December 29, 2025 • 20 mins
Bumper to Bumper with Dan Barreiro!
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
We've got your shot at tickets to this weekend's Border
Battle all week long.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
I gotta do a show.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Is a purple presets set Kfan as a preset on
the iHeartRadio app. Screenshot it, post it with the hashtag
Kfan Purple Preset to your social media. Make sure you
follow in tag kfan as well. Winners will be DM
this Friday Full Roles, KFA dot conkeyword contests.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
We're back here on the Bumper to Bumper. I am
not Dan Bouro. I'm Alec Lewis. I cover the Vikings
for the Athletic and we have been liber on the horn.
Got a couple of texts from the text line if
you ever cook, you know, steak is way more juicy
than chicken.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
It's super easy.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Netflix's genius A great barbecue mind puts their meat in
a Cambro food insulated by I need a text line
just for life, I think Ben, but they've got ideas.
How important do you feel it has been for the
Vikings to keep Brian Flores in the building.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
I mean, I think it's hugely important.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I mean I think.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Everybody enjoys his scheme. And you know, it seems like
he's had, you know, first hand influence and getting certain
players that fit his scheme to this roster, and so
you know, him sort of collaborating with Quasi and his
group to get these guys in, you know, to maybe
have a pretty heavy hand and maybe the guys that
(01:22):
were drafting. I think that he's hugely important, but I
also get it, you know, I don't. I didn't get
a chance to listen to what you're talking about to
at the start of the show. But unless there's any
recent developments, it sounds like he was offered a contract extension.
I'm sure there's just starting negotiating process, so it's probably
(01:42):
not even close to being you know, finalized if they
are going to agree upon something. But you know, i've
also heard the Cowboys situation. Obviously there's gonna be some
head coaching opportunities if if owners can get you know,
past all of the legal stuff. But I think it's
going to be really hard to keep him, but I
want to keep him a lot.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, No, there's no new development. I did.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
You know, it was interesting kind of at the top.
I was just talking about his personnel background and you
hit it there that his influence on personnel it's probably
going a little bit under the radar of just how
influential he has been. When you're talking about Blake Cashman's
of the world and the Jonathan Gernards of the world,
and Andrew Van.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Ginkel, and I mean Harrison Smith coming back. I mean,
all of.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
That stuff has his fingerprints on it. And so my
point kind of from the outset is like needing him
in the building is beyond what you see on Sundays.
It's kind of the vision that he has from a
roster standpoint that he comes with as well.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Yeah, and also I think it's a trust that Koc has.
You know, I don't know this completely to be one
hundred percent accurate, but it sounds like from what I've
heard that he kind of lets b flow just run
the defense. You know, I'm like, all right, I trust
you enough that you're going to do your thing during
the week. Obviously we're gonna get together and talk a
(03:08):
little bit about scheme and game plan and what the
thought is at the start of the week, but for
the most part, he kind of lets b Flow just run,
like truly run the defense, and then that way he
can focus on head coaching duties and being the offensive coordinator.
So I think that is that is huge, you know,
to to possibly have to leave him, lose him and
then groom somebody else either within or bring somebody else in.
(03:30):
Are you going to have that same level of trust?
I don't know, but right now they it seems like
they've got it and allows everybody to have their very
specific roles and focus on what they need.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
To during the week, no question.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
A couple more and then we'll get you out of
here on this Monday afternoon. But how are you This
is not something you and I have talked about, so
I wanted to broach it. How are you thinking about
the quarterback position and the future of it? You know,
with one game to play in this season, In the
off season forthcoming, we'll see if JJ McCarthy's healthy enough
(04:03):
to go on Sunday or not. But just how have
you thought about the quarterback position and as specifically as
it relates to the future.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Oh, you know, I think from an on field performance,
I am very optimistic about what I see. I think
he's actually like every game he's taken, he's taking a
step every game. I feel like there's a new notch
to the leadership and the ownership part of it, and
you know, I know that there's got to be there.
There has been a meeting in the middle as far
(04:34):
as what he's capable of running is with Kaos's offense
and what Chaos has been willing to pair down to
make him play faster. It's working, and now that we
have a jumping off point, you know, I think that's
obviously only going to progress and build and build and
build to where eventually, let's say a year from now,
we are he's fully in Kaos's offense. We see more
(04:56):
explosive plays, he's seen the ball get down that see
a lot more and you know, it's kind of like, Okay,
this is business as usual. It is going to take
some time to get there. So I think, yeah, I
understand that people are frustrated, you know, if we want
immediate results, but you know, it takes these young quarterbacks
a long long time to get very comfortable with everything.
