1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,240 Speaker 1: Hey, Vikings fans, Ben Lever here. I'm so excited to 2 00:00:02,279 --> 00:00:04,360 Speaker 1: be a new Lifetime member, and so are my kids. 3 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:06,480 Speaker 1: They love the tennis, the pick a ball, the basketball, 4 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:08,640 Speaker 1: and of course the yummy cafe. Check them out at 5 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: Lifetime dot life to find a club nearest you. 6 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:17,800 Speaker 2: Welcome into the Minnesota Vikings podcast time Tatum ever to 7 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:21,239 Speaker 2: alongside Paul Lambert aka meets Us from KFE and the 8 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:24,079 Speaker 2: Partrip Morning Show. Paul, how was your weekend? Did you 9 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 2: enjoy watching the Vikings Titans. 10 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 3: I always watch and always enjoy Vikings games, but this 11 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 3: game was just fun because I knew a lot of 12 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 3: people that were there, and when you improved to eight 13 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:36,639 Speaker 3: and two, it's always a good thing. 14 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 2: You seemed a little stressed out if you followed your 15 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 2: Twitter timeline. 16 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:41,800 Speaker 3: Well, see the thing, I'll let you out a little secret. 17 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 3: The thing with my Twitter timeline is a lot of 18 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 3: it is so I can instantly rebound. Like I'll tweet 19 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 3: like the Vikings are the worst team of all time, 20 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 3: and then like the next play they'll like pick six 21 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 3: or something, and I'll be like, there has never been 22 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 3: a greater defense. It's all about like and sometimes because 23 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 3: I've had a couple of they will remain nameless, but 24 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 3: there's been a couple PR teams that have asked coworkers 25 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 3: of mine, why is he like that? And they have 26 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 3: to explain, like, he's just waiting to like rebound. It's 27 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 3: just kind of my thing. But when they don't rebound, 28 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 3: then I just look like a jerk, and then I 29 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 3: have to go on the power trip the next day 30 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:20,120 Speaker 3: and answer wise said so and so is terrible. I'm like, no, 31 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 3: they're not. I'm just waiting for them to rebound and 32 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 3: then I can write good things. I just play both 33 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 3: sides of the Feds. 34 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 2: Well, this team has been on a roll rebounding. They've 35 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 2: had some hard fought games. Now they go to face 36 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:36,040 Speaker 2: a Bears team that had a very heartbreaking loss on Sunday. 37 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 2: Did you keep track of that one, the blockfield goal? 38 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 2: At all? 39 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:43,480 Speaker 3: I have Sunday ticket because my wife is a owner. 40 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:46,839 Speaker 3: The plaque of the stock is up in our home. 41 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 3: Her father had it. It's been passed down. She is 42 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 3: a die hard Packer fan. So we have Sunday ticket 43 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:54,919 Speaker 3: for road games when I don't go to the games 44 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 3: with the fans, so we can watch them. So we 45 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 3: have two TVs. Down in the basement. We click to 46 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 3: it right when they're about. 47 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 4: To kick the field. 48 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 3: My goodness, and I immediately go, you can't run over 49 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 3: the center. He just ran over the long snapper. And 50 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 3: then my mother in law, who is the fiercest sports 51 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 3: fan I know, she basically wrote me off for like 52 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 3: two days because I told him they cheated, so she 53 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 3: hasn't talked to me yet. But yeah, we did watch it. 54 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 3: But the vikings other than that ninety eight yard plan. 55 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 3: I know, we had Liberan in the park trip and 56 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 3: he's like, well, you can't take that away. That's a 57 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 3: fluke play. Ninety eight yard plays don't happen in the 58 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 3: pros a lot because their players are so good. You 59 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 3: take that away. They give up basically like six points. 60 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:34,359 Speaker 3: They have five sacks and nine quarterback hurries and all 61 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 3: that stuff. They it was a dominant victory except for 62 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 3: that ninety eight yard pass play. That's about it. 63 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, ten tackles for a loss. I mean, this defense 64 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 2: has been lights out, it feels like, but you know, 65 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 2: there will more than likely be a time where there's 66 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:49,240 Speaker 2: a lull and the offense has to pick them up. 67 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:51,119 Speaker 2: And that's the beauty I think of this year's team. 68 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 2: I feel like wherever they fall short in one category, 69 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 2: someone is there to pick them up, and it doesn't 70 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 2: really matter, like you're winning your only one game behind 71 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 2: the Lions. I think people the emotions of the wins 72 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:09,640 Speaker 2: is what's making them feel like this team isn't in 73 