1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: A big thank you to our partner Microsoft, Windows eleven, 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: the official operating system of the NFL and exclusive sponsor 3 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: of the Los Angeles Chargers. The all new Windows eleven 4 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: is here to bring you closer to what you love, 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: like the Los Angeles Chargers Final Drive Podcast. Learn more 6 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:17,880 Speaker 1: about all the awesome new features of Windows eleven at 7 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: Windows dot com. Welcome in everyone to a special offseason 8 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 1: edition of The Final Drive, presented by Windows eleven. I 9 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: am Haley el Would, joined today by fellow team reporter 10 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: Chris Hayry, Gilbert Manzano of the Southern California Newsgroup, and 11 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:35,639 Speaker 1: the APS Joe Ready to chat a little Chargers take 12 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: a little look back at the twenty twenty one season. 13 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:40,160 Speaker 1: So guys, we're going to kind of just go around 14 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,559 Speaker 1: the horn. I'm gonna throw some different topics at you, 15 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: and we're gonna start with this. Everyone's MVP was Justin 16 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: Herbert this season. Make no mistake about it, but who 17 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 1: was your biggest difference maker on this Charger squad not 18 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: named Justin Herbert? Joe, you can kick it off. Would 19 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 1: I would say probably Cory Lindsley for the way that 20 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:07,959 Speaker 1: he the offensive line, the way everything meshed this year. 21 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 1: I mean that was a big priority going into the 22 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 1: off season, and I think the offensive line performed very well, 23 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 1: especially when you look at the fact that the entire 24 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: right side wasn't as things went to plan. Brian Bulaga 25 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:27,480 Speaker 1: played one half of the season, Odeyabushi went out in 26 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,679 Speaker 1: the Cleveland game, So the way he was able to, 27 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,760 Speaker 1: you know, mesh all the new parts and everything, and 28 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:38,479 Speaker 1: also I think he's also got to get a little 29 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 1: bit of credit to for the development of Rashaun Slater 30 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: at left tackle and everything and how that went along 31 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: building a quick rapport with Justin Herbert. And also the 32 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: fact that you know when you're a new signy and 33 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: you come in and you have the impact in the 34 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: community like he did. He's here one season and these 35 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: the Charger's nominee for NFL Man of the Year, So 36 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: oh notly a very good signing and lived up to 37 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: being the highest paid center in the league who was 38 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 1: mowing the lawn over there. I've I've got, I've got, 39 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:22,359 Speaker 1: I've got a construction zone at the apartment. So I'm 40 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: trying to hit mute like every time that I'm not talking. 41 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:28,800 Speaker 1: I love this is going to be a subplot throughout 42 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 1: the final drive. Today, Construction's rod. This is the thing. 43 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 1: Welcome to Where are we twenty twenty two? Now we're 44 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 1: still doing this on zoom, but hey, that's that's what 45 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:43,799 Speaker 1: we got going on. Um, Lindsley, great answer, Joe, buy 46 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 1: you Gil, what about you? Yeah, Joe took a good one. 47 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 1: You know, I can't pick Justin Herbert Corey Lindsley, so 48 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 1: h now I'll go with the rookie. I know Joe 49 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 1: made some good points about Corey helping out Reshause later, 50 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: but I thought Reshaunse was a big addition rookie left tackle. 51 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: Uh yeah, he wasn't a commander, let Corey Lindley, but 52 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: he was a stubbed player protecting Justin Herbert. Those two 53 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 1: guys messed so well on the offensive line alone, went 54 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,640 Speaker 1: Matt Filer. Matt Filer a shout out as well to 55 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 1: allow Justin Herbert. There were five thousand yards so for 56 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 1: a rookie to come in that fast, produced that quickly. 