Speaker 1: and the tough decisions have to be made along with 65 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: hair in hand. Today, the Vikings waved tight end Sean 66 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: Bayer and then Ryan Connelly and Blake Prole were added 67 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 1: to the pop list, which I think those guys were 68 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 1: kind of assumed to go to. There. We've seen them 69 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:14,799 Speaker 1: work on the side field where the injured players work 70 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 1: out before, so honestly, I think that's like positive news. 71 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 1: I know, like you never want to see a player 72 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 1: get cut, but if we're talking starters getting injured and 73 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,919 Speaker 1: them not being on the roster versus a backup getting 74 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: that shot, all must sure to take that starter. So 75 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: I mean, I hope Sean Bayer and Harrison Hand find 76 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 1: a you know, a job elsewhere, you know, pretty quickly. 77 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 1: But with Sean Bayer being cut, that means Arson Juary 78 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: he must be. I know he's going to be back 79 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 1: for week one, but that that ultimately means he's going 80 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 1: to be back and ready. So yeah, he was at 81 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: practice on Monday, which is a great sign, yep. So 82 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 1: I think having him back will will be key for 83 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 1: us going forward. Now as many talkers as we've had today. 84 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 1: Yesterday was also a big talking day. We're recording is 85 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: on Tuesday for those of you who might be listening 86 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: to it a little bit later in the week. Training 87 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: camp is finished, but the Vikings are now owned to 88 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 1: an exhibition games After that seventeen to seven lost the 89 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: forty nine ers. Both Kellen mon and Sean Manion saw 90 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: time in that contest. But this backup quarterback debate just 91 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 1: got a whole lot Steamier Quasy depa Mensa trade the 92 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four conditional seventh round picked to the Raiders 93 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: for backup journeyman Nick Mullins. Jay, he woke up Monday 94 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: morning and saw that on your phone. Yeah, how are 95 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: you feeling well? It's kind of interesting because talk radio, Twitter, 96 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 1: everything was the debate was is the backup quarterback on 97 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 1: this roster and a bunch of people were citing and 98 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 1: their opinions saying they did not feel that was the case. Now, 99 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 1: by making this trade for Mullins, that means that, at 100 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:48,920 Speaker 1: least in Quasy's eyes when he went to make the move, 101 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,039 Speaker 1: this is a guy that he had some run with 102 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: in the past. He's a guy who's twenty seven years old, 103 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 1: so he's been in the league for a bit and 104 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 1: he feels like this guy coming in here, everyone's assuming 105 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: at this point this is going to be at least 106 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,559 Speaker 1: one of the backup solutions to what we're looking for. 107 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: You know, everything was conditional on passing the physical, as 108 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: all these trades usually are. But a guy like Mullins 109 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: coming in, he's had starts, he's had run, he's got 110 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 1: a you know, over forty eight yards, twenty six touchdowns, 111 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,280 Speaker 1: twenty two interceptions. He's a guy that, it feels like, 112 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:22,840 Speaker 1: in a spot duty can come in, start a game 113 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 1: and lead a team. And so a guy like Mullins 114 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: coming in here, I feel like is giving them at 115 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: least another option to look at to figure out exactly 116 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 1: what they're going to do when they have to cut 117 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:34,560 Speaker 1: the roster down to fifty three and figure out the 118 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 1: quarterback position. Yeah, I mean I'll like this trade. I 119 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: do too. It does make you think, what does this 120 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 1: mean for the other two quarterbacks? Right? Um? Do we 121 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 1: keep three quarterbacks on the roster? Do we only keep two? 122 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: What does that mean for Kelly Mon who everybody is 123 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,839 Speaker 1: high on. Granted he did throw two interceptions last week, 124 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,160 Speaker 1: and I think I think the high, it's the high 125 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 1: kind of cooled off a little bit. Hunh. That kind 126 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: of prompted you know, this move. And whenever you trade 127 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 1: a pick where that's fifth, sixth, or seventh, chances are 128 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 1: you're bringing that person that you trade it for with 129 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: your pick to come in and maybe not see the field, 130 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: but they're going to be on the roster. So I 131 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 1: think the biggest question is what does that mean for 132 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: those other two guys. I think this upcoming preseason game 133 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: against the Broncos means a lot to all three of 134 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 1: their careers. I think for Nick Mullins, this game, if 135 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:22,280 Speaker 1: he can learn ten to fifteen plays and know how 136 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 1: to do those, I think that's pretty much all that's 137 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: expected from him. But Kellen mon and Sean Mayon, if 138 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: they really want to make a lasting impression, they really 139 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 1: have to have a really good game. This will coming Saturday. 