1 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: What's up, guys, Chris Harry with you on a week 2 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,480 Speaker 1: ten edition of Chargers Weekly. We got a great episode 3 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: ahead coming up. We're gonna see what's on the menu 4 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 1: powered by Subway with the voice of the Chargers Matt 5 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: money Smith. Will also be joined by Jim Gray, who 6 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: has a great new book out Talking to Goats, the 7 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: Moments you Remember and the stories you never heard. He's 8 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:33,160 Speaker 1: gonna share a few Alex Spano's stories and some Kobe 9 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,919 Speaker 1: Bryant's stories as well. But first CBS Sports is rich 10 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: Gannett breaks down the rookie quarterback matchup this Sunday, justin 11 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:46,440 Speaker 1: Herbert versus Tula tunga violo. All right, my first guest 12 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 1: will be in the booth this Sunday for Chargers Dolphins 13 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:52,960 Speaker 1: Herbert versus two. I'm gonna be a fun one. The 14 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 1: great rich Gannon joins me here on Chargers Weekly, and 15 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 1: Rich we gotta trade. Man. You're a former MVP. You 16 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: know a thing or two quarterbacks. I'm sure you're excited 17 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: for this one, you know, Chris, I am excited. You know. 18 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: The more I watched our game this season, I think 19 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 1: everyone is rest assured that the future at the quarterback 20 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:15,200 Speaker 1: position is bright. You know when you look at good 21 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 1: young players like Justin and Tua and Kyler Murray and 22 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes. I mean a couple of years ago, 23 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,559 Speaker 1: I had some real concern about the lack of depth 24 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 1: and talent at that position. But you look at these 25 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 1: young guys, how they've come in and played and played 26 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 1: at a really high level. Justin in particular, I mean, 27 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: you know, he he gets thrown thrown in there a 28 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: week two and doesn't really even know he's going to 29 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 1: play and has a terrific game against the Chiefs. And 30 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 1: each week he's played, he's gaining more and more confidence, 31 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: he's getting experienced. You know, he's playing well enough to win. 32 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: I know it's been frustrating because the you know, the 33 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: the wuts aren't piling up, but he's put he's put 34 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: the Chargers in a position to have a chance to 35 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 1: win each week. And that's all you can do with 36 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: the quarterback position. Yeah, you know, Rich, before we get 37 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: in these quarterbacks a little bit deeper, you mentioned the 38 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: Chargers two and six. All six games have been last 39 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: by a possession or less. And if I just count 40 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: the AFC West games, you know they led wire to 41 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: wire against the Chiefs. You were there in Denver. They 42 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,360 Speaker 1: had a twenty one point leading over the third quarter, 43 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 1: and then which you saw last Sunday on the last 44 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,079 Speaker 1: play against the Raiders. If you have just half of 45 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: those games go your way, you're five and three and 46 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 1: three and o in the division. But obviously it just 47 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: doesn't work out that way. I just I can't put 48 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 1: my finger on why this team has been unable to 49 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: close some of these close games. How about this three 50 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: five seven three one five sounds like a phone number 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: three one five. They lost the game by three, by five, 52 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 1: by seven, by three, by one, by five. I mean 53 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 1: these are all one more games. And you know, I 54 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: think part of it is is learning how to finish 55 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: late in games. I think part of that is running 56 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:57,679 Speaker 1: the football Layton games when it matters the most. Talking 57 00:02:57,680 --> 00:02:59,800 Speaker 1: about four minute offense, it's getting off the field on 58 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: third down, it's clock management. I mean, there's been some 59 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 1: mistakes in terms of, uh, you know, managing situational football, 60 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 1: even against the Raiders last week, not calling a time out, 61 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 1: uh in in in that last series after the first play. 62 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 1: I mean, there's there's there's things that have to be 63 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 1: looked at closely. This is too good of a team 64 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: to uh to be in this situation. And um, you 65 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: know it's it's it's a tough pill to swallow. It's 66 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: there's a big learning curve. But you know, usually you say, well, 67 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 1: it's the rookie quarterback. He threw an interception late, didn't 68 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 1: see a flat defender. Uh, you know, he went out 69 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: there and you know he threw for three hundred yards 70 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 1: but also threw for three interceptions. That's not the case. 71 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: I mean, this kid's been well, he's been taking care 72 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: of the football for the most part. He's making good decisions, 73 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: and so you have to start looking under the hood 74 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 1: and saying, why aren't we closing out games like we should? 75 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: And that's something sure Anthony Lynn and the coaching staff 76 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 1: are taking a good, hard, long look at. So I'm 77 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: looking at Justin Herbert's stats through you know, his first 78 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:00,440 Speaker 1: seven starts twenty one hundred and forty six yards, seventeen 79 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: touchdowns to five interceptions. He has four three hundred yard games. 80 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: What has impressed you most about Herbert from what you 81 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 1: saw at Oregon translating over to the pro game so quickly, Rich, Well, 82 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: I think The thing that really jumps out to me 83 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 1: is his poise, his composure, and his football IQ. And 84 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: we know he was a three time academic All American. 85 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 1: We know his brothers a freshman medical student at Columbia University. 86 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,679 Speaker 1: This is a bright guy. You know, he's actually comes 87 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:36,480 Speaker 1: from good you know, a good family, and education is 88 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,719 Speaker 1: important to him. But he picked up the system so quickly, 89 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 1: and that's unusual for a young player at that position, 90 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: especially when you consider there was no OTAs, there was 91 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 1: no mini camps, there was no preseason games to speak of, 92 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 1: and so you know, he's really had to learn on 93 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:52,839 Speaker 1: the fly. And I think the way he's managed himself, 94 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 1: the way he's taking care of the football. You know, 95 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 1: his feet, I think his feet tell you a lot. 96 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 1: When you watch him in the pock. He doesn't have 97 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 1: happy feed. He's he's in control, he's in rhythm. The 98 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: other thing that's really impressive to me for a guy 99 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: that's six foot six is two hundred and thirty seven pounds, 100 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,840 Speaker 1: his ability to extend plays, his ability to create offense 101 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 1: the unscripted plays, his ability to run for a couple 102 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:17,720 Speaker 1: of first downs each week. He's a really he's a 103 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: really gifted athlete. He's gotta learned to do a better 104 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: job protecting himself, not taking the unnecessary hits. He was 105 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:27,040 Speaker 1: given hits, Rich, He's given hits, right, Chris, And you 106 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: know he's got a bright future in this lad There's 107 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 1: no question about it. I'm one of those fifty folders 108 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: that vote for those postseason awards. Then one of them 109 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 1: is the Rookie of the Year, and I think right now, 110 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: when you look at how well he's played, he's certainly 111 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,480 Speaker 1: a front runner for the offensive Rookie of the Year award. 112 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: So I look at the success of Herbert and Burrow 113 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: and what two has done in his first two games, 114 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 1: and obviously you can't take anything away from these guys. 115 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 1: I mean to have an all season program done virtually 116 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 1: like this, to get on the grass officially late in 117 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 1: July and to do what you're doing remarkable. I wonder 118 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 1: as a quarterback, when we start to get normal in 119 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: the stadium, you're calling these games with no fans in 120 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 1: the stands, is that another layer that these quarterbacks maybe 121 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 1: a test that they're gonna have to pass later on 122 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 1: in their career. When you know, Justin was awesome in 123 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: the Superdome. But if that Superdome had seventy thousand fans, 124 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: the quarterback is affected a little bit. So I'm just curious. 