1 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: Week sixteen, The Vikings Football is here as we welcome 2 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:09,719 Speaker 1: you to be eleven and three edition of the Minnesota 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,159 Speaker 1: Vikings Podcast was sented by PEPSI can we get a 4 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: sco chat to start things off? Well, we want of 5 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:24,439 Speaker 1: first and foremost, thank you guys for sticking around following 6 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,360 Speaker 1: the nine and new PA's Friday football feast today. My 7 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: name is Gabe Henderson. Her name is Tatum Everett, and 8 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:33,160 Speaker 1: now we got Voice of the Vikings Paul Alan as 9 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 1: our guest today to give it up a round of 10 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 1: the ball for Pa. Pa. You just finished your show 11 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,480 Speaker 1: and I was doing some research this morning, nan Dot. 12 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 1: This is the eighth playoff team that you have covered 13 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: here since you've been Voice of the Vikings and so 14 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: June since O two. You mean eight? Yeah? Eightheen, which 15 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: means eighth. How many games have we gotten out of that? 16 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: I want eight different team? Yeah, I don't. I have 17 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: no idea what separates this play off team from the 18 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 1: other seven. Well, the you know this is I've said 19 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: publicly in some interviews and podcasts that I do that 20 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: of all the years I've called Vikings football, and I 21 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 1: said this middle of the season two. I mean it 22 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,919 Speaker 1: was like let's say eight and two or seven and whatever, 23 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:20,839 Speaker 1: outside of the two thousand and nine season with Brett Farve, 24 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: because that was just so polarizing, and you know, it's 25 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,279 Speaker 1: I mean, there were so many big personalities on that team, 26 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:30,319 Speaker 1: and obviously they went to the NFC Title Game and 27 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 1: barely missed the Super Bowl. Outside of that team, this 28 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 1: is the most enjoyable Viking season that I've ever had. 29 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 1: And that's you know, whether they had and whether they 30 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: have lost the rest of them or they win the 31 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: rest of them from the middle lot, simply because that there. 32 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,560 Speaker 1: I'm an old dog that likes new tricks. Okay, I've 33 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 1: had change all of my life. I've moved all over 34 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: the place all my life. I do not fear change. 35 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: In fact, I embrace it. And there was a lot 36 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 1: of change obviously, but there also where a lot of 37 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: things said January February in March where I'm going to 38 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: sit back and watch them develop, you know, because not 39 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 1: everything in life lives up to the hype personally, professionally, 40 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: prize fights, super Bowls, whatever, Well, this has and there 41 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 1: were a lot of things that were said that needed 42 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: to be changed, different languages that were spoken that I 43 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 1: had never heard, and they were all right that this 44 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 1: is living up to the height personally as much as professionally. 45 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 1: And I think part of it too is that they 46 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: came in here this front office and said, we've got 47 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: things in the cupboard. It's not a rebuild and it's 48 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: nice to see that come to fruition right now. Right. Yeah, 49 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 1: it's a redo the way I described it into the season, 50 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: and I think it's accurate. It's a redo, but a 51 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,799 Speaker 1: redo with talent. Yeah, so it's not like you know, 52 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: the I mean what they're doing with the New York 53 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: Giants with their redo with Brian da Ball. Well, to 54 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 1: have their record where it is was hard to predict 55 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: into the season. For the Vikings, eleven and three was 56 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 1: hard to predict into the season. Mike McDaniel and Miami 57 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: with that redo, well that's a redo with Tower, you know, 58 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: and they're a little up and down, but they're having 59 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 1: a good season. So but you know, like back to 60 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 1: the Cliff Kingsbury I'm talking about these younger, newer coaches. 61 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: Cliff Kingsbury comes in with Arizona. It was a redo 62 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: with talent because he had the right quarterback. But it's 63 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: not working. So therefore just the New Orleans Saints. You know, 64 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 1: with Sean Payton being gone, one of the great offensive 65 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: minds in the history of the NFL. Well, Dennis Allen 66 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,119 Speaker 1: knows where all the bones are buried, and he's been 67 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: there as the defensive guy. But is that a redo 68 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 1: with talent? Is it even a redo when you elevate 69 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: a guy from within and that's not working. Now, not 70 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: granted any better quarterback situation, but that's their fault. You 71 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: compensate Jamis and he's bad, well that's on you. Or 72 00:03:58,200 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 1: if he gets