Mitglieder » He got his first chance to talk with the T

win Cities media" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteDaily Norsemana Minnesota Vikings communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsLibraryVikingsOddsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsFiled under:Minnesota Vikings 2019 NFL DraftTranscript: Conference Call with Minnesota Vikings second-round pick Irv Smith Chuck Foreman Jersey , Jr.New,9commentsHe got his first chance to talk with the Twin Cities mediaCDTShareTweetShareShareTranscript: Conference Call with Minnesota Vikings second-round pick Irv Smith, Jr.Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesShortly after the Minnesota Vikings made him their second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Alabama tight end Irv Smith, Jr. got an opportunity to speak with the Twin Cities media for the first time. He had a conference call with reporters from the area, and thanks to the Vikings’ PR department, we have the full transcript to share with you to get the rookie’s thoughts on being drafted by the purple.Thanks to the Vikings’ Public Relations folks for sending out the transcript.I’m so excited to have this opportunity. I’m blessed the Vikings believed in me, and that they wanted to make me a Minnesota Viking. It’s an amazing opportunity, I can’t wait to get out there.Q: What was it like growing up in a football family?A: It was amazing. My dad doing all the things that he’s done, as a young man having him as a mentor and seeing all his footballs, his helmets Paul Krause Jersey , his trophies and everything around the house, just seeing all that motivated me to put myself in this position I’m in today.Q: What do you know about Kyle Rudolph, and how do you see the two of you working together?A: I see him as a player that I definitely looked up to playing football, especially as a tight end. He’s done so much, been a Pro Bowl player, and I can’t wait to work with him and learn from him.Q: Did you always want to play tight end, considering that was your dad’s position too?A: When I was younger I started out playing receiver. I started playing football in eighth grade, and my sophomore year I started playing tight end. After that I switched over to the position.Q: Did your dad try to steer you in that direction?A: He definitely did. At first he said, “You can be a receiver, and be slow receiver, or a fast tight end.” I wound up being a fast tight end and it worked out.Q: What kind of advice has your dad given you throughout this process?A: He’s helped me so much Fran Tarkenton Jersey , honestly. Just telling me some of the things to do, some of the things not to do, learning from his mistakes. Just picking his brain. He’s helped me so much and he’s going to continue to help me throughout this.Q: Do you take pride in your versatility and your ability to play in the slot and out wide?A: Yes sir, that’s really what I pride myself in mostly. All the best tight ends in the NFL and all the greats, they were able to do both; run block and make plays in the passing game. It opens a lot for you and helps the team in all phases of the game. It’s something I pride myself on and I’ll continue to work on and improve as a player.Q: Talk about your ability to create mismatches.A: It’s something that I really pride myself on. I believe no linebacker or safety one-on-one can stay with me, and I’m going to keep proving to people [why] that’s how I feel.Q: What did you learn from O.J. Howard, playing behind him early in your career?A: I learned a lot from O.J. I was a freshman and he was a senior, and the way he carried himself as a player and a person, the way he treated everyone, that’s something that I really took from him. On the field he took no plays off, was a complete tight end Brett Favre Jersey , I believe, and it’s proven that he’s doing the same thing in the NFL today.Q: How do you feel you are as a run blocker? Do you think you’re still a work in progress in that area?A: Yeah, I definitely think I’m a work in progress. I went against what I feel like was the top competition in college, and I did a great job of it, but it’s definitely something that I can always improve on and it’s something that is going to be a main focus this coming year.Q: Have you ever been to Minnesota?A: Never. I can’t wait.Q: Have you seen snow?A: I’ve seen snow. I’ve never lived in it, but I’ve seen it. I’ll have to get used to it.Q: Are you going to go out and buy a car now? I heard yours broke down on the way back from Tuscaloosa.A: Yeah, I was driving from Alabama to New Orleans and it ran out on me. I had it since my sophomore year of high school, so yeah, it’s time for a new lift. This is not a repeat post from last week. This is a totally different rejection." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteDaily Norsemana Minnesota Vikings communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsLibraryVikingsOddsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsFiled under:Minnesota Vikings 2019 OffseasonReport: George Paton turned down the Jets. Again.New,17commentsThis is not a repeat post from last week. This is a totally different rejection.CDTShareTweetShareShareReport: George Paton turned down the Jets. Again.Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsA little over a week ago, we brought you the word that Minnesota Vikings Assistant GM George Paton turned down the opportunity to interview for the General Manager position with the New York Jets. It was the third time that the Jets had requested to interview Paton Adam Thielen Jersey , and the third time he turned them down.On Friday, the Jets hired former Philadelphia Eagles executive Joe Douglas for their GM role.But not before taking a fourth run at Paton, apparently.Connor Hughes of The Athletic is reporting that, after Paton turned the Jets down, they went and interviewed Douglas. Then, after the Douglas interview, the J-E-T-S apparently decided to give Paton another call and ask him to reconsider. According to Hughes, he did actually reconsider. . .but then, just as he had the previous three times, wound up saying no.Congratulations to the Jets on getting their second choice, though. Perhaps this can be blamed on Kirk Cousins or Anthony Barr Stefon Diggs Jersey , too.The Vikings might not be out of the woods with Paton, though. On Friday, the Houston Texans. . .a team that went 11-5 and made a trip to the playoffs last season. . .decided to fire their GM after he had been on the job for just one year. So, there’s another vacancy out there in the GM ranks. Is this going to be the one that pulls Paton away? I hope not, but we’ll be monitoring things on that front as well.