125 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: We're seeing the success of all these young guys, but 126 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 1: they're gonna have to pass another test when you have 127 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: seventy five and seventy thousand fans in the stands. You're right, 128 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 1: that's a huge hurdle. And you look at the records 129 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: of home teams this year and I think it's it's 130 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 1: certainly tells the story that home field has not been 131 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 1: a huge advantage because of the lack of crowds and 132 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:49,719 Speaker 1: the crowd noise and how that affects the opponents, especially offense, 133 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: and their ability to communicate the line of scrimmage. So 134 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: that is another hurdle they'll have to deal with. But 135 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: look when you watch how poised he has been at 136 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 1: the line of scrimmage, his ability to change plays change 137 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:04,279 Speaker 1: for Texans, his huddle command. I think that that's not 138 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: going to be a huge deal for him, although I 139 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: can tell you that is a real problem for quarterbacks 140 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: as you go on the road's particularly in the division. 141 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: It forces you to go silent, silent snapcount. It forces 142 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: you to eliminate some of your audibles. It forces you to, uh, 143 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: you know, change your check with me system. There's a 144 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 1: lot of different things that even even calling and communicating 145 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: plays in the huddle, even here in the play come 146 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 1: in in your headset. So but he's a he's a 147 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 1: smart kid that'll pick it up quickly. And you know, 148 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: just look at what he did in college. I mean, 149 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 1: you know it didn't really call plays in the huddle, 150 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: didn't really play from under center. And you look at 151 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 1: how well he's done h and handle both of those transitions. 152 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: So look, I think the sky's a limit for him. 153 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 1: I mean, he is. He's got a lot of the 154 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 1: qualities and the intangibles that you really look and cove 155 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 1: it at the quarterback position. You flip it over to 156 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: two a smaller sample size just two games. That first 157 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: game defense deal out of the work against the Rams, 158 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: but that was a fun duel between two young quarterbacks 159 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 1: and Kyler Murray and two on Sunday. What have you 160 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 1: seen from him early on in his career? Rich, Yeah, 161 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: I think the first game there wasn't a real good 162 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 1: sample size. I think they were trying to transition from 163 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 1: fits to two and just kind of working through what 164 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 1: the what the plan was going to look like, how 165 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 1: they would adjust this scheme. Certainly, he's got a different 166 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: skill set than Ryan Fitzpatrick. He's a left handed quarterback, 167 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 1: so that changes up some of your protections and things 168 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: like that. I thought he was better last week. I 169 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 1: thought his play speed was a little bit better. He's 170 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 1: a very instinctive player, you know. I mean, he's going 171 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 1: to be able to create and extend plays. You know, 172 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,320 Speaker 1: I think when you really go back and look at 173 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 1: him in college, I think you see some of the 174 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: similarities in terms of the way he plays the game. 175 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 1: He's got big playability. He's extremely accurate, and he's a 176 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: good decision maker. And you know, I think that's what 177 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: he was at Alabama. You know, that's the reason why 178 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:59,079 Speaker 1: he you know, through for seventy six touchdowns and only 179 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 1: nine picks his last two seasons. You know, I mean, 180 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: he takes good care of the football. He hasn't yet 181 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 1: to throw an interception. But you know, as he faces 182 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 1: different competition, he faces better defenses. I think that'll be 183 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 1: a real challenge. And the final thing for you, Rich, 184 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: what do you think is going to decide this game. 185 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 1: We've seen how The Chargers have played football all year long. 186 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: They've been close games, they've come down to the wire. 187 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: I look at Miami and their defense is playing pretty well. 188 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:28,200 Speaker 1: I think they scored the first touchdown of the game 189 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: against the Cardinals. But what do you think could decide 190 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:34,960 Speaker 1: this one? I think two things for the Chargers. They've 191 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: got to be able to run the ball a little 192 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:37,719 Speaker 1: bit better, you know. I mean, I know that's been 193 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 1: a point of emphasis for coach Lynn, something he's talked 194 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 1: about as a former running back himself, just being able 195 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 1: to rely on the running game a little bit. I 196 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 1: don't know what Austin Eckler's situation is in terms of 197 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: where he's at, but honestly, you know that they haven't 198 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: been the same without him in the lineup. Speaking of 199 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 1: not being in the lineup, Joey Boza, I mean I 200 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: did the game two weeks ago against Denver, and you know, 201 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: not having bowsa late in that game was huge. I mean, 202 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: you know, Denver had plenty of time back there in 203 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: the pocket, Toulock had a lot of extra time. It 204 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:17,200 Speaker 1: certainly affects Melbourne Ingram as well. So I think if 205 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: you could get a healthy Melbourne Ingram and Joey Bolts 206 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: are together. You know, we saw it that looked like 207 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: a couple weeks ago against Jacksonville and for three quarters 208 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:27,839 Speaker 1: against Denver. So to me, that's gonna be a big 209 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: thing you got. You're gonna have to get around this 210 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 1: young quarterback. You're gonna have to keep him in the 211 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: pocket where he belongs. You're gonna have to try and 212 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: get some hits on him early and affect him and 213 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: speed up the process for him a little bit. I 214 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 1: think on the back end, and Gus Brodley does a 215 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: great job as you have to disguise your intentions. Force 216 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 1: this kid to make as many post snap reads as 217 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,079 Speaker 1: opposed to pre snap reads, force them to read the coverages, 218 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 1: force them to find the blitzer, and I think that'll 219 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: be key for the Chargers on Sunday on the road 220 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: against the Dolphins. Well, Rich, I always love when you're 221 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: on a Chargers game, man, and I always appreciate how 222 00:10:57,360 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 1: great she's you are with your time. Thanks so much 223 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: for spending a few minutes with us, Chris. Thanks brother. 224 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: All Right, Chargers fans, We'll get to Matt money Smith 225 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: in a second, but first, access to school meals is 226 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: more important than ever, as one enforced, students are now 227 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 1: facing food in security. That's why Subway is teaming up 228 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 1: with America's Dairy Farmers and fuel Up to Play sixty 229 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 1: this fall to raise money to help fight hunger in 230 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 1: our local community. Head your local Subway store before November 231 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 1: thirtieth and donate your spare change at the register to 232 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 1: fuel Up to Play sixty and help tackle hunger and 233 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 1: make your local LA students have access to the nutrition 234 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: they need all right. Time to see what's on the menu, 235 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: powered by Subway Voice. The chargers with me Matt Money 236 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: Smith Money charges two at six at the halfway point. 237 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 1: We're starting to sense a theme here. At the end 238 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 1: of Games, I was listening to Move the Sticks and 239 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 1: their ten takeaway pod and DJ mentioned the fact that 240 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: you've called three game winners this year already that have 241 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,880 Speaker 1: gone the other way. That's really hard for me to believe. Well, 242 00:11:56,960 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's funny and just to kind of 243 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 1: build on that it it comes from. We also had 244 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 1: a conversation yesterday on Petros and Money with Mike Pereira 245 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 1: and we were talking to them about, you know, officials 246 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: being gun shy right now for whatever reason. They don't 247 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 1: want to call touchdowns, or if they do, you know 248 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: there's an immediate conference and it's and it's just been 249 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: a weird year. The fact that you know, the Chargers 250 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,440 Speaker 1: have now had three for me as far as calling 251 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 1: the game, wins taken off the board, so you know, 252 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: just going in chronological order. Most recent back, so the 253 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 1: side judge called it a touchdown right on param So 254 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:33,840 Speaker 1: if zeros on the clock, I gotta call a touchdown. 