hurt, well that's that's a bad be 73 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: So it's just fascinating to see what O'Connell and the 74 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: staff have done with things that I've never seen over 75 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: two decades, yeah, over two decades. And understanding that Kevin 76 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: O'Connell was in his first year, he's two and oh 77 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: already against first year head coaches. When you look back 78 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: at last week's second a half game, getting his second 79 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,280 Speaker 1: win over first year head coach and Jeff Saturday, where 80 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 1: do you start when it comes to building momentum? Well, 81 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 1: you see, I like the term that O'Connell got from 82 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 1: Sean McVeigh and Brandon Staley the coach of the LA Chargers. Well, 83 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: he's also a limb on the mcveay train and they 84 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 1: had an emotional win over the weekend. One of the 85 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: first things he said Staley in his press conference was 86 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:51,280 Speaker 1: they were at their best when their best was required. Well, 87 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: we've heard that a million times here because McBay started it, 88 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 1: probably pulled it from somebody else, and that's just how 89 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 1: it works. Well, Connell uses it a lot, and it 90 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 1: plays into your question because when you formulate a statement 91 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: like be your best when your best is required, well, 92 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,160 Speaker 1: that's the inherent assumption that you're not always going to 93 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 1: be at your best. And that's okay. Yeah, if you're 94 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,799 Speaker 1: not at your best game after game because you're not listening, 95 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 1: you're staying out too late, you're late to practice, you're 96 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:25,600 Speaker 1: missing meetings, well that's one thing. But if human nature 97 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 1: and or the other guy gets to make a play too, well, 98 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 1: if you get beat, that's different than not knowing what 99 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: you're doing. So we realize that's going to happen. But 100 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 1: when you have to come charging and it's required, yeah, 101 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: you better be at your best. And I just love 102 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: that about Kevin and I think that's why a lot 103 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: of these games are coming down to the wire, these 104 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: close games that exact mantra that you're talking about. And 105 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,239 Speaker 1: now you've got a Vikings team and a Giant's team 106 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 1: who are one and two in the NFL and close games. 107 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,360 Speaker 1: But it kind of stuff. Going into the cold game, 108 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: I think a lot of us thought this could be 109 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: the game where we see the four order full performance. 110 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: This could be the maybe a two touchdown plus win, right, 111 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: And we didn't see it. So I'm knowing what you 112 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 1: know about the close games. How how do you think 113 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 1: this stacks up against the Giants? Is this the game 114 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: where we see it? Well, do you have a game 115 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: this year, Jatum, where you know get it like this 116 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: is gonna be it. They're gonna beat somebody by ten 117 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 1: or more. I think I think I've had maybe a couple, 118 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: maybe maybe the Commanders, maybe maybe the last week. You yeah, 119 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 1: just last week. I'm pretty pessimistics. Oh yeah, I haven't 120 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 1: had one all season. Well, actually, for those with whom 121 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 1: I chet football sometimes on the radio and sometimes off 122 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 1: into the Green Bay game, Aaron's first game without his 123 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: bailout guy, and we're at home, and I had seen 124 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,599 Speaker 1: training camp. Well, I told everybody who would listen. They're 125 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 1: gonna kill Green Bay in this game, and it doesn't 126 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: mean that they're gonna win the division, doesn't mean they're 127 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:57,400 Speaker 1: gonna be eleven and three when we next jet green 128 00:06:57,440 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: Bay is not prepared for this of what I saw 129 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:03,119 Speaker 1: in the season, and I still think people are really 130 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:07,799 Speaker 1: short changing the importance not of Davante being great, having 131 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: a bailout guy, somebody, whether it's personally or professionally, it's 132 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: great to have somebody on whom you can count when 133 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: the situations are at their worst. Okay, well that came 134 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 1: to fruition. After that, I ever really had a moment 135 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: because of all these close games. While I'm going to 136 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: dip my toe in the metaphorical water for this one 137 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: Saturday is I think they're going to beat the New 138 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: York Giants by a minimum of fourteen points, and I 139 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 1: think they're going to jump them somewhere in the second 140 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: quarter and the steamroll bit final home game, wide out atmosphere. 