1 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: We need to have good offensive line play, and the 2 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,319 Speaker 1: line really gels and I think that's that's what's more 3 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: important anything else. If you if you really want to 4 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: make a run, you don't get to this level without 5 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 1: being confident. They understand that as long as they're getting 6 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: the good reps in practice, that they'll be out there 7 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 1: and they'll be fine. Welcome into Episode one ten of 8 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. It's the moment we've been waiting 9 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 1: for for so long. Week one in the NFL, the 10 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: journey to the super Bowl starts. Now, the slate's clean, 11 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 1: everyone's O and O. Your destiny is now what you 12 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: make of it. Months and months of workouts, practice, OTA's camps, 13 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 1: it all comes down to this week to go out 14 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: there improve you're the best. Joining me on the pod 15 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 1: today the usual suspects. We've got Vikings dot COM's Chris Corso, 16 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 1: Gabe Henderson, producer Jay Nelson. It's game week, guys, how 17 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: are we feeling. I'm excited. I'm super excited, and they're 18 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: kicking it off with a huge game tonight. So for me, 19 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:16,960 Speaker 1: when I've been seeing everything, there's the anxiety of the 20 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:18,959 Speaker 1: week and working through all of our programs, all of 21 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 1: our shows, but tonight's game being Dallas Tampa and Tampa 22 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:26,399 Speaker 1: is huge, and I am super excited for tonight's game. Yeah, 23 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,320 Speaker 1: I would say the same because last year I wasn't 24 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: able to experience a normal season openers, So this year 25 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: reacts on the road, so we get the opposing teams fans, 26 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:37,400 Speaker 1: so it's a different experience. So I'm excited about that. 27 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:41,559 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm not anxious yet, maybe asking that after 28 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: the podcast where right now I'm feeling good. I want 29 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: to see this offense. I want to see the Vikings 30 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: offense out on the field. We didn't get to see 31 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 1: them all together during the preseason. Dalvin Cook, Adam Feeling Justin, 32 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: Jefferson and Kirk Cousins. Let's see this thing come together. Yeah, 33 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: a lot of guys we have yet to see on 34 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: the field this season. Super excited to see a lot 35 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: of those names, as it's my first season to cover 36 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 1: the Vikings and I can't wait. I'm not gonna lie 37 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 1: with all of the business that goes into a game 38 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 1: week on our end, I'm really pumped that we don't 39 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: have this Thursday game. Let it marinate a little bit. 40 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:15,519 Speaker 1: Get you guys more content out there. There's some exciting 41 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 1: things that have been going on this week. We've got 42 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 1: an exciting podcast for you today to get you ready 43 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 1: for everything Sunday. I hope you're ready for some fun. 44 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 1: Got some games to play. There's a hint we will 45 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: close the show with a little themed game that we've 46 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: got planned up cooked up for you. We're gonna have 47 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: a lot of fun with that one. And in between 48 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: all of that, we have a fantastic interview with Vikings 49 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: legend Robert Smith. He's actually working with the Vikings Entertainment 50 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: Network this season as an analyst and obviously what a 51 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: treat to have a guy like that to help break 52 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 1: down the game on Sundays. So let's get to it. 53 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 1: The Minnisota Vikings hit the road in Week one. They 54 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: open up the twenty twenty season in Cincinnati against the Bengals, 55 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer's former team. A little bit has been made 56 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: about that this week. Zim not so much. You know, 57 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: the kind of guy is. He says, this is his 58 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: team now. He's really not worried about them Bengals right 59 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: now except don't beat them. Yeah, but he's actually five 60 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: and two in his season openers here in Minnesota. Yeah, 61 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 1: and those season openers pretty much are our big test 62 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: to where you are as a team. All offseason. You 63 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: have all the talk, all the speculation of Okay, this 64 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 1: is what our team is going to be. When snap 65 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 1: one comes, that's when we can stop speculating and start reacting. 66 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: And we know Zimmer He's been with his team for 67 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: eight years, so it's not much of a homecoming for 68 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 1: him per se as the media is trying to make it. 69 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: But it makes for a good story, right, And I 70 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: think this will make for a good game, and I'm 71 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: sure he has his troops already. I'm just I think 72 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 1: I'm sorry. I told you asked me after the podcast 73 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: if I'm getting anxious, and I think I'm getting anxious 74 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: about the game, not this podcast, but about the game 75 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: because these teams are fairly even and pretty much every aspect, 76 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: Ben leever, and now we're talking about earlier that earlier, 77 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: this week about it. So we'll see how things, how 78 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: things play out, and how things shape up, because it 79 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: is gonna be exciting. Gabe's anxiety took like what five 80 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 1: minutes of things. Well, I'm operating on three hours to 81 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: sleep right now. I understood I understood the anxiety of 82 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 1: the week has been bubbling all week for everybody. Even 83 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 1: just walking around the building, you can tell it's week one, 84 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:28,160 Speaker 1: Like guys want to get going with the regular season. 85 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: We heard it all offseason. It's like, yeah, this is 86 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:32,479 Speaker 1: the offseason, but wait till we get to week one. 87 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 1: Now it's here and it's like it's go time. And 88 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 1: they all know that. And I think also kind of 89 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: a little bit of the stink of preseason and going 90 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: on in three for all of them, with all the 91 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: questions that not only in you know they might have 92 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: on what's going on, but the public and all the criticism, 93 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:49,720 Speaker 1: I think they're ready to go out there and put 94 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 1: their best foot forward and just kind of proved everybody, 95 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: now we're fine, we got this and it's Week one 96 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,720 Speaker 1: against the Bengals. So like we were talking about before, Yeah, 97 00:04:57,760 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: he might not think about it as much, but you know, 98 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,719 Speaker 1: Zimmer's got a little extra for this week. Yeah. I 99 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 1: was gonna say, you know who's ready to get going, 100 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 1: it's Mike Zimmer. He has never had a bad defense 101 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 1: until last year, and he admitted and he said it 102 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,159 Speaker 1: in the off season. You've seen a little bit of 103 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: it in the preseason, not having all the guys out there. 