Best of Scoop City Season 1: Sean Payton, Kevin O'Connell and DeMeco Ryans on building a contender

Summary

Best of Scoop City Season 1: Sean Payton, Kevin O'Connell, and DeMeco Ryans on Building a Contender

In this special "Best of Scoop City Season 1" episode, The Athletic’s Senior NFL Insider, Dianna Rossini, engages with three esteemed NFL head coaches—Sean Payton, Kevin O'Connell, and DeMeco Ryans—to unravel the strategies and philosophies behind constructing a championship-worthy team. Hosted by Diana Rossini alongside longtime NFL quarterback Chase Daniel, the episode delves deep into topics such as team culture, quarterback development, strategic planning, and overcoming the multifaceted challenges inherent in building a contender in the modern NFL landscape.

Introduction

Dianna Rossini kicks off the episode with an enthusiastic welcome, setting the stage for insightful discussions with coaches who have significantly impacted their respective teams. Emphasizing the focus on culture, leadership, and strategic innovation, Rossini introduces the guest coaches as pivotal figures shaping their teams for success.

"We checked in with three head coaches who are really shaping their teams individually. Very different. We've got Sean Payton, we've got Kevin O'Connell, and we've got DeMeco Ryans. Here is a look back at our conversations about culture, quarterback development and of course the challenges that come with building a contender in today's NFL." ([01:52])

Team Culture and Leadership

Fostering a Positive Environment

The conversation opens with Kevin O'Connell discussing the dynamics of team culture. Emphasizing the importance of a positive and educational environment, O'Connell highlights how each practice session and meeting is tailored to build belief and work ethic among players.

"Each night it's different. There's an educational point to the meeting. Let's study these situations now and really, you know, practice them and then repeat the video and show the examples." ([04:00])

Leading Through Adversity

O'Connell elaborates on leadership during challenging times, stressing authenticity and consistency. He shares strategies for maintaining team morale and focus, especially when facing setbacks or unexpected changes.

"Leadership is being at your best when adversity hits. [...] What do we have to do to continue getting better as a team, regardless of circumstances?" ([29:25])

Quarterback Development

Identifying the Right Talent

A significant portion of the episode centers on quarterback development, with O'Connell detailing the meticulous process of evaluating and nurturing quarterback prospects. He discusses the traits that are essential for success, such as accuracy, decision-making under pressure, and adaptability.

"The single most important trait, besides his processing, which is always hard to really measure, is his ability to throw from a dirty pocket." ([07:42])

Balancing Innovation with Fundamentals

O'Connell emphasizes the balance between encouraging innovative play-calling and reinforcing fundamental skills. He shares insights on how to cultivate a quarterback's ability to execute under pressure while also fostering creativity on the field.

"Stop getting too caught up in the wild plays. Make those simple plays that allow your playmakers around you to turn into a big play." ([09:34])

Strategic Planning and Draft Decisions

Navigating the Draft

The discussion delves into the complexities of draft decisions, with O'Connell recounting the strategic maneuvers during the draft process. He highlights the importance of staying adaptable and proactive to secure the right talent without overextending.

"We stayed on the clock and the Jets made their pick... We don't want to move up unnecessarily." ([11:09])

Leveraging Analytics

O'Connell shares how his team's analytics department plays a critical role in assessing quarterback prospects, ensuring that selections are backed by data-driven insights.

"We eliminate those throws with every quarterback in the class. So those are off." ([08:08])

Overcoming Challenges in Team Building

Managing Team Dynamics

Addressing the challenges of building a cohesive team, O'Connell discusses how player interactions and locker room dynamics are managed to foster unity and collective responsibility.

"We're made of the right stuff. I feel very strongly about not only our offensive scheme but having Brian Flores. [...] He makes me a better coach on a daily basis." ([35:45])

Adapting to Change

The coaches talk about the necessity of adapting strategies in response to league changes, player developments, and unforeseen circumstances to maintain a competitive edge.

"Our offensive scheme was so different than when you came, and then it was different in 18." ([17:11])

Personal Insights and Leadership Philosophy

Balancing Professional and Personal Life

O'Connell opens up about balancing the high-energy demands of coaching with family life, emphasizing the importance of being present and engaged both on and off the field.

"When I come home, from all the work, I just know once I hit that garage, it's dad time. And I make sure I pour into them and they're getting all of my attention." ([47:25])

Cultivating Positive Energy

He discusses his approach to maintaining high energy levels, not just for himself but also to inspire and uplift his team, especially during grueling training camps and long seasons.

"I truly believe in positive energy and how others feed off of that. So every day, every meeting, it's a great morning." ([38:07])

Notable Quotes

• Kevin O'Connell on Team Direction:
  "We're not the only ones seeing it this way." ([10:13])

• On Evaluating Quarterbacks:
  "He had a lacrosse ball for recovery. And everything he pulled out of there was football related." ([07:09])

• On Leadership Through Adversity:
  "Leadership is being at your best when adversity hits." ([29:25])

• On Balancing Coaching and Family:
  "I never lose sight of that. Like, these guys are real men. They have real issues." ([38:47])

Conclusions

The episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted process involved in building an NFL contender. Through candid discussions, the coaches reveal the delicate balance between strategic planning, player development, and fostering a resilient team culture. Emphasizing the significance of data-driven decisions, personal leadership philosophies, and the unwavering commitment to team unity, Sean Payton, Kevin O'Connell, and DeMeco Ryans provide invaluable insights into what it takes to cultivate a championship-caliber team in today's competitive NFL landscape.

Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between coaching strategies, player psychology, and organizational dynamics, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring coaches, dedicated fans, and anyone interested in the complexities of professional football team-building.

Transcript

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[Diana Rossini]

Hello everybody. Welcome into Scoop City. I'm the athletic senior NFL insider Diana Rossini. Hope you are having a fabulous summer. Make sure you like and subscribe for all your NFL news and notes and Scoop of course. We continue our Best of Scoop City Season 1 series here, this time with some of the greatest minds in the game from veteran leadership to rising stars on the sideline. We checked in with three head coaches who who are really shaping their teams individually. Very different. We've got Sean Payton, we've got Kevin o' Connell, and we've got d' Ameco Ryan's. Here is a look back at our conversations about culture, quarterback development and of course the challenges that come with building a contender in today's NFL. Take a listen. You know, Chase and I were both saying like, you know, we both obviously have known you for such a long time, but just watching on the sidelines and just hearing, hearing the Buzz around your practice coach. I don't remember the last time you've seen this happy.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Well, I'm never happy. I would say it's much different this year. It's a young team, but, I mean, the competition and the way practice is going is entirely different than a year ago. And it's not any one player from a year ago. It's just a series of transactions that are moving you in a direction you want to get to. And then this draft class going to remember, like, this class has a chance to be really good. And I could go through every one of them. Obviously, it'll be measured by Bo Nix first, but these other guys, Ellis and Estimate, Bailey, Franklin, I mean, just Abrams, Drain. There's so many guys that have come in right away and like, whoa, yeah, like, you root for them, but you can't. You got to really go by what you see. And they're impressing specifically going into year two.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

How are you molding this team? Like, I was in the meeting room last night with you, and that was awesome. Thank you for letting me come in. But I missed it, man. The vigor, the energy, the passion. You're speaking to this team. You got something so special.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

What are you doing to put your stamp on the stage? I think, look, I think each night it's different. So there's. There's an educational point to the meeting. Let's. Let's study these situations now and really, you know, practice them and then repeat the video and show the examples and then. And then just talk about goals and outside expectations versus inside expectations. And. Yeah, I think that when I say they're believing and they're working and they're wanting to please and they're. And then we're real with, you know, looking at the work and then. And then being honest with our coaching.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

So take us into the Bonix thing. I am fascinated by.

[Diana Rossini]

I brought my quarterback because I know.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

If I ask, is this podcast going right now or is this.

[Diana Rossini]

Yes, we've been going the whole time.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Okay. I want to tell you about my first podcast.

[Diana Rossini]

That's why we don't want to hear it.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I might be to tell you about it. I started having this conversation with this guy, and I didn't know what a podcast was. And then I'm like, I wonder when we're going to get around to start the podcast. He's like, we're winding down. I'm like. And I had gone. I'm like, I'm trying to go back and think of what I needed to edit. No, I think when this, when the off season hit and we saw the draft class, there's a process relative to all the positions, but certainly attention to the quarterback position. And so, you know, all of these guys, really not as much Caleb, because I think there was that understanding where he was going. But the rest of this class was the pro days, the visits here, the combine and then the private workout. You know, at 5pm we send the fax or the email, excuse me. And we send more than we think they're going to be able to digest because we're going to be in their school at 9am so it's always a 5pm Email out. We're at the school beginning at 9 and just how do they do with that? And so specifically to Bo, I'd never been to Oregon. We fly up there and you know, he's kind of ready. He's in the meeting room and. And I'll bet there's six of us in the room. But you know, Joe or somebody's conducting the interview relative to, hey, draw up. We sent you this. Take me through this. And you're looking for recall. And. And he's doing great. He's doing really good. And it's going to be two hours and we're probably at the hour 40 mark. And I'm like, all right, I've seen enough, I'm good. Then I'm like, hey, what's in your backpack? And he had a backpack, I just wanted, you know, and, you know, one pair of turf shoes. Then he had grass shoes. And then he had a lacrosse ball for, for recovery. And then everything he pulled out of there was football related. And I'm just waiting for like a candy bar, some chewing, like one vice. And then it's like. And everything came out and it was like, I looked down, I'm like, all right, let's go throw. So he threw about, I'd say 80 balls that day. What was impressive, the pro day was Friday. This was the next morning. And there's Troy Franklin and there's the running back and then there's his offensive lineman. This is Bose pro day with just one team. Excuse me. This is his individual workout.

[Diana Rossini]

This is his private workout with Pro.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Day was the day before.

[Diana Rossini]

Okay.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And here are all these teammates at his private workout with one team. So you're observing all of this. And then I go over and meet the center was in this year's draft. And he's like, how's he doing? They're all asking. And now we drafted Alex Forsyth a year ago who Was his center.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yep.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

So Alex gave us great insight. He's like, man, this guy's super with protection. Real smart.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Specifically when it comes to your scheme though, like, I was in it for seven years. Two with Lombardi in la, five with you. You've never had a rookie quarterback?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I haven't.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

What quarterback traits specifically.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

So I'm going to give them to you before the workout was fantastic. So arguably one of the more accurate college players in history. 78% last year. He is statistically. And you know, we're lucky enough to have a real good analytics department and so we can. The first thing we wanted to do was eliminate all the bubbles, the smokes. You know, everyone bangs him for the underneath throws. That's his offense to some degree. It's not like he. Yeah, he can't control that.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

