1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Okay, before we get started on the final drive, a 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: big thank you to our sponsor, Microsoft Surface. Microsoft Surface 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:09,960 Speaker 1: a huge part of game date and preparation for the 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: LA Chargers. As the official laptop and sideline technology provider 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: for your Los Angeles Chargers, Microsoft Surface provides players and 6 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: coaches with the tools to succeed both on and off 7 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: the field. Microsoft's Surface Pro seven is your endlessly adaptable 8 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 1: partner now with faster processing and more connections plus all 9 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: day battery life. The twelve point three inch touchscreen two 10 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: and one laptop is ultralight and versatile. Check it out 11 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 1: on their site Surface dot com. Well the Chargers are one. 12 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: In sixteen thirteen, they beat the Bengals in Cincinnati with 13 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:48,519 Speaker 1: Haley Elwood on the final Drive presented by Microsoft Surface 14 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 1: and Haley Listen. It was not pretty, but a win 15 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: is a win is a win. That is basically how 16 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 1: you would put it. Look no preseason, I think everyone 17 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: was kind of interested to see how teams were going 18 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:04,399 Speaker 1: to come out start the games. It looked like it 19 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:06,320 Speaker 1: took a little time for kind of the Bolts offense 20 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: to get going. But I will say a win is 21 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 1: and winning when you're on the other side of it 22 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 1: of a one score win, it feels really good. It 23 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:14,680 Speaker 1: feels really good when you start out the season one 24 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: and oh for sure. Yeah, the Chargers were on the 25 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: wrong side of those one score games last year. They 26 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 1: find a way to get it done. I thought the 27 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 1: defense was just fantastic, especially in the first half getting 28 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: after Joe Burrow. One of the things we talked about 29 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: was was make Joe Burrow uncomfortable. Three sacks, six quarterback hits. 30 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: It was good to see Jerry Tillery get in the 31 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: mix with his first sack of the game. Really set 32 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: it off to the Chargers. Joey was Joey. And the 33 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: turnover battle, Haley, we talked about that all offseason. This 34 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: was a key for us going into this game, was 35 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: get a couple of turnovers for your offense. The Chargers 36 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 1: did that and Tyrod didn't turn the football over. Yeah, 37 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: when the turnover battle, that was huge. And like you said, 38 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 1: the defensive pressure. I loved. Melvin Ingram after the game 39 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: said he felt like he saw Jerry Tiller grow up, 40 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: and I think he was a guy. He's so cool. 41 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 1: Throughout camp, you heard Coach Lynn talk about him. You 42 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: heard Gus Bradley talk about him that he really had 43 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 1: seemed to make that jump at least in the offseason 44 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 1: program from year one to year two, and the way 45 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: he started and came out right out of the gate 46 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: was huge and it absolutely set the tone other sacks 47 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 1: of Chenna Joey, like you said, Joey being Joey against 48 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 1: his former teammate there with Joe Burrow. But the defensive 49 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 1: pressure was huge. You felt kind of like the Bengals 50 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:31,640 Speaker 1: got into a rhythm very very close to the end 51 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: of the game when they were putting that one minute drive, 52 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:37,359 Speaker 1: I guess you could say together, but defense had their 53 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,639 Speaker 1: own and winning the turnover battle was huge again just 54 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: given the fact that before Melvin Ingram had that pick, 55 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: they were driving too and prior to that, when Denzel 56 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 1: Perryman punched the ball and then Nick Vigil ultimately pounced 57 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,839 Speaker 1: on it, it reminded me in camp of when Coach 58 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 1: Lynn was talking about Denzel and said when he's well, 59 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: he's hell and that was deally on display today, especially 60 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: with that with that turnover. Did Zell if he gets 61 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 1: a hold of you, he is a punishing, punishing hitter. 62 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 1: And the run game for the Bengals, we talked about 63 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: Joe Mixon being a focal point. If you take away 64 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 1: the twenty three yard touchdown Hailey from Joe Burrow, the 65 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: Chargers held the Bengals to ninety nine yards rushing, mixing 66 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: nineteen for sixty nine, just three point six yards to 67 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 1: carry going into the game, five ninety three touches the 68 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: last two years from Mixon without a fumble. You mentioned, 69 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 1: you alluded to that fumble that Dezel Peramin Forest and 70 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 1: X Bengal and Nick Vigil picked up. So I think 71 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 1: we saw a lot of things defensively and just the 72 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: emergence in the arrival of Lynn Ball Joseph on that 73 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: defensive line. I just think it's gonna be so much 74 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 1: fun for Boston Ingram to play alongside this guy. He 75 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: takes up so much space. He's a run stuffer. He 76 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: can also get after the quarterback. Well, not to get 77 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: too far ahead of ourselves here, but obviously they pay. 78 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: They play the Kansas City Chiefs next week. They're rookie 79 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: running back Clyde Edwards. Hilaire had one hundred and thirty 80 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 1: eight yards, I believe versus the Houston Texans, so to 81 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 1: get that start. Being able to relatively do a good job. 82 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: Containing a run game is paramount and huge when you 83 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: know what you're up against next week as well. Yeah, 84 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: no question. And the Chargers running game we saw Joshua 85 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: Kelly gets to work in that second half, twelve carries, 86 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 1: sixty yards, a big touchdown, the Chargers only touchdown of 87 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: the game. Unfortunately, Justin Jackson gets hurt with a quad injury. 