104 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: Now he's got Daniel Hunter, Michael Pierce, Dalvin Tomlinson, all 105 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 1: new members of this defensive line that we didn't have 106 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 1: last year. He's ready to put it out on the 107 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:30,039 Speaker 1: field against a kind of creepily good offense in the 108 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: Cincinnati Bengals. I've been saying it all week to people, 109 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow had a really good season last year before 110 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 1: he had that injury. So, Tatum, I know you know 111 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 1: a lot about Joe Burrow being over there in LSU. 112 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 1: But yeah, we're gonna preview this matchup here today. But 113 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: I'm a little worried about this Cincinnati Bengals offense a 114 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 1: little bit. Talk about anxiety, I'm not You're not at all. 115 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 1: I'm worried about their defense more. What about Jamar Chasey there. Well, 116 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 1: we can get into the naty gritty in just a second. 117 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 1: I have something special plans, so you know we can 118 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: go back and forth. Then. Yeah, so let's start things off. 119 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 1: I wanted to get your thoughts obviously on specifics about 120 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 1: the matchup, but just kind of in a different way 121 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 1: this week. I wanted to go around and we'll start 122 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:13,840 Speaker 1: with well, start Jay right here to my left. Get 123 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: your thoughts. Two things you like and one thing you're 124 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 1: nervous about. I'm gonna somewhat piggyback off what Carso is 125 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 1: just saying, And for me, it's actually d Hunter being back, 126 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 1: having to kneel back on this defense. We know how 127 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 1: big of a game wrecker he can be, especially when 128 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback and getting sacks. 129 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: I think having to kneel back if he is as 130 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 1: full go as we think or I have been told 131 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: he's supposed to be. He is an absolute game changer 132 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 1: and I am super excited to see what he does 133 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 1: this weekend. Second thing, just having football back. Like I 134 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: said before, it's there's you know for Thursday night football, 135 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: for the kickoff for the season for the Vikings. It's 136 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 1: Sunday in Cincinnati. I'm just excited to have real football 137 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: back with real fans in the stadium, and I just 138 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:58,839 Speaker 1: want to see what that energy is going to be. 139 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 1: Like what am my most nervous about. Let go Trey Hendrickson. 140 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: Trey Hendrickson is my guy on that Cincinnati defense. That 141 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: makes me nervous because he is a game wrecker from 142 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 1: twenty seventeen to twenty nineteen, he had six and a 143 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: half sacks. In twenty twenty he had thirteen and a 144 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 1: half sacks. And he is a guy that people are 145 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:19,239 Speaker 1: pointing to saying, if you want to see what's potentially 146 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: going to happen with this Vikings offensive line, watch the 147 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 1: matchups with Trey Hendrickson. He's the guy that makes me 148 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: nervous this weekend. All right, Gabe, two things you like, 149 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 1: one thing that makes you nervous. One thing that I 150 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: like is Dalvin Cook. We haven't seen him all off season. 151 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: We know he's a dynamic back. He I mean, I 152 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: think it's what second overall running back on the NFL 153 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: top one hundred this year, rightfully, so I'm sure he's 154 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: aiming for that number one spot. But Dalvin, I'm just 155 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: thinking this is the game that we see him again. 156 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals defense, they gave up ninety 157 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: yards to eight different running backs last year, and I 158 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 1: think Dalvin Cook can be that guy that starts that 159 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:01,960 Speaker 1: trend again this year. I think he can be a 160 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: guy that gets a hundred yards rushing or you know, 161 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: just split the defense. I'm just thinking of a mirab 162 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 1: Dula this offseason, three really good games in the preseason. 163 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 1: I'm just like, you know, if that was Dalvin Cook, 164 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 1: that that fifteen yard game turns into thirty yards now, 165 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: and this we know the Cincinnati Bengals defense is still 166 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: trying to figure things out. So Dalvin Cook is one 167 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 1: thing I like. The other thing I like is this 168 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: wide receiver unit, the Vikings wide receiver unit against their DBS, 169 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: barbecue chicking the lad against Mike Hilton t Well, Trey 170 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: Wayne is of course he's not playing. And then Cheeto 171 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 1: O Woozy like those guys, you know, they they have experienced, 172 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: but they're still trying to figure things out also, and 173 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 1: then a new entire I guess, an entirely new starting 174 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: secondary to know what they had last year. I think 175 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: that will play into our favorite. And I'm just looking 176 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:50,560 Speaker 1: at the Eli Apple Adam Feeling match up alone January fifth, 177 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:54,439 Speaker 1: twenty twenty Wildcard game against the New Orleans Saints. Adam 178 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,080 Speaker 1: Feeling went for seven seven catches, one hundred twenty nine 179 00:08:57,160 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 1: yards and talk about barbecue chicken. He met, he put 180 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:02,439 Speaker 1: him on a roaster and slow cook that thing. So 181 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 1: I think that'll be part two this week. I'm hungry. 182 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: You know it is earlier. I mean, Cincinnati is known 183 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 1: for their chili, so I don't know. Maybe my stumach 184 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 1: could be hurting, but I think Cheeta a woozy stomach 185 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: could be hurt. And also just running after Adam filling. 186 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:20,839 Speaker 1: But one thing that makes me nervous, Jay, you took 187 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: it from me. So I'm gonna go to the other 188 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 1: side of I'm not gonna go to the other side 189 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: of the ball. I'm gonna go to a different position group. 190 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: I'm a big Jesse Bates fan. Free safety for the 191 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: Cincinnati Bengals. I'm interested to see how Tyler Conklin and 192 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 1: Chris Herndon will match up against their safeties. Their safeties 193 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: are there, they're two playmakers in their defense. They'll lead 194 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 1: the team in tackles, which doesn't say good things about 195 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,679 Speaker 1: their defensive line. But I mean one on ones. We 196 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: know third downs they're gonna blitz and our corner and 197 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 1: our tight ends are gonna be one on one with 198 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 1: their safeties. And of course Erst m Junior is night here. 199 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: So what is Tyler Conkling going to do? What is 200 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 1: Chris Herndon going to do? So that's going to be interesting. 