*Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer *
It was good to win today. I thought offensively we played very well. Moved the football, hit on third downs, hit some shots down the field. I thought Kyle Rudolph played well, [Sam] Bradford played well. We ran the ball better and more physically today. We kept the quarterback clean. We had five takeaways, obviously, with four on defense and the one on special teams. It was a good way to win. Ready to move forward.
Q: Does it feel bittersweet with the performance but this is it?
A: It's a good win but it's tough that that's the end of it. We did things today like we did early in the year. We had turnovers, we played physical. We just didn't do it enough toward the latter part of the year.
Q: What specifically did you like about Bradford's performance today and this season overall?
A: If you set an NFL record, that's pretty good. Usually you have a pretty good year. I know you were asking about the trade awhile back so, now you can evaluate it. I think he played well. I think he played well all year. He took good care of the football. There were times when he hummed it in there and needed to put a little extra on it. There was times when he had touch passes. Made a nice couple throws to Rudolph. Some nice throws to McKinnon for the first touchdown. So, yeah, I thought he played well.
Q: How will you approach heading into next season?
A: Tomorrow we start the process of what we need to do to go forward with things. We evaluate everything and we go forward and go from there. My job is to take some time off, not off, but take some time. Evaluate where we're at, what we need to get better at, where we need to go from at that point. Then we'll make all the decisions we need to make, together, Rick [Spielman] and I.
Q: If this is indeed it for Chad Greenway, what has it been like coaching him the past three years?
A: Really, I don't want to get into all this 'what if' stuff down the road. Chad is a true professional. He's a leader in the community, a leader on the field. He's a tremendous competitor. He's a guy that truly will always be one of my best guys. I really don't want to get into any of the, 'Well, what if this or what if that' and next week, all that stuff. So, if you want to talk about the Bears we can do that and if not, that or leave.
Q: In terms of Adam Thielen today what was the difference from last week to this week? Why wasn't he a big part of the game plan?
A: I honestly don't care about individual awards or statistics. We threw the ball to the open guy today. Simple as that.
Q: Were you able to get a read on how Rashod Hill played today?
A: I don't think he did too bad. I know he had one mental error at least but he's kind of looked like he did out there today in practice the last few weeks.
Q: Xavier Rhodes gets his fifth interception today; Did this season play out as you expected it would for him?
A: Well the one thing that Xavier has not done very well in the past is catch the ball and he's made a lot of catches, you know 5, so that's pretty good. I think Xavier has had a good year. He's a great kid, great competitor, tries to do his very best every single day he walks into the building. Always has a smile on his face, always trying to learn. Gets frustrated at times, probably with me more than anybody, but he's a good kid.
Q: What was your take on the protesters with the sign?
A: What protesters?
Q: Did you not notice the big sign protesting?
A: No, anything between the 100 yard lines I notice but not that. (Reporter: it was almost at the 5 yard line). I honestly, I swear to God I didn't see them, not once. I didn't even, nothing.
Q: Can you give us a glimpse of what your process is now to evaluate the team and year?
A: I can talk more about it on Tuesday but I've got written down a list of at least two pages, things that I either don't like or need to evaluate better. The schedule for the coaches, next week we'll evaluate all the players and all that stuff but it's really about the process of moving forward. Why we didn't do this good, why we didn't do this…I mean there's a million things that I have to go through as a process and put it on the calendar of when I want it accomplished and where do we want to go from there.
Q: How is your eye doing?
A: It's the same. If I close it I can't see. With some of the people I would like to close it, I'm just kidding, just talking about my daughter actually.
Vikings Quarterback Sam Bradford
Q: What does setting the NFL record for completion percentage mean to you?
A: Obviously, it's nice. It's pretty cool. I would trade that for wins any day. But, the fact that we were able to go out there and accomplish that as a group. You know, everyone contributes to that and it's pretty cool.
Q: What do you think contributed to your connection with Kyle Rudolph all year?
A: Kyle is just really good football player. He's one of those guys that as a quarterback when I first got here it seemed like we clicked immediately. He's real easy to read as far as his body language in routes and he's a big target who's got a really big catch radius. Obviously, that's what you're looking for as a quarterback because you know if you put it in his area, he's usually going to come down with it.