88 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 1: The running game was a little slow at first, but 89 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: you look at these numbers. Nineteen for eighty four for Austin. 90 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:38,840 Speaker 1: That's four point four yards of pop Kelly, five yards 91 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,559 Speaker 1: of popping, a touchdown, one hundred and fifty five yards 92 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: on the ground. And that's without Tyrod Taylor really doing anything. 93 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: He had six carries for seven yards. So just you 94 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 1: take Tyrode out of the equation. Eckler was getting rolling, 95 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: by the way, no Mike pouncing, no trade turner, yep. 96 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: Certainly helps when you can run the football too, even 97 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: with sort of not I don't want to call it 98 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: a makeshift offensive line, but they had injuries and they 99 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: had guys step up in certain places. I think one 100 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: of the funny things too. After the game, Hunter Henry 101 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 1: said about Joshua Kelly, look, you saw him get going, 102 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 1: and you saw it in camp, but to see it 103 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 1: live in a game was a totally different thing. And 104 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 1: it definitely proved why this team drafted him when and 105 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: where they did in this year's draft. And he was 106 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 1: a force out there. I mean, he was ready to 107 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,359 Speaker 1: go and he looked so comfortable. I think one of 108 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 1: the things too, with no preseason, that we would hear 109 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 1: her people talk about is the comfort level, especially of 110 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: a rookie. You know, this is his literal first pro 111 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 1: game action. But to do what he did to get 112 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: the touchdown to put the team on top, huge, absolutely huge. 113 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: Another rookie too, Joe Reid getting into mixed with the 114 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: three six yard kick return. These are the little things 115 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:49,159 Speaker 1: that add up throughout the course of a sixteen game season. Hiley. 116 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: We may not be talking about it a lot, maybe 117 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: this week, and you talk about Melvin Ingram's interception, Josh touchdown, 118 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,040 Speaker 1: some of the flashy things, but that forty six yard 119 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: kick return, those are the things that can provide to 120 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 1: this special team's unit. Yeah, And those are the things 121 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: that you when you take a look at this Chargers 122 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: draft class and who they drafted and when they drafted them. 123 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: I mean, you saw what Joe Reid did at UVA, 124 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 1: especially in the return game. He was huge and that 125 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 1: played a huge factor for this team. I mean, I 126 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: was so excited to see him just run, you know, 127 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,360 Speaker 1: and get as big of a return as he did. 128 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,479 Speaker 1: And so I think ultimately, when you look at a draft, 129 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 1: you look at you know, kind of helping and supplementing 130 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:33,040 Speaker 1: pieces to what you already have, and two of those 131 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: guys made very big contributions today. One of the things 132 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 1: that was just gutting at the beginning of the game 133 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,280 Speaker 1: was that injury to Drew trank Will. It looked like 134 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,240 Speaker 1: it was his left ankle. He was cartered off the field. 135 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: You and I remember specific weekend practice where trank Will 136 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: was just all over the field making tackles. We were 137 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: so excited to see him in his emergence in year two. 138 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:58,280 Speaker 1: You know, obviously we don't know the full extent yet, 139 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: but it was just really tough to see. It's so heartbreaking, 140 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: and when it happens so early in the game too, 141 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: and after the camp that he had. I mean, I 142 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: think it was you who tweeted after that training camp practice, 143 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 1: I expect to hear, you know, with the tackle Drew 144 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: Frank will game called a lot this season and it's 145 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: just so devastating when stuff like that happens. And also, 146 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: you know, the impact that he has on special teams 147 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 1: too is huge. But then the flip side though, when 148 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 1: you look at Nick Vigil stepping in for him and 149 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 1: making the play that he did later on in the game, 150 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 1: that was good, you know, and that was huge to 151 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 1: have a guy who this team sign and free agency, 152 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 1: who did great things for the Bengals over the last 153 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: few years, but to come in and sort of supplement that, 154 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: that was big. But but prayers up to Drew. I mean, 155 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: he's just as good of a player as he is. 156 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: He's a great person. Yeah, and we wish him all 157 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: the best in the recovery whatever is ahead of him, 158 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 1: no question. And you know, we talked about all these 159 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: positive things. Listen, it wasn't all pretty. You know, there's 160 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 1: a lot to work gone. Coach Winn acknowledge that Tyrode 161 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: acknowledge that six or sixteen on third down that