1 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,560 Speaker 1: Coach Mmer said a year and a half ago that 2 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: Gary was the best thing that has ever happened to 3 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 1: him as the head coach, and that is high praise 4 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: from Coachimmer. What the Buffalo Bills have done in this 5 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:23,440 Speaker 1: season has been I'm probably the surprise of the NFL. 6 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: I think I'm riding with the Bills mafia in this one. Hey, 7 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 1: Vikings fans, welcome to episode seventy six of the Minnesota 8 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: Vikings podcast, and officially the offseason is in full swing. 9 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: We welcome in Vikings dot COM's Jay Nelson as well 10 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 1: as Vikings dot COM's team reporter Eric Smith, as we 11 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 1: have a little recap offseason episode here. We took a 12 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 1: week off last week after having a big time guest 13 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 1: a few weeks ago, Tom Peli Sero of the NFL Network. 14 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:05,400 Speaker 1: He gave us the lowdown on all things storylines with 15 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings, the outfitsive coordinator situation that's going on 16 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: with the team, the special teams coordinator situation that's going 17 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 1: on with the team, and a lot of other things 18 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: that are going on in the NFL. A very exciting 19 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:23,440 Speaker 1: weekend of games in the NFL playoffs, and guys, I mean, 20 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: I'm watching these games as a fan, not having Vikings 21 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: games to work each weekend. What are your overall impressions, Eric, 22 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: of of what's been going on in these NFL playoff games. 23 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: I mean, just amazing to see Tom Brady's still doing 24 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: it at this age in his career. Yeah, what are 25 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: the forty three years old? It's incredible. I mean every 26 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: year that he does it, and he does it, He's 27 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 1: done it for twenty year now, it just gets more 28 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:51,280 Speaker 1: and more impressive. You know. I think Kirk Cuttins is 29 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: thirty two, and even he talked about, you know, he's 30 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: getting to the point where he's kind of thinking about 31 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: his future the next few years. But he can't imagine 32 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: how Brady able to do it in early forty So 33 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 1: that's impressive. But I agree with you. As a fan, 34 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: it's been great to just sit back watch football, not 35 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: have any emotional investment in the games. I think for 36 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 1: Super wild Card weekend, I didn't get off my couch 37 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: for two days. Even last weekend for the next round, 38 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 1: I barely got off the couch to watch games. Then 39 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 1: this Sunday for the Championship weekend, get what, I'll be 40 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: back on the couch, So it's been fun to just 41 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: sit there and watch games and just kind of be 42 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: a fan and kind of take the emotions and all 43 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:31,679 Speaker 1: that out of it. Yeah, that's for sure. I mean, 44 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: to see what went on in that Saints game, Drew 45 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: Brees going off and retiring with the Saints. You see 46 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 1: some Gophers in that game for the Buccaneers, and Anton 47 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:45,239 Speaker 1: Winfield Junior as well as Tyler Johnson make a few 48 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: big plays. So the Bucks with the big time upset 49 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: over the Saints. The Browns have a tough loss Kevin 50 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: Stefanski and the crew of Vikings coaches over there twenty 51 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 1: two to seventeen to the Kansas City Chiefs, who were 52 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,799 Speaker 1: led by Chad Henny. I mean for him to come 53 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:04,800 Speaker 1: in after Patrick Mahomes injury and lead that team with 54 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: a couple big completions at the end there, Jay, I 55 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: mean for this team to get Patrick Mahomes back this week. 56 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: I mean, it's really amazing what Chad Henny was able 57 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 1: to do in that game. Yeah, the Mahomes question is 58 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 1: going to be the eight number one topic for that 59 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: game going into this week. We all know how big 60 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: of a difference maker he is, but having a savvy 61 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 1: veteran like Chad Henny who's been in multiple teams but 62 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 1: at the same point has seen it all across the board. 63 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 1: It was very savvy of them to pick up someone 64 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 1: like Chad and for him to basically come off the 65 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 1: bench basically cold, and he's only had a couple of 66 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 1: times this season where he's actually come in, usually in 67 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: garbage time. For him to come in and do what 68 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: he did and hit like that big fourth and one 69 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: to seal the game, all that stuff across the board 70 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 1: was very impressive, so that the Chiefs are definitely a 71 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: team to keep your eye on here and just to 72 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: see what's going to happen with Mahomes watch at this point. 73 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: The Buffalo Bills were led by Stefan Diggs, another former 74 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: Viking that we had to watch play this weekend, seventeen 75 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: to three in that game, I mean, just impressive to 76 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: see what the Bills have done in this tear. I 77 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 1: think they've won like six games straight. And then obviously 78 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: we have to talk about the fact that the Green 79 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: Bay Packers, who are seven and one in home playoff 80 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: games all time on Saturdays, that's what they did in 81 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 1: this game against the Los Angeles Rams. I mean, Eric, 82 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 1: I think it's gonna be tough for Aaron Rodgers to 83 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 1: be stopped going for We're gonna get into the previews 84 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: going forward, but he definitely looks like he's locked in 85 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: right now. Yeah, locked in. I think that's maybe understating, 86 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 1: and he's on fire. He's the machine, probably gonna be 87 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 1: the NFL MVP for the twenty twenty thieven. It's tough. 88 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: I mean, I've thought about this the last week or though. 89 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 1: How impressive the Vikings win that lambeau Field just because 90 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: of how well Green Bay is playing overall and especially 91 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: at home. I mean, that's a tall task to go 92 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 1: in there to lambeau Field and win in the playoffs. 93 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 1: But if anyone can do it, it's probably Tom Brady 94 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 1: because he's he just wins, especially in the postseason, and 95 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:06,480 Speaker 1: I think he's really energized Tampa Bay this year, and 96 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 1: you can tell they have a lot of swagger, especially 97 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 1: on defense, and him bringing that winning culture to the team. 98 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:14,799 Speaker 1: That's probably the game I'm looking forward to the most 99 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 1: on Sunday is Tampa Bay and Green Bay, just because 100 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 1: I think it pretty evenly mat Tampa Bay did win 101 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 1: earlier in the season. I think it was a blowout, 102 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: like thirty eight to ten or something like that, but 103 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 1: that was so far ago, Like I think you can 104 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: kind of throw that out. Both teams are playing at 105 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: a much higher level right now and Aaron Rodgers is 106 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 1: just on fire. So it's tough when Green Bay makes 107 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: it this far, you know, being with the Vikings, you 108 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: don't want to see that. And I'll probably be rooting 109 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: for Tampa Bay on Sunday, but you have to respect 110 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: the Packers and how far they've come, that's for sure. 111 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: It's been quite the season for their offense, and it's 112 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 1: just it still kills me the fact that we beat 113 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 1: them in Lambau this year, to show the potential that 114 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 1: this Vikings team had on the real or coaster season 115 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:04,039 Speaker 1: that was, but we covered that in the last episode. 