But we, we eliminated those throws with every quarterback in the class. So those are off. And then third down, he's first in the class, red zone, first in the class, 2 minute and a half, first in the class, 2minute crunch time, first in the class, minus played differential. So two years at Oregon, zero fumbles. He's got a 10, 38 sand sack differential. He's best in the class. I'd say the single most important trait, but the besides his processing, which is always hard to really measure, I'd say is his ability to throw from a dirty pocket. You know, there's just a little bit of penetration and he can kind of take that quick step and be right on point. And we kept the new thing to do nowadays on these private workouts, these coaches have these guys running here and then throwing here. It's like, what are you doing? They're all trying to do the Mahomes throw, but I want to see what happens in a game. And when you watch his off schedule throws in a game, it's remarkable. It's noticeable. Something happened with him I've never seen on film before. You know, it's a third down play and the tackles are rushing up the field and the guards blocking the three technique. And he slips between the guard underneath between the guard and the three technique and then climbs and throws it to a tight end. And I replayed it. I said, I've never seen this before. So he's very comfortable off schedule. And I would say he is fast.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I asked him the other day, we were talking about this, I said, why didn't you shuttle or run a 40 or any of that? Those would have been assets for you. He said, I had a toe injury and I Didn't know that I was 100%. Now that makes sense because it's something he does well. And yet there was no shuttle, there was no 40 and he had a toe irritated.

[Diana Rossini]

But, but my question about this, and I think a lot of people are wondering, right? So, so here we are watching practice and Chase is talking through your offense with me and watching his throws and he's just, he looks like a vet, he looks like a five year veteran out there. The way he's able to comprehend, understand and run it. But it just seemed around the draft nobody had their eye on Bo the way you did.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Well, I, I, I know this. There were a few other teams that saw it the same way. And the one comment I made to George after he finished throwing that day and we came back, we watched all of Oregon, all of Auburn, went back to Oregon, we stopped the tape and I said, george, I'm just gonna say this. We're not the only ones seeing it this way.

[Diana Rossini]

Exactly. Of course not. How could, how.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

We're not the only ones, but you.

[Diana Rossini]

Have to figure other people's way.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

So I'm not worried about where. Let's not get cute in this process. And you try to simulate what you think is going to happen. We felt the Giants were going to be an at large team, not necessarily for Bo, but for quarterback. Are they taking one or not? And then they didn't. And so pretty soon there's three teams with a need. The Vikings, Broncos and the Raiders. And then Atlanta out of nowhere. No one saw that.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And now there's still three teams, two quarterbacks.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Did you feel comfortable at that time?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Not as comfortable as I did before their pick. And so Minnesota's right ahead of us, the Raiders behind us. Minnesota goes up one and then they draft JJ and now there's one and the jets are still on the clock. And I said to George, call the Jets. Just call them. We don't want to move up unnecessarily, a pick or two, but you don't.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Want another team to.

[Diana Rossini]

I don't want them doing a deal.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Because you have anything happening like Kansas City, anybody can come.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And so we stayed on the, and then I think the jets said to George, you called us, what do you want? He goes, no, I just was checking in. So, so our concern right behind us were the Raiders. And I just, then it was like, call the Raiders, tell them we might want to move back to see if.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

So there was this. They didn't want to move up. And then there's that you know, minute you wait, and then we'll stay put and the jets make their pick, and then here we are.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

What was the reaction like in the draft?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

It was outstanding. It was. It was.

[Diana Rossini]

You see it. It was amazing. They were cheering. I mean, somebody in the building told me, though, because this thing was kept under wraps. Like, yeah, we knew as somebody who was there.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

When did you. When did you know? But when did you know it was the guy that you wanted no matter what that pro.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

The individual workout. After the meeting, we went onto the field and about throw 16. I just said to George, this is the guy.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So you knew it.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And he did all the tape. Throw 16.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

You were willing to trade up for it.

[Diana Rossini]

Why throw. Why 16?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I saw enough.

[Diana Rossini]

You saw enough? 16 was enough for you to go.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Okay, so.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

So here are the things that you got to tune out. You know, he doesn't have the. His arm strength's outstanding. He's six, two and a half, 220 pounds. And you do a lot of other digging. You call up, you know, places he's worked. Philip Rivers had a chance to work with him. Call up Philip, and he's like, coach, this guy can spin it. And the location. If I. If you looked at his pro day location, we charted 82 throws, 81 were exactly on the right shoulder. He had one that was a little super accurate. And, yeah, it was about halfway through our individual workout where I'm like, so.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

It was 16 throws. Okay. He's had way more than 16 throws out here.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Are you ready to name him the starter?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And why haven't you listen? Well, we haven't, because there's a process that we started out at the very beginning. We said, hey, there's no reason to. Yep. All right. Let's make sure he's getting his work, and let's make sure Steady's getting his work. This frickin. Zach Wilson now, the last week and a half.

[Diana Rossini]

That's great.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I grabbed him and I said, look, I just want you to focus on having fun and playing. My job is to make you millions, either with us or for another team. Wow. His last two weeks have been. Been outstanding. I'm anxious to see. I'm anxious to see the film because when you're. When you're out here at this type of practice, you're kind of like. You're one of the principals.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yes.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

So I'm not seeing the. I'm looking at Lombardi, like, take a shot. Will you get the ball down the field? You know, I'm always pissed at Whoever's calling plays, if I'm not, it just. It's just hard. But I think that, man, I love the room right now. And I think Davis Webb, who's a young superstar in the waiting, I mean, he provides a little bit of that. I mean, it's not often you get a player that goes right from playing into coaching and then has a text saying, hey, would you consider coming?