needs 162 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 1: to be better. And they got to sustain drives, They 163 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:11,560 Speaker 1: got to punch it in. You can't rely on Michael 164 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: Badgeley field goals all the time. Field goals are not 165 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 1: going to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Field goals are 166 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: not going to win games in the AFC West when 167 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: you talk about the firepower that Las Vegas and Denver has. 168 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: So yep, this is week one and you will take 169 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: a win in the National Football League any day of 170 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,400 Speaker 1: the week. It doesn't matter what it looks like. But 171 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: that being said, kids City's coming to town. They're the 172 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: Super Bowl champs. They're going to score some points on Sunday. Yeah, 173 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: like you said, to go to go excuse me, to 174 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: goal to go situations. So it's week one for everyone 175 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:44,520 Speaker 1: here to come up to come up with those just 176 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: with field goals though you're right, it's not going to 177 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: cut it all the time. And you eked out a 178 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,959 Speaker 1: win today in Cincinnati. But we know what the Kansas 179 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 1: City Chiefs that were capable of. They kind of got 180 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:57,439 Speaker 1: off to you know, they got rolling. We'll say that 181 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 1: they definitely got rolling in last Thursday's game against that 182 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 1: the Houston Texans, And we know what they do. These teams, 183 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: they know each other very very well. But you do 184 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: have to improve. But I think you know that's something 185 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 1: that will happen, which is more games, more comfortability too. 186 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 1: I mean, don't forget this is still essentially a new 187 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 1: offense with Tyrod Taylor at the Helm. They haven't really 188 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 1: played a full game, you know, games yet, given the fact, 189 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 1: again no preseason, so the working camp they're building on it. 190 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 1: They're working on it. But you are right, three is 191 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:28,720 Speaker 1: not going to cut it against a team like Casey. 192 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:31,719 Speaker 1: You need double that. You know, it surprised me a 193 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:35,439 Speaker 1: little bit. Austin ecklerhead nineteen carries eighty four yards. He 194 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: was targeted just one time in the passing game. I 195 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: expect that to probably change as the season progresses, but 196 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 1: it just struck me is a little funny because Austin's 197 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: so good in the passing game he caught ninety two 198 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:50,720 Speaker 1: balls last year. Just to have one target a week one, 199 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 1: I thought it was a little curious. Yeah, and who 200 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 1: knows kind of what that attributes to. I mean, I 201 00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: think obviously there was a comfort level with Philip River 202 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 1: being able to sort of dump it off to him 203 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 1: over the last you know, especially last year significantly. But 204 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: you know, again, I think we're gonna learn a lot 205 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 1: more about this offense as the games go on, as 206 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: they continue to get more comfortable. I will say that 207 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:15,439 Speaker 1: was definitely surprising too. I think if you add Austin 208 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 1: on your fantasy team, you were probably a little surprising 209 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 1: as well. With that. The PPR, you're like, hold on one. Yeah, yeah, 210 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: you're like, wait a second, this this doesn't feel quite 211 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: right after the year he had in twenty nineteen. But again, 212 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:30,839 Speaker 1: you know, I think we'll we'll just kind of learn 213 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 1: and see. I mean, to flip it. You look at 214 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: a guy like Mike Williams, who was that trusty third 215 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 1: down receiver like we know him to be. Hunter Henry 216 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:43,840 Speaker 1: had some great gains too, So I mean, we'll feel 217 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:45,559 Speaker 1: it out. But I do agree with you it was 218 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: a little surprising to see that. But you know, again, 219 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: this offense is pretty young. We're so young in the season, 220 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: and we'll see what happens in week two and beyond. 221 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: A couple quick things for me before I turned it 222 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 1: to you for your kind of final takeaways before we 223 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:00,319 Speaker 1: get to Daniel Popper of the Athletic Who's to join 224 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 1: us in a second. You mentioned Mike Williams going into 225 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: this game. We didn't know if he was gonna play. Yeah, 226 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:09,559 Speaker 1: I didn't know if he was just gonna have a 227 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 1: few plays. He was targeted more than any wide receiver 228 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,680 Speaker 1: on the team, any receiver period on the team. Nine targets, 229 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: four catches, sixty nine yards, and he does what Mike 230 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: Williams does, he gets a big gain a thirty seven 231 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:24,280 Speaker 1: yard or and Hunter Henry. When Hunter Henry is one 232 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: hundred percent, he's one of the top five tight ends 233 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: in the National Football League. Five catches seventy three yards 234 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 1: and along of thirty three. So I think just being 235 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: able to spread the ball around to those three primary 236 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: guys when you talk about Keenan, Mike and Hunter, and 237 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: then getting these running backs evolved eventually in the passing game, 238 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: a Chargers should be good shape in that department, absolutely, 239 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:47,559 Speaker 1: And I think just to kind of tack off a 240 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:50,040 