July 9, 2026 • 47 mins
Jenny Taft kicks off the show with a Covenant Catchup and conversation around the World Cup, followed by Twins manager Derek Shelton!
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Speaker 1 (00:49):
And let it go. Bye bye, bye, bye bye.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Good morning.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
This is the nine to noon radio Freezing Tale and
F one point three k f A and let's begin
today's merrymaking by heading to Boston to talk about brands.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Finally did from.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Joining us now is the Dinah's Jenny Taft, who also
happens to handle big things for the Fox TV family,
including the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
And Jenny joins us now.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Uh, by the way, good thing you were an athlete
back in the day, back in the Dina days, Jenny,
because you had you had to quick pivot after Monday night,
didn't you a good morning?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Oh my gosh, hi, good morning. Thank you for having me.
It's always so nice to chat with a familiar voice.
It always brings me back to my Fox Sports Norris.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
The DYNA days.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
But yes, you know, look, we don't need to sit
here and chat about the way it ended for the US.
We deverly ken. But you know the point of this
World Cup is it's so deep, it's it's still going
right like, there's still so many games to play for.
And I've covered France before, so I quickly shifted gears
from my USA and I'm going to be covering the
France team for the rest of this tournament.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
So so wait a minute here, correct me if I'm wrong, Jenny,
you and your family live in the Los Angeles area, right, Actually.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
No, And because we have not caught up in a while,
we are in Boston because my husband has been coaching
ice hockey at Harvard, And ironically, I was able to
just take my daughter to dance camp drop off, which
I'm not gonna lie to you didn't go great. I
was just able to answer the phone for you. I
just got her to dance camp. So I had this
(02:46):
amazing night with my family. It's I've been on the
road really for the last month, which is you know,
a challenge. Yet also, my husband was doing great with
my daughter while I was away covering the World Cup.
So I'm home in Boston, dropped her camp and then
in a couple hours I'm going to cover France Rocco,
which is a pretty wild wild day.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yeah, that's three o'clock Central today, and that's fantastic. Jenny
Taft he dined as Jenny Taft Fox. We'll see her
on TV today. Last thing from me on Monday, and
I watched some of the interviews here but like, overall,
how were they after the game? Like I saw the interviews,
but interacting with the Americans after all the work is done,
(03:29):
how down were they?
Speaker 4 (03:32):
They were so down? I mean, it's almost hard to
even put into words.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
I think the.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
Hardest part about a World Cup, about any tournament, but
soccer can be such a cruel sport because you have
this incredible momentum and the three weeks of the country
rallying behind you, and it just ends abruptly, right, So
the players, they all know that, they all felt that.
I saw so many tears and it was a team
that truly believed. Why not US? I think Mauricio Poccino,
(03:57):
I will give him a lot of credit. He had
them believing. There was a culture and a tightness to
this team that I personally thought was maybe the closest
group I'd ever seen. A lot of these guys had
grown up together. So yeah, I saw a lot of
tears and devastation, and then the next day they're all
heading home or back to their club team. So that's
the hardest part about a World Cup. Yet seeing them
(04:18):
just totally inspire the US really, for me is an
experience I'll never forget. I think sometimes we as reporters
and you know this, like you kind of take the
emotion out of it. And I even was choked up
singing country Road and listening at the end of some
of those wins, just because the fandom and the excitement.
So I can think two things can be true. It
(04:40):
was an amazing journey and a devastating loss, and both
are true. But I think they'll be a hunger from
a lot of those guys that will be available from
four years from now. So it's only just the beginning,
all right.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So wait a second here.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Your husband is a coach with the Harvard College hockey team.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
They finished last.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Year I believe somewhere in the mid twenties, like twenty
three in the pair. Wise, what kind of squad do
we have with this Harvard College hockey team?
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Oh my gosh, I wish I could tell you I
have any idea of the future of where they're at.
I feel like I haven't been a supportive wife in
that way to be to be in the mix on
where they're at. But I know he's loved the experience,
he's loved being back in college hockey. He played at
Boston University and coached the national team for a couple
of years, so we've been on the move for the
(05:28):
last couple of years. But also really lucky to be
in hockey for him. I mean, hey, Minnesota, maybe we'll
end up there one day, right, we love our hockey there.
That would be a win win for me. But no,
he's enjoying it for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
All right now.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Now, Jenny is she's in Boston where she lives to
to cover France and Morocco three o'clock Central today, and
Jenny speaks fluent French. And I'm not kidding with this.
For instance, please say in French you're listening.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
To nine to noon.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Met noo josekut nef aduz beautiful.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
So do you ask the French players questions in French
during press conferences and stuff?
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Yeah, so it's pretty wild. I cannot believe that Normandale
French immersion you dine in Minnesota public school was the way.
And I will tell you I complained about it. I said, Mom, Dad,
I'm never going to use this. And then I sat
down with Mbappe before the World Cup and I got
a text from my mom and I think it just
said mbope question mark like a quick reminder like you're
(06:37):
welcome for sending you to Normandale. And you know, I
kaya kept it up a little bit, not a ton
after college, but I covered France at the World Cup
in Russia, so that was twenty eighteen, and because the
US wasn't there, I did kind of pivot to focus
on France. And there's like that fake it till you
make it. I was like, I say, French, I can
(06:57):
do this. So I've I've been using it, I've been
practice thing with it. But yesterday I was talking to
DDA to shomp in French and he was like, well,
he actually really enjoys doing interviews with you because your
French is good enough. Wow, it's really fun for me.
And thankfully Imbappe now his English is incredible, so we
could do the interview in English, but a lot of
the players prefer French. But most of the time they
(07:18):
just appreciate the effort. So I'll ask a question in French,
follow up in English. They all really can answer in English,
and it's better for our audience to be in English.
But DDA is French only, so I have an interview
with him airing before the match, which is kind of fun.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Well, that's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I don't know how much of the NBA Finals you
watched or the press conferences, but like with Victor Wembinyama,
with Wemen in his postgame press conferences, you know, when
he would get questions in English, what I really liked
about him is he would pause like five seconds to
make sure he heard it right, make sure he processes
it right and answers the right way.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Now he'd give like a ten to fifteen word answer.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Now, a couple of people would ask questions and French,
I mean they basically would chat for like two minutes
in the press conference. He was so appreciative to hear
his native language, specifically in situations that can be quite tense,
know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Oh, it's a great example because it so much of
it is just the respect. Like I'll never forget twenty
eighteen when a couple of the players were like, you're
really gonna ask us in French? Like really, we all right?
And it was really winning them over, like even their
French press officer. For them for me to say I'll
do it in French or English just means so much
to them. And then oftentimes they'll even start answering in
(08:36):
French and then pivot to English throughout the conversation. So
I've I love the challenge. I'm gonna be honest. English
is hard enough in a postgame interview, but the French
is just like a crazy thing that I've been able
to practice. I was sitting with a tutor ahead of
the World Cup just having conversations and it's by no
means perfect, but it's definitely good enough and just what
(08:58):
a treat that I can use it. And hopefully France
keeps this thing going and we'll have a lot.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Of interviews at Jenny Taft via x Idina's Jenny Taft
with a Fox TV France Morocco today on Fox about
six hours from now.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
So what will your role for the day be?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Sure, So, I am the pitch side reporter, which I
think especially for your audience. It's such a football audience.
It's so different than my role covering the Big ten. Right,
I'm as a sideline reporter for college football. I'm roaming.
I'm I'm really right in there. I can get all
the way up to the bench. FIFA and any World Cup,
the rules are so so strict, so you're basically given
a specific feat on the pitch like you are truly sitting.
(09:39):
I can't stand up normally. Sometimes it's next to the
bench osish if you're covering the US. But since it's
a French match, my priority will be lower and I'll
probably be behind the net in some way. So I'm
going to offer perspective reports before the match, after the match.
But really my role is the postgame interviews. I think
that's most important for a World Cup because as you know,
(10:00):
you know a FIFA World Cup, FIFA controls the camera,
so Fox is the rights holder and you're watching all
the images, but they control the shot. So my role
in game is less important. It's really pregame and postgame
interviews and storytelling along the way.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Now, the producer Nordo is the elite soccer mind in
this Covenant, and he has some soccer related questions for
Jenny taff Well.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
I wanted to start here, Jenny, just going backwards a bit.
You mentioned it in brief, but can you describe being
so close to it as you are, the cultural collision
on the streets during this cup, Like it's so awesome
to see it, the celebrations, the pride of these people.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
It kind of sets the perfect backdrop for the tourney.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
And it's just as your role is in covering this tournament,
getting so close with some of these teams, have you
been able to experience that and be embedded with that.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
It's a great way to look at it. And I
appreciate the question because I kept telling my friends like,
just wait, wait till the World Cup comes to America,
and you know, it's hard to even know what it'll
be like. I mean, just everything from my girlfriends is
the funny example. But I can't get enough of Earling Holland.
They didn't know who Earling Holland was before this tournament.
(11:14):
I mean, all these stars that you're kind of getting
to know. And the joke among my friends were like,
what if he had played ice hockey? Can you imagine?
That was what we'd all been chatting about. But I
think seeing the fans just kind of take over these
cities totally embrace the World Cup, every culture, every fan base.
I have seen that. I've covered this my six World
Cup between the men's and women's, which is wild. And
(11:35):
I was in Russia and Qatar for the men's World Cups,
and I still saw those fans and those cultures show up.
So I was just so excited for Americans to get
to understand the passion of the game, because look, as
we all know, soccer's are a number one, but why
can't it be one of those sports that we all
rally around. And while the US loss is devastating, seeing
everyone talk about the loss the next day is such
(11:57):
a positive step in the right direction. And you know,
you're soccer guy, so that's just it's just the beginning.
And that's what I think was so exciting about.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Well, and you're kind of experiencing both ends of that spectrum, right, Jenny,
Because you know, you mentioned Pochettino in creating this culture
of belief with Team USA. Team USA love them, but
it's still kind of the little engine that we hope
can and potentially could be a could down the road.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Meanwhile, you're talking to DDA.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
This is a team that has been there, done that,
they're seeking their third straight final. They not just have belief,
they expect to hoist that trophy again. That's got to
be vastly different conversations you've been having between your work
with the US and now with France.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
I like that example a lot, you know, with Risio Pochcino,
and I loved that he instilled that belief in the players.