(05:20):
And I'm willing to play the long game. The thing
that I am disappointed by is just his ability to play,
you know, like, can you be available for seventeen games
plus a playoff run and hopefully a championship run. I
mean that is a lot of games, and he has
not proven that he can handle the length in the
(05:43):
in the strenuous schedule of an NFL season, So that
to me is the biggest concern. Can he stay physically
healthy and mentally engaged through all that playing through pain?
You know, I understand that, you know some things are
going to be painful. You know, I e this hand situation.
(06:05):
But look, man, this is the time to prove it
to your teammates that you're you're a tough dude. You're
going to go out there and battle for him, and
you know, if he can grip that football, even if
it's painful, you got to go out there and you
got to give it a shot.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Yeah, it would be I think important for him to
provide somewhat of a closing argument into the offseason in
terms of what the insurance will look like. You have
your Sierra Nevada Hopsplash Player of the Game.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I know that was last Thursday.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It's a week to week league and you're on in
the next game, but I do I am curious who
you choose would choose to be your Sierra Nevada Hopsplash
Player of the game from last Thursday.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Well, just to get everybody caught up and for you specifically,
and now my hopsplash player of the game is not
always it's it's intended to be the guys that fly
under the radar. You know, it's not it's not the
splashiest player, the guy that makes all the big plays.
I mean, I would probably go to to Gank or
to Harrison Smith. I look for the guys that, you know,
(07:09):
statistically maybe don't blow up the stat sheets. But I'm like, hey, man,
you've got to give this guy some shine. You know.
I think he played really solid, you know, a week
ago as Jonathan Allen, and I think this last week
against the Lions, I was really impressed with what Jay
Ward did, you know. So I'm gonna give this week's
award to Jay Ward. And you know, there is a
(07:33):
little bit more behind it.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
They have asked him lately to kind of play a
lot of different positions, and I think that versatility is
really important for his future here with the Vikes. And
I think he only ended up with five tackles, but
there's something there's there's a smooth explosiveness that he plays with.
You know, it's it's he could be in the deep
(07:58):
middle of the field and then and then and slowly
drifting down into a run fick, and then all of
a sudden, at the point of attack, he's popping some
dude and driving that guy backwards, and you're like, where
did that come from? You know, like there's just a
violence the way that he plays, but it's a quiet violence,
and it's kind of it's kind of fun to watch
on film.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
That's a good pick.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Yeah, he's I mean he is, You're right, Like he
moves fluidly, he's smoothing, and he's explosive, and it's been
fun to see him get some opportunities and do some
different things like the last few weeks. One of those
young players who will be interesting to kind of watch
probably moving forward. Ben, thanks for hopping on this Monday afternoon.
(08:37):
That is legend. Ben Lieber to those listening, Thank you
appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
No, yeah, honestly, when you do this again, yeah, you
don't have to go with that.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
No, I know, I don't actually I know, I don't
actually have to, but it's kind of just it's uncomfortable
for you.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
It's it's kind of the whole idea exactly exact, exactly
alec I don't want to be uncomfortable for me.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
It's all right.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
Sometimes it's sometimes you just got to play through.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
That's part of Thank you, Ben. Appreciate it man, Yeah,
no problem, man.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
Doculator.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
That is Ben Lieber on the Bumper to Bumper program.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
I'm Alec Lewis in for Dan Burrero here on this
Monday afternoon. Brett Blakemore is producing, and we will be
right back for the final segment on kf A. M
(09:32):
all right, final segment here. I'm Alex Lewis, Vikings beat
writer at the Athletic. You can follow me on social
media at Alec Underscore Lewis for a lot of bad takes,
and then I have a podcast where we do this
type of thing, take questions from Vikings fans two times
a week wherever you get your podcast. Brett, you want
to rip some questions real quick?
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Why I love it?
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Okay, well, okay, go wrong? Literally nothing from the text line.
