1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: This is Desmond King and you right listening to the 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 1: Chargers Podcast Network. Hey, everybody, Chris Hery with you on 3 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: a week ten addition to Chargers Weekly here on the 4 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: new Chargers Podcast Network. We got a short week as 5 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: the Chargers head up to Oakland for Thursday Night Football. 6 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:25,439 Speaker 1: We'll get this week's opposing view courtesy of Miles Simmons 7 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: of the Las Vegas Review Journal. But first, NFL Network 8 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: analyst Joe Thomas is going to break down Chargers Raiders 9 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: on Thursday Night. All right, my first guest an NFL 10 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:39,479 Speaker 1: Network analysts who can see on NFL Game Day kickoff 11 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 1: this Thursday, three pm Pacific, leading up to Chargers Raiders 12 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: on Thursday Night Football. The future Hall of Famer Joe 13 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: Thomas joins being on a Chargers Weekly. Follow Joe on 14 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,920 Speaker 1: Twitter at Joe Thomas seventy three. Joe, it's a pleasure, 15 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: my man. How you doing. I'm doing fantastic. Thank you 16 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: for having me on. Thanks for coming on a division 17 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:00,279 Speaker 1: game that means a great deal to both teams. Here 18 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 1: a week ten, Joe, what jumps out to you Chargers Raiders? Well, 19 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: I think they've got both really pretty effective running games. 20 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 1: You look at what Austin Meckler and Melvin Gordon did 21 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,559 Speaker 1: last week and how that lifted the Chargers offense, and 22 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 1: really it looked like the Chargers they're almost a new 23 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 1: team now that Shane Stiken took over as the offensive coordinator, 24 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: and I think the key for them is always to 25 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 1: me get the lead and allow your two studs on 26 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:29,759 Speaker 1: the edge to rush the pastor Joey Bosa Melvin Ingram. 27 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: When we played against them, we were always so worried 28 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:35,759 Speaker 1: about getting behind because we knew how Melvin Ingram could 29 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: push the pocket and Joey Bosa could beat almost anybody 30 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: in the league out there to tackle that it was 31 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 1: going to be a tough task if they were going 32 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 1: to get the lead. And for them, when you've got 33 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 1: two stud back and you've got a good offense and 34 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 1: great pass rush, it almost reminds me a little bit 35 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: of the Indianapolis Colts from yesteryear when Peyton Manning was 36 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: there and they had Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis and 37 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: if you got behind, the game was over. And a 38 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: little bit of the same on the other side. While 39 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: the Raiders don't have quite the same pass for us, 40 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: they've got excellent running game with Josh Jacobs. Derek Carr 41 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: is playing the best football of his career, completing a 42 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 1: high percentage amount of passes and actually his yards per 43 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 1: completion is the highest in his career right now. Throwing 44 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: the ball in the middle of the field of their 45 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: tight end, It's going to be a pretty good match up. 46 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:22,959 Speaker 1: These are a couple of teams that have been a 47 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: little bit up and down early in the season, but 48 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: are both going to try to make a run for 49 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: the playoffs. And Joe, you said at the Chargers they 50 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 1: were unable to run the football under forty rushing yards 51 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 1: as a team for four straight games until last week. 52 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: You get one hundred and fifty nine yards, and I 53 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 1: don't think it's a coincidence. You bring in a Pro 54 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: Bowl left tackle, Russell Coon, things start changing a little bit. 55 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: As someone who played that position better than anybody. Just 56 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 1: how valuable is Russell to this offense. Well, he's really valuable, 57 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:50,640 Speaker 1: not only just running the football, but the way he 58 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: can protect a quarterback. You know, he's been a Pro 59 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:54,839 Speaker 1: Bowl left tackle in the game for a long time. 60 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: He's going to help out with the communication upfront, making 61 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: sure that everybody on that offensive lines on the same page. 62 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: They're seeing the same things together, keeping Philip Rivers up right, 63 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 1: because we all know Philip Rivers is no Deshaun Watson 64 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: back there. He's not gonna fool anybody with his seat. Yea. 65 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 1: He wants to stand there and stay protected. You know, 66 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: getting him hit is a fatal sin. And so having 67 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,959 Speaker 1: all five of those guys on the same page is crucial. 