He often would quote miracle to me Herb Brooks. He
was He also knew I loved hockey, so I think
there was a level of he always would bring it up.
He's like, why not, why can't?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (12:53):
So the US needed that. Yes, But to be honest,
when I'm around the French national team, the level of
skill and depth and experience, and the fact that they've
been there, they've won it, then they lost it, you
know they're not for revenge redemption in a lot of ways.
I mean, losing a World Cup final four years ago
for them, that hurt. And they have just so much skill.
(13:16):
Ddia knows how to manage this team. I love Killian
and Bappe and his leadership and usman de Mele, who's
this incredible leader in his own I mean, they have
just so many skilled players and they understand the challenge
right and Morocco's not gonna be easy today. I really
expect an incredible match. But to me, when you look
at France, it's hard to it's hard to not see
(13:39):
that they can make it all the way to the final,
and who knows Argentina finds the way to keep winning.
So maybe we've got a rematch from four years ago.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Time for one more.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Yeah, I'm excited to hear your your pregame with DDIA
because for me, you know, it's it's constructing a team.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
It's almost so push button.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
It comes down to how he manages egos like a
Michael for instance. This guy's a superstar in his own right,
but eighty percent of his job is finding ways to
feed im bope and.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
They have to buy into that.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
I know what's crazy when you think about a dream team,
but that takes work for a team that is seeking
the ultimate prize here.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
In a week and change.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
I think that is actually one of the questions I
asked him, and I want to I'm excited. I'll send
it to you after we get off the phone and
you can see it ahead of time. But it was
kind of like people ask me, how hard is it
to manage embape and all the skill you have, and
he's like, but this is the dream. They all understand
the collective goal. I don't have a group of I
have a group of individual stars, but I have a
group of individual stars that want to win as a team.
(14:40):
And when I interviewed him Bape, he never talked about himself.
It was always team first, team first, the captain, the role,
the honor of that. I think they understand that. I
think that is part of that DDA message. And I
have one hundred percent fully switched skiers. And I'd beling
you if I'd said I've been with them throughout the tournament.
I was always with the US, but I've been around
them enough in years past. They it's a familiar face.
(15:01):
They've seen me before. So I had a great chow
with DDIA yesterday and hopefully plenty more to go, because
as we know, this tournament is not done. We're still
building towards July nineteenth, the final.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Alrighty go Crimson, go, Daughters and Dance and or of
wah have a great day today.
Speaker 4 (15:19):
Oh wow, of your toe.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Jemmapel Paul, have a wonderful day.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Thank you guys. It's so nice to catch up.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Yeah, you're awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Bye.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
That's Jenny Taff from Fox. She's a heavy hitter with Fox.
By the way, she does terrific work for him College
Football World Cup. She does a lot of great things
at Jenny tafft He dined as Jenny taff Go Crimson
at Jenny Tafft via ex If you'd like to learn
more about the provincial spot to begin nine to noon
(15:51):
where the Minnesota Twins, Ladies and gentlemen the Minnesota Twins.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Just in case hashtag Faith Radio you haven't been following
it back closely?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Well, they beat Cleveland last night in dramatic fashion, which
means they've won seven of their last eight series. Thus,
manager Derek Shelton joins nine to noon around the Corner
part of the Timber Tech What's on Deck setlist at
f M one hundred point three k f a N.
Speaker 6 (16:20):
Good morning, This is PA on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
We'll we'll come.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Back nine to noon.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
At themoint three KAM. After the Twins win last night,
they were saying thank you Minneapolis, as were we, and
to chat about that and more. Very happy to reconvene
with Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Mister Shelte, how about last night?
Speaker 3 (17:32):
It's Alan Rodin who closed out Cleveland with a walk
off and won you another series.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Good morning, mister manager. And what did you think about
the win?
Speaker 7 (17:41):
Good morning? I mean it took me a while to
get back on. You told me this winter I was
going to be able to come on, and I had
to wait till almost July to get back on. So
it's killing me a little bit. But it's good to
hear your voice.
Speaker 8 (17:52):
Yeah, I mean, good victory for us last night, Rodin
coming through with a big hit late to be able
to get us a victory.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Well, I mean, since you went down that road, you know,
we are in the endorsement business, so I'm sure we
can find I mean, if you want to come on
weekly after the All Star break, we're not going to
say no. And if you like us to try to
find a Woodford reserve like endorsement or something like that,
I'm sure we probably could make that happen.
Speaker 8 (18:21):
Well, I'm saying, if there's an endorsement to be found,
I'm sure we could have a conversation or.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
We can say, truthfully in nine to Noon fashion, we
waited for you to win seven of the last eight
series and then get right next to the All Star
break when it's all chilling everything to call you.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
I mean, that's not bad timing, right, No, I'll take it.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
I'll take it. It's just good to talk to you with.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Alan Rodin for those who maybe didn't know much about him.
What has this young man been through to get the
chance to join the big club and win a game
like last night, Well.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
I think a lot.
Speaker 8 (18:57):
I mean, he's a kid we acquired last year in
a tray from Toronto, came to the big leagues and
ended up getting hurt, spent all winter working out here
in the Twin Cities, came into camp, got really kind
of caught in the numbers game a little bit with
the number of outfitters we have, went to Saint Paul,
got hurt again, and then you know, was able to
(19:19):
work his way back, was playing really well in Saint Paul,
and then you know, so one of those times it's
just a situation of you need something else to happen,
and we had some other injuries and and he got
to call up. But I think that it's a testament
to number one to road and just with as much
as he's kind of battled through this year or over
the last over the last year, and then as importantly
(19:39):
the kind of mentality of this club where it really
doesn't matter who it is, but people are stepping up
every night.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
Well there, you know, depending on how your your right
hand man Dustin Morris is feeling this morning. Uh, there's
an outside chance an hour ten minutes from now, mister
Roden will be joining the nine to noon radio show.
And if he does with one of those sneaky clubhouse calls,
we make days you have matinees. One of the questions
that I want to ask him is when you're in
(20:07):
Saint Paul and you're tearing it up like he was,
I mean, how do you avoid just like looking at
your phone waiting for your agent to call or text
to get that call to the bigs because it could
provide a distraction.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
That just has to be a difficult life, right.
Speaker 8 (20:25):
Yeah, it's very challenging. And I think, you know, one
of the beautiful things about the Twin Cities is the
fact that Saint Paul is right across the river and
we're able to have very quick access to our Triple
A players. The secondary component to that is if you're
playing well in Triple A, you're right across the river
and you're wondering when am I going to get my call?
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Sometimes?
Speaker 8 (20:45):
And I think, as you know and have probably highlighted
on your show, our offense has been really good this year,
and I mean leading the American League run scored. Sometimes
it takes an opportunity, you know, even though you're playing well,
there's people that are playing you know, the position you're playing,
or there's other situations and you don't get that opportunity.
In this situation with buckoing on the IL, Allen was
(21:07):
able to get the opportunity and came through fourth last night.
But it is, to your point, probably one of the
most challenging aspects of being.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
A triple A player.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Well with that offense that, I mean, it has been fantastic.
Specifically the last couple of months, Cody Clemens has had
a fair amount to do with it. Now, early in
the game, Cody missed a home run by a few inches.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
He ends up three for four.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
It was Clemens' fifth multi hit game the last seven,
and he's hitting four hundred this month. What's clicking so
well with Cody Clemmons, Well.
Speaker 8 (21:40):
I think there's a couple components. Number one, it's just opportunity.
I mean, he's another kid that we acquired last year,
got the opportunity to play every day, hit nineteen homers.
But this year it's just really good aggressive swings. I mean,
the one thing about Cody that you love is he's
just a true baseball player. He's played first, second, right, left,
center field. You know, can play all over the diamond.
(22:02):
Does not change his approach at the plate. And he's
just one of those guys that you know was in
an organization or has been in organizations where they didn't
have it bats for him, and sometimes it just is
the opportunity that comes into play and he's really capitalizing
on it.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Derek Shelton, manager for the Minnesota Twins. They've won this
series against Cleveland. They get Gavin Williams today to try
to achieve the sweep. Then the La Angels are here
this weekend, then the All Star break. Now you get
Bailey over back today. That's nothing but good news. What
are you looking for from him off the month and
a half layoff.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Well, he's had a couple of starts, a couple of
rehob starts. So today it will be a little bit
of a shorter out in just the fact that we
will continue to control the pitches as he works his
way back.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Just looking for him to go out and throw strikes.
Speaker 8 (22:52):
I mean, I think that's the most important thing working
back into the major leagues. Not wanting him to do
too much. I think the one thing we know about
Bailey is he has the ability need to mix all
of his pitches and use the change.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Up effectively to both sides.
Speaker 8 (23:05):
But today, just looking for him to go out and
give us as many innings as he can and then
we'll build him up after the break.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
And speaking of pitching, Holy cal Sheltea, Taj Bradley gave
you such a wonderful start Tuesday night. What a great
way to start a series with something like that. Taj,
what do you think of Tuesday?
Speaker 8 (23:23):
Yeah, I mean he was electric on Tuesday. It's the
best stuff we've seen.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Out of him.
Speaker 8 (23:27):
The last three or four starts have just been really good.
I really love the facts for Twins fans is we're
kind of watching this kid grow up in front of us.
I mean, he's only twenty four to twenty five years old.
The pitch mix just continues to get better. And you know,
if you look at his strikeouts per nine innings, it's
in the top ten in baseball, and with him and
(23:47):
Joe Ryan, we're the only team to have two guys.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
On that list.
Speaker 8 (23:50):
But the execution of all of his pitches, it just
seems like he continues to get sharper and better and
better every time out in you know, it's been fun
to watch and Tuesday, man, it was it was really good.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
And you I mean, having this position second time as
a manager, you got a squad that's playing really well
for you right now, but you got you know, you
got Pablo Lopez walking around the dugout during games. You
can't dwell, right, You can't look at Pablo and be like,
you know, if we had Pablo, we had Jojo, we
had Taj going like he's going now, and if we
(24:24):
get Bailey up to speed, we take a lot of
heat off this bullpen and probably would be even better.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
You just can't look at it that way, right.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
No, there's no way.
