1 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: I don't think Kirk gets enough credit for everything he 2 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:10,559 Speaker 1: does for our offense, for everything he does for our team, 3 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:12,719 Speaker 1: I'm extremely confident in him as long as we can 4 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: hold up enough for him to have some time back there. 5 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: I think we're a really close knit group. We have 6 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 1: a great group on offense, we have a great group 7 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: on defense. Our locker room is really tight. They're definitely 8 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 1: a group to play with. Hey, everybody, Welcome to episode 9 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:41,199 Speaker 1: seventy of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast, Week thirteen edition. The 10 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings are still alive in the playoff hunt. I'm 11 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: joined by Gabe Henderson and Jay Nelson from Vikings dot Com. 12 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: The emotional roller coaster continues. Boys, we get out with 13 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: a real close one against the Panthers, and we got 14 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: the one in ten Jaguar coming to town for the 15 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: penultimate home game of the season. Before we get into 16 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: the Jags, I want to hit on a couple of 17 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: quick points here from the Panthers game. The first one 18 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 1: is pretty simple. This was the first time all season 19 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 1: that the Vikings overcame errors to get a win. We've 20 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 1: We've seen that game, Jay, over and over and over, 21 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 1: and we've seen those mistakes. The two costly turnovers, the 22 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 1: muffed punt. We've seen those mistakes cost us games that 23 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 1: could have changed the season and the script. Finally and 24 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:42,480 Speaker 1: luckily flipped this past Sunday. Yeah, that when they came 25 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: out and they got the two fumbles for touchdowns right 26 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 1: after the half started, I just I started getting goosebumps, 27 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: going here comes Seattle all over again. Right. It was 28 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: that whole thing where the first half you get done, 29 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 1: you marched down. At the end of the half, you 30 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 1: kick a field goal, and you're just thinking, we're gonna 31 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: get the ball back, let's get the double dip. See 32 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 1: if we can get a ten point lead there, you know, 33 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: a ten point swing, and in a manner of literally 34 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: minutes and seconds, you all of a sudden went from 35 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 1: being up to down twenty one to ten in a 36 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 1: blink of an eye. And it was everyone's heart sank. 37 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: Everyone was feeling a little discouraged, saying, oh no, not again, 38 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: a little Charlie Brown syndrome. But it was nice to 39 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:24,079 Speaker 1: see the perseverance and the tenacity of this team come 40 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: out and to see Kirk lead him down the field, 41 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 1: even when later in the game you had the missteps 42 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:31,639 Speaker 1: that you did you had the muff punt by Bbe 43 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:33,920 Speaker 1: to be able to see some of the redemption story. 44 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 1: Kicking at the end was was really fun and great 45 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:39,519 Speaker 1: for this team to see, even though you had to 46 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 1: bite your fingernails to hope they shank a kick at 47 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 1: the end so you could hold on to win. But overall, 48 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 1: it was a great game. It was nerve racking, and 49 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 1: it was good to be on the winning side of 50 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 1: that one game. On Sunday we talked about a game 51 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: of sevens. You had four people with seven receptions each, BC, 52 00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 1: Justin Jefferson, Kyle Rudolph Chad beebe the two guys that 53 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,359 Speaker 1: everybody was kind of talking about here though, is BC 54 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 1: Johnson and Chad bb both guys who I think a 55 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: lot of fans have been waiting for them to step up. 56 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 1: I think for quite some time now, a lot of 57 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: fans feel like this team has been lacking a third 58 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: wide receiver option. So I've got a couple of questions here. 59 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 1: My first one is do you think the lack of 60 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:28,280 Speaker 1: Adam Feelin that created this production? Do you think that 61 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 1: that is the sort of thing that elevated these guys 62 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:32,679 Speaker 1: and there's capable and because of the sort of I 63 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: don't want to say conservative, but the sort of calculated 64 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: offense that this team runs in the time of possession 65 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: football that they like to play, and the grind you out, tough, 66 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: beat you style with which they care themselves. Is it 67 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: just maybe that that doesn't lend to having a high 68 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: target third wide receiver option and that's why we haven't 69 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 1: seen these guys elevate. Or is this game going to 70 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: be a kickoff and you're gonna see either BB or 71 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 1: BC just be a revelation as the season rolls to 72 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: a close here. I think it's a combination of all three, right, 73 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 1: I mean, like BC, a guy like him, he started 74 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: out at the beginning of the season as your ex 75 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 1: receiver because Justin Jefferson still trying to learn the plays. 76 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: And it's not what BC didn't do, it's what Justin 77 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 1: Jefferson did do when he actually got a chance to 78 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: play against the Tennessee Titans. And then Chad Beebe, you know, 79 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,479 Speaker 1: he's been in and out, you know, hasn't played much, 80 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,360 Speaker 1: and then when he gets his opportunity, it's like, oh, look, 81 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 1: we actually have a reliable third down receiver. And I 82 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: think it's a it's a combination of Adam feeling being 83 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: out as well as er Smith Jr. I mean, you 84 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: got to think a lot of our sets are with 85 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: two tight ends and we keep er snip Jerry, You're 86 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: in to keep a linebacker on the field. So with 87 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: that being the case, now you got BC Johnson and 88 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 1: Chad Beebe making big plays with Adam feeling out, I 89 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 1: think it only adds, you know, confidence to what we 90 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: can do from from a receiving standpoint. And right now, 91 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 1: as as we are seeing a lot of teams stacked 92 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: the box on Dalvin Cook and we haven't rushed for 93 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: one hundred yard, We'll only rush for one hundred yards 94 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: I think once in the last three games, four games. 95 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: I think this is a revelation to basically say like, hey, 96 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,159 Speaker 1: we're still going to stick by the run, but we 97 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 1: have a legit five receivers that can go out there 98 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 1: and catch the ball and we can rotate them in 99 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: and out and be successful while doing so. So BC Johnson, 100 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: Chad beebe I really think, you know, this is their 101 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 1: time to shine alongside Adam Fielding and Justin Jefferson. Yeah, 102 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:31,479 Speaker 1: that's that's kind of what I was alluding to Gabe 103 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: with you know, you see a lot of heavier sets, 104 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: you see a lot of two tight ends, you see 105 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: a lot of C. J. Hamm. So there's maybe not 106 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 1: the opportunity with this team for a third wide receiver 107 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: that there are with some of your more high flying 108 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: five wide receiver on the field type of football teams. 109 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 1: But the other question is when it comes to the 110 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 1: third wide receiver spot, given what Justin Jefferson has now 111 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 1: proven he's capable of doing on the field where he 112 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 1: can he can catch it all over the place, but 113 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: he can really stretch the field. And on the other 114 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 1: side you have Adam Feeland, who is such a reliable 115 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: possession receiver who also has the ability to get to 116 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:11,159 Speaker 1: get behind you. There's kind of jay that third spot 117 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:15,600 Speaker 1: role is maybe even a bit specific. And these are 118 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: two very different guys. BC Johnson and Chad Beebe are two. 119 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: They're both good receivers, but they're very very different receivers, 120 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 1: and if one of them elevates here, it might just 121 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: be because they fit the need given the other skills 122 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: of the other players on the offense. Yeah, and I 123 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 1: think also part of for me what attributed for this 124 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: game as well, besides having Feeland gone was the situation 125 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,839 Speaker 1: that they found themselves in there for the second half. 126 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 1: They were playing from behind by at least two scores, 127 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:48,160 Speaker 1: and so they had to throw the ball more. And 128 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 1: I think if Carolina was willing, especially at the end 129 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 1: of the game, to just rush three pass rushers at 130 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 1: that point, then that means you're going to be going 131 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 1: four and five wide more often, trying to hit big 132 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:04,280 Speaker 1: chunks down the field now, because of both of their personalities, 133 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:06,839 Speaker 1: because of both of their skill sets. Part of that 134 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: The thing in the past was there were situations at 135 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 1: times where in a big moment, they throw it to 136 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 1: him and they might drop the ball. If they're getting 137 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: to the point now where they're more reliable here and 138 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: they're having a seven catch game and let's string it 139 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 1: into another, you know, four to five plus catch game 140 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 1: for the next one, I think that also shows then 141 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: Kubiak has the ability to put more of those those 142 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: sets out on the field more often, as long as 143 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:32,440 Speaker 1: they feel like they're going to get the pass pro 144 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 1: and as long as they feel like someone like Delvin 145 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 1: isn't necessarily going to be usable at that point, because 146 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 1: if he was injured and they were feeling like they 147 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: need to put more playmakers out there. They know they 148 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: can trust those guys. So to me, I think you're 149 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: right in that they both have a different skill set. 150 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: I think that BC and Chad both can bring something 151 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: different to the table. But that also means then in 152 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: those formations where they're going to be used, I think 153 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: that those guys have to produce and it just has 154 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: to be as consider as possible when they're out there 155 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: for them to trust it. I think Kirk is a 156 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: quarterback who plays with trust those players. If he trust you, 157 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 1: you're going to get more targets. And if they can 158 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 1: do this now for a couple of games leading to 159 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: the back end of the season, that's only going to 160 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 1: help their case to get more playing time when they're 161 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 1: on the field. And you make a really good point, 162 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 1: especially early there, Jay in you know the amount of 163 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 1: the amount of targets that just existed in this game 164 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: because this is an offensive unit that doesn't have I 165 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 1: mean even over the past few years, doesn't have receivers 166 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: with high target rates. You know, coming into this game, 167 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 1: are leading target get around the seats and is Adam 168 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,960 Speaker 1: feeling at around seven And then you go and you 169 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: look at the box score this game, and BC Johnson 170 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: had seven targets, Jefferson thirteen, Rudolph eight, Chad bb seven, 171 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:53,199 Speaker 1: hell Dalvin Cook had four. So this was a pretty 172 00:08:53,240 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: exceptionally high target game for the receivers and tight ends 173 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:02,559 Speaker 1: and running backs on this team. The only other thing 174 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: I want to talk about here before we jump into 175 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: the Jacksonville game is obviously Cousins is a lightning rod. 176 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 1: We talk about it weekend and week out, and he 177 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 1: came through big time in that game. It was such 178 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 1: an interesting end because you know, we were a slopped 179 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 1: kick away from people talking about Teddy Bridgewater and his 180 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:26,959 Speaker 1: launch into the sun that got somehow brought down by 181 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 1: Curtis Samuel there at the end of the game. But 182 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: a ton of credit needs to go to Kirk Cousins direction. 