57 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 1: I still remember I felt like back in the day 58 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 1: ago in training cant where I was standing there with 59 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 1: Fernando Ramirez and Daniel Popper, and I saw Rashawn said 60 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:23,360 Speaker 1: and go one on one with Joy Bosa and Rashawn 61 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: did very well. So we knew off the bat that 62 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: Rashaan's gonna be a stubbed player and to be a 63 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:31,359 Speaker 1: second team All Pro, starting Pro Bowl player, that says 64 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: enough about how well he played in twenty twenty one. Me, 65 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 1: you know it was gonna be Lindsley, I think that's 66 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: a great answer in Slater obviously in All Pro in 67 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 1: in your rookie season is remarkable. I'm gonna go with 68 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 1: d Austin Ekeler though, because the leap that he took 69 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 1: this year twenty total touchdowns, only LT has done that 70 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 1: in Charger's history in a single season. He also joined 71 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 1: Marshall Falk for I think the only two running backs 72 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: to have eight receiver being touchdowns in two seasons. Just 73 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 1: the way that you could depend on him this year. 74 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 1: I think he scored in his last eight games. So Austin, 75 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: to me, I think it's a shame he was. You 76 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: talk about six guys in the Pro Bowl and he's 77 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:17,039 Speaker 1: not one of them. For the season that he had, 78 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:21,040 Speaker 1: leading the NFL in total touchdowns is a shame, But 79 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 1: I don't think he's too worried about it, and I 80 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,440 Speaker 1: see big things out of him in this Joe Lombardi 81 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 1: offense moving forward. I think he brought up a good 82 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: word right there, and that was the word dependable. And 83 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,799 Speaker 1: I think that word could be applied to whether it's Eckler, Slater, 84 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:38,359 Speaker 1: or Lindsley. That all three of those guys throughout the 85 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 1: season were extremely dependable. And when you look at guys 86 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 1: like Lindsley and Slater, they were newcomers to this Chargers team, 87 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:47,720 Speaker 1: brand new this last year, and so to make the 88 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 1: impact and have the impact that they had, I think 89 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: says a lot about not only who they are as players, 90 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:54,719 Speaker 1: but also as people to just kind of like Joe 91 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 1: or Gill, I forget which one of you set up, 92 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:00,159 Speaker 1: but like seamlessly mesh right into there and onto this team. 93 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 1: All right, Next up, who is your most improved player 94 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one? Gilbert? You can start with this one. Wow, 95 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: I wish I had more time to think about this one. 96 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 1: Most improved. It's a good amount of players, and you know, 97 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: just because I can't think that fast right now, let 98 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:17,640 Speaker 1: Joe have the better one. I'll go off Mike Williams. 99 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: You know he's always been a good player. He's been 100 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 1: a clutch player. Some of the plays he makes in 101 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter when you need them most, they're they're 102 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 1: unreal plays. It's not the first time he's done that 103 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 1: this year, but just to be a complete all around 104 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: wide receiver. And maybe you know, Michael has been saying 105 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 1: to himself for the last you know, four or five years, 106 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 1: I could do more than be a deep through. I 107 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 1: can do more than just double coverage in the fourth 108 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:40,279 Speaker 1: quarter with the game tag to you know, I could 109 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 1: I could get you a first down near the line 110 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:45,160 Speaker 1: of scrimmage. I do slants outside kind of stuff. So 111 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 1: he showed to be a complete player, and I think 112 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 1: for me that warrants to be a must improved player, Like, yeah, 113 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 1: we know what Michaels could do, but to kind of 114 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 1: show all that, especially at his size six foot four, 115 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: a big body frame. Usually these guys are kind of 116 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:02,719 Speaker 1: red zone targets, you know, touchdown machines. But he kind 117 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:04,279 Speaker 1: of played like he aden out there. He was a 118 00:06:04,360 --> 00:06:08,040 Speaker 1: first down machine. He was a yat guy. He showed 119 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 1: some speed out there too, So credits to Joel Lombard 120 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: the kind of unleashing that potential. Mike Williams and now 121 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: he's due for a big pay day in the offseason. Chris, 122 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 1: what about you, man, Well, that's a good one. First 123 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 1: and foremost, there's a couple of guys that was going 124 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:24,359 Speaker 1: back and forth with I'm gonna go with you Chenna 125 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,919 Speaker 1: Nwosu though, just because of the big plays that he 126 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:30,479 Speaker 1: made in the biggest games. And you know, he started 127 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:32,480 Speaker 1: the season a little bit slow, but but kind of 128 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: picked up his play the interception against the Chiefs, and 129 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 1: in my opinion, I think he was like the best 130 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: player on the field at times in that Week eighteen 131 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: game against the Raiders. So it's his first opportunity to 132 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 1: start on the other side of Joey Bosa, and I 133 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 1: think he took advantage of it, especially late in the 134 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 1: year and the Chargers are gonna have a big decisions 135 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: to make with with a lot of free agents, and 136 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 1: I think Chenna fits really nicely with what Brandon Staley 137 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 1: likes to do. He said when he was in Chicago, 138 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: he was watching tape of the wolse who coming out 139 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,599 Speaker 1: of USC and I think you Chenna really helped himself, 140 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: especially late the year. I think one of the most 141 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 1: notable things that Tom Salasco said earlier this week about 142 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: Chenna was no matter the scheme, he's been a playmaker. 143 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 1: But it really did feel like he came into his 144 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: own this year for sure in this Brandon Staley defense. Joe, 145 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: what about you? Who is your most improved player for 146 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: the Chargers in twenty twenty one. I'm gonna go with 147 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: Justin Jones sticking with the defense and you know, guys 148 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: who can expect big paydays going into this soft season. 149 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 1: You know, when we looked at the defensive line, we 150 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: were wondering who could step in when melt during the 151 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: Melvin Ingram departure, and I think Justin more than more 152 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: than anybody kind of helped with the depth of than 153 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: everything and also with a couple key plays, certainly had 154 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: one and an opener against Washington and really upped his 155 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 1: play throughout the season. So it's twenty eighteen draft class. 156 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 1: You know, Durwin certainly gives it to star power in 157 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,560 Speaker 1: the grade for how well it does. But I think 158 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:13,239 Speaker 1: a lot of those twenty eighteen picks, you know, really 159 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 1: accounted for himself this year, and it'll be in arrest 160 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: and going into free agency, how many they are able 161 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: to retain. I think I didn't really answer that first question. 162 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 1: But I'm going to take a stab at this one 163 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 1: and I'm going to mention another twenty eighteen guy, and 164 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: that was Kaiser White, and it's hard. I don't know 165 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:32,920 Speaker 1: if improved is necessarily the right word I would use 166 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 1: with him, because he has dealt with injuries throughout his 167 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 1: Chargers career. But this season it really did feel like, 168 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: you know, you talk about Chenna coming into his own, 169 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: it really felt like Kaiser came into his own, especially 170 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 1: when linebacker has been one of these positions and over 171 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: the last couple of years with these Chargers teams that 172 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: we haven't really seen the production there. But production it 173 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 1: was all caps with him this year. I mean, he 174 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 1: was so close to one hundred and fifty tackles. He 175 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: was doing things that Chargers linebackers hadn't done. I think 176 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 1: Donnie Edwards played back in the mid two thousand, so 177 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:05,319 Speaker 1: I would add him to that list. You're right, though, 178 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 1: that twenty eighteen class. Derwin sees the credit a lot 179 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: of the time, but there are a lot of that 180 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: class really really has come into its own in terms 181 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 1: of just production availability and maximizing their potential within this 182 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: new scheme. Too. I'm glad you said that, Hailey, because 183 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: it was either Kaiser or you Chenna for me. And 184 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 1: in the fact that I mean in training camp, guys, 185 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 1: you saw how like big Kaiser looked like he really 186 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: did transform his body and he ended up being the 187 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:36,439 Speaker 1: most dependable linebacker in the group from from start to finish. 188 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 1: So I was I'm glad you mentioned him because I 189 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 1: think he deserves a little love too. Yeah, we'll get 190 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 1: We'll throw him some love there, We'll give him some love, 191 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:48,280 Speaker 1: all right. Next question, what were your impressions of Brandon Staley. 