August 2, 2024 • 39 mins
The final iteration of Friends on Foes features Rams VOX JB Long. Gabe Henderson joins the show to talk all things Vikings.
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Speaker 1 (00:10):
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Speaker 2 (00:24):
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Speaker 3 (00:26):
Enter JB Long is into his ninth season calling RAMS games,
and JB has called two Super Bowls, including a Super
Bowl fifty six victory at SOFI over Cincinnati and Our
Friends on Foes finale hits on Minnesota's Week eight opponent,
(00:49):
a Thursday Night contest versus the La Rams at SOFI,
and JB joins us, Now, what's going on? It's Pa
in charge, thanks for helping the radio show and a
good having you on.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Are you hey?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
I appreciate the invite goet to be connected with you.
And yeah, I remember the last time we got together
for Thursday Night football. It was the Thriller that was
at the Coliseum and it went to Ramsway. But looking
forward to hosting again. So far it's October.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yeah, that's the Jared Goff That night, JB. He threw
a perfect game. I mean it's that perfect passer rating.
It's the only perfect passer rating the Vikings have ever
faced in the history of the franchise. And you know
that it's there were things with the defense that night
where we ended up with Anthony Barr trying to run
(01:33):
with Brandon Cooks and like trying to cover Cooper Cup
and stuff and that, and the coliseum was being remodeled.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Right, Yeah, that's exactly right. The start of something special
Salm Bay twenty eighteen team, and as you referenced, it
culminated in the Super Bowl. That was one that I
had the privilege of being a part of. But it's
kind of like the old tree falling in a forest
if your team doesn't score a touchdown and the Super Bowl?
Did you really go to the Super Bowl? So a
(02:01):
deem that with their SOFI Super Bowl against the Bengals
a couple of years.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Back, and and you know that was Kevin O'Connell's and
West Phillips and Chris O'Har and on and on. It
was Tyler Williams. It was their final year with the
Rams that they're all here now plus some more. But JB,
what what is it like calling a Super Bowl win?
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Well, it's kind.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Of a transcendent of body experience, especially when it's in
such familiar territory, I mean in our home stadium, in
a different radio bood in your home environment, but in
a kind of a neutral, corporate Super Bowl type feel
without all the elements that you're used to, So it's
a once familiar but also foreign. I think what was
(02:49):
so special about that particular run in the twenty twenty
one season is, you know, externally it was known as
an all in campaign, and I think that really orbited
around the career of Aaron Donald, who had and everything
as a professional football player, especially a defensive football player
that Wilton could do save for win the Ultimate Prize
and for him to get the game clinching crusher both
(03:10):
in the NFC Championship Game against Garoppolo and the rival
forty nine ers, and then to an essence, do it
again against Burrow and the Bengals. I mean, that's the
equivalent of a walk off rand Slam and Gaden seven
of the World Series for a defensive tackle. I think
about all the stars that had to align for that
to happen, and so as much as I enjoyed it
(03:32):
personally and for organization, I think I'll always remember that
as Aaron Donald's signature mum in a Hall of Fame career.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
Jab Long is the radio voice of Los Angeles Rams.
Speaker 6 (03:44):
JB.
Speaker 5 (03:44):
Paul Charchi and nice to meet you. Let's bring it
up to current. You mentioned Aaron Donald. The RAMS defense
now doesn't have the star power of the ones that
we had seen previously, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd.
I mean, you know, they were like these signature players.
On the outside, it looks like kind of an anonymous group.
What do you think is the state of the defense
(04:06):
for the Rams right now?
Speaker 4 (04:08):
Kay, Here's something I didn't expect to be able to
say early in the month of August, and that is
I think the Rams up front have a chance to
be pretty stot to be pretty good. I always think,
and I think everyone should think of rush and covering tandem.
And what I'm more curious about, maybe even concerned about,
is how the back end of the RAMS defense is
(04:28):
going to give some of those paths rushers an opportunity
to influence the opposing quarterback. The Rams have invested in
that defense anticipating and then realizing the loss of maybe
the greasive player they've ever had, and so whether it's
through the draft making sure that they loaded up a
year early at the edge position with someone like Byron
(04:48):
Young Kobe Turner on the interior, who was very deserving
of the defensive Rookie of the Year votes he got
last year, and then doubling down on that investment with
their top two picks of this draft. At Jared Verse
out of Florida State was one of their favorite defensive
targets to their first first round draft picks since Jared
got back in twenty sixteen, as many of you know,
(05:10):
and then his teammate at Florida State, they would have
loved to have had at the end of Day one,
like if they could have got back back into that
first round to take Grad and Fisk, and I think
they would have done that. They paid a high price
to get up in round two to take him, and
that was kind of grated as one of the biggest
overpays of the draft if you're looking at your board.
But I think given how highly they thought of him
(05:31):
as a pairing to bring up the best in his
Floridas the team and I think they're really excited.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
About what they have there.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
I'm interested in the almost Lazarus story of wide receiver
DeMarcus Robinson, his career appeared to be over until the
Rams made a late acquisition last year and then eventually
finds his way into the starting lineup, and then he
was a big contributor for the Rams down the stretch
last season, had a bunch of shockingly productive games despite
Pokinaku and Cooper Cup being there and DeMarcus Robinson extending
(06:02):
his career in a meaningful way with the Rams.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Yeah, I think a couple of things to note there.
One is he'll never playoffs, and you know, as a
receiver you can only do so much. And he want
to have played with some great franchises in Kansas City
and Baltimore, and it's to some really good quarterbacks, MVP
caliber quarterbacks in both of those places. And I would
argue that Matthew Stafford had his best season as a
pro last year with DeMarcus who think he scored touchdowns
(06:28):
in like four straight games in that stretch run you're
talking about, in the perfect compliment to Puka Nakua in
that record setting reseason in Cooper Cup who is kind
of playing on one wheel to two at Wells. The
fourth member of that receiving room, and he was a
bit will be down the stretch and that created the
opportunity for DeMarcus to step right into and especially in
the red zone. I think he was a true weapon
(06:49):
and he's only going to continue to build on that.
I think the people that I've talked to around the
Rams building are super excited about the potential he still
has at age twenty nine. And let's face it, Matthew
has always been a kingmaker in this league, right whether
there was Mega Tron or Cooper Cup, Triple Crown season like,
when he finds a rapport, he will continue to go
(07:10):
at woid opposing defenses. And if your third best defensive
back is aligned over the top of the Mosh Robinson
like you'll have to be most days when you play
the Rams, that's going to be an option that Matthew
continues to pick on, I think with great success. In
twenty four.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Hey JB, what do you remember about Kevin O'Connell when
it was the offensive coordinator there.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
I've always just enjoyed his enthusiasm and the spirit. He's
really pleasant to be around. There was a moment in
that Super Bowl run though I was captured on I
can't remember exactly what micd up video it was, but
if you kind of search the NFL films archipe, I
think it's indicative where Sean McVay, who is clearly the
architect and the play caller and has his fingerprints all
(07:56):
over the game day operation on a touchdown that was
a critical point in the game, basically turns in this
immediate credit to Kevin and that was insightful for me,
even being around much as I am, that was as
much immediate credit for a play call that I've ever
seen Sean give. Now, I want to be clear, Sean
(08:16):
is the ultimate deflect all praise, name drop every assistant
coach he can in every SoundBite, but it was just
such an instinctive reaction where he knew exactly where that
critical bit of guidance came from, and it was Kevin
O'Connell right at the end of his tenure before he
became the head coach of the Vikings, And I think
that color understanding of that higher and how well it
(08:39):
could work in Minnesota. I'm not surprised that it's been
good so far, and if they can get the quarterback right,
I'm preaching the choirs here, but I think it's even.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Better now now JB does the weekly Sean McVeigh show.
What's it like working with Sean?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Who was brilliant?
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Yeah, I think he's a force in nature, and I've
often said that, you know, given everything I just said
about his offensive prowess, I've always thought he could just
as easily go coach defense. I has a complete understanding
of the sport and appreciation for it. But I think
most importantly is he's a people person. He is an
(09:19):
elite communicator. I think if you ask him to take
on any new field, be it education or medicine or
a laar are heaven forbid politics like Sean would rise
to the top so quickly because of the dungeon, because
of the desire, because of his process and work ethic,
but most importantly because he is that person who can
(09:41):
walk into a room and make you feel seen. He's
got that incredible recall for names, not just play called,
but like names. And then the story about you that
goes with your name that I think leaves you feeling
enlightened and important, and that he is a real ally.
And so it's not to me in retrospect that coming
(10:02):
in as the youngest coach in the league, he could
get someone like Andrew Whitworth on board with what he
was trying to do, that he could win over Aaron
Donald who was rightly skeptical, right and that he had
the immediate success that he did, but more than immediate success,
sustained success because he's been able to evolve as a
play caller, as a head coach, and as a person
(10:23):
to get into this second book, not just second chapter,
but the second book is his career.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
I remember when a longtime Viking center John Sullivan, finished
his career in Washington, and when Sean McVay got hired,
we were all like, my god, see's so young, and
Sullivan was like, whoaa, whoa, do not doubt this guy.
He is incredibly special and you watch, he's going to
be great. And Sullivan ended up being correct, and Sean
McVay ended up being obviously having an amazing career so far.
(10:53):
Jab I drilled down on your wide receiver depth chart
with DeMarcus Robinson earlier, but let's let's go to the
a topic. Poka Nakua coming out one of the greatest
rookie seasons by any receiver in the history of the game.
