1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,840 Speaker 1: This is the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. I'm Tatum Everett. Before 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: our regularly scheduled episode because we had some breaking news. 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: On Thursday afternoon, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell informed d 4 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: Donnetell that the Vikings would be going in a different 5 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 1: direction at defensive coordinator in twenty twenty three. O'Connell's statement 6 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:22,760 Speaker 1: read us followed, While this was a difficult decision because 7 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,160 Speaker 1: of the tremendous respect I have for Ed as a 8 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 1: person and a coach, I believe it is the right 9 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: move for the future of our football team. I want 10 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:32,879 Speaker 1: to thank Ed for his commitment to the Vikings this 11 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: past season, for the positive impact he had on our 12 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: players and coaches, and for his role in helping me, 13 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: as a first year head coach, lay this foundation. We 14 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: all wish Ed and his wife Sherry only the best 15 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: in the future. We will immediately begin our search to 16 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:51,279 Speaker 1: fill this critical role as we continue to build a 17 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 1: championship standard for the Minnesota Vikings. Again, Ed Donnotell no 18 00:00:56,520 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: longer with the Vikings. The podcast was recorded on Wednesday. 19 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: I hope you enjoy this episode with our special guest 20 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 1: Mark Rosen, but just keep that in mind when you 21 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: listen up next. I mean, we saw what happened when 22 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 1: the Vikings beat him here on Christmas Eve. Well, but 23 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 1: I think the Giants learned a lot from that game 24 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 1: and learn how they could attack this Vikings defense. And 25 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 1: that's when it comes back to by a little bit, 26 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: because you realize, man, they had some close calls that 27 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:32,400 Speaker 1: may never happen again. And they were exciting and the 28 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,039 Speaker 1: Vikings deserve all the credit in the world for coming 29 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:37,679 Speaker 1: back and finding the resolve to win those games, but 30 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: there was always that unsettling sort of feeling like they 31 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: just can't put a team away. It was an abrupt 32 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 1: end to the twenty twenty two Vikings season. This is 33 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:51,280 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings Podcast, time Tatum Everett inside TCO Radio 34 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 1: Studios with Gabe Henderson and Jane Nelson. Our producer is 35 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: Eric Davidson, and we're also excited to have Mark rosen 36 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 1: and join us today from the Cafe, and of course 37 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: you hear him on Cafe and Seamen Fox ninth Game 38 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 1: Day Live all season long. Rosie, you were in the building, 39 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 1: you witness Sunday. How you feeling, you know, worse today 40 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: than I did. But they'd be honest with you. I 41 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: think the reality of the abruptness of any season, in 42 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 1: particularly this one, gets a little harder. Couple days later, 43 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: you take a step back and you look at it 44 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 1: from a different sort of viewpoint, though, And it wasn't 45 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: a fluke, it wasn't tip ball, it wasn't a hail Mary, 46 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: it wasn't a Minneapolis miracle that undid the Vikings. The 47 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 1: Giants were just a better football team on Sunday. So 48 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 1: it takes solace in the fact that maybe they just 49 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: weren't as good as a record show it all year 50 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:45,679 Speaker 1: they won all those one score games, But it still 51 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 1: hurts because you work all season long to get that 52 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: home field advantage, to win the division and get that 53 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: home field and it's supposed to mean something, mean a lot, 54 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: even if the journey ended the following week. But the 55 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 1: fact that weren't able to cash in, I think hurts 56 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 1: a little bit more because they had that opportunity, and 57 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 1: you don't always get those opportunities. They don't come along 58 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: all that often to not just win your division, but 59 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 1: to host a playoff game, and so they let that 60 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:15,080 Speaker 1: opportunity to slip away. Yeah, and a player that that really, 61 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 1: you know, kind of solidified that game was I think 62 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:21,000 Speaker 1: it was twelve minutes left in the fourth quarter, we 63 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 1: were fourth and one. Kirk Cousins QB Sneakes gets it 64 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 1: and then we see a flag from the far sideline 65 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: for a false start, So that kind of, you know, 66 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: pushed us back a little bit. We settled for field 67 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 1: goal tie the game, and that changed a momentum. Was 68 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: there a play in Sunday's game that that that stood 69 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: out to you that that kind of, you know, summarize 70 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: why the Vikings couldn't figure it out? Well, I think 71 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: that the you mentioned the little Christian Derris a little 72 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: flip that he had that coach called for a false start. 