1 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:21,800 Speaker 1: Hey, Welcome to the Vikings postgame podcast with Pete Versuch 2 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,639 Speaker 1: on Paul Allen. This is courtesy of Lumen and the 3 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings went to grinding for a season opening victory. 4 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:32,160 Speaker 1: They beat the Bears twenty seven to twenty four. JJ 5 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:37,319 Speaker 1: McCarthy Minnesota Vikings quarterback making his regular season debut. As 6 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: I said at the end of the broadcast on Kfan, 7 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: when it comes to metaphorical moguls of experience, I mean 8 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 1: he ran a touchdown in by himself, he threw two. 9 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:51,599 Speaker 1: He threw a pick six to Nashwan Wright. I mean 10 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: from an experience standpoint, he saw so much he did. 11 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 2: And an interesting point Paul is he is only this 12 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 2: second Vikings quarterback to throw for two touchdowns on his debut. 13 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 2: The other quarterback that did it was Fran Tarkington in 14 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 2: nineteen sixty one against these exact same Chicago Bears. So 15 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,039 Speaker 2: what a stat by JJ McCarthy. 16 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 1: By the way, once again, this podcast is provided by Lumen, 17 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,320 Speaker 1: and thank you for your sponsorship. 18 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 3: The Lohman, the. 19 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 1: Trusted network of Ai, Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones. And 20 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: the way they ran the ball, what'd you think? 21 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 2: I thought they were very effective, right, and not a 22 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 2: lot in the way of lost yardage plays. You had 23 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 2: one hundred and twenty yards rushing total, an average of 24 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 2: four point six yards per rush, which is probably higher 25 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 2: than a right about or maybe a little bit higher 26 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 2: than what we've seen out of the running backs, Paul. 27 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 2: But overall, they I think they really when we needed them, 28 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 2: they were there. They helped. I think Steady McCarthy a 29 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 2: little bit. It opened up the play action and some 30 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 2: of the playfakes. But you know, to see Aaron Jones 31 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 2: get in there late in the game and he's still fresh, 32 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 2: I think that's going to bode well for this running 33 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 2: game throughout the entire season. 34 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: Now, when people say football is a game of inches, okay, 35 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: to many, it's a cliche, but it's a cliche because 36 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 1: it stands the test of time. And here's what I mean. 37 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 1: The kicking. Kicking is part of the game of inches, 38 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: all right. Cairo Santos Bears kicker misses a fifty yard 39 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 1: field goal in the second half, Will Reiker Vikings kicker 40 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:31,519 Speaker 1: hit a career long fifty nine. Well, the game was 41 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 1: separated by three at the end, so I mean this 42 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 1: was a weekend where kickers were missing huge kicks all Sunday. 43 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 1: Not our guy, the Alabama kid came through. 44 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 2: He did. And you know, the kicking game outside of 45 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 2: the of the one penalty that we had the kicking 46 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 2: game overall, I think Jay Ward that had the one penalty. 47 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 2: Outside of that, the special team's made a difference. And 48 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 2: how about Miles Price and the yardage that he was 49 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:00,359 Speaker 2: able to get the first half of this football game? 50 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 2: Starting field position was was bad. It was inside the 51 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 2: thirty in this day and age in the NFL, that's 52 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:08,520 Speaker 2: not very good. But Miles Price was able to turn 53 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 2: that around a little bit. A couple of good kick returns, 54 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,399 Speaker 2: a couple of good punt returns. So I think Miles 55 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 2: Miles Price made quite a big impact for his for 56 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 2: his Viking debut. 57 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, and at one point, Miles Price had sixty eight 58 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: punt return yards. That was the most sense wide receiver. 59 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: Troy Walters, who wow, Yeah, you coach when he played 60 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 1: on the team. Yes, and his father, Trent, wasn't he 61 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 1: a coach. 62 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 2: On the team too, Yes, yes, father Trent. 63 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: And that's that's back in two thousand, So that's yeah, 64 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: Miles Price, the undrafted Hoosier who knew Kevin O'Connell is 65 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: undefeated at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears. He's four 66 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 1: and oh six and one lifetime against the Bears. Let's 67 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: hear from the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. 68 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 3: There's a lot of t unpack after that one. But 69 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 3: I'm so proud of our team. I'm proud of I 70 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 3: think days like this kind of a a lot of 71 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 3: the things that you know, we really feel are important 72 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 3: with our organization from a standpoint of when things aren't 73 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 3: going well, things aren't going your way. You know. I 74 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 3: thought the defense, you know, battled and kept us in 75 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 3: the football game. Special teams made some huge plays, uh, 76 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 3: you know, obviously Miles Price was some big returns will 77 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 3: record with you know, the field goal to give us 78 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 3: a little bit of life there at the end of 79 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 3: the first half. I was just so proud of jj 80 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 3: uh and in our offensive group. There was a lot 81 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 3: of There's a thousand things that we all can clean up. 82 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 3: There's a