1 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: What's up, guys. Welcome to a brand new episode of 2 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:18,760 Speaker 1: Chargers Weekly Training Camp Edition and you never know who's 3 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: gonna show up in Coast of Masa. Here with the 4 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:25,119 Speaker 1: great Peter King of NBC Sports. Peter, stop five on 5 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: your training camp trip. It's always a pleasure to have 6 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 1: you here. Thank you. I remember two years ago I 7 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 1: was right over there, maybe twenty feet from where we're 8 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:44,519 Speaker 1: standing now, spent fifteen minutes with h with Austin Ekeler, 9 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:48,240 Speaker 1: this new up and coming dude, you know, and then 10 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: did a recorded a podcast in front of a bunch 11 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: of fans with Philip Rivers. I remember that. Yeah, you 12 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: had like a circle if you looked like a college 13 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: game day setting, you know, Yeah it was. And what 14 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: was really cool is that, you know, I said, you know, 15 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 1: you've almost got enough for a football team. Now, you know, 16 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 1: nine kids? Man, I said, is it over? He goes ah, 17 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: Maybe not, you know, but now I really really love 18 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: this area. I love this region. I just love coming here. 19 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: Who doesn't look look at this there's gorgeous. Hey, listen, 20 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: there has not been a cloud in the sky for 21 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:28,320 Speaker 1: the three days I've been in Orange County. It's I 22 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: mean it's awesome. Really in Vegas is probably a little 23 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: hot bit. Well, you know, they practice, they're all out 24 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: there by like seven to fifteen. It's like the day 25 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,199 Speaker 1: I was there was eighty four degrees at the start 26 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: and then you know, by ten thirty it's one hundred 27 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:44,960 Speaker 1: or ninety eight. I think it was that day. But 28 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: you know, if you're going to play in Las Vegas, 29 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: you better make some accommodations for the weather, no question. 30 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: So the Chargers, obviously you've got some time to spend 31 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: with coach and Justin and Derwin and some of the 32 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: guys here. Your impressions of this team from afar before 33 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: you got here. A lot of new energy obviously with 34 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:11,920 Speaker 1: Coach Staley, Justin Herbert, season two, the return of Derwin James, 35 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: a new stadium, new uniforms, there's a there's a lot 36 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:17,679 Speaker 1: to be excited about if you're a Charges fan right now. 37 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: It's just, you know, the Chargers really are a very 38 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:28,399 Speaker 1: interesting chemistry experiment right now. Because Tom talesco put it perfectly. 39 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 1: He said, you know, I walked into a meeting with 40 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: all the coaches. You know, I look out and said, 41 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: oh my god, I'm the oldest person in this room 42 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 1: and you look at Tom Talesco. He still looks like 43 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: a kid, right, you know, he's whatever, he is, forty 44 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,920 Speaker 1: eight years old. But you know, it's the reason I 45 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 1: call it a chemistry experiment is that you know, you're 46 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,799 Speaker 1: you're walking around. I was walking around the building with 47 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: Brandon Staley, and you can just see that he's got 48 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: this little kind of chemistry with the players already, you know, 49 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 1: and the way he talks to him, the way he 50 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 1: deals with him. And that's going to be so interesting 51 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 1: to watch because five years ago, you know, on this day, 52 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 1: five years ago, he's getting ready for practice to be 53 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,799 Speaker 1: a Division three defensive coordinator. And now he's the head 54 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 1: coach of an NFL team. That is insane. That's totally insane. 55 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 1: It's one thing to say, yeah, young coach, everything like that. Look, 56 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: Sean McVeigh was a young coach, but he'd been calling 57 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: plays in Washington, and you know he had been in 58 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: the NFL for whatever it was, ten years. But look, 59 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 1: communication is communication, Education is education, and Brandon Staley is 60 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: going to succeed or fail on his own ideas and 61 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: his own mode of motivating players. So I'm looking forward 62 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 1: to it. I think it's going to be absolutely fascinating. 63 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: Like you said, it's just going to be a different world. 64 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:05,800 Speaker 1: The one thing I'm really curious about the Chargers have 65 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: an incredible home schedule. I mean, you want to buy 66 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: season tickets, this is the year to get your season tickets. 67 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 1: And not only because Justin Herbert's the quarterback, but because 68 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 1: when you think about it, I mean, you're going to 69 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,600 Speaker 1: see some of the great some of the really great opponents. 70 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 1: But I only raise this because I think another part 71 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: of the interesting experiment with this team, with this franchise 72 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 1: is that, I mean, think about it, do you have 73 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:37,599 Speaker 1: any idea? Really, does anybody have any idea? If you 74 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: have a crowd of fifty at SOFI or sixty thousand whatever, 75 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 1: what percentage is going to be pro Charger? What percentage 76 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 1: is going to be pro visiting team? Because you get 77 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: like the Cowboys are coming right, And so that's another thing. 