140 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:34,920 Speaker 1: I think you when it comes down to it, I mean, 141 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: this is like a real battle. Now. Before you're like, well, 142 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: maybe they'll keep two or three in the roster, maybe 143 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: someone gets the practice squad, etc. Right, but like this 144 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 1: is now, I am playing for a job. It's not 145 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,919 Speaker 1: a placing in the order it's an actual job, right, 146 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 1: So I think that it's definitely if anything lights a 147 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:58,359 Speaker 1: fire under Mannion and mine better because I mean something 148 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: has to either the offense. This is just granted, you 149 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,040 Speaker 1: know they're not showing a ton, right, Like you're not 150 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,480 Speaker 1: showing everything that you're working on is very vanilla when 151 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 1: you send everyone out there. So that's why Nick Mullins 152 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: should you know, learn ten to fifteen. That's why because 153 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 1: a good point, there's not going to be anything anything 154 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: else exactly, so there should be an ample amount of 155 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: opportunities for Nick Mullins to get here and make some plays. 156 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: And I think his biggest thing is just on learning 157 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: that Las Vegas Writers playbook, Like he's spent all all season, yeah, 158 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: learning that and then in a blink of her head 159 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: as a journeyman though, I mean he's been in so 160 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 1: many of offenses different coordinators. I think that's something that 161 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 1: you know, you kind of accept as your backup journeyman role. 162 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: My And this is just I thought about this literally 163 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 1: in this moment. I really haven't heard anything or put 164 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 1: much thought behind this. I just wonder why now as 165 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 1: opposed to earlier in camp, like what was it about 166 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: the timing of this where it just really seemed to 167 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: work out. Because if this is something that you know, 168 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 1: Quacy had a connection with this, he knows him for 169 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: a couple of places. What was the tipping point? I 170 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: kind of got a little bit of a theory on that. 171 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: In my opinion, the theory on that is that the 172 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: Raiders may have become more comfortable with their other option, 173 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 1: which was Jared Stidham, and if they all of a 174 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 1: sudden have realized, like, this is going to be our 175 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 1: backup guy, similar kind of a thing. We only want 176 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:23,720 Speaker 1: to have two quarterbacks on the roster. We know that 177 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 1: we can move this guy. It's a conditional seventh, so like, 178 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: you know, there's not a ton of equity that's being 179 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,200 Speaker 1: given up or even traded here for Mullins. And if 180 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 1: they knew he was going to be a guy that's 181 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 1: going to get cut, then they're like, at least we 182 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 1: can pull something as far as a draft pick out 183 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: of this guy and we could use that potentially as 184 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: future trade baite or whatever they would want to do. So, 185 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 1: in my opinion, part of the thing of it is, Yeah, 186 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 1: on the Viking side, you may have been looking and 187 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 1: trying to feel out you know, what's available. But in 188 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: a situation like this on the Viking side too, they're 189 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 1: looking at it saying, well, if this guy gets cut 190 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: and he goes to free agency, who knows where he's 191 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,960 Speaker 1: in a sign, If we only have to give up 192 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: a conditional seventh, then this guy's worth worth the investment. 193 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: So all around, I feel like this this trade is 194 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: at least to give some hope to figure out, like, 195 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 1: you know, if we were questioning what the potential abilities 196 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 1: were of what we currently had. At least Nick gives 197 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: us an option for another person to look at and 198 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 1: to potentially build with for the future. I think that 199 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 1: conditional word is big in this situation because I think 200 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 1: what the conditions are if Nick mullins, if he plays 201 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 1: one game, if he's active for one game this year, uh, 202 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: the Las Vegas Raiders will receive that seventh frounders. So 203 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 1: to your point, JF, you kind of want to see 204 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,439 Speaker 1: what he can do. Um, you still have the wibber 205 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: room of all right, well, if he doesn't have a 206 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: good preseason, we can just you know, cut him and 207 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 1: not really lose anything and get our seven front a 208 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: pick pick. But there there there is um a sense 209 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: of urgency that is heightened for this quarterback room. And 210 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 1: I think Kellyman, Sean May, and Gerard Johnson, who's who's 211 00:09:56,679 --> 00:09:59,000 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks coach, they all know that even being in 212 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,079 Speaker 1: that room they may not say, but it's a business. 