Speaker 8 (24:33):
I mean, there's no reason, especially since we lost Pablo
the first day of spring training. The way I looked
at Pablo Lopez is he's probably the most engaged player
that on the injured reserve of anybody I've ever seen
in all my time in the big leagues. The fact
that he's in our clubhouse every day, He's in our
dugout all game long, the attitude he has, his engagement,
(24:54):
his ability to talk to young players. You know, can
you sit and dream of like, damn, it'd be really
nice to have him in the rotation. Yeah, you know,
you can do that all day long. But I think
the person that he is and what he provides to
our young players every day, it's something that's really vital
and just appreciate, you know, how he goes about it.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
Derek Shelton, manager of the Minnesota Twins Matt and A
today against Cleveland. Well, I you know, there were there
were several things I loved last night, Shelty, including how
after Cleveland took the lead, you guys came back bottom
seven and tied to five. Now, a couple in the
couple from their bullpen, a couple of their bullpen guys
walked five guys that inning, including walking in both tying runs. So,
(25:36):
when when guys are missing the mark like that, like
they were, what's the read in the dugout?
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Do do?
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Do you tell your guys to take until somebody proves
they can throw a strike?
Speaker 8 (25:49):
Well, I think it's a situation depending on who the
picture is in our in last night situation, Yeah, we
got into the situation where it was like we were
going to make him throw strikes. I mean, he didn't
throw a strike until he got to Cody.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (26:00):
But our approach has been so consistent and so good
that at times I don't even have to talk to
our guys about that. They just stay, you know, with
that kind of grinder mentality they've had throughout the year.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Now, as I mentioned earlier, Derek, you guys have won
seven of your last eight series. Is winning a series
at Yankee Stadium different with all the history and it
being fourth of July weekend in New York City?
Speaker 8 (26:28):
I think it is different because you have young players
that are going in there, sometimes for the first time
or second time, and there is something different about going into,
you know, one of the major markets, going into Boston,
New York, Chicago, and being able to do that. I
was just really pleased with the way we played, the
way we were consistent.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
The whole weekend.
Speaker 8 (26:48):
You know, we had to battle some weather a couple
of the days, which is you know, challenging, and then
you're in there on a holiday weekend, so it's big
and there's all eyes on you. And the fact that
we were able to respond, and then you know, well secondarily,
which I didn't know until after the series, you know, Historically,
the Twins have not played well in New York, and
to go in there and kind of mix that up
(27:09):
a little bit was really good.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
For our group.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Now now, so it's it's it's almost five months that
you've been with these guys since spring training. What what
what are you noticing about the clubhouse demeanor after like
walk off wins or super tough losses. What's what's forming
here with how they handle all circumstances.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Yeah. I love our culture.
Speaker 8 (27:33):
I mean this group of kids, they really like to
be around each other. And if you've you've heard any
of them talk postgame, pregame, good, bad, and different. A
lot of them talk about how much fun they're having.
And I know that sounds crazy because we're playing a game,
but you know, sometimes this becomes a business, and a
lot of times it becomes a business. But with this group,
(27:54):
they really enjoy being around each other. And I think
one of the things that stands out to me is
you said we won seven of the eight last eight series.
The series that we didn't win was against the Dodgers,
and we played two really good games and got beaten
one run games. And after that sweep, I came out
of my office, and there were seven or eight guys
after a night game sitting there, eating together, having a beer.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
We were going into an off day.
Speaker 8 (28:16):
They ended up sitting there for a little while longer,
playing some cards. What that tells me is they like
being around each other, and they don't change whether it's
a tough loss that night of four to three loss
to the defending world champions or last night when there's
a walk off and we're going into a day game.
They keep that same demeanor and the fact that they
really just enjoy the fact that they're together. And I
(28:38):
think that's a true testament to the leadership we have
in our clubhouse, and Buck and Josh Bell and Taylor
Rodgers and then the young kids that have all.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
Come up together. They really enjoy the time they spend together.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
That's fantastic. I love how you laid that out. So today,
what are some keys to getting to Gavin Williams. He
can be quite good, as you know by you guys
roughed him up a bit early May and he's had
some five and fly to him the last six starts.
Speaker 8 (29:08):
Yeah, Well, the biggest thing is we can't chase him.
I mean, I think, as you pointed, out here, Paul.
This stuff is really good, and Cleveland's pitchers historically have
historically they've had really good stuff. The big thing for
us today is we cannot chase him off the plate.
He wants us to go off the plate. He wants
us to chase his breaking stuff. And we got to
make sure that he comes on the plate. It's what
we did in May to him.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
And had success, and we need to replicate that today.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
So that's I mean, correct me if I'm wrong here,
but I mean, that's a lot different than the guy
last night, right who started with the sweepers and stuff,
but he like throws three different fastballs. So you mentally,
you just got to change today, right, Yeah, you.
Speaker 8 (29:45):
Just change your I mean, it's day to day, and
I think, as we've talked about before, the whole point
of baseball is the fact that the guy on the
mound that day, the starter on the mound that day,
can dictate the entire game, and we got to make
sure that we stay with our approach and we don't
let him dictate, you know, how he goes about it.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
Last one for you here, my brother, thanks for the time.
Glenn Perkins was on this radio show yesterday and he
said that these guys are running through walls for you.
So what did you learn from your six years managing
the Pirates that's helping you best connect with the players here.
Speaker 6 (30:26):
Wow.
Speaker 8 (30:27):
Number one, I appreciate Perks saying that's that's very humbling
coming from someone like him that's.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Around our club every day.
Speaker 8 (30:34):
I think the thing I learned is, I think there's
a couple of things. Number One, you really have to
over communicate, and I think in Pittsburgh and we talked
about it this winter when I was in studio with you,
Like I think at the end of my time that
I didn't communicate as well as I would have liked,
and I wasn't as clear. And then I think the
second thing is is when you do a job for
(30:56):
this second time, or you get older, maybe a little wiser,
you realized some of the things that bothered you or
you worried about you just need to move on to
the next thing and focus on the things that are
important to you. And you know, it takes time to
learn that, especially in this job. And I hope that
(31:17):
I'm doing a better job of it, you know, a
second time around.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
All right, The Angel Sands Mike Trout are here this
weekend than the All Star break. Other than maybe calmly
sipping some Woodford Reserve and listening to Pearl Jam live
on YouTube, what else do you have up your sleeve
for some relaxation.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
For the All Star break? Well, I'm actually going to Philly.
Speaker 8 (31:41):
I was selected to be on the staff in Philly,
so I will be in Philly watching the game, spending
it with my wife and my two daughters. So that
should be a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
That's going to be relaxing in its own right.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
All right, call you in a couple of weeks to
us start the second start second half of the season.
Speaker 1 (31:58):
Thank you, Derek.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yes, see about that's a Derek Shelton, manager of the
Minnesota Twins, winners of seven of their last eight series.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
That's that's fantastic. Little cycle.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
Nine to Noon continues with bikes Bites after this cit.
Speaker 9 (32:16):
This is Petere Welcome back nine to Noon. It is
time for.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
By bikes Bites nine to Noon.
Speaker 5 (32:36):
Courtesy of kin Mount Exteriors Kinmount Exteriors dot Com.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
It's clear, it's honest, it's kin Mount.
Speaker 5 (32:44):
If you're looking for windows, siding, roofing and decks, the
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now a talker that that you had bandied about, and
it is the first place we'll go. Maybe there's even
talkbacks associated with this free iHeartRadio app fire Away, got
super Bowl slogans, all sorts of things. But a question
(33:08):
that you pondered, Pa, was where are we weak?
Speaker 3 (33:13):
Where are the Minnesota vikings week into the two zero
two six? Where are we weak?
Speaker 5 (33:18):
And I'm taking the quarterback conversation and just the unknowns
and all of that, If it's okay with you, I'm
taking that out of the mix as we start to
analyze this year, and I'm going to start here, and
I'm going to start with where are we weak in
twenty twenty six? And maybe it's fair to preface, maybe
(33:40):
it's not until proven otherwise, I believe that we are
weak at the cornerback spot. So we know about Murph,
we know about Rogers Byron Murphy Junior with all that
interception and splashy play related production two seasons ago, A
little bit lighter twenty twenty five, hoping for a bounce
(34:01):
back for old Byron, Yes, Sir Isaiah Rodgers splashy as
he was at times that's our top two and then
what so enter James Pierre and James Pierre special teams
duties and spot duty on the field defensively during his
tenure with the with the Pittsburgh Steelers is the grand
(34:22):
unknown in this equation for me, and then you know
behind him, I'm excited to meet this, This Chuck Demings,
this Steven f Austin cat fifth rounder, okays Amaya Vaughn,
Alex Lewis's favorite player from a year ago.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
We know all the names, and it's weird.
Speaker 5 (34:37):
To think about it, given how much respect and trust
that we have in Brian Flores that we are talking
about a weak spot specifically defensively. But when you look
at the names as it stands now until proven otherwise,
I do look at the cornerback group as being weak
as it pertains to what we're projecting for the twenty
(34:57):
twenty six Minnesota Vikings.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Which ties into something I'm looking forward to bringing up
with Ben leeber beloved Natcho fifteen minutes from now is
you know, you know, it's whether James Pierre is better
than Fabian Moreau that only time will tell. Davey Rogers
and Murphy specifically Rogers second year in this system.
Speaker 1 (35:21):
I mean they should they.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Should provide what they provided last year, and nobody was
getting over the top of the Minnesota Vikings. But that's
a design of the heavy rush defense, which which gets
me to something where you can't say it's weak now
because you'd be wrong. I just wonder if Andrew Van
(35:43):
Ginkel and Dallas Turner don't play all or a majority
of the games, what's going to happen with that edge
rushing situation. You know they're they're they're counting a lot
on Dallas Turner. Van Ginkle had some neck problems last
year and he's into the final year of his deal here,
so that those two are so important to the totality
(36:05):
of the defense, but specifically protecting exactly what you just
talked about, where those three corners are going to play
a lot. Now, if there is a pass rush from
all over the place in plague or a meeba like fashion, well,
Van Ginkle and Dallas Turner are gonna have a lot
to do with that.