78 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 1: There's so many interesting things about their season football and otherwise, 79 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:00,359 Speaker 1: and their season starts on the road in Washington, and 80 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: talk about this new look offensive line. Quite the tests 81 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:06,039 Speaker 1: with maybe the best defensive line of football. You got 82 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: the offensive rookie of the year versus the defensive Rookie 83 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: of the Year, all led by coach Staley. And you 84 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: brought up a really interesting point. Just five years ago 85 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,039 Speaker 1: he was not in the league, but he'd tell you 86 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: John Carroll, James Madison, those types of stops that got 87 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 1: him prepared for this. He said, John Carroll is like 88 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: an NFL. See. I think I think one of the 89 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 1: reasons that, not necessarily that it might have been better 90 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 1: to be at John Carroll than it would have been 91 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: to be at Michigan or you know, Auburn or something 92 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 1: like that. One of the reasons is I think he 93 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 1: was able to establish himself and everything he wanted to 94 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: do as a coach. He didn't have to fit in, 95 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: you know, in some monstrous football factory. Okay, he could 96 00:05:55,560 --> 00:06:01,359 Speaker 1: basically say everything about this defense is up to me. Everything, 97 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 1: and he said football is football, and you know, we'll see. 98 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 1: You know, nobody knows how this is going to go, 99 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: because a lot of people said, oh my god, Brandon 100 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: Staley's so young, he hasn't done it that long. But 101 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 1: I'll tell you, as somebody who covers this, I remember 102 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: when he told the Philadelphia Eagles, I'm not coming I'm 103 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 1: getting the job with the Chargers. Say the Eagles were downcast, Wow, 104 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,840 Speaker 1: and they wanted they didn't know they were going to 105 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: hire them. They wanted a shot at him because you know, 106 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:44,479 Speaker 1: they the Eagles didn't have a guy. You know, I 107 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,720 Speaker 1: applaud by the way, not that this has anything to do, 108 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: but I applaud the way that the Eagles do their 109 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: searches because they say, we're starting a ground zero. We 110 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,920 Speaker 1: want to know everything about everybody. So their interview processes 111 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,479 Speaker 1: are like seven to ten hours long. I think I 112 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 1: remember talking to Brandon after he got the job, and 113 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:10,679 Speaker 1: he said, you know, think about this Saturday, I'm coaching 114 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 1: the Rams in Green Bay and we lose a tough 115 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 1: playoff game, and you know, you spend the time with 116 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers on the field. I'm you know, I'm thinking, Geez, 117 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: I might get a job. I may never see a 118 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: lot of these guys again. Flies home, I don't know, 119 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:29,840 Speaker 1: gets two or three hours sleep, gets up interviews with 120 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:34,000 Speaker 1: Houston Texans at eight thirty in the morning, then gets 121 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 1: in a car and goes down to interview with the Chargers. 122 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: And I think, deep down, one of the reasons he 123 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 1: really wanted this job is that I don't think he 124 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: could bear the thought of thinking, I just I'm on 125 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: empty right now. I mean, I can't go interview for 126 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 1: seven to ten hours, get on a six am plane 127 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: and I just can't. I can't do it. And and 128 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 1: but he was gonna do it. But that's one of 129 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 1: the reasons why I think he loved getting his offer 130 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 1: so he didn't have to go and do mental and 131 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: physical exhaustion in the wake of you know, uh, you know, 132 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 1: having just coached a game on Saturday, halfway across the country. 133 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 1: Now it's just a quick trip down the four oh five. 134 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: And then you look at the situation he's placed into. Um, 135 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: it's a great situation. Oh my god. You know, Coachdilly 136 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 1: was a quarterback you could have Justin Herbert and an 137 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: expansion team, and he's just fun and almost any coach 138 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 1: would say, I'll sign up for that. He doesn't have 139 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:39,679 Speaker 1: an expansion team. He's got an excellent running back in 140 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 1: Austin Ekeler. He's got a premier pass rusher in Bosa. 141 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: He's got a great ball hawking sideline to sideline, you know, 142 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:55,640 Speaker 1: field changer in Derwin j. I mean, look, hey, and 143 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 1: I'll tell you this, in my opinion, I think the 144 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 1: guy who nobody is talking about with this team is 145 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: the tight end because I just feel, yes, yeah, I 146 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 1: feel like Jared Cook wasn't really used to his ultimate 147 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 1: advantage and in the way that he should have been 148 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 1: used in New Orleans because and look far be it 149 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: from me. I mean, Sean Payton's a genius. But I'm 150 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 1: just saying Jared Cook will be better this year in 151 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: this offense than he was last year with Drew Brees. 152 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,320 Speaker 1: Not no criticism Brees, no criticism Peyton, That's just the 153 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: way it went. I think he's I think every camp 154 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:47,080 Speaker 1: I go to, I do an X factor player. He's 155 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:51,680 Speaker 1: my X factor player for this team because, in my opinion, 156 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 1: I won't be surprised to see him catch sixty balls 157 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: with eight touchdowns and really have an impact on this offense. 