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:12,360 Speaker 2: the race, but one game behind the Lions and you 74 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 2: beat that team by or you lost that team by 75 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 2: two points, and. 76 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 3: They've beat everybody about fifty five. I mean, they are 77 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 3: a very good team. The Lions have lost one game, 78 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 3: but the Lions also have beat teams like they're like 79 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 3: they like the playoffs depend on the point differential. That's 80 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 3: how good the Lions are. And the Vikings barely lost. 81 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 3: So I think that people just they're they're so good, 82 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 3: but there's a little bit of the Vikings fan in 83 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 3: you that you don't want to get your hope's way up. 84 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 2: I was gonna say, is it more of like a like, oh, 85 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 2: can't can't get to it is? 86 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 4: It's one hundred percent what it is. 87 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 3: But I mean they're eight and two, and I will 88 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 3: say it. I thought they'd be like two to eight, 89 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 3: and I was wrong. From the get go, they've been great, 90 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 3: you know, They've lost those two games by probably a 91 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 3: combined of whatever it is. Let's say ten points, just 92 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 3: so I sound like I know what I'm talking about. 93 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 3: But they've also blown out the Texans. They beat the 94 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 3: forty nine ers, and they were pretty much at full 95 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 3: strength except for Christian McCaffrey. They blew out the Packers 96 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 3: until the Packers found their way back into that game. 97 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 3: This is a great team with a great defense. In 98 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 3: this weekend, we're gonna see how good this defense is, 99 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 3: because the Patriots found their way to nine sacks against 100 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:21,040 Speaker 3: the Bears and the Bears offensive line is atrocious, and 101 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 3: they will find their way to get multiple sacks this 102 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 3: weekend against the Chicago Bears. 103 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:26,840 Speaker 1: Yeah. 104 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 2: So the Chicago Bears are four and six on the season. 105 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 2: The Vikings look to capture their fifth straight victory on 106 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 2: the road against Chicago at Soldier Field, and they have 107 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 2: not dropped a game at Chicago. So if you do 108 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:42,039 Speaker 2: the math, that's week four of twenty nineteen. That's like 109 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:43,600 Speaker 2: four in territory. 110 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:45,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's a long time. 111 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 2: Right, right, So if they do get the winner to 112 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 2: be the longest win TREU when playing Chicago on the 113 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 2: road since the team won five straight between ninety six 114 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 2: and two thousand. This Bears team is on a four 115 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: game losing streak. If I'm not mistaken, yes they are. 116 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 2: And so you look get that and you say, you know, 117 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 2: Caleb Williams finally found a stride. They've had a little 118 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 2: bit of a step off here, a little bit some 119 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 2: tumultuous ways. But I always kind of go back to this. 120 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 2: The Bears and the Vikings hired at the same time. 121 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 2: They hired their gms. They hired their head coaches the 122 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,600 Speaker 2: same year, and you see the difference in deciding we 123 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,600 Speaker 2: want to competitive, be competitive at all as always while 124 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 2: rebuilding as opposed to tearing things down and rebuilding from 125 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 2: the bottom up. And it seems to be working in 126 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:32,719 Speaker 2: the Vikings favor right now. 127 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 3: It seems to be working in the Vikings favor for 128 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 3: multiple reasons because a the way that the free agency 129 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 3: has gone, everybody expects that the Minnesota Vikings have their 130 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 3: quarterback of the future in JJ McCarthy. You also look 131 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 3: at this Bears team and they traded away, although they 132 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 3: traded away then number one pick that would have that 133 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 3: they would have been Bryce Young And then they went 134 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:56,359 Speaker 3: back and took Caleb Williams, and all we heard about 135 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 3: all summer was is how the Bears are the number 136 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 3: one and best ever landing spot for a young rookie quarterback. 