Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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We caught up with Mike this week for a Water Break, presented by Crown Royal.
Q: You actually played wide receiver in high school, right? How did that transition to running back go for you at Cincinnati?
A: "It was pretty smooth. In high school, my coaches Ryan Sakowski, Joey Sakowski, those guys saw a little wide receiver in me, and it actually helped me out. Being at this stage and through college, it taught me how to be more relaxed catching the football, being comfortable being out wide away from the backfield and running routes versus those DBs and linebackers. But the transition to running back was pretty smooth. I got to Cincinnati, and at the time, our offensive coordinator, Eddie Gran, he was recruiting me. I guess he saw that running back in me. I was with it, I accepted it, and the rest is history."
Q: Seems like it worked out.
A: "It worked out pretty well. Going through that transition just kind of made me more versatile."
Q: This year has looked a lot different with the navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier in the spring and summer during shutdowns, did you pick up any new hobbies or find different ways to pass the time?
A: "I fit in boxing. I was doing boxing a lot. Just getting my hands right, getting the rhythm and tempo with those boxing techniques, and that kind of helped me kill time. And I also found out I was an awesome Connect 4 and UNO player."
Q: Lots of people seemed to be adopting dogs. You didn't pick up any new pets during quarantine?
A: "Not any new ones. I had a dog already, but I definitely bonded with my boy Cinco a little bit more. He helped me pass the time by a lot, also."
Q: You opted to cut your hair short prior to training camp this year. What inspired the new 'do?
A: "Honestly, we're going to blame that on quarantine. (Laughs). I was debating it for a while. I always told myself in college that if I made it to the NFL, I would think about cutting my hair. A few years went by, and I mustered up enough courage to actually do it. I just finally made that decision; with quarantine, I was kind of bored, and I was ready for that change. Something different. I made it happen."
Q: Holton Hill also cut his hair short. Did you guys plan that?
A: "You know what's crazy? I had no idea that he was cutting his hair, and he had no idea I was cutting mine. That was kind of weird. We didn't talk about anything. … It just kind of happened."
Q: A couple other guys on the team are going the opposite direction with their hair. Harrison Smith is growing his out – any thoughts on his new look?
A: "Oh man, I've been noticing that. Harrison's been popping in the locker room with a couple different hairstyles. I'm for it. I like it. I can't say I'm not a fan of the longer hair. Whatever he's with, I'm with, you know?"
Q: Now that you've been in Minnesota for three years, what are some of your favorite restaurants?
A: "I'd have to say Sushi Fix. I love Sushi Fix. And then [a tie] between Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris. I love the lobster mac-and-cheese at Capital Grille, and I love the stuffed chicken from Ruth's Chris. I go there a good amount. … I actually might go get something right now."
Q: Some of the rookies reacted to the first snow in the Twin Cities. What advice can you give to newbies for surviving their first Minnesota winter?
A: "OK, look. First things first. You go get the thickest jacket you can find. It only gets worse. That's my only advice. It only gets worse, so don't complain about it. Just layer up. Get you a good, thick jacket, and you'll be fine."