1 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 1: What's up, guys, Welcome into a new an episode of 2 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:17,960 Speaker 1: Chargers Weekly. Chris Harry here with you, and we're just 3 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 1: less than a week away from Chargers training camp. We're 4 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:25,240 Speaker 1: gonna finish up our Know Your Rivals series, our final 5 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: installment with the team that's been dominating this division for 6 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 1: a long time, the Kansas City Chiefs, and I couldn't 7 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: be born thrilled to have Nate Taylor of the Athletic 8 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:39,520 Speaker 1: on a friend of the podcast did this last year 9 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 1: and Nate, I just want to kick this off because 10 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:45,159 Speaker 1: I saw you have the Nate Taylor Show coming to 11 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 1: Kansas City airwaves this fall. Man of big congratulations and 12 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: well deserved. Thank you, Thank you, Chris, you played a part. 13 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: I mean, people have enjoyed listening to some of my 14 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: football expertise and the inside of the Chiefs. So yeah, 15 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: you know, when the season starts in September, I was, 16 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 1: you know, thrilled and honored and have this amazing opportunity 17 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 1: to have, you know, my own one hour per week 18 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: radio show with the great folks at sixteen Sports here 19 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: in Kansas City. UM. They are the official radio broadcast 20 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 1: partner of the Chiefs, so that obviously helps as well. 21 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: But yeah, I mean, just what a fascinating season that 22 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,960 Speaker 1: we're gonna get ready to embark on, similar to the 23 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:30,640 Speaker 1: Charges of the Chiefs are gonna have their training camp 24 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,679 Speaker 1: open up pretty soon as well. We had such a 25 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 1: fun chat last year, and I think the Charger season 26 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: when in a direction that neither one of us could 27 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:45,399 Speaker 1: really um anticipate for obvious reasons, beginning in Week two 28 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: against the Chiefs in that classic overtime game. But I 29 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: think going into this season, uh, it's even more exciting 30 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 1: to know where these two teams are in this division 31 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: and the idea that we could be really looking at 32 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: the start of something that's going to be, you know, 33 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 1: a real rivalry, a real marquee matchup for several years 34 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 1: just because of Justin Herbert and obviously Patrick Mahomes, no 35 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: question about it. And we'll get to that because I 36 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 1: want to dive into what that could look like over 37 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: the next decade plus. But I want to start with 38 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: the Chiefs and how they approached this offseason, and I 39 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:28,000 Speaker 1: think it's an easy starting point. The Super Bowl. You know, 40 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:31,000 Speaker 1: Mahomes gets sacked three times, he's hit eight times, he's 41 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:35,799 Speaker 1: pressured a record twenty nine times that seemed to kind 42 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: of set the course for what they wanted to do 43 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 1: in an effort to protect him, and it really just 44 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: get get the offense going again starting in twenty twenty one. Yeah, 45 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: sometimes I feel that there are teams and organizations that 46 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 1: are too reactionary to whatever the last result was of 47 00:02:56,360 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 1: the previous season. You go into a game and for 48 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 1: whatever reason, that certain aspect of the team does not 49 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: performed well, and you want to make wholesale changes, and 50 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:10,640 Speaker 1: sometimes that can be overreach compared to where the landscape 51 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 1: of the league is and just your overall assessment of 52 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: your roster. I wonder if people will say this about 53 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 1: the Chiefs if they get to a lesson stellar start 54 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: in September. But because Patrick Mahomes is the most you know, 55 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: he is the biggest asset in the history of the 56 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 1: Chiefs franchise. There's been no player like him before. And 57 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 1: because Andy Rea's a Hall of Fame coach, I think 58 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: it made sense for Andy Reid, Brett Beach, the general manager, 59 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: and obviously the owner Clark Hunt, to decide that whatever 60 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 1: Patrick needed to be successful sort of in this second 61 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 1: phase of his career, they went out and they got it. Done. 62 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 1: I think Joe Tuoney was assigning that at the time. 63 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: Kind of surprising me because they paid him the most 64 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 1: money for a left guard in NFL history, But he 65 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 1: is an assistant, never missed a game, Pro Bowl caliber player. 66 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: They tried to get Trent Williams in the free agency market, 67 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: obviously the San Francisco for the Nineers did the right 68 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: thing and making sure that he was going to stay 69 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: on their roster, and so they quickly pivot and right 70 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: before the draft they get Orlando Brown Junior, who played 71 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 1: most of his career at right tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. 