255 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: The Chargers win the game that you know, Herbert's rush 256 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 1: in the field, it's a celebratory I'm freaking out and 257 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: screaming and yelling. They beat the Raiders. It's great. And 258 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden, three minutes later, Chargers didn't 259 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 1: win this game. You know, last week, kJ Hamler catches 260 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 1: that ball in the end zone. Side judge right in 261 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 1: front of the play signals incomplete. It's a fourth down, 262 00:12:54,240 --> 00:13:01,440 Speaker 1: I say, incomplete. Chargers win. Huddle conference, Chargers win in 263 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 1: New Orleans. You know, for people that don't know, we 264 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 1: call the away games off a monitor, and the camera 265 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 1: that we were watching the field goal on was focused 266 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 1: on the line of scrimmage and it didn't carry up 267 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: to the officials. So it was just focused on the 268 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:19,199 Speaker 1: offensive line, and when Badgeley hit that kick, they all 269 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 1: immediately put their hands up and start high five in 270 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 1: each other. And I call the Chargers win, only to 271 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,440 Speaker 1: find out that Badgeley pushed it right and Lis, that's 272 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: three times now that I've called a Charger's victory only 273 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: to have it taken off the board. It is it. Look, 274 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: everybody says the same thing. We've never seen anything like it. No, no, 275 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 1: we haven't. And if those three wins go the other way, 276 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: you're five and three right now, and I focused more 277 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: on these division wins. It that's what stings the most. 278 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: The Kansas City game was wire to wire. We know 279 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 1: what happened in Denver, and we know what happened last week. 280 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:54,680 Speaker 1: Those three wins. Man, you're five and three three. You 281 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:56,840 Speaker 1: know in the division, you're right in the mix here, 282 00:13:57,600 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: and instead we're at two and six, and while we 283 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 1: should be celebrating the success of Justin Herbert and you know, 284 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: beating some of these elite teams in the NFL, we're 285 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: kind of just talking here at a loss at two 286 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 1: and six, like, how is this happening right now? And 287 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: it's it's something different. Every single week. We you and I, 288 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: you know, we're starting to have the same conversation here, 289 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 1: and I think that's what's that's what's tough. It's like, man, 290 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: what do you say at this point? Well, and I 291 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 1: think what you got to be careful of is is 292 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 1: fallen into the same trap, right, which is, well, this 293 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 1: this is your quick fix. You know, we've talked about 294 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: special teams and you know, look, special teams got them again. 295 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:40,280 Speaker 1: You know, kJ Hill muffs a punt that's right in Charger, 296 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: you know, deep in Charger territory. The Raiders get three 297 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: points out of it, and that's now a five point 298 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 1: lead instead of a two in the fourth quarter in 299 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: instead of needing a field goal to win the game, 300 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 1: you need a you know, you need a touchdown. I 301 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: thought Tye Long struggled again in that game. You know, 302 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: you either got to kick it far or you gotta 303 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: kick it high, and right now Tye is doing neither. 304 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 1: And I think that's leading to the Chargers struggles a 305 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 1: little bit. But I think beyond that, like we were 306 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 1: talking about it, you know, because we've got to do 307 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 1: four hours a day on the radio show, and there's 308 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: plenty of time to kind of rehash these things. I said, Look, 309 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: I think a lot of people are coming after coach 310 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 1: for time management, and I think it's fair. I think 311 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 1: they could have managed the clock better. I said, but 312 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 1: Herbert's the guy pulling the trigger on those throws in 313 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 1: the middle of the field. You know, short throws to 314 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 1: Josh Kelly that are going for five yards when you're 315 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: under two minutes. So it's like there's multiple plays that 316 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: lead to only having four or six seconds on a 317 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:34,520 Speaker 1: second down at the goal line. It's not just the 318 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 1: coach thought there was going to be a measurement. There 319 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: wasn't a measurement. Twenty seven seconds runs off right there 320 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 1: and you still end up using one of your three 321 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 1: time outs. What a disaster. There's other things that come 322 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 1: into play, and I do think the one thing that 323 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 1: is consistent is we're talking about execution or lack thereof, 324 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 1: and to me, that's just you know, look, it's on 325 00:15:55,200 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: coaches in players together to execute in the games most 326 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 1: critical moments. We know champions execute. That's the difference. You know, 327 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 1: when your backs are against the wall in the Super 328 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: Bowl and you're down ten in the second half, you 329 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 1: execute that toss to Tyree Hill to turn the momentum 330 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 1: in your favor. And I think that's just kind of 331 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: the one thing that has been threaded through all of 332 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 1: these losses is when you absolutely have to execute, whether 333 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 1: it's on defense or offense or not committing a penalty 334 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: or special teams, the execution is just missing. Yeah, you know, defensively, 335 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: the end of that second quarter, Tillery gets to strip sack, 336 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: you kick three. Momentum is tilting in your favor. And 337 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,400 Speaker 1: we talk about the execution at the end of games. 338 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: You got to execute. But then you have some of 339 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 1: these just lapses where you know, Aguilar goes for a 340 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: forty five yard touchdown, running for fifty three yards, these 341 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:55,960 Speaker 1: big plays that are shifting momentum and tilting it in 342 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 1: the favor of the Rais Raiders so quickly. Money Like 343 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: at halftime you're like, all right, we got some momentum, 344 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 1: let's see if we can finish these guys off. And 345 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:05,959 Speaker 1: then the Raiders they hit you first in the second 346 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 1: half it and I think that was kind of the 347 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:10,440 Speaker 1: turning point. Yeah. You know what's funny about that too, though, 348 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 1: is we talked about it last week, like believe it 349 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: or not. What I like, those explosive plays to disappear. Yeah, 350 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 1: I'm look, Derek Carter does not beat you that way. 351 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:21,439 Speaker 1: You know they say that last week. You know, they 352 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 1: had to shut down that running game. They were sealing 353 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:27,199 Speaker 1: the edge and they were getting eight, ten, twelve yards 354 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 1: on every kerry, whether it was Josh Jacobs or DeVante Bookers. 355 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: So I understand committing resources to slow that down. To me, 356 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,199 Speaker 1: that's it's on Casey. You know, Casey got burned on 357 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 1: both of those passes. And I think, look, the Agaloor 358 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: catch as a beautiful route. It was a perfect pass. 359 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 1: That's Casey. I thought had good coverage on that. There 360 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:47,919 Speaker 1: wasn't much he could do. You maybe commit some safety 361 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:49,680 Speaker 1: help over there. It looked like Nas was a little 362 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: bit late trying to get over for help there because 363 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: there was no route on the other side. But to me, 364 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 1: that was just a great play. You know, I plaud 365 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 1: the Raiders well done. You never take those shots. But 366 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:01,360 Speaker 1: the Renfro play, if you go back and watch it, 367 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:05,640 Speaker 1: and I don't know if Casey just assumed it's been 368 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 1: a while, E plays probably over or something like that, 369 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 1: you know, but car breaks and he normally does not 370 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 1: make plays like that, right, We've seen him enough times 371 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:14,479 Speaker 1: to know that's not really in his bag of tricks. 372 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:17,199 Speaker 1: And you know, Casey just kind of that's all it 373 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 1: all takes, is what a fraction of a second he 374 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:23,400 Speaker 1: lets up, Renfro pulls away, Car sees it and it's 375 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: too late. So again like, yeah, those were two huge plays. 376 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:30,639 Speaker 1: They led to touchdowns. At the same time, I said it, 377 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 1: and I'm going to stand by it. I'd rather see 378 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 1: those plays when it comes from the Raiders beat you 379 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:39,479 Speaker 1: than the death by a thousand paper cuts and just 380 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 1: watching Car in a soft zone. Check the Waller because 381 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:44,159 Speaker 1: Waller did not have a great game. They did a 382 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,320 Speaker 1: great job, but trying Bottling hit him up for the 383 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:49,119 Speaker 1: most part, they lost him on that touchdown. But I 384 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 1: thought the defensive game plan was was pretty sound. And 385 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:55,240 Speaker 1: you know, I think to add to that, just to 386 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:58,679 Speaker 1: make a long answer longer, you miss Bosa. You missed 387 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 1: Bosa on that edge, particularly in the run game. Yeah, 388 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:06,119 Speaker 1: you missed Bosa, And that was my My next point 389 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: is the running game set up those big passes, right, 390 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:12,639 Speaker 1: I mean one hundred and sixty yards on the ground, 391 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:17,119 Speaker 1: six yards of pop getting to the quarterback and Joey Bosa, 392 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: those two things are synonymous. But but Joe is really 393 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:23,040 Speaker 1: good against the run two he said, so yeah, so 394 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 1: to not have him football at it, I mean yeah, 395 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: that there was no defensive end football that is better 396 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:30,439 Speaker 1: at that than he is. And man, was he missed. 