183 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: And given the fact that in that two minute offense, 184 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: you know, this is something that I've been talking a 185 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: lot about this week. I thought his ability to recognize 186 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:44,559 Speaker 1: the defensive package that was on the field and not 187 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,959 Speaker 1: race up to clock the ball. But more understand, he 188 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 1: was in a really advantageous situation where he could sit 189 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 1: back there with only three guys rushing and pick a 190 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:57,439 Speaker 1: defense apart. I thought that, to me was as impressive 191 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: as the throws that started the drive or the throws 192 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: that finished the drive. I thought that showed this brain 193 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:06,840 Speaker 1: that you hear. You know, everybody talks about Kirk's ability 194 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:08,400 Speaker 1: to come through in this and that, but something you 195 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 1: hear about in the facility a lot is Kirk's game study, 196 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: his brain, how he understands defenses and he understands what 197 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: the offense should be doing. And as Gabe, this season 198 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 1: winds down and Delvin is getting a lot of work. 199 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:26,959 Speaker 1: And we saw last year week eleven to seventeen, Delvin 200 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 1: a we had a little bit of an injury issue, 201 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:32,439 Speaker 1: but be his yards per carry came down a little bit. 202 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: You get late in the season, as Jay said, you're 203 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: getting the box stacked heavy. You know, is this a 204 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 1: situation where you're going to see Kirk Cousins adjusting at 205 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:46,199 Speaker 1: the line of scrimmage and seeing man coverage with guys 206 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: in the box and taking a few shots down field. 207 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: Are you going to see the Vikings shake it up 208 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 1: a bit and going to hurry up here and there 209 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: and let Kirk catch people in situations like he did 210 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: at the end of this game. Do you do you 211 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,679 Speaker 1: foresee any sort of different an approach from the Cousins 212 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 1: side of this offense as we walk towards as we 213 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: walk towards the end of the season, I think you 214 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 1: will have more room to make audibles on the goal. 215 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:14,320 Speaker 1: But I don't see anything changing. Like Jay said, you 216 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: were just in a weird spot the first two plays 217 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:20,439 Speaker 1: of the second half or two touchdowns for the other teams. 218 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 1: So if we're in a situation where we have to 219 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: play from behind, yes, of course Kirk is going to 220 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,080 Speaker 1: play have to be dependent on more. I mean he 221 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: this is his first game this year with over forty 222 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,079 Speaker 1: pass attempts, So I don't think. I don't think that's 223 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: going to change. I think you still run the ball 224 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:38,560 Speaker 1: first with Dalvin Cook, and then Kirk you know, makes 225 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 1: adjustments off of that. But I don't I don't think 226 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 1: you change what you're doing. Yeah, I think it's pretty 227 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,839 Speaker 1: much game on. You keep going with what with what works. 228 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 1: This is just one game, Well, Jay, so let me 229 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 1: let me play the fan here. Let me play some 230 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: of the dms that I got because I had put 231 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 1: a tweet out about how well Cousins played and then 232 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: I got hit with some some dms. And the other 233 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:04,960 Speaker 1: side of that conversation, because I happen to agree with Gabe, 234 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 1: but you hear a lot of people saying, Okay, yeah, 235 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 1: this was his first game with over forty passes. But 236 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: it also happened to be a game without your best 237 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: wide read. I know, Justin Jefferson is playing well, but 238 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 1: Adam Thielan's a pro bowler. He's been here, you know. 239 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 1: So it's without at the very least one of your 240 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: top weapons. And you went out and you put twenty 241 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 1: eight points on the board, and you were able to 242 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:27,960 Speaker 1: move the ball, throwing it all over the place, and 243 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:31,079 Speaker 1: you did have a nice offensive output even with two 244 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 1: really really bad turnovers. Is there a case to be 245 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: made to do what you know, as Gabe and I 246 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 1: sit here and kind of agree on that point, is 247 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 1: there a case to be made to do the opposite, 248 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: to go, hey, maybe you unleash it a little bit. 249 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 1: Maybe maybe obviously this always starts with Delvin and you 250 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: got to run the ball, but maybe you unleash it 251 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: a little bit and see what forty five throws looks 252 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:56,439 Speaker 1: like a couple times in a row when you don't 253 00:12:56,520 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 1: make mistakes. I think if you're the Vikings coach staff 254 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: and the Vikings offense at this point, you actually welcome 255 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: this because that means now that defensive coordinators for the 256 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: rest of the season are going to have to sit 257 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 1: there and say, this is not necessarily just to stack 258 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:15,320 Speaker 1: the box situation for this Vikings offense. Delvin Cook is 259 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,960 Speaker 1: not the only weapon, even if a superstar like Adam 260 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 1: Fieland is out of this game. So this means that 261 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 1: if these guys are going to have this kind of game, 262 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: and like I said before, if you can stack these 263 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: and do two or three games where you have this 264 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: kind of production from these guys, if you need it, 265 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:31,920 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden, that means there's a whole 266 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,719 Speaker 1: lot more planning and a whole lot more study and 267 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: going on for these defenses. So is it possible and 268 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 1: should we open the offense up like this if it works? Yes, 269 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: But the problem is is that if you're technically you've 270 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: been built around a run heavy offense with a Delvin type, well, 271 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:50,160 Speaker 1: if Delvin potentially you know, he's shown up on the 272 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 1: injury report with an ankle and that kind of stuff, 273 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,120 Speaker 1: and you've got a team like Jacksonville coming in who's 274 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 1: one in ten but there's still no slouch. Then if 275 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: you need to flip the switch and change it up 276 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 1: because the running game isn't working, you know you have 277 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 1: the ability to do this. And I think as a 278 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: Vikings coaching staff and as an offense, I think for 279 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 1: the wide receivers period and the tight ends, you got 280 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 1: to be excited to know that if we have to, 281 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 1: we're going to open this thing up and we can 282 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: still put up some serious points. Yeah, and it's not 283 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: like the Panthers are the best defense in the league, 284 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: but they're coming off a shutout. Now that was against 285 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:24,360 Speaker 1: a Lions team that was clearly ready to quit on 286 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: Matt Patricia. I don't care. Shutting out anybody in the 287 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: NFL is a difficult task. This wasn't this wasn't a 288 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 1: bottom feed or defense. And so to go out and 289 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: perform on that level, and and like you said, put 290 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: some things on tape like thirteen justin Jefferson targets that 291 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: absolutely is a good thing. Speaking of Adam Feeland, join 292 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 1: Adam Feeland in the Salvation Army and providing food, shelter 293 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 1: and care for our neighbors in need. It's very simple. 294 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: You can just text skull that's skol text skull to two, four, three, 295 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: six five to donate Today, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is 296 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: back again, teaming with legendary sports anchor Mark Rosen Rosie 297 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 1: to deliver unique content via under Center with Kirk Cousins. 