1 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,719 Speaker 1: The biggest responsibility that I feel like I have in 2 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:13,159 Speaker 1: my role is what we're doing today in twenty twenty one, 3 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: How does it affect the future. The biggest thing that 4 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: motivates me right now at this stage of my career 5 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: is I want to be a small part of bringing 6 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,639 Speaker 1: a world championship to the state in Minnesota. And I 7 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:32,279 Speaker 1: know it's cliche, but our fans are incredible. YO, what's 8 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: going on? Welcome to episode number one oh seven of 9 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,919 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. My name is Gabe Henderson from 10 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 1: the Vikings Entertainment Network. Today we have Vikings dot Com 11 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,879 Speaker 1: statum Everett. We got Vikings dot COM's Chris Corso. It 12 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:47,760 Speaker 1: is a pleasure to bring in Viking staff writer Lindsay Young, 13 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:50,240 Speaker 1: and of course producer Jay Nelson is on the ones 14 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: and twos in the back. So got a big crew 15 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: today and got a big guest today. Also, I'm talking 16 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 1: about the guru behind the Minnesota Vikings salary, cap Executive 17 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: vice President of Football Operations, Rob Brazinski. It's not often 18 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: we get to talk to him, so hopefully we make 19 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 1: the most of his time today. But I'm excited for 20 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:11,320 Speaker 1: that interview. But before we get to all of that, 21 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: we just had our first official game of the year. 22 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 1: It was a preseason game. Fans were back at US 23 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,199 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium. We got to see that the skull Chant 24 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: lively back in action. But more importantly, we came out 25 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 1: with an injury free preseason game from our starters because 26 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 1: none of those guys played. So I think that was 27 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: the positive of that. But looking back at that thirty 28 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: three to six loss to the Denver Broncos this past 29 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: Saturday at US Bank Stadium, tatum any initial takeaways. I know, 30 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 1: you know, there's not a lot to talk about other 31 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: than you know, the starters didn't play. But outside of that, 32 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 1: where were some things that stood out to you? Right, 33 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: I've got two things that stood out to me the most. 34 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 1: First of all, it's more or less what's happened since 35 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: the game. I thought after Saturday's performance, the practices this 36 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: week have been more energy, more folks. They've just seemed 37 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: to have, you know, I guess, refocused on what's important 38 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 1: and what they need to work on as far as 39 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 1: heading into this preseason game this Saturday. My second thought 40 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 1: is that, you know, really what I loved about it 41 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,239 Speaker 1: is that there were so many young guys or newer guys, 42 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 1: maybe not the starters. As you mentioned, getting those reps. 43 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,400 Speaker 1: Andre Patterson talked about it this week. It was great 44 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 1: to see a lot of his depth pieces on the 45 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:34,639 Speaker 1: defense go up against the Broncos ones, some of their 46 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:38,360 Speaker 1: twos as well, so they were able to evaluate, you know, 47 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:40,799 Speaker 1: places they need to get better, but also getting those 48 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,639 Speaker 1: game reps against guys they would see on an actual 49 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: game day. Yeah, those game reps are are key and 50 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 1: to your point of practice, the intensity ramping up this week. 51 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:51,960 Speaker 1: You saw a lot of those first year guys and 52 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 1: a lot of those rookies. I'll just say Kellen Mon 53 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,040 Speaker 1: in particular, his game just just he took his game 54 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: to another level. And I think that game action this 55 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 1: past Saturday helped out immensely with that you know ramping 56 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: up period, because you really don't, I mean it's been 57 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: tagging off in practice pretty much every day since May fifteenth. 58 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 1: So the fact that they actually got live game action, 59 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 1: it was fun to see those guys just run around. 60 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: I'm sure this upcoming Saturday against the Indianapolis Coats at 61 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: seven pm, we will see more starters play, but also 62 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 1: when the backups and some of those rookies get in 63 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 1: You'll see those guys take another step in the elevation 64 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:29,799 Speaker 1: over their game, right course, yeah game, I totally agree. 65 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: I mean, it was a downer to see that list 66 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 1: of thirty one players that weren't able to dress for 67 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: that game. I'm just ready to see some football. I'm 68 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: ready to see our starters out there. I know Michael 69 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 1: Pierce talked to the media this week and said I'm 70 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: going to be out there next week, that's for sure. 71 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: I think he's probably the player that's most raring to 72 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 1: get out on the field after taking last year. I'm 73 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: just really excited to see our starters next week. Like 74 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 1: you said, it's a huge positive that there were no 75 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 1: injuries in this game. And you see that play out 76 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: of Kellen Mon Like you said, after only having three 77 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: practices before that game, it's pretty amazing what he was 78 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: able to do out on the field. And I really 79 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: liked what I saw from a guy on the defensive 80 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 1: side of the ball. The defense didn't play so well. 81 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 1: I'm just trying to bring up some positives here, but 82 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,440 Speaker 1: Chris Boyd really played well in this game. He made 83 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 1: a big time play a past deflection in the red 84 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: zone in the end zone on third down. I really 85 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: liked what I saw from him, as I think he 86 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: might be a key contributor to his Vikings defense this year. Hey, Lindsay, 87 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: you just wrote a story about Brian O'Neill sharing mutual 88 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,679 Speaker 1: interest for von Miller. Of course, last week, von Miller 89 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 1: said Brian O'Neill is the best right tackle in the game. 90 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 1: Brian O'Neill didn't play last Saturday, but he's going to 91 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: get the opportunity to play this week. Talk about that 92 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: article a little bit. How do you think von Miller 93 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: helped elevate Brian O'Neill's play heading into a preseason game 94 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 1: number two? Yeah, that was really fun just watching the 95 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: two of them go up to against each other and 96 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: joint practices. Brian O'Neill really he held his own in 97 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,039 Speaker 1: the one on one pass restrils against von Miller, And 98 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: obviously von Miller has a lot more experience in the game. 99 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 1: He's he's older than Brian, and so for him to 100 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: pay that sort of compliment I think to Brian was 101 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: was really great to see. And of course, kind of 102 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:17,360 Speaker 1: I want to say, like most offensive lineman, Brian isn't 103 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:20,040 Speaker 1: really want to seek out the spotlight, but he really 104 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: shared that mutual respect, and I think when he was 105 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: asked about that compliment during his podium session, he said 106 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: something along the lines of, you know, that's a future 107 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: Hall of Famer and so to have that type of 108 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 1: respect and that type of feedback for his game is incredible. 109 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 1: But how can you not get better going against someone 110 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 1: like that who's been in the league for such a 111 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: long time, you know, who's kept his game level up high. 112 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:48,599 Speaker 1: And so I think for Brian to be able to 113 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: go against von in those two practices, even though, like 114 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: you mentioned, he didn't play in the game on Saturday, 115 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: you know, that's a huge advantage to get that in 116 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 1: the preseason, especially during actices where you're going hard against 117 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 1: one another, but there's a much lower risk of injuries 118 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 1: than in the game. So the fact that he was 119 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 1: able to get that even though he didn't play in 120 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: the preseason game is super valuable, Oh for sure, extremely valuable. 121 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: And talking about a pro bowler, I think Mike Zimmer 122 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 1: wants all of his players to be Pro Bowlers in 123 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 1: the preseason, and of course he's not going to get that, 124 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 1: and he expressed that disdain this past Saturday after a 125 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 1: thirty three to six, whopping to the Denver Broncos. A 126 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 1: lot of holding penalties, a lot of all sizes on 127 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: the defense. Not the cleanest game. So overall, Mike was 128 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: not happy, But the show goes on. Yeah, and as 129 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 1: frustrated as he was after the game, or really during 130 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: the game, let's be honest, on Saturday, he came back 131 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: on Monday and he was very complimentary of the way 132 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: the team responded in practice. You know, that scrimmage is 133 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:55,919 Speaker 1: still kind of you know, out there for those guys 134 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 1: to have. I think he said it should happen on Wednesday, 135 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 1: so maybe we'll see a little bit more of how 136 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 1: you know, Zimmer planned on making the pairs kind of 137 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 1: respond to Saturday is the best way I could put it. 138 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 1: But but yeah, he said, you know, everyone, like I 139 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: mentioned earlier, they're practicing better. They are they know what's 140 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: at stake, and I think, you know that kind of 141 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: a game, getting that out of your system right now 142 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 1: is probably for the better. Everyone gets to improvement. You know, 143 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 1: where you stay in it's a good barometer and then 144 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 1: you move on. So I think just being a coach 145 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 1: and being frustrated at not things not going your way 146 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 1: it's just a natural reaction. Yeah, and Courso, I mean, 147 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 1: we hate to hear our head coach say things like that, 148 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 1: but man, has he been candid this offseason with the 149 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 1: media and with everyone. And I think that is not 150 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: just a message to the media, but it's also a 151 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 1: message to as players that hey, we gotta we gotta 152 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: step our game up in I know this is the preseason, 153 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: but we have to treat this like a real game. 154 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: Roster cuts are coming up here soon. I mean we 155 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: already made a roster cut this past Tuesday, getting the 156 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: roster down to eighty five. Yeah. I think it's motivation 157 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 1: if you're a player on this team trying to get 158 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 1: one of those fifty three spots, especially some of the 159 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: younger players. I got to really get a ton of 160 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 1: reps in that game on Sunday. But if I'm hearing 161 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: that from my head coach, I'm I'm coming in an 162 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: hour earlier. I'm doing the extra lifts in the weight room, 163 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 1: whatever it might be in the meeting rooms. I don't 164 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: even know. That would get me fired up. He did 165 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 1: not tolerate that being put out on the field, especially 166 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: from the offensive line and the defensive backs. In this game. 167 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 1: There were too many mistakes. It's just something that has 168 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: to be tied up. We'll hopefully see the offensive line 169 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: come together and play better next week. And certainly some 170 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: of those younger defensive backs are looking at the tape 171 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 1: with Andre Patterson and he's definitely laying into them about 172 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 1: what happened on that eight yard touchdown to kJ Hamler. Yeah, 173 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: for sure, and it's only going to get tighter now 174 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: as far as guys having less room to make errors 175 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: because cuts already being made, They're going to be more 176 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 1: cuts made. And speaking of those cuts, it was cut 177 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 1: down to an eighty five man roster that is required 178 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 1: by the NFL, So a few details on that over 179 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: the weekend. Long snapper Turning Bernard and defensive and Jordan 180 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 1: Brofer will let go. So I'm thinking Andrew Depaola is gonna, 181 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:21,079 Speaker 1: you know, win that starting long snapper job. Also, kicker 182 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 1: Riley Patterson and receiver Blake Prole were placed on the 183 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: wave slash injured list, so Patterson started the preseason on 184 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 1: the pup list. Pro seems to have a serious injury 185 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 1: that occurred this past Wednesday, so we'll see how that 186 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: shakes out. But this past Tuesday, cornerback Mary Henderson was 187 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: released by the team, completing the eighty five man roster cutdown. 