thousand things that myself and and our staff 83 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 3: we'll get cleaned up. We can all be better. But 84 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 3: to come to this place a ton of energy in 85 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 3: the building and find a way to just keep playing, 86 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 3: just keep trying to find a way and our guys. 87 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:58,360 Speaker 3: You know, there's been some games here over these last 88 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:02,719 Speaker 3: few years where you know, we've demonstrated that, but tonight 89 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 3: I felt like there was something new quarterback on the road. 90 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 3: You know, some new players throughout our team. I'm really 91 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 3: trying to figure it out together and uh, the way 92 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 3: that we were able to do that, very very proud 93 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 3: of our team. There's obviously some guys with some notable 94 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,599 Speaker 3: performances and then I'll hit you guys on some injuries. 95 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 3: But JJ McCarthy, you know, clearly just to you know, 96 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 3: I felt you know, the thing is, I felt poised 97 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 3: from the very beginning. I didn't necessarily think our entire 98 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 3: group with some of the things that transpired where we 99 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 3: were really close on some things that could have changed 100 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:42,919 Speaker 3: the game a little bit, a lot of yardage that 101 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 3: we got via some penalties there, but you know, just 102 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:50,359 Speaker 3: didn't do a good enough job sustaining uh. You know, 103 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:53,039 Speaker 3: obviously converting third downs early on was an issue to 104 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 3: be able to get drives going. But JJ McCarthy, for 105 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 3: him to make some of the plays he did, I 106 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 3: told him at halftime, you are going to bring us 107 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,479 Speaker 3: back to win this game and the look in his 108 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 3: eye was fantastic, And the best thing is just the 109 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 3: belief I felt from the team, the unit, and ultimately 110 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 3: that doesn't get done without him. In the second half, 111 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 3: two passing touchdowns and then the critical rushing touchdown you 112 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 3: know at the end, Will Reicherd, like I said, that 113 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 3: field goal was huge, you know, the fifty nine yarder. 114 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 3: Miles Price already talked about that from a standpoint of 115 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 3: being a rookie out there changing field position, giving us 116 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 3: a chance all night long. You know, you look at 117 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 3: Eric Wilson stepping in for cash and then obviously blocking 118 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 3: a punt. Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones, you know, it 119 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 3: was kind of a tough night there and having Jordan 120 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 3: to be a little bit, you know, be that physical presence, 121 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 3: and then you see Aaron's ability to change the game 122 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 3: on one play with the touchdown, and then you know 123 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,840 Speaker 3: Javon Hargrave Grave was you know, you just felt him 124 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:58,039 Speaker 3: all night long. And Caleb is really a tough guy 125 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 3: to bring down. Clearly, his athleticism is real. We talked 126 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 3: about it all week and you got to give those 127 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,160 Speaker 3: guys a lot of credit for playing the good football 128 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 3: that they did, and it was a flat out battle, 129 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 3: you know, to It's not always going to be pretty 130 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 3: when you're trying to bring along a young quarterback. You 131 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 3: just got to keep playing and you got to allow 132 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 3: you know, him to grow. There was a lot of 133 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 3: just things we can improve on, and we will. It'd 134 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 3: be great to be home for a couple of weeks, 135 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 3: but but all in all, I'm very proud of our team, 136 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 3: very proud of our staff, and just that figured out 137 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 3: in us and find a way is something that will 138 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 3: be a redeeming quality as we continue to press onward. 139 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 3: Just to give you guys an update on a couple 140 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 3: of injuries here. You know Cashman Uh, you know, did 141 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 3: get a hamstring. He'll have an MRI and then a 142 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:47,320 Speaker 3: coupa there on the last play. Everything's you know, checked out. 143 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 3: We wanted to be smart with that, but he'll be 144 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 3: evaluated for a concussion. He will travel home with us 145 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 3: as well. And then Ryan Kelly and ty Chandler both 146 00:07:57,200 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 3: uh went into the Blue ten and both returned. So 147 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 3: with that, I'll open it up to you guys, what 148 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 3: about JJ made you believe that he's Yeah, I just 149 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 3: you know, I just felt, you know it was a 150 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 3: very unique game from a standpoint of Uh, you know, 151 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 3: obviously you have to just put blinders on and just 152 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 3: keep playing. Every rep for him is unbelievable experience. It's 153 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 3: experienced for me, you know, with him, it's experienced for 154 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 3: our offense. You know, obviously justin school stepped in and 155 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 3: and you know, did a great job battle battling all night. 156 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 3: But you know, there were times where JJ had to 157 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 3: overcome some things you know, around him, and he just 158 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 3: kept playing. Didn't necessarily alter the way he was playing. 