68 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: And then just the leadership that Russell brings being back 69 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 1: in that lineup, and the positive optimism that he's gonna 70 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 1: bring about. Hey, guys, a certain one. We gotta get this, 71 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,800 Speaker 1: you know, run behind me. I think having that in 72 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: the huddle sometimes it doesn't get the credit that it deserves. 73 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 1: You know, Joe Philip, he'll fool you every once a 74 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 1: little while, though, he'll get you that first down and 75 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: you don't know when it's coming. But you know, it's 76 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 1: funny about Philip Joey. I see a lot of similarities 77 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 1: between you two because listen, face of the franchise, you 78 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: stay with the same team, never missed a start. You're 79 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: both headed to Canton. What do you admire about Philip 80 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: and just the way he's handled his business over seventeen 81 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: years in the league. Well, you're right, Philip is. He's 82 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: not exactly supermobile, but he is a wheelchair bound, so 83 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: you're right. He can still move around a little bit. 84 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 1: He can walk at a brisk walk. But yeah, I 85 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 1: really have always admire Philip's competitiveness, and you know, being 86 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: a guy that for most of his careers in San Diego, 87 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: now he's in LA I think, you know, he was 88 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 1: always a little bit overlooked for the things that he 89 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: was doing in the league. And I think it's a 90 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:27,440 Speaker 1: shame because he hasn't been able to win the Super Bowl, 91 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: so he hasn't been considered, you know, one of the 92 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 1: greats of this generation when really he's performed at an 93 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 1: incredible level, you know, almost on the level of Tom 94 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: Brady and Drew Brees. But his competitiveness has always been there. 95 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 1: The drive has always been really impressive. And for me, 96 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: I when I look at the NFL and I think 97 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 1: of guys who I would love to see one a 98 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 1: Super Bowl who have not yet, Philip is definitely, I 99 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: would say in the top one or two, if not 100 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: number one, in my book. You know, the running game 101 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: is gonna be a big reason why this team has success. 102 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 1: It took a while from Melvin Gordon, I think, to 103 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: get into a rhythm. We finally saw it a fellow 104 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 1: Wisconsin guy, Yeah, Derek Watt and Melvin Gordon. Joe, we 105 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: got a couple of Wisconsin guys into bed chargers. See 106 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 1: what did you see from Melvin that was different from 107 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,159 Speaker 1: maybe the previous three weeks. It looked like we saw 108 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: the back to back pro bowler on Sunday. Yeah. You know, 109 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 1: when I would work out in the off season, I 110 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,280 Speaker 1: trained really hard. But when I would come back in 111 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 1: training camp, those first three four practices, they were super hard. 112 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 1: I was really tired. I got really sore. I wasn't 113 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: as physical as I needed to be, And it leads 114 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:39,039 Speaker 1: mentally you're not on the level of sharpness that you 115 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 1: need to be. And then the same thing happens when 116 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,479 Speaker 1: you go into that first preseason game and you got 117 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,599 Speaker 1: to ramput up the level you're conditioning, your mental focus, 118 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 1: your sharpness. And then the same thing happens with that 119 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 1: first regular season game. And when you missed time, you 120 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 1: missed training camp, you missed preseason, you missed some games 121 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 1: in the regular season, you're just behind, just flat out 122 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:00,160 Speaker 1: physically and mentally, and you can't keep up and play 123 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: at the level that you want to. And so I 124 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 1: think it was just a matter of knocking that rustoff. 125 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 1: Russ Is. You know, it's the old cliche way to 126 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:10,280 Speaker 1: just explain that basically, you're not sharp, You're not in 127 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: the game shape that you need to be. No matter 128 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: what you do, you cannot replicate going out and being 129 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 1: tackled by three hundred pounders twenty times a game. And 130 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: so I think it was just a matter of him 131 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: knocking that rustoff coming back out. And now that he's 132 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: built a little bit of confidence, I think you're going 133 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 1: to see that pull bowl guy the rest of the season. 134 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 1: Joe Let's switching to defense. You alluded to it, Joey Bosa, 135 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:33,039 Speaker 1: Melvin Ingram, Joey's playing a different game right now. Five 136 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 1: and a half sacks, ten quarterback hits his last three games. 