188 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,720 Speaker 1: So we got one more cut coming up next week, 189 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 1: and that is August the twenty fourth, and the roster 190 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: must be cut down to eighty players and then the 191 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 1: final fifty three man roster and practice squad must be 192 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:56,679 Speaker 1: set by August thirty first, So a couple of deadlines 193 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: for you guys to look forward to and see how 194 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 1: things will play out. But lindsay, I gotta, I gotta 195 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 1: go to you here. You have always done great work 196 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:06,680 Speaker 1: here at the Minnesota Vikings since you got here in 197 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 1: twenty fifteen. And one of my favorite articles that I 198 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: have read since I've been here was the thirty three 199 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 1: for thirty three article and video on Dalvin Cook. Such 200 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 1: a timely article. I feel like only you would be 201 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 1: aware of how the numbers would play and find a 202 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: great article and get some great quotes out of Dalvin. 203 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: So for Vikings fans who have not seen that, that's 204 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: on Vikings dot com, but if they're listening before they 205 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: saw it, what stands out to you when it came 206 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: to writing that article. Yeah, thank you so much. Gabe. 207 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: First of all, though I should give a shout out 208 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:40,960 Speaker 1: to Craig Peters because he was the one who noticed 209 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 1: the thirty three touch rushing touchdowns in the regular season 210 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 1: that he has so far in the matchup with his 211 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:48,719 Speaker 1: jersey numbers. So it just seemed like a perfect fit. 212 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 1: And I had already been wanting to do something like 213 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 1: this with Delvin where he could review the touchdowns that 214 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 1: he has thus far in his career. We did something 215 00:10:56,679 --> 00:10:59,079 Speaker 1: kind of similar with Danielle Hunter in his sacks when 216 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: he when he hit fifty. I loved being able to 217 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 1: collaborate with other people in VN, with Nate Vaughan and 218 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: Alex Miller and kind of put together a collaboration with 219 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 1: the video, the written article, and of course, you know, 220 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: all the credit has to go to Delvin, right, Like, 221 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 1: he is so incredible to talk to you, to hang 222 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 1: out with. He's very very candid in just responding to 223 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 1: the different plays that he's had. When we went into that, 224 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: we weren't really sure what amount of time he would 225 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 1: have to sit down, So we weren't really sure if 226 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: we would have to, you know, have him kind of 227 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 1: pick his top favorites or just zoom through them really 228 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 1: quick and he was so relaxed down Earth, just really 229 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 1: enjoyed hanging out with us and providing commentary on each 230 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 1: and every one of those thirty three scores. It was 231 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:46,840 Speaker 1: fun to see which ones did stand out to him 232 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: more or which ones he kind of had some extra 233 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 1: memories or extra feelings towards. You know. He commented that 234 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 1: his most meaningful touchdown was the one against Miami, his 235 00:11:56,840 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: first touchdown back after rehabbing that torn acl and just 236 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: what that meant to him. He talked about how fun 237 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: it is to go against Bobby Wagner whenever we play Seattle, 238 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: and just the mutual respect again that those two have 239 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 1: for each other. And so I love just kind of 240 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: watching him candidly have these reactions to scores throughout his career. 241 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: It was really fun. It was really organic, And I 242 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: love how Nate and Alex put that video together as 243 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 1: well for viewers. So if anybody hasn't seen it or 244 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 1: read it yet, it's still very much relevant before we 245 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 1: head into the regular season. So definitely encourage you guys 246 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: to check that out. Yeah, Lindsay, it's been one of 247 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: my favorite things, just like Abe mentioned, to see and 248 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: I know when you're in like the creative process of 249 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: it all being more of a writer and having to 250 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 1: work on the video side of things. How do you 251 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:50,440 Speaker 1: think the vision came together for you? And was it 252 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:53,080 Speaker 1: better than you kind of expected it to be? Because 253 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: obviously Dalvin, as you mentioned, makes it just because of 254 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 1: his personality, but coming from your side where you have 255 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:01,880 Speaker 1: like more of a written background to see it, you know, 256 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:05,680 Speaker 1: paired up with video, what was that like for you? Yeah? So, I, 257 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 1: like you mentioned Tatum, I knew that Delvin would be great, 258 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:11,080 Speaker 1: so that wasn't a concern, but it was like, what 259 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: is this all going to look like when it comes together? 260 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 1: Because you can only do so much through a written 261 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 1: story with a piece like this, and so I love 262 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 1: doing the written story, but I knew that the video 263 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: component would add so much, and so we kind of 264 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: went through where will we have this video happen? You know? 265 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 1: Do we have them sit in the running backs meeting 266 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: room and like watch film up on the screen. Like 267 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 1: we kind of walked through different different ways and it 268 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 1: was Nate's idea to do the video in the team 269 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: meeting room, which is auditorium kind of theater style for 270 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: people who aren't familiar with that kind of turned down 271 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 1: the lights make it feel a little bit more theatrical, 272 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 1: which is really great. And the interesting challenge to this 273 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: that actually turned out really really cool is because when 274 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 1: we filmed this, based on the COVID protocols and the 275 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: different tier systems and things like that, I could not 276 00:13:57,120 --> 00:14:00,079 Speaker 1: personally be in the meeting room with Delvin, and we 277 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: kind of had to jump through those hoops and figure 278 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 1: out how to set it up. But Nate and Nick 279 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 1: Miller with the video team, they were able to set 280 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 