1 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 1: Everybody. Chris every with you on a brand new edition 2 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: of Chargers Weekly Free Agency Edition and my first guest, 3 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: a friend of the podcast. We actually did this when 4 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: you were working for the Kansas City Star Brooke prior 5 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: of ESPN joys, but she covers the Steelers broke first 6 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: and foremost house free agency treat you. It's a lot 7 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: fighter here than it was when I was in Kansas 8 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:37,600 Speaker 1: City and they were signing Tyrn, Matthew and Frank Clark. 9 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: It's a lot more going than people coming to Pittsburgh 10 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: this time around. So it's I'm not used to this 11 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: quite yet. Yeah, that's right. Well, so we got Robbed 12 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: Demoski coming up to talk Corey Lindsley. But Matt Filer 13 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: coming to the Chargers. This is a guy who maybe 14 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: is a little bit unheralded when you talk about that 15 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh offensive line, but a big key to their success 16 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 1: is past season. Yeah. I think unhalded is the perfect 17 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:06,959 Speaker 1: word to describe Matt Feiler. I mean, this is a 18 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: guy that was an undrafted free agent out of a 19 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 1: Division two college, so he's used to that label. But 20 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 1: I think the thing that makes him so valuable and 21 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:18,759 Speaker 1: the reason why the Chargers gave him a good contract 22 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,919 Speaker 1: is that he's so versatile. I mean, he was the 23 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: right tackle in twenty nineteen, started there all season. Then 24 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 1: the Steelers had some guys retired leave guys like Ramone 25 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:31,319 Speaker 1: Foster and b J. Finney, and they kicked him inside 26 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: the left guard and he started there all season. And 27 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: it looks like the Chargers are going to keep him 28 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: at guard if I'm reading things correctly. And they announced 29 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 1: him as a guard, which makes sense. He was a 30 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 1: really good guard. But I was watching film from him 31 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: when he was playing tackle two seasons ago, and he 32 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: can really move guys. So he's not you know, the 33 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 1: big sexy signing. He's not you know, the Corey Linsley signing. 34 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 1: But I think he's going to be really important in 35 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 1: you know, holding up the pocket, in protecting a young quarterback, 36 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: no question, and steady. You just want somebody steady, a 37 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: steady presence there. If he's going to play left guard. 38 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: And then he goes from all pro center Marquise Pouncy 39 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: to all Pro center Corey Linsley, how important do you 40 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,239 Speaker 1: think that is for him and maybe his decision making 41 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 1: and said, hey, okay, we got a young quarterback with 42 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: a lot of promise, and b I get to be 43 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 1: next to Corey Lesley right exactly well, especially because Marquise 44 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:24,919 Speaker 1: Pouncy is retiring, So I think he kind of saw 45 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 1: the writing on the wall there, like they're gonna start 46 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: to have this big turnover on the offensive line here. 47 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 1: And quite honestly, the offensive line really dropped in their production, 48 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: especially toward the second half of the season. You know, 49 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: they start out eleven and know things look like they're 50 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 1: going really well. Toward the end of the season, the 51 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 1: line just wasn't holding up. The run game, couldn't get established. 52 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: Roethlisberger was feeling the pressure. And I think that the 53 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 1: line in Pittsburgh needed a facelift and needed some new faces. 54 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: And that's going to start at center with Marquise Pouncy retiring. 55 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 1: And I think Matt Feiler said, you know what, this 56 00:02:56,639 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 1: was great. It worked out well here he had a 57 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 1: chance to prove himself. But now he's going to have 58 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 1: a chance to prove himself in a different kind of 59 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:07,399 Speaker 1: system with another all Pro center, with a young quarterback. 60 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 1: It's going to be a lot different than protecting Ben Roethlisberger. 61 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 1: And I think he got good experience here, but I 62 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 1: think it was just time for a change of scenery. 