158 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:03,560 Speaker 1: Over the last three years, among tight ends, only Travis 159 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 1: Kelsey has more touchdowns than Jared Cook. It shows you 160 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: just how he's able to get into the answer. He's 161 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: a veteran. It's a nice mix of guys, Peter. We 162 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 1: talk about Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and Eckler and Cook, 163 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: but you know a year ago Justin was thrown to 164 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:25,080 Speaker 1: Tyran Johnson and Jalen Giton and Donald Parham and kJ Hill, 165 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: and you see these guys in year two, Justin has 166 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 1: built a rapport and a relationship with some of the 167 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: guys that aren't necessarily household names. That's been fun to see. 168 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: And then this rookie class with Joshua Palmer coming in 169 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: from Tennessee, Sante Samue and Rashawn Slater get to go 170 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 1: up against Joey Bosen practice preparing for Week one. It's 171 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: an exciting rookie class too. And like you said, it's 172 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: like it's an experiment. We're seeing a lot of these 173 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,319 Speaker 1: new players coming in and how they're gonna mix with 174 00:10:57,960 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: the guys that are still here from last year is 175 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: going to be fast. See. Rashawn Slater to me was 176 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 1: like the biggest gift in this draft because I just 177 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: remember there were there were two general managers in the 178 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:16,440 Speaker 1: top ten who after the draft said we had Slater 179 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: or highest rated, highest rated tackle. And you know, look, 180 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 1: there's been a lot of tackles taken early in the 181 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:28,760 Speaker 1: last couple of drafts, Okay, but uh, you know, if 182 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 1: you look at it last year, there's only one of 183 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: those four tackles Tristan Wirfs, who really is a legit, 184 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:43,679 Speaker 1: no question guy. Okay, so it's not a lock that 185 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 1: Slater is going to be really good, but I take 186 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: my chances with him because I think that he's got 187 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: a lot of NFL traits. You know, Asante, Samuel's got 188 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,079 Speaker 1: a lot of NFL traits too, and it's not just 189 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 1: because of who his dad is. You know, I think 190 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:03,880 Speaker 1: a lot of people love that pick, especially where the 191 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 1: Chargers got them. So you're right, I think the Chargers 192 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:13,200 Speaker 1: got a couple of really good prospects. Who I mean, Look, 193 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: if both of those guys play well and bear fruit early, Wow, 194 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,760 Speaker 1: that's a gigantic advantage for them. Talk to the top 195 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: to let's go last week about I remember the twenty 196 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 1: eighteen class that featured Derwin James. They got contributions from 197 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 1: that rookie class, Justin Jackson, Sunday Night Football gets Pittsburgh, 198 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:36,439 Speaker 1: you chenn into Wosue and Justin Jones and the playoffs. 199 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: So to get contributions from rookies is gonna be key. Peter, 200 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 1: You're busy, man. I'm gonna get you out here on this. 201 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 1: The landscape of the AFC West we know everybody's chasing 202 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:48,560 Speaker 1: Kansas City. You were in Vegas to check out the 203 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: Raiders on your first stop in training camp. Obviously, the 204 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:53,800 Speaker 1: Broncos feel pretty good about their roster. Maybe some questions 205 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 1: and quarterback. How do you see this division in twenty 206 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 1: twenty one and how close is that gap you think 207 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: between what Kansas City has been doing and what the 208 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: Chargers are trying to do. I mean, if everything goes 209 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: right for the Chargers, which is a dumb thing to say, 210 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: because nothing is like that in the NFL. Nothing ever 211 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:23,559 Speaker 1: goes all right. But there's the occasional team, one or 212 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: two or three teams a year. They get very few 213 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 1: injuries and are able to last the whole year. So 214 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 1: if everything goes right, you know, if Herbert continues his development, 215 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 1: if Keenan Allen plays seventeen games, you know, and all 216 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:39,840 Speaker 1: that kind of stuff. Here's the thing about the Chargers. 217 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:48,679 Speaker 1: They will score like Kansas City and and so then 218 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,200 Speaker 1: it comes down to how's your defense going to play. 219 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: I think the Chargers are going to score. And now 220 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 1: it comes down to how quickly they buy into the scheme, 221 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 1: you know, the Stalely scheme. And you know, look, I 222 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 1: just think it's always you always got to ask yourself 223 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 1: this question. If you could tell me right now that 224 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:15,560 Speaker 1: Bosa play seventeen games healthy as a mule, I'm putting 225 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 1: a lot of stock in the Chargers to make a 226 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:21,760 Speaker 1: run this year with number thirty three. I mean, obviously, 227 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: you know we I discussed this with him and he goes, listen, Fluke, 228 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 1: non contact injuries. You know, it's it's what's really tough 229 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 1: in the NFL. I was talking to Jimmy Garoppolo about 230 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: this that you know, you get this narrative about you 231 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:44,560 Speaker 1: because some guy falls into your leg, you know, always 232 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 1: injury prone. Well, the fact is that Garoppolo has missed 233 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: twenty three out of the last forty eight regular season 234 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 1: games with injuries. The fact is Derwin James has missed 235 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: you know, two years essentially, and he is if you 236 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 1: were ask me, he is the absolute rock star and 237 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: influential leader of that defense. And so you're right. I mean, 238 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 1: if those two guys play, I mean, if they're healthy, 239 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 1: they will play. Well, okay, they gotta play. And so 240 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: those are the things that you say to yourself, you know, 241 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: if all these things go right, But like I said, 242 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: something's going to happen. Something bad is going to happen. 