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Speaker 1: Before we start today's podcast, we are heartbroken to learn

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Speaker 1: of the passing of Brandon Mebaine's infant daughter, McKenna. Please

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Speaker 1: join the Chargers in keeping Brandon and his family and

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Speaker 1: your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Hey, everybody,

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Speaker 1: Chris Harry with you on a special Divisional Round edition

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Speaker 1: of Chargers Weekly. Another star studded lineup this week, super

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Speaker 1: Bowl winning head coach Bill Kauer, NFL Networks, William mc

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Speaker 1: ginnis and Omar Ruiz, the Boston Globes, Ben Voland, and

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Speaker 1: radio analyst Daniel Jeremiah. We'll all get you prepared for

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Speaker 1: Sunday's game in Foxborough against the Patriots, and we'll start

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Speaker 1: with CBS's Bill Kauer, who paid a visit to Coasta

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Speaker 1: Mesa this week. All right, my first guest, a Super

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Speaker 1: Bowl winning head coach. You can see him this Sunday

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Speaker 1: on the NFL Today on CBS. Before Chargers Pats, the

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Speaker 1: great Bill Coward joins me here on Chargers Weekly from

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Speaker 1: the Hooge Performance Center. Coach, how are you doing doing great?

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Speaker 1: Great to be here. How's LA treating you so far?

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Speaker 1: Just get off the plane. Huh yeah, I got off

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Speaker 1: the plane. Last night and looking forward to coming out

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Speaker 1: there talking to a couple of guys on defense today.

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Speaker 1: So this is a tease for Chargers fans. I think

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Speaker 1: we're sensitive feature on Sunday, the charge fans can get excited.

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Speaker 1: All right, We're gonna sit down with Melvin Ingram, Joey Boza,

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Speaker 1: and Derwin James. So you got a little bit of

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Speaker 1: the new breed and some of the people like Melvin

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Speaker 1: who's been here before. And suddenly, I think when you

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Speaker 1: look at their performance in the last few weeks, this defense,

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Speaker 1: you know, I don't know if it's been overlooked, but boy,

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Speaker 1: the performance they put forth with Gos Bradley heading it

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Speaker 1: against the Baltimore Ravens last week was very impressive. Number

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Speaker 1: one rushing offense. And then now they have to turn around,

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Speaker 1: go back to the East Coast and face a team

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Speaker 1: that last week they ran the ball fifty times. This

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Speaker 1: week they could be throwing the ball fifty times. So

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Speaker 1: it's interesting to see their respective on the challenge it

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Speaker 1: lies ahead. Coach, before we get into this matchup, you've

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Speaker 1: coached in twenty one of these playoff games. If you

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Speaker 1: could describe what it's like to prepare for a playoff game,

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Speaker 1: specifically in the divisional round. Yeah, I think in this round.

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Speaker 1: I always thought the wildcard round and divisional round are

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Speaker 1: really the two most intriguing ones because number one year,

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Speaker 1: in this case, you're going to up against the team

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Speaker 1: that's been on a buy and everyone talks about the

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Speaker 1: buy being a positive thing, but sometimes a buy can

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Speaker 1: you can come out slow because it's hard to simulate

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Speaker 1: the same rate as speed game speed that you go to.

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Speaker 1: So I think a good fast start for the LA

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Speaker 1: Chargers this week will be you know, it would be

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Speaker 1: really nice to get off to that. And you know, again,

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Speaker 1: you you you look at a wildcard team and we

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Speaker 1: won our championship in two thousand and five, we were

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Speaker 1: six seeds. That LA was a five seed right going

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Speaker 1: into this, and we played all our games on the

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Speaker 1: road and kind of really embrace the whole road concept.

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Speaker 1: And you look at this football team. It's eight and

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Speaker 1: one in the road this year, and the only game

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Speaker 1: you lost you didn't even never even got a plane

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Speaker 1: so here in LS right, so and then and then

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Speaker 1: the one home game was a Lennon game. So you're

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Speaker 1: nine or no when you get all played this year. Yeah, exactly,

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Speaker 1: so I mean, it's it's a it's a scenario that

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Speaker 1: I think when I look at this team, there's something

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Speaker 1: special here. And I make this started by the midway

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Speaker 1: of last year. You finished out the year going six

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Speaker 1: and one, and you kind of took that end of

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Speaker 1: the next year. And I think I give a lot

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Speaker 1: of credit to Anthony Lynn and his coaching staff for

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Speaker 1: you know, you know, just embracing the moment and setting

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Speaker 1: the foundation and the players responding to each and every

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Speaker 1: move that they've made. Let's talk about coach Len for

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Speaker 1: a second, because you mentioned it. Back to back winning seasons.

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Speaker 1: He gets to the playoffs and he has a heck

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Speaker 1: of a coaching staff with Gus Bradley and a guy

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Speaker 1: you know very well and Ken wizzen Hunt. What can

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Speaker 1: you say about this staff knowing just how difficult it

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Speaker 1: is just to get to this point. Coach, Now, there's

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Speaker 1: no question I think Anthony is. You look at him,

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Speaker 1: I would just say he's a leader of men. I mean,

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Speaker 1: he's a guy he stands up in front of the team.

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Speaker 1: I think people respect him. He's played in a national

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Speaker 1: football league, he's coaching a national football league. He understands

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Speaker 1: what winning culture is he understands what that atmospere fear

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Speaker 1: should look like. And I think he's tried to establish

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Speaker 1: that here and I think he trickles down to even

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Speaker 1: some of his coaching staff and him and being able

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Speaker 1: to have the confidence enough to bring him two x

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Speaker 1: head coaches as a first time head coach, and I

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Speaker 1: think that speaks volumes about him. So I am just

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Speaker 1: been oppressed with what he's done, with how he's managed everything,

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Speaker 1: and he really kept everything in a proper perspective. You

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Speaker 1: look at him, he's a very calm guy, keeps everything

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Speaker 1: kind of you know, right there, and doesn't get too

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Speaker 1: high with the highs, doesn't get too low with the lows.

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Speaker 1: And I think that his team kind of plays that

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Speaker 1: way at a very consistent basis. When you watch this

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Speaker 1: team on Sunday against the Ravens and you saw them

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Speaker 1: trot out seven defensive backs to start the game and

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Speaker 1: they played fifty eight to fifty nine snaps. As a

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Speaker 1: defensive guy, what was your reaction to that, Well, you know,

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Speaker 1: I thought it was brilliant. I think what Gus did

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Speaker 1: was he you know, you talk about a running team,

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Speaker 1: you think, okay, well we're gonna bring out about much

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Speaker 1: more defensive linement. But they sit there and bring Adrian

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Speaker 1: Phillips down and play him play linebacker. Particularly when you

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Speaker 1: lose Javis. You know it's an injury. So what do

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Speaker 1: you do? So let's put Derwin in there. These are

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Speaker 1: kind of position players that they can play linebacker or

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Speaker 1: they can play defensive back. And I thought he did

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Speaker 1: a great job in moving to Melvin Ingram around and

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Speaker 1: Joey Bosa around. I mean, and you have a unique

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Speaker 1: skill set of players on the defensive side of the

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Speaker 1: ball that Gus has done a very good job and

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Speaker 1: doing some things that were kind of unconventional. So you

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Speaker 1: turn un conventional offense, what do you do you matched

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Speaker 1: with an unconventional defense. And I thought that was a

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Speaker 1: brilliant move on his part. Benefit to seeing them twice

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Speaker 1: in three weeks too, I would imagine I would think

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Speaker 1: so as well. I think it would be interesting one

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Speaker 1: of the statements, we're gonna talk to the defensive guys,

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Speaker 1: We're gonna fflect a little bit on that game. And

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Speaker 1: I just was wondering at the halftime, did guess talk about, Hey,

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Speaker 1: we may end up seeing Joe Flacco in the second

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Speaker 1: half of this game, and if they did, does that

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Speaker 1: change your whole thinking? So some of the questions I

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Speaker 1: think will be interesting to hear their their perspective about.

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Speaker 1: But you know that was last week and you know

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Speaker 1: it's time to move on right now because the challenge

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Speaker 1: this week is contrastingly different, very different. And we talk

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Speaker 1: about strength for strength. We talked about nine or no

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Speaker 1: when you get on a plane. How about eight no?

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Speaker 1: At home with New England Patriots and Tom Brady, Bill Belichick,

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Speaker 1: been there, done that. You know about these guys, your

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Speaker 1: initial it's on this matchup coach. You know, I think

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Speaker 1: again when you talk about Bill in January and Tom Brady,

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Speaker 1: they've been there before, and they've had a week to prepare.

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Speaker 1: They're gonna, they're gonna They're gonna make you beat them

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Speaker 1: with what they perceived to be your second strength, not

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Speaker 1: your first strength. And so I'd be interesting to see

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Speaker 1: how they assess that because is it Melvin Gordon in

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Speaker 1: the offense on the defensive side of the ball, or

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Speaker 1: is it Philip Rivers? And all of a sudden, Keenan

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Speaker 1: Allen and Williams and I said, so you have some

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Speaker 1: you have some interesting decision. Hunter Henry comes back this week,

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Speaker 1: you know, and I know he may be on a

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Speaker 1: pitch kind of knows because coach LANs talked about some

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Speaker 1: of the guy to prepare for though it absolutely is

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Speaker 1: you talk about position as players. Hunter is one of

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Speaker 1: those guys too that can be a kind of a

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Speaker 1: matchup guy that you better be careful about it. But again,

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Speaker 1: I think when you look at this game, I think

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Speaker 1: from the LA Chargers standpoint is just play your game.

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Speaker 1: You know. The one thing I think they've always been

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Speaker 1: they've proven an ability to do is to adjust. And

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Speaker 1: I thought the nice thing that Ken Wi Hunt did

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Speaker 1: in the second time going against this Baltimore team, he

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Speaker 1: was patient, didn't try to throw the ball too much.

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Speaker 1: Random ball wasn't about yard, it was about attempts. Do

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Speaker 1: what you gotta do to win. Yeah, And I thought

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Speaker 1: that I thought Philip got more comfortable as a game

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Speaker 1: went on. So I think in this game again for Philip,

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Speaker 1: you know, with see what the weather's like. You know

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Speaker 1: it's gonna be a little bit cold and blustery, m

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Speaker 1: and this time of year you go to New England

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Speaker 1: and but at the same time, you know, see what

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Speaker 1: they want to take away from you. And I think

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Speaker 1: a game against Bill Belichick is you prepare for the unexpected.

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Speaker 1: And I think if you can go into this idea,

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Speaker 1: I understand, Listen, that's it's a feeling out process. Let's

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Speaker 1: see what they're going to come at us with, and

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Speaker 1: that's to be ready to adjust on the sideline. So

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Speaker 1: you kind of stay open minded, not to deviate with

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Speaker 1: from what you do, but be prepared to make some

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Speaker 1: adjustments in the course of this game. Coach, what's the

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Speaker 1: biggest challenge that you think the Chargers pose to the Patriots.

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Speaker 1: I first glance, you look at fifty four and ninety

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Speaker 1: nine coming off the edge. If they can get to

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Speaker 1: Brady before that could be that could be the thing

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Speaker 1: to really put this over the top. I don't think

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Speaker 1: there's any question. I think I think the pass rush

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Speaker 1: that you see right now and you've seen from the

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Speaker 1: lah Chargers is something that you have to be aware

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Speaker 1: of because they move Melvin Ingham around so much and Joey.

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Speaker 1: These are two dynamic pass rushers. They have guys like

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Speaker 1: Derwin James. He lines up as a linebacker, he lines

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Speaker 1: up as a safety. You know, these are some positionless players,

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Speaker 1: as we always kind of talk about, and you could

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Speaker 1: get a different scheme. We saw one against Baltimore. So

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Speaker 1: I think again, going into this game against against the Patriots,

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Speaker 1: I still go back. They may throw the ball fifty times,

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Speaker 1: but you better stop Sony Michelle, because they get the

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Speaker 1: running game going a lot of their passing game and

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Speaker 1: big players come off a play action. So I think again,

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Speaker 1: understand that it's a lot different thinking as you walk

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Speaker 1: into this meeting this morning. As we sit here on

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Speaker 1: a Wednesday, I'm sure Gus Barley says, Okay, everything I

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Speaker 1: told you about with the Ravens, forget it all to

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Speaker 1: completely other side of it. The run game is setting

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Speaker 1: up the passing game. So I said, if they run

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Speaker 1: the football, we have to stop that. But I understand

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Speaker 1: that play action is a big part of what they

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Speaker 1: want to do when they throw the ball down the field.

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Speaker 1: The quick passing game is back in vogue right now,

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Speaker 1: so with this quarterback, because they'll like to do it,

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Speaker 1: so I can have to tackle well and get everybody

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Speaker 1: running to the football. So it's a whole different thinking

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Speaker 1: than you had to worry about whether you take the dive,

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Speaker 1: you whether you take the option with the lamar Ja accent,

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Speaker 1: I said, don't worry. Tom Brady's not going to run

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Speaker 1: an RPO this week, So exactly, it won't be a

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Speaker 1: problem coach offensively for the Chargers. I look in the

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Speaker 1: last three games that I'll be a two of them

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Speaker 1: came against Baltimore, that that punishing defense. Week seventeen was

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Speaker 1: a little strange, was Denver. It was just kind of

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Speaker 1: a weird Weekum, Philip has thrown for fewer than two

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Speaker 1: hundred yards in those three games. I know how important

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Speaker 1: Gordon and Eckler are in this game, but how important

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Speaker 1: is it for Philip to get the ball down the

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Speaker 1: field to some of these big wide receivers. Well, I

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Speaker 1: think this will be the first game that you know,

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Speaker 1: in theory, I think we look at from a pass

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Speaker 1: for a standpoint. Um, you know, uh, you know, he's

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Speaker 1: gone against two teams in Baltimore to two of those

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Speaker 1: weeks against Baltimore that that when Blitz happy and they

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Speaker 1: really pushed a pocket, and and the other one was

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Speaker 1: having you know, Chubb and von Miller coming off the corner.

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Speaker 1: So if I'm him, I'm sitting back when well, I

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Speaker 1: listened to England's a good defense, but like thank you,

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Speaker 1: like a little bit of a breath right a little bit,

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Speaker 1: and I would just say from the standpoint and for Philip,

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Speaker 1: he'll know he's into it, dude, he's I thought he

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Speaker 1: did a really good job going into Baltimore on the road,

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Speaker 1: just like you'd go into New England on the road.

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Speaker 1: Feel it out. It's kind I guess it's like you're

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Speaker 1: exchanging a little bit of jabs in the first time.