Speaker 1: Hunter for a second, I remember when they drafted him 241 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:53,199 Speaker 1: back in twenty sixteen, you felt like, Oh, this is 242 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 1: the air apparent to Antonio Gates. This is the kid 243 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:58,120 Speaker 1: that's going to come in and eventually when gatesy retires 244 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 1: step up into that role. Unfortunately, he's battled injuries over 245 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:03,839 Speaker 1: these last couple of years, but you nailed it. When 246 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:06,679 Speaker 1: he's on, he is on, and he was on today 247 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 1: for sure, and there's this physical grit to him too 248 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: that when he gets going, he's in there, he's making 249 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: tough catches. But it was really really great to see 250 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: him contribute today, to see him fully healthy as well, 251 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: even though you know, again he was healthy at the 252 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: end of last year, but battled some stuff early on. 253 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 1: But but it just felt good to see him really 254 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: become a huge part of this offense as well. All right, 255 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 1: before we get to Daniel Popper, here's our Week one 256 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: play of the game. Kevin Harland CBS Sports on the 257 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 1: call no timeouts from the twenty three. He's being changed 258 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: to off intercepted gets picked off on the play by 259 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: Melvin Ingram. Flag was thrown Lake the pickoff at the 260 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: twenty four. He tried to just shove it in front 261 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 1: and Ingram comes up with the pick. That was Melvin 262 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,959 Speaker 1: Ingram with the interception on Joe Burrow. Bolts with two turtles, 263 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,960 Speaker 1: forcing two turnovers against the Bengals. Here with Daniel Popper 264 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: of the Athletic and Daniel we talked about turnovers all 265 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: off season, how this team needed to generate them and 266 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: not give them away, and they certainly did that today. Yeah, absolutely, 267 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 1: that's that's the biggest takeaway from today, right, I mean, 268 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:19,840 Speaker 1: how many conversations do we have this offseason about, Okay, 269 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 1: what is the pillar of Anthony Lynns coaching philosophy. It's 270 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:26,079 Speaker 1: protecting the football on offense and then forcing turnovers on defense. 271 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:28,200 Speaker 1: And he truly believed with the defense that they had, 272 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,679 Speaker 1: they would get a turnaround. They would get you know, 273 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 1: they head back to the mean in terms of forcing 274 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 1: turnovers because a lot of that, especially the fumbles, his luck. 275 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: But the one thing he could control is building an 276 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: offense that was going to protect the football. And that's 277 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 1: why they ultimately handed the reins over to Tyrod Taylor 278 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: because Tyrod Taylor, as we've talked about at nauseum, is 279 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 1: one of the best at not throwing interceptions in the 280 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 1: history of football quarterbacks. With a thousand or more passing 281 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 1: attempts into their career. He's second to only Aaron Rodgers. 282 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 1: There is a guy who just doesn't turn the ball over. Now, 283 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:58,839 Speaker 1: that's going to produce a lot of games like we 284 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 1: saw today. There's going to be ugly games where this 285 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:03,839 Speaker 1: team is not moving the ball, they're not converting on 286 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 1: third downs. It's a defensive slugfest. But they're gonna win 287 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 1: some of these games because they're winning the turnover battle, 288 00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:13,280 Speaker 1: and that is that was the priority for Anthony Lynn. 289 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: And that's why you saw a guy in his press 290 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: conference after the game that was pretty excited. Even though 291 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: a lot of us were like, wow, this is this 292 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 1: is a slog of a game. This was very difficult 293 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: to watch. Anthony Lynn's like, we won the turnover battle 294 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 1: and like, that's literally what I've been saying for months 295 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: and months and months and it worked. So along with that, Daniel, 296 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 1: to me, Jerry Tillery set the tone for this defense 297 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 1: right out of the gate. He was a guy Chris 298 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 1: and I had talked earlier about discussions on him through 299 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 1: camp that he really seemed to take that jump from 300 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: year one to year two, at least in the off season. 301 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 1: But what did you see out of him today? Yeah, 302 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 1: you guys are hitting all my observations. I have all 303 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: my observations. Yeah, I'm getting ready to write all the 304 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: details on them, but I have all my sections written 305 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: out already, or hitting all of them, I mean. And 306 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 1: I asked Melvin Ingram about Jerry after the game, and 307 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 1: then Melvin said, you know, I saw him grow right 308 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 1: before my eyes in this game, he was It was 309 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 1: consistent pressure and he had that sack early in the 310 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 1: first half when the charges were producing more of that 311 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:07,320 Speaker 1: pass rush for more of that pressure on the quarterback. 312 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: But I talked to Jerry during training camp and he 313 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,240 Speaker 1: made it a priority to get stronger this offseason and 314 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: to really work on his body and to get himself 315 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: into legitimate NFL shape. And he wasn't there last season. 