63 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 1: And I think it's it's a situation where it's going 64 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: to work out well for both parties. But I know 65 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:21,679 Speaker 1: the Steelers were interested in trying to bring him back, 66 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: but they just did not have the cap space. At 67 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,239 Speaker 1: the end of the day, they are working on a 68 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,919 Speaker 1: very very tight budget. So I think it's going to 69 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: work out well for Matt Feiler to go out last 70 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 1: the way he developed in Pittsburgh, you know, undrafted free agent. 71 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: The Houston Texans sign him in twenty fourteen, but the 72 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 1: way he developed, was there a moment when you were 73 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 1: covering this team where you're like, Okay, you know, we 74 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: talked about Villaneueva, we talk about pouncy, but this Matt 75 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 1: Filer guy is on that tier of really good guards 76 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 1: in versatile offensive linement. I think it was when the 77 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: Steelers decided that they wanted to kick him inside, that 78 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: they had the faith in moving him from tackle to 79 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 1: being an immediate starter at guard that told me that 80 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: they think really highly of him, And the fact that 81 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: they wanted to keep him around after last season. I mean, 82 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: I just think that to me as alignment being versatile 83 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 1: is the most important thing that you can do. Because 84 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,440 Speaker 1: there's going to be injuries on the line. You need 85 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 1: to be able to pick up and move inside or 86 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: kickback outside, just depending on the injury and what your 87 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 1: line requires of you. So I don't know if there 88 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: was a specific moment in a game, especially, you know, 89 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 1: you mentioned he's unheralded. Lines in general are pretty unheralded. 90 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: You only notice that they're really messing up, and Matt 91 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: Feiler doesn't have many of those situations. I mean, I 92 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 1: think he had the fewest pressures allowed among guards last season. 93 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: So this is a guy who he's really really good 94 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 1: and because of that, you don't necessarily notice him. And 95 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 1: I think that that just speaks to how well he's 96 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:54,360 Speaker 1: done and how much he's been able to come up 97 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 1: and develop in the Steelers system. And now I think 98 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: what gets reunited with Sean Sarrett now of Chargers, who 99 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,159 Speaker 1: was here for a long time, I think that that's 100 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:05,280 Speaker 1: going to be a really helpful pairing for him to 101 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 1: get adjusted to a new team. Absolutely, and you know, 102 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 1: with Justin Herbert going into his second season and the 103 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 1: way he played with the offensive line, it's just a 104 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:17,919 Speaker 1: lot of injuries last year and maybe some inconsistencies. It'll 105 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:21,039 Speaker 1: be good to kind of solidify the interior of that line. 106 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,839 Speaker 1: But the AFC, Weston in general, I can ask you 107 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: about the Chiefs because you have a little experience covering 108 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: the Chiefs. When you look at what the Chargers are 109 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: doing just in the AFC, just the landscape you survey it. 110 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: You see Brandon Staley coming in, you have Justin Herbert, 111 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: a second year quarterback with some of these moves here 112 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 1: and there, and we don't know what the next couple 113 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 1: of weeks you're going to bring in the AFC in 114 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: general with free agency, but your thoughts on where the 115 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,280 Speaker 1: Chargers are right now with a new coach, a new 116 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 1: coaching staff, and a few new pieces on offensive defense. Yeah, 117 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: I like what the Charges are doing. I mean, this 118 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: is a young team that is now supplementing kind of 119 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 1: that young core they have with some of the vets 120 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: like Lindsley, let like Matt Feiler. I think that I'm 121 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:06,119 Speaker 1: really excited about what they're building because I think Justin 122 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 1: Herbert to me, was the most exciting young quarterback to 123 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 1: watch last season. And I mean the Chiefs over in 124 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: Kansas City also have a young quarterback that's exciting a 125 