1 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, Chris Harry with you on a new episode 2 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: of Chargers Weekly. Coming up, we're gonna spin around the 3 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,280 Speaker 1: league and get an early forecast on the AFC with 4 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: NFL Networks Omar Ruiz. But first we'll learn more about 5 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: the Chargers fifth round selection Easton Stick through a pair 6 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: of gentlemen who know the quarterback best. North Dakota State 7 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: head coach Matt enz will join me in a bit. 8 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: Leading off though, is new Kansas State head coach Chris Clemon. 9 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: All right, it's my pleasure to welcome in the head 10 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 1: coach of Kansas State, Chris Clemon to Charges Weekly and coach. 11 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 1: I appreciate you joining me and a very belated congrats 12 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: on the new position of Manhattan. How are you, sir, 13 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: I'm doing great, appreciate you having me well. Coach. Five 14 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: seasons at North Dakota State, you win sixty nine and 15 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: six four FCS national championships. Just an unbelievable run. In 16 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: forty nine of those sixty nine wins came with Easton 17 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 1: Stick under center, and he was selected by the Chargers 18 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:13,960 Speaker 1: fifth round and his center Tannor Volson, also with the Chargers. 19 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:16,960 Speaker 1: He agreed to terms after the draft. What was it 20 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: like to see two former All Americans I have their 21 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: NFL dreams come true on the same team. Dad was 22 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: really cool. I was so happy for both those guys 23 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: and a number of other guys from that championship team 24 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 1: that were able to sign contracts. But for those two 25 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: kids that know each other so well, Easton and Tanner 26 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 1: and really well, when you think it's a quarterback in 27 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 1: the center of all the time that they spent together 28 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,040 Speaker 1: on the field, in the practice or in the meeting 29 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,400 Speaker 1: room and in the locker room and stuff, I was 30 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,360 Speaker 1: so excited for those guys to have an opportunity to 31 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 1: fulfill a dream and play NFL football. Well, Coach, let's 32 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: just start on the field with the Easton. What are 33 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: the charges getting With Easton on the field, probably the 34 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: smartest guy I've ever been around. And I coached car 35 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: and Wentz as well, And so that's a big thing 36 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: to say, because Carson, I think, is one of them, 37 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 1: is probably as cerebral as Easton. But Carson taught Easton 38 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 1: everything that he knows. And Easton's a guy that on 39 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:20,120 Speaker 1: the field is gonna make great decisions, He's gonna understand 40 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: defenses really well. He's a he's a real student of 41 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 1: the game, a real sponge, a guy that wants to 42 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: know not only the whys, the house and everything else, 43 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: but he wants to be a step ahead of everybody. 44 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 1: And I've never seen a guy prepare for practices, prepare 45 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,079 Speaker 1: for games, prepare on a game plan sheet and a 46 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,519 Speaker 1: call sheet as well as Easton stick. And once again, 47 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 1: he learned all that stuff from Carson when he was 48 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: Carson's understudy, but he took it to another level. And 49 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: watching that kid prepare Monday through Friday night Saturday morning 50 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 1: as unlike anything I've ever seen. And so I knew 51 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 1: somebody was going to take a chance on him. He's 52 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,959 Speaker 1: not six foot six like Carson is, but somebody was 53 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 1: going to take a chance on him. And you're getting 54 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 1: a guy that's going to be an unbelievable competitor, a 55 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 1: great winner, and make everybody around him better. That's fantastic. 56 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 1: Take me back to the moment when it clicked for 57 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:16,839 Speaker 1: you that you knew you were going to be able 58 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 1: to win big with Easton. Well, we had obviously. It 59 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: was a year that Carson Wentz got injured and Easton 60 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 1: was the red shirt freshman that hadn't played any snaps, 61 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: and we simplified some of the game plan for him 62 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: and we had to go on a two game road trip, 63 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: and he executed everything flawa flawlessly and was a guy 64 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 1: that was an unbelievable leader, not only in the huddle 65 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 1: but in the locker room at the practice field. And 66 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: there was a kid that was nineteen years old that 67 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: had not played any snaps and he just galvanized everybody 68 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: around him to go through it and play with him. 69 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: And after that that he was in for a special career. Obviously, 70 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: Carson came back and played in that championship game and 71 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 1: what it tells you everything you need to know about 72 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 1: Easton stick. Easton was eight no had led us to 73 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: the Nation Championship game in twenty fifteen. Carson had played 74 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: six games and broke his thought of that year, but 75 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 1: was cleared to play in the National Championship game. And 76 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 1: Easton was the one that came to us and said, 77 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: this is Carson's football team. He deserves eight to play 78 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 1: in this National championship game. I'll have opportunity, and fair enough, 79 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 1: Carson played in that game and those two have been 80 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: best of friends. Easton was in Carson's wedding and stuff, 81 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 1: and I knew the next three years we're going to 82 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: be in great with Easton and his forty nine games. 83 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 1: A lot of people don't even post to that many 84 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: in college and in forty nine football games. It's hard 85 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 1: to believe. And you've mentioned kind of the similarities in 86 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: some fashions with Carson Wentz. What other characteristics were trades 87 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:57,919 Speaker 1: do they share that you think translates so well to 88 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:02,479 Speaker 1: the NFL outside the intelligen You mentioned at the top well, 89 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: the fact that they're coming from a pro style offense 90 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: where you had a long huddle call you had to, 91 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 1: you know, have a wristband, where he had a long, 92 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:13,599 Speaker 1: long call, you had to call it out in the huddle. 