01-15-2018, 05:19 AM
We have now covered our last game of the season, and we leave you with what has become our most popular feature - the things we saw on the field and in the locker room, that the cameras did not capture, so here we go:
* We made the decision early this morning, that if it was snowing, we would do our 1st of 3 pregame reports outside in the snow, but with a twist. I did it in short sleeves, no coat, no hat, no gloves and Viking fans chanting SKOL as we recorded. It was darned cold for a Texas guy, but we survived.
* The crowd was late arriving, and every seat had a "Bring it Home" towel on it. When the game started, the noise and sight of all those towels was unbelievable intimidating. In fact, I am confident that the noise when the Saint Offense was on the field, prohibited Brees from audibling in the 1st half.
* The SKOL chant with that rabid a crowd is eerie. The low bass boom of the 2 drum beats and unison of "SKOL"s was amazing to witness. We tweeted what it looked like
* In pregame, Case Keenum was so fired up, just really excited and demonstrative. Like a little kid getting to the Olympic games. However, he showed no butterflies in his game (usually seen as high throws)
* Stefon Diggs is the other one who shows a LOT of emotion in pregame.
* We spent time with Assistant Coach Rob Rodriguez, who we've got to know in camp. Great guy and he shared insight for us to have a bit of "scoop" on Drew Brees and the plan. Nothing that was a tip to the Saints, but just how you have to control him.
* I talked to Chad Greenway in the basement of the Stadium just before he went out for the coin toss. He has the enthusiasm of a teenager, and seemed so happy that his former teammates and the fans of Minnesota were so excited about this team and opportunity. If you see him out and about, say hello, no one is nicer.
* What did we eat in the Press Box? Turkey, Honey Ham, Boneless Wings, Cheese Curds, Brownies and an Ice Cream Bar....not bad at all
* The Press box was overfilled with 400 media members. Normal is about 150.
* We saw Steve Jordan before the game - the proud papa of Saint Cameron WAS wearing a Viking Alumni Polo
* We spoke to Carl Eller in the locker room. He was congratulating the guys and really seems to buy-into exorcising the demons of Viking past with this 2017-18 squad.
* Security and restrictions were very high, as the NFL brought people to supplement the Viking staff. However, we were afforded every availability we needed. The Vikings have been very good to us.
* Jarius Wright - We've said all year, when he is in the game, he is open.
* LaQuon Treadwell - He's an elite blocker and did a good job drawing a PI call. But, we just don't quite understand why he plays so much over Wright and Michael Floyd
* The crowd was so loud, that I think they grew weary in the 2nd half. That much constant screaming wears you out.
* When talking to Ben Leber after the game, he said he had almost no voice, as he had been yelling so much. Nice to hear the media guys caring
* Speaking of that Minnesota media which many say is so negative, we watched the final 4 minutes in the press conference room (if you don't leave the press box early, you are in the back of the line for interviews in the locker room). There was the typical "curse" feel from this group too, but they erupted in euphoria and hugged each other. They actually want the team they cover to win.
* Saw Paul Allen and talked to him briefly. He was on cloud 9. He asked if the final play call was good (we had heard it in the press room). We told him it was great, and he said, "I hope so, I don't even remember it"
* When we did the post game show at midfield at US Bank Stadium after the game, Pete Bercich was almost giddy, Couldn't believe we almost blew the game, and then couldn't believe the comeback.
* I spoke to Jerry Burns. He looks pretty feeble now, but he had a big grin when I told him how much fans enjoyed him, and he said, in a fashion only Jerry Burns could, "thanks and now let's win this fuckin' game" He is a very kind man
* In pregame, all appearances were that Sam Bradford would start, but Teddy Bridgewater threw passes in a different part of the field than Sam and Case. It's a shame, but I think this choice was the right one. Sam had an entire camp in the system with all the reps. Case has looked marvelous. Teddy's recovery was miraculous, but he just doesn't have the reps to trust him to win a playoff game if called upon after 2 years away. It sure seems like he is on his way out. He was NOT in the locker room after the game
* This was the first game that Sam Bradford was not guarded by the PR team. We could have talked to him, but left him alone. He did not play, so the time didn't seem right.
* You will never see more press reporters in a pooled interview than what Brian Robison had. It was a zoo of 20-25 deep for 15 minutes. He is articulate and gives them good soundbytes. BUT, he was the first guy we went to after the game. He was hugging his son (looked like about 4 or 5 years of age) and having a private moment. We waited, but before the throng of interviewers came, we congratulated him. He genuinely appreciated that, and not being mobbed by us.