Q: Are you able to assess the craziness of your season with people hanging down from the rafters in U.S. Bank Stadium, if you saw any of the protestors?
A: It was brought to my attention, but I did not see it. But, why wouldn't the season finish like that. It's just been that kind of a year.
Q: How much easier do you think it'll be after having a mini-camp and training camp with the Vikings?
A: I think as a quarterback any time you have time to get reps, whether it be during the season, whether it be during the offseason, during the OTA program, obviously, it helps because you develop that chemistry and you develop those relationships with guys on and off the field.
Q: Do you think that you could've had this kind of a year even a few years ago?
A: Yeah, I think as a player in this league you always believe in yourself and I think you always believe that you can go out and play at a high level. Obviously, this year just in terms of the trade and showing up week one it's been crazy. But, it's been fun and I've enjoyed being a part of this locker room. I think the guys in that locker room are one of the main reasons I was able to play the way I did this year.
Q: On the early pass to Cordarrelle Patterson, was that just a go route?
A: Yeah, it was actually a play where we thought they were going to be in a soft zone and it was a hitch. Then the guy came up and pressed him and it converted to a fade and he just ran by him.
Q: So, Cordarrelle Patterson just knew to make that switch based on what they were doing?
A: Yeah.
Q: Could that be the next step for him?
A: Yeah, we're always trying to look for ways to get him involved because when he does have the ball in his hands, obviously he's a very special player. I think he did make some nice plays down the field for us this year. Like you said, maybe that is the next step in his game. But, I think his versatility and what he's able to do in the screen game, hand him the ball in the run game. He's a very valuable piece of the offense.
Q: On the interception, was that a case of where he didn't finish the route?
A: You know, I've probably got to be smarter there. I think I probably forced it a little bit and led him a little bit too much. I should've put it on his body.
Q: With the strong season that you've had, would you expect to be the starter for the Minnesota Vikings next year?
A: That is so far off my radar. I haven't even begun to think about next year. Obviously, this year has been a whirlwind from the day I got here. It was nice to go out and play the way we did today and finish the year on a positive. I'm definitely going to take some time and catch my breath for a while.
Q: Would you expect for them to retain you? Or would you be stunned if they didn't?
A: Like I said, I haven't thought that and I don't have control over that. So, I'm not going to lose much sleep over it.
Q: How would you characterize this season for you professionally as a quarterback?
A: It was interesting. There was a stretch like each week it felt like we were battling something new and trying to figure out how to overcome something. But, the season just finished. I think it'll take some time for me to really sit back and think about it and go back and look at everything myself and this group has gone through before I can really assess what happened this year.
Vikings Cornerback Xavier Rhodes
Q: Do you think the defense played well today?
A: Yeah, we played well today. We attacked the ball, made plays, had turnovers.
Q: How hard is it going to be to watch the playoffs knowing you could have been there?
A: It is going to be pretty hard, but we did not make it so we cannot be dwelling. We can just get better and get ready for next season.
Q: How do you justify starting the season 5-0 and then having the season start to unravel after the bye week?
A: We just need to finish. We need to look at our mistakes and correct them. After the bye week there were a lot of errors going on and we did not capitalize on those errors on both sides of the ball.
Vikings Linebacker Anthony Barr
Q: What will the off season be like for you and this team?
A: We kind of ended on a high note today and we have some confidence going into the offseason. We definitely have to take some time and rest up. Rest the mind and rest the body and get back to it.
Q: What was it like playing with Chad Greenway if he ends up retiring?
A: It was awesome. I am going to miss him so much. Just being in the locker room, he definitely lightened the mood. He is just a smart guy, a great teammate, and great friend.
Q: It seemed like you guys had some great opportunities with forcing five turnovers.
A: Yeah, we knew that he (Matt Barkley) was going to throw some balls and we just had to be in position to make it. I feel like we did a good job with the passing game, but played terrible against the run all game. We wanted to create turnovers and keep our team in it. Our offense had great field position and played well for us.