72 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: But we'll have the opportunity to protect Patrick Mahomes and 73 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 1: and sort of live out the dream that his father 74 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: once had and being a left tackle in the NFL 75 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 1: as well with the Ravens and the Browns. So they've 76 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 1: drafted Creed Humphrey, who I think will probably be the 77 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:37,119 Speaker 1: starting center, A young guy out Oklahoma who was really 78 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 1: really good in college. Larn Dube Tardif comes back from 79 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: you know, really giving a lot of himself in his 80 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 1: hometown of Montreal to obviously combat to COVID nineteen virus, 81 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:53,800 Speaker 1: you know, and it's just an amazing story. The idea 82 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: that he was the lone NFL player active to have 83 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: a medical degree and then use it and this unusual 84 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,280 Speaker 1: circumstances is truly remarkable. And he'll come back and he 85 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:07,040 Speaker 1: has a inside track entering training camp to be the 86 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: right guard. And then there's a real competition between Lucas Niang, 87 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 1: a rookie who opted out of last year as well 88 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: because of COVID nineteen. He will compete with Mike Rimmers, 89 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: who had a better season than I think people realize, 90 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: but because the Super Bowl was so bad for everybody 91 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: on the offensive line, he maybe comes in a little 92 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: bit under the radar as maybe a chance to still 93 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: keep that right tackle position. So for Patrick Mahomes, everything 94 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,839 Speaker 1: starts with how much trust, how much chemistry, how much 95 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: timing and knowing what each other is doing between now 96 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: when when that September twelfth opener against Cleveland starts. I mean, 97 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: that's really what the next month is about for me 98 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: in terms of my reporting and coverage of the Chiefs. 99 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 1: It'll all start with how does Patrick Mahomes feel about 100 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 1: his offensive line? How does that offensive line start to 101 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 1: jail Before obviously he faced some of the best pass 102 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: rushers in the league, and you know, everybody in the 103 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 1: AFC particularly is trying to chase Patrick Mahomes in the 104 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 1: Chiefs down. It's interesting because the Chargers are kind of 105 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 1: in the same boat from an offensive line perspective. Justin 106 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 1: Herbert had a fantastic, you know, offensive Rookie of the 107 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: Year season, but he was pressured a lot. So you 108 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 1: bring in Corey Linsley, you giraffe for Shawn Slater. You're 109 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 1: bringing that filer and odea bucsci You hope Prime Bilaga 110 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: stays healthy. So I think the Chiefs and Chargers both 111 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: have that same question at the beginning of the year. 112 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:33,160 Speaker 1: How quickly can a new look offensive line gel and 113 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: how comfortable is the quarterback gonna be under center? So 114 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 1: I think that's fascinating. And you know, defensively, Nick Bolton 115 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:48,719 Speaker 1: from Missouri was the second round pick. You know, obviously 116 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: I want to ask you about Frank Clark in that 117 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 1: situation and what the Chiefs have done to kind of 118 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: potentially combat what could be in twenty twenty one there 119 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 1: across the defensive line, and then any other notable moves 120 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 1: on defense. Need Yeah, so let's start with the draft. 121 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 1: I think anytime Andy Reid is the head coach of 122 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: any team, whether it's in Philly, whether it's in Kansas City, 123 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 1: you always say they're probably gonna slant more offense versus defense. 124 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: That's been his forte So it was it was a 125 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: nice change up to be like, let's go get Nick Bolton. 126 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 1: They need to be more athletic, they need to have 127 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: more speed in the middle of their defense. I think 128 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 1: Anthony Hitchens, who was the starting middle linebacker, veteran, solid 129 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: nosed everything in and out in the STI spac Melo system, 130 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: the defensive coordinator for the Chiefs. But they need to 131 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: get more athletic, they need to get younger. Quietly, I 132 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: think one thing that Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay 133 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: Buccaneers offense but they sort of exploited to some degree, 134 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: is that this Chief's defense was getting older than maybe 135 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: the common fan was looking at it just on first look. 136 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 1: But Shot Brilan is no longer with the team. He 137 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: was a he was a really solid corner her back. 138 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 1: Damian Wilson linebacker, he's not with the team. So they're 139 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: they're in this transitioning of getting younger. Even though most 140 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:11,560 Speaker 1: of the headlines this offseason were obviously and rightfully so. 141 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: With the offensive line changes. When it comes to the 142 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 1: defensive line, that's where Steve Spagnolo wants to make his 143 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 1: system really go because Tyron Matthew, just the really remarkable 144 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: two time All Pro Star safety with the Chiefs since 145 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 1: he's come over, has sort of cleaned up everything in 146 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: the back end. But the Chiefs need to get better 147 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:36,679 Speaker 1: at pass for us too often last year they had 148 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: the blitz. So if you want to blitz, lass have 149 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:44,079 Speaker 1: some better coverage with a younger linebacking corps. That is 150 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: obviously Nick Bolton, that's Willie Gay going into his second year. 151 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: He actually got an off season. He'll get a training 152 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 1: camp to get, you know, a more traditional feel of 153 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 1: how a young player gets ready for the upcoming NFL season. 