192 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 1: This was a guy who obviously came in meteoric rise 193 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,439 Speaker 1: had been described had been the phrase to really describe 194 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: his ascension into this league and into this Chargers role. 195 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: First year as a head coach, now under his belt, Chris, 196 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: what do you think of him and what he was 197 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 1: able to do with this team? You know, I think 198 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 1: that just the culture and what he said he wanted 199 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 1: to set out to do at the beginning in that 200 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,559 Speaker 1: first press conference. I think in large part he achieves 201 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:16,559 Speaker 1: it's hard when you fall short of the playoffs, and 202 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 1: I think everybody was expecting this team to get into 203 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 1: the postseason. But I did think that that's daily laid 204 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: a foundation for how he wants to play football and 205 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 1: the culture he wants inside the building, the relationship building 206 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 1: with the players, the coaches, kind of getting everybody on 207 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 1: the same page, the philosophy of telling the defense what 208 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:42,679 Speaker 1: the offense is going to do that week and making 209 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,559 Speaker 1: sure everybody has that buy in. So I think a 210 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: foundation was laid for this Chargers team, and this is 211 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:54,199 Speaker 1: the year where you must capitalize on that and get 212 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 1: to the postseason and everything that you built in twenty 213 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: twenty one hopefully bears fruit in twenty two. Joe, what 214 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 1: about you? I think the biggest thing everybody talks about 215 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: with the head coaches they won consistency and message and delivery. 216 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 1: And that's the one thing that has always struck me 217 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: about Brandon. You may disagree with him, especially late in 218 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 1: a season on some of those fourth down calls, and 219 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,679 Speaker 1: that's been brought up for debate and stuff, but you 220 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:30,199 Speaker 1: can legitimately say, you can legitimately say here's the reason 221 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: why he did it, and also go back to times 222 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 1: earlier in the season when he did and I think 223 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 1: Tom touched on Dad also when he had his season 224 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: ending thing with us that you know, they have an 225 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: they have an aggressive mindset mentality. That's what they're known 226 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 1: for now. And even Brandon said when things were going 227 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: well earlier in the season with the eighth or eight 228 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: with the offense on fourth downs there, it's gonna be 229 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: times when it doesn't work out, and he knows that 230 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: and he doesn't shy away from that. So I think 231 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 1: consistency and message, you know, is the biggest thing for 232 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: fans and players for us. You know, he's a great quote. Now. 233 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: He might might go three to five minutes at times 234 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:21,200 Speaker 1: explaining things, and he can he can relive a John 235 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: Carroll Mountain Union game from twenty fifteen down to every 236 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 1: play by play. But you know they've got you've got 237 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 1: your young quarterback and you've got a young head coach 238 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:39,559 Speaker 1: now to marry with. That is an identity for this franchise, 239 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 1: which I think or key Bedrocks going forward, Gil, Before 240 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 1: you pop in, I'm just going to add because when 241 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: you talked about sort of consistency and messaging, I'm gonna 242 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,319 Speaker 1: throw in another word, and that's conviction. And I think 243 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: Brandon Staley that word to me, he has stood by 244 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 1: whatever it was, any decision that he made and you 245 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: mentioned it, whether it was the late decisions or the 246 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,959 Speaker 1: decisions later in the year, going back to the ones 247 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,960 Speaker 1: at the beginning, you know where he stands. You know 248 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 1: where this Chargers team stands. And after hearing like you 249 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:11,199 Speaker 1: said it Shoe from Tom this week, you know where 250 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,760 Speaker 1: they're going to go moving forward. And make no mistake, 251 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 1: this is the identity of this new era of Chargers 252 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:19,760 Speaker 1: football that was certainly ushered in last year and is 253 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:22,679 Speaker 1: now going to build be built upon in twenty twenty two. 254 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 1: But Gil, your turn, You're up? What about you? No, Haley, 255 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: I like conviction. Joe like being consistent because I'll just 256 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:32,000 Speaker 1: phrase it a different way, sticking to his guns. I 257 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 1: feel like he's kind of gone through this transformation where 258 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 1: like he came up as a motivational speaker. He was 259 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 1: saying the right things. People love hearing what he's preaching, 260 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: his philosophy on running the football, sacks and stuff like that, 261 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 1: things about football. But then when when the fourth downs 262 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:48,960 Speaker 1: weren't working, people started kind of turning on Brandon's Daley. 