Speaker 1 (36:25):
So you've got to keep them healthy. Well, let me
let me go back.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
You mentioned you couldn't call the edge situation weak because
you'd be wrong. Now, I think that it's similar to
the cornerback room as I as I presented it until
proven otherwise. Losing Jonathan Renard right and slotting in Dallas Turner.
That is a weaker situation until proven otherwise, is it not?
(36:52):
And given what we saw last year from Van Ginkel,
we need we need that Vet to stay on the field.
We need him jumping routes and produce and sadly that
was taken away from him a little bit and hence
the defense.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
But you're right, and so while I.
Speaker 5 (37:05):
Totally agree that one works hand in hand, in fact,
I would prefer the current cornerback situation if I knew
that the edge rushing was going to be spot on,
because that does, indeed a can indeed make up maybe
for some imperfections on the back end. But for me,
that that was where I was actually going to go
next Pa is the unknown of Dallas Turner. Love again
(37:29):
the growth that we saw from him into year two.
But then it is about staying on the field. And
outside of that then it's we're talking about you know,
your Smith Wilbert's and your Tyler Batties of the world
and maybe some some uh not Wilbert, not Smith Wilbert,
but rich There we go Bo Richter, for that's gonna
be the the training camp conundrum. That's some training camp
(37:51):
convos in terms of.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
How that particular group looks.
Speaker 5 (37:55):
So until proven otherwise, Dallas Turner is a stepped down
from what we enjoyed and appreciated about Jonathan Grinard right now,
he I believe he had six sacks in his final
eight games and a little little run there going.
Speaker 3 (38:13):
Yeah, so he caught fire at the end of the
of the at the right time, at the end of
the race. So then now they move on and they
they they pull one from the stable, Jonathan Grenard, and
they elevate Dallas. So the belief with them has to
be that what they got from Dallas Turner from what
(38:35):
we all saw with the sacks and doing a lot
better job of getting off blocks like I mean.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
He'd get.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
There are times, I mean, and specifically in his rookie year,
he gets swallowed up by offensive linemen and I'm just
like wondering, you know what the moves are, Well, the
moves started to take place, he got swallowed up. Less
his work against the run will be tested. But but
those two staying healthy for all of them or a
(39:04):
majority of them. That's a defensive a topic for the
twenty twenty six Minnesota vikings.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
Ay topic exchange. Josh Chamblis, though, jumping.
Speaker 5 (39:14):
Back to corners for just a baby second. You know,
if if Pierre, if Pierre struggles at times or there
is an issue because you mentioned it, Murph and Rogers,
I think they collected. I think they were ninety five
ish percent in snaps last year. That's probably going to
have to happen again. Do you see an element with
the fifteen safeties that we have on the team where
you know, flow can adjust flow, can you know, put
(39:37):
a different chess piece in the mix? You know, if
Pierre potentially isn't providing everything that you need so that
the secondary group could we could we look at it
more broadly and just say the secondary group in totality
versus focusing in.
Speaker 1 (39:52):
On the corners mostly.
Speaker 3 (39:55):
I I you know, Jacoby Thomas, the rookie cane, the
the defense they played at the University of Miami at times,
and I've shared this just in passing before at times
was what Brian Flores does here. So teams have mixers.
In other words, you got the Flores base and we
(40:17):
all know that because we're lead.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Football minds here.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
That's the three four hybrid with floaters floaters. Okay, So
there are teams that will take what he does with
the floaters and mix it into like a four to
three and do it differently.
Speaker 1 (40:31):
So teams are borrowing from each other all the time.
Speaker 3 (40:34):
Floraes last offseason, you know, paraphrase, and he was talking about,
you know, what he's done on his downtime, and I
think he equipped like I'm watching Vic Fangio and Steve
Spagnolo film and they would say the same thing about him. Now, Thomas,
from what I've been from from you know, from from
what I've.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Gleaned, was very impactful when when they.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Would have seven across the line of scrimmage and have
a little B flow flow to it. Now was as
strictly as the safety. Does that mean he's covering guys
out of the slot. That only time will tell with
that Davy, but with James Pierre and Isaiah Rodgers had
a fine season last year, specifically for his first season
with a very complicated defense. Should be a lot better
(41:19):
this year in certain facets of his game. But like
Rogers last year in free agency. Let's not forget when
the when all the big names were heading here, there
and everywhere. Old B Flow and the Minnesota Vikings rolled
in early in the equation and plucked James Pierre. Yeah,
so that is that's an indicator Isaiah Rodgers esque, the
(41:42):
way that they went after him.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
Yeah, and the.
Speaker 3 (41:44):
Take was good last year in that they wanted to
get somebody they wanted for sure, and they didn't want
to jack around with dealing with other teams. So with Pierre,
a player with whom Flores was in Pittsburgh, so clearly
he saw something he liked, He wanted him, didn't want
(42:05):
to mess around with other teams, you know, flirting with him.
So the fact that a super well respected defensive coordinator
identified a skill set that may play thirty forty percent
of the game whatever, Yeah, that's very important to me.
And and it was right with Rogers. I think it'll
be right with Pierre.
Speaker 5 (42:24):
Oh and by the way, if you respect Flow in
his eye, if maybe that wasn't enough, well they just
took their dbacks coach Gerald Alexander and brought him to
Minnesota anyway, So one way or another, that's gonna work.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
Deronte Jones leaves and becomes defensive coordinator for the Commanders.
Speaker 5 (42:44):
Mike Spikes, thank you so much, kim Mount Exteriors, Kimmount
Exteriors dot Com.
Speaker 3 (42:50):
Yeah this, this, this Jacoby Thomas excites me and does
Poopy Dave love. Now now that we're starting to think
about like is Harrison Smith going to return that you
know it's it's with respect and and maybe it's an
absolute no. I would just like to know because it
factors into playing time for guys who I think are
(43:12):
going to be key.
Speaker 1 (43:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (43:14):
This this this Jacoby Thomas. I mean if he picks
up on it, and if he's able to get the
tricks down so that learned quarterbacks are not able to
look at him and say, ah, I see what you're
doing there. I saw that on filmed from two days ago,
two games ago. So we're gonna go over here and
get a first down if he's able to sell things
like that. As a scholar of the game, I think
(43:35):
they really really hit on one with Jacoby Thomas.
Speaker 1 (43:38):
Now that's sweet.
Speaker 5 (43:39):
If hit Man does come back, Jacoby will will suffer
maybe in terms of reps, but you think jay Ward's.
Speaker 1 (43:44):
Center on going to come on man. Well, see Jay
finished really well last year, and that's what I've heard
as well, and it's on the come a little bit
right there. Excuse me.
Speaker 3 (43:53):
They're they're quite high on Jay Ward, who is hybrid
safety corner, so they're starting to mix Ward in as
the three and a half fourth corner.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
So that plays into the equation too.
Speaker 5 (44:07):
Bike Spyes, bikes bytes, king mount exteriors. Let me hit
you with one more and then maybe we can even
continue this conversation with Ben Lieber.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Dig it until proven otherwise. That's kind of the preface
that I've put for these here. Whether it's the corners,
it's on the edge.
Speaker 5 (44:22):
We are weak potentially at the running back spot PA
eight rush TD from Mason and Jones. Last year Jones
banged up, missed five games. Wonder how hobbled he was,
and some of the other twelve. Mason not an elite
catching running back per Carrey dug it. It was borderline top ten,
but the rhythm of the game, finding more opportunities and
(44:43):
success in mass to run nineteenth in red zone offense.
So this is one of those things where again projections
and what we have the O line plays a factor
the QB plays a factor. I get all that, but
it's still something I believe with room to grow, really
pumped to get in person eyes on Demand Claiborn can
(45:04):
can the rookie be splashy?
Speaker 1 (45:05):
Talk about young kids getting reps?
Speaker 5 (45:07):
We talked about it with the Wolves in Summer League
and potential opportunities for the Owl.
Speaker 1 (45:11):
Similarly, maybe for the.
Speaker 5 (45:12):
Purple or the evolution of Mason better offensive line, how
that plays into it. I just I look at the
run game as something that I'll be I'll be focused
on in camp and beyond.
Speaker 3 (45:22):
With respect, I think the a topic has been left out.
That's the addition of Frank Smith, the assistant head coach,
with with new running schemes, things that Miami did with
a chain uh, the forty nine ers did with Kyle Shanahan.
I fully believe having Frank Smith in the mix is
(45:42):
absolutely the reason they drafted Max bredis him. I think
it has a lot to do with why they drafted
Demand Claiborn, and and I actually believe once we get
up and running, pardon the pun, I think the running
game is going to be a strength of the Minister Vikings.
Frank Smith has a lot to do with it, man,
(46:03):
I mean, you might have been gone when I think
you were when I shared I was that guy the
honor of going to Adam Thielen's retirement party and I
chatted with I didn't say the name, but there's just
somebody who deeply rooted in the Covenant would know exactly
what they're talking about when it comes to the running game.
(46:23):
And you know, it was just a question in passing
with this person about the quarterback situation here, and the
individual had zero desire to talk. He's like, I don't
care who the quarterback is. Frank Smith ABCD, Retison ab CD,
(46:44):
Claiborne ABCD, Jones and Mason ABCD. I mean, this individual
was incredibly excited, but he said it twice to me.
He's like, dude, I don't care who the quarterback is.
With the way I think this thing's going to work out, well.
Speaker 5 (47:01):
I'm loving the hopeful and the optimistic nature Frank Smith.
His reputation and his resume precedes him so absolutely as
we get a chance to see that into into this season.
Speaker 1 (47:12):
The run game, on the bounce back, the run game.
Speaker 5 (47:15):
It's new, it's different, it's fresh, and that's vits bites
brought to you by Kinmount Exteriors Kinmount exteriors dot com.
Speaker 3 (47:22):
Here comes not Joe Lieber to begin the second hour
of nine to noon to that been one hundred point
three k yup A.