154 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 1: But I think the defensive line will be the question mark. 155 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: Chris Jones, who is a two time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, 156 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: he wants to be a defensive end. He wants to 157 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 1: prove that, hey, maybe I could do some of these 158 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: things Aaron Donald has done at a very very high level. Now, 159 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 1: no one, ladies and gentlemen, is Aaron Donald. No one, 160 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: no one is as good as him, like no one, 161 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: but if you could come clothes. Steve Spagnollah's willing to 162 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 1: give this a try. Will the experiment last for two games, 163 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: six weeks the whole season, I don't know. It's one 164 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 1: of the more fascinating aspects of it because all they 165 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:31,119 Speaker 1: could count on last year from the defensive end standpoint 166 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 1: was Frank Clark, and even Frank Clark suggests and if 167 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: you look statistically, he didn't have his best season, although 168 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: he was a consistent performer and played better when the 169 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 1: team was in the playoffs in January. He even got 170 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: a sack in the Super Bowl. The problem though, is 171 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 1: that they drafted Joshua Kando in the fourth round. He's 172 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: more of a developmental player obviously Chris Jones's movie to 173 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 1: defensive end. They did sign Jared Reid, I really a 174 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 1: talented defensive tackle to sort of take his place, so 175 00:09:56,840 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 1: that this experiment could really get off the ground. But 176 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 1: but you build for all these things. And then Frank 177 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: Clark gets arrested in his hometown of La on June twentieth, 178 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 1: for you know, the legal possession of a firearm charge. Essentially, 179 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: the police in their report say that, you know, they 180 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:20,320 Speaker 1: were able to see the weapon in an unzipped bag. 181 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: So there's a real chance. I believe that the NFL 182 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: will look into this. Obviously, the Chiefs are aware of it. 183 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 1: There's obviously a legal and due process that has to 184 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: go on with Frank Clark, who will be I guess 185 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 1: I should say this his court sentence, his court date. 186 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 1: Excuse me. His next court date is on October. But 187 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: the league, as we've seen in the past, has made 188 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,440 Speaker 1: decisions before a season, or they may let the legal 189 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: process play all the way out, which means this may 190 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 1: roll all the way into twenty twenty two. But if 191 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: the league decides and deems that because this was Frank 192 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: Clark's second arrest for this particular offense, they may choose 193 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: to suspend them under violations of the league you know, 194 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 1: conduct policy, the League personnel conduct policy, and that may 195 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: be a multiple game suspension. So the Chiefs we're interested 196 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 1: in Melvin Ingram. He decided to sign with the Pittsburgh 197 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 1: Seelers because there I think there was a more of 198 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: a guaranteed playing opportunity there, at least starting for Melvin Ingram. Obviously, 199 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: charges fans know him well, We'll see what left he 200 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: has in his career and show the Chiefs pivot and 201 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 1: they resigned most recently Alex oka For, who, if he 202 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 1: stays healthy, is a really solid rotational pass rusher. The 203 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: problem is whether it's Alex oka for or Taco Charlton. 204 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 1: Can those guys stay healthy? So look, the season on 205 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 1: defense may come down to how quickly the young guys 206 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 1: can develop, especially at the linebacker position, and can Chris 207 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 1: Jones apply pressure to quarterbacks like Justin Herbert, Athletically gifted 208 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 1: mobile are going to put you in a buying especially 209 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:59,079 Speaker 1: on the back end. Can he put pressure on those 210 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 1: quarterbacks from the edge and the interior and make the 211 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 1: offensive line always have to account for him to give 212 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:09,760 Speaker 1: a Chief's defense and edge that Honestly, if Tyran Matthew slips, 213 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 1: if the secondary isn't as good as it was last year, 214 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:15,200 Speaker 1: you can see some real aggression. There's real chances for 215 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:17,080 Speaker 1: this Chief's defense to not be as good as it 216 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: was last year or to not be turnover dependent. So 217 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 1: much of this will come down to Chris Jones. Will 218 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: see what happens with Frank Clark and can they tackle 219 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,040 Speaker 1: in the middle of the field because they have more 220 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: younger athletic linebackers equipped to take away some of those 221 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:39,079 Speaker 1: angles for opposing quarterbacks. Nate a great breakdown offensively, defensively. 222 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,439 Speaker 1: Just before we came on, we talked about this, and 223 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: this is fascinating. I want to get into this because 224 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 1: we're looking for a modern day rivalry. Right last year, 225 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 1: Week two, no one had a clue Justin Herbert is 226 00:12:56,160 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 1: going to start. It was incredible. The Chargers led a 227 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 1: wire until the end. Chiefs win twenty three twenty. In 228 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:08,199 Speaker 1: the first game at SOFI Stadium for the Bolts Week seventeen, 229 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 1: you throw it out. Mahomes wasn't in there. So Week 230 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 1: three at Arrowhead, it's gonna be the first time that 231 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: we know Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert are gonna be 232 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 1: under center. They'll play again Thursday Night Football in week 233 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 1: fifteen in Los Angeles. This has the makings to me, Nate, 234 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 1: of a really awesome quarterback rivalry between two young guys 235 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:41,559 Speaker 1: with talented teams. Obviously, the Chiefs have proved it year 236 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 1: in year out. The Chargers have a lot of talent. 