213 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,079 Speaker 1: You understand that, Hey, we're here to win, and this 214 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:06,719 Speaker 1: is a job that only one person can win as 215 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: the backup. So we'll see. For me, the favorite weird 216 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 1: part of this whole trade was everyone coming out of 217 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: the woodwork saying, well, we had a quarterback on our 218 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 1: roster from before who was from southern Mississippi. It was 219 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: at exactly right. That was my feeling too, which you know, 220 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: I just I was I'm laughing here because I think 221 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,680 Speaker 1: we've spent like two or three podcasts debating this backup 222 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 1: quarterback situation, and I really didn't think that was going 223 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:30,319 Speaker 1: to be something that I was going to be spending 224 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,199 Speaker 1: so much time talking about. Well, the only reason why 225 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 1: it's news is because it happened recently. We had we 226 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 1: were sitting here and we're like waiting for a roster 227 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 1: cut day and for the first season to actually talk 228 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 1: about like something else. Because the thing is, we're never 229 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: going to talk like let's hope to let's hope fingers crossed, 230 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: we will never have to talk about these guys ever again. 231 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,959 Speaker 1: I mean for me like this, I mean that's if 232 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 1: Cousins says healthy, you never want to talk about these guys, right. 233 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: But that's the thing about the backup quarterback is most 234 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:59,800 Speaker 1: people tend to forget about the backup quarterback until all 235 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 1: the sudden they're needed and it's like, oh God, what 236 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: do wet what do we got going here? Um? At 237 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: least again, at least with Mullins, it feels like you 238 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 1: have a guy who's got somewhere on who understands what 239 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: he's getting into, and he has been serviceable as a 240 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: backup in the past. So if it feels like this 241 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: guy is going to be able to come in, figure 242 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 1: everything out and be kind of the understudy and the 243 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: and filling in spot duties if he needs to, and 244 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: that's all we're really asking of him, then you know 245 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: we're already ahead of the game from before. I think 246 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:28,440 Speaker 1: I feel like a worst case scenario. I feel like 247 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,560 Speaker 1: Vikings fans want Nick Mullens to be case keenum, Like 248 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 1: if he can be the backup that I think they 249 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 1: want anybody to be case Ken, that is true, but 250 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: like if Kurt can't get us there right or something 251 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: unfortunately happens to Kirk this year when Nick Mullins gets in, 252 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 1: I think you just want to have a guy that 253 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: is serviceable enough to get us wins. It's such a 254 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 1: great point you bring up, because everyone who's an NFL 255 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,960 Speaker 1: fans on case keenum leave the Bills to forty two points, 256 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: and that's just something I think everyone is here would 257 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 1: love to have seen happen on Sunday Saturday. You want 258 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 1: to take advantage of playing, essentially playing into lesser talent 259 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 1: when you're playing in basically preseason ball, Like if you 260 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: are playing against twos and threes, you want to see 261 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 1: a backup quarterback or whoever get in there, get their 262 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 1: opportunity and shine because then it feels like they are 263 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:17,880 Speaker 1: on par with should be able to run with guys 264 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:20,839 Speaker 1: that are in the ones position. But if you're getting 265 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: your opportunities with twos and threes, you should be trying 266 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 1: to light these guys up as much as possible. And 267 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:26,720 Speaker 1: I think that's the thing that was frustrating about seeing 268 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:29,319 Speaker 1: the difference between Game one and Game two, especially when 269 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 1: you were talking about you know, seeing the performance that 270 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,079 Speaker 1: you had, the positivity in game one with with Kellen 271 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: and then in game two with the two interceptions, there 272 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,320 Speaker 1: was a lot of people starting to throw some questions 273 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: back into that whole mix. So again, like you guys 274 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: that already decided, if if Mullins gets in there against 275 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,680 Speaker 1: the Broncos and he does get a chance, it'd be 276 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 1: fun to see him, you know, throw some nice passes, 277 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 1: possibly get a score, and come off that field and 278 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: feel like, you know, we're comfortable with what we got. 279 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:56,720 Speaker 1: I'll take forty two points a mile high. What if 280 00:12:56,880 --> 00:13:00,720 Speaker 1: Mullins goes for like three and five touchdowns, that's a 281 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: good problem to Haen. I'd be like, signed him today, 282 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: cut everyone else. No, that's not nice, but I would 283 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: be pretty stoked. But coach coach is responding to the 284 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 1: O and two exhibition game start or preseason start, O'Connell 285 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: has quoted yesterday he's ramping up practices, including a scrimmage 286 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 1: on Thursday with quarters and a halftime period. I have 287 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 1: a feeling this is what to really get those starters 288 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 1: in there, to get a game like simulation without putting 289 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: them an actual game action and risk injury on the 290 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: final preseason game of the year in Denver. But Gabe, 291 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 1: what is one thing that you need to see from 292 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: the non starters maybe in the final preseason game. What's 293 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 1: the one thing you want to take away from that game? Points. 294 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 1: I like that we scored seven points last week. We 295 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: scored twenty the week before. Our offense hasn't really got 296 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 1: going yet, so I just I just want to see 297 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 1: us score some points. Like, I just want to see 298 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:58,760 Speaker 1: some excitement. Pa used the word snooze a pill when 299 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 1: describing last week's A game against the San Francisco forty 300 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 1: nine ers, And I think that's pretty accurate. Loud, my bad. 301 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: I mean it's seven points. Like, there's not a whole 302 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:09,920 Speaker 1: lot that you could you could point to and say, 303 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:11,920 Speaker 1: you know, it looks really good. But yeah, you're right. 304 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 1: Points is good. Yeah, yeah, I mean points are good. 305 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: Points against you are bad? Yea, yeah. I just I 306 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: just want to see points, Like I just want to 307 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:26,560 Speaker 1: like leave the game saying, even whether when lose or draw, like, hey, 308 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 1: we score some touchdowns in there. There there's something to 309 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 1: get excited about. What about you. I want to see 310 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 1: guys that have been flashing in the first two games 311 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: continue into the third one, because to me, that feels 312 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: like your t Y McGill's, even with your Luigi Valain 313 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: this week, having the turnover recovery at the five Caleb Evans, 314 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 1: you know, being able to go through and get in 315 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: the mix. Having those guys that have flashed with the 316 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: twos and threes feel like they're solidifying their spot on 317 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: this roster and knowing that whether they're going to be 318 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 1: starters or in the backup role, these are the guys 319 00:14:57,240 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 1: that we can rely on that we didn't necessarily see 320 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 1: at the beginning of training camp. Being who is going 321 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: to be solidifying their spots. It helps kind of reveal 322 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 1: what we anticipate to be the fifty three man roster, 323 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: but there's always bubble players, and to see guys like 324 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 1: Ti Luigi and A Caleb and even Josh Mutellis last week, 325 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 1: Tai Chandler exactly like you're seeing a bunch of these 326 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 1: different players that are flashing on film against twos and threes. 327 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: Let's see him do it again in the third game, 328 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,360 Speaker 1: and it will feel like they have solidified their spot 329 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: on this roster justifiably. That's exactly what I was going 330 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 1: to say. Stack good performances. That's what I want to 331 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 1: see personally. But I think if I'll have to take 332 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: another point, I would say a little bit more explosiveness 333 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: in the punt return game. I think finding a guy 334 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 1: there and whether or not we're seeing the starter out 335 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 1: there or not seeing something to change, like a change 336 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:48,520 Speaker 1: of pace in the game, Like you may have your guy, 337 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 1: but in case you know it's not working with him, 338 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: can we put someone else in to change things up 339 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 1: for a team in the middle of the game. So 340 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 1: I want to see a little more depth and consistency there. 341 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 1: I want to be mad if we try to Caleb 342 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 1: Evans upont return. He being excited to hear that. I 343 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: know he's a Patrick Peterson guy. And Patrick Peterson returns 344 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: before he said he has, so it may bee. I mean, 345 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: the punt return position is wide open right now, so 346 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: it's pretty much fair game. That was one of the 347 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 1: things that I think everyone was hoping to see, whether 348 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:18,200 Speaker 1: it's punt return or kick return. Somebody step up during preseason. 349 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 1: I really take that mantle, especially if they're going to 350 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,560 Speaker 1: be a younger player that was getting to get an opportunity. 