93 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:15,840 Speaker 1: You had the ability to change plays at the line 94 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:19,080 Speaker 1: of scrimmage, to get yourself in the best play possible, 95 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: to change protections. And then the other thing is, and 96 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: I know it's not going to be to the extent 97 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: he did it at North Dakota State, but his athleticism 98 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:30,679 Speaker 1: in and out of the pocket and keeping his eyes 99 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 1: down field. You know, he was able to scram around 100 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: and make a lot of plays running the football for us. 101 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: But he made as many plays, scrambling around and keeping 102 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 1: his eyes downfield. He made a great play in the 103 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: National Championship Game on a third and I think it 104 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: was eight in the red zone of scrambling around, keeping 105 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 1: his eyes downfield, and finding our receiver for a touchdown 106 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: in a critical time. And those are things that I 107 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 1: know in watching limited amount of NFL football like I 108 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: do because of my job. But it's the guy that 109 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:04,080 Speaker 1: can extend plays, and I think people have seen that 110 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: with Carson already. His ability to extend plays that he's 111 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:11,920 Speaker 1: done in Easton's the same way, his ability to extend 112 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: plays with his legs and keep his eyes downfield. And 113 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,800 Speaker 1: it's not something you know. You look at his rushing 114 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: yards to coach over twenty five rushing yards and forty 115 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 1: one rushing touchdowns, but it's not like he looks to 116 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: run first two to your point about just extending plays, 117 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: He'll look to find the open man and then if 118 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 1: he has to run, he'll make sure he doesn't absolutely 119 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 1: And what's the game situation. If it's first and ten 120 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: in the first quarter, he's going to be smart. If 121 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: it's a third and four in the fourth quarter, he's 122 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: going to make the play to make sure that we 123 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 1: keep moving the chains and give ourselves an opportunity to win. 124 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: He understands game situations and game management really well of 125 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: win or your times. I mean, in the semi final 126 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: game that we played this year, we had three of 127 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 1: our running backs hurt, and I told him, I said, 128 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: you're going to be the best running back we have today. 129 00:06:57,880 --> 00:06:59,840 Speaker 1: I think he carried the thing over twenty times for 130 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:02,720 Speaker 1: one hundred and a half or so yards, and that 131 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: was what he had to do. He was going to 132 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 1: do everything possible to give his teammates a chance to 133 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 1: be successful win. You know, the person in many respects, 134 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: it is just important as the player, and you kind 135 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: of alluded to it with his selflessness. What is Easton 136 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: like off the field? Coach? He's a great competitor, but 137 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 1: a guy that is going to make everybody around him better. 138 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 1: He's a guy that galvanizes a room when he comes in. 139 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 1: He's going to go visit cancer patients. He's going to 140 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: go visit under privileged kids. He's going to work the 141 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: Special Olympics. He's going to go and do any community 142 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 1: service project that needs to be done to give back 143 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: to the community. He knows that he's on a platform, 144 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: and the Good Lord put him on a platform to 145 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 1: share what his knowledge is and he loves doing that. 146 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: I've been around him for five years and the fact 147 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 1: that recruited him and had him as his red shirt 148 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: year and then had him for his years playing, and 149 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: I just can't think of a better person to represent 150 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: his family, represent North Dakota State football, what he'll do 151 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: in representing the Chargers in the in the right way 152 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 1: off the field man. We can't wait to welcome him 153 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: and coach. He hasn't He couldn't have been drafted to 154 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 1: a better situation. When you talk about having a Hall 155 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:19,440 Speaker 1: of Famer in the room and Philip Rivers, how impactful 156 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: do you think that's going to be on Easton's career? 157 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 1: Is right off the beginning to kind of share a 158 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 1: room with Rivers. Yeah, And he'll be a sponge and 159 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 1: he'll he'll want to learn as much as he can, 160 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 1: and he won't be an arrogant, egotistical, cocky guy. He'll 161 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 1: be a guy that will know his place and say 162 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: what can I learn? How much can I gain from 163 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: from being around Philip Rivers? And I know he's so excited. 164 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: I talked to him just the other night, how thrilled 165 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 1: he was to get out there just to get around 166 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 1: him and meet Phillip and learn from him and kick 167 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: his brain. Yeah, and Philip said the other day that 168 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: he's going to be a great addition to the room. 169 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: Let's talk about Tanner. He played a fifty eight games. 170 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: He was just as big part of that success up 171 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: there in North Dakota State. What are the charges getting 172 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 1: a Tanner as rookie minicamp starts this weekend. A really tough, physical, 173 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: great football player that understands a game really well. He 174 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: had to make all of her calls as a center. 175 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 1: He's got really light feet, he uses his hands really well. 176 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 1: You get around him and shake his hand. He's got 177 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 1: He's a farm kid that's got really really strong hands 178 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 1: and gripshin and he's hard to get away from. And 179 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 1: a guy that pretty unassuming when you look at him 180 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,079 Speaker 1: and see him moving around, and all of a sudden 181 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 1: you get him on the football field and put the 182 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 1: pads on it, and a different guy comes out. That 183 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:46,559 Speaker 1: is a really emotional, really energetic, physical kid that will 184 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 1: give himself a great opportunity to make that club. You know, again, 185 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 1: we talk about fit with Easton and Philip to have 186 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: a Pro bowler and Mike Pouncey here, who is what 187 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 1: are the leaders on this football team at that position? 188 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: And again a great situation for Tenner, Oh, really good. 189 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 1: And Tenner wants to learn he's a sponge and the 190 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 1: same thing. He's coming from a pro style offense. So 191 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 1: he's done a lot of the things that are already 192 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: in place there within the Chargers organization as far as 193 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: play calling and doing things, and so I think that 194 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 1: will give him a leg up too as far as 195 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 1: understanding the pro style offense. And I look forward to 196 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,480 Speaker 1: seeing how he does out there during the many camps. Yeah, 197 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:32,679 Speaker 1: and this is the start of their NFL careers. Really 198 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: this weekend the final thing for you, Just a message 199 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 1: for the guys as they embark on a brand new 200 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:42,040 Speaker 1: journey at the next level. Wow, just attack the process 201 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 1: and attack every day that they have out there for 202 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 1: their opportunity. Learned, be a great teammate, be a great leader, 203 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 1: do what they've done to be successful. That's great work ethic, 204 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: with great character, high integrity. Guys that are going to 205 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: fit within that organization and they're going to make an 206 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 