137 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: I know you played him once in your career in 138 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 1: twenty sixteen. What makes Joey so special and really difficult 139 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:44,839 Speaker 1: to defend as a tackle? Yeah, I think we played 140 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 1: him a couple of times actually, but I would say 141 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:52,160 Speaker 1: for him, he is the most polished pass rusher, and 142 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: I think you hear that a little bit, but when 143 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: you watch this film, you watch the way he uses 144 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:58,840 Speaker 1: his hands and how he uses his hands and his 145 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:02,279 Speaker 1: hips and his feat concert it's very impressive. You don't 146 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: see young guys being able to do the things that 147 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: he can do, where he can knock and offensive tackles 148 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: hands down, he can flip his hips, and he can 149 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: also accelerate and lower his shoulder and get towards the 150 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: quarterback all in one fast move. And I think that's 151 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: what makes them specially. You know, he's been training with 152 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 1: a guy that I trained with, Joe Kim Larry Johnson, 153 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 1: the great defensive line coach from Penn State in Ohio State, 154 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: and so he's learned that technique that takes most guys 155 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: you a career to learn. He's been learning that since 156 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 1: he was a kid, and it shows when you watch 157 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: him on film because he is so tuned and finally 158 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: polished when it comes to those pass rush moves that 159 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 1: he's going to give anybody problems because of the way 160 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: he can use that technique, the way he uses his hands, 161 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: and the way he never stops moving towards the quarterback 162 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: and it doesn't hurt to have a running mate like 163 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 1: Melvin Ingram. And when you have those guys, joe they 164 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 1: were lining up on the same side last week. The 165 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:00,679 Speaker 1: way that Gus Bradley has been able to use both 166 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: Joey and Melvin, what kind of challenges does that pose 167 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 1: for an offense. Joey said that Melvin Ingram had a 168 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: concrete head. You never wanted to have to run block 169 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: that guy because he was gonna think his hips and 170 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 1: think his pads and he was gonna headbutt you. And honestly, 171 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: I think the hardest site was ever hit on the 172 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 1: football field was against Melvin Ingram and it was a 173 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 1: run play. He hit me so hard that both of 174 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 1: my chin straps broke at the same time, and I 175 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 1: actually had to play a few plays until he got 176 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: off the field with a broken chin strap because he 177 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,080 Speaker 1: just hits you so hard and he brings that same 178 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 1: power and that momentum into his bulrush. And when you 179 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: have a guy that can push the pocket, he can 180 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: press the pocket, he can make a quarterback feel uncomfortable 181 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 1: and start getting that happy seat. It really steeds well 182 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: into what Joey Boasta does well, which is beat guys 183 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: around the edge, beat guys to the side, you know, 184 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 1: Joey boasts is a strong guy, but he's not going 185 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: to pancake any offensive lineman. He's mostly gonna work with 186 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 1: the quickness and the finesse and beat you on an edge. 187 00:08:57,480 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: And so having a guy like Melvin who can flush 188 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: quarterback and a guy like Joey who's going to clean 189 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: beat his guy and be able to clean up a 190 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 1: sack is a tremendous duo that makes it difficult on 191 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 1: any offensive line. Hey, joe your first two years in 192 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:14,679 Speaker 1: the league, Anthony Lynn was the running backs coach in Cleveland. 193 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: What do you remember about working with Coach Lynn? And 194 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:20,839 Speaker 1: looking back, can you see why he's had success as 195 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: a head coach in this league? No question. I'm always 196 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: loved coach Land. I was so excited when he got 197 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 1: his opportunity with the Chargers and do he reminds me 198 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 1: a little bit of kind of like a John Harball. Right. 199 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 1: People talk about how great John Harball as a coach 200 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: because he's adaptable, He's talks, but he's fair, he's direct 201 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: with his players. They trust him, they liked plan for him. 202 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 1: Those are all the same qualities that coach Lynn has 203 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,679 Speaker 1: in LA. Right now, with the Chargers, And those are 204 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 1: the things that I loved about him when he was 205 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 1: the running back coach. He's very smart, he knows football. 