1 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: It's another episode of the Minnesota Vikings podcast coming your way. 2 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: I'm Tatum Everett from the Vikings Entertainment Network, and your 3 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,600 Speaker 1: Vikings swept the Chicago Bears for the third time in 4 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: four seasons with a Monday night football victory. We've got 5 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 1: an exciting show for you. Will throw come in on 6 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: the show today. We'll have a chat with the rookie 7 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 1: Vikings kicker Will Rekerd. But first let's say hello and 8 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: my co host Paul Lambert aka Meet Sauce from kfan's 9 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: Power Trip morning show. Sauce, the Vikings twelve and two. 10 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: They are now one of three teams with that record 11 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: in the NFC. They just keep winning. What'd you think? 12 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,880 Speaker 2: It was an amazing game. I loved being at the game. 13 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 2: The atmosphere was incredible. It was just it's one of 14 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 2: those games where when you watch it and you're there, 15 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:50,839 Speaker 2: or you watching it on TV or listening to it 16 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 2: on the fan. The Bears are so bad that it 17 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 2: was really not much of a contest. But it was 18 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 2: good to see the Vikings continued to do what they 19 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 2: do best. And this is a team that will be 20 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 2: a force in the playoffs whatever seed they get because 21 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 2: they've won on the. 22 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 3: Road, and they've won on the road a lot. 23 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 2: They have a tough final three games, but it all 24 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 2: starts this Sunday against Seattle. 25 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, you really want to start talking about 26 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: NFC North standings and all that stuff, and we will 27 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: get to that, but you control your destiny at this point, 28 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 1: and if you can't get your business done against Seattle 29 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 1: on Sunday, a team who lost terribly to the Packers 30 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 1: on Sunday, they're gonna want a little bit of bounce back, 31 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: right Like, this is a team that is outside looking 32 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: in right now. They got leapfrog in the NFC North 33 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,800 Speaker 1: in those standings, but they still have playoffs on their mind. 34 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 1: So I think it's gonna be a really, really tough 35 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 1: game on Sunday. 36 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 2: Well, I think it's gonna be a tough game because 37 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 2: Seattle is a really tough place to play. 38 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:52,080 Speaker 3: In the world of betting. 39 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 2: They are a three and a half point favorite, so 40 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 2: a lot of the people think the Vikings are the 41 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: better team, which they are, but this is one of 42 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: those games we're on. If they win and get to 43 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 2: thirteen and two, then the race for the first seed 44 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 2: is on. Because the Lions have to play the forty 45 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 2: nine ers a week from Monday in San Francisco. They 46 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 2: also have to go to Chicago this weekend, which I 47 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 2: know Chicago's bad and I just said how bad they are, 48 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 2: but that is still a tough place to play, and 49 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 2: they are extremely banged up in the defense. So it'll 50 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 2: be an interesting last three games. And we're guaranteed at 51 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 2: least four more. And that's what's the best part about football. 52 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 1: That is so beautiful to hear. We're guaranteed four more. 53 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: And if I'm a team who is winning my division, 54 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: more than likely from the West or the South in 55 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: the NFC, I am scared to death to face whoever 56 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:46,800 Speaker 1: is going to be that top wild card scene, because 57 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:50,519 Speaker 1: right now it is a toss up between whoever probably 58 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: doesn't win the NFC North Championship, which we've got the 59 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 1: Vikings at twelve and two, You've got the Lions at 60 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: twelve and two, and then the Packers are a little 61 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: bit behind them a couple games back there. It's really 62 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: shaping up to be something I think that we've never seen. 63 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 1: In fact, the twenty twenty four NFC North has the 64 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 1: highest combined win percentage by any division since nineteen seventy. 65 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 3: Wow. That's incredible. 66 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 1: It's incredible. As a division, they're thirty eight and eighteen. 67 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 3: Wow. 68 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: I mean, you don't want to pull any of these 69 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: teams and be on the road against them. 70 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 4: No. 71 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: I think the thing that is going to be interesting 72 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 2: is we've talked about this, I think in last week's episode, 73 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 2: is that, like you have a possibility where, like a 74 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 2: fourteen and two and a thirteen and three matchup, however 75 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:40,160 Speaker 2: it works, isn't even worth anything because nothing can change. 76 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 2: You also have an opportunity where if the Lions can 77 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 2: find a way to stumble in one of their next 78 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 2: two games, it may not even matter for the Viking standpoint. 