1 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: What's up, guys. Chris avery with you on a brand 2 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:17,840 Speaker 1: new episode of Chargers Weekly. OTA's Underway and Coast of 3 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:20,760 Speaker 1: Masa this week. And it's always a great day when 4 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: I get to talk ball with my guy Omar Ruiz 5 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,240 Speaker 1: NFL Network. Oh Bar, I got to see you in 6 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,480 Speaker 1: person on Monday. It was a welcome sight to finally 7 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: get out to practice in person with everybody. It was awesome, Chris. 8 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: It was great to see you in person. It was 9 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: great to see the team on the field in person. 10 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: I can't recall, you know, seeing uh, you know, an 11 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: Ota last year. Obviously we didn't have any in any 12 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: of the training camp, you know, we had to rely 13 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:50,200 Speaker 1: mostly on Zoom. So really, I think you go back 14 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:52,519 Speaker 1: to twenty nineteen where you go go out to the 15 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 1: field and everything kind of felt a little bit normal. 16 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,040 Speaker 1: We were still wearing masks, you know, per protocols and 17 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 1: and all the rules that we have to follow. But 18 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 1: it seems like it had been a while, Chris, that 19 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:07,119 Speaker 1: we got to watch some ball and the guys throw 20 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: the football around. And I think by the time the 21 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one regular season rolls around, we should be 22 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 1: seeing that on a regular basis. Absolutely, and it just 23 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: felt good. Obviously, there's not much you can really take 24 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 1: from a lot of these practices, but it's good to 25 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: see the veterans back in the building mixing in with 26 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 1: the rookies. We just had Ricky minicamp a few weeks ago. 27 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: I think the headliner though, was the return of Derwin 28 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: James to the practice field last Saturday. He said he 29 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:41,119 Speaker 1: was cleared for football activities, no setbacks, He's one hundred percent, 30 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: He's ready to go. What caught your ear in his 31 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: press conference on Monday over well several things in fact, 32 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: and I think what's more telling about his participation on 33 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: Monday is when we were watching him, Chris I noticed 34 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: that he didn't didn't sit out any plays. In all 35 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 1: the plays that we were able to watch that were 36 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 1: open to the media, he participated in every single play 37 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 1: for the defense. And usually, you know, for the fans, 38 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 1: that might be unfamiliar. Usually you know, a big star 39 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: like that will sit out and be substituted for every 40 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: now and again. But but Durwena was there and that 41 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 1: was before we found out that he had been officially 42 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 1: medically cleared. And then after practice, Brandon's Daley said that 43 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,399 Speaker 1: he had been in fact cleared and and then so 44 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:32,560 Speaker 1: getting back to your question here, what stood out to 45 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:36,239 Speaker 1: me is when Derwin said, Hey, I know I had 46 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 1: some bad luck the last couple of years. That's all 47 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: I'm gonna label it as. I am still going full 48 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: bore in this. I am not going to scale back myself. 49 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: I need all the reps I can get. Essentially, what 50 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: he's saying is I am a great player because I 51 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 1: work at it and I don't take reps off, and 52 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 1: I need all the reps I can get in practice. 53 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 1: And that was very clear to us and watching him 54 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,799 Speaker 1: take every at that practice on Monday, and I think 55 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: Brandon Staley for his part, and the coaching staff and 56 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 1: the medical staff and the sports performance everybody coming together 57 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: to collectively scale back some of the workouts and not 58 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: go full more in one on ones or in eleven 59 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: and on eleven competition. Make it more of a mental 60 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: camp so that way Derwin doesn't have to rain it 61 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 1: in if he feels he has to, he can just 62 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: go one hundred percent mentally, get to where he needs 63 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 1: to go, get all those reps on the field physically 64 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 1: as hard as they are allowing, and recover two one 65 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 1: hundred percent come week one, Oh bar. He's a tone setter, 66 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 1: and that was dating back to his rookie year in 67 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen. The energy that he brings to all sides 68 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: of the football office, defensive specialties when he's out there, 69 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: that leadership quality was evident from week one of twenty eighteen. 