206 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 1: You could talk offense, he could talk defense to you. 207 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 1: But he's direct and he's mature, and I think guys 208 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:02,199 Speaker 1: loved playing and for him, and I'm really happy the 209 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: success that he's had so far. And I just hope 210 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:07,839 Speaker 1: that the rest of the NFL can appreciate how great 211 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: he is as a coach. Joe, last thing for you, 212 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 1: last game in the black Hole for the Chargers. I 213 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: know you've played there before. What are you think is 214 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 1: going to decide this one? I know the fans are 215 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: going to be into it. A huge matchup in Week 216 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 1: ten that both teams got to have. Yeah, it's gonna 217 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: be interesting. I think who ever wins the battle of 218 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 1: a run game. Honestly, it's it's kind of funny to 219 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: say that, because you know, the last ten fifteen years 220 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: in the NFL, it's all of them about throwing the football. 221 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: But you've seen this resurgence recently as a defensive backs 222 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 1: get faster and quicker, and secondary pass coverage concepts get 223 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 1: better and the pass rush game gets more slanted in 224 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:50,440 Speaker 1: the favor of defensive lineman. You've seen this recent resurgence 225 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 1: of the importance of having a solid run game to 226 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: be able to support throwing the football down the field. 227 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: We always said you throw the football to score points 228 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:00,240 Speaker 1: and then you run to win the game. And I 229 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: think this one is gonna be that exemplified because these 230 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 1: teams both have great quarterbacks that need to throw the 231 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: football down the field to score point. But in the end, 232 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: it's the team that's gonna run the ball most effectively 233 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: that's gonna win the game. Joe Thomas, NFL Network, Joe, 234 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: you do awesome work at the network. Your podcast Tomahawk 235 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,080 Speaker 1: is awesome as well. Look forward to seeing you on 236 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 1: Thursday night, football man. Thanks to spend some time, Yeah, 237 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 1: christ and can't wait to see Chargers and the Raiders 238 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 1: here tomorrow. I'm about to get on a plane here 239 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 1: right now out of snowy Madison, Wisconsin landing and hopefully 240 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,199 Speaker 1: sunny San Francisco to watch a great game tomorrow. There 241 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 1: you go, man, safe travels. Thank guys. All right, let's 242 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 1: get to these questions, jack boys, how do you get 243 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: the good? What do you say to get the good? 244 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:49,319 Speaker 1: No fake energy, Oh fake Heyer. Chargers fans be sure 245 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: to check out Dear jack Boys presented by Pepsi and 246 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,199 Speaker 1: take all football celebrations to the next level. Whether it's 247 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 1: a Hail Mary touchdown or a defensive stop on the 248 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 1: gold line. But it's time to celebrate, It's time to 249 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 1: open up Pepsi. Pepsi, a proud sponsor of the Los 250 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: Angeles Chargers, reminds you to always be celebrating. Al Right, guys, 251 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: we know you love the Chargers, but you also probably 252 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:13,959 Speaker 1: love saving money too, and Mercury Insurance can help you 253 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: with that because Chargers fans save an average of seven 254 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: hundred and sixty nine dollars with Mercury. Now, I'll get 255 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:20,800 Speaker 1: you great seats for the game and jerseys for the 256 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: whole family too. So what are you waiting for? Get 257 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: a quote today at Mercury Insurance dot com to see 258 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: how much you could save. It only takes a few 259 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: minutes to switch, and it could save you a lot 260 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: of money. Don't wait, Get a quote today at Mercury 261 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 1: Insurance dot com. Savings info based on twenty nineteen California 262 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 1: Department of Insurance Rate Comparison Profile thirty eight eight. Individual 263 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: savings may vary. All right, guys. To get this week's 264 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: opposing view, presented by Mercury Insurance, we bring in Miles 265 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:50,240 Speaker 1: Simmons from the Las Vegas Review Journal. Miles, no stranger 266 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 1: to Southern California. How you doing, Bud? Go on, man, 267 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:56,679 Speaker 1: how are you good? We gotta treat on Thursday. Man. 268 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 1: A pair of teams that are playing pretty good ball 269 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 1: at the same time. Let's just start with what the 270 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: Raiders are saying about the Charges coming to town for 271 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:08,079 Speaker 1: the last time in Oakland. Yeah, you know, I think 272 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,679 