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Speaker 1: And you know what, we remember going up there last

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Speaker 1: year and you had a big run from Melvin Gordon

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Speaker 1: early in the Game's right, you know, I think when

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Speaker 1: opportunities present itself, listen, Philip is going to take it,

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Speaker 1: you know. You know that, don't worry about And I

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Speaker 1: think that's what makes them so special. And I think

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Speaker 1: that's why when you look at his career and you

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Speaker 1: look at this opportunity, you know, it's hard not to think, Man,

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Speaker 1: if they can make one of these runs on the road, um,

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Speaker 1: it would kind of solidified an already fabulous career. There's

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Speaker 1: so many matchups in this game that are intriguing when

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Speaker 1: you look at it. What's loose intriguing to you? I

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Speaker 1: look at Durwin versus Gronkowski, there's a lot of different

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Speaker 1: things that that could decide this game. Well, I think

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Speaker 1: Darwin versus Gronkowski could be one as well. But the

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Speaker 1: different things that that guess will do with it, you'll

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Speaker 1: know if that would be constantly the matchup. I think again,

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Speaker 1: I just go back to the same thing. I think

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Speaker 1: the ability for for Philip to be comfortable and to

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Speaker 1: be able to get back in that pocket and make

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Speaker 1: some place and weather that may be down the field,

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Speaker 1: neither be taking what he needs to take with crossing routes.

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Speaker 1: I think a lot of the owners will go on

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Speaker 1: that offensive line and for Wiz to be able to

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Speaker 1: make sure that they make the adjustments you're gonna make,

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Speaker 1: because like I said, prepare for the unexpected. You know,

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Speaker 1: you go up there and what you've seen from New

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Speaker 1: England in the past maybe a little bit different what

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Speaker 1: you see in this game. It's going to be cold,

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Speaker 1: it's going to be a different atmosphere, and they've been

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Speaker 1: in Again, I go back to the same thing. You

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Speaker 1: cannot turn to football over in games like this. That's

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Speaker 1: how you got there, and you need to get some

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Speaker 1: big plays on defense. You've got some big play players.

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Speaker 1: You may have to get some more on this game.

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Speaker 1: So again you look at what you're doing, how you've

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Speaker 1: got here. You don't deviate from that. But some of

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Speaker 1: those factors are gonna be again completing drives, not kicking

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Speaker 1: field goals, holding them the field goals when you get

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Speaker 1: into the red zone. A situational football part of this,

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Speaker 1: and again protecting the football and a cold weather game

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Speaker 1: will be I think a larger to do with the

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Speaker 1: outcome of this game. Finally, coach wind on this Charges

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Speaker 1: going to Pittsburgh and winning this year they go to

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Speaker 1: Kansas City, Seattle, Baltimore, London, Cleveland when they were really

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Speaker 1: playing close. Does that give you an added confidence to

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Speaker 1: go into a place like New England. It's a different animal.

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Speaker 1: I get it in January to try to beat Tom

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Speaker 1: Brady and Bill Belichick Foxborough, but to have those wins

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Speaker 1: under your belt this year going into it has give

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Speaker 1: you a little bit of confidence, no question. I mean,

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Speaker 1: I go back to the glass drive that the Chargers

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Speaker 1: had against the Kansas City Chiefs. In Kansas City, there's

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Speaker 1: no harder place to play than Narrowheads Stadium. The Chargers

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Speaker 1: know that. But what he did in at last drive,

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Speaker 1: you know, the throw he makes over the middle to

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Speaker 1: Calvin Benjamin is an unbelievable throw. To go for two

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Speaker 1: with Gus and to have that unfold the way it did,

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Speaker 1: that's a confident builder. That's a confident builder from a

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Speaker 1: team standpoint. It's a confidability to your coach. Had to

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Speaker 1: guts to go forward for two, no doubt, you know.

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Speaker 1: And so you know what you take away from that,

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Speaker 1: and you said, you know what, there's nothing holding us back.

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Speaker 1: Just go out there and play as a stipus say gosh,

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Speaker 1: let let's go in this thing. So, I mean, I

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Speaker 1: love the attitude that they have, the confidence that they're

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Speaker 1: playing with. And yes it's a big challenge, but boy,

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Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to Sunday this game. I cannot wait

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Speaker 1: for Sunday. Coaches, it's a treat to have you here

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Speaker 1: in Coasta, Mesa, and we look forward to seeing you

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Speaker 1: before the game on Sunday. Sounds good? All right? Here?

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Speaker 1: All right, Chargers fans, if you're in southern California this

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Speaker 1: weekend and you're looking for a place to watch the

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Speaker 1: game on Sunday, be sure to visit Chargers dot com

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Speaker 1: to find a watch party nearest you. There are eleven

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Speaker 1: different parties throughout the Greater La Area, including it American

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Speaker 1: Junkie and Hermosa Beach Thunder Ali Louie g They're gonna

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Speaker 1: run it back this weekend. That all starts at nine

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Speaker 1: am again. Visit Chargers dot com to find a watch

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Speaker 1: party near you, and at Pizza Hut, they're more than

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Speaker 1: a five dollars lineup of medium one topping pizzas, wings

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Speaker 1: and Centabom mini roles. They're the easiest choice you'll make

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Speaker 1: all week just five dollars each at Pizza Hut when

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Speaker 1: you buy two or more. Now joined by NFL Networks,

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Speaker 1: Willie mcguinnis and Willie I know you're a busy man

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Speaker 1: this week. I appreciate the time. How are you. I'm

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Speaker 1: doing well, How are you doing very well? And of

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Speaker 1: course we're gonna see you on NFL Network this weekend.

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Speaker 1: But before we get into this Patriots Chargers matchup in

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Speaker 1: the divisional round, I just want to get your thoughts

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Speaker 1: on what you saw from this Chargers defense against Lamar

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Speaker 1: Jackson in that Baltimore Ravens offense last Sunday. I saw

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Speaker 1: a great job of scheming up a versatile defense. Gus Browley,

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Speaker 1: I think did a phenomenal job of making that adjustment

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Speaker 1: from the first meeting they they met and bringing in

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Speaker 1: what we call the Penny personnel groups, which is the smaller,

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Speaker 1: more athletic guys. He had actually three safeties. I think

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Speaker 1: it was a guy James and Jenkins playing the linebackers

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Speaker 1: and kind of the rover spots. And you know, Lamar's

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Speaker 1: dangerous when he gets on the edges, and they had

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Speaker 1: guys that could combat that. You know, for the first

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Speaker 1: three and a half quarters, Lamar Jackson was held to

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Speaker 1: minus two passing yards. And you know a lot of

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Speaker 1: this goes with the All Pro rookie Durwin James. Just

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Speaker 1: your impressions of Drwin from opening day to president it

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Speaker 1: just seems like the moment hasn't been too big for him.

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Speaker 1: Willie No, I love this kid every since. Um, he

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Speaker 1: was at the Nike Opening before he even got, you know,

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Speaker 1: into the NFL. He's he's special. Um. He has a

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Speaker 1: unique ability to play in the box and be aggressive

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Speaker 1: and hit like a linebacker. Um. He has you know,

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Speaker 1: the footwork and coverage skills of a defensive back. And

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Speaker 1: of course he's a safety, you know, so you know,

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Speaker 1: nobody gets behind him, and he has the versatility and

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Speaker 1: athletic ability. I think that's something that the Chargers has

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Speaker 1: been missing for years. A guy uh to be able

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Speaker 1: to play either you know, single high or down in

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Speaker 1: the box, to do a lot of different things. That

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Speaker 1: allows you to give a lot of different looks. You

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Speaker 1: really don't know, um when he's in the box, if

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Speaker 1: he's another rusher, if he's there to cover a tight

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Speaker 1: end or a back, or they're using him as some

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Speaker 1: type of different type of defensive schemes. So um, he's

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Speaker 1: a tough guy. Man, He's tough. I've been I've been

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Speaker 1: a fan of his for a few years now, and

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Speaker 1: I knew he would make easy transition into the NFL

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Speaker 1: because he's so talented. He can do so many things.

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Speaker 1: He's a positionless guy, and there's a lot of these

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Speaker 1: guys onless team. But you know one thing, you know

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Speaker 1: better than anybody. You got to pack a pass rush

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Speaker 1: in the postseason, and they got to Lamar Jackson seven times,

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Speaker 1: six different guys. How important is it going to be,

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Speaker 1: especially in this next round when you're playing the greatest

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Speaker 1: quarterback of all time, to have that pass rush ready

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Speaker 1: when needed. When you got fifty four and ninety nine

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Speaker 1: coming off the edge. Well, they know it's coming, you know,

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Speaker 1: the Patriots, they're they're they're smart team. They know that

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Speaker 1: with Bosa and Ingram and even Utenna, you know, they

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Speaker 1: know that those guys can get there, and even James

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Speaker 1: for that matter. They bring James a lot on blitzers

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Speaker 1: and use him as an outside rusher. Um, so they

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Speaker 1: do understand that. You know, they are going to try

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Speaker 1: to attack and get and attack the middle of the

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Speaker 1: pocket and try to get success there. And you need that,

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Speaker 1: you know, you need a front that can you know,

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Speaker 1: they can get there with just four to fource a

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Speaker 1: quarter a quarter back to get the ball out of

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Speaker 1: his hands, to get him the rushed rows. And we've

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Speaker 1: seen it this year, you know, when Brady's had pressure

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Speaker 1: of gotten hitting the pocket hasn't been as effective. And

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Speaker 1: the offensive line understands that. So I think it's going

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Speaker 1: to be a great matchup or front and seeing this

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Speaker 1: and having some experience against it, you know, the Patriots

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Speaker 1: have played against fronts like this in the past when

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Speaker 1: Baltimore's had their best team Seattle, I can go all

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Speaker 1: the way down the line, so I'm sure they'll have something.

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Speaker 1: With two weeks off already and prepared to try to

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Speaker 1: negate that we talk about this. Really this has been

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Speaker 1: kind of the theme. You go strength for strength. You

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Speaker 1: had a team this nine and oh when they get

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Speaker 1: on an airplane versus a team like the Patriots eight

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Speaker 1: no at home and we know the mystique of the

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Speaker 1: Patriots playing in Foxborough. Just at first glance, Willie, your

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Speaker 1: initial impressions of this matchup, starting with Rivers versus Brady, Yeah,

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Speaker 1: I mean, I think this is this is a great situation.

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Speaker 1: I think Rivers has proven he can win on the road,

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Speaker 1: and I think he's always been a productive quarterback and

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Speaker 1: now he's been put in position to to have other

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Speaker 1: players on that side of the ball take some of

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Speaker 1: the pressure off of him. Um, he just he just

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Speaker 1: doesn't have to win and throwing the ball forty times.

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Speaker 1: There's a lot of ways and creativity and personnel groups

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Speaker 1: that they give them that allow him to get the

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Speaker 1: ball out, to hand the ball off or you know,

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Speaker 1: take shouts down the field. He's he's comfortable, and he's

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Speaker 1: excited about the talent around him. I think he hasn't

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Speaker 1: had this much talent around him since you know, I

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Speaker 1: don't know since probably LT played. But um, he seems comfortable,

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Speaker 1: he seems confident, and listening to him talk, he seems

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Speaker 1: like he's ready for the moment. And he looks, you know,

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Speaker 1: he looks towards the challenge. And he's one of the

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Speaker 1: better quarterbacks over the last decade. So a lot of experience,

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Speaker 1: coming in very confident because they have one in hostile environment.

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Speaker 1: So I expect them to come out and play at

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Speaker 1: a high level. You gotta get vertical too in the

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Speaker 1: passing game. And you know, the last three games, I'll

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Speaker 1: bet you play Baltimore two times. You haven't been able

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Speaker 1: to get vertical, but you do. You got weapons like

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Speaker 1: Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Tyroll Williams. And then we hear,

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Speaker 1: you know, the potential of Hunter Henry. When you haven't

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Speaker 1: seen a guy all season like Hunter Willie. How does

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Speaker 1: that factor into a potential game plan when you don't

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Speaker 1: quite know what to expect with the tight end. Well,

428
00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:22,240
Speaker 1: he's a weapon, you know, I just don't know where

429
00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:25,040
Speaker 1: he is. It's hard to come, you know, you know,

430
00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:27,840
Speaker 1: practice and just working out and not being in the

431
00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:31,240
Speaker 1: live action it's two different things, you know. It's it's

432
00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:34,320
Speaker 1: a difference, especially in the playoffs because even the speed

433
00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,880
Speaker 1: of the game then changes. So I think Hunter Henry

434
00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,200
Speaker 1: is definitely a talented player. I just don't know where

435
00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:42,240
Speaker 1: he is or how effective he'll be. With him being

436
00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:44,760
Speaker 1: out there, you definitely got to count for him. So

437
00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,359
Speaker 1: I mean understanding me sitting here not being in the

438
00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:51,199
Speaker 1: in the Chargers practice. I have no idea where he

439
00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:53,800
Speaker 1: is or how he's cutting or moving, or how effective

440
00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,320
Speaker 1: he will be running. But if he's out there, you

441
00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,400
Speaker 1: got a plan for him. So that takes time out

442
00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:01,760
Speaker 1: of the defensive preparation to say here's another guy to

443
00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:03,919
Speaker 1: add in the fold, and adding to makes along with

444
00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:07,280
Speaker 1: everybody else that they have, and you got to expect

445
00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:09,200
Speaker 1: he's going to be playing at a high level. You

446
00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:11,560
Speaker 1: can't go in saying, oh he's you know, he's a

447
00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,240
Speaker 1: little GIFTI or they won't use him on these downs

448
00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:16,480
Speaker 1: or whatever. You got to expect in game plan for

449
00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:19,320
Speaker 1: him to be one hundred percent. How much affected do

450
00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:21,439
Speaker 1: you think these running backs are going to play this

451
00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:23,280
Speaker 1: game on both sides? You know, we talked about Gordon

452
00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:26,840
Speaker 1: and Eckler, right, and then James White, Rex Birkhead, Sony Michelle.