201 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: That's one thing that makes me nervous. I'm sure Clint 202 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,559 Speaker 1: kobe Ak will put him in the right position to 203 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 1: make plays, but on paper, that's one thing that's standing 204 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 1: out to me. Of Coursel, You're up next. I'm really 205 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 1: excited about the Eli Apple matchup as well. He's a 206 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 1: decent amount of Eli Apple. Seemed like Adam Feeling always 207 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 1: had his number. I don't know if he's gonna guard 208 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,959 Speaker 1: Justin Jefferson. Well, we'll take that too. But the other 209 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: thing I'm really excited about is our six hundred pound 210 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 1: defensive tackles against the Bengals offensive line. I think the 211 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 1: Bengals offensive line, I don't want to say too much 212 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: bad about them right now, but I don't think they're 213 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,440 Speaker 1: the strongest in the NFL. They just traded one of 214 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 1: their starting centers to the New York Giants and Billy 215 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:44,439 Speaker 1: Price out of Ohio State. I don't think there's much 216 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 1: there for Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce to really contend with. 217 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,199 Speaker 1: I think they're gonna have a good game in the 218 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 1: rushing game against Joe Mixon, and I think they're gonna 219 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 1: get after the quarterback as well. Tatum that those are 220 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 1: probably the two ones I had the Eli Apple thing. 221 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: That's too easy. I mean, we're all excited about that. 222 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: I mean you do have to think about it this way. Yeah, 223 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 1: Joe Burrows coming off an injury, awful looking injury, and 224 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 1: the first defensive line that you're going to face is Hunter, 225 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: Tomlinson Pierce and want him before bringing up the depth 226 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 1: on our defensive Yeah, that's exactly right. Crazy Meldon Richardson's 227 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: just hanging out waiting to get out on the field. 228 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: On the field, yeah exactly. So. Uh yeah, that's why 229 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:31,800 Speaker 1: defensive line. That's why defensive line has to be my pick. 230 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: I have to say the Matt you you were talking 231 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: about matchups game, I think this is the matchup that 232 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: we want to see be enforced early by Mike Zimmer 233 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 1: as well. I want to see him dialing up those 234 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: those middle a gap blitzes, let the linebackers play in space. 235 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: I want to see Nick Vigil, who's a guest on 236 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:50,839 Speaker 1: one of our shows this week, really get involved against 237 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 1: his former team. So I want to see the defense. 238 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:56,559 Speaker 1: That's that's what I'm excited about, nervous about. I'm gonna 239 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: say our old line, I want to see how this 240 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 1: group comes together. We talked about the offense and not 241 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:06,199 Speaker 1: coming together yet completely out on the field in the preseason. 242 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 1: The old line's a question mark for me. I want 243 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 1: to see what happens in the running game. I think 244 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook will hold his own either way, but I 245 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 1: want to see how they do when Kirk Cousins drops 246 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: back and looks for Adam Feeland and Justin Jefferson against 247 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 1: those dbs. Tatum, I'm really that those are the two matchup. 248 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 1: It's one in the trenches, Tatum. That's what I'm looking at. 249 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:26,440 Speaker 1: I'm looking to the trenches. I like that. I like that. Look. 250 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: Now I'm going to go on the outside. I'm super 251 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:31,320 Speaker 1: excited to see this combination of Feeling and Jefferson again 252 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: this season. After you have a rookie record breaking year, 253 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 1: what is next for you? Obviously we talked or you 254 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: guys were able to talk to Justin Jefferson a lot 255 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 1: this week on the Audible, and I think he's confident 256 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 1: and I like his confidence. So for me, when you 257 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 1: look at this duo when they're both on the field, 258 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:52,559 Speaker 1: it's really pick your poison. Feeland such a vet. Jefferson 259 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: is quite quite good. Yeah, So at this point, who 260 00:12:57,840 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: you're gonna get? What are they gonna do. I'm excited 261 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: to see this first group figure out how they're going 262 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 1: to cover that duo. And then I guess my other 263 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 1: piece of excitement, I'll kind of piggyback a little bit 264 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: on your your nervousness. I'm I'm excited to see this 265 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:14,079 Speaker 1: offensive line come together because they have no choice. If 266 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:18,079 Speaker 1: you're gonna give Kirk Cousins enough time, welcome to Minnesota. Welcome. 267 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: So I've heard, if you're gonna give him enough time 268 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 1: to make good decisions, which you know he enjoys the 269 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: a clean pocket, I think that um, I think that's good. 270 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: And I think with the juice of Brian O'Neill's contract extension, 271 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: knowing that there's some longevity on the line will hopefully 272 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: give them a little extra spark. Seeing Riley Reef on 273 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 1: the other side of things as an opponent now instead 274 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 1: of a teammate, might be like, you know, let's prove 275 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 1: we can be just as good without them, you know 276 00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: that kind of mindset. So, speaking of Riley Reef, I 277 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: know we were talking about I know we had a 278 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: lot of entailed conversations off camera before and I was saying, 279 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 1: I got myself into a rabbit hole just researching the 280 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:00,720 Speaker 1: Cincinnati Bengals last night and ran upon an article written 281 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:04,079 Speaker 1: by their team reporter, and he says Riley Reef is 282 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: their best offensive lineman this year. That's That's what. That 283 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: was my point before game. I think we gotta, we 284 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: gotta get after Joe Burrow. I mean, he's gonna be 285 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: he's gonna be his life. Yeah, he was sacked thirty 286 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,320 Speaker 1: two times in ten games. You wonder why he got injured. 287 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: You know, he didn't have the right protection. And he's 288 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,480 Speaker 1: a bit of a he's a wild card. Like he's 289 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: got athletic ability and he's not afraid to use it. 290 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: I remember at LSU he was asked at a press conference, 291 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:33,960 Speaker 1: why don't you slide? Because he was just taking hit 292 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 1: after hit after hit, and it just took that one. 293 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: I think in the UCF Bowl game where he just 294 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: got smacked. No granted he got back in the game 295 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: and just lit it up. Yeah, but like I think 296 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 1: after that he kind of realized, if I'm gonna have 297 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: a little bit of longevity in my career and need 298 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 1: to start slointing. So I think he learned it the 299 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 1: hard way, not specifically that, but just that how porous 300 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 1: their offensive link can be. But I think part of 301 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 1: it too is, like you, the competitive nature if he's 302 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: on your team. On the flip side, though, coaches and 303 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 1: gms and front offices are saying, what are you doing? 