Vikings Wide Receiver Adam Thielen
Q: Why do you think it was that Kyle Rudolph had so much success today?
A: He was open. Sam [Bradford] does a great job of finding the open guy, and obviously we were moving the ball great, so it was the right thing to do.
Q: Were you surprised that you were targeted once the entire game?
A: You can't be surprised in this league. You just have to play your game. You have to win every route, win every play and take advantage of the opportunities you get.
Q: Did you notice the Bear's defense honing in on you throughout the game?
A: I don't know. They played a lot of cloud coverage. I don't know if that was because of me or if that's just who they are. But we knew coming in that they're a cloud team, they like to rush the passer, and they have good guys up front, so they're just going to cloud everything and let the guys go at the passer.
Q: Going into the game did the film show that this could be a big Rudolph game?
A: I think the cool part about this offense is that you never know who's going to have a big game, because we have a lot of guys who can make plays. You just have to come out every game ready to go, and when those opportunities come you have to make the most of them, because you don't know when you're going to get them.
Q: Does it mean anything to you to be part of Sam Bradford's completion percentage record?
A: Yeah, it's cool. Obviously it's nice to have him here. He's a great quarterback and just a great guy to have in the locker room. He made it easy on us receivers, which was nice obviously.
Q: How did it feel to finish with a winning taste after what was largely a disappointing season?
A: That's huge. I think that was a big emphasis this week that we want to go into the offseason with some momentum. We knew obviously that we weren't going to make the playoffs, but we wanted some momentum going into next year and going in to OTA's. I think that makes a big difference.
Q: What did you think of the protesters?
A: That was interesting. They got some balls, that's for sure.
Q: Were players watching it?
A: Not watching it, but obviously we noticed it. Definitely interesting.
Vikings Defensive End Brian Robison
Q: What are your thoughts on missing the playoffs?
A: We can't think about that. At the end of the day it didn't happen. I think as you get older in this league, you understand that you are always going to look at the end of the season and say what if. What if this happened, what if that happened, but at the end of the day it didn't happen. You have to just move forward and take it in stride.
Q: When do you start to think about your personal situation, and where you fit next year?
A: I am not going to think about it. I mean at the end of the day I feel like I have done what I needed to do in order to show I still have some ball left in me. Whatever happens, happens, it is the NFL you never know in this business what is going to happen. For me, I am just going to go home and spend some time with my family, and then get back at it like I always do.
Q: Were there a lot of emotions with you guys, not only this being the last game, but Captain (Munnerlyn) said he may not be here, Chad (Greenway) may not be here. Did they play a role in the collective emotion out there today?
A: I think it always does at the end of the season because you understand that the team is not going to be the same next year. We have been blessed in order to have the same core group of guys here, you know two or three years. That does not happen very often. So going into today, everybody understood that this will probably be the last time we are all together and we need to make the best of it.
Q: How weird was this year? You played a game with guys dangling from the rafters for three quarters, stuck on a tarmac for six hours, etc.
A: Well it wasn't quite as weird as 2010, but it definitely is 2010's running mate. 2010 would be the president and 2016 would be the vice president.
Q: What was the overriding thing that separates 2010 from 2016?
A: Well U.S. Bank Stadium didn't collapse. We didn't play a home game in Detroit. We didn't spend four days in Philly. Coach didn't get fired, so that is always good. We brought in Randy [Moss], and then shipped off Randy [Moss]. That was a crazy year.
Q: Chad (Greenwa) talked earlier in the week about it was still valuable to play for pride and give the home fans a show at the end of the season. What was it like for the defense to get so many turnovers?
A: Well that is what we did the first five weeks of the year. It goes to show you when we play ball the way we know how, we can play pretty good ball. Unfortunately for us, we didn't do that in the 10-game span, and that really was the difference. Create turnovers, protect the ball, being able to score on offense, be good in the red zone, be good on third downs, and then defensively we did not stop the run as well as we liked. For the most part we were good, we held them to 10 points even though they had some long drives. That has been the difference for us.
