1 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, Chris Harry with you on a very special 2 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: edition of Chargers Weekly. On the eve of training camp, 3 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 1: I caught up with Chargers general manager Tom Tolesco. Tom 4 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: touched on a variety of topics over fifteen minutes or 5 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 1: so to get you ready for the unofficial start of 6 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: the twenty nineteen season at the Jackhammet Sports Complex. So 7 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: let's get right into it. Here's Tom Tolesco. Tom, how 8 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:43,599 Speaker 1: are you, sir. I'm doing fine. Thanks. There's like an 9 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,919 Speaker 1: energy this week. It's just it feels like football's back. 10 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: It's got to be an exciting time for you. Yeah. 11 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:50,839 Speaker 1: I mean we go from having a little bit of 12 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: a break, we can get get away, spend some time 13 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 1: with your family, and then when you come back to 14 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 1: work it's one hundred miles an hour the very first day. 15 00:00:56,960 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: But yeah, there's an energy once all the players get 16 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: in and they know it's time to time to go, 17 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: and really we're all on the same body clock. It's 18 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: a football body clock. Once you hit late July, you 19 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: just know you're going to training camp somewhere, whether it's 20 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 1: high school, college or the NFL. So um having the 21 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:15,400 Speaker 1: players here today, they did their conditioning drill and and 22 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: now you get to tomorrow field, it's almost like the 23 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 1: like year officially turning the page. Now. You know, we 24 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 1: talk about last season and throughout MIDI camp and OTAs 25 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: this is an opportunity to kind of to start a 26 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 1: new and Philip talked about just kind of recreating the 27 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: energy last year in a positive way. Yeah, we do. 28 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: You know, you do so much talking in the off 29 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 1: season because that's all you can really do, you know, 30 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: you know, probably talking about what could be, you know, 31 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: that's all that's all you can talk about that point. 32 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: Now we can actually see what we have and and 33 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 1: it is about Phillips right when you come to training camp, Um, 34 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 1: you really have to recreate everything. I mean, we have 35 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: the core of our team that's back, but it's not 36 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: the exact same team as last year. And um, last 37 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 1: year or that the close knit nature of the team 38 00:01:57,560 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 1: was something that I had not been around in a 39 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 1: long time. And I think we'll still have some of 40 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 1: that this year, but it's going to take time again 41 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 1: to try and develop all that just doesn't happen overnight. 42 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 1: It's not, like I said, it's not the exact same 43 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: team is last year. So a lot of that's developed 44 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 1: in training camp and it will be developed throughout the season, 45 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: and but you have to have that. You have to 46 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: have that to get to where we need to go, 47 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: which to win a title. Yeah. I talked to Coach 48 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,960 Speaker 1: Lynn earlier in the week and it's not the same team. 49 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: But over the last three years, a lot of the 50 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: core pieces have been in place in the front office, 51 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:30,280 Speaker 1: the coaching staff, and the roster, and coach says one 52 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: work he doesn't like is comfort. He doesn't want to 53 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 1: be comfortable. He wants to kind of push these guys 54 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,520 Speaker 1: in places where they're not comfortable, because that's where greatness 55 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: comes from. Your thoughts on Coach Lynn and this roster 56 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,639 Speaker 1: when you look at two years ago in twenty seventeen 57 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: to president, well, I'll back coach on that one. I mean, 58 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: if you're comfortable in this league, you won't be around 59 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 1: very long. It's way too competitive. So you know, whatever 60 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: you've done in the past doesn't mean anything for this 61 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 1: year because this you know, things don't carry over. The 62 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 1: culture can that Anthony has created that can carry over, 63 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: But I mean everything else we have to start from 64 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: scratch and work over again. And I really love what 65 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,359 Speaker 1: I've seen the last two years. I mean, we've done 66 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: a really nice job, but we still have you know, 67 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,119 Speaker 1: the biggest challenge right now is, you know, go from 68 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: good to great, and we got to figure out way 69 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: to do that and the fact that we got to 70 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 1: win the division. Number one, we haven't done that. And 71 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: since I've been here, we've had some good teams. We've 72 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: had a very good team last year, but we didn't 73 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:29,239 Speaker 1: win the division last year. It's not outright. So that's 74 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:31,799 Speaker 1: what we have to start working on. And yeah, there 75 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:34,399 Speaker 1: can be no comfort. It doesn't matter how good team 76 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: you have. If you get comfortable and you don't work hard, 77 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: somebody else is gonna go right by it. So and 78 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: that's you know, that's why coach is good at what 79 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: he does. I mean, he'll have these guys dialed in. 80 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: He already already has him dialed in, and we get 81 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: the grind going through training camp. An experience can be 82 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:50,119 Speaker 1: a great teacher too. You and I talked right after 83 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: that New England game about just how those are the 84 