79 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 2: And the other part is as great as the number 80 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: one seed would be, it would be excellent to get 81 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 2: the two seed because you'd only have to go on 82 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 2: the road if you play the number one seed, which 83 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 2: would probably be the Eagles. 84 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: That's fair, That's totally fair. Although Philly is super tough 85 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:06,920 Speaker 1: place to play. 86 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 3: Super tough, you know. 87 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: I think the number one seed would be really critical 88 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 1: to the Vikings. Not critical, but it would be super beneficial. 89 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 1: Not that I know anything about this because I've never played, 90 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 1: but like I'm tired already myself personally, just from being 91 00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:25,359 Speaker 1: older and following the season. But I can't imagine having 92 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: not had a week off since October. I mean that 93 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 1: just seems so far away or so long ago. 94 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I. 95 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, the one seed is important, but like the other 96 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 2: thing is is you have to also keep in mind 97 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: like the last time we played the Lions, it was 98 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 2: such a good game and such a slugfest that four 99 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,840 Speaker 2: days later that they lost to the Rams. So like 100 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 2: that game being worth the first round by is going 101 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 2: if it is. If that game is going to be, 102 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 2: that's an unbelievable game because the team that wins gets it. 103 00:04:58,279 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 3: The team that doesn't. 104 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: Battle their hurts out and then have to play maybe 105 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 2: five days later on a Sunday or a Saturday and 106 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,039 Speaker 2: on the road, like that'll be. If that game is 107 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,160 Speaker 2: for the number one seed, that will be one of 108 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 2: the most bic vikings games. 109 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 3: Of all time. 110 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,280 Speaker 1: You know, I think you're one hundred percent right with that. 111 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 1: I don't even think that's hyperbole. That that really is. 112 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: It's going to be so big. But obviously we need 113 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,280 Speaker 1: to focus a little bit more on the Seahawks right now, 114 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:28,120 Speaker 1: because that is what's up next for this team? The 115 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,720 Speaker 1: Seahawks are you know, battle and Bruce. As you mentioned, 116 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:34,159 Speaker 1: the quarterback is unsure. He's the third most sacked quarterback 117 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: in the league. You know, he's thrown a bunch of 118 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:39,359 Speaker 1: interceptions this year. I really do think this could be 119 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: a good game for the Vikings defense. Not that they've 120 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: really had a terrible game or anything. 121 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:45,840 Speaker 2: No, And I think this is an opportunity to where 122 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 2: if they can be run on, and they can be 123 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 2: run on relentlessly, and that is something that the Vikings 124 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 2: can also do and that is something going forward that 125 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 2: if you can run the football, you can win almost anywhere. 126 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I think it's been really nice to see 127 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:01,720 Speaker 1: that as such a point of emphasis for this team, 128 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,559 Speaker 1: with Aaron Jones sometimes averaging almost five yards the clip, 129 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:06,160 Speaker 1: it's just good to see that. 130 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 3: It was. 131 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: Honestly, I was really excited to see how different they 132 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 1: looked in the red zone. You know, so often this 133 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 1: team goes to the pass, and I feel like they 134 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 1: were more effective in the red zone with the run 135 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: this time around. It's funny because you know, we're heading 136 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: into weeks week sixteen, and I feel like I'm still 137 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: getting to know the different facets of this offense, like 138 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: the different ways, because they just don't win the same 139 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 1: way every single week. 140 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, they win in unbelievable ways. Like Sam didn't have 141 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 2: his best game. He threw forty times and I think 142 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,679 Speaker 2: he completed twenty four of him and he threw one touchdown. 143 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 3: But they ran all over the Bears. 144 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 2: And it was another one of those things whereas you 145 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 2: see this time of year against teams that are either 146 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,480 Speaker 2: banged up like the Seahawks are, or teams are out 147 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 2: of it, you just can't give them an opportunity to 148 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 2: think that they're in it. Because I know they don't 149 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 2: quit because they're professional athletes, but they may take a 150 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 2: little off the gas if they know that the game's 151 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 2: over because they have to protect themselves and all that. 152 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 2: But the Vikings just have to go out and they 153 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 2: can beat teams multiple ways, and they could beat the 154 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 2: Seattle team on the ground this weekend. 