November 13, 2025 • 48 mins
Bears vox Jeff Joniak kicks off the show with adversary intel on the weekend's game with the Purple, then Wild coach John Hynes, before we tip our caps to Harrison Smith and his former teammate Ant Harris joins!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:26):
Chicago shall legging battering the Bears.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Okay, nine to noon, just listen, just listen, A happy
(00:59):
Thursday to you. Nine to noon is in the air
nine segments until we fade to black. Then hit Buffalo
Wild Wings Lakeville tomorrow for the Friday football base. Now,
as we've stated many times around here, Chicago Bears play
(01:21):
by play voice Jeff Joniek is one of our very
favorites for many reasons around the league.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
His radio calls are fantastic.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Giants need the Bears forty four to keep this thing alive.
At his fourth out of ten, four defensive backs unbrelled
back and the line of scrimmage loaded with black and
blue Bears ready to deliver some heat. Snap back, everybody's
coming to Rustle in the pocket, passes throught and his
tipped head complete. He got a tip. All the pressure
got to him. Bears takeover. Hit his fourth down and
(01:50):
out thirty eight seconds to go. The Bears are gonna
come away with a win here at Chicago. They have
it right now at twenty four.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Twenty fucks.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
This is Jeff's twenty fifth year calling Bears games on
the radio, and he joins us, Now, Hey, what's going
on there, double Jay.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Good to hear from you.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Well's going on, pa, Always good? Always good to be
looking forward to shaking your hand on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Likewise, now, in a story I read commemorating your quarter
century calling Bears games, there are many things that I
took out of it and really liked. I love how
you said you get excited to call every game, no
matter the situation, because that's just so true when you
(02:36):
realize people make the conscious choice to listen to the
games on the radio, and you're a big part of it,
and we serve the listeners with what we do, not
the other way around.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Right now, one hundred percent, it's the biggest adrenaline rush
I've ever experienced in my life, short of my daughter's
being born. And I think you can embrace that as well.
And I say it often, especially in football towns all
across this country, and I think it's true pretty much
for all thirty two cities or thirty one cities or
(03:09):
thirty cities I guess, LA and New York. But you
have to have genuine, organic passion on Sundays, and you
have to meet answer pats that passion of the fan base.
And when I meet with Bears fans, and I'm not
trying to be anything other than factual here. I do
it for them. I always talked about that one on
(03:31):
one on the radio where you're in your car or
your home and you got a bunch of other things
going on, screaming kids in the backseat, and you want
to turn that down just a bit more to listen
to Tom and I on the radio and any of
the other thirty one play by play guys. That's where
the love is and there's an attachment there. It's a
very intimate medium, and I don't take it lightly. I
(03:52):
am humbled by it and I embrace it.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
And you've called a super Bowl, but you know, we
also have called some really bad seasons, three win seasons
and stuff for the Vikings and or the Bears over
a long period of time. And you know when you
say that, you get excited for it, no matter the situation.
That completely resonates with me because the preparation into the
(04:16):
game is so stimulating, wondering what's going to transpire with
this real life, violent sporting activity happening in front of us.
And even even if your squad man's like three and eleven,
three and twelve or whatever. Yet like like Tyreek Stevenson
gets in for a pick six, well, you know you
(04:38):
want to share it's the second of his career, which
is born of game calling depth, chart work that you've
put into it. So nevertheless, if they're bad or if
they're good, the work still is required for those listening.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Oh yeah, people tell me all the time, especially because
we've had some really lean seasons, as you might say,
you know, God, what do you prepare the same or
do you you know it'd be like anybody, you do
your job. You got to do your job at a
high level. It's not because of the magnitude of the
moment because you're playing a big game for first place
(05:12):
in the NFC North or something like that, or bigger
yet a super Bowl. I got to do it the
same way I've always done it, and I'm very fortunate
to have this position, and I am not going to
alter my preparation anyway. From the first time I started
this process and till the last day they have me
on the radio. So it's just being you know what
(05:33):
that's called. It's called being a pro.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
I got to be a pro.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Yeah, I really I really enjoy you know preparing the
game calling depth chart for the other team, so it'd
be the be it'd be the Bears here. So like,
you know, I got done with three quarters of the
Bears offense last night, and you know I've written this
down before. Caleb Williams two USC first overall pick twenty
twenty four, thirteen tds, four interceptions. But then you get
(06:00):
to the things that just fascinate me with the story
of the Bears through nine games, all right, Caleb has
fourteen sacks. He had sixty eight last year. He's run
in three touchdowns the first three of his career. He
had zero last year. Well, by the way, a receiving
touchdown of two yards from DJ Moore at Cincinnati. And
(06:22):
he's on pace to become the first Bear in the
history of this storied organization to throw for more than
four thousand yards. And then you share that and convey
it with the audience. But it's just fascinating looking at
what is happening with Caleb Williams, with much more to come,
obviously through nine with the new coach.
Speaker 6 (06:41):
Right, oh yeah, you.
Speaker 5 (06:43):
Know, he's already got the fifth most passing yards in
Bears history to the first nine games of the season,
which I know everyone's hung up on that four K thing.
I don't care so much about the four K. I
know it's a crazy anomaly given that we are a
passing league and have been for many, many, many years.
But we've also had a revolving door of quarterbacks that
(07:03):
have never taken root, and plenty of offensive coordinators and
systems that have also gone in and out of the door.
So I like where he's at. And this has been
the Ben Johnson project of projects, like told us every
step of the way how it was going to be,
and it's all been the way he's described it, and
every week it's getting better. Last week was crazy. I
(07:26):
mean the feet and the weave and the bob and
the back and the forward and the sideways and the
spin getting away from pressures. And it has no impact
on what the offensive line has not been doing, because
the offensive line has been very good in my opinion.
It's just the process of seeing the field and getting
(07:46):
better at that in every down and distance possible on
what you're reading, and so that's developing. But his feet
have always been dangerous. He's just doing it a lot
more right now, and I'm glad he's taking off and
running a time or two because that you know, if
you get four or five six first downs with your
feet as a quarterback, it puts the defense in a
(08:08):
different process and not Minnesota because they're coming at you
no matter what. Although it is interesting to me that
they didn't do that in week one. So I don't
know what I'm bracing for from bflow, but he is
great at what he does.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
This is Jeff Joniac, quarter Century play by play radio
voice for the Chicago Bears, Fuck Vikings and Bears noon
KFA in this weekend. I'm gonna call it the Ben
Johnson Impact, and I'd like you to add to it
from maybe the nuance of what I'm missing. We mentioned
Ben Johnson impact. Caleb sacks are way down from last year,
(08:42):
A doonsay has taken off, Dj Moore throws touchdowns, and
the running games at one eighty five per the last five.
I'm sure there's more, man, but that's a pretty good start.
Speaker 5 (08:52):
No it is, And you know, by and large, Ben
Johnson just loves running the football. I know when he
got here, everybody's thinking it's going to be one trick,
playoffter the next and airing it out. But you look
at the match that he had in Detroit and where
he's come from. He loves running the football and he
loves running the football in the red zone, and so
that has been really the basis of how this is
(09:15):
now starting to pop. And it's that play action passing game,
which he is also very big on. It's the two
tight end sets and the blocking. The blocking, I know
you've watched tape of this. The blocking by everybody, I
mean the tight ends, the backs, the wide receivers has
been fantastic. The offensive line is cohesive for the first
(09:35):
time in a long time. I mean, this will be
the sixth consecutive game this unit has played together, and
that eclipsed all of the last three years combined in
any five guys that have been able to play without
leaving the game or starting. So he's put on the
tape and watch Darnell right, he's punishing people. The three
(09:56):
interior guys have now really created a nice pocket Caleb
to do his work. So there's a lot there. And
Ben's really creative, obviously, And I'm not calling him trick
plays anymore because I think that's an insult. And tell
me if you agree with that. I'm just I'm calling
him designer play, like you're shopping at a designer store
(10:19):
for your best material. And he's these are designer plays
at moments in time that set up something else or
create something that you're going to see in the fourth quarter.
If it's done in the first quarter, and it involves everybody,
keeps everybody involved. He had Tyson Baging catch a pass
and then throw a pass the Caleb. A couple of
weeks ago, he had col Comet whipping a spiral with
(10:40):
his left handed throw that was unfortunately dropped by Romadunze,
but in practice he'd been talking about him throwing it
for sixty yards and it caught his eye. Started getting
to work on something. You know, it's I don't know,
it's fun. It's fun for the players to keep them engage,
in my opinion, but they're not just trick plays. I
call him designer plays.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I like that their gad but the word gadget, you know,
is not frequently used. I like the I like the
designer aspect of it. But the last thing you said,
you know from from watching Vikings practices for so many years.
And Jefferson threw a pass to McCarthy last game and
if there's one, if the right block of three is made,
(11:20):
he might get to.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
The end zone.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, that keeps them, I don't want to say keeps
them engaged, but like when they're working on that stuff
in practice, they're always hooting.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
And hollering and right.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
All the receivers think they can throw, you know, so
when they get the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Yeah, it keeps things loose. That's a very good point.
Speaker 7 (11:40):
You know what.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
The other thing is that the running game. And you know,
over the years you've had the pleasure of calling some
great running backs, not the least of whom Adrian Peterson
was a punisher. But there was a run last week
on fourth and one. DeAndre Swift lowered his right shoulder
knock back stuff, the two guys trying to bring him
(12:02):
down and race for the first down. Wasn't a huge game,
it was, you know, double digits, but the reaction from
the bench it slow down the tape and watch. And
it wasn't just offensive players. It was Tremaine Edmunds. It
was Tyson bagent ripping his protective jacket off from the
cold and just going crazy for that play. Those types
(12:23):
of plays have been happening routinely now for the Bears,
and I think it's the mindset that they want to
play with the physical, violent football team in all three phases,
and it's starting.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
To look like that veteran DBCJ. Gardner Johnson Two games,
three sacks, What exactly is happening there?
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Are you kidding me?
Speaker 5 (12:42):
Have you ever met this man?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
No?