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 1: little bit more better and now having gone to the 126 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 1: Super Bowl two times. But I think in the AFC West, 127 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 1: the key is finding these young guys, getting them in 128 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 1: your system early, putting them in these situations where they're 129 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 1: going to have success with veterans around them. I think 130 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: that they are creating a team that can compete not 131 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:33,479 Speaker 1: only in the AFC West, but then the AFC as 132 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: a whole. I mean, the Chiefs are going to be 133 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:37,600 Speaker 1: the team to be in the AFCUS for a long 134 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 1: long time. Everyone is chasing them. But I look at 135 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: the moves that the Chargers are making, and to me, 136 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,119 Speaker 1: that puts them in second place in the AFC West. 137 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 1: The Broncos, I'm not sure that they have their guy 138 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 1: and Drew Locke. The Raiders, I'm not sure that they 139 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,479 Speaker 1: are building anything there right now when they're trading away 140 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: all of their alignemen, guys that I didn't really expect 141 00:06:57,640 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 1: to see on the move. So I think that the 142 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 1: Chargers are making moves to be in the conversation and 143 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 1: really compete with Kansas City. And you know, meanwhile, Kansas 144 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:08,719 Speaker 1: City is also retooling their line, making some big moves, 145 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: bringing me in guys to protect Patrick Mahomes. But I 146 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 1: think that the Chargers are going to be in contention 147 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: in that division for a while with this young core 148 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 1: that they're bringing together. You know what's fascinating when you 149 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: talk about the Chiefs, and we've had this conversation over 150 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: the last couple of months, is how do you beat 151 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 1: the Chiefs? Like, what do you do? Do you try 152 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 1: to stack up defensively, slow Patrick Mahomes, Do you get 153 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 1: the weapons to try to score with them, to outscore them? 154 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 1: And you know, I look at what Justin Herbert did 155 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 1: offensively last year. He was putting up points with guys 156 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, but also some of these 157 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 1: undrafted guys Donald Parham and Jalen Giden. But defensively, that's 158 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: what's going to be fascinating to be Brandon Staley coming in, 159 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: Durwin James coming back to somebody who could could guard 160 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: Travis Kelsey. I'm just what do you think that the 161 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: ingredient is to try to slow the chief Sometimes it's like, 162 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 1: all right, beat him at their own game, or try 163 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: to slow them defensively. I mean, at this point, it 164 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 1: seems like the best thing he can do is prey. 165 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 1: But that's the secret key. But I mean, the Bucks 166 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: had a ton of success in the Super Bowl just 167 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 1: getting pressure on Mahomes and that line crumpled. I think 168 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,239 Speaker 1: that the more pressure that you can get up front 169 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 1: to just plow through their line, that's huge because the 170 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 1: other thing we saw is that Mahomes can't do it 171 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: all by himself. You can have the best quarterback in 172 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 1: the world, but the line wasn't protecting and his guys 173 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:35,199 Speaker 1: just weren't making catches. So to me, I think the 174 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 1: key is just to build a really strong defense and 175 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 1: have a solid offense on the other side, which the 176 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 1: Chargers are definitely doing. But I think that you just 177 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 1: watch the game plan that the Bucks had, and obviously 178 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 1: you know you can't go out. Not everybody can sign 179 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 1: Tom Brady, not everybody can get Antonio Brown and have 180 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 1: all of those weapons. But defensively, they made Patrick mahomes 181 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: life a living nightmare that night because they just manhandled 182 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: the line. And I think that that is a huge 183 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 1: key going forward for teams to see how you can 184 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 1: pick apart Myhomes and I think the Chiefs realize that 185 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: and that's why they made those moves like releasing Eric 186 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:10,839 Speaker 1: Fisher and Mitch Schwartz, which you know, I think is 187 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: shocking given how much success those guys had had before 188 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: last season. But Schwartz is hurt, Fisher into the season hurt. 189 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: I think that they just knew we have to do 190 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:22,839 Speaker 1: something different because teams are going to be coming for 191 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: us Brook the AFC. With the Steelers, you mentioned it 192 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:29,319 Speaker 1: at the top, I mean you start eleven or no. 193 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,439 Speaker 1: Obviously wasn't the December and the January they were hoping for. 194 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: What do you make of the Steelers going into twenty 195 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:40,200 Speaker 1: twenty one? Obviously Ben is back, not a ton of 196 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 1: cap space, but just a track record of success in Pittsburgh. 197 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 1: I don't think you could ever count out the Steelers. 198 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: Great that the thing is, yeah, the Steelers, you can 199 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 1: look at their roster right now that I don't know 200 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: about next season, because to me, this is a team 201 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: that is signaling, hey, we want to rebuild. We want 202 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:59,079 Speaker 1: to come in with a young, wore of guys. We're 203 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:01,079 Speaker 1: going to have to cut some veterans. It's going to 204 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: be painful doing things like cutting Vince Williams, letting Bud 205 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: dupre walk. Budd's a young guy, but they're okay replacing 206 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 1: him with Alex Highsmith. I think that they're signaling he 207 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:12,319 Speaker 1: we know that this is going to be a work 208 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: in progress year. But it's kind of a split personality 209 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 1: situation because you're bringing in a quarterback who's been here forever, 210 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: a thirty nine year old quarterback, surrounding him with a 211 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 1: bunch of young guys. I'm interested to see if there's 212 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:27,560 Speaker 1: any part of a culture clash, you know. I don't 213 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:28,839 Speaker 1: know that that's the right works. I know that you 214 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: necessarily have that on the field, but I think that 215 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: there's going to be some differing ideologies, especially when you 216 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,080 Speaker 1: have Matt Canada as your offensive coordinator. Coming from the 217 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 1: college game. He's used to working with younger guys that 218 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 1: are open to innovation. I don't know how much Ben 219 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: Roethlisberger is going to be ready to do that, playing 220 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 1: in what will likely be his last year. So I'm 221 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: interested to see what the power struggle dynamic is. I mean, 222 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,679 Speaker 1: Ben is the unquestioned leader of this team, the guy 223 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 1: who's been around the longest, but you're saying to him, Okay, 224 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: we want you to come back, but we're also we 225 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 1: don't have the money to bring back your favorite guys, 226 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 1: and some of your favorite guys were going to retire, 227 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 1: like Arky's Punty, like Vance McDonald, their jujusmus shoes are 228 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 1: probably gone. I just think that it's going to be 229 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 1: a much different team than the one that been played 230 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 1: with last year, one that held up well or got 231 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: lucky through eleven games and then crumpled. But I don't 232 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 1: think that this next season is going to start with 233 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,200 Speaker 1: an eleven and oh streak. But I'm also not going 234 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 1: to say the Steelers are going to finish five hundred 235 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: or have a losing season, because they always seem to 236 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:34,080 Speaker 1: figure out something. It's just gonna look a lot different 237 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:38,199 Speaker 1: than teams of Steelers past. Yeah, Tom was allergic to 238 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 1: losing seasons. It doesn't really happen in Pittsburgh, Brook. I 239 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: will say this, I look ahead to the schedule. Steelers 240 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 1: are coming to Sofi Stadium. You have to be excited 241 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: to come out and check out the digs here in 242 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:54,200 Speaker 1: LA I am thrilled, especially because we didn't travel last 243 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 1: season with the pandemic. I did all of the away 244 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: games from my couch, except that I got tapped to 245 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: go to the Super Bowl. That was only away game 246 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 1: all year. So looking at the schedule, the thing I 247 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:08,280 Speaker 1: missed the most about the AFC West is the travel schedule. 