298 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 1: The series features conversations and current Vikings players, prominent Minnesotans, 299 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 1: and guests with personal connections to Kirk. Other segments focus 300 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 1: on game reaction with sound from press conferences and the 301 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: locker room. Cousins and Rosen also look ahead to the 302 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: next week's matchup. Listen live each week on KFA n 303 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 1: FM one hundred point three, or download the podcast on 304 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: all popular podcast platforms, including the iHeartRadio app. For more information, 305 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 1: visit Vikings dot com. Slash Kirk Let's move from last 306 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: week to this week. The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming in. 307 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: Jay says they are no slouch. I say they are 308 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: kind of a slouch, but that doesn't mean that they 309 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: can beat you. They're one and ten. They're clearly in 310 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 1: the race for Trevor Lawrence, which somehow at one and 311 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: ten they feel hilariously behind in that race. They one 312 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: week one and then have lost ten straight games. Now 313 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: to Jay's point, Gabe, the last four have been interesting. Yes, 314 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: they lost to a very good Pittsburgh Steelers team twenty 315 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: seven to three, but the other three games in that 316 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: stretch are a two point loss to a Cleveland Browns 317 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: team that's battling for the playoffs, a four point loss 318 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: to an elite Green Bay Packers team, and another two 319 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 1: point loss to a Houston Texans team that has found 320 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 1: some life since the removal of Bill O'Brien. This is 321 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 1: a Jaguars team that has the number one toughest second 322 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: half schedule in the NFL. So at the very least, 323 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 1: you have guys who are playing for their careers, playing 324 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 1: for their jobs regardless of what happens. Like these players 325 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:06,400 Speaker 1: and these coaches are playing for their livelihoods, and they're 326 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: used to playing good football teams. So after slipping up 327 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: against the Cowboys and then getting a big win against 328 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: the Panthers, I'm with Jay, I think you have to 329 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: you obviously, you never don't come ready, but you better 330 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 1: have your head on straight on Sunday for sure. And 331 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 1: this is a Jacksonville Jaguars team. When you look at 332 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:30,399 Speaker 1: the remaining schedule with the Tennessee Titans, Ravens, Chicago Bears, 333 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 1: and Colts. This is probably the only winnable game for them. 334 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 1: If you're a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, you're saying, hey, this 335 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: is a Minnesota Vikings team that you know, we can 336 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:42,679 Speaker 1: probably hang our head on and try to get a 337 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:45,359 Speaker 1: win at US Bank Stadium. They've only won two games 338 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: at us Bank Stadium, so you'd, like you said, you 339 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 1: have to come in ready to play. I mean, I 340 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 1: feel like the Jacksonville Jaguars should have won last week 341 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:55,879 Speaker 1: against the Cleveland Browns. They get a field goal block 342 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 1: and then they miss an extra point that's four points 343 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 1: right there that they could have gotten back, and they 344 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: lose by two points. So this is a team that are, 345 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: i would say, starting to find their identity. And the 346 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings we've seen this before. We've seen you know, 347 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 1: We've played a team that that was coming off one win, 348 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: that just fired their head coach, and they came to 349 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,120 Speaker 1: US Bank Stadium and they beat us, and they beat 350 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 1: us pretty bad. The Atlanta Falcons is who I'm talking about. 351 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:24,399 Speaker 1: So I'm not going to say that's the case, but 352 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:27,399 Speaker 1: you got to think there's a lot of similarities between 353 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: that Atlanta Falcons team and this Jacksonville Jaguar team regarding 354 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 1: what they're going through internally, coming to US Bank Stadium 355 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:37,880 Speaker 1: looking for a win against a team that's still trying 356 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 1: to find their identity. And you want to talk similarities, 357 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:43,439 Speaker 1: I know you're talking the Falcons game. Let me let 358 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 1: me talk Cowboys game. Here the Cowboys. We talked about 359 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 1: it walking into that game. I thought that the return 360 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 1: of Andy Dalton provided a level of stability that created 361 00:18:55,160 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 1: an environment that bread regression in the category of their 362 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: turnover problems and just their overall mistakes. It was a 363 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: stability moment, and I think part of what you saw 364 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:12,880 Speaker 1: in that Cleveland game last week, Gabe was Mike Glennon. 365 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 1: I mean Gardner Minshew is Gardner Minshew. He started, he 366 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 1: plays seven games. But you had a guy in there 367 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:24,159 Speaker 1: the last three before that, Jake Lutton, who is I mean, 368 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 1: I hope Jake Luton has a fantastic career, but Jake 369 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:30,479 Speaker 1: Lutton is not a guy who should be in that 370 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 1: position right now. And Mike Glennon, you know, whether you 371 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,359 Speaker 1: want to poke at his contract that he got in Chicago, 372 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,639 Speaker 1: his time before that, it is a guy who has 373 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,600 Speaker 1: been in moments. This is a guy who has started games. 374 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:45,919 Speaker 1: This is a guy who is a viable backup in 375 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: this league. And if he walks into the building. We 376 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 1: talk about this every week Jay and he plays a 377 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,960 Speaker 1: mistake free football and the Vikings don't clean up this 378 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,680 Speaker 1: pattern of mistakes that they seem to be turning in 379 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 1: week in and week out. That's how you take a 380 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 1: one in ten team that you should walk through and 381 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:07,800 Speaker 1: turn them into a one in ten team that is 382 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:11,119 Speaker 1: all of a sudden dangerous. Well, like you had said, 383 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 1: you know this. They're one in ten, so they are hungry, 384 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 1: they're playing for their careers. And I think when you 385 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:18,880 Speaker 1: have a like Mike Glennon that one of the little 386 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 1: nuggets for Mike Glennon was he was the quarterback that 387 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:25,120 Speaker 1: got swapped out in week five when Mitch Trubisky came 388 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 1: in and played for the very first time against the 389 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings. So when he was at the Chicago Bears, 390 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 1: you know Glennon. Glennon has had some run in this league. 391 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:36,760 Speaker 1: And if you're one in ten, what you're saying as 392 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: a Jaguars organization is we need to make a change 393 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:43,679 Speaker 1: regardless anything, Throw anything at the wall to see if 394 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:47,200 Speaker 1: it sticks. And what you saw was increased production. They 395 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: were able to get twenty five points against a tough 396 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 1: Cleveland team this season. Now that means you have a 397 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:56,200 Speaker 1: week of film on Mike Glennon, so the Vikings defense 398 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 1: at least aren't coming in cold with a quarterback you 399 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,600 Speaker 1: haven't seen in four years. But at the same point, 400 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:03,960 Speaker 1: that means that if there's a shot in the arm, 401 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 1: and now he's more comfortable with the offense, he's more 402 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:07,879 Speaker 1: comfortable at the running back and the wide receivers and 403 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: the tight ends, then that means that Mike's going to 404 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:12,640 Speaker 1: walk in here in favorable conditions and a US Bank 405 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:15,919 Speaker 1: stadium and be able to again put up some yardage 406 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 1: and put up some points. So defensively, the thing that's 407 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: been killing me is that defensively we've had these big 408 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: moments where you're saying, make a big play, make a 409 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:27,280 Speaker 1: big moment, stop, you know, stop them from making a drive. 410 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 1: Mike Glennon's going to come out and say, I have 411 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 1: nothing to lose, I'm trying to keep my career here. 412 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 1: I might get a chance to be a starter next year, 413 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 1: And that means that Mike Glennon's going to give us 414 00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: everything he's got and hopefully this defense comes to play 415 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:42,240 Speaker 1: on Sunday. Otherwise it's going to be tough. Yeah. I 416 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:45,399 Speaker 1: think Mike Glennon is like you said, it's definitely playing 417 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:48,400 Speaker 1: for a starting job or or a key backup job 418 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 1: for another team. I just think right now, they just 419 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:54,199 Speaker 1: look at it ask hey, we have what do we 420 00:21:54,280 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 1: have to lose? What is there to lose if we 421 00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: go If we go to Minnesota and lose, we were 422 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 1: expected to lose, but we don't. We don't have a GM, 423 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 1: We don't know what our future holds. So the best 424 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:06,120 Speaker 1: thing we can do is put out a good tape 425 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:08,680 Speaker 1: and hopefully the new GM or the new head coach 426 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 1: or another GM for another team will see this film 427 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 1: and say, hey, I want that guy on my team. 428 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 1: So Mike Glennon, I think he has it. Like you said, 429 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 1: he has a lot more to gain than lose. And 430 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 1: it's not like they're the devoid of weapons. You know, 431 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:25,159 Speaker 1: they got a stud young rookie running back in James 432 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:30,080 Speaker 1: Robinson nine hundred yards on the season, six touchdowns, and 433 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,159 Speaker 1: he's also getting it done through the air. You know, 434 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:34,680 Speaker 1: a few hundred yards, a couple of tds, through the air, 435 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:39,880 Speaker 1: A talented group of young receivers. You know, Leaviska Chanalt 436 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:44,719 Speaker 1: is still there, Keelan Cole senior, DJ Chalk Jr. They have, 437 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 1: and Chris Cooley's down there. It's just this is a 438 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 1: group that I actually believe is a pretty talented group, 439 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:55,600 Speaker 1: but there hasn't been an ability to consistently get them 440 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:58,320 Speaker 1: the ball so far this season. So so you have 441 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 1: some weapons down there that the team is going to 442 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 1: have to be ready for. Jay. Here's the thing that 443 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 1: sticks out to me the most. The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting. 444 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:13,240 Speaker 1: They're putting up four point six yards rushing a game. 445 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 1: They are giving up four and a half yards rushing 446 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:20,399 Speaker 1: a game. So there, it's literally a wash. We know 447 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:23,480 Speaker 1: that this football team is going to want to run 448 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,720 Speaker 1: the ball with Dalvin Cook. We know that this defense 449 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 1: to be successful is going to need to stop the 450 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:33,480 Speaker 1: run against this young rookie stud Which direction do you 451 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:36,680 Speaker 1: see the teeter totter of these two similar numbers being 452 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 1: waited this game? I think the thing if you're Jacksonville 453 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 1: seeing what other teams have done, even the Panthers last 454 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 1: week when they were kind of giving you the cannon 455 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: Davis combo platter. They were trying to attack our defense 456 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:49,919 Speaker 1: on the left hand side, and they were trying to 457 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:52,520 Speaker 1: get outside to the edge and then cut back in 458 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:54,600 Speaker 1: where the d N was a foddy on that one 459 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 1: or a fighty get out and they try to cut 460 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: back into the linebackers. I think there are teams that 461 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: are seeing weaknesses on our d line or at least 462 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:03,199 Speaker 1: trying to exploit certain things that they're finding on tape. 463 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 1: To me, if they are able to be more discipline 464 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:11,760 Speaker 1: and gap discipline on the defensive line and the linebacker side, 465 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: we can help shore that up. But there are have 466 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,719 Speaker 1: been multiple teams this season that have gone through and 467 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:20,440 Speaker 1: try to attack us. Now on the flip side, I 468 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:24,640 