116 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: This episode, we're moving forward, We're onto the offseason. We're 117 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: not going to drain in the sorrows of what happened 118 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 1: for the Vikings this year. So let's move on. Man. 119 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 1: There's a bunch of storylines that we're going to cover 120 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:19,120 Speaker 1: for the Vikings in this offseason. In this episode, the 121 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: biggest one that we're going to get to right off 122 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 1: the top, here. Vikings assistant general manager and vice president 123 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,919 Speaker 1: of player Personnel. George Peyton just a big part of 124 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: this organization, a big part of scouting, a big part 125 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,800 Speaker 1: of everything that goes on when it comes to the 126 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 1: NFL Draft and the success that the Vikings have had 127 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 1: in the draft, years and years of success. You can 128 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 1: go go through the names. It's pretty unbelievable some of 129 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 1: the players that George Peyton was able to vouche for 130 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: and get in the building. He has been hired by 131 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 1: the Denver Broncos as their general manager. We heard Rick 132 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 1: Spielman talk last week. He was definitely a little bit emotional. 133 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 1: This is like his right hand man other than Rob Brazinski, 134 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,799 Speaker 1: who kind of handles the salary cap for the Vikings. 135 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 1: So it's crazy because for me, I mean, I've always 136 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: had a great relationship with George, just seeing him around 137 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: the building and seeing him in the gym at the 138 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: TC Overforman Center. Just a really good guy and a 139 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 1: good guy to get to know over the years. But 140 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: I'll go to you first, Eric, what are your impressions 141 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: of George leaving the Vikings. Obviously there's a hole that 142 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 1: will be definitely need to be filled. By maybe some 143 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 1: younger scouts in the organization. But you've had a chance 144 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: to talk to some of the scouts and people on 145 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: the personnel side in the past couple of weeks. So 146 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 1: what kind of void does George Payton leave in the 147 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: Vikings front office? A huge one. And that's probably understanding 148 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 1: it because well, maybe he wasn't publicly known. He was 149 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: behind the thens a lot and the work that he did, 150 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: but his lot through the big one. And I covered 151 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: this in last week's Monday Morning mail bag. I got 152 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:56,239 Speaker 1: a fan question about this and that was the question. 153 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: You know, the person was like, I didn't really see 154 00:07:57,760 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: what he did. You know in front of the theme. 155 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: He was kind of a hidden name. But what impact 156 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 1: did he have? And it's massive? I mean you mentioned 157 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 1: the drafts. You know over a dozen Pro Bowl players, 158 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,680 Speaker 1: and you think about big names for the Vikings in 159 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: the last ten fifteen years. You know, George was here 160 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: for fourteen seasons before he is now in Denver. You 161 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: know Kyle Rudolph, Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr, Eric Hendricks, the 162 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 1: Neil Hunter, even justin Jefferson, all those players George had 163 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: a hand in and getting to Minnesota. And while Rick 164 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 1: does make the final decision. Like you said, George with 165 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 1: his right hand man since two thousand and seven, and 166 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 1: George had a big input in that too, so you 167 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 1: have to give him credit. Even if he wasn't in 168 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: front of the camera, you know, we're on camera all 169 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 1: the time or doing press converses. George's impact was immense. 170 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 1: And you mentioned Rick being emotional when he met with 171 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 1: the media. I think all of us are a little 172 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 1: emotional with George leaving. I know I am. You mentioned 173 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: what a good guy is and you know him and 174 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:59,080 Speaker 1: I are both from southern California, so we kind of 175 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:02,839 Speaker 1: bonded over that. When when Kobe Bryant passed away almost 176 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:04,719 Speaker 1: a year ago, you know, we talked about that and 177 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: just growing up, you know, around the Lakers and Kobe's 178 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: impact and all that. We had some good conversations about that, 179 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:12,680 Speaker 1: and you know a lot of times we were wondering, 180 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,439 Speaker 1: what are what are two southern California guys doing here 181 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: in Minnesota. Sits them laughs on that too. But I 182 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 1: haven't heard anyone say one bad thing about George since 183 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: he left, and I think that's why it's a little 184 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,080 Speaker 1: bitter sweet, or probably a lot bitter sweet, because while 185 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 1: we're certainly sad that George is gone and we'll miss him, 186 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 1: you really can't be anything but happy for him either 187 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 1: because of the person he is, because of the impact 188 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: he made here in Minnesota, and because of the opportunity 189 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: he now has in Denver. That's they have some talented 190 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 1: pieces on that team, and if he can answer some 191 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: key questions and kind of get the team going the 192 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 1: way he wants it, you know, I think they can. 193 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 1: They can compete in the a FC West. And just 194 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: happy for George. You know, he worked for this for 195 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 1: a long time. He was passed over for other GM 196 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 1: job that I know he kind of wanted, and you know, 197 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 1: he's been a final lift in a hot name for 198 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,040 Speaker 1: years and he's kind of waited for the right chant. 199 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:11,080 Speaker 1: And certainly happy for him. Fourteen years in the Vikings organization, 200 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: and you mentioned some of those positions that he was 201 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 1: passed on it. I think one of them was the 202 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 1: San Francisco forty nine ers a few years back. That 203 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 1: was one that he really wanted and I think he 204 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 1: was a final coundidate for. He was also a final 205 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 1: caundidate for the Cleveland Browns job last year. I think 206 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,559 Speaker 1: He's passed on five or six jobs in his time 207 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 1: with the Vikings, so he's been a guy who's been 208 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 1: sought after for a long time. And for him to 209 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: pick the Denver Broncos actually says a lot about their 210 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: organization as well. I mean, maybe he just couldn't say 211 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,200 Speaker 1: no to John Elway that that might have had something 212 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 1: to do with it, because I know that would impact me. 213 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 1: But one story I want to share with the Vikings 214 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 1: fans here is I had a chance to cover the 215 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,920 Speaker 1: owners meetings a few years back and just just having 216 00:10:55,960 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: a few drinks with him at the bar and being 217 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 1: able to just talk and learn about out kind of 218 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: what he really how he sees a football player and 219 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 1: how he's able to grade them. And one thing that 220 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 1: stuck out to me was I asked him. I was like, 221 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: does it really change, Like do you have to travel 222 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 1: all these places to see these players? Or like can 223 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 1: you just watch him on film nowadays? Because nowadays you 224 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: can get the USC film, you can get the Alabama film, 225 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 1: you can get Clemson film, you get it from everywhere. 