141 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: Giants a little slow in bad spots, Pass rush terrific, 142 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 1: defensive front terrific. If they don't get there, Kirk's gonna 143 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 1: kill the secondary. And I couldn't say that about a 144 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: step on Gilmore and or what I thought was going 145 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: to be a Kenny Moore secondary, but then when More scratched, 146 00:07:56,680 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 1: that changed the game a little bit. These Giants ain't there, 147 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 1: and so yeah, I think the Vikings are gonna beat 148 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 1: the Giants by multiple scores. And I'm probably gonna be wrong, 149 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 1: like everybody who's been rooting for it all year, And 150 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 1: if anybody's watched Winning Formula this year, we've been wrong 151 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: every week outside of Pete Persis. And this week on 152 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: Winning Formula you had Duke, our guy, Duke getting an 153 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 1: interception against the other guy, Duke. I guess who went 154 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 1: to Duke in Daniel Jones. Yeah, what makes you think that? 155 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: And how do you address this Cam Danceler situation? Well? 156 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:33,080 Speaker 1: With Duke Shelley, his last interception was four years ago 157 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 1: when he was at Kansas State when he had two 158 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: against Oklahoma State. Now with Duke with the Bears and 159 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: with us, he hasn't had a lot of opportunity. He's 160 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 1: getting a lot of opportunity here. I think the Giants 161 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: are going to be coming from behind, so I think 162 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: that's going to lead to a quarterback with whom they 163 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:54,440 Speaker 1: want to run having to pass and I just think 164 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: Duke's kind of sitting on one. So now, Cam Danceler 165 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:01,200 Speaker 1: was active last game, ill on the sideline the whole game. 166 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: The way Duke Shelley played during that comeback, I don't 167 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: see how you can sit somebody like that because he 168 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: was tampt amount on two third downs that you had 169 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: to have stopped. One was the second. Actually, So yeah, 170 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: I think Duke right now is the better option. Okay, Well, 171 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 1: we had Duke Shelley on the Audible this week. His 172 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 1: story is pretty pretty remarkable. It's really neat and but 173 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: there are any is a nice first name. I like 174 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: his first name, yea, yea, yes, yes, very nice, very nice. Um. 175 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: But I think the most the biggest thing that we 176 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: pulled out of the audible from Duke Shelley and Shannon 177 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: Sullivan was just how much they know the game now, 178 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: how they process things when you change up the defense 179 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 1: the way that downantel did from from not too much 180 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 1: but from past games to this game. What kind of 181 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:51,679 Speaker 1: a mental toll does that taken a player to kind 182 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: of change the way that they're thinking. I mean, I 183 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: can't speak for the player because I've never played, but 184 00:09:56,280 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 1: from what i've seen of late, and the Indie game 185 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 1: is an excellent example because there were x amount of 186 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 1: things that were different from anything we've seen, which means 187 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith is now coming on blitzes like what I 188 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:17,240 Speaker 1: remember in the Zimmer defense. Now, now Harrison with those 189 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 1: five picks, he's been a true free safety for this team, 190 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: and cam Binam has been the strong safety in the 191 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: Zimmer defense. They both play free and strong. Down by 192 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 1: down it changes. It's starting to change here with Harrison 193 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,959 Speaker 1: where they're utilizing him more at the line, and it's 194 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: kind of found money like Dalvin catching the ball, where 195 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:41,680 Speaker 1: when coordinators start to look at this, it's like, wow, 196 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 1: we haven't seen this for a month and a half. Well, 197 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:45,320 Speaker 1: now we got to pay attention to it so you 198 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: can play off of it, because it's when you know 199 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 1: the defense was giving up at least four hundred nine 200 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: yards of game five consecutive, a franchise record for inadequacy. 201 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 1: The low hanging fruit with what I was hearing from 202 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 1: the outside was blitz, blitz, blitz, you have to blitz more. 203 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 1: I didn't like that. I didn't like it because you 204 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:09,679 Speaker 1: then have corners who are going to be on islands 205 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: and as singled up and I don't necessarily know if 206 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:17,079 Speaker 1: I like that, but in certain situations, but it truly is. 207 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 1: What is a blitz? Out of the three four? I 208 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:20,960 Speaker 1: think people were messing it up because you've got three 209 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 1: down linemen and then four linebackers. Well, a blitz is 210 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: when you bring five or more people. Well, we naturally 211 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: are bringing three or four, and Zadarius is one of them. 212 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 1: So people are like, sea Zondarius blitz, Well no he not, No, 213 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 1: he didn't. He's the fourth