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: things that it can further build character, that experience to 85 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 1: carry over to know that you've been there before, especially 86 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: with some of the young guys we're in that playoff game. 87 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 1: They go from being rookies or second year guys to 88 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: having that playoff experience. You know what to expect going 89 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 1: into twenty nineteen. Yeah, I think that's good. I mean, 90 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 1: and I actually looked at our roster, our ninety man roster, 91 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,080 Speaker 1: and looked at the number of players who have been 92 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 1: on a Super Bowl team, who had been on a 93 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: national championship team in college, who had won a state 94 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,839 Speaker 1: championship in high school. We're ever won a conference championship 95 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 1: in college, and we have a lot of players to 96 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 1: fit in that categories. We have players that have the 97 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: experience of getting their final goal, winning winning that final game. 98 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 1: Now we haven't done with the charges yet, we haven't 99 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 1: won a super Bowl, super Bowl yet, but we have 100 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:37,359 Speaker 1: a lot of guys that've been through that process that 101 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: know what it looks like, knows what it feels like. 102 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: So it just can't be talent level. It's got to 103 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: be there's so much more that goes into it. But 104 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 1: you're right, experience is good. And you talked about the 105 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 1: continuity part of it with the coaching staff, front office, 106 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: with our core players, and continuity is what we look 107 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: for as long as we're the right people, sure, and 108 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: we think we have the right people, so we're so 109 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 1: we're good with that. But yes, keeping people together knowing 110 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 1: what they kind of build a culture and everybody knows 111 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 1: what's expected of them and to perform at a high level. 112 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 1: And you know, having the experience last year will help us. Um. 113 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 1: But again we all what we always say it is, 114 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: you know, every year's new year, and it's a new 115 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 1: year this year. A couple news items that came out 116 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: today just on Chargers dot com. Melvin Gordon did not 117 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,160 Speaker 1: report to camp. What can you tell us about that 118 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 1: as we enter Thursday, Just that he's he's not here 119 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 1: right now. And uh, you know, we'd I love Melvin Gordon. 120 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: I mean we'd drafted him in the first round for 121 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 1: a reason and we've watched him develop and turn into 122 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: the player that we always hoped he would, and uh, 123 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 1: he works so hard at it. Um. This game means 124 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: a lot to this team means a lot to him. 125 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: And I love how he represents our organization. That's a 126 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:45,720 Speaker 1: big part of being a Charger as well, that's how 127 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: you represent it as he represent as us really well. 128 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:50,600 Speaker 1: But with every player, I understand there's there's a business 129 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 1: part of it. They have their opinions and thoughts, and 130 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 1: I don't have a problem with that. Now, I don't 131 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 1: necessarily agree with all of them all the time, but 132 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 1: I'm fine with them having their opinions and thoughts. And 133 00:05:57,960 --> 00:05:59,840 Speaker 1: now I think he should be here, But that's that's 134 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: part of the business. It's the way. It's the way 135 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,600 Speaker 1: that it is. Um. But he's still a charger right now. 136 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:08,039 Speaker 1: So UM and in the meantime, we're lucky to have 137 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 1: some good running backs that are here and ready to go. UM. 138 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 1: Austin Eckler, who we've seen more of. You know, we 139 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:14,840 Speaker 1: we know what Austin is. We've seen him play a lot. 140 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 1: And Justin Jackson we saw last year. UM we like 141 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: a lot. And Detres Newson. We've seen these guys play already, 142 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: so we know what we have and those guys got 143 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 1: to step up and get ready to go. UM while 144 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,600 Speaker 1: Melbourne's down here yep, a couple more Russell Kom non 145 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 1: football illness list and Ja Tavis Brown onto pup. Just 146 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: any thoughts with with those guys. Uh yeah, So Je 147 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 1: Tavis is still rehabbing an injury, so you know, hopefully 148 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 1: sooner than later he'll be back. Um Russell UM. Now, 149 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:44,240 Speaker 1: Russell had a little different situation. He hit a pretty 150 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: pretty serious medical issue in early June. UM. So if 151 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 1: something we're working with him, he's doing very well, expect 152 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:53,840 Speaker 1: to make a full recovery. He's getting some great care 153 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 1: from from medical people. UM. I don't have I don't 154 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 1: want to get into the details of what he has. 155 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:00,279 Speaker 1: We will, we will at some point in Russell getting 156 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 1: the details at some point, but we think he's gonna 157 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: be out for a little bit of time and we'll 158 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: kind of take it from there. But the good news 159 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:07,920 Speaker 1: he's doing really well. You know, everyone will see him 160 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 1: a camp, will be out in a practice field. That's 161 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 1: the most important thing. Not practicing yet, but he'll be 162 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 1: out there with everybody. Good yeah, good. First few days 163 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: of training camp. As a general manager, what are you 164 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 1: looking for Specifically, stay off the ground number one, because 165 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 1: when guys get on the ground and get sloppies, when 166 