December 16, 2025 • 42 mins
For Hour 2 Ben Goessling joins the show to talk about the Vikings offensive line, Justin Jefferson, and the fake field goal that Dallas ran.
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
Here comes Ben Geslin covers the Minnesota vikings for the
Star Tribune and Star Tribune dot com. Uh The segments
are provided by Standard Heating and Air Standard Heating dot
Com to learn more online. And you know we we
we call Ben the scribe here nine to now.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
But like if Snoop.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Doggie dog were doing the show, he would welcome every
buddy back by saying, here comes the squizzle. And I
understand there's a Snoop Doggie dog tie to something that's
transpiring in your household today and good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Good morning. Yes, my my daughter Greta turns eleven today.
Happy birthday, Greta h Button. Yeah, that's Button weekly newsletter. Yes,
so she's she is not a fan of Soop Dogg.
Just I think during the Olympics last year when he's everywhere. Yeah,
(01:05):
she's like, oh my gosh, why a Snoop Dogg everywhere? So,
you know, typical father that I am like, Okay, this
seems like something that could be kind of annoying.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So I probably she's not a fan of Snoops. Yeah,
Like you know, if you see him and do you
call her grizzle?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
I haven't, but I might start to because she won't
like it, right, So you know, she's getting that age
where you know, I've got a thirteen and an eleven
year old now, so it's like the payoff of diaper
changes is now when you're teenager tween, I can annoy you. Yeah,
it's kind of fun. So Happy birthday, Greta. And I'm
sorry for the additional Snoop Dogg references that may be
(01:41):
coming your way in the near future.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
So so with birthday dinner tonight or whatever goes into
Greta's birthday.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Happy Birthday, Greta.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
I always love entertaining her at Canterbury Partner in the
course of the summer.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
She seems to love that. Yes, if you were to
want the kids race one of those years, Oh that's right,
the Guesstling girl is going great. Guns was her. It
was her for Yeah, she went up in class. It
was her first year in the eight and older division
and she dusted everybody and then we had this up button.
But if you roll in tonight and say rolling down
the street with grad sivanon Jen and Juice late bad
(02:15):
dad Da, it'd be dad da yep stop.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Bob Ben and I met met at Irving Bible Church
early Sunday morning.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
I'm glad we did. I'm really glad we did that.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
And it always is interesting seeing other soula script to
our churches and how they run the show with their
programs and stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Did you enjoy that? Yeah, it was good. It was
really fun. It was I learned how to sing a
little bit of angels we have heard on high in Spanish,
which I didn't know. It was a kind of multi
racial church. It was very cool. Yeah, it was. It
was fun to be there and just kind of fun
to see how different people do it. Yeah, it was
fun to and fun to be there with you, and
fun to just kind of be in a larger setting.
(02:58):
And I loved it. Had a guy I when I
cause I think you had to get back for a
radio or a TVA bit with a mod and I
when I was walking out, a guy says to me,
skull Vikings Yeah, And I was like, okay, so you
obviously must recognize me from something. I mean. He said, yeah,
I saw you guys there, and I said, was Pa
and Ben? Yeah, And so we ended up talking for
a few minutes. He was from Iowa, had just moved
(03:19):
down in the last couple of years. With family in Texas,
so wasn't going to the game, but I said, yeah,
they'll be back in a few years. That's cool. So yeah,
it was fun to chat with him a little bit.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
And if my man's listening now, thanks for saying hello
and thanks for listening.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Should the Minnesota Vikings shut down Darrosaw and jettison this
weekly cat and mouse game?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
That's a good question. I mean, the cat and mounts
game has become something that is weekly, and the fact
that we are still doing that fourteen months after the surgery.
You know, I think a lot of this for him
is getting to the point of let's not have something
pop back up that creates an off season worth of issues.
(03:58):
I mean, you know, you see this, whether it's Patrick
Mahomes or I can remember this with you. I think
David Bachtiari with the Packers a few years ago. When
injuries occur, major injuries occur at this point of the year,
it doesn't just affect that season, it affects the next
one because the rehab takes so long. So I think
there's probably a level of caution for him of let's
not have some set back in the last few weeks
(04:20):
that creates larger issues in the off season. I don't
think they planned to shut him down, but the question
whether they should, I mean, it has an effect on
JJ McCarthy if you do it, Although they protected quite
well on Sunday Night without him, I could see an
argument for doing it. To answer the question, as I
continue to talk around it, I could see an argument
for doing it. I don't think they're going to do that,
(04:42):
but if they were to say, let's just make sure
that we get to the offseason and this can all
be behind us, if we could go on with a
clean slight next year, I think there's an argument to
be made for that.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Nordo has asked me the same question three times this year,
and he just asked Pete Bursich about Will Fries. And
when he asks me about out, how do you think
Will Fries is playing?
Speaker 2 (05:02):
What do you think?
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So it could be an obvious somebody ran around him
or an obvious he rode went to road grading and
plowed somebody. But but like it, I don't know how
to answer it. And my answer is with twenty two
to twenty three different offensive line combinations, the left tackle situation,
Ryan Kelly really starting to play well now, and meaning
(05:24):
well and working hard every step of the way, but
he just missed a bunch of games with those concussions.
Is I praise Will Fries without going all twenty two
on it, because like with all those combinations to start
all of them, you know where I don't want to
say it was out of shape in training camp or preseason,
but like off the off the season end or with Indianapolis,
(05:45):
he had a lot of things to work through a
training camp in preseason and maybe getting back in shape.
So just from there to now, you know, not trying
to make him sound like Steve Hutchinson, Ree and Karne here,
but to play them all specifically with what's happened here
this year, I think that that's praiseworthy.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, I mean it puts him in a group of
one in terms of the people that have been able
to play every week. I mean, every single other member
of that offensive line has had an injury that's kept
them out for at least one game, and it's been
you know, different things. It's Darrisaw coming back, obviously, Kelly
with the concussions down in Ejackson with the wrist, and
then Brian O'Neil. It's been knee and I think you
(06:23):
know things lately, yes, but yeah, I think the durability
is something first and foremost. It was a big and
especially because it was a question coming into this year
when he came off of that tibia fractures. So the
fact that he's been in there for every one of
those I think is noteworthy. I think there have been
moments in past protection, especially where he has gotten beat
(06:45):
and we saw it a couple of weeks ago. He
got Turnstile pretty bad on one. I think maybe it's
against Seattle, But when you're seeing all of these different fronts,
I mean, this is kind of an extension of the
pure progression conversation from last week, only in the sense
that the defenses are so complex that you're getting more stunts,
more blitz designs that make you play in a way
(07:10):
that whether the communication is up to snuff or not
may determine whether you were able to pick something up.
It's a lot of Hey, are you protecting the first
guy that comes through here? Are you going reading inside out?
I mean, it's a lot of this. I thought you
had him, No, I thought you had him. So when
you have all of these different combinations in different spots,
the potential for miscommunication, the potential for something to fall
(07:33):
through the cracks is higher. So to say yeah, it's
all his fault or yeah he needs to be better.
I think there have been moments of that, but I
don't have enough information to say in a detailed fashion,
this is one percent what should have happened. I think
the fact that they have had as many different combinations
as they've had, especially given the way that offensive lines
(07:55):
are tested in this day and age, with all of
the different blitz designs and stunts and games, he has
had a factor in that.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
The McCarthy keeper touchdown was the best gotcha play man
we've seen all season, was extremely well done. So I
mean I didn't go to the press conferences after the
Dallas game.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
I was doing dry bys.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Why didn't Why do you think the coach didn't like
the dance into the end zone?
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Well, I mean I actually going off if I was
working the locker room too. I ended up because we
were down a man on Sunday night, So it was
just a Jim two hand in me because Andrew Kramer
was not feeling well. But so I think Jim went
to O'Connell and I stayed in the locker room is
listening to it afterwards. I think it was probably I mean,
he mentioned the thing about I wanted to see him
use that forty speed that he didn't run at the cobbine,
(08:40):
you know, so he caught astray a little bit there.
But I think it was just getting the end zone.
And let's not open the possibility up that it's justin
Jefferson reaching for the pylon and he gets knocked out
of his hand and becomes a touchback. I mean, I
can't imagine. I mean no, and you know, the length
of the memory and the detail of the memory of
this particular head coach as well or better than I do.
(09:02):
It's elephant like, it is extremely and I'm somebody with
a pretty long memory as well. I am not in
his league on that front. I mean, I'm somebody that
can remember, like the cake from my third birthday party,
Black Forest with Cherry's on it was great. But the
head coach is on a different level from that. So
I would not be surprised if some of these things
(09:25):
that he can remember are things that pop into his
head and say, oh, you know, we don't want to
lose the ball in this situation because there could be
a big moment. So I think it was that of
just getting the end zone and let's not create a
possibility for some kind of a snafu.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
But that makes sense. But you know, if you're looking
to kill the alter ego nine thing, yeah, that could
be that too. Then that's probably not needed either. I
mean it doesn't have to be. Barry Sanders always flipped
it back to the rep and never said anything right
somewhere in between.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Well, and yeah, they're not a team that discourages celebration obviously.
You know Cam bininge them. CJ.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Ham did the great on his touchdown. Yeah, I mean
that's what he got into the end zone, correct. I
think it's probably a let's get in the end zone
when you when you're a meme right now, when you're
a meme, because that's what I think. I don't think
it was about a fumble. I don't think it was
like he's going to get in.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
I think it's about dude, I see your face and
now they're putting other people's faces on your face like
it is such a thing right now in the league.
