December 29, 2025 • 44 mins
Bumper to Bumper with Dan Barreiro!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Happy Monday, folks. I thought about doing I'm Alex Lewis.
By the way, I covered the vikings for the Athletic.
I'm in for Dan Brero, Brett Blakemore is in for
Justin Gard.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I thought about doing this is your but.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
I mean you can't really, I mean replicate no excellence, Kane.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
It would be the leader if you had your choice.
So do you have something ready?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
So that was it. I was like, this is your How.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Much money is Brian Floraz gonna make leader?
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Fan?
Speaker 1 (00:31):
But no, I look, it's really like I said, it's
tough to replicate excellence. Couldn't pull it off today. But
I am honored and privileged to be here in for
Dan Brero again. My name is Alec Lewis. I write
about the vikings for the Athletic. I also host a podcast.
Wherever you get your podcast. I used to be annoyed
(00:54):
when I heard other people say that, and now I'm
the one saying it because everyone in the whole entire
world has a podcast. If there was one place you
would recommend people listening to podcasts, or would.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
That be the iHeartRadio app?
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Yeah, Chad Abbitt is really gonna appreciate me saying that,
but I also it's on YouTube, Spotify, Apple.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Et cetera. I wish guards he was here.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
In some capacity, Brett, because we could you know, I
get that we could go No, no, we would go
through the Brozemer day on Thursday, and I just it
would be a welcome session for the both of us.
But to all of you listening, hope you hope you
had a merry Christmas. If you're driving around, I hope
you're safe. I mean, if you don't know, I'm from Alabama, yeah,
and this this weather is not drivable for me. I
(01:38):
mean I actually hitch hiked Tier from the North Loop. No,
you're looking at me like a serious no chance. No
I drove, but it's just I mean, prayers to all
of those who were driving next to me on the
roads is what I would say. We're gonna start with
Brian Flores on you know, I mentioned it at the top.
(02:00):
But Kevin O'Connell at his press conference probably about two
hours ago, was asked about Brian Flores. It was pretty
clear in terms of how much he wants him to
be the defensive coordinator.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
For the Vikings.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Kevin O'Connell said as long as he can have him,
which is sensible with what they've been able to do.
My joke is that, like this might be the biggest
free agent since Shoe Otani in the marketplace, just given
the job that Brian Flores has done, and it's been spectacular.
And if you've listened on the Friday and Football Feast,
(02:37):
when I sit up there at some random Buffalo wild
Wings in some city across Minnesota, we praise Brian Flores
and the job the defense has done against young quarterbacks,
against veteran quarterbacks. And before the season, the Vikings weren't
able to re up Brian Flores's contract. And Brian Flores,
(02:58):
like if you've read anything that I've written about or
that many have over the course of years, he is
a very strong minded, confident, convicted individual that is very
much kind of the ethos of who he is, and
a lot of that derives from where he comes from
up in Brooklyn, New York. And so he entered this
(03:20):
season essentially with the bet on yourself situation and go
to give you a few numbers, Brett, is that okay
with you?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
You know me, I'm a big numbers guy.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Brian Flores took over a defense that ranked twenty third inefficiency.
That was the ed Donatel defense, and twenty third feels
very kind to what that ed Donatel defense was. He
immediately Brian Flores did transform the defense went from twenty
third to eleventh and twenty twenty three. And those listening
(03:50):
to this show will remember that the cornerbacks on that team,
it was, yes, Byron Murphy, but a Caleb Evans was
out there, Andrew Booth was like the number three cornerback.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
On that team.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Yes, they had Daniel Hunter, but a lot of the players,
very few of them were identified by Brian and brought
in to fit this particular scheme.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
So eleventh, Cam Danceler, what are you doing? Cam Dancler?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Eleventh and twenty twenty three, and then twenty twenty four
of the defense moved to second inefficiency and then this
season they're up to sixth in efficiency, and it's just,
I mean, it's just absurd. Like again, you can't overstate
enough the job that he's done. And I'm not gonna
sit here today on this microphone in for Dan Bururo,
(04:36):
you in for Justin Guard.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
My name is Alex Lewis.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
I'm not going to sit here today and tell you
that I know what's gonna happen with with Brian Flores,
that would be faulty on my end. He's represented by
a conglomerate called CIA that typically puts their clients in
the best position to be successful to use a coaching line,
and Brian Flores, look, he wants to be a head coach.
(05:01):
He has not made any you know, he hasn't hid
behind that. He's been very open in previous press conferences
that that is something that he wants. And when he
was in Miami, like, he did a fairly good job
down there, and you've seen obviously in the recent years
with Mike McDaniel it's not the easiest place to do
(05:22):
an exceptional job. And so I think from everything Brian
Floreses has done from an on the field perspective, from
a influence on personnel perspective, Brian Flores has shown an
ability that should garner the attention of other owners. But
rather than like sit here today and talk about what's
(05:43):
gonna happen, and there's a lot of dynamics at play
with you know, the lawsuit. Obviously I mentioned like his
strong mindedness and he carries that with him kind of
on a day to day basis coaching. But I'm just
going to give you what I think is maybe the
most underrated aspect of Brian Flores. Is that okay with you, bro,
if I give that to you and the listeners. So
(06:05):
here's the deal. I don't think a lot of people
know that Brian Flora's first job in the NFL was
not on the coaching staff with the New England Patriots,
but it was as a scout with the New England Patriots,
and so Brian Flores. They used to have these offices
(06:27):
in New England in Foxborough where Brian Flores would he
was essentially like sitting in the very back of the
entire office with a shelves of tapes of football tapes.
And what Brian Flores did really from from morning, from
(06:48):
sun up to sun down, was he would put these
tapes in and he would go through all of these
evaluations of players, college prospects, low level college prospects, free
agent prospects, and he would watch these tapes and essentially
organize them by hand in the back of this office
with no one knowing who Brian Flores was or would
(07:09):
what he would be.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
And that was like his education in the business.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
And so when when you think about Brian Flora's defense,
what I often am of the belief gets lost is
how much that scouting background that shaped his view of
the game has allowed him to be as successful as
he's been. And it's scouting his own players, it's evaluating
(07:36):
potential free agents. Like I remember I did a story
on him in The Winner of twenty twenty three and
I was sitting in his office.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
He's got this.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Big wall in his office with just tabs of players.
Some of them were on the roster already, some of
them were free agents. He was already coveting for the
upcoming cycle. That's how his brain thinks. He is as
much a personnel guy as he is a coach on
the field, and that evaluation ability plays a key role
(08:02):
in the game plans that he puts together on a
week to week basis. His evaluation of the opposing pass
protection unit factors into how he calls the game. His
evaluation of what the quarterback opposing quarterback can do and
can't do factors into the game.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
And so like when you so many of these coaches.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
In the NFL in this day and age, their their
scheme guys and really like all all their whole philosophy,
their whole mindset is just how can I put the
best scheme together? On its surface, Brian Floores is so
there's so much more to it with him that all
really all of it dates back to his introduction to
(08:44):
this league, and so his scheme is so adaptable based
upon the evaluations that he puts together on a day
to day, week to week basis.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Like he's almost like the way.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
I would describe it is, you know, there are probably
people who are less into this who are really good
at putting puzzles together, legos together, and like you have
an intuition on what to put together. Brian Flora's defense
is almost like he created the puzzle with a very specific,
clear intent, precise detailed plan and knows exactly why each
(09:18):
piece fits where it's supposed to fit. Like that is
the way this guy coaches on a week to week basis.
So for me, it's just the one thing that I
hope people you know, listen to take think about as
they evaluate future coaches is the ability that he has
(09:38):
to really be kind of the personnel mind for his
unit that he then pieces together on a daily basis.
It's a pretty special skill to get when you have
a guy in his role, and so I just wanted
to start with that and we'll see where it goes.
People ask me all the time if Brian Flores leaves,
who on the current staff could take that position.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
The two obvious.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Names for me would be Derante Jones or Mike Saravo.
But the hope from everyone here you probably not Brett,
because you're a Packers fan, uh, but the folks listening
to this from Vikings fans, would be that Brian Flores
does not leave this building, and we will see if
that happens. That's my first segment, Brett in here for
Dan Burrero. I wanted to come in with some energy.
(10:21):
I'm Alex Lewis. I cover the Vikings day to day.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
This is kfa IN and we'll be back with multiple
guests today, John Krazinski, the athletic Ben Lieber, uh, the
legendary former player Ben Lieber. Those two guys will be
here for the next hour and a half and I
cannot wait to uh, you know, shepherd the program in
that direction. I'm Alex Lewis, and we will be back
(10:45):
in a second on kfa IN.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
It's time, Tony, Tony, I can do something about that
right now.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Welcome back to the Bumper to Bumper program. In for Danbrero,
I am Alec Lewis, and our guest now is John Krasinski,
the best in the business. He writes about the Timberwolves
and really everything, the Vikings, national NBA stuff for the
athletic John, can you hear me?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
How is your Christmas? And what'd you think of Snoop Dogg?