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: when injuries come. But really, I mean the first couple 167 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 1: of days of practice is it's really pretty similar to 168 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: an OTA practice because you're not in pads yet, so 169 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 1: we don't get in pass till till the weekend, and 170 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: that's when we start to really see. I want to 171 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: see the player, especially young players, start to apply what 172 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: they learned in the offseason program. But now the bullets 173 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: are real. Now it's competition for spots and see how 174 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 1: they handle that. And some guys can handle in the 175 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: playbook very well, and they can handle on a walk 176 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: through very well, but then when I gets the live action, 177 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: they don't handle it so well. And we don't know 178 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: that until we get the practice. So that's what we'll 179 00:07:57,720 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: start to see once the pads come on, and then 180 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 1: even more so when we start practicing with the New 181 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: Orleans Saints, with the LA Rams, we start doing those 182 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: type of things and obviously preseason games, that's got to 183 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: be great. And it's kind of a change in how 184 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: training camps. And I know we've done a lot of 185 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 1: joint practices over the last several years, but just the 186 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: benefit of those even just as much or more so 187 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 1: in some instances than a preseason game to see other competition, 188 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 1: to kind of game planning against other competitions throughout the 189 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: week with the Rams and Saints come into town. Yeah, 190 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: I love it. Now. There was a time a long 191 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: time ago where combined practices were done a lot, I 192 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 1: mean almost everybody did them. It was an order in 193 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 1: the early nineties. The Billits used to work with the 194 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: Steelers and Browns all the time, is put. They were 195 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: the Redskins the Steels in Carlisle all the time. Yeah. 196 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 1: So now and then, I think there was a time there. 197 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: I think teams got away from it a little bit 198 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 1: and it's kind of back a lot more. Now. I 199 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 1: just think we get great work and you can control 200 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: the tempo. You can control everything if you get if 201 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: one team gets some injury at a certain position, you 202 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: can pull some reps back when you're in a preseason game. 203 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: Once the ball kick off there there's no changing the tempo, 204 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: changing their reps. Sou a little bit more control. Um 205 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: when you work with another team and working with Sean 206 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 1: mcvain and and that Sean Payton is just you know, 207 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: two great teams to work with. Ye you get two 208 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: teams from the NFC Championship plus. Yeah, that's pretty good competition. 209 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 1: It's pretty your competition to see where are we stack 210 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: with with two the best teams in the league. Yeah, 211 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:22,440 Speaker 1: a guy like Jerry to see him. It's one thing 212 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: to get those mental reps in the off season. It's 213 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 1: another thing to go out there and implement it against 214 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 1: your teammates in that competition. How much you look forward 215 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: to seeing Jerry kind of take the knowledge that was 216 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: given to him by his position, coach and Gus and 217 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 1: coach Lynn and implement that onto the football field. Yeah. 218 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:40,440 Speaker 1: I think we're just have to be patient with it. 219 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 1: He hasn't done anything really football related since since his 220 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 1: last college games. So, Um, he did the combine work 221 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 1: and everything there, but then had had the shoulder surgery 222 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:52,439 Speaker 1: so he didn't have any work with us in the 223 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: off season program. Um, he'll be on the practice field tomorrow. Um, 224 00:09:57,920 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 1: he's activated, ready to go. He just won't be full 225 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 1: part as a patient. He has to We'll slowly move 226 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 1: them in and uh yeah, it's gonna take him some 227 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 1: time and be a little patient with him from missing 228 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 1: that much time in the offseason program. But I'm just 229 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 1: glad he's out there and another guy in that position, 230 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: and really a lot of these guys in year two 231 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,679 Speaker 1: making that next step. Justin Jones, you chint into woe soon. 232 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:21,439 Speaker 1: Of course, thirdwin, James, how much better can those guys 233 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:22,959 Speaker 1: get in year two? I feel like we're kind of 234 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: scratching the surface with those three. Yeah, I mean, you'd hope. 235 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 1: You know, year two is usually when you make a 236 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: pretty big jump. So and I know I've I've seen 237 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: it from Justin Jones, already seen him in our in 238 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 1: the OTAs how he's performing. I'm excited about him. I'm 239 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 1: really excited. So and he had a great camp for 240 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 1: US last year and then he had hit a high 241 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: ankle sprain and he missed a little bit of time 242 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: and they came back and played very well down the 243 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: stretch for US, and I think he's just continued to grow. 244 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 1: And uh, you know, I've been Channa played a ton 245 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 1: of snaps for US last year. But yeah, you do. 246 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: Even though those guys, including Derwin, even though they did 247 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: contribute with US last year and made some big plays 248 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 1: for US, you do expect another jump to year two. 249 