70 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: I think it's so important for him to set the tone, 71 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: especially in a new defense. Everybody's learning a brand new scheme. 72 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 1: He's gotten probably a little bit of an insidetrack Noah 73 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:10,160 Speaker 1: Jalen Ramsey and having that relationship and getting a snapshot 74 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: of what that could look like for him. But you 75 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 1: make a great point. He was out there going full 76 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,599 Speaker 1: speed as much as you possibly can during OTAs. But 77 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,479 Speaker 1: it's almost like I'm the leader too, follow me, and 78 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,120 Speaker 1: everybody's got to get on the same page because not 79 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 1: only do we have a new coaching staff, we're learning 80 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: a brand new scheme. It doesn't matter if you're a rookie, 81 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: you're in year four, or you're in year ten. We 82 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 1: all got to get on the same page. Yeah, showing 83 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: that leadership and I think another takeaway from his press 84 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: conference was the fact that he said that he feels 85 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 1: like he's a smarter player, and obviously, being on the 86 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 1: sideline all of last year, he had time to go 87 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 1: through those mental reps from the sideline and take the 88 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 1: game more from a cerebral approach. Not that he didn't before, 89 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:56,359 Speaker 1: but obviously last year he was forced to in a 90 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: way that he had never had and so I think 91 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: he came out feeling he was a better player for 92 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,159 Speaker 1: that experience. And he said the game has slowed down 93 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 1: for him. And so when you have a player who 94 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 1: you said is as tone setting as it gets in 95 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 1: the NFL, already one of the best players, you know, 96 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:17,360 Speaker 1: when he's been healthy, he's been just so electrifying, and 97 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: he's just one of those players, even out of practice 98 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 1: on Monday, one of those guys you just can't help 99 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 1: take your eyes off of because of the way he 100 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: moves and the way he anticipates and the way he 101 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 1: reads the play and all of that. If he's even 102 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: smarter and the game has slowed down for him, look 103 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 1: out for Derwin James in twenty twenty one. That was 104 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: your question, and I thought that that was the most 105 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 1: striking to me because we talked about as injuries and 106 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 1: you know, it's he said, I'm not the last guy 107 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: that's going to get injured on a football field. But 108 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 1: that struck me the most because it was so genuine 109 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: and he wanted everyone to feel what he was feeling. 110 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: He's just like, you have to see it in twenty 111 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 1: twenty one, but the game has gotten slower for me. 112 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 1: That's a scary sight, frankly, for for a twenty four 113 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: year old player who was an All pros rickie, that 114 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 1: the game has gotten slower for him. So that was 115 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:12,720 Speaker 1: the headliner out of Coast of Masa this week. You know, Omar, 116 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: I haven't talked to you much since the beginning of 117 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: this off season when Brandon Staley was hired. So maybe 118 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:21,479 Speaker 1: if we could just go back to the beginning, just 119 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: your initial thoughts when he was hired. You're plugged into 120 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 1: this league, specifically on the West Coast. I know you 121 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:31,680 Speaker 1: covered coach Staley in LA with the Rams and what 122 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,479 Speaker 1: he was able to do as a defensive coordinator. Did 123 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: you have an inkling just talking to him last year 124 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: and then the combination of that and the performance by 125 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: the defense that we could see a rise like this 126 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: coming from him. I didn't. I mean, when he when 127 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,719 Speaker 1: he started to be circulated his name. Uh you know 128 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: in different reports that he was in fact a candidate 129 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,480 Speaker 1: after leaving that Rams to the number one ranked defense. 