And by the way, you just tied the game at
fourteen in the first half, Dak and company could go
out and put forty five on us, and now the
only thing they're going to remember from that game is
you dancing into the end zone in the second quarter
(10:35):
like you just won the game, right, And it might
have been you know, we asked him not to do
it and he did.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yeah, you know, yeah, there's an element of flaring when
I said, I think what I wrote in my story
was he sounded like a dad who has told his kid, Hey,
don't do that front flip on the bike. It's kind
of dangerous. Then he did it anyway, and it's all right,
but he I mean the kind of landed the flip exactly.
(11:00):
It looks like, don't do it again though, right, It's
like it was like child dad.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
It's like he started to get the hand in the
cookie jar but didn't get it all the way in
and didn't come out with the cookie because that was
not a gritty right, No, it was like a one
armed yes, quasi gritty.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
I mean we've seen worse, right, shout out mi Kiseki.
But we've seen better, yeah, certainly as gasoline, standard heating
and air.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
So final three here with with the quarterback and you
mentioned whether we were talking about whether it's shutting down
Darrisaw and just what that means potentially to a week's
worth of practice with JJ, And on one side, it's like, okay, well,
at least we have consistency justin school knows that he's
going to play on the life side and just running
through myriad O line combinations as you've mentioned.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
But just what do we want.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Over the over the final three more of the same,
I mean, just kind of the the similar kind of
graduating process we've seen the last two.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Right, Yeah, I think continuing to see consistency. I mean
he JJ McCarthy has said it, coaches have said it.
Getting to the point point where there is some consistency
on an every week basis is the biggest thing you
can get out of these last three. I thought it
was significant on Sunday night. They played to me in
a way that looked like they were trying to mitigate
(12:15):
him or work around him, less than I've seen them
do it all year. There was more deep shots down
the field, there was more hey, we're going to put
it in your put it in your hands, put it
on your back. And they didn't run the ball terribly well,
so it wasn't something where they were able to kind
of just say, let's not have to go to the
passing game as much. I mean the fourth and three
where he hits Naylor on the back shoulder throw was
(12:37):
a terrific throw. By the way it was, it was
a terrific throw. But it's also a situation where it's
we are going to put this on you and give
you an opportunity to make a play here, and he
did so. I think the more they're doing that, I
think there's things to be gleaned from that. It's an
indicator of a little more trust in him, and the
more he's successful doing it, it probably starts to compound
(12:59):
a little bit. So I thought that was noteworthy the
way that they handled things and the way that they
put a little bit more of it on him. And
if that continues over the next three weeks, I mean,
you have a fairly toothless opponent in some ways on Sunday,
and then you have two division games to finish it.
So if he can use this to win on Sunday
(13:20):
and then you're three in a row going into two
at home, get another maybe another division wining there, I
think that would be something where if they get that
kind of a stretch and you feel decent about it
going to the offseason, you know, that would make a
lot of things feel a little different around here. You know.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
I'm glad you mentioned it looked like they were trying
to work around him, like, you know, trying to They
didn't try to mitigate him as a liability as much
as maybe we had seen. And so we were talking
with Pete Burst that you saw him in here studio,
last segment, last couple segments.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Is what he was talking about.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Is he has seen though that offensively specifically the last
couple of weeks. Maybe maybe the con or the ideas
or the finished product is the same, but there is
clearly also maybe something different functionally, whether it's it's bigger
personnel packages, et cetera. And just as you've talked to
the coach about and we've talked about just player learning scheme,
(14:16):
coach learning player and kind of meeting in the middle
and just over the last two games, have you seen
like measurably different things about this offense that maybe help
the kid handle business on the field.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Yeah, I have. I think the heavier personnel you bring
that up, I think is worth noting because this is
a guy that played in a lot of heavy personnel
groups in Michigan, so and they wanted to do some
of that anyway, because you get tight ends running on linebackers,
or you maybe get wide receivers running on linebackers at times,
and you get mismatches from that. But he has hit
a couple of nice downfield throws, two tight ends, you know,
(14:50):
kind of up the seam. He hit Josh Oliver for
the one for the touchdown against the Commanders, and then
hits TJ Hockinson on a play that Kevin O'Connell said
it was just a coverage read. I mean it's if
we at this look go here with the ball. He
was decisive with it, put the right amount of pace
on that where Hockinson had a little room to run
before he lost his feet up from underneath him. But
that ball did not come in screaming one hundred miles
(15:13):
an hour. I think there was a little bit of
I've got to fit this over a linebacker he did. Yeah,
I mean that's the things they've wanted to see. So
I think if it's some of those throws where like, hey,
we know he makes this throw well, let's go back
to that a little bit more often. I think you've
seen that. I think the fact that they've used the
heavy personnel groups, even you have guys you can flex
(15:35):
out from that. I mean, if they're in heavy personnel,
it does not preclude them from going empty because we've
seen them put CJ. Hamm on the slot, They'll put
Aaron Jones in the slot. They're comfortable moving those pieces around,
so you can get the personnel groups you want and
still empty out and stress defenses that way. I think
some of that stuff has worked for them. And yeah,
I think leaning into some of those throws he makes
(15:57):
well and also leaning into the mobility. I thought the
fact that he scores on that touchdown, I mean that
was extremely well executed. And that's also a moment of
this has been a team that struggled to get a
yard when it needs a yard, and that was a
creative way to get a yard and obviously nobody saw
it coming. And part of that is he executes that
fake as well as he does. He sells that play,
(16:19):
and I mean you've listened to the crowd reaction to it.
I saw a couple fan videos the crowd reacted like
they thought it was a stop that you can hear
the roar from the crowd and then as soon as
he comes out as oh oh, like oh they got us,
So that some of that is they've lean into things.
He does well there, and I think that's paid off
with Jefferson. There's been a bit of conversation about it.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
So he's a buck sixty eight from a thousand yards
and just I mean, maybe this is a dumb question.
How serious do you think this is in terms of
we want to end the season the way and again
we're talking about a time of the year where we're
maybe shutting people down. How important is it that we
get Jefferson over that hump or at least use these
final three to go into the offseason, saying I think
(17:01):
we found a connection there, We found something that works
between the QB and the star receiver.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Well, it was funny because I think when people were,
you know, some of our people were watching the game
on the broadcast Sunday night, I got a text saying
O'Connell referenced Operation one ninety, which was getting Jefferson one
hundred and ninety yards. He needs to get over a
thousand for the season. So he said that on the broadcast.
I think in the either in the production meeting, I
(17:30):
think Tariko brought it up. So he must have brought
it up in the production meeting. I don't think it
was a sideline report before the game, but the fact
that he has a name for it, I think is Okay,
this is probably on his mind. Oh yeah, So I
think it's a couple of things there. It's Jefferson has
been as good of a soldier on this, as good
(17:50):
of a partner on all of this as you would
ever expect from that position. I mean, we've seen where
he's frustrated on the sidelines at times, but he is
not getting up there. He's not you know, walking off
the field bailing on plays that he's not getting the ball,
he's not ripping anybody.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
He's not going George Pickens on it correct or even
Stefan Diggs.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Yeah, I mean we twenty nineteen when he leaves the
facility for two days after they score three points in
Chicago and then comes back or didn't he call his
own presser or something? He did sick? The ortundity was sick.
He pretendity was sick, and that was the there's truth
to all rumors. We're here that day. Yes, well, I
remember hearing that week from people in the in the
(18:28):
in the league that had heard, Hey, I heard he's
telling people that he's quitting, like and I text, he
a quitting, what do you mean like leaving the team
permanently or what? And then he shows up that day.
I was like, Okay, he's here and then yeah, basically
did his own presser and then didn't exactly deny the
idea that there was strife, which obviously there was. So
(18:50):
I bring that up to say, there's been nothing approaching that.
So I think for O'Connell to say, all right, we
want to get you this yard is milestone. He's been
under fourteen hundred yards in a season when he's been
fully healthy. The only time he's even been close to
one thousand is the year with the hamstrings, so he's
been healthy, he's played. I think it's this is the
(19:10):
least we can do to try to say, this is
a guy that wants to put up elite numbers, wants
to break records. It hasn't happened in part because of
this transition, and he's been patient with it. I think
it's important to him to help Jefferson and acknowledge the
way he has handled all of this and say, hey,
we see you and we appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Well, the historical stuff matters, period, Yes, but it matters
to Justin.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
It does, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Specifically, you know when like back in twenty twenty is
rookie year. Then the next year when he started cracking
Randy Moss records. Right, you know, I'm like, whoa ho?