Speaker 4 (11:29):
I did hear I can't hear you, Alec, and I
can tell you that Christmas was great for the Krasinski
family and the in laws as well. We kind of
were over the river and through the woods for all
of this last three four or five days, but love
Snoop and I think it went over pretty well with
(11:51):
the kids as well. Snoop has transcended, you know, kind
of age and demographic and everything, and he's a star everywhere.
So we very much enjoyed it in our fold.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
We missed you in the press box. Imagine you would
have been dancing or so actor. You probably would have
been down there with Snoop. I don't know, I mean,
I don't know, that might be possible.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Yeah, I would have loved to jump right in with it. Yeah,
I mean, the only thing that could have made it
better would would be the witness alive as you did.
But you know, I was able to watch from the
comforts of home and enjoyed that just as well love it.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Before we get to some Vikings and some Wolf stuff,
because there's a lot to talk about on both fronts,
I do want to ask, because you usually see this
stuff pretty clearly. I know you watch a lot of
the games, but what do you think of where the
NFC North is right now with Chicago, with Green Bay,
with what we saw from Detroit Thursday, Like, how do
(12:48):
you in many ways view the Vikings place and what
is a very interesting NFC North is?
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Yeah, I mean I think interesting is the way to
put it, because you know, I was quite frankly shocked
at what I saw from Detroit against the Vikings. I
mean I know that, you know, kind of they sell
on hard times a little bit, but I just didn't
anticipate the steep drop offs in execution and quality of
(13:17):
play all of that that we saw, you know, against
the Vikings. I mean credit to Brian Flores and the
defense and kind of everything that they did to make
to really fluster the Lions. But that one. I didn't
see this whole season coming for the Lions. I thought
they were going to be the class of the division.
(13:37):
I thought they were going to be in the running
for the super Bowl. I thought all of that, and
it's just.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Really gone the wrong way.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Now. I do think that with the infrastructure that they
have in place, that they can recover fairly quickly. They're good,
they're a really good drafting team, they're smart front office,
they're well coached. I think if they hire an offensive
coordinator and kind of things going on the right track,
that way, they can bounce back. But if you're the Vikings,
you do have concerns because if the Lions do pull
(14:09):
things back together fairly quickly and this is more of
just a stub your toe year than a decline, then
you're also looking at Caleb Williams, who looks legit, and
then Jordan Love has looked really good down the stretch aft,
you know, prior to the injury, and so you're looking
at facing some really good quarterbacks for the foreseeable future here.
(14:33):
And I think that's a that's a big mountain for
the Vikings to climb, even if they do have talent
around the roster that it appears they do, so they've
got some work cut out for them for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Kevin O'Connell talked earlier today about JJ McCarthy and his
availability for Sunday, essentially said it's going to come down to,
you know, whether he can grip the ball consistently and
kind of what that looks like from a you know,
just comfortability standpoint. How important do you think him playing
this weekend is.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I mean, it would be nice, Alec, I really do
think so. It would be nice to see him out
there and play another solid game to kind of you
bookend what has been a good finish for him prior
to that injury, and just give a little bit more
data on what he is as a quarterback, on who
(15:29):
he is as a leader, and playing a rivalry game
like this like that would be a really nice way
to finish this season. I don't if he doesn't play,
I don't know that it should change things terribly drastically
for the Vikings in their plans. I mean, when you
look at what you've gotten from him, the improvements that
(15:51):
did come down the stretch, I think it's worth staying
invested in him and giving him a little bit more
of an opportunity next season. But I also do think
that whether he plays this week or not, that you
do have to have a very high caliber number two
quarterback who will be able to fill in for multiple weeks,
(16:15):
just because McCarthy has not proven to be a guy
who can stay healthy. I really do like what we
see what we've seen from McCarthy prior to this last injury,
and it did look like he was turning a bit
of a corner. But I do think that this is
a team that just cannot go into next season kind
of with the same haphazard backup quarterback plan that they
(16:38):
seem to have this year around, just because McCarthy has
shown that at any moment he could be out for
a week, two weeks, multiple weeks.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
And.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
So they better have a stronger plan in place. But
I don't think they have to have a plan to
go get a brand new starting quarterback, if that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Yeah, And I think I'm with you in terms of
this weekend, Like it would be nice to have more data,
even if the Packers aren't going to play all of
their starters, to have, you know, to situate him in
that environment a couple of weeks after playing the Cowboys
and the Commanders and the Giants. It would it would
absolutely be nice. You mentioned Brian Flores earlier. We're talking
(17:18):
to John Krasinski, the athletic.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Here in for Dan Bururea.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
You mentioned Brian Flores in the job that he did Thursday,
in the job the defense and he has done all year.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
What would your reaction.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Be if twenty twenty six comes and Brian Flores is
no longer the DC here with the Vikings.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
Yeah, I mean that would be very unfortunate, but also
not surprising. Like I mean, he has done so many
good things here as defensive coordinator, and I and you know,
you know, I have talked about this a little bit, Alec,
and I've talked with Dan about this as well. Like
I think the Vikings have good personnel on defense. I
think with Van Ginkel, with Grenard, you know, Harrison Smith
(18:03):
in his you know, waging days, and a few others.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
You know.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
Jalen Redman is another one that deserves you kind of
mention here. But I don't think that he is dealing
with an abundance of elite players, and so I don't
think that this is a situation where the Vikings defense
is achieving something because of the overwhelming talent they have
on the roster. I think they're doing a lot of
(18:29):
it because of scheme, because of understanding, because of the
connection that lareescorges with his players in the buy in
that he gets, and so when you lose if you
were to lose a coach of that caliber, it would
be a huge blow to the Vikings. He's been such
a huge part of what they've done so far, and
how do you kind of replace one of the very
(18:53):
best coordinators in the league. That would be a big
ask for Kevin O'Connell to go find the next Brian Flores,
because I think he is singular in the way that
he gained plans, the way that he gets guys to
believe and figure things out and an absorb a system,
and the way they that they go play, And so
(19:14):
it would be, you know, a really big obstacle to
overcome this offseason to go find someone who can go
do the exact same things with this defense that Brian
Flores has done over the last you know, several years here.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Yeah, you said, and we've talked about it many times,
both in the press bocks and probably just off Mike
or what have you. But I mean, it is hard
to just fathom among the abundance of questions that they're
going to have this off season, whether it is the
type of quarterback insurant that they seek or figuring out
(19:50):
a way to climb up, you know, from being in
the red from a cap perspective. The way I phrased
it for multiple weeks now is like, if you add
losing something that has been as sustainable and something you
can bet on to the list of at him leaving
to the list of the amount of questions that you have,
(20:10):
it does become tedious, even more tedious from an offseason perspective.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
Yeah, I mean, he's he's the quarterback of the defense.
I mean, I know that you know Harrison Smith on
the field obviously, but when you look at what he
has done week in and week out, you know, there
was a period of the season earlier this year where
they were underwhelming, but they've never been bad. They've typically
(20:37):
been not just good, but really good and playing always
over and above the level of talent that they do have.
They confuse quarterbacks, They recavoc with an offensive coordinators game plan,
They just are such a difficult unit to play against,
and that is kind of a thing that it's hard
(21:01):
to find out there. It is really hard to find
guys who can come in and can take a collection
of solid players and then kind of elevate them to
elite level status. And these last whatever six seven weeks especially,
I mean they've beny Lee what they're doing every week.
You know, that's the one thing Alec when when you
(21:22):
look at and try and evaluate JJ McCarthy and I
do think that he's done a really good job, you know,
kind of finishing the season, but you can kind of
didpick like, look, they're not playing you know, the best
defenses that he's had some success against some weak units.
But what the Vikings did to the Lions on Christmas
(21:44):
Day was staggering. Like that's a that was a very
good team. Yes, they're dealing with some things up front,
but they have incredible skill possession player, single position player.
Jared Goff is a really good quarterback, you know, Gibbs,
Sam Brown, like all these and they just rendered them
completely in apt essentially. And so to have that kind
(22:05):
of ability to do that with a defense that is
again just full of really of good players and a
couple of really good players, but very few elite talents.
I mean, it would be it'd be an incredible loss,
There's no question about that.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
It's interesting.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
I was texting with someone in the league last night
and we were just talking about like how first round,
second round picks are just so important, and this defense
was really the subject of the conversation. It was like,
when's the last time the Vikings have hit on a
first or second round pick defensively?