Speaker 1: am one who would lean more towards the opponents side 469 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:27,920 Speaker 1: of four point five yards per rush because it's happening 470 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:31,040 Speaker 1: more consistently and at a higher volume. So opponents are 471 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:33,639 Speaker 1: getting fourteen hundred and ninety eight yards rushing this season 472 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:37,400 Speaker 1: against Jacksonville, where Jacksonville was getting eleven and thirteen, so 473 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:41,040 Speaker 1: that the yards per rush is similar, but opponents are 474 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:45,200 Speaker 1: sticking with that running game more often against Jacksonville, and 475 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:48,040 Speaker 1: there they're gaujingum for another, you know, three hundred and 476 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:50,600 Speaker 1: eighty five yards over the top in the same amount 477 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 1: of games. So for me, I look at this of 478 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:55,280 Speaker 1: if they're giving up one hundred and thirty six point 479 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:58,000 Speaker 1: two yards per game to their opponents rushing wise, there 480 00:24:58,119 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 1: is no reason a serious injury to Delvin that we 481 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:05,720 Speaker 1: would not try and increase the workload for Delvin. This 482 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:09,159 Speaker 1: week they have I'm gonna list off a couple of 483 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 1: problems that they're struggling with that Viking fans will probably 484 00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:17,560 Speaker 1: feel like is a familiar noise in terms of the 485 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:18,959 Speaker 1: words that I'm going to say. I think it's more 486 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:21,199 Speaker 1: dramatic and more pronounced with the Jaguars, and I think 487 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 1: these two issues have caused more widespread problems. But they've 488 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 1: struggled to get a pass rush going. And I don't 489 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 1: I don't just mean struggled like the Vikings have struggled, Gabe. 490 00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:35,240 Speaker 1: They are dead last in the league, number thirty two 491 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:40,159 Speaker 1: with eleven sacks. They've given up thirty thirty sacks and 492 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 1: they have only provided eleven sacks. And for a guy 493 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 1: like Kirk Cousins, who you know you really want to 494 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:51,320 Speaker 1: get to Kirk Cousins, you get some pressure in his 495 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:54,679 Speaker 1: face and you collapse a pocket around him. This we 496 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,119 Speaker 1: talked earlier about him putting up a bunch of throws 497 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 1: and having a big day. He's got to be pretty 498 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 1: excited against a defense that doesn't seem to pressure a 499 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:05,520 Speaker 1: quarterback a whole lot for sure. And you look at 500 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:07,439 Speaker 1: that and you say, hey, well, there's gonna be a 501 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 1: lot of opportunities downfield. The play action pass should work 502 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:12,960 Speaker 1: this week, because I shouldn't expect somebody to be in 503 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:14,800 Speaker 1: my face when I, you know, fake the hand off 504 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:16,879 Speaker 1: to Dalvin Cook. But I think out of all these 505 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:18,920 Speaker 1: numbers that really stand out to me, I think it's 506 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 1: the yards per play. The Jacksonville Jaguars are last in 507 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:24,640 Speaker 1: the NFL and yards per play, with you know, giving 508 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:27,080 Speaker 1: up six point three yards per play. We're second in 509 00:26:27,119 --> 00:26:29,639 Speaker 1: the NFL and yards per play six point four. So 510 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,840 Speaker 1: you gotta think there's gonna be a lot of opportunity 511 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 1: with no pass rush, with them giving up you know, 512 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 1: big plays per chunk, and it only makes for a 513 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:42,760 Speaker 1: successful day. I'm not I'm not gonna say we're gonna 514 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 1: have a field day against these guys, But at the 515 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 1: same time, when you when you look at it, and 516 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 1: you say like, hey, we don't have to worry about 517 00:26:48,359 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 1: pass rushing. Well, look we can, you know, do everything 518 00:26:51,080 --> 00:26:53,200 Speaker 1: that we want to do. We can run the ball, 519 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:55,800 Speaker 1: get five yards per play and you know, case say, okay, 520 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:57,560 Speaker 1: let them sack the bucks. We can throw it over 521 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:00,400 Speaker 1: the top. So I think this game just comes down 522 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:02,600 Speaker 1: to not just not turning the ball over and and 523 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 1: taking what the defense gives us. Yeah, because that's the 524 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:07,320 Speaker 1: other one. The Jacksonville Jaguars has our minus five on 525 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:12,240 Speaker 1: turnover ratio. The Vikings. We sound like a broken record, 526 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:15,639 Speaker 1: but that's that is the difference in this season for 527 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:20,640 Speaker 1: this football team. Are the turnovers in Seattle, the turnovers 528 00:27:20,800 --> 00:27:24,639 Speaker 1: throughout the year if this team controls possessions and doesn't 529 00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 1: turn the ball over, and Jay, I think the other 530 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 1: thing that you look for when you play against an 531 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:33,560 Speaker 1: opponent that you you believe to be inferior. You know, 532 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 1: we're not going to insult the Jaguars, but if you 533 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:37,800 Speaker 1: look at a team competing for a playoff spot versus 534 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 1: a team competing for a top draft pick, there is 535 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:44,199 Speaker 1: a disparity here. And what you want not only in 536 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:46,160 Speaker 1: the NFL, what you want is not to not only 537 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:47,920 Speaker 1: go in and do what you're supposed to do, which 538 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:50,679 Speaker 1: is beat a team that's that's worse than you. But 539 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:52,840 Speaker 1: what you also want is you want to you want 540 00:27:52,840 --> 00:27:56,200 Speaker 1: to beat them in a way that I don't want 541 00:27:56,200 --> 00:28:00,159 Speaker 1: to say cures your woes, but it pushes you in 542 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 1: the right direction. And for a team that has been 543 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:06,639 Speaker 1: committing an awful lot of penalties, for a team that 544 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 1: has been turning the ball over on their half of 545 00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 1: the field, for a team that has been making special 546 00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:16,160 Speaker 1: team's mistake after special team's mistake, you want to get 547 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 1: this win, but you also want to execute on an 548 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:22,640 Speaker 1: incredibly high level because if you can get this win, 549 00:28:23,359 --> 00:28:26,520 Speaker 1: you go into Tampa Bay next week against a team 550 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:31,000 Speaker 1: where you have a much smaller margin of error. So 551 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 1: let's go out and let's play really well. Let's get 552 00:28:33,240 --> 00:28:35,320 Speaker 1: this win, and let's also clean up some of the 553 00:28:35,359 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: stuff that's been plaguing this team. This team has not 554 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:40,920 Speaker 1: played a perfect game at all this season, and that 555 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:43,720 Speaker 1: is the thing, even with going four and one here 556 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:47,959 Speaker 1: in the last five that it's still encouraging that you 557 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 1: can still get better. But for what we've been doing 558 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:54,000 Speaker 1: and the mistakes that you've been making, it's been very, 559 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 1: very frustrating watching these games, saying, why are we shooting 560 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:00,360 Speaker 1: ourselves in the foot. You have an opponent now who's 561 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 1: coming in at one and ten. They're looking to the offseason, 562 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:05,880 Speaker 1: They're ready for the next four to five weeks to 563 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:09,120 Speaker 1: be done. Get right with these guys and get some 564 00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:12,640 Speaker 1: confidence built on all phases, whether it's the offense putting 565 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 1: up points, the defense making stops, but special teams wise, 566 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 1: knock through some field goals, run your assignments clean, keep 567 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:22,720 Speaker 1: your lanes clean, and see if you can just play 568 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 1: the perfect game and build that confidence for the next week, 569 00:29:26,320 --> 00:29:29,120 Speaker 1: because Tampa's got to buy this week. So Tampa's going 570 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 1: to be coming off a bye week, They're going to 571 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 1: have two weeks to game plan. They're gonna be feeling fresh. 572 00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:36,360 Speaker 1: And for me, you get this Jacksonville Jaguars team who 573 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:39,680 Speaker 1: you are supposed to beat. Do that and do it 574 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:41,880 Speaker 1: in a fashion that is dominant, Doing a fashion that 575 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:44,840 Speaker 1: gives you some confidence going down to Tampa the following 576 00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:46,600 Speaker 1: week and that you're going to be able to have 577 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:50,720 Speaker 1: your best foot forward and hopefully minimizing these mistakes that 578 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:53,200 Speaker 1: have put you on that razor thin margin that we've 579 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:56,000 Speaker 1: been talking about for the last couple of weeks. The 580 00:29:56,080 --> 00:30:00,800 Speaker 1: Voyage delivers unprecedented access to fans who will be able 581 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 1: to get inside the office of coach Mike Zimmer and 582 00:30:03,800 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 1: have an insider's look and listen during his talks with 583 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:11,800 Speaker 1: the team. Viewers also here directly from current Vikings who 584 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:15,320 Speaker 1: will be writing outcomes of games through their play on 585 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:19,040 Speaker 1: the field. Watch bi weekly during the NFL season on 586 00:30:19,120 --> 00:30:23,360 Speaker 1: the Vikings digital and social channels, including Vikings dot com, 587 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:28,440 Speaker 1: the Vikings mobile app, Vikings Now, the team's connected TV app, YouTube, Facebook, 588 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:31,480 Speaker 1: and Twitter. Watch today and find out more at Vikings 589 00:30:31,520 --> 00:30:36,120 Speaker 1: dot com Slash Voyage. Well, our guy Chris Corso was 590 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:38,520 Speaker 1: unable to be with us today, but that doesn't mean 591 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:41,520 Speaker 1: he couldn't help out the show. He was able to 592 00:30:41,560 --> 00:30:44,800 Speaker 1: snag one of my favorite guys on the squad, Brian O'Neill, 593 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:47,880 Speaker 1: for an interview. Brian has obviously at a fantastic season. 594 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:50,880 Speaker 1: I'm stumping really hard to get him into the Pro 595 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:53,200 Speaker 1: Bowl as we all should be get out there and 596 00:30:53,360 --> 00:30:57,640 Speaker 1: vote for him this weekend. Also, it's our upcoming My Cause, 597 00:30:57,720 --> 00:31:01,360 Speaker 1: My Cleats game, so you can hear from Brian on 598 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:04,160 Speaker 1: how he thinks this season is going and why this 599 00:31:04,200 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 1: weekend means so much to him. So let's get into it. 600 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 1: Chris and Brian go ahead and take it away. What's 601 00:31:11,640 --> 00:31:15,680 Speaker 1: going on, Vikings fans? Thanks to our friends at Microsoft Teams, 602 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:18,320 Speaker 1: we bring in one of the leaders of the Vikings 603 00:31:18,360 --> 00:31:21,080 Speaker 1: offensive line. It's Brian O'Neil. What's going on, man, Hey, 604 00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 1: how's it going? Thanks for having me. I've been watching 605 00:31:23,120 --> 00:31:24,960 Speaker 1: you this year and what's kind of been the biggest 606 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,600 Speaker 1: change from going from year one when you're a rookie 607 00:31:27,680 --> 00:31:30,200 Speaker 1: play at that right tackle spot. Now it seems like 608 00:31:30,200 --> 00:31:32,360 Speaker 1: you're just handling guys out there. What's been the biggest 609 00:31:32,360 --> 00:31:34,680 Speaker 1: difference for you heading into year three? Sir. I wouldn't 610 00:31:34,680 --> 00:31:36,480 Speaker 1: say I'm handling guys. I'm just trying to get a 611 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:38,959 Speaker 1: better grip of the offense and try to improve some 612 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:41,840 Speaker 1: technical stuff and try to get better every week. I 613 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:44,480 Speaker 1: think that's something that's kind of lost in the NFL 614 00:31:44,560 --> 00:31:47,560 Speaker 1: these days, is being able to try to continuously improve 615 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:50,280 Speaker 1: week after week. A lot of guys, you know, the 616 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:52,400 Speaker 1: mindset is just trying to get to the game on Sunday, 617 00:31:52,440 --> 00:31:55,880 Speaker 1: but there's still definitely room for improvement in ways that 618 00:31:55,960 --> 