130 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: It was somewhat of a surprise given his limited arians 131 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: based on his resume alone. However, when you go back 132 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: to even the first press conference I ever sat in 133 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: with him when he was first hired as defensive coordinator 134 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 1: for the Rams, he is just so impressive and how 135 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,680 Speaker 1: he speaks and how he communicates, and he references back 136 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: to his parents being coaches and teachers and that ability 137 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: to communicate and lead in that way. When you think 138 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: about his experience and the results that he's on the 139 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: hat on the field, it is not surprising that he 140 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: has climbed the ladder so quickly. The results speak for themselves. 141 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: His ability to connect immediately with Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald, 142 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: two of the best players in the NFL, would have 143 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: Chargers fans I believe thinking that he's going to connect 144 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 1: the same way like you mentioned with Derwin James and 145 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 1: Joey Bosa and the rest of the Monsters on that defense. 146 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: And then he played quarterback in college and all the 147 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 1: experience he had on that side of the ball ought 148 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 1: to give him, you know, pretty good scope on what 149 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 1: he can bring to the table with Justin Herbert and 150 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: the offense and obviously given the input for Joe Lombardi 151 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 1: as offensive coordinator there. So he's an impressive guy. Just 152 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 1: you know, he had that same Sean McVay capability where 153 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 1: he calls everybody by name when he's answering questions and 154 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 1: really is thorough about it and thoughtful. So so surprising 155 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: from where he started the year as a head coaching candidate, 156 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 1: you know, the way it all ended, but kind of 157 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: when you think about it and analyze it and the 158 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,560 Speaker 1: results that have followed wherever he's gone, not a surprise, 159 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 1: and I think he'll do very well there. It's been 160 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: enjoyable just to hear him talk. I think his first 161 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 1: press conference with ninety plus, but it's every time he 162 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 1: speaks you could see and just feel his passion for football. 163 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,560 Speaker 1: He just wants to talk ball. You know, you know what, 164 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: I love Chris. You know, I know you're a hoops 165 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 1: fan too, is he? You know, he always gives these 166 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:56,440 Speaker 1: basketball analogies whenever he's talking about you know, playing one 167 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: on one or playing pick up at the why or 168 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:00,959 Speaker 1: any of those to that kind of guests. My juice 169 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: is going because obviously, you know, we never played in 170 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: the NFL, but we've all played hoops, you know, pick 171 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:08,559 Speaker 1: up games and all that sort of stuff, so he 172 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:10,200 Speaker 1: can kind of relate to that a little bit. The 173 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: way he makes those analogies and kind of puts you 174 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 1: in the heart of that competition. So you know, the 175 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 1: way he illustrates he talks, and I'm sure he's the 176 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: same way when he's communicating in meetings to his players. 177 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: He finds a way to connect with them, and I 178 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 1: think that's that's the sign of a true leader. Signed 179 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: him a good coach, and uh, you know, probably one 180 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: of those reasons why he has has had a significant 181 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 1: track record and why he's become a head coach so quickly. 182 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 1: It's funny. I think we've had a Warrior's reference so far. 183 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:45,199 Speaker 1: I think an old eighties Cavaliers reference, seventy two, a 184 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: Ten Bowls reference, So yeah, you're right, there's a lot 185 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 1: of NBA references from coach Staley. And then you know, 186 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: this offseason, it's been about protecting Justin Herbert first and foremost. 