243 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 1: I just don't know what it is. I don't know 244 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 1: when it will happen, just because every team, every year, 245 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 1: one or two or three things really bad happen and 246 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: you just can't forecast what it is. But if, like 247 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: I say, if this is a healthy team, this is 248 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 1: a team that in my opinion, could win multiple games 249 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: in January. It's whether in that adversity based on when 250 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: it comes. Sometimes it comes in training camp, sometimes it 251 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: comes throughout the course of a seventeen game season. Now, 252 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: so we will see what happens with the Chargers in 253 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: the AFC West Peter, when you're a camp, it feels 254 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: like football is getting closer. It's always a pleasure. Love 255 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 1: having you in southern California and look forward to seeing 256 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: you throughout the season. Thanks. Hey, I look forward to 257 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:16,840 Speaker 1: it too. I'll give you another very quick story that 258 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: when I saw Derek Carr, I had done a few 259 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 1: things with them, you know, during the course of his career, 260 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: and he goes, man, I just want to hug you, 261 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: you know, because he said, I've just been without people 262 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 1: for so long. You know, there's there's been some benefits 263 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 1: to zoom, but having the personal connection. Yeah, doing this 264 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: with you on zoom versus doing a person, it's just different. Yeah. 265 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 1: This is better. Yeah, and I hope we get to 266 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,040 Speaker 1: do more. That's fun. Yeah, I'd love to Hey listen, 267 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 1: thanks absolutely all right. As we roll on here on 268 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 1: Chargers Weekly, Daniel Popper of the Athletic joins me, and 269 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: people have asked who's the fastest person on the field 270 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 1: this week? It's not a Santi Samuel Jr. It's not 271 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: Michael Davis, it's not Austin Ekeler. It's Daniel Popper going 272 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 1: up and down the sidelines. Check it out, kicking competitions, 273 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: checking out one on ones, eleven on elevens. Daniel is 274 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: on it. What's up? Brother? Well, I gotta put myself 275 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: in position. It's really born out of frustration because I'm 276 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 1: standing there and I have a perfect angle on the 277 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 1: eleven on eleven and then someone somebody that I'm not 278 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 1: staring at right now, who might be holding a camera 279 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,960 Speaker 1: on the sideline, walks over and stands right in front 280 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 1: of me. So then I have to sprint and find 281 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 1: the next spot. But I got to bring the people 282 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 1: what they want. They want the details and the only 283 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 1: way to find the details is to get moving up 284 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 1: and down the sideline. There should be like an All 285 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:39,120 Speaker 1: twenty two camel popper god during popcam the pop kill. 286 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 1: It would be a little embarrassing because then I start 287 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:43,199 Speaker 1: running like and then my binoculars are flying all over 288 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,920 Speaker 1: the place. It's not pretty. Like I don't look good 289 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 1: while I'm doing it. I can guarantee you that. But 290 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:49,440 Speaker 1: I get in position and I get the job done. 291 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 1: That's what matters. So you're following Peter King on the podcast. 292 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: You said Peter King follows you on Twitter? Now, Yeah, 293 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 1: Like I was telling you this before we got on. 294 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: If I had told twelve year old me that Peter 295 00:17:58,119 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 1: King follows me on Twitter, I probably would have like 296 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:04,440 Speaker 1: melted on the spot. It's pretty cool. He was here. 297 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,159 Speaker 1: He had some he had some hot takes to not 298 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 1: hot takes, but he had some some good insight on 299 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 1: the chargers and kind of what this may look like 300 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:14,680 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one. I'm talking about Jared Cook being 301 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 1: the next factor. Yeah, I want to get your your 302 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 1: evaluation of what you've seen over the first seven days 303 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:25,480 Speaker 1: of camp. Yeah, so I think let's start defensively. So 304 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 1: the one thing that jumps out to you initially is 305 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 1: just how multiple this defense is going to be. They 306 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 1: can do so many different things, and that includes with 307 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 1: their defensive fronts, that includes the linebackers, that includes the secondary. 308 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:40,680 Speaker 1: There's just so many moving pieces. They're cross training a 309 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 1: number of guys in a number of different spots, including 310 00:18:42,760 --> 00:18:45,719 Speaker 1: Derwin James, Chris Harris, even Mark Webbelow, he Gillaman. All 311 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:47,520 Speaker 1: these guys are playing all over the field, and so 312 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:48,920 Speaker 1: the whole idea is that you're going to throw a 313 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 1: defense out there and the quarterback isn't going to know 314 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,880 Speaker 1: what's happening. That disguise, that confusion, that's what you're trying 315 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 1: to generate. And you're seeing that they can go with 316 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,120 Speaker 1: the four man front, they can go with a five 317 00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:59,600 Speaker 1: man front. Chris Harris is playing safety, he's playing the nickel, 318 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:01,919 Speaker 1: Derwin James is playing three different positions, so you never 319 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 1: know where anyone's going to line up. And that's the 320 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:06,400 Speaker 1: whole idea is to create that confusion. So that's encouraging, 321 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:07,679 Speaker 1: and I think they have the players to do it 322 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:11,239 Speaker 1: right now. You know, now that everyone's healthy, you know, 323 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: the hope with the Chargers is that that continues into 324 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 1: this season offensively, Josh Palmer has jumped out to me, 325 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 1: that's looking like a great pick. I mean, precise route, runner, 326 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:25,120 Speaker 1: strong hands, the physicality jumps out to you. The polished 327 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: uh you know, play style that they were talking about 328 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:31,160 Speaker 1: after the draft, that jumps out to you. Keenan Allen 329 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 1: Justin Herbert relationship is as you know, starter where it 330 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 1: left it Bloom last year, Blostom last year. And and 331 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:39,480 Speaker 1: they haven't skipped a beat man. I mean even like 332 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 1: two minute drill, big third down like ten's going to thirteen. 