226 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:26,560 Speaker 1: You don't have to travel all over the place. And 227 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: he said no, He's like, I need to be in 228 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,280 Speaker 1: that building I need to feel the atmosphere, I need 229 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 1: to hear the cleats on the field that that's just 230 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: the kind of guy he is. He's like an old 231 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 1: school general manager. So obviously whatever he was doing was 232 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: working because Eric, you just named all the names that 233 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: he has helped assist to get here in Minnesota through 234 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: the draft, and he's done quite the job with the Vikings. 235 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 1: But m Jay, I know you've been with the Vikings 236 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:56,880 Speaker 1: for a very long time, almost fifteen years. As we 237 00:11:56,880 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: were talking about before the show, what were your memories 238 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: of George in the organization. Some of my favorite things 239 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:05,520 Speaker 1: about George was actually being able to sit with him 240 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:09,559 Speaker 1: at lunch periodically, just you know, Lucy Goosey, one of 241 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:12,560 Speaker 1: the guys, just talking and I know at one point 242 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:14,560 Speaker 1: we had a couple of us were sitting there and 243 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 1: we asked him, you know, what would it take for 244 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 1: you to be willing to go at this point, I mean, 245 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 1: you've been here for fourteen seasons basically, and just trying 246 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:24,320 Speaker 1: to talk to him about kind of his mindset of 247 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:26,720 Speaker 1: what it would mean. And you know he had always 248 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: kind of said to us, well, you know, California, being 249 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 1: a California kid, it'd be nice to be able to 250 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:32,839 Speaker 1: get back home at some point, but if that doesn't 251 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,079 Speaker 1: work out, it would have to be the perfect situation 252 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 1: for me and my family. And I think, you know, 253 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 1: between his wife and his two kids, he's got a 254 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 1: son and a daughter, he really looked at the situation 255 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 1: of saying, you know, this has to be right on 256 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 1: all fronts. And I think the fact that he got 257 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:50,440 Speaker 1: a longer contract as a GM with Denver. He's going 258 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 1: to a great area, great city, with a solid team, 259 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 1: and to be able to work along someone like Elway, 260 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: who had just stepped away this season from the duties 261 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 1: to take more of a focal point as a member 262 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 1: of the front office that works with the family and 263 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:11,320 Speaker 1: kind of oversees the operations. I think having somebody like 264 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:14,839 Speaker 1: John who understands the culture there, who understands the team, 265 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 1: the history, etc. A guy like George was looking at 266 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: it saying, you know, if I get this opportunity, I 267 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,400 Speaker 1: can't pass this up. And I think everything that we've 268 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 1: heard across the board points to the fact that this 269 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 1: was the right place, the right time for him. And 270 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: if he's been doing this now for twenty years with 271 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: Rick Spielman, him being willing to uproot the family and 272 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 1: to take this chance. It says a lot about what 273 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 1: he saw from behind the scenes, So I can't be 274 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 1: happier for him. I think he's going to do awesome 275 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 1: at this gig, and I think he's going to an 276 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: awesome organization that that place kind of similar to hear. 277 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 1: The Broncos run that town, and I think it's similar 278 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: to hear. It's a similar feeling, and I think George 279 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 1: is set up for success as long as they can 280 00:13:58,120 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 1: fix the same issues they've had for a while. But 281 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 1: his quarterback and everything else going on, I think George 282 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 1: will be a good guy to be able to find 283 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:07,079 Speaker 1: those kind of players to write them and have to 284 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: compete against the Patrick Mahomes for the next decade at 285 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 1: least in their career. So couldn't be happier for him. 286 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,199 Speaker 1: And it's great to see a guy like George get 287 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 1: a shot like this. Definitely a void that's left in 288 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: the player personnel department, but Rick Spielman said in his 289 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: press conference last week there will be no other hirings 290 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 1: for the short term and the time being. He's going 291 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: to hopefully promote or ask more of some of the 292 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 1: younger scouts in the organization, and we know the talent 293 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: that's in that room, so we're definitely excited to see 294 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: what happens there if we go from one void that 295 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 1: needs to be filled in the Vikings front office to 296 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: a void that definitely now needs to be filled on 297 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 1: the Vikings coaching staff. As we are recording this podcast, 298 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 1: we found out that Vikings offensive coordinator and assistant head 299 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 1: coach Gary Kubiak has officially announced his retirement. Just an 300 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 1: amazing career. I think this is the actual second time 301 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 1: that he has retired as a coach from the NFL. 302 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: I mean, it's just unbelievable that he has seven Super 303 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: Bowls as a player and a coach, obviously a big 304 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: part of that Denver Broncos team behind John Elway as 305 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: a player, and then becoming most recently the head coach 306 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:20,160 Speaker 1: of the Denver Broncos, leading them to the victory in 307 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 1: Super Bowl fifty. Thirty six seasons in the NFL as 308 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,640 Speaker 1: a player and a coach, it's just unbelievable. Just hearing 309 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 1: him speak and being able to interact with him in 310 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: the building for the Vikings these past few years has 311 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: just been I think a positive experience for everyone from 312 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 1: players to staff to younger coaches. Definitely another big name 313 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:44,120 Speaker 1: that or cover in here that's leaving the organization. So, Eric, 314 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 1: you've been covering the team weekend and week out and 315 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 1: definitely tracking the updates on this position. So what can 316 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: you tell us about Gary stepping down in this role 317 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: and ending his big time career in the NFL. Yeah, 318 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 1: definitely a big time career and all the kudos and 319 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 1: praise to him for his longevity in his career. I 320 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: think this season was his twenty fifth overall as a 321 