453
00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:28,720
Speaker 1: It seems like that's going to be the bread and

454
00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,480
Speaker 1: butter for the Pats as well. Absolutely. I mean if

455
00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:35,040
Speaker 1: you combine the touches from the running backs, I believe

456
00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:37,920
Speaker 1: from both teams, they've had more touches than anybody and

457
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,520
Speaker 1: if you throw Girly in the mix, than any backs

458
00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:43,840
Speaker 1: in the last since they've been in the league. So

459
00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:49,040
Speaker 1: the backs are heavily used in both systems. I think

460
00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:51,240
Speaker 1: they open up a lot of things down the field

461
00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:55,240
Speaker 1: and with the running game, man, and having that balance

462
00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:59,800
Speaker 1: you see it across the league. You know, big time quarterbacks,

463
00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:03,120
Speaker 1: and you add balance to the system their offensive systems,

464
00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:06,159
Speaker 1: it just changes things and it adds a lot, you know,

465
00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:09,679
Speaker 1: it adds a lot for the defense to have to

466
00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,520
Speaker 1: worry about, especially guys out of the backfield that can

467
00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:16,080
Speaker 1: do both dual threats. So I'm looking at this matchup

468
00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:19,040
Speaker 1: like I'm thinking, the backs will be on both sides

469
00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:22,600
Speaker 1: of the ball, will be huge factors in this football game,

470
00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:25,399
Speaker 1: not just handing the ball off to him, but in

471
00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:29,159
Speaker 1: the passing game. Now, I don't know how healthy Melvin

472
00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:32,520
Speaker 1: Gordon is, but hey, this is the biggest game in

473
00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:35,040
Speaker 1: the only game that matters, So whatever they got to

474
00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:36,760
Speaker 1: do to get him ready, I'm sure he'll be their

475
00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:39,560
Speaker 1: full force. And when you add Eckler into the mix,

476
00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:42,359
Speaker 1: you know, and all three backs on the other side

477
00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:44,359
Speaker 1: with the Patriots will be ready to go. They use

478
00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:47,280
Speaker 1: them in multiple ways as well. Willie get you out

479
00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,040
Speaker 1: of here on this listen, you're a Patriots great you

480
00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:52,280
Speaker 1: played in a lot of these games in the playoffs,

481
00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:56,240
Speaker 1: if you could for our listeners just the difference between

482
00:21:56,440 --> 00:22:00,879
Speaker 1: regular season ball and getting ready for divisional playoff game. Well,

483
00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:03,760
Speaker 1: I think it's an opportunity to take the next step.

484
00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,960
Speaker 1: And you know when if you can't look too far ahead,

485
00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:08,400
Speaker 1: you got to see it as this is the next

486
00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,600
Speaker 1: challenge in front of us. You're one game until you're

487
00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,280
Speaker 1: playing in the AFC Championships, which gives you an opportunity

488
00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:16,080
Speaker 1: if you win that, to go to the Super Bowl.

489
00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:19,280
Speaker 1: But I think the mentality for the coaches and players

490
00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,320
Speaker 1: is it's a one game season. You know, nothing else

491
00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:25,200
Speaker 1: really matters if we don't go out and play well

492
00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:28,760
Speaker 1: and execute and give and give ourselves an opportunity to win.

493
00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:32,600
Speaker 1: So I'm sure, well, I know for a fact on

494
00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:36,000
Speaker 1: the Patriots that's how we thought that the entire time.

495
00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:39,119
Speaker 1: I was there for twelve years, and I know with

496
00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:41,960
Speaker 1: Anthony Lynn. Having experienced being in the playoffs as a

497
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,160
Speaker 1: player and you know, being in a lot of playoffs systems,

498
00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:49,160
Speaker 1: he understands that. And you know a lot of these

499
00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:52,119
Speaker 1: players are hungry, they're excited for the opportunity, but they

500
00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:55,280
Speaker 1: also know that it could be over. You know, in

501
00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:58,160
Speaker 1: a week. It can be a gam on Sunday. William

502
00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:00,480
Speaker 1: mc ginnis, we look forward to seeing you on NFL

503
00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:02,439
Speaker 1: Network this weekend, my man. Thank you so much for

504
00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:06,840
Speaker 1: the time. Hey, thanks for having me. All right, welcome

505
00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:09,520
Speaker 1: back to Chargers Weekly here with Omar Ruiz at the

506
00:23:09,520 --> 00:23:13,840
Speaker 1: Hope Performance Center as we get ready for Sunday Chargers Pats, Omar,

507
00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:16,280
Speaker 1: how are you? Man? Good? Good, Chris. Always a pleasure

508
00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:18,399
Speaker 1: to be on here with you. And I couldn't be

509
00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:20,600
Speaker 1: more fired up for this game. It's gonna be the

510
00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,360
Speaker 1: potential to be a classic. And when we've been talking

511
00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:26,520
Speaker 1: about these Chargers all year, we've heard Melvin Ingraham say

512
00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:29,440
Speaker 1: it over and over again, ASAP ASAP, any squad, any

513
00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:31,800
Speaker 1: place a SAP's been the mantra. And I think this

514
00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:36,600
Speaker 1: is the epitome of ASAP, this squad, that place. It

515
00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:39,200
Speaker 1: should shape up to be a fantastic game. Been talking

516
00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,760
Speaker 1: about it throughout the podcast. Is strength first strength. You

517
00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:43,879
Speaker 1: got a team that's eight no at home versus a

518
00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:46,440
Speaker 1: team that's nine and oh when you get on an airplane,

519
00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:50,440
Speaker 1: you got Brady and Belichick, you got the Rivers Brady

520
00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:53,520
Speaker 1: aspect of it. You got this defense, This plan really

521
00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:56,040
Speaker 1: lights out. You saw what they did last week in Baltimore.

522
00:23:56,240 --> 00:23:58,840
Speaker 1: What are you gravitating towards a first glance here? Well,

523
00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:00,760
Speaker 1: I think that's a good pointing that you mentioned that

524
00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:03,399
Speaker 1: the strength versus strength, and I think what you find

525
00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:06,880
Speaker 1: the commonality between these two teams is that mental toughness.

526
00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:09,840
Speaker 1: And it's not so much, you know, mental toughness to

527
00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:13,359
Speaker 1: do anything extraordinary, but to do what they do best

528
00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:16,520
Speaker 1: and to have discipline in that. And for the Patriots,

529
00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:20,280
Speaker 1: whenever they stumble and whenever the outside world says that

530
00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:23,280
Speaker 1: the Patriots dynasty is ending, they just keep on task

531
00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:26,560
Speaker 1: and they phase all of that out. For the Chargers, similarly,

532
00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:29,320
Speaker 1: they've been able to phase out all distractions, whether it's

533
00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:31,320
Speaker 1: being on the road, whether it's being in London, whether

534
00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:34,879
Speaker 1: it's staying in Cleveland for two weeks. Everything that seemed

535
00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:37,080
Speaker 1: to be a distraction, they've blocked out they've been able

536
00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:39,200
Speaker 1: to thrive in those circumstances. So I think both of

537
00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:42,359
Speaker 1: those teams have that thing in common, which is that

538
00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:45,639
Speaker 1: mental discipline. I talked about the defense and this is

539
00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,280
Speaker 1: off the field, but you know, we learned of Brandon

540
00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:53,000
Speaker 1: Mebing and just the tragedy his infant daughter. McKenna mentioned

541
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:54,639
Speaker 1: this in the top of the podcast or our thoughts

542
00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:57,960
Speaker 1: and prayers are with the entire Mebing family. He'll be back,

543
00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:00,199
Speaker 1: but you know, it's one of those things just some

544
00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,120
Speaker 1: more important in football as we get here to divisional

545
00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,679
Speaker 1: round weekend. Yeah, it's it's a heart crushing and you

546
00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:07,720
Speaker 1: know Brandon and I go back to his Seattle Day

547
00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:09,480
Speaker 1: has been covering him for a long time. Very very

548
00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:11,720
Speaker 1: special guy he is. You know, I think this is

549
00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:14,840
Speaker 1: a circumstance that's tragic for anybody, for any family to

550
00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:17,960
Speaker 1: deal with. Is especially so when when you know it's

551
00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:21,000
Speaker 1: a guy that's as likable and as friendly and as

552
00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:23,639
Speaker 1: uh you know, well loved as Brandon Mebane is in

553
00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,560
Speaker 1: that locker room. He was loved in that Seahawks locker room.

554
00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:28,840
Speaker 1: Just just a really good, good guy and and just

555
00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:31,200
Speaker 1: more on a personal level, his other two kids or

556
00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:32,760
Speaker 1: the same age as my two kids, so you know,

557
00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:35,000
Speaker 1: we have a lot a lot of that in common.

558
00:25:35,119 --> 00:25:36,640
Speaker 1: So UM, you know, just gave him a big hug

559
00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:39,399
Speaker 1: yesterday and and uh and wished him well. And you

560
00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:40,880
Speaker 1: know this is something that you know, as a parent,

561
00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:43,640
Speaker 1: you can't imagine, and you know the kind of heartbreak

562
00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:46,600
Speaker 1: that he's going through and his family, So certainly our condolences,

563
00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,639
Speaker 1: our prayers, our thoughts with Brandon, and UM, it was

564
00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:52,119
Speaker 1: interesting when he was asked if you know, maybe maybe

565
00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:54,360
Speaker 1: being back in the locker room, being you know, back

566
00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:57,240
Speaker 1: with the football team might be a pleasant or welcome

567
00:25:57,280 --> 00:26:00,200
Speaker 1: distraction in that and you know, he just you know,

568
00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:02,199
Speaker 1: put put on a smile as best he could and

569
00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:04,119
Speaker 1: just said, you know, he's thankful to be able to

570
00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:06,359
Speaker 1: play this game. And just in talking to some of

571
00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:09,439
Speaker 1: his teammates, UM, you know, they're confident that that you know,

572
00:26:09,720 --> 00:26:12,240
Speaker 1: his spirit will be uplifted on Sunday and and he'll

573
00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:14,000
Speaker 1: be able to be able to go out and play

574
00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,840
Speaker 1: a good game for the Chargers. The tight knit group

575
00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:20,320
Speaker 1: here in this locker room, it can't be overstated really,

576
00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:23,160
Speaker 1: from from game one to where we are now, and

577
00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:25,320
Speaker 1: you know, let's just talk about this defense for a

578
00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:28,280
Speaker 1: second Omar. They got seven sacks on Lamar jacks and

579
00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:30,800
Speaker 1: a season high for them if you include the regular

580
00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:34,320
Speaker 1: season Tom Brady in fifteen of sixteen games this year,

581
00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,320
Speaker 1: he's been sacked two times or fewer. So I think

582
00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:40,360
Speaker 1: that's really the chess match there. It Can the Chargers

583
00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:43,400
Speaker 1: get to Brady with four with fifty four ninety nine

584
00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:45,399
Speaker 1: coming off the edge? Yeah, Well, that offensive line for

585
00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:48,320
Speaker 1: the Patriots is really good. They're really discipline, they're big,

586
00:26:48,359 --> 00:26:51,679
Speaker 1: they're strong, they do everything well, they're smart. And then

587
00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:55,400
Speaker 1: of course Brady commandeers at all with protections and coverages

588
00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:57,840
Speaker 1: and and everything that he does at the line of scrimmage.

589
00:26:57,880 --> 00:26:59,920
Speaker 1: But certainly that the Chargers defense is one of the

590
00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:04,080
Speaker 1: more talented in football Schematically. What Gus Bradley has them do,

591
00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:07,320
Speaker 1: throwing seven dbs into the mix last week, you know,

592
00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,800
Speaker 1: is certainly something now that was effective against the Ravens,

593
00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:13,560
Speaker 1: but something that the Patriots are aware of. In talking

594
00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:16,800
Speaker 1: to Brady yesterday in that conference call, he even mentioned

595
00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,600
Speaker 1: the fact that it's something additional for him to think

596
00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:23,080
Speaker 1: about this week in terms of his preparation. So if

597
00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:25,560
Speaker 1: they're able to, you know, get home with four and

598
00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:28,399
Speaker 1: keep those seven back there, and it's very similar to

599
00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:32,119
Speaker 1: what the Patriots do defensively. They don't have the sack numbers.

600
00:27:32,119 --> 00:27:35,000
Speaker 1: I don't think they're as talented upfront as the Chargers are,

601
00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:37,080
Speaker 1: so they're not getting the sacks, but they own the

602
00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:41,840
Speaker 1: solid yea very solid they, as Philip Rivers told me yesterday,

603
00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:43,760
Speaker 1: they muddy the pocket, they make it unclean, they make

604
00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:46,600
Speaker 1: it uncomfortable for the quarterback, and then they're able to

605
00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:49,240
Speaker 1: keep seven guys in coverage and it's very difficult for

606
00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:51,359
Speaker 1: players to get open there in the secondary, not to

607
00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:53,280
Speaker 1: mention their coverage skills and the talent they have back

608
00:27:53,280 --> 00:27:56,160
Speaker 1: there with Stefan Gilmour and such. So it's very similar

609
00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:59,560
Speaker 1: styles now as we've seen the Chargers throw seven dbs

610
00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,040
Speaker 1: in the mix there, so it is the ultimate chess matching,

611
00:28:03,320 --> 00:28:05,280
Speaker 1: and I think the Chargers can go both ways. They

612
00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:07,639
Speaker 1: can play quick with seven dbs on the field, and

613
00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:10,639
Speaker 1: they can play big throwing some linebackers and defensive linemen

614
00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:13,560
Speaker 1: out there. So Gus Bradley will have his hands full, certainly,

615
00:28:13,640 --> 00:28:15,399
Speaker 1: but I think they're up for the challenge. Talking to

616
00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:19,560
Speaker 1: Bill Kauer earlier in this podcast, he talked about how

617
00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:22,760
Speaker 1: the Patriots set is they take away your strength, They

618
00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,439
Speaker 1: take away your first strength, and he was intrigued to

619
00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:27,560
Speaker 1: see what that was going to be. When you talk

620
00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,240
Speaker 1: about the charges, is that Melvin Gordon and Austin Eglers

621
00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:32,479
Speaker 1: that the running game? Is that Keenan Allen? What do

622
00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:34,760
Speaker 1: you think that is? Omar? I think it's Keenan Allen

623
00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:38,160
Speaker 1: and the receivers for the Patriots. I think what makes

624
00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:41,240
Speaker 1: the unique skill set for the Chargers is they can

625
00:28:41,280 --> 00:28:44,080
Speaker 1: be covered, but because of their height and skill and ability,

626
00:28:44,440 --> 00:28:46,080
Speaker 1: they can go up and make plays. And I think

627
00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:48,480
Speaker 1: that's the size the size there. I think that's a

628
00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:51,160
Speaker 1: nice security blanket for Philip Rivers to throw too. But

629
00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:54,800
Speaker 1: so I think that'll be what they take away because

630
00:28:55,240 --> 00:28:58,640
Speaker 1: you know, Melvin Gorvin has been banged up and certainly

631
00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:01,520
Speaker 1: since he's come back from injury hasn't been as effective. Now,

632
00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:04,360
Speaker 1: is that him just sort of finding his footing, learning

633
00:29:04,360 --> 00:29:07,840
Speaker 1: how to play with a little soreness, and is he

634
00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:11,160
Speaker 1: unleashed in this game? Austin Eckler's obviously working his way

635
00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:13,880
Speaker 1: back and getting back into the mix. So so I

636
00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,400
Speaker 1: think if I'm Bill Belichick, I take away those those

637
00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:19,080
Speaker 1: receivers who can do so much damage on the field

638
00:29:19,120 --> 00:29:22,600
Speaker 1: with you know, thirty forty yard plays in the blink

639
00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:25,400
Speaker 1: of an eye, and you see if if a banged

640
00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:27,840
Speaker 1: up Melvin Gordon and Austin Neckler could beat you. And

641
00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:29,880
Speaker 1: that's the thing with these receivers. There's three of them,

642
00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:32,000
Speaker 1: right and two of them or six four or the

643
00:29:32,040 --> 00:29:35,480
Speaker 1: other one sixty three. Yeah, you got Mike Williams Stefan Gilmour,

644
00:29:35,760 --> 00:29:38,400
Speaker 1: who he's gonna match up I think is gonna be fascinating.