333 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,719 Speaker 1: And I don't think that's any secret, right um, But 334 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:46,479 Speaker 1: Keenan just has an ability to get open and they 335 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: have a great rapport. I think that Justin Herbert Jared 336 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: Cook relationship is further ahead than I thought it would be. 337 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 1: And you know, I always go into the weeds with 338 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 1: this stuff. But one thing that jumped out to me 339 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: is the second team offensive line has looked really good 340 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:01,360 Speaker 1: and run blocking. This is like, you know, very inside football, 341 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:04,199 Speaker 1: but I think it's important because the depth of this 342 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 1: offensive line I think is an area of concern on 343 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: the roster. That starting group is obviously very good and 344 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 1: very talented on paper. As a chance to be at 345 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: above average to really good unit. But if you have 346 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 1: some injuries, you're gonna need some some bottom of the 347 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,000 Speaker 1: depth chart players to come in and play meaningful snaps. 348 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:20,239 Speaker 1: And I think it's encouraging to see some of these 349 00:20:20,240 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 1: guys Scott Quisenberry, right, Trey Pipkins, Stormed Norton, Ryan Hunter, 350 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 1: Tyrese Saint Louis, these guys coming in and having some 351 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:28,919 Speaker 1: success in the running game. I think that's been a 352 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:32,480 Speaker 1: big deal. Still waiting for that that, you know, Mike 353 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 1: Williams to show up and make some big plays offensively. 354 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:37,680 Speaker 1: He caught the fade route in the two minute drill yesterday. 355 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: I think he's still, you know, in the feeling out 356 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:42,880 Speaker 1: process with a new offensive scheme. But those are things 357 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 1: that have really jumped out to me so far on 358 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 1: both sides of the ball. If we stay on offense, 359 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 1: the offensive life. You know, Trey Pipkins is in his 360 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: third year, yeah, coming from a small school, right, So 361 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:54,400 Speaker 1: I think there's and didn't have an offseason last year too. 362 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: I think there's a lot of meat on the bone. 363 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:58,679 Speaker 1: There's still we'll see what happens throughout the course of 364 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:01,600 Speaker 1: this season. Obviously, the new look offensive line, just talking 365 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:05,120 Speaker 1: about Filer about you know, what makes a good offensive 366 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:07,959 Speaker 1: line the communication, And it seems like these guys are communicating. 367 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:12,119 Speaker 1: They're always talking, and it seems to be jelling quicker 368 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:16,920 Speaker 1: than maybe you normally would when you have four new starters, right, See, Well, 369 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: when you go out and you sign arguably the best 370 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 1: center in football, that is super glue for your offensive line, 371 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 1: right Like Corey Linsley, isn't this you know, physical specimen, 372 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 1: elite athlete, Like he's a great center because he is 373 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 1: one of the smartest players on any field he's on, right, 374 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 1: So when you have a player that that that's that smart, 375 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:37,119 Speaker 1: and then you bring in the great athletes like Rashaan Slater, 376 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:40,199 Speaker 1: you know, the big guys like Odeabushi and Matt Filer, 377 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:42,160 Speaker 1: and then you have that guy in the middle who's 378 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:44,600 Speaker 1: so so so intelligent. That's I think that's why you're 379 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:46,399 Speaker 1: seeing this group come together. But it's gonna be a 380 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 1: work in progress, right, Like, you know, you got four 381 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,920 Speaker 1: new starters on the offensive line, You've got a brand 382 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:55,879 Speaker 1: new starter at tight end. You're implementing a new scheme. 383 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:58,879 Speaker 1: So I don't think it's no one should really overreact 384 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:00,639 Speaker 1: to the fact that defense has been a little bit 385 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:02,679 Speaker 1: better than the offense that's usually typical this time of year. 386 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 1: But you got a lot of new pieces and important 387 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:08,160 Speaker 1: spots on offense, and the new scheme which is arguably 388 00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 1: the most complex scheme in football on top of that. 389 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,760 Speaker 1: So but yeah, they're jelling and I think it's going 390 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: to be a strength of this team as long as 391 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:16,919 Speaker 1: they can stay healthy. Day off on Thursday into the weekend, 392 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:19,240 Speaker 1: pads come on, and I think that's where we'll get 393 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 1: a maybe a better sense of the running back competition. Yeah, 394 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:26,400 Speaker 1: I'm so intrigued by it, Daniel, because when Justin Jackson 395 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 1: is healthy, he moves so well. Joshua Kelly looks like 396 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:32,679 Speaker 1: he's running strong to be Larry Raunch who was obviously 397 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 