155 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 1: I agree, and for me the other side is also 156 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 1: really important, being able to beat Seattle on the ground. 157 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: We're unsure about the status of Kenneth Walker the third yet, 158 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: but Zach Charbonnay is is awesome. 159 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 3: You know. 160 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: I've had him on a couple of my fantasy teams. 161 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 3: Personally, he's really good. 162 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: But he's really really good, and I think that this 163 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 1: Vikings run defense is going to be interesting. So at 164 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 1: the end of the day, it sounds to me like 165 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: we're going to be watching the trenches in this one. 166 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: How will the Vikings offensive line respond to get the 167 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 1: run game going, and how is our defensive line going 168 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 1: to be able to stop their running attack. So, especially 169 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: if you have Sam Howell's quarterback, they're gonna be relying 170 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: heavily on the run. Just knowing that it's not their 171 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 1: typical Gino Smith starter. 172 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 2: That is interesting too, because although I think that they 173 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 2: have I heard the other day from somebody that they 174 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:04,559 Speaker 2: expect when they start practicing today that the Seahawks will 175 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 2: give Geno the first string reps. But that also is 176 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 2: a game of cat and mouse where you have to 177 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 2: prepare for both quarterbacks, and the Seahawks would be very 178 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 2: dumb to be like, well, yeah, Gino's playing, you got 179 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 2: it right. 180 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, you got to give. 181 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 2: Some kind of message that maybe he is on the fence, 182 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 2: and then you got to prepare for both quarterbacks. But 183 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 2: this is a tough place to play. But this isn't 184 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 2: you know the Vikings were used to This is a 185 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:36,319 Speaker 2: extremely well coached football team that is extremely talented, that 186 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:39,439 Speaker 2: won three straight games on the road, and they can 187 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 2: win in Seattle and they can keep that rolling. 188 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 1: And you know one thing before we break, We've got 189 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: Will Rekert coming up on the show in the next break, 190 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: the rookie kicker who has been phenomenal. He dealt with 191 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 1: an injury mid season, he came back, he was perfect 192 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 1: in the game on Monday Night. What do you like 193 00:08:58,440 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: so much about Will record? 194 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 2: Well, my favorite part about Will Reiker is just his 195 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 2: calmness and how calm he is. And I also like 196 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 2: how and I say this all the time and the 197 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 2: VN that you guys work for and how great of 198 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 2: a job everybody over there does, is how when they 199 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 2: do the game ball bit is they give him one 200 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 2: because he's part of the team. This is a team 201 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,640 Speaker 2: And I love that about him, And I just want 202 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 2: to know, like what goes through his mind when he 203 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 2: is walking out there to kick a field goal, because 204 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 2: in about four weeks he's going to need probably be 205 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 2: needed to make a big time kick. And a lot 206 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 2: of Vikings fans have seen the horrors of missing kicks, 207 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 2: and I want to know what his strategy is to 208 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 2: keep calm and make a kick. 209 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: All right, well, I think I can ask him that 210 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 1: question for you. It's an interesting point because the only 211 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 1: time the Vikings have needed a walk off was against 212 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: Chicago and it was John Parker Romo who did such 213 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,960 Speaker 1: a great job feeling in for Will in his absence 214 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: from injury. And so yeah, he hasn't really had that moment. 215 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 1: But the guy, he's got like ice in his veins. 216 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: He's he's absolutely unflappable. Just you know, I actually want 217 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: to find out, like when did that start? Because I know, 218 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: as an SEC football fan, I've seen some terrible Alabama kickers. 219 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: Like it was a joke, a running joke in my 220 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:20,200 Speaker 1: you know, group of friends, like death taxes and bad 221 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 1: Alabama kicking always good for us, you know, right, Yeah, 222 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: I've never heard that before. But uh but yeah, so 223 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 1: that and so for him when he came by, we 224 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 1: couldn't really say that anymore. And I was really excited 225 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 1: when he came here, knowing his history. So I'm kind 226 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:35,080 Speaker 1: of interested to see, like how, like how'd you become 227 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: such like a stone cold killer out there? Right? 228 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's I can't wait for his answer when you 229 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:39,679 Speaker 3: ask him that. 230 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know, and he doesn't look He's just so 231 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: nice and like friendly looking like you just never think 232 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: he could just be so like cold blooded, right. 