137 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 3: And then you have these wide receivers and that don't 138 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 3: look very interested in it. The offensive line is not 139 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 3: very good, the running game isn't that good. Before the 140 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 3: Packer game, they scored twelve points in two games. Caleb 141 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:18,160 Speaker 3: Williams hasn't thrown an offensive touchdown in this four game 142 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 3: losing streak. That's not something a number one overall pick 143 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 3: should do with that roster. I mean, you got Bo 144 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 3: Nixon in Denver that doesn't have that good of a 145 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 3: roster and he's lighting the place up. You put Jayden 146 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 3: Daniels on this Bears team and they're like eight and 147 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:35,480 Speaker 3: two as well. So Caleb Williams, the book is still 148 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 3: out on him, but the offensive line does not protect 149 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:39,920 Speaker 3: him that well. And this is a perfect time for 150 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 3: your Minnesota Vikings to get after him with their defensive line. 151 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, Caleb Williams been sacked on blitz eighteen times this season, 152 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 2: and the Vikings blitz on it says, are about like 153 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 2: forty percentage of the opponent's drapbacks with the second highest 154 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 2: in the NFL. I mean, it's going to be all 155 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 2: about the confusion of Caleb Williams. Can you get past 156 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 2: the line? Can you confuse him with all of your looks? 157 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 2: And I mean these vikings under Brian Flores are so 158 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,280 Speaker 2: good when they face rookie quarterbacks. You think of how 159 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 2: they were against Aidan O'Connell or Bryce Young last year. 160 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 2: No touchdowns and nine sacks combined for that showing. So 161 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 2: it could get a little I mean you hope, actually, Paul, 162 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 2: you hope it gets like that. You really do. You 163 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 2: want to see this opportunity as build your confidence, build 164 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 2: on both sides of the ball, come out to a 165 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 2: big start, don't have a turnover on the first drive, 166 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 2: and this defense will continue their ways and it should. 167 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:34,840 Speaker 2: It should be good to go when you get back 168 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 2: here and you face a Cardinals team that is better 169 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 2: than what people think, and you face a Falcons team 170 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 2: when Kirk comes back, like you want to be like, 171 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 2: this is your prime area to keep this winning streak going. 172 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 3: And you're also playing a Bears team that has a 173 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 3: short week and even shorter week because they played eleven 174 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 3: thirty on Thursday on Thanksgiving, So there is that. So 175 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 3: instead of it being like a night game that they're 176 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 3: going to play, it's a short, short week for them. 177 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 3: You got to travel. It's not that far to Detroit, 178 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 3: but still you got to pack up, leave on a 179 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 3: Wednesday and do all that stuff. This is a very 180 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 3: beatable team. 181 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 2: Do they play after Vikings? 182 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 3: They play that's rough, they play the Lions. Yeah, so 183 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 3: this could be I mean, I don't know what you 184 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 3: would do for a head coach with the Bears on 185 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 3: a short week, But that's for them to worry about it, 186 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 3: not us. But this is a perfect opportunity. Then you 187 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 3: come back and you play the Cardinals a week from 188 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 3: Sunday at home, your first home game in a long time. 189 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 3: You got a chance to get to nine and two, 190 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 3: and then you just find a way. You've got to 191 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 3: find a way for Detroit to lose a game. 192 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 4: That's all. 193 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, what do you think the fan perspective of this 194 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 2: offense is right now? Like, what do you think fans 195 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 2: feel like is working? What do they like to see? 196 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 2: Like Dalton Reisner gets in, Cam Robinson is new. You 197 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 2: have like a brand new front line and yet there's 198 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 2: they're still successful. I mean a lot of times, if 199 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 2: you don't have that consistency in your front five, it's 200 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 2: kind of changing. What do you think fans think about that, 201 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 2: because I'm kind of for me, you're kind of like 202 00:08:57,920 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 2: the fan perspective appreciate that. 203 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 3: I think the one thing that the fans have liked 204 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 3: and what I've liked what I've seen is the way 205 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 3: that the left tackle Cam Robinson has played. And that 206 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 3: is a position where that can ruin a season if 207 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 3: you like you look around the league, like, if you're 208 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,079 Speaker 3: San Francisco and you lose Trent Williams, maybe one of 209 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 3: the best tackles to ever play, you're in big trouble, 210 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 3: and now you're in even more trouble because there's no 211 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,319 Speaker 3: trade deadline. The way that Quasi and his staff went 212 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 3: out and attack that that offensive line is just excellent. 