Speaker 6 (12:46):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (12:47):
You know I couldn't stand him as an opponent. There
was a game years ago Javon Whims came up.
Speaker 7 (12:56):
He was getting ear hustled.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
All game by CJ. Gardner Johnson and then he comes
off the bench and sucker punches him. And it's the
first time. And I know you're very you say it
like it is, like there's no question about it. I'm
more managed in that regard, but that the first time
I ever ripped a player on my team, and that
(13:18):
was Javon for coming off the bench and being selfish
in that moment the sucker punch. But that's he gets
under people's skin and he's always been that player. And
even last week or a public skill against the Bengals,
the Boschabats of the Bengals number eighty. Every time he
(13:39):
caught the pass, ran a route this guy was in
his ear, but it was not over the top, but
you could tell because he kept turning to look at him.
So now you got him. You got him on the
hook and that's when CJ brings you in and gets
you all thinking about things other than your assignment or whatever.
But he's a hell of a blitzer. He is a
(14:00):
ball he's on the ball, man. He had what twelve
interception sandwich between two trips with the with the Eagles. Yeah,
so this is this is not just allowed and uh,
hockey player back there in the secondary. This is a
football player and he is aggressive, he's physical, he is
an outstanding blitzer, and he's always around the football in
(14:22):
some form or fashion. So I'm enjoying him at the moment.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Last one minute and change you get at all. Jeff Joniac,
play by play voice for the Chicago Bears. Is there
in the three losses all right? When listen to the division,
then you lost to Baltimore with Huntley? Is there a
common thread in the losses to the Vikings, Lions, and Ravens,
Like when Chicago gets a bit sideways, what is happening?
Speaker 5 (14:46):
Well, you know I'm gonna the first two You know
this is they're a different team from the first two
and starting in the division, this division is so great.
That's that's a that's a tall order. And now I'm
going to be brace for this final eight games of
the season, but learning how to win. Antoine rendell El
(15:06):
has had a big impact on this team in the
motivational aspect of things. He's an assistant head coach, came
from Detroit with him. He's a Chicago guy, grew up
a big Bears fan, and it's gone from hope to
knowing and they are believing and that is a big
part of their messaging. And no team that I've been
(15:28):
around is needed it more. These twenty five years have
been so much change, so many issues, so many problems
that the guys who have been here a while needed
somebody to believe in them and therefore then to believe
that what they're doing is going to become a net
result of positivity. And I really believe that's the bigger
(15:52):
picture more than any x's and o's, is that, oh
my gosh, when things go south, don't tell me it's
happening again. We got some guys and some Dodgs on
the team on both sides of the ball that say hey,
follow me, and that has not been the case in
a while.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Pete and I will come up to the booth on
Sunday say hi to you and Tom we do and
God bless you and your family man, and I'll see
you this weekend.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Same.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
Thanks for having me on. We're looking forward to seeing you.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
See you.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
About Jeff Joniac played by play voice for the Chicago Bears.
Quarter century into it, governing claps for Jeff Joniack. He's
he's quite elite at what he does. And one of
my better friends is played by play voices go in
the National Football League Friendship Aside. It's still this Chicago. Yeah,
(16:41):
it's time to get bate up. Nine to sixteen, John Hines,
coach of the Minnesota Wild joins around the corner, we
have a head coaching covenant today.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Nine to noon.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Heinz about five minutes from now, and at ten thirty five, Chris.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Finch, coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Joins us between between them, Joe Lieber at ten order produces,
I'm Paul Allen, got that cash thing for you right now.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Good morning.
Speaker 8 (17:05):
The fan and two men in a junk truck want
to give you a chance to put some bonus bocks
in your pocket. National Cash Contest style. The keyword is cash.
Use the keyword cash by entering into the kfan dot
com might win some cash with the keyword cash at
kfan dot com.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
Now play hockey.
Speaker 10 (17:43):
Closed on by Zuperello. So he played at the Dickenson
Cerello ended.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Up in a heat.
Speaker 10 (17:48):
Sharks fired along Celebrini with graft going from the net
back with Celebrini prew on that way and they score.
Colin Grafts stickhandle past Gustison Tucktoba backhander and the Sharks
bur the second time in the season series, winning overtime
at Grand Casino Arena. They've won four in a row
for the first time since the twenty one twenty two season.
(18:09):
They rally in the third and they beat the Wild
and sudden death overtime two on the finals.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Some hot sporting activity.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Some hot sporting action includes the Minnesota Wild. This weekend,
we have a little respite right now with the pro
sports teams. Vikings don't play until Sunday at noon Division
collision against the Chicago Bears at noon, pre game with
MUSS at ten am. The games at us Bank Stadium.
The Minnesota Wild don't play until Saturday when they hook
(18:42):
the Anaheimers, and then after the Anaheimer's at Grand Casino Arena,
they get the Rough and Tumble Vegas Golden Nights at
home the next day on a back to back the
Minnesota Timberwolves. They haven't played in a couple of days,
and they get the Sacramento Kings Friday night at Target Center,
(19:06):
then Joker Guy with Jamal Murray and David Adelman's Denver
Nuggets at Target Center the next day. So back to
back for Finchy second time this season against the Denver Nuggets.
The first to back to back involved travel, this one
does not, but nevertheless, very very tough team to hook
(19:27):
on a back to back. Finchy Chris Finch, coach of
the Wolves, joins about ten thirty five, but the first
head coach to join on the head coaching carousel one
of our favorites, John Hines, coach of the Minnesota Wild.
Good morning, coach, How are.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
You how you doing? My man?
Speaker 2 (19:43):
I'm doing well all right, my brother. Good start to November,
don't you think? Six games, two points in four of them,
and one against a spry improved San Jose team and
pretty good starts to November.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
What do you think?
Speaker 7 (19:59):
Yeah, I agree, I think it's uh four one on
one in the month and and I think, you know,
playing starting to get more consistency to our game, and
uh so it's been good. I like, I like the
direction that we're heading, and we got, uh got to
keep pushing forward here.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
What what has been good with the team overall since
the return of Zucarello.
Speaker 7 (20:19):
Well, I think it's allowed us to, uh to put
some combinations together that that I think really fit. Uh.
You know, when we started the year with Zuki out
and then Storm out, you know, we were trying some
different things, you know, whether it be some young guys
or different combinations, and none of it seems to hit
as well as you'd like it to. But I think
when Zuki's come back, you know, it's allowed us to
(20:41):
put Johanson with Eck and Boldi, which has been a
strong line.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
You know, you have good.
Speaker 7 (20:45):
Chemistry with with Rossi, Zukarello and Caprice off, you know,
and then it slocks down Tarasenko, you know, with the
Hartman and Henestroza, which which has some dynamics on that line.
And then I think you're off, you're off trending and
and Felino to have those guys together has been good.
So I think it's slots, our combinations, and our four
(21:06):
lines with more identity on each line.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
You're the only regulation lost this month so far was
that Carolina, And I thought you guys played them tough
down to the wire. I mean they throw haymakers and
you come back with uppercuts. I know you lose four
or three, but do you sense things are crescendoing quite
well for the gang or is there still is still
you know, we're about twenty percent into this thing. Is
(21:32):
there still a lot of improvement to be had?
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (21:37):
I think over the course of the season, you always want,
you always have to continue to improve and evolve individual
games and your team game.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
But I do think.
Speaker 7 (21:44):
That there's more components to our game that are more
consistent and give us the best chance to win, whether
it's the style of game, how we play, the commitment level,
you know, like I said, even just a little bit
more depth and strong combinations, particularly upfront.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
I think all those.
Speaker 7 (22:05):
Things are are continuing to get better, and we've got
to continue to build.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Hey, coach, with with your goals, with your goalies with
what what's different with the way Walstat and Gustavson play
And I know you like them both, but in what
ways are they different?
Speaker 7 (22:23):
Well, you know, I think Gus is uh, he's a
cerebral I think he's a real cerebral goal He reads,
reads the play well. I think he's good, you know
on like some East West plays. I think he can
anticipate and read and make make good says in that.
I think he's he's gotten better in our time with him.
I just think his competitiveness fighting through screens and tips
(22:45):
and those rebound gold mouth scrums have have been improved.
And you know Wally is Wally's a little bit of
a bigger guy where he's he's you know, takes up
more than that and I think he's he kind of
squares up and you know, with him in the net,
there's not a lot of not a lot of net
to shoot at. What I liked about what I've liked
about him as well, is I think that he's done
(23:06):
a better job. I think even learning at this level,
just the the intent that the higher level of shooting
than there is in the American League. So I think
he's on position similar to gus his positioning is has
gotten better. Uh, and then I think he's done a
really good job of fighting through traffic with the bigger
bodies and how guys want to swing putts to the
(23:26):
net and looking for those tips rebound things. I think
he's been pretty square and he uses his size to
his advantage.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
With with half a week between San Jose and Anaheim
and no travel, what what are you guys able to
work on while catching your collective breath?
Speaker 7 (23:43):
Yeah, you know, it's it's just a multitude of things.
You know, part of it is physical and mental recovery
and freshness. You know, it allows you to, uh have
some practice time, have a good one tomorrow. It gives
you also time to meet with more players, Like you
can meet one on one, you can meet with some
line meetings, you can touch up some things. So it's
(24:05):
a you know, it's a multitude of things. It's not
just practice time. Practice is a big part of it.
But also I think guys getting some little bit of
recovery time mentally and physically. And then it also allows us,
you know a little bit more time to to you're
not so much preparing for the next game all the time,
and guys have a little bit more time around where
you can do some meetings, which I think help as well,
(24:27):
whether that's line meetings or individual meetings.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
John Hines, coach of the Minnesota Wild, Well talk, what
are some facets that play into how you as the
head coach?
Speaker 3 (24:36):
John? What describe your team's identity?