This is six four, six eighty six. If you want
to get a question here, you got about five minutes
to do it, and we're just gonna run through them.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
I'd be closer to text.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Someone asks from the six to five one can the
flores scheme be replicated by someone else in the building
should he leave. So the way I'd answer that question is,
if you're just talking about can can there are are
there coaches in the Vikings building who could teach Brian
Floores similar type scheme, the answer would be yes. But
(10:28):
there is something to Brian Flores's probably disposition and the
way he can generate trust and buy in from the
players that would be really hard to replicate. I said
this earlier, but like, if you're looking for internal names,
who could potentially you know if Brian Flores were.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
To leave, guys, who would you know?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
I would monitor it be Deontae Jones, the defensive backs coach,
defensive pass game coordinator, Mike Sarravo, linebackers coach, and then
potentially outside linebackers coach Dad Bogertis. All of those guys
are are capable and know the system well. But you
know you're asking a heck of a lot to have
somebody who has not done the job not only teach it,
(11:16):
but then call plays with the amount of buy in
that Brian Flores obviously has Internally, I'll.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Double down, I'll ask a question on my own. I
won't text in though, I'll just ask you, do you
think there's any world I mean, my gut feeling on
it is he's not gonna leave unless fits head coaching job.
Is that the general vibe as well, like, yeah, could
Dallas pay him a boatload of money? Maybe you know
there are there high paying suitors out there for sure,
(11:42):
but I feel like that would be the only thing
to get him to leave. Is that the general consensus
for you as well?
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Yeah, I mean I think conservatively that's the right way
to look at it, is that you know, Brian Flora
is from a head coaching perspective, that would be the
most obvious path.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
And then you talk about Dallas and that has been
in the ether.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You've heard a lot of the Cowboys are really impressed
with him.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
In the game at and T Stadium.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
They're gonna need a defensive coordinator with firing Matt Eberfluse.
But the thing that you're asking, you know, with Brian
Flores when you're talking about Dallas, like how much latitude.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Is Jerry Jones? How much latitude.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Would that Cowboys front office be willing to give Brian
Flores from a personnel perspective that you know he has
a lot of say here Brian Flores does, and and
some of the signings and some of the free agents,
uh and in a lot of the evaluation. So expecting
Jerry Jones to pass that off is probably you know,
you're expecting a lot.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Gonna get to a couple more of.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
These, Brett before we uh, before we take off here.
Someone asked, will alec lewis be tuning into the World
Junior Hockey Tournament tonight?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
It's possible. I mean it's possible. Look, there's a lot
on TV tonight.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
You've got Kirk Cousins against the Los Angeles Rams, You've
got you know, the Wild Believe are playing this evening.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
You've got the Timberwolves this evening.
Speaker 3 (13:08):
So you're asking a lot for me to get to
get to the Junior World Hockey Tournament.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
But I'm not above it.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
I'm I'm really not like it sounds like Brett Blakemore
might be leaving me to go watch hockey. Here in
a second, so I got to go to the X Yeah,
I mean Grant Casino Arena.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
That's what it is, Brett. So Brett will be tuned in.
I can tell you that. Next question from the six
to one to two.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Why is everyone saying Joe Burrow is coming to Minnesota
or how and how would we even get him?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
It has been a you know, it's like the rumor.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Similar to let's say Justin Jefferson gets frushrated on the sidelines,
and then you've got all fans nationally, you know, on
social media saying Justin Jefferson once out. That's just kind
of the dynamic of what this Joe Burrow conversation has become.
What I would say is this to acquire Joe Burrow,
it is going to cost the sun, the moon, and
(14:03):
the stars if that opportunity were to present itself. And
I don't expect it to because I don't know why
the Cincinnati Bengals would trade Joe Burrow given what he
means to that organization, but I would expect the Vikings
to explore it if that opportunity presented itself. That's where
the conversation begins and ends for me. All right, couple
(14:23):
more here, I'm Alex Lewis I cover the Vikings for
the Athletic in for Dan Burrero here in our final
segment of the afternoon Let's see here does Koc Taylor
the offense to get Justin Jefferson in his one thousand
yard season. I don't need to belabor this point. The
answer would be absolutely. I would expect most of the
(14:48):
packsing concepts on Sunday, between the Vikings and pass and
Vikings and packers to be tailored toward Justin Jefferson attaining
the one thousand yard mark. Next question, is Van Ginkel
under contract through next season?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Yes, he is.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
He received an extension this past offseason, and I mean, man,
he's been so good when he when he's been healthy.