397 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:33,640 Speaker 1: He was missed. And then just not having him out there, 398 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 1: it affects the other pass rushers been they did not. 399 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:39,160 Speaker 1: I think car was hit maybe three times, sacked once. 400 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 1: It's not enough, not with two backup tackles, you know, 401 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: not not with two guys that are both back you 402 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 1: know that are both backups out there. So that to 403 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 1: me is, yeah, you gotta win. You gotta win those 404 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 1: one on ones because there's one on ones out there. 405 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:53,919 Speaker 1: And like you said, Killery had that you know, had 406 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: a pretty good first half. You know, I had had 407 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:58,399 Speaker 1: a really good first half. Actually you had pressures. You 408 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 1: had the strip sack for eternal or the lead to 409 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: three points. But I you know, and I asked coach 410 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:05,719 Speaker 1: after the game, and he didn't give me a straight answer, 411 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:07,959 Speaker 1: which was fine. I think he probably wants to not 412 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: make it sound like he's making excuses. I have been. 413 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: Something's got to be going on with Melbourne Ingram, Like 414 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 1: I just you know, he was on the injured list. 415 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 1: He's come back, and I think he's just such a 416 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 1: competitor and a great teammate that he wants to be 417 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: back out there. But he just does not look like himself. 418 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:22,959 Speaker 1: And the fact that here we are through eight games, 419 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,200 Speaker 1: what is he played four or five? I don't remember 420 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:27,680 Speaker 1: if it's four or five. That he's like, you don't 421 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 1: have a sack sack, He doesn't really have a whole 422 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:34,400 Speaker 1: mess of hurries or hit. So I just think there's 423 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:38,639 Speaker 1: something going on there that they're trying to sort out. 424 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 1: And you can see it by the way they're trying 425 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:41,919 Speaker 1: to move him around the line and he's running up 426 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: and down that line and sometimes hitting you know, interior gaps. 427 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:47,000 Speaker 1: Sometimes he's stacked on the outside. With Boston, it's just 428 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,199 Speaker 1: for whatever reason, I think maybe there's something going on 429 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 1: there with Melbourne. So why do we flip it forward 430 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: to Miami? And the obvious storyline is two of versus Herbert. 431 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 1: That's going to be fun. But do Miami Dolphins are 432 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 1: playing pretty good foot right now? The Rams. A couple 433 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 1: of weeks ago, they suffocated the Rams four turnovers. Um 434 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 1: it was more of a shootout. Last week against Arizona. 435 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:12,359 Speaker 1: But they started the game with a I think it 436 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: was an Agba sack which led to a shack laws 437 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:16,640 Speaker 1: and picking it up and going thirty six yards. So 438 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,640 Speaker 1: the Chargers are getting Miami, who are playing at their 439 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:23,640 Speaker 1: best right now. Well, and you know, who knows what's 440 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:26,000 Speaker 1: going on with Bulaga. I thought Turner might be out there. 441 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 1: That'll be a huge boost if they can get him back, 442 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:32,359 Speaker 1: and if bolag is back, is cooperating right, So if 443 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:34,960 Speaker 1: you can at least get that side of the line settled, 444 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:37,040 Speaker 1: and because it you know, look, if you can get 445 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 1: that and the way that that Blage ran, the way 446 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:41,720 Speaker 1: that you know Troy Mayne Pope if he comes back 447 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 1: off concussion, was running. You just you got to establish 448 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,159 Speaker 1: that you can not allow them to just start teeing 449 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:48,879 Speaker 1: off on a pass rush like they were doing with 450 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:51,719 Speaker 1: Jared Goff because you mentioned it. They you know, they 451 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 1: scooped Manny Agba off the scrap heap, and man, he's 452 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 1: he's been a revelation. He's been fantastic. So you know, 453 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 1: they when they're healthy, and Darry's really good. But again, 454 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:05,120 Speaker 1: you know, as good as that defense is, as much 455 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 1: as we want to celebrate him, after the Rams game. 456 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 1: My gosh, Kyler Murray through for what three hundred plus 457 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:13,040 Speaker 1: three touchdowns rushed for a hundred. We know, certainly we've 458 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 1: seen it enough times. I mean, justin Herbert throws for 459 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:16,480 Speaker 1: three hundred every time he goes out, and no reason 460 00:22:16,520 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 1: to think he can see the same, right, you know, 461 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: And the fact that he's starting to use his legs 462 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: a little bit more, I still I also think that's 463 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:26,040 Speaker 1: going to have to be that's going to have to 464 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:28,880 Speaker 1: be used more. Those RPOs where he is keeping He's 465 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 1: got to pull that ball more. Those lanes are there, 466 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,880 Speaker 1: and I think it just adds an element of confusion 467 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 1: and second guessing to the defense. You know, I feel 468 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 1: like he's got to do that more often, even if 469 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:43,560 Speaker 1: it only goes for two yards or one yard, because 470 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 1: you're gonna pop one or two and then that just 471 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:48,680 Speaker 1: kind of changes the mentality that defense for the rest 472 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:52,080 Speaker 1: of the game. Every time they see that mesh no question, 473 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:54,600 Speaker 1: and you know what, he just needs to protect himself. 474 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 1: If he protects himself, that is a weapon. That's an 475 00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 1: extra layer to this offense. And you know we should mention, 476 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:02,920 Speaker 1: by the way, also, Eckler's not in the football game, 477 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:06,520 Speaker 1: you know, and what he means to this offense. Um. 478 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,399 Speaker 1: I love seeing Herbert get the ball to t Billy 479 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,159 Speaker 1: for fifty and throwing a parm at the end of 480 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:16,480 Speaker 1: the game. But when you're without a star like Eckler Man, 481 00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:19,920 Speaker 1: he makes such a different difference, a huge difference of 482 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:22,680 Speaker 1: what the Chargers do. What have you seen from Tua? 483 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,040 Speaker 1: I know it's a small sample size, man, especially that 484 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 1: Rams game it was it was more of a defensive effort. Yeah. 485 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:31,959 Speaker 1: But but last week against Kyler Murray, Yeah, watching watching 486 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:34,200 Speaker 1: that game back, what I saw was what I saw 487 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 1: at Alabama. Just very you know, just to use the 488 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 1: scouting terms and steal those because I think it does 489 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:41,239 Speaker 1: make sense. I think you can see it in your 490 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: mind's eye. They say twitchy. That's what it looks like. 491 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 1: It's twitchy. It's just explode. The ball explodes out of 492 00:23:46,040 --> 00:23:49,399 Speaker 1: his hands. Uh. He is so quick to diagnose, you know, 493 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 1: he recognizes the open man and that ball is gone 494 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:55,400 Speaker 1: the second he recognizes it. And by the way, it's accurate, 495 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:58,959 Speaker 1: I mean pinpoint accurate. So that's what we saw. Um, 496 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:01,920 Speaker 1: he's not the athlete that Herbert is, you know, he's 497 00:24:01,960 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 1: not Kyler Murray's He's not Justin Herbert. He's not that 498 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:08,679 Speaker 1: kind of athlete, but he's enough of an athlete to 499 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,160 Speaker 1: move around and escape. And you saw that as well. 500 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 1: There were a couple pressures there that looked like he 501 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:14,800 Speaker 1: was dead to rights and he managed to get out 502 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:17,440 Speaker 1: of it on one place, scrambled on another play, was 503 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:20,439 Speaker 1: able to throw it downfield. But I think more than anything, 504 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:22,919 Speaker 1: what you get from two and I think there are 505 00:24:22,920 --> 00:24:25,639 Speaker 1: attributes that that go a long way in this league, 506 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: and that is quick process. He's a quick processor and 507 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:32,360 Speaker 1: the ball is accurate. And when you when you combine 508 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 1: those two things and you think about, like you said, 509 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 1: the struggles that the pass rush without Bosa has had 510 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:39,880 Speaker 1: that can be dangerous. You know, you better be tight 511 00:24:39,880 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 1: in your coverage, you better be tight in the middle 512 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,439 Speaker 1: of the field or else that can really get you. 513 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:46,880 