237 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: We use that term in the off season on paper, 238 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 1: but a lot of talent at the skill positions. Really, 239 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: they're a pretty complete team when you look at the 240 00:13:55,480 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: roster on paper, but Mahomes and Herbert, I'm just fascinated 241 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: by what that could look like, not only in twenty 242 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 1: twenty one, but twenty thirty one. M I mean, it's 243 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 1: it's something that should get Chargers fans jacked up. It's 244 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:15,959 Speaker 1: something that should get Chiefs fans kind of looking over 245 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 1: their shoulder. Right. For the last few years, the Chiefs 246 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 1: have had the best roster they've executed in the most 247 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 1: critical moments of divisional games. And so, as a football 248 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: fan who enjoys the history of the game, I can't 249 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 1: help Chargers fans enough. By about the second quarter of 250 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 1: that Week two game last year, and I was not 251 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 1: a SELFI stadium because of COVID nineteen, because of the pandemic. 252 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: I watched most of the road games from home, and 253 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 1: obviously we talked to players via zoomed, just like we 254 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 1: are doing now. But by this tech a quarter you 255 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 1: just start looking and you just go, I mean, it's 256 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 1: unfortunate the Chargers think they're playing Tyrod Taylor. That is 257 00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: not the case. They prepared. There's really no there's no 258 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: season games there. What a film do we have? Justin Herbert, 259 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: you have ze Bro so I guess what, Nate. There 260 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:10,680 Speaker 1: was nobody in the stands. The thing is usually like 261 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: there's a buzz in their and uh, you know, people 262 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 1: are talking and you figure out what's going on. Honestly, 263 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: when I saw Herbert go out there, I thought it 264 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: was like a trick, like he had like a package right, 265 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: like like they were gonna open the game with like 266 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 1: a three game, three play package something, And it was 267 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: just I mean, how that whole thing yeah developed, I mean, 268 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: and to see it on television too, since uh, you 269 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 1: had to cover the games um at home when the 270 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: Chiefs are on the road, it had to have been 271 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 1: just wild to see it on a fold. Yeah, but 272 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: but you could kind of see like, this is not 273 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: a fluke. In fact, this is really good for the 274 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 1: moment for to be thrust into the spotlight. And thankfully, 275 00:15:57,480 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 1: you know, we're glad that Tyrode is healthy and it 276 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 1: appears he's gonna have a new trapt in Houston, a 277 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 1: chance to lead that team that's obviously going through a rebuild. 278 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 1: But look, man, you know he made I think Herbert 279 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: made some rookie mistakes in that second half, and that 280 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: is completely understandable. But after that game, I kind of 281 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 1: made it a point for me to sort of keep 282 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: track of what the Charges doing. Obviously, you know, covering 283 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 1: the Chiefs, you want to be aware of what every 284 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:28,880 Speaker 1: divisional opponent is doing. But there was something about justin 285 00:16:29,320 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 1: last year where you could really see the armed talent, 286 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:35,280 Speaker 1: the anticipation, which I think is so critical going from 287 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 1: college to pro. And look like the Charges were in 288 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 1: a lot of close games last year and I think 289 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: a lot of their season, as you know Chris, would 290 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: come down to taking that next step, and a lot 291 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: of that is winning those close games in the fourth quarter, 292 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 1: making those winning plays. They got a new coach and 293 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: Brandon Staley love him to death. What he did in 294 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 1: the other LA team was I think fascinating, particularly on 295 00:16:58,400 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 1: the defensive side of the ball, which will make this 296 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:04,239 Speaker 1: you know, emerging rivalry even more interesting just because some 297 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,200 Speaker 1: of those schemes have worked to some degree against Patrick 298 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 1: Mahomes and Andy Reid and Eric the enemy's offense. But 299 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: I think there's a lot of buzz about where this 300 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,480 Speaker 1: division may be headed. Because I like to remind people 301 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: all the time of two facts. In the mid to 302 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,960 Speaker 1: early two thousands, the Chargers went through a real phase 303 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:30,120 Speaker 1: with obviously La Ninian Thomason where they were the best 304 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: team in the division. Then Peyton Manny makes the decision 305 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:38,480 Speaker 1: to come to Denver. The division is basically Denver's up 306 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 1: until about twenty sixteen twenty seventeen. That's when Alex Smith 307 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 1: has the best year of his career. The Chiefs have 308 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: drafted Patrick Mahomes. Obviously there's a little bit of a 309 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 1: motivation factor there for Alex Smith. My homestakes Ober they 310 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: have won the division ever since. There really hasn't been 311 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: a year where you could go into it and say 312 00:17:57,840 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: I could see that team chasing this team down, or 313 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 1: to see that team giving this team a run for 314 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 1: their money without seeing any of the results before the 315 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:08,720 Speaker 1: first kickoff. So I think that's where we're there. The 316 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:13,439 Speaker 1: second point, which leads to this Herbert Mahomes you know, 317 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 1: emerging robbery, is I went through Pro Football Reference earlier 318 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 1: because I knew we were gonna talk Chris, and the 319 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:22,959 Speaker 1: funny thing is, like, Okay, the Chiefs had Lynd Dawson, 320 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: the Chargers had Dan Fouls. Okay, the Chiefs had Joe Montana. 