END PART 1
* We made the decision early this morning, that if it was snowing, we would do our 1st of 3 pregame reports outside in the snow, but with a twist. I did it in short sleeves, no coat, no hat, no gloves and Viking fans chanting SKOL as we recorded. It was darned cold for a Texas guy, but we survived.
* The crowd was late arriving, and every seat had a "Bring it Home" towel on it. When the game started, the noise and sight of all those towels was unbelievable intimidating. In fact, I am confident that the noise when the Saint Offense was on the field, prohibited Brees from audibling in the 1st half.
* The SKOL chant with that rabid a crowd is eerie. The low bass boom of the 2 drum beats and unison of "SKOL"s was amazing to witness. We tweeted what it looked like
* In pregame, Case Keenum was so fired up, just really excited and demonstrative. Like a little kid getting to the Olympic games. However, he showed no butterflies in his game (usually seen as high throws)
* Stefon Diggs is the other one who shows a LOT of emotion in pregame.
* We spent time with Assistant Coach Rob Rodriguez, who we've got to know in camp. Great guy and he shared insight for us to have a bit of "scoop" on Drew Brees and the plan. Nothing that was a tip to the Saints, but just how you have to control him.
* I talked to Chad Greenway in the basement of the Stadium just before he went out for the coin toss. He has the enthusiasm of a teenager, and seemed so happy that his former teammates and the fans of Minnesota were so excited about this team and opportunity. If you see him out and about, say hello, no one is nicer.
* What did we eat in the Press Box? Turkey, Honey Ham, Boneless Wings, Cheese Curds, Brownies and an Ice Cream Bar....not bad at all
* The Press box was overfilled with 400 media members. Normal is about 150.
* We saw Steve Jordan before the game - the proud papa of Saint Cameron WAS wearing a Viking Alumni Polo
* We spoke to Carl Eller in the locker room. He was congratulating the guys and really seems to buy-into exorcising the demons of Viking past with this 2017-18 squad.
* Security and restrictions were very high, as the NFL brought people to supplement the Viking staff. However, we were afforded every availability we needed. The Vikings have been very good to us.
* Jarius Wright - We've said all year, when he is in the game, he is open.
* LaQuon Treadwell - He's an elite blocker and did a good job drawing a PI call. But, we just don't quite understand why he plays so much over Wright and Michael Floyd
* The crowd was so loud, that I think they grew weary in the 2nd half. That much constant screaming wears you out.
* When talking to Ben Leber after the game, he said he had almost no voice, as he had been yelling so much. Nice to hear the media guys caring
* Speaking of that Minnesota media which many say is so negative, we watched the final 4 minutes in the press conference room (if you don't leave the press box early, you are in the back of the line for interviews in the locker room). There was the typical "curse" feel from this group too, but they erupted in euphoria and hugged each other. They actually want the team they cover to win.
* Saw Paul Allen and talked to him briefly. He was on cloud 9. He asked if the final play call was good (we had heard it in the press room). We told him it was great, and he said, "I hope so, I don't even remember it"
* When we did the post game show at midfield at US Bank Stadium after the game, Pete Bercich was almost giddy, Couldn't believe we almost blew the game, and then couldn't believe the comeback.
* I spoke to Jerry Burns. He looks pretty feeble now, but he had a big grin when I told him how much fans enjoyed him, and he said, in a fashion only Jerry Burns could, "thanks and now let's win this fuckin' game" He is a very kind man
* In pregame, all appearances were that Sam Bradford would start, but Teddy Bridgewater threw passes in a different part of the field than Sam and Case. It's a shame, but I think this choice was the right one. Sam had an entire camp in the system with all the reps. Case has looked marvelous. Teddy's recovery was miraculous, but he just doesn't have the reps to trust him to win a playoff game if called upon after 2 years away. It sure seems like he is on his way out. He was NOT in the locker room after the game
* This was the first game that Sam Bradford was not guarded by the PR team. We could have talked to him, but left him alone. He did not play, so the time didn't seem right.
* You will never see more press reporters in a pooled interview than what Brian Robison had. It was a zoo of 20-25 deep for 15 minutes. He is articulate and gives them good soundbytes. BUT, he was the first guy we went to after the game. He was hugging his son (looked like about 4 or 5 years of age) and having a private moment. We waited, but before the throng of interviewers came, we congratulated him. He genuinely appreciated that, and not being mobbed by us.
END PART 1