73 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: I think, um Conversely, when the Vikings thought there was 74 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: a false start of the Giants and um, they kind 75 00:03:57,480 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: of stood up, at least one one or two players did, 76 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 1: and then Jones drilled the touchdown pass in the end zone. Honestly, 77 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 1: I thought, though not necessarily one play game and Tatum, 78 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:09,920 Speaker 1: I thought the first series after the Vikings went down 79 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: the field crisply as we saw a lot of times 80 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: this year and put together wonderful to think it was 81 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 1: a twelve play, seventy five yard drive and scored. You 82 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: know how loud that building was, and the first play 83 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: from scrimmage for the Giants they get a called for holding. 84 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 1: Now they're backed up. I'm thinking, this is an opportunity 85 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: for the Vikings to make a statement defensively, to say, 86 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: we're gonna make life miserable for you all day long. 87 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: The crowd was in a frenzy and the Giants just 88 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 1: calmly went down the field and scored, and I thought, oh, 89 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 1: it's gonna be one of those games, and really nothing 90 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 1: has sort of changed, so it wasn't so much a play. 91 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 1: I think it was the statement the Giants made after 92 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 1: the Vikings scored when they had, when their defense had 93 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: an opportunity to maybe force a punt, make them change 94 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,359 Speaker 1: the momentum, maybe take a ten or even potentially fourteen 95 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:59,919 Speaker 1: point lead. And because the Giants did it was such easy, 96 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 1: they had the confidence, I think, to carry that on 97 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 1: through the rest of the day. I think for me, Rosie, 98 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: one of the things was actually the lack of play 99 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 1: in that in games that we had, those kind of 100 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: one sided or at least one score games that we 101 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 1: were able to you know, capitalize on. It really came 102 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: at you know, the expense of causing turnovers and forcing 103 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: the other teams when you know, defensively, if you were 104 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 1: leaky on yardage, that you were causing fumbles and turnovers 105 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:27,720 Speaker 1: and interceptions in order to kind of gain that advantage 106 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: again to score and make up that point deferential and 107 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 1: just you never got that in this game. It felt 108 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: like the Giants were kind of, you know, stretching you 109 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,720 Speaker 1: across the middle and kind of running you around, and 110 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: they just they did what they needed to, and it 111 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 1: seems like, you know, efficiently and smartly in order to 112 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:46,839 Speaker 1: make sure that you know, they came ahead and capitalized 113 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:49,359 Speaker 1: on their opportunities. So for me, it was more of 114 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: a lack of certain plays than it really was some 115 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: backbreaking play that really just killed you for that game. Yeah, 116 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 1: they they they did it over the course of time, 117 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 1: and we saw what happened when the Bikings beating here 118 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:02,720 Speaker 1: on Christmas Eve twenty seven, twenty four. Obviously, Joseph won 119 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:04,320 Speaker 1: it with a sixty one yard field goal, but I 120 00:06:04,360 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 1: think the Giants learned a lot from that game and 121 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: learned how they could attack this Vikings defense in particular, 122 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: And I was very impressed with Daniel Jones. He's you know, 123 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 1: he's a cool customer. Obviously is running hurt the Vikings, 124 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 1: but you know, it really is symbolic of what we 125 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: saw a lot this year. I started going back and 126 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:23,839 Speaker 1: looking at all the scores and and that's when it 127 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 1: comes back to bite you a little bit, because you realized, man, 128 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: they had some close calls that may never happen again. 129 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: And there's so many games. Obviously they lost the Eagles game, 130 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: but the Lions game here at the US Bank Stadium, 131 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: that the Saints game that we were at in London 132 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:43,039 Speaker 1: were the double doink, but the Saints had come back, 133 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 1: you know, the Bears game here, the Dolphins game when 134 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 1: two it in play. The Cardinals made it interesting, the 135 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 1: Commanders made it interesting, the Bills, the great comeback against 136 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 1: the Bills in Buffalo. All these games and they were exciting, 137 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,279 Speaker 1: and the Vikings deserve all the credit in the world 138 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:59,480 Speaker 1: for coming back and finding the resolve to win those games. 139 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 1: But there were it's always that unsettling sort of feeling 140 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 1: like they just can't put a team away, and it 141 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: all came tumbling down on the final the first time 142 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: they lose that game that's a one score game was 143 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 1: the one that really mattered the most exactly. You think 144 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: of what Quacy A. Dophamenza and Kevin O'Connell talked about today. 