I mean, holy cow, I mean almost cracking Randy Moss records.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
Did not crack it that year because that last game
of the season twenty twenty one, he was sixteen yards
away from breaking that record and the place is chanting
Justin Justin or whatever it was, JJ or something, and
everyone thrown the ball and Zimmer said, I don't care
about records. All I care about his wins. Right, So
then he finally broke it the next year with room
(20:07):
to spare.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Well, Connell, it's uh he had two catches Sunday, right, yeah, okay, two.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
For twenty two.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Well it tell me if you think this matters, because
I would make Sunday in the production meeting or you know,
pre get wherever Kevin wants to make it.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Operation four.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
He's four receptions from the most of any player through
six seasons in the history of the NFL. I mean
he's I mean, I think he should be a cinch
to get it, but he'll pass Jarvis Landry. So that's
that's the that's the most receptions of anybody in the
history of the NFL through six years. And he's pretty
close to Moss for yardage wise. Two he's within one
(20:45):
hundred and twenty some yard of Moss. Of Moss most
receiving yards through six.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Yar the NFL.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
So let's start with Operation four. It was Operation six
into Dallas. It's Operation four. So it's Operation four as
you go play it, play the New York Giants and
to get yourself covered by Cordelle Flott and the likes
of a Deebo Paulson.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Yeah, I would think, you know, but the grandas for
it could be done at the end of the first half.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
What's frustrating about this year just watching it, whether you're
in the room or out of the room on the
outside like I am, is you know that eighteen also
creates a lot of those opportunities that JJ is taking
advantage of, and you also see issues I think it was.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
After it was the false start on the touchdown. I mean,
how brutal was that. He brought that up as soon
as I asked him about the drops on Sunday night too,
so I was frustrated by that. It was also frustrated
by that, yeah, because I didn't get to do the gritty.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Formation penalty rather, But then that very next play he
threw a ball that Jefferson had zero chance of ever
contending for. There was one down the far sideline where
I think Bland was on him. Probably could have been
a penalty because he never turned around. Bland didn't, But
the forcing it to him actually has been ending in
more negative situations than positive. So just kind of balancing that,
(22:02):
like you're getting these other guys open, I'm trying to
get it to you, but I'm finding it in bad spots.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Yeah. Yeah, it is difficult because, and I've made this
point a few times and asked people about this a
few times, that getting used to playing for this team
is not just learning a complex offense. Ryan Kelly talked
about again on Sunday Night that it is a lot
to put on a young quarterback. It is getting used
to the fact that you were going to scout opponents
(22:28):
and say, okay, they're they're in man coverage sixty percent
of the time, we're going to get a lot of
single high safety. And then you go on on a
Sunday knowing at this point they know this. They discovered this,
I think a few years ago, but at this point
they know whatever scouting we do, whatever pre work we
do on how they're going to cover, is not going
to apply because they're going to have a different plan
for Justin Jefferson that we have to figure out as
(22:50):
we go, and some of that creates openings, but some
of that's also for a young quarterback saying how do
I navigate this the right way and get the ball
to Justin when I have opper tunities, but also figure
out the fact that they're going to flood a lot
of coverage his way and I have to counteract that.
So I do think there's a learning curve with that,
and Jefferson has talked about that. The Cousins went through it,
(23:10):
Sam Darnold went through it. It's a lot of this
message of trust yourself and trust me, but then figuring
out what that looks like when you are a young
quarterback and one who's still figuring out how to put
balls in tight spots against the NFL coverage. I think
there's an adjustment period there too.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Kevin O'Connell, head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, thirty minutes
from now more with the scribe Ben Gasoline after this,
(23:47):
subscribe Ben Gasoline at Ben Gasoline VX, Star Tribune, Star
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Speaker 2 (24:05):
Would you hit that sub button? Got to hit that
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Speaker 1 (24:08):
Make sure you hit those likes when you watch Excess
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ever fakes field goals Dallas, Dallas did it and it worked.
Why does nobody fake field goals?
Speaker 2 (24:27):
It's I think some of it. This is a good question.
I haven't thought about this this much, but I wonder
if it's because we've made the transition and this is
the old school where you said the backup quarterback is
the holder. Yeah, and now it's almost exclusively the punter.
So one of the trade offs from that, I suppose
is if it's not the backup quarterback, you don't have
(24:48):
somebody who's gonna throw as effectively as you would if
it was the backup quarterback out there. So I think
that maybe part of it. I assume some of it
is everybody's going for it more on fourth downs and
and people say this just isn't worth the risk. But
I mean, that was awfully well done. I think I'll
Connon even said yesterday, like I got to give them
a give them credit for that. I'm sure we'll talk
(25:10):
to Matt Daniels about it a little bit more today.
But that was one that you know you're able to
flip it and it was almost like a no look
over the head. Flesh was pretty impressive. It was very
well done. The rhythm and timing on that was was
pretty good. Well, they got us with the surprise.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
It wasn't as good as JJ's fake, but it was
a pretty good fake. You're thinking, I mean, that's an
automatic three points from Aubrey right there.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Yeah, although he was nothing too.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
Yeah, it was not exactly automatic, but in that stage,
I think it was a fourth and four, and we're
in Viking's territory obviously, because you set up the field goal.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
I would always think you would.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Prefer the offense versus any number of things that could
go wrong on a fake field goal. That's what kind
of surprised me is I want the offense that puts
up thirty points a game on the field, not relying
on the kicker.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
And he ran for six and then.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
He's like, oh, these these football players might hit me here.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
I better get down very smartly. That's what kind of
shocked me there. Though. Yeah, that's always a thing too.
I mean you talk about, you know, the backup quarterback
is not the holder anymore because they're probably worried about
needing the backup quarterback and what if he gets hurt
and you know, I suppose that the back of quarterback
is hurting the game, then he can't be the holder either.
But if you lose your punter, you don't have another
guy on the roster typically at least that's up on
(26:24):
game days, that would be able to do that either.
So yeah, there's probably an element of get what you
can and don't get clovered because we need you later
in this game. They must have thought they had, and
I don't know if they've run that before. I would
assume that was probably something they put in for this game.
I would think that's probably not something that they've shown,
(26:45):
so they probably figured this is unscouted, we can get
them here. This is going to be something that hits because,
like you say, to take the offense off the field,
you have to be pretty confident that what you were
going to do instead was going to work.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
Do you think that there's any element to some of
that stuff where and maybe it's just with the Cowboys
or just in general. It's like bright lights Sunday Night.
They definitely have not run this before. I don't recall
an Aubrey toss.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
No, I think we probably would have heard about it.
Speaker 3 (27:10):
But it's just I wonder if they have some of
that stuff in their back pocket. Like it's primetime, we're
gonna have a little fun with it. We're six point
favorites against these cowboy these vikings.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
We're probably going to smash them anyway, So why don't we.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Throw a little trickery into the bit and let the
primetime fans enjoy something.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
There could be some of that. I mean, you know,
everybody knows that that's the game that gets more eyeballs
than any of the NFL the Sunday night game is
at this point, So yeah, there could be a little
bit of that where you're trying to just you know, say,
let's let's bring our best and the nation is watching,
let's have something that gets a little shine on our
special teams coordinator and our special teams units.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
So over the final three we mentioned last segment, just
you know, whether it's Operation one ninety now it's Operation
of Bucks sixty eight, and just kind of the importance
of you know, and I think more important than the
Buck sixty eight.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
I think it's just finding that connection. Right.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
But in terms of getting run you know, somebody was
asking you're rarely via Vikings fan line.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
It's always the A topics, and that's good.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
You know, win or lose, the fans care and they
know what the most important issues are with the squad.
But somebody's hit me with like a ty Felton question.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Okay, I mean he's a.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
Third round rookie. You never see him. He's only played
like twenty nine snaps. I think he has a couple
catches all season. He's a special teams guy like Are
there certain things that you're looking at over the final
three where it goes beyond just the WORL And now
we're digging into the weeds of evaluation into the off season.
Is there anything that's just hit me atop ahead?
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Maybe, Well, Felton's actually a great place to start that
conversation because Jalen Naylor, who's had a really good year,
had a big game Sunday Night, is a free agent
after this year, and you get to the point where
he's done this enough, especially on Sunday Night, where people notice,
and I would imagine that if he gets some decent offers,
(28:57):
the Vikings are going to have a hard time matching those.
Knowing the cap is so ty, Felton may play a
bigger role next year. So if they see anything from
him these last few that make them think, okay, I mean,
I know they've been impressed with what they've seen in practice,
but having a transfer to games, I think that's actually
a spot where that could be useful for them going forward,
knowing that they may lose Jalen Ellen free agency.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
Miles Price has the most kick return yardage of Anybodking ever,
passed Cordery Patterson Sunday night for rookies.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
For rookies that is yeh.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Is he dynamic or the product of receiving a bunch
of return opportunities?
Speaker 2 (29:34):
I think both. I mean, certainly the return opportunities are
there now in a way they were not before. The
dynamic kickoff has opened that play back up, and I've
become a fan of it. I think the fact that
we have kickoff returns again is a positive for the game.
And if you can do it in a way that
people aren't getting hurt, that's good. It also is partially
(29:54):
I think he's been good at it. I mean, they've
seen the speed, they've seen some of the elusiveness that
he brings to that play, and he's also at some
moments where it's come back to bite them with some
of the turnovers and the muffs and that kind of
thing as well. But I think when you have that
play and if you figure out how to block it
and create angles and create openings on it, it can
(30:15):
be something that's a weapon again. And they obviously feel
I mean they've given him enough green lights that I
think they feel pretty good about the ball in his
hands and what it can do. We've seen some spots,
even if it's burned them, We've seen also seen some
spots where it's helped them out where if you get
a big return, I think the first driving is the
commanders was that way you got a big return, and
then everybody feels better about the field position where they're
(30:36):
going from, and the.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
Offense can kind of spring off of that. Lastly, Brian Flores.
Brian Flores has has his weekly approach to defense mostly
been nothing short of masterful this season. I mean hasn't
been you think, well, I just think that he and they,
for the most part, have done a really good job.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
Yeah, I think they have. I mean, you've had some
injury they've had to work through, and everybody deals with
certain things, but they have had to manage whether it's
health or whether it's being on the field a lot,
or being in some tough situations a lot where it's, hey,
we need another stop. They've been able to go out
and make things happen. So yeah, I think for them
(31:18):
to do what they did against that offense on Sunday
Night is a big deal because a lot of teams
have struggled to shut that team down and they really
did not get tested. I mean George Pickens did not
have a good game. But Dak was jumpy. Yeah, Dak
was jumping Williams. He did, yeah, and he came out
with the shoulder injury for a little bit. But yes,
Dak being as rattled as he was by the pressure
(31:42):
I think changed that game. And you know, it was
not the type of game I think. I said this
before the game with must that I don't think it
was going to be one that would suit them well
if you had to trade points with that team, and
they were able to do that to an extent, but
they probably also didn't have to trade as many points
because the defense came up with and rattle back enough
to kind of help things out there. So that's how
(32:04):
it's all supposed to works, supposed to be complimentary, and
it was. There. Have a good day, my brother, and
thank you very much. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
That's Ben Gestling, courtesy of Standard Heating and Air Hit
the talkback Machine Free iHeart Audio app. Kevin O'Connell joins
fifteen minutes from now and we like to play a
Tuesday talkback for the head coach. So go to the
free iHeart Audio app and you have thirty seconds to
leave a talkback for the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings,
and we'll play it back somewhere between eleven and eleven
(32:30):
thirty nine to noon continues after this.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Welcome back nine to noon ten twelve minutes from now,
we're gonna have head coach Kevin O'Connell in studio here
at TCO for x'es and o's with head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
But first we're gonna do news Do Noord and news
Denor is brought to you by the casino. Not a casino,
but the casino, the only.