1: drafted here, Darius brad Well, we know Austin looks good, 398 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:39,679 Speaker 1: thirty four looks good. I mean it's gonna take I 399 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 1: think three preseason games to kind of see how this 400 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 1: shakes out. Yeah, it's gonna be fascinating, and you know, 401 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 1: go heading into camp, I was like, all right, I 402 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:49,600 Speaker 1: can't see them keeping more than three. But I've gone 403 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:52,120 Speaker 1: back and look at looked at some Saints fifty three 404 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:54,400 Speaker 1: man from previous seasons, and they haven't shied away from 405 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: keeping four running backs, not including a fullback. So I 406 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:00,120 Speaker 1: don't think that's off the table. If some of these 407 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: guys can can you know, whether it's Larry Roundtree, whether 408 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 1: it's Josh Kelly, can be even Justin Jackson can prove 409 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:07,159 Speaker 1: to be reliable special teams guys, whether it's on a 410 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:09,080 Speaker 1: punt unit, that's it. Then that you know, that's like 411 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:12,639 Speaker 1: the spots forty seven to fifty three. You're looking for 412 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:14,919 Speaker 1: your best special teams players. It doesn't necessarily matter what 413 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: position they're at, you know. And so I think that's 414 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:19,080 Speaker 1: gonna be something that I'm watching, and I think that's 415 00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 1: gonna ultimately settle this. But I think I could see 416 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: all four of those guys making it. And Justin Jackson's 417 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:28,359 Speaker 1: such He's such a unique runner. The vision, the patience, 418 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 1: the elusiveness. He doesn't really run like any of the 419 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:34,000 Speaker 1: other running backs on this roster, and frankly not really 420 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 1: like a lot of running backs in this league. He 421 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:38,679 Speaker 1: almost has like a Levey on Bell type smoothness to us, 422 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:41,800 Speaker 1: both as a pass catcher and a runner. M So 423 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:43,719 Speaker 1: it's gonna be fascinating to see how it shakes out. 424 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:44,879 Speaker 1: But I think Special Teams is going to be a 425 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 1: key component in the battle. And as Darius Swinton told 426 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:48,919 Speaker 1: us yesterday, you know, they're not gonna be able to 427 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,919 Speaker 1: make real decisions with the special teams units until they 428 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:54,560 Speaker 1: get into preseason games and they get you know, full 429 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:58,360 Speaker 1: speed reps on tape. Wide receiver too, I mean, yeah, 430 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,639 Speaker 1: t Billy's pop at the beginning of camp. He's been 431 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:04,720 Speaker 1: out the last few practices. Yeah, Jalen Guyton seems like 432 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 1: he'll be back, hopefully shortly. Joshua Palmer, you mentioned him. 433 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:13,920 Speaker 1: He smokes like a player. Manum Prole read kJ Hill. 434 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:17,120 Speaker 1: We did this podcast with Tom and kJ walked by. 435 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:19,280 Speaker 1: Tom said, hey, kJ great practice that he had a 436 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:23,760 Speaker 1: good two three balls out there. So yeah, that's another competition. 437 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 1: I think Special team is gonna play a big role, 438 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:28,280 Speaker 1: and it depends on how many they keep exactly. Yeah, 439 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 1: you know, do they keep five, do they keep six? 440 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:33,439 Speaker 1: Who's the punt returner? You know, it's pretty much the 441 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:35,600 Speaker 1: the wide rechiever's battling for spots that are on punt 442 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:38,760 Speaker 1: return It's awesome Prole, it's kJ Hill, It's it's it's Guyton. 443 00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 1: It's you know that group of guys Tyron Johnson that 444 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: are returning punts. Um. You know, Joe Reid is on 445 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 1: kick return He's getting run on kickoff units, He's getting 446 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:52,320 Speaker 1: run on punt units. Um. So you know, I feel 447 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:54,120 Speaker 1: like a broken record at this point. But when you're 448 00:24:54,119 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 1: talking about position battles, it's what can you do on 449 00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: offense and how are you performing in these eleven on 450 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:01,400 Speaker 1: eleven reps in preseason game as a receiver, But also 451 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:03,640 Speaker 1: what are you bringing in terms of special teams? What's 452 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 1: your experience, like how committed are you to that part 453 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:08,119 Speaker 1: of the ball, to learning the scheme, to being a 454 00:25:08,160 --> 00:25:12,159 Speaker 1: precise player in that area. Because listen, you know, we 455 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,919 Speaker 1: can talk about all this other stuff that's important for 456 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:18,679 Speaker 1: the Chargers, but they won't be a good team this 457 00:25:18,760 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 1: year if their special teams performed like it did last year. 458 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:24,160 Speaker 1: It can't be the thirty second best unit in the league. 459 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:27,119 Speaker 1: A lot of work out here, Let's say that it 460 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:30,040 Speaker 1: can't be the you know, the worst special teams unit 461 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 1: that Football Outsiders has ever tracked, like, it can't be that. 462 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,359 Speaker 1: You can't be a good team in that area. So 463 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:38,160 Speaker 1: this is essential, essential that they get players on these 464 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:42,920 Speaker 1: groups punt, punt return, kickoff, kick return, that can perform 465 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:46,560 Speaker 1: that are committed to that area, that phase of the game. 466 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 1: And so that's going to be a key part when 467 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 1: I'm making my fifty three man roster projection, my final projection, 468 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 1: That's going to be a huge part of how I 469 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:54,400 Speaker 1: fill out the end of this roster is Okay, who's 470 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 1: getting run on special teams and who has shown an 471 00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:00,400 Speaker 1: aptitude in that area and kicking. I have not seen 472 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:04,040 Speaker 1: Daniel pop are more excited at a training kire practice 473 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 1: than when the kicking class. Yeah. Well, I'm a kicker. 