1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:04,320 Speaker 1: Welcome to Know Your Foe on Colts dot Com and 2 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: in depth look at the upcoming matchup. Here are your host, 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 1: Casey Valier and former Colts wide receiver Bill Brooks. Welcome 4 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: into another installment of Know Your Foe on Colts dot Com. 5 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 1: I am your host Casey Vallee, joined as always by 6 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:22,280 Speaker 1: culturing of honor wide receiver Bill Brooks. The Colts get 7 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: back at it following the tough loss of the Vikings 8 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: last weekend as they host the Chargers from Monday Night 9 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: Football and it get us caught up on all things Chargers. 10 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: We are joined by Daniel Popper of The Athletic Daniel, 11 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 1: thank you so much for the time. How you doing 12 00:00:34,479 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: doing great, guys, Thanks for having me. Well, the inclement 13 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:39,279 Speaker 1: weather's a little different than once you deal with in 14 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: Los Angeles, but hopefully it's not too bad. We're indoors 15 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 1: here in Annapolis for you this weekend. Yeah. Well, I 16 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: will say this, it's been dropping into the forties here 17 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: at night in California, which is absolutely frigid. People are 18 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: wearing about ten layers when they go out to lock 19 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: their dogs. But I'm from the East Coast, originally from 20 00:00:57,320 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: the New York City, area, So I'm a little bit 21 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: used to the cold and oviously spend a lot of 22 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: time in Indianapolis over my time cover in the NFL, 23 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 1: so I'll make sure I'm prepared. Well, that's good. I 24 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:07,199 Speaker 1: like I like to hear that it's it's typical weather 25 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 1: around here. I know these negative temperatures aren't as typical, 26 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,399 Speaker 1: but that's kind of what to expect here in the Midwest. Now, 27 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: look at this game on the field, the Chargers, they're 28 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: locked into a playoff conversation right now, looks like they're 29 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 1: in if the season ended today, and the culture kind 30 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 1: of trying to play spoiler with this Monday night football game. 31 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: I want to start with the head coach there with 32 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 1: the Chargers. We haven't seen Brandon Staley yet, and he's 33 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 1: known for kind of being a little more risky of 34 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: a coach. You know, he's going to go for it 35 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:34,480 Speaker 1: on a lot of fourth downs, but at times that 36 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,640 Speaker 1: comes with, you know, some territory that might come back 37 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: to bite you. How is that viewed with the Chargers 38 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:41,960 Speaker 1: fan base, the way that he calls plays and is 39 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 1: more aggressive. Yeah, I think the Chargers fans really love it. 40 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 1: And you know, when you're building a new fan base. 41 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: It's kind of a unique situation. And certainly, you know 42 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: I went through in Indianapolis twenty years ago, right, But 43 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: in Los Angeles, they're trying to build a fan base, 44 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: and so they really want organizationally, an exciting product, an 45 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 1: aggressive product, and you know, obviously Justin Herbert helps with that. 46 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: But having a head coach who wants to play aggressively 47 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: and go for it on fourth downs and put the 48 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: ball in the hands of his best player, and Justin 49 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: Herbert to go win games like at the end of 50 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: that Arizona game when they went for two to win 51 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 1: the game at the end, like those things will help 52 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,079 Speaker 1: cultivate a fan base, especially among young people who want 53 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: to see excitement, who want to see an aggressive product. 54 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 1: And so I think Chargers fans love it. I mean, 55 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: there's obviously always going to be some older fans that 56 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 1: have been ready through the team in San Diego for decades. 57 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:35,079 Speaker 1: You know, I have these conversations with my father all 58 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: the time about you know, analytics and fourth down decision making. 