Speaker 1: it's gonna be really interesting. It's fine Derek Cars talking, 273 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: and he said that, you know, you lose two games 274 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 1: to a division rival like they did last year, you 275 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: really want to beat them this year. So this is 276 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 1: I think really a critical game for the Raiders right now, 277 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 1: just because if they just won an important game to 278 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: get themselves back at five hundred and so, now, if 279 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: you can win this one, you get yourself to five 280 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: and four, and you've got a couple of games coming 281 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 1: up against teams that have not been the best in 282 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: the Cincinnati Bengals and then the New York Jets two. 283 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,319 Speaker 1: So if they can get to where if they can 284 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 1: get to five and four. Now, then you know what 285 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 1: these next two weeks then can become, and that really 286 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 1: sets the Raiders up for a good run head into December. 287 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: Miles last week looked like a back and forth game 288 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 1: between the Raiders of the Detroit Lines. Give us the 289 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 1: cliff notes version of what the Raiders did to get 290 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 1: that win. Well, they were able to get the one 291 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,080 Speaker 1: stop when they needed to at the end of the 292 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: game when carled Joseph. But there's a really good job 293 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 1: of playing a backup tight end really in the back 294 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 1: of the end zone. But before that, I mean it 295 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: came down to the two turnovers that Detroit had. I think. 296 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: I mean they turned the ball over on their first 297 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 1: drive Stafford and Jady McKissick mishandled handoff exchange, and then 298 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: later on in that first hack, Darryl Worley one of 299 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 1: the better interceptions you'll ever see in the back of 300 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 1: the end zone. So I think the Raiders have been 301 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 1: able now to move the ball. You can see Josh 302 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 1: Jacobs's playing really, really well, really being one of the 303 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: best running backs in the league, not just as a rookie, 304 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 1: but I think overall and because of that, the Raider 305 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: if the Raiders can control the ball, control the clock. 306 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 1: That's usually how they're going to win. What you don't 307 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: necessarily expect to see is them winning to shootout, which 308 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: is what they were able to do. But they're able 309 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 1: to do it, I think because of the turnovers. Yeah, 310 00:14:57,400 --> 00:14:59,960 Speaker 1: Jacob's one hundred and twenty yards a pair of touchdown 311 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: on the ground. But I think one of the things 312 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 1: that that really stands out to me with this team 313 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: is they haven't been turned the football over. Derek Cards 314 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 1: were really good with the football, thirteen touchdowns, four interceptions. 315 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 1: I almost feel like this game could really come down 316 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: to turnovers. Whoever plays clean football may have the advantage. Yeah, 317 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 1: you know, And that's the way I thought about it 318 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 1: it last week too, Chris. And that's why when you 319 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: get that first turnover, when Detroit goes down the field 320 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 1: on their first drive, it's like, Okay, well maybe this 321 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: is going to be pretty consequential because at the end 322 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: of the day, I mean last week, those two teams 323 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 1: were so evenly matched. I mean the two pass defenses 324 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: that are thirtieth and below. That kind of tells you 325 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: the way that you can probably win that game. And 326 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: so I think for this one too, coming up with 327 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 1: the Charters. If the Raiders can still do a good 328 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: job of pass protecting Derek Carr, which is going to 329 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: be a huge challenge based on the way Ingram and 330 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 1: Botha are playing, and really you've still got some kind 331 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: of unknown with that Raiders offensive line too. But if 332 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: the pass protection and holds up and the Raiders play clean, 333 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 1: then it's gonna come down to one or two plays. 334 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 1: And based on the fact that, well, these are two 335 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: divisional opponents that really are familiar with each other, it's 336 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: gonna come down to that who makes the fewest mistakes. 