321 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: The Chargers, you know, they had Drew Brees. Obviously they 322 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: had you know, Philip Rivers, the Chiefs had Trint Green. 323 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 1: There really hasn't been a year up until about two 324 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 1: thousand and four in my opinion, where Trink Green was 325 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:45,720 Speaker 1: still playing at a very high Pro Bowl level, and 326 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: obviously Drew Brees was really starting to emerge on his own. 327 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 1: The Chargers won the division that year, if my memory 328 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 1: is correct, and since then, since two thousand and four, 329 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:58,280 Speaker 1: it's been you know, either one team's got the quarterback 330 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: and the other team doesn't, or or both teams are 331 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 1: kind of industry building process. So this is a time 332 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:07,280 Speaker 1: where I feel like, okay for the next ten years. 333 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: As you mentioned, Justin Herbert Patrick Mahomes, who plays better 334 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:15,680 Speaker 1: in these two divisional games each year, has the advantage 335 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 1: to win the division, has the advantage to have a 336 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: home playoff game in January, may force the other team 337 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 1: to come down for part three. I really feel like 338 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 1: what the Chargers are doing is building this thing in 339 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:32,640 Speaker 1: a correct manner. Obviously, from the offensive defensive line, you've 340 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:35,400 Speaker 1: got the quarterback in place, there's enough veterans and as 341 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 1: you mentioned, skill talent around justin Herbert new coaching staff, 342 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 1: which means it's gonna take Hey, Andy Reid and his 343 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: staff to understand what the Chargers are gonna do for 344 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 1: a good portion of this season. My initial thought is 345 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:52,840 Speaker 1: maybe the Chiefs somehow escape another close Chargers game in 346 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:56,879 Speaker 1: Week three, and then you get to December and maybe 347 00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: justin Herbert all those experiences, it really makes for the 348 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: Chargers winning that game, and who knows how the division 349 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 1: plays out in the latter half of December. I could 350 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: easily see that happening, But hey, who knows. You know, 351 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:15,040 Speaker 1: the Chargers may come out really, really strong. They may 352 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 1: come into Arrowhead and win. That's obviously tough for teams 353 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: to do. By the way, Patrick Mahomes has never lost 354 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: a September. He's never lost in September, never lost, So hey, 355 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:29,120 Speaker 1: maybe the Chargers are the team to do it. It's 356 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:32,879 Speaker 1: going to happen at some point Patrick Mahomes's career and 357 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:38,879 Speaker 1: my biggest concern if you're looking at this historically, the 358 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:43,000 Speaker 1: Chiefs have played three more games the last two years 359 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: then just about every other team will injuries, Will contrition 360 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:50,880 Speaker 1: play a factor? Will that help the Chargers be able 361 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 1: to supersede them in a way and make this rivalry 362 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,679 Speaker 1: truly what it could be, Because at some point Herbert's 363 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 1: going to have to win the division, not just be 364 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:02,400 Speaker 1: Patrick on a Thursday night or a Week three game 365 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: where maybe the Chiefs aren't fully focused. Um, he's gonna 366 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:07,960 Speaker 1: have to win the division. And if that happens, then 367 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 1: you're gonna have a real treat in the AFC West 368 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:14,159 Speaker 1: for years to come. And that's why I'm I'm just 369 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: trying to like dream right, I'm dreaming of like a 370 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:20,679 Speaker 1: like a Brady Manning situation five to seven, yes, right, 371 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 1: and getting that twice a year as opposed to to 372 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 1: that that one game a season. Um. And obviously the 373 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:33,360 Speaker 1: Chiefs have proved it justin in his fifteen starts was 374 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 1: was remarkable last year. Um. But you mentioned Brandon Staley 375 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:40,280 Speaker 1: coming in. Uh, the biggest thing for me, Nate on 376 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:44,720 Speaker 1: the defensive side is seeing Derwin James out there for 377 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:49,240 Speaker 1: sixteen games. If if they can get Derwin out there, Um, 378 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:53,440 Speaker 1: he's such a difference maker. Uh. You have a guy 379 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: on each level your defense, and Joey Bosa, Kenneth Murray, 380 00:21:56,600 --> 00:21:58,440 Speaker 1: who I think is really going to take another leap 381 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:02,439 Speaker 1: in year two. Derwin couple with Brandon Stale and what 382 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:06,119 Speaker 1: he's gonna do defensively. Um, it's just it can't. It 383 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 1: just gets you geeked up. What do we It's July 384 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 1: twenty fours, right, I want to get to Week three 385 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:14,879 Speaker 1: and arrowhead right now. Hey, last week I had to 386 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 1: Sean Reid on talking about the Raiders and we talked 387 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,600 Speaker 1: about the division and how you know, it's been the 388 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 1: Chiefs division, but outside of the Chargers, who I also 389 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 1: believe I think that they're that that second team that 390 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:31,120 Speaker 1: can really kind of maybe push the Chiefs a little 391 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 1: bit this year. Uh, people forget the Raiders. They had 392 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: a really good offense last year. They had some wild 393 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:45,720 Speaker 1: offensive or offset tamsum. The Broncos very complete quarterback position 394 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 1: a little bit of a question mark at this point. 