Speaker 7 (24:42):
Well, I think when we when we play, when we
play a fast game and a direct game. You know,
when we when we make strong plays coming out of
our own end, when we play fast through the neutral
zone and we can get into an attack mindset if
we have opportunities to attack off the rush because we've
transitioned the puck quick and they're in an unorganized defense
and we can attack in those areas. But also when
(25:04):
the other team's done their job and they're in good
position that you know, we get a strong four check
and we're into the offensive zone and we can lean
on teams. I think when we when we play that
style of game, you know that gives us the best.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Chance to win.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
The power play is top four almost a quarter of
the way into the season. Uh, you got one the
other night against San Jose. I mean that patients played
by Zuki before he hit bold he was beautiful. What
what can what what's consistently good with this the power
play keeping it upper echelon.
Speaker 7 (25:38):
I would say it's been two units, you know, this year.
You know, we've had contributions from both units. You know,
if uh, you know, if if Boldian Boldie and Katrisov's
unit doesn't score, uh, you know, we've had the other
units score. So I think when you have when you
have contributions from both units, I think it brings a
(25:59):
little bit of internal competition. But I think also you
need you need two units to score, and that's what's
helped was when one hasn't, we've been able to get
another one that has.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
And conversely, the penalty kill fifth from the bottom. And
we've talked about it before, But are you still looking
for them to be more attack conscious in that department?
Speaker 7 (26:21):
Yeah, you know, I think sometimes when you when you
get into it was a little bit leaky early in
the year, but I would say the last four or
five games, you know, I think we the Santose game,
we gave up a goal. I think it was the
first one in four games, right, and it was a
good play by It was a good play by them,
you know, I would say that, yes, it's fifth from
(26:42):
the bottom. But I also think you have to look
at it in segments, in five and ten games segments, right,
because you could have a bad stretch and it might
sink you for a while statistically. But I think you
need to you need to look at where is it
at in the last five games, ten games, and where's
it moving forward. I think it's been very good as
of late.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Quite there him for two more, John, What are some
parts of Carill caprice offs game that are very good
but maybe go unnoticed to the casual fan or maybe
the untrained eye.
Speaker 7 (27:13):
Well, I think Carill cares about I think he's a
tremendous competitor. I think you know a lot lots of
times you see the offensive flare from him, which I
think catches everybody's eye. But I would just say the
consistency of competitiveness that he has and I think is
you know the other thing too, is his willingness to
play the right way without the puck. You know, he's
(27:34):
a guy he doesn't hope and wait for offense. I
think if the puck's turned over in the offensive zone,
you know he's gonna he's going to track back and
and help the defense with the rest coverage. When he
gets into the defensive doone coverage, you know he's he
cares about keeping the puck out of his net. And
I think sometimes when you look at these high end
skill players, you know he is the offensive flair that
(27:55):
you see, but it's also the kind of the mundane
things that the thankless jobs in the game that you
don't recognize, shift in and shift out, that he's willing
to do.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Love that.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
Lastly, here coach Hans Anaheim in Vegas. Are here Saturday
and Sunday. The Islanders win second half of that back
to back with travel.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
That was impressive, quite dominating too.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Are there things you have to do as a coach
the first part of a back to back to make
sure they have enough in the tank for the second part.
Speaker 7 (28:30):
Yes, I think when when you know it kind of
goes back to your first question with Zuki is I
think right now, when you have when you feel like
you have four lines and six defensemen that are all
contributing and playing at a at a strong level, you know,
it allows you to divvy up the ice time a
little bit where you don't have to overextend guys in
certain situations in the first game, you know, which I
(28:54):
think allows you to have some energy in the second game,
which we had in New York. And then I all
so think, you know, on the second half of the
back to back, playing playing smart. You know, you hear
it all the time in sports is don't you know,
don't beat yourself. And whether that's you know, taking care
of the parker, penalty discipline, or line changing and shift lengths,
just those little small things that you could say the
(29:15):
same thing for saying football, right, yeah, penalty game, Uh,
take care of the football, whatever it might be. I
think it really comes into into play every game, but
particularly in the in the second half of it back
to back, when you know you may be playing a
little bit tired. Now you got to you got to play.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Really smart, brilliant, tear it up. Beat them both this
weekend and we'll call you next week. All right, all right, pa,
take care of Yeah, see you about. John Hines, coach
of the Minnesota Wild Weekly nine to noon. Harrison Smith,
beloved hit ma'am, is playing his two hundredth regular season
game this weekend. We're going to celebrate the career that
(29:54):
has Ben Harrison Smith around the corner via Sound and Fought,
and then we're going to bring and former Viking safety
Anthony Harris, a teammate, former teammate with Harry the hit Man,
and chat about that and more with Anthony Harris. That's
around the corner. It's nine to noon on KFA. Viike's
(30:14):
Bites provided by.
Speaker 8 (30:16):
Thousand Hills Lifetime graysed grass fed beeff. You can shop online,
a box of meat shows up at your doorstep. It's
regenerative agriculture, it's nutrient dense beef.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
It's delicious of smoked. I've grilled it.
Speaker 8 (30:28):
It's awesome and you can get it to Coburn's and
Kowalski's spots and other proud sponsors of Gophers athletics as well.
So thank you thousand Hills and Vike's bite style. I mean,
the team's being its team limited. We're worried about the
bandage on the QB's hand. Ryan Kelly's practice window opens
up all kinds of things going on this week, and
plenty of time to cover it all, but really, I
(30:49):
think we have to spend at least a few minutes
before our next guest joins to just appreciate a rookie
campaign in a career that started in twenty twelve.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Ten seven Vikings, Adrian Peterson with a rushing touchdown and
Percy Harvin with a receiving touchdown. Two receivers right, Andre
Roberts left opposite Chris Cook. On third down from the
twenty four, John Skelton's out of the shotgun La rock
Steven's howling to his left, takes the snap. Skelton three
step drop steps away from the pressure, runs up the middle, fires.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Header scepkin head.
Speaker 11 (31:23):
It's picked off by Harrison Smith. The rookie comes to
the right side. It's twenty to up, fifteen late for
the ends of touchdown. Harrison Smith's first National Football League
interception results in a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
It's twenty seventh Minnesota.
Speaker 8 (31:44):
I mean that was week seven, and just seven weeks
later he's doing it again.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
Pa Marshall slot right opposite ends one with spens. Now
Fikes lead fourteen to seven. Now Marshall motions to the
lefty slot left Cutler, shotgun, Vikings rush four jay back
pass buyers over.
Speaker 11 (32:01):
The middle, accepted by Harrison Smith. Here comes the rookie
to the party, sprints down the sidelines thirty twenty he
to the ten angles flip touchdown. Harrison Smith's second defensive
touchdown this year gives the Vikings to twenty to seven lead.
Speaker 3 (32:20):
I mean, that was just his rookie year, PA.
Speaker 8 (32:22):
We thought he'd have one hundred of those things that
felt like but the twenty ninth overall selection making a
name for himself in twenty twelve. He'd also have defensive
touchdowns both Week one against the Rams in twenty fourteen
Nerve and that offense twenty fourteen, the year that that was.
He also had another one, his fourth of his career
in twenty fifteen, in a late primetime affair at the
(32:42):
College Stadium, a beatdown of the New York Giants and
Eli Manning.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Four defensive tds.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Sadly, it's been a decade since the last one, but
there's still time. Twenty and a half sacks in his
career PA. Just a couple of years ago, he hit
the trifecta, a come.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
Fourth and goal from the eighteen empty backfield, three receivers left,
two rights.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
Twenty one thirteen Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Bryce Young between the hash marks takes the Bozeman snap,
poor Man Rush pays hit Heavy's sacked. He has hit
and sacked and taken down by the player of the game,
Harrison Smith with his third sack this game.
Speaker 8 (33:22):
That was his first game with three sacks, first game
with two as well. Prior to that, he has a
sack a full sack in seventeen games in his career.
Speaker 3 (33:31):
The team's fourteen and three.
Speaker 8 (33:32):
When the hitman has a sack, by the way, and
we'll spend more time on this, whether it's with Ant
Harris around the corner. Of course, eventually, as time maybe
will force us into a grander hit man conversation. With
thirty seven career picks, four seasons with at least five
eighty four tackles or more in ten of his fourteen seasons,
thirteen force fumbles, ten fumble recoveries, ninety nine passes defense,
(33:56):
let's get to the century mark this weekend. A freaking
bleepload of hit hence the nickname. Other than missing half
of twenty thirteen his second year in the season, he's
never missed more than three games in any other season,
and as he passes ron Yerry now this weekend in
games played, only Jim Marshall at two seventy, Mick Tinglehoff
at two forty, Fred Cox at two ten, Carl Eller
(34:18):
at two oh nine, and Scott Studwell at two to one.
Those are the only guys that have played more games
in Purple than Harrison Smith. If he makes all the
dances this year, he'll finish the season at two oh seven.
Hitman has left. Why don't we say indelible marks on
this Purple and Gold franchise.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
He is Minnesota Vikings immortality. He smhof two him no
doubt about it. Two hundredth regular season game taking place
the Sunday at noon at us Bank Stadium against the
Chicago Bears. And we aim to chat with some of
Hipman's former teammates over the next couple of days. One
(34:55):
around the Corner now tomorrow at Buffalo Wild Wings Lakeville
Chad green Way, a long time teammate with Harry at
the hit Man He'll.
Speaker 3 (35:04):
Be joining nine to noon in.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
His regular spots second segment chat about Harrison Smith, and
we also are looking to hook up with Andrew Sendejo tomorrow,
one of Harrison's best friends, to talk about his career.
But let's begin all that with Anthony Harris, Undrafted from Virginia,
Anthony played six seasons with the Vikings and overall one
(35:26):
hundred and four games in the NFL in twenty nineteen,
Anthony Harris tied for the league lead in interceptions with
six and forty one joins us. Now, great seeing you
in the booth Sunday. How are things, Anthony, I'm.
Speaker 6 (35:41):
Doing well, man. Good to see you two as well.
Always good to you know, see people out in Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
You've been around the team a fair amount this year,
and you know, maybe I've missed it over the last
few years just didn't see you, but especially a training camp.
What what what would your safety role be Anthony in
this Brian Flores defense?
Speaker 4 (36:04):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (36:05):
Man, you know I looked at it. I try to
look now and see like kind of, you know, over
the years where I've played and kind of how I've
assisted and where things possibly could have could have been
this season or in the two years that just passed.