337 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: I'd tell you you look at last year, Miles. The 338 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 1: Chargers swept the series last year. But there's so many 339 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: new players, Tyrell Williams among them. What's Tyrell saying about 340 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: playing his former team. Yeah, I got a chance of 341 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 1: it was him earlier. And you're saying that, you know, 342 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: it will be a little bit of a game where 343 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 1: you know, you get hyped out for a little bit. 344 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: But at the same time, he's one of those guys that, 345 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: of course you know this, he's so even keel Yeah, 346 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:43,160 Speaker 1: and you know when you talk to him, it's not 347 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: like he ever gets too high or too low about it. 348 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 1: But I think that, yeah, for sure, he's looking forward 349 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 1: to going against his old team and going against them 350 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 1: old teammates. He said, he's been texting back and forth 351 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: with guys, maybe all less actually than what he usually does, 352 00:16:57,080 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 1: just because they're going against each other this weekend. Of course, 353 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: short week, so you're probably in the playbook even more 354 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,479 Speaker 1: than you think you would be in a normal, you know, 355 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 1: Sunday situation. So I think it's gonna be interesting to 356 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:11,119 Speaker 1: see you how he stared against that defense, going up 357 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,359 Speaker 1: against dbs that he won against all the time, and 358 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:15,880 Speaker 1: training camp things like that, of course, but I think 359 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 1: token they know him, so yeah, I think kind of 360 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: tendencies that you've got between those guys, it's gonna be 361 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: one where both parties know each other. You know. It's 362 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 1: like when big brother and little brother get together in 363 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 1: the backyard. We'll see what happens there when they know 364 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 1: each other. So well, that's right, Yeah, it's almost the 365 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,200 Speaker 1: wash in terms of who has an advantage. I mean, 366 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: everybody knows each other. A couple of other guys we 367 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:42,359 Speaker 1: talked about Jacobs, We talked about Tyrelle Waller, the tight end, 368 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:45,679 Speaker 1: Darren Waller. He's had a very impressive year. And I 369 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:47,640 Speaker 1: look at the other side with Hunter Henry since coming 370 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:50,880 Speaker 1: back from injury, last four games, he's played as well 371 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 1: as any tight end of the league. Both these guys 372 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: are really playing good football in twenty nineteen. Yeah, they 373 00:17:56,080 --> 00:18:00,159 Speaker 1: definitely are. And you know it's interesting last week the 374 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: way Detroit was playing. The Raiders have termed this like 375 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 1: they make you try to play left handed. And of 376 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 1: course Mappa Churchhol come from the New England Patriot school 377 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:11,800 Speaker 1: of thought with Bill Belichick, where they're always going to 378 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: take away what you do best, and for the Raiders 379 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:16,960 Speaker 1: by and large, that's been in the past again going 380 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: to Darren Waller. So Darren Waller only have I think 381 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 1: a couple of catches last week, and that's largely because 382 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: they try to take him away. So what does that mean, Well, 383 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 1: you've got to ask you to have the players to 384 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 1: step up, and they were able to do that in 385 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 1: that victory. But I think when you talk about Darren 386 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:32,120 Speaker 1: Waller and what he's been able to overcome the terms 387 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:36,119 Speaker 1: of addiction issues and then coming to a new team 388 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 1: in the late last year, acclimating to everything, getting in 389 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: the playbook and The Raiders really bet a lot on 390 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 1: him being able to come in and replace Jared Cook effectively, 391 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: and so far he's really been able to do that. 392 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 1: So it's a credit to him. It's a credit to 393 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,680 Speaker 1: the coaching staffsman Derek Carr for being able to get 394 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 1: the ball to him in pretty much any kind of situation. 395 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:59,679 Speaker 1: This Oakland defense. Miles, what have you seen out of this? 396 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:03,120 Speaker 1: I think every single game they've given up at least 397 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: twenty one points outside of Week one. But if you've 398 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:09,800 Speaker 1: seen progress from a you know, a pass rushing perspective, 399 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: you know last year they didn't really have much of 400 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 1: a pass rush. Now you got the rookie Farrell and 401 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: you know Key, I think he's injured, But what have 402 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 1: you seen out of the front flour? Yeah, he actually 403 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 1: just broke his foot, so he's going to be out 404 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:22,680 Speaker 1: probably for the rest of the season. So that's kind 405 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 1: of a blow to the team because he is at 406 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 1: maybe they turn in a bit of a corner. He 407 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 1: had a sack and back to back ball game, so 408 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:32,360 