00:31:57,920 Speaker 1: you know, we can try to get better as individuals 619 00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:00,600 Speaker 1: and as a group throughout the week, and I'm having fun. 620 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:02,800 Speaker 1: That's like the biggest part. It's been fun group. It's 621 00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:04,800 Speaker 1: been a fun group of guys that work with great 622 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:07,880 Speaker 1: coaching staff. It's enjoyable to be around everybody who's here 623 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:10,080 Speaker 1: watching you play. This year, you've been going up against 624 00:32:10,160 --> 00:32:12,800 Speaker 1: quite the competition. You go go up against a guy 625 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:15,160 Speaker 1: like JJ Watt one week, then you look up and 626 00:32:15,160 --> 00:32:17,840 Speaker 1: you see Khalil mack Jerious look up at some of 627 00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:19,720 Speaker 1: these guys and be like, damn, I gotta do this 628 00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:24,200 Speaker 1: whole day. Man. Sometimes I think it's I think it 629 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:26,200 Speaker 1: was more of a shock factor at first, and like 630 00:32:26,280 --> 00:32:28,600 Speaker 1: my first year or last year, you know, be like, oh, 631 00:32:28,640 --> 00:32:30,720 Speaker 1: here's another one, here's another one, and then another guy 632 00:32:30,840 --> 00:32:33,080 Speaker 1: yeah and uh. But you know, the more you're around, 633 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:34,840 Speaker 1: the more you realize they're all good players, and they're 634 00:32:34,880 --> 00:32:37,160 Speaker 1: all great players, and you're gonna see them every week, 635 00:32:37,440 --> 00:32:39,800 Speaker 1: and the more you can just treat it like a 636 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:42,320 Speaker 1: football game and try not to let the last name 637 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:44,880 Speaker 1: beat you. Is something Riley always tells me, is they 638 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,480 Speaker 1: make them actually beat you. Don't beat yourself, and don't 639 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:49,479 Speaker 1: do anything different than you normally would. No matter if 640 00:32:49,480 --> 00:32:51,920 Speaker 1: it's a big name or a rookie or whoever it is, 641 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:53,840 Speaker 1: you got to go out and they got to earn there. 642 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:56,440 Speaker 1: They put on the same helmet we do. So get 643 00:32:56,440 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: to go out and battle them every week. Who's been 644 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:00,440 Speaker 1: the most fun guy to go up against? It's just 645 00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:02,880 Speaker 1: it's so fun to just block this guy and be like, 646 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:06,000 Speaker 1: I'm I'm I'm winning this battle today. I mean, I 647 00:33:06,040 --> 00:33:09,880 Speaker 1: would say the guys who can have fun and like 648 00:33:09,960 --> 00:33:12,920 Speaker 1: kind of talk a little bit back and forth, friendly chatter, 649 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:15,800 Speaker 1: we might call it. Uh, you know, the guys who 650 00:33:15,800 --> 00:33:17,240 Speaker 1: are able to have fun and you know, talk a 651 00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:20,000 Speaker 1: little bit of trash without taking it personal. Uh. They 652 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:21,680 Speaker 1: know it's a game and they know they're trying to 653 00:33:21,720 --> 00:33:23,440 Speaker 1: help their team win as much as I am. So 654 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:26,040 Speaker 1: I like playing against guys who will go back and 655 00:33:26,080 --> 00:33:28,960 Speaker 1: forth a little bit, not chippy, but you know, not 656 00:33:29,040 --> 00:33:31,360 Speaker 1: afraid to exchange a few words. I like that aspect 657 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:33,160 Speaker 1: of the game, Like who's the guy that's like, give 658 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:37,360 Speaker 1: me an example, A Kem Hicks talks a lot. I'm 659 00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:40,040 Speaker 1: sure he does. Yeah, he talks a lot. He's really talented, 660 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:42,480 Speaker 1: he's a really good player, and you know he's able. 661 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:45,000 Speaker 1: He has fun out there, and uh, you know, we're 662 00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:47,440 Speaker 1: always gonna have a battle against guys like that. J J. 663 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:51,640 Speaker 1: Wat didn't talk that much for both of those guys 664 00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:54,120 Speaker 1: as players, but a couple of the other Texans did. 665 00:33:54,160 --> 00:33:56,560 Speaker 1: I did. I'm miked up against the Texans, and uh, 666 00:33:56,640 --> 00:33:58,840 Speaker 1: there was a little bit you saw from some linebackers 667 00:33:58,840 --> 00:34:00,560 Speaker 1: on there. So it's all fun and I like having 668 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:02,000 Speaker 1: a little bit of fun out there. A lot of 669 00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:04,840 Speaker 1: Vikings fans think you're a quiet guy, but talking to 670 00:34:04,880 --> 00:34:07,280 Speaker 1: some of your teammates, they see you're allowed guy. So 671 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:09,640 Speaker 1: I think Vikings fans got to see a little bit 672 00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:12,600 Speaker 1: of that in that miked Up segment with Vikings dot 673 00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:15,040 Speaker 1: Com and our crew. So kind of some of the 674 00:34:15,040 --> 00:34:17,480 Speaker 1: big plays, like you see Dalvin Cook break a play, 675 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:19,960 Speaker 1: you see Justin Jefferson being a guy, and you're going 676 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:22,160 Speaker 1: up to those guys and you're like, damn, Dalvin, they 677 00:34:22,160 --> 00:34:25,840 Speaker 1: can't tackle you, Justin, they can't guard you. Well, describe 678 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:29,239 Speaker 1: that relationship with those playmakers because you're blocking for the 679 00:34:29,239 --> 00:34:31,400 Speaker 1: pass rush and then you're going up and you're hyping 680 00:34:31,400 --> 00:34:33,880 Speaker 1: your guys up. So what's the relationship like with you 681 00:34:33,920 --> 00:34:36,759 Speaker 1: and the playmakers on this team. I think it's you know, 682 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:38,439 Speaker 1: the same as it is with all the other guys 683 00:34:38,440 --> 00:34:40,840 Speaker 1: on this team. I think we're a really close knit group. 684 00:34:41,440 --> 00:34:43,759 Speaker 1: I mean, we've spent every single day together since like 685 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:47,279 Speaker 1: July twentieth, so you got to enjoy your like the 686 00:34:47,320 --> 00:34:50,040 Speaker 1: company around every day. And we have a great group 687 00:34:50,040 --> 00:34:52,200 Speaker 1: on offense, We have a great group on defense. Our 688 00:34:52,239 --> 00:34:54,719 Speaker 1: locker rooms really tight. They do a great job of 689 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:56,960 Speaker 1: bringing in good people here and guys that want to 690 00:34:57,000 --> 00:34:59,680 Speaker 1: buy in and you know, work hard for each other 691 00:34:59,719 --> 00:35:02,239 Speaker 1: and for each other, and we have that, and you know, 692 00:35:02,320 --> 00:35:04,560 Speaker 1: Dovin and Justin are just you know, two more examples 693 00:35:04,560 --> 00:35:06,719 Speaker 1: of guys that will do that. You know, you know 694 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:09,719 Speaker 1: they're gonna bring their eight game every week. So you 695 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:11,719 Speaker 1: can't like, you can't be slacking off if you got 696 00:35:11,719 --> 00:35:14,520 Speaker 1: guys like that on the outside. So they're definitely a 697 00:35:14,800 --> 00:35:17,680 Speaker 1: group to play with. In this stretch. The Vikings offense 698 00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:19,920 Speaker 1: seems like it has like a different kind of confidence 699 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:23,160 Speaker 1: the stretch as of late the last like five games, 700 00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:26,400 Speaker 1: and obviously against Carolina Panthers, you guys go on that 701 00:35:26,480 --> 00:35:28,640 Speaker 1: drive at the end of the game and you go 702 00:35:28,760 --> 00:35:31,040 Speaker 1: right down the field and score that game winning touchdown. 703 00:35:31,480 --> 00:35:33,600 Speaker 1: What was the vibe like in the huddle, was Kirk 704 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:36,240 Speaker 1: like on another level? Did he get in that mode 705 00:35:36,280 --> 00:35:38,880 Speaker 1: that we've seen him in when he's feeling confident, like, well, 706 00:35:39,120 --> 00:35:41,000 Speaker 1: bring us in the huddle? What was that like? Well, 707 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 1: first off, I don't think he get Kirk gets enough 708 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:45,560 Speaker 1: you know, credit for everything he does for our offense, 709 00:35:45,600 --> 00:35:48,399 Speaker 1: for everything he does for our team. And you watch 710 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:51,040 Speaker 1: those last you know, two scoring drives we have last week. 711 00:35:51,120 --> 00:35:53,640 Speaker 1: That was all on him, and I don't think that's 712 00:35:53,719 --> 00:35:55,759 Speaker 1: pointed out enough or brought up enough. How he leap. 713 00:35:55,880 --> 00:35:59,640 Speaker 1: He is, he has been for us and will continue 714 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:02,480 Speaker 1: to be, and he's our leader. He keeps everybody calm. 715 00:36:02,840 --> 00:36:05,080 Speaker 1: You see how focused he is in the huddle and 716 00:36:05,480 --> 00:36:09,799 Speaker 1: there's no panic, there's no oh crap, there's no you know, 717 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:11,719 Speaker 1: we gotta do this, we gotta win right now. You know, 718 00:36:11,760 --> 00:36:14,640 Speaker 1: he knows exactly how to do it and you know 719 00:36:14,680 --> 00:36:16,800 Speaker 1: what it's going to take, and he's calm, and it 720 00:36:16,840 --> 00:36:19,640 Speaker 1: allows everybody else to be calm and understand, you know 721 00:36:19,680 --> 00:36:22,520 Speaker 1: what gives us the best chance to have success. And 722 00:36:22,640 --> 00:36:24,520 Speaker 1: you know with eight calling the shots back there in 723 00:36:24,520 --> 00:36:27,600 Speaker 1: a two minute drive like that, I'm extremely confident in 724 00:36:27,719 --> 00:36:29,480 Speaker 1: him as long as we can hold up enough for 725 00:36:29,560 --> 00:36:31,319 Speaker 1: him to have some time back there. Does he ever 726 00:36:31,440 --> 00:36:33,760 Speaker 1: say anything in the huddle where you're just like, wow, 727 00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:36,840 Speaker 1: where this is our drive? Like we're gonna score on 728 00:36:36,880 --> 00:36:39,439 Speaker 1: this drive? Like give us an example something he says 729 00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:42,400 Speaker 1: in the huddle You're like, wow, he's in that zone today. 730 00:36:42,840 --> 00:36:46,280 Speaker 1: I think it's just the fact that there's no change 731 00:36:46,280 --> 00:36:49,400 Speaker 1: in him. Obviously he understands the situation. We all understand 732 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:51,719 Speaker 1: the situation of Hey, it's do or die right now 733 00:36:51,719 --> 00:36:54,080 Speaker 1: to score on this drive. And the thing that I 734 00:36:54,120 --> 00:36:56,120 Speaker 1: think we all respect about him the most is his 735 00:36:56,160 --> 00:37:00,600 Speaker 1: ability to block out the you know, outside circumstances and 736 00:37:00,680 --> 00:37:02,680 Speaker 1: focus him on Okay, how do we gain yards on 737 00:37:02,719 --> 00:37:05,439 Speaker 1: this play? Is the most What is the best way 738 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:07,279 Speaker 1: for us to gain yards on this play? To give 739 00:37:07,360 --> 00:37:10,200 Speaker 1: us ourselves a chance? And being able to stay in 740 00:37:10,239 --> 00:37:12,399 Speaker 1: the present and his ability to keep all of us 741 00:37:12,520 --> 00:37:14,440 Speaker 1: in the present and not worried about what else is 742 00:37:14,480 --> 00:37:18,680 Speaker 1: going on, is you know, a really great leadership quality 743 00:37:18,719 --> 00:37:22,000 Speaker 1: that he has and we see a time and time again. Obviously, 744 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:24,680 Speaker 1: he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week this week, 745 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:27,640 Speaker 1: obviously a great honor for you guys, and that's definitely 746 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:30,600 Speaker 1: a tribute to yourself as well. I was going through 747 00:37:30,600 --> 00:37:33,160 Speaker 1: some YouTube videos of you and something that comes up 748 00:37:33,160 --> 00:37:35,759 Speaker 1: when you go on YouTube and search your name is 749 00:37:35,840 --> 00:37:39,200 Speaker 1: fat guy touchdowns And I was looking at some of 750 00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:41,200 Speaker 1: these pits. First of all, I don't think you're fat, 751 00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:44,960 Speaker 1: so I don't know why that comes up. Yeah, but 752 00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:49,000 Speaker 1: some of these plays at Pittsburgh when you were in college, Like, 753 00:37:49,440 --> 00:37:52,160 Speaker 1: you have an athletic ability as an offensive lineman that 754 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:55,160 Speaker 1: is very unique. So talk us through some of these 755 00:37:55,320 --> 00:37:58,600 Speaker 1: these touchdowns that you had back in college. And do 756 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:02,399 Speaker 1: you ever say, hey, Gary Kubiak, like put me in 757 00:38:02,680 --> 00:38:04,359 Speaker 1: on the offensive side of the ball where I can 758 00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:08,280 Speaker 1: catch a ball. Well, I'm definitely not asking our coaches 759 00:38:08,320 --> 00:38:10,400 Speaker 1: for that. I got enough problems trying to do my 760 00:38:10,480 --> 00:38:13,279 Speaker 1: job and what I'm already asked to do. I gotta 761 00:38:13,320 --> 00:38:16,719 Speaker 1: do that better before I'm you know, knocking on the 762 00:38:16,760 --> 00:38:20,080 Speaker 1: door for some alignment trick plays. But back in college, 763 00:38:20,080 --> 00:38:23,000 Speaker 1: it was fun. We had a really creative offensive coordinator 764 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:25,239 Speaker 1: at the time, Matt in Canada. He's now the quarterbacks 765 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:27,960 Speaker 1: coach for the Steelers, and he did a great job 766 00:38:27,960 --> 00:38:30,360 Speaker 1: with our offense that year and we were able to 767 00:38:30,440 --> 00:38:31,960 Speaker 1: have some fun with it and it was cool. It 768 00:38:32,000 --> 00:38:34,600 Speaker 1: was a fun experience, but I definitely don't ever expect 769 00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:38,520 Speaker 1: it again. And I'm more worried about, you know, trying 770 00:38:38,520 --> 00:38:40,319 Speaker 1: to block those guys that you were talking about ear later. 771 00:38:40,360 --> 00:38:42,800 Speaker 1: When you see a guy like Dalvin Cook run past 772 00:38:42,920 --> 00:38:45,960 Speaker 1: you when you're run blocking, like, is there something that 773 00:38:46,080 --> 00:38:48,480 Speaker 1: separates him from other players out there? Like do you 774 00:38:48,520 --> 00:38:51,959 Speaker 1: see him? You're like, man, this guy's unique all the time. 775 00:38:52,160 --> 00:38:54,799 Speaker 1: I mean just you know, just the way he runs 776 00:38:54,840 --> 00:38:59,400 Speaker 1: through people, runs around people, his elusiveness, his electricity, his 777 00:38:59,560 --> 00:39:02,000 Speaker 1: willingness to be a great teammate. He's because he is 778 00:39:02,040 --> 00:39:03,879 Speaker 1: a great teammate. He's a great leader on our team. 779 00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:06,440 Speaker 1: He's great in the locker room. Everybody loves him. Um, 780 00:39:06,680 --> 00:39:08,719 Speaker 1: you know, he's just like a role model and what 781 00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:12,080 Speaker 1: he does and how he prepares, um, you know, prepares 782 00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:14,440 Speaker 1: to play a game, and how he plays the game. Uh, 783 00:39:14,600 --> 00:39:16,640 Speaker 1: he has so much fun and joy when he plays. 