233 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, and he could just pound that football. 234 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:52,679 Speaker 1: I know the power. Anyway, We're excited for that conversation. 235 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, though, meets Oz for joining us 236 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:57,840 Speaker 1: here on the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. We will have more 237 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:00,440 Speaker 1: coming up on the other side of the break with 238 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 1: Will Record. 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Today, Scold, 251 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:01,840 Speaker 1: we are back with more of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 252 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 1: I'm Tatum Everett from the Vikings Entertainment Network. We're so 253 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: happy you'd be joined by Vikings rookie kicker Will Reikert. 254 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 1: But Will, I mean you've I feel like you've been 255 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:13,959 Speaker 1: here for so long, you're already just amazing seven and 256 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:16,440 Speaker 1: seventeen out of twenty out a field goals, one hundred 257 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: percent of extra points. Have you had a welcome to 258 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 1: the NFL moment yet? 259 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:22,680 Speaker 5: Uh? Probably? The Indura had a couple of weeks ago. 260 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 4: You know, I had such a great start to the 261 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 4: season myself, the team included, and then just all of 262 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 4: a sudden kind of go downhill. 263 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:33,440 Speaker 5: Will be out for four weeks, So yeah, that's probably. 264 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 5: That was probably it. But you know we're back from 265 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:37,679 Speaker 5: it and ready to roll for the rest of the year. 266 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: How did you spend your time during that week? 267 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 5: Are those weeks a lot of rehab? 268 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 3: Yeah? 269 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,200 Speaker 4: Lots and lots of rehab, me and Depot being in 270 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 4: there together pretty much all day long, and then honestly 271 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:50,319 Speaker 4: just staying at home trying to stay off my feet, 272 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 4: trying to do extra recovery stuff at home that way 273 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:55,080 Speaker 4: could get back not I didn't get into too much. 274 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: That's good. I mean, you know, you guys didn't have 275 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: a You had such a late buy that you probably 276 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:01,440 Speaker 1: have rested up. You feel really good right now. You 277 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 1: come out here and uh, you've been great ever since. 278 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: What was it like, I guess mentally to go back 279 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 1: out there and be like, okay, like I need to 280 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: see how this goes, like you know what I mean 281 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks ago. 282 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was awesome being back out there, especially being 283 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 4: with two wins with the team. I mean, obviously that's 284 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 4: the most important thing. But yeah, getting back into it 285 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 4: with practice and everything. You always usually harder mentally than 286 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:27,640 Speaker 4: his physically, just because I haven't felt any pain in 287 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 4: a while, and more so trying to trust your body. 288 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:33,440 Speaker 4: That's that was probably the hardest part getting that trust back. 289 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 4: But I have worked with a great group of guys 290 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 4: with Andrew and Ryan, so if they make it. 291 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 1: Easy for me, what's that dynamic? Like, you know, they've 292 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: they've known each other for a couple of seasons now, 293 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 1: but you've got an elder statesman in Depot and Ryan 294 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: kind of fresh, freshly new to the league. What is 295 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 1: what is y'all's dynamic? 296 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 4: Like, Yeah, it's funny because I mean, Depot is just, 297 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 4: you know, such a vet and I forget all the time, 298 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 4: like how old he really is, because he still acts 299 00:13:58,200 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 4: like he's really young. 300 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 5: So it's a funny dynamic. 301 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:03,760 Speaker 4: But he takes care of us and he shows us 302 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 4: the way, so it's very glad I'm here and have 303 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 4: those guys in our room. 304 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: Did you see Ryan take that hit like a I mean, 305 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: he got nailed and then just got back up and 306 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: we saw him in the locker raff and he's like 307 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 1: I'm fine, right. 308 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 5: Yeah. 309 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 4: It kind of scared me there for a minute, because 310 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 4: I mean I saw him walking off the sideline and 311 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 4: I asked him, feels all right? 312 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:21,760 Speaker 5: And he said he was good. So I was like, 313 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 5: all right, I. 314 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 4: Don't have to worry about having to go in there 315 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 4: to punt. And then I see him going to the 316 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 4: medical tent and they're like, give him a concussion test. No, 317 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 4: so I was like, oh, here we go, but ended 318 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 4: up being all right, which is good. 319 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: So you're the emergency punter, right yep? Okay, do you 320 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: have to practice that every week just to like make 321 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: sure your skills are refined there just in case. 322 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 5: Yeah. 323 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 4: I'll normally hit like, I don't know, two or three 324 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:44,200 Speaker 4: punts a week, just to I mean make sure I 325 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 4: catch the ball from depot. 