59 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 1: And there's obviously going to be a section of the 60 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: fan base that just believes in old school football and 61 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 1: believes in making more conservative decisions. But that's not who 62 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: he is and that's not how he's going to be. 63 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 1: And I think it does resonate with the fan base 64 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:52,519 Speaker 1: amongst some of the younger fans who want to see 65 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:54,920 Speaker 1: that aggressive product. Now, one of the guys you mentioned 66 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: is Justin Herbert, definitely one of the young, up and 67 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 1: coming guys who's got all the tools to be a 68 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:02,639 Speaker 1: very successful quarterback and maybe even you know, a guy 69 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: who we're talking about Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl and 70 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 1: potentially a Hall of Fame caliber guy. But you look 71 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: at his record, he's twenty three and twenty three, he's 72 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: throwing the ball at an alarming rate as far as 73 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,119 Speaker 1: attempts goes. I think he's first in the NFL all 74 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: time for most pass attempts through three years. Is there 75 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: any concern that maybe they're asking him to do too much, Well, 76 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 1: you got to lean into the strength of your team, 77 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 1: right right, Like, ultimately the job is to go out 78 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: there and win football games. And so you know, the 79 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:30,639 Speaker 1: big issue this year is they have not been able 80 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 1: to run the football. And so I think it shows 81 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: good coaching that they're putting the ball in his hands, 82 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: because if you continue to run the ball, bang your 83 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 1: head against the wall for yard two yards and negative 84 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 1: one yards and set yourself up for failure. I don't 85 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: think that's a very good decision making a very good 86 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: process from the coaching staff, you know. But with that 87 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: being said, like when you get to playoff time, you 88 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: have to have some some semblance of balance in the offense. 89 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: And when you're going up against the really good defenses 90 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 1: in the NFL, if they don't respect you as a 91 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:04,119 Speaker 1: rushing offense, that really has a cascading effect on how 92 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 1: you play offensively. And we've seen it in various games 93 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: this year where when they go up against really good 94 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: pass rushers. I pinted that Raiders game a couple of 95 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: weeks ago in Las Vegas where Max Crosby and Chandler 96 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: Jones were just able to tee off I mean pinning 97 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: their ears back and get off the football. And a 98 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: lot of that was the fact they didn't respect the 99 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: Chargers running game, and so they're trying to get more 100 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 1: of that balance. I mean, they went into this week 101 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: against the Titans, who play like the highest percentage of 102 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 1: light boxes, six or few defenders in the box in 103 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 1: the league, and they were like, hey, let's give our 104 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 1: offensive line a chance to compete here against lighter boxes, 105 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 1: and they tried to run it. I mean, they had 106 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: some opportunities in the red zone. They were successful, you know, 107 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: they had eight plays in the red zone, had eight 108 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: rushing you know, design rushes, and were able to get 109 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 1: the ball in the end zone. But if it's not working, 110 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: you can't really lean into the rushing attack, you know. 111 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: And so you know, putting the ball in justin sands 112 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: is what's allowed them to move the football and be 113 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,359 Speaker 1: somewhere close to an efficient offensive times this year. And 114 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: I think we're going to continue to see that because 115 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: it's the best option. Daniel, That's where I want to go. 116 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: I want to go to the running game. Austin echoes 117 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 1: a Danvis weapon for the Chargers, both run the ball 118 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,480 Speaker 1: and catching the ball out of the backfield. But as 119 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:10,320 Speaker 1: you mentioned as soon as though, it is very tough 120 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 1: for the Chargers get the running game going. Yeah. Why 121 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 1: has the Chargers a running game been so limited this season? Yeah? 122 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:18,600 Speaker 1: I mean, whatever you're talking about the running game, it's 123 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 1: really hard to pinpoint one thing. I mean, you can 124 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 1: go back and watch the film and it's a miss 125 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 1: block here by a guard, a miss block here by 126 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: a tight end, the bad track by a running back here, 127 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: a holding penalty here, right, and it's so it's like 128 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: it's all of these different things. But you know, one 129 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: area that I've seen sort of consistently be poor in 130 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 1: the running game is they're blocking on the edges at 131 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: tight end. It has not been good enough. And part 132 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: of that is their roster construction. You know, they went 133 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: out and signed Gerald Everett to be their top tight end. 134 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: He's never really been in a league blocker in the league, 135 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 1: and he just has moments where that pops up. I mean, 136 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 1: his strength is as you know, yards after catch guy. 137 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 1: He's an explosive runner and a good receiver and that's 138 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:04,080 Speaker 1: like what's made him a quality tight end in the league. 