784 00:39:16,719 --> 00:39:20,000 Speaker 1: And uh, he's competitive is all get out and he's 785 00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:22,000 Speaker 1: not going to back down from anybody. He's gonna stand 786 00:39:22,080 --> 00:39:24,360 Speaker 1: you know, tote tote chin to chin and swing his 787 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:26,200 Speaker 1: best shot and he doesn't care about the result. And 788 00:39:26,239 --> 00:39:28,840 Speaker 1: I think that's something we can all learn from is Hey, 789 00:39:28,880 --> 00:39:30,640 Speaker 1: no matter what we know, four is gonna be running 790 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:33,600 Speaker 1: back there un running his tail off really hard and 791 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:35,480 Speaker 1: he's not going to back down, so neither can we. 792 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,239 Speaker 1: The guy next to you, Ezra Cleveland, I know he's 793 00:39:38,280 --> 00:39:40,560 Speaker 1: missed the past few games with that ankle injury, But 794 00:39:41,120 --> 00:39:44,279 Speaker 1: what kind of impact has he had on the offensive line? 795 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:46,719 Speaker 1: I think when the two of you are out there 796 00:39:46,800 --> 00:39:49,439 Speaker 1: run blocking and pass blocking, it's kid's tough to get 797 00:39:49,480 --> 00:39:52,560 Speaker 1: by you. So what what what kind of impact has 798 00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:54,640 Speaker 1: he had on the group? I know you guys are 799 00:39:54,640 --> 00:39:57,040 Speaker 1: all close knit. Um, you know, he's a great player. 800 00:39:57,360 --> 00:39:59,719 Speaker 1: It's fun to have a young guy who really cares that. 801 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:02,080 Speaker 1: You know, we had one last year with Garrett as 802 00:40:02,120 --> 00:40:04,960 Speaker 1: a rookie. I think I'd like to care. When I 803 00:40:05,000 --> 00:40:07,239 Speaker 1: was a rookie, I thought I cared a lot. But 804 00:40:07,280 --> 00:40:09,400 Speaker 1: he really cares and it's important to him that we 805 00:40:09,480 --> 00:40:11,720 Speaker 1: can rely on him. And that's something I really respect 806 00:40:11,760 --> 00:40:13,719 Speaker 1: as a young guy coming in is you know, he 807 00:40:13,760 --> 00:40:15,719 Speaker 1: wants a lot of responsibility and he wants us to 808 00:40:15,760 --> 00:40:19,200 Speaker 1: be able to trust him, and we do. And he 809 00:40:19,280 --> 00:40:22,960 Speaker 1: studies hard, he prepares hard, He has fun at practice, 810 00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:25,279 Speaker 1: he has fun in locker room, it's really cool to, 811 00:40:25,520 --> 00:40:27,640 Speaker 1: you know, see his development from training camp in the 812 00:40:27,640 --> 00:40:31,520 Speaker 1: early weeks in terms of being as with the person. Yeah, 813 00:40:31,560 --> 00:40:33,680 Speaker 1: he's a lot more comfortable with us. He talks a 814 00:40:33,719 --> 00:40:36,160 Speaker 1: little bit more, he cracks a little bit more jokes. 815 00:40:36,200 --> 00:40:37,879 Speaker 1: You get to see his sense of humor a little bit. 816 00:40:37,920 --> 00:40:40,640 Speaker 1: So it's fun to see him comfortable because he is 817 00:40:40,640 --> 00:40:42,160 Speaker 1: because he's a great player, and he's going to be 818 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:45,120 Speaker 1: here for a long time and I'm really excited about 819 00:40:45,160 --> 00:40:47,120 Speaker 1: his future and you know how far he's grown so 820 00:40:47,239 --> 00:40:49,759 Speaker 1: much this year. The guy in the middle, Garrett Bradbury, 821 00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:52,160 Speaker 1: I know you're close with him as well. What does 822 00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:53,799 Speaker 1: it mean to kind of come up with these guys. 823 00:40:53,800 --> 00:40:55,520 Speaker 1: You guys are all like around the same age a 824 00:40:55,560 --> 00:40:58,000 Speaker 1: couple of years apart. But what's it like coming up 825 00:40:58,000 --> 00:40:59,640 Speaker 1: with him? I know you guys have a great bond 826 00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:02,319 Speaker 1: and and we had you with with Kirk last year 827 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:04,640 Speaker 1: and you guys were I mean, you might have to 828 00:41:04,680 --> 00:41:07,160 Speaker 1: have your own show on the Vikings Entertainment Network because 829 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:09,720 Speaker 1: you guys are great together. Just let us know whenever 830 00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:12,680 Speaker 1: that happens. But maybe Garret will take over ninety six 831 00:41:12,800 --> 00:41:15,160 Speaker 1: questions one day. I know, what do we do? Why 832 00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:17,480 Speaker 1: are we wasting time here? I mean, come on, man, 833 00:41:18,160 --> 00:41:20,520 Speaker 1: I have a great relationship with Garrett. You know, it's 834 00:41:20,560 --> 00:41:22,919 Speaker 1: fun to be able to come in you know, similar time. 835 00:41:23,239 --> 00:41:25,359 Speaker 1: He's actually older than me, even though I've been here 836 00:41:25,400 --> 00:41:29,160 Speaker 1: for a year longer. We're really close. I put you know, 837 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:33,720 Speaker 1: I've unbelievable amount of trusting Garrett. No matter what, whatever happens, 838 00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:35,279 Speaker 1: we're gonna get up to the line. He's gonna put 839 00:41:35,320 --> 00:41:38,080 Speaker 1: us in the right spot. I'll defer to him more 840 00:41:38,120 --> 00:41:41,400 Speaker 1: times than not instead of, you know, making my own opinion, 841 00:41:41,440 --> 00:41:43,800 Speaker 1: I'll ask Garrett, just because I know he's got he 842 00:41:43,920 --> 00:41:46,640 Speaker 1: going on with the exes and ohs, and he does 843 00:41:46,640 --> 00:41:48,440 Speaker 1: a great job with Kirk and kind of leaving our 844 00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:51,959 Speaker 1: whole offensive line. Pretty much everything we do runs through 845 00:41:52,560 --> 00:41:54,840 Speaker 1: him and what he calls, and he's putting us in 846 00:41:54,880 --> 00:41:58,200 Speaker 1: the right places. And I think you've seen the improvement 847 00:41:58,200 --> 00:41:59,960 Speaker 1: he made from year one to year two so far 848 00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:02,479 Speaker 1: are and it's only going to get better. Just knowing 849 00:42:02,520 --> 00:42:05,000 Speaker 1: the guy he is and how hard he works, He's 850 00:42:05,040 --> 00:42:06,600 Speaker 1: going to be an elite center in the league for 851 00:42:06,640 --> 00:42:09,319 Speaker 1: a long time. I believe it, just because I know 852 00:42:09,360 --> 00:42:11,120 Speaker 1: how he works and I know what he's capable of 853 00:42:11,239 --> 00:42:13,959 Speaker 1: and love playing with him, love playing with him both 854 00:42:14,320 --> 00:42:18,560 Speaker 1: five and six. What's your expectations going forward here with 855 00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:20,160 Speaker 1: these next couple of games A lot of I mean 856 00:42:20,160 --> 00:42:22,240 Speaker 1: every game is all playoff game at this point. Absolutely. 857 00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:24,520 Speaker 1: I mean my expectation is, you know, come out and 858 00:42:24,560 --> 00:42:27,040 Speaker 1: play the best possible game weekend this Sunday against the 859 00:42:27,080 --> 00:42:29,880 Speaker 1: Jacksonville Jaguars, because that's the only one that matters. And 860 00:42:29,960 --> 00:42:31,480 Speaker 1: being able to go out there and play hard and 861 00:42:31,520 --> 00:42:34,360 Speaker 1: play physical and hopefully get a win. That's at the 862 00:42:34,400 --> 00:42:37,400 Speaker 1: top of all of our list. And last thing I 863 00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:40,600 Speaker 1: want to ask you about the My Cause My Cleats initiative. 864 00:42:41,080 --> 00:42:43,960 Speaker 1: All you guys, are you guys really show love to 865 00:42:44,239 --> 00:42:48,440 Speaker 1: all these different organizations? For you, it's Autism Delaware, I believe. 866 00:42:48,760 --> 00:42:52,759 Speaker 1: So tell us about that initiative and what it means 867 00:42:52,760 --> 00:42:55,440 Speaker 1: to you. So last year I did Autism Speaks like 868 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:58,840 Speaker 1: a national organization. My rookie year, I did Special Olympics, 869 00:42:58,920 --> 00:43:01,960 Speaker 1: and then this year I did Autism Delaware. It's a 870 00:43:01,960 --> 00:43:03,880 Speaker 1: little more focused for me. I have a thirty one 871 00:43:03,920 --> 00:43:09,320 Speaker 1: year old sister with autism, very low functioning and among 872 00:43:09,440 --> 00:43:13,120 Speaker 1: other disabilities, and Autism Delaware is a great organization in 873 00:43:13,200 --> 00:43:16,960 Speaker 1: my hometown that helps a lot of families with resources 874 00:43:17,000 --> 00:43:22,400 Speaker 1: to for care, education, all these a bunch of different 875 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:25,680 Speaker 1: resources in order to help the families of people who 876 00:43:25,760 --> 00:43:29,120 Speaker 1: have autism and you know, help them grow and be 877 00:43:29,160 --> 00:43:32,120 Speaker 1: able to have better lives. And I just wanted to 878 00:43:32,239 --> 00:43:34,120 Speaker 1: share some light on that organization because they do a 879 00:43:34,160 --> 00:43:37,879 Speaker 1: lot of great things for people in my hometown. So yeah, 880 00:43:37,920 --> 00:43:40,400 Speaker 1: it's pretty cool, awesome, Brian Will. Thanks. I mean, you 881 00:43:40,520 --> 00:43:42,880 Speaker 1: got a good thing going this season. We appreciate you 882 00:43:42,960 --> 00:43:45,239 Speaker 1: taking the time. And man, I can't wait till we're 883 00:43:45,239 --> 00:43:47,279 Speaker 1: able to actually interact with you guys in person when 884 00:43:47,280 --> 00:43:49,399 Speaker 1: all this stuff is over. I know it'll be great. 885 00:43:49,760 --> 00:43:53,200 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me, appreciate it. Huge thank you to 886 00:43:53,280 --> 00:43:55,759 Speaker 1: Chris Corso and of course Brian O'Neill for taking a 887 00:43:55,760 --> 00:43:58,799 Speaker 1: couple of minutes. We're really looking forward to Brian having 888 00:43:58,800 --> 00:44:01,600 Speaker 1: a great game this weekend. Quick reminder, guys, it is 889 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:04,640 Speaker 1: game day any day when you play the new Vikings 890 00:44:04,680 --> 00:44:07,400 Speaker 1: scratch game from the Minnesota Lottery with a top prize 891 00:44:07,400 --> 00:44:12,319 Speaker 1: of one hundred thousand dollars. Are you game? Just say 892 00:44:12,400 --> 00:44:18,319 Speaker 1: I'm in. Get more details at mn lottery dot com. Well, 893 00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:22,480 Speaker 1: fellas from Chris Corso and Brian O'Neill. Over to our guy, 894 00:44:22,719 --> 00:44:25,840 Speaker 1: Eric Smith, who had the chance to once again interview 895 00:44:25,880 --> 00:44:31,080 Speaker 1: the Jacksonville Jaguars team reporter this week, Ashlyn Sullivan, team 896 00:44:31,120 --> 00:44:33,959 Speaker 1: reporter and host for the Jacksonville Jaguars. They talked about 897 00:44:34,000 --> 00:44:36,600 Speaker 1: a tough season so far, the bright spots on offense 898 00:44:36,640 --> 00:44:40,120 Speaker 1: and defense, and what the keys are for Jacksonville to 899 00:44:40,120 --> 00:44:42,720 Speaker 1: get their second win of the season. So take it away, 900 00:44:42,840 --> 00:44:46,920 Speaker 1: Eric and Ashlin. I'm Viking team reporter Eric Smith, and 901 00:44:46,960 --> 00:44:50,080 Speaker 1: I'm very happy to be joined today by Ashlan Sullivan, 902 00:44:50,480 --> 00:44:54,080 Speaker 1: who is the digital reporter and team host for the 903 00:44:54,160 --> 00:44:57,280 Speaker 1: Jacksonville Jaguars. Ashlin, thank you so much for coming on today. 904 00:44:57,600 --> 00:44:59,480 Speaker 1: Of course, thank you for having me. I hope you 905 00:44:59,480 --> 00:45:02,319 Speaker 1: guys are stand warm up there. We are, we are, 906 00:45:02,360 --> 00:45:05,759 Speaker 1: We're trying to. It's definitely probably a lot warmer in Jacksonville. 907 00:45:06,360 --> 00:45:09,839 Speaker 1: Although this game Sunday is in Minnesota, is at US 908 00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:13,799 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium, and it'll actually be Jacksonville's first trip to 909 00:45:13,800 --> 00:45:16,160 Speaker 1: our new stadium in a couple of years, so we're 910 00:45:16,280 --> 00:45:18,960 Speaker 1: I'm sure they're looking forward to that. You know, it's 911 00:45:18,960 --> 00:45:21,680 Speaker 1: been a probably been a tough season for the Jaguars, 912 00:45:21,960 --> 00:45:24,040 Speaker 1: you know, they're one and ten on a ten game 913 00:45:24,080 --> 00:45:27,000 Speaker 1: losing streak at the moment. I've noticed they've been competitive 914 00:45:27,040 --> 00:45:29,800 Speaker 1: the last couple of games, especially against Houston and Cleveland. 915 00:45:30,280 --> 00:45:32,640 Speaker 1: I guess, what have you seen from the makeup of 916 00:45:32,680 --> 00:45:35,839 Speaker 1: the team kind of they continue to fight for their 917 00:45:35,880 --> 00:45:39,000 Speaker 1: second win of twenty twenty. Yeah, it's been It's really 918 00:45:39,040 --> 00:45:41,480 Speaker 1: been interesting in the past couple of weeks because they 919 00:45:41,520 --> 00:45:44,120 Speaker 1: have been so competitive and in these games until the 920 00:45:44,160 --> 00:45:47,160 Speaker 1: fourth quarter. In three of the past four games, it's 921 00:45:47,200 --> 00:45:49,680 Speaker 1: been to the final drive, and I think that's what 922 00:45:49,880 --> 00:45:52,680 Speaker 1: is the most frustrating part is they are going toe 923 00:45:52,719 --> 00:45:56,000 Speaker 1: to toe with these playoff contenders and it just isn't 924 00:45:56,080 --> 00:45:59,320 Speaker 1: resulting in a win. But sadly, the biggest thing that 925 00:45:59,320 --> 00:46:01,640 Speaker 1: I've boils down to the past ten weeks since the 926 00:46:01,719 --> 00:46:05,000 Speaker 1: losing streak started is you have the effort, You have 927 00:46:05,120 --> 00:46:07,600 Speaker 1: the fight. It's not a lack of effort. We've seen 928 00:46:07,640 --> 00:46:10,040 Speaker 1: that before with losing streaks. You can see if a 929 00:46:10,120 --> 00:46:12,879 Speaker 1: team has packed it in. This isn't the case. It's 930 00:46:12,880 --> 00:46:15,839 Speaker 1: sadly just seems to be the lack of talent on 931 00:46:15,880 --> 00:46:18,560 Speaker 1: the field. I'm definitely injuries as well, especially on the 932 00:46:18,600 --> 00:46:22,160 Speaker 1: defensive side the ball. For example, you had undrafted rookie 933 00:46:22,520 --> 00:46:25,680 Speaker 1: Luke Barkoo, who is the third cornerback, going against Jarvis 934 00:46:25,719 --> 00:46:28,280 Speaker 1: Landry last week. So when you look at it on paper, 935 00:46:28,360 --> 00:46:30,960 Speaker 1: you're like, this isn't a fair matchup. But then they 936 00:46:30,960 --> 00:46:33,520 Speaker 1: go out there and they fight and there's effort. It's close, 937 00:46:33,640 --> 00:46:35,799 Speaker 1: but all in all, it just doesn't seem like the 938 00:46:35,840 --> 00:46:38,200 Speaker 1: talent on the field is enough to get over the 939 00:46:38,280 --> 00:46:41,080 Speaker 1: hump the past ten weeks. You mentioned that player being 940 00:46:41,080 --> 00:46:44,840 Speaker 1: an undrafted free agent rookie, And there's another undrafted rookie 941 00:46:44,840 --> 00:46:46,799 Speaker 1: that's caught my eye so far, and that's running back 942 00:46:46,880 --> 00:46:50,280 Speaker 1: James Robinson. He posted it fourth one hundred yard rushing 943 00:46:50,320 --> 00:46:53,440 Speaker 1: game on Sunday and closing in on one thousand yards, 944 00:46:53,760 --> 00:46:56,879 Speaker 1: which made his rookie season such a success so far. 945 00:46:57,120 --> 00:47:00,319 Speaker 1: He is an incredible story. And I won't even line 946 00:47:00,320 --> 00:47:02,960 Speaker 1: to you. If anyone says they could have saw this coming, 947 00:47:03,239 --> 00:47:06,040 Speaker 1: I think they're lying to you. Because we go back 948 00:47:06,040 --> 00:47:09,120 Speaker 1: to training camp in August and that was when Leonard Fournette, 949 00:47:09,160 --> 00:47:12,200 Speaker 1: who was on the team in the obvious starter, and 950 00:47:12,520 --> 00:47:15,600 Speaker 1: conversations were starting to be had he really shouldn't watch 951 00:47:15,640 --> 00:47:18,080 Speaker 1: out for this. James Robinson kid, he's really lightening up 952 00:47:18,080 --> 00:47:20,160 Speaker 1: in training camp, like all right, you know, I think 953 00:47:20,160 --> 00:47:23,480 Speaker 1: he makes the team. And then one morning they send 954 00:47:23,520 --> 00:47:26,120 Speaker 1: Leonard Furnette to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and we're thinking, 955 00:47:26,239 --> 00:47:28,680 Speaker 1: what in the world is going on, and they said, 956 00:47:28,680 --> 00:47:31,880 Speaker 1: you know, James Robinson flat out just got this spot. 957 00:47:31,960 --> 00:47:35,160 Speaker 1: He had an opportunity, took advantage of it and made 958 00:47:35,160 --> 00:47:37,719 Speaker 1: it his And now he's the starting running back, well 959 00:47:37,760 --> 00:47:40,600 Speaker 1: on his way to win a thousand yards season. And 960 00:47:40,680 --> 00:47:43,759 Speaker 1: I don't think anyone could have seen this coming. But 961 00:47:44,080 --> 00:47:46,800 Speaker 1: an incredible story. And the coolest thing is he hasn't 962 00:47:46,880 --> 00:47:51,280 Speaker 1: changed at all, very very quiet, low key guy. Press 963 00:47:51,360 --> 00:47:54,719 Speaker 1: conferences aren't his thing, and he hasn't really taken in 964 00:47:54,719 --> 00:47:57,479 Speaker 1: that limelight. He was asked about the Pro Bowl, for example, today, 965 00:47:57,560 --> 00:47:59,560 Speaker 1: he was like, yeah, it could be kind of cool. 966 00:47:59,600 --> 00:48:03,279 Speaker 1: I guess. So just brushing off the accolades and going 967 00:48:03,280 --> 00:48:05,480 Speaker 1: to work every week. I know Jacksonville has had to 968 00:48:05,480 --> 00:48:07,439 Speaker 1: rely on him quite a bit to see. Then there's 969 00:48:07,440 --> 00:48:09,239 Speaker 1: been a little bit of turnover and kind of ups 970 00:48:09,320 --> 00:48:12,279 Speaker 1: and down to the quarterback situation. What's sort of the 971 00:48:12,360 --> 00:48:14,680 Speaker 1: vibe with that group as we head into a week 972 00:48:14,719 --> 00:48:18,400 Speaker 1: thirteen Frankly, it seems as of now that the long 973 00:48:18,520 --> 00:48:22,120 Speaker 1: term franchise answer isn't on the roster as I know, 974 00:48:22,200 --> 00:48:24,480 Speaker 1: I think it's fairly obvious that the Jaguars will have 975 00:48:24,520 --> 00:48:27,760 Speaker 1: to address a quarterback in the first round of the draft. 