1 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connell, West Phillips, all these coaches on the offensive 2 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: side of the ball, they've probably seen that play over 3 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: and over and over, and like Eric said, we got 4 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:15,160 Speaker 1: to find a way to put this guy on the field. 5 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 1: And I think it's a really good problem to have. 6 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 1: My number one memory, it's going to be the people. 7 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 1: You know, there are great people in this organization. Seeing 8 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: who these guys are people is something I'll treasure forever. 9 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 1: Welcome inside the TCO Performance Center Radio Suite for another 10 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: edition of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. This is episode number 11 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: one forty nine. My name is Gabe Henderson. I have 12 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 1: the special privilege of being joined by Vikings team reporter 13 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: Eric Smith and as always my main man, Jay Nelson 14 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: on the ones and two. How you guys doing. Welcome Eric, Welcome, Eric, 15 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: thank you, Welcome and goodbye. Yeah, welcome and goodbye. Well 16 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: we'll get to that a little a little later on 17 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: the show, because it is I guess we're going to 18 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 1: say goodbye to the offseason. Also because this is the 19 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 1: last week of organized team activities here for the Minnesota 20 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:12,320 Speaker 1: Vikings and then next week is mandatory minicamp. So after 21 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 1: all this talk that we've done since what January ninth, 22 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:18,560 Speaker 1: when the last game of the season was up until now. 23 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 1: Now we get to see what this new Minnesota Vikings 24 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 1: team looks like heading into the fall. So a lot 25 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,959 Speaker 1: of exciting times and in the same breath, Eric, you 26 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: I know you said goodbye. This is your last week 27 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: with the Minnesota Vikings. We won't tell people where you're going, 28 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: but this is a bittersweet show to say the least. 29 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 1: Yeah it is. You know, I've been the Viking team 30 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 1: reporter for the last six and a half years, did 31 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 1: not know anyone when I moved to Minnesota, knew almost 32 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: nothing about the team, and you know, six and a 33 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: half later, it's home, great great people, you know, great memories. 34 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 1: You know. I'm sure we'll get into that later in 35 00:01:56,480 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: the show. But yeah, it's been a fantastic run. I 36 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: love the team, love the people here, and but it's 37 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 1: just time for the next adventure. It's been a lot 38 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: of fun over these last six years, even just getting 39 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: to know you and work with you and let alone 40 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,240 Speaker 1: just see you grow as much as we have. So again, 41 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: we'll talk about that more later, but you know, it 42 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 1: was one of those things that when we found out 43 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 1: that you were going to be leaving us. Gabe and 44 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: I talked and immediately it was just like, yeah, we 45 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: gotta Eric on the show just to talk through everything 46 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 1: and kind of do the cathartic session to get it 47 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: all out there. So figure give you, you know, kind 48 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:31,639 Speaker 1: of let the fans know what was going on, and 49 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 1: again we're kind of at the end of the off 50 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: season in a new beginning for you and the team 51 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:37,800 Speaker 1: at this point. You know what the funny thing is, 52 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: when I asked Eric last week, maybe two weeks ago, 53 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 1: I was like, Hey, you want to have been in 54 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,920 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings podcast. He basically told me no. He was like, 55 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:47,640 Speaker 1: You're like, let me let me get back to you 56 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 1: on I'm a little busy, right A lot going on. 57 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: His life is a little chaotic right now. Yeah. I 58 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: mean for for all good reasons too. Um. I think 59 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 1: with everything that you've got going on, it resembled was life, 60 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 1: like a really good life ahead of you. And I'm 61 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,639 Speaker 1: excited for you. And like I said, we'll talk about 62 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:06,359 Speaker 1: that later in the show. Because today should be a 63 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,959 Speaker 1: great show. We get an opportunity to answer some of 64 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: the fan questions. The fan over full of questions that 65 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 1: were submitted via Twitter this week for Pick six. Pick 66 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,839 Speaker 1: six was live is live on Vikings dot com right now. 67 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 1: Eric Smith and Ron Johnson and myself we answered some 68 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: fan questions this week, which were those things are always 69 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 1: fun to do, but it's always more fun when you 70 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 1: get questions that you can't use and then you can 71 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: answer them in this week's edition of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 72 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: But before we get to that, we talked about a 73 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 1: little bit earlier just with the off season kind of 74 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: just coming and going with the snap of a finger, 75 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 1: like I can't believe that we're literally done with organized 76 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: team activities. These last five months have absolutely flown. In 77 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: that time. You have hired a GM, hired a coach, 78 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: went to the combine, brought in free agents, drafted a 79 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: bunch of rookies, and now gone through all of your OTAs. 80 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: Like it's unbelievable how quickly that happens. I know there 81 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: were a group of us that we're even look at 82 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: each other going, how is it June already? But it 83 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: we throw it out all the time when everyone asks 84 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 1: what do you do in the off season, you just 85 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 1: look at it. There is no off season anymore. It 86 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: is not a thing. The only thing about the off 87 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: season that we get is our weekends and if you're 88 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:19,039 Speaker 1: not traveling, if you're traveling, you don't even get those. 89 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:21,919 Speaker 1: But yeah, it's just you have to make time. And 90 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: I guess that's the other thing too. When when the 91 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 1: shakeup did happen in the front office and the head coach. 92 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 1: For some of us that I've done that before, you 93 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: just realize like how much work is about to hit 94 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 1: because everything has to be established new. And here's the thing. 95 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 1: We've been with those guys for five months. We're still 96 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 1: just starting like they had to wrap their head around 97 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: how we're going to handle the football and staffing side, 98 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 1: and now you're getting to the point where they there's 99 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 1: going to be a little bit of that break after 100 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 1: the mini camp, but it's you're still learning faces names. 