But I've seen myself as a guy just kind of
out there at directing traffic, making sure we're in the
right coverages, overlapping, you know, side to side in the field,
(36:29):
and also you know, dropping down onto slots and in
the middle of the defense a little bit. But managers
like previous years playing off for Harry in terms of
different disguises, having me down sometimes and him rotating back.
So a lot of just versatility between the two and
assistant with the communication.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
I you know, I should I should have had this
down in front of me. So I'm just you know,
I apologize if I make a mistake here. Twenty twenty two,
when you finished your career with the Denver Broncos, what
was was Vic Fangio part?
Speaker 3 (37:00):
Did that mix?
Speaker 6 (37:02):
Actually? Uh not with the Broncos and that and that
season I returned to you know, silly, but at that
point he was no longer with the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
Okay, because when when you hear about, you know, Flora's
defensive style, you frequently hear like Steve Spagnolo and Big
Bangio and everything, and you know, Harrison Smith could could
pretty much morph into any form of defense and be good.
He's playing in his two hundredth regular season game Sunday
against the Bears. Uh what When Anthony came into the
(37:35):
league out of Virginia in twenty fifteen, Harrison was entering
his fourth year. What was he like as a teammate
for you, Anthony?
Speaker 6 (37:46):
Initially he was Initially he was kind of quiet, didn't
say a lot. He was a guy that was just
you know, working on the field, you know, communicating defensively,
you know, he was he was fairly social in the
locker room with the guys. I remember being, you know,
as a rookie coming in, you know, having to do
the little rookie rookie duties and and go through that process.
(38:07):
And he was a guy who was supportive. You know,
we'd have to do little runs and grab food and stuff,
and you know, you being a rookie coming in you're
new to the city. Uh, he was extremely you know,
helpful and considerate if you know, if I had transportation
to go pick up the food before we got on
the plane, and different things of that sort. So he
was a guy that definitely took part in the traditions
(38:29):
of you know, guys kind of carving out their role
and doing the different things that guys went through over
the season. But slowly, you know, he started to open
up more and give me little insights after I made
a player, after I was in getting reps on defense
about things that I could do better. And so over
the years our relationship just evolved and talking about the
(38:50):
game and spending time together watching football.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Well of your eight years in one hundred and four games,
you know you played, you played six seasons on defense
with him, and you know, I'm glad you went down
the road, you know that you did after you know,
the longer you got in the league. I mean you
you started I think five games maybe eight games your
first three seasons. Then in twenty eighteen you start nine,
(39:13):
then fourteen and sixteen in your final two years for
the Viking. So it, you know, is undrafted. Guy, You're
not the first to have it, you know, kind of
go along slowly, but once once it started to click.
What what what can you say? Like early in your
career when you and Harrison started to become comfortable with
each other, when when it comes to preparing for games,
(39:35):
like where where could he help you? Or others preparing
for games?
Speaker 6 (39:41):
Man, as we as we started to you know, kind
of build a relationship and get more time playing together,
we'd often find ourselves, you know, in a textpad, sending
different clips that we'd see on the iPad, discussing, you know,
how that play might play out or how we might
actually see it and just being on the same page.
And so from the safety position, you know, you kind
(40:02):
of have to see both sides of the field, be
aware of a receiver on the other side that could
possibly come into your own in terms of coverage. So
me and him discussed that a lot. You know, hey,
on this play, what do you see? How would you
react in this play? And so that would kind of
give you an idea on you know, how you can
play or manipulate the quarterback in terms of disguises, whether
(40:25):
pre snap or either on the mood. And so we
did that a bunch. I remember facing Green Baby would
we would talk about some of the robbs that they had,
and the one thing that me and him came up
with was, you know, in this situation, it's really two
versus one. You know, Aaron Rodgers, he can only see
one of us at a time, and so you know
(40:46):
if he if he sees you, he doesn't see me,
and vice versus. So regardless of you know, kind of
what happens on this play, you know he can't be
right because you know the other guy when he's not watching,
will make up the space and overlap.
Speaker 3 (41:01):
Listening to you described that the way you did.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
You've only been out of the game three years, I
mean your last year was twenty twenty two. I just
I you missed the game, don't you. I mean, I
can tell that you miss conversations like that, don't you.
Speaker 12 (41:15):
Yeah, That's something I kind of do down a little
bit in my spare time, whether I'm just you know,
talking to current players, talking to coaches often, you know,
attending a lot of games or either watching them on TV,
but really just the schematic part.
Speaker 6 (41:28):
Of the game, you know, from front to back, secondary
down to the defensive line, and then vice versa on
the offensive side of the ball, and special teams as well.
So that was one thing that you know, Harry really
appreciates and me and him was really able to bond over.
Was really just talking about the game from overall perspective,
not just pertaining personally into you know, our position, but
(41:49):
really just falling in love with the art of it
in itself.
Speaker 2 (41:53):
Anthony, how much think about this all right? Anthony came
in in twenty fifteen, left in twenty twenty two. How
much did playing defensive back change from your rookie year
of twenty fifteen to when you left in twenty twenty two?
And I guess I'd be talking about rules, but just overall.
Speaker 6 (42:13):
Well, I think, you know, it's it's kind of evolved
over the year, like it's done. You know, prior to
me even coming into the league, you know, you saw
bigger players, you know, safeties not having to be quite
as rangy possibly, but now you know, you look and
you see a number of guys you know, kind of
playing in a deep half. There's a lot of versativity,
(42:35):
and particularly with Flora's schemes, you know, the safeties are
acts to do a lot. You know, you're down in
the line of scrimmage. You know, your back deep center field,
you're playing deep halfs, you're rotating on safeties and so
on slot receivers, and so there's a lot of versativity.
You know, I'm extremely you know, amazed at where Harry's
continued to be able to do prior to me coming
(42:56):
into the league and then without time together even toil now,
just how he showed up taking care of his body,
put in the work to you know, embrace all the
different schemes he's had to play over his career and
then just going out having fun and making plays still
and staying healthy. Is this contribute to who he is
as a player, who he is as a person.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
And regarding Harrison Smith Harry the hit man. You know
the reason I set that question up that way, Anthony
is there seemed to be a time hit man had
to pull back on the hitting portion of the equation
due to fines with hits that for years were permissible.
So did did he and other dbs have to change
playing style due to rules changes?
Speaker 6 (43:41):
I mean, I think there's always there's always going to
be an adjustment, you know, when there's real changes. You
know things now, particular hits that you probably you know,
be more aggressive, more assertive in situations you kind of
have to be more conscious, you know. Thinking about Harry specifically,
you know, he's he's been able to get after the
(44:01):
quarterback a ton over his career in terms of you know,
getting stacks and forcing fumbles in those things, and and
and now you know there's a bit of approach to
you know, him actually stepping into the pass rush around
much like a defensive end is, you know, if he's
going after the quarterback, making sure that you know, he
isn't falling and putting too much weight on the quarterback
so he won't get a penalty in that sense, or
(44:25):
even just attacking the ball over the years, you know,
seeing guys go up for passes and you know kind
of get hit in the air and defenders attacking them
more aggressively. It's kind of deteriorated a bit, you know,
just due to you know, the potential to get a
flag in certain situations. So you never want to penalize
(44:45):
your team. But I have to imagine for a guy
who's played as long as he has, you know, it's
a bit of an adjustment, but you know he's been
able to do it pretty well. And the game has
evolved in that sense of h physicality of following on
the quarterbacks, and then some of the rules in terms
of you know, maybe targeting or leading with the helmet
(45:06):
are called more often.
Speaker 2 (45:08):
Time for two more the Vikings get the Bears this weekend.
Here what Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. What do you think
of Caleb Williams.
Speaker 6 (45:19):
Well, I know he has a lot of mobility. I've
watched him a couple of games now. He can extend plays,
has an arm where you can throw on a number
of different angles. I think Ben Johnson is trying to
been trying to do a good job of settling them
in and getting him in more to the scheme and
a little bit less, kind of like off time and
(45:39):
then off script plays. But that's part of his game
that makes him explosive. And so I see him trying
to just settle in and rely more on his actual
team and the play design than his own ability. But
he has great arm talent and he can move.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
Last one.
Speaker 2 (45:56):
Anthony had some memorable games against the New Orleans Saints,
and in those games sometimes it included stuff like this
Comara in the backfield, breeze on third downs, great drop,
it's a deep shot. He's looking for tech Ken interceptioning,
Yes it is.
Speaker 11 (46:11):
Anthony Harris gets up and runs at the twenty five
to the far side. Forty Harris to the fifty.
Speaker 6 (46:17):
Well done.
Speaker 2 (46:19):
That's the seventh interception this season for Anthony Harris and
there are no flags on the play. Two to three
to go in the first half and Harris just turned
over breeze six in the regular season. Won in that
playoff game. How memorable were games against the Saints for you?
Because we have the Minneapolis miracle after the twenty seven team.
(46:40):
Then as we just heard there, you picked off Drew
Brees in that playoff game down there after the twenty
nineteen season. Those games were memorable against the Saints, right, yeah, man.
Speaker 6 (46:51):
Those were very physical games, you know, going against another
good coach, Sean Payton in his offensive mind, and that
was a roster field with a lot of talent. So
those games we knew they were going to be physical.
You know, there was going to be a lot of
mental games played as well, with having Drew Brees at quarterback,
and so those games were extremely fun, extremely competitive, and
(47:13):
a lot of guys made a lot of plays and
we had a lot of fun doing it.
Speaker 2 (47:16):
It's been great seeing you as many times as I
have since training camp. Saw Misterrell Raymond this weekend, Xavier
Roads a few home games ago. So it's great that
you guys stay involved via the alumni and next time
you're in town, man, stop by the studio.
Speaker 3 (47:32):
Let's mix it up for a couple of segments.
Speaker 1 (47:33):
All right, all right, let's do it.
Speaker 6 (47:36):
See you about see you.
Speaker 2 (47:38):
Anthony Harris, former safety for the Minnesota Vikings but also
a teammate for several years with Harrison Smith was playing
his two hundredth regular season game this weekend. Somebody who's
quite close with Harry the hit Man is our next
guest Ben Lieber, sideline analyst for the Vikings Audio Network.