Speaker 2 (22:38):
And potentially Dallas Turner might be that guy.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
But we had to go back to like twenty fifteen
with Eric Kendricks and Trey Wayns, which it was jarring
for me obviously, who has not been here since.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Then.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
All Right, we're gonna transition to the Wolves really quickly
here because I didn't watch the game Saturday night, and
I'm thankful probably that I did not.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
But can you explain to me, John, why the Wolves.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Seem to have these at home letdowns frequently against teams
that you just frankly would expect them to be better.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
Then, Yeah, it's a character flaw of this team, There's
no question, alec Now, I mean, the Brooklyn Nets are
playing good basketball, and that's almost like the worst case
scenario for sure the Timberwolves is that they play a
team where they just they come into the arena and
they look at their record and it's not a good record,
(23:33):
and they look at the guys on the other side
of it, you know, and yeah, MPJ is a nice player,
but they don't really have any household names otherwise, and
these guys just do not play with the same intensity,
the same energy, the same focus as they do Oklahoma City,
as they do Denver, as they do a lot of
these other teams. And you kind of heard some of
(23:56):
the commentary in the locker room after the game from
Anthony Edward saying, you know, this is just symbol of basketball,
I guess, and Dante DiVincenzo, you know, basically saying, I
don't know why we keep doing this. We talk to
each other about it all the time, but we do.
And it's maddening because they are a very talented team
and they belong, you know, in the discussion with the
(24:17):
top four in the Western Conference. I truly believe that
from a talent standpoint, and they just consistently do go
into these games against teams with losing records without like
the all star, you know, bona fide players, and then
they just they lay eggs and they don't they don't
(24:37):
take it seriously, and then by the time they figure
out that they're in trouble, sometimes like Saturday night, it's
too late. And so you know, I'm not sort of
like upset necessarily on Saturday with how with who they
lost to, because the Nets are seven and three in December,
they have the best defense in the league. In December,
they are playing really good basketball. But you do have
(25:00):
to be upset with how the Timberwolves approached the game
and how they played. They just did not have any
sort of connectivity, any sort of juice for most of
that night. And those are the nights that when you
look back at the end of the season and you're
jockeying for three, four, five, six, seven seed in a
gem packed Western Conference, you're gonna kick yourself and you say,
(25:22):
that's one of the ones that we let get away.
And there's just been too many of those over the
last several years. It's a maddening characteristic of the team
right now.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
And it's interesting, I mean from the outside obviously, where
you're trying to parse like, okay, I mean, they expended
a heck of a lot of energy on Christmas Night
in that game against the Nuggets, And I mean I
was blown away watching that night. And then there is
the factor that you mentioned with the Nets and other teams,
Like when the Suns came earlier, you know, a few
(25:53):
weeks ago, it felt like certain guys on that roster
were playing really well. So it's it is tough to parse.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
It's just been.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
Interesting obviously to observe it. We're talking to John Krazinski
here on KFA in John, where where would you say
the conversation is around the potential need for a point
guard just with this roster and how talented they are.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
Yeah, it's definitely something that they're looking at, Alec. I mean,
they've had conversations internally about adding a point guard. They're
certainly kind of combing the league to see what's available
out there in terms of you know, players and talent
and what they have and and and what's doable and
with the second apron and with all of the constraints
(26:40):
that they're working under in the salary cap as well.
I'll tell you though that when you look at what
this team needs, certainly point guard is there that's a
need on this team, But I'm starting to kind of
gravitate away from that position a little bit towards other
things because if you look at the starting five Evincenzo Edwards, McDaniels, Randall,
(27:04):
and Gobert, they have one of the best net ratings
in the league. That group is playing very well together. Generally,
There's going to be nights where they don't have it
and things, but overall they've been really good, which means
that they've mitigated the issues of not having a classic
point guard fairly well. But there what is really bothering
(27:26):
them right now is bench scoring. Unless nas Reed is
having a big game Alex, they just don't have enough
firepower off the bench. And they could also use kind
of another rim protector rebounder to play with that second
unit because the Julius Randall nas Reed minutes when when
Rudy Gobert goes to the bench are really problematic defensively,
(27:50):
and so I think they have several issues to look at,
and so I don't necessarily believe that point guard is
the be all and end all in terms of their
targets that they're looking at. In terms of trades, I
think they have to consider looking for some bench scoring
and also looking for a big man as well until
(28:10):
Yann Baronjay is ready, which probably won't be until next season,
so you know, there's more needs kind of that they're
facing right now than just point guard.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
I think it'll be interesting, and I will say this,
I mean, I have had a blest watching Anthony Edwards
the last few weeks. It feels like, I mean, what's
what's maybe I don't know, at least from the outside
for me, like going a little bit under the radar
even in my own mind, I guess is how much
he seems to improve year to year, Like he's this flashy, charismatic,
(28:46):
always present figure, but you don't see obviously that in
the gym, behind the scenes growth that he seems to
put in year and a year and it's been it's
been blown. It's blown me away. I'm sure you're not
surprised by it at all, but it does feel like
it gives this team even more of a chance if
they are as you know, as rounded out as everyone
(29:07):
here wants him to be.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Obviously.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
Yeah, every season, Alek he comes in with a new
dimension to his game, and that is really proof of
all the work that he puts in in the summertime.
Last year it was the three point shot, and you know,
he put in work all summer long, and he came
back and he made more threes than any other player
in the league, which was just a staggering improvement when
you think of where he started his career as kind
(29:33):
of this just gets to the basket slasher with a
kind of an iffy jump shot, and so you look
that now this year, the huge improvement has been in
his decision making. Now he's not Luka Danciciat or James
Harden yet in terms of being that heliocentric star who
just really has kind of the game, you know, on
(29:55):
puppet strings. But the ball is in his hands much
more than a has been in the past because they
don't have a natural point guard next to him, and
by and large, he's done really really well with it.
There are some high turnover games here and there, but
you can see him reading the game better. You can
see him anticipating things more than he ever has before.
(30:18):
Generally speaking, he's been a guy that just has used
his overwhelming athletic gifts to combat whatever was thrown at him.
But now you can see him start to think the
game more and start to read it and anticipate and
do all of those things. And it's it's been huge
for this team, and it really does only kind of
(30:39):
raise the ceiling on the type of player that he
can be over the next two, three or four years.
Is that you know, he's already a top six seven
player in the league, and the pathway the top four
is very difficult, but it is through being able to
kind of be one of those guys that wins games
(30:59):
met mentally as well as physically. And he's getting mail
with that.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
The last one for John Krasinsky, and I'll preface this
question by saying, if you have not read his story
on the Athletic five Star Dinner, Hope and Patience, the
formula for Kevin Garnett's Wolves return, I highly recommend it. Really,
John talked to ownership kind of consiglier is.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
It's an incredible piece.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
John, Just personally, what was your reaction when you heard
that Kevin Garnett was obviously returning in the capacity that
he is.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
Yeah, just like my personal reaction is just happiness for
all involved, because it really was this is not hyperbolele like,
it really was one of the great tragedies in the
league over the last ten years has been the estrangement
of the Timberwolves and Kevin Garnett. I mean, this is
(31:56):
a franchise that has precious little in the way of
history and more to be proud of. But standing there
head and shoulders literally above everything else in that category
is Kevin Garnett. And so for him to not be
involved with the team that he is most kind of
(32:17):
connected to in terms of spending thirteen and a half
seasons here of his twenty one year career where it
all started, I think it will be good for him
to be back here and involved in feeling the love
of the fan base and everything that has for him.
But mostly I'm just happy for fans because you can
tell that, you know, Kelly L La Ferreira, who was
(32:40):
kind of one of the integral people and brokering this
deal and making it happen, said it right like there
was this huge hole in the heart of the organization
with Garnett and not being there, with twenty one not
being in the rafters, and the fans you could just
tell wanted to say thank you to Kevin, wanted to
say you know how much they appreciated all of the
(33:02):
energy that he put into this team, you know, every
time that he took the steps foot on the court,
and they just were not able to do that because
the parents were fighting, they were kids in the middle
of a messy divorce and they were they just were
not able to reach out and give the guy a hug.
And that's what they're going to be able to do
when he comes back into that building. It's going to
(33:24):
be electric. I think Garnett deserves it, the organization deserves it,
and I think the fans most of all deserve to
really just be able to celebrate their guy and then
see eventually twenty one up in the rafters. It's it's
just a great thing that had to happen for the
health of this league and for the health of basketball
(33:46):
in this community. It's just the two go hand in hand.
So getting them back together is just it's a really
cool thing.
Speaker 5 (33:53):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
When he's back and in that building, I want to
be on sidebar duty for that night, if that's okay.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
John, Thanks thanks for.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Hopping on on this Monday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Always appreciate catching up. Hope. I see you this.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Weekend at the People Stadium for the finale.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Looking forward to that.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
Thanks Jean, Alex, I'll see you there all right, man.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
That'll do it for John Krasinski of the Athletic, best
in the game, one of the best beat writers in
the entire sports universe. And we will be back after
the break with Ben Lieber, legendary vikings player. I'm Alec
Lewis in for Dan Burrero on Kfan with Brett Blakemore
operating the controls exceptionally back there and keeping me in check.