101 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: You know it's going to take. It's a process. Just 102 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:54,679 Speaker 1: get everybody up to speed and feel like everyone's comfortable 103 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 1: with each other at this point. But it feels like 104 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 1: it's been a productive offseason. It it hath Yeah, it's 105 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: been productive. I would agree that it's flown by more 106 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: so than years past. You know, we've all been here 107 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: more than one season. We know how the NFL off 108 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 1: season goes, but especially this year, yeah, because we did 109 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 1: have transition at the top in the front office. You know, 110 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: usually when the season ends and then a team doesn't 111 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,479 Speaker 1: make the playoff, you have maybe a month or so 112 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 1: of I don't want to call it downtime, but it's 113 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 1: just like a much slower path because you're not in 114 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,799 Speaker 1: the playoffs. You can kind of plan ahead, catch your breath. 115 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 1: We didn't do that at all. No, absolutely not at all. 116 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: I mean, none of us really took a vacation like 117 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:37,640 Speaker 1: we just we just kept working like January nine, you know, 118 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 1: season finale, and then the changes happened the next day 119 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 1: on the tenth, and here we are June third, Yeah, 120 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 1: you know, and we're here, we are, We're we're still 121 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:48,839 Speaker 1: grinding away. We're still grinding away, and it's I feel 122 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: like it's just going to continue to ramp up, even 123 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 1: though we do get a month off between what we 124 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: don't get a month off. There's a month of a 125 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 1: little over a month of note football between I believe 126 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: June ninth in late July when the players come back 127 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: for training camp, and that kind of gets it gets 128 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 1: us into our first band question from the day. It 129 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: comes from Ron Rustad at Rustad forty four, he said, 130 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:14,720 Speaker 1: what happened to the offseason? That's correct, Yeah, and it 131 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 1: did happen, and it was I think we we I 132 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 1: think Ron asked that question just because there were so 133 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:24,360 Speaker 1: much going on. It wasn't like there was never more 134 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: than two or three days where there wasn't something going on. 135 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: Maybe not publicly right like, hey, we are trying to 136 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: hire a GM or a head coach, but internally, like 137 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,799 Speaker 1: Van was working every day every day to plan ahead, 138 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:42,559 Speaker 1: you know, to help cover everything. Yeah, cover it even 139 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: help the football staff in a small part with the 140 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 1: higher kind of doing our part in that search. It happened, 141 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: I mean the off season with here, I mean Gab 142 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: and I went to the Combine a few months ago, 143 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: I guess, but like it feels like forever. It feels 144 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 1: like forever ago. And if you think about it too, 145 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 1: like you're on the back end quote unquote back end 146 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 1: of the pandemic. So everyone was like coming back to work, 147 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: the offices were opening back up. All of the season 148 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 1: long restrictions were kind of out the window a little 149 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: bit at that point. So it's just like there's been 150 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 1: a giant transition that has happened over the last five 151 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: six months. Yeah, and I think you guys both hit 152 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 1: it on the head perfectly. Of just trying to plan ahead, 153 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: you kind of miss time, like you you missed the 154 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: trying to track time. It's like, Okay, well I got 155 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: a plan, I gotta do this, and then by the 156 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 1: time you look at your clock, it's eight o'clock, nine 157 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: o'clock at night, and you got a plan for the 158 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 1: next day. So we really haven't had a chance to 159 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,559 Speaker 1: enjoy the off season. And Vikings fans are probably saying 160 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: the same thing because usually Vikings fans are like, Okay, well, 161 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: there's no football going on, let's just relax. We know 162 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 1: we gotta make some moves and maybe fill a position 163 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: here or sign a contract here. But with the whole 164 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 1: new regime, there's whenever we put something out, everybody is 165 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: clamoring to it, or if a report comes out from 166 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 1: Tom Pella, Sera or NFL Network, everybody is jumping on that. 167 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 1: It's just been an off season. I feel like this 168 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: is this is the off season. I don't know, it 169 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: feels like a regular season. This off season has felt 170 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 1: like renewed optimism is something that can actually be a 171 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: little tiring. It's just like there's just a whole lot 172 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: of new and everyone trying to figure it all out. 173 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: And but it's it's been a fun and exciting version 174 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: at this point. And I think, you know, with the 175 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: way that everything ended in January and kind of just 176 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 1: the feeling of frustration across the board by a bunch 177 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 1: of people, to see the way things have gone and 178 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: to feel like as smoothly as things have gone has 179 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 1: been a welcome treat for everyone at this point. Well, 180 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: speaking of excitement, a lot of fans are excited about 181 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: the upcoming schedule and we know all the games are out, 182 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 1: all the times are out. We opened up with the 183 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: Green Bay Packers. But this next fan question comes from 184 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:52,359 Speaker 1: a Cam comes from Cam at king Woody Gee nice. 185 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: He says, why are we always going to Green Bay 186 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 1: at the end of the season. I think I have 187 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 1: a theory on that, and it kind of goes back 188 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 1: to when I first started it here. So my first 189 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: week with the team was at the end of the 190 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 1: twenty fifteen season, and that's when the Vikings went to 191 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: Green Bay, went to Lambo one in prime time to 192 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: win the NFC North and it was a great game, 193 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,559 Speaker 1: and you have to think that the schedule makers in 194 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:19,440 Speaker 1: the league and the all the TV people were like, oh, 195 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: Vikings Packers, it's already a great rivalry. But if you 196 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 1: put it late in the season and you know that 197 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:28,480 Speaker 1: like old NFL film voice, you know, Lambo field, and 198 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 1: you know it's it's always cold and you know, blustery, 199 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: like that's football weather, and why not have a great 200 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 1: rivalry at the end of the year. You know, the 201 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 1: NFL had really focused on division matchups in the last 202 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: couple of weeks of the season. At the playoff near 203 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,120 Speaker 1: I think it's a good fit. You know, you would 204 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: want the Packers to come here. You know, sure they 205 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 1: would too, preferably right, But yeah, I mean it kind 206 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: of alternates, I guess, because the Packers did come here 207 00:09:55,040 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: at the end of twenty nineteen. So it kind of happens, 208 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 1: you know, here and there. But it's just a rivalry 209 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: and a lot of eyeballed on that game. If you 210 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: look at the way that this year's schedule is laid 211 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,839 Speaker 1: out to you essentially have all your divisional opponents at 212 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 1: home in the first five weeks, and then the back 213 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:13,319 Speaker 1: end of the season you bookended by going to their places, 214 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 1: so like there is a little bit of balance there. 