It's not your time around the corner on KFA
Chicago shall legging battering the Bears.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Okay, nine to noon, just listen, just listen, A happy
(00:59):
Thursday to you. Nine to noon is in the air
nine segments until we fade to black. Then hit Buffalo
Wild Wings Lakeville tomorrow for the Friday football base. Now,
as we've stated many times around here, Chicago Bears play
(01:21):
by play voice Jeff Joniek is one of our very
favorites for many reasons around the league.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
His radio calls are fantastic.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Giants need the Bears forty four to keep this thing alive.
At his fourth out of ten, four defensive backs unbrelled
back and the line of scrimmage loaded with black and
blue Bears ready to deliver some heat. Snap back, everybody's
coming to Rustle in the pocket, passes throught and his
tipped head complete. He got a tip. All the pressure
got to him. Bears takeover. Hit his fourth down and
(01:50):
out thirty eight seconds to go. The Bears are gonna
come away with a win here at Chicago. They have
it right now at twenty four.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Twenty fucks.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
This is Jeff's twenty fifth year calling Bears games on
the radio, and he joins us, Now, Hey, what's going
on there, double Jay.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Good to hear from you.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Well's going on, pa, Always good? Always good to be
looking forward to shaking your hand on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Likewise, now, in a story I read commemorating your quarter
century calling Bears games, there are many things that I
took out of it and really liked. I love how
you said you get excited to call every game, no
matter the situation, because that's just so true when you
(02:36):
realize people make the conscious choice to listen to the
games on the radio, and you're a big part of it,
and we serve the listeners with what we do, not
the other way around.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Right now, one hundred percent, it's the biggest adrenaline rush
I've ever experienced in my life, short of my daughter's
being born. And I think you can embrace that as well.
And I say it often, especially in football towns all
across this country, and I think it's true pretty much
for all thirty two cities or thirty one cities or
(03:09):
thirty cities I guess, LA and New York. But you
have to have genuine, organic passion on Sundays, and you
have to meet answer pats that passion of the fan base.
And when I meet with Bears fans, and I'm not
trying to be anything other than factual here. I do
it for them. I always talked about that one on
(03:31):
one on the radio where you're in your car or
your home and you got a bunch of other things
going on, screaming kids in the backseat, and you want
to turn that down just a bit more to listen
to Tom and I on the radio and any of
the other thirty one play by play guys. That's where
the love is and there's an attachment there. It's a
very intimate medium, and I don't take it lightly. I
(03:52):
am humbled by it and I embrace it.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
And you've called a super Bowl, but you know, we
also have called some really bad seasons, three win seasons
and stuff for the Vikings and or the Bears over
a long period of time. And you know when you
say that, you get excited for it, no matter the situation.
That completely resonates with me because the preparation into the
(04:16):
game is so stimulating, wondering what's going to transpire with
this real life, violent sporting activity happening in front of us.
And even even if your squad man's like three and eleven,
three and twelve or whatever. Yet like like Tyreek Stevenson
gets in for a pick six, well, you know you
(04:38):
want to share it's the second of his career, which
is born of game calling depth, chart work that you've
put into it. So nevertheless, if they're bad or if
they're good, the work still is required for those listening.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Oh yeah, people tell me all the time, especially because
we've had some really lean seasons, as you might say,
you know, God, what do you prepare the same or
do you you know it'd be like anybody, you do
your job. You got to do your job at a
high level. It's not because of the magnitude of the
moment because you're playing a big game for first place
(05:12):
in the NFC North or something like that, or bigger
yet a super Bowl. I got to do it the
same way I've always done it, and I'm very fortunate
to have this position, and I am not going to
alter my preparation anyway. From the first time I started
this process and till the last day they have me
on the radio. So it's just being you know what
(05:33):
that's called. It's called being a pro.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
I got to be a pro.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Yeah, I really I really enjoy you know preparing the
game calling depth chart for the other team, so it'd
be the be it'd be the Bears here. So like,
you know, I got done with three quarters of the
Bears offense last night, and you know I've written this
down before. Caleb Williams two USC first overall pick twenty
twenty four, thirteen tds, four interceptions. But then you get
(06:00):
to the things that just fascinate me with the story
of the Bears through nine games, all right, Caleb has
fourteen sacks. He had sixty eight last year. He's run
in three touchdowns the first three of his career. He
had zero last year. Well, by the way, a receiving
touchdown of two yards from DJ Moore at Cincinnati. And
(06:22):
he's on pace to become the first Bear in the
history of this storied organization to throw for more than
four thousand yards. And then you share that and convey
it with the audience. But it's just fascinating looking at
what is happening with Caleb Williams, with much more to come,
obviously through nine with the new coach.
Speaker 6 (06:41):
Right, oh yeah, you.
Speaker 5 (06:43):
Know, he's already got the fifth most passing yards in
Bears history to the first nine games of the season,
which I know everyone's hung up on that four K thing.
I don't care so much about the four K. I
know it's a crazy anomaly given that we are a
passing league and have been for many, many, many years.
But we've also had a revolving door of quarterbacks that
(07:03):
have never taken root, and plenty of offensive coordinators and
systems that have also gone in and out of the door.
So I like where he's at. And this has been
the Ben Johnson project of projects, like told us every
step of the way how it was going to be,
and it's all been the way he's described it, and
every week it's getting better. Last week was crazy. I
(07:26):
mean the feet and the weave and the bob and
the back and the forward and the sideways and the
spin getting away from pressures. And it has no impact
on what the offensive line has not been doing, because
the offensive line has been very good in my opinion.
It's just the process of seeing the field and getting
(07:46):
better at that in every down and distance possible on
what you're reading, and so that's developing. But his feet
have always been dangerous. He's just doing it a lot
more right now, and I'm glad he's taking off and
running a time or two because that you know, if
you get four or five six first downs with your
feet as a quarterback, it puts the defense in a
(08:08):
different process and not Minnesota because they're coming at you
no matter what. Although it is interesting to me that
they didn't do that in week one. So I don't
know what I'm bracing for from bflow, but he is
great at what he does.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
This is Jeff Joniac, quarter Century play by play radio
voice for the Chicago Bears, Fuck Vikings and Bears noon
KFA in this weekend. I'm gonna call it the Ben
Johnson Impact, and I'd like you to add to it
from maybe the nuance of what I'm missing. We mentioned
Ben Johnson impact. Caleb sacks are way down from last year,
(08:42):
A doonsay has taken off, Dj Moore throws touchdowns, and
the running games at one eighty five per the last five.
I'm sure there's more, man, but that's a pretty good start.
Speaker 5 (08:52):
No it is, And you know, by and large, Ben
Johnson just loves running the football. I know when he
got here, everybody's thinking it's going to be one trick,
playoffter the next and airing it out. But you look
at the match that he had in Detroit and where
he's come from. He loves running the football and he
loves running the football in the red zone, and so
that has been really the basis of how this is
(09:15):
now starting to pop. And it's that play action passing game,
which he is also very big on. It's the two
tight end sets and the blocking. The blocking, I know
you've watched tape of this. The blocking by everybody, I
mean the tight ends, the backs, the wide receivers has
been fantastic. The offensive line is cohesive for the first
(09:35):
time in a long time. I mean, this will be
the sixth consecutive game this unit has played together, and
that eclipsed all of the last three years combined in
any five guys that have been able to play without
leaving the game or starting. So he's put on the
tape and watch Darnell right, he's punishing people. The three
(09:56):
interior guys have now really created a nice pocket Caleb
to do his work. So there's a lot there. And
Ben's really creative, obviously, And I'm not calling him trick
plays anymore because I think that's an insult. And tell
me if you agree with that. I'm just I'm calling
him designer play, like you're shopping at a designer store
(10:19):
for your best material. And he's these are designer plays
at moments in time that set up something else or
create something that you're going to see in the fourth quarter.
If it's done in the first quarter, and it involves everybody,
keeps everybody involved. He had Tyson Baging catch a pass
and then throw a pass the Caleb. A couple of
weeks ago, he had col Comet whipping a spiral with
(10:40):
his left handed throw that was unfortunately dropped by Romadunze,
but in practice he'd been talking about him throwing it
for sixty yards and it caught his eye. Started getting
to work on something. You know, it's I don't know,
it's fun. It's fun for the players to keep them engage,
in my opinion, but they're not just trick plays. I
call him designer plays.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I like that their gad but the word gadget, you know,
is not frequently used. I like the I like the
designer aspect of it. But the last thing you said,
you know from from watching Vikings practices for so many years.
And Jefferson threw a pass to McCarthy last game and
if there's one, if the right block of three is made,
(11:20):
he might get to.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
The end zone.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, that keeps them, I don't want to say keeps
them engaged, but like when they're working on that stuff
in practice, they're always hooting.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
And hollering and right.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
All the receivers think they can throw, you know, so
when they get the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Yeah, it keeps things loose. That's a very good point.
Speaker 7 (11:40):
You know what.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
The other thing is that the running game. And you know,
over the years you've had the pleasure of calling some
great running backs, not the least of whom Adrian Peterson
was a punisher. But there was a run last week
on fourth and one. DeAndre Swift lowered his right shoulder
knock back stuff, the two guys trying to bring him
(12:02):
down and race for the first down. Wasn't a huge game,
it was, you know, double digits, but the reaction from
the bench it slow down the tape and watch. And
it wasn't just offensive players. It was Tremaine Edmunds. It
was Tyson bagent ripping his protective jacket off from the
cold and just going crazy for that play. Those types
(12:23):
of plays have been happening routinely now for the Bears,
and I think it's the mindset that they want to
play with the physical, violent football team in all three phases,
and it's starting.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
To look like that veteran DBCJ. Gardner Johnson Two games,
three sacks, What exactly is happening there?
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Are you kidding me?
Speaker 5 (12:42):
Have you ever met this man?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
No?
Speaker 6 (12:46):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (12:47):
You know I couldn't stand him as an opponent. There
was a game years ago Javon Whims came up.