[Diana Rossini]

That's wild.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

That doesn't happen. He's got every game plan from his high school to college. I'll pull up some play and in about eight minutes, he'll have it on video. I'm. Where'd you get that? He goes, this was. His dad is a coach.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

But Davis has done a good job with that room. And to your question, though, I think we felt everyone has an opinion on how they want to do that. Chicago certainly named Caleb the starter in the spring. They didn't play him in the first preseason game. I think we're going to get closer to an answer probably next week.

[Diana Rossini]

That's great.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Parcels would tell me. What do you. What, are you in a hurry?

[Diana Rossini]

I am very. I believe that very much.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Well, here's the question, too. And I heard you guys talking about. He hasn't heard you. Bo Nix has not heard you on the head.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

He's getting ready to.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

He hasn't heard you.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

What are you expecting?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I know, because he's very calm. I just said, you're not calm on the headset. I said sit back. I said sit back and enjoy the flight.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Oh, my gosh, I'm excited. I wish I was.

[Diana Rossini]

No, but I'm glad you're bringing that.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Up because that's a great point. No, because Joe called the plays last week.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I saw Joe calling.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Joe was in his ear. All right. And so it's going to be important. I'm in his ear, all right. And Joe does a great job. And yet when you're in game and there'll be a call made and I'll be like. But you have to, like, let that go when someone else is doing it. You know, you just have to let them focus. So I'm anxious to.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Well, these are different steps in rookie quarterbacks development.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I'll be having Sean. I'll probably be on the mic real quick.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Diana Rossini]

You say to me all the time, every time Chase and I get into quarterback play calling, he always references you and about. And it's unbelievable how complicated it is. So how are you going to help a rookie? Because you can't say.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I would say here's the one thing we've done. Andy's done it, too. I hear a couple of his calls. I'm like, so we'll come up with, like, beef jerky, or we'll come up with like, Seahawk, or we've all begun to say, hey, spontaneous. Let's come up with a term and let everyone understand what they got to do. And if there's a receiver maybe that needs the tag, then we'll do that to help him. So trying to untag some of these and just give it cleanly. And it would be. Even if Bo wasn't here and it was someone else, it's just moving a little bit in the direction. There's probably 20 calls that we could call that they go right to the ball and run three by one, two by two, or empty and be able to do it. And it just. You become a little bit more efficient.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

And will you continue to add as the season progresses if Bo is named the starter to add stuff that he did at Oregon that he feels comfortable? Are you dead set?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Two weeks ago? No. Two weeks ago, we moved our 067 offense was so different than when you came, and then it was different in 18. I asked Davis in front of him, I said, I want these three guys to give you their favorite play. And I. And I don't want it right away. I want you to think about it. And then finally, Knicks gives him one. Steady gives him one. Zach gives him one. All three are in. We're run today. And no, we already have Flutie Sting.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Okay.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I wanted.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

That's my favorite play.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

A different little play that they like and. And explain it. And then we're. I'm constantly kind of like, keeping track of whose play's doing better. Right?

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And I think the number one job we have is to move in the direction of where our skill set is. And when Sprouls came, he provided something. Jimmy Graham. And so we weren't locked into the 07 or 8. And then by the time we're 18, 19, it just evolves and then. But I do think there is that starting point. And if you're not careful, you go to advance too much. Yeah. And even with the cadence, I said to him, this is Bowens. I said, just give me a standard count. Give me one that fools him. Give me a quick count and then a yellow, you know?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah. Because he didn't call cadence in college.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Yeah. Yeah. Like the huddle's an adventure.

[Diana Rossini]

Even that's a challenge.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I saw you pull him out of.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

The huddle Today, hear me out. This is our sideline. We're going left to right. Where's the quarterback in the huddle? He's. He's on the right side of the huddle. So we can turn. Look at me. All right, we're going right to left now. He's on the left part of the huddle. He's always been on one side of the huddle. He said, do you mind if I go to the other side of the huddle today? I said, I don't have a problem with that. Just go over there. Yeah, he'd never done that before. I said, I want. I want your eyes, though, so you're always going to be near me.

[Diana Rossini]

All right, Coach. So our podcast is called Scoop City, as you know.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

So I like it.

[Diana Rossini]

Our last question is always, you're stealing my T shirt.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Let's go. That's all yours, Scoop City.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I know both these guys very well. I consider them friends. They're doing a great job.

[Diana Rossini]

Thank you.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Chase does a great job with the quarterback work. I love it. I love that, you guys, we need.

[Diana Rossini]

The scoop on the Denver Broncos. It doesn't have to be breaking news. We know the breaking.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Young and hungry.