145 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 1: I think one of the pressors or one of the 146 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: media members asked them about those close games and is 147 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: it a fluke that you're eleven or no or eleven 148 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: and one rather now in one score games? But Quacy 149 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: was pretty up. Freddy's like, we're we think that being 150 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 1: situational masters is what's going to be advantageous. It's not 151 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: going to happen like that, but they planned better to 152 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: be in those areas after what happened the previous two seasons, 153 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: and so now you see that come to fruition. Is 154 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 1: that how you see it? Do you see this team 155 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 1: as being very situationally motivated? I do? Offensively, yes, I do. 156 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 1: And I think they learned a lot this year. And 157 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: I think even at till the bitter end when they 158 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:59,119 Speaker 1: didn't convert, you know, the fourth down pass which fell short, 159 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: they had the confidence that they were going to go 160 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: down the field and tie this game up. And I 161 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 1: think that they learned those lessons and I do see 162 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: that carrying over. I think the trust they have in 163 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: Koc and the play calling the way the Cousins reacted 164 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: to it. We of course we'll have to see how 165 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,800 Speaker 1: all the personnel shakes out, even offensively. But yeah, it's 166 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: it's a learning experience. But that's you guess what, that's 167 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 1: the NFL too. I mean, look at some of the 168 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: other games that we saw over the weekend. You have 169 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 1: to find ways to win those games. And I think 170 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 1: the Vikings learned a lot, and I think situationally they 171 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: have an opportunity to do it again. Maybe not with 172 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: the same same success ratio, but the confidence that they 173 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 1: have that I haven't seen in a couple of years here. 174 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 1: So find a way to win. And even at the 175 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,440 Speaker 1: like I said to the bitter end, that offense was 176 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:51,599 Speaker 1: doing what it took. Cousins wasn't sacked, they didn't have 177 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:54,679 Speaker 1: a turnover, he was completing what eighty percent of everything 178 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: was going their way. They shut down Jefferson, give them credit. 179 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 1: JJ was not a huge factors after you know the 180 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: second half that somehow has to change. They still have 181 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: to find a way of getting them getting the football somehow, 182 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: some way, however, they have to motion him to get 183 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: the ball in that young man's hands, because he's your moneymaker. Uh, 184 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: and that's something that I'm sure they're going to spend 185 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 1: a lot of time on as his career progresses here 186 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 1: in Minnesota. He's our champagne problem. Yeah, yeah, he'll be 187 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: able to afford a lot of champagne pretty super indeed. Um, 188 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: And I feel like there's no good transition to my 189 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: question because, yeah, while while you know JJ's pain will 190 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 1: be champagne, the pain this offseason is going to be 191 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:42,319 Speaker 1: how do you boost this defense? Right? That the chunk 192 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: plays allowed versus the Giants per Chris Long, was that 193 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 1: the Vikings had they gave up twenty plays of ten 194 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: or more yards against the Giants, and that that raises 195 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 1: a lot of questions going into this offseason. Someone asked 196 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:00,880 Speaker 1: Kevin O'Connor earlier, how do you address this let situation? 197 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: What did you take from the press conference today? Well, 198 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:06,600 Speaker 1: I mean it's it's kind of what I expected, because 199 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 1: you know, even after seeing and witnessing, uh, you know, 200 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: the Rick Spielman's news conferences over the years, and you're 201 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:13,959 Speaker 1: not going to get a lot of information, you know, 202 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: a few days after the season ends, their valuation process 203 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: is continuing. I mean, I'd be very very surprised if 204 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:21,680 Speaker 1: Ed Donna Tell comes back. I mean, he's sixty five 205 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: and this isn't his first rodeo. He understands it and 206 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: again and not all the blames should be heaped on him. 207 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:32,440 Speaker 1: You can talk about scheme versus personnel. I honestly, guys, 208 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: I was a little surprised when I saw the personnel 209 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 1: was going to line up for the Vikings this year. 210 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 1: The return of a healthy Denil Hunter, Zadarius Smith being signed, 211 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 1: Harrison Phillips kind of clogging up the middle, Dalvin Tomlinson, 212 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: and then you got to Patrick Peterson and you got veterans, 213 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 1: you've got young players you got I thought they'd be 214 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 1: not necessarily a top ten defense, but a defense that 215 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: would win football games for you. But they just never 216 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 1: got the deal, like you said earlier, to be able 217 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 1: to make that get that key turnover, the key interception. 218 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 1: They had a couple of them, they certainly did, but 219 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 1: not enough. So I think that because of the salary 220 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 1: cap situation and knowing what's going to be happening, we're 221 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: going to see and they should. There should be plenty 222 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: of changes and hopefully some of the young guys, you know, 223 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:20,079 Speaker 1: we saw sadly when Louis when he broke his leg 224 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,439 Speaker 1: and London against the Saints, and and Booth never got healthy. 225 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: I mean, these guys are young players. They have to 226 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: sort of count on for the future in the fens 227 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,560 Speaker 1: of backfield because they're not gonna be able to keep everybody. 