*Vikings Linebacker Chad Greenway *
I don't get these opportunities very often. Obviously, it was a pretty special day. We've had a long year, we didn't want to come out and say anything, we just wanted to continue to take our time and make a decision on retiring. But, just to talk a little bit about today and kind of what it meant to me. This game, for all intents and purposes, across the NFL and for writing an article, didn't mean much. We're out of it, I read Souhan this morning, it didn't mean a whole lot. But I can tell you, to our football team, to me individually, to my teammates, to coach, I was just really proud of the way we were able to go out and…execute might be the wrong word, but find a way to get a win. We created a lot of turnovers, made some great plays, offense put some points up and we got the win. For me, it was a day that I cataloged in my memory from the moment I got up to, obviously, now. Enjoyed every minute of it, which has been my plan since day one. This season starting and from the first time I got asked the question of, 'Is this my last year?' from you folks. I can tell you that my plan was to enjoy every moment of this season and let the chips fall and make a decision in a few weeks, and that's what I'm going to do. I can tell you I enjoyed every minute of it. I've enjoyed every minute I've met with my teammates. This business is so much about relationships and people, and teammates, coaches. You don't realize that until you think about, 'This could be it.' You start really thinking about it and thinking about the people you're meeting, you're shaking hands with on an every day basis. I thought about it this morning, I walked into the stadium and you don't realize you're talking to security guards and people like Dave, our parking lot attendant, has been with me for 11 years. Just relationships like that, that you don't think about and that you cherish. Obviously, the special relationships in the locker room, the teammates, those moments. We are going to take some time and officially decide what we're going to do but I can tell you, I enjoyed every minute of it.
Q: It sounds like you're going to retire, is that where you're leaning?
A: Yeah, that was the way I started off this season. But like I said, I didn't want to make the final decision and I still don't. I want to get away from the season. The line I gave you guys all year was, I wanted to focus on what I needed to do to try to help this team win, and that was the truth. Now, I just need some time to get away and my wife and I can make a decision. There is no coming back in this league. It's final. I want it to be on my terms and that's the way I want to do it.
Q: Would it only be on your terms if you wanted to come back here or would you play for another team?
A: We'd have to just figure out as we go. I'm not in a position at this point to even talk about that far ahead and kind of what that thought process would be. That would have to kind of take shape as we move forward.
Q: How do you feel physically?
A: I feel great, honestly. I feel really good. I've had so many people talk to me and you talk to somebody and they say, 'You play until the wheels fall off, until they won't let you on the field anymore.' Some people say, 'Sign you for a minimum, you keep playing on the way out.' I've had people say, 'Hey, get out of this game on your own terms.' And I'm going to decide my own way what I'm going to do. I've done that my whole career. The reason I wanted to stay in this community and this organization for 11 years was because I wanted to be a part of something. I got that from the University of Iowa, just wanting to be a part of something else. Not wanting to be the guy that's jumping around looking for the best opportunity or the most money, the next best situation. I really wanted to integrate myself and our family into this community. From day one, I learned that from Jim Kleinsasser, who we watched retire a few years ago. We all thought he was an all-timer as far as Vikings go. Just the way he went about his business and the person he was, I learned a lot from him. I wanted to emulate him and that's what I've tried to do. We'll see what happens.
Q: You said you took everything in, did you do that so you didn't cheat yourself out of these moments, just in case?
A: Well, I think we all just kind of go through our day sometimes and don't think about those things. You guys do the same thing, or these guys in the locker room that are in their first or second year, they just go about their business and they don't realize how important it is until you're at the point where I'm at. I just think it's good to reflect like that. It's good to put yourself in that position. We live in a different world in the NFL. I'm 33 years old and I'm up here talking about potentially retiring. It's just a different world, different business. I mean, [WCCO's Mark] Rosen is 80 and he's still working [joking]. It's just one of those situations where it's a little different and unique. I'm happy that I put myself in a position to be able to control this part of my career.
Q: How close is 2016 now to 2010? Two guys rappelling from the ceiling for an entire football game?