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: coach in the NFL, and that's incredible, and he he's 322 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 1: the man you know, Like like you said, you know, 323 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:16,240 Speaker 1: everyone has benefited from being around him. He was only 324 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 1: here for two season and obviously one of those was 325 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 1: this past COVID season, so there wasn't any in person interaction, 326 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: but he will go down as one of my favorite 327 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: coaches to have talked to and dealt with over the years, 328 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 1: even if it was only a two year window. About 329 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 1: a year ago, I had a story idea. I wanted 330 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 1: to go to his ranch outside of Houston and sit 331 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: down with him and and talk and talk with him 332 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: and pick his brain about you know, football, and life, 333 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 1: and you know, he just so well respected and that 334 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 1: didn't happen because it was in the works and then 335 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 1: COVID popped up obviously, so that did not happen, which 336 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 1: is the bummer. But it's going to be a big 337 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 1: loss for the Vikings, like not only in terms of 338 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: you know, play calling and him being the offensive coordinator, 339 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: but just the influence that he had on the team. 340 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 1: And that's even on Coach Zimmer. You know, Coach Zimmer 341 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,879 Speaker 1: said a year and a half ago that Gary was 342 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: the best thing that has ever happened to him as 343 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: a head coach. And that is high praise some coach Zimmer. 344 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:17,320 Speaker 1: So it's tough. It's tough. You know, we'll have to 345 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 1: see what the Vikings do in terms of replacing Gary. 346 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:25,880 Speaker 1: Certainly big shoes to fill. You know, there's always internal candidate. 347 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:28,880 Speaker 1: You know, his son Clint Kubiak knows the system well, 348 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 1: so too does Vikings offensive line coach Rick Dennison. But 349 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:36,920 Speaker 1: there are also outside external candidate that know the scheme 350 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: as well. And one thing we know for sure is 351 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: that the Vikings are going to keep their scheme. They're 352 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 1: gonna keep the wide zone, they're going to keep the 353 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 1: play action passes, because that's obviously where Kirk Cousin does 354 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:50,880 Speaker 1: well and what the Vikings of Taylor they're often to do. 355 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 1: So a big loss that the Gary moving on, but 356 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:56,760 Speaker 1: all the kudos in respect to him for a heck 357 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,439 Speaker 1: of an NFL career. I just want to read this 358 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: little by from his statement here. In thirty six seasons 359 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:05,919 Speaker 1: as an NFL player and coach, I've been lucky to 360 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:08,680 Speaker 1: feel like I've never worked a day in my life. 361 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: I've been on a football field for most of my life. 362 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 1: Now I look forward to stepping off the sideline for 363 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: good and enjoying more time with family and friends. Anyone 364 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 1: who knows Gary in the building knows that he is 365 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: a family man, and obviously his son is a coach 366 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 1: with the Vikings, the Vikings quarterback coach. You'd have to 367 00:18:26,040 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 1: think that he might be one of the top candidates 368 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 1: for the offensive coordinator position. I know he's very well 369 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:36,439 Speaker 1: respected by Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, and he's definitely usually 370 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 1: the first one that Kirk goes to on the sideline, 371 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:41,920 Speaker 1: whether it's a big player or a mistake, to kind 372 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,119 Speaker 1: of discuss what happened there during the game. So we 373 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 1: will definitely track that. But Jay, I'm gonna go to 374 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 1: you is just what are your final thoughts on on 375 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 1: Gary stepping down as the Vikings offensive coordinator? Yeah, obviously 376 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 1: it's a loss. I think not only having someone like 377 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 1: him to bounce ideas off of for coach Zimmer, like 378 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:04,640 Speaker 1: we had said from before, but in universally in general, 379 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: I think that the respect factor for someone like him 380 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 1: and having him on your team helps make you feel 381 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 1: like you've you've got it somebody who, like he said, 382 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 1: thirty six seasons working in football, that's incredible. I have 383 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 1: friends who live out in Denver and they were immediately 384 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 1: texting me when when he first announced that he was 385 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:23,399 Speaker 1: going to actually become part of the staff, saying that 386 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:26,080 Speaker 1: people back in Denver were freaking out, saying, you know, 387 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: we'd loved him, we didn't want him to leave. After 388 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:31,239 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl, he retired for personal reasons, and then 389 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,120 Speaker 1: when he just did decide to come back, they were 390 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,160 Speaker 1: apoplectic as to why, you know, why didn't he come 391 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,439 Speaker 1: back to be with the Broncos. So I think universally, 392 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 1: the guy across the board he talked to anybody, they 393 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: recognize his pedigree. They recognize his success, and it just 394 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 1: sounds like, to a man, everybody loved working with the guy. 395 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:51,399 Speaker 1: And I remember the day that he came walking in 396 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: the door here. He and Clint came to visit Stefanski 397 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 1: when Stefanski took over as that the OC, and eventually 398 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 1: it was a package deal with the two of them 399 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:01,560 Speaker 1: coming in. But it is one of those things watching 400 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 1: him walk through the door, he went, Holy colle it's 401 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,119 Speaker 1: Gary Kubiak here with Clint, and we're just kind of 402 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:08,359 Speaker 1: raising an eyebrow to see what it meant, and what 403 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:11,720 Speaker 1: it meant for us was creating a dynamic offense here 404 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: that's been one of the tops here in the last 405 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:17,480 Speaker 1: two seasons, especially with with his thumb print on it. 406 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: And I just think moving forward, you're still going to 407 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:23,639 Speaker 1: see that some form of that happening. And I think 408 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 1: across the board, you can't fault the guy for retiring 409 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:29,160 Speaker 1: at this point, and and you know, you just wish 410 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:31,640 Speaker 1: him the best and hopefully he can enjoy the rest 411 00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 1: of the time after he's put in so many years 412 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:35,920 Speaker 1: of service here in the NFL. Yeah, Joe, we touched 413 00:20:35,920 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: on some of the things that he's done in his 414 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,640 Speaker 1: career and I think for being a part of four 415 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:44,679 Speaker 1: World Championship staffs as a coach and three as a player, 416 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,680 Speaker 1: that's about as impressive of a career as you can 417 00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 1: have in this league. I think that's a whole fame career, 418 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:53,880 Speaker 1: to say the least for Gary Kubiak. So he will 419 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:57,000 Speaker 1: definitely be missed in the Vikings organization. I know how 420 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:00,159 Speaker 1: highly the players think of him. He kind of has 421 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,960 Speaker 1: taken on that father figure approach with a lot of 422 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:05,399 Speaker 1: young players, I think all of all across the league 423 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,200 Speaker 1: through his thirty six seasons. So it'll definitely be another 424 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 1: big void. I think this is the Filling Voids episode 425 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:16,720 Speaker 1: of the Minnesota Vikings podcast, But let's get onto some 426 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:20,359 Speaker 1: other storylines around the league, including what is going on 427 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,359 Speaker 1: with the NFL Combine. Eric, I think you cover the 428 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:27,680 Speaker 1: NFL Combine every year in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. 