(34:37):
So we will talk to you guys after the break.
Welcome back to Bumper to Bumper. I am not Dan Barrero.
My name is Alex Lewis. I cover the vikings for
the Athletic here with Brett Blakemore as our producer, and
we are going to go directly back to the phones.
(35:00):
Our guest now is Ben Lieber. Ben is a legend.
He is a former player. He is an analyst. I mean,
I'm Ben, How do I how do I intro? You've
got like forty different jobs. I don't know how to
do it? How are you?
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Alex?
Speaker 5 (35:16):
You can just stop at legend, buddy, No, it's you know,
just say just say uh, you know. Radio sideline reporter
for KFA an, that's all I need.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Radio sideline reporter legend Ben, thanks for hopping on.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
I'll start here.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
What was going through your mind Thursday as you watched
that same game that I and all of the folks
listening watched.
Speaker 5 (35:43):
Okay, away from the x's and o's, I was actually
really impressed by the level of energy that that we
were playing with, because, like we keep mentioning, for the
last couple of weeks, we've got nothing to play for.
And you know, I've been there, and I've been in
those locker rooms where you get into some of these
games in December that are that are technically meaning less
(36:05):
other than draft status, and yeah, it is sometimes a
little harder to prepare and put the time in during
the week and you know, treat it as if it's,
you know, something that really does matter and then go
out there and play with the same energy that maybe
you've played for you know, let's say compared to the
last Lions game from at the end of the season
last year where they're fighting for the number one spot.
(36:26):
So I was really impressed just the way the guys
came out and they were fighting.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Why do you think this group.
Speaker 1 (36:34):
I mean, you mentioned you've been on teams where late
in the season when the reality is just set in,
and I would just be curious from your perspective, why
you think this group has kind of transcended that typical feeling.
Speaker 5 (36:51):
You know, I don't know. I guess you have to
start at the top, But it just seems like Koc's
mentality and mantra and standard and expectation has been kind
of the same throughout the season. You know, It's not
like it doesn't sound like it waivers too much. It's
not weak to week as far as like, oh, well,
we're playing for more this week than we were last week,
(37:12):
or you know, we go with the ebbs and flows
of the game situation. I think it's just the same
every week. And you know, so that way, when you
actually get into games that are technically meaningless, then it
doesn't feel like there's a drop off. It doesn't feel
like there's a different message. So I think consistent message
is probably key.
Speaker 1 (37:29):
Yeah, you mentioned away from the x's and o's, so
I guess specific to the x's and o's in that game,
what cast your eye both in the moment if you've
watched it back, I mean prayers to you if you
rewatch the offense back from that game, but maybe probably
specific to the defense and the x's and o's, what
impressed you the most with how they were able to
(37:52):
stifle Jared Goff in that unit that obviously has the
talent that they have.
Speaker 5 (37:57):
You know, once again we go out and play their
offense with Jamior Gibbs and we basically neutralize them on
the ground, you know, get them to a situation where
they don't feel like they can commit to the run,
which is which is hard to do for that team.
I think that was you know, yes, there's some glitz
(38:17):
and glamour with the takeaways and the sacks and the
chaos that was created, but you know, we talk about
every week like you got to stop the run. I mean,
you can't let them get any sort of life on
the ground. And to do that against that team twice
this year is pretty remarkable. And not to say they
didn't have a couple of nice runs. I mean a
(38:39):
lot of teams are. It's not like we bottle them
up every single run. But for the most part, we
frustrated them on the ground and we are able to,
you know, with that disguise package still be in our
run sound gaps still play gap responsibility, still make the
tackles when we need to in a one on one situation.
So I think that, you know, again beyond some of
(39:02):
the statistics, that was a really impressive showing by the defense.
Speaker 1 (39:05):
You just said it, But it's I've always kind of
as I watch Brian Florea's defense and they'll line it
up on first down where it looks like a pump block, right,
and so they've got dbs on the line of scrimmage,
linebackers on the line of scrimmage, obviously edge rushers on
the line of scrimmage, and I often do wonder, like,
how do they comprehend slash apply the responsibilities specifically the
(39:29):
run game when you've got to be in certain spots
and I know you're not in the defense, So it's probably, uh,
you know, tough to to say on a like minute level,
but you you probably have a great understanding for like
the level of aptitude it takes and probably just adaptability
on the fly to plug some of those gaps out
of these looks.
Speaker 4 (39:51):
You know.
Speaker 5 (39:51):
I think it's it's harder when you are bluffing at
the line of scrimmage like you said, like it's a
punt block, but then the ultimate response ability is to
uh rotate back to let's say a deep cover two.
You know, that's difficult because as you're as you're bailing
on the staff of the ball, especially if they have
a poll scheme, then all of a sudden you're trying
(40:13):
to go backwards to then decipher, Okay, what's my new gap.
You know, it's not just the standard zone blocking where
they're just coming up and there might be an angle
that you have to sit that's a little different. But
the A gap is still the A gap, and the
B gap is still the B gap. But you know
when they when they start pulling guys, well those gaps
all exchange, and all of a sudden, now there's new
(40:34):
gaps created on the play side. That's that's the difficult part.
And you know what these guys have done, you know,
with they're with all the repetitions in practice, they've they've
managed to get around that. And and thankfully, whether let's
say the front side guy is completely gap sound, well
the backside guy might be chasing that polar and he
(40:55):
might be making the play and making their running back
stop their feet. So I think just individually up front,
if your job is to get vertical, they're getting vertical,
and they're they're basically neutralizing the run before it even
really get set up.
Speaker 1 (41:09):
Yeah, you did the postgame interview with Harrison Smith. We're
talking to Ben Lieber here on Bumper to Bumper. I'm
Alec Lewis in for Dan Brero. You. Uh, like I said,
did did the postgame hit with Harrison Smith?
Speaker 2 (41:20):
On the field? Not sure how much emote.
Speaker 1 (41:22):
I didn't get to see the full thing, but I'm
not sure how much emotion he showed there versus in
the locker room. If there was emotion or even as
you watch back his presser afterwards, like how did that
emotion hitch?
Speaker 2 (41:36):
You?
Speaker 5 (41:39):
You know, the funny thing is like he didn't show
a ton of emotion on the field. Definitely appreciation when
we talked about as Curt and call and the standy
no at the two minute mark. You know, I think
that that made him really self reflect He was definitely
much more emotional I think in the locker room. But
you know, when I was on the stale with him,
(42:00):
you know, the whole defense was over enjoying their time
with Netflix and about ten yards away, So I was
very aware of where he wanted to go and where
he felt like he needed to go. So I did
try to keep it short and sweet, and then I
let him go enjoy at the time on Netflix and
have that huge tomahawk steak that they got to bite into,
(42:20):
which gown that looks so good, man, Alec, I'm telling you,
I was. I was talking to the Murphy Junior about
that in the locker room and I go, did that
taste as good as it looked? He's like, dude, He's like,
I need to know who that chef is because that
was so good. He was like, it was so tender.
I don't know how long they had that thing had
been sitting there, but it was still falling off the bone.
So Netflix chef, good job. Everybody, all the guys in
(42:43):
the locker room loved it. But it The funny thing
is with his emotions, we went through this last year,
you know, and I don't know if it's really going
to hit me and maybe him and everybody else until
you know, truly truly the last game him on Sunday,
and even still, you know, it's I think the weight
(43:04):
of it probably won't hit him until you know, week
a month later when he finally makes a decision.
Speaker 2 (43:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (43:10):
The funny thing about the steak, I always wonder when
they had these postgame meals, like who where are they
cooking them? Who's keeping it hot? How do they transfer
the heat heated food directly out there? And sure it's
not cold or like it's it's there's incredible. It's an
incredible operation that no one talks about. I've always thought that,
(43:32):
I know.
Speaker 5 (43:33):
I think you got to do a story on it,
so I will. I have been told that the Thanksgiving
turkey is very dry and not very good. I think
I think that's actually been talked about kind of publicly.
But when it comes to that that uh that prime
river or whatever, that bone in prime rib or Tomahawks steak,
whatever they had, like, now that thing was we need
(43:56):
we need to figure out how they cooked it, how
they kept it warm, how it didn't open cook when
it was warming. I don't know. But all the guys
were like, dang, that was that was excellent.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (44:07):
All Right, We're gonna get into a little bit more,
gonna talk Brian Flores specifically, who I had a little
bit of a you know, talked a lot about at
the top. We're gonna get into that and more specific
to the quarterback with Ben Lieber when we come right
back from the break.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
You're listening to Bumper Bumper on KFA N
Happy Monday, folks. I thought about doing I'm Alex Lewis.