Speaker 1: Um So I think it's going to be a challenge 514 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 1: if what we saw in Arizona was what he's capable 515 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: of doing weekend and week out. But again, you know, 516 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 1: Justin Herbert's putting up points. So it probably comes down to, 517 00:24:57,200 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 1: you know, unfortunately, what we saw again this week, which 518 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:02,680 Speaker 1: is turnovers, you know, and the Chargers had the advantage, 519 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:04,639 Speaker 1: and when they had the advantage, they were able to 520 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 1: stay you know, on top or likely win that game. 521 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,080 Speaker 1: When they lost that advantage, it got away from them. 522 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:11,120 Speaker 1: So I think that's going to be critical again this week, 523 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:14,120 Speaker 1: the final play of the game. Matt Money Smith's gonna 524 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:16,480 Speaker 1: have to be on his p's and q's man every 525 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:20,040 Speaker 1: every week with his Chargers team. Right. The funny thing 526 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:22,120 Speaker 1: is like before, you know, I think it's been now 527 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:26,040 Speaker 1: happened before the Bronco game, and it happened, you know, 528 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:27,959 Speaker 1: when they were two and four, and it happened at 529 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,720 Speaker 1: two and five before the Raider game. You know, DJ 530 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 1: looks over at me and as we're looking at the 531 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 1: boards and kind of who's playing, and we're like, I 532 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:38,719 Speaker 1: think this team can make a run, you know, and 533 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:41,000 Speaker 1: and and this is the last week. You're gonna have 534 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 1: to go ten and six. They're they're gonna have to 535 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:45,879 Speaker 1: win out so you know, but at the same time, 536 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:49,119 Speaker 1: I still look at it and I say, you know, 537 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:52,400 Speaker 1: you beat the Dolphins, then you get the Jets after that. 538 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:54,920 Speaker 1: You know, Gus knows how to beat Josh Allen because 539 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 1: it's the same recipe he used to beat Lamar Jackson. 540 00:25:57,960 --> 00:26:00,200 Speaker 1: You know, you rush three, you drop eight, and you 541 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:01,840 Speaker 1: force them to throw in the windows. And after that, 542 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:03,960 Speaker 1: you saw the Patriots are not very good this year. 543 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,280 Speaker 1: And next thing you know, you're at five hundred. That's 544 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:08,560 Speaker 1: a lot of ifs and hopes for a team that 545 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:11,919 Speaker 1: is two and six. But if you can, if you 546 00:26:11,960 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: can win this quadrant, this this quarter, these four games, 547 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:17,920 Speaker 1: I do think it's in front of them, and they're 548 00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:20,080 Speaker 1: gonna get healthy, and Chris Harris is going to get back, 549 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 1: and Alston Eckler's going to get back, and if you 550 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 1: can somehow figure out how to I'm gonna say the 551 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,560 Speaker 1: next two, if you can win these next two Miami 552 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 1: in New York, I think you're gonna get those guys back. 553 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:32,800 Speaker 1: And I think if you're able to get that other 554 00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:36,560 Speaker 1: defensive back out there and Ackler in the backfield, this 555 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:39,680 Speaker 1: is a team that can be really, really dangerous. Gotta 556 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:42,920 Speaker 1: keep hope alive. Ye one more week at least, and 557 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 1: then you see what happens. Man Money, always appreciate your brother, 558 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 1: all right, good luck to your Wildcats this week too. 559 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 1: That might be the game of the week in the 560 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:51,560 Speaker 1: big Time. How about those Cats right now? Right, little 561 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:54,960 Speaker 1: undefeated battle between the Cats and the Purdue boiler Makers. 562 00:26:54,960 --> 00:26:58,040 Speaker 1: Looking forward to that one. Let's go, thanks buddy. All right, man, 563 00:26:59,119 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 1: all right, Bolts fans before we get to Jim Gray. 564 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:03,560 Speaker 1: This season, Pizza Hut, they're hooking it up with a 565 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 1: Bolt to the Hut bundle deal that includes an exclusive 566 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: Chargers poster for fourteen ninety nine. Chargers fans will receive 567 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:13,640 Speaker 1: a large three topping pizza and a Chargers poster right now. 568 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 1: It's the Hunter Henry poster that's available collect all six 569 00:27:17,119 --> 00:27:20,320 Speaker 1: player posters throughout the season. Visit Pizza hut dot com 570 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:22,760 Speaker 1: slash deals. Enter your zip code to see if your 571 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:25,760 Speaker 1: local Pizza Hut is participating in the Greater LA area. 572 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:32,400 Speaker 1: Offers available for pickup or delivery while supplies last. Talking 573 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:35,359 Speaker 1: to ghosts, the moments you remember and the stories you 574 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 1: never heard. It's out now and I'm here with the author, 575 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 1: Jim Gray. Jim, it's a pleasure to have you. How 576 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: you doing. I'm great, Chris, great to be with you. 577 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: What an exciting week for you. What was it like 578 00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:52,440 Speaker 1: putting this project together? Oh my god, it's really hard, 579 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:56,560 Speaker 1: really hard. I had a lot of help, fortunately, from 580 00:27:56,640 --> 00:27:59,000 Speaker 1: first my wife who's lived through this for the past 581 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:03,359 Speaker 1: thirty plus years. Uh. And then Greg Bishop, Great writer 582 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: from Sports Illustrated, he wrote the book with me. He 583 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:10,879 Speaker 1: was the one that organized all of this. Uh. You know, 584 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 1: tens of thousands of interviews, all of these events that 585 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,040 Speaker 1: we have that I've covered over the course of my career, 586 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:23,679 Speaker 1: and transcripts and tapes and all kinds of DVDs and everything, 587 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:25,439 Speaker 1: and he went through it all and he put it 588 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:29,720 Speaker 1: all together and and really just brilliantly wrote it for me. 589 00:28:30,119 --> 00:28:33,800 Speaker 1: And I'm grateful, so grateful to Great for all of 590 00:28:33,800 --> 00:28:36,160 Speaker 1: his hard work and dedication. But this was hard. This 591 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 1: was hard, Chris. You know anything that takes three years, 592 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 1: and you know, you're you're you're wanting to present something 593 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:47,160 Speaker 1: for the reader to enjoy, to learn, to be able 594 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 1: to take maybe use for good for future generations. To 595 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:52,719 Speaker 1: see the triumphs and the tragedy and the trials and 596 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 1: all of the things that all of these guys who 597 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 1: who are standing on the top step of the victory platform, 598 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 1: what they go through to get to that place. And 599 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 1: it's it's hard, and it's hard for them. And this project, 600 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 1: I had no idea what it took to write a book. 601 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 1: I really didn't. Well, I tell you this, it's the 602 00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:14,480 Speaker 1: best of the best. It's the most influential and recognizable 603 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:18,479 Speaker 1: people in the world. You know, we talk about Muhammad Ali, 604 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 1: Lucille Ball, the fact that you were roommates with John 605 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:26,000 Speaker 1: Badden and Yoko Odo, who's across the hall. I mean, Jim, 606 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 1: I don't even know where to begin. Like when you 607 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:31,560 Speaker 1: put this together, you said it was one of the 608 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 1: hardest things you've ever done. Like, how do you even 609 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:38,640 Speaker 1: do it? Well, you have to try and and and 610 00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:42,160 Speaker 1: figure out. You know, it's again I go back to 611 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:44,560 Speaker 1: my wife and and Greg. You know, this is only 612 00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:48,840 Speaker 1: interesting to you, Jim, And it's interesting, but there's a 613 00:29:48,880 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 1: reader out here, and there's somebody who's consuming this. And 614 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:55,680 Speaker 1: so your stories are fun and funny, But do they 615 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:58,360 Speaker 1: rise to the level of being in a book? Do 616 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:00,960 Speaker 1: they rise to the level that will tracked somebody to say, 617 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,200 Speaker 1: you know, A, either I didn't know that, or B 618 00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:09,680 Speaker 1: you know, I want more. So. I worked for Bud Greenspan, 619 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:15,120 Speaker 1: and Bud Greenspan was a great historian and Olympian documentarian, 620 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:19,920 Speaker 1: a sports historian, and he did all kinds of great 621 00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:22,360 Speaker 1: stuff over the years. Jesse Owens returns to Berlin. The 622 00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:26,280 Speaker 1: Wilmo Rudolph's story The Last African Runner won gazillion Emmys. 623 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 1: And he was just brilliant. And he used to say 624 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:33,760 Speaker 1: that it's said that a picture captures a thousand words, 625 00:30:34,760 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 1: and I say that a word captures a thousand pictures. 626 00:30:40,160 --> 00:30:42,920 Speaker 1: So I was trying to keep that cognizant in my 627 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:50,640 Speaker 1: mind and be able to ascertain that how important a 628 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:54,600 Speaker 1: word is. And you don't have to use a lot 629 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:56,360 Speaker 1: of words, you have to use the right words. And 630 00:30:56,680 --> 00:30:59,800 Speaker 1: that's what great did. And you know, I'm hopeful that 631 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:03,280 Speaker 1: you know, whoever consumes it will be as happy with 632 00:31:03,280 --> 00:31:08,040 Speaker 1: it as we are. They'll be the judge, well, they'll 633 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:10,840 Speaker 1: be very happy when they read it. And I want 634 00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 1: to ask you about Kobe Bryant because for the Chargers 635 00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:18,160 Speaker 1: he was a neighbor. You know, his offices were right 636 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:21,720 Speaker 1: next to Hope Performance Center. When the team moved to 637 00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:25,360 Speaker 1: Los Angeles. He spoke to the team before training camp 638 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:28,920 Speaker 1: in twenty seventeen. He's spoken to the team on other occasions. 