429 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 1: But our Tom Pellisero, who we had on the show 430 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:32,719 Speaker 1: about a week and a half ago, he had some 431 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: pretty big news about the combine this year, and obviously 432 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 1: with the new world that we live in in COVID 433 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:41,640 Speaker 1: nineteen and everything that's been going on, the NFL put 434 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:45,080 Speaker 1: out a memo this week kind of going through the 435 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,159 Speaker 1: updates of the protocols with the pandemic and what the 436 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,480 Speaker 1: combine is gonna look like. So, Jay, why don't you 437 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 1: give us an update on that? Sure? Yeah, So Tom 438 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 1: had this report that NFL memo went out and essentially 439 00:21:56,720 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 1: the traditional scouting combine that we are all recognized that 440 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 1: this point, with the multiday coverage and everything else going on, 441 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:06,119 Speaker 1: that's kind of out the window this year. With everything 442 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: going on with COVID, the league and the individual teams 443 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: are still trying to work out all the details of 444 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,639 Speaker 1: what this officially means. But the traditional gathering of all 445 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 1: the players in one place at one time, all the teams, coaches, 446 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 1: front office, all of that kind of stuff is going 447 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:21,960 Speaker 1: to be put on hold for this season. It sounds 448 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 1: like everything is going to be kind of fed out 449 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:27,359 Speaker 1: to events that are already kind of happening. There's always 450 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 1: the official combine that happens, and then typically you have 451 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:33,439 Speaker 1: teams that have pro days. Those pro days are usually 452 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: the individual players from those bigger schools or kind of 453 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 1: regional combines. Some of those different events will still be 454 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 1: taking place, but the bigger challenge for that then turns 455 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,640 Speaker 1: into trying to make everything as uniform as possible. So 456 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:49,439 Speaker 1: there were some people were asking for clarification as to 457 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:52,120 Speaker 1: what this means moving forward for everything, and they kind 458 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 1: of said, we're still figuring it out. But the actual scheduling, 459 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 1: the hotel rooms to travel, all that kind of stuff, 460 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:01,160 Speaker 1: that's all put on hold for the season. So it's 461 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,800 Speaker 1: basically looking at this point because of COVID, they're going 462 00:23:03,840 --> 00:23:05,960 Speaker 1: to have the regional workouts for the player pro days 463 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:09,400 Speaker 1: at those different schools and colleges and universities, and then 464 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 1: there's going to be the individual interviews and psychological interviews. 465 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:15,880 Speaker 1: Those will all be done virtually like everybody's been doing 466 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 1: via you zoom and teams and everything else so far. 467 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:21,639 Speaker 1: And then finally the medical exams. The majority of those 468 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:24,640 Speaker 1: players are going to be examined on a local level 469 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,120 Speaker 1: close to where they are currently living. And then from 470 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 1: that point forward, they will have follow ups in a 471 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:33,119 Speaker 1: limited fashion for some of these players, typically if they 472 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,439 Speaker 1: find something that that might be a little suspect for 473 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:37,800 Speaker 1: different teams. So it sounds like there's going to be 474 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:39,959 Speaker 1: a whole set of rules and regulations for all of 475 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 1: that moving forward. But the traditional scouting combine as we've 476 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 1: all seen it, it's kind of out the window. What 477 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:48,080 Speaker 1: I'm gonna be curious now to see is if there 478 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:51,680 Speaker 1: will be TV coverage and you know, web coverage, etc. 479 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:54,320 Speaker 1: From all of these individual schools and how they handle 480 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: that going forward. But we're kind of entering a little 481 00:23:57,040 --> 00:24:00,679 Speaker 1: bit in no man's land, and I'm curious because you know, 482 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 1: the question's been thrown out there is this something that 483 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:05,960 Speaker 1: we could see being permanent moving forward? And personally, I 484 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:09,119 Speaker 1: think not just because I mean, let's I'll think about it. 485 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 1: Ratings and everything are always boffle for this event, front office, coaches, 486 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 1: everybody likes to be able to get together and kind 487 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:17,800 Speaker 1: of talk off the record. I think there's a lot 488 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:19,359 Speaker 1: of reasons to think that it would come back in 489 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: its previous form, but for this year, this is what 490 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:23,320 Speaker 1: we're going to be dealing with. I was about to 491 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:25,200 Speaker 1: say one of the biggest things I think that will 492 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:27,879 Speaker 1: be missed from this is not just the workouts on 493 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 1: the field, but a place an event for everyone in 494 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,960 Speaker 1: the NFL to gather and meet and chat about trades 495 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:37,199 Speaker 1: and signings and coaching hires and front office hires and 496 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:39,840 Speaker 1: all the things that go on in the NFL office season. 497 00:24:39,880 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 1: This is definitely a place where things happen and things 498 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:47,080 Speaker 1: are definitely going to be different this year. Obviously, the 499 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 1: front office members would probably say differently, as I know 500 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 1: they like to be in person watching these workouts and 501 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:57,240 Speaker 1: being able to grade some of these players, but the 502 00:24:57,240 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 1: promotion of the players also as well, Like you don't 503 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: get to see somebody run the forty yard dash right 504 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:05,959 Speaker 1: next to somebody else right afterwards on NFL Network and 505 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,359 Speaker 1: Eric I touched on it earlier, But you've been covering 506 00:25:09,359 --> 00:25:12,800 Speaker 1: this event for years. Now, what do you think he's 507 00:25:12,800 --> 00:25:16,760 Speaker 1: going to be missed the most in this new COVID 508 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:19,639 Speaker 1: world of the NFL combine. Yeah, I think it's the 509 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:22,479 Speaker 1: two part answer. You know, the football side of it 510 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 1: where for a lot of teams, this is kind of 511 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 1: the start of the twenty twenty one season. You know, 512 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 1: the off season kind of crawling along now January February. 