304 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: You've got to protect yourself letter and you know, like 305 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 1: Kirk is one of those guys where he's diving head 306 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 1: first and they had to tell him how many times, 307 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 1: like hey, slide to save yourself, just so that we 308 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 1: need you to stay in this game. And I'm sure 309 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 1: since he was feeling that that way last year once 310 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 1: Burrow went out. The one thing that I always think 311 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: back to is like RG three's rookie season, he was 312 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 1: lightning up, going crazy, tears up his knee, and then 313 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: he's just never fully the same because he has to 314 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: change his style for us this week, we want to 315 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: beat Joe Burrow. For Joe Burrow's career, I'd like to 316 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: see him for their long term and I think for 317 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 1: him that just means he's got to be more comfortable 318 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: in the pocket, and for the Bengals that means they 319 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: have to address that offensive line. Yeah, Pete Bursts did 320 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: a really good job in film room this week just 321 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: analyzing Joe Burrow what he does with his legs. There's 322 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 1: a play where he was alluding tackles like he was 323 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 1: literally just running around for his life like for ten 324 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: to twelve seconds. And one guy I can't think of 325 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: his name wasn't the Browns. I think they were playing 326 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: the Browns And the guy who actually ended up getting 327 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 1: the sack missed the sack three times in that same 328 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: play and then ended up getting the sack. So, yeah, 329 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: he's sneaky athletic because you look at him and you 330 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: don't think he's going to be as quick as he is. Right, Yeah, Well, 331 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: I enjoyed watching with Llcu. I hope that he has 332 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 1: a mediocre game. Justin Jefferson said the same thing. We're 333 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:26,040 Speaker 1: not teammates anymore. I know I'm spelling the deats on 334 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow. Yeah. I think Mike Zimmer took him in 335 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: the room and was like, tell us about this quarterback, 336 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: right right right? Well, I mean we act they signed 337 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: Jake Browning to the practice squad. That was a move. Huh, yes, petty, 338 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:43,160 Speaker 1: very petty, that's not that wasn't that wasn't going to 339 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 1: be my nervous point. That's not nervous. I was waiting 340 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:49,320 Speaker 1: for the follow up for that. I'm not I'm not 341 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:51,600 Speaker 1: nervous about that point. No, I threw that out there 342 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 1: to say that that's not what I'm nervous about. I'm 343 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: a little nervous just about a slow start. I don't 344 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: think this is the team that you can not that 345 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: you can for to do that too, because I do 346 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 1: think that you can rally back in all those kinds 347 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: of coach talk. This is the Cincinnati Bengals. We need 348 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: to get a win that first week, and after the 349 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:15,439 Speaker 1: way twenty twenty started, nothing could mean more to this 350 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 1: team than coming out with some confidence in oh in 351 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:21,959 Speaker 1: three preseason than to just smack the Cincinnati Bengals. You know, 352 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: um what I think it's I'm a dog owner, so 353 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,679 Speaker 1: I always say like it's inserting your dominance early on 354 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:30,760 Speaker 1: like that. You know, I've got a dog who completely 355 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 1: does that, And I'm like, dude, you don't need to 356 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,160 Speaker 1: like chill. Yeah, and so, but I think that's important 357 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 1: right now to be the dominant team from the get go. 358 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: I'm nervous that maybe it's going to take us a 359 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: little bit of time to get that together question. Are 360 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 1: you the type of dog owner that walks in the 361 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:50,640 Speaker 1: house before your dog walks in or do we let 362 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: home walking like so if you open, Oh no, we 363 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 1: do it together. Oh okay, yeah, we do it together. Okay, 364 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:58,639 Speaker 1: I mean you've got to know whose boss. I have 365 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:01,159 Speaker 1: a female dog that tries to assert her dominance, so 366 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 1: I know exactly what you're talking about. I will I 367 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:05,199 Speaker 1: will say though, that one of our dogs was not 368 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,639 Speaker 1: trained by me, and she does whatever she wants, and 369 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 1: I know we want names. My dog, on the other hand, 370 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:14,680 Speaker 1: is very well here twenty pound dogs that thinks he's 371 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:17,640 Speaker 1: sixty pounds. Yes, so yeah, I feel what you're saying. 372 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:20,120 Speaker 1: But back to the dominance no, but yeah, so yes, 373 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: I just that's what I want to say. And I'm 374 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,400 Speaker 1: nervous it's not going to be there, just after what 375 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 1: we saw in the preseason. If you come out hot, 376 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 1: and especially against a team that has some question marks, 377 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: they're like, hey, Joe's back, but what's he going to 378 00:18:31,160 --> 00:18:34,439 Speaker 1: look like? You know, defensively, Trey, Wayne's being gone and 379 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:36,680 Speaker 1: some of the other guys in the secondary that people 380 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 1: think maybe suspect. If you're a team that lets them 381 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:41,719 Speaker 1: hang around a little bit and they start getting comfortable 382 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:43,920 Speaker 1: and realize they're at home, and the home fans start, 383 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: you know, putting some extra sauce on it. Like that 384 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 1: is the nightmare of what you don't want to do 385 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 1: this weekend. Like you're saying, jump out, get a couple 386 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: scores early, and then just keep the throttle down and 387 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:55,919 Speaker 1: go as much as you can to get the crowd 388 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:57,639 Speaker 1: out of the game and to start putting those doubts 389 00:18:57,680 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 1: back in the Bengals minds. That's what I think needs 390 00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:01,879 Speaker 1: to happen in order to have a successful start here 391 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: on Sunday. It's crazy to think that we're talking game week. 392 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,920 Speaker 1: How great is that? And speaking of game week, we've 393 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: got Postgame Live coming up after the game this year, 394 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: first time that's back, obviously, and this year is really 395 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: really exciting because we're going to have guys on the road, Gabe, 396 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 1: You'll be on the road doing some work for us 397 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,520 Speaker 1: there and we'll also have an analyst in studio with 398 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: me on Sundays. And I am extremely excited to be 399 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 1: welcoming Robert Smith to the v N team. I know 400 00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 1: that he's got his college football duties on Saturday, We're 401 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:35,080 Speaker 1: going to just sit down and have a nice long 402 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 1: chat with him about what he expects for this season, 403 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 1: how excited he is to be back on this side 404 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 1: of things, because you know, he is a fantastic college 405 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:45,920 Speaker 1: football analyst. I can't wait to hear his NFL takes. 