What are what's your expectations for his sophomore year.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Yeah, if I could just detail off your John Sultan
comment real quick. I'm an under dad guy. I've always
liked him. I was really thrilled when I got a
chance to work with him in seventeen eighteen, and he
said it as well as anyone. I remember training camp
coming back for his second season. I asked him, like, John,
is Sean McVay really worth points on game day like?
And he was like emphatic, like, yeah, he's worth a
(11:33):
field goal to a touchdown per game from the sideline.
So I always thought that was great perspective from someone
who sees it as well as anyone.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Well, well, jb off the Notre Dame vibe. You know,
sorry to clomp on you there, but when the Vikings
come out to so Far for Thursday night football, you
got a fist bump Harrison Smith. I mean, this could
be his final year. And I don't know if he
was Irish immortality, but he's borderline hof here.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Oh no, he's a made man, no doubt, and he
was a great player there. But I think a lot
of the West who you know, followed the Golden Domos
and in the next day. Ever, I really enjoyed what
he's been able to do there in Minneapolis. So he's
just getting success. He's been has been terrific and we
hope that Phoka can build off of that rookie season. Statistically,
(12:21):
I don't think anyone is banking on him to put
up the numbers that he did as a rookie, and
I think it might actually be a sign of health
for the Rams if he doesn't have to, because what
he really did is thriving in Cooper cuts absence. I mean,
he got a crash course in McVeigh and Stafford in
one oh one because Scuper was sidelined for the offseason program,
and so his growth curve was accelerated, and then he
(12:44):
took every bit of advantage from week one forward and
never looked back. So the knock on him was, you know,
health concerns, and he played all seventeen games plus a
playoff game. The knock on him was that he was
more of a zone beater and couldn't run away from mancovery,
which he torched every opportunity that he had. He led
the league and drops looking for maybe an area of growth,
(13:07):
but you have to be pretty darn good. You have
to be pretty special to leave the NFL and drops,
I've always thought. So that's almost attested in to the
season that he put forward. And look, we really have
not seen the fullest fruition of him playing alongside Cooper
Cup Like Cooper just was knocked himself last year, and
so even when they were on the field together, it
(13:27):
was almost more of a decoy action than a true tandem.
And I like to refer to those guys as like,
what are they called Deebo Sam a wide back? I
think these guys it's more like you know, tight receivers,
like they do so much more than just catch passes.
They fit into the running game. They fold into the
blocking surface, and you have to look for that on
(13:48):
game they to fully appreciate how special they are.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
All right.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Last one for the Rams Box JB. Long into his
ninth season calling Rams football, he's already called two super Bowls,
and the Vices take on the Rams Week eight. It's
a Thursday night football game after the Vikings play the Lions,
so you get a physical game against the Lions a
short week with some travel to play the brilliant McVeigh
(14:12):
that sounds good enough to eat charge.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
Well, let's go to really, when I look at your
depth chart, JB. The thing that can happen that derails
your season is it looks to me like Matthew Stafford.
If something were to happen to Matthew Stafford, you're going
into Stetson Bennett and something called Dresser win. That feels
like a worst case scenario.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
Yeah, it's going to be a two week bridge until
Jimmy Garoppolo comes off with that short suspension.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
And yeah, that's right, Yeah, yeah, Aft, And.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
I think that's you know, it's definitely a two week
risk that they understood they were signing up for. But
I think given his fluency in the Shanahan McVay verbiagion system,
it was a calculator risk they were willing to take.
And let's face it, this, like so many franchises are,
but especially the Rams, this season goes as far as
not Stafford can take them. Now, Jeans Garoppolo, I think
(15:02):
is a higher floor maybe than they had last year
with like Brett Rippin who had to play middle of
the season at Green Bay and a loss, and eventually
they got on the Carson Wentz who won them a
Week eighteen game at San Francisco. But you know, Stafford,
his sixteenth season and deep into his thirties is extending
his prime. And I think as long as he has
(15:25):
his health and Sean mcvoson's play color in Cooper Cup
and cook it, He's going to be able to continue
to put up big numbers. I truly believe that last
year was his best season. Now. I know that he's
won a super Bowl, but when you talk about his
big play potential and the way that he also curbed
his turnover worthy plays, like I still can't believe this
(15:46):
in retrospect, but he did not fumble last year. He
did not put a ball on the ground in the
pocket last year, which is staggering as much as he
drops back. So I'm really excited about this year. Partnership
with McVay and with Cooper having a full off season,
I think Stafford can take it even to it next level.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Hey JB, thanks for the time, man, and and we'll
see you down the road. And uh, great work on
the radio.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Man. Have a great summer, right yeah, big time.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Admirer of yours as well. I'm looking forward to that
Thursday night contest. I hope there's some big stakes.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
I appreciate you, brother, see you letter JB. Long Box
for the La Rams when nine to Noon continues. Gave
Henderson with the Vikings Entertainment Network joins PA in charge
and we will all be feasting on the fan.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
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(16:53):
five three two six call those digits.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
What's up, Gate Henderson? How you've been Pa?
Speaker 7 (17:15):
I am doing well as always and always get to
physically see you in person likewise, and you rolled in
with that very white voice this morning, and we greatly
appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
So the Raiders eight days from today, and you know
a lot of the focus is going to be at
least radio wise or media wise. Is you know, is
Darnold getting get a rep? Is going to play ten, fifteen,
twenty snaps?
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Whatever?
Speaker 3 (17:36):
How long will JJ McCarthy play and so on. Well,
let's not forget for the adversary. I mean, just trying
to make you know, preseason games as fun as they
can be. And I fully expect this guy to play.
But Alexander Madison is a Raider. That's true. That is true.
Alexander Madison scored his first National Football League touchdown against
(17:57):
the Raiders following a was the Alabama or following an
Urge Smith block right up the middle. And now and
now he's coming back, you know, after they basically asked
him to leave, and and he got Madison, you got
Amir Abdullah, Gennaro's Robinson, the Floridas date kids on their.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Team, and of course Daniel Carlson.
Speaker 7 (18:19):
Yeah, it's going to be fun just seeing how the
Vikings tried to plan for that game. I mean, I
feel like every week we play against somebody, we're playing
against a former Vikings team. Fast forward a week from
the Las Vegas Raiders game, we're playing against the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
They got Dovin, Tomlinson, Jordan Hicks, so.
Speaker 7 (18:35):
Thomas Zidarius Smith also. I mean, it's it's going to
be a family reunion, not only at some of those
drink practices, but in these preseason games. So I'm excited
to see it at that time of the year where
when you said eight days away from the first preseason game,
I'm like, oh, oh wow, football is actually here. So
I'm excited to finally get to next week where we
(18:56):
can actually start to talk about a different opponent outside
of the Vikings.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Yeah, running against ourselves a lot, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I'm sure you guys are tired of that.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
Yeah, I want to I want to know what you
think of what you've seen from Sam Donald so far
we've been you know, social media is just filled with J. J.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
McCarthy.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
It's almost like Sam Donald's not even on radar and
nobody nobody's cares. And you know, we haven't. I'm not
seeing any of the clips. And this is my first
time down here to TCO. So get me up to
speed and what we've seen from Sam through you know whatever,
it's been five six days.
Speaker 7 (19:25):
Yeah, I've liked what I've seen from Sam. I know
Kevin O'Connell said yesterday, you know, just we're not yesterday
earlier this week talking about how Sam Donald, even if
he has a bad play, he flushes it and fixes
it the next play, and he's already onto getting that
next rep. And from from what I've seen, the biggest
thing that stands out to me is what he does
when the play breaks down. Of course, in practice, you know,
(19:47):
you know if a player gets in your face, you're
not supposed to, you know, say you're sacked or cull
the ball away, like Sam is actually extending the play
with his legs, actually looking down the field seeing who's open,
because that might be a game like situation he made
break a tackle in the pocket and have to look downfield.
So I've been thoroughly impressed with Sam. I think from
what Kevin O'Connor quasi doplaments have said, what we were
(20:08):
getting with Sam when he was signed this off season,
I've seen that in more so it's exciting. Of course,
all the noise goes to JJ McCarthy, to the raw
pick when is he actually going to play? But I
do believe Sam Donald is doing a great job of
being the guy when his number is called.
Speaker 8 (20:24):
If you can, and this is probably a dumb question
because it's not as if I know how you've been
analyzing it when JJ's in there versus Donald, I know
that they've been trying to implement JJ into some first
team reps, which is super cool and that's part of
the progression, right, But have you noticed that is Donald
is Donald working with a more advanced set of tools
(20:47):
or is JJ just making those one read throws. Have
you noticed anything different in terms of how they're being
deployed when they get their reps or are we both
just seeing them working with the same mix.
Speaker 7 (20:58):
Yeah, I think it's a a mix of both. It's
weird because you know, every single day the playbook expands more,
so you don't know what players are being called. But
just from my experience of playing you know, college ball,
like usually the first team is second team, they get
similar plays, the first team always gets a few extra
more so that you know, gives Sam a little bit
(21:20):
more opportunities to be able to go through a second
and third and fourth progression and actually learn from it,
get back up on the third play and go from there.
But still, I believe that both of those guys have
been able to make plays on the go and they've
given they've been given a lot of opportunities to do so.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Yeah, there's been some McCarthyism out there.
Speaker 8 (21:38):
There's been some propaganda being floating around about what you
see on videos ultimately, but it still seems like everything
just Koc's got an idea with this thing, and he's
he's sticking to it.