513 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 1: But when you get to the end of February and 514 00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:36,440 Speaker 1: everyone goes to Indian outlets, it's kind of like a 515 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 1: page Who's been turned or the fresh Dart and everyone's 516 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:41,520 Speaker 1: looking ahead to twenty twenty one, and you know, with 517 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: the draft and all that and it's a bummer. It's 518 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,199 Speaker 1: a bummer because I know, like you said earlier, that 519 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:51,120 Speaker 1: Jordan Payton likes to watch guys in person. A lot 520 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 1: of NFL personnel men and women like to do that too. 521 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:57,600 Speaker 1: They like to see him run and lift weights and 522 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:01,119 Speaker 1: interview questions and interview people in person. And so I 523 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:04,160 Speaker 1: think teams are gonna miss out on that personally. And 524 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: I'm not just my own opinion, I've it's shared by 525 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:09,879 Speaker 1: a lot of people. You miss the camaraderie and you 526 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,560 Speaker 1: miss having a fun week long event in Indianapolis where 527 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:18,160 Speaker 1: every essentially the center of the NFL world for five 528 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:21,160 Speaker 1: or six days there, every team is there. They're team 529 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,600 Speaker 1: reporters for essentially every team. So people you don't get 530 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:27,200 Speaker 1: to see during the season, friends from other teams, you 531 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:29,600 Speaker 1: get to catch up with them. You know. Everyone likes to, 532 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: you know, work hard during the day, have a drink 533 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 1: at night, have fun. You know, it's it's it's a 534 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:35,760 Speaker 1: fun week. It's a long week. There's a lot of 535 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:38,119 Speaker 1: work to go into it, but you can relax and 536 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: have fun too, and it's just it's probably one of 537 00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:45,240 Speaker 1: my favorite events of the NFL calendar, and it's a 538 00:26:45,240 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 1: bummer that it's not going to be the same this year. 539 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:50,720 Speaker 1: Hopefully it'll be back in twenty twenty two. And if 540 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:54,359 Speaker 1: it is, then, uh, we'll keep providing good coverage for 541 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 1: Vikings Entertainment Network. And you've always done a good job 542 00:26:57,119 --> 00:27:00,320 Speaker 1: covering that that event, and um, it's it's definitely been 543 00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:03,399 Speaker 1: one to enjoy to watch on the NFL network. But 544 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:06,800 Speaker 1: we move forward to another weekend where Eric gets to 545 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:10,400 Speaker 1: sit on the couch and watch these NFL games. I mean, 546 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:13,680 Speaker 1: every weekend of the playoffs so far has been just 547 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:18,040 Speaker 1: more entertaining than the next. I mean, last weekend was 548 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:20,600 Speaker 1: was about as good of a weekend of football as 549 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 1: I've ever watched. And and I'm just so excited to 550 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,800 Speaker 1: watch these two games because i feel like it really 551 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 1: is the four best teams in the NFL this year. Uh, 552 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:32,240 Speaker 1: the Tampa you can make an argument about the Tampa 553 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:35,240 Speaker 1: Bay Buccaneers, but they definitely are hot at the right 554 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 1: time to say the least. But we're gonna start off 555 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:40,160 Speaker 1: with the AFC game and you have the number one 556 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 1: seed Kansas City Chiefs hosting the improbable Buffalo Bills, who 557 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:47,680 Speaker 1: at the beginning of the season probably no one would 558 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 1: have imagined that they would be playing in the AFC 559 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:54,120 Speaker 1: Championship Game. So Eric, I just give me your your 560 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,439 Speaker 1: thoughts on this game, who you're picking, and what you 561 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:00,919 Speaker 1: think is gonna gonna go on in in this matchup. Yeah, 562 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:03,520 Speaker 1: it's like Jay said earlier, you know, the a topic 563 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:06,199 Speaker 1: is whether or not Patrick Mahomes plays. You know, I 564 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:08,640 Speaker 1: know on Wednesday he was a full participant, So that's 565 00:28:08,680 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 1: a good good sign for him going forward. It's so 566 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:15,400 Speaker 1: tough to pick against Mahomes at home, and especially because 567 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:17,800 Speaker 1: the Chiefs are one of the teams that have had 568 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:21,359 Speaker 1: fans for all season, you know, not not at full capacity, 569 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,119 Speaker 1: but they've had I think over fifteen or you know, 570 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:27,000 Speaker 1: twenty thousand fans for all season long, and that's that's 571 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,360 Speaker 1: a big boost. You know, we saw this year with 572 00:28:29,400 --> 00:28:31,760 Speaker 1: no fans how much of an impact it made on 573 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:34,640 Speaker 1: the Vikings at home at US Bank Stadium. So I'm 574 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:36,959 Speaker 1: gonna roll with the Chiefs at home over Buffalo. I 575 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 1: think it'll be a close game, but I think just 576 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: with Mahomes at home and the playmakers that Kansas City 577 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:46,040 Speaker 1: has on offense, I'll go with him. I think a 578 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:49,120 Speaker 1: storyline or an area I'm gonna be watching is a 579 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 1: how does Mahomes look but be Their defense like to 580 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:56,920 Speaker 1: play a lot of zone So if Mahomes can have time, 581 00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:00,000 Speaker 1: Canny pick that zone apart, and if he doesn't have time, 582 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 1: I can buffalo cornerback. Then linebackers and safety kind of 583 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:07,719 Speaker 1: be anticipating that and kind of snatching an interception that 584 00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 1: way though. That's what I'm looking forward and I think 585 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:12,320 Speaker 1: it'd be a good game. But I'm gonna roll with 586 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:14,480 Speaker 1: the Chiefs at home. Yeah, I think I gotta go 587 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:17,960 Speaker 1: with the upset here. I'm what the Buffalo Bills have 588 00:29:18,120 --> 00:29:22,680 Speaker 1: done in this season has been probably the surprise of 589 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:25,680 Speaker 1: the NFL. I think Josh allen Is has had probably 590 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:28,440 Speaker 1: one of the best seasons at the quarterback position. And 591 00:29:28,480 --> 00:29:30,080 Speaker 1: the things that he's been able to do in the 592 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:33,720 Speaker 1: development at the quarterback position with the way he's able 593 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:37,360 Speaker 1: to move out of the pocket, make plays, get Stefan 594 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:39,680 Speaker 1: Diggs involved in this offense. I think that's what I'm 595 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:43,000 Speaker 1: looking forward to the most because this Kansas City Chiefs 596 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,080 Speaker 1: defense is actually very They're having definitely one of the 597 00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:48,240 Speaker 1: better years that they've had as of late. We've always 598 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:50,840 Speaker 1: looked at the Chiefs and said they're an offensive team 599 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:53,520 Speaker 1: and the defense just kind of gets by, but they 600 00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:57,200 Speaker 1: have some big time playmakers, especially in that secondary. So 601 00:29:57,240 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 1: I'm really excited to see if the Buffalo Bills. I mean, 602 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:03,600 Speaker 1: they've been just crushing teams when it comes to just 603 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 1: the differential in points. I mean, they beat the Baltimore 604 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:09,280 Speaker 1: Ravens by fourteen last week, they were able to beat 605 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:13,160 Speaker 1: the Colts. They're just putting up points each week, and 606 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:15,880 Speaker 1: they haven't lost in like six or seven weeks. So 607 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:18,640 Speaker 1: it's just I don't know if this train's gonna stop. Jay. 608 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 1: I think I'm riding with the Bills mafia in this one. 609 00:30:22,080 --> 00:30:24,600 Speaker 1: I totally get it. I totally understand it. At their offense, 610 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:28,600 Speaker 1: they've been a past happy offense for sure. With Zach 611 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:30,560 Speaker 1: Moss out now, Singletary is gonna have to take over 612 00:30:30,560 --> 00:30:32,880 Speaker 1: as the running back for that Bills offense. But I 613 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:35,840 Speaker 1: gotta say, for me, this matchup reminds me almost like 614 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:39,560 Speaker 1: US versus Philly in twenty seventeen. At the thing that 615 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:42,040 Speaker 1: Philly had that year that we couldn't contain was a 616 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:44,560 Speaker 1: lot of dynamic play bankers that could just make plays 617 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:46,640 Speaker 1: in open space. That's how I look at this Kansas 618 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:49,640 Speaker 1: City Chiefs team at this point, the Bills are absolutely hot, 619 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:52,160 Speaker 1: but I do not know how you are able to 620 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:54,840 Speaker 1: try it and contain all of