215 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,280 Speaker 1: But I think, just like you said, they want the 216 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: visuals of people bundled up in snowsuits, they want snow 217 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: falling on the ground, they want the picturesque piece of it. 218 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 1: And I think the idea for everyone who's potentially not 219 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: involved in that game being ten below or something crazy. 220 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 1: The idea of being at lambeau Field at the end 221 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 1: of the season, for all the Marbles type type scenarios, 222 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 1: that's what they're looking for. And so I mean, you 223 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 1: had Green Bay come here for the beginning during the pandemic, 224 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 1: which the fans got cheated out of at that point, 225 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:51,319 Speaker 1: no fans in the building. This year, you're going to 226 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 1: get them at home week one out of the gate. 227 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: You're just going to get book ended by having to 228 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: go to Green Bay for Week seventeen, in Chicago for 229 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 1: Week eighteen, And so the team's gonna have to really 230 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 1: be on their piece and qes and know they're gonna 231 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: have some hard fought, cold games at the end of 232 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: the season. Oh it's it's coming. And I just remember 233 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: doing some of the schedule reactions with some of the players, 234 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 1: and you know, revealing the Tatum and I did something 235 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: and we revealed the schedules to them as we were live. 236 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 1: So for some reason, the first game that they saw 237 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: was the January first and then the January eighth game, 238 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: both in Green Bay and then Chicago. So they feel 239 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: the same way that we do. They're like, why do 240 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 1: we gotta like why do we gotta go to Chicago? 241 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:30,560 Speaker 1: Why do we have why do we gotta go to 242 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: Green Bay? And I think that, like you said, it 243 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:36,439 Speaker 1: makes for entertaining football, It makes for I mean New 244 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: Year's Day, like it makes for fans clamoring sitting in 245 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 1: front of their couches watching the game, and for us 246 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,319 Speaker 1: that that have to be there, Like for me last year, 247 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: that was the coldest game I'd have ever been a 248 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,600 Speaker 1: part of. January second, it was negative four degree. We 249 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: were there, right Eric, lucky you. It was negative four 250 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: at kickoff and like Lambo fields, turf or grass was frozen. 251 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 1: So it was just it's because they have a heated field, 252 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 1: but it was so cold out that like almost the 253 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 1: condensation that was on top was just frozen. So like 254 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 1: it's but here's the thing at Chicago on that grass field, 255 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 1: that stuff's usually super long, so that's an even bigger mess. 256 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: We're a little bit of a prisoner of the moment 257 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:18,440 Speaker 1: though on this stuff too, because there have been plenty 258 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 1: of years where we've had Chicago at home to finish 259 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 1: out the season, Detroit at home to finish out the season. 260 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:26,319 Speaker 1: Usually it's not a green Bay at home, but it 261 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: has been a scenario where we have had a bunch 262 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 1: of home finales for all the marbles, and sometimes it's 263 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 1: worked and other times it hasn't. But for this one, 264 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 1: I just think it's got to be the picturesque idea 265 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 1: of the fact that you're playing green Bay potentially for 266 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 1: a shot at the division title in the last couple 267 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: of weeks is appealing to him. Well, I got let's 268 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 1: play the green Bay Packers a lot is CJ. Ham 269 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 1: And this next question is referred to CJ. Ham from 270 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:54,839 Speaker 1: Julio del Real on Twitter. Julio says, well, Kevin O'Connell 271 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 1: tried to put CJ. Hamm at tight end and see 272 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 1: what he can do, since he has shown the capable 273 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:03,079 Speaker 1: ability of catching the ball when given the opportunity. Yeah, 274 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,080 Speaker 1: I think CJ's gonna line up all over I mean 275 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:09,079 Speaker 1: he's gonna have fullback tied end h back. He has 276 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 1: shown that verse of Tody. He's probably honestly one of 277 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 1: the most versatile players on the team. And maybe he 278 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 1: doesn't get that recognition because his position title is fullback, 279 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:21,199 Speaker 1: right and he's one of the few fullbacks left in 280 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 1: the NFL. But yeah, he's gonna line up all over. Um. 281 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 1: He actually did that a lot last year. He lined 282 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 1: up a tight end quite a bit, so he has 283 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 1: that experience. The other reason I would agree is who's 284 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: the or sort of what is the tight end depth 285 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: chart behind HERV That's something that's gonna have to be 286 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: shaken out during camp. You know, there's there's Johnny Mutt 287 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 1: and Zack Davidson and Ben Elliston, there's the rookie Nick Muse, 288 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,000 Speaker 1: I mean, but other than Nerve, that's not a real 289 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 1: like proven group. And so if CJ can come in 290 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: and maybe be like fullback one tied into h back, 291 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: like you know, he can maybe line up out why 292 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:05,960 Speaker 1: he can do everything? Yeah, he the guy like find 293 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: a way to get that man on the field for sure. 294 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 1: I like that idea, yeah, I mean it kind of 295 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 1: that idea of the multi positional player at at tight 296 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 1: end that was Jim Klein saucer. Back in the day. 297 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: Jim was a lot bigger. He was almost he was 298 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: a default lineman. That guy was a tank. But the 299 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: idea was CJ being as athletic and as versatile as 300 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: he is. I mean there were times last year they 301 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 1: were splitting him out wide and you're like, wait, that's 302 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: c J. Ham out wide. But but again, this goes 303 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 1: back to a theme we've talked about for months now 304 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: after Kevin's been talking about it. The idea that we're 305 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: going to get mismatches out in space and make people 306 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:45,080 Speaker 1: have to pay defensively for what they try to scheme 307 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 1: us and try to do. CJ is a prime example 308 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: of that. There was last season kind of little screen 309 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: pass out to him out in the flat or out 310 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: in the kind of the periphery, and he just he's like, okay, 311 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: there's nobody within fifteen yards. I mean, I'm just gonna 312 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 1: go bulldog a guy when he gets close to me. 313 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: I think CJ. Hamm being a farmer, you know, running back, 314 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: h back type guy. Now he's a fullback, but he 315 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: can catch him. We've seen that he has got to 316 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: be a guy that you know, kind of like San 317 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: Francisco likes to use a use check. Put him all 318 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 1: over the field and he can catch it or he 319 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: can just hand it off and let him go. He 320 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 1: is a guy that can be more versatile. Yeah, I'm 321 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 1: just thinking of that. I think it was the twenty 322 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: seven or thirty seven yard catch against the Baltimore Ravens 323 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: last year and it might have been third or fourth down, 324 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: and you just look at it and say, oh, he's 325 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: a fullback making that kind of play. Kevin O'Connell, West Phillips, 326 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: all these coaches on the offensive side of the ball, 327 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 1: they've probably seen that play over and over and over 328 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 1: and other athletic players that CJ. Hamm has made and say, Okay, 329 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 1: like Eric said, we got to find a way to 330 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 1: put this guy on the field. And I think it's 331 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 1: a really good problem to have if you're a coach. 332 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: We always hear coach he's talking about, well, we want 333 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 1: these guys to make it tough for us, and c. J. 334 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: Hamm is making it tough for whether it's Brian Angelico 335 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: or the running backs coach, Kevin O'Connell or West Phillips. 336 00:15:58,280 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 1: He's you got to find a way to put this 337 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: guy on the field, so I think he will thrive 338 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: in this offense. I do believe we'll see him at 339 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 1: tight end here and there, but I think it'll be 340 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 1: an unorthodox look at tight end. I don't think he'll 341 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 1: just line up right beside Earth of Jerry with his 342 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 1: hands on the ground. So we'll see how how that 343 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: how that all shakes out. But ultimately we hope wherever 344 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 1: he is on the field, that leads to touchdowns, and 345 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: which leads us to our next question, which comes from 346 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: at Michael five one three five one eight one. That 347 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,000 Speaker 1: sounds like a TV show. I was gonna say. I 348 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: think he would either that is a very specific number 349 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 1: to his life, or he may have got the generic 350 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: Twitter handle. Yeah, that's probably the three million, five millions 351 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: Michael on Twitter game? Is that your burner account? Do 352 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 1: you really want to come clean? Or what are we 353 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: doing here? I wasn't going to say it on this podcast, 354 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 1: but since you put me on the spot, I may 355 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 1: or may not know. Michael got you. But Michael wants 356 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 1: to know what is your favorite Vikings touchdown celebration thus far? 357 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 1: I'm going against the green Okay, let you guys go first. 358 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 1: I think the one that was probably the most creative 359 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 1: was a few years ago when they did the limbo. 360 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 1: That's a good one. I mean doing the limbo out 361 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 1: there with a player as the limbo stick. That was. 362 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:11,400 Speaker 1: That was impressive to me. That's got to be one 363 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 1: of my one of my more creative ones i've seen. Yeah, 364 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 1: I'll pick I'll pick two creative. I guess it was 365 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: more spur of the moment. But when dig scored on 366 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: the mini app with Miracle, just him throwing his helmet 367 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:26,960 Speaker 1: like spontaneous, like incredible iconic play. I don't know if 368 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:31,119 Speaker 1: we can classify this creative, but to me, like the 369 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 1: Gritty will it's always done the top of the list, 370 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:36,879 Speaker 1: um just because it's it's so cool, you know, and 371 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,679 Speaker 1: like because it's justin Jefferson. He scored a lot of touchdowns. 372 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: He looks awesome while he's doing it. He's about the 373 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:45,920 Speaker 1: only one who does. Everyone else not good. Trying to 374 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:49,200 Speaker 1: figure it out still, but yeah, i'd say the Gritty 375 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 1: and and Digs for sure. I believe the Gritty is 376 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: on Madden this year, and JJ said he's not going 377 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,760 Speaker 1: to stop doing the Gritty until it is on Madden. 378 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: So that's the thing now, It's like there's the Gritty 379 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 1: retire now that it made Madden and it's a worldwide. 380 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 1: It is worldwide thing. We'll see. I mean it's in 381 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 1: the It's to the point now where I can't walk 382 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 1: down the street without seeing a kid like Griddyon at 383 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:17,360 Speaker 1: a baseball game or something. You've got international soccer players 384 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 1: doing it for celebrations now, like it has gone completely insane. 385 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 1: I am really curious to see, you know, score a 386 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: touchdown in London and to let him do it there 387 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: and just see how much even more it blows up 388 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 1: or just like a roar of applause or something like that. 389 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: But I mean, recently, yeah, you cannot, that is the answer. Recently, 390 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: the griddy has just completely taken over. Well, we'll see 391 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:43,639 Speaker 1: if if if he scores in London, that place is 392 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 1: going to go crazy if he Gritty's that. The last 393 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 1: thing was Adam scoring and then doing the soccer slide 394 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:52,479 Speaker 1: with the fist pump and everyone loved that one. Let 395 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:54,719 Speaker 1: him start griddying in London and you'll just see it 396 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,400 Speaker 1: go even further. JJ is already a superstar. He will 397 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: be an international superstar if he does that. My favorite 398 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,879 Speaker 1: um touchdown celebration of all time. Jay, you and I 399 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 1: talked about this a while ago. I don't think you 400 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:06,679 Speaker 1: were a huge You may have been a fan of 401 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 1: I just don't remember our conversation. But they get your 402 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 1: role on about don't te Cold Pepper? Oh yeah, I 403 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 1: love that classic. I loved that when every score they 404 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: get your role on. I thought it was like very uncoordinating, unorthodox, 405 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:20,640 Speaker 1: but he made it look good. People loved it because 406 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 1: it was something as simple as just you know, start. 