228 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,319 Speaker 1: They're just not gonna happen. They're not gonna they can 229 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: shave money off. But whether it's Harrison Smith, whether it's 230 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 1: Adam Feeling, whether it's you know, there's a there's a 231 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 1: bunch of guys that just they're not gonna be able 232 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: to fit in under the cap. Is there anyone rosy 233 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 1: that you really feel like one or two players that 234 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 1: took a you know, giant step forward that you can 235 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: kind of focus on to be positive for for you know, 236 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,240 Speaker 1: next year and beyond. Is there anyone on this roster 237 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: that really you felt like stepped up this year and 238 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 1: really contributed to help this team. Well, I think before 239 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: um not that he wasn't on his ARC isn't rising. 240 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 1: But I thought Brian O'Neill, number one in the offensive line, 241 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: Brian Christian Darrisaw had a stud year. I mean I thought, 242 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,319 Speaker 1: I mean when he was healthy, all those issues over 243 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:12,040 Speaker 1: the years is saying who's going to play left tackle 244 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 1: for this team? I think they've got their solution. I mean, 245 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: he's he's a he's a player that you can rally 246 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 1: around and anchor your your offensive liner on. And Brian 247 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 1: O'Neill once he gets healthy. I think those guys took 248 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 1: both took big steps and to anchor that line. You 249 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 1: can fill in the pieces I think in between. But 250 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: both those guys offensively and did marvelous job. And I thought, um, 251 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 1: you know again, at times, you know, kJ Osborne looked 252 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 1: like he was going to be kind of a guy 253 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,840 Speaker 1: they could really count on. I think Cousins got more 254 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 1: and more comfortable and confident in him as a season 255 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 1: wore on. I anxious to see where what his career 256 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:49,679 Speaker 1: is going to be like in the next couple of years. 257 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: Another interesting turn is that Kirk Cousins with a great season. 258 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 1: Not really an interesting turn. I think everyone kind of 259 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 1: expected this, but this staff is really happy with the 260 00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:00,439 Speaker 1: way he played in the expectation as that Kirk will 261 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 1: be the quarterback moving forward. I thought that was one 262 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:05,719 Speaker 1: of the bigger takeaways from this presser. Well, I think 263 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: so too, and rightfully so, because Kirk did have it 264 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:11,679 Speaker 1: mean statistically, people like to breakdown all sorts of analytics 265 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 1: and I just kind of roll my eyes and shrugged 266 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 1: my shoulders about a lot of that. Because he passed 267 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: the eye test. He's never gonna be one of those guys. 268 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: It's going to run consistently to help you, you know, 269 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 1: like even Daniel Jones did. But he did say Daniel Jones. 270 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 1: I was just about to say, Daniel Jones, you're talking, yeah, man. 271 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:32,199 Speaker 1: He but they had a good scheme going. They schemed 272 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,959 Speaker 1: that and wasn't even a question of coverage was breaking 273 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:36,880 Speaker 1: down all the time. They schemed a lot of those runs, 274 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:39,839 Speaker 1: and he did really well with them. But Becausines, uh, 275 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 1: you know, I think that that's the confidence in the 276 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: level he and Koc had was working really well. And 277 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,320 Speaker 1: I mean, for for all the slings and arrows that 278 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 1: that Kirk Cousins and sometimes rightfully took over the you know, 279 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 1: the past, you know, three three years or so, this 280 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 1: was not one of the years to do that. Um 281 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:59,320 Speaker 1: he was um, he was good. He was really good. 282 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: And I know he'll be back certainly next year and 283 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 1: we'll see what happens beyond that. But that's not a 284 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: bad place to be Again, you can now argue the 285 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:12,000 Speaker 1: Vikings don't have a running quarterback, Well they don't. I mean, 286 00:14:12,040 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: he's he can run when when necessary, but doesn't mean 287 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: that you know, you can't win with the guy like that. 288 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't know if mister Purdy and San 289 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 1: Francisco is going to be doing that. We'll find out, 290 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 1: but we know that there are other quarterbacks who are 291 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 1: mobile or they're playing football starting this weekend. But Cousins 292 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: can win with this team. He's not the reason why 293 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 1: the Vikings fell short in the playoffs. Yeah, it just 294 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 1: feels like, you know, one of the things that's been 295 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: a criticism of running quarterbacks is they just can't stay healthy. 