639 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:34,240 Speaker 1: This rocked the entire world, but you break it down, 640 00:31:34,480 --> 00:31:38,680 Speaker 1: it was an international story, a national story, a local story, 641 00:31:39,160 --> 00:31:42,520 Speaker 1: and a hyperlocal story. And for you, you knew Kobe, 642 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:47,000 Speaker 1: You're his entire life. What was that day like for you? 643 00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:49,680 Speaker 1: And I know that there's some stories in this book 644 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:55,440 Speaker 1: about Kobe Bean Bryant. Yeah, you know, it's it's it's 645 00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:59,640 Speaker 1: it's heartbreaking. It's just you just you just never expected, 646 00:32:00,600 --> 00:32:02,960 Speaker 1: not that you would expect anybody's life to end short, 647 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:05,720 Speaker 1: but I just I just never thought, you know, I 648 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:09,240 Speaker 1: was I'm twenty years older than Kobe was, So you know, 649 00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:12,640 Speaker 1: that's not the natural progression of anything to see such 650 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:16,560 Speaker 1: a vibrant young man who was just you know, getting 651 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 1: involved in so many different things that he had left 652 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:22,880 Speaker 1: behind his basketball career. And and so when when when 653 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:26,480 Speaker 1: I heard this, you know, there's there's there's there's this 654 00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:31,480 Speaker 1: feeling that you have that's you know, indescribable because it 655 00:32:31,560 --> 00:32:34,480 Speaker 1: just doesn't seem real. You understand what I mean. It's 656 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:37,560 Speaker 1: not denial, it's just like that can't be. I mean, 657 00:32:37,720 --> 00:32:41,560 Speaker 1: you know, Kobe's gonna walk away from that crash. Uh, 658 00:32:41,760 --> 00:32:44,040 Speaker 1: Kobe's Kobe's going to figure out how to how to 659 00:32:44,200 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 1: how to you know, live. So you know, you just 660 00:32:48,880 --> 00:32:52,720 Speaker 1: kind of it becomes surreal. And then the longer and 661 00:32:52,760 --> 00:32:55,560 Speaker 1: the more you hear, you know, it starts to sink 662 00:32:55,560 --> 00:32:58,000 Speaker 1: in and and then of course you just feel grief 663 00:32:58,080 --> 00:33:00,600 Speaker 1: and and and you mourn, and you, Lauren, for those 664 00:33:00,640 --> 00:33:06,440 Speaker 1: who loved him and those who depended on him, his girls, Vanessa, 665 00:33:06,680 --> 00:33:11,440 Speaker 1: Um you know, his family, his sisters Shariah and and 666 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:18,840 Speaker 1: and his parents and uh Pam and Joe so and 667 00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:22,480 Speaker 1: then the Laker organization and his fellow teammates and all 668 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:24,760 Speaker 1: the people he won championships with, and all the people 669 00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:27,280 Speaker 1: he touched and when he became a girl dad, all 670 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:30,240 Speaker 1: the girls that he was helping, and all of Gigi's friends, 671 00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:33,520 Speaker 1: and you know, all all all of his older girls 672 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:36,080 Speaker 1: friends and Italian and so forth. So it just becomes 673 00:33:36,080 --> 00:33:39,800 Speaker 1: a stream of thoughts and and and and then you 674 00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:42,680 Speaker 1: start thinking back to the last time you talked to him, 675 00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:45,200 Speaker 1: the last time he texted you, the last time you 676 00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:50,080 Speaker 1: saw him, what you did, Was there anything left you 677 00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:52,360 Speaker 1: know that you might have wanted to tell him, or 678 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:58,160 Speaker 1: anything um or just to simply, you know, share another 679 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:05,560 Speaker 1: Coca Cola or in his case, water body armor exactly 680 00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:10,239 Speaker 1: a body armor, right, Jim. You've said before, everything he's 681 00:34:10,280 --> 00:34:13,560 Speaker 1: done behind closed doors, all these kind acts to others, 682 00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:16,800 Speaker 1: whether it was make a wish, or you know, speaking 683 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:19,160 Speaker 1: to a team like the Chargers, trying to give them 684 00:34:19,440 --> 00:34:22,879 Speaker 1: motivation before a game or before a season. I don't 685 00:34:22,880 --> 00:34:24,719 Speaker 1: know if you could just speak to the person that 686 00:34:24,840 --> 00:34:29,840 Speaker 1: Kobe was off the court inspiring others. You know, we 687 00:34:29,880 --> 00:34:33,200 Speaker 1: talk about that Momba mentality behind me. He tried to 688 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:37,240 Speaker 1: pass that along to fans, to other athletes. He always 689 00:34:37,239 --> 00:34:42,040 Speaker 1: tried to pay it forward. You know, Kobe wasn't one 690 00:34:42,040 --> 00:34:44,719 Speaker 1: of these guys who wanted a camera around when he 691 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:48,319 Speaker 1: performed acts of kindness. He wasn't looking for recognition and 692 00:34:48,360 --> 00:34:51,960 Speaker 1: he wasn't looking for accolades. He wasn't looking for somebody 693 00:34:52,040 --> 00:34:54,959 Speaker 1: to say, look at him, I notice what you're doing. 694 00:34:56,840 --> 00:35:02,759 Speaker 1: So that's true giving, that's true character. That would you know, 695 00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:06,160 Speaker 1: what do you do when no one's looking? Sure, you know, 696 00:35:06,320 --> 00:35:09,720 Speaker 1: and people wear the wrist bands, the religious wrist bands, 697 00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:16,000 Speaker 1: what would whatever religious leader who you follow, where would 698 00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:19,319 Speaker 1: whatever religious leader do? And you know, and then they 699 00:35:19,360 --> 00:35:23,399 Speaker 1: try and you know, remember that in those moments. So 700 00:35:24,480 --> 00:35:29,400 Speaker 1: what Kobe was doing was giving of himself of good 701 00:35:29,440 --> 00:35:32,000 Speaker 1: because he knew the impact that had had. This guy 702 00:35:32,080 --> 00:35:34,960 Speaker 1: was very self aware. This guy knew who he was, 703 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:39,200 Speaker 1: knew the impact that he had and knew just exactly 704 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:45,160 Speaker 1: this was a methodical, well thought out, highly intelligent, precise 705 00:35:46,560 --> 00:35:52,000 Speaker 1: and an enacting guy. And he was enacting and and 706 00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:54,480 Speaker 1: fulfilling the vision that he had. And now he wanted 707 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:58,000 Speaker 1: to tell stories, and he wanted to tell tell children's stories, 708 00:35:58,000 --> 00:35:59,400 Speaker 1: and he wanted to be a girl dad, and he 709 00:35:59,440 --> 00:36:02,719 Speaker 1: wanted to make sure that he didn't miss anything in 710 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:06,080 Speaker 1: those kids childhoods because he had given up a lot 711 00:36:06,120 --> 00:36:08,799 Speaker 1: of it while he had committed himself to playing with 712 00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:13,480 Speaker 1: the Lakers in the NBA. So, you know, this is 713 00:36:13,520 --> 00:36:16,600 Speaker 1: a subject that I could have really written chapters on, 714 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:21,720 Speaker 1: and I tried to just make it, you know, concise. Again, 715 00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:25,960 Speaker 1: my relationship with him is always going to be carried 716 00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:28,400 Speaker 1: right here in my heart. My wife was close to 717 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:34,400 Speaker 1: Kobe as well. She did his first commercial ever um 718 00:36:34,440 --> 00:36:38,320 Speaker 1: and so you know, and and and my feeling toward 719 00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:45,480 Speaker 1: Vanessa and Pam and Joe UM is one of where 720 00:36:45,480 --> 00:36:48,600 Speaker 1: my heartbreaks and for and for the three remaining little girls. 721 00:36:49,080 --> 00:36:52,640 Speaker 1: And Vanessa has got a road in front of her, 722 00:36:52,680 --> 00:36:58,759 Speaker 1: and you know, it's it's it's horribly tragic because she's 723 00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:01,160 Speaker 1: not going to have that guy who was so much 724 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:04,600 Speaker 1: to so many, but mainly to her to be with her. 725 00:37:05,719 --> 00:37:08,239 Speaker 1: And when we think about Kobe, we always want to 726 00:37:08,239 --> 00:37:12,240 Speaker 1: think about the positive, the fond memories, the last thing images. 727 00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:17,839 Speaker 1: What's your fondest memory of Kobe Bryant, Well, that would 728 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:20,000 Speaker 1: be hard. I knew I knew him when he was 729 00:37:20,040 --> 00:37:23,239 Speaker 1: a you know, in in his mother's arms. I knew 730 00:37:23,320 --> 00:37:26,719 Speaker 1: him as a toddler, an infant. So I mean, I've 731 00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:29,080 Speaker 1: got a lot going on in there that that you know, 732 00:37:29,120 --> 00:37:31,360 Speaker 1: when you say one thing is fond, you know, I guess, 733 00:37:31,360 --> 00:37:34,680 Speaker 1: I guess I would just be I guess if if 734 00:37:34,719 --> 00:37:36,319 Speaker 1: if you could say this is one, it's not. But 735 00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:39,680 Speaker 1: just to see what he became, Yeah, to see what 736 00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:44,560 Speaker 1: he became as a young man to a superstar athlete, 737 00:37:45,320 --> 00:37:49,840 Speaker 1: to a global icon, to a dad to the the 738 00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:52,799 Speaker 1: I mean, the whole package. The whole package was just 739 00:37:54,719 --> 00:37:56,759 Speaker 1: you know, something that you could look at and say, 740 00:37:56,800 --> 00:38:00,840 Speaker 1: you know what, here's here's an here's a guy who 741 00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:04,799 Speaker 1: you know, did what he set out to do, achieved success, 742 00:38:06,080 --> 00:38:09,200 Speaker 1: helped others. Now, he was tough. I mean, you know, 743 00:38:10,480 --> 00:38:13,239 Speaker 1: people get painted in death something that they weren't necessarily 744 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:17,360 Speaker 1: in life. Kob Kobe was a tough teammate, and Kobe 745 00:38:17,400 --> 00:38:20,439 Speaker 1: was a vicious competitor, and if you were in his way, 746 00:38:20,840 --> 00:38:22,719 Speaker 1: it didn't matter who you were, he was going to 747 00:38:22,840 --> 00:38:25,719 Speaker 1: run you over. Okay. So if you're a teammate that 748 00:38:25,719 --> 00:38:28,200 Speaker 1: didn't want to cooperate and didn't want to do it right, 749 00:38:28,960 --> 00:38:31,800 Speaker 1: it just gets you out of the way, okay. And 750 00:38:31,800 --> 00:38:36,680 Speaker 1: and and it was successful. And you know, but he 751 00:38:36,760 --> 00:38:41,759 Speaker 1: also had a tremendous amount of resilience. I remember when 752 00:38:41,800 --> 00:38:48,400 Speaker 1: when doctor Neil Elatraje repaired his torn achilles and Patrick 753 00:38:48,480 --> 00:38:52,919 Speaker 1: su and Chong was in there as well. And Neil, 754 00:38:54,320 --> 00:38:58,520 Speaker 1: you know, obviously feels the way of the world when 755 00:38:58,560 --> 00:39:01,640 Speaker 1: you're operating on the type of athletes. He's operated on, 756 00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:05,640 Speaker 1: Tom Brady, just a number of them, you name it. 757 00:39:05,680 --> 00:39:09,680 Speaker 1: And Neil Eltrage has had his hands in fixing them, 758 00:39:09,840 --> 00:39:13,440 Speaker 1: Tommy John surgeries and so forth. These doctor for the Dodgers, 759 00:39:13,600 --> 00:39:16,800 Speaker 1: doctor for the Rams, and he's down there at the clinic. 