263 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: He was kind of a bad guy out of nowhere. 264 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: He became the Telasso guy to like, who's this guy 265 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 1: trying to change football way too fast for me. I 266 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 1: don't I don't like this right now. So he was 267 00:13:57,840 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 1: consistent with that. He says going to be aggressive on 268 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: four down. He didn't really waver from that. Uh. And 269 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 1: the thing about with Brandon, it's not just about math 270 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:07,840 Speaker 1: and numbers and analytic it's about gut feeling. And you 271 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:09,440 Speaker 1: pay your head coach to kind of get a field 272 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: for the game, and you see Justin Herbert out there, 273 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:15,079 Speaker 1: number ten throwing five thousand yards for the season. You're 274 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 1: gonna go for it more often than not because you 275 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:18,320 Speaker 1: have that guy on your team. And we saw in 276 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:20,120 Speaker 1: Las Vegas what he did on fourth down. I still 277 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 1: can't believe what he was doing on that final drive 278 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:26,040 Speaker 1: and towards regulation to get fourth down out the fourth down. 279 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: So being consistent. The thing you kind of heard about 280 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: Brandon stated was like, yeah, it sounds like the things 281 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: that people want to hear, he's saying them, but he's 282 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 1: not trying to, you know, make you happy by hearing 283 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 1: what you want to hear. And that was kind of 284 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 1: true throughout the whole year because there were things that 285 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 1: people didn't like, and he was still going off his 286 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: belief in his philosophy. So for me, that to that 287 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: was kind of transformation from the the new cool head 288 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: coach that people like to kind of like, who's this 289 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 1: guy trying to shake up football? That's kind of you know, 290 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: I don't like this too much. So for me, that 291 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 1: was kind of the thing that stood up for me. Well, 292 00:14:57,680 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: then when you mentioned sort of that gut feeling right 293 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 1: eight and separating it from the numbers and the analytics 294 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: and the math. He also talked a lot this season 295 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 1: about building relationships with guys on this team and within 296 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 1: the coaches too, on his staff and the front office members, 297 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: and I think any pressor that we all listened to 298 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 1: the countless ones that happened this year, when you heard 299 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: from players talk about sort of the collaboration that would 300 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 1: happen with him and other coaches and within the players 301 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 1: as well, I thought that was really notable to sort 302 00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: of breed that collaboration. I remember him talking about, you know, 303 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: talking to different guys about what plays they thought would 304 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 1: work well against certain teams and making sure everyone felt 305 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:37,720 Speaker 1: really comfortable going into games. And you know, Chris, you 306 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 1: mentioned the foundation, where you set that foundation now and 307 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 1: you only build upon it and hopefully you only grow 308 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: from it too, as this team moves on, no question 309 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: about it. And I think, I think, I mean, obviously 310 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 1: I agree with everybody here, and it's just makes it 311 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: that much more important to capitalize on the successes that 312 00:15:56,960 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 1: you did have this year because Kansas City isn't going away, 313 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 1: Buffalo isn't going away. You have to find ways to 314 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: beat those teams and winning the division absolutely. All right. 