A: I did not realize that until after halftime. I don't know where my head was. When I saw it, I didn't know what was going on and I just tried to focus on what we had to do on the football field. There are a lot of similarities and I think that comparison has been drawn in conversations with you folks throughout the year. We've had a lot of things happen with this football team and as you as a player and a coach, Coach Zimmer, you can't let these things become an excuse for you not winning games because at the end of the day that's what we have to do. That's how you are judged and certainly we didn't do enough of that, obviously at 8-8 and especially with the way we started. It certainly was frustrating, but you just cant let those things dictate your season even though sometimes you look back on it and reflect in maybe a year or a few months and realize that would have changed the scope of our football team and that changes the mentality. There are some parallels for sure, but nothing can touch 2010. We get to play in this building now, so there are always some good things that happen.
Q: A lot of players have difficulty of dealing with life after football. You set yourself up, no matter what your decision is, making that transition a lot easier for yourself and your family.
A: Yeah, you certainly read about that stuff a lot and I think one of the benefits that I have is I will remain in the Twin Cities and that's something. There are so many people and relationships that are within the organization that I cherish and hold dear and will continue to have. Bob Hagan and Tom West, I mean these guys are friends and that doesn't change just because I don't play for the team anymore. That really helps.
Q: What was going through your mind when they put you up on the screen?
A: Don't get emotional. I wanted that moment. I was happy I got that moment. Again, if I don't get another moment on U.S. Bank Stadium field I got that moment and my teammates were unbelievable today. I think because we were out of the playoff picture and there wasn't necessarily that carrot of the next game or next week, the focus really was on some guys that might be playing their last football games. We obviously would rather be playing for a playoff spot and not worrying about that crap, but it was something that they knew and took notice so it was pretty cool. It was fun to have that moment.
Q: How about being introduced last and getting the ovation before the game?
A: I' m usually the guy that runs out as fast as I can and you know I wanted to take this chance to soak it up a little bit. I thought about those things ahead of time. Again, all the things you know you are going to miss when you're done, you want to cherish and you know I've done that since even Training Camp. Somehow I found a way to enjoy Training Camp. So that's been my philosophy throughout the year and it's made the year really fun in a frustrating year of ups and downs it's made the year enjoyable with my teammates and just the guys in the locker room and the linebackers that we've made it fun in a tough year.
Q: Does the direction of where this team is going and the promise of how good they can be next year play into your decision?
A: No, no. I think it did last year, but I think I'm just in a different place now.
Q: Do you think the emotions played into how you guys collectively felt and played today?
A: Yeah I know, just in our room, our linebacker room, our mentality was we want to come out here and play our butts off because we wanted to end this thing with a win regardless of what has happened. It's just so much better going into the offseason with a win regardless. Like I said, I get the chance to go to the podium and speak to you guys and there are so many of the guys in the locker room who the scene always looks different. Thirty percent of the guys will be flipped out, that's just how the NFL works. But to not be one of those guys over 11 years means a lot to me so it makes it pretty fun.
*Vikings Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn *
Q: When the season ends like this, do you guys maybe feel like you left a little more out on that field?
A: Oh yeah I mean you always feel like that. You always try and go back and evaluate yourself and your team and try and see what could you do better. To finish like this was definitely a great feeling, but at the same time you look at some of the games like 'Man we could've come out and played like this.' And we could've probably be playing for a playoff spot and today would've meant something. Definitely a different feeling toady, glad we were able to get the win.
Q: Do you guys feel that from the beginning you would have the opportunity to take the ball away from Matt Barkley given that he's done that a lot this season?
A: Oh yeah, most definitely. As DBs you're always coming into a game thinking you can take the ball away from quarterbacks and we knew last week he gone out and thrown five interceptions. So we knew if we played tight coverage, we would have our opportunity to get our hands on some footballs and Xavier [Rhodes] and Trae [Waynes], they did that today.
Q: How good was it for the defense to close the way it did today after a couple disappointing outings?
A: It was great, it was great. We still gave up too many yards rushing and I'm always going to be critical saying we could have done something better, so we definitely gave up too many yards rushing. They ran the ball pretty well against us. It was great to keep the score down, they only scored 10 points and we kept them out of the end zone.