645
00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:42,440
Speaker 1: And then with Philip the last three games, they haven't

646
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:45,200
Speaker 1: really gotten the running or the passing game going for

647
00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:48,440
Speaker 1: that matter. You get the edge rushers with Von Miller,

648
00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:51,120
Speaker 1: Bradley Chubb and what we saw in Baltimore. This could

649
00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:53,120
Speaker 1: be a game where they can get that passing game

650
00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:55,200
Speaker 1: going a little bit. I think so. I mean, I

651
00:29:55,200 --> 00:29:58,840
Speaker 1: think that they'd be confident to do so. And you

652
00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:02,480
Speaker 1: know Antonio Gates clutches, he's been you know, the targets

653
00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:03,920
Speaker 1: that he's been able to get in the middle of

654
00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:07,880
Speaker 1: the field. Eleven postseason games for Gates, he's caught a

655
00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:09,600
Speaker 1: pass and every one of them. Yeah, And I think

656
00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:11,880
Speaker 1: that it speaks to what you're saying, maybe they're not

657
00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:14,560
Speaker 1: getting the big play threats that they've been getting all

658
00:30:14,560 --> 00:30:18,200
Speaker 1: season because defenses are focusing on it. But the intermediate

659
00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:20,640
Speaker 1: routes with gates and those clutch catches, and and who

660
00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:22,680
Speaker 1: knows what Haunter Henry might be able to bring this week,

661
00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,160
Speaker 1: and if in fact he does play, and of course

662
00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:28,040
Speaker 1: he's on the active roster now, and expectations are that

663
00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:31,560
Speaker 1: perhaps he'll give it a shot, and maybe even just

664
00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:34,160
Speaker 1: the distraction or the decoy of Hunter Henry and all

665
00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:36,360
Speaker 1: the problems he poses when he's on the field can

666
00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:38,440
Speaker 1: be enough to open up that passing game as well.

667
00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:41,719
Speaker 1: When you're game planning for the Chargers. It's just another

668
00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:45,600
Speaker 1: wrinkle to think about with Hunter Henry because we've talked

669
00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:47,640
Speaker 1: about it all week. We don't know what his role

670
00:30:47,720 --> 00:30:50,320
Speaker 1: is gonna be, but we know that he's a dull

671
00:30:50,360 --> 00:30:51,880
Speaker 1: threat tight end. We know he could help in the

672
00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:53,920
Speaker 1: running game, We know he can help in the passing game.

673
00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:55,840
Speaker 1: And if you throw him out with those other wide

674
00:30:55,840 --> 00:30:59,000
Speaker 1: receivers and those running backs, it is tough to home

675
00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:01,680
Speaker 1: in on who to actually, you know, defend there as

676
00:31:01,680 --> 00:31:03,600
Speaker 1: your number one target. Well, you can have a you know,

677
00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:06,200
Speaker 1: a jumbo package if you will, with two tight ends

678
00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:09,000
Speaker 1: Gates and Henry there and both of them leak out

679
00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:12,400
Speaker 1: and have capable to have big impact. Yeah, Virgil Green

680
00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:14,760
Speaker 1: not to mention him, So I mean what they have

681
00:31:14,840 --> 00:31:17,160
Speaker 1: and coach Wiz and Hunt and Anthony Lynn from an

682
00:31:17,160 --> 00:31:19,600
Speaker 1: offensive standpoint is just like we mentioned with the defense

683
00:31:19,640 --> 00:31:22,240
Speaker 1: and all those different styles of play, all those different

684
00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:25,760
Speaker 1: personnel that Gus Bradley convinced mix in defensively, it's similar

685
00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:29,920
Speaker 1: or for what the Chargers can do offensively. The accumulation

686
00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:32,280
Speaker 1: of talent that they've had on both sides of the

687
00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:34,160
Speaker 1: roster is why you know the Chargers have seen so

688
00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,920
Speaker 1: much success this year and why they're a legitimate threat

689
00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:39,800
Speaker 1: to go and uh and take down the Patriots in Foxborough.

690
00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:42,440
Speaker 1: What was your take off Philip Rivers talking to the

691
00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:45,840
Speaker 1: media earlier this week, This is a guy that hey,

692
00:31:45,880 --> 00:31:49,640
Speaker 1: omar if he wins, if he beats Brady and Foxborough,

693
00:31:49,920 --> 00:31:52,960
Speaker 1: there'll be a second AFC championship game He'll have to

694
00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:55,520
Speaker 1: go through. You go to Indianapolis, you eat Peyton Manning

695
00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:58,600
Speaker 1: on the road, so you'd beat Manning and Brady both

696
00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:01,280
Speaker 1: on the road to get to two a IFC championship games. Well,

697
00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:04,880
Speaker 1: I think Philip Rivers legacy is secure. You know, whether

698
00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:06,640
Speaker 1: he goes to a Super Bowl, whether he wins a

699
00:32:06,680 --> 00:32:10,080
Speaker 1: Super Bowl. Um, you know that's that, that's all icing

700
00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:12,760
Speaker 1: on the cake. I think he's proven um from an

701
00:32:12,760 --> 00:32:16,000
Speaker 1: early age, playing through that torn acl in New England

702
00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:18,680
Speaker 1: and the toughness he's shown and the numbers he's been

703
00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:21,080
Speaker 1: able to put up and produce even when he hasn't

704
00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:23,680
Speaker 1: had the most talent around him. He's always been able

705
00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:26,160
Speaker 1: to find a way and the way he competes in

706
00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:29,600
Speaker 1: the NFL versus all the teams and talks and has

707
00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:32,240
Speaker 1: fun and it is good to people. I think his

708
00:32:32,440 --> 00:32:34,720
Speaker 1: legacy is secure for a long long time and I

709
00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:37,959
Speaker 1: think that ends with a gold jacket in Canton. Now

710
00:32:38,440 --> 00:32:41,200
Speaker 1: you ask him about you know, playing he is aware

711
00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:44,000
Speaker 1: that he hasn't beaten Tom Brady in the playoffs. Um.

712
00:32:44,040 --> 00:32:46,600
Speaker 1: He talked about playing Peyton Manning in the playoffs and

713
00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:50,880
Speaker 1: how much that meant to him and those successes. So certainly, um,

714
00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,320
Speaker 1: I think he's very secure with who he is. But

715
00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:56,520
Speaker 1: but being the fiery competitor is there there's nothing that

716
00:32:56,520 --> 00:32:58,520
Speaker 1: would make him happier than getting a big win on

717
00:32:58,560 --> 00:33:00,960
Speaker 1: Sunday and continuing this stream sea. Yeah, and it's you know,

718
00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:03,520
Speaker 1: it's it's less about beating Brady. It's just about getting

719
00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:05,680
Speaker 1: to the ultimate price. It doesn't matter if it's Patrick

720
00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:08,640
Speaker 1: Mahomes or Andrew Luck or Tom Bray. He just wants

721
00:33:08,680 --> 00:33:10,479
Speaker 1: to get to the next round. Make no mistake, This

722
00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:13,160
Speaker 1: isn't a Rivers versus Brady thing. This is just Rivers

723
00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:14,680
Speaker 1: wanting to get to the big one. Yeah. But but but

724
00:33:14,840 --> 00:33:17,160
Speaker 1: I do like how Rivers does acknowledge that he is

725
00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:19,520
Speaker 1: aware of who the other quarterback. Course, because you have

726
00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:22,120
Speaker 1: to I ask Brady this a similar question, and he's

727
00:33:22,120 --> 00:33:25,640
Speaker 1: sort of downplayed, you know, the the opposing quarterback, and

728
00:33:25,880 --> 00:33:28,080
Speaker 1: it's not really about that, and you know, they don't

729
00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:30,360
Speaker 1: really face off each other. And but but I do

730
00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:32,640
Speaker 1: like how Rivers does acknowledge and he's a fan of

731
00:33:32,640 --> 00:33:35,320
Speaker 1: the game, you know, first and foremost and um and

732
00:33:35,360 --> 00:33:40,320
Speaker 1: appreciates the historical context of these two the oldest postseason

733
00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:44,479
Speaker 1: matchup in terms of quarterbacks combined age. So we are

734
00:33:44,520 --> 00:33:47,200
Speaker 1: seeing a special moment here. And and of course we've

735
00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,760
Speaker 1: heard this week about Rivers having you know, most of

736
00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:51,760
Speaker 1: the records in the NFL for a quarterback who has

737
00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,640
Speaker 1: not appeared in a Super Bowl. So so obviously, you

738
00:33:54,640 --> 00:33:56,440
Speaker 1: know getting there would be would be a big focus.

739
00:33:56,480 --> 00:33:58,520
Speaker 1: And and you know I wouldn't put it past this

740
00:33:58,600 --> 00:34:01,200
Speaker 1: talented Chargers team to to show up in Atlanta in

741
00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:05,200
Speaker 1: a big way. You know, entering this weekend, Brady Rivers

742
00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:08,880
Speaker 1: Breeze a combined sixty postseason starts. The rest of the

743
00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:11,960
Speaker 1: field just fifteen. So it's it's special when you get

744
00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:14,640
Speaker 1: those guys all playing on the same weekend. I want

745
00:34:14,640 --> 00:34:16,520
Speaker 1: to ask you about New England and just a mystique

746
00:34:16,840 --> 00:34:19,000
Speaker 1: of Fox Bro. You've been there a bunch of times.

747
00:34:19,760 --> 00:34:23,200
Speaker 1: Couple that with just it being January. Brady and Belichick,

748
00:34:23,280 --> 00:34:25,840
Speaker 1: this is their their money month. What is it like

749
00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:28,279
Speaker 1: to play a game there, especially when the stakes are high? Well,

750
00:34:28,320 --> 00:34:31,759
Speaker 1: it's it's one of the few venues in football where

751
00:34:31,880 --> 00:34:33,799
Speaker 1: you can feel the energy of the crowd. I mean,

752
00:34:33,960 --> 00:34:37,440
Speaker 1: it really is an enthusiastic bunch and they get after you.

753
00:34:37,480 --> 00:34:40,960
Speaker 1: It's hostile. And then you throw in the elements that

754
00:34:41,000 --> 00:34:43,280
Speaker 1: you might see this weekend with the coal that looks

755
00:34:43,320 --> 00:34:46,839
Speaker 1: like the forecast snow is no longer. We're just talking

756
00:34:46,880 --> 00:34:51,120
Speaker 1: about our awards Shobe. Yeah, I went to the North Face.

757
00:34:51,160 --> 00:34:54,319
Speaker 1: I got some nice thick functional gloves to get me

758
00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:56,360
Speaker 1: through a couple of days of coverage. We'll be on

759
00:34:56,360 --> 00:34:58,359
Speaker 1: the air Saturday, We'll be on the air Sunday as well,

760
00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:00,960
Speaker 1: of course pregame. But it's gonna be a lot of

761
00:35:00,960 --> 00:35:04,960
Speaker 1: time outside in twenties thirties degrees, but if it's sunny,

762
00:35:05,719 --> 00:35:08,160
Speaker 1: and if it's you know, somewhere in the twenties and thirties.

763
00:35:08,280 --> 00:35:11,040
Speaker 1: I talked to Philip Rivers yesterday and he said that

764
00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:13,279
Speaker 1: you know, they'll take it. And it's something that we

765
00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:15,560
Speaker 1: saw him in Kansas City go out before the game.

766
00:35:15,600 --> 00:35:18,480
Speaker 1: It was thirty five degrees. He was in shorts warming up,

767
00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:20,520
Speaker 1: and we saw how well they played there in that

768
00:35:20,640 --> 00:35:24,719
Speaker 1: second half. So nothing seems to phase this Chargers team.

769
00:35:24,719 --> 00:35:30,160
Speaker 1: And if unless it's a physical impediment like snow, like

770
00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:34,240
Speaker 1: crazy wind, I think they'll be just fine on Sunday. Finally, Omar,

771
00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:37,439
Speaker 1: knowing what you know about both of these teams from

772
00:35:37,719 --> 00:35:39,759
Speaker 1: the beginning of the season to where we are now,

773
00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:42,399
Speaker 1: what do you think could decide it? Well? For me,

774
00:35:42,440 --> 00:35:45,000
Speaker 1: I mean, the big deciding factor for all these close,

775
00:35:45,040 --> 00:35:48,040
Speaker 1: tight games is turnovers, and I think you know, both

776
00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:51,560
Speaker 1: teams will will feel each other out. You know, might

777
00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:55,000
Speaker 1: have a slow starting first half to make some adjustments,

778
00:35:55,040 --> 00:35:57,560
Speaker 1: and I expect to see some fireworks before it's all

779
00:35:57,600 --> 00:35:59,680
Speaker 1: said and done, whether that comes in you know, the

780
00:36:00,040 --> 00:36:02,320
Speaker 1: second third, you know, middle part of the game, or

781
00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:04,200
Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter. But I think whoever protects the

782
00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:06,480
Speaker 1: football most and and you know that's been a key

783
00:36:06,520 --> 00:36:08,680
Speaker 1: for for Philip, you know, if he protects the football,

784
00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:11,440
Speaker 1: the Chargers you know, play very well. And I think

785
00:36:11,440 --> 00:36:13,759
Speaker 1: that'll be a similar circumstances. Similar if they can get

786
00:36:13,760 --> 00:36:16,879
Speaker 1: to Brady and force him to give them the ball

787
00:36:16,920 --> 00:36:19,239
Speaker 1: and get extra possessions and keep it away from him

788
00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:21,520
Speaker 1: and that potent offense. Everyone talks about the demise of

789
00:36:21,560 --> 00:36:23,120
Speaker 1: Tom Brady in the offense. I look up their fourth

790
00:36:23,120 --> 00:36:25,600
Speaker 1: in league and scoring. Yeah, you know, they're still churning

791
00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:27,759
Speaker 1: it out and he's only been sacked twenty one times

792
00:36:27,760 --> 00:36:29,879
Speaker 1: this year too. Omar. Yeah, they lose Dion Lewis, they're

793
00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:31,920
Speaker 1: still fifth in the league and rushing and just somehow,

794
00:36:32,040 --> 00:36:33,920
Speaker 1: some way keep finding a way. So if they can

795
00:36:34,000 --> 00:36:35,800
Speaker 1: keep the ball away from them as best as possible,

796
00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:38,839
Speaker 1: especially you know with Rivers and the weapons that they have,

797
00:36:39,000 --> 00:36:41,200
Speaker 1: they'll be in very good shape. Yeah, that turnover battle

798
00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:43,879
Speaker 1: Chargers eight, No, when they win the turnover battle this year.