395 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:52,280 Speaker 1: How do you view the AFC West as a whole 396 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 1: as we get into twenty twenty one? Do you think 397 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 1: it's more competitive in that the Chiefs are They're probably 398 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 1: looking at the Chargers, but you know, the Broncos and 399 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:05,160 Speaker 1: Raiders are there. It's just like the Broncos are missing 400 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 1: that quarterback and then the Raiders just when you make 401 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 1: wholesale changes to your offensive line like they did last 402 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,639 Speaker 1: year and they were good across the offensive line, and 403 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 1: you have a defense that was as poor as they 404 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: were bringing Gus Bradley, and I guess the hope is 405 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:26,920 Speaker 1: Gus with the personnel that they brought in Ken into 406 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: Sean said this, if you could just be kind of 407 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:30,800 Speaker 1: the middle of the road, deep average, just being average 408 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 1: yea games. Yeah, I mean I love the way you 409 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 1: set it up, Chris, because it makes me think not 410 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:42,439 Speaker 1: just about how the teams were last year, but obviously 411 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,679 Speaker 1: we're trying to project ahead. A quick side note, um, 412 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 1: I've seen one player on most snaps of a football 413 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 1: game since I started covering the Chiefs, which was in 414 00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen, There's been one defender who I've seen cover 415 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:59,480 Speaker 1: Travis Kelsey effectively snapped the snap that players, Derman James. 416 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:05,240 Speaker 1: It's I hope he stays healthy. I want to see 417 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:09,280 Speaker 1: what he can do, particularly after knowing his career art 418 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:11,399 Speaker 1: what the last two seasons were. I mean, when the 419 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 1: Chargers made that great comeback in twenty eighteen on a 420 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 1: Thursday night, Derwin James covered the living hell out of 421 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:20,280 Speaker 1: Travis Kelsey. I mean in a way that it was 422 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:22,199 Speaker 1: really stunning and I haven't seen it since. And I 423 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:24,560 Speaker 1: know some people will say the Tama Bay Buccaneers have 424 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: a great linebacker play, but it's it's it's hard for 425 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,720 Speaker 1: me to assess when four guys are in the backfield 426 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:32,640 Speaker 1: two seconds after the ball is snapped. I mean, it's 427 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:35,760 Speaker 1: just like it's it's. It does make the job easier 428 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:37,679 Speaker 1: covering Travis Kelsey if you can get to the quarterback 429 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:42,639 Speaker 1: that quickly through a makeshift offfens the line switching to 430 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:47,159 Speaker 1: the AFC West. I'm not sure I trust the Denver 431 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 1: Broncos coaching staff. And I say that because I think 432 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:56,080 Speaker 1: Drew Locke has talent. He has not progressed the way 433 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:58,640 Speaker 1: that I think he should have. Um not to think, 434 00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 1: not to say he was gonna be like a top 435 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: five quarterback, but I thought there was legitimate talent there. 436 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:06,640 Speaker 1: They have skill position players. One thing I noticed from 437 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:10,280 Speaker 1: the way Denver operated, particularly in the second half of games, 438 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:13,359 Speaker 1: was you want to make adjustments, but at the same 439 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 1: time you want to you want to accentuate your player's 440 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 1: best traits. And I don't know how much Denver did that. 441 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 1: Last year for Las Vegas, I feel like Derek Carr 442 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:27,359 Speaker 1: had a quiet career year, and I know he was 443 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:32,360 Speaker 1: catching some gruff about the way the season ended. Last year. 444 00:25:32,920 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: But I think Darren Waller's excellent. Um, I know Josh 445 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:41,119 Speaker 1: Jacobs is capable of having a very strong season. I 446 00:25:41,240 --> 00:25:43,159 Speaker 1: just until I see it, I don't know if I 447 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 1: can trust the Raiders defense, even with the new staff. 448 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 1: Even with the new changes you mentioned the offensive line, 449 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:53,960 Speaker 1: that's gonna have to make the Raiders offense less vertical 450 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,080 Speaker 1: than some some elements, or they're gonna have to be 451 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:58,399 Speaker 1: more surprising when it comes to going deep because that 452 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,919 Speaker 1: was their strength last Yes, it really was. It been 453 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 1: surprise a lot of people based on Derek Carr's reputation 454 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:07,240 Speaker 1: in the past. So you're you're exactly right talking about 455 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 1: with the Chiefs and Chargers right like, it's yeah, everybody 456 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:11,920 Speaker 1: made kind of wholesale change except for Denver on the 457 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:15,879 Speaker 1: offensive line. But the Chiefs and Chargers did it almost 458 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 1: at a necessity. Yes, yes, you can argue that the 459 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:20,399 Speaker 1: Raiders did it add a necessity made from a salary 460 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: cap perspective. I just that I think is going to 461 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:26,919 Speaker 1: be very interesting because that was one of the strengths 462 00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 1: of their offense and how is that going to look 463 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:31,600 Speaker 1: in the first quarter of the season exactly, And so 464 00:26:34,040 --> 00:26:40,080 Speaker 1: I think the Chargers were closer last year than people realize. Um. 465 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:42,960 Speaker 1: Some of that is because as a rookie quarterback you 466 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 1: kind of just have to go through these experiences where 467 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 1: one game in particular that that comes to mind when 468 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:50,560 Speaker 1: I think about Justin Herbert progression was what he did 469 