248 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: So knowing that I get to go out to California, 249 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 1: go to SOFI, I am so excited. And I mean 250 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 1: the last time that the Steelers were out in California, 251 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: they had a pretty good game against the Chargers. That 252 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: was the Duck Hodges game. That was just I mean, 253 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 1: I don't think that Duck Hodges is going to be 254 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:27,439 Speaker 1: starting this year, especially because I believe he's signed with 255 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:31,679 Speaker 1: the Rams, but I have great memories of covering Chargers 256 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: games in LA and that was before they moved to 257 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: the new stadium. So I think that this is going 258 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 1: to be a really really fun trip. Well, we can't wait. 259 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: You do awesome work at ESPN. Can't thank you enough 260 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: for your time and little insight into Matt Feiler. Absolutely 261 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 1: thanks Chris. All right, well, Corey Lesley is officially a Charger. 262 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 1: Very please be joined by Rob Debovsky covers the Packers 263 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 1: for ESPN, and Rob I think Packers face probably sets 264 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:03,839 Speaker 1: it was coming. What are the Chargers getting in all 265 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:07,760 Speaker 1: pro center? Corey Linsley. Yeah, the Packers didn't let him 266 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 1: go because they didn't want him. They let him go 267 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 1: because they couldn't afford him. He had really he got 268 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:16,959 Speaker 1: so good that he priced himself out of it. And 269 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 1: that's a credit to Corey. You know, obviously Aaron Rodgers 270 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: gets all the credit here, right, I mean, he's just 271 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 1: he's Aaron Rodgers. But if you ask Aaron Rodgers who 272 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: helps it in the most in terms of getting things 273 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:33,839 Speaker 1: set up and reading things at the line of scrimmage, 274 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: and you know how good Rodgers is pre snap at 275 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 1: diagnosic things, he would tell you that Corey Linsley is 276 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 1: just as important in doing that. And uh, you know, 277 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: I think that's gonna be a real hole for these guys, 278 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 1: at a real plus, uh for the Chargers. And you know, 279 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 1: it's a lot like what I said to you guys 280 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 1: when a year ago when you signed Brian Bulaga. It's 281 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 1: just a smart veteran guy. The hope is that, you know, 282 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: I know, Bolaga had some injuries last year and got 283 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: banged up. You know, the whope is that Lindsley, because 284 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:09,080 Speaker 1: he's got some miles on him, can stay healthy. So 285 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 1: Corey ninety nine starts in Green Bay. And you mentioned it. Listen, 286 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 1: Rogers one of the greatest of all time. But for 287 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 1: a guy like Justin Herbert, who had such an impressive 288 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 1: rookie season in year two, to get an asset like 289 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: that at center for at least the next few years, 290 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: what do you think that means to a young quarterback. 291 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: We know what it meant to Rodgers. Yeah, it's invaluable. Really. 292 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 1: I mean just to have someone someone that's smart and 293 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: that dedicated to studying. I mean, he just he puts 294 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: the effort in. He is more prepared than anybody on 295 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 1: that offense. And he'll be great for Justin in the 296 00:14:45,960 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 1: sense that it will provide a comfort in that you know, 297 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: Justin may say, well, I think I see this, but 298 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 1: he needs the confirmation. You know, all young players regardless 299 00:14:57,400 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: of how talented they are, and he's obviously talented off 300 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 1: the chart and he showed that, but you sort of 301 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 1: need that. Yeah, am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? 