326 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: And has it ever happened to you in any of 327 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 1: your career, like in your career at all? 328 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 4: Yeah? Last year when I was at Alabama Orrene, I 329 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 4: got hurt on like the first punt of a game. 330 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 5: I had to come in and hit like four or 331 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:57,760 Speaker 5: five punts. 332 00:14:57,800 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 1: How'd that go for you? 333 00:14:58,720 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 5: It was good? 334 00:14:59,320 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 3: It was good. 335 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 4: I mean I grew up doing kicking in punting when 336 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 4: I first got Tallapama. I did both for my freshman 337 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 4: year until I got hurt, and then at that point 338 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 4: I was just kind of the backup phunter just because 339 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 4: I don't want to risk it being hurt anymore. 340 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, no, I don't. Yeah, no, you don't want that 341 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 1: at all. When you were growing up, I read about 342 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: how your dad coached your soccer team and he got 343 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 1: you into football. 344 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 3: Were you. 345 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 1: Were you fully convinced, like I need to do this, 346 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 1: or were there a little bit of hesitation when you 347 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 1: decided to start playing football. 348 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 4: I mean I grew up watching football and loved football, 349 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 4: but I was big into soccer. But he decided that 350 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 4: I need to be more tough on the soccer field, 351 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 4: so he thought it'd be a good idea to sign 352 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 4: me up for football. And turns out kicking trouts came around. 353 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 4: Now it was just the most I mean I was 354 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 4: only soccer player on the team, so he's usually to 355 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 4: go to, right, Yeah, And so then I just kind 356 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 4: of fell in love with it, stuck with it and 357 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 4: never really ended up I mean I think I played 358 00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:58,800 Speaker 4: receiver like my first year, but never really ended up sticking. 359 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 1: If you guys are interested. Alec Lewis is a writer 360 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: for The Athletic and he did a wonderful article on 361 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 1: you and your family and the passion that your dad 362 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 1: had to make sure that he provided you with everything 363 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 1: you needed to be the best athlete that you can. 364 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,640 Speaker 1: In your words, like your your father is unfortunately no 365 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: longer with us. What what did his legacy like? What 366 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: is his legacy for you? Knowing that he believed in 367 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: you that much to provide all that for you. 368 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think, like looking back, it's just kind of 369 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 4: cool of kind of coming to terms with some of 370 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 4: the things that I guess he did that and know 371 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 4: just like all the research he did. I mean he 372 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 4: never played soccer and was never a kicker or anything 373 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 4: like that, but I mean he coached our soccer team 374 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:43,720 Speaker 4: we won multiple national championships. Just the way that he 375 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 4: cared about me and you know, went out of his 376 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 4: way to make sure he could do everything he could 377 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 4: in order for me to be successful is probably what 378 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 4: I look at the most. 379 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:51,680 Speaker 1: Did he see you here? 380 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 3: Like? 381 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: Did did he always believe that you would get to 382 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: this level? 383 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 5: I don't know. 384 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 4: I mean the NFL is never really a conversation really 385 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,960 Speaker 4: just because like Downsid, I guess work back where I'm 386 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:04,719 Speaker 4: from in Alabama, we don't have a professional team, and 387 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 4: so I mean we weren't Alabama fans either. We're huge 388 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 4: Florida fans because Tim Tebow. But college was kind of like, 389 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 4: at least for our family, what we watched. We didn't 390 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:15,959 Speaker 4: really watch NFL growing up. 391 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 1: So what is it like, I guess to be a 392 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:20,200 Speaker 1: part of the NFL now I mean, you obviously knew 393 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 1: more about it when you were in college and saw 394 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 1: you know, you go to Alabama to be in the NFL. 395 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 5: Right, Yeah, it's super cool to be here. 396 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,119 Speaker 4: I mean, obviously there's not many people that get the opportunity, 397 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:31,000 Speaker 4: so you're trying to take advantage of it. 398 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:33,320 Speaker 1: When you know the NFL Draft starts. Was there any 399 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 1: point in time you were like, Okay, I really do 400 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: think like my name's gonna get called on this final day? 401 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 5: Yeah? 402 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:41,400 Speaker 4: I think always in Minnesota was an option just because 403 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 4: with our coordinators just reaching out all the time and 404 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 4: did some zoom interviews with them, so I knew that was, 405 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 4: you know, not definitely going to happen by news, an option. 