Q: When do you think about next year and your personal situation?
A: I think I start thinking about that now. I've been kind of quiet, not been my normal self so it just was like 'Man I don't know what the future brings to me.' I don't know if this is the last time I will be coming out of this locker room, going on the field with my brothers, my teammates and playing this game that I love, so you never know. I want to be back here, but at the same time I know it's a business.
Q: You think that fueled into today? A lot of the guys on the team are having those emotions today.
A: Oh yeah, a lot of guys. We have a lot of guys and we just don't know. We don't know what the future holds right now, but this has been a crazy year, a fun year. You know to be back in these locker rooms with these guys, I know I can't control that, but at the same time I would love to and it's going to be a different feeling. I started thinking about it today when I came into the locker room and as I was parking my car, going to spot 36 and I was like 'Man this could be my last time coming to this parking spot.' So it kind of touched me a little bit because I know all the hard work we put in, my teammates and if I'm not back here, I'll definitely miss these guys.
Vikings Wide Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson
Q: Has this year been a learning experience for you and your team?
A: This whole league is about learning. Each week you find out stuff that you can do that have never done in your life. Things just happen. You just have to grow from that. You just have to keep grinding. Nobody ever put their head down in this locker room. That's just how it has to be. You can't be down, things happen and it did.
Q: How much have you grown this year? Will you feel good when you look back on how you have played this year?
A: It was okay. I feel like I did some things I was happy about and I've seen some things I could have done better at. Working with these guys like Charles Johnson, he pushed me every day and made me a better person. Adam Thielen, Jarius Wright, all those guys, Stefon Diggs, [Laquon] Treadwell, every receiver in that locker room we never let each other down. We pushed each other each and every week. I know every receiver we have is happy about our performance this year. It didn't end how we wanted it to. At the end of the day it was a blessing to be a part of it with these guys.
Q: You had a catch on a deep pass early in the game, are you surprised we don't see more of that?
A: I just do what I'm supposed to do when my number is called. Every time my number is called I try and go make a play. Sometimes you don't make the plays, but that's the business. The other team did a good job of making plays, too. Like I said, each time my name is called I just try to make a play.
Vikings Defensive End Everson Griffen
Q: What were you thinking there in the 4th quarter when you saw that loose ball squirting towards the end zone?
A: Anthony knocked it out, and I just kept on going to the whistle, picked it up, and I scored.
Q: Is it a bit of a happy birthday present for you?
A: It was, but the biggest thing is that we got the win. We didn't play the run like we wanted to, but we finished strong and got the win. It's all good.
Q: Does knowing that you may not play with some guys after today feed in to the emotion of a game like this?
A: Yeah, but you just have to go out there and execute your call. I always play for the guy next to me, and I hope everyone is back. But that's not the reality. The reality is that we have to go back and watch the tape. We played well today, but can always play better. We had an up and down season, but the biggest thing is that we have to win more games, and we didn't do that.
Vikings Safety Harrison Smith
Q: What did you think of Everson Griffen's scoop and score?
A: That was awesome. A great play by all the guys up front there. Anthony Barr keeping the ball alive, and Everson, who's about as athletic of a defensive lineman as you're going to find, picking it up.
Q: You guys had a lot of big defensive plays throughout the game. Was it fun to uncork them at the end of the season?
A: Yeah. You know, there's no letup in this group. No matter what happens, we know that we can make plays, and that's what we did today.
Q: We know it it's a business, but a lot of guys here can feel the emotions of not knowing if they're going to come back. A lot of you guys have been together for a while, could you feel a collective energy going into this game?
A: We have great chemistry on this team. It is a business, so guys come and go. That's just how it goes, but while you're together you have to take advantage of it and play for each other and play for the team.
Q: Did you guys make notice of the people up in the rafters?
A: I didn't even know that happened until I came in here and heard about it.
Q: You were that focused?
A: Yeah, I mean I rarely look up at the rafters.
Q: You would for sure be ready if there was a playoff game next week, but how does your body feel right not?