By the way, I covered the vikings for the Athletic.
I'm in for Dan Brero, Brett Blakemore is in for
Justin Gard.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I thought about doing this is your but.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
I mean you can't really, I mean replicate no excellence, Kane.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
It would be the leader if you had your choice.
So do you have something ready?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
So that was it. I was like, this is your How.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Much money is Brian Floraz gonna make leader?
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Fan?
Speaker 1 (00:31):
But no, I look, it's really like I said, it's
tough to replicate excellence. Couldn't pull it off today. But
I am honored and privileged to be here in for
Dan Brero again. My name is Alec Lewis. I write
about the vikings for the Athletic. I also host a podcast.
Wherever you get your podcast. I used to be annoyed
(00:54):
when I heard other people say that, and now I'm
the one saying it because everyone in the whole entire
world has a podcast. If there was one place you
would recommend people listening to podcasts, or would.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
That be the iHeartRadio app?
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Yeah, Chad Abbitt is really gonna appreciate me saying that,
but I also it's on YouTube, Spotify, Apple.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Et cetera. I wish guards he was here.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
In some capacity, Brett, because we could you know, I
get that we could go No, no, we would go
through the Brozemer day on Thursday, and I just it
would be a welcome session for the both of us.
But to all of you listening, hope you hope you
had a merry Christmas. If you're driving around, I hope
you're safe. I mean, if you don't know, I'm from Alabama, yeah,
and this this weather is not drivable for me. I
(01:38):
mean I actually hitch hiked Tier from the North Loop. No,
you're looking at me like a serious no chance. No
I drove, but it's just I mean, prayers to all
of those who were driving next to me on the
roads is what I would say. We're gonna start with
Brian Flores on you know, I mentioned it at the top.
(02:00):
But Kevin O'Connell at his press conference probably about two
hours ago, was asked about Brian Flores. It was pretty
clear in terms of how much he wants him to
be the defensive coordinator.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
For the Vikings.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Kevin O'Connell said as long as he can have him,
which is sensible with what they've been able to do.
My joke is that, like this might be the biggest
free agent since Shoe Otani in the marketplace, just given
the job that Brian Flores has done, and it's been spectacular.
And if you've listened on the Friday and Football Feast,
(02:37):
when I sit up there at some random Buffalo wild
Wings in some city across Minnesota, we praise Brian Flores
and the job the defense has done against young quarterbacks,
against veteran quarterbacks. And before the season, the Vikings weren't
able to re up Brian Flores's contract. And Brian Flores,
(02:58):
like if you've read anything that I've written about or
that many have over the course of years, he is
a very strong minded, confident, convicted individual that is very
much kind of the ethos of who he is, and
a lot of that derives from where he comes from
up in Brooklyn, New York. And so he entered this
(03:20):
season essentially with the bet on yourself situation and go
to give you a few numbers, Brett, is that okay
with you?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
You know me, I'm a big numbers guy.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Brian Flores took over a defense that ranked twenty third inefficiency.
That was the ed Donatel defense, and twenty third feels
very kind to what that ed Donatel defense was. He
immediately Brian Flores did transform the defense went from twenty
third to eleventh and twenty twenty three. And those listening
(03:50):
to this show will remember that the cornerbacks on that team,
it was, yes, Byron Murphy, but a Caleb Evans was
out there, Andrew Booth was like the number three cornerback.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
On that team.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Yes, they had Daniel Hunter, but a lot of the players,
very few of them were identified by Brian and brought
in to fit this particular scheme.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
So eleventh, Cam Danceler, what are you doing? Cam Dancler?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Eleventh and twenty twenty three, and then twenty twenty four
of the defense moved to second inefficiency and then this
season they're up to sixth in efficiency, and it's just,
I mean, it's just absurd. Like again, you can't overstate
enough the job that he's done. And I'm not gonna
sit here today on this microphone in for Dan Bururo,
(04:36):
you in for Justin Guard.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
My name is Alex Lewis.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
I'm not going to sit here today and tell you
that I know what's gonna happen with with Brian Flores,
that would be faulty on my end. He's represented by
a conglomerate called CIA that typically puts their clients in
the best position to be successful to use a coaching line,
and Brian Flores, look, he wants to be a head coach.
(05:01):
He has not made any you know, he hasn't hid
behind that. He's been very open in previous press conferences
that that is something that he wants. And when he
was in Miami, like, he did a fairly good job
down there, and you've seen obviously in the recent years
with Mike McDaniel it's not the easiest place to do
(05:22):
an exceptional job. And so I think from everything Brian
Floreses has done from an on the field perspective, from
a influence on personnel perspective, Brian Flores has shown an
ability that should garner the attention of other owners. But
rather than like sit here today and talk about what's
(05:43):
gonna happen, and there's a lot of dynamics at play
with you know, the lawsuit. Obviously I mentioned like his
strong mindedness and he carries that with him kind of
on a day to day basis coaching. But I'm just
going to give you what I think is maybe the
most underrated aspect of Brian Flores. Is that okay with you, bro,
if I give that to you and the listeners. So
(06:05):
here's the deal. I don't think a lot of people
know that Brian Flora's first job in the NFL was
not on the coaching staff with the New England Patriots,
but it was as a scout with the New England Patriots,
and so Brian Flores. They used to have these offices
(06:27):
in New England in Foxborough where Brian Flores would he
was essentially like sitting in the very back of the
entire office with a shelves of tapes of football tapes.
And what Brian Flores did really from from morning, from
(06:48):
sun up to sun down, was he would put these
tapes in and he would go through all of these
evaluations of players, college prospects, low level college prospects, free
agent prospects, and he would watch these tapes and essentially
organize them by hand in the back of this office
with no one knowing who Brian Flores was or would
(07:09):
what he would be.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
And that was like his education in the business.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
And so when when you think about Brian Flora's defense,
what I often am of the belief gets lost is
how much that scouting background that shaped his view of
the game has allowed him to be as successful as
he's been. And it's scouting his own players, it's evaluating
(07:36):
potential free agents. Like I remember I did a story
on him in The Winner of twenty twenty three and
I was sitting in his office.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
He's got this.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Big wall in his office with just tabs of players.
Some of them were on the roster already, some of
them were free agents. He was already coveting for the
upcoming cycle. That's how his brain thinks. He is as
much a personnel guy as he is a coach on
the field, and that evaluation ability plays a key role
(08:02):
in the game plans that he puts together on a
week to week basis. His evaluation of the opposing pass
protection unit factors into how he calls the game. His
evaluation of what the quarterback opposing quarterback can do and
can't do factors into the game.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
And so like when you so many of these coaches.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
In the NFL in this day and age, their their
scheme guys and really like all all their whole philosophy,
their whole mindset is just how can I put the
best scheme together? On its surface, Brian Floores is so
there's so much more to it with him that all
really all of it dates back to his introduction to
(08:44):
this league, and so his scheme is so adaptable based
upon the evaluations that he puts together on a day
to day, week to week basis.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Like he's almost like the way.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
I would describe it is, you know, there are probably
people who are less into this who are really good
at putting puzzles together, legos together, and like you have
an intuition on what to put together. Brian Flora's defense
is almost like he created the puzzle with a very specific,
clear intent, precise detailed plan and knows exactly why each
(09:18):
piece fits where it's supposed to fit. Like that is
the way this guy coaches on a week to week basis.
So for me, it's just the one thing that I
hope people you know, listen to take think about as
they evaluate future coaches is the ability that he has
(09:38):
to really be kind of the personnel mind for his
unit that he then pieces together on a daily basis.
It's a pretty special skill to get when you have
a guy in his role, and so I just wanted
to start with that and we'll see where it goes.
People ask me all the time if Brian Flores leaves,
who on the current staff could take that position.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
The two obvious.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Names for me would be Derante Jones or Mike Saravo.
But the hope from everyone here you probably not Brett,
because you're a Packers fan, uh, but the folks listening
to this from Vikings fans, would be that Brian Flores
does not leave this building, and we will see if
that happens. That's my first segment, Brett in here for
Dan Burrero. I wanted to come in with some energy.
(10:21):
I'm Alex Lewis. I cover the Vikings day to day.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
This is kfa IN and we'll be back with multiple
guests today, John Krazinski, the athletic Ben Lieber, uh, the
legendary former player Ben Lieber. Those two guys will be
here for the next hour and a half and I
cannot wait to uh, you know, shepherd the program in
that direction. I'm Alex Lewis, and we will be back
(10:45):
in a second on kfa IN.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
It's time, Tony, Tony, I can do something about that
right now.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Welcome back to the Bumper to Bumper program. In for Danbrero,
I am Alec Lewis, and our guest now is John Krasinski,
the best in the business. He writes about the Timberwolves
and really everything, the Vikings, national NBA stuff for the
athletic John, can you hear me?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
How is your Christmas? And what'd you think of Snoop Dogg?