406 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 1: Joining the Minnesota Vikings podcast this week is Vikings legend. 407 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: Robert Smith. Thank you so much for being here. We 408 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: are pumped to have you join Veen Vikings Entertainment Network 409 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,160 Speaker 1: this season as part of our PO game live production. 410 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:03,359 Speaker 1: I can't wait to do it. It's gonna be so 411 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: much fun. I did some of the games a couple 412 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: of years ago, including the playoffs, unfortunately the loss at 413 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:14,440 Speaker 1: the end there to San Francisco, but hoping for much 414 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:17,159 Speaker 1: better things this year. Yeah, and you've got quite the 415 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:21,120 Speaker 1: schedule calling college games before making your way out here 416 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: to Egan, that sounds like a heck of a weekend 417 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 1: you're going to have. Yeah, but but it's fun. I 418 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: get to go to LA to call my games. We're 419 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 1: not doing the games on site this year, and as 420 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 1: much fun as it is to go and do it 421 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 1: on site, if you're going to be on site, somewhere 422 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:38,320 Speaker 1: La is not a bad place to do it. And 423 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:40,479 Speaker 1: then of course it's always great to get back up 424 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:43,400 Speaker 1: to the Twin Cities. So I'm excited about it. And plus, 425 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:47,000 Speaker 1: you know, you wrack up those frequent flyer Yeah nice, 426 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:48,920 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, definitely nice. We'll get you a nice of 427 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 1: ak at the end of the what seventeen week season 428 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 1: we got going on now, hopefully longer? Exactly? All right, 429 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: Robert Well, I kind of want to start this conversation 430 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 1: out the same way he started the podcast with the guys. 431 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 1: I wanted to ask you overall this season with this 432 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one Minnesota Vikings group, I want two things 433 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:13,360 Speaker 1: you're excited about and one thing that makes you nervous. Well, 434 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:15,399 Speaker 1: the thing I'm excited about is, you know, based on 435 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: what happened in the preseason and you know, not not 436 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: scoring any points really offensively, right, uh, is is to 437 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 1: see the starters in there, um you know, to see 438 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook and uh you know, to see Justin Jefferson 439 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:30,639 Speaker 1: and Adam Feel And it's going to be nice to 440 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,120 Speaker 1: have those guys back in there, um you know, and 441 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 1: of course there were a lot of a lot of 442 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:38,600 Speaker 1: starters missing on the defensive side of Paul, you know, 443 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: particularly with Peterson and Harrison out and uh, you know, 444 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 1: not having not having the linebacking corps um. But to 445 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: that to that same point, what makes me nervous is, 446 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,480 Speaker 1: you know what we did see from the offensive line 447 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:58,359 Speaker 1: in the preseason. Um, that's that's got to be a concern. Uh. 448 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,199 Speaker 1: You know, hopefully Christian darry saw it gets healthy. You know, 449 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 1: nothing against Rashod Hill, but you know, I don't I 450 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:07,160 Speaker 1: don't think he's an elite starter uh in the NFL. 451 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 1: And um, you know that u Udo did great at 452 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: that right guard spot, hopefully continues to approve and the 453 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 1: line really gels And I think that's that's what's more 454 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:20,119 Speaker 1: important anything else, you know, and speaking to some of 455 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:22,919 Speaker 1: my former teammates that were linemen, Uh, you know, the 456 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: number one thing is the offensive line operating as a unit, 457 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 1: a cohesive unit that identifies everything the same way, immediately 458 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:36,320 Speaker 1: knows when to pass off blocks, and obviously is able 459 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 1: to both run and pass protect. So that's got to 460 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 1: be an area concern though. We need to we need 461 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 1: to have good offensive line play. If you if you 462 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 1: really want to make a run. Yeah, Before I get 463 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:50,080 Speaker 1: that second thing, you're excited about. I did want to 464 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 1: ask about that matchup with Rashad Hill and Cincinnati defensive 465 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:58,320 Speaker 1: end Trey Hendrickson. Producer Jay Nelson is here helping me 466 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:00,719 Speaker 1: with the buttons of the show on the podcast, and 467 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:03,640 Speaker 1: that was actually his matchup he was most excited to see, 468 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 1: was Hill versus a guy like Hendrickson who's coming off 469 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:09,880 Speaker 1: a career year down in New Orleans now at Cincinnati. Yeah, 470 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:11,679 Speaker 1: and that's you know, that's a it's a it's a 471 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 1: great Week one matchup for Rashad Hill and a really 472 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:19,440 Speaker 1: good test for him. And you know, the offensive line, 473 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 1: particularly at left tackle. I mean, guys have to be 474 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:26,400 Speaker 1: so good with their feet and particularly in a matchup 475 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 1: like this, you know, with the athletic ends like that 476 00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:33,720 Speaker 1: that can rush hard upfield, cut back up underneath him. 477 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:36,320 Speaker 1: And I think that's the that's the thing that you know, 478 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 1: Lynman really need to focus on, you know, kind of 479 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:41,040 Speaker 1: how they balance, how they use they use their feet, 480 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 1: and how they use their hands in combination. So that's 481 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:47,359 Speaker 1: going to be a great test Week one. Yeah, you 482 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:51,640 Speaker 1: mentioned athletic ends, and we've watched the Vikings pick up 483 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:55,160 Speaker 1: some pretty impressive guys this offseason the defensive side of things. 484 00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 1: And then you've got Daniel Hunter back in the mix, 485 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,439 Speaker 1: DJ one, I'm earning the other starting spot on the 486 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:03,640 Speaker 1: opposite side. You know, with a front like that, as 487 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,679 Speaker 1: a former running back, is that scary? Like they just 488 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 1: seem scary big? Well as as a running back, you're 489 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:15,399 Speaker 1: never scared of any group that you're you know you 490 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 1: have you have you have confidence in your own offensive 491 00:24:18,760 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 1: line and your ability to to do what you need 492 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:24,879 Speaker 1: to do. And you know, my my game wasn't trying 493 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 1: to run big players over, it was trying to avoid 494 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 1: them whenever possible. Would if if you if you do 495 00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:35,680 Speaker 1: make contact, make contact with the proper proper leverage with 496 00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:38,760 Speaker 1: the with the proper shoulder pad angle so that you 497 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:43,200 Speaker 1: can uh not present them a good target to hit. 498 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 1: And if they do hit that, you've got proper leverage 499 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 1: and body lean to be able to turn the legs 500 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:52,160 Speaker 1: and get get some extra yardage. So you know, we're 501 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:54,480 Speaker 1: going to have you on for a postgame live. We're 502 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:57,280 Speaker 1: really excited to have that happening directly after the game. 503 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 1: This season, you're here for a handful of content tests. 