799
00:36:44,000 --> 00:36:45,879
Speaker 1: Ohmark kill wait man, it's gonna be a lot of fun. Yeah,

800
00:36:45,960 --> 00:36:48,319
Speaker 1: look forward to seeing you in Foxborough. Travel safely and

801
00:36:48,440 --> 00:36:53,840
Speaker 1: address warmly. Chris. You two sorry? He with Daniel Jeremiah

802
00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:57,560
Speaker 1: at the Hope Performance Center. DJ. We're here, man, We're

803
00:36:57,600 --> 00:37:01,280
Speaker 1: getting ready for Foxborough. No will last I heard, most importantly,

804
00:37:01,840 --> 00:37:03,840
Speaker 1: maybe no snow. We were looking at five inches in

805
00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:05,960
Speaker 1: the forecast a couple of days ago, and the other

806
00:37:06,040 --> 00:37:08,280
Speaker 1: saying looks better. Right. It was a time on Monday

807
00:37:08,280 --> 00:37:09,919
Speaker 1: where you looked at the ten day and it said

808
00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:13,200
Speaker 1: five day, eight inches. So it's fluid as we taped this,

809
00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:16,320
Speaker 1: as we talk about this, but hopefully we avoid the

810
00:37:16,640 --> 00:37:19,240
Speaker 1: white stuff. I was gonna have to borrow Ricky snow boots,

811
00:37:19,239 --> 00:37:22,480
Speaker 1: but it doesn't like that. It's gonna be necessary now, Yeah, Ricky,

812
00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:27,440
Speaker 1: what size of the snow boots. It'll be a little snug,

813
00:37:27,480 --> 00:37:31,319
Speaker 1: but we can make it work. Let's rewind to Baltimore, DJ,

814
00:37:31,880 --> 00:37:34,680
Speaker 1: when you saw seven dbs he tried it out on

815
00:37:34,719 --> 00:37:37,880
Speaker 1: the field. What were your thoughts? Well, fortunately I had

816
00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:39,839
Speaker 1: talked with coach Browley the day before and he kind

817
00:37:39,840 --> 00:37:42,000
Speaker 1: of alerted me to what the what the plan was here,

818
00:37:42,040 --> 00:37:44,160
Speaker 1: and so I was on the lookout for it. There

819
00:37:44,239 --> 00:37:48,000
Speaker 1: you go, I was. I knew. I thought, okay, primarily

820
00:37:48,239 --> 00:37:50,120
Speaker 1: we'll see that, but I didn't know that it was

821
00:37:50,160 --> 00:37:51,719
Speaker 1: gonna be this is it. We're gonna roll with it,

822
00:37:51,719 --> 00:37:55,840
Speaker 1: and they roll with but one snap. So they committed

823
00:37:55,880 --> 00:37:58,480
Speaker 1: to it. And man, you have to tip your cap.

824
00:37:58,520 --> 00:38:01,680
Speaker 1: I mean, what a great job of not only being

825
00:38:01,680 --> 00:38:03,239
Speaker 1: able to assess what the other team wants to do

826
00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:06,879
Speaker 1: and building your team to stop them, but also just

827
00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:09,200
Speaker 1: with injuries, saying Okay, we're not just gonna put the

828
00:38:09,239 --> 00:38:11,839
Speaker 1: next man up because they have the same position next

829
00:38:11,880 --> 00:38:13,200
Speaker 1: to their name. We're gonna put it our best to

830
00:38:13,239 --> 00:38:15,200
Speaker 1: eleven guys on the field. I thought that's what they did.

831
00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:18,000
Speaker 1: It was not just an adjustment, but you said, I mean,

832
00:38:18,040 --> 00:38:20,400
Speaker 1: you lose j Tavis Brown, you lose Denzel Pyramid earlier

833
00:38:20,400 --> 00:38:22,719
Speaker 1: in the year, Um, Brandon me being did not play

834
00:38:22,719 --> 00:38:25,600
Speaker 1: in that game, so you have to adjust. But at

835
00:38:25,600 --> 00:38:28,960
Speaker 1: the same time, it was probably the most optimal line up. Question.

836
00:38:28,960 --> 00:38:30,960
Speaker 1: You talked about having Rasion Jacabs back there for fifty

837
00:38:30,960 --> 00:38:33,160
Speaker 1: eight to fifty nine snapteet and started but one game

838
00:38:33,200 --> 00:38:35,640
Speaker 1: that week's seventeen. Yeah, it was, it was, it was,

839
00:38:35,680 --> 00:38:37,680
Speaker 1: it was perfect. They got so much speed on the field,

840
00:38:37,760 --> 00:38:39,520
Speaker 1: and I thought the way they were able to win

841
00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:41,719
Speaker 1: up front, they won with quickness and speed up front

842
00:38:41,760 --> 00:38:43,600
Speaker 1: when they were able to get their ends over the guards.

843
00:38:43,600 --> 00:38:45,440
Speaker 1: I mean, they just had a field day on the

844
00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:47,919
Speaker 1: left guard position there with Hayden Hurst gave up three

845
00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:49,839
Speaker 1: and then they brought Bozeman and he gave up one.

846
00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:54,080
Speaker 1: I mean inside, that's what they did. And the Ravens never,

847
00:38:54,440 --> 00:38:57,080
Speaker 1: you know, kind of it was interesting to me, and

848
00:38:57,120 --> 00:38:58,839
Speaker 1: they didn't really adjust to it. And they were still

849
00:38:58,920 --> 00:39:02,279
Speaker 1: chipping Chenna coming off the edge, so they're giving him

850
00:39:02,320 --> 00:39:04,560
Speaker 1: two bodies worth of attention. And here you've got Bosa

851
00:39:04,680 --> 00:39:06,799
Speaker 1: Ingram working on a guard with two way goes because

852
00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:09,719
Speaker 1: they fanned out the protection and there's no help. So

853
00:39:09,920 --> 00:39:11,680
Speaker 1: I just thought it was a brilliant job of coaching.

854
00:39:12,280 --> 00:39:15,600
Speaker 1: The kicker, Michael Badge is about that. That was one

855
00:39:15,640 --> 00:39:18,200
Speaker 1: of the best performances you'll see by kicker into playoffs

856
00:39:18,480 --> 00:39:22,000
Speaker 1: in Baltimore in a stadium where they already have the

857
00:39:22,040 --> 00:39:24,360
Speaker 1: best kicker in football. But it was Michael Badgie. The

858
00:39:24,440 --> 00:39:26,640
Speaker 1: rookie from the U comes in middle of the year

859
00:39:26,840 --> 00:39:29,480
Speaker 1: five of five, DJ. You know what I was. I'm

860
00:39:29,719 --> 00:39:32,000
Speaker 1: a I'm not a great kicker scout. I'll come out

861
00:39:32,040 --> 00:39:33,799
Speaker 1: with that. And right away when we were when I

862
00:39:33,840 --> 00:39:35,799
Speaker 1: was with teams and we were going over kickers, I

863
00:39:35,840 --> 00:39:38,200
Speaker 1: took the scout kicker. So you do. You'll do the

864
00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:40,279
Speaker 1: you know, touch to toe like on a punter and

865
00:39:40,280 --> 00:39:42,400
Speaker 1: stuff like that. How long you time when he catches

866
00:39:42,440 --> 00:39:44,680
Speaker 1: the ball, when he hits it, operation time for field

867
00:39:44,719 --> 00:39:46,279
Speaker 1: goal kicker from the win the ball snap to whin

868
00:39:46,320 --> 00:39:48,520
Speaker 1: he kicks it up. Then you're talking about you're making

869
00:39:48,600 --> 00:39:50,160
Speaker 1: up like you know what you're talking about. Oh, he's

870
00:39:50,200 --> 00:39:51,760
Speaker 1: got a great lift and he's got a nice swing.

871
00:39:51,960 --> 00:39:54,120
Speaker 1: You know, it's like your golf coach. Um, we don't

872
00:39:54,160 --> 00:39:56,240
Speaker 1: know whe're talking about the kickers. There's only the special

873
00:39:56,239 --> 00:39:57,840
Speaker 1: teams coach and only people on the planet that know

874
00:39:57,880 --> 00:40:00,000
Speaker 1: how to evaluate kickers. Of course, but I came away

875
00:40:00,040 --> 00:40:02,880
Speaker 1: way talking to Badgley after that game and seeing how

876
00:40:02,920 --> 00:40:05,120
Speaker 1: well he's done. I actually made kind of a mental

877
00:40:05,120 --> 00:40:07,840
Speaker 1: note okay, and evaluating kickers going forward. I think I

878
00:40:07,880 --> 00:40:10,919
Speaker 1: know the number one quality I'm looking for. After a game,

879
00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:15,360
Speaker 1: he's just bored, like he's just totally uninspired by what

880
00:40:15,440 --> 00:40:19,319
Speaker 1: he's just done out there. Ho hum. Everybody loves him

881
00:40:19,360 --> 00:40:21,520
Speaker 1: on the plane. He's got gold chains on and guys

882
00:40:21,520 --> 00:40:24,279
Speaker 1: are he's having fun or cracking up Offen. Yeah, he's

883
00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:26,200
Speaker 1: the best. But to me, it's just like he doesn't

884
00:40:26,280 --> 00:40:28,440
Speaker 1: he's not even impressed with himself. He's just out there,

885
00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:31,640
Speaker 1: just just chill. It's it's almost expected, right, no question. Yeah,

886
00:40:31,640 --> 00:40:32,960
Speaker 1: I just go out That's what I do. It's my job.

887
00:40:32,960 --> 00:40:36,400
Speaker 1: But go kick it through the uprights. So the offense, listen,

888
00:40:36,480 --> 00:40:39,600
Speaker 1: that's the that's the number one defensive football. They're a

889
00:40:39,600 --> 00:40:42,640
Speaker 1: punishing group. He needed all five of those field goals

890
00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:45,640
Speaker 1: in that touchdown by Melvin Gordon. I look at the

891
00:40:45,680 --> 00:40:47,960
Speaker 1: last three games and I'll be at two against the

892
00:40:48,040 --> 00:40:51,400
Speaker 1: Ravens week seventeen against the Broncos. The passing game, I

893
00:40:51,440 --> 00:40:54,560
Speaker 1: think you got to get that thing rolling here in Foxborough. Yeah,

894
00:40:54,640 --> 00:40:56,560
Speaker 1: they're gonna need to star score points and I'm gonna

895
00:40:56,560 --> 00:40:58,160
Speaker 1: get the past game cranked up. I mean, the good

896
00:40:58,200 --> 00:41:02,160
Speaker 1: news is, um a Patriots are a very sound defense,

897
00:41:02,960 --> 00:41:04,799
Speaker 1: and they can give you some different looks, but just

898
00:41:05,000 --> 00:41:07,960
Speaker 1: personnel wise, with what they present, it's not there's not

899
00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:10,759
Speaker 1: a Von Miller against the past two this. Yeah, it's

900
00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:12,239
Speaker 1: not you're not going to see the two kids, the

901
00:41:12,280 --> 00:41:14,640
Speaker 1: two guys up there in Denver, or that that collection

902
00:41:14,680 --> 00:41:17,719
Speaker 1: of defensive talent with the Ravens bring to the table. So, um,

903
00:41:17,920 --> 00:41:20,080
Speaker 1: this is the opportunity now you've got, You've got to have,

904
00:41:20,800 --> 00:41:23,120
Speaker 1: you got to have to generate some big plays in

905
00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:25,520
Speaker 1: the past game. I think there's been some opportunities during

906
00:41:25,560 --> 00:41:28,160
Speaker 1: this this run here to get some big plays. Philip

907
00:41:28,200 --> 00:41:29,839
Speaker 1: would even tell you he missed a couple on those

908
00:41:29,880 --> 00:41:33,799
Speaker 1: early interceptions in those games first throw interceptions. Um. But

909
00:41:34,200 --> 00:41:36,600
Speaker 1: other than that, there's times where they've got somebody, you know,

910
00:41:36,640 --> 00:41:38,560
Speaker 1: Travis Benjamin and the first meeting against the Ravens is

911
00:41:38,600 --> 00:41:40,640
Speaker 1: screaming down the scene, but the protection didn't hold up.