1: impact on a daily base. Kansas state head coach Chris 207 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: Climbing Coach. I know how busy you are. I can't 208 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:07,079 Speaker 1: thank you enough for your time just to spend a 209 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: few minutes and discuss your former guys, and we wish 210 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,599 Speaker 1: you the best of luck this fall Manhattan. I appreciate it. 211 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me. All right, we now bring on 212 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 1: the North Dakota state head coach Matt enst the Chargers 213 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: weekly coach, thanks so much for spending some time. How 214 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 1: are you doing. I'm doing great. I appreciate you guys 215 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 1: having me on tonight. Well, first, how have Bison fans 216 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 1: reacted to two of their all Americans joining the Chargers. Well, 217 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: I think yeah, they're they're super excited right now. You 218 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 1: just hear a buzz and uh we we had a 219 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: former Bison who had some success out in LA with 220 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: the Chargers, and and I think our fan base are 221 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 1: are excited to know that they're they're heading out there, 222 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 1: having Gus Bradley be a Charger, there's a there's a 223 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: Bison connection out there, and so I see or I 224 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: think a lot of our fans really really are excited 225 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 1: to know that those guys are going to a class, 226 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: classy organization like the LA Chargers. Yeah, the Chargers. As 227 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: you said, no stranger to Bison here you got Gus 228 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 1: is the defensive coordinator Kyle Emanuel recently retired, another a 229 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 1: former Bison and coach. When you were a defensive coordinator. 230 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: He won the Buck Buchanan Award right as a defensive 231 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 1: player of the Year twenty fourteen. He did he did, uh, 232 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: you know, outstanding defensive player. And if my memory serves 233 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 1: me correct, I want to say he had what it 234 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: had to be twenty twenty one sacks that year. And 235 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:38,400 Speaker 1: Kyle was an unbelievable player for us. And you talk 236 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 1: about the autitomy of what a Bison is supposed to be. 237 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: And we still use him on our effort clips and 238 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 1: things like that that we try to show the incoming 239 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 1: players and this is how you're supposed to practice, This 240 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:50,960 Speaker 1: is how you go about you work, and this is 241 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: how you practice like a pro. And Kyle was a 242 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 1: super special young man to work with. And even in retirement, 243 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: we'll continue to have successes. You know. Gus Bradley a 244 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 1: former defensive coordinator at North Dakota State himself. What is 245 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 1: he meant to the program? I want to get into 246 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:10,200 Speaker 1: Easton and Tanner, but just you know Gus. He's got 247 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 1: an infectious personality. He's had so much success in the 248 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: NFL coming from North Dakota State. What does he mean 249 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: to you in the program personally? Well, you know, my 250 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 1: first a couple of times of getting the chance to 251 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,560 Speaker 1: know Coach Bradley has been when he came back and 252 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: visited with the team and talked about what he felt 253 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: like Bison Pride was and some of the things that 254 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: make this program at NDSU so special. And so I've 255 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: used him as a resource more for the history of 256 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,920 Speaker 1: the program. Gus being the defensive coordinator here you know, 257 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 1: a number of years ago, and then having been a 258 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 1: player here, he has a great insight to what makes 259 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:51,000 Speaker 1: this place go and whya's so special? And I've been 260 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 1: able to bounce ideas off and been able to ask 261 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 1: him some questions and he's been a great resource for me, 262 00:13:57,760 --> 00:13:59,959 Speaker 1: not just as a as a head coach, but as 263 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:03,680 Speaker 1: a defensive coordinator as well. And anytime you know you 264 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,680 Speaker 1: can have a coach from the NFL come in and 265 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:09,440 Speaker 1: speak to your team, Uh, he may be just repeating 266 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 1: the things that you've been trying to discuss, but but 267 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 1: having that NFL shield on his on his clothing. Uh, 268 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 1: you know, bring some credibility and our kids immediately want 269 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 1: to listen and see what he has to say and listen. 270 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: I know Easton and Tanner are on the offensive side 271 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: of the ball, but I have a sneaky suspicion Gus 272 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: will probably take him under his wing as well. Right, 273 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 1: I'm sure he will, you know once Abison always abids him, 274 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: and I know those guys will will have a great 275 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: relationship out there in Los Angeles, no doubt. Well, coach, 276 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: I had an opportunity to talk to Chris Kleiman earlier 277 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: today to get his perspective on Easton as the defensive 278 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: coordinator last year. You probably have a ton to share 279 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: about just matching up with him in practice. Well, I do, 280 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 1: but you know, probably first and foremost, my first experience 281 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 1: with Easton came probably in twenty fourteen as well, but 282 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 1: when he was the Scout team quarterback, and to see 283 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: how he prepared week in and week out as the 284 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: Scout team quarterback was unbelievable. Easton was one of those guys. 285 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: He knew the password to get into my computer and 286 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 1: watch film probably better than I did at the time. 287 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 1: He was always in there trying to emulate, trying to 288 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:23,280 Speaker 1: to get the communication, the cadence down for the visit 289 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: for the opponent that week, and and learning a whole 290 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: bunch of football along the way. And he'd look at 291 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 1: every cut up I'd have prepared for him. And one 292 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 1: of the other unique things that I always tell people 293 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 1: when I asked, you know about his ability. Back in 294 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 1: twenty fourteen, we started to have to the RPOs became 295 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 1: kind of to say, started to become a trend in 296 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: college football. And Easton had practice, would have two footballs 297 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 1: in his hands, he'd received one from the center, have 298 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,640 Speaker 1: another one. He'd ride the run fake and then throw 299 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: the throw the pass RPO off it. And you know, 300 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: not every scout team quarterback can do that for you. 301 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 1: But that's about the time when when myself off in 302 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 1: our defensive staff realize that, you know what, this young 303 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 1: man's pretty special and going to be a really good 304 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: player down the road. He just continued to develop over 305 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: the course of time. What's the biggest trait? Coach climate 306 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: has said, his intelligence just off the charts. What's the 307 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: biggest trait that you think will benefit him most in 308 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 1: the pros? Well, I would. I would second that, but 309 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 1: I think his work ethic as well. He'll be the 310 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: first one in and the last one out. Uh I would. 