159 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 3: You know, there'd be a play out there and they 160 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 3: tipped the ball or it was just every you know, 161 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 3: for a while there just felt like everything that could 162 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 3: go wrong kind of did and many many times, you know, 163 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 3: teams will wilt in those circumstances, and ours did not. 164 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 3: And it's a credit to our players, credit to what 165 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 3: they have built in that locker room. And uh, we're 166 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 3: want to know, you know, with a thousand things to 167 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 3: clean up across the board, Uh, the defense knows they're gonna, 168 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 3: you know, they're gonna have to battle all year long 169 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 3: after that. You know, following the opening drive touchdown, I 170 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 3: think you know, next nine drives, they only gave up 171 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 3: a field goal. So I'm just you know, proud of 172 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 3: the group, but JJ especially Uh, a heck of a 173 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 3: growth moment for him, and one that I had total 174 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:30,319 Speaker 3: belief in him that we were going to figure it 175 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 3: out together. The touchdown, What made you decide to go 176 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 3: to that in that moment in that third and one? Yeah, 177 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 3: you know, they they made some adjustments, you know, kind 178 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 3: of some unscouted looks in the in the first half 179 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 3: across the board. I thought they did a great job, uh, 180 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 3: you know, keeping us off balance with some looks that 181 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 3: you know, maybe you're you're you're working off of a 182 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 3: tendency from you know, a previous team that you played against, 183 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:54,679 Speaker 3: the coordinator from and and I don't know whether it 184 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 3: was you know, maybe a couple of their guys being out, 185 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 3: but they were they were doing some things differently than 186 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 3: maybe what was on on the sheet. And with a 187 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 3: young quarterback and you're trying to work through what that 188 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 3: looks like, you've you've got to work through it together. 189 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 3: And you know, we had some miscommunication. Obviously, it got 190 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 3: very loud at times, the negatives, you know, up against 191 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:14,679 Speaker 3: the play clock a little bit. But I thought as 192 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:17,199 Speaker 3: the game went on. You could kind of feel JJ 193 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 3: pushing that group to get out of the huddle a 194 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 3: little quicker, get to the line of scrimmage, get a line. 195 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 3: We're trying to help him out as much as we can, 196 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 3: especially in a game where there could be some looks 197 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 3: that you're trying to work through that maybe weren't jumping 198 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 3: out at you on tape. So we're trying to you know, 199 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:34,839 Speaker 3: you know, make it as user friendly as we can, 200 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 3: but sometimes that takes some time. So we've got to 201 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 3: find a way, you know, find that middle ground, continue 202 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 3: to push the urgency in the execution. But once again, 203 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 3: that play call in particular was really just a matter 204 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 3: of I you know, JJ is a very very good athlete, 205 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 3: and you know, the look presented itself where you know, 206 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:54,719 Speaker 3: we felt pretty good about TJ being able to kind 207 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 3: of lead him in from there. If you know, the 208 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:00,959 Speaker 3: it was a poll type. Reed was reading the play 209 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 3: and he made a you know, great play. Both of 210 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 3: his you know, touchdown passes were critical, huge plays as well, 211 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 3: and a great execution by him. Pick six. 212 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 4: What did you notice from JJ on the sideline. 213 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 3: That letting huge? They feel okay, yeah, you know, it 214 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 3: was all out zero pressure. You know, he he got 215 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 3: to his protection the right. I mean, that was a 216 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 3: veteran quarterback play. It just you know, happened that you know, 217 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,319 Speaker 3: the cornerback, the corner knows that it's an all out zero. 218 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 3: He learned how to play pretty good vision zero coverage 219 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 3: here and credit Shawney. I mean, uh for making that play. 220 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 3: What to create a huge play And when you have 221 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 3: a pick six the way the first half went normally, 222 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 3: that's enough for a lot of teams to go ahead 223 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 3: and pack their stuff up and head home. There wasn't 224 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 3: one moment. I just I just told him, I said, 225 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 3: you did everything right. They made a play. Uh, you know, 226 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 3: you protected yourself enough to maybe you know, there was 227 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:57,199 Speaker 3: a there was another potential you know, eligible on the 228 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 3: play that might have had an opportunity to score. Honestly 229 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 3: if and what you know, what kind of play would 230 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 3: that have been? But great learning out you know vision zero, 231 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 3: he's he's looking at you the whole way of field 232 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 3: outcut to Justin Jefferson and he and he made a 233 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 3: play on it. So I just told him, just like 234 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 3: the whole day, one more, you know, just worry, but 235 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 3: let's just keep playing the next snap together, and I 236 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,120 Speaker 3: promise you will find a way. That's what I told him. 237 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 3: And he's got an unbelievable look in his eye on 238 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 3: game day and he just kept you know, his belief 239 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 3: and his trust in himself. And you know the phrase 240 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 3: that I like to use. You guys have heard it 241 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 3: many times, being at your best when your best is required. 