912
00:41:41,400 --> 00:41:44,959
Speaker 1: So hopefully the protection will be a little bit better

913
00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:47,880
Speaker 1: against a group that's not quite as formidable as the

914
00:41:48,080 --> 00:41:50,279
Speaker 1: as the previous groups they've seen recently. You know, DJ

915
00:41:50,480 --> 00:41:52,759
Speaker 1: game plans change week to week anyway, just talking to

916
00:41:53,120 --> 00:41:56,680
Speaker 1: coach kau Or about the game plan of Baltimore, that

917
00:41:56,840 --> 00:41:59,040
Speaker 1: was kind of the deal. Get it out of your hands, quickly,

918
00:41:59,080 --> 00:42:01,600
Speaker 1: get it to the backs. So that doesn't that's so,

919
00:42:01,719 --> 00:42:03,120
Speaker 1: I mean, that's going to translate to New England, it

920
00:42:03,120 --> 00:42:05,160
Speaker 1: could be a totally different game plan, no question. I

921
00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:07,040
Speaker 1: think the laughs opportunities down the field. I think you'll

922
00:42:07,040 --> 00:42:09,520
Speaker 1: see Tyrell Mike get some some chances to make some

923
00:42:09,600 --> 00:42:12,920
Speaker 1: plays down the field. So you know that that all

924
00:42:12,920 --> 00:42:15,719
Speaker 1: comes down to protection. Big plays start with protection, and

925
00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:17,680
Speaker 1: I think the laughs some opportunities in this one. I

926
00:42:17,680 --> 00:42:19,960
Speaker 1: think the ability to get to Brady with four with

927
00:42:20,000 --> 00:42:23,040
Speaker 1: Bosa and Ingram that that's probably the biggest key defensively

928
00:42:23,200 --> 00:42:26,000
Speaker 1: and inside out getting inside out pressure that's huge, and

929
00:42:26,080 --> 00:42:27,600
Speaker 1: uh you know, I like what they've been able to do,

930
00:42:27,760 --> 00:42:30,719
Speaker 1: not only just with Bosa and Ingram inside, but you

931
00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:32,840
Speaker 1: look at what they've been able to do with Isaac

932
00:42:32,920 --> 00:42:35,400
Speaker 1: Rochell when he's out there getting some penetration and getting

933
00:42:35,400 --> 00:42:37,560
Speaker 1: after it. Then you also look at uh well, I

934
00:42:37,560 --> 00:42:39,480
Speaker 1: thinks one of the unsung heroes this defense, there is

935
00:42:39,520 --> 00:42:41,680
Speaker 1: Filon getting some inside pack go. He didn't get talked

936
00:42:41,680 --> 00:42:44,120
Speaker 1: about it, not enough, and they got in the backfield

937
00:42:44,120 --> 00:42:45,520
Speaker 1: in this past game. And that's going to be key

938
00:42:45,560 --> 00:42:48,160
Speaker 1: not only to getting to Tom Brady, but this is

939
00:42:48,200 --> 00:42:50,319
Speaker 1: a physical offensive line. It's a physical run game. Who

940
00:42:50,360 --> 00:42:53,040
Speaker 1: tight ends fullbacks are gonna want to come downhill I

941
00:42:53,080 --> 00:42:55,400
Speaker 1: think that's again where the Charger's quickness needs to show up.

942
00:42:55,440 --> 00:42:57,200
Speaker 1: You know, how about Justin Jones too, just a guy.

943
00:42:57,239 --> 00:42:59,239
Speaker 1: We don't talk about him enough. He's been great and

944
00:42:59,480 --> 00:43:01,600
Speaker 1: being able to collapse the pocket. You know, when you've

945
00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:03,719
Speaker 1: got some edge guys, it sure helps him. You've got

946
00:43:03,719 --> 00:43:05,600
Speaker 1: somebody inside that can really push the pocket. He did

947
00:43:05,600 --> 00:43:07,719
Speaker 1: that and he found his way into a sack. He

948
00:43:07,800 --> 00:43:09,160
Speaker 1: take the line right back into the lap of the

949
00:43:09,239 --> 00:43:11,319
Speaker 1: quarterback ahead and tackle him while you're there. He's he

950
00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:13,920
Speaker 1: is a strong, powerful dude, and with no Brandon Mebaine,

951
00:43:14,080 --> 00:43:16,960
Speaker 1: especially in this previous game, he stepped up. Both of

952
00:43:17,000 --> 00:43:19,800
Speaker 1: these teams like to get the ball to the running

953
00:43:19,800 --> 00:43:23,560
Speaker 1: backs in the passing game. We talked about James our kid.

954
00:43:23,840 --> 00:43:26,239
Speaker 1: You know the running game with Sony Michelle, is that

955
00:43:26,280 --> 00:43:29,359
Speaker 1: priority you think trying to bottle up those running backs? Well,

956
00:43:29,680 --> 00:43:32,640
Speaker 1: to me, I just it's a different game with the Patriots.

957
00:43:32,719 --> 00:43:34,680
Speaker 1: You know, the Chargers bugaboo has been given up big

958
00:43:34,719 --> 00:43:37,000
Speaker 1: plays over the top, and that's not really what this

959
00:43:37,040 --> 00:43:39,239
Speaker 1: team does. It's death by a million paper cuts. You

960
00:43:39,239 --> 00:43:42,840
Speaker 1: know you're gonna get the backs involved, quick, shallow crosses, hitches,

961
00:43:43,360 --> 00:43:44,759
Speaker 1: just get the ball out of your hand and then

962
00:43:44,880 --> 00:43:46,920
Speaker 1: they sustain drives. To me, this whole key for the

963
00:43:47,000 --> 00:43:50,000
Speaker 1: Chargers defense is red zone. And that's why you feel

964
00:43:50,040 --> 00:43:52,520
Speaker 1: okay about it, because the Chargers have been so great. Uh,

965
00:43:52,560 --> 00:43:53,839
Speaker 1: I kind of bow their neck a little bit when

966
00:43:53,840 --> 00:43:55,440
Speaker 1: they get down there. The Patriots are going to move

967
00:43:55,480 --> 00:43:57,640
Speaker 1: the ball. Tom Brady's going to carve you up with

968
00:43:57,680 --> 00:44:00,359
Speaker 1: these little underneath throws. But then once you get down

969
00:44:00,400 --> 00:44:01,719
Speaker 1: in the red area, you've got to find a way

970
00:44:01,760 --> 00:44:05,000
Speaker 1: to get stops. The mystique of going to New England.

971
00:44:05,080 --> 00:44:08,560
Speaker 1: You know, we look through this twenty eighteen season and

972
00:44:08,600 --> 00:44:10,920
Speaker 1: to see all the places these guys have gone on

973
00:44:10,960 --> 00:44:14,120
Speaker 1: the road in one the confidence that they must have

974
00:44:14,320 --> 00:44:17,000
Speaker 1: just going into Foxbor knowing that it's a whole different

975
00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:19,799
Speaker 1: deal with Belichick and Brady, you do have a little

976
00:44:19,800 --> 00:44:22,040
Speaker 1: bit of an edge going into this. I have to imagine, Well,

977
00:44:22,080 --> 00:44:24,040
Speaker 1: I think they're kind of been a good spot because

978
00:44:24,080 --> 00:44:27,000
Speaker 1: you've got a quarterback and a coaching staff that is

979
00:44:27,040 --> 00:44:29,360
Speaker 1: so experienced that they're not going to be odd by

980
00:44:29,440 --> 00:44:32,279
Speaker 1: going in there. Been there, done that, And then you've

981
00:44:32,320 --> 00:44:34,600
Speaker 1: got so many other young players. No, I don't know

982
00:44:34,600 --> 00:44:36,600
Speaker 1: if they know any better. They don't even know anybody

983
00:44:36,600 --> 00:44:38,239
Speaker 1: don't even know any better, So maybe a good thing.

984
00:44:38,280 --> 00:44:39,799
Speaker 1: I think it could be a good thing. And so

985
00:44:40,239 --> 00:44:42,000
Speaker 1: we'll see how it all, how it all shakes out.

986
00:44:42,000 --> 00:44:44,120
Speaker 1: But this is a team and I'm sure you've you've

987
00:44:44,200 --> 00:44:45,960
Speaker 1: been talking about it and everybody'll be talking about it

988
00:44:46,000 --> 00:44:49,000
Speaker 1: all week. You know, Seattle, there's no AFC team had

989
00:44:49,000 --> 00:44:50,920
Speaker 1: gone in there and beat Russell Wilson since he's been

990
00:44:50,960 --> 00:44:53,239
Speaker 1: the quarterback there in Seattle. A lot of first this year, right,

991
00:44:53,280 --> 00:44:55,480
Speaker 1: Oh yeah, the Pittsburgh the streak when they're up by

992
00:44:55,560 --> 00:44:57,960
Speaker 1: fourteen points. They never lose games, so they do that.

993
00:44:58,080 --> 00:44:59,960
Speaker 1: Kansas City not an easy place to go and win.

994
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:03,040
Speaker 1: And um, you know, even backs against the wall in London,

995
00:45:03,080 --> 00:45:05,160
Speaker 1: against the Tennessee Titans team where you gotta have a

996
00:45:05,160 --> 00:45:06,839
Speaker 1: stop late in the game, they've just found a way

997
00:45:07,000 --> 00:45:09,600
Speaker 1: to get it done. And you know again that Tennessee game,

998
00:45:09,640 --> 00:45:11,760
Speaker 1: Melvin gord win in that game, you didn't have Brandon Mebing.

999
00:45:12,080 --> 00:45:15,280
Speaker 1: You'll work with which either yeah, and no Bosa exactly,

1000
00:45:15,320 --> 00:45:18,359
Speaker 1: and then you give Joey Bosa fully healthy. I want

1001
00:45:18,360 --> 00:45:22,000
Speaker 1: to ask you too about the Hunter Henry factor out.

1002
00:45:22,360 --> 00:45:25,359
Speaker 1: We don't know what his role was going to be

1003
00:45:25,400 --> 00:45:27,440
Speaker 1: on Sunday. But the sheer fact that you have to

1004
00:45:27,480 --> 00:45:29,319
Speaker 1: account for him, you get the game plan for him.

1005
00:45:30,000 --> 00:45:32,120
Speaker 1: How does that factor into everything here? Well, I think

1006
00:45:32,120 --> 00:45:34,879
Speaker 1: the guy it's gonna benefits Keenan Allen because now you've

1007
00:45:34,880 --> 00:45:36,479
Speaker 1: got two guys that can really work in the middle

1008
00:45:36,480 --> 00:45:38,319
Speaker 1: of the field, and Hunter can create some space for

1009
00:45:38,400 --> 00:45:39,839
Speaker 1: Keenan in there. So it's gonna be fun to watch

1010
00:45:39,920 --> 00:45:41,839
Speaker 1: how they work off of each other. Again, I have

1011
00:45:41,880 --> 00:45:44,239
Speaker 1: no idea if he's gonna play one, played, ten plays,

1012
00:45:44,239 --> 00:45:46,200
Speaker 1: twenty places, no clue and what his role is gonna be,

1013
00:45:46,200 --> 00:45:48,400
Speaker 1: what it's back, what it's gonna be. But I do

1014
00:45:48,480 --> 00:45:50,359
Speaker 1: know one thing, just even watching him before the game

1015
00:45:50,400 --> 00:45:51,759
Speaker 1: the other day, going through his routine as he can

1016
00:45:51,840 --> 00:45:54,000
Speaker 1: run and uh, and that's gonna that's gonna be helpful

1017
00:45:54,000 --> 00:45:57,240
Speaker 1: to Philip. Finally, DJ keys to this game. What's gonna

1018
00:45:57,239 --> 00:46:00,719
Speaker 1: decide this one that the Charges get to AFC Championship weekend? Well,

1019
00:46:00,760 --> 00:46:03,840
Speaker 1: I thought last week, you know, outside of the virtual

1020
00:46:03,880 --> 00:46:06,000
Speaker 1: green FuMB always trying to just fight for extra yardage,

1021
00:46:06,080 --> 00:46:08,360
Speaker 1: you're playing a clean game. Playing a cleaner game is

1022
00:46:08,400 --> 00:46:10,960
Speaker 1: going to be huge against the Patriots. They thrive on

1023
00:46:11,040 --> 00:46:14,120
Speaker 1: turning you over. Just play a clean football game. I

1024
00:46:14,160 --> 00:46:17,000
Speaker 1: think the Chargers have a better roster of players. They

1025
00:46:17,040 --> 00:46:18,600
Speaker 1: just can't get They can't turn the ball over, can't

1026
00:46:18,600 --> 00:46:20,480
Speaker 1: give Tom Brady a shortfield. That to me is the key.

1027
00:46:20,719 --> 00:46:23,479
Speaker 1: Let's get it man, here we go. All right, Chargers fans,

1028
00:46:23,520 --> 00:46:25,680
Speaker 1: it's playoff time. And if Pizza Hut they're more than

1029
00:46:25,719 --> 00:46:28,560
Speaker 1: just a five dollars lineup of medium one topping pizzas,

1030
00:46:28,640 --> 00:46:31,759
Speaker 1: wings and centabon mini roles. They're the easiest choice you'll

1031
00:46:31,760 --> 00:46:34,399
Speaker 1: make all week, just five dollars each of Pizza Hut

1032
00:46:34,400 --> 00:46:37,160
Speaker 1: when you buy two or more. All Right, to get

1033
00:46:37,160 --> 00:46:39,640
Speaker 1: this week's opposing view, we bring in Ben Voland of

1034
00:46:39,680 --> 00:46:42,759
Speaker 1: the Boston Globe. And Ben, listen, you've covered a lot

1035
00:46:42,800 --> 00:46:45,640
Speaker 1: of these divisional round games. What are the Patriots saying

1036
00:46:45,640 --> 00:46:47,879
Speaker 1: about this one facing the Chargers Sunday, A Fox bro,

1037
00:46:48,800 --> 00:46:51,040
Speaker 1: I think you're hearing a lot of respect coming from

1038
00:46:51,080 --> 00:46:54,960
Speaker 1: the Patriots so far. It's Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels. The

1039
00:46:55,000 --> 00:46:58,360
Speaker 1: players are echoing what a good team the Chargers are on,

1040
00:46:58,400 --> 00:47:00,560
Speaker 1: what a tough challenges are going to be across the

1041
00:47:00,600 --> 00:47:04,239
Speaker 1: board on Sunday. The Patriots are usually pretty automatic at

1042
00:47:04,280 --> 00:47:07,319
Speaker 1: home in these divisional round playoff games. I think they've

1043
00:47:07,320 --> 00:47:10,120
Speaker 1: only lost twice in this round over all the years

1044
00:47:10,120 --> 00:47:13,560
Speaker 1: that they've made the playoffs. But on paper, the Chargers

1045
00:47:14,120 --> 00:47:16,680
Speaker 1: they certainly look like a better team. It's hard to

1046
00:47:16,719 --> 00:47:19,200
Speaker 1: find too many weaknesses with this Chargers team. They're they're

1047
00:47:19,200 --> 00:47:22,359
Speaker 1: real stowed across the ball, across the board on both

1048
00:47:22,360 --> 00:47:24,480
Speaker 1: sides of the ball, and led by a very tough

1049
00:47:24,560 --> 00:47:28,520
Speaker 1: quarterback in Phil Rivers. And obviously the team is road tested,

1050
00:47:28,520 --> 00:47:32,080
Speaker 1: in battle tested this year with all the wins away

1051
00:47:32,080 --> 00:47:35,000
Speaker 1: from Los Angeles, and I think some impressive road wins

1052
00:47:35,040 --> 00:47:39,000
Speaker 1: in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and now Baltimore last week.

