One-on-one with Vikings tackle Walter Rouse
The second-year tackle talks about his debut last week and what he's learned along the way
By Matthew Coller
EAGAN — Hello friends. As a new Purple Insider feature, I’m going to occasionally bring you some of the one-on-one conversations that come from the Vikings locker room in Q+A form so you can read everything that players had to say. Here is my discussion with Vikings tackle Walter Rouse, who debuted last week and is in line to start if Christian Darrisaw isn’t ready to play. Enjoy…
PURPLE INSIDER: I want to talk about your debut. What was that like for you getting thrown into the fire like that?
WALTER ROUSE:
It’s a dream come true getting in and on Sunday Night Football no less. Obviously I would like that first series back but after that I felt a lot more comfortable and settled in. We didn’t get the result we wanted but I was starting to feel good out there and looking forward to the next opportunity and making the best of it.
It’s all about the next-man-up mentality and the more opportunities I get the more I have to make the most of it. Each week I have to get ready like I’m ready to play and prepare like I’m going to start. I’m coming with that mentality whether I’m starting or not. Last week when I came in, I knew the plays, knew what to do. Just have to keep doing that.
PI: What was it like for your family and teammates to see you get in the game? I know you have a lot of people who have come along on the journey with you.
ROUSE:
They weren’t expecting it. They called me and told me that when they saw me run on the field they were calling folks and telling everybody, “turn on the TV! He’s on the field!”
[Offensive line coach Chris Kuper] told me that because guys were down that I had to be ready and when I came off after the first series after the holding call [teammates] were behind my back 100%. It’s always good to hear that. I knew what I messed up on [the holding call] but it’s good to hear the affirmation and confidence to go back out there.
Some players were talking to me, “great job out there, now you got your first [chance to play] and it’s good to get that out of the way.” It was good to hear that from coaches and players. Now you have to keep going out there each day and make sure you are trustable to your teammates and coaches.
PI: It’s probably better to get your first opportunity in Year 2 when you’ve had a chance to develop. How much have you grown since you got here last year?
ROUSE:
I think I’ve come a long way, especially with my mindset from last year to this year. Getting into the game I definitely wasn’t as anxious or nervous as I would have been if it was last year. I felt a lot calmer going into the game and more comfortable. Because I’ve learned behind Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill and the rest of the guys last year and this year, I feel like I’m coming into my own and trying to ascend and get better.
PI: How about the preparation part? It seems like that would be a huge part of the learning process
ROUSE:
How I prepare for games from last year to this year has changed and how I’m able to analyze the film and things that I’m able to see that are going to help me going into the game. Things that I’m looking at this year, I’m saying, “I don’t know if I would have noticed that last year.”
The experience of going against JG [Jonathan Greenard] and Gink [Andrew Van Ginkel] every single day really helped me improve physically and mentally. I’ll be asking them, “if I do this move, what’s your counter or what’s going to happen here?” Learning from them, putting it all into my toolbox.
PI: Those reps against Greenard and Van Ginkel prepare you about as well as anybody, right?
ROUSE:
Oh yeah, I think they both should have been All-Pro last year. But they are Pro Bowlers and top 100 players. Being able to go against them and learn and even win some reps against them, it lets me know that I’m getting better. When I’m in the game and going against other top talent in the league, I’m ready for it. Last week I had some great reps with JG and Dallas [Turner] and got bulled [bull rushed] and feeling the power, that’s what it’s like in the actual game. Being able to have those reps and translate it to the game was amazing.
PI: Thanks for your time, congrats on getting your first action.