407 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:24,680 Speaker 1: Everyone wanted to do it, and that's the same kind 408 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,880 Speaker 1: of thing back then you'd see in high school games 409 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: and stuff, people just doing like the role. And then 410 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:31,560 Speaker 1: the best part was the big fist pump at the end, 411 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: like you know, nailed it. Kind of a thing. Yeah, 412 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 1: get your Role on was pretty good if I really 413 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 1: have to go back to one from the old, old 414 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:41,400 Speaker 1: old school days, and by saying that, it's just when 415 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: I was a kid, the Icky Shuffle by Yea. So 416 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: we played a game in Cincinnati. Adrian Peterson was on 417 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:52,639 Speaker 1: the team. Getting to see Ikey Woods behind the stage 418 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: in the hallway. Wanting to meet Adrian Peterson and seeing 419 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:59,159 Speaker 1: those two guys shake hands. I wanted Ikey to bust 420 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:01,880 Speaker 1: it out there, and then they put the commercial out 421 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 1: for the Geico commercial and he's going to get you know, 422 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 1: cold cuts, and he's get your cold cuts. And it's like, 423 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 1: I still since I was a kid, I love the 424 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 1: Ikey shovel Man. That's that's legendary, legendary celebrations, legendary memories 425 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:18,119 Speaker 1: that Vikings fans have with the Minneapolis Miracle, justin Jeffers Scorner, 426 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 1: starch touchdown, doing a gritty going worldwide, get your role on, 427 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:24,440 Speaker 1: just so many different things that has made these Vikings 428 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 1: fans celebrate together. Which I think it's going to be 429 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:30,200 Speaker 1: a lot more celebrations this year because I believe there's 430 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: gonna be a lot more touchdowns and maybe there's a 431 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: new touchdown dance that goes viral that starts hearing Minnesota. 432 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 1: But this last question comes from a co worker of 433 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 1: ours who submitted this on Twitter. His name is b 434 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 1: Rog and he says, when someone says it's five o'clock somewhere, 435 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:48,560 Speaker 1: is that true? Is it really always five o'clock somewhere 436 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:51,439 Speaker 1: on the world at all times? Really interested to hear 437 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 1: your guys's thoughts. I mean, I guess I don't I'm 438 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:59,200 Speaker 1: not a and like an astute world traveler. Like the 439 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:01,920 Speaker 1: most I've gone in international obviously it's London a couple 440 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:04,679 Speaker 1: of years ago. I've been in Mexico. But I guess 441 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:08,439 Speaker 1: it's five o'clock. It's five o'clock somewhere somewhere on the 442 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: hour every hour. Yeah, but but it has to be 443 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:14,399 Speaker 1: on the hour, right, Yeah, if it's two thirty, then 444 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,479 Speaker 1: five o'clock. But if it's two thirty, then it's five 445 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:20,880 Speaker 1: to thirty somewhere. But the idea, I mean, I really 446 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:22,880 Speaker 1: feel like I should just start playing some Jimmy Buffett 447 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 1: music if we're doing at five o'clock somewhere. Beer Rode 448 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:28,440 Speaker 1: apparently has booked a vacation at this point where he's 449 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 1: got five o'clock somewhere, right, But I mean, yeah, I 450 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 1: mean technically it's five o'clock somewhere all the time. Now, 451 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:39,000 Speaker 1: the real question is is it five o'clock somewhere because 452 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: you want to know the time, or is it five 453 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:43,199 Speaker 1: o'clock somewhere because you're looking for a reason to be 454 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:44,879 Speaker 1: able to do what you want to do that's not 455 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 1: work and just a happy hour, Have a happy hour 456 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:50,479 Speaker 1: and do your thing Jimmy bubb Hey, you can go 457 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: on Serious X Sven. They got the radio Margharitaville. You 458 00:21:53,720 --> 00:21:56,159 Speaker 1: can always listen to Jimmy Buffet twenty four hours a day. 459 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 1: I'm sure that's a way to find it out. I 460 00:21:57,760 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: guess I'm gonna have to have a little conversation with 461 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: Beer Rage littlement on that. B Roge does a great 462 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 1: work here for the Minnesota Vikings. And UM, it's good 463 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: just to just to have a question not about football. 464 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 1: We have we have other questions on Twitter, but we 465 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: usually get to those in pick six. So having these 466 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:15,600 Speaker 1: overflow questions today it was really fun to have. But 467 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:19,439 Speaker 1: moving on, um, closing out the show. Um, Eric, we 468 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:21,520 Speaker 1: know this is your last week, but for some reason 469 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:23,800 Speaker 1: we can't get you out of here. You just finished 470 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: an article that's on Vikings dot com called Kevin O'Connell's 471 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:32,400 Speaker 1: progression to profession. What was the inspiration behind that? Yeah, 472 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 1: I started working on this a couple of months ago, 473 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:39,240 Speaker 1: before I knew I was leaving. Um, you know me, 474 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: I always love a good long form at the Jay 475 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: knows um, you know, and I really wanted to kind 476 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:48,920 Speaker 1: of find out who coach O'Connor was as a player, 477 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:50,919 Speaker 1: you know, because he did you know, he was a 478 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:53,520 Speaker 1: third round draft pick. He did spend a couple of 479 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:55,520 Speaker 1: years in the NFL. He didn't play a whole lot, 480 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:57,840 Speaker 1: But I thought, okay, how did his time at the 481 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:00,680 Speaker 1: player kind of shape him in to him becoming a 482 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 1: head coach. And so I kind of looked back at 483 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:05,359 Speaker 1: his career and I said, okay, well, he started in 484 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:08,200 Speaker 1: New England and played with Matt Cassell, and then he 485 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:09,879 Speaker 1: went to the Jets for a couple of years. And 486 00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 1: it's like, who can I talk to that kind of 487 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:16,119 Speaker 1: knew him back then, And so I talked to three 488 00:23:16,119 --> 00:23:19,159 Speaker 1: people who had great insight. I talked to Matt Cassell, 489 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 1: who was actually the starter in New England that year, 490 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:25,080 Speaker 1: because that was the year that Tom Brady got hurt 491 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:29,240 Speaker 1: ye towards ACL yeah, in Week one. And then the 492 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:31,960 Speaker 1: next year Kevin goes to the Jets and that's where 493 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,080 Speaker 1: Mark Sanchez is the quarterback for a couple of years. 494 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 1: And also that year in nine ten eleven, who was 495 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 1: a couple of years where Mike Petton was actually with 496 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 1: the Jets at the defensive coach. And obviously pet is 497 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:48,200 Speaker 1: here now on Kevin staff. So a great connection there. 498 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:51,160 Speaker 1: She just wanted to, like I said, find out who 499 00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:53,879 Speaker 1: Kevin was. How did he get here? You know, because 500 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:57,399 Speaker 1: when you're not a high profile player, I feel like 501 00:23:57,440 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 1: your work kind of goes unnoticed a little bit. So yeah, 502 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:03,119 Speaker 1: I had five questions for each of them, and you know, 503 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 1: they could answer it however long or short they wanted. 