406 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,640 Speaker 5: But yeah, as the draft kind of started to keep. 407 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:57,560 Speaker 4: Continue to go on and I didn't get a phone call, 408 00:17:57,600 --> 00:17:59,399 Speaker 4: it was a little bit nervous at the end, but 409 00:17:59,640 --> 00:17:59,879 Speaker 4: you know, it. 410 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: Worked out and then you get the call. Where what 411 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: were you doing? 412 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 4: I was just at my house in Tuscaloosa with my wife. 413 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:09,359 Speaker 4: We were just sitting there watching the draft and you 414 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 4: heard it. 415 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: Did anyone call you before then? And you were like 416 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: and then you look down and you're. 417 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 4: Like, dang, yeah, my wife franked me a few times. No, yeah, 418 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 4: I got really mad at her. She felt she's trying 419 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 4: to be funny, which is funny looking back, but it 420 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 4: wasn't funny in the moment. 421 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 1: No, I don't think so. I don't know if I 422 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: have learned to do that. But when you were able 423 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 1: to talk to Quacy on the phone, what what did 424 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,000 Speaker 1: you what were you able to say to him? 425 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:34,200 Speaker 5: Uh? Shoot, I'll have to watch the video back on YouTube. 426 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 5: I don't even remember. It was all a blur. 427 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 4: I kind of like just blacked out just because I mean, 428 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 4: it's been a dream of mine for a long time, 429 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 4: and I was like super a lot of adrenaline, super nervous. 430 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 4: But yeah, it was awesome, but I don't remember. 431 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:49,639 Speaker 1: It's okay when you found out that you were kicking 432 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: in a dome, that you didn't have to be up 433 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 1: here in Minnesota and I have to play outside. I 434 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: mean as a kicker, I'm sure that kind of makes 435 00:18:57,080 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: you like a thinkingness. 436 00:18:59,400 --> 00:18:59,600 Speaker 5: Yeah. 437 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,399 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's definitely an advantage, especially with like how cold 438 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 4: and windy it gets up here. I didn't realize how 439 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 4: Wendy got up here until I came up here. I 440 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 4: was like playing golf in the summer, and I was like, 441 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 4: this is terrible, Like what's going on? 442 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: And you're already embracing the Minnesota Way Golf is like 443 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 1: very very huge here in the summer. You got some 444 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:18,240 Speaker 1: you got some rounds in. 445 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 5: Yeah, I got a few rounds in. But yeah, I mean. 446 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: Right now, so yeah, not. 447 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:23,720 Speaker 5: Anymore not ane. 448 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 1: So you guys are headed to Seattle and Luminfield is 449 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:32,239 Speaker 1: an incredibly difficult place to play. Has anyone or do 450 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: you do you guys have these conversations about atmosphere and 451 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 1: weather and things like that within like the special teams units, 452 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: so you guys can prepare for what's to come. 453 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 5: Yeah, I'm sure we'll have that conversation at some point. 454 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 5: I don't know if. 455 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 4: I mean, I think Andrew's played there. I don't know 456 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:50,400 Speaker 4: if Ryan's played there. 457 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,520 Speaker 1: Or not preseason I think Okay, but. 458 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 5: We haven't talked about it yet. I'm sure we will. 459 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: Yeah. 460 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 4: My agent was in town for the last week's game 461 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:00,400 Speaker 4: and he was telling me how difficult it to play 462 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:02,400 Speaker 4: up there. But I'm excited for the opportunity. I mean, 463 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:05,840 Speaker 4: especially with a place that's coveted that much. I mean, 464 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 4: it's always exciting to try to go in there and play. 465 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 2: Well. 466 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, it seems like really you're kind of like an 467 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 1: unflappable guy, like like calm, cool and collected, as everyone 468 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:18,640 Speaker 1: describes you that mentally, that's what sets you apart. When 469 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:21,360 Speaker 1: did that become such a weapon for you? When did 470 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 1: you realize, like that is how I can make myself 471 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: stand apart. 472 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:28,479 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think just for how long I've been doing it. 473 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 4: I mean I've been kicking since I was in the 474 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:32,720 Speaker 4: second or third grade, and it's crazy. I mean a 475 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 4: lot of guys like that you talk to in the NFL, 476 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:37,439 Speaker 4: I mean a lot of them don't start to high school. 