242 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 3: There's no other time than that than to you know, 243 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:42,079 Speaker 3: have two touchdowns and two passing touchdowns and a rushing 244 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 3: touchdown twenty one points in the really darn near close 245 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 3: to just the fourth quarter alone, So really big time 246 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 3: moment to build off of. 247 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 4: How were those fourth early fourth quarter runs for Jordan 248 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:57,960 Speaker 4: Mason kind of set up other things like the play action? 249 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think you know, it was one of those 250 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 3: things where because of the crowd noise and you're trying 251 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 3: to avoid third down, third and lungs as much as possible, 252 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 3: probably should have, you know, ran the football more and 253 00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 3: in the first half, and that's where I got to 254 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 3: grow and get better as well. You know, this is 255 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 3: a total look inward to how we improve and it 256 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:20,360 Speaker 3: starts with me. But I thought we you know, that growth. 257 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 3: I'm a big fan of, you know, not having that 258 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 3: figured out, and this on Tuesday morning, you know, normally 259 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 3: i'd like to say Monday morning. But as a staff 260 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 3: and as a collective group, we really honed in on 261 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 3: some things that we wanted to get done, and that 262 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 3: efficiency set up a lot of things and and you know, 263 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 3: allowed us to make some plays in the past game. 264 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 3: But having Jordan's physicality with air and you know, keeping 265 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:43,719 Speaker 3: air and as fresh as we could, and then being 266 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 3: able to use him as a weapon in the past 267 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 3: game as well kind of came together in a way 268 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 3: when we need it the most. What do you think 269 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 3: of the teammates reaction to that? Yeah, I think, you know, 270 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:59,559 Speaker 3: it was just momentum was kind of just the way 271 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 3: the defense answers playing, and I just kept telling flow, 272 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 3: you know, you know, just give us, just keep giving 273 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,319 Speaker 3: us an op. You guys are doing everything in your 274 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:09,640 Speaker 3: power to just keep giving us an op. And then 275 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 3: the special teams kicked in and made some plays, you know, 276 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 3: with the returns and the block punt, and then you know, 277 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 3: just it was kind of like a you know, this 278 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:19,680 Speaker 3: team's got a lot of confidence in itself, and there 279 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 3: were moments where maybe that confidence was being tested, but 280 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:27,560 Speaker 3: absolutely not broken. So that was kind of an eruption. 281 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 3: A little bit of our sideline and kind of what 282 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 3: was keeping it together kind of let out in that moment. 283 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 3: And it was a It was a big time. It 284 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 3: was a big time to see the team and they 285 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 3: voted him a captain. They clearly see something in him. 286 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 3: We do as well. This is one game he did 287 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 3: an unbelievable job leading his team back to win. It 288 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 3: was a total team effort. But we will use this 289 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 3: as a major, major growth moment. And we got a 290 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 3: short week and gotta get ready to go. 291 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 5: I Chandler's return at the end there do you go 292 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 5: into that saying if it's returnable. 293 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 3: Return, got to return it, try to get under the 294 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 3: two minute. Yeah, and and we you know, I know 295 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 3: for a fact that Matt Daniels was in the huddle 296 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 3: telling those guys that, but he ties really the off returner. 297 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 3: You know, with the type of night that that the 298 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 3: Miles Price had, you know, they're trying to kick it 299 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 3: away from him, and I'm sure they're trying to get 300 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 3: that thing to the chalk to make sure we can't 301 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 3: do that. And I don't even know how deep it was. 302 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 3: I didn't care, but yeah, I think he did. You know, 303 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 3: you never want your players looking over at me during 304 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 3: the play. But it was get out and secure the 305 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 3: secure the football for sure, and that allowed us to 306 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 3: take it all the way down there, you know, and 307 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 3: there was I think there was you know, half the 308 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 3: stadium was at the line of scrimmage during that four 309 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 3: minute drive and rightly so they were just trying to 310 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 3: get it back and and yeah, go ahead. 311 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 2: Blake had been tough, but. 312 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's why we went and got him. I mean, 313 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 3: he will has been such a critical addition that Quasi 314 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 3: and his guys went out and got him. You're you're 315 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 3: you're always looking for that veteran presence, and you know 316 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 3: he is. You know, he is a player that we 317 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 3: I don't know if we win the football game unless 318 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 3: you have Eric Wilson to kind of not only I 319 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 3: mean the block punt, but but just the way he 320 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 3: goes in and he's green dotting and calling it. And 321 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 3: that's really you know, you want to see a prototype 322 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 3: of a veteran, a guy that helps your football team 323 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 3: win by any means necessary. It's Eric Wilson so fired 324 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 3: up that we have him fired up that we were 325 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 3: able to bring him back here, and he's already clearly 326 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 3: had a monumental impact, whether. 