guy just doing his job rushing, 214 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,720 Speaker 1: So there wasn't. I think we ran our first what's 215 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 1: called zero blitz of the entire season in the Colts game. 216 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: That means the whole center of the fields open. If 217 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 1: you don't get home, you're dead. And they didn't get 218 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:55,320 Speaker 1: a sack, but they got an incomplete pattison. I like 219 00:11:55,440 --> 00:12:00,319 Speaker 1: that that they're aggressive, Yes, certain situations, not just this 220 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 1: all out. Let's stand right opposite and go press coverage 221 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 1: and blitz every time, you know. Yeah, speaking of aggressive, 222 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 1: I want to get your take on a comment made 223 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 1: about their Pro Bowl It was kind of aggressive. But 224 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: well i'mnna ask you that when we get backrom the breaks. 225 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:18,079 Speaker 1: Kopia jure cool. Hey Vikings fans, Right now you can 226 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: pick up a commemorative Vikings Cup at us Bank Stadium. 227 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:23,520 Speaker 1: Fill it with a nice coote Pepsi and you'll be 228 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: ready for football watching. Salon Montage is the Twin Cities 229 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: premier salon and spa destination and proud official hair sponsor 230 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 1: of the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders, with three convenient locations an Dinah, 231 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: Woodberry and Chanhassan. There's a Spalon close to you. Visit 232 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:48,959 Speaker 1: online at Salon dot com. We are back. This is 233 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings Podcast presented by Pepsi. Again, thank you 234 00:12:52,760 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 1: all for Stewart staying with us being here. Pa. Yeah. 235 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:03,719 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl selections just came out. We know this year 236 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,480 Speaker 1: it will be a flag football game, which a lot 237 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: of players are in favor for. I want to get 238 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: your comments about Tyreek Hill though. He made a couple 239 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 1: of comments about the Pro Bowl this year. He tweeted 240 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 1: he says, since the Pro Bowl is not Calcua anymore, 241 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:19,720 Speaker 1: let's do it in the middle of the season like 242 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: the NBA. Your thoughts, no, because I don't want anything 243 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: happening in the middle of the season. Flag though, right, 244 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:28,719 Speaker 1: I understand, but how a you gonna handle all the 245 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: buys for every team? I mean, it's ridiculous that he 246 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: can side that because there's just not time or off time. 247 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 1: I'm an All Pro guy. Okay, if you make first 248 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 1: or second team All Pro when I'm calling the game, 249 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 1: that's going to be on the game calling depth chart. 250 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: If you've been to ten consecutive Pro Bowls, that's never 251 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:51,000 Speaker 1: going to be on the game calling depth chart because 252 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 1: it's a popularity contest that has no marriage or little 253 00:13:55,960 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 1: marriage when it truly comes to what somebody is doing 254 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: to impact a team positively. And why I say this 255 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,839 Speaker 1: is the punter for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. 256 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: Tress Way is a terrific punterer and he has been 257 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: all of his career. Our punter Ryan Wright has like 258 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: thirty one or thirty two punts inside the twenty and 259 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: zero touchbacks. That's so by far the best in the NFL. 260 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 1: If that's not Pro Bowl worthy, screw the Pro Bowl 261 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 1: and the next opportunity is for him to be All 262 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: Pro first or second team. But see, it's things like that. 263 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 1: It's like Miles Sanders. Somebody name a Miles Sanders memorable 264 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 1: play that he's made at any point of his career. 265 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: I gotta go back to as Kylie Jays. You can't. Okay, Well, 266 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: just last week with Dalvin sixty four on the screen, 267 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: eighty one against the Bills, one handed catch at fed X. 268 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: I mean they're nationally memorable plays for Dalvin, But again 269 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 1: the popularity bit, Miles Sanders every Dalvin's just stupid. He 270 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: has Lovel Louise Animals to be top three in the 271 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 1: gay Ta League though, so the animals would make the 272 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: Eagles on and off the field. I do think that 273 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: you're right. I think it's a hard no from the 274 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 1: from the coaches and GMS on a mid season Pro 275 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 1: Bowl flag football game. However, you mentioned one guy that 276 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: you feel has been a little bit snubbed by this 277 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl voting. The Vikings have five on the Pro 278 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 1: Bowl roster, eight alternate, nine alternates, rather um anyone else 279 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 1: in particular you wish you would have seen on that list. Well, 280 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 1: I mean for the second half of the season, I 281 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: have not followed it as closely as the first half, 282 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 1: but during the first half of the season I would 283 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 1: get on the nine to noon show a kpad or 284 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 1: with my football friends and say find me a better 285 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: guard in the NFL than Ezra Cleveland. Yeah, I mean 286 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 1: you can. You can say your guy in Dallas, Zach Mark, 287 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: Zach Martin, or you can go to the low hanging 288 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 1: fruit where everybody always goes, and you're probably going to 289 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: be right. But I can lay out ten plays right 290 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: now where I can end it by saying, find me 291 00:15:56,000 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: a better guard in the NFL. So this is fast exactly. 