477 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:39,640 Speaker 4: So I think just like the added reps that I have, 478 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 4: just the belief and my technique and stuff just allows 479 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:44,440 Speaker 4: me to go out there and be calm. 480 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's the NFL. It's game after game. 481 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:49,439 Speaker 1: You're just like you get out there and you're just 482 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:52,480 Speaker 1: a surefire. I mean that has to say something to 483 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 1: you about I mean, do you ever sit back and 484 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:56,879 Speaker 1: think about, Okay, you know, in those moments, are you 485 00:20:57,040 --> 00:20:59,680 Speaker 1: just like another another day, another routine kick. 486 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean I feel like some kicks are definitely 487 00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 4: bigger than others, even though we try to tell ourselves 488 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:07,960 Speaker 4: one you know, every kicks the same, but just you know, 489 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 4: the mindset, we've got to have it here and just 490 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 4: try to be super locked in and what I'm doing. 491 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:16,000 Speaker 4: And it's worked well so far. But you know, still 492 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 4: got a lot of season left to play. 493 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: We do, We do a lot of season left, but 494 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 1: so much on the line. I mean, you guys control 495 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:24,680 Speaker 1: your destiny. We were just talking to my co host 496 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 1: on the podcast, Paul earlier in the first segment about 497 00:21:28,560 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 1: how how the NFC is like has the highest winning 498 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:36,280 Speaker 1: percentage of any division since nineteen seventy. To me, that's 499 00:21:36,320 --> 00:21:38,840 Speaker 1: absolutely insane to have three ten win teams in a 500 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:42,639 Speaker 1: division and now you guys have the second hardest schedule 501 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,440 Speaker 1: of remaining games. How do you attack that mentally? 502 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:49,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think just taking it on one week at 503 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 4: a time. I think if you look at it like 504 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 4: on a rod scheme, you know, maybe it freaks you 505 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 4: out a little bit. But if you just know, sit 506 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:57,159 Speaker 4: there and take one opponent a out of time and 507 00:21:57,280 --> 00:21:59,520 Speaker 4: just really try to focus in on the details, lock 508 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 4: in on the pre operation, that it becomes a lot easier. 509 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: That way, you are a national champion in college and 510 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:08,479 Speaker 1: that's obviously you're chasing championships here. What is something that 511 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:12,320 Speaker 1: you learned from your time in Alabama that you can 512 00:22:12,359 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: apply for the remainder of the season. 513 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, I think just how much everyone cared 514 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:23,000 Speaker 4: about football there and what went into the preparation. I mean, 515 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:26,640 Speaker 4: it is inspiring really watching all these guys that were 516 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 4: super highly touted. It's super you know, talented, but how 517 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:32,560 Speaker 4: hard they work still to continue to get better. And 518 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:35,199 Speaker 4: that's something I've seen a lot here already. Yeah, it's 519 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:37,159 Speaker 4: pretty much the same thing. I mean, guys that are 520 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 4: at the top of their game, you know, have been 521 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:40,800 Speaker 4: in the league for a really long time to where 522 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:43,159 Speaker 4: they don't really have to work that hard anymore, Like 523 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:44,919 Speaker 4: they've made all the money, they've done all this, but 524 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:47,440 Speaker 4: they still attack it every single day and it's it's 525 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 4: pretty cool to watch. 526 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 1: I love how you just described the Alabama locker room 527 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:53,200 Speaker 1: like that, and you didn't even put yourself in there. Well, 528 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:56,880 Speaker 1: you are highly talented and you are very good yourself. Yeah, 529 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 1: I know you learned a lot of habits from that, 530 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 1: But it's such a great point that you make about 531 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 1: the comparisons between the two. Are you seeing a lot 532 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 1: of similarities in championship aspects in this locker room. Yeah, 533 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:13,560 Speaker 1: what do you think is like the number one thing 534 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:15,880 Speaker 1: a team must have to win a championship? 535 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 5: You gotta have great leadership. 536 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 4: In my opinion, that's like huge because you can't really 537 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 4: be that. You got to be a player led team. 538 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,200 Speaker 4: And that's something that coach Saban and coach O'Connor talk 539 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:28,159 Speaker 4: of all the time. Is you know, and you want. 540 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:29,479 Speaker 5: Your best players to be your leaders. 541 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 4: But just having like guys that can get onto one 542 00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:35,160 Speaker 4: another and keep each other accountable instead of the coaches 543 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 4: having to do it, I think is like the biggest thing. 544 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 1: I love that you guys have a really really good 545 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:39,360 Speaker 1: group of captains. 546 00:23:39,480 --> 00:23:39,640 Speaker 5: Yep. 547 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:43,200 Speaker 1: One of those captains started a new online series called 548 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:44,639 Speaker 1: tell Us with me tell Us, and I know you 549 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: have a feeling where this is probably gonna go. You 550 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:52,640 Speaker 1: dropped a producer track, right, is that something that you've 551 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:57,000 Speaker 1: already done before? Like you said it so naturally, I 552 00:23:57,040 --> 00:23:58,480 Speaker 1: just have to kind of know the backstory. 