504 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: Unfortunately we don't get to have you for a pregame 505 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 1: show every week, so I kind of wanted to get 506 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: this week maybe your three keys to a Vikings victory 507 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:12,880 Speaker 1: as type of a as a pregame setup for us. Yeah, well, 508 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:15,520 Speaker 1: I think again, you know, going back to that line play, 509 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 1: that's going to be crucial. And when you do get 510 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 1: that protection you've got, you've got to get some separation 511 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:25,439 Speaker 1: at the white out spout, and that's something that you 512 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: didn't you didn't really see in the preseason. The guys 513 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 1: further down the roster just weren't able to get the 514 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: separation that we've seen with Justin Jefferson and with Adam 515 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:40,200 Speaker 1: DeLand in particular. So those would be the first two keys, 516 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:43,240 Speaker 1: and on the defensive side of the ball again because 517 00:25:43,240 --> 00:25:46,359 Speaker 1: so many players were missing, kind of getting those guys 518 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:52,159 Speaker 1: back in and making sure that the communication is good 519 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:56,359 Speaker 1: because when you're at a road game like that, in particular, 520 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:02,439 Speaker 1: communication especially verbal communication and can still happen. You know, 521 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:06,520 Speaker 1: I know last year without fans in the stands, you know, 522 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:09,439 Speaker 1: normally the home defense is at a disadvantage because they 523 00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:13,199 Speaker 1: really can't hear each other because the opposing offense as 524 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: all the noise of that stadium, and um, you know, 525 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:19,480 Speaker 1: on the road you do have that luxury. So if 526 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:21,600 Speaker 1: you're able to hear each other, you need to be 527 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:25,719 Speaker 1: able to communicate effectively improperly. You mentioned a rough goo 528 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,199 Speaker 1: at the preseason a couple of times, and you know, 529 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:31,119 Speaker 1: we do realize we didn't see our starters out on 530 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 1: the field. But as as a player or as a 531 00:26:34,119 --> 00:26:38,080 Speaker 1: starter coming in with you know, no preseason or an 532 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:42,959 Speaker 1: underwhelming preseason, how does that have an effect on a 533 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:46,920 Speaker 1: player's mindset? Well, I don't think most veteran players are 534 00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: concerned about that because you understand that you know, the 535 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:55,000 Speaker 1: starters aren't in there. Um, I've seen it both ways 536 00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 1: where you've had some good preseason performances and and it 537 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:01,840 Speaker 1: takes into the season feel well. But I think you know, 538 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:04,399 Speaker 1: you don't get you don't get to this level without 539 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: being confident, uh and without knowing what you're doing. And 540 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:10,800 Speaker 1: so those guys have been around for a while, and 541 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:14,400 Speaker 1: of course last year played without a preseason at all, 542 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 1: that's right, So they understand that that as long as 543 00:27:19,119 --> 00:27:22,520 Speaker 1: they're getting the good reps in practice, that they'll be 544 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:25,160 Speaker 1: out there and they'll be fine. Yeah, they may actually 545 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:27,520 Speaker 1: know a little bit better what that is like just 546 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:29,399 Speaker 1: to come out and start a season. I mean, and 547 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:31,720 Speaker 1: that goes back to their college days as well, because 548 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:33,480 Speaker 1: you don't get that fortune. We see that happen in 549 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:36,560 Speaker 1: college football all the time, right, Yeah, So it's it's 550 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:41,320 Speaker 1: something that something that uh, they're very familiar with because, uh, 551 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 1: you know, even when they did play in the preseason, 552 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:46,680 Speaker 1: you play maybe one or two series, and even if 553 00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:50,680 Speaker 1: things don't go perfectly in that time, you just understand 554 00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:56,080 Speaker 1: that it's preseason, it's warm ups. But now when when 555 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:58,640 Speaker 1: you've got that full week of preparation, when you're preparing 556 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:02,760 Speaker 1: for one because in training camp you do so many things. 557 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:05,400 Speaker 1: Now you do start some preparation later in the week 558 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:08,000 Speaker 1: for that other team, but it's just not the same. 559 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:10,000 Speaker 1: It's a different mentality and training camp and there are 560 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:11,439 Speaker 1: a lot of other things that you're trying to do. 561 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:14,119 Speaker 1: There are a lot of players that aren't necessarily going 562 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:16,080 Speaker 1: to be playing that are getting reps, and now all 563 00:28:16,119 --> 00:28:18,280 Speaker 1: the starters get the reps that they're supposed to get 564 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:22,320 Speaker 1: and the full week of preparation. Robert, do you think 565 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:26,359 Speaker 1: fans truly understand what it's like to be a player 566 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 1: who spent his entire offseason working for this part of 567 00:28:30,359 --> 00:28:33,440 Speaker 1: the year and it finally being that game week and 568 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 1: all of the anticipation and anxiety leading up to it. No, 569 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:40,360 Speaker 1: I think I think there are a lot of things 570 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 1: that you know, people that haven't played the game, particularly 571 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 1: at the highest level, don't really understand exactly what it 572 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:50,080 Speaker 1: is that you're talking about right there, because I mean, 573 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 1: it's what you do. It's not only your livelihood at 574 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 1: your passion, and you prepare all of that time. And 575 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 1: I think that's why it becomes so important the longer 576 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:02,880 Speaker 1: year in the league, you really understand how attention to 577 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:06,840 Speaker 1: detail becomes so important because you know, there are only 578 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:10,320 Speaker 1: a few plays that end up in general deciding a game, 579 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:13,640 Speaker 1: whether it's some some big play or some bad play, 580 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 1: and those are those are usually caused by one or 581 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:20,240 Speaker 1: two people taking an improper step, taking an improper angle, 582 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:23,280 Speaker 1: not using the right form, and tackling not using the 583 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:27,600 Speaker 1: right form and blocking U and an interception or a 584 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:31,600 Speaker 1: fumble things like that. So, uh, it all comes down 585 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:35,280 Speaker 1: to the way that you prepare mentally, uh, and then 586 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:39,080 Speaker 1: going out there and physically executing everything. And yes, it's 587 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:44,400 Speaker 1: it's there's definitely some excitement more than anxiety, but it's 588 00:29:44,480 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 1: it's the game that you love, and you love the 589 00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:50,840 Speaker 1: opportunity to go out there and show people what it 590 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 1: is that you've worked so hard to prepare for. And 591 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:56,560 Speaker 1: I know Viking Sands are just waiting in hot anticipation 592 00:29:56,720 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 1: for this season to kick off a lot of high 593 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:03,480 Speaker 1: exp dictations, a lot of excitement here in the Twin Cities. 