139 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:06,039 Speaker 1: But he's just his strength is not as a run blocker, 140 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: and so you've seen issues there. The number two tight end, 141 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: Donald Parham, who's shown the growth as a blocker, has 142 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: been out for pretty much this entire season. He just 143 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: got back last week off ir but he's only played 144 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 1: in two games. And then their third tight end, Tray 145 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: McKinney said they drafted in the third round to really 146 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,720 Speaker 1: be that blocking guy in the offense. Hasn't really developed 147 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:26,680 Speaker 1: in his second season. I think they were really banking 148 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 1: on him taking a big jump in terms of his blocking, 149 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: and we saw moments of it last year as a rookie, 150 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 1: but this year he's been really, really poor as a blocker, 151 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: and so I think if you're going to sort of 152 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 1: identify one real issue, it's the blocking at tight end 153 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 1: on the edges. I think part of it, too, is 154 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: what you guys were getting at. I mean, a lot 155 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: of these offensive lineman would tell you, hey, like we 156 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 1: can't run the ball nine times in the game and 157 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: be successful, Like we need more attempts, we need to 158 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 1: get into a rhythm, and so if you talk to 159 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: the players, there's a little bit of that feeling. I'm 160 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:54,280 Speaker 1: on the offensive lineman, and then I've had injuries on 161 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 1: the offensive line two. Trey Pitkins has been in that 162 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 1: with an mcl sprain. Corey Lindsley, their center, who is 163 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: the engine of the entire running game, has had various 164 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: injuries this year, whether it was a knee injury, earlier 165 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: in the year, he had a severe case of food poisoning. 166 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,279 Speaker 1: He had a concussion that forced him to miss a 167 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 1: game and a half, and so him being in and 168 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 1: out has been you know, a big part of it 169 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: as well, because he is, you know, an all pro 170 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: level center when he's in the game and healthy, and 171 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: he just has been in and out. So, like I said, 172 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 1: a lot, a lot of different things going on with 173 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 1: the running game, but those are the things that I've 174 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 1: been pointed. Now I moved to the wide aus Daniel. 175 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: Both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have missed some time 176 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:28,560 Speaker 1: this season due to injuries, but it seems both like 177 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: getting healthy at the right time. How important to have 178 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 1: both of these players healthy for the playoff push. Yeah, 179 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: I mean it's absolutely essential. I mean for the offense 180 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 1: to be what they envisioned, they need both those guys 181 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 1: on the field. And you know, like you mentioned, heading 182 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: into the Dolphins game on Sunday Night two weeks ago, 183 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: their top three receivers Mike Williams, keen and out and 184 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: Josh Palmer has played just fifteen snaps together the entire season, 185 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 1: And so you're talking about her really injured group of receivers. 186 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 1: You know, Mike Williams had a high ankle spraying, Keenan 187 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: Allen miss like ten weeks with a hamstring injury. When 188 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 1: all three of those guys are on the field, the 189 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: picture looks a lot different, obviously, and we've all seen 190 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,119 Speaker 1: what Mike Williams can do in terms of stretching the field. 