351 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 1: There's still another game yet, somebody can can do that. 352 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: But it felt like even in game number two, there 353 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,040 Speaker 1: are a couple of missteps that happened in those return 354 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: game positions, and you're still kind of left there scratching 355 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,600 Speaker 1: your head, saying, nobody is grabbing the brass ring here 356 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 1: and really taking control of that position. So hopefully somebody 357 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: can step up and do it, because if they can, 358 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:43,440 Speaker 1: then again that's going to guarantee a spot on the 359 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 1: roster for them. The mark of a preseason podcast where 360 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 1: we analyze the backup quarterbacks and the punt returners. That 361 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:55,600 Speaker 1: is correct content. Well, somebody you will see in Saturday's game, A. 362 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 1: Caleb Evans is our guest on MVP, So let's bring 363 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: him on in. Let's welcome in one of the rookies, 364 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:06,720 Speaker 1: A Caleb Evans. After a great performance on Saturday, leading 365 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:09,119 Speaker 1: the team with ten tackles. It must have been great 366 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 1: to be out there, be back in your element. But 367 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 1: I really wanted to ask you what was it like 368 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 1: in front of fifty thousand Vikings fans inside US Bank 369 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 1: Stadium for a preseason game, let alone. I mean, the 370 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 1: atmosphere didn't necessarily feel preseason. Yeah, no, it was definitely amazing. 371 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:25,879 Speaker 1: A lot of people know I'm active on Twitter, so 372 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 1: you know, I didn't know exactly what to expect, but 373 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:32,440 Speaker 1: you know, it was everything that I could have imagined. 374 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 1: And I was just saying other thing on Twitter. I 375 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 1: was like, if that's what it was like in the preseason, 376 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:38,679 Speaker 1: not gon only imagine what the regular season gonna be like. 377 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 1: So it was a great feel. I felt the energy. 378 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 1: I got juiced up for the game, so you know, 379 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:47,399 Speaker 1: the crowd help man. Your last tweet, speaking of Twitter, 380 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:50,679 Speaker 1: your last tweet says twenty one days away to the 381 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: season open. Of course we're a little bit closer than that. 382 00:17:52,840 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: But seeing the atmosphere of US Bank Stadium already, now, 383 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,399 Speaker 1: knowing that the season opener is a little bit closer, 384 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 1: you're it has to be a little a little chilly now, right, Oh, 385 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 1: it's my first year in the league. I mean we're 386 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:08,280 Speaker 1: playing green Bay's arrival, you know, game of the week. 387 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 1: I don't get them better than that at home. So yeah, 388 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 1: I'm definitely excited. Um, the whole team is excited. You know, 389 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: we're gonna show up and show out. You know, I 390 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:18,600 Speaker 1: know that you don't try and think too far ahead, 391 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:20,919 Speaker 1: right like you guys are trying to complete the install, 392 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: make sure everything is going and making sure you're the 393 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,440 Speaker 1: best team when you get out there against the Packers. However, 394 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:29,679 Speaker 1: there has to be some talk right that that's the 395 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 1: team you're facing. Have you guys started to dive into 396 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:35,479 Speaker 1: that at all or how much focus has put on 397 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,040 Speaker 1: that now? Right now, we're all focused on, you know, 398 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 1: each preseason game that we have right now with the Broncos, 399 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:43,239 Speaker 1: So we haven't really talked about that. Um, We're just 400 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:45,320 Speaker 1: really building the culture in the mindset, you know, for 401 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: no matter who the opponent is. Um, just having the 402 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,480 Speaker 1: mindset as a defense, just taking the ball away and 403 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: being aggressive physical. So, um, one game at a time, 404 00:18:54,359 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 1: but it'll come. Let's spend. Let's spend your mindset just 405 00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:01,399 Speaker 1: from the night you got drafted until now, like getting 406 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,040 Speaker 1: to this point. Yeah, just establishing my role in my 407 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 1: identity on the team. That's always been my mindset. Of 408 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:09,919 Speaker 1: course I have personal goals, but the first thing I 409 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: want to focus on with the team goals, UM, because 410 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:14,960 Speaker 1: you know we have a mission and we all know 411 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:17,480 Speaker 1: what that is. So just making sure that I can 412 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:19,440 Speaker 1: play my one to eleven you know what I mean 413 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 1: on the defense and just show the team that I'm 414 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: a team guy and they're gonna get everything out of me. 415 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,240 Speaker 1: How do you like the competition at your position right now? 416 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:29,719 Speaker 1: What is it like to be in that DV room? Now? 417 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:33,399 Speaker 1: It's great. It's great because it really challenges, you know, 418 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: your skill set, your mindset, You're grind all of that. 419 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 1: So I love it. Big dogs are gonna eak so 420 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 1: you know for your spot, what's something in particular, maybe 421 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 1: Patrick Peterson has pointed out to you that's changed the 422 