976 00:48:27,800 --> 00:48:29,640 Speaker 1: So right now it's kind of trying to figure out 977 00:48:29,640 --> 00:48:32,239 Speaker 1: who gives you the best chance to win right here, 978 00:48:32,360 --> 00:48:35,840 Speaker 1: right now, and they've given all three shot as of 979 00:48:35,920 --> 00:48:37,879 Speaker 1: right now. Mike Glennon will start it, and I think 980 00:48:38,120 --> 00:48:40,319 Speaker 1: you're going to see Doug Morone go down that road. 981 00:48:40,400 --> 00:48:43,000 Speaker 1: He wants a veteran presence. Mike Glennon played well last 982 00:48:43,040 --> 00:48:45,800 Speaker 1: week and they just are unsure if Gardner Minshew is 983 00:48:45,840 --> 00:48:49,440 Speaker 1: one hundred percent healthy, and Doug Morone has said, as 984 00:48:49,480 --> 00:48:52,000 Speaker 1: long as we know that that thumb is one hundred 985 00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:54,280 Speaker 1: and ten percent, I don't want to take any chances 986 00:48:54,600 --> 00:48:57,399 Speaker 1: getting him out there. I think if if you're looking 987 00:48:57,480 --> 00:49:00,480 Speaker 1: long term into the future, I think Jack or Stands 988 00:49:00,480 --> 00:49:02,799 Speaker 1: would like to see Jake Luton, the rookie, go in there, 989 00:49:02,840 --> 00:49:06,560 Speaker 1: because he did show some potential. But right now they 990 00:49:06,560 --> 00:49:09,239 Speaker 1: just don't have the time to progress and take time 991 00:49:09,280 --> 00:49:11,239 Speaker 1: with him. They got to win right here, right now, 992 00:49:11,280 --> 00:49:13,400 Speaker 1: and Doug Brown has said Mike glenn and it's the 993 00:49:13,400 --> 00:49:15,239 Speaker 1: best shot for that. Yeah, well, we'll look forward to 994 00:49:15,239 --> 00:49:18,360 Speaker 1: see Mike Lennon on Sunday. I think the Viking have 995 00:49:18,440 --> 00:49:21,960 Speaker 1: seen him once before in the past. But how about 996 00:49:21,960 --> 00:49:24,440 Speaker 1: on defense, who's kind of a bright spot on defense, 997 00:49:24,480 --> 00:49:26,600 Speaker 1: who's kind of stepped up for that unit so far, 998 00:49:26,760 --> 00:49:29,600 Speaker 1: you know, despite all the losses. There's a couple, but 999 00:49:29,640 --> 00:49:32,879 Speaker 1: I'll go with Miles Jack, who was the middle linebacker 1000 00:49:33,040 --> 00:49:35,359 Speaker 1: last season, got moved over to week side and it's 1001 00:49:35,400 --> 00:49:39,640 Speaker 1: really flashed and seemed so much more comfortable in that position. 1002 00:49:40,080 --> 00:49:42,600 Speaker 1: That's the position he played in college at UCLA, and 1003 00:49:43,080 --> 00:49:46,359 Speaker 1: you just see him making so many more plays. Really 1004 00:49:46,400 --> 00:49:49,680 Speaker 1: playmaking ability has risen him playing much more free and 1005 00:49:50,120 --> 00:49:52,520 Speaker 1: stress for I think the middle linebacker last year for 1006 00:49:52,600 --> 00:49:55,080 Speaker 1: him was a bit overwhelming and he admitted that it's 1007 00:49:55,120 --> 00:49:57,279 Speaker 1: not in these in his natural position. You're seeing the 1008 00:49:57,360 --> 00:50:00,440 Speaker 1: Miles Jack that we saw back in two thousands seventeen. 1009 00:50:00,440 --> 00:50:04,239 Speaker 1: With the AFC Championship, we're seeing that Miles again. So 1010 00:50:04,280 --> 00:50:06,239 Speaker 1: that's been very fun to see. And another one that's 1011 00:50:06,239 --> 00:50:10,120 Speaker 1: super unfortunate was nose tackle Devot Hamilton, who was a 1012 00:50:10,200 --> 00:50:12,839 Speaker 1: rookie out of Ohio State, and he was really progressing 1013 00:50:12,920 --> 00:50:15,439 Speaker 1: every single week to the point where we started talking 1014 00:50:15,440 --> 00:50:18,359 Speaker 1: about Pro Bowl accolades for him, and unfortunately just went 1015 00:50:18,440 --> 00:50:21,120 Speaker 1: on injury reserve last week. So that was definitely a 1016 00:50:21,200 --> 00:50:24,480 Speaker 1: bummer because he was taking steps every single week. But 1017 00:50:24,640 --> 00:50:27,239 Speaker 1: those are two that have been bright spots in a 1018 00:50:27,280 --> 00:50:30,080 Speaker 1: difficultier We'll get you out of here with this final question. 1019 00:50:30,160 --> 00:50:31,759 Speaker 1: You kind of touched on it a little bit with 1020 00:50:31,840 --> 00:50:35,160 Speaker 1: the quarterback situation, but you know, at one in ten 1021 00:50:35,280 --> 00:50:39,080 Speaker 1: and with five game to go, what would define success 1022 00:50:39,200 --> 00:50:42,120 Speaker 1: for Jacksonville in these final five games. I think it's 1023 00:50:42,120 --> 00:50:44,320 Speaker 1: gotta be you gotta you gotta win a few games 1024 00:50:44,360 --> 00:50:47,200 Speaker 1: that no one expects you to win. You gotta squeak 1025 00:50:47,200 --> 00:50:50,279 Speaker 1: a few out here that no one sees coming. And 1026 00:50:50,360 --> 00:50:53,319 Speaker 1: I do think if they if they beat one team, 1027 00:50:53,360 --> 00:50:55,560 Speaker 1: if it is a Minnesota Vikings on Sunday or someone 1028 00:50:55,600 --> 00:50:58,960 Speaker 1: else this year, that one win will be so sweet 1029 00:50:59,120 --> 00:51:01,080 Speaker 1: and maybe it does lead to a few more. But 1030 00:51:01,719 --> 00:51:04,520 Speaker 1: this team is trying so hard and it's been great 1031 00:51:04,560 --> 00:51:06,839 Speaker 1: to see that there's been no finger pointing. I mean, 1032 00:51:06,920 --> 00:51:09,239 Speaker 1: every week they come to play and we're at the 1033 00:51:09,239 --> 00:51:12,000 Speaker 1: point now we're Jaguars fans, especially on shows like, no, 1034 00:51:12,360 --> 00:51:16,040 Speaker 1: don't win, don't ruin draft position. But this team in 1035 00:51:16,160 --> 00:51:19,040 Speaker 1: the here and now does not care about that. Dune 1036 00:51:19,200 --> 00:51:22,560 Speaker 1: Rome doesn't have time to care about that. So one 1037 00:51:22,640 --> 00:51:25,359 Speaker 1: win when you're not expecting it, and as of right now, 1038 00:51:25,360 --> 00:51:28,240 Speaker 1: they're not expected to win any other game in this season, 1039 00:51:28,280 --> 00:51:30,239 Speaker 1: They're not going to be favored. I think it would 1040 00:51:30,280 --> 00:51:32,960 Speaker 1: mean a lot to this team as we definitely appreciate 1041 00:51:32,960 --> 00:51:34,800 Speaker 1: your time and thank you for all the great insight. 1042 00:51:35,280 --> 00:51:38,640 Speaker 1: Of course, thank you for having me, thank you Eric, 1043 00:51:38,680 --> 00:51:41,239 Speaker 1: and of course thank you Ashland for diving into this 1044 00:51:41,840 --> 00:51:45,840 Speaker 1: Sunday's matchup. Guys, before we get out of here, let's 1045 00:51:46,200 --> 00:51:53,239 Speaker 1: talk playoff scenarios. ESPN Playoff Machine is back, boys. I 1046 00:51:53,280 --> 00:51:56,400 Speaker 1: saw it before this last week's game because I'm the 1047 00:51:56,480 --> 00:52:00,879 Speaker 1: sort of idiot who is in like face book fan 1048 00:52:01,040 --> 00:52:02,719 Speaker 1: groups of the Viking. I don't know why do it? 1049 00:52:02,760 --> 00:52:08,120 Speaker 1: If you like, let me explain to you what a 1050 00:52:08,239 --> 00:52:12,839 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings Facebook fan group is. It's three things, right, 1051 00:52:12,920 --> 00:52:16,120 Speaker 1: It's sixty thousand or so people and they post three things. 1052 00:52:16,160 --> 00:52:19,440 Speaker 1: One Kirk is amazing. You see what he did this 1053 00:52:19,480 --> 00:52:23,440 Speaker 1: weekend haters or they post Kirk sucks. Even though it 1054 00:52:23,520 --> 00:52:27,560 Speaker 1: was good, he still sucks were haters, or they just 1055 00:52:27,760 --> 00:52:30,600 Speaker 1: post a picture of them in a Vikings jersey in 1056 00:52:30,640 --> 00:52:35,799 Speaker 1: a state that's not Minnesota. They're very generally unenjoyable, but 1057 00:52:35,840 --> 00:52:40,200 Speaker 1: I can't leave them. And this weekend, before the game 1058 00:52:40,320 --> 00:52:45,759 Speaker 1: against the Carolina Panthers, somebody posted the if the Vikings 1059 00:52:46,000 --> 00:52:51,520 Speaker 1: beat the Panthers, the Cardinals lose and the Bears lose, 1060 00:52:51,680 --> 00:52:54,319 Speaker 1: and then the following week they beat the Jags and 1061 00:52:54,360 --> 00:52:58,719 Speaker 1: the Rams beat the Cardinals, the Vikings would officially be 1062 00:52:58,840 --> 00:53:03,160 Speaker 1: in charge of their own destiny, despite the roller coaster 1063 00:53:03,239 --> 00:53:07,600 Speaker 1: that this season was, And wouldn't you know, the first 1064 00:53:07,640 --> 00:53:10,000 Speaker 1: half of all that stuff came through. So we're walking 1065 00:53:10,040 --> 00:53:13,640 Speaker 1: into this weekend game knowing that if we can beat 1066 00:53:14,600 --> 00:53:18,920 Speaker 1: a Jacksonville Jaguars team that seems beatable, and the Rams, 1067 00:53:18,960 --> 00:53:21,240 Speaker 1: who are a bit of an enigma, but in my opinion, 1068 00:53:21,400 --> 00:53:24,520 Speaker 1: might sneakily be the best team in the NFC, if 1069 00:53:24,560 --> 00:53:28,840 Speaker 1: they can beat a struggling Cardinals team, you could wind 1070 00:53:28,920 --> 00:53:33,600 Speaker 1: up Sunday afternoon, despite all the garbage that's happened all year, 1071 00:53:34,400 --> 00:53:37,880 Speaker 1: officially in a playoff spot, and then you get to 1072 00:53:37,880 --> 00:53:40,160 Speaker 1: go play the Buccaneers to try to hold onto it. 1073 00:53:40,320 --> 00:53:44,400 Speaker 1: That's exciting, That's exactly what you want. Also, I mean 1074 00:53:44,440 --> 00:53:47,600 Speaker 1: you got a team that, like you said, Arizona Cardinals, 1075 00:53:47,600 --> 00:53:49,520 Speaker 1: team that are still trying to figure out who they are. 1076 00:53:49,840 --> 00:53:52,360 Speaker 1: But more importantly, we have to figure out who we 1077 00:53:52,360 --> 00:53:54,920 Speaker 1: are against the Jacksonville Jaguars, like Jay Stadia earlier. And 1078 00:53:55,000 --> 00:53:58,120 Speaker 1: if we do that the Arizona Cardinals lose, it puts 1079 00:53:58,160 --> 00:54:00,120 Speaker 1: us in a good scenario. But at the Saints, I'm 1080 00:54:00,160 --> 00:54:02,560 Speaker 1: always say there are four quarters to a season with 1081 00:54:02,680 --> 00:54:06,080 Speaker 1: sixteen games. You set the season up until four's we 1082 00:54:06,160 --> 00:54:08,920 Speaker 1: beat Jacksonville, we're in the playoff hunt. You got the 1083 00:54:09,000 --> 00:54:11,439 Speaker 1: last quarter of the season to prove who you really are, 1084 00:54:11,719 --> 00:54:14,160 Speaker 1: and I think the Vikings they got a pretty good 1085 00:54:14,200 --> 00:54:16,360 Speaker 1: shot of doing so. I mean, you still one of 1086 00:54:16,360 --> 00:54:19,080 Speaker 1: those games against Tampa Bay or New Orleans and then 1087 00:54:19,120 --> 00:54:22,880 Speaker 1: beat the Bears or the Detroit Lions. I think you 1088 00:54:22,920 --> 00:54:25,319 Speaker 1: put yourself. You make a good argument to say, hey 1089 00:54:25,360 --> 00:54:27,600 Speaker 1: we are a playoff team, and teams are starting to 1090 00:54:27,640 --> 00:54:29,680 Speaker 1: take you serious at that point because you're going to 1091 00:54:29,800 --> 00:54:33,680 Speaker 1: run lead. Yeah, I mean I think absolutely, and I 1092 00:54:33,760 --> 00:54:36,279 Speaker 1: think it's not just steal one of those games. I 1093 00:54:36,280 --> 00:54:37,759 Speaker 1: think you're gonna have to get at least one of 1094 00:54:37,760 --> 00:54:39,960 Speaker 1: those games, if not two of them. I think the 1095 00:54:40,080 --> 00:54:43,239 Speaker 1: interesting thing for this squad, and they're young players, is 1096 00:54:43,920 --> 00:54:47,800 Speaker 1: since this past week with the Carolina Panthers, they're essentially 1097 00:54:47,880 --> 00:54:51,440 Speaker 1: going to be in a win or you're done situation 1098 00:54:51,520 --> 00:54:53,879 Speaker 1: for the rest of the year. Because if you look 1099 00:54:53,920 --> 00:54:57,239 Speaker 1: at the three teams competing for that final spot, the Cardinals, 1100 00:54:57,239 --> 00:55:00,320 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Vikings, like, yes, maybe 1101 00:55:00,320 --> 00:55:02,920 Speaker 1: the Chicago Bears maker run at it, but it's not 1102 00:55:03,120 --> 00:55:05,680 Speaker 1: looking great for them right now. And the Rams, I think, 1103 00:55:05,719 --> 00:55:09,200 Speaker 1: are a step above everybody. You look at these schedules. 1104 00:55:09,520 --> 00:55:13,640 Speaker 1: You got a Cardinals team that book ends with the Rams. 1105 00:55:13,640 --> 00:55:15,760 Speaker 1: They play the Rams now, and they play the Rams 1106 00:55:15,760 --> 00:55:21,760 Speaker 1: week seventeen, and then it's Giants, Eagles, Niners. Two pretty 1107 00:55:21,800 --> 00:55:26,480 Speaker 1: winnable games and one division game. That's not a terrible 1108 00:55:26,560 --> 00:55:31,080 Speaker 1: schedule for them. You look at the Minnesota Vikings, you know, yes, 1109 00:55:31,480 --> 00:55:34,919 Speaker 1: Jacksonville seems like it's an advantageous game, but I don't 1110 00:55:34,920 --> 00:55:39,000 Speaker 1: care what Chicago and Detroit are going through their divisional opponents. 1111 00:55:39,000 --> 00:55:42,600 Speaker 1: We have two divisional opponents and then two top tier 1112 00:55:42,640 --> 00:55:46,880 Speaker 1: teams in the Bucks and the Saints. The Bucks themselves 1113 00:55:46,920 --> 00:55:50,000 Speaker 1: getting the bye if they can get by the US 1114 00:55:50,080 --> 00:55:54,840 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings, they go Atlanta, Detroit, Atlanta to close 1115 00:55:54,880 --> 00:55:57,399 Speaker 1: the season. So basically what the Vikings. The Vikings aren't 1116 00:55:57,400 --> 00:55:59,479 Speaker 1: going to be able to rely on anybody else. Jay 1117 00:55:59,480 --> 00:56:02,839 Speaker 1: and my opt you can't beat the Jags, slip up 1118 00:56:02,840 --> 00:56:05,680 Speaker 1: against the Bucks, beat the Bears, slip up against the Saints, 1119 00:56:05,680 --> 00:56:07,839 Speaker 1: and think you're going to get into the playoffs. I 1120 00:56:07,880 --> 00:56:11,160 Speaker 1: think you're going to have to take control of your 1121 00:56:11,160 --> 00:56:14,239 Speaker 1: own destiny by winning this weekend and hoping that, you know, 1122 00:56:14,400 --> 00:56:16,880 Speaker 1: if the Cardinals lose, you're gonna have to take control 1123 00:56:16,880 --> 00:56:18,880 Speaker 1: of your own destiny, and then you're gonna have to 1124 00:56:18,920 --> 00:56:21,799 Speaker 1: execute all the way out because I just think it's 1125 00:56:21,840 --> 00:56:25,399 Speaker 1: stacks too heavily in the other directions for the other 1126 00:56:25,400 --> 00:56:27,440 Speaker 1: two teams you're competing with. Yeah, And part of it 1127 00:56:27,480 --> 00:56:29,879 Speaker 1: for me too, is that it'd be one thing if 1128 00:56:29,880 --> 00:56:31,839 Speaker 1: we had kind of stumbled and had a couple of wins, 1129 00:56:31,840 --> 00:56:33,440 Speaker 1: a couple laws, a couple of wins, and we got 1130 00:56:33,480 --> 00:56:36,160 Speaker 1: to this point where were five and six. But for me, 1131 00:56:36,320 --> 00:56:38,440 Speaker 1: the thing about it is, you were one in five 1132 00:56:38,880 --> 00:56:41,480 Speaker 1: and you've been in We are in crisis mode, we 1133 00:56:41,520 --> 00:56:43,239 Speaker 1: are in win now mode, and we have to do 1134 00:56:43,280 --> 00:56:45,680 Speaker 1: this for the rest of the season. This team, essentially 1135 00:56:45,920 --> 00:56:48,319 Speaker 1: for the last four weeks and for the rest of 1136 00:56:48,320 --> 00:56:51,600 Speaker 1: the season are in win or go home mode. So 1137 00:56:51,719 --> 00:56:54,160 Speaker 1: for me, the nice thing about this is that they 1138 00:56:54,200 --> 00:56:56,279 Speaker 1: can't rest and they know it, and it's not like 1139 00:56:56,320 --> 00:56:58,320 Speaker 1: they're going to be able to rest on their laurels 1140 00:56:58,320 --> 00:57:00,520 Speaker 1: and say, well, maybe Arizona is going to help us out, 1141 00:57:00,520 --> 00:57:02,560 Speaker 1: and maybe the Rams might help us out, etc. Etc. 1142 00:57:03,280 --> 00:57:04,839 Speaker 1: They know they have to take care of their own 1143 00:57:04,880 --> 00:57:07,240 Speaker 1: business and I think Zimmer has had them laser focused 1144 00:57:07,239 --> 00:57:10,760 Speaker 1: on that at least for the last month, if not longer. 