1: something up where essentially I was on zoom and I 281 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:13,559 Speaker 1: could see what Delvin was watching and I could also 282 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: see Delvin. And so what Nate and Alex did where 283 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: they had a camera set up directly by the computer 284 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 1: that I was on. I love how that turned out, 285 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: where when Delvin is turning and answering a question or 286 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: speaking to me on the computer, really feels like as 287 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 1: a viewer that he's talking to you. So that was 288 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: probably my favorite thing of how it came together and 289 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 1: absolutely was better than I even anticipated. What was your 290 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: favorite reaction, Lindsay, Like, what moment was your favorite reaction 291 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 1: from Dalvin? So he's watching the broadcast version and it 292 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: pans over to at the Timelines head coach Matt Patricia, 293 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 1: who just looks beyond frustrated, and Delvin is just cracking up, 294 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: and he's saying, look at the coach, look at the coach. 295 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: And that was funny to me, not necessarily that he 296 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 1: was poking fun at someone else, but just to see 297 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: that genuine laughter and action that he had watching the 298 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 1: broadcast version of the game versus versus the All twenty 299 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: two cut up. So that was definitely my favorite. I'm 300 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 1: glad that we included that in the video. Awesome. Well, 301 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 1: you have another article that's one vikings dot com right 302 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 1: now and it's titled examining the relationship with cornerback Pat 303 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 1: Peterson and his secondary coach Kral Scott and why they 304 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 1: work well together? How did that come together for you? Yeah? 305 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 1: I love that. I mean, I think, as most people know, 306 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: a lot of the coaches and different players this year 307 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: have been having their kind of time at the podium 308 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 1: during training camp, and so coach Scott had talked to 309 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: the media and answered some questions just about, you know, 310 00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: his first offseason here with Minnesota and how that's been going, 311 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: and he had some questions about working with Patrick Peterson, 312 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: and I really enjoyed listening to that, and you know, 313 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 1: the wheels were kind of turning for me because I 314 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: was like, I believe coach Scott is thirty five and 315 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: Pat p is thirty one, so they're only four years apart, 316 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 1: but they're obviously a coach player relationship, and with Patrick 317 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: Peterson coming to Minnesota obviously having a resume that speaks 318 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: for itself ten seasons in Arizona and eight Pro Bowls, 319 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: you know, a guy like that coming in might not 320 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: feel like he needs a lot of coaching or a 321 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 1: lot of extra direction, especially maybe from a DB's coach 322 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: who's coming from the College roman to the NFL. But 323 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 1: hearing the two of them talk about what they've been 324 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 1: able to learn from each other and how much they 325 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: appreciate each other and the experience that they each bring 326 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: was super great. And I know that we've also heard 327 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 1: Coach Zimmer talk about Patrick in just the way that 328 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:41,400 Speaker 1: he is coming into this change of scenery really open 329 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:44,520 Speaker 1: to however anybody can help him grow his game. And 330 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 1: so I think it's really special when you see a 331 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 1: player that's that established in the league who embraces a 332 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 1: new opportunity and doesn't feel like he's reached his ceiling. 333 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,160 Speaker 1: So that's exciting to see and I'm you know, pumped 334 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 1: to see how that plays out this season. Lindsay, I 335 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: think one of the best things about reading your articles 336 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: that I've learned on Vikings dot com is just your 337 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 1: ability to find the human element in everything. And I've 338 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 1: loved reading those articles. If you haven't read them, make 339 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:11,959 Speaker 1: sure you go check them out on Vikings dot com. 340 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:15,040 Speaker 1: Are you working on anything right now that you want 341 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 1: UM fans to know about. Yeah, we have a couple 342 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:22,200 Speaker 1: fun things coming up. We have a couple features coming 343 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 1: out later this week, a fun story with Eric Kendricks. 344 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:27,399 Speaker 1: I won't go into too much detail with that, but 345 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: definitely hope that fans keep an eye out for that one. 346 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 1: It's UM. I think anytime we do something with Eric, 347 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 1: it's fun. We're also working on bringing back Purple Pups 348 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:38,639 Speaker 1: this year. You guys know you guys know that I 349 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: love me some Purple Pups and hopefully have that in 350 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 1: person this year, and so we need to do like 351 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:52,200 Speaker 1: a v N Purple Pups. We really do. We should 352 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:55,119 Speaker 1: have a Van Purple Pups at the very least of 353 00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 1: Van Purple Pups meet up. We all know I'm getting 354 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:00,919 Speaker 1: a puppy in the spring. We'll save that for another time. 355 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:05,679 Speaker 1: But no, I'm just excited to continue doing you know, Tatum, 356 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 1: Like you said, I have a big passion for storytelling 357 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:11,640 Speaker 1: and just kind of bringing that human element into stories. 358 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:14,520 Speaker 1: Excuse me. So I'm excited to see what comes up 359 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: this year on that side of things. Well, Lindsay, we're 360 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: going to keep you on because we got Rob Brazinski. 