311 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:28,680 Speaker 1: You know, he's he's the equivalent of a gym rat 312 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: right now, and he's going to be that for the Chargers. 313 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 1: He is going to be in there watching film and 314 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: and and doing and crossing all the teams and dotting 315 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,360 Speaker 1: all the eyes. It doesn't matter if he's the starting 316 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: quarterback or the backup. He's going to have a great 317 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: grasp of the offense in Los Angeles, and and he's 318 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: going to make sure that he puts the time in 319 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: because he's a That's just the way he's built and 320 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 1: how he operates. He is a detailed, oriented individual, and 321 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:55,440 Speaker 1: you know get just like coach climate had said, his 322 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 1: intelligence and his football smarts are out of this world. 323 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 1: And there's a guy he you're entering his sixteenth year 324 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: in the league, probably gonna be wearing a gold jacket 325 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: when it's all said and done. To share a quarterbacks 326 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:10,199 Speaker 1: room with Philip Rivers, you know, we already know the 327 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: intelligence of an Easton stick. To have a guy like 328 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,640 Speaker 1: that in his corner, it comes down to fit. Sometimes 329 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 1: when you get drafted. Sometimes you get drafted into a 330 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 1: situation where it's going to be a little bit more 331 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:25,360 Speaker 1: difficult to succeed. But to have a guy like that, 332 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 1: what's that going to mean, Coach? Well, I think Easton's 333 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: going to hang off every word that Philip gives him 334 00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: and is going to be uh a sponge for however 335 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:37,120 Speaker 1: long he needs to. He's going to try to absorb 336 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:42,440 Speaker 1: as much information as much experiences that that that Philip 337 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 1: is going to share with them. Easton's going to take 338 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:47,440 Speaker 1: all that ends. So when he does have his opportunity 339 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: or his moment that he's going to be on the field, 340 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:53,360 Speaker 1: he's going to feel as as as prepared as any 341 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 1: quarterback in the in the NFL at that time. Tanner 342 00:17:56,359 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: Wolson the center had a lot of success with Easton 343 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: and it's it's really cool that they come into this 344 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: whole experience together. What was it like working against Tanner 345 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: and practice, Well, Tanner's the epitome of, of, you know, 346 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: of what an offensive lineman should be like, and especially 347 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: at a place like North Dakota State where it's more 348 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 1: of a you know, a pro style offense, and Tanner's 349 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 1: going to be the guy that I d s the 350 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,359 Speaker 1: mic and and and gets us you know, it gets 351 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: the communication part of the offensive line role. And and and 352 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: he did such an outstanding job and and it's it's 353 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: it is unique that uh uh, you know, Easton and 354 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: his center are going to be in LA together. All 355 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 1: the new things going on, at least the one constant 356 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 1: will be quarterback center exchanges are going to be somewhat 357 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:47,639 Speaker 1: familiar for those two are working together. But Tanner is 358 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:52,199 Speaker 1: a tough, physical kid, unbelievably strong. But you know, he 359 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,359 Speaker 1: comes from a you know, Drake, North Dakota, not the 360 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 1: biggest town in the world, probably graduated with about twenty kids. Uh, 361 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 1: but he's he's North Dakota tough and is going to 362 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,399 Speaker 1: do an unbelievable job and super great. He's gonna he's 363 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 1: gonna pick things up quickly. And the one thing I 364 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 1: will say, he is extremely athletic for as big and 365 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:13,400 Speaker 1: physical a kid as he is, and he comes from 366 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 1: a program coach. It really is mind boggling. You win 367 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: four national championships in five years, as you were the 368 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 1: defensive coordinator or coordinator of the year last year. What 369 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:28,439 Speaker 1: is it about North Dakota State that prepares guys for 370 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 1: the next level. You know, whether it be the NFL 371 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: or just life in general. Well, I think it's the 372 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 1: it's the it's kind of the words we use around here. 373 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,879 Speaker 1: It's the process and getting our kids to buy into 374 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 1: how we go about our weekly routines, our monthly routines, 375 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: seasonal and yearly. They don't deviate much and I don't 376 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 1: think probably our plan of preparation isn't much different than 377 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,919 Speaker 1: maybe what guses were when he was the defensive coordinator here. Um, 378 00:19:57,080 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: but there's a there's a reason and in a rhyme 379 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:01,639 Speaker 1: to why we do everything, and our kids buy into that, 380 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: they know exactly what to do. Um. They become extremely 381 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 1: prepared in the game plans, they become extremely prepared out 382 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:15,679 Speaker 1: of season. Our strength staff does an unbelievable job. But 383 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 1: the one thing that the constant I think that we're 384 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 1: always talking about with in recruiting is is we always 385 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,120 Speaker 1: try to find the kids. Everyone loves to play game day, 386 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:26,679 Speaker 1: everyone wants to be the guy on game day. We 387 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:28,639 Speaker 1: try to find the players that want to be the 388 00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:31,360 Speaker 1: guy the other three hundred and fifty days. They want 389 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:34,240 Speaker 1: to excel on the days that it's just it's just 390 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:36,119 Speaker 1: weight room today. But are you going to be the 391 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:38,920 Speaker 1: very best? It's just we got workouts today. I'm gonna 392 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 1: be the very best. And you know we don't want 393 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 1: me and I and my guys. We're looking for hours. 394 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:47,640 Speaker 1: Us and we guys who are going to buy into 395 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 1: a system, buy into a belief, and I think we've 396 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:52,160 Speaker 1: done a great job of that over the course of 397 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:55,679 Speaker 1: of of decades, going all the way back to nineteen 398 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:58,879 Speaker 1: sixty five in the first National Championship. Well, sounds like 399 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: Ethan and are going to fit in just fine in 400 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:04,359 Speaker 1: this locker room. I wanted to ask you about the 401 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 1: Charger second round pick. Another FCS guy and Zier Adderlie. 