Speaker 3 (33:18):
Spot to go in Shokape. It's Canterbury Park. Feeling the
felt every day, all year long. Poker, blackjacking, table games.
I believe you're still able to buy your Christmas trees
at Canterbury if you are still in the mood to
spice up the living room. Terrific tree arrangements, kids crafts,
a lot of fun bobber hats.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Just ask for Johnny the Mouse Michelson.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
But all the event details for anything all year round,
waiting for live racing, etc. Go to Canterbury Park dot com.
The Pittsburgh Steelers in the Monday night game last night
twenty eight point fifteen is the final the Steelers in
the AFC North, which has just been walking. It's been weird,
and the Ravens getting Lamar healthy but then continuing to
(34:00):
lose bad games, although they won most recently. Nobody wants
this AFC North but Rogers in company and Adam Feeling.
How about Adam Feeling, He had a catch for seven
yards last night. They just outclassed what is just not
a very good Miami Dolphins team.
Speaker 2 (34:14):
It's cold weather up in Pittsburgh the whole bit.
Speaker 3 (34:16):
So now they're they're in charge by an entire game
in the AFC North. Still looking like it'll come down
to that Week eighteen matchup at Pittsburgh for the AFC
North Division. But Rodgers and company just kind of toying
around at times about Rogers looked comfortable in a cold
weather environment, just handled business.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
It was a professional victory.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
I think last night by the Steelers and with our
friend Adam Feeling. I don't know how many snapsey blade
and learning a playbook may be easier for some than others,
and it's quite easy for Adam, but it was I
don't Honorary starts not the way to look at it.
It's like you're a veteran, we traded for you, you start,
because they started him slot right and then didn't do
(34:59):
any thing his way, and then he was out whereas
out for the rest of the series, and then he
was out to start the second series. Then they brought
him in for two or three plays, he blocked a
little bit, and he was out again. Still not exactly
sure what his lot in life is there. But if
Pittsburgh can get some defensive play, because your one seed
is probably going to be the Denver Broncos.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
And I mean they, I.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Mean I shouldn't say probably, but I mean their favor
to be the one seed Broncos.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Yeah, I think it's good to do.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Do you think so for sure? How far I just
don't know how far ahead they are of AFC East Terriors.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Well, they're they're a game ahead and I can find
okay here in a moment, but they, I mean, they've
won twelve in a row.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
You know, to a certain extent, there is horseshoe esconced
of Booty.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I mean, you know who's a game behind them, Oh
Ravels Patriot. Oh wow, So it's tight, yes, but but
they're beatable. They've been beatable almost every game during this
twelve game winning streak, but prohaps to the Broncos. They
find a way to close where other teams, including good teams, don't,
So I understand why they're favor But you know, Rogers
is throwing the ball really really well right now.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
And he's on fire. I mean, he that that whole thing.
He's just in charge of that whole thing now. Man,
It's taken a little while, but he's in charge. And
and they if they can get some defensive play man,
they could be sneaky in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Is it fire fire?
Speaker 3 (36:21):
He's on fire. Yeah, it's the fire. Hit the button
will be fire tonight though. The a topic for for
hockey fans in this state. And by the way, props
to coach Finch. He joined us earlier today open the
show and the Wolves and hopefully Anthony Edwards.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Is back after a two game absence.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
They're hosting the Memphis Grizzlies, who are having an awful season.
How about just breaking the news to me, Nords, the
Ja Moran twisted his ankle last night, so.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
We got LFL terrorism.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
But Hoops is back in the mix tomorrow at Target
Center for the Minnesota Wild. They are on the back
end of a four game home stretch here and a
chance to sweep it.
Speaker 2 (36:59):
It's a couple of third play squads in the mix.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
Here, you're Minnesota Wild, third in the third in the
Central and then on the East coast side of things,
the Capitals and Ovechkin.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
And everybody are in town now.
Speaker 3 (37:10):
The Caps themselves, I think they've lost three out of
their last four, but those were two of those were
in shootouts.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
I just got housed by Winnipeg the other day over
the weekend five to one. Oh does.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
But they come in it not the Wild and they
come into Grand Casino Arena here against well, it's it's
Capris off and Boldie and Quinn Hughes and will it
be Gus Buss or Yesper, yes sir, yesper. We shall
find out. And maybe that's already been reported and that's
my fault.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
But excited for this game tonight.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
It's a seven pm puck drop, whether you watch ESPN
Plus or you listen to it with mister O'Donnell and
mister Reed.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
Thanks to Joe for joining me yesterday.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Pump for that puck drop seven pm ish right here
on enough.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
I am yeah, I haven't done. I've yet to see
Quinn Hughes. And he only played one game, right.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
Just one game on Sunday. Yeh, yep, Quinnesota. That's where
we're calling it, Quinnesota. I saw that on social media.
It's Mike Lever.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
But with that, but I'm I'm looking forward to to
I mean, I've I've seen him during his career analytically speaking,
if you're if you're into the analytics of hockey, which
I'm not, but nevertheless for those who are, he is.
I mean, he he charts near the top or at
the top of so many important analytics for blue liners
(38:23):
and they're still young.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
So I'm looking forward to watching him this evening, last
thing and then we'll pause here.
Speaker 3 (38:29):
You can catch it on Prime the NBA the nd
season Cup bit is we got coach about eleven oh five.
The Championship is tonight. It's gonna be San Antonio and
the New York Knicks. I think you watch it on
Prime if that button. You know one thing, I'll tell
you, you know, not seeing a lot of Quinn Hughes.
Speaker 2 (38:45):
I haven't seen a lot of wemby this year.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
I'm excited to just sit in the chair and just appreciate.
Of course I'm rooting for kat and yeah we got
Brunson and Josh Hart, et cetera. But Wemby the unicorn
that he is now back from injury and he's working
through a few games here. He is, as you heard
it from from Chris fincherly on two, he's ascending. He
will be the best player in the NBA. It's just
(39:09):
a question of when. And we're going to get to
see that isolated single game spot tonight at seven thirty.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
Yeah, he Wemby for the Spurs is on. There's some
pitch count terrorism taking place right now. With the minutes, yeah,
just half right. It came back from a calf and
I said it to Chris Finch earlier and it just
blew me away that he played seven minutes and during
his seven minutes, the Spurs were plus twenty in the
plus minus. I mean to beat plus twenty in just
(39:36):
seven minutes, that is amazing. But his impact in the
game in a short amount of time was unbelievable. I
think the Knicks are going to beat the Spurs tonight
because what I saw from the San Antonio Spurs.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
The other night.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
If you have a better effort than that in you
may God bless you, May God be with you, because
they went to Okac. Well, nobody beats Okac if you
were win at Okac. And and thirdly they took it
to Shay Gilgess, Alexander with with with uh Stefan Castle
and Devin Vessel. I mean they really took it to
(40:13):
s g A, super physical with him and Okase looked
like like, you know, we got you whenever we want you,
and they didn't. The Spurs played a wonderful, wonderful game
Saturday night. I don't think they can play better tonight.
And I think I can't say I think the Knicks
are dramatically better team than San Antonio, but I think
(40:33):
the Knicks win the NBA Cup tonight.
Speaker 3 (40:35):
And as we wrap up, news News de Nord presented
news News de Nerd.
Speaker 2 (40:41):
How about that news.
Speaker 3 (40:41):
De Nerd news you actually actually yes, presented by Canterbury Park,
the casino at Canterbury Park. Actually Chiefs Mahomes has indeed
had surgery on the torn A c L and torn
L c L.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
So the rehab starts now.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
And gosh, there was one thing going back to it
was Guestling talking about with darisaw and just worried about
this time of year and that any additional injury would
potentially bleed.
Speaker 2 (41:10):
Into the rehab.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Well, I mean, what about six weeks ago and so,
But but to that end, this time of year is
indeed an awful time to sustain these injuries. Michael Parsons,
who was confirmed it's an ACL as well. So just
kind of the injuries that have taken place, and I
don't have the whole list in front of me. It's
a conversation that comes up every couple of years.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
Are we seeing more ACL tears? Is it the turf?
Is it the training? What is it?
Speaker 3 (41:35):
Human body evolution versus the supplement and the work load evolution.
But whether it's neighbors, I mean, how cool I mean
in a lost season, sadly, it would have been cool
to see neighbors, right, and all the concussions with Jackson Dart,
will he play Scatabow and that ugly injury he took place,
We don't get to see Scataboo this weekend. It's just
(41:58):
stealing the greats from the whether they're with our rivals
or not, is just awful from a fan perspective, there's
too many of them this year.