Andrew Vangyinkel still probably one of the most underrated players
in the NFL, and it took a while for him
mid season to get his body right to feeling comfortable
enough to be out there and producing the way he has,
But he did that. I mean, he got his body right,
(15:26):
had multiple evaluations on what was a neck injury at
the time, and to see him come back and be
as influential and impactful has been really important. Next question
from Tim and San Diego. Who wins in an arm
wrestling battle, Michael Russo or or me? Michael Russo would
(15:47):
would would crush me. He's he's the best in the game.
Maybe not at at UH at arm wrestling, but definitely
at covering hockey, Alec, Is it possible Jordan Addison gets traded?
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Could we keep Speedy and will Vane and gink Go'll
be back? So Van Ginko will be back? You know,
a Jordan Addison.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
Trade is I mean, I would say, on the very
low end of probability, you know, is it possible. It's
always possible, depending what on what offers would be. But
in a perfect world, you know, this has been a
down season for Jordan Addison. He obviously was suspended for
the first three games, you know, he was. He was
(16:27):
held out of the first quarter in the London game
against Cleveland, but then he showed up at the end
of that game, made plays. There have been a lot
of drops from Jordan Addison. This season has not been
his typical year. But in a perfect world, I think
the Vikings would want him paired with with Justin Jefferson.
Just the route running ability that those guys have pieced together.
(16:49):
It's kind of what they've They've wanted the identity of
this Vikings team to be the passing game. Route running,
separation down the field, aggressive downfield passing. That's that's the
way they've built this roster, that's kind of been the vision.
I don't see that kind of changing now. Someone asks
much earlier about Malik Willis, Alex, please talk about if
(17:12):
we would acquire Malik. If we should acquire Malik Willis,
Willis from Green Bay, I take him over, JJ. It's
been interesting to watch Malik Willis in Green Bay over
the last you know, a couple of weeks, since he's
been thrown into the fire with Jordan Love having the concussion,
He's definitely played himself into a starter caliber contract Malik
(17:35):
Willis has, so I mean that is for certain now.
Whether the Vikings would be willing to be the team
to pay him that contract, I think that's a very
interesting question. He's not throwing vertically over the middle of
the field a ton, so that is definitely one facet
to the evaluation of his fit here.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
But he's athletic, you know.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
For me, I imagine like Malik Willis fitting best in
a in a place like Miami where he is working
with Mike McDaniel a part of that run game with
Devon a Chan. You know, if they could somehow shoulder
the cost of what he would and you know what
Malik Willis is gonna ask being represented by David Mulgetta,
(18:20):
probably the most prominent agent in.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
The in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Like you know, it's gonna cost for for Malik Willis,
and then they're probably gonna be multiple suitors, whether it
is Miami, whether it is Las Vegas, whether it.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Is potentially here Atlanta.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
I mean, there are a lot of places that Malik
Willis could fit. A couple more questions here, and then
we are going to dip out for the evening here
on the program, the Bumper to Bumper program, I'm Alec
Lewis filling in for Dan Boururo. What about CJ ham Uh?
And then someone says we need you more with Common.
(18:59):
I'm I'm on to hang out with Common at any time.
I don't ever really know what's going on when I
am sitting in the same room as him, and I
also don't understand how he does a show with like
zero prep and it's all top of mind. It's kind
of blows me away. But he's one of one. CJ
ham currently is not under contract. I have thought that
(19:20):
CJ with this Vikings offense over the last few weeks,
leaning into heavier personnel. I have thought that that has
really worked, so with what he can do, it would
make sense for me to re sign CJ. Ham in
the next season.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Question Wise, that will do it.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
If you have more questions Viking specific you could toss
them at me on social media at ALEC Underscore Lewis, I.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Do a podcast two times.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
A week cover the Vikings for the athletic It was
an honor and a privilege to be here sitting in
for Dan Barrero and to have Brett blakemore producing.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
By my side.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Should be an interesting week finale for the Viking season
and I'll be an Egan with Paul Allen and Eric
Nordquiz for the Friday Football Feast on Friday. Thank you
guys for listening. Drive safe out there. We'll have some
Vikings rewind and some junior hockey coming up for you
later this evening. This is kfe N the best in
the game. Have a great one.