Speaker 1: that's one thing that they're going to have to try 409 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:34,879 Speaker 1: to replace. Ben to Mail I think has made a 410 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:37,879 Speaker 1: real difference up front. He leads the team right now 411 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 1: in Sex and then he also have somebody like Max 412 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 1: Crosby who was a little later round draft pick but 413 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 1: has been really effective in playing the run and in 414 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: playing the pass. He's done a good job I think 415 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:51,400 Speaker 1: of being that kind of effective pass rusher. I think 416 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 1: that it's in a perfect world, you would probably be 417 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 1: getting a little bit more out of Clear and Ferrol 418 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 1: in terms of the pass rush. It just hasn't necessarily been. 419 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:01,320 Speaker 1: They're part of that has been the fact that they're 420 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 1: playing had both at end and then a lot of 421 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:06,960 Speaker 1: times they're playing an inside as a defensive tackle in 422 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:10,840 Speaker 1: a third down pass Russian situations. So wherever that happens, 423 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 1: unless your name is Aaron Donald, you know you're not 424 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: necessarily going to get the most stacked, right. So I 425 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,000 Speaker 1: think from that perspective, they're asking a lot of Cleveland Parlow, 426 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:20,640 Speaker 1: and they're they're pleased with him. But I think at 427 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:22,160 Speaker 1: the same time, yet you want to see a little 428 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:25,639 Speaker 1: bit more from that. But in the back end too, 429 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 1: sometimes when riders aren't getting pressure, that's when they've been 430 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,479 Speaker 1: able to kind of get eaten alive. And when we 431 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:33,440 Speaker 1: saw it in Green Day when Aaron Rodgers finished with 432 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,159 Speaker 1: a perfect passer rating for the first time ever in 433 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 1: his career. I was kind of surprised by that based 434 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:40,439 Speaker 1: on how good he is as a quarterback. And then 435 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 1: I think last week too, when you see Matthew Stafford 436 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 1: have a lot of time and they're able to overcome 437 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: first and twenty twice on the same drive, you got 438 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 1: to do a little bit better. They're both on the 439 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:51,359 Speaker 1: front end and the back end. So you know Russian 440 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:53,439 Speaker 1: cover they always say, go stand in hand. They do. 441 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,359 Speaker 1: And if Philip Rivers comes to town Thursday, you know 442 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:00,119 Speaker 1: John Gruden has great appreciation for the quarterback position. What 443 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:02,199 Speaker 1: as he said about Philip coming to town for the 444 00:21:02,280 --> 00:21:06,360 Speaker 1: last time. Oh yeah, I think everybody in this organization 445 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 1: has a lot of respectful Philip, not just Gridden and 446 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:10,760 Speaker 1: their car was talking to him and he said, you know, 447 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:13,719 Speaker 1: make no mistake about it that Philip Rivers is one 448 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:15,919 Speaker 1: of the best to ever play the game. And you know, 449 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:18,919 Speaker 1: he's so smart and the way he is able to 450 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:23,680 Speaker 1: pick apart defenses, it's it's very clear why Philip Rivers 451 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 1: is so special and he's still playing at such a 452 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:28,359 Speaker 1: high level. And when you have all the weapons that 453 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:31,480 Speaker 1: he has in terms of guys like you know, Melvin, Gordon, 454 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 1: Eckler and all those guy Keenan, Allen right, Hunter Henry 455 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 1: as you mentioned before, because it really probably helps him 456 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: out a lot. So I think that they're really expecting 457 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:45,920 Speaker 1: to be challenged from that past defense perspectives. I mean, 458 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:49,159 Speaker 1: especially because of the way that teams at times have 459 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:51,920 Speaker 1: been able to pick apart this past deason. They've not 460 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:55,639 Speaker 1: really been great defending against the past. So we'll see 461 00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 1: if they can improve and show that they really can 462 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:01,520 Speaker 1: do something good against the divisional ALTNA because it's a 463 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:04,200 Speaker 1: huge game for both of these teams. Miles, I asked 464 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 1: this every week, give me a guy or two on 465 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 1: the Raiders that maybe a little unheralded or under the radar, 466 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,360 Speaker 1: that you think has played well and may be able 467 00:22:13,359 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: to affect this game in some form or fashion. Sure, 468 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 1: one I would say the Eric Harris. Defensively, I think 469 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: he's played well at the safety position, and talking to 470 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 1: different guys in the locker room, they really say that 471 00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:27,919 Speaker 1: air Harris is a lot of things that might go 472 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 1: unnoticed and might not you know, be able not to 473 