191 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: I think he's even more important with the injury that 192 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: Jalen Giton suffered early in the season. He was really 193 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 1: their only speed guy, their only subpour four guy, and 194 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 1: the roster and so when he went down, they had 195 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: pretty much nobody to stretch the field. And you're starting 196 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 1: to see Mike Williams do some of that now that 197 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 1: he's back and healthy. But having both of those guys 198 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: just freeze things up, right, because opposing defenses are going 199 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: to have to make a decision do we double Keenan 200 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: in the short and intermediate area of the field or 201 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 1: do we double Mike Williams in the deep part of 202 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 1: the field. And when they're doubling one of those guys, 203 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: the other guy typically will have single coverage and that's 204 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 1: where you see some of the production come from, and 205 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 1: that's really the vision behind the passing offense. We're joined 206 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:47,679 Speaker 1: by Daniel Popper, who covers the chargers for the athletic 207 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: Before we switch over the defense, I want to talk 208 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 1: about the offensive line. You briefly mentioned the injuries. One 209 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: of the guys you didn't talk about is Rashaun Slater, 210 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: the left tackle who's been out. How his essentially being 211 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,719 Speaker 1: out of the lineup impact that offensive line, right, that's 212 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 1: a good point. He's been out for so long that 213 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: I just like I stopped mentioning him. But yeah, he suffered. 214 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 1: He suffered a torn biceps in Week three, and he's 215 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: arguably their best run blocker. I mean, when they were 216 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: really producing last year in the ground, it was a 217 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:15,840 Speaker 1: combination of a set Plater and Matt Feiler the left 218 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: guard on the left side, like that was and then 219 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 1: obviously Cory Lindsley as well, Like that's where a majority 220 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 1: of their production came. So Jamari Salier, a rookie who 221 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: they drafted in the sixth round at Georgia, who a 222 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: lot of people felt like couldn't play tackle in the league. 223 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: You know, they inserted him in there just to see 224 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 1: what they could get, and he's been as good as 225 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 1: they could expect. Now, he had some limitations obviously, Like 226 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 1: the reason people didn't think he could play left tackle 227 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: in the league is because he's not a particularly elite athlete. 228 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 1: He's not a very smooth mover like. He's very strong 229 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: and stout, and so that's why people felt like he 230 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: could potentially play guard in the NFL. But on the edge, 231 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 1: he does have some weaknesses in terms of speed rushers, 232 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 1: and I think you're seeing, you know, opposing edge rusher 233 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: sort of adjust to him and really attack him with 234 00:09:57,280 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 1: speed rushes on the edge. And they've been successful in 235 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 1: some situation. So you know, now they're getting healthy. You know, 236 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 1: four of their five starters heading into the season are back, 237 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: but the one place where their starter is still out 238 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: as a left tackle. And so you know, the Chargers 239 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: are devoting a lot of resources of that side, shipping, 240 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: helping that sort of thing and hoping they can help 241 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:18,679 Speaker 1: out Jamar Salier. But that is a weakness there and 242 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 1: you're exactly on it. That has also been you know, 243 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 1: a big impact to the running game this season. Now 244 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: flip it over the defensive side of the ball. They 245 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 1: made a trade for Khalil Mack in the offseason, trying 246 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: to kind of pair him up with Joey Bosa, but 247 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 1: injuries have been essentially the issue for the Chargers all 248 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 1: year long. Joey Bosa has missed an extended amount of time. 249 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: So how has Mac looked in his first season? Now 250 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: it's a little different because you haven't had both of 251 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:42,719 Speaker 1: those threats on both sides. Yeah, I think he's been 252 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: exactly what the Chargers expected. I mean when they traded 253 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 1: for him, they weren't expecting for him at thirty one 254 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:49,200 Speaker 1: years old, to be you know, his Defensive Player of 255 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:51,199 Speaker 1: the Year self, right. I don't think they had those 256 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: types of you know, grandiosa expectations. I think they felt like, hey, 257 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: if we can get you know, seventy five eighty percent 258 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 1: of that defensive Player of the Year player, then that's 259 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: a win for us trading a second thick. And that's 260 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,079 Speaker 1: what he's been. I mean, he has forty seven pressures 261 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: in the year to tied for seventeenth among at rushers. 