Speaker 4 (11:29):
I did hear I can't hear you, Alec, and I
can tell you that Christmas was great for the Krasinski
family and the in laws as well. We kind of
were over the river and through the woods for all
of this last three four or five days, but love
Snoop and I think it went over pretty well with
(11:51):
the kids as well. Snoop has transcended, you know, kind
of age and demographic and everything, and he's a star everywhere.
So we very much enjoyed it in our fold.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
We missed you in the press box. Imagine you would
have been dancing or so actor. You probably would have
been down there with Snoop. I don't know, I mean,
I don't know, that might be possible.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Yeah, I would have loved to jump right in with it. Yeah,
I mean, the only thing that could have made it
better would would be the witness alive as you did.
But you know, I was able to watch from the
comforts of home and enjoyed that just as well love it.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Before we get to some Vikings and some Wolf stuff,
because there's a lot to talk about on both fronts,
I do want to ask, because you usually see this
stuff pretty clearly. I know you watch a lot of
the games, but what do you think of where the
NFC North is right now with Chicago, with Green Bay,
with what we saw from Detroit Thursday, Like, how do
(12:48):
you in many ways view the Vikings place and what
is a very interesting NFC North is?
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Yeah, I mean I think interesting is the way to
put it, because you know, I was quite frankly shocked
at what I saw from Detroit against the Vikings. I
mean I know that, you know, kind of they sell
on hard times a little bit, but I just didn't
anticipate the steep drop offs in execution and quality of
(13:17):
play all of that that we saw, you know, against
the Vikings. I mean credit to Brian Flores and the
defense and kind of everything that they did to make
to really fluster the Lions. But that one. I didn't
see this whole season coming for the Lions. I thought
they were going to be the class of the division.
(13:37):
I thought they were going to be in the running
for the super Bowl. I thought all of that, and
it's just.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Really gone the wrong way.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Now. I do think that with the infrastructure that they
have in place, that they can recover fairly quickly. They're good,
they're a really good drafting team, they're smart front office,
they're well coached. I think if they hire an offensive
coordinator and kind of things going on the right track,
that way, they can bounce back. But if you're the Vikings,
you do have concerns because if the Lions do pull
(14:09):
things back together fairly quickly and this is more of
just a stub your toe year than a decline, then
you're also looking at Caleb Williams, who looks legit, and
then Jordan Love has looked really good down the stretch aft,
you know, prior to the injury, and so you're looking
at facing some really good quarterbacks for the foreseeable future here.
(14:33):
And I think that's a that's a big mountain for
the Vikings to climb, even if they do have talent
around the roster that it appears they do, so they've
got some work cut out for them for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Kevin O'Connell talked earlier today about JJ McCarthy and his
availability for Sunday, essentially said it's going to come down to,
you know, whether he can grip the ball consistently and
kind of what that looks like from a you know,
just comfortability standpoint. How important do you think him playing
this weekend is.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I mean, it would be nice, Alec, I really do
think so. It would be nice to see him out
there and play another solid game to kind of you
bookend what has been a good finish for him prior
to that injury, and just give a little bit more
data on what he is as a quarterback, on who
(15:29):
he is as a leader, and playing a rivalry game
like this like that would be a really nice way
to finish this season. I don't if he doesn't play,
I don't know that it should change things terribly drastically
for the Vikings in their plans. I mean, when you
look at what you've gotten from him, the improvements that
(15:51):
did come down the stretch, I think it's worth staying
invested in him and giving him a little bit more
of an opportunity next season. But I also do think
that whether he plays this week or not, that you
do have to have a very high caliber number two
quarterback who will be able to fill in for multiple weeks,
(16:15):
just because McCarthy has not proven to be a guy
who can stay healthy. I really do like what we
see what we've seen from McCarthy prior to this last injury,
and it did look like he was turning a bit
of a corner. But I do think that this is
a team that just cannot go into next season kind
of with the same haphazard backup quarterback plan that they
(16:38):
seem to have this year around, just because McCarthy has
shown that at any moment he could be out for
a week, two weeks, multiple weeks.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
And.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
So they better have a stronger plan in place. But
I don't think they have to have a plan to
go get a brand new starting quarterback, if that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Yeah, And I think I'm with you in terms of
this weekend, Like it would be nice to have more data,
even if the Packers aren't going to play all of
their starters, to have, you know, to situate him in
that environment a couple of weeks after playing the Cowboys
and the Commanders and the Giants. It would it would
absolutely be nice. You mentioned Brian Flores earlier. We're talking
(17:18):
to John Krasinski, the athletic.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Here in for Dan Bururea.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
You mentioned Brian Flores in the job that he did Thursday,
in the job the defense and he has done all year.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
What would your reaction.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Be if twenty twenty six comes and Brian Flores is
no longer the DC here with the Vikings.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
Yeah, I mean that would be very unfortunate, but also
not surprising. Like I mean, he has done so many
good things here as defensive coordinator, and I and you know,
you know, I have talked about this a little bit, Alec,
and I've talked with Dan about this as well. Like
I think the Vikings have good personnel on defense. I
think with Van Ginkel, with Grenard, you know, Harrison Smith
(18:03):
in his you know, waging days, and a few others.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
You know.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
Jalen Redman is another one that deserves you kind of
mention here. But I don't think that he is dealing
with an abundance of elite players, and so I don't
think that this is a situation where the Vikings defense
is achieving something because of the overwhelming talent they have
on the roster. I think they're doing a lot of
(18:29):
it because of scheme, because of understanding, because of the
connection that lareescorges with his players in the buy in
that he gets, and so when you lose if you
were to lose a coach of that caliber, it would
be a huge blow to the Vikings. He's been such
a huge part of what they've done so far, and
how do you kind of replace one of the very
(18:53):
best coordinators in the league. That would be a big
ask for Kevin O'Connell to go find the next Brian Flores,
because I think he is singular in the way that
he gained plans, the way that he gets guys to
believe and figure things out and an absorb a system,
and the way they that they go play, And so
(19:14):
it would be, you know, a really big obstacle to
overcome this offseason to go find someone who can go
do the exact same things with this defense that Brian
Flores has done over the last you know, several years here.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Yeah, you said, and we've talked about it many times,
both in the press bocks and probably just off Mike
or what have you. But I mean, it is hard
to just fathom among the abundance of questions that they're
going to have this off season, whether it is the
type of quarterback insurant that they seek or figuring out
(19:50):
a way to climb up, you know, from being in
the red from a cap perspective. The way I phrased
it for multiple weeks now is like, if you add
losing something that has been as sustainable and something you
can bet on to the list of at him leaving
to the list of the amount of questions that you have,
(20:10):
it does become tedious, even more tedious from an offseason perspective.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
Yeah, I mean, he's he's the quarterback of the defense.
I mean, I know that you know Harrison Smith on
the field obviously, but when you look at what he
has done week in and week out, you know, there
was a period of the season earlier this year where
they were underwhelming, but they've never been bad. They've typically
(20:37):
been not just good, but really good and playing always
over and above the level of talent that they do have.
They confuse quarterbacks, They recavoc with an offensive coordinators game plan,
They just are such a difficult unit to play against,
and that is kind of a thing that it's hard
(21:01):
to find out there. It is really hard to find
guys who can come in and can take a collection
of solid players and then kind of elevate them to
elite level status. And these last whatever six seven weeks especially,
I mean they've beny Lee what they're doing every week.
You know, that's the one thing Alec when when you
(21:22):
look at and try and evaluate JJ McCarthy and I
do think that he's done a really good job, you know,
kind of finishing the season, but you can kind of
didpick like, look, they're not playing you know, the best
defenses that he's had some success against some weak units.
But what the Vikings did to the Lions on Christmas
(21:44):
Day was staggering. Like that's a that was a very
good team. Yes, they're dealing with some things up front,
but they have incredible skill possession player, single position player.
Jared Goff is a really good quarterback, you know, Gibbs,
Sam Brown, like all these and they just rendered them
completely in apt essentially. And so to have that kind
(22:05):
of ability to do that with a defense that is
again just full of really of good players and a
couple of really good players, but very few elite talents.
I mean, it would be it'd be an incredible loss,
There's no question about that.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
It's interesting.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
I was texting with someone in the league last night
and we were just talking about like how first round,
second round picks are just so important, and this defense
was really the subject of the conversation. It was like,
when's the last time the Vikings have hit on a
first or second round pick defensively?