315 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 1: Final question, gonna end on a fun note here. What 316 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 1: was your favorite game or play? We'll open it up 317 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 1: to interpretation of the twenty twenty one season for the 318 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Chargers. Gilbert take it away, But I mean 319 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: it's about the tough questions, Hayley, I know, sir, so 320 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: sorry now, but you know, I guess I won't go 321 00:16:27,760 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: you know, so, can I change, like could it be 322 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:31,840 Speaker 1: played different? Play from a different game? And my favorite 323 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: game is that? Is that? Okay? To change? You could 324 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: pick one or the other or both, whatever you want 325 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: to do, Okay, all right, I'm just I'm just like 326 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 1: I think about what's to say, gil But you know 327 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,320 Speaker 1: I won't go with the ease of them because he 328 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 1: has the game in Las Vegas was amazing. Uh, there's 329 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 1: a lot of good games, but you know, I guess 330 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 1: I go with the Steelers want on Sunday Night Football, 331 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: just to kind of switch it up. You know, it 332 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 1: seemed like the Chargers at that game, you know, uh, 333 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 1: you know what a double did? Your lead and well 334 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 1: into the fourth quarter and then I don't know where 335 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: the Steelers are making a run. Uh, Cam Hayward catches 336 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:05,000 Speaker 1: an interception of a ball that bounced off his helmet 337 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 1: or I think it was something else from the seaters, 338 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 1: but it was just chaos and in that fourth quarter 339 00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: and you start thinking, well, it's the same old charge. 340 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 1: You're gonna blow a lead again primetime and football people 341 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: are gonna just make the jokes that they always make. 342 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: And then I don't know where Justin Herbert finds Michael 343 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:20,199 Speaker 1: Williams for that bomb U touchdown to kind of win 344 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:22,399 Speaker 1: the game. And and Mike Williams and Justin her have 345 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:25,920 Speaker 1: plenty of those kind of go ahead touchdowns game winning play, 346 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: so uh, that alone kind of shows you that that 347 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,159 Speaker 1: this team has kind of turned the corner corner in 348 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 1: terms of one score games and uh and com pulling 349 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 1: out the close ones. Hopefully for the beat reporters, there's 350 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 1: no more close games x here because when it's a blowout, 351 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 1: that's easier for us for us writers. But uh, and 352 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: in terms of the play, I'm gonna go easy. I 353 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: just can't get over the play. Uh, justin Herbert a 354 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 1: jailing guide in fifty nine yards touchdown against a giant 355 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: because just the way it developed and for me to 356 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:55,440 Speaker 1: kind of I got the full view in the press box, 357 00:17:55,560 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 1: I saw, you know, jailing guiding, you know, trying to 358 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:00,159 Speaker 1: find that ball, trying to track it from his right 359 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 1: shoulder to his laugh and I'm thinking he's not gonna, 360 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: you know, turn around in time to catch his ball. 361 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: And then on the other side, Herbert takes a big 362 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:10,159 Speaker 1: hit and you're like, how did this guy use unleash 363 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:13,159 Speaker 1: a bomb that far and a pretty ball at the 364 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 1: same time taking a hit. So for me, I think 365 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 1: that's one of those moments we're like, Wow, this justin 366 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:20,879 Speaker 1: Herbert kid keeps getting better and that arm strength, I 367 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:22,880 Speaker 1: don't think anybody can match it. Maybe a Josh Allen 368 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 1: or Patrick Mahomes, but I don't know right now. I 369 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:26,879 Speaker 1: think you bring up a good point two on that 370 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: play because Herbert obviously gets a lot of credit and 371 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,440 Speaker 1: deservedly so. But for Guyton to make the adjustments to 372 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 1: end up tracking and finding it too, it was just 373 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:37,639 Speaker 1: as good as a catch, I think, and the effort 374 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 1: that he put on his part as it was the 375 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: throw from Herbert. All right, let's go to Chris. You know, Haley, 376 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 1: you were sitting next to me in the press box, 377 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 1: and it's not like this play was anything like like wow. 378 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: But it was third quarter of Brown's Chargers and the 379 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 1: team is down fourteen points and they're going for it 380 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 1: on fourth and two and if they don't get it, 381 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 1: they're gonna lose that game to the Browns, right. I 382 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 1: think it was like an Austin Ekeler rush that converted. 