00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:52,639 Speaker 1: in the second half against the New Orleans Saints on 470 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:57,000 Speaker 1: Monday night football. It was not the best scenario, but 471 00:26:57,119 --> 00:26:59,440 Speaker 1: he got the team in a place to be able 472 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:03,160 Speaker 1: to win. Now, we unfortunately know what happens in overtime, 473 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 1: but I think there are games like that where I 474 00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 1: want to remind Chargers fans honestly, like your team is 475 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:13,920 Speaker 1: closer than you may realize, and a new energy and 476 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:18,120 Speaker 1: new coaching staff, obviously more experienced players. If you get 477 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:21,040 Speaker 1: Derham James back, I mean, my goodness, and he plays 478 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,879 Speaker 1: to the level that we think he can't, I think 479 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:27,359 Speaker 1: there's a there's a real reason, and I know this 480 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:29,400 Speaker 1: is both audio and visual, but there's a real reason 481 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:32,520 Speaker 1: to think that the Chargers are ascending. And I'm not 482 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: saying the Chiefs have plateaued just because they've obviously got 483 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 1: new players. They're obviously going to be motivated to try 484 00:27:38,119 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 1: to get back to a third straight Super Bowl, which 485 00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 1: is really rare and almost unpreceded in NFL history if 486 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:47,239 Speaker 1: your name's not Tom Brady or Bill Belichick. So they 487 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:49,159 Speaker 1: have all the motivation in the world too, but just 488 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 1: you can't do it at this level, this long in 489 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:57,200 Speaker 1: the NFL history most times. Now. Maybe Patrick Mahomes is 490 00:27:57,200 --> 00:27:59,200 Speaker 1: the exception. Andy Reid is obviously a Hall of Fame coach, 491 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 1: as I mentioned before. But you see these past crossing, 492 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 1: you see the Chargers ascending in my opinion, and you 493 00:28:06,440 --> 00:28:11,480 Speaker 1: see the Chiefs unfortunately, you kind of logically at some 494 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:13,480 Speaker 1: point need to have a dip. And I'm not saying 495 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:17,720 Speaker 1: it maybe starts with Super Bowl fifty five, but maybe 496 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,240 Speaker 1: we look back at it two years and no one say, hey, 497 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:23,920 Speaker 1: maybe the Chiefs and window was that eighteen to twenty range, 498 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:27,120 Speaker 1: and then they're obviously gonna have to retool and try 499 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:29,720 Speaker 1: to stay in, you know, sort of that continder range. 500 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:32,359 Speaker 1: We're not even mentioning the Buffalo Bills, We're not mentioning 501 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:34,680 Speaker 1: the Cleveland Browns. Obviously those teams are going to be 502 00:28:35,480 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 1: a part of this moving forward in my opinion, but 503 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:44,480 Speaker 1: I feel like it's still the Chiefs division to win. Ultimately, 504 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,640 Speaker 1: it is the Chargers responsibility to push the Chiefs as 505 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:50,480 Speaker 1: much as possible as the second best team. I would 506 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:54,560 Speaker 1: say the Raiders just because I still trust Gruden, I 507 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:57,600 Speaker 1: still trust Derek Carter to some degree, even though I 508 00:28:57,640 --> 00:29:00,320 Speaker 1: know they've made changes. And look, they're gonna be planning 509 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:02,000 Speaker 1: a lot of blowouts or a lot excuse me, a 510 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:03,960 Speaker 1: lot of shootouts. They'll be playing a lot of shootouts 511 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:08,440 Speaker 1: just because that defense is young, inexperience, or lacks talent 512 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:11,320 Speaker 1: at the positions where you really need talent. Uh. And 513 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:13,400 Speaker 1: then I don't know what to make of the Broncos, right, 514 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:19,520 Speaker 1: I mean, it's interesting. I don't know, George. They got 515 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:23,320 Speaker 1: better on defense, just getting von Miller back and and 516 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:26,760 Speaker 1: beefing up the secondary the way they did, and getting 517 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:30,560 Speaker 1: yeah Patrick by the way, the cornerback, which who was 518 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:33,520 Speaker 1: a quarterback that selected? Again, it was it wasn't certain. 519 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:36,120 Speaker 1: It was wasn't certain. I can't remember now due to 520 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 1: the Broncos. Yeah, yeah, it was it was certain. And 521 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 1: then they got out Fuller, that's right, got Derby. So 522 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:44,800 Speaker 1: like they they beefed up their secondary, it seems like 523 00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 1: and they had them, they had the skilled position players. Right, 524 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:49,239 Speaker 1: you have no a fan you have Jerry Duty. Uh, 525 00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:53,960 Speaker 1: it's it's just okay, Courtland Sutton's coming back. Yeah, the 526 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:57,320 Speaker 1: Javante Williams. You see the running back, so it seems 527 00:29:57,360 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 1: like you have the pieces in place. But obviously quarterbacks 528 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:03,840 Speaker 1: most important position on the field. Yes, exactly. And you know, 529 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:07,719 Speaker 1: as much as I can see in natural progression from 530 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:11,120 Speaker 1: close games with the charters ended in different results this year, 531 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 1: I just I just can't confidently say with Vic Fangio 532 00:30:14,920 --> 00:30:17,160 Speaker 1: and that coaching staff if I've seen enough over the 533 00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:19,920 Speaker 1: course of his tenure there where they're gonna win close games. 534 00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 1: I mean, the NFL is about close games and making 535 00:30:23,480 --> 00:30:27,560 Speaker 1: sure your players are reaching their potential based on your schemes. 