213 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 3: I think the offensive line has played really well. Sam Darnold, 214 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:34,280 Speaker 3: I said this on over time that I do after 215 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 3: every New and Vikings game that that fumble is not 216 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 3: on him. It doesn't matter who it's on, but it's 217 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 3: not on him. That doesn't count as a turnover against him. 218 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 3: I know, even though it does in the stats. He 219 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 3: played one of his best games. He played really well. 220 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 3: He zipped that ball to Jordan Addison, and he got 221 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 3: all those throws to Justin Jefferson. I think the offense 222 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 3: is fine. I just think that they would like to 223 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 3: maybe see more points. But you know, that's it. 224 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 2: It's kind of crazy that Justin hasn't had a touchdown 225 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,319 Speaker 2: it soil long too. I know, I know that's one 226 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 2: reason they're really trying to give and give him the 227 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 2: ball right now, and rightfully so, rightfully so, but no, 228 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 2: Sam Darnold looked very impressive. I thought that his ability 229 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:15,079 Speaker 2: to move in out of the pocket, his pocket presence, 230 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 2: just the awareness everything was going on was a step 231 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 2: in the right direction. And look, the guy's not going 232 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,959 Speaker 2: to play a perfect game every single outing, but it's 233 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 2: about being able to play well enough that you stay 234 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 2: in games. And I think the underlying factor is the 235 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,959 Speaker 2: ability to stay in these drives for long amounts of time, 236 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 2: which is I think something that you know, I don't. Look, 237 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 2: I'm not going to vouch for Kevin occonnor. This is 238 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 2: not inside information. I have not asked him this question before, 239 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:42,920 Speaker 2: but I wonder sometimes it might be harder for him 240 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:47,400 Speaker 2: to want to stay in a drive for twelve plays 241 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 2: eighty nine yards for eight or so minutes because he 242 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 2: likes he's aggressive. He wants to take that shot down 243 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 2: the field. But the patience that him as a play 244 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 2: caller has really shown in staying in these drives eat 245 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 2: up the clock, I think has been an under underrated 246 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 2: storyline of this offense's success this year. 247 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 3: I think the other thing, too, to your point, is 248 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:10,719 Speaker 3: when we've seen some of these younger coaches come in, 249 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:13,560 Speaker 3: you know, the Dan Campbell's of the world. Not that 250 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 3: he's younger, but he's in that new wave of coaches 251 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 3: where the aggression is what wins you games. We saw 252 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 3: it last week in the Bills game, where you can't 253 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 3: give the ball back to Patrick Mahomes. Even kicking a 254 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,080 Speaker 3: field goal putting you up by five is not the 255 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 3: right move. The aggression that fifty years ago you one 256 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:31,880 Speaker 3: hundred percent kicked the field goal and you just pray 257 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:34,560 Speaker 3: that the other team doesn't go down and score. That 258 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 3: is what this new wave of coaching is is. It's 259 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 3: we we can't give the ball back. We're gonna win, 260 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 3: and we're gonna win now. We're gonna win on our terms. 261 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 3: We're not gonna let them dictate on offense, how they're 262 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 3: gonna win even though this team has all their faith 263 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 3: in their in their in their defense. You just I 264 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:54,199 Speaker 3: love that aggressive way of playing and sometimes it doesn't work, 265 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 3: but the times it does work, it'll put the game 266 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 3: away and you gotta go, you gotta go for it, 267 00:11:58,240 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 3: and I love that about Koc. 268 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 2: Before we hit break, I do have one thing that 269 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 2: I wanted to play off of what you said this season, 270 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 2: from combine, through draft, through free agency, trades and now, 271 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 2: I've never been more impressed with our general manager, Quasi Dopamensa. 272 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 2: I think that so many of his decisions have really 273 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 2: panned out, worked out so well, and I feel like 274 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 2: maybe he's kind of getting into a groove here. I 275 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 2: don't know, what do you think? 276 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 3: I agree with you. I think that, as I said, 277 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:32,719 Speaker 3: the trade for Cam Robinson was excellent, and I mean, 278 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 3: you look around. The Van Ginkle thing was incredible, and 279 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 3: I've said it on the Power Trip. Nordo and I 280 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 3: were doing a show noon to three. Common was out, 281 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 3: so we filled in on the day of free agency 282 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 3: and the Adam Schefter or Tom Pellisaro tweet came across 283 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 3: that the Vikings are signing Jonathan Gernard, who we have 284 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 3: on the Power Trip every Tuesday at eight and forty. 