187 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 1: Who we know what Justin did last year. He's coming 188 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 1: off Rain and offensive Rookie of the Year. But to 189 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:06,559 Speaker 1: bring in Corey Linsley and then Matt Feiler Odeabushi. You 190 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 1: hope Brian Bulaga can kind of return to form. He 191 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: was injured a lot last year. Your draft Reshawn Slater, 192 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 1: they sprinkled in, make no mistake, other other pieces on 193 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: the roster, up and down the roster, but the offensive line, omar, 194 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:26,079 Speaker 1: that was priority A. And now you look at what 195 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: Justin Herbert has in front of him, it's almost completely new. Yeah, 196 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 1: and I think it's an upgrade, you know, frankly, in 197 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 1: terms of availability. You know, I think you know that 198 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: a lot of these younger guys who have shown, you know, 199 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: some durability early in their careers, hopefully that'll continue here 200 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,960 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one. You'd like to think that would 201 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 1: lead to some cohesion there. But I think no matter 202 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: how good your quarterback is, Patrick Mahomes included, and we 203 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 1: saw this in the Super Bowl, if you can't protect 204 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: your quarterback, he's not going to have much success and 205 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: it's not going to lead to winning games. And obviously 206 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: we saw that as electrifying as Justin is, and he 207 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 1: was in that rookie year and well, deserved all the 208 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 1: praise he gone, all the records he sat, they were 209 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: seven to nine, and obviously they want to be much 210 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 1: better than that, and of course injuries on both sides 211 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: of the ball didn't help. But you know, it gets 212 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:22,439 Speaker 1: back to protecting that franchise quarterback. And it's interesting because 213 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 1: a lot of people say that, oh, the Buccaneers, you know, 214 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: they created the blueprint for slowing down the Chiefs. I 215 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 1: was like, I was like, no, they no, they didn't. 216 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:32,439 Speaker 1: We know how you could slow down Patrick Moomes and 217 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 1: the Chief's offense. They had two Pro Bowl tackles there 218 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 1: that were hurt during the playoff run. And so it's 219 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,719 Speaker 1: a lot easier to execute that game plan when you 220 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: don't have a premier offensive line protecting one of those elite, 221 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 1: elite quarterbacks. And I think the Chargers have Justin Herbert, 222 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,319 Speaker 1: someone who is on his way to being in that 223 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:55,439 Speaker 1: high upper echelon elite elite quarterback, and certainly Tom to 224 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: let's go recognizing that to protect him will accentuate his success. 225 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: It Justin had success even with some of the offensive 226 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 1: line issues last year. But every season is independent, right, 227 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 1: so we'll see how this new look offensive line looks 228 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 1: really of our starting Week one against perhaps the best 229 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: defensive line of football in Washington. We get to see 230 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: Rashawn Slater versus Chase Young again. You got Montest sweat 231 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: to Rod Payne. Jonathan Allen talk about a first test 232 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 1: for this offensive lide Week one in DC. Man. Yeah, 233 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:28,439 Speaker 1: that was the game that jumped out to me. I 234 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 1: mean beyond the obvious ones. You know, Buccaneers hosting the 235 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: season opener against the Cowboys and that, but I thought 236 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: this game was the sneaky good game of the week, 237 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: given that you have the reigning offensive and defensive rookies 238 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: of the year going off with Herbert and Young, and 239 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: then you mentioned Young and Slater going against each other, 240 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:53,720 Speaker 1: renewing that Ohio State Northwestern rivalry. And if folks remember 241 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 1: back in that game in twenty nineteen, I believe it 242 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: was YEP in Northwestern and Rashawn's later held his own 243 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: against Chase Young and that really put him on the 244 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: map in terms of elite football prospects for the NFL. 245 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 1: And sure enough you know that that led to him 246 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:13,679 Speaker 1: being an upper rachel on first round pick in this 247 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:17,439 Speaker 1: past draft. So it'll be nice to see them renew acquaintances, 248 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:19,839 Speaker 1: and you mentioned all those first rounders on defense for 249 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: Washington obviously one a week division last year with that 250 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,079 Speaker 1: seven to nine record, But I think they're counting in 251 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 1: a big way that defense to make a huge jump 252 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 1: as good as it was last year, they're counting on 253 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 1: making a significant jump and being one of the best 254 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 1: defenses in the entire NFL. So that revamped Chargers offensive 255 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,920 Speaker 1: line will get tested right away, and of course all 256 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:43,680 Speaker 1: the weapons at Herbert has on his disposal, and it'll 257 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:45,719 Speaker 1: be fun to watch, that's for sure. And you know 258 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:47,679 Speaker 1: fitz Magic is going to try to pull something out 259 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: of his hat. Be a good test for the Chargers 260 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 1: defense as well. It's a great way to kick things off. 261 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 1: Then the Cowboys come to so Far a week two. 262 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 1: Then you get into the division and that's where I 263 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:01,680 Speaker 1: kind of want to shift gears towards. Mark. This AFC West, 264 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: we talked about what the Charges have done to upgrade 265 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 1: the ross for this offseason. It still starts with the Chiefs. 