1145 00:57:10,880 --> 00:57:12,919 Speaker 1: So for me, the best part is that you've put 1146 00:57:12,960 --> 00:57:15,080 Speaker 1: together this four and one. You know you have a 1147 00:57:15,160 --> 00:57:18,400 Speaker 1: very small margin of error, and so handle your own business, 1148 00:57:18,480 --> 00:57:19,880 Speaker 1: take care of a Jags team, and then go get 1149 00:57:19,880 --> 00:57:22,480 Speaker 1: those hard ones and make sure that you're doing what 1150 00:57:22,560 --> 00:57:25,280 Speaker 1: you can improve to yourself that you belong here, especially 1151 00:57:25,320 --> 00:57:29,280 Speaker 1: in this playoff hunt. Yeah, I just think these next 1152 00:57:29,320 --> 00:57:32,440 Speaker 1: few will four games after Jacksonville. I'm trying trauma hardest 1153 00:57:32,520 --> 00:57:35,040 Speaker 1: not to overlook Jacksonville. After all we've talked about through 1154 00:57:35,040 --> 00:57:38,600 Speaker 1: this show. But after we take care of Jacksonville, if 1155 00:57:38,600 --> 00:57:41,000 Speaker 1: you don't go to the home of Super Bowl fifty 1156 00:57:41,000 --> 00:57:43,560 Speaker 1: five and take care of your business against the Goat 1157 00:57:43,840 --> 00:57:46,440 Speaker 1: and then come back home beat the Chicago Bears, and 1158 00:57:46,480 --> 00:57:49,600 Speaker 1: then on Christmas when everybody's watching, and don't take care 1159 00:57:49,600 --> 00:57:52,040 Speaker 1: of business. I personally don't think you deserve to go 1160 00:57:52,040 --> 00:57:55,040 Speaker 1: to the playoffs. So I'm sure Zimmer has those guys 1161 00:57:56,200 --> 00:57:58,160 Speaker 1: all on board, or if you know, one game at 1162 00:57:58,160 --> 00:58:01,320 Speaker 1: a time. But at the same time, hey, there's there's 1163 00:58:01,360 --> 00:58:03,840 Speaker 1: a lot more than just a game to make the playoffs. Hey, 1164 00:58:03,840 --> 00:58:06,000 Speaker 1: we want to make the Super Bowl here, man, Like, 1165 00:58:06,120 --> 00:58:09,160 Speaker 1: let's that is every team's goal each year, and this 1166 00:58:09,240 --> 00:58:11,280 Speaker 1: year you have a chance to go to the actual 1167 00:58:11,360 --> 00:58:14,800 Speaker 1: site and do what and control your own destiny. So 1168 00:58:15,920 --> 00:58:19,440 Speaker 1: everybody says we've gotten the New Orleans Saints number, But 1169 00:58:19,480 --> 00:58:21,360 Speaker 1: at the same time they're looking at it as Hey, 1170 00:58:21,560 --> 00:58:24,840 Speaker 1: we know the Vikings. They're always are our Achilles Hill, 1171 00:58:24,880 --> 00:58:26,680 Speaker 1: So let's go take care of business. So there's there's 1172 00:58:26,680 --> 00:58:28,840 Speaker 1: a lot, Like there's a lot to play for these 1173 00:58:28,880 --> 00:58:31,680 Speaker 1: past five weeks, and Jay and Chris get tired of 1174 00:58:31,720 --> 00:58:33,640 Speaker 1: me talking about this. But I'm not a one year 1175 00:58:33,760 --> 00:58:35,800 Speaker 1: Viking fan. I want to be as good as we 1176 00:58:35,880 --> 00:58:37,760 Speaker 1: possibly can be this year. I want to go as 1177 00:58:37,800 --> 00:58:41,080 Speaker 1: far as we possibly can. But I understood very early 1178 00:58:41,120 --> 00:58:45,360 Speaker 1: in the season what this was. With no offseason, with 1179 00:58:45,480 --> 00:58:49,160 Speaker 1: a ton of young players. I wanted to I wanted 1180 00:58:49,240 --> 00:58:51,480 Speaker 1: us to play important games late in the season. I 1181 00:58:51,520 --> 00:58:53,560 Speaker 1: wanted a shot at the playoffs. Hell, if this team 1182 00:58:53,600 --> 00:58:56,400 Speaker 1: turns into a super Bowl team, that makes it run great. 1183 00:58:56,800 --> 00:59:00,439 Speaker 1: But the big thing for me was hoping at all 1184 00:59:00,480 --> 00:59:03,480 Speaker 1: this draft capital and all these young guys and second 1185 00:59:03,560 --> 00:59:07,880 Speaker 1: year guys progressed. So as you lost a Xavier Rhodes, 1186 00:59:08,000 --> 00:59:10,360 Speaker 1: and you lost in Everson Griffin, and you lost these 1187 00:59:10,440 --> 00:59:13,280 Speaker 1: veterans that were the old guard, that you felt like 1188 00:59:13,760 --> 00:59:17,000 Speaker 1: there was a new guard that was coming alive that 1189 00:59:17,080 --> 00:59:21,680 Speaker 1: could give you hope and carry you pass the idea 1190 00:59:21,680 --> 00:59:25,000 Speaker 1: of a tear down and into the idea of competition 1191 00:59:25,120 --> 00:59:27,880 Speaker 1: for years to come here. And I really think we've 1192 00:59:27,880 --> 00:59:29,520 Speaker 1: seen a lot of life with that. I think, you know, 1193 00:59:29,520 --> 00:59:32,640 Speaker 1: everybody was excited about Danceler early on, and they still are. 1194 00:59:32,680 --> 00:59:35,400 Speaker 1: But man, jeff Gladney has come on. We don't even 1195 00:59:35,440 --> 00:59:39,680 Speaker 1: need to mention Justin Jefferson. Everybody in the league is 1196 00:59:39,720 --> 00:59:44,440 Speaker 1: already doing it constantly. You know, there's just Eric Wilson. Yeah, 1197 00:59:44,560 --> 00:59:47,960 Speaker 1: DJ Wantam, who is now not only stepping up. I 1198 00:59:48,000 --> 00:59:50,560 Speaker 1: mean he gets that big field goal block last week. 1199 00:59:50,560 --> 00:59:52,840 Speaker 1: He just seems to be making plays week in and 1200 00:59:52,960 --> 00:59:56,600 Speaker 1: week out. So now we've gotten that. That was a 1201 00:59:56,680 --> 00:59:59,360 Speaker 1: thing I wanted. I wanted to look at this squad 1202 00:59:59,480 --> 01:00:02,520 Speaker 1: and go, there's a group of dudes who are going 1203 01:00:02,600 --> 01:00:05,560 Speaker 1: to be big time contributors for this team for a 1204 01:00:05,600 --> 01:00:10,760 Speaker 1: few years to come. At the very least check accomplished. Now, 1205 01:00:11,280 --> 01:00:14,600 Speaker 1: I want to see what happens when the money's on 1206 01:00:14,640 --> 01:00:19,360 Speaker 1: the line. So if you can get Jacksonville and somehow 1207 01:00:19,400 --> 01:00:21,800 Speaker 1: Arizona loses this weekend. Hell, even if they don't, but 1208 01:00:21,880 --> 01:00:24,720 Speaker 1: let's say they do, you now have a four game 1209 01:00:24,840 --> 01:00:28,680 Speaker 1: stretch where you can't rely on your youth as an 1210 01:00:28,720 --> 01:00:33,720 Speaker 1: excuse anymore. You can't play mistake Leiden football anymore. You 1211 01:00:33,760 --> 01:00:37,960 Speaker 1: have now had twelve games to grow and prove that 1212 01:00:38,040 --> 01:00:40,800 Speaker 1: you belong and prove that this team has a future, 1213 01:00:41,080 --> 01:00:44,960 Speaker 1: and now you have four games to really impress those 1214 01:00:45,000 --> 01:00:49,520 Speaker 1: points into the league. So to me, especially given the 1215 01:00:49,560 --> 01:00:53,880 Speaker 1: way this season started, this is the best case scenario 1216 01:00:54,000 --> 01:00:57,200 Speaker 1: for this football team. With all the struggles and all 1217 01:00:57,240 --> 01:01:00,280 Speaker 1: the problems, you're walking forward and you have a chance 1218 01:01:00,320 --> 01:01:03,880 Speaker 1: to do something meaningful for the psyche of the players 1219 01:01:03,920 --> 01:01:09,800 Speaker 1: and the organization and the team going forward. Speaking of 1220 01:01:09,840 --> 01:01:13,760 Speaker 1: the team going forward, a lot of players made big 1221 01:01:13,800 --> 01:01:18,440 Speaker 1: steps forward this year, and Pro Bowl voting has begune. 1222 01:01:18,560 --> 01:01:20,520 Speaker 1: You gotta go to NFL dot com and vote for 1223 01:01:20,560 --> 01:01:23,280 Speaker 1: your favorite vikings. I'm gonna throw a few names out. 1224 01:01:23,440 --> 01:01:26,560 Speaker 1: You can go vote for whoever's your favorite. I suggest 1225 01:01:26,600 --> 01:01:28,680 Speaker 1: just vote for all of them. They all deserve it. 1226 01:01:28,680 --> 01:01:32,160 Speaker 1: But Eric Kendricks having a monster year, the other Eric 1227 01:01:32,360 --> 01:01:37,120 Speaker 1: Eric Wilson stepping up and making splash play after splash play. 1228 01:01:37,160 --> 01:01:42,200 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith once again, Bean Harrison Smith. Everybody knows Delvin 1229 01:01:42,240 --> 01:01:45,160 Speaker 1: Cooks in the MVP conversation. Let's talk about some offensive 1230 01:01:45,200 --> 01:01:48,440 Speaker 1: lineman Garrett Bradberry coming awake as one of the best 1231 01:01:48,480 --> 01:01:51,840 Speaker 1: young centers in the league this year after a growth 1232 01:01:51,880 --> 01:01:56,120 Speaker 1: season last year. Brian O'Neill. I can't say it enough. 1233 01:01:56,240 --> 01:01:58,280 Speaker 1: This dude is a Pro Bowl or whether he gets 1234 01:01:58,280 --> 01:02:01,080 Speaker 1: the votes or not, so give him of votes he deserves. 1235 01:02:01,280 --> 01:02:04,400 Speaker 1: And a guy that has gone from trade rumors to 1236 01:02:04,840 --> 01:02:10,880 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl conversations. Riley Reef has really been a steady 1237 01:02:11,040 --> 01:02:14,080 Speaker 1: staple for this team this year as this offensive line 1238 01:02:14,080 --> 01:02:17,800 Speaker 1: has taken steps forward. Adam thieland Justin Jefferson, on and 1239 01:02:17,960 --> 01:02:20,680 Speaker 1: on and on and on. Get out to NFL dot 1240 01:02:20,680 --> 01:02:24,320 Speaker 1: com and vote for your favorite Vikings. Also check out 1241 01:02:24,320 --> 01:02:26,840 Speaker 1: this week's episode of Under Center with Kirk Cousins. He 1242 01:02:27,000 --> 01:02:30,720 Speaker 1: had offensive Hero of the Week Chad Bebond. They talked 1243 01:02:30,720 --> 01:02:34,200 Speaker 1: about everything that happened in the emotional roller coaster on Sunday. 1244 01:02:34,840 --> 01:02:37,600 Speaker 1: I remember to tune in to Vikings Postgame Live every 1245 01:02:37,600 --> 01:02:42,280 Speaker 1: week fifteen minutes after each game from inside US Bank Stadium. 1246 01:02:42,400 --> 01:02:46,120 Speaker 1: He had a breakdown of the game including highlights, stats, analysis, 1247 01:02:46,120 --> 01:02:50,160 Speaker 1: and more. Vikings dot Com, the Vikings App, Vikings social 1248 01:02:50,160 --> 01:02:54,160 Speaker 1: media channels, Our Boy Gabe Henderson and Are Not Here Boy. 1249 01:02:54,480 --> 01:02:58,320 Speaker 1: Chris Corso host Vikings Vantage Friday nights six thirty pm 1250 01:02:58,360 --> 01:03:04,000 Speaker 1: on CAFAN. This week there's special guest is ce j Ham. 1251 01:03:04,400 --> 01:03:06,840 Speaker 1: You can check out those shows on and everything else 1252 01:03:07,600 --> 01:03:11,840 Speaker 1: on any podcast app, anywhere you get Minnesota Vikings content 1253 01:03:12,280 --> 01:03:17,120 Speaker 1: or Vikings dot Com. It's it feels to me like 1254 01:03:17,200 --> 01:03:19,480 Speaker 1: it's it might not be official, but it's winner go 1255 01:03:19,560 --> 01:03:22,120 Speaker 1: home from here on out, guys, So, as we walk 1256 01:03:22,160 --> 01:03:25,480 Speaker 1: into this weekend's game, Gabe, what's what's the one thing 1257 01:03:25,560 --> 01:03:28,400 Speaker 1: you'll really be looking for against the Jaguars on Sunday. 1258 01:03:28,760 --> 01:03:32,080 Speaker 1: I'm really looking forward to see if we can code 1259 01:03:32,120 --> 01:03:34,480 Speaker 1: onto the ball first and foremost and then play a 1260 01:03:34,560 --> 01:03:37,320 Speaker 1: mistake free game with no penalties. If we can do 1261 01:03:37,360 --> 01:03:39,919 Speaker 1: that against the team that are still trying to find 1262 01:03:39,960 --> 01:03:43,000 Speaker 1: their identity, I think we we build confidence heading into 1263 01:03:43,000 --> 01:03:45,920 Speaker 1: the last portion of the season. So mistake free football, 1264 01:03:46,040 --> 01:03:49,600 Speaker 1: mental airs, none of that. Maybe defense get you know, 1265 01:03:49,640 --> 01:03:51,800 Speaker 1: at pick six or if Fumber recover for its touchdown. 1266 01:03:51,840 --> 01:03:53,920 Speaker 1: We haven't had any defensive touchdowns this year. Maybe I'm 1267 01:03:53,960 --> 01:03:56,200 Speaker 1: asking too much, but let's just start off with no 1268 01:03:56,640 --> 01:04:00,920 Speaker 1: mental airs this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jay Nelson, 1269 01:04:01,280 --> 01:04:04,360 Speaker 1: stop a hot rookie and James Robinson. You know, he's 1270 01:04:04,440 --> 01:04:06,560 Speaker 1: ripping off one hundred and thirty plus a game at 1271 01:04:06,560 --> 01:04:09,320 Speaker 1: this point, and he's very, very, very good, and we 1272 01:04:09,360 --> 01:04:12,560 Speaker 1: cannot rest on our laurels. And since everyone's been attacking 1273 01:04:12,560 --> 01:04:15,000 Speaker 1: our defensive line, especially trying to stretch him outside, I'm 1274 01:04:15,000 --> 01:04:16,880 Speaker 1: sure that the Jaguars are going to come with a 1275 01:04:16,880 --> 01:04:20,080 Speaker 1: similar game plan. So stop James Robinson this weekend and 1276 01:04:20,200 --> 01:04:22,520 Speaker 1: make a Mike Glennon have to throw on this team 1277 01:04:22,560 --> 01:04:24,600 Speaker 1: to try to win a game. If that's the case, 1278 01:04:24,680 --> 01:04:27,160 Speaker 1: we'll be able to smother them and get another win 1279 01:04:27,200 --> 01:04:30,600 Speaker 1: and march towards Tampa. I'm gonna go with offensive evolution. 1280 01:04:31,680 --> 01:04:33,440 Speaker 1: And I don't mean that like we don't have an 1281 01:04:33,440 --> 01:04:36,720 Speaker 1: evolved offense. I mean, given everything we've talked about in 1282 01:04:36,760 --> 01:04:40,760 Speaker 1: this show, the rise of a couple of young wide receivers, 1283 01:04:41,200 --> 01:04:44,160 Speaker 1: you know, in the absence of Adam Feeling now, Adam 1284 01:04:44,200 --> 01:04:47,920 Speaker 1: Feeland's coming back, Kirk's performance last week, the fact that 1285 01:04:47,920 --> 01:04:51,480 Speaker 1: the Jacksonville Jaguars don't pressure the quarterback very well. This 1286 01:04:51,560 --> 01:04:56,600 Speaker 1: is an opportunity if you're playing well, to really put 1287 01:04:56,680 --> 01:04:59,800 Speaker 1: some things on tape that Bruce arians has to think 1288 01:04:59,840 --> 01:05:03,120 Speaker 1: of about that, Sean Payton is gonna have to think 1289 01:05:03,160 --> 01:05:05,360 Speaker 1: about that, Matt Nagy is gonna have to think about 1290 01:05:05,840 --> 01:05:08,240 Speaker 1: We can absolutely go down and you might see the 1291 01:05:08,320 --> 01:05:12,560 Speaker 1: Vikings win this game fourteen to ten, But it wouldn't 1292 01:05:12,560 --> 01:05:14,960 Speaker 1: make me super upset if you saw him win at 1293 01:05:15,040 --> 01:05:22,400 Speaker 1: thirty five to thirteen and you went, Holy Holy did 1294 01:05:22,440 --> 01:05:24,760 Speaker 1: you see how they use stevelyn and Jefferson in that game? 1295 01:05:24,960 --> 01:05:28,360 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, Alexander Madison had four You know, I 1296 01:05:28,360 --> 01:05:30,320 Speaker 1: don't know what it is. I don't know how it is. 1297 01:05:30,360 --> 01:05:32,880 Speaker 1: That's why I'm a dumb podcast host and not a 1298 01:05:32,920 --> 01:05:36,600 Speaker 1: coach of a football team. But I think, I think 1299 01:05:36,680 --> 01:05:39,240 Speaker 1: Gary Kubiak, I mean, this is the guy who's done 1300 01:05:39,240 --> 01:05:44,080 Speaker 1: this forever. He's helped quarterbacks be successful on top of 1301 01:05:44,120 --> 01:05:48,320 Speaker 1: really successful running games. People forget he gave Joe Flacco 1302 01:05:48,760 --> 01:05:54,240 Speaker 1: the best season of his entire career, so he has 1303 01:05:54,320 --> 01:05:57,720 Speaker 1: the great running game. He's built the platform. Where now, 1304 01:05:57,720 --> 01:06:00,520 Speaker 1: in the stretch run of the season, what sort of 1305 01:06:00,560 --> 01:06:03,840 Speaker 1: shingles is Gary Kubiak gonna put on this house? What 1306 01:06:04,000 --> 01:06:07,240 Speaker 1: sort of windows and siding is he going to put 1307 01:06:07,280 --> 01:06:10,120 Speaker 1: on this house as we walk into a playoff stretch 1308 01:06:10,160 --> 01:06:13,800 Speaker 1: here and make other coaches have to prepare for. What 1309 01:06:13,960 --> 01:06:17,400 Speaker 1: I think all three of us would agree is an 1310 01:06:17,400 --> 01:06:22,680 Speaker 1: offense that is very capable of being dynamic. So boys, 1311 01:06:23,000 --> 01:06:25,880 Speaker 1: we'll see you next week. I hope. I felt so 1312 01:06:26,560 --> 01:06:29,760 Speaker 1: enthused after that Big Bears game, and then I didn't 1313 01:06:29,760 --> 01:06:31,840 Speaker 1: even want to do the podcast next week. I was 1314 01:06:31,920 --> 01:06:35,840 Speaker 1: so pissed off. So let's hope here's the hope, and 1315 01:06:36,240 --> 01:06:40,760 Speaker 1: that our enthusiasm doesn't become size melting down anger that 1316 01:06:40,840 --> 01:06:43,640 Speaker 1: doesn't want to do another show. And let's hope We're 1317 01:06:43,640 --> 01:06:46,840 Speaker 1: sitting back here next week talking about a big game 1318 01:06:46,840 --> 01:06:50,040 Speaker 1: against the Tampa Bay the Tampa the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 1319 01:06:50,040 --> 01:06:53,120 Speaker 1: We'll see you guys next the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yuck. 1320 01:06:53,440 --> 01:06:54,200 Speaker 1: See you next week.