760 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:22,440 Speaker 1: So doctor Eltrage, when Kobe came out of that surgery, 761 00:39:24,080 --> 00:39:28,680 Speaker 1: and Kobe had to do all of that work behind 762 00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:31,680 Speaker 1: closed doors to be able to play basketball again at 763 00:39:31,680 --> 00:39:35,000 Speaker 1: the level that he wanted to play, that he wanted 764 00:39:35,000 --> 00:39:37,880 Speaker 1: to play forget about what the public might expect, and 765 00:39:37,960 --> 00:39:42,040 Speaker 1: their expectations had to come down somewhat after that, right 766 00:39:42,840 --> 00:39:44,920 Speaker 1: had to come down from you know, he's not going 767 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:47,960 Speaker 1: to be the same. Well, Kobe wasn't going to have that. 768 00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:51,680 Speaker 1: He was going to figure out a way where if 769 00:39:51,680 --> 00:39:54,080 Speaker 1: he wasn't the same player that he was before he 770 00:39:54,120 --> 00:39:58,200 Speaker 1: got hurt, he was going to be better. Yep, he 771 00:39:58,280 --> 00:40:00,200 Speaker 1: wasn't going to be the same. Now he might i'd 772 00:40:00,200 --> 00:40:01,719 Speaker 1: have been able to do it above the rim, or 773 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:05,000 Speaker 1: do it in the same fashion or you know, but 774 00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:06,839 Speaker 1: he was going to figure it out. And look at 775 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:10,359 Speaker 1: what happened. He did. He did. He was not going 776 00:40:10,440 --> 00:40:12,640 Speaker 1: to be the lasting impression was not going to be 777 00:40:12,800 --> 00:40:16,600 Speaker 1: of him, you know, limping off the court and not 778 00:40:16,680 --> 00:40:19,920 Speaker 1: being able to perform. So he came back and he performed. 779 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:22,759 Speaker 1: And so I kind of like what he said to me. 780 00:40:22,840 --> 00:40:25,200 Speaker 1: Did the last interview he ever did, and the Lakers 781 00:40:25,280 --> 00:40:28,560 Speaker 1: uniform was with me the night after he scored sixty points, 782 00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:30,920 Speaker 1: and I said, the last question he was asked in 783 00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:32,759 Speaker 1: a Laker uniform, I said, Kobe, how would you like 784 00:40:32,800 --> 00:40:35,920 Speaker 1: to be remembered? Well, first, I said, are you sure 785 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:38,440 Speaker 1: about this? You just scored sixty points. Yeah, like you 786 00:40:38,440 --> 00:40:41,480 Speaker 1: want to think this, and he said, no, I did not. 787 00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:44,640 Speaker 1: I said, how do you want to be remembered? He said, 788 00:40:45,080 --> 00:40:48,000 Speaker 1: I want to be remembered. He said Chris as a 789 00:40:48,040 --> 00:40:50,160 Speaker 1: guy who was given all the talent in the world 790 00:40:50,520 --> 00:40:56,600 Speaker 1: and worked like he had none. And that says it 791 00:40:56,640 --> 00:40:59,440 Speaker 1: all about him, because that's what it was, That's who 792 00:40:59,440 --> 00:41:05,080 Speaker 1: he was. Jim, there's countless stories in this book. I 793 00:41:05,120 --> 00:41:07,279 Speaker 1: wish I had you for hours, but I want to 794 00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:09,360 Speaker 1: get to a couple of these Alex Spanos stories because 795 00:41:09,680 --> 00:41:11,719 Speaker 1: I've heard a couple. I've heard you tell me a 796 00:41:11,719 --> 00:41:16,440 Speaker 1: couple you have to explain to our listeners and our viewers. 797 00:41:17,280 --> 00:41:21,919 Speaker 1: I guess the story with Bob Hope, it feels like honestly, Jim, 798 00:41:22,239 --> 00:41:24,120 Speaker 1: when I first heard it, I felt like this was 799 00:41:24,120 --> 00:41:29,680 Speaker 1: like written like a Hollywood script. Well, they couldn't have 800 00:41:29,719 --> 00:41:33,480 Speaker 1: made that one up because it would have been rejected. Well, 801 00:41:33,520 --> 00:41:36,279 Speaker 1: I had met I had met Alex Spanos on a 802 00:41:36,280 --> 00:41:39,720 Speaker 1: couple of occasions before i'd met him with Al Davis initially, 803 00:41:40,320 --> 00:41:45,360 Speaker 1: and I was at the Jerry Ford Golf Invitation Golf Invitational. 804 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:48,200 Speaker 1: President Ford at his golf tournament every year in Vale, Colorado. 805 00:41:48,280 --> 00:41:50,720 Speaker 1: He had a home in Beaver Creek and Alex Spanos 806 00:41:50,760 --> 00:41:54,640 Speaker 1: would come every year and Bob Hope with perform one 807 00:41:54,760 --> 00:42:01,839 Speaker 1: night at the Ford Amphitheater in downtown Vale. So I saw, 808 00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:05,200 Speaker 1: I saw mister Spanos, and he knew me from covering 809 00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:07,960 Speaker 1: football and from Al and was always great because Al 810 00:42:08,040 --> 00:42:11,319 Speaker 1: told him cooperate with him, you can trust him. And 811 00:42:11,360 --> 00:42:14,160 Speaker 1: so Alex heard that and Al had me sit in 812 00:42:14,160 --> 00:42:17,880 Speaker 1: a meeting, and you know, Alex had no choice because 813 00:42:17,960 --> 00:42:19,880 Speaker 1: Al didn't want me to leave the meeting. So you know, 814 00:42:19,920 --> 00:42:23,240 Speaker 1: but that that broke the ice with Alex with mister Spanos. 815 00:42:23,280 --> 00:42:25,399 Speaker 1: So anyway, he said, would you like to go home 816 00:42:25,400 --> 00:42:28,439 Speaker 1: with us tomorrow? When you leave, I'll drop you off 817 00:42:28,480 --> 00:42:31,080 Speaker 1: and in Los Angeles before I head up to Stockton, 818 00:42:31,160 --> 00:42:33,879 Speaker 1: I said, wow, of course, you know who what young 819 00:42:33,920 --> 00:42:35,879 Speaker 1: guy wouldn't want to be able to go on a 820 00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:38,799 Speaker 1: private plane. And of course I don't drive down to 821 00:42:38,840 --> 00:42:40,680 Speaker 1: Denver and get rid of the car and you know 822 00:42:40,719 --> 00:42:43,279 Speaker 1: all that so perfect. Anyway, so we leave, I get 823 00:42:43,320 --> 00:42:45,480 Speaker 1: on a plane. He says, you got to be at 824 00:42:45,520 --> 00:42:47,319 Speaker 1: the plane at such and such time after the round 825 00:42:47,320 --> 00:42:50,600 Speaker 1: of golf. So I got there and Bob Hope was 826 00:42:50,640 --> 00:42:52,960 Speaker 1: sitting on in the front seat to the plane. You know, right, 827 00:42:53,680 --> 00:42:56,400 Speaker 1: I say, wow, Bob Hope writing with us. Well, we 828 00:42:56,480 --> 00:43:00,279 Speaker 1: go to ryand and mister first mister Spanos gets a plane. 829 00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:02,080 Speaker 1: He said, we're taking Bob Hope. So we'll go to 830 00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:04,000 Speaker 1: Palm Springs, we'll go to LA and then I'll go 831 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:06,880 Speaker 1: into Stockton. So he was like running, you know, running 832 00:43:06,880 --> 00:43:08,759 Speaker 1: an airline, a puddle jumper for us on this big 833 00:43:08,840 --> 00:43:12,279 Speaker 1: beautiful uh you know jet private jets. Uh it was. 834 00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:15,480 Speaker 1: It was terrific. And uh we ate hot dogs and 835 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:17,839 Speaker 1: mister Spanels like to feed hot dogs. We had hot dogs. 836 00:43:17,880 --> 00:43:21,000 Speaker 1: I mean, I ate. I can't tell you how many 837 00:43:21,000 --> 00:43:23,439 Speaker 1: meals I ate with him. One hundred seventy five, two 838 00:43:23,520 --> 00:43:26,520 Speaker 1: hundred eighty percent of the time. He gave me a 839 00:43:26,520 --> 00:43:31,040 Speaker 1: hot dog. Hot dogs. Anyway, he's got good taste. So 840 00:43:31,120 --> 00:43:33,000 Speaker 1: we land in Palm Springs and it's hot. It's the 841 00:43:33,080 --> 00:43:36,120 Speaker 1: middle of the summer. Okay, it's very hot. So we 842 00:43:36,200 --> 00:43:38,960 Speaker 1: land and mister mister Hope gets off and you know, 843 00:43:39,000 --> 00:43:44,200 Speaker 1: it was a great flight, and uh, pilot says us 844 00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:46,680 Speaker 1: as right before Bob Hope drives away. He gets picked 845 00:43:46,719 --> 00:43:48,839 Speaker 1: up in a limo that the big limos. Back then 846 00:43:49,440 --> 00:43:52,359 Speaker 1: Bob Hope and uh, you can getting picked up and 847 00:43:53,360 --> 00:43:56,440 Speaker 1: he they say, you know, we have a problem with 848 00:43:56,480 --> 00:43:57,880 Speaker 1: the plane. We think it's just the heat of the 849 00:43:57,880 --> 00:44:02,000 Speaker 1: tires or something. I forget exactly what the problem was. Anyway, 850 00:44:02,320 --> 00:44:04,000 Speaker 1: So Bob Hope said, I'll sit with you guys on 851 00:44:04,080 --> 00:44:05,440 Speaker 1: here for a few more minutes. Don't want to leave. 852 00:44:05,520 --> 00:44:07,440 Speaker 1: I don't want to leave you alone. Anyway. The pilot 853 00:44:07,440 --> 00:44:09,560 Speaker 1: comes back and says, we're gonna stay overnight or drive 854 00:44:09,600 --> 00:44:15,040 Speaker 1: you back down to La because issue. And it's too hot, 855 00:44:15,080 --> 00:44:17,239 Speaker 1: so they can't they can't work on this now. So 856 00:44:17,280 --> 00:44:19,920 Speaker 1: Bob Hope says, come on over, you stay at the house. 857 00:44:20,960 --> 00:44:23,440 Speaker 1: And I keep waiting for like Alex to say, well, 858 00:44:23,480 --> 00:44:25,120 Speaker 1: I'll get you a hotel, or I'll get you a car, 859 00:44:25,239 --> 00:44:27,279 Speaker 1: or you get it, I'll get my own rental car 860 00:44:27,360 --> 00:44:30,000 Speaker 1: or whatever. And so I kind of went back to 861 00:44:30,040 --> 00:44:32,319 Speaker 1: the plane to get my luggage to say they'll get 862 00:44:32,320 --> 00:44:35,279 Speaker 1: all that. You're coming with us. We jumped into limo. 863 00:44:35,360 --> 00:44:37,600 Speaker 1: We stayed at Bob Hope's house. Next morning. We had 864 00:44:37,600 --> 00:44:40,880 Speaker 1: a great night. His wife, Dolores, was fantastic and and 865 00:44:41,160 --> 00:44:45,319 Speaker 1: Alex Spanos was a man of inclusion, not exclusion. He 866 00:44:45,440 --> 00:44:47,560 Speaker 1: put your arm around. He put his arm around you. 867 00:44:48,000 --> 00:44:50,719 Speaker 1: He didn't give you the heisman. He said come on. 868 00:44:51,480 --> 00:44:53,879 Speaker 1: So he treated me, and I was just very young. 869 00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:57,680 Speaker 1: How old read you, I'm gonna say at the time, 870 00:44:57,680 --> 00:45:02,640 Speaker 1: I was probably twenty eight, twenty nine, yeah, right around then. 871 00:45:03,080 --> 00:45:06,000 Speaker 1: So he put his arm around me and said, come on, 872 00:45:06,440 --> 00:45:10,040 Speaker 1: you're coming with us. Went over there, Dolores served us dinner. 873 00:45:10,600 --> 00:45:13,440 Speaker 1: Beautiful house overlooking all all of that valley is a 874 00:45:13,520 --> 00:45:17,760 Speaker 1: spectacular He's laughing. He's killing Alex all night, making jokes, 875 00:45:18,040 --> 00:45:19,759 Speaker 1: telling him stuff. And they were good buddies. They had 876 00:45:19,760 --> 00:45:23,759 Speaker 1: traveled all over for all those USO shows, and and 877 00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:26,719 Speaker 1: mister Spanos, you know, did a lot of a lot 878 00:45:26,760 --> 00:45:29,360 Speaker 1: of wonderful things for Bob Hope and vice versa. And 879 00:45:29,480 --> 00:45:33,160 Speaker 1: so anyway, next morning we get up, have a little breakfast, 880 00:45:33,200 --> 00:45:37,400 Speaker 1: and we're leaving, and I say goodbye to mister Hope, 881 00:45:37,440 --> 00:45:39,560 Speaker 1: and somebody tells me we go back to the plane 882 00:45:39,560 --> 00:45:40,960 Speaker 1: and we pick up our golf clubs and we go 883 00:45:41,000 --> 00:45:44,719 Speaker 1: out to play Tamarass golf course. So as me and 884 00:45:44,880 --> 00:45:48,400 Speaker 1: Alex and standing there with the Secret Service as President 885 00:45:48,440 --> 00:45:51,239 Speaker 1: Ford who would come home of some other by some 886 00:45:51,280 --> 00:45:55,560 Speaker 1: other means, and Bob Hope, and so now I'm playing 887 00:45:55,560 --> 00:45:58,440 Speaker 1: with Alex against the two of them, and he just 888 00:45:58,920 --> 00:46:02,520 Speaker 1: killed President. For President Ford was renowned for hitting people 889 00:46:02,520 --> 00:46:05,120 Speaker 1: with golf balls, you know, in the tournaments. He would 890 00:46:05,160 --> 00:46:07,200 Speaker 1: hit him and you know, and they'd have to apologize 891 00:46:07,200 --> 00:46:09,680 Speaker 1: and it was a presidential you know, big faux pod. 892 00:46:09,840 --> 00:46:13,040 Speaker 1: At the time. It was just it was just guaranteed 893 00:46:13,080 --> 00:46:14,320 Speaker 1: that if he played him one of those tournaments, he 894 00:46:14,400 --> 00:46:16,960 Speaker 1: was going to claver somebody. So Bob Hope says, on 895 00:46:17,080 --> 00:46:20,080 Speaker 1: a first team. Right as President Ford is tea and off, 896 00:46:20,120 --> 00:46:23,640 Speaker 1: he says, Alex, do you realize this is the first 897 00:46:23,680 --> 00:46:25,759 Speaker 1: time I've had a foursome with the president where one 898 00:46:25,760 --> 00:46:31,680 Speaker 1: of the people is in a paramedic and you were 899 00:46:31,760 --> 00:46:34,560 Speaker 1: a paramedic. I mean, he had all of this really 900 00:46:34,920 --> 00:46:38,879 Speaker 1: you know, good natured jokes, and he just rabbled them 901 00:46:38,880 --> 00:46:43,759 Speaker 1: all off. Anyway, a long story short, me and Alex won. 902 00:46:43,880 --> 00:46:46,280 Speaker 1: So we just got ten dollars and I asked President 903 00:46:46,320 --> 00:46:48,680 Speaker 1: Ford would he signed it? And he said no, that 904 00:46:48,840 --> 00:46:53,720 Speaker 1: was for the Treasury secretary to sign the currency. Wow, unbelievable. 905 00:46:54,160 --> 00:46:56,799 Speaker 1: I'm telling you you can't. You said it would be 906 00:46:56,880 --> 00:46:59,960 Speaker 1: rejected if you submitted to a to a Hollywood producer, 907 00:47:00,080 --> 00:47:04,560 Speaker 1: Sir Jim final thing, you know, it was, it was, 908 00:47:04,600 --> 00:47:07,400 Speaker 1: it was. It was great experience and Alex Spanos was 909 00:47:07,440 --> 00:47:14,080 Speaker 1: a wonderful guy, extremely philanthropic. Um cared about his community, 910 00:47:15,080 --> 00:47:18,839 Speaker 1: loved his family dearly, and you know, the Chargers were 911 00:47:19,239 --> 00:47:21,040 Speaker 1: at the heart of it. He wanted all the best 912 00:47:21,080 --> 00:47:25,160 Speaker 1: for his players and and and a team. The final 913 00:47:25,200 --> 00:47:27,799 Speaker 1: thing that there was another story I heard with him 914 00:47:27,840 --> 00:47:31,960 Speaker 1: and Al Davis, and I just think it's so important 915 00:47:32,000 --> 00:47:36,440 Speaker 1: for Chargers fans to hear because you know, especially the 916 00:47:36,560 --> 00:47:39,399 Speaker 1: Chargers and Raiders are the better rivals. They just played 917 00:47:39,480 --> 00:47:42,480 Speaker 1: last Sunday, but you have had a really cool story 918 00:47:42,520 --> 00:47:44,160 Speaker 1: that I'd love for you to share with the with 919 00:47:44,200 --> 00:47:49,080 Speaker 1: our viewers. Well, better rivals maybe on the field, but 920 00:47:49,160 --> 00:47:53,080 Speaker 1: there was always a closeness in the Spanos era since 921 00:47:53,120 --> 00:47:56,680 Speaker 1: they got the team in eighty four, I believe um. 922 00:47:56,800 --> 00:47:58,759 Speaker 1: So for these past thirty six years, there's been a 923 00:47:58,840 --> 00:48:02,720 Speaker 1: very close relationship with the Davis family and Al Davison. 