[Diana Rossini]

Young and hungry.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Young and hungry. And I would say a couple things. We brought in. We brought in a handful of defensive linemen to help our front. I don't know, you probably didn't overlap with the tackle from New Orleans that we brought in. John Franklin Myers, Malcolm Roach, a few of these veteran players. I think we have to be better against. I know we have to be better against the run, and I'm pleased with how that front is playing because ultimately. Let's get back to the quarterback. The two greatest allies for good quarterback play are a good defense and a running game. If you're struggling defensively and giving up points, it becomes harder on the quarterback. He has to match those scores. And then if you're struggling to run the ball, then pretty soon he's on the high dive the whole game. And I think even the greatest at that position, it's important that they have some snaps where they're just jumping in the water from the side of the pool, like. And so how do we, from a scheme standpoint, match what they do? Yeah, every. Every Monday, for instance, this. The weekend's over with. After our team leaves, the first film I'll watch will be that weekend's touchdowns. And it'll start on the one yard line, and there's 50 to 60 plays, and I always get to see who had the longest touchdown. Of the week. It ends over here somewhere. But with each one of those plays, you would say, play or player. You know, receiver goes up, makes a great play on top of a corner's head, or quarterback scrambles, throws one. And those would be player, player, player. And then all of a sudden, you see this concept where a receiver comes open, and then you'd say, play. And so we'll try to mark those unique schemes that. That may fit or may not fit.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And so when. When the. When that finishes on Monday, I've kind of got a hot folder of 14 touchdown thoughts. It's just touchdown thoughts from the weekend. That would be more scheme driven than player driven.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Before you go, the kicks coach. You're the only coach with a Jordan Brand deal. You got the concretes on today? Those are.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Spike Lee.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

How did you get this deal?

[Diana Rossini]

Give us your business.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

The super bowl was in Miami, and I think it's 2018 or 19. And I had.

[Diana Rossini]

Before COVID Yeah, the COVID Super Bowl.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Yeah. This was prior to the COVID Super Bowl. And I had an email about this new golf course that Michael Jordan was opening, Grove 23. And it was an invite to come look as a potential candidate. And that sounded great. You know, it's in Jupiter, and so, you know, maybe I can get there three or four times a year. But, like, I'm from Chicago and I had never met him, and we're in Florida already. And so my wife and I went up. The clubhouse was going to open that Sunday. They were in a trailer, and we got a good tour from Ken Wyhan. Ken's the president. He runs the whole operation. He does a great job, and he's a good friend. And my wife nudged me at one point, and she said, are we interviewing him or is he interviewing us? And it was a fair question. I said, ken, I said, are you interviewing us? Are we interviewing you? He said, no, no. You have a membership. We're just showing you around. And we pull in. Michael was playing with a large group, and he was finishing up. He had played 36, and he had just come in and met us. We sat and talked. We talked tequila. He had just kind of started a branded tequila. And then he said, you know, I know you wear the Jordan 11 golds. He goes, I'm gonna make you my first Jordan Brand coach. And I. And I was like, that sounds good, you know, and so they. That was fine. And then we got our membership, we're fired up. And three weeks later, like, 15 boxes came of just different joints. So we followed through with it when I say now, the only good thing is my son is a 13 as well. So Connor is the benefactor, you know, and here he is at tcu. So the shoes come in, the clothes comes in. I don't ever take it for granted. I'm real appreciative. And there's players, you know, the rule is if I. If I gift you one of those, you can't sell them. Obviously.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

But everyone, I could tell you right now, everyone who's a 13 in the locker room, and they're always waiting for the next Cortland Sutton is a 13. Are you 13?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

13?

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

I'll send you some. All right. What's your color?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

All right. I like red.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Blue? Yeah.

[Diana Rossini]

Women's nine. All right, Coach, thank you so much for your time.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Thank you, guys. I'm happy for you.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Thank you.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

You guys are doing a great job. You're killing it.

[Diana Rossini]

There's tons of ch. Juicier. And this is absolutely contagious. So thanks for joining us.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

And you're at the other ends of the country, so.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah, well, this isn't really the middle. Yeah, it's short for me.

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[Diana Rossini]

I like, I feel like you can, you can maybe let your hair down a little bit and really tell us what JJ's done already to make you feel like he is the guy. So besides just what he's done on the field and in the meeting room, is there anything else that has stood out to you as a guy that has coached so many great quarterbacks?

[I]

Well, I just think, you know, whether it's his performance in, you know, the rookie show, he gets called up there the second day and just totally, you know, brings the house down with a, you know, and the guys are all into it. The way they talk about him down in the locker room, it's never forced, but yet everybody feels like they know who JJ is and they feel like he's already assumed a role clearly with the other rookies. But then just when you watch him in the huddle and just, you know, as he's kind of built up his knowledge and our offense being in the huddle with just and, you know, Christian Derrisal, Brian o' Neill, Garrett Bradbeer, these guys are used to a veteran quarterback in the huddle. And Sam's been really good from a standpoint of his role, you know, in really a competition. But JJ was on the come for sure and I think it's just a credit to him and improvement every day and really not, you know, there was improvement even when the results weren't always there. And that to me is where the really great quarterbacks in this league are process oriented towards what it takes to win. Not always just, you know, looking pretty out there and, and, you know, having a bunch of stats and yards. Those things will all come from the process you put together. And he's got that.

[Diana Rossini]

What did he do in the rookie show? What was the performance?

[I]

I think he sang Tupac.

[Diana Rossini]

Really? And he Nailed it.

[I]

Yeah. And I'm. I'm normally. I'm normally up on the stage to introduce him. You know, at the end of a team meeting and they'll call a guy out here and there and. And, you know, we'll. We did give him, you know, we did give him the option of background music, and he says, no, I don't need it. He asked somebody to give him a beat. In a way, he went, you know. But I could talk as far as who it was. I could be totally wrong. I just know it was very, very good. I've seen a lot of those, including my own, which were. Was not worth talking about.

[Diana Rossini]

You remember what you did?

[I]

It was way worse.

[Diana Rossini]

Are we gonna have to hold?

[I]

No, there's no videos.

[Diana Rossini]

Thank God.

[I]

Thank goodness.

[Diana Rossini]

What'd you do? What you saying?