296 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: And so yeah, you hope that a guy like Kirk, 297 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 1: you know, who's been around as long as he has 298 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 1: in this league. He's definitely proven that he's got the 299 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 1: arm talent in order to help the team succeed. So 300 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 1: you just kind of look at it and say, as 301 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 1: long as this guy who so far, at least for us, 302 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 1: has been kind of an iron man taking a lot 303 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: of shots and stuff, that you know he can continue 304 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: that in the future and be that solid guy back 305 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 1: there at quarterback that you're looking for. Yeah, durability is 306 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 1: extremely important, and I think you look around the league 307 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: and in our own division with Justin Fields and what 308 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: his future is going to be in Chicago. I mean, 309 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 1: he's he's got a whirl of talent, but can he 310 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 1: stay healthy. There's a lot of quarterbacks that are broadcasting 311 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 1: now who are running quarterbacks like RG three, Lamar Jackson situation, 312 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 1: what's going on in Baltimore where they are obviously at 313 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 1: odds with management right now, and what his future is 314 00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 1: going to be because he doesn't sound like he's going 315 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 1: to be long for that organization. And you look at 316 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: the Lamar Jackson, the talent he has and how that 317 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 1: team changed without him at quarterback. But again, it's a 318 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: risk because he runs so much, and you know, over 319 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 1: time we'll see I mean, whether it's you know, Patrick 320 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 1: Mahomes of course, or or or what's going on with 321 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: Jalen Hurtz in Philadelphia. You got to you gotta do 322 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: it more than one year, and that's that's the problem 323 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 1: with a lot of these quarterbacks, and Mahomes certainly has 324 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: done it more than one years. He's at the top 325 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: of his game and will continue to be so for 326 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: quite a few years. Well, you got a Pro Bowl 327 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:04,480 Speaker 1: Draft will combine. There's so many dates leading up to 328 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 1: when this Minnesota Vikings team will get together. But the 329 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 1: date that I have circled as a April seventeenth, that's 330 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: what veterans can report back to the facility and I 331 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:20,560 Speaker 1: start working out, and yeah, I'm not getting my hopes 332 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: up just yet, since it's still kind of still kind 333 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 1: of fresh this loss. I mean, we're recording this on 334 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: the Wednesday, and I still haven't gotten over it. But 335 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:30,120 Speaker 1: at the same time, Kevin O'Connell said the Moniker this 336 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 1: year will be championships standard instead of competitive rebuild. When 337 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: you think of championship standard, how does that apply to 338 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 1: this upcoming Minnesota Vikings team. Well, that's a great point, 339 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: and I think it's a great statement that was made 340 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: because I think when this the whole thing began a 341 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: year ago, I think a lot of fans, maybe people 342 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 1: are in media, people are questioning whether or nothing we're 343 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: going to kind of reboot this whole thing and just 344 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:55,080 Speaker 1: kind of start over. You're gonna keep some key people, obviously, 345 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 1: but that basically we're gonna almost do what the Bears did. 346 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 1: I mean and almost bottom out and take and start 347 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 1: over again. Well, they obviously didn't. And I think now 348 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:06,960 Speaker 1: that is the championship. That's the that's the level you 349 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:10,440 Speaker 1: have to reach and uh and strive for. And there's 350 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: plenty of ways you can do it. There's not one way. 351 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: With salary cap and everything else in the in the 352 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 1: NFL's we all know, never has a week off. I mean, 353 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: it's always there's always something in the news. And I 354 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:22,920 Speaker 1: think for the Vikings it's going to be a very 355 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: very important This is where these guys, the front office 356 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 1: really makes them makes their money. This is where they 357 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:30,880 Speaker 1: make their keep. They have some big decisions to make, 358 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 1: and I think you trust in what Quasi is going 359 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 1: to do, and in particular with with Rob Brazinski and 360 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 1: and making those right decisions, and then you know, capitalizing 361 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 1: that they'll always massage the cap. You can always extend 362 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 1: contracts and people all they sign this guy or that guy, 363 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 1: I guarantee you they'll sign a free agent or two. 364 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:51,119 Speaker 1: They'll they'll be out there and some people will be 365 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: gone that they maybe make popular players, but I think 366 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: their their aspirations should be starting with what happened on Sunday. 367 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:00,879 Speaker 1: That's where that's that's conversation began. Yeah, I think this 368 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: is where the emotions start to come out of it 369 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: and you start to put your business hat on and 370 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: you start to make those really tough decisions. Although emotionally 371 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: you can look back and know this is one of 372 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: the best seasons I think that we've seen in quite 373 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: some time for this Vikings team. And I know, Mark, 374 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:21,120 Speaker 1: you've been covering this squad for so long and in 375 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 1: all of your years of being on this Vikings beat, 376 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:25,399 Speaker 1: and I know you were up close and personal this 377 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 1: year with Fox Nin's Game Day Live. How did this 378 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:32,120 Speaker 1: season compare? It was? It was you just just nailed 379 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 1: the tianem It was a lot of fun, and I 380 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 1: think in talking to fans and leaving the stadium, people 381 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: were really having a great time. I mean it was 382 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:41,640 Speaker 1: you know, yeah, they got they got waxed a couple 383 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: of times, but my goodness, the drama that you know, 384 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: the Giants game. I mean there's so many ones that 385 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: you know, coming back from the Dallas beat down and 386 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 1: they come back and beat the Patriots on Thanksgiving Night. 