262 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 1: He's got seven sacks, he's been great in the run game, 263 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 1: and he's been absolutely awesome as a locker room presence 264 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:15,560 Speaker 1: and a leader for that defense. I think production wise, 265 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 1: you know, you haven't seen maybe what he's capable of, 266 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 1: just because teams have now been able to target, you know, 267 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: all of their protection plan at stopping Khalil Mack and 268 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: forcing some of these other guys, whether it's Kyle the Annoy, 269 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: Chris RUMs, Morgan Fox in the interior to step up 270 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 1: and create that pressure. And so you've definitely seen seen 271 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: his production Wayne a little bit since Joey Boso went out. 272 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: Like the vision for the pass rush was to have 273 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: both of those guys in there and really free up 274 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: Khalil Mack to have a lot of one on ones. 275 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 1: That hasn't the Philly happened. They tried moving him around, 276 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: you know, putting him on the interior and non passing 277 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 1: situations is try and you know, engineer some one on ones. 278 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 1: But I think he's been excellent this season. I think 279 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 1: it was a good trade and it's especially important because 280 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: you know, if they had lost Joy botha and not 281 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:54,560 Speaker 1: traded for Klomack right, they really would have been out 282 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: like an elite pass rusher. And I think that's been 283 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: a big factor and how they've been able to sort 284 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 1: of build this defense over the course of the season 285 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 1: and have him played really well over the last two 286 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 1: week because the hit towards the playoffs. Now, Daniel, another 287 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 1: person the Charges added to the defense this off season 288 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 1: was corner J C. Jackson. I got off to a 289 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 1: rough start at the beginning of the year with injuries 290 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 1: and being benched during the game, and unfortunately mister Mangl 291 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: the season due to injury. But was this early struggles 292 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:20,599 Speaker 1: a cost for concern for the Chargers. I don't know 293 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: if it was like a massive concern. You know, obviously 294 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 1: there's a little bit of a scheme adjustment there. You know, 295 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: JC was playing almost exclusively man coverage when he played 296 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: for the Patriots, and he was being asked to do 297 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: a little bit more in Brandon Staley's scheme, whether that 298 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: was dropping deep and covers three, playing more off coverage, 299 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:39,679 Speaker 1: playing more zone, and so it was you know, Brandon 300 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 1: Staley often talks about the discovery phase of the season, 301 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 1: and so I think that's what was going on with JC. 302 00:12:44,040 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 1: He missed, you know, some time after ankle surgery, minor 303 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: ankle surgery, and he was sort of you know, finding 304 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:52,839 Speaker 1: his way there. He got benched in week six and 305 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 1: then week seven is when he tours the teller attendant 306 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: and so his season was over and I don't think 307 00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 1: we ever saw him really signed his footing and comfort 308 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:01,959 Speaker 1: in the defense. But I will tell you this, Michael 309 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 1: Davis is the guy who's replaced jac Jackson. He's been excellent, 310 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 1: like absolutely excellent, especially over the last you know, three 311 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 1: weeks or so. I mean, he was the biggest reason 312 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: why they were able to shut down the Dolphins offense. 313 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: I mean he's really found sort of his role in 314 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 1: the defense, and they're going to press him up as 315 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 1: a line of scrimmage. You can get really physical with 316 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:26,079 Speaker 1: these receivers and use his lengths and his speed. He's 317 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:28,080 Speaker 1: a four three guy, he's six two. Use both of 318 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:30,199 Speaker 1: those things to press the line of scrimmage really cause 319 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:32,839 Speaker 1: fits for opposing wide receivers. So I think that's sort 320 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: of been a blessing in disguise there that obviously they 321 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 1: were expecting big things from jac Jackson, but with him out, 322 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 1: Michael Davis, a former undrafted free agent, has really stepped 323 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 1: up and been like an elite corner in my mind 324 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: over the last three four weeks. Now. Another player that 325 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 1: has been playing well for the Charges is Burbon James, 326 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 1: who signed a big extension this past summer, but he 327 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:55,120 Speaker 1: has missed the last two games due to injury. Now, 328 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 1: with him possibly being able to play this week, what 329 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:01,199 Speaker 1: does his presence do but charter of defense When he's 330 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 1: in the lineup. Yeah, it just allows them to be 331 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 1: more multiple. I mean, at the crux of it, right, 332 