327 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 2: The block punt or word record in the kick or 328 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 2: mouths pricing insurance. 329 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 5: How much did your special teams kind of contribute to 330 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 5: be able. 331 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 3: To come back here? Yeah? I mean, shoot, we only 332 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 3: had you know, what was it, forty nine plays offense. 333 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 3: We just we just didn't have enough time on the field. 334 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 3: We didn't have enough to really do our part for 335 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 3: the better part of two and a half quarters. So 336 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 3: you need your defense to be you know what they 337 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 3: are and what they were for us tonight. You need 338 00:16:56,880 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 3: your your special teams to make a play here and there, 339 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 3: steal that steal that hitting yardage wherever he can, and 340 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 3: and uh, those guys did. Those guys did a great job. 341 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 3: Just we talk about a lot. What are you going 342 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:10,119 Speaker 3: to do in your one play phase, uh to maybe 343 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 3: go change the game and and uh, those guys affected 344 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 3: the game in a really positive way. You know, credit 345 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 3: to those guys. Hat dGH. You don't win a game 346 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 3: like this unless it's a true three all three phase. Uh, 347 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 3: finding a way. This is just one game. But the 348 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 3: fact that j J nows to do this, Yeah, go back, and. 349 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,200 Speaker 1: How important that for development guys going forward. 350 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, part of this thing with a young 351 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 3: quarterback is you know, you know everybody's gonna be waiting 352 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 3: to you know, you know, the aha moment of like, 353 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 3: look what happened and and for him to like that. 354 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 3: That can weigh on a player, but not him. I mean, 355 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 3: he prepared the right way and you know, just you know, 356 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 3: you talk about meeting the moment regardless of circumstances, regardless 357 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 3: of what the outcome may have ended up in it 358 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 3: being u there is a big picture plan that you know, 359 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 3: you hope to you know, not have this chapter be 360 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:11,880 Speaker 3: the first chapter of needing to bring your team back 361 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 3: so significantly after a really tough start. But yeah, this 362 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:19,119 Speaker 3: is I mean, there's no look, there's no way to 363 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,439 Speaker 3: to deny we don't win this game unless JJ plays 364 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 3: the way he did in the second half and most 365 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,120 Speaker 3: importantly kept the belief of his football team behind him. 366 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,840 Speaker 3: And and now we know it's possible. So you know, 367 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 3: he hope to not be in these circumstances very often. 368 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,680 Speaker 3: But you know, this team's made of the right stuff. 369 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:43,159 Speaker 3: Players have built something special within that locker room and 370 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:45,879 Speaker 3: on that sideline, and and I'm just very very proud 371 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 3: of them, and you have to be so proud of JJ, 372 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 3: you know, leading leading the group back. 373 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 4: Kevin, what did you think of just the defensive line vitation, 374 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 4: a lot of players stepping. 375 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,239 Speaker 3: Up the making places. Yeah, we want to keep those 376 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 3: guys fresh. I thought, uh, I felt all those guys active, 377 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 3: you know, the activity of being able to kind of 378 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:07,280 Speaker 3: stunt the run enough to put them in long yardage 379 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:09,600 Speaker 3: situations and get off the field and keep giving us 380 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 3: those opportunities as an offense. But yeah, I've been telling 381 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 3: you guys for the better part of since, you know, 382 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:18,399 Speaker 3: late July, like, we feel great about the depth of 383 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 3: that group, seeing those guys play and rotate and try 384 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 3: to keep those guys fresh when they're on the field 385 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,200 Speaker 3: a lot more than we're on the field as an offense. 386 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 3: You got to try to do that so when the 387 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:30,840 Speaker 3: momentum does swing, you know we can we can try 388 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:33,360 Speaker 3: to hold that lead and get a really tough, hard 389 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 3: fought win on the road in the NFC North. I mean, 390 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 3: this is what this division is going to be. Obviously, 391 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,960 Speaker 3: we want to play a better version, we want to 392 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 3: be a better version of ourselves as a team for 393 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 3: four quarters, but We're gonna have to lean on different 394 00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:49,159 Speaker 3: phases of our team at different times. And that's just 395 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,639 Speaker 3: the NFL. That the life you live in the NFL. 396 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:56,400 Speaker 1: Well, until the Bears got that touchdown really late on 397 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 1: by Roma Dunsa uncovered back of the end zone where 398 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:03,119 Speaker 1: they at a two score lead, Caleb Williams and the 399 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:06,399 Speaker 1: Bears offense march down the field ten plays and Caleb 400 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 1: Brannon from nine on the first possession of the season. 401 00:20:08,840 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 1: I mean, they look really sharp, but that was it 402 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 1: for their offense from a touchdown scoring standpoint, you know, 403 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: pretty much almost for the rest of the game. So 404 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 1: what did the Vikings defense do to Titan. 