536 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:30,000 Speaker 1: Not necessarily. Sometimes you want to exploit what the other 537 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: team is doing. It helps, but a lot of times 538 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,680 Speaker 1: I just I just want to see what is Drew 539 00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:38,560 Speaker 1: Lock good at, then do that and force the other 540 00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:41,600 Speaker 1: team to try to counteract that. In some ways, now 541 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:44,920 Speaker 1: some teams will be more equipped than others, whether that's 542 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:48,320 Speaker 1: Drew Lock, whether that's Teddy Bridgewater, who had a pretty 543 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 1: good season last year in Carolina on a roster that 544 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:54,880 Speaker 1: was mostly built around Christian McCaffrey, who unfortunately got hurt. 545 00:30:56,440 --> 00:31:00,320 Speaker 1: I just I just feel like the more I study 546 00:31:00,360 --> 00:31:02,880 Speaker 1: each team, the more. Obviously we're gonna get reports in 547 00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:06,200 Speaker 1: training camp, but we're gonna see preseason games, and obviously 548 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:08,680 Speaker 1: we're all looking forward to the opener in September. I 549 00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:11,160 Speaker 1: just I don't know what to make of the Denver Broncos, 550 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 1: and the Denver Broncos themselves may not know because they're 551 00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:18,480 Speaker 1: in a quarterback competition going into training camp and it's 552 00:31:18,560 --> 00:31:21,200 Speaker 1: not the one you want. The one you want. Is 553 00:31:21,240 --> 00:31:24,480 Speaker 1: what happened last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, where 554 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:26,480 Speaker 1: you say, hey, we drive to this young kid, we 555 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 1: got our veteran, let's let's just have him compete. Let's 556 00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 1: see where we are. We probably know how this season's 557 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:34,880 Speaker 1: gonna start, but eventually this will be handed down to 558 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:40,320 Speaker 1: the young rookie quarterback. The Denver Broncos do not have 559 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:43,400 Speaker 1: that quarterback competition in camp. They have the worst quarterback 560 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:46,160 Speaker 1: competition of its kind, which is a guy who is 561 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:50,160 Speaker 1: underwhelmed since you drafted him in the second round this time, 562 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:53,480 Speaker 1: and a veteran who you traded for because you're not 563 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:56,320 Speaker 1: sure the guy that you already had. Yeah, and in 564 00:31:56,480 --> 00:32:02,520 Speaker 1: the Aaron Rodgers tream I think is slowly closing. You 565 00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:06,600 Speaker 1: would think as we get into training camp. So, hey, 566 00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:10,520 Speaker 1: you know what, Chiefs fans, you're spoiled because the team 567 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:12,600 Speaker 1: is good, but you're spoiled because you got Nate Taylor 568 00:32:13,040 --> 00:32:16,200 Speaker 1: at the Athletic on the Nate Taylor Show on audio. Man, 569 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:20,040 Speaker 1: you're awesome as always. I always appreciate your time. I 570 00:32:20,120 --> 00:32:22,960 Speaker 1: wish you the best luck with the show. And uh hey, 571 00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:25,520 Speaker 1: I always tell Chargers fans you got to keep up 572 00:32:25,680 --> 00:32:29,320 Speaker 1: with the division. Where can they find your work and 573 00:32:29,760 --> 00:32:33,240 Speaker 1: follow along as we get closer to that Week three matchup, 574 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:36,560 Speaker 1: I know, and and look, we may we may see 575 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:39,080 Speaker 1: each other in the flesh this year. It's gonna be nice. 576 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:42,600 Speaker 1: It's gonna be a great time. Yeah. I try to 577 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:44,880 Speaker 1: keep it simple. It's buy an eight Taylor on Twitter, 578 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 1: on Instagram as well. Um, you know my work is 579 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,800 Speaker 1: at the Athletic. It has been a real treat to 580 00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:54,520 Speaker 1: be at this publication for going on forty years now. 581 00:32:55,560 --> 00:32:57,959 Speaker 1: So if you care about the Chargers, I always tell 582 00:32:57,960 --> 00:33:00,000 Speaker 1: people are subscribers at the Athletic. I would encourage peop 583 00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:02,920 Speaker 1: to subscribe. There will be a promo code deal at 584 00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:05,240 Speaker 1: some point leading out to the NFL season, although I 585 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:06,920 Speaker 1: can't tell you that right now, but just be on 586 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:09,560 Speaker 1: the lookout for it. My guy Daniel Popper does a 587 00:33:09,560 --> 00:33:14,720 Speaker 1: great job covering the team in la Oh. I know, 588 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:17,320 Speaker 1: I see it. I see it, I hear it. Um, 589 00:33:17,640 --> 00:33:21,440 Speaker 1: you know him and his burritos. I mean, it's it's 590 00:33:21,520 --> 00:33:24,480 Speaker 1: Daniel and his burritos. It's it's me and my barbecue. 591 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:27,480 Speaker 1: We go back and forth. It's a great time. But yeah, 592 00:33:27,520 --> 00:33:30,760 Speaker 1: I mean, we have a Chiefs podcast on the Athletic 593 00:33:30,800 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 1: called Times Ours. It's me and my dear lovely friends 594 00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:38,840 Speaker 1: who also know football really well, Josh Briscoe and Seth Kaiser. 595 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:41,400 Speaker 1: As you mentioned earlier, Chris, I'm gonna have my own 596 00:33:41,560 --> 00:33:44,720 Speaker 1: radio show for one hour once a week. That's about 597 00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:47,200 Speaker 1: all I can do before I go crazy with this 598 00:33:47,280 --> 00:33:49,240 Speaker 1: football stuff. And then yeah, I'll be covering the team 599 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:51,280 Speaker 1: on a day and day out basis at the Athletic 600 00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,080 Speaker 1: and it's real easy. The same way it reads on 601 00:33:54,120 --> 00:33:56,080 Speaker 1: the Athletic. If this is by day, Taylor, that's the 602 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:59,560 Speaker 1: same way you can find me on social media. Fantastic. 603 00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:03,440 Speaker 1: I can't wait to see you hopefully in September week three. 604 00:34:03,560 --> 00:34:08,239 Speaker 1: It'll be quite the matchup between Justin Herbert and Patrick Ghomes, 605 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,359 Speaker 1: one that we can actually talk about throughout the entire week, 606 00:34:11,440 --> 00:34:14,080 Speaker 1: knowing that those two are gonna be under center. Man. 607 00:34:14,480 --> 00:34:18,000 Speaker 1: Thanks again, and best luck at camp next week. Thank 608 00:34:18,040 --> 00:34:20,319 Speaker 1: you so much, Thank you for having me and whole 609 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:24,360 Speaker 1: Chargers fans find this interesting and look, I'm giving optimism. 610 00:34:24,480 --> 00:34:26,840 Speaker 1: They may chase the cheese down this year. It like 611 00:34:26,960 --> 00:34:28,759 Speaker 1: like you mayn heard it, like even a guy in 612 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:32,839 Speaker 1: Kansas City thinks the Chargers are coming, and it may 613 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:36,640 Speaker 1: happen eventually, even as early as twenty twenty one. And 614 00:34:36,760 --> 00:34:38,680 Speaker 1: that's gonna do it for us. A big thanks to 615 00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:41,440 Speaker 1: Nate Taylor for joining me, and of course thanks to 616 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:43,880 Speaker 1: you all for listening. Be sure to download and subscribe 617 00:34:43,920 --> 00:34:47,440 Speaker 1: to the Chargers podcast net work wherever you listen to podcasts. 618 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:51,480 Speaker 1: Training camp kicks off next week. We'll have coverage all 619 00:34:51,560 --> 00:34:54,359 Speaker 1: over the Charger social media channels and Chargers dot com. 620 00:34:55,280 --> 00:34:58,080 Speaker 1: Have a great weekend and until next time, I'm Chris 621 00:34:58,200 --> 00:34:58,480 Speaker 1: Harry