316 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 1: And I think he would be the first one to 317 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: admit it. You know, he had he was coming off 318 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 1: the shoulder surgery during the March during the pre draft 319 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,440 Speaker 1: process that ultimately forced him to miss a week of 320 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 1: training camp, all of OTAs in mini camp, and he 321 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 1: just was playing catch up the whole year, and he 322 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: wasn't able to take on those double teams, and he 323 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: wasn't playing with the kind of energy and strength and 324 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: physicality that you need to play within the interior of 325 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 1: the defensive line in the NFL. And I think you 326 00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: saw a guy today who was just physically in much 327 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 1: better shape, and that has led to a guy who 328 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 1: was who was mentally tougher, who is more ready to 329 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: take on the challenges of playing an interior defensive line. 330 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: I thought he had an outstanding game and he's absolutely 331 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 1: going to be a major major factor for this defense 332 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 1: this season. And the one thing that was very encouraged 333 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: is it wasn't just third downs. I think last year 334 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 1: it was pretty much Jerry would come in and only 335 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 1: pass rushing situations. Today towards because he was playing well 336 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: towards that second and a half. He was getting in 337 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 1: on first and second downs, really rotating with Justin Jones, 338 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:14,640 Speaker 1: and if he can be that guy for this defense, 339 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: there's no telling how great that that front can be. 340 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: He had that sack, but that hit on Burrow. I 341 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: think it was like a read option where he gave 342 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 1: it up to Mixon. Kaizer hit Mixon, but Hillary hit Burrow. 343 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: I thought Burrows had the football at that point, but 344 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: I thought it was the second second of the game. Yeah. Absolutely, 345 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 1: And I mean, you know that's what that's why people 346 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:37,640 Speaker 1: were excited about Jerry Tillary. Just he has all the 347 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: two tools physically, the six six. He's got the speed 348 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: to beat guys on the interior, and now you're sort 349 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: of seeing that he also has that strength and he's 350 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: starting to put it together mentally where he's reading things 351 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: pre snap and you're just seeing a better player in 352 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 1: every single facet. Now was a perfect example. I mean, 353 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: he shot that gap, had that play diagnosed down to 354 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: a t and that almost you know, had got a 355 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: sack on the quarterback on a design run play, which 356 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,240 Speaker 1: is you know, that's that's why Melvin Ingram is saying 357 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: the things he's saying about Jerry Tillery after the game, 358 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: because those plays are impressive and that's sort of what 359 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:07,919 Speaker 1: the Chargers were expecting out of this guy when they 360 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 1: drafted him in the first round last year. Daniel wasn't 361 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:13,640 Speaker 1: pretty offensively. I mean, the running game got going towards 362 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 1: the end, and we saw some sparks from Josh mckilly, 363 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:18,159 Speaker 1: which is really good to see in eckler head Uh 364 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:22,399 Speaker 1: nineteen carries eighty four yards. But there's a ways to 365 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 1: go on that side of the ball. But I think 366 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:29,119 Speaker 1: you hit it at the top. Coach doesn't want turnovers, 367 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:33,040 Speaker 1: and they accomplished that today. But that said, new offense 368 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:36,160 Speaker 1: still a lot to go. Yeah, exactly like the way 369 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 1: I looked at it. And and this is the question 370 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 1: I asked Tyr right after the game. You know, like 371 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:43,640 Speaker 1: you're overhauling your offense. Ultimately, that's what they did. You're 372 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 1: adding a lot more bootlegs, the play action than they 373 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: used to be among the lowest and the league, and 374 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 1: play action because Philip Rivers didn't really love to do that, 375 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:53,200 Speaker 1: but they now it was play action pretty much every 376 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: passing play, you know, your design quarterback runs. There's a 377 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 1: more zone blocking and there have been in previous season. 378 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 1: So you're having all these changes to the offense and 379 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,200 Speaker 1: you had zero live reps all throughout camp. You didn't 380 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 1: have any preseason games, obviously, but just as importantly, you 381 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:11,959 Speaker 1: didn't have any of those joint practices that a lot 382 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: of these guys say can be as valuable or maybe 383 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:16,680 Speaker 1: even more valuable in preseason games. You're you're getting out 384 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,680 Speaker 1: your first live reps in a real game with this 385 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: new offense. And obviously it's going to take some time 386 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,120 Speaker 1: for everyone to jail, for everyone to grasp what they're 387 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: trying to do, and for everybody to see, you know, 388 00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:28,920 Speaker 1: find their roles and find their footing in this and 389 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 1: what is really a new scheme. And I think you 390 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 1: saw that early on in the game. It was, you know, 391 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 1: it looked a little bit discombobulated, a little out of sync. 392 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: These guys that would admit that, you know, but like you, 393 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 1: like you touched on Chris, it got better. They sort 394 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:43,399 Speaker 1: of you know, committed to the run early in the 395 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:45,680 Speaker 1: second half. Anthony lind said that's something they really wanted 396 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:46,959 Speaker 1: to do, is like we wanted to pound the