Speaker 7 (21:48):
There's a plan in place, and clearly Kaos whatever he
has said, we've seen that on the field. And whether
you know the big thing right now that fans are doing,
you know, posting videos of this and that, and the
videos that they don't post some of the reasons that
people don't see in those those certain plays, Like, I
think that's the that's what's going to be for that's
what it's going to take for us to find out
(22:09):
who's actually going to be the starter come week one.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
And I think, like I said J J.
Speaker 7 (22:13):
McCarthy, I thought last Saturday was his best practice and
then he put together another really good day with Pats
the other day. But you look at Sam Darnold and
it's like, man, this guy has just been consistent day
in and day out. So it'll be interesting to see
how Kevin O'Connell figures out, you know, the reps moving forward.
But I think I do think, you know, as we
move forward to preseason games and joint practices, that's when
(22:35):
we'll finally get an opportunity to see, like, all right,
what are these guys?
Speaker 2 (22:39):
What is this entire team made of?
Speaker 5 (22:41):
For all the attention that JJ's gotten, our other first
round pick, Dallas Turner, yes, not generated all a lot
of a lot of a lot of noise. Yet what
have you what have you gleaned so far?
Speaker 2 (22:51):
And pads have just gone on.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Yeah, So so therefore the narrative, you know, behind the scenes,
and I think you know publicly certainly with nine to
noon has been when pads go on, it's it may
take a second, you know, because he's young, he's twenty
I think he's twenty one. But that that's where the
rubber kind of meets the road for Dallas, right, Yeah,
and for Dallas.
Speaker 7 (23:12):
Just being as young as he is, like he's learning
on the fly. I think there's only been two or
three days of padded practices, so we've only had two
or three days.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
To actually see him in action.
Speaker 7 (23:22):
And granted, when you're going against the best left tackle
in the league is going to be tough, but still
it's those moments that after those one on ones or
after the eleven to eleven periods, when he's pulling Christian
Derris off to the side and saying like, hey, I'm
not sure what he's asking. Sure, but you can tell
he's like very inquisitive of He's inquiring, like, dude, how
can I beat you?
Speaker 1 (23:40):
Like?
Speaker 2 (23:40):
How can I get better at this? At this pass Russian?
Speaker 7 (23:44):
If you look at Dallas Turner, if you walk beside him,
it's like, dude, this guy looks the part. When you
look at just him get up the field, It's like,
all right, this guy's explosive. How Kevin O'Connell, how Brian
Flores uses him, that'd be interesting, I've said, you know,
just from a personal standpoint, it wouldn't surprise me if
he's like the Micah Parsons of this defense.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
So many different things. He can line up inside, he
can line up outside, he can rush both sides of
the field.
Speaker 7 (24:07):
He's a he's a diamond in the rough, and he's
a guy I think is going to be a big
time player for this Minnesota Vikings team.
Speaker 6 (24:13):
Is there is there anything that stood out to you?
Speaker 8 (24:16):
I mean, Dallas Turner, let's get these pads on, let's
get some hits going, and let's let's light up the field.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (24:22):
From the secondary that's kind.
Speaker 8 (24:23):
Of been one of the biggest talkers, but by way
of tragedy, by way of injury, it's put this team
in a spot. Fabian Moreau just basically he's got his
luggage like at his locker and he goes out and plays,
and I think he was even making some reps with
the first team is and and then I hear several
members of the secondary kind of talking rooms coming together,
and it's you know, and we're we're moving forward.
Speaker 6 (24:44):
And that's kind of the mindset and mentality you have
to have.
Speaker 8 (24:46):
But has anybody actually stood out to you from the
standpoint of this guy gets it? This guy season and
opportunity year three for whoever, and he's handling business.
Speaker 6 (24:56):
Anybody popping your head right away?
Speaker 7 (24:58):
Byron Murphy has been the the biggest, I guess the
biggest highlight for me in this secondary just his quickness,
his explosiveness, how he's playing the ball. You can tell
the game is slowed down to him. I know he
did an interview the other day talking about how the
game has slowed down and just building this dB room
up and having to come together due to tragedy both
(25:19):
and an unfortunate fatality and then moving to the football side,
just with Makai Blackman terring his acl But when you
look at just Byron Murphy, his his work this offseason,
his work during training camp. I mean, he's asking him
to go against Justin Jefferson every play when JJ's not
in there, he's asking to go against Jordan Addison. And
you know it's big on big when you do one
(25:41):
on ones. But at the same time, Biron Murphy isn't
shying away from that and when he has an opportunity
to make a play on the ball. In my opinion,
from what I've seen, he's done that consistently. So I'm
excited to see how that translates once once these games
start to matter.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
Cornerback's the spot that worries me the most, you know,
and some of it are things that are out of
our control. We've lost to two people that we thought
could be contributors this year, and just this is you know,
if I look at one thing that I go, Okay,
we need we need somebody to really pop in this position.
Cornerback's the one. You know, we need one of these
(26:15):
young guys. Uh, maybe it's Andrew Booth, maybe it's a
Caleb Evans. We need somebody to make a big step forward.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
I got one. Who you got, I'm gonna try to
hint you along.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
Okay, slender, okay, undrafted, m hm height, give me hight nose.
Dronte Jones DB's coach, the Duke initials well, his nickname,
I believe is Newdy. If you look at his Twitter
initials DM DM DM, Dwight.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Mcglother mcglother, Mglevin, I don't know who that is. Believe.
Speaker 7 (26:51):
He played cornerback at Arkansas last year, was a priority
undrafted free agent this offseason, and has been a guy
that a lot of people were talking about post draft.
Him and Gabriel Murphy with two guys that stood out
post draft, and they were like, how did these two
guys slip under the radar? And we look at a
Dawight mcglother mcglover. I can't put up mcglove. We look
(27:11):
at him. He's a guy that ultimately has the size,
he has the speed, he has the strefth it's just
putting it all together.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
He might ad some bumps in the road along the way.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
And wouldn't be the first Rooky, but he Dronte Jones
is the dvast coach. He's going to be a defensive
coordinator one day, some somewhere, somehow. And mcleothern was with
him at LSU and then he transferred to Arkansas, had
four picks and a lot of people thought he'd be drafted.
He didn't get drafted, and they offered the olive branch
(27:40):
and a pretty fat undrafted check. And here he has
forty seven. Mcglothern. He's an outsider. We'll see what happens.
Speaker 8 (27:46):
Well, hold on here his Flores and Dernte. Do they
have any experience like in the flea market business or
like antique road show, because whether it's Ivan Pace and
now Gabriel Murphy, you can basically tie his shoes without
ben over and now mcglothern, we're playing all they undrafted market.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
We're getting all the studs out of the UF.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Clearly they know what they're doing. So shut me out
on Water. Yeah, sush you out, Tom, just peep his
head in.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
But just thinking about just what those guys have been
able to do post draft. I mean, even Quasi in
his front office, what they've been able to do post draft,
especially when we look at an Iven Pace, who finished
in the top ten of defensive Rookies of the Year
last year as an undrafted free agent. You trust those
guys to be able to make the right decisions as
the future continues to progress.
Speaker 8 (28:35):
Regardless of the names. Doesn't this just puts a ton
of pressure on the front seven then, right? I mean
in a lot of ways, you're thinking about productivity and aggressiveness,
and we can look at the fat sack numbers. We've
talked about it a couple of times on the show,
like who's going to have the most sacks this year?
Speaker 4 (28:48):
Right?
Speaker 6 (28:48):
Replacing the Neil Hunter, etc.
Speaker 8 (28:50):
And it's good to flesh this out as we get
to know some of these new players and the young
cats like Turner. But the front seven just has to
be as good as an aggressive and as tricky as
they were of times, just regardless of who's in the secondary.
This thing just has to be as stout and as
ready to rock Week one against the Giants as it
can be.
Speaker 7 (29:07):
Yeah, and I don't want to sound like a Homer here,
but I really do believe the Vikings have really good
depth when it comes to their front seven, especially when
you look at just the defensive line, like Harrison Phillips
and Jonathan Buller both had phenomenal years last year. I
tweeted out the other day Jonah Williams when the Pats
came on on day two, he was the the my
biggest highlight, Like he popped more than anyone.
Speaker 6 (29:27):
When is this like?
Speaker 2 (29:29):
And then he truck somebody.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
It might have been ed Ingram in Washington, pushed somebody
back five.
Speaker 6 (29:34):
It was Ingram, I saw. I think it was Ingram.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (29:37):
And then Jacquelin Roy, a guy that was drafted last
year starting to come into his own. Just so many
different weapons that you could sub in. You got depth,
you have rotation, and we're not even talking about the
pass rushers there. I mean you still got Patrick Jones,
Jonathan Gernard, Andrew Van Ginko, Dallas Turner and so on
and so forth. So I really do believe there there's
a lot of depth when it comes to that defensive line,
(29:59):
both interior.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
And take it a step farther.
Speaker 3 (30:01):
I mean, the the linebacker depth here right now. Overall,
it's it's as good as I've ever seen. Granted they're
running a three fourth, so you know nine four three
with with Greenway, Lever.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
And e J.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I think Kenny Onatolu and and some others were backups
for three, So you're gonna have a fewer linebackers and
edge guys count as linebackers. But all those names you mentioned,
well then Blake Cashman who knows his way around Ivan
Pace Junior like you mentioned, Uh, Gabriel Murphy. Uh, there's
this cap for Marshallman and I've talked about him a lot.