474 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:09,920 Speaker 1: It's career long of forty five yards. I'll give you 475 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:11,679 Speaker 1: the floor. But it's been a strong start for all 476 00:26:11,720 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 1: three guys. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Um. I think Badgety missed 477 00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:16,960 Speaker 1: a couple of kicks today, but for the most part, 478 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 1: I think it's only been four miss kicks the entire 479 00:26:19,760 --> 00:26:22,920 Speaker 1: training camp so far. It's tough, you know, so much 480 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:24,879 Speaker 1: of kicking is mental and so much of it is 481 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:27,399 Speaker 1: dealing with pressure and big moments, and it's hard to 482 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:30,919 Speaker 1: replicate that on the factors field, you know. So you know, 483 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:33,080 Speaker 1: I tried to ask Darius Swinton about it yesterday like, hey, like, 484 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 1: how much weight are you putting in the practice kicking 485 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 1: versus what you're putting in the preseason kicking in the 486 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:40,360 Speaker 1: actual preseason games. And he avoided it. But I can 487 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 1: tell you right now, like, if you perform well in 488 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 1: the preseason game, that's going to elevate your chances because 489 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,640 Speaker 1: that is a game environment that as close as you're 490 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: gonna get to kicking in a regular season game. That's 491 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:53,119 Speaker 1: the closest you can possibly get outside of kicking in 492 00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 1: a regular season game. So I think that those those 493 00:26:55,320 --> 00:26:57,640 Speaker 1: reps are gonna be important. The problem is you can't 494 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 1: set it up exactly how you want to. You can't 495 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:02,560 Speaker 1: be like, all right, all right, guys, we're gonna kick 496 00:27:02,560 --> 00:27:04,680 Speaker 1: a forty five yard or now it's right with as 497 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:06,480 Speaker 1: time expires in the first half, So it's like harder 498 00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:08,920 Speaker 1: to get the specific things you're looking for in the game. 499 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:11,480 Speaker 1: But in terms of how that projects your performance, I 500 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: think that's much more important than how the practice kicking goes. 501 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 1: If you take the aggregate of comments about the defense 502 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:20,119 Speaker 1: from the players at the podium, I think some of 503 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:26,080 Speaker 1: the lines that would stand out confusing, yeah, complex, yeah, excitement, 504 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:32,240 Speaker 1: guys are playing different positions. How would you assess what 505 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 1: you've seen out of this defense? I'll be aware a 506 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:37,359 Speaker 1: week into camp. I can't wait for these preseason games 507 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 1: because we know I'm sure a lot of stars won't play, 508 00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:42,720 Speaker 1: but we'll be able to see this system kind of 509 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 1: in motion. Yeah, two words I keep using going to 510 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:48,959 Speaker 1: describe the defense versatility, multiplicity. That's what it's about. How 511 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:52,200 Speaker 1: many different positions can you play and how many different 512 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:55,439 Speaker 1: formations and looks can we show. Those two things are related. 513 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:58,760 Speaker 1: But that's that's the crux of it, because and brand 514 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:01,080 Speaker 1: Salley would tell you this arbacks are too good in 515 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:03,200 Speaker 1: this league to come out and show the same thing 516 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:05,240 Speaker 1: over and over and over again. Like if a quarterback 517 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:06,800 Speaker 1: is setting up at the line of scrimmage and he 518 00:28:06,800 --> 00:28:09,000 Speaker 1: knows exactly what coverage you're in, he's gonna beat it. 519 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 1: And you know the good quarterbacks, right the tier one 520 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 1: and Tier two quarterbacks in the league, they're gonna they 521 00:28:15,359 --> 00:28:16,960 Speaker 1: need to be challenged more than that if you want 522 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:19,879 Speaker 1: a chance to win. And so that's the entire philosophy 523 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 1: of Brandsdeli's defenses. We got to confuse everybody that includes 524 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: the Aaron Rodgers is the Tom Brady's of the world, Right. 525 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:27,920 Speaker 1: We have to go out there and confuse these guys, 526 00:28:27,960 --> 00:28:29,199 Speaker 1: and the only way to do it is to have 527 00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:32,080 Speaker 1: Chris Harris playing three different positions and Derwin James playing 528 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:35,280 Speaker 1: three different positions and having a hybrid four man front, 529 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:38,280 Speaker 1: a five man front. You can take out a defensive 530 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:40,160 Speaker 1: lineman on Nickel, you can take out an inside linebacker, 531 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:42,240 Speaker 1: you can take out an edge rusher. It's constantly morphing, 532 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:46,240 Speaker 1: constantly changing, constantly showing that versatility and multiplicity. And that's 533 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:48,040 Speaker 1: really what's jumped out to me. I think it's not 534 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:50,880 Speaker 1: only going to create a better defense, the players are 535 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:53,920 Speaker 1: more excited to play in it, and you're elevating Justin 536 00:28:53,920 --> 00:28:55,840 Speaker 1: Herbert because he's going up against that defense every day 537 00:28:55,840 --> 00:28:57,360 Speaker 1: and seeing some of the toughest looks that you can 538 00:28:57,360 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: throw at an opposing quarterback. Drew Shreik was at the 539 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:03,560 Speaker 1: podium him on Wednesday. Kennethbury last week. A guy that 540 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:06,040 Speaker 1: we didn't talk about Frankly a lot during the offseason 541 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 1: that's had a pretty good camp is number forty four 542 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:11,880 Speaker 1: Kaisier White. Yeah, and that's the that's the guy I 543 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:14,160 Speaker 1: remember seeing him at the Senior Bowl. He's flying U. 544 00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 1: He was a safety at West Virginia. So you talk 545 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:20,040 Speaker 1: about positional versatility, having a guy like that out there 546 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:22,720 Speaker 1: that could confuse the defense and make plays really all 547 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:24,920 Speaker 1: over the field as another out of bonus for this sea, right. 