Speaker 1 (42:06):
I say, by the way, you have a chance to
have a talkback offered up to Minnesota Vikings head coach
Kevin O'Connell. He's around the corner here at the TCO
Radio studio. Go to the free iHeart audio app and
to do your thing for up to thirty seconds, we're
gonna play one back for Kevin O'Connell and x's and
o's around the corner on KFAM
Here comes Ben Geslin covers the Minnesota vikings for the
Star Tribune and Star Tribune dot com. Uh The segments
are provided by Standard Heating and Air Standard Heating dot
Com to learn more online. And you know we we
we call Ben the scribe here nine to now.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
But like if Snoop.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Doggie dog were doing the show, he would welcome every
buddy back by saying, here comes the squizzle. And I
understand there's a Snoop Doggie dog tie to something that's
transpiring in your household today and good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Good morning. Yes, my my daughter Greta turns eleven today.
Happy birthday, Greta h Button. Yeah, that's Button weekly newsletter. Yes,
so she's she is not a fan of Soop Dogg.
Just I think during the Olympics last year when he's everywhere. Yeah,
(01:05):
she's like, oh my gosh, why a Snoop Dogg everywhere? So,
you know, typical father that I am like, Okay, this
seems like something that could be kind of annoying.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So I probably she's not a fan of Snoops. Yeah,
Like you know, if you see him and do you
call her grizzle?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
I haven't, but I might start to because she won't
like it, right, So you know, she's getting that age
where you know, I've got a thirteen and an eleven
year old now, so it's like the payoff of diaper
changes is now when you're teenager tween, I can annoy you. Yeah,
it's kind of fun. So Happy birthday, Greta. And I'm
sorry for the additional Snoop Dogg references that may be
(01:41):
coming your way in the near future.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
So so with birthday dinner tonight or whatever goes into
Greta's birthday.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Happy Birthday, Greta.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
I always love entertaining her at Canterbury Partner in the
course of the summer.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
She seems to love that. Yes, if you were to
want the kids race one of those years, Oh that's right,
the Guesstling girl is going great. Guns was her. It
was her for Yeah, she went up in class. It
was her first year in the eight and older division
and she dusted everybody and then we had this up button.
But if you roll in tonight and say rolling down
the street with grad sivanon Jen and Juice late bad
(02:15):
dad Da, it'd be dad da yep stop.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Bob Ben and I met met at Irving Bible Church
early Sunday morning.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
I'm glad we did. I'm really glad we did that.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
And it always is interesting seeing other soula script to
our churches and how they run the show with their
programs and stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Did you enjoy that? Yeah, it was good. It was
really fun. It was I learned how to sing a
little bit of angels we have heard on high in Spanish,
which I didn't know. It was a kind of multi
racial church. It was very cool. Yeah, it was. It
was fun to be there and just kind of fun
to see how different people do it. Yeah, it was
fun to and fun to be there with you, and
fun to just kind of be in a larger setting.
(02:58):
And I loved it. Had a guy I when I
cause I think you had to get back for a
radio or a TVA bit with a mod and I
when I was walking out, a guy says to me,
skull Vikings Yeah, And I was like, okay, so you
obviously must recognize me from something. I mean. He said, yeah,
I saw you guys there, and I said, was Pa
and Ben? Yeah, And so we ended up talking for
a few minutes. He was from Iowa, had just moved
(03:19):
down in the last couple of years. With family in Texas,
so wasn't going to the game, but I said, yeah,
they'll be back in a few years. That's cool. So yeah,
it was fun to chat with him a little bit.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
And if my man's listening now, thanks for saying hello
and thanks for listening.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Should the Minnesota Vikings shut down Darrosaw and jettison this
weekly cat and mouse game?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
That's a good question. I mean, the cat and mounts
game has become something that is weekly, and the fact
that we are still doing that fourteen months after the surgery.
You know, I think a lot of this for him
is getting to the point of let's not have something
pop back up that creates an off season worth of issues.
(03:58):
I mean, you know, you see this, whether it's Patrick
Mahomes or I can remember this with you. I think
David Bachtiari with the Packers a few years ago. When
injuries occur, major injuries occur at this point of the year,
it doesn't just affect that season, it affects the next
one because the rehab takes so long. So I think
there's probably a level of caution for him of let's
not have some set back in the last few weeks
(04:20):
that creates larger issues in the off season. I don't
think they planned to shut him down, but the question
whether they should, I mean, it has an effect on
JJ McCarthy if you do it, Although they protected quite
well on Sunday Night without him, I could see an
argument for doing it. To answer the question, as I
continue to talk around it, I could see an argument
for doing it. I don't think they're going to do that,
(04:42):
but if they were to say, let's just make sure
that we get to the offseason and this can all
be behind us, if we could go on with a
clean slight next year, I think there's an argument to
be made for that.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Nordo has asked me the same question three times this year,
and he just asked Pete Bursich about Will Fries. And
when he asks me about out, how do you think
Will Fries is playing?
Speaker 2 (05:02):
What do you think?
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So it could be an obvious somebody ran around him
or an obvious he rode went to road grading and
plowed somebody. But but like it, I don't know how
to answer it. And my answer is with twenty two
to twenty three different offensive line combinations, the left tackle situation,
Ryan Kelly really starting to play well now, and meaning
(05:24):
well and working hard every step of the way, but
he just missed a bunch of games with those concussions.
Is I praise Will Fries without going all twenty two
on it, because like with all those combinations to start
all of them, you know where I don't want to
say it was out of shape in training camp or preseason,
but like off the off the season end or with Indianapolis,
(05:45):
he had a lot of things to work through a
training camp in preseason and maybe getting back in shape.
So just from there to now, you know, not trying
to make him sound like Steve Hutchinson, Ree and Karne here,
but to play them all specifically with what's happened here
this year, I think that that's praiseworthy.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, I mean it puts him in a group of
one in terms of the people that have been able
to play every week. I mean, every single other member
of that offensive line has had an injury that's kept
them out for at least one game, and it's been
you know, different things. It's Darrisaw coming back, obviously, Kelly
with the concussions down in Ejackson with the wrist, and
then Brian O'Neil. It's been knee and I think you
(06:23):
know things lately, yes, but yeah, I think the durability
is something first and foremost. It was a big and
especially because it was a question coming into this year
when he came off of that tibia fractures. So the
fact that he's been in there for every one of
those I think is noteworthy. I think there have been
moments in past protection, especially where he has gotten beat
(06:45):
and we saw it a couple of weeks ago. He
got Turnstile pretty bad on one. I think maybe it's
against Seattle, But when you're seeing all of these different fronts,
I mean, this is kind of an extension of the
pure progression conversation from last week, only in the sense
that the defenses are so complex that you're getting more stunts,
more blitz designs that make you play in a way
(07:10):
that whether the communication is up to snuff or not
may determine whether you were able to pick something up.
It's a lot of Hey, are you protecting the first
guy that comes through here? Are you going reading inside out?
I mean, it's a lot of this. I thought you
had him, No, I thought you had him. So when
you have all of these different combinations in different spots,
the potential for miscommunication, the potential for something to fall
(07:33):
through the cracks is higher. So to say yeah, it's
all his fault or yeah he needs to be better.
I think there have been moments of that, but I
don't have enough information to say in a detailed fashion,
this is one percent what should have happened. I think
the fact that they have had as many different combinations
as they've had, especially given the way that offensive lines
(07:55):
are tested in this day and age, with all of
the different blitz designs and stunts and games, he has
had a factor in that.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
The McCarthy keeper touchdown was the best gotcha play man
we've seen all season, was extremely well done. So I
mean I didn't go to the press conferences after the
Dallas game.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
I was doing dry bys.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Why didn't Why do you think the coach didn't like
the dance into the end zone?
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Well, I mean I actually going off if I was
working the locker room too. I ended up because we
were down a man on Sunday night, So it was
just a Jim two hand in me because Andrew Kramer
was not feeling well. But so I think Jim went
to O'Connell and I stayed in the locker room is
listening to it afterwards. I think it was probably I mean,
he mentioned the thing about I wanted to see him
use that forty speed that he didn't run at the cobbine,
(08:40):
you know, so he caught astray a little bit there.
But I think it was just getting the end zone.
And let's not open the possibility up that it's justin
Jefferson reaching for the pylon and he gets knocked out
of his hand and becomes a touchback. I mean, I
can't imagine. I mean no, and you know, the length
of the memory and the detail of the memory of
this particular head coach as well or better than I do.
(09:02):
It's elephant like, it is extremely and I'm somebody with
a pretty long memory as well. I am not in
his league on that front. I mean, I'm somebody that
can remember, like the cake from my third birthday party,
Black Forest with Cherry's on it was great. But the
head coach is on a different level from that. So
I would not be surprised if some of these things
(09:25):
that he can remember are things that pop into his
head and say, oh, you know, we don't want to
lose the ball in this situation because there could be
a big moment. So I think it was that of
just getting the end zone and let's not create a
possibility for some kind of a snafu.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
But that makes sense. But you know, if you're looking
to kill the alter ego nine thing, yeah, that could
be that too. Then that's probably not needed either. I
mean it doesn't have to be. Barry Sanders always flipped
it back to the rep and never said anything right
somewhere in between.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Well, and yeah, they're not a team that discourages celebration obviously.
You know Cam bininge them. CJ.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Ham did the great on his touchdown. Yeah, I mean
that's what he got into the end zone, correct. I
think it's probably a let's get in the end zone
when you when you're a meme right now, when you're
a meme, because that's what I think. I don't think
it was about a fumble. I don't think it was
like he's going to get in.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
I think it's about dude, I see your face and
now they're putting other people's faces on your face like
it is such a thing right now in the league.