I'm probably gonna be wrong here. He'll be on the
(30:36):
practice squad. But Owen Porter every single time I watch,
I think he's fifty seven. I watch's fifty seven's twitchy.
Owen Porter is twitchy, and he's fast and he ain't afraid,
you know which, which is super key. So you got
it's like, you know when things would fall off inside. Recently,
Troy Dye, who's now with the LA Chargers.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
I hope he. I like Troy. I hope he has
a nice career.
Speaker 3 (30:58):
But nah, these guys are a lot deeper and a
lot better than that.
Speaker 7 (31:04):
I think you're starting to see what Kevin O'Connor and
Quasi di Femtz were saying when they were talking about
our process, our.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Way and in year three.
Speaker 7 (31:12):
Usually, when you know a front office and a coaching
staff finally gets to showcase who their identity is. We're
starting to see that with the level of talent, not
only in the starters, but also with depth, and when
it comes to you know, guys getting banged up year
and a year out, we see it every year. When
we see that happen throughout the course of this season,
you just hope that this depth can continue to step
(31:32):
up and push those starters the way they're doing right
now in training camp. So I'm excited to see what
this will look like. But I'm excited because there's really
we don't know, Like no one really knows what to
expect this year from this new look Vikings team, and
being at training camp every day, it's like, oh wow,
this guy's popping.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Oh wow, this guy is showing.
Speaker 7 (31:50):
And once we finally get to the games that finally matter,
hopefully that can translate from what we see right now.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
Final segment from tco PC.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
Next join Paul Chargion in the Fantasy Football Weekly Crew
at Treasure Island in the Full Deck Ballroom on Friday,
August sixteen from six to nine pm for Fantasy Football
Training Camp Live broadcast starts at six pm, followed by
the Fantasy Football Deep Dive right after. Great prizes to
be had, including a one thousand dollars prize, plus everyone
(32:21):
in attendance will receive a ten dollars in free slot play.
Speaker 6 (32:24):
And a ten dollars dining voucher.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
I'm gonna have to go to this myself.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Get the full details now camp In dot com keyword Calendar.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
We thanked Max Fuller for guiding the Great Ship Love
Covenant today at f M one hundred point three KFA
N from Twin Cities Orthophedx Performance Center. It's Pa in
charge with Nordo and Gabe Henderson from Vikings dot com
and the Vikings Entertainment Network at Gabe Henderson via Twitter.
If you would be so inclined to follow, I.
Speaker 5 (33:22):
Got two things that are definitely not veiled fantasy questions.
How do you see the running back rotation working out?
The presumption is, you know Aaron Jones has got the
history getting dinged up.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
Dude. It's tough.
Speaker 5 (33:35):
He plays the injury all the time, but he is
a relatively slight back in build.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
And you know I'm.
Speaker 5 (33:42):
Team ty Chandlers. You remember from last year, so I
want to see him on the field what do you
think this rotation looks like.
Speaker 7 (33:49):
I think both of those guys, Aaron Jones and Ty
Channel will compliment each other well. Having the opportunity for
you know, Aaron Jones to be himself but also get
a break. That's something that he's used to. I mean,
you look at what he did in Green Bay. He
had AJ Dillon, he had Uh Williams, who he had
an opportunity to Jam Williams.
Speaker 6 (34:08):
Right one, You're.
Speaker 5 (34:09):
Removed from leading the NFL touchdowns Williams with Troy, which
is crazy.
Speaker 7 (34:13):
So I do believe both of those guys will compliment
each other. Well, they're both like Swiss army knives, right like.
They both can pass block, they can run in between
gaps and got to work on that bass block. And
no matter assumably he has. I mean he's put on
some weight this off season.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
So Jalen Naylor, I mean not red like he you
know I saw him the other damn.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
He put on a lot of muscle.
Speaker 7 (34:34):
He's been my favorite player to watch this offseason. Jalen
Naylor has been phenomenal. And when you add just him
having that resurgence and then Ty Chandler having the opportunity
to be the guy with Aaron Jones, the ceiling.
Speaker 2 (34:48):
Is the roof.
Speaker 7 (34:48):
If I'm Michael Jordan, the siling is the roof for
both of those guys.
Speaker 8 (34:51):
So does it matter if they're how different they are
as players? Like typically when you see you know, time
shares or running back by committee of any short as,
usually there's a flashyear guy that can catch out, you know,
the scat back so to speak, and then you got
you got rough and tumble guy, bowling ball guy.
Speaker 6 (35:08):
Does that really matter in the construct of this offense?
Speaker 8 (35:10):
If you're trying to you know, ultimately Aaron Jones a
topic and then ty Chandler finds his way into the
mix in other ways. But I don't really see them
being vastly different physical players.
Speaker 6 (35:21):
Does that matter in this offense?
Speaker 7 (35:23):
I do think you want to find you do want
to emphasize to at least both of those guys are like, Hey,
even though you're elusive when it comes to second and
one or third and one or fourth and one, like,
we need you to put your pass down and get
this first down. And I think both of those guys
can do that. I'm interested to see, you know, if
a Dwayne McBride running back who was drafted in the
seventh round last year.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
I believe he went to UA B. What does that?
What does this year look like for him?
Speaker 8 (35:45):
He was the antithesis of a Blazer, but he ran
for a ton of yards.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
Yeah he did so.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
I mean if he can find opportunities to get in
and provide relief like he's he's a bruiser. When it
comes to a back being able to truck, guys have
balance to be able to use that. Just so many
different dynamics that all three of those backs can use.
I'm not even bringing up Miles gas Games and Kane
wong Wu who is a speedster. But when you look
at that running back committee, Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler,
(36:14):
that's who Kevin O'Connor was talked the most about. And
I'm excited to see who those other backs will be.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
Last one hof game last night, which means the new
kickoff bit, which means eight kickoffs thirty one for a
long twenty five and a half yard line was the
average start and there was one touchback.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Just from the way it.
Speaker 3 (36:34):
Looked to your guy Tommy Townson being the twelve guy
on the field holding the ball and sprinting off because
if they get past like the twenty and your guys
still on.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
The field, or it's confusing.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
But the way I put it was the NFL has
brought life to a bit that was dead.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
I'll give you that, PA.
Speaker 7 (36:53):
And being that last night was the first time that
we saw it, I'm sure all other thirty teams that
were watching were like, Okay, we're not doing this. Yeah,
we're going to do this, so to see. Steve Simms
was the returner from the Houston Texans, who I guess
he had the longest return of the night. He got
into the twenty six yard line, which is one yard
further than what the textbacks were last year. I'm excited
(37:15):
to see how this thing evolves. Matt Daniels, he talked
about it yesterday, you know, just seeing how he's going
to have to adjust them and go. I think there's
a period where teams can well I guess the NFL
can change the rules doing a certain timeframe, but yeah,
up to the season. Yeah, I'm excited to see it
or not what this will look like.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
And I still need.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
Somebody to tell me when they're and I can look
it up and I will this weeknd because it has
to be in stone is the bit where it's like
the penalty will be assessed on the kickoff and then
you go to break.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Yeah, what the hell is that? What happens? Then that's
a great question, like do you kick it from the fifty?
I don't you know, I think that might be it? Okay,
kicking it from the fifty well, because.
Speaker 5 (37:54):
You gained nothing, it's not that the problem isn't that Well, No,
you can't kick it far enough.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
It's a great question.
Speaker 3 (38:00):
The ry pop fly into the landing zone exactly, and
you might be able to get somebody Canewan Wu on
a pop up if you don't block him, he'll get
down there is the ball's coming down and potentially catch
it your ball.
Speaker 5 (38:14):
But getting the ball to fifty I don't think necessarily
even helps your kicker.
Speaker 6 (38:17):
Your kicker's been you.
Speaker 5 (38:18):
Know, you've done all this practice to kick off from
the forty yessing, you know, I don't you move it?
Does it get any better? And I don't think it does.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
I wonder if that landing zone is still in effect,
like it's.
Speaker 2 (38:28):
The landing zone is kind of the bomb.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
Yeah, I mean I didn't understand it at first, but
and then when I learned if you straddle the twenty,
ball stops right there because it's like a third out
of bounds. But I mean, you know, our guy, our
Alabama guy has powerful line drive type stuff where there's
gonna be some worm burners inside the twenty.
Speaker 2 (38:47):
It's gonna be interesting.
Speaker 7 (38:48):
Yeah, I'm interested to see how don't kick it short? Well,
they're very true. How will reker it? What personnel this
Viking team uses to you know, be dominant on the
special team space.
Speaker 2 (38:59):
Of the ball. It would be exciting. Nordo, you're here
tomorrow on the perch.
Speaker 8 (39:02):
Yeah, and Gave Henderson's gonna be with me THEO Jackson.
We're gonna talk to THEO. Alec Lewis will kick off
with me as well at noon.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
And charge Fantasy Football Weekly begins.
Speaker 5 (39:12):
We begin well the full We go back to our
full show with the Saturdays. The two hours for year
number thirty starts next Saturday. Of course, the podcast are
there every week, including we'll record today as well. But
you've got a lot yeah, next next Friday.
Speaker 3 (39:27):
And Max, before we say goodbye, can we get a
hoodie who everybody have a great weekend. That's the Friday
Football Feast.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
By podcast Today's Paul Allen Show.