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:48,440 Speaker 1: way that you play. Yeah, So I was actually talking 423 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 1: to him the other day. We were talking about like 424 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:53,479 Speaker 1: opening up when you know, receivers running goal balls and stuff, 425 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:55,959 Speaker 1: and he was just telling me, like, don't open up 426 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:57,960 Speaker 1: too much, you know, keep that shoulder in a little 427 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: bit so they have to come through you. And you 428 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 1: know the next thing in practice, I was guarding one 429 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:04,880 Speaker 1: of our receivers and I did it and I heard 430 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:09,439 Speaker 1: my coach yell, yeah, use that pee. I just had 431 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:11,199 Speaker 1: to like huge smile on my face. But you know, 432 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: just the little things like that that he's talking to 433 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:16,160 Speaker 1: me about, it's helped me a lot, man, especially having 434 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 1: a veteran like that, like that presence, I mean to 435 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 1: get back. I mean, you got Dronta Jones, like you 436 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: got a coach, But to actually have a coach on 437 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 1: the field doing get in person, actually seeing you do 438 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:28,120 Speaker 1: with those reps in person, that's got to be beneficial. Also, 439 00:20:28,359 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: wasn't your idol too, Like he's the guy you modeled 440 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:34,000 Speaker 1: your whole game after it. Yeah, we were number twenty one, 441 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 1: and you weren't shy about that either. That. Yeah, I 442 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: mean I tell people, you know, when I was growing up, 443 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 1: I would come home it was just highlight videos. I 444 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 1: had a favorite one of his. I would watch like 445 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:46,359 Speaker 1: all the time, and I was like, Yo, this dude 446 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:48,480 Speaker 1: is so cold because he was versatile, you know what 447 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:51,160 Speaker 1: I mean, like not only playing defense leaving his mark there, 448 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: but special teams, you know, returning. She even seen him 449 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:56,640 Speaker 1: go in at receiver before. I'm like, yeah, this dude, 450 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: it's amazing. So I have you told him that? Yeah? Okay, 451 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:04,760 Speaker 1: you know he was like I appreciated being a role model, 452 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 1: you know, and one day hopefully I can be at 453 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 1: to somebody. So I'm looking at your stats here, man, 454 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:11,399 Speaker 1: you had ten tackles this past Saturday, and I'm like, 455 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 1: all right, that's a that's a lot of tackles for 456 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:14,879 Speaker 1: for anybody paying in the league. And I'm like, all right, 457 00:21:14,920 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 1: let's see what he did in college. Like, you had 458 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 1: a lot of tackles in college, but you've never had 459 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:21,200 Speaker 1: ten tackles in the game, So how are you feeling? 460 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 1: A little store? But it was definitely worth it, Okay. 461 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 1: I always you know, when I was in college, my 462 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 1: coach was really big on establishing in physicality. Um, so 463 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,920 Speaker 1: that's always my mind sick. You know, just in a 464 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:38,399 Speaker 1: run game, anybody who has the ball just be a 465 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 1: physical tackler. So you know, anytime I see the bomb attacking. 466 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: What's it like coming from college? Speaking of when you've 467 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: got to worry about other things, right, Like you've got 468 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:49,959 Speaker 1: to worry about going to classes and you've got to study. 469 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:54,080 Speaker 1: And now you're just when the class at Missouri, Hey, 470 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:55,720 Speaker 1: we're not gonna we're gonna talk about that kind of 471 00:21:55,720 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 1: stuff school now, I got your back on No. But 472 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 1: but when you when you think about it, like you 473 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 1: are in this is your full time job. Now, what 474 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 1: is it? What is that feeling like you come to work, 475 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:14,240 Speaker 1: you play football. Yeah, no, it's really cool. Um, you know, 476 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:16,199 Speaker 1: just not having to worry about class and you know, 477 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:19,400 Speaker 1: studying and that that aspect, like we're playing a kid's 478 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:21,800 Speaker 1: game for a king's ransom. So it's like, it's just 479 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 1: amazing to be able to do this as a full 480 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:26,040 Speaker 1: time job. And I actually, you know you brought that up. 481 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: I was texting one of my friends yesterday because I 482 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,159 Speaker 1: had left to go to lunch. I was like, I 483 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:32,400 Speaker 1: feel like an adult, like even to go to lunch 484 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: and I got to go back to work. Like it 485 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 1: was like an adult team moment. So it's pretty cool. 486 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: When when did that hit you? Like, when did that 487 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:43,160 Speaker 1: hit you that? Like? Man like, I'm in the league. Yeah, 488 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: when we were in our OTAs you know, and I 489 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 1: was getting around the guys and learning, I was like, 490 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 1: man like, outside of this, like we have a whole 491 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 1: bunch of free time, which you know, studying and stuff 492 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 