Speaker 6 (47:31):
If you're listening live to Paul Allen and nine to
New
And let it go. Bye bye, bye, bye bye.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Good morning.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
This is the nine to noon radio Freezing Tale and
F one point three k f A and let's begin
today's merrymaking by heading to Boston to talk about brands.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Finally did from.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Joining us now is the Dinah's Jenny Taft, who also
happens to handle big things for the Fox TV family,
including the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
And Jenny joins us now.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Uh, by the way, good thing you were an athlete
back in the day, back in the Dina days, Jenny,
because you had you had to quick pivot after Monday night,
didn't you a good morning?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Oh my gosh, hi, good morning. Thank you for having me.
It's always so nice to chat with a familiar voice.
It always brings me back to my Fox Sports Norris.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
The DYNA days.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
But yes, you know, look, we don't need to sit
here and chat about the way it ended for the US.
We deverly ken. But you know the point of this
World Cup is it's so deep, it's it's still going
right like, there's still so many games to play for.
And I've covered France before, so I quickly shifted gears
from my USA and I'm going to be covering the
France team for the rest of this tournament.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
So so wait a minute here, correct me if I'm wrong, Jenny,
you and your family live in the Los Angeles area, right, Actually.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
No, And because we have not caught up in a while,
we are in Boston because my husband has been coaching
ice hockey at Harvard, And ironically, I was able to
just take my daughter to dance camp drop off, which
I'm not gonna lie to you didn't go great. I
was just able to answer the phone for you. I
just got her to dance camp. So I had this
(02:46):
amazing night with my family. It's I've been on the
road really for the last month, which is you know,
a challenge. Yet also, my husband was doing great with
my daughter while I was away covering the World Cup.
So I'm home in Boston, dropped her camp and then
in a couple hours I'm going to cover France Rocco,
which is a pretty wild wild day.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yeah, that's three o'clock Central today, and that's fantastic. Jenny
Taft he dined as Jenny Taft Fox. We'll see her
on TV today. Last thing from me on Monday, and
I watched some of the interviews here but like, overall,
how were they after the game? Like I saw the interviews,
but interacting with the Americans after all the work is done,
(03:29):
how down were they?
Speaker 4 (03:32):
They were so down? I mean, it's almost hard to
even put into words.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
I think the.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
Hardest part about a World Cup, about any tournament, but
soccer can be such a cruel sport because you have
this incredible momentum and the three weeks of the country
rallying behind you, and it just ends abruptly, right, So
the players, they all know that, they all felt that.
I saw so many tears and it was a team
that truly believed. Why not US? I think Mauricio Poccino,
(03:57):
I will give him a lot of credit. He had
them believing. There was a culture and a tightness to
this team that I personally thought was maybe the closest
group I'd ever seen. A lot of these guys had
grown up together. So yeah, I saw a lot of
tears and devastation, and then the next day they're all
heading home or back to their club team. So that's
the hardest part about a World Cup. Yet seeing them
(04:18):
just totally inspire the US really, for me is an
experience I'll never forget. I think sometimes we as reporters
and you know this, like you kind of take the
emotion out of it. And I even was choked up
singing country Road and listening at the end of some
of those wins, just because the fandom and the excitement.
So I can think two things can be true. It
(04:40):
was an amazing journey and a devastating loss, and both
are true. But I think they'll be a hunger from
a lot of those guys that will be available from
four years from now. So it's only just the beginning,
all right.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So wait a second here.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Your husband is a coach with the Harvard College hockey team.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
They finished last.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Year I believe somewhere in the mid twenties, like twenty
three in the pair. Wise, what kind of squad do
we have with this Harvard College hockey team?
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Oh my gosh, I wish I could tell you I
have any idea of the future of where they're at.
I feel like I haven't been a supportive wife in
that way to be to be in the mix on
where they're at. But I know he's loved the experience,
he's loved being back in college hockey. He played at
Boston University and coached the national team for a couple
of years, so we've been on the move for the
(05:28):
last couple of years. But also really lucky to be
in hockey for him. I mean, hey, Minnesota, maybe we'll
end up there one day, right, we love our hockey there.
That would be a win win for me. But no,
he's enjoying it for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
All right now.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Now, Jenny is she's in Boston where she lives to
to cover France and Morocco three o'clock Central today, and
Jenny speaks fluent French. And I'm not kidding with this.
For instance, please say in French you're listening.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
To nine to noon.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Met noo josekut nef aduz beautiful.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
So do you ask the French players questions in French
during press conferences and stuff?
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Yeah, so it's pretty wild. I cannot believe that Normandale
French immersion you dine in Minnesota public school was the way.
And I will tell you I complained about it. I said, Mom, Dad,
I'm never going to use this. And then I sat
down with Mbappe before the World Cup and I got
a text from my mom and I think it just
said mbope question mark like a quick reminder like you're
(06:37):
welcome for sending you to Normandale. And you know, I
kaya kept it up a little bit, not a ton
after college, but I covered France at the World Cup
in Russia, so that was twenty eighteen, and because the
US wasn't there, I did kind of pivot to focus
on France. And there's like that fake it till you
make it. I was like, I say, French, I can
(06:57):
do this. So I've I've been using it, I've been
practice thing with it. But yesterday I was talking to
DDA to shomp in French and he was like, well,
he actually really enjoys doing interviews with you because your
French is good enough. Wow, it's really fun for me.
And thankfully Imbappe now his English is incredible, so we
could do the interview in English, but a lot of
the players prefer French. But most of the time they
(07:18):
just appreciate the effort. So I'll ask a question in French,
follow up in English. They all really can answer in English,
and it's better for our audience to be in English.
But DDA is French only, so I have an interview
with him airing before the match, which is kind of fun.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Well, that's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I don't know how much of the NBA Finals you
watched or the press conferences, but like with Victor Wembinyama,
with Wemen in his postgame press conferences, you know, when
he would get questions in English, what I really liked
about him is he would pause like five seconds to
make sure he heard it right, make sure he processes
it right and answers the right way.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Now he'd give like a ten to fifteen word answer.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Now, a couple of people would ask questions and French,
I mean they basically would chat for like two minutes
in the press conference. He was so appreciative to hear
his native language, specifically in situations that can be quite tense,
know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Oh, it's a great example because it so much of
it is just the respect. Like I'll never forget twenty
eighteen when a couple of the players were like, you're
really gonna ask us in French? Like really, we all right?
And it was really winning them over, like even their
French press officer. For them for me to say I'll
do it in French or English just means so much
to them. And then oftentimes they'll even start answering in
(08:36):
French and then pivot to English throughout the conversation. So
I've I love the challenge. I'm gonna be honest. English
is hard enough in a postgame interview, but the French
is just like a crazy thing that I've been able
to practice. I was sitting with a tutor ahead of
the World Cup just having conversations and it's by no
means perfect, but it's definitely good enough and just what
(08:58):
a treat that I can use it. And hopefully France
keeps this thing going and we'll have a lot.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Of interviews at Jenny Taft via x Idina's Jenny Taft
with a Fox TV France Morocco today on Fox about
six hours from now.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
So what will your role for the day be?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Sure, So, I am the pitch side reporter, which I
think especially for your audience. It's such a football audience.
It's so different than my role covering the Big ten. Right,
I'm as a sideline reporter for college football. I'm roaming.
I'm I'm really right in there. I can get all
the way up to the bench. FIFA and any World Cup,
the rules are so so strict, so you're basically given
a specific feat on the pitch like you are truly sitting.
(09:39):
I can't stand up normally. Sometimes it's next to the
bench osish if you're covering the US. But since it's
a French match, my priority will be lower and I'll
probably be behind the net in some way. So I'm
going to offer perspective reports before the match, after the match.
But really my role is the postgame interviews. I think
that's most important for a World Cup because as you know,
(10:00):
you know a FIFA World Cup, FIFA controls the camera,
so Fox is the rights holder and you're watching all
the images, but they control the shot. So my role
in game is less important. It's really pregame and postgame
interviews and storytelling along the way.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Now, the producer Nordo is the elite soccer mind in
this Covenant, and he has some soccer related questions for
Jenny taff Well.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
I wanted to start here, Jenny, just going backwards a bit.
You mentioned it in brief, but can you describe being
so close to it as you are, the cultural collision
on the streets during this cup, Like it's so awesome
to see it, the celebrations, the pride of these people.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
It kind of sets the perfect backdrop for the tourney.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
And it's just as your role is in covering this tournament,
getting so close with some of these teams, have you
been able to experience that and be embedded with that.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
It's a great way to look at it. And I
appreciate the question because I kept telling my friends like,
just wait, wait till the World Cup comes to America,
and you know, it's hard to even know what it'll
be like. I mean, just everything from my girlfriends is
the funny example. But I can't get enough of Earling Holland.
They didn't know who Earling Holland was before this tournament.
(11:14):
I mean, all these stars that you're kind of getting
to know. And the joke among my friends were like,
what if he had played ice hockey? Can you imagine?
That was what we'd all been chatting about. But I
think seeing the fans just kind of take over these
cities totally embrace the World Cup, every culture, every fan base.
I have seen that. I've covered this my six World
Cup between the men's and women's, which is wild. And
(11:35):
I was in Russia and Qatar for the men's World Cups,
and I still saw those fans and those cultures show up.
So I was just so excited for Americans to get
to understand the passion of the game, because look, as
we all know, soccer's are a number one, but why
can't it be one of those sports that we all
rally around. And while the US loss is devastating, seeing
everyone talk about the loss the next day is such
(11:57):
a positive step in the right direction. And you know,
you're soccer guy, so that's just it's just the beginning.
And that's what I think was so exciting about.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Well, and you're kind of experiencing both ends of that spectrum, right, Jenny,
Because you know, you mentioned Pochettino in creating this culture
of belief with Team USA. Team USA love them, but
it's still kind of the little engine that we hope
can and potentially could be a could down the road.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Meanwhile, you're talking to DDA.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
This is a team that has been there, done that,
they're seeking their third straight final. They not just have belief,
they expect to hoist that trophy again. That's got to
be vastly different conversations you've been having between your work
with the US and now with France.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
I like that example a lot, you know, with Risio Pochcino,
and I loved that he instilled that belief in the players.