302 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: And Corey will provide that for him, no question. And 303 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:13,800 Speaker 1: it's one of those things too, where yes, this is 304 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: for Justin, but the Chargers are kind of revamping this 305 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 1: offensive line. They want to get the running game going 306 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 1: as well, whether it's Austin Eckler or Justin Jackson or 307 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: Joshua Kelly, it Will Weighe is Corey gonna be a 308 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 1: benefit in the run game for the Chargers. Well, he's 309 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 1: just a tough son of a gun. I mean that's 310 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: just you know, he is gritty, tough, and that's what 311 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 1: the run game is, right. I mean, and you ask 312 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: any offensive linement where they rather run block or pass block, 313 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 1: every single one of them would say rug block. You know, 314 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: It's just that's what they love to do. They love 315 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: to get down a dirty and that's what Corey is. 316 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: I mean, he's a blue collar kid from Youngstown, Ohio, 317 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,400 Speaker 1: you know, tough Midwestern kid, played at Ohio State, still 318 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 1: lives in Ohio as his offseason home. I mean, he's 319 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 1: not you know, he just likes the gritty toughness of 320 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: the Midwest and football and that's the run game. And 321 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: I think he'll provide, you know, a toughness attitude there. 322 00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 1: And you know, we always talk about chemistry on the 323 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: offensive line, and you alluded to it. The factive Brian 324 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: Bluelaga is here in vouch for the Chargers. Brian head 325 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:25,400 Speaker 1: his share of injury issues last year, but if those 326 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 1: two can stay healthy together, you had an up close 327 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: and personal seat to what that offensive line looks like. 328 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: What could it look like here if Brian has a 329 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: full season and Corey continues this All Pro pace. Yeah, 330 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 1: Like I've always thought that Brian was, you know, a 331 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl caliber player, but because he played right tackle, 332 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: I mean, you know how it is, that's not as 333 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 1: as glorious as left tackle. And now you throw in, 334 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: you know a guy in Corey Lindsley who just made 335 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: All Pro and Aaron Rodgers has always said this, he goes. 336 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: I feel like guys, you know, especially on the offensive line, 337 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 1: they typically end up getting those Pro Bowl or All 338 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 1: Pro rerecordians like a couple of years too late, like 339 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: the heat, Like he thinks Corey deserved it a couple 340 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 1: of years ago. Not that he didn't deserve it this year, 341 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:08,639 Speaker 1: but it just takes a while for the you know, 342 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 1: the rest of the league to figure out and catch 343 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:15,240 Speaker 1: up on reputation because look, there's no stats for offensive lineman, right, 344 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 1: I mean an ESPN we have these win rates and 345 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:20,399 Speaker 1: they're pretty good, but it's not like you know, the 346 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:23,680 Speaker 1: fantasy football people are checking the past block and run 347 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:26,160 Speaker 1: block win rates, you know, I mean, they're really cool stats, 348 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: but uh, you know, and just the idea that they 349 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 1: played together for so long and they're both great personalities. 350 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:36,160 Speaker 1: I mean they really are. Unfortunately probably did to see 351 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:38,679 Speaker 1: it last year with Brian because of you know, everything 352 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: was done this way on zoom. But two of them 353 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 1: guys that love to put the hard work in but 354 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: also love to make it fun. And I think that 355 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: will help the younger guys in that room that I'm 356 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,439 Speaker 1: sure you know, we'll look up to those two guys. 357 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: Rob character counts no doubt the fact that he was 358 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 1: the Walter Payton Man of the Year for the Packers. 359 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:01,320 Speaker 1: What are the Volts getting just a guy off the field, 360 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 1: because community is a big deal here in La. Yeah, 361 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,720 Speaker 1: the fans should just Chargers fans should just go look 362 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:12,400 Speaker 1: on Twitter and look up Corey Linsley's wife Anna Anna Lensley. 363 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:15,840 Speaker 1: She she penned one of the most beautiful farewells to 364 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 1: Green Bay. It's about a twenty five tweet thread and 365 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:21,919 Speaker 1: and if you read that, you'll know, you know what 366 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:26,280 Speaker 1: kind of people that that the Chargers community is getting 367 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 1: in And not just Corey but his wife Annah, so 368 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 1: involved in the community here, so involved in the community. 