504 00:24:05,600 --> 00:24:08,280 Speaker 1: And the mic was there really like take the floor, 505 00:24:08,359 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 1: tell me what you want about Kevin. Probably the best 506 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 1: story that I got out of it was from Sanchez 507 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:16,000 Speaker 1: and he said that, you know, I asked him what 508 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 1: his favorite memory for for Kevin was. He said that 509 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:23,640 Speaker 1: the night before their games m when they were all 510 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: with the Jets, it was Sanchez, Kevin, and Mark Brunel 511 00:24:27,320 --> 00:24:30,640 Speaker 1: was actually a quarterback on that team too, so three 512 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:33,840 Speaker 1: you know, well known names. They would sit in Kevin's 513 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:37,120 Speaker 1: hotel room in the team hotel. It was room four 514 00:24:37,200 --> 00:24:40,400 Speaker 1: or eight, and Kevin would run him through the two 515 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 1: minute drill. Sanchez obviously was the starter, you know, and 516 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: those Jet team were good, you know, they were going 517 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:48,679 Speaker 1: to the AFC Championship. They were good. Was like he 518 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 1: was like my my coach, my brother, you know, like 519 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:54,080 Speaker 1: he walking to the two minute drill and said, Hey, 520 00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:57,879 Speaker 1: it's third and five at the fifty. Um, he got 521 00:24:58,119 --> 00:25:02,399 Speaker 1: thirty seconds left. Here's the I call, walk me through it. Okay, 522 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,160 Speaker 1: you got seven a seven yard path, the clock's running. 523 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:08,679 Speaker 1: What do you do like? And Sanchez said he felt 524 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:11,680 Speaker 1: so prepared going into games and Stanchet with a young 525 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:13,399 Speaker 1: quarterback back then I think that might have been his 526 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:18,920 Speaker 1: rookie year. And so it's just great stuff and stories 527 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 1: like that you don't necessarily hear about all the time, right, 528 00:25:22,119 --> 00:25:25,320 Speaker 1: but I heard that and I thought, Okay, that's that's 529 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:27,879 Speaker 1: how Kevin is gonna be a good head coach because 530 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:30,880 Speaker 1: he knows the game. He knows the details of the game. 531 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,240 Speaker 1: And I hope he does well. Yeah, I hope he 532 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:36,560 Speaker 1: does well too. And just I think that that moment 533 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:39,760 Speaker 1: of Mark Sanchez came full circle right UM when I 534 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 1: was in Washington and Kevin O'Connell was the quarterbacks coach. 535 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:47,480 Speaker 1: We signed Mark Sanchez middle of the year, right after UM, 536 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,840 Speaker 1: right after Alex Smith broke his leg. And I remember 537 00:25:51,320 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: Mark Sanchez his first week on the job. We brought 538 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:56,520 Speaker 1: him in on a Monday and he was the backup quarterback. 539 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 1: Coope McCoy was the starting quarterback going into that Monday 540 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 1: night football game. Second drive of the game, Coote McCoy 541 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:06,800 Speaker 1: breaks his leg, so Mark Sanchez doesn't really know the 542 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 1: plays gets in and then him and Kevin are just 543 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 1: talking this entire time. And I talked to Kevin about 544 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 1: this when he first got hired, and Kevin was like, yeah, 545 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 1: he was just giving him calls from when they were 546 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:20,800 Speaker 1: in New York together, like Jets calls, subway or metro, 547 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:23,359 Speaker 1: and he's like, this is just just do this and 548 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,919 Speaker 1: we'll get through the game. The first player, the first 549 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:30,040 Speaker 1: play that Mark Sanchez had, Philly had punted it down 550 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:32,159 Speaker 1: to that the ten yard line. First play was a 551 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 1: handoff to Adrian Pds. Adrian pd turran ninety yards ninety 552 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 1: yard touchdown, and from there we lost the game. But 553 00:26:38,119 --> 00:26:41,280 Speaker 1: still you knew Kevin and Mark Sanchez had some kind 554 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:43,720 Speaker 1: of chemistry that not many people knew about. So it 555 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 1: was kind of a full circle moment, probably for Kevin 556 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:49,720 Speaker 1: having Mark as his quarterback instead of a teammate. You know. 557 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 1: The funny part is too, like you said, Brunnell was 558 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:54,240 Speaker 1: part of that group, I completely forgot about that. And 559 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 1: the first name I thought of to say kind of 560 00:26:56,800 --> 00:26:59,720 Speaker 1: the journeyman guy who was good at times when he 561 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:01,439 Speaker 1: had to be was Brunel. That was the name that 562 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:04,919 Speaker 1: popped in my head. So those three guys being together, 563 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: that just that makes total sense that think about the 564 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:10,840 Speaker 1: amount of knowledge of football just in those three people. 565 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 1: The other thing that comes out of that too with 566 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 1: O'Connell is there's a theme. I have a friend whose 567 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:20,160 Speaker 1: son is he's a little bit younger, but he's progressing 568 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:22,800 Speaker 1: through like doing jiu jitsu type stuff. And he started 569 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: doing it as a kid, and then as a teenager 570 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:25,919 Speaker 1: he kind of had to make a decision like do 571 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 1: I want to keep doing this or not. He absolutely 572 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 1: loved it, and for him, the adults looked at him 573 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 1: as like a fifteen sixteen year old and said, if 574 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 1: you want to progress into the adult classes, we want 575 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 1: to have you help the kids classes. What it did, though, 576 00:27:40,760 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 1: was all of a sudden, he went from being good 577 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:47,800 Speaker 1: too insanely good. And when they asked him why, he said, 578 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 1: because I have to teach it, and by teaching it, 579 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 1: I have to mentally step through it to explain it 580 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:55,840 Speaker 1: to other people to figure out how to get there. 581 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:58,880 Speaker 1: Once he started doing that, all of a sudden, he's 582 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:02,760 Speaker 1: chunking information processing quicker. And so for a guy like 583 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:05,679 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connell to be the backup quarterback, have to know 584 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,400 Speaker 1: everything about that, and then he's doing things like essentially 585 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:12,240 Speaker 1: flashcards to Mark Sanchez and Brunell the night before. For 586 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 1: a guy like that, it makes complete sense he turned 587 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:17,800 Speaker 1: into quarterbacks coach, you know, and a head coach eventually 588 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,439 Speaker 1: because he had to go through those steps over and 589 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:22,840 Speaker 1: over again, not only as a player, but then once 590 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:25,399 Speaker 1: he got into the coaching ranks. So that that's an 591 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:28,359 Speaker 1: awesome story to have that as a backdrop to say, like, 592 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:29,880 Speaker 1: you know, how do you get to where you're going 593 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:33,320 Speaker 1: to be by doing everything that you can as a 594 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:35,760 Speaker 1: player that eventually sets you up for your future. That's 595 00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:37,920 Speaker 1: great and I think we all know too, right the 596 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:41,240 Speaker 1: life of a backup quarterback. You have to be ready. 