He often would quote miracle to me Herb Brooks. He
was He also knew I loved hockey, so I think
there was a level of he always would bring it up.
He's like, why not, why can't?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (12:53):
So the US needed that. Yes, But to be honest,
when I'm around the French national team, the level of
skill and depth and experience, and the fact that they've
been there, they've won it, then they lost it, you
know they're not for revenge redemption in a lot of ways.
I mean, losing a World Cup final four years ago
for them, that hurt. And they have just so much skill.
(13:16):
Ddia knows how to manage this team. I love Killian
and Bappe and his leadership and usman de Mele, who's
this incredible leader in his own I mean, they have
just so many skilled players and they understand the challenge
right and Morocco's not gonna be easy today. I really
expect an incredible match. But to me, when you look
at France, it's hard to it's hard to not see
(13:39):
that they can make it all the way to the final,
and who knows Argentina finds the way to keep winning.
So maybe we've got a rematch from four years ago.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Time for one more.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Yeah, I'm excited to hear your your pregame with DDIA
because for me, you know, it's it's constructing a team.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
It's almost so push button.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
It comes down to how he manages egos like a
Michael for instance. This guy's a superstar in his own right,
but eighty percent of his job is finding ways to
feed im bope and.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
They have to buy into that.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
I know what's crazy when you think about a dream team,
but that takes work for a team that is seeking
the ultimate prize here.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
In a week and change.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
I think that is actually one of the questions I
asked him, and I want to I'm excited. I'll send
it to you after we get off the phone and
you can see it ahead of time. But it was
kind of like people ask me, how hard is it
to manage embape and all the skill you have, and
he's like, but this is the dream. They all understand
the collective goal. I don't have a group of I
have a group of individual stars, but I have a
group of individual stars that want to win as a team.
(14:40):
And when I interviewed him Bape, he never talked about himself.
It was always team first, team first, the captain, the role,
the honor of that. I think they understand that. I
think that is part of that DDA message. And I
have one hundred percent fully switched skiers. And I'd beling
you if I'd said I've been with them throughout the tournament.
I was always with the US, but I've been around
them enough in years past. They it's a familiar face.
(15:01):
They've seen me before. So I had a great chow
with DDIA yesterday and hopefully plenty more to go, because
as we know, this tournament is not done. We're still
building towards July nineteenth, the final.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Alrighty go Crimson, go, Daughters and Dance and or of
wah have a great day today.
Speaker 4 (15:19):
Oh wow, of your toe.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Jemmapel Paul, have a wonderful day.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Thank you guys. It's so nice to catch up.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Yeah, you're awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Bye.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
That's Jenny Taff from Fox. She's a heavy hitter with Fox.
By the way, she does terrific work for him College
Football World Cup. She does a lot of great things
at Jenny tafft He dined as Jenny taff Go Crimson
at Jenny Tafft via ex If you'd like to learn
more about the provincial spot to begin nine to noon
(15:51):
where the Minnesota Twins, Ladies and gentlemen the Minnesota Twins.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Just in case hashtag Faith Radio you haven't been following
it back closely?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Well, they beat Cleveland last night in dramatic fashion, which
means they've won seven of their last eight series. Thus,
manager Derek Shelton joins nine to noon around the Corner
part of the Timber Tech What's on Deck setlist at
f M one hundred point three k f a N.
Speaker 6 (16:20):
Good morning, This is PA on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
We'll we'll come.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Back nine to noon.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
At themoint three KAM. After the Twins win last night,
they were saying thank you Minneapolis, as were we, and
to chat about that and more. Very happy to reconvene
with Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Mister Shelte, how about last night?
Speaker 3 (17:32):
It's Alan Rodin who closed out Cleveland with a walk
off and won you another series.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Good morning, mister manager. And what did you think about
the win?
Speaker 7 (17:41):
Good morning? I mean it took me a while to
get back on. You told me this winter I was
going to be able to come on, and I had
to wait till almost July to get back on. So
it's killing me a little bit. But it's good to
hear your voice.
Speaker 8 (17:52):
Yeah, I mean, good victory for us last night, Rodin
coming through with a big hit late to be able
to get us a victory.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Well, I mean, since you went down that road, you know,
we are in the endorsement business, so I'm sure we
can find I mean, if you want to come on
weekly after the All Star break, we're not going to
say no. And if you like us to try to
find a Woodford reserve like endorsement or something like that,
I'm sure we probably could make that happen.
Speaker 8 (18:21):
Well, I'm saying, if there's an endorsement to be found,
I'm sure we could have a conversation or.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
We can say, truthfully in nine to Noon fashion, we
waited for you to win seven of the last eight
series and then get right next to the All Star
break when it's all chilling everything to call you.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
I mean, that's not bad timing, right, No, I'll take it.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
I'll take it. It's just good to talk to you with.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Alan Rodin for those who maybe didn't know much about him.
What has this young man been through to get the
chance to join the big club and win a game
like last night, Well.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
I think a lot.
Speaker 8 (18:57):
I mean, he's a kid we acquired last year in
a tray from Toronto, came to the big leagues and
ended up getting hurt, spent all winter working out here
in the Twin Cities, came into camp, got really kind
of caught in the numbers game a little bit with
the number of outfitters we have, went to Saint Paul,
got hurt again, and then you know, was able to
(19:19):
work his way back, was playing really well in Saint Paul,
and then you know, so one of those times it's
just a situation of you need something else to happen,
and we had some other injuries and and he got
to call up. But I think that it's a testament
to number one to road and just with as much
as he's kind of battled through this year or over
the last over the last year, and then as importantly
(19:39):
the kind of mentality of this club where it really
doesn't matter who it is, but people are stepping up
every night.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
Well there, you know, depending on how your your right
hand man Dustin Morris is feeling this morning. Uh, there's
an outside chance an hour ten minutes from now, mister
Roden will be joining the nine to noon radio show.
And if he does with one of those sneaky clubhouse calls,
we make days you have matinees. One of the questions
that I want to ask him is when you're in
(20:07):
Saint Paul and you're tearing it up like he was,
I mean, how do you avoid just like looking at
your phone waiting for your agent to call or text
to get that call to the bigs because it could
provide a distraction.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
That just has to be a difficult life, right.
Speaker 8 (20:25):
Yeah, it's very challenging. And I think, you know, one
of the beautiful things about the Twin Cities is the
fact that Saint Paul is right across the river and
we're able to have very quick access to our Triple
A players. The secondary component to that is if you're
playing well in Triple A, you're right across the river
and you're wondering when am I going to get my call?
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Sometimes?
Speaker 8 (20:45):
And I think, as you know and have probably highlighted
on your show, our offense has been really good this year,
and I mean leading the American League run scored. Sometimes
it takes an opportunity, you know, even though you're playing well,
there's people that are playing you know, the position you're playing,
or there's other situations and you don't get that opportunity.
In this situation with buckoing on the IL, Allen was
(21:07):
able to get the opportunity and came through fourth last night.
But it is, to your point, probably one of the
most challenging aspects of being.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
A triple A player.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Well with that offense that, I mean, it has been fantastic.
Specifically the last couple of months, Cody Clemens has had
a fair amount to do with it. Now, early in
the game, Cody missed a home run by a few inches.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
He ends up three for four.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
It was Clemens' fifth multi hit game the last seven,
and he's hitting four hundred this month. What's clicking so
well with Cody Clemmons, Well.
Speaker 8 (21:40):
I think there's a couple components. Number one, it's just opportunity.
I mean, he's another kid that we acquired last year,
got the opportunity to play every day, hit nineteen homers.
But this year it's just really good aggressive swings. I mean,
the one thing about Cody that you love is he's
just a true baseball player. He's played first, second, right, left,
center field. You know, can play all over the diamond.
(22:02):
Does not change his approach at the plate. And he's
just one of those guys that you know was in
an organization or has been in organizations where they didn't
have it bats for him, and sometimes it just is
the opportunity that comes into play and he's really capitalizing
on it.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Derek Shelton, manager for the Minnesota Twins. They've won this
series against Cleveland. They get Gavin Williams today to try
to achieve the sweep. Then the La Angels are here
this weekend, then the All Star break. Now you get
Bailey over back today. That's nothing but good news. What
are you looking for from him off the month and
a half layoff.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Well, he's had a couple of starts, a couple of
rehob starts. So today it will be a little bit
of a shorter out in just the fact that we
will continue to control the pitches as he works his
way back.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Just looking for him to go out and throw strikes.
Speaker 8 (22:52):
I mean, I think that's the most important thing working
back into the major leagues. Not wanting him to do
too much. I think the one thing we know about
Bailey is he has the ability need to mix all
of his pitches and use the change.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Up effectively to both sides.
Speaker 8 (23:05):
But today, just looking for him to go out and
give us as many innings as he can and then
we'll build him up after the break.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
And speaking of pitching, Holy cal Sheltea, Taj Bradley gave
you such a wonderful start Tuesday night. What a great
way to start a series with something like that. Taj,
what do you think of Tuesday?
Speaker 8 (23:23):
Yeah, I mean he was electric on Tuesday. It's the
best stuff we've seen.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Out of him.
Speaker 8 (23:27):
The last three or four starts have just been really good.
I really love the facts for Twins fans is we're
kind of watching this kid grow up in front of us.
I mean, he's only twenty four to twenty five years old.
The pitch mix just continues to get better. And you know,
if you look at his strikeouts per nine innings, it's
in the top ten in baseball, and with him and
(23:47):
Joe Ryan, we're the only team to have two guys.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
On that list.
Speaker 8 (23:50):
But the execution of all of his pitches, it just
seems like he continues to get sharper and better and
better every time out in you know, it's been fun
to watch and Tuesday, man, it was it was really good.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
And you I mean, having this position second time as
a manager, you got a squad that's playing really well
for you right now, but you got you know, you
got Pablo Lopez walking around the dugout during games. You
can't dwell, right, You can't look at Pablo and be like,
you know, if we had Pablo, we had Jojo, we
had Taj going like he's going now, and if we
(24:24):
get Bailey up to speed, we take a lot of
heat off this bullpen and probably would be even better.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
You just can't look at it that way, right.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
No, there's no way.
