The "Unofficial" Chris Walsh Fan Club

My Aunt Joanne has a tendency to get on the radio. She has one concert tickets and once nearly won a car.

Maybe it's the fact we're related, but in a three week span, on I got on KFAN three times.

Me and "The Super Star" Mike Morris

We had a nice pleasant conversation, about 4 minutes worth, which is unusually long for a caller to get that much air time. I lucked out that it was a slow Friday night and I gave the Superstar plenty of time talk about himself. Then, my cell phone died. I got cut off. I was less than pleased, but glad to make amends with the greatest long snapper in the game today (think he ain't?).

Me and Walsh

Man, I choked.

I sounded like a complete rube, but at least Jeff Dubay, the host for the evening saved the conversation.

During Walsh's two hours on the air, he talked about the team's status, his feelings about the team. Walsh was loose and joking along with Irv Cross and Dubay.

Walsh first got some ribbing from Cross for his quantitative economics degree. Walsh then gave a detailed analysis of the often used term "cover-2" and how teams are using it to slow down Randy Moss. He then offered his opinion of how the referees feel about instant reply.

"They're pissed off."

Walsh continued to explain that they don't want to overturn their own rulings and will try to make instant replay look at bad as possible.

I called and waited on hold for about 20 minutes. This time, I used the cordless phone. Then, I choked, but I was trying to make a joke. I asked if Walsh was becoming frustrated that Mitch Berger absolutely booms kickoffs into the end zone, reducing the opportunities for Walsh to lead the team in special teams tackles, like he did 2 years ago.

Walsh replied, "Yeah, I keep telling Mitch, 'Hey, kick them shorter.'"

Dubay than saved the conversation discussing Berger's pro-bowl play of late.

Irv mentioned he felt Walsh was getting open quite a bit when playing slot receiver.

Walsh responded, "Yeah, what's up with that?" while laughing. He added while laughing, "Jeff would get me the ball."

Walsh continued to compliment George throughout the program. George commented that he was picking up Walsh's dinner tab.

Walsh talked about how on the Vikings, you have to know your role. He said he just gets fired up to play.

A caller commented that during kick offs, it looks like Walsh is trying to take someone's head off while they're trying to take off his.

Walsh agreed, saying, "I think you have to be a little bit crazy, and I think I qualify."

When asked what the biggest difference about the team with Jerry Ball returning, "Not as much food left over."

George managed to exude his usual confidence while joking about the Vikings great receivers, Carter, Moss Reed and of course Walsh.

Dubay asked Walsh about the shaved head, ending his question with, "What the hell were ya thinkin'?"

Walsh responded that he did get a big gash the first time, but now it's just a mach3 razor and a low maintenance mode. Walsh said his new hair(less) look is more of a mental thing for him. (Paul Allen, Dubay's partner and normal host of Uncensored ripped Walsh later in the week for his bald look).

A caller asked about obtaining a Walsh jersey. Walsh responded that they "Don't sell the jersey, I don't know why." He continued that he gets a lot of letters about it. The caller said he couldn't even get one custom made, to which Dubay ribbed Walsh for. Walsh said he felt like Rodney Dangerfield, getting no respect. Walsh said he is working on a deal to get about 100 made up and autographed, but he didn't have any further info.

Me and Berger

And again, I sounded like a moron, stuttering like crazy when my turn came to ask a question.

Basically I said that I always hope we lose the coin toss and that I get pretty pumped up. I then mentioned that most of us have bad memories from last year's NFC Championship game, but that Berger must have at least one fond memory, that of a kickoff that actually went through the field goal uprights. I then asked why he doesn't also kick field goals.

Berger responded that maybe if Gary Anderson's range starts to dwindle he may step up, but for now he is concentrating on his punting and kick offs. He said he was a place kicker by nature, but learned punting, figuring that gave him the best chance to reach the NFL.

He also said that since he holds for Anderson, he needs someone to hold the ball for him. Brad Johnson used to handle that job in practice, but left for the Redskins. Chris Walsh has practiced with Berger a couple of times and according to Berger, "he's getting pretty good."

Berger feels his range is about 60-65 yards.