405 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,719 Speaker 2: I think what they did is they played good, solid 406 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 2: run defense, and that you know Ben Johnson, he'll run 407 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 2: the football as much as you let him, as long 408 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,360 Speaker 2: as it's efficient, and they really ended up taking them 409 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:32,639 Speaker 2: out of that. And then you put Caleb Williams in 410 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 2: a position where he has to throw the football downfield. 411 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:36,720 Speaker 2: He was ten of his first ten, but I don't 412 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:38,640 Speaker 2: think any one of those throws is further than three 413 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:39,919 Speaker 2: or four yards down the field. 414 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:40,120 Speaker 1: Pump. 415 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 2: And when they went forward on that fourth down play, 416 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:44,960 Speaker 2: which is another field goal attempt that they didn't get 417 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:50,240 Speaker 2: to take. You know, he badly overthrew DJ Moore. 418 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, so. 419 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:56,520 Speaker 2: The defense did an excellent job. They made the Bears 420 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 2: try to earn it and that was good enough for 421 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:00,679 Speaker 2: a lot of these drives tonight. 422 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:04,440 Speaker 1: What a wonderful moment it is for JJ McCarthy. Yeah, 423 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:06,680 Speaker 1: he threw a seventy four yard pick six, so that's 424 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,159 Speaker 1: going to eat at him. But he got the money, 425 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,160 Speaker 1: or as the kids would say, he got the dub. 426 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: They leave Chicago with a want to oh record. And 427 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: here's what JJ had to say after the game. 428 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:20,760 Speaker 6: Obviously, it's huge to come out of one of these 429 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 6: games with a win. You know, divisional opponent, a very 430 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 6: tough opponent. You know, I thought they did a tremendous 431 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:28,359 Speaker 6: job and played very hard and played well. Got to 432 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:29,879 Speaker 6: give a lot of credit to the defense. You know, 433 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 6: they bailed us out in that first half. You know, 434 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 6: they were throwing a lot of things at us defensively, 435 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,159 Speaker 6: and defense stuck in there, and especially on the special 436 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 6: team side too. You know that field goal unit, that 437 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 6: pumper turn unit, jug you know, I think it was 438 00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:45,800 Speaker 6: one hundred and nineteen all purpose yards and you know 439 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:48,159 Speaker 6: that's just tremendous from a young guy like that to 440 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:48,679 Speaker 6: step up. 441 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,360 Speaker 3: But there's a lot of things we got to clean up. 442 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,160 Speaker 6: You know, it got to be better on third down 443 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:55,760 Speaker 6: and h you know we're on the Atlanta No jijd. 444 00:21:55,840 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 4: What was kind of your reaction when you got to 445 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:00,959 Speaker 4: play call those gonna be hurried out? 446 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:04,040 Speaker 6: I was absolutely fired up. It was like the perfect 447 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:07,879 Speaker 6: time to call it. Coach McCown actually brought it up 448 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 6: in his little pregame speech at the hotel and he 449 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 6: was talking about how he was running Wanda Bayer that's 450 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 6: what we call it in twenty thirteen, and I was 451 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 6: probably running in seventh grade somewhere, but I was actually 452 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 6: ten at the time, so it was pretty close on 453 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 6: that one. 454 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 3: But uh yeah, it was just perfect play call. 455 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:26,480 Speaker 6: You know, the offensive line did a great job TJ 456 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 6: with that block on Jakwan and just you know finishing 457 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:32,160 Speaker 6: the job. That was you know, one of the one 458 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:33,360 Speaker 6: of my favorites for sure. 459 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:35,640 Speaker 3: A turn of lead up just about what you wanted 460 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:38,480 Speaker 3: to say at the moment of how well. 461 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:43,199 Speaker 6: Admit what that just you know, I felt like I 462 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:45,159 Speaker 6: did a really good job with that, and you know, 463 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 6: just feeding off the energy of my teammates and my coaches, 464 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:51,679 Speaker 6: you know, helped me out tremendously. But you know, at 465 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:53,399 Speaker 6: the end of the day, you know, we're so blessed 466 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:55,679 Speaker 6: to be able to play this game. So every snap 467 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 6: we get is a complete blessing. And you know, that's 468 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:00,440 Speaker 6: something that I was mentioning to the guys in the 469 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:02,119 Speaker 6: huddle when we were down, like where else would you 470 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 6: rather be? So I feel like, you know, we did 471 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:06,080 Speaker 6: a great job, and this team showed a lot of 472 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:08,480 Speaker 6: poise and responded very well. 473 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,760 Speaker 5: After the pick six. After the pick six, like, what's 474 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:14,480 Speaker 5: your mindset at that point? And it's certainly a momentum 475 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:17,520 Speaker 5: sway there in a lot of ways, what's your mindset? 