548 00:29:25,160 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 1: I think he brings an element of speed and he's 549 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:30,000 Speaker 1: always brought that even in Gus Bradley's defense here. Yeah, 550 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:32,280 Speaker 1: Daniel he started the first two games of his rookie 551 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 1: season before he got hurt, Like he he had that 552 00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 1: impressive of a rookie camp. Yeah, to show himself, you know, 553 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,200 Speaker 1: into the starting lineup, and you know he's had some 554 00:29:41,280 --> 00:29:44,000 Speaker 1: injury issues, but I believe he played all sixteen games 555 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:46,360 Speaker 1: last year. Yeah, And you know, so he brings that 556 00:29:46,360 --> 00:29:48,480 Speaker 1: speed element, right, which we've seen when he's been on 557 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:50,600 Speaker 1: the field, the ability to tackle sideline to sideline, to 558 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: track down running backs. That's what you want to have 559 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:55,080 Speaker 1: a linebacker. But he brings that coverage element too, and 560 00:29:55,080 --> 00:29:57,320 Speaker 1: there's that spatial awareness that comes with having played safety 561 00:29:57,320 --> 00:29:59,360 Speaker 1: and having that type of background. So he's like that 562 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:02,600 Speaker 1: perfect you know, modern NFL defender. And Brandon said this 563 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:04,960 Speaker 1: the other day. You know, he's got he moves like 564 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:06,960 Speaker 1: a safety, but he hits like a linebacker, and so 565 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 1: many teams are looking for that type of player. The 566 00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 1: issue with Kaisiers he hasn't been able to stay in 567 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:12,400 Speaker 1: the field and he hasn't really been able to reach 568 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:14,760 Speaker 1: his full potential just because he's always had nagging injuries 569 00:30:14,760 --> 00:30:17,600 Speaker 1: even when he has been playing. But this, in this defense, 570 00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:20,920 Speaker 1: he is flying man like pass breakups. He had a 571 00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:24,240 Speaker 1: pick six. He looks really comfortable, and it looks like 572 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:27,000 Speaker 1: they're really elevating his skill set. You know that linebacker 573 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:29,120 Speaker 1: safety hybrid skill set. I think it's gonna be a 574 00:30:29,120 --> 00:30:31,480 Speaker 1: really interesting piece in this defense to use in situational 575 00:30:31,960 --> 00:30:34,560 Speaker 1: areas because it seems like Drew and Kenneth Drew Tranquo 576 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:36,160 Speaker 1: and Kenneth Murray are sort of locked in at the 577 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:39,520 Speaker 1: inside linebacker spot. But bringing Kaisier in certain situations when 578 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:41,760 Speaker 1: you want a little more speed, a little more coverage 579 00:30:41,800 --> 00:30:43,880 Speaker 1: ability on the field, I think is really really intriguing 580 00:30:43,920 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 1: for this defense. Or just have a day off on Thursday, 581 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:51,719 Speaker 1: sounds like Friday, Saturday, Sunday in heads, what are you 582 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:53,840 Speaker 1: looking for? What should fans be looking for if they 583 00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:56,040 Speaker 1: come out to jack him a sports complex on Friday 584 00:30:56,080 --> 00:30:58,800 Speaker 1: and Saturday and then SOFI stadiums. Yeah, the thing, the 585 00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:01,200 Speaker 1: thing I'm always looking for when pads come on is 586 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:04,480 Speaker 1: offensive line, defensive line one on ones, because that's really 587 00:31:04,480 --> 00:31:07,200 Speaker 1: when you get to, you know, evaluate, Okay, where are 588 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:09,320 Speaker 1: these offensive linemen and not just the starting guys like 589 00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:11,520 Speaker 1: I talked about, you know, offensive line depth is something 590 00:31:11,560 --> 00:31:13,320 Speaker 1: that I'm going to be watching. So watching the twos 591 00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:15,600 Speaker 1: go up against the twos as well, Trey Pipkins storm 592 00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:18,800 Speaker 1: Norton those guys, but continue to see Slater too, right, 593 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 1: I mean, that was the highlight of camp for me 594 00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:23,920 Speaker 1: so far. It was seeing Rashawns later go up one 595 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:26,280 Speaker 1: on one against Joey Bosa and just dominating him. I've 596 00:31:26,320 --> 00:31:31,520 Speaker 1: never seen Joey manhandled like that pretty much ever, but 597 00:31:31,640 --> 00:31:34,120 Speaker 1: certainly not in a Chargers training camp practice. So, and 598 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:37,280 Speaker 1: Joey's bested Rashaws later on a number of occasions two 599 00:31:37,280 --> 00:31:38,720 Speaker 1: and eleven on eleven, So I don't want to say 600 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:40,600 Speaker 1: like Rashaw's been dominating him all the time, but that 601 00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:43,440 Speaker 1: specific rep was really impressive. So that's what I'll be watching. 602 00:31:43,480 --> 00:31:45,120 Speaker 1: Is he really wants the pads come on, you can 603 00:31:45,160 --> 00:31:47,600 Speaker 1: start evaluating D line and OH line and figuring out Okay, 604 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:49,880 Speaker 1: what does this running game really look like? Because you 605 00:31:49,920 --> 00:31:53,600 Speaker 1: know the whistle blows. You know when the running back 606 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:55,920 Speaker 1: basically gets touched, there's no tackling. You're not seeing these 607 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:58,560 Speaker 1: guys who's powerful, who can break tackles. That's what you're 608 00:31:58,560 --> 00:31:59,840 Speaker 1: gonna start to see when Pat's come on. So I 609 00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:01,520 Speaker 1: think you really got a better evaluation of the old 610 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:03,280 Speaker 1: line D line, and you get a better evaluation of 611 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:04,800 Speaker 1: the running backs once the Pads come on. That's what 612 00:32:04,840 --> 00:32:08,000 Speaker 1: I'll be watching. Get out here Friday, Saturday, get to 613 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:11,520 Speaker 1: Sofi Stadium. It's it's gonna be a fun weekend because, 614 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:14,040 Speaker 1: like you said, the Pats coup one and we're gonna 615 00:32:14,040 --> 00:32:16,600 Speaker 1: start to slowly gear up for that first preseason game 616 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:19,680 Speaker 1: against the Rams. It's gonna be here before you know it. Um, 617 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:21,600 Speaker 1: that's gonna do it for us. A big next to 618 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:27,200 Speaker 1: Peter King and Daniel Popper for joining Mead sent the 619 00:32:27,240 --> 00:32:29,800 Speaker 1: twelve year old Daniel Popper could not believe that that 620 00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:32,280 Speaker 1: would happen, but it happened today. I'd be sure to 621 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:34,760 Speaker 1: download and subscribe to the Chargers Podcast Network wherever you 622 00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:37,320 Speaker 1: listen to podcasts. We're also at Chargers dot com. In 623 00:32:37,440 --> 00:32:40,720 Speaker 1: full video episodes on our YouTube page. Check that out 624 00:32:40,760 --> 00:32:42,840 Speaker 1: as well. Have a great weekend. We'll see out here, 625 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:52,040 Speaker 1: and until next time, I'm Chris Hayry.