597 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:44,280 Speaker 1: You know. People say, oh, just the guy holding the clipboard, 598 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:48,040 Speaker 1: but if Coulte McCoy Bracey's leg, you're in right for sure. 599 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:51,480 Speaker 1: And Kevin he only threw six paths in his career, 600 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:54,320 Speaker 1: so he didn't he barely played. And I actually asked 601 00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:56,200 Speaker 1: him that, like on the day he got hired and 602 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 1: his introductory press conference, I said, I said, Hey, are 603 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 1: you going to called plays? And if so, how are 604 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 1: you kind of prepared for that? And he's like, yeah, 605 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 1: I'm gonna call plays. But believe me, man, I spent 606 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:08,760 Speaker 1: a lot of time on the sideline watching the game, 607 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:12,120 Speaker 1: and that what prepared me. It wasn't necessarily playing, but 608 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:14,320 Speaker 1: it was a watching and learning and you know, it 609 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 1: was Monday through Saturday in the classroom, in the meeting room, 610 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:20,120 Speaker 1: trying to help my teammates. That that's what got me 611 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:23,280 Speaker 1: ready to go. Yeah, usually backup quarterbacks or some of 612 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:25,920 Speaker 1: the best coaches. We talk about this all the time. Well, 613 00:29:26,320 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 1: Eric and I've talked before. I think Jay we talked 614 00:29:28,280 --> 00:29:30,240 Speaker 1: about it too. Sean Mayon is going to be a 615 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:34,120 Speaker 1: really good head coach, really good opportunity for Kevin O'Connell 616 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:36,000 Speaker 1: here with this first year with the Minnesota Vikings. Really 617 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 1: good article. It's on Vikings dot com right now. It's 618 00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:41,720 Speaker 1: got some really cool pictures in there too. Mark Sanchez 619 00:29:42,760 --> 00:29:44,680 Speaker 1: put a picture in there of him and Kevin O'Connell 620 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 1: and Mark Brunelle from back in the day. So Viking Sayings, 621 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:50,200 Speaker 1: make sure you tune into that article. It's on Vikings 622 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 1: dot com right now. By Vikings team reporter Eric Smith. 623 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:58,240 Speaker 1: And with that news Eric the last week, so last 624 00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:01,239 Speaker 1: week here, Man, we we talked about it before. This 625 00:30:01,360 --> 00:30:04,320 Speaker 1: is just for me. I was, I was like devastated 626 00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 1: when I'm when I heard the news of you leaving. 627 00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 1: I knew for a little bit, but it's still not 628 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:11,440 Speaker 1: easy seeing your brother go. And I know you're you're 629 00:30:11,480 --> 00:30:14,800 Speaker 1: going on to you know, great things on in your 630 00:30:14,840 --> 00:30:17,680 Speaker 1: life with your family and your next venture in life. 631 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:21,000 Speaker 1: But but still it still sucks just to have to 632 00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:24,120 Speaker 1: sit here and say and be professional and say, man, 633 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:26,600 Speaker 1: Eric is I'm I'm so happy for your next opportunity 634 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:29,000 Speaker 1: because I am happy, but I'm also still a little 635 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:31,800 Speaker 1: upset that you're that you're leaving. But we were so 636 00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:35,120 Speaker 1: I'm thankful to call you a brother, but more importantly, 637 00:30:35,120 --> 00:30:38,360 Speaker 1: I'm thankful to be able to work beside you. You've 638 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:41,280 Speaker 1: pushed me so much in my career. Um. You've helped 639 00:30:41,320 --> 00:30:44,719 Speaker 1: me in ways that you would never ever imagine. Like 640 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:47,840 Speaker 1: We've had plenty of talks, too many talks. I've probably 641 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:50,000 Speaker 1: bothered you way too much like I bothered Jay now, 642 00:30:50,640 --> 00:30:53,760 Speaker 1: But I just appreciate all that you do. Man. Um. 643 00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:55,640 Speaker 1: You one of the hardest workers I've ever met in 644 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 1: my life, and I know that's only going to translate 645 00:30:58,160 --> 00:31:00,680 Speaker 1: to you being a dad now, to you in a husband, 646 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 1: and ultimately to you being that the leader that I 647 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:06,840 Speaker 1: know that you already are, but the next generation to 648 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:08,680 Speaker 1: people that work with you are already going to see. 649 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:10,560 Speaker 1: I was going to say, thanks a lot, Eric, Now 650 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:14,360 Speaker 1: I going to deal with this guy more than no. 651 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:17,120 Speaker 1: I honestly, Erica, you know I kind of alluded to 652 00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:20,520 Speaker 1: it earlier. I think the best part about this is 653 00:31:20,560 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 1: seeing just how much growth there's been over the over 654 00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:25,520 Speaker 1: the time. And we were talking the other day about 655 00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: the fact that you know, you coming in when you did, 656 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 1: and when your first official game was, you know, just 657 00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:35,400 Speaker 1: freezing weather Cole game TCF kind of thing. I remember, 658 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:39,080 Speaker 1: you know, those kind of games and those kind of moments. 659 00:31:39,360 --> 00:31:41,920 Speaker 1: But what I really remember is being able to interact 660 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:44,480 Speaker 1: with people and kind of getting to know people and 661 00:31:45,040 --> 00:31:47,560 Speaker 1: working in this job as long as I have you 662 00:31:47,560 --> 00:31:50,720 Speaker 1: you people kind of try to figure out what is 663 00:31:50,760 --> 00:31:52,560 Speaker 1: this job? Like, you know, who do you know? What 664 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:55,560 Speaker 1: do you know? What we really come to understand, I 665 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:58,400 Speaker 1: think is the more you work with specific people, you 666 00:31:58,440 --> 00:32:01,440 Speaker 1: start to understand them a little bit more, And in 667 00:32:01,560 --> 00:32:05,400 Speaker 1: doing that, I think you start to really understand, after 668 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:07,840 Speaker 1: all of the hours and days that we've put in 669 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:10,200 Speaker 1: in this job, kind of what makes people tick a 670 00:32:10,240 --> 00:32:12,080 Speaker 1: little bit more. And I think the best part for 671 00:32:12,120 --> 00:32:14,640 Speaker 1: me is the fact that the opportunity that you have 672 00:32:14,720 --> 00:32:17,040 Speaker 1: in front of you, that you've you've chosen to take 673 00:32:18,040 --> 00:32:21,240 Speaker 1: is an absolute perfect fit. And I think for someone 674 00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:23,760 Speaker 1: like you that you know, wants to keep ascending in 675 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:25,880 Speaker 1: your job and you want to do things, and by 676 00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:28,720 Speaker 1: doing the Kevin O'Connell piece, five hundred wins piece and 677 00:32:28,760 --> 00:32:31,240 Speaker 1: everything else that you've done to this point is going 678 00:32:31,320 --> 00:32:33,520 Speaker 1: to set you up for great things here coming up 679 00:32:33,520 --> 00:32:36,040 Speaker 1: with your new gig. So I'm I'm sad to see 680 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:37,800 Speaker 1: you go, just like Gabe at the same point, I'm 681 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 1: super excited for you because I think this is an 682 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:44,960 Speaker 1: opportunity you've been waiting for for a long time. Well definitely, um, 683 00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:49,720 Speaker 1: thank you to both you guys. You know there's a 684 00:32:49,760 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 1: lot of people in v N, right, and I don't 685 00:32:51,320 --> 00:32:54,680 Speaker 1: think people know that there's the department of thirty people. 686 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: I've probably worked with you two maybe the closest over 687 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:01,760 Speaker 1: the last few years, obviously with Craig and Lindy as well, 688 00:33:01,800 --> 00:33:05,160 Speaker 1: but just on a daily basis, just chatting right about 689 00:33:05,200 --> 00:33:09,719 Speaker 1: the team, about life, about stories projects I'm working on 690 00:33:10,720 --> 00:33:13,360 Speaker 1: YouTube have been so valuable to me as as a 691 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:16,959 Speaker 1: co worker and as people just helping me grow. Um, 692 00:33:18,080 --> 00:33:20,200 Speaker 1: you know, And I've thought about that a lot in 693 00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:22,400 Speaker 1: the last you know, week or two, as I knew 694 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,520 Speaker 1: my time here was h with coming to an end. 695 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:29,680 Speaker 1: You know, I have I am in a much different 696 00:33:30,040 --> 00:33:32,320 Speaker 1: place in my life than I was when I got here. 697 00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:34,680 Speaker 1: You know, I had my girlfriend at the time when 698 00:33:34,680 --> 00:33:37,320 Speaker 1: I when I moved here, right, and she's now my wife. 699 00:33:37,320 --> 00:33:39,600 Speaker 1: So I did get married, but you know, I just 700 00:33:39,640 --> 00:33:43,120 Speaker 1: had a daughter a month ago. Um. You know, I 701 00:33:43,120 --> 00:33:45,320 Speaker 1: have a dog, like you know, my life is just different. 