Speaker 5 (39:43):
We're listen back to the previous show and interviews like
go into the iHeartRadio app, forkfan dot com
Head over to our contest page and register for your
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Speaker 2 (00:24):
Ascaivan dot Com keyword contest.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Enter JB Long is into his ninth season calling RAMS games,
and JB has called two Super Bowls, including a Super
Bowl fifty six victory at SOFI over Cincinnati and Our
Friends on Foes finale hits on Minnesota's Week eight opponent,
(00:49):
a Thursday Night contest versus the La Rams at SOFI,
and JB joins us, Now, what's going on? It's Pa
in charge, thanks for helping the radio show and a
good having you on.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Are you hey?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
I appreciate the invite goet to be connected with you.
And yeah, I remember the last time we got together
for Thursday Night football. It was the Thriller that was
at the Coliseum and it went to Ramsway. But looking
forward to hosting again. So far it's October.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yeah, that's the Jared Goff That night, JB. He threw
a perfect game. I mean it's that perfect passer rating.
It's the only perfect passer rating the Vikings have ever
faced in the history of the franchise. And you know
that it's there were things with the defense that night
where we ended up with Anthony Barr trying to run
(01:33):
with Brandon Cooks and like trying to cover Cooper Cup
and stuff and that, and the coliseum was being remodeled.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Right, Yeah, that's exactly right. The start of something special
Salm Bay twenty eighteen team, and as you referenced, it
culminated in the Super Bowl. That was one that I
had the privilege of being a part of. But it's
kind of like the old tree falling in a forest
if your team doesn't score a touchdown and the Super Bowl?
Did you really go to the Super Bowl? So a
(02:01):
deem that with their SOFI Super Bowl against the Bengals
a couple of years.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Back, and and you know that was Kevin O'Connell's and
West Phillips and Chris O'Har and on and on. It
was Tyler Williams. It was their final year with the
Rams that they're all here now plus some more. But JB,
what what is it like calling a Super Bowl win?
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Well, it's kind.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Of a transcendent of body experience, especially when it's in
such familiar territory, I mean in our home stadium, in
a different radio bood in your home environment, but in
a kind of a neutral, corporate Super Bowl type feel
without all the elements that you're used to, So it's
a once familiar but also foreign. I think what was
(02:49):
so special about that particular run in the twenty twenty
one season is, you know, externally it was known as
an all in campaign, and I think that really orbited
around the career of Aaron Donald, who had and everything
as a professional football player, especially a defensive football player
that Wilton could do save for win the Ultimate Prize
and for him to get the game clinching crusher both
(03:10):
in the NFC Championship Game against Garoppolo and the rival
forty nine ers, and then to an essence, do it
again against Burrow and the Bengals. I mean, that's the
equivalent of a walk off rand Slam and Gaden seven
of the World Series for a defensive tackle. I think
about all the stars that had to align for that
to happen, and so as much as I enjoyed it
(03:32):
personally and for organization, I think I'll always remember that
as Aaron Donald's signature mum in a Hall of Fame career.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
Jab Long is the radio voice of Los Angeles Rams.
Speaker 6 (03:44):
JB.
Speaker 5 (03:44):
Paul Charchi and nice to meet you. Let's bring it
up to current. You mentioned Aaron Donald. The RAMS defense
now doesn't have the star power of the ones that
we had seen previously, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd.
I mean, you know, they were like these signature players.
On the outside, it looks like kind of an anonymous group.
What do you think is the state of the defense
(04:06):
for the Rams right now?
Speaker 4 (04:08):
Kay, Here's something I didn't expect to be able to
say early in the month of August, and that is
I think the Rams up front have a chance to
be pretty stot to be pretty good. I always think,
and I think everyone should think of rush and covering tandem.
And what I'm more curious about, maybe even concerned about,
is how the back end of the RAMS defense is
(04:28):
going to give some of those paths rushers an opportunity
to influence the opposing quarterback. The Rams have invested in
that defense anticipating and then realizing the loss of maybe
the greasive player they've ever had, and so whether it's
through the draft making sure that they loaded up a
year early at the edge position with someone like Byron
(04:48):
Young Kobe Turner on the interior, who was very deserving
of the defensive Rookie of the Year votes he got
last year, and then doubling down on that investment with
their top two picks of this draft. At Jared Verse
out of Florida State was one of their favorite defensive
targets to their first first round draft picks since Jared
got back in twenty sixteen, as many of you know,
(05:10):
and then his teammate at Florida State, they would have
loved to have had at the end of Day one,
like if they could have got back back into that
first round to take Grad and Fisk, and I think
they would have done that. They paid a high price
to get up in round two to take him, and
that was kind of grated as one of the biggest
overpays of the draft if you're looking at your board.
But I think given how highly they thought of him
(05:31):
as a pairing to bring up the best in his
Floridas the team and I think they're really excited.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
About what they have there.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
I'm interested in the almost Lazarus story of wide receiver
DeMarcus Robinson, his career appeared to be over until the
Rams made a late acquisition last year and then eventually
finds his way into the starting lineup, and then he
was a big contributor for the Rams down the stretch
last season, had a bunch of shockingly productive games despite
Pokinaku and Cooper Cup being there and DeMarcus Robinson extending
(06:02):
his career in a meaningful way with the Rams.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Yeah, I think a couple of things to note there.
One is he'll never playoffs, and you know, as a
receiver you can only do so much. And he want
to have played with some great franchises in Kansas City
and Baltimore, and it's to some really good quarterbacks, MVP
caliber quarterbacks in both of those places. And I would
argue that Matthew Stafford had his best season as a
pro last year with DeMarcus who think he scored touchdowns
(06:28):
in like four straight games in that stretch run you're
talking about, in the perfect compliment to Puka Nakua in
that record setting reseason in Cooper Cup who is kind
of playing on one wheel to two at Wells. The
fourth member of that receiving room, and he was a
bit will be down the stretch and that created the
opportunity for DeMarcus to step right into and especially in
the red zone. I think he was a true weapon
(06:49):
and he's only going to continue to build on that.
I think the people that I've talked to around the
Rams building are super excited about the potential he still
has at age twenty nine. And let's face it, Matthew
has always been a kingmaker in this league, right whether
there was Mega Tron or Cooper Cup, Triple Crown season like,
when he finds a rapport, he will continue to go
(07:10):
at woid opposing defenses. And if your third best defensive
back is aligned over the top of the Mosh Robinson
like you'll have to be most days when you play
the Rams, that's going to be an option that Matthew
continues to pick on, I think with great success. In
twenty four.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Hey JB, what do you remember about Kevin O'Connell when
it was the offensive coordinator there.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
I've always just enjoyed his enthusiasm and the spirit. He's
really pleasant to be around. There was a moment in
that Super Bowl run though I was captured on I
can't remember exactly what micd up video it was, but
if you kind of search the NFL films archipe, I
think it's indicative where Sean McVay, who is clearly the
architect and the play caller and has his fingerprints all
(07:56):
over the game day operation on a touchdown that was
a critical point in the game, basically turns in this
immediate credit to Kevin and that was insightful for me,
even being around much as I am, that was as
much immediate credit for a play call that I've ever
seen Sean give. Now, I want to be clear, Sean
(08:16):
is the ultimate deflect all praise, name drop every assistant
coach he can in every SoundBite, but it was just
such an instinctive reaction where he knew exactly where that
critical bit of guidance came from, and it was Kevin
O'Connell right at the end of his tenure before he
became the head coach of the Vikings, And I think
that color understanding of that higher and how well it
(08:39):
could work in Minnesota. I'm not surprised that it's been
good so far, and if they can get the quarterback right,
I'm preaching the choirs here, but I think it's even.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Better now now JB does the weekly Sean McVeigh show.
What's it like working with Sean?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Who was brilliant?
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Yeah, I think he's a force in nature, and I've
often said that, you know, given everything I just said
about his offensive prowess, I've always thought he could just
as easily go coach defense. I has a complete understanding
of the sport and appreciation for it. But I think
most importantly is he's a people person. He is an
(09:19):
elite communicator. I think if you ask him to take
on any new field, be it education or medicine or
a laar are heaven forbid politics like Sean would rise
to the top so quickly because of the dungeon, because
of the desire, because of his process and work ethic,
but most importantly because he is that person who can
(09:41):
walk into a room and make you feel seen. He's
got that incredible recall for names, not just play called,
but like names. And then the story about you that
goes with your name that I think leaves you feeling
enlightened and important, and that he is a real ally.
And so it's not to me in retrospect that coming
(10:02):
in as the youngest coach in the league, he could
get someone like Andrew Whitworth on board with what he
was trying to do, that he could win over Aaron
Donald who was rightly skeptical, right and that he had
the immediate success that he did, but more than immediate success,
sustained success because he's been able to evolve as a
play caller, as a head coach, and as a person
(10:23):
to get into this second book, not just second chapter,
but the second book is his career.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
I remember when a longtime Viking center John Sullivan, finished
his career in Washington, and when Sean McVay got hired,
we were all like, my god, see's so young, and
Sullivan was like, whoaa, whoa, do not doubt this guy.
He is incredibly special and you watch, he's going to
be great. And Sullivan ended up being correct, and Sean
McVay ended up being obviously having an amazing career so far.
(10:53):
Jab I drilled down on your wide receiver depth chart
with DeMarcus Robinson earlier, but let's let's go to the
a topic. Poka Nakua coming out one of the greatest
rookie seasons by any receiver in the history of the game.
What are what's your expectations for his sophomore year.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Yeah, if I could just detail off your John Sultan
comment real quick. I'm an under dad guy. I've always
liked him. I was really thrilled when I got a
chance to work with him in seventeen eighteen, and he
said it as well as anyone. I remember training camp
coming back for his second season. I asked him, like, John,
is Sean McVay really worth points on game day like?