And by the way, you just tied the game at
fourteen in the first half, Dak and company could go
out and put forty five on us, and now the
only thing they're going to remember from that game is
you dancing into the end zone in the second quarter
(10:35):
like you just won the game, right, And it might
have been you know, we asked him not to do
it and he did.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yeah, you know, yeah, there's an element of flaring when
I said, I think what I wrote in my story
was he sounded like a dad who has told his kid, Hey,
don't do that front flip on the bike. It's kind
of dangerous. Then he did it anyway, and it's all right,
but he I mean the kind of landed the flip exactly.
(11:00):
It looks like, don't do it again though, right, It's
like it was like child dad.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
It's like he started to get the hand in the
cookie jar but didn't get it all the way in
and didn't come out with the cookie because that was
not a gritty right, No, it was like a one
armed yes, quasi gritty.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
I mean we've seen worse, right, shout out mi Kiseki.
But we've seen better, yeah, certainly as gasoline, standard heating
and air.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
So final three here with with the quarterback and you
mentioned whether we were talking about whether it's shutting down
Darrisaw and just what that means potentially to a week's
worth of practice with JJ, And on one side, it's like, okay, well,
at least we have consistency justin school knows that he's
going to play on the life side and just running
through myriad O line combinations as you've mentioned.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
But just what do we want.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Over the over the final three more of the same,
I mean, just kind of the the similar kind of
graduating process we've seen the last two.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Right, Yeah, I think continuing to see consistency. I mean
he JJ McCarthy has said it, coaches have said it.
Getting to the point point where there is some consistency
on an every week basis is the biggest thing you
can get out of these last three. I thought it
was significant on Sunday night. They played to me in
a way that looked like they were trying to mitigate
(12:15):
him or work around him, less than I've seen them
do it all year. There was more deep shots down
the field, there was more hey, we're going to put
it in your put it in your hands, put it
on your back. And they didn't run the ball terribly well,
so it wasn't something where they were able to kind
of just say, let's not have to go to the
passing game as much. I mean the fourth and three
where he hits Naylor on the back shoulder throw was
(12:37):
a terrific throw. By the way it was, it was
a terrific throw. But it's also a situation where it's
we are going to put this on you and give
you an opportunity to make a play here, and he
did so. I think the more they're doing that, I
think there's things to be gleaned from that. It's an
indicator of a little more trust in him, and the
more he's successful doing it, it probably starts to compound
(12:59):
a little bit. So I thought that was noteworthy the
way that they handled things and the way that they
put a little bit more of it on him. And
if that continues over the next three weeks, I mean,
you have a fairly toothless opponent in some ways on Sunday,
and then you have two division games to finish it.
So if he can use this to win on Sunday
(13:20):
and then you're three in a row going into two
at home, get another maybe another division wining there, I
think that would be something where if they get that
kind of a stretch and you feel decent about it
going to the offseason, you know, that would make a
lot of things feel a little different around here. You know.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
I'm glad you mentioned it looked like they were trying
to work around him, like, you know, trying to They
didn't try to mitigate him as a liability as much
as maybe we had seen. And so we were talking
with Pete Burst that you saw him in here studio,
last segment, last couple segments.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Is what he was talking about.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Is he has seen though that offensively specifically the last
couple of weeks. Maybe maybe the con or the ideas
or the finished product is the same, but there is
clearly also maybe something different functionally, whether it's it's bigger
personnel packages, et cetera. And just as you've talked to
the coach about and we've talked about just player learning scheme,
(14:16):
coach learning player and kind of meeting in the middle
and just over the last two games, have you seen
like measurably different things about this offense that maybe help
the kid handle business on the field.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Yeah, I have. I think the heavier personnel you bring
that up, I think is worth noting because this is
a guy that played in a lot of heavy personnel
groups in Michigan, so and they wanted to do some
of that anyway, because you get tight ends running on linebackers,
or you maybe get wide receivers running on linebackers at times,
and you get mismatches from that. But he has hit
a couple of nice downfield throws, two tight ends, you know,
(14:50):
kind of up the seam. He hit Josh Oliver for
the one for the touchdown against the Commanders, and then
hits TJ Hockinson on a play that Kevin O'Connell said
it was just a coverage read. I mean it's if
we at this look go here with the ball. He
was decisive with it, put the right amount of pace
on that where Hockinson had a little room to run
before he lost his feet up from underneath him. But
that ball did not come in screaming one hundred miles
(15:13):
an hour. I think there was a little bit of
I've got to fit this over a linebacker he did. Yeah,
I mean that's the things they've wanted to see. So
I think if it's some of those throws where like, hey,
we know he makes this throw well, let's go back
to that a little bit more often. I think you've
seen that. I think the fact that they've used the
heavy personnel groups, even you have guys you can flex
(15:35):
out from that. I mean, if they're in heavy personnel,
it does not preclude them from going empty because we've
seen them put CJ. Hamm on the slot, They'll put
Aaron Jones in the slot. They're comfortable moving those pieces around,
so you can get the personnel groups you want and
still empty out and stress defenses that way. I think
some of that stuff has worked for them. And yeah,
I think leaning into some of those throws he makes
(15:57):
well and also leaning into the mobility. I thought the
fact that he scores on that touchdown, I mean that
was extremely well executed. And that's also a moment of
this has been a team that struggled to get a
yard when it needs a yard, and that was a
creative way to get a yard and obviously nobody saw
it coming. And part of that is he executes that
fake as well as he does. He sells that play,
(16:19):
and I mean you've listened to the crowd reaction to it.
I saw a couple fan videos the crowd reacted like
they thought it was a stop that you can hear
the roar from the crowd and then as soon as
he comes out as oh oh, like oh they got us,
So that some of that is they've lean into things.
He does well there, and I think that's paid off
with Jefferson. There's been a bit of conversation about it.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
So he's a buck sixty eight from a thousand yards
and just I mean, maybe this is a dumb question.
How serious do you think this is in terms of
we want to end the season the way and again
we're talking about a time of the year where we're
maybe shutting people down. How important is it that we
get Jefferson over that hump or at least use these
final three to go into the offseason, saying I think
(17:01):
we found a connection there, We found something that works
between the QB and the star receiver.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Well, it was funny because I think when people were,
you know, some of our people were watching the game
on the broadcast Sunday night, I got a text saying
O'Connell referenced Operation one ninety, which was getting Jefferson one
hundred and ninety yards. He needs to get over a
thousand for the season. So he said that on the broadcast.
I think in the either in the production meeting, I
(17:30):
think Tariko brought it up. So he must have brought
it up in the production meeting. I don't think it
was a sideline report before the game, but the fact
that he has a name for it, I think is Okay,
this is probably on his mind. Oh yeah, So I
think it's a couple of things there. It's Jefferson has
been as good of a soldier on this, as good
(17:50):
of a partner on all of this as you would
ever expect from that position. I mean, we've seen where
he's frustrated on the sidelines at times, but he is
not getting up there. He's not you know, walking off
the field bailing on plays that he's not getting the ball,
he's not ripping anybody.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
He's not going George Pickens on it correct or even
Stefan Diggs.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Yeah, I mean we twenty nineteen when he leaves the
facility for two days after they score three points in
Chicago and then comes back or didn't he call his
own presser or something? He did sick? The ortundity was sick.
He pretendity was sick, and that was the there's truth
to all rumors. We're here that day. Yes, well, I
remember hearing that week from people in the in the
(18:28):
in the league that had heard, Hey, I heard he's
telling people that he's quitting, like and I text, he
a quitting, what do you mean like leaving the team
permanently or what? And then he shows up that day.
I was like, Okay, he's here and then yeah, basically
did his own presser and then didn't exactly deny the
idea that there was strife, which obviously there was. So
(18:50):
I bring that up to say, there's been nothing approaching that.
So I think for O'Connell to say, all right, we
want to get you this yard is milestone. He's been
under fourteen hundred yards in a season when he's been
fully healthy. The only time he's even been close to
one thousand is the year with the hamstrings, so he's
been healthy, he's played. I think it's this is the
(19:10):
least we can do to try to say, this is
a guy that wants to put up elite numbers, wants
to break records. It hasn't happened in part because of
this transition, and he's been patient with it. I think
it's important to him to help Jefferson and acknowledge the
way he has handled all of this and say, hey,
we see you and we appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Well, the historical stuff matters, period, Yes, but it matters
to Justin.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
It does, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Specifically, you know when like back in twenty twenty is
rookie year. Then the next year when he started cracking
Randy Moss records. Right, you know, I'm like, whoa ho?