266 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 1: The Broncos seemed to have made a lot of good moves. 267 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:15,439 Speaker 1: The quarterback situation I think still in question. Mark. The 268 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 1: Las Vegas Raiders have made a lot of different moves, 269 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: just your assessment of the a f C West as 270 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 1: we sit here at the end of May. Yeah, well, 271 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 1: I think the Chiefs addressed, you know, what became very 272 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 1: apparent in the playoffs that that offensive line had maybe 273 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 1: aged out a little bit, became a little more injury prone, 274 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 1: and trading for Orlando Brown, you know, blockbuster type of 275 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 1: talent could protect Patrick Mahomes, and getting Austin Blythe and 276 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 1: a lot of that depth, and getting Chris Long kilong 277 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: Kilelong out of retirement, you know, obviously was a pro 278 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: bowler with the Bears three times. We'll see what he 279 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:53,720 Speaker 1: has left after a year off from football. But obviously 280 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 1: revamping those tools and I think, you know, defensively, offensively 281 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,359 Speaker 1: the weapons are still in place and structured those contracts 282 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 1: Brett Beach has, you know, so that they do have 283 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 1: that core in place again. But it was about protecting 284 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 1: Patrick Mahomes. It's like we talked about with Justin Herbert, 285 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 1: and the Chiefs have addressed that. And I think are 286 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 1: still the prohibited favorites in the AFC West, if not 287 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: the entire AFC and the Denver Broncos in the Raiders. 288 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,640 Speaker 1: Where's the gap there? You think when it comes to 289 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: the Chiefs, obviously you look at the Kansas City, I 290 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 1: think the Chargers, the Broncos, and the Raiders. You know, 291 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 1: you could you could argue, I think a couple of 292 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: different things there. But but Denver, outside of the quarterback position, man, 293 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 1: they've done a lot to upgrade that roster. And we'll 294 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: see what happens with Drew Locke and Teddy Bridgewater. Yeah, 295 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 1: I do like that. It's a wide open quarterback competition 296 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 1: and it's going to be fifty fifty in training camp 297 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 1: and may the best man win. But I think for 298 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 1: either quarterback, I think you go back to Minnesota and 299 00:15:57,440 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 1: Teddy Bridgewater, him getting them to the playoffs early in 300 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 1: his career and having pretty good success before the knee injury. 301 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: He had pretty good teams and then and then you know, 302 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 1: the team sort of, you know, kind of went through 303 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:12,080 Speaker 1: a recycling, you know, rebuilding type of mode, and Teddy 304 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: obviously wasn't a part of that post injury, and then 305 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: wasn't much of a roster there in Carolina after he 306 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: played with a five and old record in New Orleans 307 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 1: for Drew Brees when he had a talented roster. So 308 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: I think there won't be any more excuses. You know. 309 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 1: Teddy Bridgewater, you know, can can try to establish himself 310 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: as a bona fide starter here with that roster around him. 311 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 1: And it's the same thing with Drew Locke. I think 312 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: he'll have the best roster in his career for the 313 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 1: Broncos this year. Courtland Sutton, you know, they hope comes 314 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 1: back one hundred percent and obviously was prolific in twenty nineteen, 315 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: and and rebuilding that defense, Von Miller coming back healthy, 316 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:50,000 Speaker 1: Bradley Chubb, you know, them getting together at the same time, 317 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: you know, for a full season and they hope leads 318 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:54,920 Speaker 1: to a lot of success and Vic Banjiel puts it 319 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 1: all together. But either way, for that quarterback, no excuses. 