Speaker 2 (22:38):
And potentially Dallas Turner might be that guy.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
But we had to go back to like twenty fifteen
with Eric Kendricks and Trey Wayns, which it was jarring
for me obviously, who has not been here since.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Then.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
All Right, we're gonna transition to the Wolves really quickly
here because I didn't watch the game Saturday night, and
I'm thankful probably that I did not.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
But can you explain to me, John, why the Wolves.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Seem to have these at home letdowns frequently against teams
that you just frankly would expect them to be better.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
Then, Yeah, it's a character flaw of this team, There's
no question, alec Now, I mean, the Brooklyn Nets are
playing good basketball, and that's almost like the worst case
scenario for sure the Timberwolves is that they play a
team where they just they come into the arena and
they look at their record and it's not a good record,
(23:33):
and they look at the guys on the other side
of it, you know, and yeah, MPJ is a nice player,
but they don't really have any household names otherwise, and
these guys just do not play with the same intensity,
the same energy, the same focus as they do Oklahoma City,
as they do Denver, as they do a lot of
these other teams. And you kind of heard some of
(23:56):
the commentary in the locker room after the game from
Anthony Edward saying, you know, this is just symbol of basketball,
I guess, and Dante DiVincenzo, you know, basically saying, I
don't know why we keep doing this. We talk to
each other about it all the time, but we do.
And it's maddening because they are a very talented team
and they belong, you know, in the discussion with the
(24:17):
top four in the Western Conference. I truly believe that
from a talent standpoint, and they just consistently do go
into these games against teams with losing records without like
the all star, you know, bona fide players, and then
they just they lay eggs and they don't they don't
(24:37):
take it seriously, and then by the time they figure
out that they're in trouble, sometimes like Saturday night, it's
too late. And so you know, I'm not sort of
like upset necessarily on Saturday with how with who they
lost to, because the Nets are seven and three in December,
they have the best defense in the league. In December,
they are playing really good basketball. But you do have
(25:00):
to be upset with how the Timberwolves approached the game
and how they played. They just did not have any
sort of connectivity, any sort of juice for most of
that night. And those are the nights that when you
look back at the end of the season and you're
jockeying for three, four, five, six, seven seed in a
gem packed Western Conference, you're gonna kick yourself and you say,
(25:22):
that's one of the ones that we let get away.
And there's just been too many of those over the
last several years. It's a maddening characteristic of the team
right now.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
And it's interesting, I mean from the outside obviously, where
you're trying to parse like, okay, I mean, they expended
a heck of a lot of energy on Christmas Night
in that game against the Nuggets, And I mean I
was blown away watching that night. And then there is
the factor that you mentioned with the Nets and other teams,
Like when the Suns came earlier, you know, a few
(25:53):
weeks ago, it felt like certain guys on that roster
were playing really well. So it's it is tough to parse.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
It's just been.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
Interesting obviously to observe it. We're talking to John Krazinski
here on KFA in John, where where would you say
the conversation is around the potential need for a point
guard just with this roster and how talented they are.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
Yeah, it's definitely something that they're looking at, Alec. I mean,
they've had conversations internally about adding a point guard. They're
certainly kind of combing the league to see what's available
out there in terms of you know, players and talent
and what they have and and and what's doable and
with the second apron and with all of the constraints
(26:40):
that they're working under in the salary cap as well.
I'll tell you though that when you look at what
this team needs, certainly point guard is there that's a
need on this team, But I'm starting to kind of
gravitate away from that position a little bit towards other
things because if you look at the starting five Evincenzo Edwards, McDaniels, Randall,
(27:04):
and Gobert, they have one of the best net ratings
in the league. That group is playing very well together. Generally,
There's going to be nights where they don't have it
and things, but overall they've been really good, which means
that they've mitigated the issues of not having a classic
point guard fairly well. But there what is really bothering
(27:26):
them right now is bench scoring. Unless nas Reed is
having a big game Alex, they just don't have enough
firepower off the bench. And they could also use kind
of another rim protector rebounder to play with that second
unit because the Julius Randall nas Reed minutes when when
Rudy Gobert goes to the bench are really problematic defensively,
(27:50):
and so I think they have several issues to look at,
and so I don't necessarily believe that point guard is
the be all and end all in terms of their
targets that they're looking at. In terms of trades, I
think they have to consider looking for some bench scoring
and also looking for a big man as well until
(28:10):
Yann Baronjay is ready, which probably won't be until next season,
so you know, there's more needs kind of that they're
facing right now than just point guard.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
I think it'll be interesting, and I will say this,
I mean, I have had a blest watching Anthony Edwards
the last few weeks. It feels like, I mean, what's
what's maybe I don't know, at least from the outside
for me, like going a little bit under the radar
even in my own mind, I guess is how much
he seems to improve year to year, Like he's this flashy, charismatic,
(28:46):
always present figure, but you don't see obviously that in
the gym, behind the scenes growth that he seems to
put in year and a year and it's been it's
been blown. It's blown me away. I'm sure you're not
surprised by it at all, but it does feel like
it gives this team even more of a chance if
they are as you know, as rounded out as everyone
(29:07):
here wants him to be.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Obviously.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
Yeah, every season, Alek he comes in with a new
dimension to his game, and that is really proof of
all the work that he puts in in the summertime.
Last year it was the three point shot, and you know,
he put in work all summer long, and he came
back and he made more threes than any other player
in the league, which was just a staggering improvement when
you think of where he started his career as kind
(29:33):
of this just gets to the basket slasher with a
kind of an iffy jump shot, and so you look
that now this year, the huge improvement has been in
his decision making. Now he's not Luka Danciciat or James
Harden yet in terms of being that heliocentric star who
just really has kind of the game, you know, on
(29:55):
puppet strings. But the ball is in his hands much
more than a has been in the past because they
don't have a natural point guard next to him, and
by and large, he's done really really well with it.
There are some high turnover games here and there, but
you can see him reading the game better. You can
see him anticipating things more than he ever has before.
(30:18):
Generally speaking, he's been a guy that just has used
his overwhelming athletic gifts to combat whatever was thrown at him.
But now you can see him start to think the
game more and start to read it and anticipate and
do all of those things. And it's it's been huge
for this team, and it really does only kind of
(30:39):
raise the ceiling on the type of player that he
can be over the next two, three or four years.
Is that you know, he's already a top six seven
player in the league, and the pathway the top four
is very difficult, but it is through being able to
kind of be one of those guys that wins games
(30:59):
met mentally as well as physically. And he's getting mail
with that.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
The last one for John Krasinsky, and I'll preface this
question by saying, if you have not read his story
on the Athletic five Star Dinner, Hope and Patience, the
formula for Kevin Garnett's Wolves return, I highly recommend it. Really,
John talked to ownership kind of consiglier is.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
It's an incredible piece.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
John, Just personally, what was your reaction when you heard
that Kevin Garnett was obviously returning in the capacity that
he is.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
Yeah, just like my personal reaction is just happiness for
all involved, because it really was this is not hyperbolele like,
it really was one of the great tragedies in the
league over the last ten years has been the estrangement
of the Timberwolves and Kevin Garnett. I mean, this is
(31:56):
a franchise that has precious little in the way of
history and more to be proud of. But standing there
head and shoulders literally above everything else in that category
is Kevin Garnett. And so for him to not be
involved with the team that he is most kind of
(32:17):
connected to in terms of spending thirteen and a half
seasons here of his twenty one year career where it
all started, I think it will be good for him
to be back here and involved in feeling the love
of the fan base and everything that has for him.
But mostly I'm just happy for fans because you can
tell that, you know, Kelly L La Ferreira, who was
(32:40):
kind of one of the integral people and brokering this
deal and making it happen, said it right like there
was this huge hole in the heart of the organization
with Garnett and not being there, with twenty one not
being in the rafters, and the fans you could just
tell wanted to say thank you to Kevin, wanted to
say you know how much they appreciated all of the
(33:02):
energy that he put into this team, you know, every
time that he took the steps foot on the court,
and they just were not able to do that because
the parents were fighting, they were kids in the middle
of a messy divorce and they were they just were
not able to reach out and give the guy a hug.
And that's what they're going to be able to do
when he comes back into that building. It's going to
(33:24):
be electric. I think Garnett deserves it, the organization deserves it,
and I think the fans most of all deserve to
really just be able to celebrate their guy and then
see eventually twenty one up in the rafters. It's it's
just a great thing that had to happen for the
health of this league and for the health of basketball
(33:46):
in this community. It's just the two go hand in hand.
So getting them back together is just it's a really
cool thing.
Speaker 5 (33:53):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
When he's back and in that building, I want to
be on sidebar duty for that night, if that's okay.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
John, Thanks thanks for.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Hopping on on this Monday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Always appreciate catching up. Hope. I see you this.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Weekend at the People Stadium for the finale.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Looking forward to that.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
Thanks Jean, Alex, I'll see you there all right, man.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
That'll do it for John Krasinski of the Athletic, best
in the game, one of the best beat writers in
the entire sports universe. And we will be back after
the break with Ben Lieber, legendary vikings player. I'm Alec
Lewis in for Dan Burrero on Kfan with Brett Blakemore
operating the controls exceptionally back there and keeping me in check.