387 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 1: I mean, the buzz in the air, the excitement level 388 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 1: for this team. The Vikings have always been and probably 389 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 1: will always be the team in Minnesota that fans follow 390 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 1: the most. And this is just the way it is, 391 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 1: going back to when I was cover him, when Bud 392 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:08,679 Speaker 1: Grant was the head coach, and that's not going to change. 393 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:10,879 Speaker 1: It changed for a little while before, be honest with 394 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: They're right before they drafted Randy Moss and ninety eight 395 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,440 Speaker 1: they were about they were facing blackouts TV blackouts here. 396 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:19,840 Speaker 1: It was. It was that point where people had kind 397 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:21,680 Speaker 1: of just for the first time, the apathy had kind 398 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 1: of gripped what was going on. Randy Moss changed all 399 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: of that. I will go back, and I will swear 400 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:30,399 Speaker 1: on a stack of whatever that ninety eight seasons the 401 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: one that that still bugs me the most because that 402 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 1: may have been the most prolific offense I had ever 403 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 1: seen in the National Football League and that that turned 404 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 1: this whole franchise around. And ever since ninety eight, people 405 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 1: win or lose, they've been engaged with this franchise again. 406 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:47,679 Speaker 1: And I think now they have an opportunity with a 407 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 1: new generation, new head coach, kind of new feeling, and 408 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:52,680 Speaker 1: I think what they started this year, what they built 409 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: this year, people aren't not going to abandon this football team, 410 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:58,400 Speaker 1: it just doesn't work that way. They're they're gonna be back, 411 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 1: and so it was a lot of fun. I mean, 412 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:02,080 Speaker 1: I had I know, you guys did. I had an 413 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: absolute blast covering this team. It was they liked each other, 414 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: They got a long, great um. You know, you could 415 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,920 Speaker 1: feel it. There was a different atmosphere. It was great 416 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 1: to see Kevin O'Connell, you know, you know, high five 417 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:14,919 Speaker 1: and his players were getting off the off the field. 418 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 1: You know, people like that. I mean, it's just it's 419 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:19,639 Speaker 1: not just a raw, raw phony thing. It's who he 420 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: is and that's that's real. And the players picked up 421 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:24,360 Speaker 1: on it. I think the thing too, if you really 422 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: think about it, Randy was right at that time when 423 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 1: he said they don't play PlayStation like us, and and 424 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:32,320 Speaker 1: having that kind of an offense was something that really 425 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: kept everyone engaged. And I think, you know, you have 426 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 1: the prospects of you know, justin Jefferson being the best 427 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,919 Speaker 1: wide receiver in this league coming up. You have the 428 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,919 Speaker 1: ability to lean on the fact that, you know, for 429 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:45,120 Speaker 1: the third time in team history, you had thirteen wins 430 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:48,359 Speaker 1: in a season, at thirteen or more wins in a season, 431 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:51,200 Speaker 1: And I think that the future in prospects are bright 432 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 1: on that. At the same time, though, the NFC North 433 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,119 Speaker 1: is going to get a lot tougher next season. It 434 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: feels like, you know what, the Motor City kid, he's 435 00:20:57,840 --> 00:20:59,680 Speaker 1: really jumping up this year and figuring it out the 436 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 1: second half. And I know it always changes year to 437 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: year because of the strength of schedule for different teams, 438 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 1: but you kind of get the feeling of, once again, 439 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:09,120 Speaker 1: you don't know what's going to happen in Green Bay 440 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:12,439 Speaker 1: with their quarterback situation, right the Lions are on the ascent. 441 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:14,719 Speaker 1: The Bears had that down year, but they're gonna get 442 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 1: the number one pick coming up here in the draft, 443 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 1: and you feel like they're gonna kind of do a 444 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 1: revamp and reload with you know, the GM and then 445 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:23,600 Speaker 1: with Kevin Warren and those kind of guys coming in 446 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:26,639 Speaker 1: to help with the leadership structure. So looking ahead to 447 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:29,240 Speaker 1: next season, you know what are year kind of feelings 448 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:31,640 Speaker 1: looking at what this NFC North is going to be. Well, 449 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:35,000 Speaker 1: I like that because it does put the pressure and 450 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:39,440 Speaker 1: they realize the complexion of this division will change immediately 451 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 1: and the Lions, the Lions potentially could be the preseason 452 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:44,959 Speaker 1: favorites to win the NFC North next year. I mean, 453 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,160 Speaker 1: that's just the way, you know, uh, you know, it's 454 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 1: it's it's the model of the day, so to speak. 