361 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: So I'm sure we'll have a lot of questions about 362 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 1: numbers and now you can add some of that personality 363 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: to it. So, without further ado, we bring in the 364 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 1: executive vice President of Football Operations, Rob Brazinski. All right, 365 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:36,360 Speaker 1: now joining the Minnesota Vikings podcasts. We got executive vice 366 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: president of football Operations, Rob Rasinski, the guy all behind 367 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 1: the numbers here for the Minnesota Vikings. Rob, A lot 368 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:46,560 Speaker 1: of people know your name, but it seems like a 369 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:49,879 Speaker 1: lot of people typically don't know how talented you and 370 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: your crew are. So a quick backstory, Rick always gives 371 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:56,600 Speaker 1: you the praise for being, you know, one of the 372 00:18:56,960 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 1: guys who figures everything out, Like how do we get 373 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 1: this done? Oh? Well, you gotta ask Rob for you 374 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: what is what is your comeback for that, you know, Gabe, 375 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: it's it's it's first of all, thank you for the 376 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 1: nice compliments. We have a lot of really really great 377 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 1: people you know that work on our football staff, both 378 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: on operations and administration. UM. You know, it's uh, you know, 379 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: Rick is good and gracious giving out you know, compliments 380 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:23,720 Speaker 1: and kudos you know, to everybody. But really the key 381 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: is him in his leadership in the communication that we 382 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:30,640 Speaker 1: have you know, as a group, Um, everybody knows their role. 383 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 1: Everybody works very well together. UM. We communicate openly, um, 384 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 1: you know, constructively challenge each other. UM. And I think 385 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:42,120 Speaker 1: that gives us the best chance to be successful. Rob, 386 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 1: you've been doing this for twenty nine years twenty three 387 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:48,360 Speaker 1: with the Vikings. What kind of brings you to work 388 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 1: every day? Makes you motivated to do your job? Obviously 389 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 1: you've proven you're good at it with all the years 390 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,880 Speaker 1: of experience. What is like the main thing that makes 391 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 1: you motivated to work every day for the Vikings? Chris, 392 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:01,400 Speaker 1: that's a great question. And Lee, I mean, I love 393 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 1: the people I work with, I love working in the NFL. UM, 394 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:09,439 Speaker 1: but the biggest thing that motivates me right now at 395 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:11,639 Speaker 1: this stage of my career is I want to be 396 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: a small part of bringing a world championship to the 397 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 1: state of Minnesota. Vikings fans everywhere, UM and UM not 398 00:20:20,040 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: only are fans, but you know, I think of you know, 399 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: the Bud Grants of the world and people we lost, 400 00:20:27,119 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 1: you know, like Sid Hartman and you know Fred ZAMBERLETTI, UM, 401 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:34,879 Speaker 1: you know so many people you know that wanted to 402 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 1: see that happen. You know Scott Studwell who just recently retired. 403 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:40,199 Speaker 1: You know, I want to I want to see it 404 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: happen for those people and for our fans. And I 405 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: know it's cliche, but our fans are incredible. We see 406 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:49,239 Speaker 1: it at home, we see it on the road, we 407 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: see it all over all over the country, all over 408 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:56,120 Speaker 1: the world. And that's really what motivates me. Rob. As 409 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 1: the executive vice president of FOOB Operations, a lot of 410 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:01,680 Speaker 1: things fall into your job to idle the draft, free 411 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: agency negotiations, contracts. It's really an important role here within 412 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:09,680 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings. So if you could, you know, get 413 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 1: us into the weeds a little bit and dive into 414 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: this this word that we always use when it comes 415 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:19,199 Speaker 1: to your job title salary cap but what exactly is 416 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,920 Speaker 1: that and how is it determined every year? Well, first 417 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: of all, um, you know my position, Rick's in charge 418 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 1: of the draft and all personnel and ultimately all the 419 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 1: football um. And so it's really, um, a football is 420 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 1: kind of like a three legged stool. You know, you 421 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:39,400 Speaker 1: have Rick overseeing everything and predominantly personnel and all the operations, 422 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:42,879 Speaker 1: Zim obviously as the head coach, UM. And then my 423 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:46,000 Speaker 1: role is is really overseeing you know the business side 424 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:49,160 Speaker 1: of football and um. So that's that's the salary cap, 425 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 1: it's compliance, it's it's managing all our you know, football departments. UM. 426 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 1: But know, the salary cap is is just you know, 427 00:21:57,080 --> 00:22:01,679 Speaker 1: it's it's just a budget and it's determined by you know, 428 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:06,880 Speaker 1: all the revenues you know, generated by the league. And 429 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: so it really exists for a competitive balance. You know, 430 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: back in nineteen ninety three, the modern Collective Barging Agreement, 431 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:17,840 Speaker 1: the players fought for free agency and that was the 432 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: first time you remember Reggie White and all that day 433 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 1: in nineteen ninety four, that was a big deal. The 434 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 1: owners agreed to that and in exchange for a salary 435 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:30,719 Speaker 1: cap to have competitive balance and in a level playing 436 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:35,200 Speaker 1: field and So all that being said, it's really it's 437 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 1: like a home budget. We know what we have to 438 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: spend and we have to we have to allocate it, 439 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:42,879 Speaker 1: you know, to try to put the best team on 440 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 1: the field as possible. So, just speaking of you know, 441 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:48,719 Speaker 1: the salary cap and everything that you've done in your 442 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:51,280 Speaker 1: twenty nine seasons in the NFL and twenty three here 443 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 1: with the Vikings, how challenging was this year compared to 444 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:58,480 Speaker 1: other years where the salary cap was unprecedented? We we've 445 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 1: never seen it, you know, go down this much is 446 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:06,520 Speaker 1: usually going up. Great question. I mean, the biggest responsibility 447 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:08,840 Speaker 1: that I feel like I have in my role is 448 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: when we're figuring out the best team to put on 449 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:18,119 Speaker 1: the field competitively. Is what we're doing today in twenty 450 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:20,880 Speaker 1: twenty one. How does it affect the future soever you move? 451 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:23,960 Speaker 1: You know, what would see impact on twenty two and 452 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 1: twenty three. Well, when we got into COVID and we 453 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:33,120 Speaker 1: were projecting the roster back before twenty twenty, the cap 454 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,119 Speaker 1: was about thirty million dollars less than we projected it 455 00:23:36,119 --> 00:23:38,520 Speaker 1: to be, you know, pre COVID, So that was a 456 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:42,520 Speaker 1: big challenge. You know, long story short, you know, it's 457 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 1: it's there are things you can do. You know what 458 00:23:45,119 --> 00:23:47,840 Speaker 1: the cap is really not, you know, rocket science. But 459 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:50,200 Speaker 1: the reason why we're able to do what we do 460 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:55,119 Speaker 1: consistently is because of our owners in their commitment to 461 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: provide us all the resources that we need in order 462 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:00,440 Speaker 1: to put the best team on the field. And they've 463 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:06,080 Speaker 1: consistently done that even in the hardest and most difficult 464 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:10,719 Speaker 1: of economic times like we've just been through and not 465 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 1: getting too much in the weeds. But you know, cash 466 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 1: is king and what they provide and what the business 467 00:24:18,440 --> 00:24:23,640 Speaker 1: folks do bringing in revenue and so we can spend it. 468 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:25,680 Speaker 1: It all goes hand in hand. But that's that's really 469 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:27,920 Speaker 1: the key. Hey, Rob, I'm gonna jump in and ask 470 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 1: you a quick question that's a little bit more personality driven, 471 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:35,240 Speaker 1: maybe a little bit away from from the work scene. 