(34:37):
So we will talk to you guys after the break.
Welcome back to Bumper to Bumper. I am not Dan Barrero.
My name is Alex Lewis. I cover the vikings for
the Athletic here with Brett Blakemore as our producer, and
we are going to go directly back to the phones.
(35:00):
Our guest now is Ben Lieber. Ben is a legend.
He is a former player. He is an analyst. I mean,
I'm Ben, How do I how do I intro? You've
got like forty different jobs. I don't know how to
do it? How are you?
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Alex?
Speaker 5 (35:16):
You can just stop at legend, buddy, No, it's you know,
just say just say uh, you know. Radio sideline reporter
for KFA an, that's all I need.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Radio sideline reporter legend Ben, thanks for hopping on.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
I'll start here.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
What was going through your mind Thursday as you watched
that same game that I and all of the folks
listening watched.
Speaker 5 (35:43):
Okay, away from the x's and o's, I was actually
really impressed by the level of energy that that we
were playing with, because, like we keep mentioning, for the
last couple of weeks, we've got nothing to play for.
And you know, I've been there, and I've been in
those locker rooms where you get into some of these
games in December that are that are technically meaning less
(36:05):
other than draft status, and yeah, it is sometimes a
little harder to prepare and put the time in during
the week and you know, treat it as if it's,
you know, something that really does matter and then go
out there and play with the same energy that maybe
you've played for you know, let's say compared to the
last Lions game from at the end of the season
last year where they're fighting for the number one spot.
(36:26):
So I was really impressed just the way the guys
came out and they were fighting.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Why do you think this group.
Speaker 1 (36:34):
I mean, you mentioned you've been on teams where late
in the season when the reality is just set in,
and I would just be curious from your perspective, why
you think this group has kind of transcended that typical feeling.
Speaker 5 (36:51):
You know, I don't know. I guess you have to
start at the top, But it just seems like Koc's
mentality and mantra and standard and expectation has been kind
of the same throughout the season. You know, It's not
like it doesn't sound like it waivers too much. It's
not weak to week as far as like, oh, well,
we're playing for more this week than we were last week,
(37:12):
or you know, we go with the ebbs and flows
of the game situation. I think it's just the same
every week. And you know, so that way, when you
actually get into games that are technically meaningless, then it
doesn't feel like there's a drop off. It doesn't feel
like there's a different message. So I think consistent message
is probably key.
Speaker 1 (37:29):
Yeah, you mentioned away from the x's and o's, so
I guess specific to the x's and o's in that game,
what cast your eye both in the moment if you've
watched it back, I mean prayers to you if you
rewatch the offense back from that game, but maybe probably
specific to the defense and the x's and o's, what
impressed you the most with how they were able to
(37:52):
stifle Jared Goff in that unit that obviously has the
talent that they have.
Speaker 5 (37:57):
You know, once again we go out and play their
offense with Jamior Gibbs and we basically neutralize them on
the ground, you know, get them to a situation where
they don't feel like they can commit to the run,
which is which is hard to do for that team.
I think that was you know, yes, there's some glitz
(38:17):
and glamour with the takeaways and the sacks and the
chaos that was created, but you know, we talk about
every week like you got to stop the run. I mean,
you can't let them get any sort of life on
the ground. And to do that against that team twice
this year is pretty remarkable. And not to say they
didn't have a couple of nice runs. I mean a
(38:39):
lot of teams are. It's not like we bottle them
up every single run. But for the most part, we
frustrated them on the ground and we are able to,
you know, with that disguise package still be in our
run sound gaps still play gap responsibility, still make the
tackles when we need to in a one on one situation.
So I think that, you know, again beyond some of
(39:02):
the statistics, that was a really impressive showing by the defense.
Speaker 1 (39:05):
You just said it, But it's I've always kind of
as I watch Brian Florea's defense and they'll line it
up on first down where it looks like a pump block, right,
and so they've got dbs on the line of scrimmage,
linebackers on the line of scrimmage, obviously edge rushers on
the line of scrimmage, and I often do wonder, like,
how do they comprehend slash apply the responsibilities specifically the
(39:29):
run game when you've got to be in certain spots
and I know you're not in the defense, So it's probably, uh,
you know, tough to to say on a like minute level,
but you you probably have a great understanding for like
the level of aptitude it takes and probably just adaptability
on the fly to plug some of those gaps out
of these looks.
Speaker 4 (39:51):
You know.
Speaker 5 (39:51):
I think it's it's harder when you are bluffing at
the line of scrimmage like you said, like it's a
punt block, but then the ultimate response ability is to
uh rotate back to let's say a deep cover two.
You know, that's difficult because as you're as you're bailing
on the staff of the ball, especially if they have
a poll scheme, then all of a sudden you're trying
(40:13):
to go backwards to then decipher, Okay, what's my new gap.
You know, it's not just the standard zone blocking where
they're just coming up and there might be an angle
that you have to sit that's a little different. But
the A gap is still the A gap, and the
B gap is still the B gap. But you know
when they when they start pulling guys, well those gaps
all exchange, and all of a sudden, now there's new
(40:34):
gaps created on the play side. That's that's the difficult part.
And you know what these guys have done, you know,
with they're with all the repetitions in practice, they've they've
managed to get around that. And and thankfully, whether let's
say the front side guy is completely gap sound, well
the backside guy might be chasing that polar and he
(40:55):
might be making the play and making their running back
stop their feet. So I think just individually up front,
if your job is to get vertical, they're getting vertical,
and they're they're basically neutralizing the run before it even
really get set up.
Speaker 1 (41:09):
Yeah, you did the postgame interview with Harrison Smith. We're
talking to Ben Lieber here on Bumper to Bumper. I'm
Alec Lewis in for Dan Brero. You. Uh, like I said,
did did the postgame hit with Harrison Smith?
Speaker 2 (41:20):
On the field? Not sure how much emote.
Speaker 1 (41:22):
I didn't get to see the full thing, but I'm
not sure how much emotion he showed there versus in
the locker room. If there was emotion or even as
you watch back his presser afterwards, like how did that
emotion hitch?
Speaker 2 (41:36):
You?
Speaker 5 (41:39):
You know, the funny thing is like he didn't show
a ton of emotion on the field. Definitely appreciation when
we talked about as Curt and call and the standy
no at the two minute mark. You know, I think
that that made him really self reflect He was definitely
much more emotional I think in the locker room. But
you know, when I was on the stale with him,
(42:00):
you know, the whole defense was over enjoying their time
with Netflix and about ten yards away, So I was
very aware of where he wanted to go and where
he felt like he needed to go. So I did
try to keep it short and sweet, and then I
let him go enjoy at the time on Netflix and
have that huge tomahawk steak that they got to bite into,
(42:20):
which gown that looks so good, man, Alec, I'm telling you,
I was. I was talking to the Murphy Junior about
that in the locker room and I go, did that
taste as good as it looked? He's like, dude, He's like,
I need to know who that chef is because that
was so good. He was like, it was so tender.
I don't know how long they had that thing had
been sitting there, but it was still falling off the bone.
So Netflix chef, good job. Everybody, all the guys in
(42:43):
the locker room loved it. But it The funny thing
is with his emotions, we went through this last year,
you know, and I don't know if it's really going
to hit me and maybe him and everybody else until
you know, truly truly the last game him on Sunday,
and even still, you know, it's I think the weight
(43:04):
of it probably won't hit him until you know, week
a month later when he finally makes a decision.
Speaker 2 (43:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (43:10):
The funny thing about the steak, I always wonder when
they had these postgame meals, like who where are they
cooking them? Who's keeping it hot? How do they transfer
the heat heated food directly out there? And sure it's
not cold or like it's it's there's incredible. It's an
incredible operation that no one talks about. I've always thought that,
(43:32):
I know.
Speaker 5 (43:33):
I think you got to do a story on it,
so I will. I have been told that the Thanksgiving
turkey is very dry and not very good. I think
I think that's actually been talked about kind of publicly.
But when it comes to that that uh that prime
river or whatever, that bone in prime rib or Tomahawks steak,
whatever they had, like, now that thing was we need
(43:56):
we need to figure out how they cooked it, how
they kept it warm, how it didn't open cook when
it was warming. I don't know. But all the guys
were like, dang, that was that was excellent.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (44:07):
All Right, We're gonna get into a little bit more,
gonna talk Brian Flores specifically, who I had a little
bit of a you know, talked a lot about at
the top. We're gonna get into that and more specific
to the quarterback with Ben Lieber when we come right
back from the break.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
You're listening to Bumper Bumper on KFA N
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