455 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 1: It's like who you're gonna head on the back and 456 00:21:51,359 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 1: then they may very well be. But I think it 457 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,720 Speaker 1: does put the pressure back squarely on the Vikings management 458 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,520 Speaker 1: to make sure that they do have those championship aspirations. 459 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:01,920 Speaker 1: It's not no one's going to hand them anything next year, 460 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:05,159 Speaker 1: and that's the way you want your division to be. 461 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:07,919 Speaker 1: I mean, Tampa Bay won the division they got, they 462 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 1: fell flat on their faces. They got beat by Dallas 463 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,159 Speaker 1: that you know, they were eight and nine and they 464 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: looked like an eight and nineteen. They looked like a 465 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: three and fourteen team, to be honest with the other night. 466 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:19,040 Speaker 1: So you just don't know. The NFC East was supposed 467 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:20,439 Speaker 1: to be kind of weak this year. They end up 468 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: with three. They's got three teams playing, So I mean, 469 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 1: it's it's kind of crazy that things do work out 470 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 1: in a way that you don't expect it to be. 471 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 1: But because the divisions, Jay is going to be better 472 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:33,320 Speaker 1: next year. I think that, I guess really does make 473 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:36,880 Speaker 1: this dismanagement team work even harder this offseason. Because there's 474 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:38,879 Speaker 1: nothing that's going to be given to them, absolutely, and 475 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:41,679 Speaker 1: I think the feeling that I have about it for 476 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 1: next year two is, you know, this league, there's always 477 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:47,080 Speaker 1: kind of the fifty percent turnover for playoff, But the 478 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:51,440 Speaker 1: whole idea then is having championship aspirations and expectations. The 479 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:54,200 Speaker 1: idea on that is just to build consistency year to year, 480 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 1: and I think as you know, Quacy and Kevin are 481 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 1: able to go through and kind of revamp the roster 482 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,400 Speaker 1: and figure out what they need for their personnel kind 483 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:04,439 Speaker 1: of you know, they're still in that weird kind of 484 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: transition from our previous, previous GM and previous regime to 485 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:10,520 Speaker 1: where they are now, and there's usually kind of that 486 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:12,920 Speaker 1: two to three year window. But the difference is if 487 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 1: they're going to be able to stay competitive here during 488 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:18,720 Speaker 1: that transition, then that's something that at least also makes 489 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:22,239 Speaker 1: it attractive for outside possible people to be signed and 490 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:24,280 Speaker 1: want to come here because they feel like we still 491 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:27,320 Speaker 1: have a winning tradition or at least aspirations to do 492 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 1: so versus other teams that you feel like it might 493 00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 1: be another two three years and they have to really 494 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 1: be honest with themselves and say is the money worth 495 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 1: you know, giving up that chunk of their career, because 496 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 1: you know, just to make sure it would work. So 497 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 1: I'm hoping that, you know, the the competitive rebuild slash 498 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 1: championship aspirations and feeling that way, you know, they're able 499 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: to kind of navigate those waters and still be successful 500 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:52,240 Speaker 1: and fun and competitive for not only themselves but for 501 00:23:52,280 --> 00:23:54,639 Speaker 1: the fans. Yeah. Yeah, good point. If you want to 502 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: change the national narrative, you have to do it with defense. 503 00:23:58,280 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 1: First of all, I think you have to get noticed 504 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 1: where you can't have a point differential when you're winning 505 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:03,920 Speaker 1: as many games as the Vikings did in the negative. 506 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:06,359 Speaker 1: It's just you know, and I kind of poop pooted 507 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,560 Speaker 1: a little even in leading into the last week's game, 508 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,160 Speaker 1: thinking well, big deal, they won all these one score games, 509 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,320 Speaker 1: but you know what, it ended up coming home the roost, 510 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 1: and it did. And so in order for the national 511 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:18,840 Speaker 1: narrative to change, they have to establish that this is 512 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: this defense is going to be pushed around anymore. They're 513 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: gonna be able to make plays they're they're making, whether 514 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:25,840 Speaker 1: it's a scheme, whether it's a different personnel, whatever it 515 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:29,520 Speaker 1: might be. Their offense isn't going to change drastically. They 516 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: may have dealing, may be here, maybe not be here. 517 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:33,680 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook, We'll see what happens to him. But you 518 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:35,399 Speaker 1: know it's gonna be Jj. You know, it's be Kirk Cousins. 519 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:38,280 Speaker 1: You still have most that offensive line probably intact. The 520 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 1: change is gonna have to come on defense, and that's 521 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 1: where the perception of this team is going to have 522 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:45,480 Speaker 1: to change as well. Yeah, I agree with you one 523 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:47,840 Speaker 1: hundred percent. I think, um, you know, kind of that 524 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 1: narrative of our offense being you know, so good and 525 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,399 Speaker 1: then our defense not being asked great has been the 526 00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:55,520 Speaker 1: I guess, the talking point the last two to three years. 