those weapons on offense, 621 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:57,120 Speaker 1: because if you do, if you are able to lock 622 00:30:57,160 --> 00:30:59,080 Speaker 1: down on one of those two guys, whether it's a 623 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:01,479 Speaker 1: Kelsey or a Hill or whatever they're putting out there 624 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:04,040 Speaker 1: now at running back, I just look at this Kansas 625 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 1: City team, especially if they get Mahomes back, They're way 626 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:11,080 Speaker 1: too dangerous. And I just if Mahomes comes walking back in, 627 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 1: if Superman comes back in the building, the emotional lift 628 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:15,840 Speaker 1: that's going to be going on, and like Eric said, 629 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:19,200 Speaker 1: he was a full participant on Wednesday. So if everything 630 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 1: is go, I gotta lean the Chiefs. If not, that 631 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,280 Speaker 1: Bill's team is going to be seeing a wounded animal 632 00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 1: and they're gonna be walking into the Arrowhead Stadium and 633 00:31:27,120 --> 00:31:28,680 Speaker 1: trying to put one on him and in order to 634 00:31:28,680 --> 00:31:31,120 Speaker 1: get to their first super Bowl in years and years 635 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:33,640 Speaker 1: and years. At this point, and I have a kindred 636 00:31:33,640 --> 00:31:35,160 Speaker 1: spirit with the Bills. I love to watch him as 637 00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:37,240 Speaker 1: a kid. I watched all four of those Super Bowl losses, 638 00:31:37,560 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 1: but I gotta go with the Chiefs at this point. 639 00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:42,560 Speaker 1: It has been amazing to see the Buffalo Bills fans 640 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:46,640 Speaker 1: and the way that they follow this team, and obviously 641 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:49,320 Speaker 1: the things that they do tailgating in the parking lot. 642 00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:52,240 Speaker 1: We can talk about that as well, but just the 643 00:31:52,320 --> 00:31:56,480 Speaker 1: support that they've had and obviously an organization that hasn't 644 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:58,520 Speaker 1: won a Super Bowl yet, it would be a cool 645 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:02,200 Speaker 1: story to see them in the Super Bowl this year. 646 00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:06,479 Speaker 1: But a cool historical note from Jay that he included here. 647 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:10,400 Speaker 1: In twenty seventeen, the Bills actually traded the number ten 648 00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:14,800 Speaker 1: overall draft pick two Kansas City, where they picked Patrick 649 00:32:14,880 --> 00:32:17,720 Speaker 1: Mahomes with that pick. That's a pretty good bite that 650 00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:19,640 Speaker 1: you have there, Jay, Thanks, Yeah, it was one of 651 00:32:19,680 --> 00:32:21,200 Speaker 1: those things. When I was looking through it, I saw 652 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:23,600 Speaker 1: the history and they were able to switch or flip 653 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:26,720 Speaker 1: that one pick into three different picks, including two first 654 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:29,360 Speaker 1: round picks, and so they've been able to stack up 655 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:32,240 Speaker 1: as well as add Josh Allen in twenty eighteen. So 656 00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:34,840 Speaker 1: between those four picks, they've all been key contributors. But 657 00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:37,920 Speaker 1: for the Bills fans, watching Patrick Mahomes become the MVP 658 00:32:38,800 --> 00:32:41,040 Speaker 1: in the year that they struggled six and ten was 659 00:32:41,440 --> 00:32:43,239 Speaker 1: really hard for them to stomach. And now here they 660 00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:46,440 Speaker 1: are in the AFC Championship facing off against him, and 661 00:32:46,480 --> 00:32:48,959 Speaker 1: I think right now, both franchises are set for the future, 662 00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: so I think both sides would be pretty happy about 663 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:53,600 Speaker 1: the way that turned out for him. So Jay went 664 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:55,840 Speaker 1: with the Chiefs. Eric went with the Chiefs. I went 665 00:32:55,960 --> 00:32:59,120 Speaker 1: with the Bills. So let's see what the picks are 666 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:01,960 Speaker 1: for the NFC matchup. It's the Green Bay Packers, the 667 00:33:02,080 --> 00:33:06,000 Speaker 1: number one seed hosting, then the number five seed, Tom 668 00:33:06,040 --> 00:33:08,360 Speaker 1: Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I mean, two of 669 00:33:08,360 --> 00:33:10,720 Speaker 1: the hottest teams in the NFL, two of the most 670 00:33:10,800 --> 00:33:16,240 Speaker 1: illustrious quarterbacks in NFL history, facing off one more time. Eric, 671 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:18,320 Speaker 1: I'm going straight to you here, what's your pick? It 672 00:33:18,400 --> 00:33:21,000 Speaker 1: pained me to do it, but I'm gonna go with 673 00:33:21,080 --> 00:33:25,080 Speaker 1: Green Bay, and simply because nobody has been able to 674 00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:29,000 Speaker 1: slow down the combination of Aaron Rodger to Davante Adams 675 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:31,440 Speaker 1: all season long and really for most of Adam's career, 676 00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:35,360 Speaker 1: and I think that they've just been so in tune 677 00:33:35,400 --> 00:33:39,280 Speaker 1: together and there's such a dynamic combo that I think 678 00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:42,600 Speaker 1: that's what prevails and pushes the Packers over the top. 679 00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:44,360 Speaker 1: You know, Aaron Jones is going to provide a big 680 00:33:44,400 --> 00:33:46,640 Speaker 1: lift in the running game. But Tampa Bay, as we 681 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:50,200 Speaker 1: saw last week, has one of the best running defenses 682 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:52,720 Speaker 1: in the league, and I think that'll make things tough 683 00:33:52,720 --> 00:33:55,320 Speaker 1: on Aaron Jones. So if the Packers got a path 684 00:33:55,400 --> 00:33:57,040 Speaker 1: it a lot, it'll be a lot of Rogers to 685 00:33:57,480 --> 00:34:01,719 Speaker 1: Adams and that's probably at lethal of a combination as 686 00:34:01,760 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 1: there is in the NFL right now. So it's tough. 687 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:07,520 Speaker 1: It's tough. Like I thaid, I'll be rooting for Tampa Bay, 688 00:34:07,760 --> 00:34:09,879 Speaker 1: but with who I think will win, I think will 689 00:34:09,880 --> 00:34:13,359 Speaker 1: be Green Bay, especially at home January lambeau Field at 690 00:34:13,719 --> 00:34:17,200 Speaker 1: you know, the storyline kind of rights itself. I think 691 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:19,680 Speaker 1: I have to agree with you, Eric. I mean, what 692 00:34:19,840 --> 00:34:22,799 Speaker 1: has gone on with the Packers offense this year has 693 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:26,360 Speaker 1: just been it's it's been amazing. I mean, the running 694 00:34:26,400 --> 00:34:29,719 Speaker 1: attack that they have combined with the Vonta Adams and 695 00:34:29,800 --> 00:34:32,319 Speaker 1: what he's been able to do. It really amazes me 696 00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:35,000 Speaker 1: that no one has really been able to stop Davanta 697 00:34:35,080 --> 00:34:37,920 Speaker 1: Adams this year because they haven't really had that second 698 00:34:39,000 --> 00:34:42,560 Speaker 1: quality wide receiver in this offense. But Davanta Adams just 699 00:34:42,640 --> 00:34:44,360 Speaker 1: keeps doing it week after week. He I mean, he 700 00:34:44,360 --> 00:34:47,640 Speaker 1: has a touchdown and the performance of Aaron Rodgers to 701 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:51,000 Speaker 1: come off that bye week and defeat the Rams thirty 702 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:54,120 Speaker 1: two to eighteen. He had two hundred ninety six passing yards, 703 00:34:54,120 --> 00:34:57,600 Speaker 1: two passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. I mean, I 704 00:34:57,719 --> 00:35:00,760 Speaker 1: just think he's locked in right now. And I watched 705 00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:03,040 Speaker 1: his interview on the Pat McAfee show this week, and 706 00:35:03,360 --> 00:35:06,520 Speaker 1: he's really he's become a weekly guest on that show, 707 00:35:06,560 --> 00:35:09,120 Speaker 1: and he's definitely been a little bit looser and given 708 00:35:09,320 --> 00:35:13,480 Speaker 1: the fans some insight into what has caused the success 709 00:35:13,560 --> 00:35:16,160 Speaker 1: this year. And he said he's just having fun playing 710 00:35:16,200 --> 00:35:18,880 Speaker 1: the game, which I hate to say on this podcast, 711 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:21,919 Speaker 1: but it's definitely been evident in the way that he's 712 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:24,680 Speaker 1: been tossing the ball around the field and even moving 713 00:35:24,719 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 1: in the pocket. I think they angered him when they 714 00:35:27,560 --> 00:35:31,160 Speaker 1: drafted Jordan Love in the offseason, and it's showing on 715 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:35,280 Speaker 1: the field. But as well, I will go with the Packers. 