1: like that and crafting. But at that moment, I was like, 493 00:22:56,280 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 1: I don't got no project to do homework, you know 494 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 1: what I mean. You don't got to be a profess serious, 495 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 1: So just got a rabbit, yeah, my son to take 496 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 1: care of. Yeah yeah, my parents drove up from Texas 497 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:11,240 Speaker 1: and brought him up here, so with great parents. Yeah, 498 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:12,880 Speaker 1: that's pretty cool. What do they think of your new 499 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,159 Speaker 1: place and and the facility I'm sure they thought was 500 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:17,480 Speaker 1: really neat. Yeah. No, they love you. I mean, like 501 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: I said, I got me in nice little apartment and 502 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:21,760 Speaker 1: my mom helped say that all up because you know 503 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:24,679 Speaker 1: it be mom. Yeah, yeah, so they love you. Um, 504 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 1: they just love the culture here already. Are they going 505 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:30,480 Speaker 1: to the Packers game? Oh? Yes, yes, they will be there. Man, 506 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:32,680 Speaker 1: I know, just speaking of parents that they know the 507 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:35,719 Speaker 1: realer Caleb Evans. Right, we get the football player, but 508 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:37,919 Speaker 1: on this podcast, like we like to get to know 509 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:41,000 Speaker 1: the player of the person. So what is something that 510 00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:43,040 Speaker 1: a lot of people don't know about you that you're 511 00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 1: okay with sharing? Oh? Oh yeah, we don't. Sorry, we 512 00:23:47,240 --> 00:23:49,680 Speaker 1: don't want the stuff you're not okay with sharing? Yeah? Yeah, 513 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 1: because I am an open person, you know what I mean. 514 00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:55,200 Speaker 1: Like and I'm low key, but like I'm open about 515 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:58,000 Speaker 1: what I do intention you know what I mean. So 516 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 1: even on Twitter with post me go on bowling because 517 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: I like bowling a lot, Like that's just something that 518 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:06,080 Speaker 1: I can get away, you know, from the game and 519 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:08,879 Speaker 1: stuff like that. I really like basketball. I mean, I 520 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 1: like it's nothing that you know, some people might say 521 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,200 Speaker 1: I'm not interesting like that, but um, you know, maybe've 522 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:17,080 Speaker 1: had guys that they play piano or they like to 523 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 1: see I'm not. I think it's really interesting the way 524 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: that you have come in and made like social media 525 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 1: kind of part of your like everyday life. You want 526 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:29,480 Speaker 1: to connect with the fans, I mean, and to be fair, 527 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:31,920 Speaker 1: like not every not every player does that nine player 528 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 1: feels that connected. How has that been I guess As 529 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:39,000 Speaker 1: far as handling the positives along with the negatives, yeah, 530 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 1: you just have to understand that. You know, when you're 531 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 1: playing well, you know, it could be a good thing. 532 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:45,960 Speaker 1: When you're not playing well, it could be a bad thing. 533 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:48,480 Speaker 1: But you know when my intention is always to bring 534 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:50,840 Speaker 1: positivity no matter what, you know, and just be my 535 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:54,159 Speaker 1: true self, um, no matter the situation. So that's what 536 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 1: I've really been focused on. And uh, I mean, yeah, 537 00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 1: I like connecting with fans, you know, like with it 538 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:02,560 Speaker 1: because I mean these are the people that are in 539 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:05,000 Speaker 1: the stands changing you on, you know what I mean, supporting, 540 00:25:05,119 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 1: So like why would I not you know, I don't 541 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:09,959 Speaker 1: want to be that guy that stand offish and you know, 542 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:12,440 Speaker 1: like nah, I want to embrace the community. So man 543 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 1: that I mean with our fans, none of us have 544 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 1: a job exactly. So that's the beauty of social media thought, 545 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:19,000 Speaker 1: like we didn't, you know, growing up, not all of 546 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 1: us could talk to our favorite players through social media 547 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 1: and see what they're doing with their time going bowling, 548 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:25,679 Speaker 1: and now they can. And it's good to see that, 549 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 1: especially from the young players who are like all about 550 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 1: their brand and understanding that, hey, I can make more 551 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:33,040 Speaker 1: money off the field if I really attack the social 552 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 1: media thing. So it seems like you got to figure 553 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:38,440 Speaker 1: it out. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm just really my personality too, 554 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:40,199 Speaker 1: Like you know, I'm a I'm a good dude. I 555 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:43,040 Speaker 1: feel like I'm a nice guy. So just you know, 556 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 1: getting to know people, you know what I mean, outside 557 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:47,760 Speaker 1: of yourself. So that's really fun. And you're gearing up 558 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:50,680 Speaker 1: for that first winter talk about the driving part. Yeah, 559 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: we just enjoy summer. We just enjoyed it. Like I 560 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 1: don't want to think about anything cold right now. Yeah, 561 00:25:56,440 --> 00:26:00,240 Speaker 1: like the horizon I asked I asked for some tips 562 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,400 Speaker 1: on Twitter last year for winter to help winter tips 563 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:04,760 Speaker 1: that might be something you might want to call the 564 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:07,119 Speaker 1: fans out for, like, hey, guys don't need some boots 565 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:09,760 Speaker 1: of what's going on? Oh yeah, I get like negative 566 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:12,640 Speaker 1: degrees over yourself. I've never experienced it. So if you're 567 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: playing a dome, yeah, you'll play in a dome September eleventh, 568 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,159 Speaker 1: when the Gate, when the Vikings kick off the season 569 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 1: against Green Bay. It's gonna be awesome. We're so ready 570 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 1: to see you out there. Caleb. Thank you so much 571 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 1: for being here on the podcast today, and we wish 572 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:29,280 Speaker 1: you and Benjie the best of luck this season. Thank you. 573 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 1: Appreciate you guys for having I always like hearing from 574 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:39,879 Speaker 1: a Caleb Evans and his positivity, his just he always 575 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:41,440 Speaker 1: has a smile on his face when he's walking around 576 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,800 Speaker 1: the building. And I like his purple hair. It's like 577 00:26:44,880 --> 00:26:46,919 Speaker 1: orange and like pink. It's kind of weird looking now, 578 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 1: but he said he was gonna diet, so I'm sure 579 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:50,720 Speaker 1: it's going to come out looking purple. Purple hair is 580 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:53,440 Speaker 1: very hard to maintain because you have to diet blonde 581 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: first and then you diet purple. From experience, I've never actually, 582 00:26:57,359 --> 00:27:01,119 Speaker 1: contrary popularly, I've never died my hair purple. Well, you know, 583 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:03,960 Speaker 1: the time on air. Being on air kind of makes 584 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 1: you not the one thing about the one thing about 585 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 1: a Caleb doing that like that was something that's a 586 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:12,040 Speaker 1: man of his word. He has been talking about that 587 00:27:12,119 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 1: all offseason and right before camp when he, you know, 588 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 1: tweeted out the photo saying, well, here we go. I 589 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 1: love that about it was amazing and for me it 590 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:21,280 Speaker 1: was like, yeah, it's just a man of his word. 591 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:22,960 Speaker 1: He is willing to do it, he's having some fun 592 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:25,159 Speaker 1: with it, and it just for me, it showed how 593 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 1: excited he was to get his chance here coming to camp, 594 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:29,920 Speaker 1: that he is willing to do something like that. So 595 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 1: for him keeping it light that way, it was really fun. 596 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,640 Speaker 1: He's just he's serious about being here, but he's still 597 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:39,119 Speaker 1: having fun. I love that his family is all on 598 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:41,120 Speaker 1: board up here too. I mean, it's just it's great 599 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,160 Speaker 1: when you see rookies like that and you really want 600 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,760 Speaker 1: them to succeed. Yeah. I hope he does. I hope 601 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:47,919 Speaker 1: he has a really good career, and I hope he 602 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:51,560 Speaker 1: proves Quacy right. Because it all goes back to Quacy's 603 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,920 Speaker 1: post draft press conference this year where he said Caleb 604 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 1: Evans was the guy that he's stayed up laid watching 605 00:27:58,040 --> 00:28:00,159 Speaker 1: film of in a dark room this off seas and 606 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:02,840 Speaker 1: a lot of people gave Quacy some flag for that. 607 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 1: But now we're starting to see the product of that 608 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:07,879 Speaker 1: hard work of him watching film payoff. So I just 609 00:28:07,920 --> 00:28:09,880 Speaker 1: want this staff to be right. I hope A. Caleb Evans, 610 00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 1: especially after talking to him, you always have like we're 611 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:14,840 Speaker 1: always fans of these guys as being in the building, 612 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:17,359 Speaker 1: working in the building, but like actually once we actually 613 00:28:17,400 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 1: get to talk to them, you kind of game more 614 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:22,400 Speaker 1: of an appreciation and respect. So I'm cheering for the guy. Yeah, 615 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 1: and for what it's word, I think that's one of 616 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: the goals here when when you listen to the podcast 617 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:28,320 Speaker 1: every week is is we do try to give you 618 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:31,960 Speaker 1: this behind the scenes inside the player's head so you 619 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,199 Speaker 1: can like understand their personality and get to know them 620 00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:36,359 Speaker 1: a little bit better. Because when you start knowing them, 621 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:39,200 Speaker 1: it's easier to root for them and to cheer them on. 622 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:41,240 Speaker 1: And so that's kind of I think our overall goal 623 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:44,000 Speaker 1: here we have those guys on absolutely if he keeps 624 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:47,640 Speaker 1: going through and having ten tackles a game for preseason games, yeah, exactly. 625 00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:51,040 Speaker 1: Speaking of the final preseason game of the year is 626 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:54,080 Speaker 1: this weekend on Saturday, the team heads to Denver to 627 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 1: face the Broncos. Stick with Vikings dot Com for the 628 00:28:57,040 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 1: latest news heading into Saturday's game. You could watch that 629 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:03,080 Speaker 1: on Fox nine or listen to it on KFE N