702 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:47,400 Speaker 1: I'm I got hired when I was twenty six, and 703 00:33:47,480 --> 00:33:49,800 Speaker 1: I felt like I was a kid who had no 704 00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:54,440 Speaker 1: NFL experience. And now you know, I'm about to turn 705 00:33:54,560 --> 00:33:57,080 Speaker 1: thirty three. I'm just I've I've grown up. I've grown 706 00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:00,800 Speaker 1: up here, you know. So I have a I have 707 00:34:00,840 --> 00:34:04,040 Speaker 1: a farewell piece coming out on Friday. You can check 708 00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:06,680 Speaker 1: that out too if I can dot com. Um, it's 709 00:34:06,680 --> 00:34:09,839 Speaker 1: just kind of highlighting my favorite you know, moments and 710 00:34:10,040 --> 00:34:12,960 Speaker 1: memories and all that, um, you know, and and there's 711 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:15,879 Speaker 1: some games in there. Obviously, the miracle makes the list, right, 712 00:34:15,960 --> 00:34:18,759 Speaker 1: Like it's the top five lists the miracleswn there. There's 713 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:23,440 Speaker 1: some other like special moments too, But um, my number 714 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:28,280 Speaker 1: one memory is going to be the people. And you know, Gabe, 715 00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:30,840 Speaker 1: I know I said that's on pick six. But you know, 716 00:34:30,840 --> 00:34:34,239 Speaker 1: I was talking to someone recently and we talked about 717 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:37,840 Speaker 1: how it's the relationships in this building, uh, in the 718 00:34:37,920 --> 00:34:41,399 Speaker 1: in this league or what lasts. It's it's not the games, right, 719 00:34:41,520 --> 00:34:43,799 Speaker 1: Like the games happen, you win, your louse, you move 720 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:45,800 Speaker 1: on to the next week, and it happened so fast. 721 00:34:46,480 --> 00:34:50,240 Speaker 1: It's not the practices, right, those are over in two hours, 722 00:34:50,320 --> 00:34:51,960 Speaker 1: and then you move on to the next day, right, 723 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:54,680 Speaker 1: And like the story of the team is told you know, 724 00:34:54,760 --> 00:34:57,560 Speaker 1: on a daily basis, you know, throughout the years. But 725 00:34:57,640 --> 00:35:01,640 Speaker 1: it's the people that kind of make that that work. Um, 726 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:07,879 Speaker 1: you know, there are great people in this organization, um, 727 00:35:07,920 --> 00:35:10,000 Speaker 1: you know, from from the top down that have been 728 00:35:10,760 --> 00:35:13,560 Speaker 1: you know, so good to me over the years, and 729 00:35:13,800 --> 00:35:17,560 Speaker 1: not even not even for content, right, just as people. Yeah, 730 00:35:17,840 --> 00:35:20,680 Speaker 1: um yeah, a lot of good people. I think of. 731 00:35:21,800 --> 00:35:23,839 Speaker 1: I think of people like Dennis Ryan, you know, who 732 00:35:23,840 --> 00:35:27,200 Speaker 1: has been here forever and um, you know he is 733 00:35:27,239 --> 00:35:31,000 Speaker 1: just a legend. Um. You know, there are there are 734 00:35:31,040 --> 00:35:32,799 Speaker 1: some people who aren't here anymore. I think of like 735 00:35:32,840 --> 00:35:38,040 Speaker 1: Fred ZAMBERLETTI for sure. Um, you know, players, coaches, you know, 736 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:41,400 Speaker 1: even even the people that aren't the you know, my 737 00:35:41,680 --> 00:35:44,480 Speaker 1: entire time here, we had the same coaching staff essentially, 738 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:46,640 Speaker 1: you know, just at the very end, we have a 739 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:48,600 Speaker 1: new coaching staff here and I think they're going to 740 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:51,400 Speaker 1: be great. I am big fans of of Quacy, of Kevin, 741 00:35:52,080 --> 00:35:54,480 Speaker 1: but you know, the old coaching staff was good to 742 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:57,200 Speaker 1: me too, even one time for tough you know, trying 743 00:35:57,239 --> 00:36:00,759 Speaker 1: to help me out. You know. It's the players were fantastic. 744 00:36:01,520 --> 00:36:03,640 Speaker 1: You know. I think back on some fun stuff I 745 00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:06,239 Speaker 1: got to do, you know. I mean how many people 746 00:36:06,280 --> 00:36:08,279 Speaker 1: can say they got to fly and like a World 747 00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:11,560 Speaker 1: War two bomber with Harrison Smith right exactly, Like just 748 00:36:11,680 --> 00:36:15,040 Speaker 1: awesome stuff like taking a peek under the helmet and 749 00:36:15,120 --> 00:36:18,080 Speaker 1: like seeing who these guys are as people is something 750 00:36:18,080 --> 00:36:22,040 Speaker 1: I'll treasure forever and I'll miss it, you know, I 751 00:36:22,440 --> 00:36:25,200 Speaker 1: might not miss the weather, you know, Um, you know 752 00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:27,759 Speaker 1: I am. I guess I need to say this I 753 00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:30,960 Speaker 1: am leaving the Viking. Um, I am going to another 754 00:36:31,120 --> 00:36:33,200 Speaker 1: NFL team. I'm going to announce that in a couple 755 00:36:33,239 --> 00:36:35,239 Speaker 1: of weeks. I'm gonna try gonna take some time off 756 00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:40,360 Speaker 1: focus on being a dad um, which I love. So 757 00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:43,560 Speaker 1: I'm still gonna be around in the NFL. It's just 758 00:36:43,600 --> 00:36:46,480 Speaker 1: not with a Viking. But I am very grateful for 759 00:36:46,640 --> 00:36:49,839 Speaker 1: my time here, and you know, I will always root 760 00:36:49,920 --> 00:36:53,680 Speaker 1: for the Viking from Afar and always have a piece 761 00:36:53,680 --> 00:36:56,160 Speaker 1: of purple in my heart. The thing about it, too, Eric, 762 00:36:56,239 --> 00:36:59,480 Speaker 1: I think, is you were talking about the people and 763 00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:04,360 Speaker 1: kind that realization when fans tend to ask me now, 764 00:37:05,440 --> 00:37:08,400 Speaker 1: kind of why don't you take that loss as hard? 765 00:37:08,520 --> 00:37:11,360 Speaker 1: Or why you know, why why don't you kind of 766 00:37:11,400 --> 00:37:15,000 Speaker 1: hate that other team? Kind of a thing. The longer 767 00:37:15,040 --> 00:37:17,440 Speaker 1: you are in this job, the more you realize the 768 00:37:17,560 --> 00:37:21,440 Speaker 1: entire NFL is a giant fraternity and the amount of 769 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:23,239 Speaker 1: you know, like you said, you were here for an 770 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:26,000 Speaker 1: entire time with the coaching staff, there's a big change, 771 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:28,600 Speaker 1: and guess what, all of those people went to different teams. 772 00:37:29,239 --> 00:37:34,080 Speaker 1: It's harder to root against other people that you personally 773 00:37:34,160 --> 00:37:37,320 Speaker 1: know and admire when they're working for other teams. You 774 00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:39,560 Speaker 1: might not want them to win. Especially it's kind of 775 00:37:39,560 --> 00:37:41,759 Speaker 1: the joke of I want you to win every week 776 00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:43,960 Speaker 1: except for when we play you. You know, things like that. 777 00:37:44,120 --> 00:37:47,279 Speaker 1: And I think the fact that not only are you 778 00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:49,160 Speaker 1: one of those people that is now moving on to 779 00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:52,759 Speaker 1: another another team and being able to work with them, 780 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:55,600 Speaker 1: I think the best part for us is going to 781 00:37:55,640 --> 00:37:58,759 Speaker 1: be able to watch you grow and to understand kind 782 00:37:58,760 --> 00:38:01,520 Speaker 1: of where you started, where you were with us, and 783 00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:03,680 Speaker 1: then to see how much everything changes for you, not 784 00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:07,560 Speaker 1: only personally but professionally in the next round. And that 785 00:38:07,719 --> 00:38:11,360 Speaker 1: is what we hope for. That is what you want friends, family, 786 00:38:11,960 --> 00:38:15,600 Speaker 1: co workers, and people that you really admire what they do. 787 00:38:15,640 --> 00:38:17,680 Speaker 1: You want to see them succeed and that that is 788 00:38:17,719 --> 00:38:21,800 Speaker 1: something that you will know from here coming from Minnesota. 789 00:38:21,960 --> 00:38:24,000 Speaker 1: We want to see you succeed in this job and 790 00:38:24,040 --> 00:38:26,319 Speaker 1: we just wish you all the best and we know 791 00:38:26,440 --> 00:38:30,120 Speaker 1: you will for sure. And that's the thing with just 792 00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:32,880 Speaker 1: us known you for a while, we know you you 793 00:38:32,920 --> 00:38:36,080 Speaker 1: always find a way to figure it out. So it's 794 00:38:36,120 --> 00:38:37,359 Speaker 1: just going to be a little bit tough for trying 795 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:39,920 Speaker 1: to figure things out without you, because I'm I'll be 796 00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:41,880 Speaker 1: blowing your phone up. You know this, But at the 797 00:38:41,920 --> 00:38:45,799 Speaker 1: same time, it's going to be tough just just knowing that, um, 798 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:48,520 Speaker 1: you're not here anymore. But we're super pumped for you, 799 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:52,520 Speaker 1: super excited. It's going to be a great year wherever 800 00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:55,319 Speaker 1: you do go and for you and your family. So 801 00:38:55,920 --> 00:38:57,719 Speaker 1: I got one last thing I want to say. I 802 00:38:57,800 --> 00:39:00,480 Speaker 1: read this on on this podcast when we were talking 803 00:39:00,480 --> 00:39:02,879 Speaker 1: about all the changes with the coaches and stuff. There 804 00:39:02,960 --> 00:39:05,440 Speaker 1: was something I wrote down. It was a TV program 805 00:39:05,440 --> 00:39:06,920 Speaker 1: that I liked, and all of a sudden somebody said something. 806 00:39:06,960 --> 00:39:08,480 Speaker 1: I'm like, I got to write that down because it 807 00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:11,600 Speaker 1: fits in certain situations, and for me, I feel like 808 00:39:11,600 --> 00:39:14,160 Speaker 1: it fits in this situation. The quote from the show. 809 00:39:14,239 --> 00:39:16,680 Speaker 1: He said, one gets used to a state of affairs 810 00:39:16,719 --> 00:39:18,640 Speaker 1: for such a long time, it's easy to forget they're 811 00:39:18,680 --> 00:39:21,640 Speaker 1: all just transitions, specs of dust in the air until 812 00:39:21,640 --> 00:39:24,320 Speaker 1: a strong enough gust comes along and rearranges them. A 813 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:27,439 Speaker 1: strong gust has come to this place. That I think 814 00:39:27,560 --> 00:39:30,879 Speaker 1: is something that everyone needs to understand. That we get 815 00:39:30,960 --> 00:39:33,319 Speaker 1: used to and complacent at times for certain things, but 816 00:39:33,400 --> 00:39:35,480 Speaker 1: when you do have a big change like that, a 817 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:37,719 Speaker 1: lot of times it's for the best. And we wish 818 00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:40,839 Speaker 1: you all the best. With that note, Brikings Fanish. Thank 819 00:39:40,880 --> 00:39:43,200 Speaker 1: you for tuning into another edition of the Minnesota Vikings 820 00:39:43,239 --> 00:39:45,560 Speaker 1: Podcast for Eric Smith and Jay Notes. Hi, my name 821 00:39:45,600 --> 00:39:48,160 Speaker 1: is Gabe Henderson. We will talk to you guys next week.