402 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:10,840 Speaker 1: I know that you guys played Delaware last year. What 403 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:14,199 Speaker 1: are your initial thoughts on a Zier? You know what 404 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:17,399 Speaker 1: you saw Delaware and how his game can translate to 405 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: the NFL, you know, being on the defensive side, I 406 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 1: probably didn't watch him a whole bunch a year ago 407 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:27,640 Speaker 1: at this time, and I'm always concerned about the next 408 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: player for us or the appropriate adjustments. So I do 409 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 1: know this, having talked to some of our offensive guys. 410 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,840 Speaker 1: He was a young man that before we ever played him, 411 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:38,439 Speaker 1: we knew that we were going to have to account 412 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: for a guy who could come down hill and stroke 413 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,160 Speaker 1: you in the run game, but also you know, had 414 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:47,520 Speaker 1: excellent cover skills and and did some nice things. Having 415 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 1: gone back and looked at that game, once I saw 416 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 1: that they took him in the second round, it is 417 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: it is cool to see another FCS player taken, especially 418 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 1: one that you got a chance to compete against that year. 419 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:59,439 Speaker 1: But you know, I think he's going to have a 420 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 1: He's going to have a smooth transition into NFL football. 421 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 1: Delawares an outstanding football program. They do a great job 422 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: of preparing their kids and have a great tradition out there. 423 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:12,560 Speaker 1: Final think, for you coach a big weekend for these guys, 424 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:14,879 Speaker 1: do you have a message you want to pass along 425 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:18,960 Speaker 1: as they really start a new journey in their life. 426 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,880 Speaker 1: You know, I think the biggest message that I could 427 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: give these two is keep doing the things that have 428 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:28,960 Speaker 1: got you here. Continue to be you. You know, the 429 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: work ethic, the effort, the time that these guys have 430 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:36,119 Speaker 1: put into perfecting their craft has allowed them an opportunity 431 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:38,359 Speaker 1: in the NFL, and I hope they keep following the 432 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:43,520 Speaker 1: recipe that's got them this far. So they're both unbelievable people, 433 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:45,399 Speaker 1: and I know they're going to work as hard as 434 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 1: they can for the Los Angeles Chargers. Excited to get 435 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 1: to know these guys. Matt Ents, the head coach of 436 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:55,199 Speaker 1: North Dakota State coach, congrats on the new role and 437 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 1: best to luck to you guys up there. And just 438 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:01,040 Speaker 1: know you got some bis in here and where excited. Awesome. 439 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. And uh, you believe this. You probably 440 00:23:04,520 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: got a lot of new Charger fans out here and 441 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 1: in the Upper Midwest. Uh. You know, our fans love 442 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:13,359 Speaker 1: to see our guys be successful in the NFL. And 443 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 1: with Gus and and Kyle having retired, but you still 444 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:20,239 Speaker 1: have some a ton of a ton of fans and 445 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:22,920 Speaker 1: so we'll be following you guys closely. Love it. Thank 446 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:25,280 Speaker 1: you so much coaching you bet, take care of a 447 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 1: great night all right now on the line. Good front 448 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:31,639 Speaker 1: of the podcast. The NFL networks. Omar Ruiz joins me 449 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: here on Chargers Weekly and Omar second week of May. 450 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: It's slowed down a little bit, but but the NFL 451 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 1: never really sleeps. How are you man? Hey, I'm good, Chris. Yeah. 452 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 1: The the off season truly isn't met um, you know, 453 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:48,359 Speaker 1: and like we were talking. It's always a joy to 454 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: visit with you, uh in person and coach to Matsa, 455 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:54,199 Speaker 1: but you know, it's always a pleasure as well over 456 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:56,880 Speaker 1: the boats. So I'm glad to be here and good 457 00:23:56,920 --> 00:23:58,880 Speaker 1: to catch up with you. Well, you've been all over 458 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:01,680 Speaker 1: the place. I've seen here at Costa Mesa, I saw 459 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,720 Speaker 1: you in Arizona for the draft. What has this last 460 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:08,119 Speaker 1: month just been like for you personally? Well, it's been busney. 461 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:12,000 Speaker 1: I mean really, it's it's the off season. It's it's 462 00:24:12,119 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 1: the preseason, it's the regular season. And and like we said, 463 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: you know, the off season really is a myth because 464 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:21,480 Speaker 1: once the Super Bowl ends and you know, you take 465 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:24,400 Speaker 1: a little downtime right there in February, then it's then 466 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 1: it's Draft season. And that has taken on a life 467 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:30,320 Speaker 1: of its own. So going through the combine and all 468 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:34,399 Speaker 1: the Pro days and um, you know, free agency is 469 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:37,280 Speaker 1: thrown in that mix, and then it all culminates with 470 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:39,800 Speaker 1: the draft and the importance that that has become for 471 00:24:39,880 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 1: teams throughout the years and what it's meant now to 472 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: the league in terms of a television event. We saw, 473 00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:48,360 Speaker 1: you know, the ratings going through the roof this year, 474 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 1: all time highs and even the fan turn out in Nashville, 475 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:58,480 Speaker 1: the destination event itself becoming more and more popular. So so, 476 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:01,880 Speaker 1: you know, and now that every things has fallen into place, 477 00:25:01,920 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 1: the dust is settled, and now the focus is back 478 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 1: on the football field like we saw I saw you 479 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 1: a Costa Mesa last week. You know, the Chargers getting 480 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: back and getting onto work and and the teams really 481 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:14,760 Speaker 1: will push forward through now to uh, you know, that 482 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:17,399 Speaker 1: little break at the beginning of July and then before 483 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: you know, a training camp will be here. So it's been, 484 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 1: you know, one busy season after the other. It's just 485 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:24,680 Speaker 1: you know what part of the NFL calendar we're talking 486 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:28,520 Speaker 1: about exactly. And rookie Minicamp for the Chargers, along with 487 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:32,480 Speaker 1: a number of teams, commences this weekend. I want to 488 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:34,159 Speaker 1: go back to the draft because you were kind of 489 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:37,240 Speaker 1: at the epicenter of the drama in Arizona. What was 490 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:40,240 Speaker 1: it like to cover that knowing that, you know, the 491 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 1: Cardinals didn't make it known that they were gonna draft 492 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,639 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray. I think a lot of people suspected it, 493 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 1: but just to be in an environment where typically you 494 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 1: know what a team is going to do at number one. Overall, 495 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:54,800 Speaker 1: it really kind of set the tone for just a 496 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 1: wild weekend Omar. Yeah, it was just so multifaceted. Yeah, 497 00:25:58,560 --> 00:26:02,800 Speaker 1: that draft in this storylines there for Arizona number one. 498 00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 1: You had the intrigue of Cliff Kingsbury and the new 499 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:09,480 Speaker 1: coach and bringing his system in which Kyler Murray seemed 500 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:14,520 Speaker 1: to be Taylor made for. And the rumors that came 501 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 1: out of the Combine week that it was all but 502 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 1: a lock for Kyler Murray to go to the Cardinals 503 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:23,480 Speaker 1: at one, but for the Cardinals to not confirm that 504 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:29,359 Speaker 1: at any time before Thursday