320 00:16:57,400 --> 00:17:00,160 Speaker 1: And then I think you guys are very familiar or 321 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 1: with you know, what the Raiders defense might be capable 322 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: of with Gus Bradley or Ron Milis and some of 323 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:08,680 Speaker 1: the other staff members that had called Chargers home the 324 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:12,399 Speaker 1: last few years, and then Casey Hayward and you know, 325 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 1: Unique and Gockway trying to improve. So I think, you know, 326 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: for the Raiders it's how quickly that defense can improve 327 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: under Gus Bradley. For the Broncos, it's how good can 328 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: that offense be with you know, a couple of question 329 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 1: marks at quarterback. And then for the Chargers, I think 330 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: there's no question about the talents. You know, how healthy 331 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 1: can they be? Which is seemingly the question it's been 332 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: the last few years because I think on paper the 333 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,920 Speaker 1: Chargers had the second most talented roster. But you know, 334 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: can they all stay on the field for the full 335 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 1: sixteen games? So a lot of questions there with a 336 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: wide range of variables and success rates. But I think 337 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:52,159 Speaker 1: they all can make a case if things go and 338 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,719 Speaker 1: bounce the right way for them to be right there 339 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:56,680 Speaker 1: with the Chiefs in the division, which makes it for 340 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: Chris a completely wide open division, a competitive and one 341 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: that has the makings of, you know, one of those 342 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: type of divisions where all four teams are knocking on 343 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 1: the door for a playoff spot. You know, come week fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, 344 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: and this year eighteen, you believe that exactly. I gotta 345 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 1: get I gotta get used to having ten and six 346 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:21,399 Speaker 1: at eight, eight and nine and seven out the window. 347 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 1: We got seventeen games down with that record. I'm with you, 348 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,439 Speaker 1: and I think this when you look at the end 349 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: of the year, and this is what I want to 350 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:32,840 Speaker 1: get you out of here. I'm just talking about Sofi Stadium. 351 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 1: But you look at the end of the year, Chargers 352 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 1: Chiefs Week fifteen, Thursday Night Football at Sofi Stadium. The 353 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:42,480 Speaker 1: one thing we don't know right now is health. And 354 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:45,320 Speaker 1: if the Chargers are healthy, I think there's no doubt 355 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: that they can contend in the West and at least 356 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:49,919 Speaker 1: contend for a wild card spot. But it's all going 357 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: to be contingent on health. And we don't know what's 358 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: going to happen from now till the end of training 359 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: camp yet alone week one. So all these things are 360 00:18:57,920 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 1: kind of out of our control right now as we 361 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 1: talk about about this, but just as we get into 362 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 1: the season, omar your excitement level for so Far Stadium 363 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: and actually seeing that thing full of fans. The Chargers 364 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: have three primetime games this year, Raiders on Monday Night Football, 365 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:17,760 Speaker 1: week four, I believe, Week eleven, against the Steelers on 366 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:20,680 Speaker 1: Sunday Night Football, and then that Week fifteen matchup I 367 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 1: mentioned against the Chiefs. Yeah, it's gonna be surreal, I think, 368 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,880 Speaker 1: I mean, I think those of us who have been 369 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:30,399 Speaker 1: in it just rave about it. You know, it is 370 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,480 Speaker 1: just a perfect place to watch a game. And I 371 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: can only imagine how cool it's going to be when 372 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 1: the stadium is full and it is rocking, and they 373 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 1: are making noise and and you know, the thunderous applause 374 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:47,400 Speaker 1: or booze are raining down, and I'm curious to see 375 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 1: what the acoustics will be like with the fans making 376 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 1: an impact on the game on third down, because it's 377 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:56,399 Speaker 1: already loud and there, right, it's already it's already it 378 00:19:56,520 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: was loud with all that artificials sound. But you know, 379 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:01,560 Speaker 1: the way the stadium is laid out, you know, it's 380 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:04,400 Speaker 1: dug into the ground, so it's a bowl like atmosphere. 