285 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 3: He's incredible and I out loud, I go who I'd 286 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:58,680 Speaker 3: never heard of him. He's unbelievably good. And it all 287 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 3: boils back to it. If JJ McCarthy can play like 288 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 3: he did in that preseason game. I know it's a 289 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 3: preseason game, but that's the guy we got. The sky's 290 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 3: the limit for this team. Plus they have like seventy 291 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 3: five million in cap space. 292 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 2: Next season might be a very busy as yes, it might. 293 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,720 Speaker 2: That'll be great, that'll be great. Well, I appreciate you 294 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 2: so much. 295 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 4: Thank you. 296 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:19,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, no, no, we're gonna We're gonna take a quick break. 297 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 2: We'll have more from the Minnesota Vikings podcast after this, 298 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 2: but meets us. Where can people find you? 299 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 3: Powertrait Morning Show five thirty to nine on the iHeartRadio 300 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 3: app or on your radio at FM one hundred point three. 301 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 3: And you can find me on social media at Meat 302 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:34,560 Speaker 3: Sauce one on Twitter. 303 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:37,079 Speaker 2: Yeah, he's quite a fun Twitter follow on game day. 304 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:39,319 Speaker 4: It's kind of annoying, but appreciate it. 305 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 2: All right, We'll have more after this. 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Unreal is back with their limited 312 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:16,320 Speaker 2: edition Vikings drop Head to unrl dot com for more details. 313 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:18,959 Speaker 2: S Balon Montage is the Twin Cities premier salon and 314 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 2: spa destination and proud official hair sponsor of the Minnesota 315 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:26,600 Speaker 2: Vikings Cheerleaders, with three convenient locations an Eat, Dinah, Woodbury 316 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 2: and chan Hassen. There is a s Balon post to you. 317 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 2: Is it online at spalon dot com. Ready to have 318 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 2: your spirits lifted than the lap out Loud comedy Ghosts 319 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 2: is for you. All new Ghosts Thursday at eight thirty 320 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 2: seven thirty Central on CBS. Welcome back into the Minnesota 321 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 2: Vikings podcast. I'm your host, Tatum Everett and the Vikings 322 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,600 Speaker 2: are headed down to Chicago to face the Bears in 323 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 2: another divisional battle at Soldier Field somewhere where they have 324 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 2: won four straight games. They're going for their fifth on 325 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 2: Sunday at noon on Fox. And to get us ready 326 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 2: for that matchup, let's welcome in our special guest, linebacker 327 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 2: Blake Cashman. Well, here we are with Blake Cashman. Minnesota 328 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 2: board and raised went to the Gopher or it was 329 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 2: a Golden Gopher, and now you're Minnesota Viking. You're undefeated 330 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 2: when playing, which is amazing. I know you did not 331 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 2: want to sit out for those couple of games, but 332 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 2: the defense seems to work so well through you. How 333 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 2: have you been able to rEFInd those communication skills over 334 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,160 Speaker 2: the years to handle that responsibility. 335 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 5: You know, I think it starts just in your preparation 336 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 5: through the week. You know, you got to be loud, 337 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 5: make sure everyone's on the same page. And myself and 338 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 5: the entire group, you know, we take a lot of 339 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 5: pride in understanding what our jobs are. 340 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 4: And you know, coaches always. 341 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 5: Talk about over communicate because when things start moving fast 342 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 5: in games and things get hectic, that's usually when those 343 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 5: little mishaps in the communication and the little details end 344 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,840 Speaker 5: up becoming major problems for you. So, you know, I 345 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 5: got great guys teammates around me that understand what we 346 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 5: have to do, so that definitely helps. But it's all 347 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 5: through the preparation in the week and each day as 348 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 5: you prepare, it just gets easier and easier. 349 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:14,000 Speaker 2: I know you're not like a huge fan of talking 350 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:18,200 Speaker 2: about yourself and how your season's going and what you're 351 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,240 Speaker 2: you've been able to accomplish, but you are kind of 352 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 2: in charge of one of the most notorious defenses around 353 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:27,760 Speaker 2: the NFL right now. The way that you guys are 354 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 2: able to disguis pressures, get pressure to disrupt the quarterback 355 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 2: and now you've got the Bears. What does it feel 356 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 2: like to kind of be the one in charge of 357 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 2: making sure everyone gets gets in this place of one 358 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 2: of the craziest defenses. 