rock, 397 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:48,720 Speaker 1: and he sort of saw that everyone get a little 398 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,879 Speaker 1: more comfortable once they broke off a few runs and 399 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 1: started seeing that they could move some people around and 400 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 1: get some get some productivity in the running game. That 401 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:57,000 Speaker 1: opened things up a little bit. But in my mind, 402 00:18:57,040 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 1: it's it's something that they're going to get more comfortable 403 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:02,879 Speaker 1: with these changes as they get more live reps. In 404 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: the normal offseason, they might be able to get all 405 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,200 Speaker 1: this rust off during a preseason game or you know 406 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 1: during those joint training camp practices. Now you're going to 407 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 1: see them, you know, shaking that rust off and trying 408 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:14,680 Speaker 1: to find that comfortability sort of as the season goes on. 409 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 1: I think you saw it get better as the game 410 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:18,360 Speaker 1: went on today, and I think you're going to see 411 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 1: it get better and see these guys be more comfortable 412 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 1: as the games go on. Third down efficiency not great today, 413 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: but to your point, this is still you know, essentially, 414 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:31,320 Speaker 1: like you said, a new offense. Is that's something that 415 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: you see also improving as these weeks go on, as 416 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,639 Speaker 1: these games go on. How do you think maybe they 417 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 1: shore that up a little bit here. See, that's the 418 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:41,239 Speaker 1: tough thing, and it was really both sides of the ball, 419 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:43,400 Speaker 1: because last year third down defense was a real issue 420 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:44,639 Speaker 1: and that was a priority. That's why they went and 421 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: got Chris Harris because they feel like we need to 422 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:48,440 Speaker 1: be better on third downs. Now they're expecting Derwin James 423 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: to be back and to improve in that area. He's 424 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 1: not there, and it was an issue again today. You know, 425 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:54,239 Speaker 1: they almost a looted fifty percent of their third dun 426 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: conversions on defense. But in terms of offense, it's going 427 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 1: to take some time, you know, because in the years past, 428 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:00,920 Speaker 1: third down was all right, put Keen in the slot, 429 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 1: let him win one on one against the slot corder 430 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:04,920 Speaker 1: and throw it to him. You know, Tyre Taylor isn't 431 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:07,359 Speaker 1: as comfortable putting the ball in the tight windows as 432 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 1: Philip rivers. He's not as comfortable throwing the ball over 433 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:11,439 Speaker 1: the middle of the field. So these receivers are kind 434 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:12,960 Speaker 1: of going to have to adjust to a sort of 435 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: a different style of play. Now, what you get out 436 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:17,400 Speaker 1: of is no interceptions and no turnovers. Well, you don't 437 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:18,600 Speaker 1: get is you know a guy who's going to force 438 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:19,800 Speaker 1: the ball in the middle of the field and trying 439 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 1: to make plays on third downs. Now, with that being said, 440 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 1: there were a couple instances this game where Taylor was 441 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:29,200 Speaker 1: able to scramble get outside of the pocket, neither run 442 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 1: for a first down or throw for a first down. Now, 443 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:34,440 Speaker 1: those are very valuable plays that I think will probably 444 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:36,720 Speaker 1: allow them to be a better third down offense moving forward. 445 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:38,399 Speaker 1: And I wouldn't expect them to be in the thirty 446 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:41,680 Speaker 1: percentages in that range for the rest of the season. 447 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: But it's it's like like it's just gonna take time 448 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,399 Speaker 1: for all that to come together, especially with all the 449 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: time as this offseason. Hey, the running backs, we were 450 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 1: just talking about Austin Ekeler only one target today. I 451 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 1: thought that was a little different because he called ninety 452 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:59,159 Speaker 1: two balls last year. Do you think this is just Hey, 453 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 1: we're just ramping up in terms of the playbook in 454 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: what we have offensively, trying to maybe figure some things out, 455 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 1: because I do think that Austin, I mean, we know 456 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,000 Speaker 1: how valuable he is in the passing game. Maybe it's 457 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,680 Speaker 1: just a matter of time before they get him involved. Yeah, 458 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: I thought that was really interesting, and I don't have 459 00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: to go back and rewatch the game and figure out 460 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,160 Speaker 1: sort of exactly what happened with that. I did notice 461 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:22,120 Speaker 1: a couple of times Taylor was sort of rolling out 462 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 1: and he had Eckler there, and maybe if if Philip 463 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 1: Rivers is in that same situation, he's gonna dump it 464 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 1: to Eckler because he knows Austin can run much faster 465 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:30,480 Speaker 1: than he can, and he's gonna be able to make 466 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 1: some guys miss. You know, Tyre Taylor is a guy 467 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 1: who can make people miss, and he's got speed, and 468 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:36,440 Speaker 1: so in that situation, he's not always going to dump 469 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 1: into Austin. He might say, Okay, I can extend this 470 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:40,200 Speaker 1: a little bit further and maybe find a guy twenty 471 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 1: yards downfield, which he did once. It's gonna be interesting 472 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:45,119 Speaker 1: to see because, you know, heading into the season, I 473 