Speaker 8 (24:33):
I mean, there's no reason, especially since we lost Pablo
the first day of spring training. The way I looked
at Pablo Lopez is he's probably the most engaged player
that on the injured reserve of anybody I've ever seen
in all my time in the big leagues. The fact
that he's in our clubhouse every day, He's in our
dugout all game long, the attitude he has, his engagement,
(24:54):
his ability to talk to young players. You know, can
you sit and dream of like, damn, it'd be really
nice to have him in the rotation. Yeah, you know,
you can do that all day long. But I think
the person that he is and what he provides to
our young players every day, it's something that's really vital
and just appreciate, you know, how he goes about it.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
Derek Shelton, manager of the Minnesota Twins Matt and A
today against Cleveland. Well, I you know, there were there
were several things I loved last night, Shelty, including how
after Cleveland took the lead, you guys came back bottom
seven and tied to five. Now, a couple in the
couple from their bullpen, a couple of their bullpen guys
walked five guys that inning, including walking in both tying runs. So,
(25:36):
when when guys are missing the mark like that, like
they were, what's the read in the dugout?
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Do do?
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Do you tell your guys to take until somebody proves
they can throw a strike?
Speaker 8 (25:49):
Well, I think it's a situation depending on who the
picture is in our in last night situation, Yeah, we
got into the situation where it was like we were
going to make him throw strikes. I mean, he didn't
throw a strike until he got to Cody.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (26:00):
But our approach has been so consistent and so good
that at times I don't even have to talk to
our guys about that. They just stay, you know, with
that kind of grinder mentality they've had throughout the year.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Now, as I mentioned earlier, Derek, you guys have won
seven of your last eight series. Is winning a series
at Yankee Stadium different with all the history and it
being fourth of July weekend in New York City?
Speaker 8 (26:28):
I think it is different because you have young players
that are going in there, sometimes for the first time
or second time, and there is something different about going into,
you know, one of the major markets, going into Boston,
New York, Chicago, and being able to do that. I
was just really pleased with the way we played, the
way we were consistent.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
The whole weekend.
Speaker 8 (26:48):
You know, we had to battle some weather a couple
of the days, which is you know, challenging, and then
you're in there on a holiday weekend, so it's big
and there's all eyes on you. And the fact that
we were able to respond, and then you know, well secondarily,
which I didn't know until after the series, you know, Historically,
the Twins have not played well in New York, and
to go in there and kind of mix that up
(27:09):
a little bit was really good.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
For our group.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Now now, so it's it's it's almost five months that
you've been with these guys since spring training. What what
what are you noticing about the clubhouse demeanor after like
walk off wins or super tough losses. What's what's forming
here with how they handle all circumstances.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Yeah. I love our culture.
Speaker 8 (27:33):
I mean this group of kids, they really like to
be around each other. And if you've you've heard any
of them talk postgame, pregame, good, bad, and different. A
lot of them talk about how much fun they're having.
And I know that sounds crazy because we're playing a game,
but you know, sometimes this becomes a business, and a
lot of times it becomes a business. But with this group,
(27:54):
they really enjoy being around each other. And I think
one of the things that stands out to me is
you said we won seven of the eight last eight series.
The series that we didn't win was against the Dodgers,
and we played two really good games and got beaten
one run games. And after that sweep, I came out
of my office, and there were seven or eight guys
after a night game sitting there, eating together, having a beer.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
We were going into an off day.
Speaker 8 (28:16):
They ended up sitting there for a little while longer,
playing some cards. What that tells me is they like
being around each other, and they don't change whether it's
a tough loss that night of four to three loss
to the defending world champions or last night when there's
a walk off and we're going into a day game.
They keep that same demeanor and the fact that they
really just enjoy the fact that they're together. And I
(28:38):
think that's a true testament to the leadership we have
in our clubhouse, and Buck and Josh Bell and Taylor
Rodgers and then the young kids that have all.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
Come up together. They really enjoy the time they spend together.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
That's fantastic. I love how you laid that out. So today,
what are some keys to getting to Gavin Williams. He
can be quite good, as you know by you guys
roughed him up a bit early May and he's had
some five and fly to him the last six starts.
Speaker 8 (29:08):
Yeah, Well, the biggest thing is we can't chase him.
I mean, I think, as you pointed, out here, Paul.
This stuff is really good, and Cleveland's pitchers historically have
historically they've had really good stuff. The big thing for
us today is we cannot chase him off the plate.
He wants us to go off the plate. He wants
us to chase his breaking stuff. And we got to
make sure that he comes on the plate. It's what
we did in May to him.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
And had success, and we need to replicate that today.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
So that's I mean, correct me if I'm wrong here,
but I mean, that's a lot different than the guy
last night, right who started with the sweepers and stuff,
but he like throws three different fastballs. So you mentally,
you just got to change today, right, Yeah, you.
Speaker 8 (29:45):
Just change your I mean, it's day to day, and
I think, as we've talked about before, the whole point
of baseball is the fact that the guy on the
mound that day, the starter on the mound that day,
can dictate the entire game, and we got to make
sure that we stay with our approach and we don't
let him dictate, you know, how he goes about it.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
Last one for you here, my brother, thanks for the time.
Glenn Perkins was on this radio show yesterday and he
said that these guys are running through walls for you.
So what did you learn from your six years managing
the Pirates that's helping you best connect with the players here.
Speaker 6 (30:26):
Wow.
Speaker 8 (30:27):
Number one, I appreciate Perks saying that's that's very humbling
coming from someone like him that's.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Around our club every day.
Speaker 8 (30:34):
I think the thing I learned is, I think there's
a couple of things. Number One, you really have to
over communicate, and I think in Pittsburgh and we talked
about it this winter when I was in studio with you,
Like I think at the end of my time that
I didn't communicate as well as I would have liked,
and I wasn't as clear. And then I think the
second thing is is when you do a job for
(30:56):
this second time, or you get older, maybe a little wiser,
you realized some of the things that bothered you or
you worried about you just need to move on to
the next thing and focus on the things that are
important to you. And you know, it takes time to
learn that, especially in this job. And I hope that
(31:17):
I'm doing a better job of it, you know, a
second time around.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
All right, The Angel Sands Mike Trout are here this
weekend than the All Star break. Other than maybe calmly
sipping some Woodford Reserve and listening to Pearl Jam live
on YouTube, what else do you have up your sleeve
for some relaxation.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
For the All Star break? Well, I'm actually going to Philly.
Speaker 8 (31:41):
I was selected to be on the staff in Philly,
so I will be in Philly watching the game, spending
it with my wife and my two daughters. So that
should be a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
That's going to be relaxing in its own right.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
All right, call you in a couple of weeks to
us start the second start second half of the season.
Speaker 1 (31:58):
Thank you, Derek.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yes, see about that's a Derek Shelton, manager of the
Minnesota Twins, winners of seven of their last eight series.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
That's that's fantastic. Little cycle.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
Nine to Noon continues with bikes Bites after this cit.
Speaker 9 (32:16):
This is Petere Welcome back nine to Noon. It is
time for.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
By bikes Bites nine to Noon.
Speaker 5 (32:36):
Courtesy of kin Mount Exteriors Kinmount Exteriors dot Com.
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It's clear, it's honest, it's kin Mount.
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If you're looking for windows, siding, roofing and decks, the
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now a talker that that you had bandied about, and
it is the first place we'll go. Maybe there's even
talkbacks associated with this free iHeartRadio app fire Away, got
super Bowl slogans, all sorts of things. But a question
(33:08):
that you pondered, Pa, was where are we weak?
Speaker 3 (33:13):
Where are the Minnesota vikings week into the two zero
two six? Where are we weak?
Speaker 5 (33:18):
And I'm taking the quarterback conversation and just the unknowns
and all of that, If it's okay with you, I'm
taking that out of the mix as we start to
analyze this year, and I'm going to start here, and
I'm going to start with where are we weak in
twenty twenty six? And maybe it's fair to preface, maybe
(33:40):
it's not until proven otherwise, I believe that we are
weak at the cornerback spot. So we know about Murph,
we know about Rogers Byron Murphy Junior with all that
interception and splashy play related production two seasons ago, A
little bit lighter twenty twenty five, hoping for a bounce
(34:01):
back for old Byron, Yes, Sir Isaiah Rodgers splashy as
he was at times that's our top two and then
what so enter James Pierre and James Pierre special teams
duties and spot duty on the field defensively during his
tenure with the with the Pittsburgh Steelers is the grand
(34:22):
unknown in this equation for me, and then you know
behind him, I'm excited to meet this, This Chuck Demings,
this Steven f Austin cat fifth rounder, okays Amaya Vaughn,
Alex Lewis's favorite player from a year ago.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
We know all the names, and it's weird.
Speaker 5 (34:37):
To think about it, given how much respect and trust
that we have in Brian Flores that we are talking
about a weak spot specifically defensively. But when you look
at the names as it stands now until proven otherwise,
I do look at the cornerback group as being weak
as it pertains to what we're projecting for the twenty
(34:57):
twenty six Minnesota Vikings.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Which ties into something I'm looking forward to bringing up
with Ben leeber beloved Natcho fifteen minutes from now is
you know, you know, it's whether James Pierre is better
than Fabian Moreau that only time will tell. Davey Rogers
and Murphy specifically Rogers second year in this system.
Speaker 1 (35:21):
I mean they should they.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Should provide what they provided last year, and nobody was
getting over the top of the Minnesota Vikings. But that's
a design of the heavy rush defense, which which gets
me to something where you can't say it's weak now
because you'd be wrong. I just wonder if Andrew Van
(35:43):
Ginkel and Dallas Turner don't play all or a majority
of the games, what's going to happen with that edge
rushing situation. You know they're they're they're counting a lot
on Dallas Turner. Van Ginkle had some neck problems last
year and he's into the final year of his deal here,
so that those two are so important to the totality
(36:05):
of the defense, but specifically protecting exactly what you just
talked about, where those three corners are going to play
a lot. Now, if there is a pass rush from
all over the place in plague or a meeba like fashion, well,
Van Ginkle and Dallas Turner are gonna have a lot
to do with that.