359 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:44,920 Speaker 5: Well, I'd just say it feels good to be playing 360 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 5: good ball and collectively as a group to be putting 361 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:54,040 Speaker 5: on these you know, dominating performances. And the thing is, 362 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 5: there's still so much meat left on the bone. You know, 363 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 5: we talk about how, you know, we are a great defense, 364 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 5: but every single coach and player believes that we can 365 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:04,680 Speaker 5: be an elite defense. And you know, I think you 366 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 5: just look at the guys we have, it just we 367 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 5: fit the mold of what this defense has to be 368 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:14,880 Speaker 5: within the scheme and and guys execute at a high level. 369 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,119 Speaker 5: So you know, we got we got some important games 370 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:20,680 Speaker 5: coming up. So just a matter of continuing to play 371 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:24,159 Speaker 5: at a consistent basis. And you know, as as you 372 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 5: get closer to playoff football, you know it's it's all about, 373 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 5: you know, creating takeaways so you can put the ball 374 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 5: in your offense's hands as much as possible. 375 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 2: When you say elite defense, so you don't feel like 376 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 2: you're there yet, what is what needs to happen to 377 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:40,119 Speaker 2: get to that point? 378 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 5: I would say, you know, for us to be an 379 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 5: elite defense, we have to eliminate, you know, the few 380 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:50,960 Speaker 5: plays a game where there might be a coverage bust 381 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:54,959 Speaker 5: or you know, we we miss a tackle on the 382 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:57,720 Speaker 5: flat that should be only a four or five yard game, 383 00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 5: it turns into a fifteen to twenty yard game. Like 384 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:04,959 Speaker 5: championship teams, you know, they make those plays. So we 385 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 5: know we're capable of doing that. And you know, it's 386 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 5: more about just us holding ourselves to a higher standard. 387 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 5: You know, I'm a big believer in you know, chasing perfection, 388 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 5: even though you're never going to reach perfection, but you 389 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:21,240 Speaker 5: will reach greatness and the standard of being elite. So 390 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 5: you know, eliminating those plays will definitely definitely. 391 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 2: Help you're up against the Bears next. The NFC North 392 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:31,240 Speaker 2: is really turning out to me, this black and blue division, 393 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:33,960 Speaker 2: which I know you grew up watching. I mean, I mean, 394 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 2: does it remind you of maybe a few years past 395 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 2: when you were growing up with just how tough this 396 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:41,800 Speaker 2: division is. 397 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 5: Well, that's part of the reason why I was so 398 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 5: excited to come here and be a Viking was because 399 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 5: I love this division. I grew up watching all these teams, 400 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 5: and you know, I feel like, no matter what, whether 401 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,439 Speaker 5: it's the Lions, Packers, Vikings, Bears, like whatever, the the 402 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 5: record shows they played play tough, gritty football and they're 403 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 5: going to compete every game. And I think this division 404 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:10,640 Speaker 5: is one of the most respected ones in the entire NFL. 405 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:13,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, this is It's gonna be a tough division for sure. 406 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,840 Speaker 2: Now the Bears going into this they have Caleb Williams 407 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 2: as their quarterback and on new offensive coordinator. When you 408 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:23,120 Speaker 2: guys sat down to watch the film from like week 409 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,359 Speaker 2: one to now, knowing that there was an offensive coordinator change, 410 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:29,000 Speaker 2: did you see a difference in the way that they 411 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 2: were playing or anything, you know, good bad. 412 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 5: Absolutely, I felt like their play calling, maybe on early 413 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 5: downs was a little bit more conservative, but it allowed 414 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:45,040 Speaker 5: the players to make quick, easy reads, which I think 415 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:50,000 Speaker 5: that turns an offense into a confident offense and allows 416 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 5: them to get into a rhythm. Because against Green Bay 417 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:56,800 Speaker 5: last week, they executed very well on third down, and 418 00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 5: that we all, that's the money down. 419 00:19:58,040 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 4: You got to win that one. That'll win you football games. 420 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 5: But the Bears often started to put themselves in more 421 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 5: manageable situations, so they're you know, they're looking at third 422 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 5: and short instead of these third and long scenarios. And 423 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 5: you know, whenever it's third and long as a defense, 424 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 5: here you're pinning years back ready to go. But they've 425 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 5: done a great job. You know, they have great players 426 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 5: over there. Caleb Williams, he has a he does an 427 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 5: outstanding job at using his legs to you know, create 428 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:27,720 Speaker 5: splash plays by getting out of the pocket. So you know, 429 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:32,680 Speaker 5: we have to have our awareness about that and make 430 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 5: sure that we're just detailed in each position's assignment. 