527 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 1: So I think for me it's just you know, where 528 00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:00,400 Speaker 1: do you start and you know, Quacy and having though 529 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: answered that this offseason, because there are a lot of 530 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:05,280 Speaker 1: questions to be answered on the defensive side of the ball. 531 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:08,679 Speaker 1: But um, with you know, such a limited amount of 532 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 1: cap space and such a limited amount of time, and 533 00:25:11,640 --> 00:25:15,600 Speaker 1: we still we still don't really know the personality of 534 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:19,800 Speaker 1: you know, Quasy's style of drafting and how he analyzes. 535 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:22,879 Speaker 1: So there's a lot of questions this offseason, which is 536 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:24,800 Speaker 1: you know, not going to be as busy as last 537 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:27,080 Speaker 1: year trying to you know, get this new regime up department. 538 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 1: At the same time, I think it would be fun 539 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 1: when they were trading down, people were going crazy memory 540 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,680 Speaker 1: Draft night. What is he knowing? You know? Well, I mean, 541 00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:39,439 Speaker 1: so that's the thing that the predictability of the unpredictability 542 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:42,480 Speaker 1: of Draft night in particular. But you got to get 543 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:44,639 Speaker 1: an influx of young talent. That's just the way this 544 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:47,359 Speaker 1: this league works, uh. And you got to find those gems. 545 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 1: It doesn't have to be a first round pick. It 546 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 1: could be a fourth round pick, a fifth round pick, 547 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:52,719 Speaker 1: a free agent you pick up. We've seen guys come 548 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:55,040 Speaker 1: off the street and play at a high level. So 549 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:56,920 Speaker 1: I mean you can see that happening. And that's where 550 00:25:56,920 --> 00:25:58,720 Speaker 1: you have to have a keen eye. You're scouting department, 551 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 1: it's all you guys know that in that building. It's 552 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:04,440 Speaker 1: it's it's it's it's all hands on deck. I mean, 553 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:06,439 Speaker 1: you got to listen to the right people and and 554 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 1: find those gems that can help turn your team around. 555 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 1: Because it doesn't take a lot. It most definitely is. 556 00:26:11,960 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 1: And I know they mentioned this in the pressor as well, 557 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,919 Speaker 1: but the foundation they feel like is in place to 558 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 1: create that championship style, that championship look for this team 559 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: moving forward. And thank you to a champion in his 560 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 1: own right, Mark Rosen for being on our today. It's 561 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:31,880 Speaker 1: been a blast work with you guys all year and Jay, 562 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:33,439 Speaker 1: you know where, You're one of my favorite people. So 563 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: thanks thanks for having me having me on today. Thank you, Mark, 564 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:39,439 Speaker 1: appreciate it. Yeah, I appreciate your time. And you know, 565 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:40,919 Speaker 1: just at the end, I wanted to give out just 566 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:42,879 Speaker 1: a few thank you's. A big thank you to the 567 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 1: fans this season for all of their support for this team. 568 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 1: I feel like I felt the love of this team 569 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:51,879 Speaker 1: or for this team more than ever. The crowd at 570 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:54,920 Speaker 1: us Being Stadium was always so loud. I think probably 571 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:58,080 Speaker 1: some of the loudest games I've ever been to in 572 00:26:58,119 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 1: my life by far. And that's also a huge shout 573 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:04,080 Speaker 1: out to the game presentation team here at the Vikings 574 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:07,120 Speaker 1: for putting on a masterful show each and every day, 575 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:11,680 Speaker 1: culminating in an amazing one for the playoffs game on Sunday. 576 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,240 Speaker 1: You know, if you have a chance, and if you're curious, 577 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:19,800 Speaker 1: Fox nine did do a thirty minute documentary following our 578 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:22,120 Speaker 1: game press and how that kind of sets up for 579 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:24,399 Speaker 1: the day. You can find that on their YouTube page. 580 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 1: Super good because they are really an incredible team. And 581 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:31,280 Speaker 1: I'll ramble just a little bit longer, Vikings Entertainment Network 582 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 1: in general, between the audio channels that Jay does a 583 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:36,480 Speaker 1: lot and Eric does a lot with, and then you 584 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:40,119 Speaker 1: also just our teams anything on the YouTube page, it 585 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:43,320 Speaker 1: takes a village. It truly takes a village. And I 586 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: hope that you've enjoyed everything we've done this season and 587 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:49,119 Speaker 1: continue to do as we roll into the off season. 588 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:54,639 Speaker 1: So yeah, podcast don't stop, No, they don't. It'll continue on, 589 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:56,880 Speaker 1: and so will a couple of things on Vikings dot 590 00:27:56,960 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 1: Com as well as the app. But but yeah, twenty 591 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:02,639 Speaker 1: twenty two was a memorable season for Sharon. We appreciate 592 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:07,399 Speaker 1: you guys for coming along on the ride with us. Lifetime, 593 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:10,560 Speaker 1: the official athletic country Club of the Minnesota Vikings, has 594 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:13,639 Speaker 1: something for every member of your family. Get your family 595 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 1: going today at Lifetime dot Life Forward, slash Kits