716 00:35:35,360 --> 00:35:39,279 Speaker 1: It pains me to say it, as Eric said, but yeah, 717 00:35:39,360 --> 00:35:41,279 Speaker 1: I will be rooting for Tampa Bay in this game, 718 00:35:41,320 --> 00:35:45,640 Speaker 1: that's for sure. Jay. Are you going to agree or 719 00:35:45,800 --> 00:35:48,200 Speaker 1: disagree with the two of us on this one? A 720 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:50,120 Speaker 1: couple of weeks ago, when they asked me my opinion, 721 00:35:50,160 --> 00:35:51,640 Speaker 1: who was going to make it to the Super Bowl. 722 00:35:51,640 --> 00:35:53,680 Speaker 1: I said I was going with Chalk, and I had 723 00:35:53,719 --> 00:35:56,040 Speaker 1: the Chiefs and the Packers in the Super Bowl down 724 00:35:56,040 --> 00:35:59,040 Speaker 1: in Tampa. I haven't seen anything that's going to change 725 00:35:59,040 --> 00:36:01,360 Speaker 1: my mind at this point. The only nugget that I 726 00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:03,160 Speaker 1: thought was kind of interesting was when he went back 727 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:06,200 Speaker 1: and broke down the Week six matchup at Raymond James 728 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:09,760 Speaker 1: back in October. That was Aaron rodgers worst game Devanta Adams, 729 00:36:09,800 --> 00:36:12,520 Speaker 1: one of his worst games all season. They were able 730 00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:15,279 Speaker 1: to really put it onto Rogers, and the thing that 731 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:17,880 Speaker 1: killed the Packers that week actually was Ronald Jones. He 732 00:36:17,960 --> 00:36:20,399 Speaker 1: went nuts for twenty three carries, one hundred and thirty 733 00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:22,840 Speaker 1: three yards and two rushing touchdowns. That on top of 734 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:25,760 Speaker 1: two interceptions by Rogers one hundred and sixty yards passing 735 00:36:26,080 --> 00:36:28,879 Speaker 1: no touchdowns. They were able to completely shut them down. 736 00:36:28,920 --> 00:36:31,680 Speaker 1: But the reason why that happened was because they jumped 737 00:36:31,719 --> 00:36:34,840 Speaker 1: on them early. I think if you see Aaron Rodgers 738 00:36:34,840 --> 00:36:37,040 Speaker 1: be able to hit a touchdown or two in that 739 00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:39,879 Speaker 1: first half and start to kind of feel himself at 740 00:36:39,880 --> 00:36:42,400 Speaker 1: home especially, I think that's when it's going to be 741 00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:45,759 Speaker 1: a dangerous, dangerous matchup for the Bucks. But I think 742 00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:47,880 Speaker 1: if the Bucks defense is able to slow down that 743 00:36:47,960 --> 00:36:50,600 Speaker 1: running game and to squeeze Rogers like they did in 744 00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:52,960 Speaker 1: that first Week six matchup, that's going to be the 745 00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:55,600 Speaker 1: recipe to success. What do I want to see happen? 746 00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:57,279 Speaker 1: The storyline I want to see is I want to 747 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,080 Speaker 1: see Tampa have the first team to be able to 748 00:36:59,120 --> 00:37:01,520 Speaker 1: host a super Bowl at home. And I think it 749 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:04,120 Speaker 1: would be hilarious to see the Bills have to face 750 00:37:04,160 --> 00:37:07,680 Speaker 1: their old nemesis who killed them for decades in that 751 00:37:07,760 --> 00:37:10,080 Speaker 1: division in the Super Bowl and have to try to 752 00:37:10,120 --> 00:37:12,400 Speaker 1: climb that mountain. What do I think it's gonna happen. 753 00:37:12,440 --> 00:37:15,440 Speaker 1: You're gonna get him Mahomes Roger Super Bowl, and I 754 00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:18,000 Speaker 1: think it's going to be dynamic across the board if 755 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:20,880 Speaker 1: both of these offenses can continue to keep running. So 756 00:37:21,080 --> 00:37:24,760 Speaker 1: that's my feeling Packers Chiefs in the super Bowl, and well, 757 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:26,880 Speaker 1: the Bucks are going to have to kind of feel 758 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:29,440 Speaker 1: what we did back in twenty seventeen of hosting a 759 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:31,440 Speaker 1: team at home in their Super Bowl. When you were 760 00:37:31,560 --> 00:37:35,360 Speaker 1: that close, We were that close three years ago. I 761 00:37:35,400 --> 00:37:39,200 Speaker 1: think about today or yesterday that it was exactly three 762 00:37:39,280 --> 00:37:42,399 Speaker 1: years from that NFC championship game, a game that none 763 00:37:42,400 --> 00:37:44,719 Speaker 1: of us will ever forget, especially if you were in 764 00:37:44,719 --> 00:37:46,720 Speaker 1: that building, which I think all three of us were. 765 00:37:47,600 --> 00:37:51,560 Speaker 1: That was not a fun game to look at. But yeah, 766 00:37:51,640 --> 00:37:54,560 Speaker 1: I think, honestly the best Super Bowl matchup would be 767 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:56,759 Speaker 1: the one that you just talked about, Jay in the 768 00:37:56,800 --> 00:37:59,520 Speaker 1: Green Bay Packers in the Kansas City Chiefs. I just 769 00:37:59,560 --> 00:38:02,279 Speaker 1: think those two offenses going back and forth. Like I 770 00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:05,239 Speaker 1: when it comes to a viewing experience, that's that's what 771 00:38:05,280 --> 00:38:07,880 Speaker 1: you want to see. Obviously, the storylines with the Bills 772 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:10,640 Speaker 1: and what's been going on in Buffalo, and obviously Tom 773 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:13,399 Speaker 1: Brady in the latter years of his career being able 774 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:16,759 Speaker 1: to potentially host the game at home the first team 775 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:20,719 Speaker 1: to do so would be quite the storyline. But I 776 00:38:20,760 --> 00:38:22,400 Speaker 1: think that's gonna do it. For this episode of the 777 00:38:22,680 --> 00:38:26,520 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings podcast, we we covered some off season storylines 778 00:38:26,600 --> 00:38:29,839 Speaker 1: after taking a week off. Eric brought some insight from 779 00:38:29,880 --> 00:38:33,200 Speaker 1: from just covering the team over the last couple of 780 00:38:33,239 --> 00:38:36,920 Speaker 1: weeks and what's been going on here. So it's definitely 781 00:38:36,960 --> 00:38:40,239 Speaker 1: definitely a quiet time in the Vikings world when you 782 00:38:40,239 --> 00:38:44,520 Speaker 1: have to watch your rival play in the NFC championship games. 783 00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:46,640 Speaker 1: So um, I guess I'll throw to you, Eric, you 784 00:38:46,640 --> 00:38:49,279 Speaker 1: have any final thoughts, no quiet time, It's a good 785 00:38:49,280 --> 00:38:51,200 Speaker 1: way to put it. You know, there's some coaching hires 786 00:38:51,200 --> 00:38:54,000 Speaker 1: that need to happen, but you know, free agency is 787 00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:57,560 Speaker 1: still about six weeks away, so we'll kind of get 788 00:38:57,640 --> 00:39:00,280 Speaker 1: ramped up into that. You know, we're doing some addition 789 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:02,680 Speaker 1: recaps right now on Viking dot Com, kind of taking 790 00:39:02,719 --> 00:39:05,399 Speaker 1: a look back of the twenty twenty thieven. I've got 791 00:39:05,400 --> 00:39:08,560 Speaker 1: a cool offseason project coming on Justin Jefferson that's tend 792 00:39:08,600 --> 00:39:12,360 Speaker 1: to work, so excited to share that in a few weeks. 793 00:39:12,920 --> 00:39:15,080 Speaker 1: But other than that, just taking some time to decompress 794 00:39:15,160 --> 00:39:18,719 Speaker 1: and and trying to turn to paid to twenty twenty one. 795 00:39:18,840 --> 00:39:22,360 Speaker 1: Jay final thoughts. A couple of storylines to pay attention 796 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:24,640 Speaker 1: to here in the next couple of weeks, especially the 797 00:39:24,680 --> 00:39:27,480 Speaker 1: next weekend is going to be the potential Rookie of 798 00:39:27,480 --> 00:39:29,759 Speaker 1: the Year vote coming out with Justin Jefferson. Hopefully he 799 00:39:29,800 --> 00:39:32,920 Speaker 1: gets a nod there. And then also pay attention to 800 00:39:33,400 --> 00:39:35,720 Speaker 1: the potential of Jared Allen getting to the Pro Football 801 00:39:35,760 --> 00:39:38,400 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame. A lot of people are kind of 802 00:39:38,080 --> 00:39:40,920 Speaker 1: of looking at it saying he's a it's his first 803 00:39:41,000 --> 00:39:43,520 Speaker 1: chance or his first ballot to possibly get in. Some 804 00:39:43,560 --> 00:39:45,200 Speaker 1: people are thinking it might be a little bit of 805 00:39:45,239 --> 00:39:47,640 Speaker 1: a waiting game for him at least two year two. 806 00:39:47,960 --> 00:39:52,120 Speaker 1: But pay attention that in back to back Friday Saturday 807 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:54,520 Speaker 1: next week you could potentially have a Hall of Famer 808 00:39:54,600 --> 00:39:56,160 Speaker 1: and a Rookie of the Year being announced for this 809 00:39:56,200 --> 00:39:59,239 Speaker 1: Spiking squad, and that'd be something to, you know, put 810 00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:01,920 Speaker 1: a little feather in cap and feel proud about as 811 00:40:01,920 --> 00:40:04,319 Speaker 1: a Vikings fan and just know that future is going 812 00:40:04,360 --> 00:40:06,800 Speaker 1: to be brighter here in twenty twenty one. My final 813 00:40:06,840 --> 00:40:09,600 Speaker 1: thoughts as a whole in the NFL, it's been amazing 814 00:40:09,680 --> 00:40:12,880 Speaker 1: that the quarterbacks that we have all grown up watching 815 00:40:13,360 --> 00:40:17,200 Speaker 1: are starting to dwindle off one by one as Drew 816 00:40:17,239 --> 00:40:20,520 Speaker 1: Brees announces his retirement after the loss to Tom Brady 817 00:40:20,560 --> 00:40:24,240 Speaker 1: and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and then just today Philip 818 00:40:24,320 --> 00:40:28,120 Speaker 1: Rivers announces his retirement from the Colts after that tough 819 00:40:28,200 --> 00:40:30,640 Speaker 1: playoff loss to the Bills. I mean, these are the 820 00:40:30,640 --> 00:40:33,520 Speaker 1: guys that haven't been around for so long, and it 821 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:36,000 Speaker 1: might not be over. As we talked about kind of 822 00:40:36,040 --> 00:40:39,000 Speaker 1: earlier before the show, Jay, you could see Tom Brady 823 00:40:39,080 --> 00:40:42,080 Speaker 1: maybe going off with the Super Bowl win or possibly 824 00:40:42,120 --> 00:40:45,759 Speaker 1: been Roethlisberger. There hasn't been any update there from Pittsburgh 825 00:40:46,239 --> 00:40:49,160 Speaker 1: since they're tough loss to the Cleveland Brown So it's 826 00:40:49,200 --> 00:40:52,799 Speaker 1: it's crazy that the tides are turning, especially with a 827 00:40:52,800 --> 00:40:56,640 Speaker 1: few big time quarterbacks coming up in this NFL draft. 828 00:40:56,719 --> 00:41:00,400 Speaker 1: So it's been fun to track and definitely a time 829 00:41:00,440 --> 00:41:02,880 Speaker 1: for the Vikings and we'll see what happens here with 830 00:41:02,920 --> 00:41:05,440 Speaker 1: some of these hires as we head into the draft 831 00:41:05,480 --> 00:41:08,759 Speaker 1: and free agency, but until then, continue to check out 832 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:11,520 Speaker 1: all of the Vikings social media platforms for breaking news, 833 00:41:11,600 --> 00:41:14,160 Speaker 1: whether it's free agency the draft. We've got a bunch 834 00:41:14,160 --> 00:41:16,840 Speaker 1: of fun things coming up, some Vikings at Home shows 835 00:41:17,480 --> 00:41:20,640 Speaker 1: like we did last offseason, and definitely some new podcasts 836 00:41:20,680 --> 00:41:22,600 Speaker 1: that will be in the works as we kind of 837 00:41:22,600 --> 00:41:27,200 Speaker 1: get into the Vikings offseason storylines going forward. As Gabe 838 00:41:27,239 --> 00:41:30,200 Speaker 1: Henderson likes to say, we'll keep you up to date 839 00:41:30,239 --> 00:41:33,600 Speaker 1: with everything you need to know on Vikings dot com 840 00:41:33,680 --> 00:41:36,640 Speaker 1: right here, and we will be back next week with 841 00:41:36,719 --> 00:41:38,840 Speaker 1: another episode in the Minnesota Vikings Podcast.