Speaker 7 (12:56):
He was getting ear hustled.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
All game by CJ. Gardner Johnson and then he comes
off the bench and sucker punches him. And it's the
first time. And I know you're very you say it
like it is, like there's no question about it. I'm
more managed in that regard, but that the first time
I ever ripped a player on my team, and that
(13:18):
was Javon for coming off the bench and being selfish
in that moment the sucker punch. But that's he gets
under people's skin and he's always been that player. And
even last week or a public skill against the Bengals,
the Boschabats of the Bengals number eighty. Every time he
(13:39):
caught the pass, ran a route this guy was in
his ear, but it was not over the top, but
you could tell because he kept turning to look at him.
So now you got him. You got him on the
hook and that's when CJ brings you in and gets
you all thinking about things other than your assignment or whatever.
But he's a hell of a blitzer. He is a
(14:00):
ball he's on the ball, man. He had what twelve
interception sandwich between two trips with the with the Eagles. Yeah,
so this is this is not just allowed and uh,
hockey player back there in the secondary. This is a
football player and he is aggressive, he's physical, he is
an outstanding blitzer, and he's always around the football in
(14:22):
some form or fashion. So I'm enjoying him at the moment.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Last one minute and change you get at all. Jeff Joniac,
play by play voice for the Chicago Bears. Is there
in the three losses all right? When listen to the division,
then you lost to Baltimore with Huntley? Is there a
common thread in the losses to the Vikings, Lions, and Ravens,
Like when Chicago gets a bit sideways, what is happening?
Speaker 5 (14:46):
Well, you know I'm gonna the first two You know
this is they're a different team from the first two
and starting in the division, this division is so great.
That's that's a that's a tall order. And now I'm
going to be brace for this final eight games of
the season, but learning how to win. Antoine rendell El
(15:06):
has had a big impact on this team in the
motivational aspect of things. He's an assistant head coach, came
from Detroit with him. He's a Chicago guy, grew up
a big Bears fan, and it's gone from hope to
knowing and they are believing and that is a big
part of their messaging. And no team that I've been
(15:28):
around is needed it more. These twenty five years have
been so much change, so many issues, so many problems
that the guys who have been here a while needed
somebody to believe in them and therefore then to believe
that what they're doing is going to become a net
result of positivity. And I really believe that's the bigger
(15:52):
picture more than any x's and o's, is that, oh
my gosh, when things go south, don't tell me it's
happening again. We got some guys and some Dodgs on
the team on both sides of the ball that say hey,
follow me, and that has not been the case in
a while.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Pete and I will come up to the booth on
Sunday say hi to you and Tom we do and
God bless you and your family man, and I'll see
you this weekend.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Same.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
Thanks for having me on. We're looking forward to seeing you.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
See you.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
About Jeff Joniac played by play voice for the Chicago Bears.
Quarter century into it, governing claps for Jeff Joniack. He's
he's quite elite at what he does. And one of
my better friends is played by play voices go in
the National Football League Friendship Aside. It's still this Chicago. Yeah,
(16:41):
it's time to get bate up. Nine to sixteen, John Hines,
coach of the Minnesota Wild joins around the corner, we
have a head coaching covenant today.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Nine to noon.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Heinz about five minutes from now, and at ten thirty five, Chris.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Finch, coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Joins us between between them, Joe Lieber at ten order produces,
I'm Paul Allen, got that cash thing for you right now.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Good morning.
Speaker 8 (17:05):
The fan and two men in a junk truck want
to give you a chance to put some bonus bocks
in your pocket. National Cash Contest style. The keyword is cash.
Use the keyword cash by entering into the kfan dot
com might win some cash with the keyword cash at
kfan dot com.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
Now play hockey.
Speaker 10 (17:43):
Closed on by Zuperello. So he played at the Dickenson
Cerello ended.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Up in a heat.
Speaker 10 (17:48):
Sharks fired along Celebrini with graft going from the net
back with Celebrini prew on that way and they score.
Colin Grafts stickhandle past Gustison Tucktoba backhander and the Sharks
bur the second time in the season series, winning overtime
at Grand Casino Arena. They've won four in a row
for the first time since the twenty one twenty two season.
(18:09):
They rally in the third and they beat the Wild
and sudden death overtime two on the finals.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Some hot sporting activity.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Some hot sporting action includes the Minnesota Wild. This weekend,
we have a little respite right now with the pro
sports teams. Vikings don't play until Sunday at noon Division
collision against the Chicago Bears at noon, pre game with
MUSS at ten am. The games at us Bank Stadium.
The Minnesota Wild don't play until Saturday when they hook
(18:42):
the Anaheimers, and then after the Anaheimer's at Grand Casino Arena,
they get the Rough and Tumble Vegas Golden Nights at
home the next day on a back to back the
Minnesota Timberwolves. They haven't played in a couple of days,
and they get the Sacramento Kings Friday night at Target Center,
(19:06):
then Joker Guy with Jamal Murray and David Adelman's Denver
Nuggets at Target Center the next day. So back to
back for Finchy second time this season against the Denver Nuggets.
The first to back to back involved travel, this one
does not, but nevertheless, very very tough team to hook
(19:27):
on a back to back. Finchy Chris Finch, coach of
the Wolves, joins about ten thirty five, but the first
head coach to join on the head coaching carousel one
of our favorites, John Hines, coach of the Minnesota Wild.
Good morning, coach, How are.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
You how you doing? My man?
Speaker 2 (19:43):
I'm doing well all right, my brother. Good start to November,
don't you think? Six games, two points in four of them,
and one against a spry improved San Jose team and
pretty good starts to November.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
What do you think?
Speaker 7 (19:59):
Yeah, I agree, I think it's uh four one on
one in the month and and I think, you know,
playing starting to get more consistency to our game, and
uh so it's been good. I like, I like the
direction that we're heading, and we got, uh got to
keep pushing forward here.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
What what has been good with the team overall since
the return of Zucarello.
Speaker 7 (20:19):
Well, I think it's allowed us to, uh to put
some combinations together that that I think really fit. Uh.
You know, when we started the year with Zuki out
and then Storm out, you know, we were trying some
different things, you know, whether it be some young guys
or different combinations, and none of it seems to hit
as well as you'd like it to. But I think
when Zuki's come back, you know, it's allowed us to
(20:41):
put Johanson with Eck and Boldi, which has been a
strong line.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
You know, you have good.
Speaker 7 (20:45):
Chemistry with with Rossi, Zukarello and Caprice off, you know,
and then it slocks down Tarasenko, you know, with the
Hartman and Henestroza, which which has some dynamics on that line.
And then I think you're off, you're off trending and
and Felino to have those guys together has been good.
So I think it's slots, our combinations, and our four
(21:06):
lines with more identity on each line.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
You're the only regulation lost this month so far was
that Carolina, And I thought you guys played them tough
down to the wire. I mean they throw haymakers and
you come back with uppercuts. I know you lose four
or three, but do you sense things are crescendoing quite
well for the gang or is there still is still
you know, we're about twenty percent into this thing. Is
(21:32):
there still a lot of improvement to be had?
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (21:37):
I think over the course of the season, you always want,
you always have to continue to improve and evolve individual
games and your team game.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
But I do think.
Speaker 7 (21:44):
That there's more components to our game that are more
consistent and give us the best chance to win, whether
it's the style of game, how we play, the commitment level,
you know, like I said, even just a little bit
more depth and strong combinations, particularly upfront.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
I think all those.
Speaker 7 (22:05):
Things are are continuing to get better, and we've got
to continue to build.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Hey, coach, with with your goals, with your goalies with
what what's different with the way Walstat and Gustavson play
And I know you like them both, but in what
ways are they different?
Speaker 7 (22:23):
Well, you know, I think Gus is uh, he's a
cerebral I think he's a real cerebral goal He reads,
reads the play well. I think he's good, you know
on like some East West plays. I think he can
anticipate and read and make make good says in that.
I think he's he's gotten better in our time with him.
I just think his competitiveness fighting through screens and tips
(22:45):
and those rebound gold mouth scrums have have been improved.
And you know Wally is Wally's a little bit of
a bigger guy where he's he's you know, takes up
more than that and I think he's he kind of
squares up and you know, with him in the net,
there's not a lot of not a lot of net
to shoot at. What I liked about what I've liked
about him as well, is I think that he's done
(23:06):
a better job. I think even learning at this level,
just the the intent that the higher level of shooting
than there is in the American League. So I think
he's on position similar to gus his positioning is has
gotten better. Uh, and then I think he's done a
really good job of fighting through traffic with the bigger
bodies and how guys want to swing putts to the
(23:26):
net and looking for those tips rebound things. I think
he's been pretty square and he uses his size to
his advantage.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
With with half a week between San Jose and Anaheim
and no travel, what what are you guys able to
work on while catching your collective breath?
Speaker 7 (23:43):
Yeah, you know, it's it's just a multitude of things.
You know, part of it is physical and mental recovery
and freshness. You know, it allows you to, uh have
some practice time, have a good one tomorrow. It gives
you also time to meet with more players, Like you
can meet one on one, you can meet with some
line meetings, you can touch up some things. So it's
(24:05):
a you know, it's a multitude of things. It's not
just practice time. Practice is a big part of it.
But also I think guys getting some little bit of
recovery time mentally and physically. And then it also allows us,
you know a little bit more time to to you're
not so much preparing for the next game all the time,
and guys have a little bit more time around where
you can do some meetings, which I think help as well,
(24:27):
whether that's line meetings or individual meetings.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
John Hines, coach of the Minnesota Wild, Well talk, what
are some facets that play into how you as the
head coach?
Speaker 3 (24:36):
John? What describe your team's identity?
Speaker 7 (24:42):
Well, I think when we when we play, when we
play a fast game and a direct game. You know,
when we when we make strong plays coming out of
our own end, when we play fast through the neutral
zone and we can get into an attack mindset if
we have opportunities to attack off the rush because we've
transitioned the puck quick and they're in an unorganized defense
and we can attack in those areas. But also when
(25:04):
the other team's done their job and they're in good
position that you know, we get a strong four check
and we're into the offensive zone and we can lean
on teams. I think when we when we play that
style of game, you know that gives us the best.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Chance to win.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
The power play is top four almost a quarter of
the way into the season. Uh, you got one the
other night against San Jose. I mean that patients played
by Zuki before he hit bold he was beautiful. What
what can what what's consistently good with this the power
play keeping it upper echelon.