924 00:48:02,760 --> 00:48:07,200 Speaker 1: And in fact, that's how I met Alex Panosh. He 925 00:48:07,280 --> 00:48:09,319 Speaker 1: came down Davis's office and I just happened to be 926 00:48:09,400 --> 00:48:14,400 Speaker 1: there doing something else with Al had just finished up 927 00:48:14,400 --> 00:48:17,120 Speaker 1: a practice and Alex had come and he wanted to 928 00:48:17,120 --> 00:48:19,520 Speaker 1: figure out how he could purchase the remaining portion of 929 00:48:19,560 --> 00:48:23,000 Speaker 1: the team and become the majority owner. And so I 930 00:48:23,040 --> 00:48:25,080 Speaker 1: was sitting in there and we were talking for a 931 00:48:25,080 --> 00:48:27,040 Speaker 1: few minutes, and IL says, okay, Alex, how can I 932 00:48:27,080 --> 00:48:34,359 Speaker 1: help you? And Alex says he's a reporter and all said, yeah, 933 00:48:34,400 --> 00:48:38,520 Speaker 1: he is. And he said, well, we can't talked like this. 934 00:48:38,600 --> 00:48:42,000 Speaker 1: He says, he's with me. He can hear this. You 935 00:48:42,000 --> 00:48:45,720 Speaker 1: can trust him. So whatever you want to say, go ahead. 936 00:48:45,760 --> 00:48:48,440 Speaker 1: He doesn't have to leave. And I was, you know, 937 00:48:48,480 --> 00:48:50,120 Speaker 1: I was going to kind of leave anyway because it 938 00:48:50,120 --> 00:48:55,400 Speaker 1: wasn't wasn't my place. But yeah, he stayed there. Jim so, oh, Jimmy, 939 00:48:55,640 --> 00:49:02,400 Speaker 1: I'll stay in nut chall wait in that chair. So anyway, 940 00:49:05,200 --> 00:49:07,239 Speaker 1: many years later, after Alex got the team, we all 941 00:49:07,239 --> 00:49:13,920 Speaker 1: went to dinner with Alt and Alex. And Al had 942 00:49:13,920 --> 00:49:16,120 Speaker 1: asked me this question before, but he put it to Alex. 943 00:49:16,200 --> 00:49:24,120 Speaker 1: He said, Alex, what's your mission in life? What do 944 00:49:24,120 --> 00:49:29,000 Speaker 1: you want to have? Money, fame, power, glory or love? 945 00:49:29,520 --> 00:49:32,760 Speaker 1: And he had asked me the same question before many times, 946 00:49:32,760 --> 00:49:34,560 Speaker 1: but the first time I said, well, I don't know. 947 00:49:34,640 --> 00:49:39,400 Speaker 1: And Al's answer was power. Then he told me, if 948 00:49:39,440 --> 00:49:41,960 Speaker 1: I didn't pick one, I'd end up with nothing. So 949 00:49:42,040 --> 00:49:44,719 Speaker 1: he said power. And I had asked him why, and 950 00:49:44,760 --> 00:49:47,279 Speaker 1: he said, if I had power, I'd have money. If 951 00:49:47,320 --> 00:49:49,880 Speaker 1: I had power, I'd have fame. If I had power, 952 00:49:49,920 --> 00:49:52,879 Speaker 1: I probably would have achieved something glorious. And I don't 953 00:49:52,920 --> 00:49:55,719 Speaker 1: really care about love. And it's a little more colorfully 954 00:49:55,760 --> 00:50:01,880 Speaker 1: written and talking to goats, a little little nicer language 955 00:50:01,880 --> 00:50:04,440 Speaker 1: than we can express here on the air. Sure this 956 00:50:04,520 --> 00:50:06,880 Speaker 1: is a little nicer language. That's a little more you 957 00:50:06,920 --> 00:50:11,040 Speaker 1: get the idea, So he asked, He asked Alex that question, 958 00:50:11,120 --> 00:50:13,520 Speaker 1: and he gave him the five and Alex said immediately 959 00:50:14,920 --> 00:50:20,120 Speaker 1: he said love. I love my team, I love my community, 960 00:50:20,560 --> 00:50:24,520 Speaker 1: and I love my family. And now paused and he 961 00:50:24,560 --> 00:50:27,440 Speaker 1: thought about it, like for two or three or four seconds, 962 00:50:27,560 --> 00:50:31,399 Speaker 1: just to pause, and he said, well, then, Alex, if 963 00:50:31,440 --> 00:50:35,399 Speaker 1: that's the case, you've won more championships in life than 964 00:50:35,440 --> 00:50:39,560 Speaker 1: I have. And Alan had three Super Bowl champions at 965 00:50:39,600 --> 00:50:45,040 Speaker 1: that point. So it was really touching and it really 966 00:50:45,040 --> 00:50:48,400 Speaker 1: spoke a lot to Alex about what he cared about. 967 00:50:49,160 --> 00:50:52,720 Speaker 1: Said he loved his team, said he loved his family, 968 00:50:53,080 --> 00:50:54,879 Speaker 1: and he loved his community, and that's how he lived 969 00:50:54,920 --> 00:50:59,640 Speaker 1: his life. Beautiful thing, it really is, and it speaks 970 00:50:59,640 --> 00:51:03,440 Speaker 1: to the character of mister Spanis and the Spanahs family. 971 00:51:04,239 --> 00:51:07,359 Speaker 1: You know, obviously everybody wants to win, but you look 972 00:51:07,400 --> 00:51:11,839 Speaker 1: at life and sometimes there's there's more important things. So well, 973 00:51:11,880 --> 00:51:14,040 Speaker 1: you see, you see, you see how the Spanis family 974 00:51:14,040 --> 00:51:16,360 Speaker 1: treats people. They're some of the nicest people on the planet. 975 00:51:16,960 --> 00:51:21,160 Speaker 1: Brothers and the Sistian and I know Dean and Susie 976 00:51:21,160 --> 00:51:27,640 Speaker 1: best and their children, Ag and John, And if you 977 00:51:27,719 --> 00:51:30,000 Speaker 1: can't get along with them, you better take a look 978 00:51:30,040 --> 00:51:34,439 Speaker 1: at yourself. And I know that there's always tough things 979 00:51:34,440 --> 00:51:38,280 Speaker 1: that go on in people's lives, you know, losing games, 980 00:51:38,880 --> 00:51:42,600 Speaker 1: tough decisions that have to be made, you know, people's 981 00:51:42,680 --> 00:51:44,920 Speaker 1: you know, and and and it's not always just the 982 00:51:45,000 --> 00:51:48,799 Speaker 1: beautiful panacea. But these are some really really caring and 983 00:51:48,880 --> 00:51:53,720 Speaker 1: giving people. And you know, I know we're talking about 984 00:51:53,719 --> 00:51:56,479 Speaker 1: the book, but but but I think over the course 985 00:51:56,520 --> 00:52:00,560 Speaker 1: of time, with performance and time, you know, the people 986 00:52:00,560 --> 00:52:02,279 Speaker 1: out here in Los Angeles are going to come to 987 00:52:02,320 --> 00:52:06,120 Speaker 1: love this team and they're going to be the Spanel's family, 988 00:52:06,160 --> 00:52:09,680 Speaker 1: and the Chargers are worthy of the support. There's no 989 00:52:09,840 --> 00:52:13,719 Speaker 1: question about it. And you know, we talk about just 990 00:52:14,000 --> 00:52:17,560 Speaker 1: people in general. And this is why this book is 991 00:52:17,600 --> 00:52:19,800 Speaker 1: so important, because you got to know all these people 992 00:52:20,120 --> 00:52:23,279 Speaker 1: on a personal level. You can speak to things that 993 00:52:23,719 --> 00:52:28,239 Speaker 1: you know. Fans just see on television that you had 994 00:52:28,239 --> 00:52:30,719 Speaker 1: a front row seat to all of this, Jim, and 995 00:52:30,760 --> 00:52:33,279 Speaker 1: I'm so thrilled for you and thrilled that this book 996 00:52:33,360 --> 00:52:36,400 Speaker 1: is out for the world to either listen to or read. 997 00:52:36,920 --> 00:52:39,880 Speaker 1: Where can people get it? And you have to mention 998 00:52:40,080 --> 00:52:43,120 Speaker 1: the audible and everything that goes into the audible book 999 00:52:43,160 --> 00:52:46,919 Speaker 1: because there's some fun little bells and whistles in that one. Well, 1000 00:52:47,040 --> 00:52:50,120 Speaker 1: you can get it at wherever you buy your books, 1001 00:52:50,200 --> 00:52:52,960 Speaker 1: any of the great bookstores, your local bookstores, all the 1002 00:52:53,000 --> 00:52:56,640 Speaker 1: big massive bookstores, Barnes and Noble, Amazon dot com, or 1003 00:52:56,680 --> 00:52:59,399 Speaker 1: you can go to talking to Goats dot com all 1004 00:52:59,440 --> 00:53:02,360 Speaker 1: one word talking to Goats dot com and then you 1005 00:53:02,360 --> 00:53:05,120 Speaker 1: can order it right there from wherever they'll get it 1006 00:53:05,160 --> 00:53:08,960 Speaker 1: to you overnight. Um. And the audible book, Uh, the 1007 00:53:09,000 --> 00:53:13,799 Speaker 1: audio portion was what was it? That was something? Uh? 1008 00:53:16,200 --> 00:53:20,760 Speaker 1: And uh it it turned out really really cool and uh, 1009 00:53:20,840 --> 00:53:23,839 Speaker 1: some some people who I'm indebted to my friends, uh 1010 00:53:23,880 --> 00:53:25,960 Speaker 1: came and did some uh did some work on the 1011 00:53:26,000 --> 00:53:28,960 Speaker 1: book for me. So Vin Scully, the great Vince Scully, 1012 00:53:29,040 --> 00:53:33,640 Speaker 1: the best sportscaster of all of our lives. Um he he. 1013 00:53:34,040 --> 00:53:38,040 Speaker 1: He voices the introduction to the book. Uh, Bob Costas, 1014 00:53:38,160 --> 00:53:39,839 Speaker 1: my dear friend who I worked with for a long 1015 00:53:39,880 --> 00:53:42,520 Speaker 1: time at NBC. Who's the best of us? Now, I 1016 00:53:42,560 --> 00:53:46,160 Speaker 1: mean he's the best of the best, Bob. He is 1017 00:53:46,200 --> 00:53:48,480 Speaker 1: part of the preface. So he read the preface and 1018 00:53:48,520 --> 00:53:52,120 Speaker 1: he also did the lineup like a lineup card. He 1019 00:53:52,360 --> 00:53:55,160 Speaker 1: reads the table of contents and it's a it's very 1020 00:53:55,280 --> 00:53:58,879 Speaker 1: entertaining and great. And then Tom Brady, who has been 1021 00:53:59,120 --> 00:54:02,279 Speaker 1: my partner on Westwood One Monday Night football and who 1022 00:54:02,320 --> 00:54:06,319 Speaker 1: I've interviewed hundreds of times, wrote the foreward. And he 1023 00:54:06,360 --> 00:54:10,439 Speaker 1: read the foreward and I'm so honored that he would 1024 00:54:10,480 --> 00:54:13,520 Speaker 1: put his name on this book. I can't tell you 1025 00:54:13,560 --> 00:54:16,799 Speaker 1: the gratitude that I have for him and how how 1026 00:54:16,840 --> 00:54:22,440 Speaker 1: that makes me feel. And I'm really thankful and grateful 1027 00:54:22,480 --> 00:54:25,000 Speaker 1: to Tom. So he reads the forward. Carol Burnett. The 1028 00:54:25,080 --> 00:54:27,720 Speaker 1: last chapter, chapter twenty is I'm not writing another book, 1029 00:54:28,000 --> 00:54:31,080 Speaker 1: And the last page of this book is about Carol Burnett. 1030 00:54:31,760 --> 00:54:34,480 Speaker 1: It was somebody that I watched as a youngster, and 1031 00:54:34,640 --> 00:54:38,279 Speaker 1: it was in total awe of So Carol Burnett has 1032 00:54:38,280 --> 00:54:41,360 Speaker 1: a portion that she contributes to the last chapter on audio, 1033 00:54:41,880 --> 00:54:46,399 Speaker 1: the great Carol Burnett. And finally Snoop Dogg, who's been 1034 00:54:47,080 --> 00:54:52,080 Speaker 1: a longtime friend of mine. Snoop Dogg reads and raps 1035 00:54:53,000 --> 00:54:56,160 Speaker 1: the acknowledgements and so everybody whose name was in there 1036 00:54:56,800 --> 00:55:00,920 Speaker 1: gets a little little flavor from Snoop And so that 1037 00:55:01,080 --> 00:55:03,160 Speaker 1: was a that's a big, big thrill for me and 1038 00:55:03,200 --> 00:55:05,600 Speaker 1: a big treat. So and I thank all those folks. 1039 00:55:06,719 --> 00:55:09,880 Speaker 1: There's something for everyone in the audio portion. There's something 1040 00:55:09,920 --> 00:55:13,040 Speaker 1: for everyone in the audio portion, and also the book 1041 00:55:13,160 --> 00:55:16,200 Speaker 1: talking to Goats, the moments you remember and the stories 1042 00:55:16,440 --> 00:55:20,360 Speaker 1: you never heard. It's out, now, go get it. Jim Gray, 1043 00:55:20,520 --> 00:55:23,120 Speaker 1: it's a pleasure, sir. I really appreciate you spend us 1044 00:55:23,120 --> 00:55:26,960 Speaker 1: some time with our chargers, listeners and readers, and you 1045 00:55:27,040 --> 00:55:30,200 Speaker 1: better believe they'll be getting that book. Well, the Chargers, 1046 00:55:30,440 --> 00:55:33,680 Speaker 1: you know, Al Davis used to say this, so you 1047 00:55:33,680 --> 00:55:37,200 Speaker 1: know what, the Chargers have greatness in their future. All 1048 00:55:37,320 --> 00:55:39,080 Speaker 1: used to say, I can't take the Raiders saying and 1049 00:55:39,120 --> 00:55:41,400 Speaker 1: apply it to the Chargers. Everybody be upset with that, 1050 00:55:41,480 --> 00:55:44,280 Speaker 1: particularly Alan Mark Davis. But the greatness of the Raiders 1051 00:55:44,360 --> 00:55:46,800 Speaker 1: is in its future. But I'm telling you, the Chargers 1052 00:55:46,920 --> 00:55:50,080 Speaker 1: have greatness in their future. And the quarterback that they 1053 00:55:50,120 --> 00:55:53,000 Speaker 1: have now, the players that are on that team, and 1054 00:55:53,120 --> 00:55:56,120 Speaker 1: that beautiful stadium that they're playing in, and the ownership 1055 00:55:56,200 --> 00:56:00,359 Speaker 1: that they have, it's a very very bright future. Chris, 1056 00:56:00,360 --> 00:56:02,200 Speaker 1: thank you for being so kind with your words and 1057 00:56:02,239 --> 00:56:04,560 Speaker 1: for taking the time to read the book and to 1058 00:56:04,600 --> 00:56:07,359 Speaker 1: talk about it with me. Jeff pleasures all mine, sir, 1059 00:56:07,480 --> 00:56:11,719 Speaker 1: We'll see down the line. Thanks Chris. All Right, guys, 1060 00:56:11,719 --> 00:56:13,640 Speaker 1: that's gonna do it for us. A big thanks to 1061 00:56:13,760 --> 00:56:17,239 Speaker 1: Jim Gray, Matt money Smith, and Rich Gannon for joining me, 1062 00:56:17,520 --> 00:56:19,719 Speaker 1: and of course thanks to you all for listening. Be 1063 00:56:19,800 --> 00:56:22,880 Speaker 1: sure to download and subscribe to the Chargers Podcast Network 1064 00:56:23,120 --> 00:56:25,640 Speaker 1: wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, be sure to tune 1065 00:56:25,640 --> 00:56:29,040 Speaker 1: into the Final Drive presented by Microsoft Surface after the 1066 00:56:29,040 --> 00:56:32,520 Speaker 1: game on Sunday, complete reaction from the Chargers taking on 1067 00:56:32,560 --> 00:56:35,560 Speaker 1: the Dolphins down in Miami. Have a great weekend and 1068 00:56:35,640 --> 00:56:48,040 Speaker 1: until next time, I'm Chris Hayrey.