431 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:39,120 Speaker 2: But when you look at the sacks they've allowed this week, 432 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 2: he's the most sacked quarterback. You guys, have thirty five 433 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:43,679 Speaker 2: on the year. I mean there's a little bit of 434 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 2: a I wouldn't say like getting excited or like salvating 435 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,879 Speaker 2: at the moment, but is there like an acknowledgment that 436 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:50,359 Speaker 2: like will have opportunities? 437 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 5: You know, absolutely, we I think as a as a 438 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:57,719 Speaker 5: front seven, you know, we always talk about what are 439 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 5: rush plan is going to be, and we always feel 440 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,160 Speaker 5: good about going into every Sunday. Now, you always got 441 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:05,680 Speaker 5: to respect your opponent. They're they're watching tape too, They're 442 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:07,240 Speaker 5: seeing what we're doing really well. 443 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 4: But you know, we. 444 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 5: Believe in each other. We believe I believe in the 445 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:15,200 Speaker 5: guys up front that they're going to create pressure. And uh, 446 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:17,960 Speaker 5: you know what, as a as a guy that's playing 447 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 5: out the ball, if I'm not in the in the 448 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 5: in the pressure in the blitz, like you know, you 449 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 5: gotta you gotta trust those guys because that allows you 450 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 5: to break faster the ball and we can you know, 451 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 5: create some turnover opportunities by doing that. 452 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:31,359 Speaker 2: I noticed here, I was looking at some of your 453 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 2: stats throughout your career and you get the second contract 454 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:36,399 Speaker 2: when you get to the Texans, and it just seemed 455 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 2: like it clicked for you, like something just worked for you. 456 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:41,960 Speaker 2: You you started in all the games, you had two 457 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 2: great seasons, the seasons that obviously led you here today. 458 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:47,640 Speaker 2: What changed for you when you made that move? 459 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:50,439 Speaker 5: Well, I think once I got traded to Houston, Uh 460 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:52,920 Speaker 5: you know, I think they have a really good performance 461 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 5: staff down there. And when I was in New York, 462 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 5: you know, I wouldn't say the opportunity wasn't there. I 463 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 5: just wasn't available, struggled to some injury. But I learned 464 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:02,879 Speaker 5: a lot about what I can do to help me 465 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 5: say available, keep me on the field. And and you know, 466 00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:07,199 Speaker 5: I always had the confidence as long as I'm on 467 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 5: the field, like I'm gonna show good things and prove 468 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:13,520 Speaker 5: to to my team and other teams that I deserve 469 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:17,680 Speaker 5: to be in every down backer. And I started to 470 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 5: get that opportunity in Houston, and I wasn't going to 471 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 5: look back. But you know, there's a lot people to credit, 472 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 5: you know, to help me get in that position and 473 00:22:29,119 --> 00:22:32,680 Speaker 5: you know, make me a better player. But you know, 474 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,919 Speaker 5: just for me, it was just all about us keeping 475 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:38,800 Speaker 5: that perseverance because you know, at times I was very 476 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 5: frustrated because uh, you know, I always believed I was 477 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:44,679 Speaker 5: more than where I was at you know, like instead 478 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:46,960 Speaker 5: of just playing special teams, I always believed, you know, 479 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,760 Speaker 5: I could impact a game and help our team win 480 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 5: football games by being out there on defense. 481 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 2: What kept you going through that? 482 00:22:55,160 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 5: I'd simply say my competitiveness and uh know, probably my 483 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:05,280 Speaker 5: pride a little bit, just because you know, I knew 484 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:08,040 Speaker 5: what I'm I'm about on who I am as a player. 485 00:23:08,119 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 5: But you know this, I love this game, and like 486 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 5: when you feel deprived of it, you just stay hungry 487 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:18,679 Speaker 5: to get the ops that you feel like you deserve. 488 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 4: And that kept me motivated. 489 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 2: And then when you get here and you have the 490 00:23:23,440 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 2: belief and the staff in you, what was it like 491 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 2: after the role that you've been on. 492 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 5: It feels awesome to be playing significant amount of snaps, 493 00:23:34,040 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 5: you know, commanding a defense that's playing so well. And 494 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:40,800 Speaker 5: I tell everyone like, this is, without a doubt, the 495 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 5: most fun I've had playing football, probably since like high school. 