I mean, holy cow, I mean almost cracking Randy Moss records.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
Did not crack it that year because that last game
of the season twenty twenty one, he was sixteen yards
away from breaking that record and the place is chanting
Justin Justin or whatever it was, JJ or something, and
everyone thrown the ball and Zimmer said, I don't care
about records. All I care about his wins. Right, So
then he finally broke it the next year with room
(20:07):
to spare.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Well, Connell, it's uh he had two catches Sunday, right, yeah, okay, two.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
For twenty two.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Well it tell me if you think this matters, because
I would make Sunday in the production meeting or you know,
pre get wherever Kevin wants to make it.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Operation four.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
He's four receptions from the most of any player through
six seasons in the history of the NFL. I mean
he's I mean, I think he should be a cinch
to get it, but he'll pass Jarvis Landry. So that's
that's the that's the most receptions of anybody in the
history of the NFL through six years. And he's pretty
close to Moss for yardage wise. Two he's within one
(20:45):
hundred and twenty some yard of Moss. Of Moss most
receiving yards through six.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Yar the NFL.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
So let's start with Operation four. It was Operation six
into Dallas. It's Operation four. So it's Operation four as
you go play it, play the New York Giants and
to get yourself covered by Cordelle Flott and the likes
of a Deebo Paulson.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Yeah, I would think, you know, but the grandas for
it could be done at the end of the first half.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
What's frustrating about this year just watching it, whether you're
in the room or out of the room on the
outside like I am, is you know that eighteen also
creates a lot of those opportunities that JJ is taking
advantage of, and you also see issues I think it was.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
After it was the false start on the touchdown. I mean,
how brutal was that. He brought that up as soon
as I asked him about the drops on Sunday night too,
so I was frustrated by that. It was also frustrated
by that, yeah, because I didn't get to do the gritty.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Formation penalty rather, But then that very next play he
threw a ball that Jefferson had zero chance of ever
contending for. There was one down the far sideline where
I think Bland was on him. Probably could have been
a penalty because he never turned around. Bland didn't, But
the forcing it to him actually has been ending in
more negative situations than positive. So just kind of balancing that,
(22:02):
like you're getting these other guys open, I'm trying to
get it to you, but I'm finding it in bad spots.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Yeah. Yeah, it is difficult because, and I've made this
point a few times and asked people about this a
few times, that getting used to playing for this team
is not just learning a complex offense. Ryan Kelly talked
about again on Sunday Night that it is a lot
to put on a young quarterback. It is getting used
to the fact that you were going to scout opponents
(22:28):
and say, okay, they're they're in man coverage sixty percent
of the time, we're going to get a lot of
single high safety. And then you go on on a
Sunday knowing at this point they know this. They discovered this,
I think a few years ago, but at this point
they know whatever scouting we do, whatever pre work we
do on how they're going to cover, is not going
to apply because they're going to have a different plan
for Justin Jefferson that we have to figure out as
(22:50):
we go, and some of that creates openings, but some
of that's also for a young quarterback saying how do
I navigate this the right way and get the ball
to Justin when I have opper tunities, but also figure
out the fact that they're going to flood a lot
of coverage his way and I have to counteract that.
So I do think there's a learning curve with that,
and Jefferson has talked about that. The Cousins went through it,
(23:10):
Sam Darnold went through it. It's a lot of this
message of trust yourself and trust me, but then figuring
out what that looks like when you are a young
quarterback and one who's still figuring out how to put
balls in tight spots against the NFL coverage. I think
there's an adjustment period there too.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Kevin O'Connell, head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, thirty minutes
from now more with the scribe Ben Gasoline after this,
(23:47):
subscribe Ben Gasoline at Ben Gasoline VX, Star Tribune, Star
Tribune dot com access to Vikings. The podcast is podcastable, downloadable,
and the viewable at Ben Gasoline's a good place to
start via the twitter feed. Also, there is a news
letter that I believe is available on Fridays.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Would you hit that sub button? Got to hit that
sub button.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Make sure you hit those likes when you watch Excess
Vikings with Ben Gesling. These segments here are a courtesy
of Standard Heating and Air Standard Heating dot Com. Nobody
ever fakes field goals Dallas, Dallas did it and it worked.
Why does nobody fake field goals?
Speaker 2 (24:27):
It's I think some of it. This is a good question.
I haven't thought about this this much, but I wonder
if it's because we've made the transition and this is
the old school where you said the backup quarterback is
the holder. Yeah, and now it's almost exclusively the punter.
So one of the trade offs from that, I suppose
is if it's not the backup quarterback, you don't have
(24:48):
somebody who's gonna throw as effectively as you would if
it was the backup quarterback out there. So I think
that maybe part of it. I assume some of it
is everybody's going for it more on fourth downs and
and people say this just isn't worth the risk. But
I mean, that was awfully well done. I think I'll
Connon even said yesterday, like I got to give them
a give them credit for that. I'm sure we'll talk
(25:10):
to Matt Daniels about it a little bit more today.
But that was one that you know you're able to
flip it and it was almost like a no look
over the head. Flesh was pretty impressive. It was very
well done. The rhythm and timing on that was was
pretty good. Well, they got us with the surprise.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
It wasn't as good as JJ's fake, but it was
a pretty good fake. You're thinking, I mean, that's an
automatic three points from Aubrey right there.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Yeah, although he was nothing too.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
Yeah, it was not exactly automatic, but in that stage,
I think it was a fourth and four, and we're
in Viking's territory obviously, because you set up the field goal.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
I would always think you would.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Prefer the offense versus any number of things that could
go wrong on a fake field goal. That's what kind
of surprised me is I want the offense that puts
up thirty points a game on the field, not relying
on the kicker.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
And he ran for six and then.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
He's like, oh, these these football players might hit me here.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
I better get down very smartly. That's what kind of
shocked me there. Though. Yeah, that's always a thing too.
I mean you talk about, you know, the backup quarterback
is not the holder anymore because they're probably worried about
needing the backup quarterback and what if he gets hurt
and you know, I suppose that the back of quarterback
is hurting the game, then he can't be the holder either.
But if you lose your punter, you don't have another
guy on the roster typically at least that's up on
(26:24):
game days, that would be able to do that either.
So yeah, there's probably an element of get what you
can and don't get clovered because we need you later
in this game. They must have thought they had, and
I don't know if they've run that before. I would
assume that was probably something they put in for this game.
I would think that's probably not something that they've shown,
(26:45):
so they probably figured this is unscouted, we can get
them here. This is going to be something that hits because,
like you say, to take the offense off the field,
you have to be pretty confident that what you were
going to do instead was going to work.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
Do you think that there's any element to some of
that stuff where and maybe it's just with the Cowboys
or just in general. It's like bright lights Sunday Night.
They definitely have not run this before. I don't recall
an Aubrey toss.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
No, I think we probably would have heard about it.
Speaker 3 (27:10):
But it's just I wonder if they have some of
that stuff in their back pocket. Like it's primetime, we're
gonna have a little fun with it. We're six point
favorites against these cowboy these vikings.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
We're probably going to smash them anyway, So why don't we.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Throw a little trickery into the bit and let the
primetime fans enjoy something.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
There could be some of that. I mean, you know,
everybody knows that that's the game that gets more eyeballs
than any of the NFL the Sunday night game is
at this point, So yeah, there could be a little
bit of that where you're trying to just you know, say,
let's let's bring our best and the nation is watching,
let's have something that gets a little shine on our
special teams coordinator and our special teams units.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
So over the final three we mentioned last segment, just
you know, whether it's Operation one ninety now it's Operation
of Bucks sixty eight, and just kind of the importance
of you know, and I think more important than the
Buck sixty eight.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
I think it's just finding that connection. Right.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
But in terms of getting run you know, somebody was
asking you're rarely via Vikings fan line.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
It's always the A topics, and that's good.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
You know, win or lose, the fans care and they
know what the most important issues are with the squad.
But somebody's hit me with like a ty Felton question.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Okay, I mean he's a.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
Third round rookie. You never see him. He's only played
like twenty nine snaps. I think he has a couple
catches all season. He's a special teams guy like Are
there certain things that you're looking at over the final
three where it goes beyond just the WORL And now
we're digging into the weeds of evaluation into the off season.
Is there anything that's just hit me atop ahead?
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Maybe, Well, Felton's actually a great place to start that
conversation because Jalen Naylor, who's had a really good year,
had a big game Sunday Night, is a free agent
after this year, and you get to the point where
he's done this enough, especially on Sunday Night, where people notice,
and I would imagine that if he gets some decent offers,
(28:57):
the Vikings are going to have a hard time matching those.
Knowing the cap is so ty, Felton may play a
bigger role next year. So if they see anything from
him these last few that make them think, okay, I mean,
I know they've been impressed with what they've seen in practice,
but having a transfer to games, I think that's actually
a spot where that could be useful for them going forward,
knowing that they may lose Jalen Ellen free agency.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
Miles Price has the most kick return yardage of Anybodking ever,
passed Cordery Patterson Sunday night for rookies.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
For rookies that is yeh.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Is he dynamic or the product of receiving a bunch
of return opportunities?
Speaker 2 (29:34):
I think both. I mean, certainly the return opportunities are
there now in a way they were not before. The
dynamic kickoff has opened that play back up, and I've
become a fan of it. I think the fact that
we have kickoff returns again is a positive for the game.
And if you can do it in a way that
people aren't getting hurt, that's good. It also is partially
(29:54):
I think he's been good at it. I mean, they've
seen the speed, they've seen some of the elusiveness that
he brings to that play, and he's also at some
moments where it's come back to bite them with some
of the turnovers and the muffs and that kind of
thing as well. But I think when you have that
play and if you figure out how to block it
and create angles and create openings on it, it can
(30:15):
be something that's a weapon again. And they obviously feel
I mean they've given him enough green lights that I
think they feel pretty good about the ball in his
hands and what it can do. We've seen some spots,
even if it's burned them, We've seen also seen some
spots where it's helped them out where if you get
a big return, I think the first driving is the
commanders was that way you got a big return, and
then everybody feels better about the field position where they're
(30:36):
going from, and the.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
Offense can kind of spring off of that. Lastly, Brian Flores.