And he was like emphatic, like, yeah, he's worth a
(11:33):
field goal to a touchdown per game from the sideline.
So I always thought that was great perspective from someone
who sees it as well as anyone.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Well, well, jb off the Notre Dame vibe. You know,
sorry to clomp on you there, but when the Vikings
come out to so Far for Thursday night football, you
got a fist bump Harrison Smith. I mean, this could
be his final year. And I don't know if he
was Irish immortality, but he's borderline hof here.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Oh no, he's a made man, no doubt, and he
was a great player there. But I think a lot
of the West who you know, followed the Golden Domos
and in the next day. Ever, I really enjoyed what
he's been able to do there in Minneapolis. So he's
just getting success. He's been has been terrific and we
hope that Phoka can build off of that rookie season. Statistically,
(12:21):
I don't think anyone is banking on him to put
up the numbers that he did as a rookie, and
I think it might actually be a sign of health
for the Rams if he doesn't have to, because what
he really did is thriving in Cooper cuts absence. I mean,
he got a crash course in McVeigh and Stafford in
one oh one because Scuper was sidelined for the offseason program,
and so his growth curve was accelerated, and then he
(12:44):
took every bit of advantage from week one forward and
never looked back. So the knock on him was, you know,
health concerns, and he played all seventeen games plus a
playoff game. The knock on him was that he was
more of a zone beater and couldn't run away from mancovery,
which he torched every opportunity that he had. He led
the league and drops looking for maybe an area of growth,
(13:07):
but you have to be pretty darn good. You have
to be pretty special to leave the NFL and drops,
I've always thought. So that's almost attested in to the
season that he put forward. And look, we really have
not seen the fullest fruition of him playing alongside Cooper
Cup Like Cooper just was knocked himself last year, and
so even when they were on the field together, it
(13:27):
was almost more of a decoy action than a true tandem.
And I like to refer to those guys as like,
what are they called Deebo Sam a wide back? I
think these guys it's more like you know, tight receivers,
like they do so much more than just catch passes.
They fit into the running game. They fold into the
blocking surface, and you have to look for that on
(13:48):
game they to fully appreciate how special they are.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
All right.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Last one for the Rams Box JB. Long into his
ninth season calling Rams football, he's already called two super Bowls,
and the Vices take on the Rams Week eight. It's
a Thursday night football game after the Vikings play the Lions,
so you get a physical game against the Lions a
short week with some travel to play the brilliant McVeigh
(14:12):
that sounds good enough to eat charge.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
Well, let's go to really, when I look at your
depth chart, JB. The thing that can happen that derails
your season is it looks to me like Matthew Stafford.
If something were to happen to Matthew Stafford, you're going
into Stetson Bennett and something called Dresser win. That feels
like a worst case scenario.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
Yeah, it's going to be a two week bridge until
Jimmy Garoppolo comes off with that short suspension.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
And yeah, that's right, Yeah, yeah, Aft, And.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
I think that's you know, it's definitely a two week
risk that they understood they were signing up for. But
I think given his fluency in the Shanahan McVay verbiagion system,
it was a calculator risk they were willing to take.
And let's face it, this, like so many franchises are,
but especially the Rams, this season goes as far as
not Stafford can take them. Now, Jeans Garoppolo, I think
(15:02):
is a higher floor maybe than they had last year
with like Brett Rippin who had to play middle of
the season at Green Bay and a loss, and eventually
they got on the Carson Wentz who won them a
Week eighteen game at San Francisco. But you know, Stafford,
his sixteenth season and deep into his thirties is extending
his prime. And I think as long as he has
(15:25):
his health and Sean mcvoson's play color in Cooper Cup
and cook it, He's going to be able to continue
to put up big numbers. I truly believe that last
year was his best season. Now. I know that he's
won a super Bowl, but when you talk about his
big play potential and the way that he also curbed
his turnover worthy plays, like I still can't believe this
(15:46):
in retrospect, but he did not fumble last year. He
did not put a ball on the ground in the
pocket last year, which is staggering as much as he
drops back. So I'm really excited about this year. Partnership
with McVay and with Cooper having a full off season,
I think Stafford can take it even to it next level.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Hey JB, thanks for the time, man, and and we'll
see you down the road. And uh, great work on
the radio.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Man. Have a great summer, right yeah, big time.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Admirer of yours as well. I'm looking forward to that
Thursday night contest. I hope there's some big stakes.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
I appreciate you, brother, see you letter JB. Long Box
for the La Rams when nine to Noon continues. Gave
Henderson with the Vikings Entertainment Network joins PA in charge
and we will all be feasting on the fan.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Man Minnesota based hammer Made shirts are meant to health.
You look your best at any special occasion. And now
through August Sport, they're holding their halftime sale with up
to fifty percent off in savings. Check it out now
at Hammermaid dot. Coming to give you a head started
your shopping. We've got one hundred dollars hammer Maid gift
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(16:53):
five three two six call those digits.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
What's up, Gate Henderson? How you've been Pa?
Speaker 7 (17:15):
I am doing well as always and always get to
physically see you in person likewise, and you rolled in
with that very white voice this morning, and we greatly
appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
So the Raiders eight days from today, and you know
a lot of the focus is going to be at
least radio wise or media wise. Is you know, is
Darnold getting get a rep? Is going to play ten, fifteen,
twenty snaps?
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Whatever?
Speaker 3 (17:36):
How long will JJ McCarthy play and so on. Well,
let's not forget for the adversary. I mean, just trying
to make you know, preseason games as fun as they
can be. And I fully expect this guy to play.
But Alexander Madison is a Raider. That's true. That is true.
Alexander Madison scored his first National Football League touchdown against
(17:57):
the Raiders following a was the Alabama or following an
Urge Smith block right up the middle. And now and
now he's coming back, you know, after they basically asked
him to leave, and and he got Madison, you got
Amir Abdullah, Gennaro's Robinson, the Floridas date kids on their.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Team, and of course Daniel Carlson.
Speaker 7 (18:19):
Yeah, it's going to be fun just seeing how the
Vikings tried to plan for that game. I mean, I
feel like every week we play against somebody, we're playing
against a former Vikings team. Fast forward a week from
the Las Vegas Raiders game, we're playing against the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
They got Dovin, Tomlinson, Jordan Hicks, so.
Speaker 7 (18:35):
Thomas Zidarius Smith also. I mean, it's it's going to
be a family reunion, not only at some of those
drink practices, but in these preseason games. So I'm excited
to see it at that time of the year where
when you said eight days away from the first preseason game,
I'm like, oh, oh wow, football is actually here. So
I'm excited to finally get to next week where we
(18:56):
can actually start to talk about a different opponent outside
of the Vikings.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Yeah, running against ourselves a lot, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I'm sure you guys are tired of that.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
Yeah, I want to I want to know what you
think of what you've seen from Sam Donald so far
we've been you know, social media is just filled with J. J.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
McCarthy.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
It's almost like Sam Donald's not even on radar and
nobody nobody's cares. And you know, we haven't. I'm not
seeing any of the clips. And this is my first
time down here to TCO. So get me up to
speed and what we've seen from Sam through you know whatever,
it's been five six days.
Speaker 7 (19:25):
Yeah, I've liked what I've seen from Sam. I know
Kevin O'Connell said yesterday, you know, just we're not yesterday
earlier this week talking about how Sam Donald, even if
he has a bad play, he flushes it and fixes
it the next play, and he's already onto getting that
next rep. And from from what I've seen, the biggest
thing that stands out to me is what he does
when the play breaks down. Of course, in practice, you know,
(19:47):
you know if a player gets in your face, you're
not supposed to, you know, say you're sacked or cull
the ball away, like Sam is actually extending the play
with his legs, actually looking down the field seeing who's open,
because that might be a game like situation he made
break a tackle in the pocket and have to look downfield.
So I've been thoroughly impressed with Sam. I think from
what Kevin O'Connor quasi doplaments have said, what we were
(20:08):
getting with Sam when he was signed this off season,
I've seen that in more so it's exciting. Of course,
all the noise goes to JJ McCarthy, to the raw
pick when is he actually going to play? But I
do believe Sam Donald is doing a great job of
being the guy when his number is called.
Speaker 8 (20:24):
If you can, and this is probably a dumb question
because it's not as if I know how you've been
analyzing it when JJ's in there versus Donald, I know
that they've been trying to implement JJ into some first
team reps, which is super cool and that's part of
the progression, right, But have you noticed that is Donald
is Donald working with a more advanced set of tools
(20:47):
or is JJ just making those one read throws. Have
you noticed anything different in terms of how they're being
deployed when they get their reps or are we both
just seeing them working with the same mix.
Speaker 7 (20:58):
Yeah, I think it's a a mix of both. It's
weird because you know, every single day the playbook expands more,
so you don't know what players are being called. But
just from my experience of playing you know, college ball,
like usually the first team is second team, they get
similar plays, the first team always gets a few extra
more so that you know, gives Sam a little bit
(21:20):
more opportunities to be able to go through a second
and third and fourth progression and actually learn from it,
get back up on the third play and go from there.
But still, I believe that both of those guys have
been able to make plays on the go and they've
given they've been given a lot of opportunities to do so.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Yeah, there's been some McCarthyism out there.
Speaker 8 (21:38):
There's been some propaganda being floating around about what you
see on videos ultimately, but it still seems like everything
just Koc's got an idea with this thing, and he's
he's sticking to it.