[I]

I didn't even have to sin. It was, you know, Coach Belichick, you had to do a full rookie show with skits and, you know, beginning, middle, and end. And, you know, it required us to stay get up at 5am every day for three weeks in a row before we were capable of satisfying a very veteran. Veteran football team my first year. So I'd like to forget that, but thank you for bringing this up.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah. The good news is there's no proof. This is what's great about us being older is, you know, the cameras weren't around.

[I]

That's exactly right.

[Diana Rossini]

We were youngins. I know there's a little bit of a joke with Vikings fans of, man, we can't have nice things. Minnesota can't have nice things. And you go through what you've had to navigate in the last few months. Let's just even start it with Kirk leaving. Right. And that was a decision that everyone was on board for in the end and probably good for both parties now looking at where you're at. But then you just have to get through all these challenges. For you as the leader of this team, how have you been able to figure out how to. How to be the leader in these situations when for you, some of these are the first time you're going through it as well?

[I]

Yeah, I think, like, leadership is not just sayings on the wall. It's not just, you know, making sure you're, you know, the motivational speeches the night before games. Leadership is being at your best when adversity hits. And to me, it's. It comes naturally for me to just when I know that my football team's going to be looking to me from. For leadership, guidance, motivation, sometimes just clarity on exactly where we're at and what we need to attack. I pride myself on being the same guy every day, authentic to who I believe I should be, and these guys have come to expect that. So when adversity hits, if I'm different, I don't think that they would be, you know, getting the guy that said he was going to be the best version of himself for them every single day. So it really, you know, I just look at it like, what's next? What do we got to do? What do we got to do to continue getting better as a team, regardless of circumstance? It's not our first time hitting adversity. You know, we played four quarterbacks last year, didn't have jets for a good eight, nine weeks, and these. These guys never quit. They battled. And we all learned a lot during those tough times, which led us into, you know, hopefully not experiencing more of that this year. But we're certainly equipped and we're going.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

To handle it well.

[Diana Rossini]

Fortunately for you, too, you have a great circle of. We'll call them football field friends, right? You've got the Matt LaFleurs, the. The Sean McVeighs, Raheem Morris. There's all these people that you've been around all these years who you compete against, but they're. They're buddies, and you guys all communicate a lot, and you talk and you hang out when you can. But I always. I've always felt that the football audience, they all know Sean McVay is brilliant. They all know he's smart, he can retain. Well. Matt LaFleur is brilliant. He can retain. And I always think, well, what about Kevin? Kevin's just as smart. How come no one knows how smart Kevin is? So I realize is it's because no one's ever put you on display. No one has ever tried to test your ability to recall. So here's what I was thinking.

[I]

Okay?

[Diana Rossini]

All right. You won your first preseason game. Congratulations. Very proud of you there. First time as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, you win that preseason game. So I figured we'd stick with the theme of one, right? So let's go. Let's jog the memory here. So the team you beat, what was the team you beat the first time you became a head coach?

[I]

The Green Bay Packers.

[Diana Rossini]

Who scored a touchdown in that game.

[I]

The first one was Justin Jefferson. I believe he had two. The first one he caught, I think I called fourth and five on the right hash.

[Diana Rossini]

See, this is why people don't think that you're just like them because of the delay of game here.

[I]

Float to stack, right close. Fire to fly. Y crossers. And he caught the ball in the flat. And that was the first time I saw him gritty.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Oh, yeah.

[Diana Rossini]

When's the first time you gritty?

[I]

I have a deal. I have a deal with Justin when I will gritty in front of the whole team will happen after we accomplish something as a team. I don't want to put that out there because if I do, I know there'll be extra cameras when that happens. And just like my rookie show, I'd rather not have. I know. With John and Jeff and our PR staff, I know I won't be able to, you know, remove this video from future catalogs.

[Diana Rossini]

I hate to break this to you.

[I]

I'm practicing. I'll say this.

[Diana Rossini]

Oh, really?

[I]

My kids, did they help you? Yeah, they're much better at it than I am. But jets, he's kind of taught me the version that he feels all can do, you know, way less movement than some of the ones he does. Just keep it very simple. Much like how I dance at weddings.

[Diana Rossini]

And things like that. Yeah. Which I'm sure is a scene. So the. The first team you lost to as the Vikings head coach was.

[I]

That would have been, I believe, the. Let's see. We were bang, bang. It was Philadelphia Eagles. It would have been Monday Night Football. My first two years, believe it or not. I've opened up the link on national TV for their home opener. And they're always so friendly and so nice. But yeah, we went to. We went to Philadelphia feeling ourselves after that game, Green Bay game. And, you know, we had our first taste of adversity. And then we won a few in a row after that. And it was a good run there in 2022. Got to get back to that.

[Diana Rossini]

What is the first date you took your wife on?

[I]

I actually believe. Well, the first date, believe it or not, I actually borderline stood her up. I was hanging out with some of our offensive linemen and might have lost track of time. So technically that was the first date that should have happened that never did. But dealt with adversity on that one. And ultimately I think it was. I want to say, I think we went to get either frozen yogurt or smoothie and I remember thinking, I killed that. She's gotta love me. This is love at first sight. And I get in my car and I either had blueberry seeds or something all through my teeth, and I said, I thought you were a real one. You couldn't tell me I had just so I. I was petrified. But she answered my call the next day. Now we have a family of four beautiful children and couldn't do this job without her.

[Diana Rossini]

Can you name the kids?

[I]

No, I cannot. Yes, I can. Kaden, Quinn, Colton, and of course, Callie.