night at five o'clock Pacific 505 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:33,200 Speaker 1: when the draft got underway, was just remarkable in its 506 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:36,240 Speaker 1: own right, given that I was in Cleveland last year, 507 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:39,360 Speaker 1: and you know, at some point during the week, even 508 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 1: though it was a surprise, we did know that it 509 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:46,199 Speaker 1: was going to be Baker Mayfield before Roger Goodell announced it. 510 00:26:46,280 --> 00:26:48,439 Speaker 1: Not so this year, even though we had long thought 511 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:50,320 Speaker 1: it was gonna be Murray. So there was that, And 512 00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:54,240 Speaker 1: then two the intrigue of why they didn't confirm it 513 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: so they could officially put Josh Rosen on the market 514 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:00,880 Speaker 1: and deal with him the way that they eventually did 515 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 1: in that trade to Miami. So you had all that 516 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:07,119 Speaker 1: circulating that week, and it really was fascinating for a 517 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 1: team that you know was coming off um, you know, 518 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 1: obviously a disappointing year, but was still some you know, 519 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 1: future Hall of famers on the roster and and prospects 520 00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:18,639 Speaker 1: for a quick turnaround. Um, it was just fascinating to 521 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:21,440 Speaker 1: see all that unfold in more ways than one. Yeah, 522 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: it's certainly just because the smoke screens that we see 523 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 1: throughout Draft season two. It's like you're thinking, in the 524 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:29,720 Speaker 1: back of your mind, maybe this Kyler Murray thing is 525 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:33,359 Speaker 1: just the ultimate smoke screen, but obviously it wasn't. Um. 526 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 1: What else surprised you during Draft week? In Omar, A 527 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:39,680 Speaker 1: lot of stuff happened. You mentioned Rosen going to Miami, 528 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:42,760 Speaker 1: The Raiders had a lot of picks. Did anything stand 529 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:45,360 Speaker 1: out to you in the surprise department? Well, I think 530 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:49,320 Speaker 1: that how the Raiders were able to disguise Farrell Um 531 00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 1: going at number four, you know, somebody who wasn't on 532 00:27:51,800 --> 00:27:53,880 Speaker 1: anybody's radar and you know, as far as the top 533 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:57,520 Speaker 1: five prospect, and and to pick him at the very 534 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 1: near top of the draft. UM, I think that was surprising. 535 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:05,560 Speaker 1: And you know, for Mike Mayock to you know, leave 536 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:08,880 Speaker 1: the media world and not you know, have that leak 537 00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 1: out in any way, and we've heard the story about 538 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:14,439 Speaker 1: sending the scouts home and and maybe you know, not 539 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:16,639 Speaker 1: knowing who to trust there in his first year as 540 00:28:16,720 --> 00:28:21,280 Speaker 1: general manager and how everything unfolded in Alameda was maybe 541 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 1: a little bit surprising to me. But I think when 542 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:26,200 Speaker 1: when it was all said and done, they did very well, 543 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:29,600 Speaker 1: and the Raiders certainly improved their roster on paper anyway 544 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:32,920 Speaker 1: that weekend. But but the move and the secrecy with 545 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:35,280 Speaker 1: which the Raiders operated, I think that was you know, 546 00:28:35,320 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 1: a big picture surprise. Yeah, the Chargers they get five 547 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:43,600 Speaker 1: defensive players, two offensive players, but it looks like those 548 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:46,880 Speaker 1: first two picks, Jerry Tillery from Notre Dame, a zero 549 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:50,800 Speaker 1: adderlie the safety from Delaware, those guys could be potential 550 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 1: starters on a defense that has a lot of Pro 551 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:56,200 Speaker 1: bowlers and all pros already. How did you think the 552 00:28:56,280 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 1: Chargers did specifically early getting two defenders to add that defense? Well, 553 00:29:01,560 --> 00:29:03,960 Speaker 1: I love those picks, and I think the way Tom 554 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 1: Telesco and and the personnel group have developed this roster 555 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:13,840 Speaker 1: and cultivated it, you allow for a guy like Jerry 556 00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 1: Tillery to come in in a front line that already 557 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:21,440 Speaker 1: has Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram and Brandon Mebane and 558 00:29:21,480 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 1: Justin Jones. So now he can slide right in and 559 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:27,200 Speaker 1: of course the expectations are still high for a first 560 00:29:27,280 --> 00:29:30,960 Speaker 1: round pick, but he still has allowed that developmental time 561 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:34,840 Speaker 1: because he has so many great players around him as well, 562 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 1: so he can really, you know, be in position to thrive. 563 00:29:37,320 --> 00:29:39,400 Speaker 1: And same thing goes for an Asier Adderlay. I think 564 00:29:39,440 --> 00:29:42,680 Speaker 1: he fits him perfectly with that secondary the jack Boys 565 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,320 Speaker 1: that you know, they've they've come to know themselves as 566 00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:48,000 Speaker 1: he has those great ball skills and really reminds me 567 00:29:48,040 --> 00:29:51,000 Speaker 1: of a bigger version of Desmond King. Um. Just you 568 00:29:51,040 --> 00:29:54,560 Speaker 1: know how fluid he is on the field. Um, you know, 569 00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 1: can can run all over the place and when he 570 00:29:56,680 --> 00:29:59,520 Speaker 1: gets that ball in his hands, looks very natural with it. 571 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:03,120 Speaker 1: So when you have a relentless pass rush like the 572 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:05,680 Speaker 1: Chargers have, and then you have that secondary that with 573 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 1: guys that have really good hands and are good enough 574 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:11,760 Speaker 1: in the cover game that when the ball is around them, 575 00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:15,120 Speaker 1: they can make those anticipatory moves and get the ball 576 00:30:15,440 --> 00:30:18,480 Speaker 1: away from the offense and really reak havoc back there. 577 00:30:19,000 --> 00:30:21,400 Speaker 1: It really is a win win situation. So Fortillery and 578 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:24,760 Speaker 1: Adderlei coming into those specific position groups, well, I think 579 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:28,320 Speaker 1: help them thrive and thrive early. You know, in talking 580 00:30:28,320 --> 00:30:31,680 Speaker 1: to Nazer Adderley's college coach Danny Rocco from Delaware, he 581 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:33,680 Speaker 1: kind of echoed what you said in terms of getting 582 00:30:33,680 --> 00:30:35,640 Speaker 1: the ball. You know, it's one thing to get off 583 00:30:35,640 --> 00:30:38,240 Speaker 1: the field on third down, but when you have guys 584 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:41,000 Speaker 1: that can get the football like an Adderley, you know, 585 00:30:41,040 --> 00:30:44,040 Speaker 1: you add a guy like Desmond King to the mixes 586 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:48,240 Speaker 1: of ballhug Derwin Casey Hayward. It's one thing to get 587 00:30:48,240 --> 00:30:50,040 Speaker 1: off the field on third down, but if you can 588 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:53,800 Speaker 1: turn the ball over pass rush in the secondary, working together, 589 00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:58,240 Speaker 1: that could be just an added layer to a team 590 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 1: that that one twelve games last year, a lot of 591 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:04,040 Speaker 1: it without Joey Bosam and could probably turn the ball 592 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:06,920 Speaker 1: over even more in twenty nineteen. Well, I think that's 593 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:09,320 Speaker 1: what separates the good teams from the great ones, or 594 00:31:09,320 --> 00:31:11,960 Speaker 1: even the great ones from the dominant one, is how 595 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:14,680 Speaker 1: frequently they're able to turn the football over and give 596 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:17,480 Speaker 1: the offense a short fields. We know that the Chargers 597 00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:19,440 Speaker 1: is gonna be good next year, Let's make no bones 598 00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:20,720 Speaker 1: about it. I know they don't want to get ahead 599 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:23,360 Speaker 1: of themselves, but they're they're as talented as they come 600 00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:27,080 Speaker 1: in the NFL. Coach Flynn and his staff have put 601 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:30,720 Speaker 1: put