594 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 1: Is the Vikings kick off the twenty twenty one football 595 00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:09,320 Speaker 1: season on Sunday, and of course after the game, you 596 00:30:09,320 --> 00:30:14,080 Speaker 1: can catch our podcast podcast guest Robert Smith alongside me 597 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:16,640 Speaker 1: for postgame Live. I promise I'll be able to put 598 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:18,719 Speaker 1: that out without stumbling by Sunday. I guess I need 599 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:23,560 Speaker 1: to go get more practice repsent or something. So oh, 600 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:25,560 Speaker 1: thank you so much for being here, Robert, and we'll 601 00:30:25,600 --> 00:30:30,400 Speaker 1: see you very soon. Sounds good. Thanks Sam. Love having 602 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:33,640 Speaker 1: Robert Smith on the Minnesota Vikings podcast today, and of 603 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 1: course you can catch him on our postgame live show 604 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:39,080 Speaker 1: on Sundays. We're so excited to have him join the 605 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:42,960 Speaker 1: Vikings Entertainment Network team. You can catch that show following 606 00:30:43,120 --> 00:30:45,920 Speaker 1: each and every game this year on all of the 607 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:53,479 Speaker 1: Vikings digital and social channels. The twenty twenty one NFL 608 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 1: offseason is finally over, and now it's about which team 609 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:01,920 Speaker 1: can win enough games to sit Lombardi Trophy throne. In 610 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:04,840 Speaker 1: the spirit of a certain popular television show on a 611 00:31:04,920 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 1: three letter network, We've got our own game going on 612 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 1: here on the Minnesota Vikings podcast, and that's the game 613 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:16,920 Speaker 1: of first football is coming, all right. So the rules 614 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:19,600 Speaker 1: are pretty simple on this guy's like a hot breath 615 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:23,200 Speaker 1: of a dragon. We all know those Targarian beasts, except Gabe, 616 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:31,120 Speaker 1: who did watch the show. The answers, I have an 617 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:33,680 Speaker 1: offseason activity for you, but let's like, let's let's know 618 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:36,320 Speaker 1: you're good. You're good. I like the rapid pace of 619 00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 1: this because, like the hot breath of a Targarian dragon, 620 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:41,800 Speaker 1: they're gonna be rapid pace. I want like quick answers. 621 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:45,120 Speaker 1: We'll go around the table. So let the games begin, 622 00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:49,120 Speaker 1: all right, Jay, who's gonna get the first first down? 623 00:31:49,280 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 1: Dalvin Kirks? Oh, now, I'm my my brain just okay, 624 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:58,640 Speaker 1: I'll say, Justin Jefferson, Justin Jefferson. Kay, I'm gonna go 625 00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:05,920 Speaker 1: with with Adam Adam Feeling first touchdown of the year. CJ. Hamm, 626 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:09,360 Speaker 1: I'm going Tyler Conklin. There you go. I think he's 627 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:11,640 Speaker 1: going to come out and just make a statement. Fullback 628 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:14,360 Speaker 1: dive for me, fullback dive. I like it. I like it. 629 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:19,360 Speaker 1: Tight En Die. I don't know that man's tall. That's 630 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:22,680 Speaker 1: like more of just like a high dive. He kind 631 00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:26,240 Speaker 1: of looks like Drago from Game totally be somebody on 632 00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:32,960 Speaker 1: Game of Thrones, right, I think he would be. Yes, Yes, 633 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:38,040 Speaker 1: that's he's a death. That's his name, Racky. That's what 634 00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:40,160 Speaker 1: it is. Yeah, we're just nerding out over here. Don't 635 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:44,920 Speaker 1: mind us what it is, right, that's okay? Uh, first 636 00:32:44,960 --> 00:32:47,880 Speaker 1: interception of the year. Jay, I'm going ben Leeber's take 637 00:32:47,920 --> 00:32:51,360 Speaker 1: from yesterday that he's going to try and dog out 638 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:53,560 Speaker 1: right away and just jump on everybody. Hit Man. I'm 639 00:32:53,560 --> 00:32:57,440 Speaker 1: going to hit man Mackenzie elexand I was gonna say, 640 00:32:57,560 --> 00:33:01,640 Speaker 1: Xavier Woods, there you go, here we go first? Or 641 00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:05,000 Speaker 1: who forces the first fumble? Jay? De Neil, he's my guy. 642 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:09,320 Speaker 1: He's who I'm watching this weekend. De Neil, Hey man, geez. 643 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 1: I guess Harry could have a huge game. I think 644 00:33:13,160 --> 00:33:14,960 Speaker 1: justin Jarrison was wearing a hit man hat. Is that 645 00:33:15,080 --> 00:33:20,920 Speaker 1: why you're just repeating? I just think the best safety seriously, 646 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:23,040 Speaker 1: I mean, no hot takes here. I mean, I just 647 00:33:23,080 --> 00:33:25,600 Speaker 1: made a hot take. It's the best safety in the NFL. 648 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:29,600 Speaker 1: I'll go DJ want him well, Iron Rodgers play that 649 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:32,120 Speaker 1: he made there against Green Bay. I see that happening 650 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:33,920 Speaker 1: in this game. After I was gonna go want him 651 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:37,520 Speaker 1: to Chris, after Patterson declared him as the outright starter, 652 00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:39,640 Speaker 1: had a great offseason, I was gonna say, want him too. 653 00:33:39,640 --> 00:33:42,200 Speaker 1: I'm gonna I'm gonna allow since I'm I'm the maker 654 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:44,840 Speaker 1: of this game, I'm gonna allow myself a repeat. Are 655 00:33:44,840 --> 00:33:48,800 Speaker 1: you the sarcy of this game? I guess boy, I 656 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:53,040 Speaker 1: know right, no good or bad? He isn't. But isn't 657 00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:55,680 Speaker 1: that it isn't that part of the whole show was correct? Again, 658 00:33:56,240 --> 00:33:59,160 Speaker 1: nobody's good, nobody's bad. Speaking of good, who's gonna get 659 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:01,880 Speaker 1: the first gritty of the year. I mean, there's the 660 00:34:01,880 --> 00:34:05,040 Speaker 1: obvioance answer. But after the social media post that went 661 00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:07,240 Speaker 1: the other day from signing his contract, I'll say, Brian 662 00:34:07,280 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 1: O'Neill again, love it? Oh man, I think it's JJ 663 00:34:12,640 --> 00:34:18,000 Speaker 1: that's our or March. Oh you're good? Yeah, Joe, that's 664 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:21,600 Speaker 1: a Kurt Bob. I'm going number eighth. Kirk Cousins Kirk's 665 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:23,200 Speaker 1: gonna do it. I think he'll gritty one. I think 666 00:34:23,280 --> 00:34:27,719 Speaker 1: Chris is looking at my notes. I was I was 667 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:30,320 Speaker 1: gonna say if Kirk friends in the first touchdown of 668 00:34:30,360 --> 00:34:32,719 Speaker 1: the year or something like that, he's gonna do it. 669 00:34:32,840 --> 00:34:38,759 Speaker 1: He's gonna whether it's pretty or not. It's very, very strategic. 670 00:34:38,880 --> 00:34:41,719 Speaker 1: The Vikings defensive line left several debts to pay with 671 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:44,520 Speaker 1: a franchise low in sacks, and we know what Mike 672 00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:48,040 Speaker 1: zimmer defense always pays its debts. So who gets the 673 00:34:48,080 --> 00:34:50,799 Speaker 1: first sack? For me? Denil is the lanister and that 674 00:34:50,880 --> 00:34:52,920 Speaker 1: he's going to do like I said before with him 675 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:59,440 Speaker 1: forcing first bumble strip sack, Denil Hunter, sweet Everson Griffin. Okay, 676 00:34:59,560 --> 00:35:02,319 Speaker 1: w yeah, I think wow. I think he picks up 677 00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:07,280 Speaker 1: as the chief I mean he was the only player 678 00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:08,879 Speaker 1: in the Chiefs game would well, I guess the first 679 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:10,279 Speaker 1: player would a sack in the chief I guess he 680 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:12,160 Speaker 1: was the first player all preseason would have sacked for 681 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:15,560 Speaker 1: a sire. You go, yeah, I'm sticking with it now. 682 00:35:15,760 --> 00:35:19,000 Speaker 1: I'm sticking with DJ want him. I think the might 683 00:35:19,040 --> 00:35:21,560 Speaker 1: happen on the same play. Okay, I'm gonna go with 684 00:35:21,600 --> 00:35:24,279 Speaker 1: the wild card. I'm gonna have Pierce. I know that 685 00:35:24,280 --> 00:35:27,319 Speaker 1: that's not very common, it's not really supposed to happen. 