383 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: They eventually scored, and then we had a forty one 384 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:19,159 Speaker 1: point fourth quarter forty seven forty two Chargers beat the 385 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,920 Speaker 1: brown So I think that play is almost kind of 386 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 1: like a microcosm of the way this team played. And 387 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,439 Speaker 1: I think Joe brought up a good point like some 388 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 1: of the fourth downs that were questioned at the end 389 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 1: of the year, and that same breath, you also have 390 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:37,119 Speaker 1: to mention the fourth downs against Cleveland and Philadelphia that 391 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 1: won them games, especially that went down to the wire. 392 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: So I just I felt like that Week five game 393 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 1: was so entertaining. Cleveland was good at the beginning of 394 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: the year. They had Nick Chubb Roland and it was 395 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: just fun to see Justin Herbert kind of bounce back 396 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:56,639 Speaker 1: and go toe for toe with that that Cleveland offense. 397 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:59,399 Speaker 1: But I just that one play, for some reason, just 398 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 1: stick out to me, because everyone's looking like, if they 399 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 1: don't get this, this game's over in the middle of 400 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:06,960 Speaker 1: third and like Gill said, he could write his story 401 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:09,680 Speaker 1: and be done and go home, you know. But that's 402 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 1: not what happened. It's not what happened. But I will 403 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 1: say those two games specifically, and you can lump the 404 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:19,120 Speaker 1: Vegas gave into that too. I felt we had sort 405 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 1: of been through this sort of exhausting, like whoa Holy 406 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 1: cow games that this team happened, and then the Vegas 407 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 1: one happened obviously at the end of the year, but 408 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:31,679 Speaker 1: those games were nuts. That Browns game, Chris, I remember 409 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:33,720 Speaker 1: saying this to you when we did the Final Drive 410 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 1: after that game, you felt like every single week leading 411 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:38,920 Speaker 1: up to that game, you were gonna get the shootout. 412 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 1: It was gonna happen in Dallas. It was gonna happen 413 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 1: in Kansas City, and it didn't happen, and then it 414 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:46,880 Speaker 1: just cracked open in that Browns game. And who knew 415 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: right at the time, but that was certainly a really, 416 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 1: really remarkable one. I bet Joe ready knew. Joe should 417 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 1: have known. Yeah, look at this. Look at the seamless 418 00:20:55,280 --> 00:21:00,480 Speaker 1: transition into Joe's Joe's either favorite game or play here. Well, 419 00:21:00,520 --> 00:21:05,080 Speaker 1: I mean, we have games that I kind of called, 420 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 1: and I'll edited since this is a family podcast, Backcrack Crazy. 421 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:15,920 Speaker 1: We had three of those. We had three of those 422 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: fourth quarters this year. I mean we had Cleveland, Pittsburgh 423 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:24,400 Speaker 1: and then the last draft of the Raiders, that nineteen 424 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 1: play drive that I think we all joked it could 425 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 1: go to Stairway to Heaven or Free Bird, the Freebird, 426 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:35,320 Speaker 1: or you know, the Chariot's a Fire theme with with 427 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: how long it took until until you got the final result. 428 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: But Player of the Year, I'm gonna go back to 429 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:49,760 Speaker 1: Game one. Chargers just had their second red zone turnover 430 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 1: on a Justin Herbert interception. Ball was at the Washington four. 431 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:59,719 Speaker 1: First play, Kaiser White forces to fumble, fact Ral recovers 432 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:02,639 Speaker 1: and they get the U and they get to go 433 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: ahead touchdown, I'll go I go to that because I 434 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:10,160 Speaker 1: think that kind of set the mentality for the rest 435 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:13,359 Speaker 1: of the season. That, you know, with the with the 436 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 1: fourth quarter defeats and key turnovers the last couple of years, 437 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 1: he could have done the here we go again. And 438 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 1: the fact that the defense picked up the offense and 439 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:28,359 Speaker 1: then the offense converted, um, I think was huge and 440 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,120 Speaker 1: a good in a good mentality go into the year. 441 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 1: UM as far as games that that to me, that 442 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh game still um, that fourth quarter, the combat, you know, 443 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 1: the way both sides were going, Austin Eckler's uh four 444 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:51,520 Speaker 1: TD game and then just that beautiful throw from Justin 445 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:55,200 Speaker 1: to Mike Williams and the uh the turkey whole shot. 446 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: UM it really um, roy was impressive, and especially with 447 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:04,359 Speaker 1: what Justin does in primetime games too. Yeah, it's I mean, 448 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 1: we obviously see Justin Herbert every week, almost every day 449 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 1: of every week, and we're all very very well aware 450 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: of what it is that he's capable of doing. But 451 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 1: when he gets on the national stage and the rest 452 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:19,399 Speaker 1: of the country gets to see it, it's truly truly special. 