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: didn't really expect Austin's role to change too much because 474 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 1: Tyre Taylor has never been afraid to dump the ball 475 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:52,560 Speaker 1: off to running backs. That's been something he's done throughout 476 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:55,119 Speaker 1: his career when he's been a starter. So I wouldn't 477 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:58,400 Speaker 1: expect him to have you know, one target or however 478 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 1: many targets he had those kind of but it targets 479 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 1: throughout the season. I would expect him to be a 480 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 1: big part of the passing game. But like like I've 481 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: been saying, you know, it's going to take these guys 482 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:08,400 Speaker 1: time to mesh. That's something that we're gonna be watching 483 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:10,640 Speaker 1: over the first probably half of this season, and you're 484 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,479 Speaker 1: probably not going to see this offense clicking at its 485 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 1: full potential until they get some of these offensive line 486 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: back and then until they actually get a lot of 487 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:20,119 Speaker 1: time to play in this new system and sort of 488 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: everyone can figure out their roles. But you know, Austin 489 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: Echo is a fantastic receiving back and he needs to 490 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 1: catch the ball a lot in order for this offense 491 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:31,920 Speaker 1: to be productive enough to win games. So that's something 492 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 1: that that this coaching ste I'm sure we'll probably focus 493 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 1: on this week and in the coming weeks. Well, I 494 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 1: think to that point, there's definitely an element of building 495 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:42,640 Speaker 1: trust that happens now that you have this quarterback who 496 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:45,159 Speaker 1: was really hasn't had a whole lot of time to 497 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:47,440 Speaker 1: work with these guys, Like you said earlier, and I 498 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,399 Speaker 1: remember at one point this offseason, I forget it might 499 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:52,600 Speaker 1: have been Keenan was talking about, or maybe it was Hunter. 500 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:55,679 Speaker 1: You know, the receivers themselves and Austin, you can throw 501 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 1: them into this equation as a receiver, they have to 502 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 1: get used to how a guy like Ron Taylor throws 503 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:03,800 Speaker 1: the ball, the touch that he has, it's different, and 504 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: so I think there's probably an element of building trust 505 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:09,639 Speaker 1: that will, like you said, go on and get more 506 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:13,280 Speaker 1: comfortable as these weeks go on as well. Yeah. Absolutely, 507 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 1: I mean you can go down the list. You know, 508 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 1: the arm angles are different obviously between him and Philip Rippers, 509 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 1: the speed at which the ball is thrown, where the 510 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 1: ball is being thrown from. Philip's pretty much exclusively in 511 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:26,359 Speaker 1: the pocket. Now, a lot of Tyre Taylors throws been 512 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:28,920 Speaker 1: coming from outside the pocket. You know. Anticipation that was 513 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:31,119 Speaker 1: something that Philip Rivers was outstanding at. Was able to 514 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:33,679 Speaker 1: see the field and know where the pockets were going 515 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:36,240 Speaker 1: to be, and he was willing to put balls into 516 00:23:36,320 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 1: tight windows and throw into open spaces and hope that 517 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:40,800 Speaker 1: his receiver can make a play. The mentality is completely 518 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:43,440 Speaker 1: different for how Tyro Taylor approaches playing quarterback. He's much 519 00:23:43,440 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 1: more protective. He's not going to take those risky throws 520 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:48,639 Speaker 1: and take those risky chances. You know. So you go 521 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: down the list, the differences are it could they couldn't 522 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:54,080 Speaker 1: be more different quarterbacks, and that's going to take time 523 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:56,360 Speaker 1: to jell. It just is and I think you saw 524 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: that today. I think it was very evident and Tyro 525 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:00,360 Speaker 1: Taylor even a minute, you know, we were to sink. 526 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:04,040 Speaker 1: But that's to be expected. This group has not gotten 527 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:06,959 Speaker 1: a lot of time together, and so it's it's very 528 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 1: encouraging that they go out and win a ball game 529 00:24:09,119 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 1: on the backs of their defense and by not turning 530 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:13,400 Speaker 1: the ball over, knowing that they can improve that much 531 00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 1: offensively to the point where you know they would you know, 532 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,920 Speaker 1: potentially be a winning games for them offensively later in 533 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:21,680 Speaker 1: the season if everything comes together and everything clicks the 534 00:24:21,720 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 1: way they're expecting it. To the margin for error in 535 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 1: an NFL season, it's razor thin, and they probably don't 536 00:24:29,840 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 1: win this game last year, to be honest with you, 537 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:34,320 Speaker 1: when you when you're five and eleven, you know, it 538 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:36,479 Speaker 1: kind of reminded me of the game they actually did 539 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:38,680 Speaker 1: win against the Bears, where you know, they missed a 540 00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:41,639 Speaker 1: field goal at the end. But but I'm really talking 541 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: in terms of just the little things that they didn't 542 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 1: do last year two win games like this, we talk 543 00:24:47,359 --> 00:24:51,960 Speaker 1: about turnovers. I use Joe Reid as an example, a 544 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 1: forty six yard kick return. These are the little things 545 00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:58,119 Speaker 1: that just really didn't happen last year that hopefully can 546 00:24:58,320 --> 00:25:01,360 Speaker 1: happen for the Chargers this year. When you look at 547 00:25:01,480 --> 00:25:05,320 Speaker 1: a division led by the Kansas City Chiefs with a 548 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:08,240 