472 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:37,400 Speaker 1: But my question for you. First of all, I love 473 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:39,680 Speaker 1: that I get to join the podcast with you today, 474 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:42,000 Speaker 1: and I just want to share with everybody too. I mean, 475 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:46,119 Speaker 1: since I started in December twenty fifteen, Rob has just 476 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:49,239 Speaker 1: been awesome. Rob, I feel like you're somebody where you know, 477 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:53,880 Speaker 1: whether it's Rick or someone who works in the cafeteria 478 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: or someone on the VN team myself, like you're always 479 00:24:57,320 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 1: just willing to stop and chat and say hi. You 480 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 1: know who I everybody is in the building. Um, despite 481 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:03,600 Speaker 1: the fact that you have so much going on and 482 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 1: that you are, you know, quote unquote an important person 483 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:10,200 Speaker 1: in this building. I guess I'm just curious as far 484 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:14,439 Speaker 1: as your character kind of where that um mindset, that 485 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,199 Speaker 1: humility comes from, if that's something that you learn, you know, 486 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:19,679 Speaker 1: from from your family, from your parents, or just what 487 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 1: it is that you really relate so well to everybody 488 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:24,800 Speaker 1: in the building. And we can tell that that's important 489 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 1: to you. Lindsay, first of all, that's really nice for 490 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:30,960 Speaker 1: you if you to say that, and that's just you 491 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 1: being you. You know, you're You're You're amazing. I always 492 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:36,720 Speaker 1: tell you that. Um, I don't I don't know. I mean, 493 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,160 Speaker 1: I just first of all, I like to have fun, 494 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 1: right so um um. One thing that people don't know 495 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:46,119 Speaker 1: about me very well unless you're close to me and 496 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:48,920 Speaker 1: work here, is I'm pretty immature. I I really don't 497 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:50,720 Speaker 1: want to grow up, you know, I like to We 498 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:52,960 Speaker 1: kind of have a model here. Obviously, we work hard, 499 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 1: we'd like to play hard, we'd like to have fun, 500 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 1: and you know, I just I see how hard everybody 501 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 1: works in in One of the biggest thing that we 502 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 1: want everybody in our organization understand is how everybody in 503 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:09,119 Speaker 1: their role has an impact on our team being successful 504 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:12,800 Speaker 1: on the field. And you know, we just we have 505 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:15,800 Speaker 1: you know, it's life is all about people, and I 506 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:19,320 Speaker 1: think we have really good people that work in our organization. 507 00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 1: We all get along well and enjoyed being together, and 508 00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: I think that's the product of the the Wilves in 509 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 1: the family that they've created here with the Vikings, And 510 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:33,760 Speaker 1: I don't know, I just I just really enjoy all 511 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 1: of my colleagues and appreciate everybody, and I love that balance. 512 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:40,360 Speaker 1: I feel like for anybody who's listening, I mean, obviously 513 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:43,640 Speaker 1: you're very tuned into your job, you're excellent at your job, 514 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 1: but like you mentioned, you like to have fun as well, 515 00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:47,640 Speaker 1: and they I would. I think everybody on this call 516 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:49,359 Speaker 1: would believe who's been here for a little while, that 517 00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:52,320 Speaker 1: the robb has had some of the best Halloween costumes. 518 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:56,360 Speaker 1: So they've been some good ones. So I just want 519 00:26:56,359 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: to throw that out there as well. Okay, wait a second, 520 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:02,240 Speaker 1: we got to hear what's the best one? Then? Well, 521 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:04,200 Speaker 1: I was on a roll for a couple of years. 522 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:07,440 Speaker 1: One year I was rich, which was really easy. I 523 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:11,040 Speaker 1: came in with with with with a shirt and I 524 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:14,560 Speaker 1: spilled stuff all over me. That's rich. Rich daily occurrence. 525 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:18,880 Speaker 1: Coffee is always flying around when you're My favorite year 526 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 1: was I think I was Linball Joseph, you know when 527 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:28,480 Speaker 1: after that Philadelphia game when um, when he put that 528 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:32,480 Speaker 1: mask on, you know, and I got a picture of 529 00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:34,920 Speaker 1: he and I together. I actually on the day of Halloween, 530 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:37,840 Speaker 1: I went into into the locker room and I sat 531 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:40,120 Speaker 1: in his seat, all dressed as Linball Joseph. I mean, 532 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 1: I was all closed up, I had a mask on 533 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:45,520 Speaker 1: and everything. And he walked in and looked at me 534 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:48,240 Speaker 1: and was like what But I got the best picture. 535 00:27:48,280 --> 00:27:50,640 Speaker 1: It was a lot of fun. You know. It's funny, 536 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 1: Rob You're you have such a charismatic personality. Obviously we've 537 00:27:54,280 --> 00:27:56,760 Speaker 1: we've talked about the humility and the fun side of things. 538 00:27:56,840 --> 00:28:01,200 Speaker 1: But your job is a lot of tough decisions conversations. 539 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:05,359 Speaker 1: How do you manage to keep like a lighthearted feel 540 00:28:05,359 --> 00:28:09,320 Speaker 1: about you despite having these very important conversations with players 541 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:11,480 Speaker 1: or agents and things like that. Well, you know, I 542 00:28:11,520 --> 00:28:13,879 Speaker 1: think I think no matter what, you know, You're always 543 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,160 Speaker 1: trying to put yourself in the other person's shoes who 544 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 1: you're dealing with, and understanding their issues and what's important 545 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:26,119 Speaker 1: to them. Um, you know, constructively, you know, communicating, you 546 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:30,159 Speaker 1: know differences. Um, you never make it personal. You know 547 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:32,480 Speaker 1: that's a hard thing to do. You know sometimes really 548 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 1: in difficult you know, decision making or or or negotiations. Um, 549 00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:40,520 Speaker 1: but that's you know, that's really high I try to operate. 