1053
00:47:39,080 --> 00:47:41,520
Speaker 1: So I think the Patriots realized this is not going

1054
00:47:41,600 --> 00:47:44,120
Speaker 1: to be an easy challenge for them, and there's probably

1055
00:47:44,120 --> 00:47:46,680
Speaker 1: a lot of nervousness in New England right now. People

1056
00:47:46,680 --> 00:47:49,160
Speaker 1: will obviously want this six super Bowl ring, but I

1057
00:47:49,160 --> 00:47:51,520
Speaker 1: think with the way the Patriots were kind of playing

1058
00:47:51,520 --> 00:47:53,319
Speaker 1: towards the end of the season and the way the

1059
00:47:53,400 --> 00:47:56,120
Speaker 1: Chargers have looked, this is definitely going to be a

1060
00:47:56,120 --> 00:47:59,520
Speaker 1: difficult challenge for the Patriots. Well, man, it's fascinating because

1061
00:47:59,840 --> 00:48:01,640
Speaker 1: you talk about the Chargers nine to know when they

1062
00:48:01,640 --> 00:48:04,120
Speaker 1: get on a plane, this year versus a team that's,

1063
00:48:04,239 --> 00:48:06,120
Speaker 1: like you said, they've been pretty automatic in the playoffs.

1064
00:48:06,120 --> 00:48:08,200
Speaker 1: They're eight no at home this year. I'd say you've

1065
00:48:08,200 --> 00:48:11,000
Speaker 1: been game plans change week to week in this league.

1066
00:48:11,040 --> 00:48:13,359
Speaker 1: But what impressed you about what the Chargers were able

1067
00:48:13,360 --> 00:48:16,839
Speaker 1: to do against the Ravens, specifically on defense for three

1068
00:48:16,880 --> 00:48:19,920
Speaker 1: and a half quarters essentially, Yeah, the way they stifled

1069
00:48:19,960 --> 00:48:23,400
Speaker 1: the run and really made the Ravens play left handed

1070
00:48:23,719 --> 00:48:26,040
Speaker 1: to took at Lamar Jackson in that run game and

1071
00:48:26,040 --> 00:48:29,440
Speaker 1: tried and turned him into a passer, and they did

1072
00:48:29,440 --> 00:48:31,239
Speaker 1: that like no other team before him. Sure other teams

1073
00:48:31,239 --> 00:48:33,200
Speaker 1: have tried to do that with Lamar Jackson, but the

1074
00:48:33,560 --> 00:48:36,720
Speaker 1: Chargers certainly pulled that off. Ravens team that was averaging

1075
00:48:36,719 --> 00:48:39,399
Speaker 1: two hundred and thirty rushing yards with Lamar Jackson only

1076
00:48:39,400 --> 00:48:42,200
Speaker 1: had ninety against the Chargers on Sunday, So that was

1077
00:48:42,560 --> 00:48:44,640
Speaker 1: that was really impressive. I really like the way that

1078
00:48:45,320 --> 00:48:48,560
Speaker 1: Gus Bradley has gotten created with the personnel. I know,

1079
00:48:48,680 --> 00:48:51,680
Speaker 1: the linebacker which is put on ir this week and

1080
00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:54,279
Speaker 1: we all know they played seven defensive backs all game.

1081
00:48:54,640 --> 00:48:57,120
Speaker 1: You know, that's the kind of you know, outside the

1082
00:48:57,160 --> 00:48:59,080
Speaker 1: box thinking that you need to beat Bill Belichick. And

1083
00:48:59,080 --> 00:49:01,680
Speaker 1: the Patriots a lot of times, you can't just be

1084
00:49:01,719 --> 00:49:04,640
Speaker 1: stuck to your certain formula. I know Gus Bradley in

1085
00:49:04,680 --> 00:49:07,560
Speaker 1: that defense, they've been running that scheme. He's been running

1086
00:49:07,560 --> 00:49:09,799
Speaker 1: that scheme for years at different stops. But I know

1087
00:49:09,840 --> 00:49:11,920
Speaker 1: they're gonna be wrinkles and they're gonna have some some

1088
00:49:12,000 --> 00:49:15,760
Speaker 1: new presents for the Patriots on Sunday. And between Bosa

1089
00:49:15,760 --> 00:49:20,040
Speaker 1: and Ingram upfront and some of the excellent dvs King

1090
00:49:20,120 --> 00:49:25,120
Speaker 1: and Casey Hayward and Derwin James obviously the fantastic rookie

1091
00:49:25,239 --> 00:49:27,160
Speaker 1: or that he's had, it's gonna be tough sledding for

1092
00:49:27,200 --> 00:49:30,319
Speaker 1: the Patriots offense, no question. And you know, I think

1093
00:49:30,320 --> 00:49:32,319
Speaker 1: it's a big game for the Patriots running backs. Last

1094
00:49:32,400 --> 00:49:35,240
Speaker 1: year when these teams played James White and Rex Burkhead

1095
00:49:35,239 --> 00:49:37,719
Speaker 1: where they're leading receivers, and I think you're going to

1096
00:49:37,760 --> 00:49:40,160
Speaker 1: see a lot of that from the Patriots on Sunday.

1097
00:49:40,200 --> 00:49:43,239
Speaker 1: Just because Rob Gronkowski hasn't been himself, they lost Josh

1098
00:49:43,280 --> 00:49:45,759
Speaker 1: Gordon and other than Julian Edelman, they really don't have

1099
00:49:45,800 --> 00:49:48,200
Speaker 1: a whole lot on the outside right now. Well, Ben,

1100
00:49:48,200 --> 00:49:50,560
Speaker 1: it's a great segue into this film piece that you

1101
00:49:50,600 --> 00:49:52,640
Speaker 1: did for the Boston Globe this week. It was really good,

1102
00:49:52,640 --> 00:49:55,320
Speaker 1: really detailed, and one of the keys that you outline

1103
00:49:55,440 --> 00:49:57,279
Speaker 1: is just how the running backs in the passing game

1104
00:49:57,320 --> 00:50:00,280
Speaker 1: for both teams could be a major key both the

1105
00:50:00,280 --> 00:50:02,880
Speaker 1: the Chargers and the Patriots. At the top of the league.

1106
00:50:03,040 --> 00:50:05,439
Speaker 1: We talk about Gordon and Eckler and just James White

1107
00:50:05,440 --> 00:50:08,120
Speaker 1: and company. Would you say so the Chargers slowing a

1108
00:50:08,120 --> 00:50:11,600
Speaker 1: guy like James White probably priority A. You know, you

1109
00:50:11,640 --> 00:50:13,640
Speaker 1: still have to keep an eye on Rob Grenkowski, even

1110
00:50:13,640 --> 00:50:15,520
Speaker 1: though he's not the same player that he once was.

1111
00:50:16,760 --> 00:50:19,680
Speaker 1: You know, he's still someone who can be dangerous. He

1112
00:50:19,719 --> 00:50:22,080
Speaker 1: had one hundred yards against the Dolphins that have touchdown

1113
00:50:22,120 --> 00:50:24,799
Speaker 1: a few weeks ago. James White and Rex Burkhead I

1114
00:50:24,840 --> 00:50:27,600
Speaker 1: think are going to be the top receivers out of

1115
00:50:27,680 --> 00:50:31,360
Speaker 1: necessity more than anything. I just other than Julian Edelman,

1116
00:50:31,360 --> 00:50:33,320
Speaker 1: I don't see too many players on the Patriots offense

1117
00:50:33,320 --> 00:50:34,879
Speaker 1: that are going to be able to consistently win their

1118
00:50:34,920 --> 00:50:37,920
Speaker 1: one on one matchups. I don't know if the Chargers

1119
00:50:38,239 --> 00:50:41,520
Speaker 1: really have to focus on taking out one player. With

1120
00:50:41,600 --> 00:50:44,160
Speaker 1: the Patriots, it's crazy to say because they were fourth

1121
00:50:44,160 --> 00:50:46,160
Speaker 1: in the league and scoring, but you know, you take

1122
00:50:46,239 --> 00:50:48,160
Speaker 1: Josh Gordon out of the equation, and you look at

1123
00:50:48,200 --> 00:50:50,960
Speaker 1: how the Patriots have been functioning. I almost don't count

1124
00:50:51,000 --> 00:50:53,399
Speaker 1: the final two games against the Bills and Jets home

1125
00:50:53,440 --> 00:50:55,759
Speaker 1: games against teams that really had nothing to play for,

1126
00:50:56,280 --> 00:50:59,160
Speaker 1: you know. Otherwise the Patriots, the personnel, you know, no

1127
00:50:59,239 --> 00:51:01,560
Speaker 1: one's really having his alpha year. They didn't have any

1128
00:51:01,560 --> 00:51:04,319
Speaker 1: Pro bowlers other than Brady on that side of the ball.

1129
00:51:04,960 --> 00:51:08,680
Speaker 1: Edelman's been been pretty good and White's been durable for them,

1130
00:51:08,719 --> 00:51:12,400
Speaker 1: but they don't you know, excuse me. Cordarrell Patterson's probably

1131
00:51:12,400 --> 00:51:15,000
Speaker 1: been their most dynamic player on offense, and he only

1132
00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:17,560
Speaker 1: touches the ball five six times a game, mostly on

1133
00:51:17,680 --> 00:51:20,760
Speaker 1: end a rounds and quick screens and maybe the occasional

1134
00:51:20,840 --> 00:51:24,080
Speaker 1: deep ball. So you know it's gonna be the Patriots

1135
00:51:24,080 --> 00:51:26,160
Speaker 1: are gonna have to grind the ball. I think against

1136
00:51:26,160 --> 00:51:30,200
Speaker 1: the Chargers, really control the ball, get their running backs involved,

1137
00:51:30,280 --> 00:51:32,120
Speaker 1: and you know, try to hit a big player two

1138
00:51:32,160 --> 00:51:34,960
Speaker 1: with Cordarrell Patterson. But you know, I don't I think

1139
00:51:34,960 --> 00:51:36,680
Speaker 1: the Chargers, I don't think they need to do anything

1140
00:51:36,680 --> 00:51:39,040
Speaker 1: crazy as far as shadowing a guy or taking someone out.

1141
00:51:39,239 --> 00:51:40,560
Speaker 1: I think they just need to do what they do

1142
00:51:40,600 --> 00:51:42,720
Speaker 1: and rely on their talent and their scheme to overcome

1143
00:51:43,000 --> 00:51:46,080
Speaker 1: whatever the Patriots have on offense. Man, I knew Josh

1144
00:51:46,120 --> 00:51:49,120
Speaker 1: Gordon was a late arrival to the team, but you know,

1145
00:51:49,200 --> 00:51:51,920
Speaker 1: he was something else in terms of getting the ball vertical.

1146
00:51:52,200 --> 00:51:55,360
Speaker 1: How much has the loss of Gordon really changed and

1147
00:51:55,400 --> 00:51:59,360
Speaker 1: affected what Brady and company do? That's kind of to

1148
00:51:59,520 --> 00:52:02,880
Speaker 1: me to turn And he was suspended in the middle

1149
00:52:02,920 --> 00:52:05,520
Speaker 1: of week sixteen, so it was just the last two games.

1150
00:52:06,080 --> 00:52:08,320
Speaker 1: Like I said, it was against the Bills and the Jets.

1151
00:52:09,239 --> 00:52:11,399
Speaker 1: Good performances by the Patriots, but it's hard to take

1152
00:52:11,440 --> 00:52:14,480
Speaker 1: too much out of those games considering the opponent, and

1153
00:52:14,760 --> 00:52:17,359
Speaker 1: both those games were at home, so you know, they've

1154
00:52:17,360 --> 00:52:19,839
Speaker 1: had those two weeks, plus they had the bye week now,

1155
00:52:19,880 --> 00:52:21,719
Speaker 1: and so it's been about a month by the time

1156
00:52:21,760 --> 00:52:24,000
Speaker 1: they get to Sunday's game that they'll you know, have

1157
00:52:24,120 --> 00:52:26,520
Speaker 1: not had Josh Gordon. And this is a team that

1158
00:52:26,600 --> 00:52:28,680
Speaker 1: rolls with the punch. Is better as well or better

1159
00:52:28,680 --> 00:52:31,800
Speaker 1: than anyone in terms of look whether he's suspended or injured,

1160
00:52:31,880 --> 00:52:33,960
Speaker 1: like they deal with this all the time, players just

1161
00:52:34,040 --> 00:52:37,600
Speaker 1: suddenly having to leave the game or go on ir

1162
00:52:37,680 --> 00:52:40,200
Speaker 1: for the season. So the Patriots are usually pretty good

1163
00:52:40,200 --> 00:52:42,279
Speaker 1: at adjusting. They just don't have a whole lot of

1164
00:52:42,320 --> 00:52:44,759
Speaker 1: firepower right now. The whole reason they had Gordon and

1165
00:52:44,840 --> 00:52:47,279
Speaker 1: we're playing him it was out of necessity. I think

1166
00:52:47,280 --> 00:52:51,360
Speaker 1: they overestimated how much Gronkowski would have left in the tank.

1167
00:52:51,520 --> 00:52:55,319
Speaker 1: And Julian Edelman as well, and you know, getting rid

1168
00:52:55,400 --> 00:52:58,440
Speaker 1: of Brandon Cooks from last year and Danny Amendola, Dion Lewis,

1169
00:52:58,520 --> 00:53:02,080
Speaker 1: they lost amount of firepower from their offense and they

1170
00:53:02,080 --> 00:53:05,719
Speaker 1: haven't always replaced it this year. So Gordon was their

1171
00:53:05,719 --> 00:53:08,360
Speaker 1: best yards after catch guy. Who's their only big receiver,

1172
00:53:08,840 --> 00:53:11,400
Speaker 1: a jump ball guy. They don't really have that on

1173
00:53:11,440 --> 00:53:13,960
Speaker 1: their defense. Rob Grinkowski is their other big target, but

1174
00:53:14,200 --> 00:53:16,240
Speaker 1: you know, he's been flowed by ankle and back injuries

1175
00:53:16,239 --> 00:53:18,080
Speaker 1: all year and just clearly, you know, it looks like

1176
00:53:18,160 --> 00:53:21,319
Speaker 1: a shell of himself physically. So they don't have any

1177
00:53:21,320 --> 00:53:22,920
Speaker 1: big receivers right now. And that's why I think it's

1178
00:53:22,920 --> 00:53:25,560
Speaker 1: gonna be the little guys this Sunday. It's gonna be

1179
00:53:25,719 --> 00:53:28,919
Speaker 1: a Birkhead and White and Edelman and maybe a dash

1180
00:53:28,960 --> 00:53:32,399
Speaker 1: of Cordell Patterson having to carry the way for the Patriots. Yeah,

1181
00:53:32,400 --> 00:53:36,359
Speaker 1: we could see Darwin James on Rob Grinkowski throughout the game.