We've got your shot at tickets to this weekend's Border
Battle all week long.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
I gotta do a show.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Is a purple presets set Kfan as a preset on
the iHeartRadio app. Screenshot it, post it with the hashtag
Kfan Purple Preset to your social media. Make sure you
follow in tag kfan as well. Winners will be DM
this Friday Full Roles, KFA dot conkeyword contests.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
We're back here on the Bumper to Bumper. I am
not Dan Bouro. I'm Alec Lewis. I cover the Vikings
for the Athletic and we have been liber on the horn.
Got a couple of texts from the text line if
you ever cook, you know, steak is way more juicy
than chicken.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
It's super easy.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Netflix's genius A great barbecue mind puts their meat in
a Cambro food insulated by I need a text line
just for life, I think Ben, but they've got ideas.
How important do you feel it has been for the
Vikings to keep Brian Flores in the building.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
I mean, I think it's hugely important.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I mean I think.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Everybody enjoys his scheme. And you know, it seems like
he's had, you know, first hand influence and getting certain
players that fit his scheme to this roster, and so
you know, him sort of collaborating with Quasi and his
group to get these guys in, you know, to maybe
have a pretty heavy hand and maybe the guys that
(01:22):
were drafting. I think that he's hugely important, but I
also get it, you know, I don't. I didn't get
a chance to listen to what you're talking about to
at the start of the show. But unless there's any
recent developments, it sounds like he was offered a contract extension.
I'm sure there's just starting negotiating process, so it's probably
(01:42):
not even close to being you know, finalized if they
are going to agree upon something. But you know, i've
also heard the Cowboys situation. Obviously there's gonna be some
head coaching opportunities if if owners can get you know,
past all of the legal stuff. But I think it's
going to be really hard to keep him, but I
want to keep him a lot.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, No, there's no new development. I did.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
You know, it was interesting kind of at the top.
I was just talking about his personnel background and you
hit it there that his influence on personnel it's probably
going a little bit under the radar of just how
influential he has been. When you're talking about Blake Cashman's
of the world and the Jonathan Gernards of the world,
and Andrew Van.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Ginkel, and I mean Harrison Smith coming back. I mean,
all of.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
That stuff has his fingerprints on it. And so my
point kind of from the outset is like needing him
in the building is beyond what you see on Sundays.
It's kind of the vision that he has from a
roster standpoint that he comes with as well.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Yeah, and also I think it's a trust that Koc has.
You know, I don't know this completely to be one
hundred percent accurate, but it sounds like from what I've
heard that he kind of lets b flow just run
the defense. You know, I'm like, all right, I trust
you enough that you're going to do your thing during
the week. Obviously we're gonna get together and talk a
(03:08):
little bit about scheme and game plan and what the
thought is at the start of the week, but for
the most part, he kind of lets b Flow just run,
like truly run the defense, and then that way he
can focus on head coaching duties and being the offensive coordinator.
So I think that is that is huge, you know,
to to possibly have to leave him, lose him and
then groom somebody else either within or bring somebody else in.
(03:30):
Are you going to have that same level of trust?
I don't know, but right now they it seems like
they've got it and allows everybody to have their very
specific roles and focus on what they need.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
To during the week, no question.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
A couple more and then we'll get you out of
here on this Monday afternoon. But how are you This
is not something you and I have talked about, so
I wanted to broach it. How are you thinking about
the quarterback position and the future of it? You know,
with one game to play in this season, In the
off season forthcoming, we'll see if JJ McCarthy's healthy enough
(04:03):
to go on Sunday or not. But just how have
you thought about the quarterback position and as specifically as
it relates to the future.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Oh, you know, I think from an on field performance,
I am very optimistic about what I see. I think
he's actually like every game he's taken, he's taking a
step every game. I feel like there's a new notch
to the leadership and the ownership part of it, and
you know, I know that there's got to be there.
There has been a meeting in the middle as far
(04:34):
as what he's capable of running is with Kaos's offense
and what Chaos has been willing to pair down to
make him play faster. It's working, and now that we
have a jumping off point, you know, I think that's
obviously only going to progress and build and build and
build to where eventually, let's say a year from now,
we are he's fully in Kaos's offense. We see more
(04:56):
explosive plays, he's seen the ball get down that see
a lot more and you know, it's kind of like, Okay,
this is business as usual. It is going to take
some time to get there. So I think, yeah, I
understand that people are frustrated, you know, if we want
immediate results, but you know, it takes these young quarterbacks
a long long time to get very comfortable with everything.