in in place a well oiled machine. I think 602 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:33,680 Speaker 1: in hearing Philip Rivers talk earlier this week, you know, 603 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:36,400 Speaker 1: the big picture, they know what they're doing at every 604 00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:39,080 Speaker 1: stop of the NFL calendar, where they need to be at, 605 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:41,640 Speaker 1: in these OTAs and the workouts and into training camp 606 00:31:41,640 --> 00:31:44,240 Speaker 1: and all that. Now it's to focus on those details 607 00:31:44,960 --> 00:31:47,040 Speaker 1: he said that, you know with with coach Lynn and 608 00:31:47,040 --> 00:31:49,880 Speaker 1: his staff, and some of those details are, you know, 609 00:31:49,960 --> 00:31:52,200 Speaker 1: making sure that not only do they get off on 610 00:31:52,360 --> 00:31:54,720 Speaker 1: third down consistently, but they get the ball back and 611 00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:58,360 Speaker 1: give Rivers and that offensive a short field and it's 612 00:31:58,480 --> 00:32:01,680 Speaker 1: it's cliche at this point, but complimentary football to really 613 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,120 Speaker 1: live it. Are those teams that you see go deep 614 00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:07,240 Speaker 1: into the playoffs consistently, And I think the Chargers having 615 00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:09,720 Speaker 1: that case of a deep playoff run last year and 616 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 1: being left short of that AFC Championship game will only 617 00:32:14,240 --> 00:32:18,160 Speaker 1: further motivate them into twenty nineteen. Yeah, and Philip talked 618 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:21,520 Speaker 1: about just the need of having to start over. You know, 619 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:24,400 Speaker 1: the wins and losses don't carry over from year to year, 620 00:32:25,400 --> 00:32:28,000 Speaker 1: which kind of leads me to just the AFC in 621 00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:30,400 Speaker 1: general and just your forecast of it now that we've 622 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:33,680 Speaker 1: seen the draft end and we kind of see where 623 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:35,800 Speaker 1: a lot of these teams are. You know, it's a 624 00:32:35,800 --> 00:32:38,320 Speaker 1: lot of the usual suspects or some teams like Cleveland 625 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:41,840 Speaker 1: the Jets that are getting some buzz. How do you 626 00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:46,480 Speaker 1: forecast the AFC recognizing that it's May eighth as we 627 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:50,440 Speaker 1: take this well, I would say just from the Chargers perspective, 628 00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:52,920 Speaker 1: they're in as good as a position as anyone. And 629 00:32:52,960 --> 00:32:55,320 Speaker 1: I know, you know, like Phillip said, those wins and 630 00:32:55,320 --> 00:32:58,880 Speaker 1: everything don't carry over, but what personnel does, and the 631 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:02,400 Speaker 1: chemistry and camarade that that team has formed certainly counts 632 00:33:02,400 --> 00:33:06,040 Speaker 1: for something. And when you look across the AFC landscape, 633 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:08,920 Speaker 1: a team like the Patriots that you figure is going 634 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:12,040 Speaker 1: to be there with Brady and Belichick. But but guys 635 00:33:12,040 --> 00:33:16,040 Speaker 1: like Krey Flowers leaving and Rob groun Kalski now retiring 636 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:18,440 Speaker 1: a lot of questions to be answered into England and 637 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:21,040 Speaker 1: they seem to always find the answer. But but they'll 638 00:33:21,040 --> 00:33:23,760 Speaker 1: still have to address. Look at Kansas City, all the 639 00:33:23,880 --> 00:33:27,120 Speaker 1: run over they've had there with their big time defensive 640 00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:30,440 Speaker 1: players like Barry and Houston now gone, We'll have to 641 00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:33,960 Speaker 1: see how Frank Clark fits in there. And the questions 642 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:37,280 Speaker 1: surrounding Tyreek Hill will be an issue in Kansas City 643 00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:41,080 Speaker 1: at least here in the foreseeable future. And you look 644 00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:44,040 Speaker 1: at some of the other powerhouses in the AFC similar questions. 645 00:33:44,040 --> 00:33:46,600 Speaker 1: So when you look at that entire landscape, of all 646 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:48,800 Speaker 1: the teams that you would think would have the big 647 00:33:48,800 --> 00:33:52,040 Speaker 1: picture run that had success last year, the Chargers seem 648 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:55,480 Speaker 1: to be the most consistently performing in terms of, you know, 649 00:33:55,520 --> 00:33:58,200 Speaker 1: how the off season has unfolded. And of course you 650 00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:00,640 Speaker 1: mentioned the Browns as well as talents it as they come. 651 00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:02,560 Speaker 1: They still have to put it all together. We haven't 652 00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:07,160 Speaker 1: seen any idea how that will kind of unfold. So 653 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:09,279 Speaker 1: a lot of questions to be answered, a lot of 654 00:34:09,320 --> 00:34:12,600 Speaker 1: talented teams out there, and you know, the Chargers are 655 00:34:13,040 --> 00:34:15,279 Speaker 1: have just as much as say, I think when it's 656 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:17,640 Speaker 1: all said and done, as anybody out there. You know, 657 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:19,919 Speaker 1: I do think there's something to be said about having 658 00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:22,719 Speaker 1: a quieter off season because usually the teams that have 659 00:34:22,760 --> 00:34:25,680 Speaker 1: the quiet off season, usually have a lot of things 660 00:34:25,680 --> 00:34:28,640 Speaker 1: in place that can propel them to greater heights. In 661 00:34:28,680 --> 00:34:30,960 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen, you know, we talk about like the Browns, 662 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:34,759 Speaker 1: for instance, and listen, they're a better team. Probably in 663 00:34:35,080 --> 00:34:38,040 Speaker 1: year two of Baker Mayfield, you get Odell Beckham. Odell 664 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:40,040 Speaker 1: Beckham says they want to be the Patriots. I don't 665 00:34:40,080 --> 00:34:43,200 Speaker 1: think they've won that division in three decades omar, so 666 00:34:43,680 --> 00:34:45,080 Speaker 1: I think they're gonna have a ways to go, but 667 00:34:45,200 --> 00:34:47,719 Speaker 1: certainly and to treat an intriguing team. And then the 668 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:50,279 Speaker 1: Jets too, you know, you get Levion Bell and Sam 669 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:53,200 Speaker 1: Darnold in year two. Perhaps that's another team that we 670 00:34:53,520 --> 00:34:56,560 Speaker 1: typically don't see at the top of this conference that 671 00:34:56,880 --> 00:34:59,920 Speaker 1: can make some noise. Yeah, you throw in TJ. Mosley 672 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:02,879 Speaker 1: in the mix there, the Jets on defense, and yeah, 673 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:05,600 Speaker 1: there's a lot of talent that's been assembled. And and 674 00:35:05,840 --> 00:35:09,560 Speaker 1: you know, going back to Odell and the being the Patriots, 675 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:12,719 Speaker 1: excitement is at an all time high in Cleveland and 676 00:35:12,760 --> 00:35:16,240 Speaker 1: we have yet to kick off, you know, a snap 677 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:18,920 Speaker 1: in the twenty nineteen season, and I can tell you that, 678 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:22,080 Speaker 1: you know, there is a euphoria there that is very 679 00:35:22,160 --> 00:35:25,399 Speaker 1: super Bowl like. Having been to cities shortly after they've 680 00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:28,399 Speaker 1: won the Super Bowl, So, um, you know that they 681 00:35:28,440 --> 00:35:30,960 Speaker 1: are probably getting ahead of themselves in Cleveland at least 682 00:35:31,000 --> 00:35:32,640 Speaker 1: from you know, a fan base and a hype and 683 00:35:32,680 --> 00:35:36,399 Speaker 1: an excitement perspective. But you know, Freddy Kitchens can can 684 00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:38,200 Speaker 1: get the team to focus in and do the work 685 00:35:38,239 --> 00:35:42,440 Speaker 1: that's required to celebrate later, then you know that's all 686 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:46,800 Speaker 1: that's all possible. It's not excitement and optimism and you know, 687 00:35:46,920 --> 00:35:49,839 Speaker 1: newfound hope aren't bad things as long as the team, 688 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:52,440 Speaker 1: you know, doesn't necessarily get carried away with their own 689 00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:54,600 Speaker 1: headlines and put in the work. So, yeah, there's a 690 00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:58,320 Speaker 1: lot of new faces, new teams, new hopes, new excitement. 691 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:01,840 Speaker 1: You look at the Steelers Chris and all the turnover 692 00:36:01,880 --> 00:36:04,759 Speaker 1: that they've had. Yeah, but through the Steelers they've been 693 00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:08,120 Speaker 1: successful for forty five years and there's a reason for that. 694 00:36:08,239 --> 00:36:11,160 Speaker 1: So the investment that they've made in Ben Roethlisberger to 695 00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:16,040 Speaker 1: come back for next year and beyond as a foundational 696 00:36:16,080 --> 00:36:18,759 Speaker 1: piece for that team, and the success that they have 697 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:23,080 Speaker 1: always seemed to have will will likely have us believing 698 00:36:23,120 --> 00:36:25,799 Speaker 1: that in December that Pittsburgh will be a factor once again. 