Speaker 7 (25:38):
I would say it's been two units, you know, this year.
You know, we've had contributions from both units. You know,
if uh, you know, if if Boldian Boldie and Katrisov's
unit doesn't score, uh, you know, we've had the other
units score. So I think when you have when you
have contributions from both units, I think it brings a
(25:59):
little bit of internal competition. But I think also you
need you need two units to score, and that's what's
helped was when one hasn't, we've been able to get
another one that has.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
And conversely, the penalty kill fifth from the bottom. And
we've talked about it before, But are you still looking
for them to be more attack conscious in that department?
Speaker 7 (26:21):
Yeah, you know, I think sometimes when you when you
get into it was a little bit leaky early in
the year, but I would say the last four or
five games, you know, I think we the Santose game,
we gave up a goal. I think it was the
first one in four games, right, and it was a
good play by It was a good play by them,
you know, I would say that, yes, it's fifth from
(26:42):
the bottom. But I also think you have to look
at it in segments, in five and ten games segments, right,
because you could have a bad stretch and it might
sink you for a while statistically. But I think you
need to you need to look at where is it
at in the last five games, ten games, and where's
it moving forward. I think it's been very good as
of late.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Quite there him for two more, John, What are some
parts of Carill caprice offs game that are very good
but maybe go unnoticed to the casual fan or maybe
the untrained eye.
Speaker 7 (27:13):
Well, I think Carill cares about I think he's a
tremendous competitor. I think you know a lot lots of
times you see the offensive flare from him, which I
think catches everybody's eye. But I would just say the
consistency of competitiveness that he has and I think is
you know the other thing too, is his willingness to
play the right way without the puck. You know, he's
(27:34):
a guy he doesn't hope and wait for offense. I
think if the puck's turned over in the offensive zone,
you know he's gonna he's going to track back and
and help the defense with the rest coverage. When he
gets into the defensive doone coverage, you know he's he
cares about keeping the puck out of his net. And
I think sometimes when you look at these high end
skill players, you know he is the offensive flair that
(27:55):
you see, but it's also the kind of the mundane
things that the thankless jobs in the game that you
don't recognize, shift in and shift out, that he's willing
to do.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Love that.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
Lastly, here coach Hans Anaheim in Vegas. Are here Saturday
and Sunday. The Islanders win second half of that back
to back with travel.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
That was impressive, quite dominating too.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Are there things you have to do as a coach
the first part of a back to back to make
sure they have enough in the tank for the second part.
Speaker 7 (28:30):
Yes, I think when when you know it kind of
goes back to your first question with Zuki is I
think right now, when you have when you feel like
you have four lines and six defensemen that are all
contributing and playing at a at a strong level, you know,
it allows you to divvy up the ice time a
little bit where you don't have to overextend guys in
certain situations in the first game, you know, which I
(28:54):
think allows you to have some energy in the second game,
which we had in New York. And then I all
so think, you know, on the second half of the
back to back, playing playing smart. You know, you hear
it all the time in sports is don't you know,
don't beat yourself. And whether that's you know, taking care
of the parker, penalty discipline, or line changing and shift lengths,
just those little small things that you could say the
(29:15):
same thing for saying football, right, yeah, penalty game, Uh,
take care of the football, whatever it might be. I
think it really comes into into play every game, but
particularly in the in the second half of it back
to back, when you know you may be playing a
little bit tired. Now you got to you got to play.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Really smart, brilliant, tear it up. Beat them both this
weekend and we'll call you next week. All right, all right, pa,
take care of Yeah, see you about. John Hines, coach
of the Minnesota Wild Weekly nine to noon. Harrison Smith,
beloved hit ma'am, is playing his two hundredth regular season
game this weekend. We're going to celebrate the career that
(29:54):
has Ben Harrison Smith around the corner via Sound and Fought,
and then we're going to bring and former Viking safety
Anthony Harris, a teammate, former teammate with Harry the hit Man,
and chat about that and more with Anthony Harris. That's
around the corner. It's nine to noon on KFA. Viike's
(30:14):
Bites provided by.
Speaker 8 (30:16):
Thousand Hills Lifetime graysed grass fed beeff. You can shop online,
a box of meat shows up at your doorstep. It's
regenerative agriculture, it's nutrient dense beef.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
It's delicious of smoked. I've grilled it.
Speaker 8 (30:28):
It's awesome and you can get it to Coburn's and
Kowalski's spots and other proud sponsors of Gophers athletics as well.
So thank you thousand Hills and Vike's bite style. I mean,
the team's being its team limited. We're worried about the
bandage on the QB's hand. Ryan Kelly's practice window opens
up all kinds of things going on this week, and
plenty of time to cover it all, but really, I
(30:49):
think we have to spend at least a few minutes
before our next guest joins to just appreciate a rookie
campaign in a career that started in twenty twelve.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Ten seven Vikings, Adrian Peterson with a rushing touchdown and
Percy Harvin with a receiving touchdown. Two receivers right, Andre
Roberts left opposite Chris Cook. On third down from the
twenty four, John Skelton's out of the shotgun La rock
Steven's howling to his left, takes the snap. Skelton three
step drop steps away from the pressure, runs up the middle, fires.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Header scepkin head.
Speaker 11 (31:23):
It's picked off by Harrison Smith. The rookie comes to
the right side. It's twenty to up, fifteen late for
the ends of touchdown. Harrison Smith's first National Football League
interception results in a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
It's twenty seventh Minnesota.
Speaker 8 (31:44):
I mean that was week seven, and just seven weeks
later he's doing it again.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
Pa Marshall slot right opposite ends one with spens. Now
Fikes lead fourteen to seven. Now Marshall motions to the
lefty slot left Cutler, shotgun, Vikings rush four jay back
pass buyers over.
Speaker 11 (32:01):
The middle, accepted by Harrison Smith. Here comes the rookie
to the party, sprints down the sidelines thirty twenty he
to the ten angles flip touchdown. Harrison Smith's second defensive
touchdown this year gives the Vikings to twenty to seven lead.
Speaker 3 (32:20):
I mean, that was just his rookie year, PA.
Speaker 8 (32:22):
We thought he'd have one hundred of those things that
felt like but the twenty ninth overall selection making a
name for himself in twenty twelve. He'd also have defensive
touchdowns both Week one against the Rams in twenty fourteen
Nerve and that offense twenty fourteen, the year that that was.
He also had another one, his fourth of his career
in twenty fifteen, in a late primetime affair at the
(32:42):
College Stadium, a beatdown of the New York Giants and
Eli Manning.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Four defensive tds.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Sadly, it's been a decade since the last one, but
there's still time. Twenty and a half sacks in his
career PA. Just a couple of years ago, he hit
the trifecta, a come.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
Fourth and goal from the eighteen empty backfield, three receivers left,
two rights.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
Twenty one thirteen Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Bryce Young between the hash marks takes the Bozeman snap,
poor Man Rush pays hit Heavy's sacked. He has hit
and sacked and taken down by the player of the game,
Harrison Smith with his third sack this game.
Speaker 8 (33:22):
That was his first game with three sacks, first game
with two as well. Prior to that, he has a
sack a full sack in seventeen games in his career.
Speaker 3 (33:31):
The team's fourteen and three.
Speaker 8 (33:32):
When the hitman has a sack, by the way, and
we'll spend more time on this, whether it's with Ant
Harris around the corner. Of course, eventually, as time maybe
will force us into a grander hit man conversation. With
thirty seven career picks, four seasons with at least five
eighty four tackles or more in ten of his fourteen seasons,
thirteen force fumbles, ten fumble recoveries, ninety nine passes defense,
(33:56):
let's get to the century mark this weekend. A freaking
bleepload of hit hence the nickname. Other than missing half
of twenty thirteen his second year in the season, he's
never missed more than three games in any other season,
and as he passes ron Yerry now this weekend in
games played, only Jim Marshall at two seventy, Mick Tinglehoff
at two forty, Fred Cox at two ten, Carl Eller
(34:18):
at two oh nine, and Scott Studwell at two to one.
Those are the only guys that have played more games
in Purple than Harrison Smith. If he makes all the
dances this year, he'll finish the season at two oh seven.
Hitman has left. Why don't we say indelible marks on
this Purple and Gold franchise.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
He is Minnesota Vikings immortality. He smhof two him no
doubt about it. Two hundredth regular season game taking place
the Sunday at noon at us Bank Stadium against the
Chicago Bears. And we aim to chat with some of
Hipman's former teammates over the next couple of days. One
(34:55):
around the Corner now tomorrow at Buffalo Wild Wings Lakeville
Chad green Way, a long time teammate with Harry at
the hit Man He'll.
Speaker 3 (35:04):
Be joining nine to noon in.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
His regular spots second segment chat about Harrison Smith, and
we also are looking to hook up with Andrew Sendejo tomorrow,
one of Harrison's best friends, to talk about his career.
But let's begin all that with Anthony Harris, Undrafted from Virginia,
Anthony played six seasons with the Vikings and overall one
(35:26):
hundred and four games in the NFL in twenty nineteen,
Anthony Harris tied for the league lead in interceptions with
six and forty one joins us. Now, great seeing you
in the booth Sunday. How are things, Anthony, I'm.
Speaker 6 (35:41):
Doing well, man. Good to see you two as well.
Always good to you know, see people out in Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
You've been around the team a fair amount this year,
and you know, maybe I've missed it over the last
few years just didn't see you, but especially a training camp.
What what what would your safety role be Anthony in
this Brian Flores defense?
Speaker 4 (36:04):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (36:05):
Man, you know I looked at it. I try to
look now and see like kind of, you know, over
the years where I've played and kind of how I've
assisted and where things possibly could have could have been
this season or in the two years that just passed.