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: be able to see it in the box score, but 474 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: the way he plays and you know, how hard he 475 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 1: plays and how hard he hits, and so he can 476 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:41,360 Speaker 1: help all the communication in the back end as a safety, 477 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:44,119 Speaker 1: it really really makes a difference. So I think was 478 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,160 Speaker 1: one of these guys that you know, you don't necessarily 479 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 1: hear a lot about, but if he's on, then the 480 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 1: defense can do a lot better offensively. I would probably 481 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 1: say Foster Moreau just because he's another one of these 482 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,320 Speaker 1: rookies and the rears rookie class has been controued reading 483 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:02,399 Speaker 1: a lot. I think, you know it's headlined by Josh 484 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:05,960 Speaker 1: Jacobs at this point, but from a lot of perspective, 485 00:23:06,040 --> 00:23:09,120 Speaker 1: he now got treyvon Moan, who's starting Isaiah Johnson. Another way, 486 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: a round draft pick just came off with injured reserve 487 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:13,639 Speaker 1: and he's probably at least going to play special teams, 488 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 1: if not some cornerback depending on the health of Daryl Worley. 489 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: But fos Moreau is a fourth round pick at tight end. 490 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:23,480 Speaker 1: He's called a couple of touchdown passes, had one last week, 491 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: and what he does is when a lot of teams 492 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: are focusing on Darren Waller, this is a guy who 493 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 1: can get open in the red zone and make the 494 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:36,359 Speaker 1: tough catch and so I think if you know the 495 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 1: Chargers were going to try to take away Darren Waller, 496 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 1: which they should, then that's another guy who can really 497 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:45,400 Speaker 1: affecting and be a good, big target in the red 498 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: zone for the Raiders offensively. Miles, this rivalry is always fun. 499 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:52,320 Speaker 1: It's even more fun when both teams are good and 500 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 1: have something to play for Thursday be in the case, 501 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: what do you think is going to decide it? I 502 00:23:57,840 --> 00:24:01,040 Speaker 1: think it might be what we're talking about earlier, the takeaways. 503 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:03,960 Speaker 1: You know, if one of these teams can really win 504 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 1: that turnover battle, you know by two, say you know, 505 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:10,120 Speaker 1: two two to nothing or three to one, that's probably 506 00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 1: is going to be the difference who you know, avoid 507 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:17,240 Speaker 1: those mistakes that it just can't make and that that's 508 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: really the case on every Thursday night game because these things, 509 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:24,320 Speaker 1: I mean, they're say, they're so tough for the players. 510 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,120 Speaker 1: You know, when you're trying to get ready for a game, 511 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:30,320 Speaker 1: and usually you go Sunday to Sunday, we go Sunday 512 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:32,720 Speaker 1: to Thursday. It almost cuts off half the week of 513 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:35,399 Speaker 1: recovery time and that can be really critical for a 514 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: lot of guys. So, you know, especially it's a good thing. 515 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 1: I think though that you guys just coming up from LA. 516 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 1: It's not like you're coming you have to go halfway 517 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:47,800 Speaker 1: across the country. It's a quick flight, so guys aren't 518 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:51,920 Speaker 1: necessarily affected as much by that. But it's whoever makes 519 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 1: the fewest mistakes. I think that both of these teams 520 00:24:54,840 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: are in a position right now where look, if you 521 00:24:57,359 --> 00:24:59,199 Speaker 1: win this game, you can go on a little bit 522 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 1: of a run and see what happened down the road. 523 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:05,200 Speaker 1: But right now, if you can play mistake free football, 524 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:07,400 Speaker 1: that's probably the only way you're gonna win on Thursday night, 525 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:11,280 Speaker 1: and both teams coming off wins against NFC North opponent's 526 00:25:11,359 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 1: gonna be fun on Thursday. Miles Simmons, always appreciate your 527 00:25:14,359 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: breaking it down man, you do great work for the 528 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:19,479 Speaker 1: Las Vegas Review Journal. Before to see you on Thursday. 529 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:22,440 Speaker 1: Appreciate it, Chris before seeing tea man. All right, guys, 530 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:24,280 Speaker 1: that's gonna do it for us. A big thanks to 531 00:25:24,359 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 1: Miles Simmons and Joe Thomas for joining me, and of 532 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 1: course thanks to you all for listening. Remember be sure 533 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 1: to download and subscribe to the all new Chargers podcast network. 534 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:35,680 Speaker 1: We're now on Spotify and SoundCloud, so wherever you listen 535 00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:39,119 Speaker 1: to podcasts. The Chargers podcast network is there. Thanks so 536 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:42,240 Speaker 1: much for listening. Enjoy the game this Thursday and until 537 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 1: next time. I'm Chris Hayry.