699 00:36:25,840 --> 00:36:28,279 Speaker 1: With all the other teams that we've just mentioned. It's 700 00:36:28,360 --> 00:36:32,160 Speaker 1: very possible, mar that everybody could be underestimating what does 701 00:36:32,239 --> 00:36:35,279 Speaker 1: Steelers do in twenty nineteen. And it's easy too when 702 00:36:35,280 --> 00:36:37,960 Speaker 1: you lose a guy like Antonio Brown and I know 703 00:36:38,080 --> 00:36:40,840 Speaker 1: Levion Bell didn't play last year, but with him gone, 704 00:36:41,520 --> 00:36:44,040 Speaker 1: it's easy to say, oh, this is a team that's 705 00:36:44,080 --> 00:36:46,960 Speaker 1: on the decline, but you said it. When you have 706 00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:50,640 Speaker 1: a franchise that's consistently done it and have a Super 707 00:36:50,680 --> 00:36:53,839 Speaker 1: Bowl quarterback under center that can still play, a lot 708 00:36:53,880 --> 00:36:55,920 Speaker 1: of things are possible. And the Chargers are going to 709 00:36:56,000 --> 00:36:58,040 Speaker 1: see them on Sunday and Night Football in Los Angeles 710 00:36:58,040 --> 00:37:01,400 Speaker 1: this year, so that should be fun. AFC westwise, we 711 00:37:01,480 --> 00:37:03,439 Speaker 1: talked about the Raiders. Just a lot of a lot 712 00:37:03,480 --> 00:37:05,360 Speaker 1: of new guys, not only in the draft, but they 713 00:37:05,440 --> 00:37:08,520 Speaker 1: signed a lot of free agents. Kansas City is in 714 00:37:08,680 --> 00:37:11,680 Speaker 1: transition a little bit on defense, but having Patrick Mahomes 715 00:37:11,719 --> 00:37:14,160 Speaker 1: under center for the next decade plus, you know they're 716 00:37:14,160 --> 00:37:16,120 Speaker 1: going to be a factor. One of the teams we 717 00:37:16,120 --> 00:37:20,280 Speaker 1: didn't talk about is Denver with Joe Flacco under center 718 00:37:20,320 --> 00:37:23,920 Speaker 1: now Drew Locke backing him up, and just having a 719 00:37:23,960 --> 00:37:26,960 Speaker 1: new coach and some new players in that program. What 720 00:37:27,200 --> 00:37:29,960 Speaker 1: do you make of the Denver Broncos in twenty nineteen. Well, 721 00:37:29,960 --> 00:37:32,200 Speaker 1: I'm a big, big fan Joe fan, you know, ever 722 00:37:32,239 --> 00:37:34,920 Speaker 1: since he helped turn around the forty nine ers as 723 00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:37,560 Speaker 1: quickly as they did with Jim Harbaugh there as the 724 00:37:37,600 --> 00:37:40,560 Speaker 1: head coach, and Vic of course was the architect of 725 00:37:40,560 --> 00:37:44,200 Speaker 1: that defense with Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman and Justin 726 00:37:44,320 --> 00:37:47,439 Speaker 1: Smith and the rest of that talented front. He really 727 00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:50,080 Speaker 1: had been playing at a high level and success has 728 00:37:50,120 --> 00:37:54,880 Speaker 1: followed wherever Vic has been in the NFL, obviously taking 729 00:37:54,880 --> 00:37:57,239 Speaker 1: the Bears to the playoffs last year and being a 730 00:37:57,239 --> 00:38:00,520 Speaker 1: part of that turnaround as well. So you know, I 731 00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:03,040 Speaker 1: like him as a head coach. All it all starts 732 00:38:03,040 --> 00:38:05,000 Speaker 1: from the top. And then you look at you know, 733 00:38:05,040 --> 00:38:08,280 Speaker 1: the Bradley Chubb and Von Miller and what a formidable 734 00:38:08,360 --> 00:38:10,840 Speaker 1: duo that's become that you throw you know, Draymond Jones 735 00:38:10,880 --> 00:38:15,000 Speaker 1: in there from Ohio stayed very similar situation to Stillery, 736 00:38:15,400 --> 00:38:17,840 Speaker 1: fitting in with some great pass rushers on the edge 737 00:38:18,520 --> 00:38:20,120 Speaker 1: here with the Chargers, So you know, you have a 738 00:38:20,120 --> 00:38:22,879 Speaker 1: similar situation there. And then you have you know, Chris 739 00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:24,919 Speaker 1: Harris looking to get a new contract. They can work 740 00:38:24,920 --> 00:38:27,920 Speaker 1: that out and bring him back and continue to remake that. 741 00:38:28,520 --> 00:38:30,799 Speaker 1: You know, you would think that the defense would be 742 00:38:30,880 --> 00:38:33,719 Speaker 1: at a point where it can play well enough that 743 00:38:33,800 --> 00:38:38,160 Speaker 1: if Joe Flacco can find resurgence in his career, that 744 00:38:38,160 --> 00:38:40,520 Speaker 1: that could be a very talented team. And I think 745 00:38:40,600 --> 00:38:43,840 Speaker 1: you look at Joe Flacco's best years, really he started 746 00:38:43,840 --> 00:38:47,600 Speaker 1: to decline when Dennis Pitta got hurt. And you know, 747 00:38:47,680 --> 00:38:50,320 Speaker 1: having that dynamic tight end in the lineup is something 748 00:38:50,360 --> 00:38:52,719 Speaker 1: that really, you know, sort of was a trickle down 749 00:38:52,719 --> 00:38:55,320 Speaker 1: effect to the lack of Joe Flacco being a productive 750 00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:59,120 Speaker 1: high level quarterback they drafted into a fan now and 751 00:38:59,120 --> 00:39:02,279 Speaker 1: and you know, having that dynamic tight end um if 752 00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:05,000 Speaker 1: still work out, because the Broncos have drafted, you know, 753 00:39:05,080 --> 00:39:08,359 Speaker 1: several tight ends high end in the draft in several 754 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:10,320 Speaker 1: past years. But Fant seems to be a different maker. 755 00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:12,279 Speaker 1: If he can be a contributed right away to go 756 00:39:12,320 --> 00:39:14,759 Speaker 1: along with Manuel Sanders and and the rest of that 757 00:39:14,840 --> 00:39:18,120 Speaker 1: talent that they drafted last year as receivers, and you're 758 00:39:18,120 --> 00:39:20,560 Speaker 1: looking at a really complete roster to put it all together. 759 00:39:20,600 --> 00:39:22,799 Speaker 1: But but Chris, you know, like we talked about, with 760 00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:24,200 Speaker 1: a lot of these teams, those are a lot of 761 00:39:24,280 --> 00:39:27,600 Speaker 1: questions to be answered not to say that that that 762 00:39:27,719 --> 00:39:29,960 Speaker 1: Vic Banjoe can't get it all done, but there's still 763 00:39:30,000 --> 00:39:31,840 Speaker 1: a lot of ifs. You know, he gets the Bronchos 764 00:39:31,880 --> 00:39:35,880 Speaker 1: back playing at a AFC West champion caliber. Yeah. AFC 765 00:39:36,040 --> 00:39:38,879 Speaker 1: West going to be a very difficult division this year. 766 00:39:39,320 --> 00:39:42,280 Speaker 1: The final thing for you, Omar, Now the draft is over, 767 00:39:43,239 --> 00:39:46,840 Speaker 1: I think we may be seeing an uptick in free agency. 768 00:39:47,120 --> 00:39:50,360 Speaker 1: A lot of veterans still out there, from Eric Barry 769 00:39:50,440 --> 00:39:54,000 Speaker 1: to Ziggy Onza and Dominican Sue Um and just the 770 00:39:54,280 --> 00:39:56,840 Speaker 1: I guess the cliff notes version of this, the compensatory 771 00:39:56,920 --> 00:40:02,359 Speaker 1: pick formula starting today may compensatory picks don't factor in 772 00:40:02,920 --> 00:40:06,239 Speaker 1: when it comes to signing free agents. Now do you think, well, 773 00:40:06,320 --> 00:40:08,520 Speaker 1: we'll start to see a little bit of an uptick 774 00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:12,160 Speaker 1: over the next week or two. Yeah, I wouldn't. I wouldn't, 775 00:40:12,239 --> 00:40:14,040 Speaker 1: you know, bet the farm on it, because you know, 776 00:40:14,080 --> 00:40:18,440 Speaker 1: I think you know, agents um and in general managers 777 00:40:18,560 --> 00:40:22,080 Speaker 1: kind of know obviously today's date and the compensatory formula. 778 00:40:22,200 --> 00:40:25,799 Speaker 1: So the longer teams can wait out, and I think 779 00:40:25,800 --> 00:40:28,040 Speaker 1: the lower the price will be for some of these 780 00:40:28,120 --> 00:40:31,160 Speaker 1: kind of big name free agents. So um, the ones 781 00:40:31,239 --> 00:40:33,399 Speaker 1: that will have a market, you'll you'll see get picked 782 00:40:33,440 --> 00:40:36,560 Speaker 1: up quickly. Um. And the ones that don't, we might 783 00:40:36,880 --> 00:40:38,680 Speaker 1: they might want to wait till we see what the 784 00:40:38,719 --> 00:40:42,600 Speaker 1: needs are for training camp and whatever injuries might unfold. Um, 785 00:40:43,040 --> 00:40:45,560 Speaker 1: you know, as as the year progresses, heading toward the season. 786 00:40:45,680 --> 00:40:49,000 Speaker 1: So um, it's certainly an interesting day on the calendar, 787 00:40:49,400 --> 00:40:52,840 Speaker 1: that's for sure, you know. And and how important teams 788 00:40:52,920 --> 00:40:56,400 Speaker 1: have have given these compensatory picks over the years, and 789 00:40:56,440 --> 00:40:59,880 Speaker 1: how that's all developed in teams calculations and how they budget, 790 00:41:00,040 --> 00:41:02,760 Speaker 1: you know, the for the salary cap and everything else. 791 00:41:02,800 --> 00:41:04,840 Speaker 1: So um, it'll be interesting to see, what you know, 792 00:41:04,880 --> 00:41:07,200 Speaker 1: so many teams with so many holes still left on 793 00:41:07,239 --> 00:41:10,000 Speaker 1: the rosters, how quickly um, some of these veteran free 794 00:41:10,040 --> 00:41:13,120 Speaker 1: agents are picked upon it. And especially once you get 795 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:15,600 Speaker 1: these rookies in camp and you get a chance to 796 00:41:15,640 --> 00:41:17,440 Speaker 1: see what they could really do. Yeah, I think a 797 00:41:17,480 --> 00:41:19,960 Speaker 1: lot of the time teams will see that these draft 798 00:41:20,239 --> 00:41:23,320 Speaker 1: picks that they just made, oh maybe it was a mistake. 799 00:41:23,360 --> 00:41:25,200 Speaker 1: Let's go get a veteran to fill that need. But 800 00:41:25,360 --> 00:41:29,560 Speaker 1: given those draft picks a shot first, So uh, intriguing 801 00:41:29,600 --> 00:41:33,719 Speaker 1: time of year. It never it never is not right, Chris, 802 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:36,799 Speaker 1: There's always some question to be answered, Um, May is 803 00:41:36,840 --> 00:41:41,120 Speaker 1: no different. Absolutely, Um yeah, this weekend rookie minicamp, Like 804 00:41:41,160 --> 00:41:44,360 Speaker 1: you said, it could dictate what happens over the next two, three, 805 00:41:44,719 --> 00:41:48,520 Speaker 1: four weeks. So um, it's never a dull moment. Omar 806 00:41:48,600 --> 00:41:50,960 Speaker 1: Louise and a fun network. There's always a pleasure to 807 00:41:50,960 --> 00:41:53,040 Speaker 1: catch it up with you, my friend, and hope to 808 00:41:53,040 --> 00:41:55,920 Speaker 1: see in Costa Masa very shortly. All right, buddy, Always 809 00:41:55,920 --> 00:41:58,520 Speaker 1: a pleasure for Chris anytime, and I look forward to 810 00:41:58,520 --> 00:42:01,200 Speaker 1: teen you too, and that's gonna do it my Thanks 811 00:42:01,239 --> 00:42:04,560 Speaker 1: to Omar Ruiz, Matt Ants and Chris Kleman for joining me, 812 00:42:04,840 --> 00:42:07,360 Speaker 1: and of course thanks to you all for listening. Don't forget. 813 00:42:07,440 --> 00:42:09,480 Speaker 1: If you like what you hear this offseason, be sure 814 00:42:09,480 --> 00:42:12,160 Speaker 1: to give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 815 00:42:12,200 --> 00:42:14,680 Speaker 1: Please help spread the word. Have a great rest of 816 00:42:14,680 --> 00:42:17,200 Speaker 1: the week, and until next time, I'm Chris Harry