369 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:36,679 Speaker 1: Back in Ohio. They live in Columbus, I believe now, Um, 370 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: they're they're the kind of people that you know, will 371 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: bring not just football, but they'll bring uh you know, 372 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,640 Speaker 1: they'll bring life to the community. Uh there, and and 373 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 1: and and the Chargers organization that you know, she mentioned 374 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: like how the wives and the girlfriends of players, she 375 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: sort of bought it together. And I don't know if 376 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:57,919 Speaker 1: that happens in every place, but it happened here and 377 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:01,800 Speaker 1: it was really important to them. That's awesome, Hey, Rob, 378 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: last thing for you, I know, obviously you know the 379 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 1: Packers inside and out, but you also know the league 380 00:19:06,119 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: inside and out. Brandon Staley coming from the Rams to 381 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 1: the Chargers and what the Chargers are trying to build 382 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:16,680 Speaker 1: here and building off of when you talk about justin Herbert, 383 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 1: your thoughts on on Staley as a head coach and 384 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: what could be bruined here in the ANC West. Yeah, 385 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:27,200 Speaker 1: well we saw Staley's defense obviously in the playoffs this year. 386 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:30,480 Speaker 1: The Rams came in here in the in the divisional round, 387 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 1: and Matt Lafloor said it. Now, look, Matt's obviously got 388 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 1: you know, ties to the whole Ram system, and I 389 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: don't think he was blowing smoke when he said that 390 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 1: the Brandon Staley defense that they prepared for in that 391 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:49,199 Speaker 1: playoff game was the toughest defense to prepare for and 392 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 1: scheme for that they had all year last year year. 393 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,920 Speaker 1: I think that's saying something just in terms of the 394 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:59,919 Speaker 1: scheme and the XS and knows. Obviously, nobody knows why 395 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:02,880 Speaker 1: a guy will be like when he becomes a head coach. 396 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 1: For the first time, we didn't know what Matt Laflour 397 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:07,479 Speaker 1: was going to be like. We thought Matt Lafloor here 398 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: was hired because of his offensive connections to Aaron Rodgers 399 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: or to John McVay and Kyle Shanahan how that would 400 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:18,440 Speaker 1: translate Darren Rodgers, and that's true. But what nobody really 401 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: knew until Matt Laflour got the job and got in 402 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:23,160 Speaker 1: front of that room was how good he could be 403 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 1: at getting guys to buy in. And you know, that's 404 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,640 Speaker 1: the thing I think with a young coach like Staley 405 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 1: is to keep an eye on is how does he 406 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:35,400 Speaker 1: get the guys to buy in? And sometimes that's more 407 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: important than scheme. You know, yes, the scheme is great 408 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 1: by calling ability is great, but what la Floor did 409 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:44,920 Speaker 1: and what I think will be interesting to see Staley do. 410 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 1: Is Lafloor got the most important players on the team, 411 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 1: and in this case, it was Aaron Rodgers on offense 412 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 1: to Darius Smith on defense. Guys like that to buy in, 413 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,000 Speaker 1: and then the rest of the team followed suit. So 414 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:00,080 Speaker 1: you know, if Justin Herbert, he's young, but if he 415 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:03,120 Speaker 1: becomes the leader and he becomes, you know, an extension 416 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 1: of Brandon Staley, I think it's a good recipe for success. 417 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 1: It'll be fun. And you know, we have this whole 418 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,600 Speaker 1: free agency period, the draft, so much is going to 419 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:15,400 Speaker 1: change for all thirty two teams here over the next 420 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 1: couple of months. Rob Debowski a big fan of your work, man, 421 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:20,159 Speaker 1: I really appreciate you taking a few minutes to talk 422 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:23,200 Speaker 1: about Corey. It's my pleasure. Good luck to you guys. 423 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: All right, that's gonna do it for us. A big 424 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 1: thanks to Rob Domowsky and Brooke Prior for joining me, 425 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:31,359 Speaker 1: and of course thanks to you all for listening. Be 426 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:34,640 Speaker 1: sure to download and subscribe to the Chargers Podcast Network 427 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:38,399 Speaker 1: wherever you listen to podcasts, and when free agency news breaks, 428 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: we'll have you covered. Chargers dot Com all our social 429 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 1: media channels have a great weekend, and until next time, 430 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:50,720 Speaker 1: I'm Chris Hayry.