553 00:23:58,720 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 5: Yeah, A lot of people have asked, so I don't. 554 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 4: I didn't even know what he was doing when he 555 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 4: came up to talk smell because and now I kind 556 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:08,439 Speaker 4: of like I come in from to the walk to 557 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:10,760 Speaker 4: the locker room like pretty late, so I kind of 558 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:13,560 Speaker 4: like see him asking people questions. Now you kind of understand, 559 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:15,479 Speaker 4: yeah that I can, like I can have something prepared 560 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 4: if he comes and asks me. 561 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:18,160 Speaker 5: But I had no idea what he was doing. 562 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,199 Speaker 4: And when he asked me the question, my mind just 563 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:24,879 Speaker 4: went completely blank, and I was like, I gotta say something, 564 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 4: and it's just the first thing that came to mind. 565 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 5: I've never said it before, but now you'll never not 566 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:32,280 Speaker 5: say it. I was my mind was complete blank. 567 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 1: But did you see all of the like the edits 568 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 1: or the memes or the retweets or all that kind 569 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:39,800 Speaker 1: of reposts and things like that. Have you seen all 570 00:24:39,840 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: of that? 571 00:24:40,359 --> 00:24:41,920 Speaker 5: Yeah, people have kind of run with it. 572 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:44,439 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's kind of cool. I think it's catchy. 573 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 3: Yeah. 574 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 5: My wife wasn't a big fan. What she was embarrassed, 575 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 5: but no. 576 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 1: I thought it was fantastic. And honestly, every single time 577 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:55,639 Speaker 1: I see like you make a kick, so there's at 578 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,000 Speaker 1: least one person under like, well the thrill come in. 579 00:24:58,600 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 1: I just thought it was so good. I thought you 580 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 1: I thought that was fantastic. I want to have a 581 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:04,959 Speaker 1: little bit more fun before we end the show. It 582 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:06,720 Speaker 1: is the holiday season, so I thought i'd give you 583 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:11,200 Speaker 1: a couple of lightning round questions about the holidays. First 584 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 1: of all, big fan, do you like to celebrate? 585 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:15,960 Speaker 5: Well, yeah, we love Christmas, okay my family. 586 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,760 Speaker 1: Yeah that's amazing. All right. What's your favorite holiday movie? 587 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:21,119 Speaker 5: Home Alone's got to take the crown? 588 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:23,119 Speaker 1: First one? Yep, love that one. Do you have like 589 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:24,960 Speaker 1: a un honorable mention or like a runner up? 590 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:27,320 Speaker 4: Christmas with the Cranks another good one. I watched it 591 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 4: like two days ago. 592 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:31,200 Speaker 1: I've heard that was a sneaky good one. What about 593 00:25:31,200 --> 00:25:32,760 Speaker 1: your favorite holiday tradition? 594 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:36,200 Speaker 5: Probably matching pajamas with a family. 595 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: Okay, I like that every year? 596 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:38,640 Speaker 5: Yeah, every year. 597 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,879 Speaker 1: Nice, Most people don't like that. I admire that. Best 598 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:44,680 Speaker 1: Christmas gift you've ever. 599 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:48,480 Speaker 5: Received probably a concert to Morgan Wallen. 600 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:52,360 Speaker 4: That's a big experience. Guy, I'd rather have like an 601 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,719 Speaker 4: experience over I mean, I still love gifts and stuff, 602 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 4: but I do I do enjoy the experience. 603 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 1: I like that. What's the best Christmas if you've given. 604 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:02,400 Speaker 5: I'm hoping it's going to be this year. 605 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:06,440 Speaker 1: Oh that's so good. And obviously you can't share. It's 606 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:09,479 Speaker 1: not Christmas yet. Well, I hope that this team can 607 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:12,359 Speaker 1: give all Vikings a win for this Christmas season. You 608 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 1: guys are headed to Seattle. Best of luck. Well, thank 609 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:16,639 Speaker 1: you so much for taking the time to join us. 610 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:18,560 Speaker 1: I know it's a short week, so we appreciate you. 611 00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 5: Thank you very much for having me on. I appreciate it. 612 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 1: Another big thank you to Will Rekord for being our 613 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 1: guest on this week's Minnesota Vikings podcast. We have plenty 614 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:33,199 Speaker 1: more wonderful player centric content located on Vikings dot com 615 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,120 Speaker 1: or the Vikings at be sure to go check that out. 616 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:40,159 Speaker 1: Before the big Vikings game on Sunday, Minnesota travels to 617 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:43,120 Speaker 1: Seattle to face the Seahawks. It's a three h five 618 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:46,680 Speaker 1: kick our time. The Vikings are going for their eighth 619 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:50,040 Speaker 1: straight win. They're trying to improve to thirteen and two. 620 00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:52,600 Speaker 1: It is such a tough end of the schedule, but 621 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:55,680 Speaker 1: such an exciting time to be a Vikings fan. Thank 622 00:26:55,720 --> 00:26:58,320 Speaker 1: you so much for listening to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast 623 00:26:58,600 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 1: and we will see you guys is next week.