Speaker 1 (36:25):
So you've got to keep them healthy. Well, let me
let me go back.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
You mentioned you couldn't call the edge situation weak because
you'd be wrong. Now, I think that it's similar to
the cornerback room as I as I presented it until
proven otherwise. Losing Jonathan Renard right and slotting in Dallas Turner.
That is a weaker situation until proven otherwise, is it not?
(36:52):
And given what we saw last year from Van Ginkel,
we need we need that Vet to stay on the field.
We need him jumping routes and produce and sadly that
was taken away from him a little bit and hence
the defense.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
But you're right, and so while I.
Speaker 5 (37:05):
Totally agree that one works hand in hand, in fact,
I would prefer the current cornerback situation if I knew
that the edge rushing was going to be spot on,
because that does, indeed a can indeed make up maybe
for some imperfections on the back end. But for me,
that that was where I was actually going to go
next Pa is the unknown of Dallas Turner. Love again
(37:29):
the growth that we saw from him into year two.
But then it is about staying on the field. And
outside of that then it's we're talking about you know,
your Smith Wilbert's and your Tyler Batties of the world
and maybe some some uh not Wilbert, not Smith Wilbert,
but rich There we go Bo Richter, for that's gonna
be the the training camp conundrum. That's some training camp
(37:51):
convos in terms of.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
How that particular group looks.
Speaker 5 (37:55):
So until proven otherwise, Dallas Turner is a stepped down
from what we enjoyed and appreciated about Jonathan Grinard right now,
he I believe he had six sacks in his final
eight games and a little little run there going.
Speaker 3 (38:13):
Yeah, so he caught fire at the end of the
of the at the right time, at the end of
the race. So then now they move on and they
they they pull one from the stable, Jonathan Grenard, and
they elevate Dallas. So the belief with them has to
be that what they got from Dallas Turner from what
(38:35):
we all saw with the sacks and doing a lot
better job of getting off blocks like I mean.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
He'd get.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
There are times, I mean, and specifically in his rookie year,
he gets swallowed up by offensive linemen and I'm just
like wondering, you know what the moves are, Well, the
moves started to take place, he got swallowed up. Less
his work against the run will be tested. But but
those two staying healthy for all of them or a
(39:04):
majority of them. That's a defensive a topic for the
twenty twenty six Minnesota vikings.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
Ay topic exchange. Josh Chamblis, though, jumping.
Speaker 5 (39:14):
Back to corners for just a baby second. You know,
if if Pierre, if Pierre struggles at times or there
is an issue because you mentioned it, Murph and Rogers,
I think they collected. I think they were ninety five
ish percent in snaps last year. That's probably going to
have to happen again. Do you see an element with
the fifteen safeties that we have on the team where
you know, flow can adjust flow, can you know, put
(39:37):
a different chess piece in the mix? You know, if
Pierre potentially isn't providing everything that you need so that
the secondary group could we could we look at it
more broadly and just say the secondary group in totality
versus focusing in.
Speaker 1 (39:52):
On the corners mostly.
Speaker 3 (39:55):
I I you know, Jacoby Thomas, the rookie cane, the
the defense they played at the University of Miami at times,
and I've shared this just in passing before at times
was what Brian Flores does here. So teams have mixers.
In other words, you got the Flores base and we
(40:17):
all know that because we're lead.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Football minds here.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
That's the three four hybrid with floaters floaters. Okay, So
there are teams that will take what he does with
the floaters and mix it into like a four to
three and do it differently.
Speaker 1 (40:31):
So teams are borrowing from each other all the time.
Speaker 3 (40:34):
Floraes last offseason, you know, paraphrase, and he was talking about,
you know, what he's done on his downtime, and I
think he equipped like I'm watching Vic Fangio and Steve
Spagnolo film and they would say the same thing about him. Now, Thomas,
from what I've been from from you know, from from
what I've.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Gleaned, was very impactful when when they.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Would have seven across the line of scrimmage and have
a little B flow flow to it. Now was as
strictly as the safety. Does that mean he's covering guys
out of the slot. That only time will tell with
that Davy, but with James Pierre and Isaiah Rodgers had
a fine season last year, specifically for his first season
with a very complicated defense. Should be a lot better
(41:19):
this year in certain facets of his game. But like
Rogers last year in free agency. Let's not forget when
the when all the big names were heading here, there
and everywhere. Old B Flow and the Minnesota Vikings rolled
in early in the equation and plucked James Pierre. Yeah,
so that is that's an indicator Isaiah Rodgers esque, the
(41:42):
way that they went after him.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
Yeah, and the.
Speaker 3 (41:44):
Take was good last year in that they wanted to
get somebody they wanted for sure, and they didn't want
to jack around with dealing with other teams. So with Pierre,
a player with whom Flores was in Pittsburgh, so clearly
he saw something he liked, He wanted him, didn't want
(42:05):
to mess around with other teams, you know, flirting with him.
So the fact that a super well respected defensive coordinator
identified a skill set that may play thirty forty percent
of the game whatever, Yeah, that's very important to me.
And and it was right with Rogers. I think it'll
be right with Pierre.
Speaker 5 (42:24):
Oh and by the way, if you respect Flow in
his eye, if maybe that wasn't enough, well they just
took their dbacks coach Gerald Alexander and brought him to
Minnesota anyway, So one way or another, that's gonna work.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
Deronte Jones leaves and becomes defensive coordinator for the Commanders.
Speaker 5 (42:44):
Mike Spikes, thank you so much, kim Mount Exteriors, Kimmount
Exteriors dot Com.
Speaker 3 (42:50):
Yeah this, this, this Jacoby Thomas excites me and does
Poopy Dave love. Now now that we're starting to think
about like is Harrison Smith going to return that you
know it's it's with respect and and maybe it's an
absolute no. I would just like to know because it
factors into playing time for guys who I think are
(43:12):
going to be key.
Speaker 1 (43:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (43:14):
This this this Jacoby Thomas. I mean if he picks
up on it, and if he's able to get the
tricks down so that learned quarterbacks are not able to
look at him and say, ah, I see what you're
doing there. I saw that on filmed from two days ago,
two games ago. So we're gonna go over here and
get a first down if he's able to sell things
like that. As a scholar of the game, I think
(43:35):
they really really hit on one with Jacoby Thomas.
Speaker 1 (43:38):
Now that's sweet.
Speaker 5 (43:39):
If hit Man does come back, Jacoby will will suffer
maybe in terms of reps, but you think jay Ward's.
Speaker 1 (43:44):
Center on going to come on man. Well, see Jay
finished really well last year, and that's what I've heard
as well, and it's on the come a little bit
right there. Excuse me.
Speaker 3 (43:53):
They're they're quite high on Jay Ward, who is hybrid
safety corner, so they're starting to mix Ward in as
the three and a half fourth corner.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
So that plays into the equation too.
Speaker 5 (44:07):
Bike Spyes, bikes bytes, king mount exteriors. Let me hit
you with one more and then maybe we can even
continue this conversation with Ben Lieber.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Dig it until proven otherwise. That's kind of the preface
that I've put for these here. Whether it's the corners,
it's on the edge.
Speaker 5 (44:22):
We are weak potentially at the running back spot PA
eight rush TD from Mason and Jones. Last year Jones
banged up, missed five games. Wonder how hobbled he was,
and some of the other twelve. Mason not an elite
catching running back per Carrey dug it. It was borderline top ten,
but the rhythm of the game, finding more opportunities and
(44:43):
success in mass to run nineteenth in red zone offense.
So this is one of those things where again projections
and what we have the O line plays a factor
the QB plays a factor. I get all that, but
it's still something I believe with room to grow, really
pumped to get in person eyes on Demand Claiborn can
(45:04):
can the rookie be splashy?
Speaker 1 (45:05):
Talk about young kids getting reps?
Speaker 5 (45:07):
We talked about it with the Wolves in Summer League
and potential opportunities for the Owl.
Speaker 1 (45:11):
Similarly, maybe for the.
Speaker 5 (45:12):
Purple or the evolution of Mason better offensive line, how
that plays into it. I just I look at the
run game as something that I'll be I'll be focused
on in camp and beyond.
Speaker 3 (45:22):
With respect, I think the a topic has been left out.
That's the addition of Frank Smith, the assistant head coach,
with with new running schemes, things that Miami did with
a chain uh, the forty nine ers did with Kyle Shanahan.
I fully believe having Frank Smith in the mix is
(45:42):
absolutely the reason they drafted Max bredis him. I think
it has a lot to do with why they drafted
Demand Claiborn, and and I actually believe once we get
up and running, pardon the pun, I think the running
game is going to be a strength of the Minister Vikings.
Frank Smith has a lot to do with it, man,
(46:03):
I mean, you might have been gone when I think
you were when I shared I was that guy the
honor of going to Adam Thielen's retirement party and I
chatted with I didn't say the name, but there's just
somebody who deeply rooted in the Covenant would know exactly
what they're talking about when it comes to the running game.
(46:23):
And you know, it was just a question in passing
with this person about the quarterback situation here, and the
individual had zero desire to talk. He's like, I don't
care who the quarterback is. Frank Smith ABCD, Retison ab CD,
(46:44):
Claiborne ABCD, Jones and Mason ABCD. I mean, this individual
was incredibly excited, but he said it twice to me.
He's like, dude, I don't care who the quarterback is.
With the way I think this thing's going to work out, well.
Speaker 5 (47:01):
I'm loving the hopeful and the optimistic nature Frank Smith.
His reputation and his resume precedes him so absolutely as
we get a chance to see that into into this season.
Speaker 1 (47:12):
The run game, on the bounce back, the run game.
Speaker 5 (47:15):
It's new, it's different, it's fresh, and that's vits bites
brought to you by Kinmount Exteriors Kinmount exteriors dot com.
Speaker 3 (47:22):
Here comes not Joe Lieber to begin the second hour
of nine to noon to that been one hundred point
three k yup A.
Speaker 6 (47:31):
If you're listening live to Paul Allen and nine to
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