Speaker 1: lot of great offenses. Frankly, when you talk about Vegas 549 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:10,399 Speaker 1: in Denver, they have a potential to score a lot 550 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:13,000 Speaker 1: of points. But when you have a defense like this 551 00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 1: that can keep the scores down and you could play sound, 552 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:20,199 Speaker 1: fundamentally sound football, you have a chance to put yourself 553 00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:23,520 Speaker 1: in a situation to win all these games. Right. But 554 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 1: I mean, you there went two and nine and one 555 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:28,720 Speaker 1: score games last year. That for that to happen a 556 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 1: second season, mathematically, it's like it's like almost impossible to 557 00:25:32,160 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: wrap re mind around, Like it's almost definitely not going 558 00:25:34,119 --> 00:25:35,840 Speaker 1: to happen again. They're going to win a higher percentage 559 00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:39,560 Speaker 1: of those games. Um, you know the way, but the 560 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:41,760 Speaker 1: way Anthony Lynn approach is it the best way to 561 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:43,680 Speaker 1: put yourself in a position to win those games. Is 562 00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:45,960 Speaker 1: not turning the ball over. And and like you alluded to, 563 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:49,440 Speaker 1: you know, you got the feeling that last year. You know, 564 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 1: maybe instead of that at thirteen six that being a 565 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:56,360 Speaker 1: touchdown drive, Philip throws an interception, you know, and instead 566 00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:58,880 Speaker 1: of tying the game, it's it's one of those backbreaking 567 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:01,320 Speaker 1: interceptions that he threw upon show of last year. You know, 568 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:03,639 Speaker 1: Tyro's not going to do that. He's going to protect 569 00:26:03,640 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 1: the ball at all costs. And so I think Anthony 570 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,440 Speaker 1: Fanton Linds approaches, Okay, yeah, this is we're probably gonna 571 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:09,919 Speaker 1: regress back to the mean, but let's try and put 572 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:12,359 Speaker 1: ourselves in the best chance to make sure that regression happens. 573 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:15,800 Speaker 1: And that means limiting turnovers and giving yourselves a shot 574 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 1: in these one score games. And that's what happens there. 575 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:21,000 Speaker 1: Next week, Kansas City Chiefs come to town home opener 576 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:24,720 Speaker 1: at SOFI Stadium. Two goal to ghost situations for this 577 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,359 Speaker 1: Chargers team today came up with field goals three is 578 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:29,960 Speaker 1: not going to cut it against the Kansas City Chiefs. 579 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:33,320 Speaker 1: How do they shore these things up in a relatively 580 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:36,280 Speaker 1: quick time? Got to feel comfortable, but you know, you're 581 00:26:36,280 --> 00:26:39,600 Speaker 1: facing the defending Super Bowl champs next Sunday. Yeah, I 582 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: think it could go back to what I was what 583 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: I was talking about earlier. You know, you get your 584 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:45,000 Speaker 1: first live reps under your belt in this new offensive, 585 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,280 Speaker 1: the new quarterback, and you can only really build from there. 586 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:49,119 Speaker 1: And then you also have the luxury of knowing that 587 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:52,760 Speaker 1: generally speaking, Gus Bradley has done outstanding job of scheming 588 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 1: against Patrick Mahomes, and I would argue that the Chargers 589 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:57,800 Speaker 1: have played the Chiefs defensively better than anyone in the league. 590 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 1: They've just did an outstanding job. They did eight job 591 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 1: defending him in Mexico City last year, and they probably 592 00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:04,320 Speaker 1: should have won that game that Philip didn't throw five 593 00:27:04,359 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 1: interceptions or four interceptions how many three, they probably win 594 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:08,840 Speaker 1: that game because they really limited him in terms of 595 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,959 Speaker 1: his yards per per attempt. So I think they can 596 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: sort of lean back on knowing that. Okay, like we 597 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:17,280 Speaker 1: kind of we haven't figured them out. I wouldn't, I 598 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:19,240 Speaker 1: wouldn't go that far, but we have a good understanding 599 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 1: of how to contain Patrick Mahomes and prevent him from 600 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:25,040 Speaker 1: you know, having those type of you know, the Hall 601 00:27:25,040 --> 00:27:27,280 Speaker 1: of Fame games that he does so often. Um, so 602 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 1: I think a combination of those two things will probably 603 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:31,680 Speaker 1: make the Charges pretty confident here. Um. But like you said, 604 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:33,439 Speaker 1: I mean it's you know, it comes down to red 605 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:35,400 Speaker 1: zone offense and third down offense. That's what it comes 606 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:36,639 Speaker 1: down to. You can move the ball as much as 607 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:38,879 Speaker 1: you want between the twenties, um, you know, but you 608 00:27:38,920 --> 00:27:40,639 Speaker 1: got to convert up third downs to extend drives, and 609 00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 1: you have to convert when you're in the red zone, 610 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:44,520 Speaker 1: guarantee you. Those would be two things that the Charles 611 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:47,040 Speaker 1: will be harping on heading into a game against the 612 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:50,359 Speaker 1: high powered offense and the Chiefs. The Chiefs winning streak 613 00:27:50,480 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 1: dates back to last year in the first game that 614 00:27:53,119 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 1: they wondering that streak was in Mexico City against the Chargers, 615 00:27:57,040 --> 00:28:00,119 Speaker 1: so both have revenge on their minds next week our 616 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,400 Speaker 1: home open or so FI Stadium. Daniel Popper of the Athletic, 617 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:06,400 Speaker 1: We'll be having you on a lot this season, my man. 618 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:10,200 Speaker 1: Appreciate you joining us on the first one of course. Anytime, guys, 619 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:13,119 Speaker 1: any guys that's gonna do it for us For Daniel Popper, 620 00:28:13,440 --> 00:28:16,120 Speaker 1: Hallio Wood, I'm Chris Harry. This is the final drive 621 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 1: presented by Microsoft Surface