686 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:31,880 Speaker 1: But I have a good feeling about this match. Yeah 687 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:34,319 Speaker 1: I do. I do. So you threw it up for me, 688 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:37,120 Speaker 1: I did. That's good, that's fine, It's totally fine. Games 689 00:35:37,160 --> 00:35:40,920 Speaker 1: doesn't have any game at their thrones jokes. That's got 690 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:43,399 Speaker 1: a couple of softballs, and I'm here all right, last one, 691 00:35:43,400 --> 00:35:45,680 Speaker 1: of course, you gotta you need a young wolf to 692 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:50,279 Speaker 1: unite the team in victory. So the final first in 693 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:52,959 Speaker 1: the game of first, who will get the first game ball? 694 00:35:53,640 --> 00:35:55,920 Speaker 1: I'm going with the old wolf of Adam feeling. I 695 00:35:55,960 --> 00:35:58,440 Speaker 1: think he's gonna have a big matchup this weekend. We 696 00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:00,720 Speaker 1: talked about that a little bit earlier. I think feelings 697 00:36:00,760 --> 00:36:02,640 Speaker 1: my guy to possibly get the first game ball the year. 698 00:36:03,600 --> 00:36:08,799 Speaker 1: I'm going Mike Zimmer. Nice, he's get himself. Yeah, I mean, 699 00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:10,359 Speaker 1: I think the players to give him the game ball 700 00:36:10,719 --> 00:36:14,520 Speaker 1: first game back, like the defense has just a monster 701 00:36:14,640 --> 00:36:19,760 Speaker 1: performance to say, that's exactly I'm gonna go off topic 702 00:36:19,800 --> 00:36:22,279 Speaker 1: here for my dj Wanham take. I think Zimmer is 703 00:36:22,320 --> 00:36:24,520 Speaker 1: all excited about number ninety nine coming back, and I 704 00:36:24,520 --> 00:36:27,439 Speaker 1: could so easily see Zimmer going all right ninety nine, 705 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:30,719 Speaker 1: here's the game ball that might happen. Watch out Jay, 706 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:34,799 Speaker 1: Uh yeah, I mean for me. I'm not that I 707 00:36:34,880 --> 00:36:36,840 Speaker 1: ever said his name once in this game of first, 708 00:36:36,840 --> 00:36:38,839 Speaker 1: but I wrote down Harrison Smith because I think if 709 00:36:38,840 --> 00:36:41,520 Speaker 1: he has a stellar game after his extension, I think 710 00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:44,719 Speaker 1: all the good favor is in his h in his 711 00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:48,279 Speaker 1: back pocket, and um, he might be, you know, like 712 00:36:48,320 --> 00:36:50,000 Speaker 1: the chosen one of the games. All right, so let 713 00:36:50,080 --> 00:36:52,040 Speaker 1: me paint a picture for you because I said, Harrison 714 00:36:52,080 --> 00:36:54,040 Speaker 1: Smith is going to get the first interception in the 715 00:36:54,040 --> 00:36:56,839 Speaker 1: first force fumble, right, that's definitely game ball worthy. He's 716 00:36:56,840 --> 00:37:00,440 Speaker 1: getting the game ball and then giving it to Zimmer. Okay, 717 00:37:00,560 --> 00:37:04,720 Speaker 1: there you go. That's that's that's what's called a compromise. See, 718 00:37:04,760 --> 00:37:07,320 Speaker 1: I love it. Everybody's going for that game ball. No 719 00:37:07,360 --> 00:37:10,640 Speaker 1: one's giving it up. I think the answer is whoever 720 00:37:10,640 --> 00:37:12,319 Speaker 1: gets the game ball has to watch their back because 721 00:37:12,360 --> 00:37:17,120 Speaker 1: everyone's coming to take it. Well. I appreciate you guys 722 00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:19,799 Speaker 1: for playing three Eyed Raven with me today. This is 723 00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:21,920 Speaker 1: only the beginning, and we hope that the Vikings twenty 724 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:25,360 Speaker 1: twenty one season ends better than the last season of 725 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:29,200 Speaker 1: that said show that we've been talking about. Obviously, epic 726 00:37:29,239 --> 00:37:32,480 Speaker 1: to watch and let's see who wins the real game 727 00:37:32,520 --> 00:37:37,520 Speaker 1: of firsts. After the Vikings kickoff the season Sunday against 728 00:37:37,560 --> 00:37:39,960 Speaker 1: the Bengals. We have a little bit of housekeeping to 729 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:42,319 Speaker 1: get to before we close out on the podcast, because 730 00:37:42,320 --> 00:37:44,560 Speaker 1: it's been a really exciting week of content here at 731 00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:47,000 Speaker 1: the Vikings Entertainment Network. And so I'm going to start 732 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:50,440 Speaker 1: with Gabe on this one and the kickoff of the Audible, 733 00:37:50,480 --> 00:37:52,799 Speaker 1: which will be happening every week, Tell the tell the 734 00:37:52,840 --> 00:37:55,880 Speaker 1: people a little bit about what to expect. So the 735 00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:59,640 Speaker 1: Audible is a player driven podcast that we will do. 736 00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:02,600 Speaker 1: It'll air on Thursday nights on KFA and and Friday 737 00:38:02,719 --> 00:38:05,880 Speaker 1: nights on Fox nine. So Justin Jefferson is the player 738 00:38:05,960 --> 00:38:08,400 Speaker 1: host today. We have a special guest each week, and 739 00:38:08,440 --> 00:38:11,600 Speaker 1: the special guest is Jordan Jefferson, his brother. So Ben 740 00:38:11,640 --> 00:38:14,160 Speaker 1: Lieber and I were co hosting that podcast. Ben Lieber, 741 00:38:14,600 --> 00:38:16,560 Speaker 1: we made a few jokes about how why he had 742 00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:18,759 Speaker 1: to leave and he wasn't there to interview Justin with me. 743 00:38:19,200 --> 00:38:22,080 Speaker 1: But Ben Lieber and I will be interviewing a player 744 00:38:22,200 --> 00:38:24,759 Speaker 1: host each week, and then that player host will have 745 00:38:24,760 --> 00:38:26,560 Speaker 1: a guest, so it'd be like three guys, four guys 746 00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:29,479 Speaker 1: just talking ball, talking life, and this week is JJ. 747 00:38:29,640 --> 00:38:32,560 Speaker 1: We talked about just being the younger brother, and Jordan 748 00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:35,840 Speaker 1: gave us a few stories about JJ. That about Justin 749 00:38:36,200 --> 00:38:39,120 Speaker 1: that many Vikings fans are any many people don't know about. 750 00:38:39,160 --> 00:38:42,719 Speaker 1: So every single week this year the audible. Next week 751 00:38:42,840 --> 00:38:45,000 Speaker 1: is Michael Pierce will have some more special guests for you, 752 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:48,160 Speaker 1: so stay tuned. So I have a question. Is Michael 753 00:38:48,160 --> 00:38:51,480 Speaker 1: Pierce's special guest Princeton? There you go. Wouldn't that be 754 00:38:51,560 --> 00:38:54,080 Speaker 1: a good one if anyone was wondering Princeton is Michael 755 00:38:54,120 --> 00:38:57,080 Speaker 1: Pierce's doc. Have we done a purple pups in the studio? 756 00:38:57,520 --> 00:38:59,400 Speaker 1: I don't know, but I'm just saying I think that 757 00:38:59,400 --> 00:39:01,799 Speaker 1: would be a nice little I would be bring to it. 758 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:04,439 Speaker 1: We did hear Jordan Jefferson had a dog. I heard 759 00:39:04,440 --> 00:39:06,239 Speaker 1: a little bark that I tried to edit out of 760 00:39:06,239 --> 00:39:09,000 Speaker 1: the show last night, but it was not Jay. I 761 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:13,560 Speaker 1: couldn't get that one Jeremy Shepherd, because Justin Jefferson did 762 00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:16,440 Speaker 1: living together some kind of purple pubs last year, and 763 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:20,799 Speaker 1: the Jeerman Shepherd was okay, all right, Well, Chris, you 764 00:39:20,880 --> 00:39:22,839 Speaker 1: mentioned this a little bit earlier, but there's another edition 765 00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:25,080 Speaker 1: of Vikings Vantage out this week, so tell us all 766 00:39:25,120 --> 00:39:27,879 Speaker 1: about that. Yeah, really excited this season we have Nick 767 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:31,000 Speaker 1: Vigil on the first episode of The Vikings Vantage. Obviously 768 00:39:31,040 --> 00:39:34,560 Speaker 1: the former Cincinnati Bengal and Mike Zimmer on x's and 769 00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:38,320 Speaker 1: Oh's this week compared Vigil to the late Chad Greenway 770 00:39:38,360 --> 00:39:41,600 Speaker 1: of this Vikings roster, so I'm very excited to have 771 00:39:41,719 --> 00:39:43,839 Speaker 1: him on. I know he's a big time Minnesota guy 772 00:39:43,880 --> 00:39:46,359 Speaker 1: now being here for a little bit hunting and doing 773 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:49,240 Speaker 1: things like that in the offseason. So really excited about 774 00:39:49,239 --> 00:39:51,959 Speaker 1: the show along with Gabe this year, and it should 775 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:55,520 Speaker 1: be a fun little preview to the game coming up awesome. Well, 776 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:58,560 Speaker 1: of course, don't forget the Ready Set Glow at TCO 777 00:39:58,719 --> 00:40:01,040 Speaker 1: five K's on September eight teenth. You can sign up 778 00:40:01,080 --> 00:40:05,600 Speaker 1: for that online at Vikings dot com and as I mentioned, 779 00:40:05,880 --> 00:40:09,160 Speaker 1: stay tuned all week long, especially on Sunday, for all 780 00:40:09,239 --> 00:40:12,680 Speaker 1: of the Vikings content on all of our social channels, 781 00:40:12,719 --> 00:40:16,359 Speaker 1: including Postgame Live with Robert Smith. We're super pumped about that. 782 00:40:16,400 --> 00:40:19,719 Speaker 1: One week one kicks off Sunday at noon from Paul 783 00:40:19,760 --> 00:40:23,160 Speaker 1: Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Vikings take on 784 00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:27,040 Speaker 1: the Bengals and Game Day Live starting at ten am 785 00:40:27,040 --> 00:40:30,440 Speaker 1: on Fox nine and stay tuned to kfa N for 786 00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:33,360 Speaker 1: all your Vikings game day coverage over the airwaves for 787 00:40:33,480 --> 00:40:36,640 Speaker 1: Chris Corso, Gabe Henderson, and Jay Nelson. I'm Tatum Everett. 788 00:40:36,680 --> 00:40:39,239 Speaker 1: Thank you for tuning in to the Minnesota Vikings podcasts. 789 00:40:39,560 --> 00:40:42,799 Speaker 1: Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to your 790 00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:46,719 Speaker 1: podcast and Happy game week guys, Skull Vikings. Let's go