476 00:23:17,560 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 5: And how do you move past that? 477 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:26,560 Speaker 6: You know, you never want to earn wisdom that way, 478 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:30,480 Speaker 6: but it just brought me straight back to TCU when 479 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:32,800 Speaker 6: I had that first one early on in the game 480 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 6: and then the second one later and you know, at 481 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 6: the end of the day, Yeah, it sucks. It's one 482 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 6: of the worst things you could do as a quarterback, 483 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:39,919 Speaker 6: but can't do anything about it. 484 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:41,280 Speaker 3: You got to focus on the next play. 485 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 6: You know, defense kept us in it the whole time, 486 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 6: so it was just on our shoulders to go out 487 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:48,280 Speaker 6: there and execute and you know, play as one and 488 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 6: you know, move on from that. 489 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:51,160 Speaker 3: You know, that's one of those things I don't really 490 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 3: hang on. 491 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 6: And I was, you know, really grateful the way coach 492 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:57,439 Speaker 6: mccownt and coach O'Connell handled it. And it was everyone 493 00:23:57,440 --> 00:23:59,560 Speaker 6: on the same page, all right. That happened next play 494 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 6: when it came to. 495 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 4: Just as you guys started to come back. Was there 496 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 4: a throw of viewers where you felt like you were 497 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:07,440 Speaker 4: starting to get into a proof late in the game. 498 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:10,360 Speaker 6: I want to say the one before half to Speedy 499 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:12,560 Speaker 6: that really got me into a groove. 500 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:14,120 Speaker 3: And it was, you know, as it turns. 501 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 6: Out, one of the biggest plays of the game because 502 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 6: Will striping it from fifty nine. You know, we walk 503 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:22,000 Speaker 6: out of here probably a little bit later then we 504 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 6: do it tonight right now. But you know, I feel 505 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:26,880 Speaker 6: like just how it expressed itself, how the ball came 506 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:28,639 Speaker 6: off my hand there, I felt like it was one 507 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:30,439 Speaker 6: of those throws that really gave me that, you know, 508 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 6: we could really do this. 509 00:24:32,280 --> 00:24:32,640 Speaker 3: He said. 510 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 4: The comment in the huddle where would you rather be? 511 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:38,679 Speaker 1: Aaron mentioned the same thing. Have you always had that 512 00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 1: mentality in the Huddler. 513 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 3: Is that something that just came over you tonight. 514 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:46,479 Speaker 6: I've never actually said that before, but I feel like 515 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 6: it was at the perfect time. You know, guys were 516 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:51,960 Speaker 6: kind of, you know, just in their head a little bit, 517 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:53,919 Speaker 6: and I feel like if you could. 518 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:55,800 Speaker 3: Ah, smile goes a long way. 519 00:24:55,920 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 6: So there was a lot of smiles after I said that, 520 00:24:57,840 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 6: and just a little bit of a perspective shift. Yeah, 521 00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 6: things weren't going our way, but we're here doing this 522 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:05,400 Speaker 6: together and see the boys they responded perfectly. 523 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:07,159 Speaker 3: Remember when exactly that was. 524 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:13,439 Speaker 6: I know we were around the twenty minus twenty or 525 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:17,040 Speaker 6: minus twenty five in the end zone with the jumbo 526 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:18,320 Speaker 6: tron and. 527 00:25:18,280 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 3: I think it was third quarter something like that. Okay, 528 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 3: did you looked like late after one of the touchdowns, 529 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:25,399 Speaker 3: Kevin came over kind of like patted you over the 530 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 3: head and you, guys, what was your favorite moment work 531 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:34,439 Speaker 3: with me to night? My favorite moment working with Ko 532 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:39,440 Speaker 3: was probably just the whole game, like how he managed it. 533 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:42,119 Speaker 6: You know, they showed a lot of things that we 534 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:46,440 Speaker 6: didn't expect and you know, the calm, cool, collective nature 535 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:48,520 Speaker 6: that he had, you know, just gave me so much 536 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:51,119 Speaker 6: confidence to you know, try to filter that into my 537 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 6: teammates as much as possible. But uh, you know, after that, 538 00:25:54,760 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 6: you know, running touchdown and seeing how fired up he was, 539 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:58,160 Speaker 6: that was really special. 540 00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:02,119 Speaker 5: I think part did you maybe after the game taking 541 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 5: the larger picture of how long it took you to 542 00:26:05,040 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 5: get to this play. 543 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:08,880 Speaker 3: I'll feel that on the plane ride home. 544 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:12,480 Speaker 6: But yeah, it's just it's been a long journey, and 545 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:15,840 Speaker 6: you know, six hundred and nine days. I think I 546 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 6: saw it was my last you know, competitive football game, 547 00:26:18,320 --> 00:26:21,080 Speaker 6: which was the National Championship. So it's been a while 548 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:24,200 Speaker 6: of you know, just being in the training room, watching 549 00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 6: a lot of film, learning the playbook and trying to 550 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 6: master that. But at the end of the day, you know, 551 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:30,879 Speaker 6: it's such a blessing to be an NFL football player 552 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 6: and you know, play in this league, and you know, 553 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:34,360 Speaker 6: I'm grateful that we get to go out there next 554 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:35,920 Speaker 6: week and play the Falcons on Sunday night. 555 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 3: He told you at halftime you are really back in 556 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:41,040 Speaker 3: this game. What does that mean you to hear that 557 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:42,320 Speaker 3: and everything? 558 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:46,160 Speaker 6: That guy is, you know, one of the best, if 559 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,159 Speaker 6: not the best head coach in my opinion, in the 560 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:52,360 Speaker 6: National Football League. So any kind of compliment or belief 561 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:53,280 Speaker 6: like that. 562 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 3: It means the world. 