Speaker 7 (21:48):
There's a plan in place, and clearly Kaos whatever he
has said, we've seen that on the field. And whether
you know the big thing right now that fans are doing,
you know, posting videos of this and that, and the
videos that they don't post some of the reasons that
people don't see in those those certain plays, Like, I
think that's the that's what's going to be for that's
what it's going to take for us to find out
(22:09):
who's actually going to be the starter come week one.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
And I think, like I said J J.
Speaker 7 (22:13):
McCarthy, I thought last Saturday was his best practice and
then he put together another really good day with Pats
the other day. But you look at Sam Darnold and
it's like, man, this guy has just been consistent day
in and day out. So it'll be interesting to see
how Kevin O'Connell figures out, you know, the reps moving forward.
But I think I do think, you know, as we
move forward to preseason games and joint practices, that's when
(22:35):
we'll finally get an opportunity to see, like, all right,
what are these guys?
Speaker 2 (22:39):
What is this entire team made of?
Speaker 5 (22:41):
For all the attention that JJ's gotten, our other first
round pick, Dallas Turner, yes, not generated all a lot
of a lot of a lot of noise. Yet what
have you what have you gleaned so far?
Speaker 2 (22:51):
And pads have just gone on.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Yeah, So so therefore the narrative, you know, behind the scenes,
and I think you know publicly certainly with nine to
noon has been when pads go on, it's it may
take a second, you know, because he's young, he's twenty
I think he's twenty one. But that that's where the
rubber kind of meets the road for Dallas, right, Yeah,
and for Dallas.
Speaker 7 (23:12):
Just being as young as he is, like he's learning
on the fly. I think there's only been two or
three days of padded practices, so we've only had two
or three days.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
To actually see him in action.
Speaker 7 (23:22):
And granted, when you're going against the best left tackle
in the league is going to be tough, but still
it's those moments that after those one on ones or
after the eleven to eleven periods, when he's pulling Christian
Derris off to the side and saying like, hey, I'm
not sure what he's asking. Sure, but you can tell
he's like very inquisitive of He's inquiring, like, dude, how
can I beat you?
Speaker 1 (23:40):
Like?
Speaker 2 (23:40):
How can I get better at this? At this pass Russian?
Speaker 7 (23:44):
If you look at Dallas Turner, if you walk beside him,
it's like, dude, this guy looks the part. When you
look at just him get up the field, It's like,
all right, this guy's explosive. How Kevin O'Connell, how Brian
Flores uses him, that'd be interesting, I've said, you know,
just from a personal standpoint, it wouldn't surprise me if
he's like the Micah Parsons of this defense.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
So many different things. He can line up inside, he
can line up outside, he can rush both sides of
the field.
Speaker 7 (24:07):
He's a he's a diamond in the rough, and he's
a guy I think is going to be a big
time player for this Minnesota Vikings team.
Speaker 6 (24:13):
Is there is there anything that stood out to you?
Speaker 8 (24:16):
I mean, Dallas Turner, let's get these pads on, let's
get some hits going, and let's let's light up the field.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (24:22):
From the secondary that's kind.
Speaker 8 (24:23):
Of been one of the biggest talkers, but by way
of tragedy, by way of injury, it's put this team
in a spot. Fabian Moreau just basically he's got his
luggage like at his locker and he goes out and plays,
and I think he was even making some reps with
the first team is and and then I hear several
members of the secondary kind of talking rooms coming together,
and it's you know, and we're we're moving forward.
Speaker 6 (24:44):
And that's kind of the mindset and mentality you have
to have.
Speaker 8 (24:46):
But has anybody actually stood out to you from the
standpoint of this guy gets it? This guy season and
opportunity year three for whoever, and he's handling business.
Speaker 6 (24:56):
Anybody popping your head right away?
Speaker 7 (24:58):
Byron Murphy has been the the biggest, I guess the
biggest highlight for me in this secondary just his quickness,
his explosiveness, how he's playing the ball. You can tell
the game is slowed down to him. I know he
did an interview the other day talking about how the
game has slowed down and just building this dB room
up and having to come together due to tragedy both
(25:19):
and an unfortunate fatality and then moving to the football side,
just with Makai Blackman terring his acl But when you
look at just Byron Murphy, his his work this offseason,
his work during training camp. I mean, he's asking him
to go against Justin Jefferson every play when JJ's not
in there, he's asking to go against Jordan Addison. And
you know it's big on big when you do one
(25:41):
on ones. But at the same time, Biron Murphy isn't
shying away from that and when he has an opportunity
to make a play on the ball. In my opinion,
from what I've seen, he's done that consistently. So I'm
excited to see how that translates once once these games
start to matter.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
Cornerback's the spot that worries me the most, you know,
and some of it are things that are out of
our control. We've lost to two people that we thought
could be contributors this year, and just this is you know,
if I look at one thing that I go, Okay,
we need we need somebody to really pop in this position.
Cornerback's the one. You know, we need one of these
(26:15):
young guys. Uh, maybe it's Andrew Booth, maybe it's a
Caleb Evans. We need somebody to make a big step forward.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
I got one. Who you got, I'm gonna try to
hint you along.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
Okay, slender, okay, undrafted, m hm height, give me hight nose.
Dronte Jones DB's coach, the Duke initials well, his nickname,
I believe is Newdy. If you look at his Twitter
initials DM DM DM, Dwight.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Mcglother mcglother, Mglevin, I don't know who that is. Believe.
Speaker 7 (26:51):
He played cornerback at Arkansas last year, was a priority
undrafted free agent this offseason, and has been a guy
that a lot of people were talking about post draft.
Him and Gabriel Murphy with two guys that stood out
post draft, and they were like, how did these two
guys slip under the radar? And we look at a
Dawight mcglother mcglover. I can't put up mcglove. We look
(27:11):
at him. He's a guy that ultimately has the size,
he has the speed, he has the strefth it's just
putting it all together.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
He might ad some bumps in the road along the way.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
And wouldn't be the first Rooky, but he Dronte Jones
is the dvast coach. He's going to be a defensive
coordinator one day, some somewhere, somehow. And mcleothern was with
him at LSU and then he transferred to Arkansas, had
four picks and a lot of people thought he'd be drafted.
He didn't get drafted, and they offered the olive branch
(27:40):
and a pretty fat undrafted check. And here he has
forty seven. Mcglothern. He's an outsider. We'll see what happens.
Speaker 8 (27:46):
Well, hold on here his Flores and Dernte. Do they
have any experience like in the flea market business or
like antique road show, because whether it's Ivan Pace and
now Gabriel Murphy, you can basically tie his shoes without
ben over and now mcglothern, we're playing all they undrafted market.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
We're getting all the studs out of the UF.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Clearly they know what they're doing. So shut me out
on Water. Yeah, sush you out, Tom, just peep his
head in.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
But just thinking about just what those guys have been
able to do post draft. I mean, even Quasi in
his front office, what they've been able to do post draft,
especially when we look at an Iven Pace, who finished
in the top ten of defensive Rookies of the Year
last year as an undrafted free agent. You trust those
guys to be able to make the right decisions as
the future continues to progress.
Speaker 8 (28:35):
Regardless of the names. Doesn't this just puts a ton
of pressure on the front seven then, right? I mean
in a lot of ways, you're thinking about productivity and aggressiveness,
and we can look at the fat sack numbers. We've
talked about it a couple of times on the show,
like who's going to have the most sacks this year?
Speaker 4 (28:48):
Right?
Speaker 6 (28:48):
Replacing the Neil Hunter, etc.
Speaker 8 (28:50):
And it's good to flesh this out as we get
to know some of these new players and the young
cats like Turner. But the front seven just has to
be as good as an aggressive and as tricky as
they were of times, just regardless of who's in the secondary.
This thing just has to be as stout and as
ready to rock Week one against the Giants as it
can be.
Speaker 7 (29:07):
Yeah, and I don't want to sound like a Homer here,
but I really do believe the Vikings have really good
depth when it comes to their front seven, especially when
you look at just the defensive line, like Harrison Phillips
and Jonathan Buller both had phenomenal years last year. I
tweeted out the other day Jonah Williams when the Pats
came on on day two, he was the the my
biggest highlight, Like he popped more than anyone.
Speaker 6 (29:27):
When is this like?
Speaker 2 (29:29):
And then he truck somebody.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
It might have been ed Ingram in Washington, pushed somebody
back five.
Speaker 6 (29:34):
It was Ingram, I saw. I think it was Ingram.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (29:37):
And then Jacquelin Roy, a guy that was drafted last
year starting to come into his own. Just so many
different weapons that you could sub in. You got depth,
you have rotation, and we're not even talking about the
pass rushers there. I mean you still got Patrick Jones,
Jonathan Gernard, Andrew Van Ginko, Dallas Turner and so on
and so forth. So I really do believe there there's
a lot of depth when it comes to that defensive line,
(29:59):
both interior.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
And take it a step farther.
Speaker 3 (30:01):
I mean, the the linebacker depth here right now. Overall,
it's it's as good as I've ever seen. Granted they're
running a three fourth, so you know nine four three
with with Greenway, Lever.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
And e J.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I think Kenny Onatolu and and some others were backups
for three, So you're gonna have a fewer linebackers and
edge guys count as linebackers. But all those names you mentioned,
well then Blake Cashman who knows his way around Ivan
Pace Junior like you mentioned, Uh, Gabriel Murphy. Uh, there's
this cap for Marshallman and I've talked about him a lot.