496 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:49,800 Speaker 5: Just the relationships in the building, how well connected this 497 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:54,280 Speaker 5: group is, how much joy we have through even the 498 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 5: the days that are you know, gritty, like Wednesdays and Thursdays, 499 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 5: Like you hit the grind through those day sometimes, especially 500 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:03,399 Speaker 5: at this point in the season, but we all have 501 00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 5: so much fun and obviously winning helps a lot, but 502 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:09,159 Speaker 5: I mean, you just you cut on the tape, you 503 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 5: watch the games, Like I think it's obvious that we're 504 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 5: all having so much fun. You know where we're growing 505 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:15,760 Speaker 5: men playing a little kids game. 506 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 2: Does that make your job easier though? 507 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 4: Right? 508 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 2: Like being able to command them or not command them, 509 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:23,280 Speaker 2: but communicate to them, and it's gonna make your. 510 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:24,720 Speaker 4: Job easier, definitely. 511 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:27,600 Speaker 5: And that's why I like, I like to give those 512 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:31,120 Speaker 5: guys a lot of credit because you know, we got 513 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:34,680 Speaker 5: some very smart players on this defense. And I've said 514 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:39,040 Speaker 5: this before, I've never been a part of like a 515 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,719 Speaker 5: defensive line that's so in tuned to what's going on. 516 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 5: Like usually they're just worried about where they need to 517 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,679 Speaker 5: lined up and nothing else. They're just gonna go and 518 00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 5: try to you know, get in the backfield, get after 519 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,520 Speaker 5: the quarterback. But you know they they they understand what 520 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 5: we're trying to do. And then when you have a 521 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 5: guy's like Harrison Smith behind you, you know that they 522 00:24:57,080 --> 00:24:59,159 Speaker 5: can just make everything right. Like it does make your 523 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,440 Speaker 5: job easier. But you know, that's what a great football 524 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:04,879 Speaker 5: team is. A great football team is a lot of 525 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:08,200 Speaker 5: great players because when you're surrounded by a lot of talent. 526 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 4: It elevates everybody's play. 527 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:13,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, one more question before we go. You're back home, 528 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:16,119 Speaker 2: you're able to be around your friend's family. I know 529 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:18,400 Speaker 2: before we talked to how much you were looking forward 530 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:20,359 Speaker 2: to that. What's the one thing you've gotten to do 531 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 2: since being home that you miss the most. 532 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:24,439 Speaker 4: That's a great question. 533 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:26,440 Speaker 2: Have you been able to do anything really fun? 534 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 5: So it might come to a surprise, Like I've tried 535 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:34,680 Speaker 5: to not change any of my habits or routine from 536 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:38,200 Speaker 5: over the last two years. I'm a pretty serious person 537 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:41,520 Speaker 5: at least in season, very strict about, you know, what 538 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:44,720 Speaker 5: I got to do to work, handle my business. But 539 00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:50,119 Speaker 5: I would say, like, it is nice to, you know, 540 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 5: see my friends like that I grew up with because 541 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:56,680 Speaker 5: we're all still very close. I usually don't ever see them. 542 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,439 Speaker 5: Maybe it's briefly once a year if they come to 543 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 5: a game. Other than that, I go six seven months 544 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 5: without seeing them, and I love those guys. So like 545 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:07,199 Speaker 5: to be able to even go to dinner for you know, 546 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:08,120 Speaker 5: an hour and a half. 547 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:10,399 Speaker 4: Or two, just catch up, Like it's good for your 548 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:11,600 Speaker 4: mental health. It is, it is. 549 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:15,719 Speaker 5: I think it's very important for players yeah, in season 550 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:17,400 Speaker 5: to you know, you got to get away from ball 551 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 5: a little bit sometimes just to kind of clear your 552 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 5: mental and hit a reset button and feel fresh each week. 553 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:24,760 Speaker 2: Well, Blake, we're so happy you're here. You have a 554 00:26:24,800 --> 00:26:26,840 Speaker 2: ton of fans that are very excited that you're back 555 00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:29,240 Speaker 2: in action, and best of luck this weekend. 556 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 4: Thank you, I really appreciate it. 557 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 2: A big thank you to Blake Cashman who came directly 558 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:38,640 Speaker 2: from Walkthrough into our podcast studio in order to make 559 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:42,080 Speaker 2: that interview happen. We love the Minnesota connection and we 560 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:44,240 Speaker 2: can't wait to see what him and the rest of 561 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:48,159 Speaker 2: the Vikings do this weekend as Minnesota faces Chicago on 562 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 2: Sunday at noon on Fox. This has been the Minnesota 563 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 2: Vikings Podcast and we will see you again next week.