Brian Flores has has his weekly approach to defense mostly
been nothing short of masterful this season. I mean hasn't
been you think, well, I just think that he and they,
for the most part, have done a really good job.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
Yeah, I think they have. I mean, you've had some
injury they've had to work through, and everybody deals with
certain things, but they have had to manage whether it's
health or whether it's being on the field a lot,
or being in some tough situations a lot where it's, hey,
we need another stop. They've been able to go out
and make things happen. So yeah, I think for them
(31:18):
to do what they did against that offense on Sunday
Night is a big deal because a lot of teams
have struggled to shut that team down and they really
did not get tested. I mean George Pickens did not
have a good game. But Dak was jumpy. Yeah, Dak
was jumping Williams. He did, yeah, and he came out
with the shoulder injury for a little bit. But yes,
Dak being as rattled as he was by the pressure
(31:42):
I think changed that game. And you know, it was
not the type of game I think. I said this
before the game with must that I don't think it
was going to be one that would suit them well
if you had to trade points with that team, and
they were able to do that to an extent, but
they probably also didn't have to trade as many points
because the defense came up with and rattle back enough
to kind of help things out there. So that's how
(32:04):
it's all supposed to works, supposed to be complimentary, and
it was. There. Have a good day, my brother, and
thank you very much. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
That's Ben Gestling, courtesy of Standard Heating and Air Hit
the talkback Machine Free iHeart Audio app. Kevin O'Connell joins
fifteen minutes from now and we like to play a
Tuesday talkback for the head coach. So go to the
free iHeart Audio app and you have thirty seconds to
leave a talkback for the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings,
and we'll play it back somewhere between eleven and eleven
(32:30):
thirty nine to noon continues after this.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Welcome back nine to noon ten twelve minutes from now,
we're gonna have head coach Kevin O'Connell in studio here
at TCO for x'es and o's with head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
But first we're gonna do news Do Noord and news
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But all the event details for anything all year round,
waiting for live racing, etc. Go to Canterbury Park dot com.
The Pittsburgh Steelers in the Monday night game last night
twenty eight point fifteen is the final the Steelers in
the AFC North, which has just been walking. It's been weird,
and the Ravens getting Lamar healthy but then continuing to
(34:00):
lose bad games, although they won most recently. Nobody wants
this AFC North but Rogers in company and Adam Feeling.
How about Adam Feeling, He had a catch for seven
yards last night. They just outclassed what is just not
a very good Miami Dolphins team.
Speaker 2 (34:14):
It's cold weather up in Pittsburgh the whole bit.
Speaker 3 (34:16):
So now they're they're in charge by an entire game
in the AFC North. Still looking like it'll come down
to that Week eighteen matchup at Pittsburgh for the AFC
North Division. But Rodgers and company just kind of toying
around at times about Rogers looked comfortable in a cold
weather environment, just handled business.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
It was a professional victory.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
I think last night by the Steelers and with our
friend Adam Feeling. I don't know how many snapsey blade
and learning a playbook may be easier for some than others,
and it's quite easy for Adam, but it was I
don't Honorary starts not the way to look at it.
It's like you're a veteran, we traded for you, you start,
because they started him slot right and then didn't do
(34:59):
any thing his way, and then he was out whereas
out for the rest of the series, and then he
was out to start the second series. Then they brought
him in for two or three plays, he blocked a
little bit, and he was out again. Still not exactly
sure what his lot in life is there. But if
Pittsburgh can get some defensive play, because your one seed
is probably going to be the Denver Broncos.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
And I mean they, I.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Mean I shouldn't say probably, but I mean their favor
to be the one seed Broncos.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Yeah, I think it's good to do.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Do you think so for sure? How far I just
don't know how far ahead they are of AFC East Terriors.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Well, they're they're a game ahead and I can find
okay here in a moment, but they, I mean, they've
won twelve in a row.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
You know, to a certain extent, there is horseshoe esconced
of Booty.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I mean, you know who's a game behind them, Oh
Ravels Patriot. Oh wow, So it's tight, yes, but but
they're beatable. They've been beatable almost every game during this
twelve game winning streak, but prohaps to the Broncos. They
find a way to close where other teams, including good teams, don't,
So I understand why they're favor But you know, Rogers
is throwing the ball really really well right now.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
And he's on fire. I mean, he that that whole thing.
He's just in charge of that whole thing now. Man,
It's taken a little while, but he's in charge. And
and they if they can get some defensive play man,
they could be sneaky in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Is it fire fire?
Speaker 3 (36:21):
He's on fire. Yeah, it's the fire. Hit the button
will be fire tonight though. The a topic for for
hockey fans in this state. And by the way, props
to coach Finch. He joined us earlier today open the
show and the Wolves and hopefully Anthony Edwards.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Is back after a two game absence.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
They're hosting the Memphis Grizzlies, who are having an awful season.
How about just breaking the news to me, Nords, the
Ja Moran twisted his ankle last night, so.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
We got LFL terrorism.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
But Hoops is back in the mix tomorrow at Target
Center for the Minnesota Wild. They are on the back
end of a four game home stretch here and a
chance to sweep it.
Speaker 2 (36:59):
It's a couple of third play squads in the mix.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
Here, you're Minnesota Wild, third in the third in the
Central and then on the East coast side of things,
the Capitals and Ovechkin.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
And everybody are in town now.
Speaker 3 (37:10):
The Caps themselves, I think they've lost three out of
their last four, but those were two of those were
in shootouts.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
I just got housed by Winnipeg the other day over
the weekend five to one. Oh does.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
But they come in it not the Wild and they
come into Grand Casino Arena here against well, it's it's
Capris off and Boldie and Quinn Hughes and will it
be Gus Buss or Yesper, yes sir, yesper. We shall
find out. And maybe that's already been reported and that's
my fault.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
But excited for this game tonight.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
It's a seven pm puck drop, whether you watch ESPN
Plus or you listen to it with mister O'Donnell and
mister Reed.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
Thanks to Joe for joining me yesterday.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Pump for that puck drop seven pm ish right here
on enough.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
I am yeah, I haven't done. I've yet to see
Quinn Hughes. And he only played one game, right.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
Just one game on Sunday. Yeh, yep, Quinnesota. That's where
we're calling it, Quinnesota. I saw that on social media.
It's Mike Lever.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
But with that, but I'm I'm looking forward to to
I mean, I've I've seen him during his career analytically speaking,
if you're if you're into the analytics of hockey, which
I'm not, but nevertheless for those who are, he is.
I mean, he he charts near the top or at
the top of so many important analytics for blue liners
(38:23):
and they're still young.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
So I'm looking forward to watching him this evening, last
thing and then we'll pause here.
Speaker 3 (38:29):
You can catch it on Prime the NBA the nd
season Cup bit is we got coach about eleven oh five.
The Championship is tonight. It's gonna be San Antonio and
the New York Knicks. I think you watch it on
Prime if that button. You know one thing, I'll tell
you, you know, not seeing a lot of Quinn Hughes.
Speaker 2 (38:45):
I haven't seen a lot of wemby this year.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
I'm excited to just sit in the chair and just appreciate.
Of course I'm rooting for kat and yeah we got
Brunson and Josh Hart, et cetera. But Wemby the unicorn
that he is now back from injury and he's working
through a few games here. He is, as you heard
it from from Chris fincherly on two, he's ascending. He
will be the best player in the NBA. It's just
(39:09):
a question of when. And we're going to get to
see that isolated single game spot tonight at seven thirty.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
Yeah, he Wemby for the Spurs is on. There's some
pitch count terrorism taking place right now. With the minutes, yeah,
just half right. It came back from a calf and
I said it to Chris Finch earlier and it just
blew me away that he played seven minutes and during
his seven minutes, the Spurs were plus twenty in the
plus minus. I mean to beat plus twenty in just
(39:36):
seven minutes, that is amazing. But his impact in the
game in a short amount of time was unbelievable. I
think the Knicks are going to beat the Spurs tonight
because what I saw from the San Antonio Spurs.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
The other night.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
If you have a better effort than that in you
may God bless you, May God be with you, because
they went to Okac. Well, nobody beats Okac if you
were win at Okac. And and thirdly they took it
to Shay Gilgess, Alexander with with with uh Stefan Castle
and Devin Vessel. I mean they really took it to
(40:13):
s g A, super physical with him and Okase looked
like like, you know, we got you whenever we want you,
and they didn't. The Spurs played a wonderful, wonderful game
Saturday night. I don't think they can play better tonight.
And I think I can't say I think the Knicks
are dramatically better team than San Antonio, but I think
(40:33):
the Knicks win the NBA Cup tonight.
Speaker 3 (40:35):
And as we wrap up, news News de Nord presented
news News de Nerd.
Speaker 2 (40:41):
How about that news.
Speaker 3 (40:41):
De Nerd news you actually actually yes, presented by Canterbury Park,
the casino at Canterbury Park. Actually Chiefs Mahomes has indeed
had surgery on the torn A c L and torn
L c L.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
So the rehab starts now.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
And gosh, there was one thing going back to it
was Guestling talking about with darisaw and just worried about
this time of year and that any additional injury would
potentially bleed.
Speaker 2 (41:10):
Into the rehab.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Well, I mean, what about six weeks ago and so,
But but to that end, this time of year is
indeed an awful time to sustain these injuries. Michael Parsons,
who was confirmed it's an ACL as well. So just
kind of the injuries that have taken place, and I
don't have the whole list in front of me. It's
a conversation that comes up every couple of years.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
Are we seeing more ACL tears? Is it the turf?
Is it the training? What is it?
Speaker 3 (41:35):
Human body evolution versus the supplement and the work load evolution.
But whether it's neighbors, I mean, how cool I mean
in a lost season, sadly, it would have been cool
to see neighbors, right, and all the concussions with Jackson Dart,
will he play Scatabow and that ugly injury he took place,
We don't get to see Scataboo this weekend. It's just
(41:58):
stealing the greats from the whether they're with our rivals
or not, is just awful from a fan perspective, there's
too many of them this year.
Speaker 1 (42:06):
I say, by the way, you have a chance to
have a talkback offered up to Minnesota Vikings head coach
Kevin O'Connell. He's around the corner here at the TCO
Radio studio. Go to the free iHeart audio app and
to do your thing for up to thirty seconds, we're
gonna play one back for Kevin O'Connell and x's and
o's around the corner on KFAM
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