[Diana Rossini]

You didn't have to prove it to me. I believed you. All right, then. My last bonus one then. What is your first child's birthday?

[I]

Caden O' Connell. He turns 10 this year on October. October 24th, which happens to be my wife Leah's birthday as well.

[Diana Rossini]

Oh, look, it's like we knew. It's like we did some research before.

[I]

This, by the way. This could have gone south.

[Diana Rossini]

Really good, Leah. He passed the test. All right, this is a podcast called Scoop City and the premise of it is really not breaking news, but just getting a little scoop on things that are going on around the league. So if there's some scoop on this Minnesota Vikings team now, just some. Something that maybe people don't know about you guys, I just.

[I]

I think I would not underestimate the team we've put together. I think we've put together a lot of new additions that fit very well with not only the scheme we run on offense, defense, or even in the kicking game, but the way they fit amongst their teammates in the locker room. And that stuff does matter. It does matter. When it comes to 17 plus games trying to win as many as you can, I feel like we're made of the right stuff. I feel very strongly about not only our offensive scheme, but having Brian Flores. I know people know about Flo, but he makes me a better coach on a daily basis and certainly schematically, I know he's a headache to deal with for a lot of people around this league, which is why he's on my staff so we don't have to play against him.

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[Diana Rossini]

All right, so coach, one of the most common things people tell me about you is that you are this high energy, highly caffeinated human being. So I want to know your secret to just having so much energy every single day.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I truly believe in positive energy and how others feed off of that. So every day, every meeting, it's great morning. Like, I'm coming in loud, full of energy, just so our guys can feel the energy. Especially during a time like this in camp when everybody can be dragging around and feeling sorry for themselves. The long days, it's like, man, let's go. Great day. Let's have a great day. Let's have some fun out here.

[Diana Rossini]

How many times a day do you think you're saying, great morning, great day, great morning, great day.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

At least 100.

[Diana Rossini]

What if someone's not having Life is not easy. Not every day is great. So how are you making sure that your day is great, but you're reminding them that this is a blessing to do this?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah, for sure. And I make sure that there's a balance. Sometimes I can see a guy and see his face and how he's looking, and they need to take the time to pull them to the side. Right. Talk to a guy. Hey, make sure, truly, genuinely ask, like, hey, are you. Are you. Are you really okay? Like, how's things going outside of football? Because I realized, like, for our players and being in this profession, like, there's a lot of pressure with what we do, but we also have real life outside of this. Like, you got family issue. Everybody has. We have the same issues as everyone else. So I don't. I never lose sight of that. Like, these guys are real men. They have real issues. So I genuinely ask them how they're doing and care for.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah, everyone's. And everyone's got stuff. Right? Everyone's got challenges. It's not just trying to make a team or be the best at their position. How have you since last season? So now you're going into your second year as a head coach. How do you think you've changed as a leader or adjusted some of the ways that you've been running this team since when you took this job?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah, I think second year round is definitely more comfortable. Second. So it's not a lot of unknowns going into the second year. So I'm more comfortable with. Just for me, I think I wanted to do a better job of coaching the coaches, like, and making sure I spend time encouraging the coaches and pouring into them more this time around. My first year, it's all about the players getting the team right. And I probably neglected the coaching staff a little bit. So it's more of motivating, encouraging them as teachers, like, how to help them best, teach guys, encourage and motivate guys.

[Diana Rossini]

Did you ever think when you were a player for the Texans that you would one day become the head coach? Have you ever, like, stopped to be like this? This is pretty unique.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I never, never thought as playing. I'm just in my player mode and just trying to do my best. I never thought that I would be head coach of anything. But then to come back as head coach of the Houston Texans, like, I wouldn't. I wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else. Like, this means more. It's special. It's a unique bond of former players who are my teammates. Like, being able to see those guys around, seeing Andre Johnson going to the hall of Fame, a former teammate for six years, it's like being the head coach of the Houston Texans, that was. This was the perfect job for me.

[Diana Rossini]

You became captain when you were a player really quick, real quick. And the leadership qualities about you have followed you all the way through your playing career. And now, as a coach, why do people think you're such a good leader, and why do you think you're such a good leader?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Well, I think people first think I'm a good leader because. And I serve first and foremost. Like, I never look at the leadership role as, you know, I'm the big guy, and everybody has to listen to what Mikko says. Like, it's never like that. I'm always of the mindset of.

[Diana Rossini]

Of.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

How can I be of service to you? How can I be of service to our players, to our. To our support staff? Like, I just. I'm a part of it, right? And I'm a part of the team. And as a leader, I think people feel that from me that I genuinely care and that I want the best for everyone.

[I]

All right?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

And I think people see that, and also by how I move and how I. I handle myself and how I carry myself, I. I try to do exactly what I'm asking others to do. That's. Are you getting better every day? Right? Are you giving your best? Are you constantly thinking about how you can improve? And I do those things. So I. It's not just me telling someone. It's not just lip service. Like, I act it out as well.