A: I think no matter who you are or what team you're on, you've got your bumps and bruises, but that's how the game is. It's a long season, so you've got to be a pro and you've got to take care of yourself to get as healthy as possible.
Q: You're likely to get asked in the upcoming months what happened after the 5-0 start. What would your answer be to that question?
A: I think it's just that we didn't make enough plays to win. People can talk about how things fell apart and everything, but every year it comes down to a couple of plays here and a couple of plays there. That's the difference in being .500 and being 10-6 or 11-5. That's true with this year as well. So we just have to make those plays.
Q: There's no doubt that Terence Newman could play one more season, but if this is it, what's his legacy as an NFL player?
A: It's incredible. We're just fortunate to be in the same room with him. I don't even want to say he could play just one more year, he could play multiple years in the future. I don't make the decisions, but I know he's a competitor, he's physical and he's tough, and he can cover. You just don't find anybody like that.
Vikings Wide Receiver Jarius Wright
Q: What were your emotions today and getting this victory?
A: Just so happy, I cannot really put it into words how happy I was. I got a chance to end this year with a touchdown. The offense moved the ball up and down the field all game, and we played a full offensive game. It was good to get a chance to do that the last game of the year, and hopefully that will lead us into next year.
Q: When do you start thinking about your personal situation, where you'll be and where you'll fit in next year?
A: Really right now it is not up to me. I know my people will be in contact with the Vikings to see what my role is and how I can help the team. It was kind of tough this year going through what I went through. I do not see myself doing that again.
Q: If you stay, are you going to play?
A: I would like to think so. I don't want to be like this about it, but I am making a lot of money, and if I am here next year I think I will definitely be playing.
Q: Were the receivers aware of how close Sam Bradford was to the record today?
A: It is kind of funny, we had no idea he was close until they showed it up on the screen. It was a great accomplishment by him, and I am glad he got to do it with a great group of receivers we have. It was a fun year being able to catch passes from Sam [Bradford].
Q: Did you see the craziness from the banner?
A: It was crazy, we kind of sat there and laughed about it the whole game. How did they get up there? They had the whole setup with the repel thing. How does that even happen? They moved out the whole section underneath them, so it was a crazy way to end out the season.
Vikings Tight End Kyle Rudolph
Q: Did you know you were going to be a big part of this game plan?
A: It's always difficult during the course of the week to tell how games are going to go, how games are going to play out. You may get an idea as to what coverages you may see but throughout the course of the game things change. I just knew it was important for us to come out here today and have a good showing. We wanted to end the year on a positive note. Most people say the game was meaningless but anytime you go out there and step on the field, you're putting yourself on tape and the whole world is watching. As soon as you get in between those lines there are no meaningless games.
Q: How big was it to break the season reception and career touchdown records in the same game?
A: I knew it was something within reach. Like I said, you never really know how a game is going to go but we kind of got things rolling on offense early and it was important for us to come out and play well today. Me catching the ball just happened to be a part of that to win the game.
Q: Has this become the benchmark for you in seasons ahead?
A: Yeah. I spoke before about expectations and my first five years, that I'm nowhere near my expectations in terms of production. For me, a lot of things go into why this year was more productive than others but this is the standard that I'm setting and something I'll have to work all offseason to top next year.
Q: How much does this success mean, having dealt with injuries in the past?
A: Throughout the course of your career, you play the game long enough, you're going to go through some adversity. Us as a team, we did it this year. We had to go through adversity. There's always ups and downs. You play this game, it's 100-percent likely that you're going to get hurt. For me, it was getting with Sugs [Eric Sugarman] and this training staff, which I feel is the best in the league, to get back to where I was before the surgeries and now two years in a row playing all 16 games, it's just something to build on this offseason.
Q: How great of a teammate has Chad Greenway been?
A: He's one of the best. Chad's not only been a great teammate but he's also a great friend of mine. He's a guy who took me under his wing when I got here as a rookie, 21 years-old and coming in on a lockout year with no offseason. I was able to get up here early and workout with Chad at Edina High School. He's the ultimate role model, a guy I've looked up to all six years I've been here and when it's all said and done if my career is half of what he's done, it will be success in my eyes.