(05:20):
And I'm willing to play the long game. The thing
that I am disappointed by is just his ability to play,
you know, like, can you be available for seventeen games
plus a playoff run and hopefully a championship run. I
mean that is a lot of games, and he has
not proven that he can handle the length in the
(05:43):
in the strenuous schedule of an NFL season, So that
to me is the biggest concern. Can he stay physically
healthy and mentally engaged through all that playing through pain?
You know, I understand that, you know some things are
going to be painful. You know, I e this hand situation.
(06:05):
But look, man, this is the time to prove it
to your teammates that you're you're a tough dude. You're
going to go out there and battle for him, and
you know, if he can grip that football, even if
it's painful, you got to go out there and you
got to give it a shot.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Yeah, it would be I think important for him to
provide somewhat of a closing argument into the offseason in
terms of what the insurance will look like. You have
your Sierra Nevada Hopsplash Player of the Game.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I know that was last Thursday.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It's a week to week league and you're on in
the next game, but I do I am curious who
you choose would choose to be your Sierra Nevada Hopsplash
Player of the game from last Thursday.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Well, just to get everybody caught up and for you specifically,
and now my hopsplash player of the game is not
always it's it's intended to be the guys that fly
under the radar. You know, it's not it's not the
splashiest player, the guy that makes all the big plays.
I mean, I would probably go to to Gank or
to Harrison Smith. I look for the guys that, you know,
(07:09):
statistically maybe don't blow up the stat sheets. But I'm like, hey, man,
you've got to give this guy some shine. You know.
I think he played really solid, you know, a week
ago as Jonathan Allen, and I think this last week
against the Lions, I was really impressed with what Jay
Ward did, you know. So I'm gonna give this week's
award to Jay Ward. And you know, there is a
(07:33):
little bit more behind it.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
They have asked him lately to kind of play a
lot of different positions, and I think that versatility is
really important for his future here with the Vikes. And
I think he only ended up with five tackles, but
there's something there's there's a smooth explosiveness that he plays with.
You know, it's it's he could be in the deep
(07:58):
middle of the field and then and then and slowly
drifting down into a run fick, and then all of
a sudden, at the point of attack, he's popping some
dude and driving that guy backwards, and you're like, where
did that come from? You know, like there's just a
violence the way that he plays, but it's a quiet violence,
and it's kind of it's kind of fun to watch
on film.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
That's a good pick.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Yeah, he's I mean he is, You're right, Like he
moves fluidly, he's smoothing, and he's explosive, and it's been
fun to see him get some opportunities and do some
different things like the last few weeks. One of those
young players who will be interesting to kind of watch
probably moving forward. Ben, thanks for hopping on this Monday afternoon.
(08:37):
That is legend. Ben Lieber to those listening, Thank you
appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
No, yeah, honestly, when you do this again, yeah, you
don't have to go with that.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
No, I know, I don't actually I know, I don't
actually have to, but it's kind of just it's uncomfortable
for you.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
It's it's kind of the whole idea exactly exact, exactly
alec I don't want to be uncomfortable for me.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
It's all right.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
Sometimes it's sometimes you just got to play through.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
That's part of Thank you, Ben. Appreciate it man, Yeah,
no problem, man.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
Doculator.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
That is Ben Lieber on the Bumper to Bumper program.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
I'm Alec Lewis in for Dan Burrero here on this
Monday afternoon. Brett Blakemore is producing, and we will be
right back for the final segment on kf A. M
(09:32):
all right, final segment here. I'm Alex Lewis, Vikings beat
writer at the Athletic. You can follow me on social
media at Alec Underscore Lewis for a lot of bad takes,
and then I have a podcast where we do this
type of thing, take questions from Vikings fans two times
a week wherever you get your podcast. Brett, you want
to rip some questions real quick?
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Why I love it?
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Okay, well, okay, go wrong? Literally nothing from the text line.