1182
00:53:36,400 --> 00:53:38,920
Speaker 1: Once Sunday you flipped over to the other side, Ben,

1183
00:53:39,440 --> 00:53:41,800
Speaker 1: who are a few defensive players that you think the

1184
00:53:41,880 --> 00:53:44,880
Speaker 1: Chargers fans should have eyes on this Sunday. It's not

1185
00:53:44,960 --> 00:53:48,240
Speaker 1: just Gordon Neckler. You got, yeah, guys like Keenan Allen

1186
00:53:48,280 --> 00:53:51,520
Speaker 1: and Mike Williams, Tyrol Williams, potentially Hunter and Henry and

1187
00:53:51,560 --> 00:53:54,680
Speaker 1: what capacity We don't know yet, but it could be

1188
00:53:55,080 --> 00:53:57,600
Speaker 1: quite the challenge for a Patriots defense that's played pretty

1189
00:53:57,640 --> 00:54:00,960
Speaker 1: well this year. Yeah, no question, the Patriots defense has

1190
00:54:01,000 --> 00:54:03,680
Speaker 1: been good. I wouldn't say they've been great, but they

1191
00:54:03,680 --> 00:54:06,239
Speaker 1: were I think certainly a lot better than what they

1192
00:54:06,280 --> 00:54:08,800
Speaker 1: showed in the Super Bowl last year against the Eagles.

1193
00:54:08,800 --> 00:54:12,200
Speaker 1: Brian Flores, in his first year as the defensive coordinators

1194
00:54:12,280 --> 00:54:14,040
Speaker 1: has done a really nice job with the unit. And

1195
00:54:14,160 --> 00:54:16,799
Speaker 1: they're not quite good enough to win games, but they've

1196
00:54:16,800 --> 00:54:19,200
Speaker 1: been solid, and you know, they helped Pittsburgh the seventeen

1197
00:54:19,239 --> 00:54:20,600
Speaker 1: points in the road, and you should be able to

1198
00:54:20,600 --> 00:54:23,239
Speaker 1: win that game at the offense only score ten. The

1199
00:54:23,320 --> 00:54:26,279
Speaker 1: Chargers present so many problems just because you know all

1200
00:54:26,320 --> 00:54:28,719
Speaker 1: the skill players you mentioned. First of all, they're all big.

1201
00:54:28,760 --> 00:54:31,160
Speaker 1: The Chargers have an incredible amount of size, between all

1202
00:54:31,200 --> 00:54:34,920
Speaker 1: those receivers, the big offensive line. Melvin Gordon is a big, physical,

1203
00:54:34,960 --> 00:54:37,360
Speaker 1: two or fifteen pound running back. There's a lot of

1204
00:54:37,440 --> 00:54:40,960
Speaker 1: size with that Chargers offense, and the Patriots don't have

1205
00:54:41,040 --> 00:54:44,720
Speaker 1: great size. Stefan Gilmore is a pretty big, lanky corner.

1206
00:54:44,760 --> 00:54:47,000
Speaker 1: He can play press. You know, we'll see if they

1207
00:54:47,080 --> 00:54:49,319
Speaker 1: end up matching him up with Mike Williams or At

1208
00:54:49,360 --> 00:54:52,400
Speaker 1: Taywell or even Keenan Allen. I could see frankly that

1209
00:54:52,600 --> 00:54:54,720
Speaker 1: he could see Gilmore on any of those three guys.

1210
00:54:54,800 --> 00:54:59,479
Speaker 1: But between Jason mccordy and j C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones,

1211
00:54:59,480 --> 00:55:02,120
Speaker 1: some of their own corners, they don't have great size there.

1212
00:55:02,400 --> 00:55:05,400
Speaker 1: Patrick Chung is their safety. He's great in coverage, but

1213
00:55:05,440 --> 00:55:07,600
Speaker 1: he's going to be giving five six inches to Hunter

1214
00:55:07,640 --> 00:55:11,280
Speaker 1: Henry and Antonio Gates. I still think it revolves around

1215
00:55:11,280 --> 00:55:14,520
Speaker 1: Melvin Gordon and Eckler though the Chargers. As you mentioned before,

1216
00:55:14,560 --> 00:55:16,080
Speaker 1: the Chargers and the Patriots are one and two in

1217
00:55:16,120 --> 00:55:18,680
Speaker 1: the league in terms of passing yards of their running backs.

1218
00:55:18,920 --> 00:55:20,719
Speaker 1: And we've all seen what Gordon can do. He can

1219
00:55:20,760 --> 00:55:23,640
Speaker 1: just take a simple swing pass and take a sixty

1220
00:55:23,680 --> 00:55:25,840
Speaker 1: six yards to the house, or he can run through guys.

1221
00:55:26,200 --> 00:55:28,080
Speaker 1: I still think that the Patriots need to focus the

1222
00:55:28,120 --> 00:55:30,920
Speaker 1: most on him and make Philip Rivers beat them on

1223
00:55:30,960 --> 00:55:34,480
Speaker 1: the outside with Keenan Allen and the Williams brothers. But

1224
00:55:35,000 --> 00:55:36,839
Speaker 1: I also think you'll see a lot of blitzing from

1225
00:55:37,320 --> 00:55:40,319
Speaker 1: the Patriots. He can't let Philip Rivers get comfortable. He

1226
00:55:40,320 --> 00:55:42,960
Speaker 1: can pick you apart with all those different weapons we've

1227
00:55:43,000 --> 00:55:44,920
Speaker 1: seen this year. When he gets some pressures, sometimes he

1228
00:55:45,000 --> 00:55:46,800
Speaker 1: might throw it off his back foot. A couple of

1229
00:55:46,800 --> 00:55:50,439
Speaker 1: those interceptions against Kansas City stick out to me where

1230
00:55:50,440 --> 00:55:51,840
Speaker 1: he just kind of floated it up there in the

1231
00:55:51,840 --> 00:55:53,480
Speaker 1: face of the blitz. So I think he'll see a

1232
00:55:53,520 --> 00:55:55,640
Speaker 1: lot of that from the Patriots, kind of bringing everyone

1233
00:55:55,680 --> 00:55:59,320
Speaker 1: up to the line of scrimmage, disguising their rush, disguising

1234
00:55:59,360 --> 00:56:02,200
Speaker 1: their coverage and backing out of things and blissing, you know,

1235
00:56:02,280 --> 00:56:04,360
Speaker 1: right at the snap, and trying to confuse Rivers and

1236
00:56:04,960 --> 00:56:07,880
Speaker 1: force them into some bath throws. Because this Charger's offense

1237
00:56:07,920 --> 00:56:10,520
Speaker 1: definitely presents a lot of problems for a defense. Ben,

1238
00:56:10,560 --> 00:56:12,839
Speaker 1: as I mentioned at the top, you've covered a lot

1239
00:56:12,840 --> 00:56:17,239
Speaker 1: of these playoff games at Fox Burrow specifically simply put man,

1240
00:56:17,280 --> 00:56:21,080
Speaker 1: what makes the Patriots so dominant at home, just they

1241
00:56:21,640 --> 00:56:24,200
Speaker 1: they have their routine. I just think in general there's

1242
00:56:24,640 --> 00:56:27,759
Speaker 1: a home field advantage in the NFL, especially when you

1243
00:56:27,760 --> 00:56:29,680
Speaker 1: get to the playoffs. The best teams are playing at

1244
00:56:29,680 --> 00:56:32,200
Speaker 1: this time of year, and you know they're they're built

1245
00:56:32,239 --> 00:56:34,720
Speaker 1: a lot of times for cold leather games. They practice

1246
00:56:34,719 --> 00:56:36,600
Speaker 1: in the cold for a lot of the second half

1247
00:56:36,600 --> 00:56:40,200
Speaker 1: of the season, build that mental toughness. They focus on

1248
00:56:40,239 --> 00:56:43,080
Speaker 1: a lot of the small details, the you know, situational

1249
00:56:43,080 --> 00:56:46,120
Speaker 1: football that build Belichick's always talking about, and those little

1250
00:56:46,120 --> 00:56:49,759
Speaker 1: things usually add up two wins in the end. You know,

1251
00:56:49,760 --> 00:56:52,000
Speaker 1: they also haven't had the most competitive games that this

1252
00:56:52,040 --> 00:56:54,959
Speaker 1: is their first real tough matchup in the divisional round

1253
00:56:55,080 --> 00:56:59,160
Speaker 1: probably since twenty fourteen when they beat the Ravens the

1254
00:56:59,239 --> 00:57:00,960
Speaker 1: game where they had they had to bust out the

1255
00:57:01,000 --> 00:57:04,360
Speaker 1: double pass from Edelman and the eligible ineligible formations that

1256
00:57:04,520 --> 00:57:07,960
Speaker 1: made the Ravens crazy. The last three years they've they've

1257
00:57:07,960 --> 00:57:12,120
Speaker 1: played basically we call them in Boston Tomato Can games.

1258
00:57:12,120 --> 00:57:14,680
Speaker 1: They've played the Titans and the Texans and the Chiefs.

1259
00:57:14,719 --> 00:57:17,200
Speaker 1: When back when they had Alex Smith and there wasn't

1260
00:57:17,240 --> 00:57:19,600
Speaker 1: real a real threat that they would come in and

1261
00:57:19,680 --> 00:57:22,640
Speaker 1: upset the Patriots who were you know, usually number one

1262
00:57:22,680 --> 00:57:25,040
Speaker 1: seed and usually pretty loaded with talents. This year, I

1263
00:57:25,040 --> 00:57:27,160
Speaker 1: think the talent's a little off, the offense is down,

1264
00:57:27,720 --> 00:57:30,120
Speaker 1: and I think the rest of the league, as you know,

1265
00:57:30,160 --> 00:57:32,160
Speaker 1: the Patriots are. They used to be above the pack.

1266
00:57:32,240 --> 00:57:34,200
Speaker 1: Now they're in the pack. I could see them making

1267
00:57:34,240 --> 00:57:36,120
Speaker 1: a Super Bowl run, and I could see them losing

1268
00:57:36,120 --> 00:57:39,640
Speaker 1: to the Chargers on Sunday. That's really you know, these

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00:57:39,720 --> 00:57:42,280
Speaker 1: these games, Uh, it's great for the NFL this year.

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00:57:42,600 --> 00:57:45,520
Speaker 1: A lot of evenly matched teams, uh, and some great

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00:57:45,520 --> 00:57:49,040
Speaker 1: matchups on paper. Um So I just think even you know,

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00:57:49,040 --> 00:57:50,840
Speaker 1: the Patriots have been undefeated at home this year, and

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00:57:50,880 --> 00:57:53,480
Speaker 1: they have some big wins over Andrew Locke, Aaron Rodgers,

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00:57:53,480 --> 00:57:56,760
Speaker 1: Pat Mahomes, but they just haven't been playing well well

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00:57:56,840 --> 00:57:59,040
Speaker 1: so late. And uh, I think this is gonna be

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00:57:59,040 --> 00:58:02,000
Speaker 1: a very very difficult lenge for them on Sunday. Finally,

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00:58:02,000 --> 00:58:04,680
Speaker 1: Ben I mentioned this too, the film pieces you did

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00:58:04,680 --> 00:58:07,800
Speaker 1: from Boston Globe. I suggest fans check that out. There's

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00:58:07,840 --> 00:58:10,240
Speaker 1: a lot of good stuff in there. Of all that

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00:58:10,360 --> 00:58:12,120
Speaker 1: good stuff, what do you think it is going to

1281
00:58:12,240 --> 00:58:14,880
Speaker 1: decide Sunday's game? I have to say, I think the

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00:58:14,920 --> 00:58:16,920
Speaker 1: defense for the Patriots has to come up with a

1283
00:58:16,920 --> 00:58:19,600
Speaker 1: couple of plays. They've got a force Philip Rivers into

1284
00:58:19,600 --> 00:58:22,680
Speaker 1: a turnover or two, or the special teams the Patriots

1285
00:58:22,720 --> 00:58:24,720
Speaker 1: need a long kick off or punt return, they need

1286
00:58:24,720 --> 00:58:27,360
Speaker 1: to block a punt. The Patriots are going to need

1287
00:58:27,360 --> 00:58:28,720
Speaker 1: a little bit of help in this one. I think

1288
00:58:28,760 --> 00:58:31,360
Speaker 1: if they just try to go toe to toe with

1289
00:58:31,400 --> 00:58:34,720
Speaker 1: the Chargers, I'm not sure the Patriots offense is going

1290
00:58:34,760 --> 00:58:37,680
Speaker 1: to be able to operate against a very, very difficult

1291
00:58:37,800 --> 00:58:40,960
Speaker 1: and speedy Chargers defense. So I think the Patriots have

1292
00:58:41,040 --> 00:58:43,240
Speaker 1: to be able to go to Philip Rivers into a

1293
00:58:43,320 --> 00:58:46,400
Speaker 1: bad interception or you know, you get lucky with a

1294
00:58:46,400 --> 00:58:50,160
Speaker 1: fumble return. The Patriots defense and special teams I think

1295
00:58:50,160 --> 00:58:53,480
Speaker 1: needs to come up big. On Sunday, Ben voland Boston Globe.

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00:58:53,640 --> 00:58:56,240
Speaker 1: Awesome stuff as usual, Ben, look forward to seeing you

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00:58:56,280 --> 00:58:59,120
Speaker 1: on Sunday. Man all right, thank you very much, and

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00:58:59,200 --> 00:59:01,160
Speaker 1: that's going to do it. My thanks to Ben Boland,

1299
00:59:01,440 --> 00:59:05,400
Speaker 1: Daniel Jeremiah omar Ruiz, William mcguinnis and Bill Cower for

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00:59:05,480 --> 00:59:08,000
Speaker 1: joining me. Then of course thanks too all for listening.

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00:59:08,320 --> 00:59:10,360
Speaker 1: Don't forget. If you like what you hear, be sure

1302
00:59:10,400 --> 00:59:12,920
Speaker 1: to give us a rating and review on Apple podcasts,

1303
00:59:12,920 --> 00:59:16,360
Speaker 1: Please help spread the word. Enjoy Sunday's game in Foxborough

1304
00:59:16,440 --> 00:59:19,560
Speaker 1: as the Chargers look to advance to the AFC Championship Game.

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Speaker 1: And until next time, Chris Hayrio