I'm probably gonna be wrong here. He'll be on the
(30:36):
practice squad. But Owen Porter every single time I watch,
I think he's fifty seven. I watch's fifty seven's twitchy.
Owen Porter is twitchy, and he's fast and he ain't afraid,
you know which, which is super key. So you got
it's like, you know when things would fall off inside. Recently,
Troy Dye, who's now with the LA Chargers.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
I hope he. I like Troy. I hope he has
a nice career.
Speaker 3 (30:58):
But nah, these guys are a lot deeper and a
lot better than that.
Speaker 7 (31:04):
I think you're starting to see what Kevin O'Connor and
Quasi di Femtz were saying when they were talking about
our process, our.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Way and in year three.
Speaker 7 (31:12):
Usually, when you know a front office and a coaching
staff finally gets to showcase who their identity is. We're
starting to see that with the level of talent, not
only in the starters, but also with depth, and when
it comes to you know, guys getting banged up year
and a year out, we see it every year. When
we see that happen throughout the course of this season,
you just hope that this depth can continue to step
(31:32):
up and push those starters the way they're doing right
now in training camp. So I'm excited to see what
this will look like. But I'm excited because there's really
we don't know, Like no one really knows what to
expect this year from this new look Vikings team, and
being at training camp every day, it's like, oh wow,
this guy's popping.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Oh wow, this guy is showing.
Speaker 7 (31:50):
And once we finally get to the games that finally matter,
hopefully that can translate from what we see right now.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
Final segment from tco PC.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
Next join Paul Chargion in the Fantasy Football Weekly Crew
at Treasure Island in the Full Deck Ballroom on Friday,
August sixteen from six to nine pm for Fantasy Football
Training Camp Live broadcast starts at six pm, followed by
the Fantasy Football Deep Dive right after. Great prizes to
be had, including a one thousand dollars prize, plus everyone
(32:21):
in attendance will receive a ten dollars in free slot play.
Speaker 6 (32:24):
And a ten dollars dining voucher.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
I'm gonna have to go to this myself.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Get the full details now camp In dot com keyword Calendar.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
We thanked Max Fuller for guiding the Great Ship Love
Covenant today at f M one hundred point three KFA
N from Twin Cities Orthophedx Performance Center. It's Pa in
charge with Nordo and Gabe Henderson from Vikings dot com
and the Vikings Entertainment Network at Gabe Henderson via Twitter.
If you would be so inclined to follow, I.
Speaker 5 (33:22):
Got two things that are definitely not veiled fantasy questions.
How do you see the running back rotation working out?
The presumption is, you know Aaron Jones has got the
history getting dinged up.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
Dude. It's tough.
Speaker 5 (33:35):
He plays the injury all the time, but he is
a relatively slight back in build.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
And you know I'm.
Speaker 5 (33:42):
Team ty Chandlers. You remember from last year, so I
want to see him on the field what do you
think this rotation looks like.
Speaker 7 (33:49):
I think both of those guys, Aaron Jones and Ty
Channel will compliment each other well. Having the opportunity for
you know, Aaron Jones to be himself but also get
a break. That's something that he's used to. I mean,
you look at what he did in Green Bay. He
had AJ Dillon, he had Uh Williams, who he had
an opportunity to Jam Williams.
Speaker 6 (34:08):
Right one, You're.
Speaker 5 (34:09):
Removed from leading the NFL touchdowns Williams with Troy, which
is crazy.
Speaker 7 (34:13):
So I do believe both of those guys will compliment
each other. Well, they're both like Swiss army knives, right like.
They both can pass block, they can run in between
gaps and got to work on that bass block. And
no matter assumably he has. I mean he's put on
some weight this off season.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
So Jalen Naylor, I mean not red like he you
know I saw him the other damn.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
He put on a lot of muscle.
Speaker 7 (34:34):
He's been my favorite player to watch this offseason. Jalen
Naylor has been phenomenal. And when you add just him
having that resurgence and then Ty Chandler having the opportunity
to be the guy with Aaron Jones, the ceiling.
Speaker 2 (34:48):
Is the roof.
Speaker 7 (34:48):
If I'm Michael Jordan, the siling is the roof for
both of those guys.
Speaker 8 (34:51):
So does it matter if they're how different they are
as players? Like typically when you see you know, time
shares or running back by committee of any short as,
usually there's a flashyear guy that can catch out, you know,
the scat back so to speak, and then you got
you got rough and tumble guy, bowling ball guy.
Speaker 6 (35:08):
Does that really matter in the construct of this offense?
Speaker 8 (35:10):
If you're trying to you know, ultimately Aaron Jones a
topic and then ty Chandler finds his way into the
mix in other ways. But I don't really see them
being vastly different physical players.
Speaker 6 (35:21):
Does that matter in this offense?
Speaker 7 (35:23):
I do think you want to find you do want
to emphasize to at least both of those guys are like, Hey,
even though you're elusive when it comes to second and
one or third and one or fourth and one, like,
we need you to put your pass down and get
this first down. And I think both of those guys
can do that. I'm interested to see, you know, if
a Dwayne McBride running back who was drafted in the
seventh round last year.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
I believe he went to UA B. What does that?
What does this year look like for him?
Speaker 8 (35:45):
He was the antithesis of a Blazer, but he ran
for a ton of yards.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
Yeah he did so.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
I mean if he can find opportunities to get in
and provide relief like he's he's a bruiser. When it
comes to a back being able to truck, guys have
balance to be able to use that. Just so many
different dynamics that all three of those backs can use.
I'm not even bringing up Miles gas Games and Kane
wong Wu who is a speedster. But when you look
at that running back committee, Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler,
(36:14):
that's who Kevin O'Connor was talked the most about. And
I'm excited to see who those other backs will be.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
Last one hof game last night, which means the new
kickoff bit, which means eight kickoffs thirty one for a
long twenty five and a half yard line was the
average start and there was one touchback.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Just from the way it.
Speaker 3 (36:34):
Looked to your guy Tommy Townson being the twelve guy
on the field holding the ball and sprinting off because
if they get past like the twenty and your guys
still on.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
The field, or it's confusing.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
But the way I put it was the NFL has
brought life to a bit that was dead.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
I'll give you that, PA.
Speaker 7 (36:53):
And being that last night was the first time that
we saw it, I'm sure all other thirty teams that
were watching were like, Okay, we're not doing this. Yeah,
we're going to do this, so to see. Steve Simms
was the returner from the Houston Texans, who I guess
he had the longest return of the night. He got
into the twenty six yard line, which is one yard
further than what the textbacks were last year. I'm excited
(37:15):
to see how this thing evolves. Matt Daniels, he talked
about it yesterday, you know, just seeing how he's going
to have to adjust them and go. I think there's
a period where teams can well I guess the NFL
can change the rules doing a certain timeframe, but yeah,
up to the season. Yeah, I'm excited to see it
or not what this will look like.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
And I still need.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
Somebody to tell me when they're and I can look
it up and I will this weeknd because it has
to be in stone is the bit where it's like
the penalty will be assessed on the kickoff and then
you go to break.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Yeah, what the hell is that? What happens? Then that's
a great question, like do you kick it from the fifty?
I don't you know, I think that might be it? Okay,
kicking it from the fifty well, because.
Speaker 5 (37:54):
You gained nothing, it's not that the problem isn't that Well, No,
you can't kick it far enough.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
It's a great question.
Speaker 3 (38:00):
The ry pop fly into the landing zone exactly, and
you might be able to get somebody Canewan Wu on
a pop up if you don't block him, he'll get
down there is the ball's coming down and potentially catch
it your ball.
Speaker 5 (38:14):
But getting the ball to fifty I don't think necessarily
even helps your kicker.
Speaker 6 (38:17):
Your kicker's been you.
Speaker 5 (38:18):
Know, you've done all this practice to kick off from
the forty yessing, you know, I don't you move it?
Does it get any better? And I don't think it does.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
I wonder if that landing zone is still in effect,
like it's.
Speaker 2 (38:28):
The landing zone is kind of the bomb.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
Yeah, I mean I didn't understand it at first, but
and then when I learned if you straddle the twenty,
ball stops right there because it's like a third out
of bounds. But I mean, you know, our guy, our
Alabama guy has powerful line drive type stuff where there's
gonna be some worm burners inside the twenty.
Speaker 2 (38:47):
It's gonna be interesting.
Speaker 7 (38:48):
Yeah, I'm interested to see how don't kick it short? Well,
they're very true. How will reker it? What personnel this
Viking team uses to you know, be dominant on the
special team space.
Speaker 2 (38:59):
Of the ball. It would be exciting. Nordo, you're here
tomorrow on the perch.
Speaker 8 (39:02):
Yeah, and Gave Henderson's gonna be with me THEO Jackson.
We're gonna talk to THEO. Alec Lewis will kick off
with me as well at noon.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
And charge Fantasy Football Weekly begins.
Speaker 5 (39:12):
We begin well the full We go back to our
full show with the Saturdays. The two hours for year
number thirty starts next Saturday. Of course, the podcast are
there every week, including we'll record today as well. But
you've got a lot yeah, next next Friday.
Speaker 3 (39:27):
And Max, before we say goodbye, can we get a
hoodie who everybody have a great weekend. That's the Friday
Football Feast.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
By podcast Today's Paul Allen Show.
Speaker 5 (39:43):
We're listen back to the previous show and interviews like
go into the iHeartRadio app, forkfan dot com
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