453 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: I was going to pick the Pittsburgh game and I 454 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:23,480 Speaker 1: honestly thought that was gonna be like the dark horse contender, 455 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,320 Speaker 1: but apparently not. But you guys all took it away 456 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:28,240 Speaker 1: from me. And then I think, Joe, I'm going to 457 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:32,320 Speaker 1: kind of mention for play and favorite might not be 458 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,480 Speaker 1: the right word i'd use, but but most notable I 459 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:37,440 Speaker 1: think sort of plays off of what you said. And 460 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 1: that was Uchenna's interception in that Thursday night game against 461 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 1: the Chiefs, which then led to an offensive touchdown and 462 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 1: got the Chargers back in that game. And I just think, 463 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:49,760 Speaker 1: you know those so much of this team this season 464 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:53,919 Speaker 1: talked about playing complimentary football in terms of all units 465 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 1: working together and when the defense needed a lift, the 466 00:23:56,760 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 1: offense gave it to them in vice versa. And that 467 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,920 Speaker 1: was sort of that instant two of being able. I 468 00:24:02,320 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 1: really feel like in hearing from all these players this year, 469 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:08,879 Speaker 1: they really have this mindset of, Hey, we're gonna go 470 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:11,239 Speaker 1: get it done for those guys who are sitting over 471 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 1: there on the bench. And you saw that at multiple 472 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 1: times this season. Surprised nobody mentioned the road Kansas City 473 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: game Week three of them, it's that's the road quarter 474 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 1: comeback and everything. I mean that that was an impressive 475 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 1: drive too late, the Mike Williams TD and then the 476 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:35,640 Speaker 1: Gilman interception. It kind of that kind of set up things. 477 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:38,600 Speaker 1: Really early in the season, we had a couple of 478 00:24:38,640 --> 00:24:42,560 Speaker 1: situations where the defense getting key turnovers and I think 479 00:24:42,640 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 1: that was a big deficiency of this team the past 480 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:50,960 Speaker 1: couple of years getting turnovers to you know, set this team, 481 00:24:51,400 --> 00:24:54,479 Speaker 1: set the offense up for success, and I think role 482 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:58,680 Speaker 1: early in the season we saw that a lot, especially 483 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:01,560 Speaker 1: in those early wins. Well, and I'll throw this out too, 484 00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 1: and it may not have been the sexiest drive necessarily 485 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,920 Speaker 1: of the season, but that final drive in the Eagles 486 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 1: game too, where the offense held onto the ball for 487 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 1: just over six minutes or so to get into field 488 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:15,399 Speaker 1: goal range for Dustin Hopkins to kick the game winner. 489 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:18,160 Speaker 1: That was a situation you talk a lot. We've talked 490 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 1: a lot about maybe Chargers teams of years past maybe 491 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,320 Speaker 1: not being able to hold on to the ball for 492 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 1: that long get at some point be forced to punt. 493 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:29,440 Speaker 1: But they got it done and ended up getting the 494 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:33,120 Speaker 1: win based off a drive like can I throw one more? Haley? Sure? 495 00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:36,400 Speaker 1: I know it wasn't that like the like the prettiest game, 496 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 1: but just to dominate the Bengals in Cincinnati when we 497 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 1: were thought the Charges would kind of out of it 498 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:42,840 Speaker 1: in that point, and to see the Bengals doing so 499 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: well and for the Chargers to jump really quick on 500 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:48,159 Speaker 1: them and then have the Herbert two point Cats there, 501 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 1: it was pretty nice as well. Yeah, and all ended here. 502 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:53,480 Speaker 1: Chris rump I spoke with him earlier this week and 503 00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:55,120 Speaker 1: that was the game where he was able to get 504 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 1: his first NFL career sack, and he actually said that 505 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:00,680 Speaker 1: was his favorite game of the season and all even 506 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:03,360 Speaker 1: at this he said the bus ride home, the plane 507 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:05,200 Speaker 1: ride home was quite fun. They had a lot of 508 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:10,240 Speaker 1: fun on that one coming back from Cincinnati. So thank 509 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 1: you all for joining us. For Joe Reedy, Gilbert Vanzano, 510 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:16,159 Speaker 1: Chris Harry. I'm Haley Ellwood and this has been the 511 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 1: final Drive presented by Windows eleven.