563 00:26:54,359 --> 00:26:56,600 Speaker 6: And you know that just gave me all the confidence 564 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:58,520 Speaker 6: to go out there and just execute the ball plays 565 00:26:58,840 --> 00:27:01,720 Speaker 6: and uh, you know, have fast arm and make quick 566 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:04,920 Speaker 6: decisive decisions and you know it worked out. 567 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:09,120 Speaker 3: Point behind some of those Jordan Mason runs and the sec. 568 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 6: It's just so fun when you watch a guy run 569 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:16,240 Speaker 6: and you're like, oh, that's not a tackle before it happens, 570 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:18,840 Speaker 6: and uh, you know, credit to the online You know 571 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:22,080 Speaker 6: they really strained, you know, the entire night and you know, 572 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:24,640 Speaker 6: just being able to be in game one, you really 573 00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:27,320 Speaker 6: don't know how the team's conditioned and you know how 574 00:27:27,359 --> 00:27:29,639 Speaker 6: they're going to strain when it comes to the fourth quarter. 575 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,359 Speaker 6: And they did that and you know JP obviously showed that, 576 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 6: Aaron showed that, and yeah, it was really cool to see. 577 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:38,439 Speaker 4: As far as the connecting thereon for the touchdown and 578 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:40,560 Speaker 4: you guys did that a bunch of times during training camp. 579 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,439 Speaker 4: How how was that experience through camp that helped you 580 00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:44,560 Speaker 4: when it came to that moment? 581 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:47,399 Speaker 6: Extremely big. You know, I still wish I would have 582 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:49,680 Speaker 6: give him a pretty ball where he had it in 583 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 6: stride and you know, ran through the end zone with it. 584 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:53,480 Speaker 6: But at the end of the day, it's a touchdown. 585 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:55,760 Speaker 6: And you know, he's such a special player. But I 586 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 6: can't speak highly enough about who he is as a person. 587 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 3: You know, he's one of. 588 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:04,800 Speaker 6: The pillar guys of our team, pillar personalities, and he's really, 589 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 6: you know, a special guy and I'm so grateful to 590 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:13,200 Speaker 6: play with him. I didn't ask, but my dad said 591 00:28:13,359 --> 00:28:15,879 Speaker 6: like two hundred to two hundred and fifty, and you know, 592 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:17,480 Speaker 6: I'll have to see that. 593 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:20,119 Speaker 3: I don't think that's very true. 594 00:28:21,040 --> 00:28:23,960 Speaker 6: Yeah, it's probably you know, extended you know, family, friends 595 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:26,120 Speaker 6: and all that. But there's a lot of people sporting 596 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:28,480 Speaker 6: and I just thank them so much because, you know, 597 00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:32,120 Speaker 6: Chicago Land Area Lagrange Park and made me who I am. 598 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:35,240 Speaker 6: And you know, I appreciate being able to be out 599 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:37,159 Speaker 6: there and have the opportunity to play in front of 600 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:39,080 Speaker 6: those great human beings. 601 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:41,400 Speaker 3: And you know, it was great. But the time of 602 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 3: the next one, though, you sneak a look in that 603 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 3: section of seeing before the game. 604 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:53,400 Speaker 6: Actually, I saw my dad's roommate from college, uncle Adam, 605 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:56,200 Speaker 6: and you know, it was when we were down, and 606 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 6: he kind of wasn't instill in that confidence, and to me, 607 00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:00,400 Speaker 6: you know, I was like, you know, I'm. 608 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:02,440 Speaker 3: Gonna say something after that after we come back and win. 609 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:07,800 Speaker 3: So yeah, but it's just like, you know, just acting 610 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:10,320 Speaker 3: like I'm not looking at him and all that. So yeah, 611 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:12,160 Speaker 3: it's all good. I love you, Adam. 612 00:29:12,680 --> 00:29:16,360 Speaker 1: One of McCarthy's touchdowns went to the other JJ Justin Jefferson, 613 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:18,880 Speaker 1: who by the way, had four receptions in the game, 614 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:23,360 Speaker 1: which moved him into fourth all time for Minnesota Vikings receptions, 615 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:27,240 Speaker 1: passing Steve Jordan. Just what a strange game this was. 616 00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:28,720 Speaker 2: It was, you know what I mean, When was the 617 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:31,600 Speaker 2: last time we had a running back and a wide 618 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:34,560 Speaker 2: receiver tied for most yardage in a game? 619 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:34,760 Speaker 1: Wow? 620 00:29:34,800 --> 00:29:37,600 Speaker 2: Because Aaron Jones had three receptions for forty four yards, 621 00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 2: JJ had four for forty four. Justin Jefferson had four 622 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:43,480 Speaker 2: for forty four yards. Both of them had a touchdown reception. 623 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:48,360 Speaker 2: I mean, it's it's not your normal game plan, and 624 00:29:49,480 --> 00:29:52,360 Speaker 2: you know, the opportunities were there with the way the 625 00:29:52,440 --> 00:29:55,120 Speaker 2: defenses that the Bears are throwing at us, it would 626 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 2: have been a fifty fifty pass attempt type game if 627 00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:02,800 Speaker 2: we had we had a more experienced quarterback at the helm, 628 00:30:03,080 --> 00:30:06,040 Speaker 2: But we don't. We're developing. We're developing a kid. We're 629 00:30:06,040 --> 00:30:09,920 Speaker 2: trying to get him to that level, and they just 630 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 2: decided that they had. That's probably the most impressive part 631 00:30:12,280 --> 00:30:14,360 Speaker 2: about the running game, he had asked me earlier, is 632 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 2: that the Bears were stacking the box. We didn't throw 633 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:19,960 Speaker 2: our way out of those looks. We just continued to 634 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:23,480 Speaker 2: run the football effectively. So the offensive line did a 635 00:30:23,480 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 2: great job. I know justin School struggled early. I think 636 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 2: he got better as the game went on, but man, 637 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 2: you got to credit that offensive line too. 638 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 1: Vikings beat the Bears twenty seven to twenty four. They 639 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,800 Speaker 1: come home let to play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday 640 00:30:35,880 --> 00:30:38,720 Speaker 1: night football home opener as a one to zero team 641 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:41,600 Speaker 1: for Pete bursu j. I'm Paul Allen. That's the Vikings 642 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:46,360 Speaker 1: postgame report. Hopefully you enjoyed the game. We know we did.