This is six four, six eighty six. If you want
to get a question here, you got about five minutes
to do it, and we're just gonna run through them.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
I'd be closer to text.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Someone asks from the six to five one can the
flores scheme be replicated by someone else in the building
should he leave. So the way I'd answer that question is,
if you're just talking about can can there are are
there coaches in the Vikings building who could teach Brian
Floores similar type scheme, the answer would be yes. But
(10:28):
there is something to Brian Flores's probably disposition and the
way he can generate trust and buy in from the
players that would be really hard to replicate. I said
this earlier, but like, if you're looking for internal names,
who could potentially you know if Brian Flores were.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
To leave, guys, who would you know?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
I would monitor it be Deontae Jones, the defensive backs coach,
defensive pass game coordinator, Mike Sarravo, linebackers coach, and then
potentially outside linebackers coach Dad Bogertis. All of those guys
are are capable and know the system well. But you
know you're asking a heck of a lot to have
somebody who has not done the job not only teach it,
(11:16):
but then call plays with the amount of buy in
that Brian Flores obviously has Internally, I'll.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Double down, I'll ask a question on my own. I
won't text in though, I'll just ask you, do you
think there's any world I mean, my gut feeling on
it is he's not gonna leave unless fits head coaching job.
Is that the general vibe as well, like, yeah, could
Dallas pay him a boatload of money? Maybe you know
there are there high paying suitors out there for sure,
(11:42):
but I feel like that would be the only thing
to get him to leave. Is that the general consensus
for you as well?
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Yeah, I mean I think conservatively that's the right way
to look at it, is that you know, Brian Flora
is from a head coaching perspective, that would be the
most obvious path.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
And then you talk about Dallas and that has been
in the ether.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You've heard a lot of the Cowboys are really impressed
with him.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
In the game at and T Stadium.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
They're gonna need a defensive coordinator with firing Matt Eberfluse.
But the thing that you're asking, you know, with Brian
Flores when you're talking about Dallas, like how much latitude.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Is Jerry Jones? How much latitude.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Would that Cowboys front office be willing to give Brian
Flores from a personnel perspective that you know he has
a lot of say here Brian Flores does, and and
some of the signings and some of the free agents,
uh and in a lot of the evaluation. So expecting
Jerry Jones to pass that off is probably you know,
you're expecting a lot.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Gonna get to a couple more of.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
These, Brett before we uh, before we take off here.
Someone asked, will alec lewis be tuning into the World
Junior Hockey Tournament tonight?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
It's possible. I mean it's possible. Look, there's a lot
on TV tonight.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
You've got Kirk Cousins against the Los Angeles Rams, You've
got you know, the Wild Believe are playing this evening.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
You've got the Timberwolves this evening.
Speaker 3 (13:08):
So you're asking a lot for me to get to
get to the Junior World Hockey Tournament.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
But I'm not above it.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
I'm I'm really not like it sounds like Brett Blakemore
might be leaving me to go watch hockey. Here in
a second, so I got to go to the X Yeah,
I mean Grant Casino Arena.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
That's what it is, Brett. So Brett will be tuned in.
I can tell you that. Next question from the six
to one to two.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Why is everyone saying Joe Burrow is coming to Minnesota
or how and how would we even get him?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
It has been a you know, it's like the rumor.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Similar to let's say Justin Jefferson gets frushrated on the sidelines,
and then you've got all fans nationally, you know, on
social media saying Justin Jefferson once out. That's just kind
of the dynamic of what this Joe Burrow conversation has become.
What I would say is this to acquire Joe Burrow,
it is going to cost the sun, the moon, and
(14:03):
the stars if that opportunity were to present itself. And
I don't expect it to because I don't know why
the Cincinnati Bengals would trade Joe Burrow given what he
means to that organization, but I would expect the Vikings
to explore it if that opportunity presented itself. That's where
the conversation begins and ends for me. All right, couple
(14:23):
more here, I'm Alex Lewis I cover the Vikings for
the Athletic in for Dan Burrero here in our final
segment of the afternoon Let's see here does Koc Taylor
the offense to get Justin Jefferson in his one thousand
yard season. I don't need to belabor this point. The
answer would be absolutely. I would expect most of the
(14:48):
packsing concepts on Sunday, between the Vikings and pass and
Vikings and packers to be tailored toward Justin Jefferson attaining
the one thousand yard mark. Next question, is Van Ginkel
under contract through next season?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Yes, he is.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
He received an extension this past offseason, and I mean, man,
he's been so good when he when he's been healthy.