550 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 1: I have to double down on what Lindsay said. I 551 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:46,880 Speaker 1: was lucky enough to have the kitchen office in winter Park, 552 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 1: in that closet. I think you remember that, Rob, But 553 00:28:50,640 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 1: I think the favorite part of that was being able 554 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:55,320 Speaker 1: to walk out and get my coffee and see somebody 555 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:59,320 Speaker 1: like you using the curing and have a conversation. That 556 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:02,520 Speaker 1: was only one of the best beginnings in my career 557 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 1: with the Vikings. But I have to ask you about 558 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:10,200 Speaker 1: the Twitter sensation that you have become. Whenever, whenever there's 559 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:13,040 Speaker 1: a big negotiating like a roster move or whatever it 560 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:16,720 Speaker 1: might be, Adam Feeling gets an extension, Dalvin Cook gets 561 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:19,320 Speaker 1: an extension. The Vikings have found a way to get 562 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:22,120 Speaker 1: you involved with a little whether it's an emoji, or 563 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:24,640 Speaker 1: whatever it might be of the sunglasses going down on 564 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:27,040 Speaker 1: your head shot. I want to know if you're aware 565 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:29,800 Speaker 1: of that and what you think about that whole situation. 566 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:34,479 Speaker 1: And Chris, one thing about that office M cafeteria optics 567 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 1: you have. I remember the first one of the very 568 00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:39,640 Speaker 1: first weeks or time you were here, your mom was 569 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:42,960 Speaker 1: here and meet your mom at the cafeteria. That that 570 00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 1: was really cool and how proud of you you know 571 00:29:46,480 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 1: she was in just just the obvious your relationship that 572 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:53,000 Speaker 1: you two have was was pretty awesome. The fact that 573 00:29:53,040 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 1: you remember that that just says it all. Yeah, you know, 574 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:58,440 Speaker 1: I mean I think you know Vikings, I mean, these 575 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:02,160 Speaker 1: are people are so talent. It's, um, you know, it's 576 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:04,800 Speaker 1: it's it's I'm always watching so it's fun to see 577 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:07,680 Speaker 1: the different things that go on through Twitter and and 578 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:12,560 Speaker 1: um yeah, I mean, like I said, it's it's it's 579 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:16,040 Speaker 1: it's fun. Um, we have so many talented people and um, 580 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:19,360 Speaker 1: but again it's you know a lot of times, you 581 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 1: know I might get you know, the the notoriety or whatever, 582 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:27,520 Speaker 1: but there's there's so many people that contribute, you know, 583 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:30,680 Speaker 1: and um that that that don't get recognized. Yeah, I know, 584 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:33,120 Speaker 1: we gotta get out of here soon. Jay just sent ah, 585 00:30:33,320 --> 00:30:35,920 Speaker 1: I guess we got a two minute warning now. Um, 586 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:38,160 Speaker 1: but I gotta ask you. You talked about some of 587 00:30:38,200 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 1: the highs, you talked about some of the lows. But 588 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 1: what are some break do you have, like any breakthrough 589 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:44,960 Speaker 1: stories that you can share with us that hey, like, 590 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:46,959 Speaker 1: we didn't think this was going to happen, but now 591 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:49,600 Speaker 1: this guy turned out to be this guy. And I 592 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 1: guess that that comes with some of some of the 593 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:55,440 Speaker 1: successes of the job, right, Yeah, I mean I can 594 00:30:55,560 --> 00:30:57,760 Speaker 1: just say in general, Gabe, you know, when we when 595 00:30:57,800 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 1: we plan the roster, you know, every year we put 596 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 1: a plan in place, um, you know how we want 597 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:07,280 Speaker 1: to get better, um in the off season and free agency, 598 00:31:07,320 --> 00:31:10,080 Speaker 1: in the draft. It never goes as planned. I mean, 599 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:12,320 Speaker 1: I could give so many examples of you know, of 600 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:15,720 Speaker 1: players that you want to target, you you want to acquire, 601 00:31:16,240 --> 00:31:18,720 Speaker 1: you know, and and and bring in and you can't 602 00:31:18,720 --> 00:31:21,680 Speaker 1: always make it happen. And so when you can, it's 603 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:24,920 Speaker 1: really rewarding and it's a lot of fun and in 604 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:27,720 Speaker 1: you know, over the years, I can think of players 605 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:34,040 Speaker 1: like you know, Jared Allen, Eth Hutchinson, Antoine Winfield, Pat 606 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:37,520 Speaker 1: Williams and I could go I could go on forever. Um. 607 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:42,120 Speaker 1: But um, you know, obviously you know those those those 608 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:45,160 Speaker 1: those players that you're able to target and acquire and 609 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:49,280 Speaker 1: bring in, and they're great people and they have an impact, 610 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:55,560 Speaker 1: uh positively on our organization. You know That's that's really rewarding. Awesome. Well, Rob, 611 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:58,160 Speaker 1: always a pleasure talking to you. We know this doesn't 612 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:01,480 Speaker 1: happen much, so thank you for your time today. I'm 613 00:32:01,480 --> 00:32:03,840 Speaker 1: sure Minnesota Vikings fans are looking forward to seeing what 614 00:32:03,920 --> 00:32:06,360 Speaker 1: the future holds and seeing how you play a valuable 615 00:32:06,360 --> 00:32:08,440 Speaker 1: part in being that piece to the big puzzle of 616 00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:10,920 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings. So thank you again, looking forward and 617 00:32:10,960 --> 00:32:15,760 Speaker 1: talking to you. So good to see you guys. Of course, 618 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:19,160 Speaker 1: your mom got a huge shot out and I know 619 00:32:19,240 --> 00:32:22,480 Speaker 1: you know represents k pretty well. But I'm glad Minnesota 620 00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:24,520 Speaker 1: Vikings fans got an opportunity to get to know him 621 00:32:24,520 --> 00:32:26,680 Speaker 1: a little better. Also, there's not that many people are 622 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:29,080 Speaker 1: on the building that can make me blush, and I 623 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:32,600 Speaker 1: think I think Rob got me there. I was amazed 624 00:32:32,640 --> 00:32:35,160 Speaker 1: that he remembered that moment that was like right when 625 00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:38,080 Speaker 1: I started with the Vikings as a recent college graduate. 