292 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 1: I can see his visions of him next to Dallas, right, 293 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: but he's me and Jim and it's it's the term 294 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: that I use as competitively arrogant, and it is not 295 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 1: a derogatory germ like you would think arrogant derogatory. Competitively 296 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: arrogant is I know that I'm better than you. I've 297 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 1: watched your tape. I know you're not necessarily ready every 298 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 1: single game, and I'm gonna whoop your ass for the 299 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 1: next three hours, and then after that I'm shake your hand. 300 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: You want to talk about what you can do to 301 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 1: get better or what we can do, you know, make 302 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: each other better, iron sharpening, iron I'm here for that. 303 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 1: But that's competitive arrogance. Ezra has it. So Ezra, maybe 304 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: that's called mindset to me, and yeah, another guy who 305 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: has that mindset who I think is snubbed off that 306 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: list as Harrison Smith. How do you have seventy seven tackles, 307 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 1: third and interceptions in the NFL right now and not 308 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: make the Pro Bowl? Right? But who? But there's one 309 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: who made it ahead of him that I looked at. 310 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: I was like, I believe, I can't think of the name. 311 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 1: I can't remember it. It didn't make sense to me. 312 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:06,000 Speaker 1: But honestly, Quandre Diggs, Yeah, bro, stop dropping passes that 313 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 1: Baker throws directly to you or was it Baker or 314 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 1: somebody threw one no Purdy that Purty throws directly to 315 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:13,399 Speaker 1: you that would have gone to the end zone and 316 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:17,640 Speaker 1: potentially flipped a game. Quandre Diggs is not a better 317 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:22,120 Speaker 1: safety than Harrison Smith. Harrison has five interceptions and as 318 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 1: we saw, but again with the Pro Bowl, it's get 319 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:27,960 Speaker 1: a sheet. Maybe there's a stat on it. From a 320 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 1: players standpoint, and a lot of coaches too, it's like, 321 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: all right, that's my dog, Jack. I went to college 322 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 1: with him. Okay, LSU with him. Cool, that's my dog. 323 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: It's ridiculous. You know what goes into the popularity contest 324 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 1: because how badly did the Minnesota Vikings miss Harrison Smith 325 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: when he didn't play a Ford field With all due 326 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:50,040 Speaker 1: respect to the replacement, but that is a passing offense 327 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,959 Speaker 1: with a Super Bowl quarterback, and they're gonna make you 328 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 1: pay if you ain't ready, and we weren't ready. So 329 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:58,120 Speaker 1: that just plays into why Harrison should have been in there. Yeah, 330 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:00,399 Speaker 1: you just talked a little b about Ezra Cleveland getting 331 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:03,359 Speaker 1: left off, but uh, the Giants that are coming in 332 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,920 Speaker 1: on Saturday, they certainly blitz a lot, and keeping Kirk clean, 333 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 1: giving him some time in the pocket's going to be key, 334 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 1: especially when you wouldn't I wouldn't say. The Giant secondary 335 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 1: is certainly strong right now. You know, I covered a 336 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 1: Dory Jackson in Tennessee and always yeah he's good, better 337 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:24,440 Speaker 1: than my part. Yeah, he's gonna and when he missed games, 338 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:27,920 Speaker 1: they definitely felt it when he was a Titan as well. Yeah, So, 339 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 1: knowing what the offensive line has has it on task 340 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 1: on Saturday. How do you make sure that you are 341 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: aware of all the blitzing and give Kirk the time. Well, 342 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 1: the the Detroit Lions two games ago blitz seventh most 343 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:44,320 Speaker 1: of any team in the NFL, but their last five 344 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 1: up to us second most. So you saw that. Well, 345 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:51,600 Speaker 1: Now last game you saw DeForest Bucker and Grover Stewart inside. 346 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:55,400 Speaker 1: DeForest has potential Hall of Fame to him. Grover Stewart 347 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:57,480 Speaker 1: couldn't pick him out of a two personal line up 348 00:18:57,520 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: standing next to Harrison Smith a week and a half ago. 349 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 1: But now I know who he is. Man is he good? 350 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 1: Well that's Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. So you just 351 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 1: faced a similar scenario. But they don't have an edge 352 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,399 Speaker 1: like Unique and Gockway. Who's one trick pony, But that 353 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 1: one trick is really good. So I think you got 354 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: all set up nicely the last two to handle this one. 355 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 1: Lock it up nicely. And I said it on my 356 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: radio show recently, Cousins is going to have four might 357 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: have foreign high change in this game. Either that or Dalvin. 