Andrew Vangyinkel still probably one of the most underrated players
in the NFL, and it took a while for him
mid season to get his body right to feeling comfortable
enough to be out there and producing the way he has,
But he did that. I mean, he got his body right,
(15:26):
had multiple evaluations on what was a neck injury at
the time, and to see him come back and be
as influential and impactful has been really important. Next question
from Tim and San Diego. Who wins in an arm
wrestling battle, Michael Russo or or me? Michael Russo would
(15:47):
would would crush me. He's he's the best in the game.
Maybe not at at UH at arm wrestling, but definitely
at covering hockey, Alec, Is it possible Jordan Addison gets traded?
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Could we keep Speedy and will Vane and gink Go'll
be back? So Van Ginko will be back? You know,
a Jordan Addison.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
Trade is I mean, I would say, on the very
low end of probability, you know, is it possible. It's
always possible, depending what on what offers would be. But
in a perfect world, you know, this has been a
down season for Jordan Addison. He obviously was suspended for
the first three games, you know, he was. He was
(16:27):
held out of the first quarter in the London game
against Cleveland, but then he showed up at the end
of that game, made plays. There have been a lot
of drops from Jordan Addison. This season has not been
his typical year. But in a perfect world, I think
the Vikings would want him paired with with Justin Jefferson.
Just the route running ability that those guys have pieced together.
(16:49):
It's kind of what they've They've wanted the identity of
this Vikings team to be the passing game. Route running,
separation down the field, aggressive downfield passing. That's that's the
way they've built this roster, that's kind of been the vision.
I don't see that kind of changing now. Someone asks
much earlier about Malik Willis, Alex, please talk about if
(17:12):
we would acquire Malik. If we should acquire Malik Willis,
Willis from Green Bay, I take him over, JJ. It's
been interesting to watch Malik Willis in Green Bay over
the last you know, a couple of weeks, since he's
been thrown into the fire with Jordan Love having the concussion,
He's definitely played himself into a starter caliber contract Malik
(17:35):
Willis has, so I mean that is for certain now.
Whether the Vikings would be willing to be the team
to pay him that contract, I think that's a very
interesting question. He's not throwing vertically over the middle of
the field a ton, so that is definitely one facet
to the evaluation of his fit here.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
But he's athletic, you know.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
For me, I imagine like Malik Willis fitting best in
a in a place like Miami where he is working
with Mike McDaniel a part of that run game with
Devon a Chan. You know, if they could somehow shoulder
the cost of what he would and you know what
Malik Willis is gonna ask being represented by David Mulgetta,
(18:20):
probably the most prominent agent in.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
The in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Like you know, it's gonna cost for for Malik Willis,
and then they're probably gonna be multiple suitors, whether it
is Miami, whether it is Las Vegas, whether it.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Is potentially here Atlanta.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
I mean, there are a lot of places that Malik
Willis could fit. A couple more questions here, and then
we are going to dip out for the evening here
on the program, the Bumper to Bumper program, I'm Alec
Lewis filling in for Dan Boururo. What about CJ ham Uh?
And then someone says we need you more with Common.
(18:59):
I'm I'm on to hang out with Common at any time.
I don't ever really know what's going on when I
am sitting in the same room as him, and I
also don't understand how he does a show with like
zero prep and it's all top of mind. It's kind
of blows me away. But he's one of one. CJ
ham currently is not under contract. I have thought that
(19:20):
CJ with this Vikings offense over the last few weeks,
leaning into heavier personnel. I have thought that that has
really worked, so with what he can do, it would
make sense for me to re sign CJ. Ham in
the next season.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Question Wise, that will do it.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
If you have more questions Viking specific you could toss
them at me on social media at ALEC Underscore Lewis, I.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Do a podcast two times.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
A week cover the Vikings for the athletic It was
an honor and a privilege to be here sitting in
for Dan Barrero and to have Brett blakemore producing.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
By my side.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Should be an interesting week finale for the Viking season
and I'll be an Egan with Paul Allen and Eric
Nordquiz for the Friday Football Feast on Friday. Thank you
guys for listening. Drive safe out there. We'll have some
Vikings rewind and some junior hockey coming up for you
later this evening. This is kfe N the best in
the game. Have a great one.
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