626 00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:40,240 Speaker 1: So and it meant the world to me that he 627 00:32:40,280 --> 00:32:42,880 Speaker 1: took the time to introduce himself to He's just a 628 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:45,760 Speaker 1: family guy, and it doesn't matter if he knows you 629 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:48,200 Speaker 1: for a day or for a couple of years, or 630 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:50,160 Speaker 1: whatever it might be. He's one of the most friendly 631 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:55,240 Speaker 1: people in the building and obviously very good at his job. So, guys, 632 00:32:55,280 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: I know, I think we all enjoyed that conversation. But 633 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:01,600 Speaker 1: I could talk to Rob for hours, whether it's with 634 00:33:01,640 --> 00:33:04,640 Speaker 1: a beer or whether it's on this podcast. So one 635 00:33:04,640 --> 00:33:07,680 Speaker 1: of the best guys in the NFL, that's for sure. Yeah, 636 00:33:07,720 --> 00:33:10,600 Speaker 1: And just I mean to the point of him understanding 637 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:13,720 Speaker 1: how to have that work life balance. I think that's 638 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:15,400 Speaker 1: a lesson for all of us. If a guy in 639 00:33:15,440 --> 00:33:18,880 Speaker 1: that position who deals with numbers and eagles all the day, 640 00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:22,120 Speaker 1: for him to find a way to take some time 641 00:33:22,120 --> 00:33:24,800 Speaker 1: off to be himself, I think that's a that's a 642 00:33:24,880 --> 00:33:27,880 Speaker 1: lesson for all of us. But moving on, we got 643 00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:32,400 Speaker 1: the Indianapolis Coast is upcoming Saturday, seven pm Usbank Stadium, 644 00:33:32,640 --> 00:33:36,080 Speaker 1: probably the biggest dress rehearsal all year. What I'm most 645 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:38,280 Speaker 1: looking forward to, I'll started. What I'm most looking forward to, 646 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:41,120 Speaker 1: I'm just looking forward to saying those guys gel together, 647 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:43,920 Speaker 1: especially the defensive side of the ball, but more importantly 648 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:47,640 Speaker 1: everyone coming out injury free. Linda, what are you most 649 00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:49,640 Speaker 1: looking forward to? Yeah, I think, like you mentioned game, 650 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:52,560 Speaker 1: I'm really excited to see the starters play. I know 651 00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:55,440 Speaker 1: Coach Zimmer hasn't specified if everyone will play, but it 652 00:33:55,480 --> 00:33:58,240 Speaker 1: definitely sounds like based off of what Michael Pier said 653 00:33:58,240 --> 00:34:00,720 Speaker 1: and Devin Tomlinson said that, you know, we can expect 654 00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:03,560 Speaker 1: to see some of those guys playing. So I'm excited 655 00:34:03,600 --> 00:34:05,920 Speaker 1: to see kind of the real thing, if you will, 656 00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:08,560 Speaker 1: at least for a portion of the game. And then 657 00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:12,239 Speaker 1: I'm also excited to see when some of those reserves play, 658 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:15,719 Speaker 1: kind of how they bounce back and respond to the 659 00:34:15,800 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 1: performance last week. I think um Tatum had mentioned that 660 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:21,560 Speaker 1: that coach Andrey Patterson spoke this week, and one of 661 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:24,160 Speaker 1: the things that stuck out to me from him just 662 00:34:24,239 --> 00:34:27,560 Speaker 1: kind of as a reminder, not necessarily an excuse for 663 00:34:27,680 --> 00:34:29,880 Speaker 1: mistakes that were made, but the fact that some of 664 00:34:29,920 --> 00:34:32,959 Speaker 1: these players it was really their first NFL game. There's 665 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:35,040 Speaker 1: a there's kind of a deer in the headlights type 666 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:38,200 Speaker 1: of response. You can get overwhelmed, you can make mistakes 667 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:40,719 Speaker 1: that aren't natural, and so I'm excited to see in 668 00:34:40,880 --> 00:34:44,319 Speaker 1: game two how some of those reserves respond when they 669 00:34:44,360 --> 00:34:47,960 Speaker 1: get another opportunity. Yeah, that's a that's the thing being coulturable. 670 00:34:48,640 --> 00:34:50,359 Speaker 1: A lot of people don't talk about that. So how 671 00:34:50,400 --> 00:34:53,240 Speaker 1: culturable are you? I think that will definitely take place 672 00:34:53,840 --> 00:34:57,080 Speaker 1: this upcoming Saturday, and we'll see, you know, who makes 673 00:34:57,120 --> 00:35:00,359 Speaker 1: another separate her career Courso, yeah, I agree. I want 674 00:35:00,360 --> 00:35:02,120 Speaker 1: to see the response. I want to see some of 675 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:05,520 Speaker 1: the starters play. I'm really looking forward to seeing Michael 676 00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:07,600 Speaker 1: Pierce out on the field and what he's able to 677 00:35:07,640 --> 00:35:10,319 Speaker 1: do not only as a run stopper but as a 678 00:35:10,480 --> 00:35:14,319 Speaker 1: pass rusher, which he's shown in training camp practices so far. 679 00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:17,359 Speaker 1: So really excited to see to see some of those 680 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:20,480 Speaker 1: guys who haven't worn the purple and gold out on 681 00:35:20,520 --> 00:35:23,560 Speaker 1: the field. And I think Michael Pierce is definitely the 682 00:35:23,640 --> 00:35:27,200 Speaker 1: player that I'll be watching on Saturday. Tatum, Yeah, I 683 00:35:27,239 --> 00:35:31,120 Speaker 1: think you know. I haven't really done my research exactly 684 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:33,440 Speaker 1: on who the cults are playing, as you know, in 685 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:36,640 Speaker 1: this game, but I will say that I'm excited to 686 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:40,799 Speaker 1: see these ones going against other because obviously this is 687 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:44,200 Speaker 1: the second preseason game, it'll be treated from what we've 688 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:47,680 Speaker 1: heard from coaches very similarly to the third preseason game 689 00:35:47,719 --> 00:35:50,359 Speaker 1: in the past. So seeing the starters in there and 690 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:53,120 Speaker 1: going up against the coult starters, I think is great 691 00:35:53,160 --> 00:35:54,920 Speaker 1: because we did get to see a lot of those 692 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:58,480 Speaker 1: Broncos ones and twos against the depth of the Vikings, 693 00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:01,000 Speaker 1: and so I want to see that all over again, 694 00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:03,600 Speaker 1: but with starters. So you know, for me, I almost 695 00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:07,560 Speaker 1: felt like the Broncos did us a favor last week 696 00:36:07,640 --> 00:36:10,640 Speaker 1: by letting us play our young guys and experienced guys 697 00:36:10,680 --> 00:36:13,759 Speaker 1: against some of their top guys. So I want to 698 00:36:13,760 --> 00:36:15,439 Speaker 1: see that out kind of all over again this week. 699 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:18,440 Speaker 1: That's a good thing for us, right where our starters 700 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:20,880 Speaker 1: are pretty much set in stone and the Denver Broncos 701 00:36:20,960 --> 00:36:24,040 Speaker 1: they're still trying to figure things out. So similar to 702 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:26,040 Speaker 1: what you said, I wouldn't say they did us a favor, 703 00:36:26,160 --> 00:36:28,600 Speaker 1: but more so, they gave us an opportunity to take 704 00:36:28,640 --> 00:36:31,200 Speaker 1: another step, for these young guys to take another step 705 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:34,279 Speaker 1: in their career versus last year or any other year 706 00:36:34,840 --> 00:36:36,600 Speaker 1: that we've had where we had a lot of question 707 00:36:36,640 --> 00:36:38,800 Speaker 1: marks or on either the offense or defensive side of 708 00:36:38,840 --> 00:36:41,920 Speaker 1: the ball. So seven pm this upcoming Saturday at US 709 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:44,920 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium. I'm expecting more of the Purple faithful to 710 00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:47,760 Speaker 1: be out there. I'm excited. Last week was my first 711 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:50,800 Speaker 1: home bull Tatum's first home game also here with the 712 00:36:50,840 --> 00:36:55,279 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings with at least game action from us and 713 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:59,120 Speaker 1: another team, So hopefully as more fans this week we'll 714 00:36:59,160 --> 00:37:01,680 Speaker 1: be there. We'll have coverage for you, and stay tuned 715 00:37:01,680 --> 00:37:03,759 Speaker 1: the Vikings dot com for the most up to date 716 00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:07,600 Speaker 1: coverage and highlights on the team. And last but not least, 717 00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:10,760 Speaker 1: Vikings fans you will see will walking into the stadium 718 00:37:10,760 --> 00:37:13,600 Speaker 1: this upcoming Saturday, you will see some vaccination pop up 719 00:37:13,600 --> 00:37:16,680 Speaker 1: shops and as part of the Stay Safe Minnesota efforts, 720 00:37:16,840 --> 00:37:19,000 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings are partnering up with the State of 721 00:37:19,040 --> 00:37:23,239 Speaker 1: Minnesota for another walk up vaccination event this upcoming Saturday, 722 00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:26,000 Speaker 1: August twenty first, So do not be surprised if you 723 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:29,200 Speaker 1: see it. Everyone do their part and keeping this world safe. 724 00:37:29,719 --> 00:37:31,239 Speaker 1: That's all we can say. That's all we can do. 725 00:37:31,280 --> 00:37:34,400 Speaker 1: But in the meantime, bring your voices, bring your purple, 726 00:37:34,760 --> 00:37:37,320 Speaker 1: and bring that energy. We'll see you next week. On 727 00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:41,040 Speaker 1: episode one oh eight of the Minnesota Vikings podcast, sk