358 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 1: I just don't see us running sixty percent of the 359 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: time and throwing forty. Our coach doesn't think that way. 360 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:37,919 Speaker 1: But throwing to Dalvin and making him look like runs 361 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,240 Speaker 1: into the game. Here, Dalvin may have like eighty ninety 362 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:44,159 Speaker 1: receiving yards. I would love that, And I think what 363 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,360 Speaker 1: a lot of people will love is just for Vikings win, 364 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: but at what costs? And my last question for you 365 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,919 Speaker 1: is at what costs or at what point do you 366 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:54,880 Speaker 1: start to rest the starter? Now? Well? Why why? I mean, 367 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 1: the Vikings have to win every game the rest of 368 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: the year to have the two seed, okay, and that's 369 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:03,719 Speaker 1: the assumption the forty nine ers are going to win 370 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 1: the rest of their games. Look at the forty nine 371 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: ers schedule. If they don't lose this week, they ain't 372 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,440 Speaker 1: lose them, okay, And they're a game behind you with 373 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 1: a better conference record. So the Vikings need to win 374 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:15,680 Speaker 1: their final three games so they can have a home 375 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 1: playoff game in the wildcard round. Beat somebody and then 376 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: get the Niners the three seed at us Bank Stadium 377 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: round two. I mean that stuff is super key to me. 378 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,679 Speaker 1: You don't want to play them away, no, but but 379 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:31,680 Speaker 1: I mean it would be nice if the Vikings finally 380 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:35,160 Speaker 1: blew somebody out, so maybe they can use backup offensive 381 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 1: line guys for three series in the second half. You 382 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 1: know that'll be nice. I'm searching for the numbers right now. 383 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 1: I heard earlier this week. I can't find it in 384 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:45,400 Speaker 1: enough time. But there is a drastic difference between being 385 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 1: the two seed in the three seeds in the success 386 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 1: rate for you in the playoffs, and so I agree 387 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:52,639 Speaker 1: with you, pet I don't think you said them. I 388 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: think that this forty nine Ers team has a strength 389 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 1: of schedule that it's pretty easy down here on the stretch, 390 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:00,879 Speaker 1: and there's no way that they're not gonna be nipping 391 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:02,679 Speaker 1: at the heels one of the next one of the 392 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: final two games at Green Bay or at Chicago is 393 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 1: going to be markedly more winnable and less aggressive than 394 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:11,920 Speaker 1: we can see now. Like if Green Bay loses to Miami, 395 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:15,480 Speaker 1: then they probably will use Jordan Love and they probably 396 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:18,640 Speaker 1: will well, a lot of these veterans probably will sit. Well, 397 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 1: that's an opportunity to jack around with that game. A 398 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 1: little bit emphasis on the words jack around with, because 399 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 1: that's what you're doing. You're taking the guys who have 400 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:30,480 Speaker 1: gotten you where you are out of their rhythm in 401 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:33,679 Speaker 1: which could potentially mess up the future, the now, and 402 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:37,200 Speaker 1: forget the past. I'm not a fan. Well, the present 403 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 1: is the fact that the Minnesota Vikings play in their 404 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:44,879 Speaker 1: thirtieth Saturday game tomorrow against the New York Giants. The 405 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: Vikings are nineteen and ten and Saturday games and hopefully 406 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:50,720 Speaker 1: they go twenty and ten and I PA, I'll be 407 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: right beside you. Will you make those calls. Everybody give 408 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:55,320 Speaker 1: it up, Hey, give it a round. Applause for Voice 409 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: of the Vikings Pat as well as Tatum Everett Tatum 410 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 1: or I'm wrong, don't and don't forget to wear white 411 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 1: on Saturday for the big winter white out. Right. I 412 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:09,120 Speaker 1: will say the conditions outside certainly speak to me as 413 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: being the white outs. It ever like this in Louisiana 414 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:15,920 Speaker 1: or North Carolina, no whole boding will be closed right now. Yeah, 415 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 1: if it was snowing, but there are three transplants the 416 00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: only differences. I've lived here in quarter century, so I've 417 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:23,679 Speaker 1: lived a lot more than you guys. Feel for you 418 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:26,040 Speaker 1: guys slowly starting to get used to it, but I'm 419 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:32,119 Speaker 1: definitely thank you for tuning in to another edition of 420 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,680 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. We'll talk to you next week. 421 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 1: Thanks for sticking around.