381 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 1: So you know, it seems like the crowd is yelling 382 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:10,119 Speaker 1: down and all that sound is going to be held 383 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 1: down below there the actual you know, uh surface, you know, 384 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 1: for the rest of the facility. So I'm curious to 385 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 1: see how that, you know, the acoustics will reverberate there 386 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 1: and what sort of impact the fans can actually make 387 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 1: on the game. But yeah, you know, it's one of 388 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 1: a kind. The whole world is going to be able 389 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 1: to see it at the Super Bowl and the next season, 390 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: and I think, you know, for the Chargers, what a 391 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:37,399 Speaker 1: way to kick off, then America's team coming in and 392 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:41,159 Speaker 1: Jerry Jones and the traveling circus that that is, and 393 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:44,639 Speaker 1: then hopefully, you know, for them, even for the Rams. 394 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:48,200 Speaker 1: I keep saying, wouldn't it be phenomenal for the LA 395 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 1: Super Bowl to have both LA teams playing in it? 396 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:53,440 Speaker 1: That that'd be some way to finish the season. But 397 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 1: a lot, a lot to get to before them. But 398 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 1: I just can't wait for not only fans in southern 399 00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:00,920 Speaker 1: California to see it firsthand, experience what you and I 400 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: have been able to experience thus far, and then the 401 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:07,240 Speaker 1: whole world to see it comes Super Bowl Sunday in February. 402 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 1: It's gonna be a fun season. Chris can't wait to 403 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 1: get back, can't wait to have the fans fully rock 404 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: and interacting with them. Hopefully we got to be down 405 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:16,760 Speaker 1: on the sidelines once again. And Collie, you know, I 406 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:19,360 Speaker 1: don't know if there has ever been a season that's 407 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:22,680 Speaker 1: been more anticipated and a lot of excitement building towards 408 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,399 Speaker 1: than this one. As we talk about this too, like 409 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 1: we're in May right now, Like I want to get 410 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 1: out there right now, like even me even just the 411 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 1: thought o bar of a of a Chargers rams Super Bowl, 412 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:38,440 Speaker 1: could you event like just the storylines there with McVeigh 413 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 1: and Stanley all of that. It's a podcast, so we're 414 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 1: allowed to dream a little bit here in May. But 415 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:49,680 Speaker 1: I can't wait. It's always a pleasure talking to you, 416 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 1: by Man. You do such a great job on NFL Network. 417 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 1: What do you have going on over the next couple 418 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 1: of months as we kind of hit this slower period 419 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,440 Speaker 1: before training camp. Yeah, I'll still popping it, pop into 420 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 1: the studio and do some total accesses and you know, 421 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:06,640 Speaker 1: some news information manning the desk in case there's any 422 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 1: breaking news happening. We'll be popping out at different OTAs 423 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 1: in mini camps, so we'll still have everything covered, you know, 424 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:16,959 Speaker 1: all things NFL all the time, NFL Network. And then 425 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 1: and then really with that July twenty seventh announcement that 426 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 1: training camps will begin throughout the league uniformly, with the 427 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 1: exception of a few teams that are playing in the 428 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame game, and of course the Buccaneers playing 429 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: that Thursday game. It's the Steelers, Cowboys and Buccaneers have 430 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:36,520 Speaker 1: that exception, but everybody else July twenty seventh, NFL Network 431 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:38,399 Speaker 1: will be all over. We'll be at every camp and 432 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 1: we'll be all guns blazing ready for the twenty twenty 433 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:43,720 Speaker 1: one season. Well, I know I will see you out 434 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:46,360 Speaker 1: a Chargers kip, no doubt in July. I can't thank 435 00:22:46,359 --> 00:22:49,120 Speaker 1: you enough for your time, and hey man, let's let's 436 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:51,760 Speaker 1: get to the season sooner than later. Yeah, man, look 437 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:55,640 Speaker 1: forward to seeing you in person at a game this year, 438 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:58,040 Speaker 1: and Chris, always a pleasure to be with you. Always 439 00:22:58,080 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: great to see you. Look forward to seeing you again 440 00:22:59,880 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 1: here soon. And that's gonna do it for us. A 441 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 1: big thanks to Omar Ruiz for joining me, and of 442 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:07,280 Speaker 1: course thanks to you all for listening. Be sure to 443 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 1: download and subscribe to the Chargers Podcast Network wherever you 444 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 1: listen to podcasts, rate and review. We're also on YouTube 445 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 1: and Chargers dot Com, so a lot of different avenues 446 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:21,640 Speaker 1: to get the Chargers Podcast Network. Have a great weekend. 447 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time. I'm Chris Harry