[Diana Rossini]

You're living this. And in that same sentiment of not just talking it, but doing it, it's what I've been hearing a lot of your players say about C.J. as a quarterback. He knows he's good. He's got that confidence. He's got that flair. He has a presence about him, but he's able to be that way because he talks about it, but he also shows it and is productive, not only on the field but in the meeting rooms. What type of leader are you seeing in C.J. here in his second year?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I'm seeing a guy who's more vocal the second time around. I think he's more vocal because he's more confident of his job and his role and what he has to do. He knows the offense. He can command the offense. Now, I see a guy who's just. He's probably our most competitive guy on the team, whether it's shooting hoops or playing video games on the field. Like, he wants the best for everyone, and everybody feels that competitive nature come out in him, and he's leading that way. Guys see how important it is to him. Every rep is important to him, and it's important for him to see others do well. And when your quarterback is that way, it's easy to lead the team because no one wants to let him down. They know how special of a guy he is. They know how special of a talent he is. You can't help but pull for the guy. You can't help but dig a little deeper and play your hardest for him.

[Diana Rossini]

When you're seeing C.J. get so much attention right now because he is on the map and everyone knows that he has the potential to be one of the greats to play this position, how have you been managing him as a coach and as a guy to make sure that the details aren't getting missed? And all of this is distracting from what you guys are trying to get done.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Right? It's a fine line with your quarterback. Right. It's reeling the man from he. First off, he's a football junkie. So he's looking at all these plays. Other teams are running like, hey, we need, we can do this, we can do that. It's like, okay, I love your ideas and love what you're bringing to the table. I love that you're thinking about that. But let's also not understand, like, the basics, fundamentals of the game. Like, you have to master those. And that's what the best quarterbacks in his league. So I tell him, like Brady Manning, like, they mastered the fundamentals. It was wasn't always about the big play. It was about taking what the defense gave them. Being in the right call, getting the offense in the right call and making the right reads. And it was just over and over and over again. Just getting bored with the consistency of the, of the position. Right. And not getting too caught up in the wild plays. But make those simple plays that you allow your playmakers around you to turn in a big play.

[Diana Rossini]

Yes. And by the way, Steph wanted to make it a point that I said. He says he's not a defensive minded head coach, but he is. At the end of the day, you're always thinking defense. So using that to your advantage, though, that you do have that defensive mind, how are you helping this offense evolve and continue to help CJ Grow?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

See, I tell him, I told Steph, I told him in the huddle a couple days ago. I was like, I want to see the scoreboard lighten up. Like as many points as we can score. I'm not a defensive coach. I want to see the scoreboard lit up. So they all laughed about it, of course. And then I tell the refs, make sure they call it in favor of the defense. But we have fun with it. I think in our team meetings, everything we do, it's about me Just coaching everybody and showing just the style of play for the Houston Texans, whether it's offense, defense, special teams, I want everybody to see there's a certain style when you put on our tape, like, it has to look different, like, with how we're finishing, how fast we're playing, how physical we're playing all three phases. We play that way and exhibit Texan football. I think everybody see I'm the head coach of the Houston Texans and not just defense.

[Diana Rossini]

What's it like to be the head coach of a team that everyone's coming after now?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I love it. I mean, why wouldn't you. You wouldn't want it any other way, right? You want to. First off, you want. You have always, for me, every time I lined up, every time I've coached, like, I've never not lined up having high expectations for our team and what we're about, because I know the preparation that we put in, right? And always anticipate other teams giving us their best. So, I mean, guys are up for the challenge. We understand what it is. That's every week in the league, like, it doesn't change. I know it's a lot more noise on the outside from, you know, fans and other people, you know, being hyped up about the Texans. But, I mean, we're excited and we're hyped internally as well, and we have high expectations for ourselves.

[Diana Rossini]

So this podcast is called Scoop City, and the goal is to have people come on the show and give us all the secrets of the team. And I've gotten nothing out of you, so give me the scoop.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

It's the scoop.

[Diana Rossini]

It's the scoop. So my last question for you about getting the scoop is, you know, we talk about your high energy. You're a father of four, between the ages of ten, all the way down to six months.

[Unnamed NFL Coach]

The scoop.

[Diana Rossini]

Give parents some advice on how you're dealing with a high pressure job that you're in while also having to be dad at home first.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I'm thankful to my wife Jamila, for holding the house down. So when I come home, right, from all the. All the work, the long hours, when I come home, I just know once I hit that garage, like, hey, it's football is done. It's dad time. And I make sure I pour into them and they. They're getting all of my attention. Throw the cell phone to the side, like, they're getting all of my attention. So we're outside, we're shooting hoops, we're riding bikes. Like, I just want them to see Me as dad, not the football coach. Just see me as dad and know that I love them, I care for them, and I want them to know we're going to have fun. Just like we have a lot of fun out here on the football field.

[Diana Rossini]

Coming full circle here on the energy thing. So really all the energy is going to the guys and then you have to almost hit a second wind here. Are you a big coffee drinker? Like, what are you doing to keep this energy out?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Little coffee in the morning. Not a. Not a big coffee drink. I'll have probably a cup or two every day. Oh, yeah, Sometimes I may need a little espresso before I go home.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah, I think that's. I think that is the key to late night parenting is after work. Get one more shot. Most people are done with their coffee by afternoon. Sometimes you gotta dig deep just to bring it in all together. So, coach, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate your time and thanks for hanging out in scoop city.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Appreciate it.

[Diana Rossini]

Thank you.

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[Unnamed Interviewer]

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[Diana Rossini]

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[Unnamed NFL Coach]

Tell y' all about the new, new.

[Paige]

Lamellar gloss collection from the girlies at Tresemme and Gigglers. We've got you too, because Tresemme partnered with us to bring you 1-800-gloss, a special bonus episode of Giggly Squad, where Hannah and I give advice on all things hair and giving gloss. Check out the episode and grab the Lamellar gloss collection today because I'm officially declaring this spring gloss season.