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: like you're getting an elite playmaker back, a guy who's 333 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 1: going to come up and be able to go get 334 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 1: the football, but on a more broader level schematically, like, 335 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: it allows them to be more multiple because Derwin James 336 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 1: plays six different positions in the defense. Play week side, 337 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:24,040 Speaker 1: say strong side safety. He plays money in their dime packages, 338 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 1: which is like a safety linebrecker hybrid. He plays in 339 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: the slot at a nickel corner. He plays you know, 340 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 1: on the edge as an edge rusher. He'll play on 341 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: the edge and six one fronts. So I mean he 342 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 1: does pretty much everything units the defensive football player to 343 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:39,160 Speaker 1: do on the field outside of playing defensive tackle. And 344 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 1: so you know, brand Hilly's built the entire defense around 345 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: that premise, moving Derwin around and forcing quarterbacks to identify 346 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 1: him pre snap and all of these different packages. The 347 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: interesting parties. While he's been out, they sort of simplified 348 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: the personnel groupings and that's led to you know, better 349 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 1: overall defensive play. They've been more connected on the back end, 350 00:14:57,840 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 1: they've been playing better and coverage, it's playing better and 351 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: run defense. So I'm curious to see if they really 352 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: lean back into all of those different multiple personnel packages 353 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: with Derwin comes back, or if they sort of maintain 354 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: this level of simplicity that sort of led to some 355 00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 1: of the improvements. But you know, the big thing with 356 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 1: Derwin is the playmaking and then being able to move 357 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 1: all over the field and play a bunch of different positions. Now, 358 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 1: final thing with Daniel Popper covers the Chargers for the 359 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 1: athletic what are the expectations for what this team can 360 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: expect to do when playoff football rolls around. Yeah, I 361 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 1: think the expectations are high, you know, especially if they 362 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 1: can continue to get pieces back. You know, the offense 363 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 1: is starting to be as healthy as it's been all season. 364 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: You know, they're still expecting to have Joey Bosa back 365 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: for multiple regular season games. That's sort of still up 366 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: in the air. I mean, it's every single day we're 367 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: asking about it and it seems imminent. But we'll see 368 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: how many games ends up playing. But they're certainly expecting 369 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: to have Joey back for the playoffs. They're still keeping 370 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 1: the door open for potentially having Rashawn Slater back for 371 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 1: the postseason if they do get there. And so you're 372 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 1: looking at a team that has a really good quarterback, 373 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: that is starting to play really good defense, and is 374 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 1: starting to get healthy at the right time. And that's 375 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: usually a really good combination. Like it doesn't really matter 376 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: how you're playing in the first half of the season. 377 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: I mean, how many times of the Patriots got off 378 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: the slow starts, turned it on the second half and 379 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 1: gone on to win the Super Bowl. And so I 380 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: think there's a lot of optimism internally, like, Hey, we're 381 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: getting healthy and we're starting to play well, and that 382 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: really is a positive in terms of how we're heading 383 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 1: into the playoffs, and they really think that they're gonna 384 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: be playing their best football come post season time. Well, 385 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 1: there you go. Daniel Popper covers the Chargers for the Athletic. 386 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: Will see what happens on Monday Night Football as the 387 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:33,280 Speaker 1: Chargers come to town. But Daniel, thank you so much 388 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 1: and enjoy the game on Monday, thanks for having me. Guys. 389 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 1: The Colts are back in the friendly confines of Lucas 390 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 1: Oil Stadium on Monday Nighties. They host the Los Angeles 391 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 1: Charger for Monday Night's Football. Next week, they're to travel 392 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: out to the East Coast to take on the New 393 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: York Giants on New Year's Day, and we're going to 394 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 1: talk with Dan Dugan, who covers the Giants before the 395 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 1: Athletic but before that, it's the Colts and Chargers on 396 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 1: Monday Night Football for Bill Brooks. I'm Casey Valley. Enjoy 397 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: the game and go Colts.