But I've seen myself as a guy just kind of
out there at directing traffic, making sure we're in the
right coverages, overlapping, you know, side to side in the field,
(36:29):
and also you know, dropping down onto slots and in
the middle of the defense a little bit. But managers
like previous years playing off for Harry in terms of
different disguises, having me down sometimes and him rotating back.
So a lot of just versatility between the two and
assistant with the communication.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
I you know, I should I should have had this
down in front of me. So I'm just you know,
I apologize if I make a mistake here. Twenty twenty two,
when you finished your career with the Denver Broncos, what
was was Vic Fangio part?
Speaker 3 (37:00):
Did that mix?
Speaker 6 (37:02):
Actually? Uh not with the Broncos and that and that
season I returned to you know, silly, but at that
point he was no longer with the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
Okay, because when when you hear about, you know, Flora's
defensive style, you frequently hear like Steve Spagnolo and Big
Bangio and everything, and you know, Harrison Smith could could
pretty much morph into any form of defense and be good.
He's playing in his two hundredth regular season game Sunday
against the Bears. Uh what When Anthony came into the
(37:35):
league out of Virginia in twenty fifteen, Harrison was entering
his fourth year. What was he like as a teammate
for you, Anthony?
Speaker 6 (37:46):
Initially he was Initially he was kind of quiet, didn't
say a lot. He was a guy that was just
you know, working on the field, you know, communicating defensively,
you know, he was he was fairly social in the
locker room with the guys. I remember being, you know,
as a rookie coming in, you know, having to do
the little rookie rookie duties and and go through that process.
(38:07):
And he was a guy who was supportive. You know,
we'd have to do little runs and grab food and stuff,
and you know, you being a rookie coming in you're
new to the city. Uh, he was extremely you know,
helpful and considerate if you know, if I had transportation
to go pick up the food before we got on
the plane, and different things of that sort. So he
was a guy that definitely took part in the traditions
(38:29):
of you know, guys kind of carving out their role
and doing the different things that guys went through over
the season. But slowly, you know, he started to open
up more and give me little insights after I made
a player, after I was in getting reps on defense
about things that I could do better. And so over
the years our relationship just evolved and talking about the
(38:50):
game and spending time together watching football.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Well of your eight years in one hundred and four games,
you know you played, you played six seasons on defense
with him, and you know, I'm glad you went down
the road, you know that you did after you know,
the longer you got in the league. I mean you
you started I think five games maybe eight games your
first three seasons. Then in twenty eighteen you start nine,
(39:13):
then fourteen and sixteen in your final two years for
the Viking. So it, you know, is undrafted. Guy, You're
not the first to have it, you know, kind of
go along slowly, but once once it started to click.
What what what can you say? Like early in your
career when you and Harrison started to become comfortable with
each other, when when it comes to preparing for games,
(39:35):
like where where could he help you? Or others preparing
for games?
Speaker 6 (39:41):
Man, as we as we started to you know, kind
of build a relationship and get more time playing together,
we'd often find ourselves, you know, in a textpad, sending
different clips that we'd see on the iPad, discussing, you know,
how that play might play out or how we might
actually see it and just being on the same page.
And so from the safety position, you know, you kind
(40:02):
of have to see both sides of the field, be
aware of a receiver on the other side that could
possibly come into your own in terms of coverage. So
me and him discussed that a lot. You know, hey,
on this play, what do you see? How would you
react in this play? And so that would kind of
give you an idea on you know, how you can
play or manipulate the quarterback in terms of disguises, whether
(40:25):
pre snap or either on the mood. And so we
did that a bunch. I remember facing Green Baby would
we would talk about some of the robbs that they had,
and the one thing that me and him came up
with was, you know, in this situation, it's really two
versus one. You know, Aaron Rodgers, he can only see
one of us at a time, and so you know
(40:46):
if he if he sees you, he doesn't see me,
and vice versus. So regardless of you know, kind of
what happens on this play, you know he can't be
right because you know the other guy when he's not watching,
will make up the space and overlap.
Speaker 3 (41:01):
Listening to you described that the way you did.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
You've only been out of the game three years, I
mean your last year was twenty twenty two. I just
I you missed the game, don't you. I mean, I
can tell that you miss conversations like that, don't you.
Speaker 12 (41:15):
Yeah, That's something I kind of do down a little
bit in my spare time, whether I'm just you know,
talking to current players, talking to coaches often, you know,
attending a lot of games or either watching them on TV,
but really just the schematic part.
Speaker 6 (41:28):
Of the game, you know, from front to back, secondary
down to the defensive line, and then vice versa on
the offensive side of the ball, and special teams as well.
So that was one thing that you know, Harry really
appreciates and me and him was really able to bond over.
Was really just talking about the game from overall perspective,
not just pertaining personally into you know, our position, but
(41:49):
really just falling in love with the art of it
in itself.
Speaker 2 (41:53):
Anthony, how much think about this all right? Anthony came
in in twenty fifteen, left in twenty twenty two. How
much did playing defensive back change from your rookie year
of twenty fifteen to when you left in twenty twenty two?
And I guess I'd be talking about rules, but just overall.
Speaker 6 (42:13):
Well, I think, you know, it's it's kind of evolved
over the year, like it's done. You know, prior to
me even coming into the league, you know, you saw
bigger players, you know, safeties not having to be quite
as rangy possibly, but now you know, you look and
you see a number of guys you know, kind of
playing in a deep half. There's a lot of versativity,
(42:35):
and particularly with Flora's schemes, you know, the safeties are
acts to do a lot. You know, you're down in
the line of scrimmage. You know, your back deep center field,
you're playing deep halfs, you're rotating on safeties and so
on slot receivers, and so there's a lot of versativity.
You know, I'm extremely you know, amazed at where Harry's
continued to be able to do prior to me coming
(42:56):
into the league and then without time together even toil now,
just how he showed up taking care of his body,
put in the work to you know, embrace all the
different schemes he's had to play over his career and
then just going out having fun and making plays still
and staying healthy. Is this contribute to who he is
as a player, who he is as a person.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
And regarding Harrison Smith Harry the hit man. You know
the reason I set that question up that way, Anthony
is there seemed to be a time hit man had
to pull back on the hitting portion of the equation
due to fines with hits that for years were permissible.
So did did he and other dbs have to change
playing style due to rules changes?
Speaker 6 (43:41):
I mean, I think there's always there's always going to
be an adjustment, you know, when there's real changes. You
know things now, particular hits that you probably you know,
be more aggressive, more assertive in situations you kind of
have to be more conscious, you know. Thinking about Harry specifically,
you know, he's he's been able to get after the
(44:01):
quarterback a ton over his career in terms of you know,
getting stacks and forcing fumbles in those things, and and
and now you know there's a bit of approach to
you know, him actually stepping into the pass rush around
much like a defensive end is, you know, if he's
going after the quarterback, making sure that you know, he
isn't falling and putting too much weight on the quarterback
so he won't get a penalty in that sense, or
(44:25):
even just attacking the ball over the years, you know,
seeing guys go up for passes and you know kind
of get hit in the air and defenders attacking them
more aggressively. It's kind of deteriorated a bit, you know,
just due to you know, the potential to get a
flag in certain situations. So you never want to penalize
(44:45):
your team. But I have to imagine for a guy
who's played as long as he has, you know, it's
a bit of an adjustment, but you know he's been
able to do it pretty well. And the game has
evolved in that sense of h physicality of following on
the quarterbacks, and then some of the rules in terms
of you know, maybe targeting or leading with the helmet
(45:06):
are called more often.
Speaker 2 (45:08):
Time for two more the Vikings get the Bears this weekend.
Here what Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. What do you think
of Caleb Williams.
Speaker 6 (45:19):
Well, I know he has a lot of mobility. I've
watched him a couple of games now. He can extend plays,
has an arm where you can throw on a number
of different angles. I think Ben Johnson is trying to
been trying to do a good job of settling them
in and getting him in more to the scheme and
a little bit less, kind of like off time and
(45:39):
then off script plays. But that's part of his game
that makes him explosive. And so I see him trying
to just settle in and rely more on his actual
team and the play design than his own ability. But
he has great arm talent and he can move.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
Last one.
Speaker 2 (45:56):
Anthony had some memorable games against the New Orleans Saints,
and in those games sometimes it included stuff like this
Comara in the backfield, breeze on third downs, great drop,
it's a deep shot. He's looking for tech Ken interceptioning,
Yes it is.
Speaker 11 (46:11):
Anthony Harris gets up and runs at the twenty five
to the far side. Forty Harris to the fifty.
Speaker 6 (46:17):
Well done.
Speaker 2 (46:19):
That's the seventh interception this season for Anthony Harris and
there are no flags on the play. Two to three
to go in the first half and Harris just turned
over breeze six in the regular season. Won in that
playoff game. How memorable were games against the Saints for you?
Because we have the Minneapolis miracle after the twenty seven team.
(46:40):
Then as we just heard there, you picked off Drew
Brees in that playoff game down there after the twenty
nineteen season. Those games were memorable against the Saints, right, yeah, man.
Speaker 6 (46:51):
Those were very physical games, you know, going against another
good coach, Sean Payton in his offensive mind, and that
was a roster field with a lot of talent. So
those games we knew they were going to be physical.
You know, there was going to be a lot of
mental games played as well, with having Drew Brees at quarterback,
and so those games were extremely fun, extremely competitive, and
(47:13):
a lot of guys made a lot of plays and
we had a lot of fun doing it.
Speaker 2 (47:16):
It's been great seeing you as many times as I
have since training camp. Saw Misterrell Raymond this weekend, Xavier
Roads a few home games ago. So it's great that
you guys stay involved via the alumni and next time
you're in town, man, stop by the studio.
Speaker 3 (47:32):
Let's mix it up for a couple of segments.
Speaker 1 (47:33):
All right, all right, let's do it.
Speaker 6 (47:36):
See you about see you.
Speaker 2 (47:38):
Anthony Harris, former safety for the Minnesota Vikings but also
a teammate for several years with Harrison Smith was playing
his two hundredth regular season game this weekend. Somebody who's
quite close with Harry the hit Man is our next
guest Ben Lieber, sideline analyst for the Vikings Audio Network.
It's not your time around the corner on KFA
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