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 1: You start to see it too, Like that multibard game. 250 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:03,840 Speaker 1: I think that was Justin Jones's first start or first 251 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 1: or second start I think ever in the league, right you, 252 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 1: Channa made that big play at the end of the game, 253 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:10,199 Speaker 1: dury One had a good game. To see those guys 254 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 1: perform on a stage like that, it has to give 255 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: them confidence going into their second year. That Hey, not 256 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: only did I play at a high level, I also 257 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 1: play when it when it mattered the most. Yeah, I 258 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: think so, and that they got some great work last 259 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 1: year and we needed them. We needed all those guys. 260 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 1: But yeah, you expect those guys that kind of you know, 261 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: I wouldn't put them in the veteran category yet, but 262 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 1: during that that young that category. They're no longer rookies. 263 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 1: You know, our young guys be looking at them now 264 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 1: for guidance. But it's it's it's rewarding to see those 265 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 1: young guys take on bigger roles each year. You know 266 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 1: what's great too, is I think a lot of people 267 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: forget the year the Kaisier had at the beginning of 268 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 1: the year and getting first team reps in training camp 269 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: and starting the first three games of the year. I 270 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 1: think he had an interception, seventeen tackles and then you know, 271 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 1: you're kind of decimated by injuries at the linebacker position 272 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,280 Speaker 1: right now. You look at Denzel coming back, you look 273 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: at Thomas Davis coming back Kaiser and year two getting 274 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: a guy like Drew Tranquil and there you Chenna uh 275 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 1: you know Jatavis hopefully eventually, um that has slowly become 276 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 1: a position. It's like, okay, now we got some backers 277 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: now that are healthy. Yeah, we we just needed in 278 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: depth there and and it's really good competition for playing 279 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: time and for roles, and we have some players that 280 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:22,559 Speaker 1: we think can play and now during training camp will 281 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: kind of figure out whose role is going to be what. 282 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 1: But um, it was just a position last year that 283 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: that we just got decimated by injuries and it really 284 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: affected us down the stretch and you know, really affected 285 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:34,720 Speaker 1: us in the playoffs. So um, certainly I guess New 286 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: England it did. So um, yeah, we want to add 287 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: to the group, and we knew we had guys coming 288 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 1: back off injuries, um like Kaiser that we know can play. Um, 289 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: but we also want to back ourselves up with enough 290 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: guys there and let you know, let the competition play 291 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:49,439 Speaker 1: out during training camp. A couple more just on offense. 292 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 1: Just just have a Philip in there and a veteran 293 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 1: year sixteen. Sometimes when you go into training camp with 294 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:59,479 Speaker 1: a lot of teams, you're dealing with a young quarterbacker 295 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 1: or someone who has a new coordinator or a new system, 296 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 1: and there's these layers to getting to where you want 297 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: to go. To have that security at the position. To 298 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: have a guy who's been there, done that. How much 299 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: easier does that make it on the coaches, the offense 300 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 1: and really all his teammates. Well, I know easier is 301 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 1: not the right word, because I like Philip. They challenge. 302 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: I mean, he challenges the coaches. I mean, you know 303 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: when he asked questions, you know, you gotta have answers, um. 304 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 1: And that's what the great quarterbacks do is the guys 305 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 1: have been a legal long time. They don't take anything 306 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: for granted, and you gotta be on you. You gotta 307 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,079 Speaker 1: know your stuff. Um. I remember when when I was 308 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:38,199 Speaker 1: with the Colts, Jim Caldwell at one time was a 309 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 1: quarterback coach for Peyton Manning and someone had said, you know, 310 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 1: that must be the easiest job in the world, and 311 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: he said, no, it's the hardest job in the world. 312 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 1: You know, I have to he said, I have to 313 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 1: prepare for the meetings, for the questions I may get 314 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 1: from Peyton and Phillips the same way. I mean, if 315 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 1: you if you asked a question about something, you better 316 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: have a good answer. So um, but no, it's comforting 317 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: knowing that that you know Phillips he's here, He's our 318 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,720 Speaker 1: leader and um and watching them run the commisioning test yesterday, 319 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,079 Speaker 1: still got a lot of bouncing himself. Yeah, you know, 320 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: he's in great shape and you know, smile on his face, 321 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: which is you know, he loves to play, he loves 322 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 1: his team and we love having him. Yeah, it's so important. 323 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:14,680 Speaker 1: And the weapons on the outside too. You know, Mike 324 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:17,200 Speaker 1: Williams was not an unknown by any stretch, number seven 325 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:19,960 Speaker 1: overall pick, but he hadn't done anything yet on the 326 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: football field. But to see what he did in training game, 327 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: he made a lot of impressive catches, had had a 328 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: really good training camp to have eleven total touchdowns last year. 329 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: You look at him and Keenan and Hunter coming back 330 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: not only as a pass catcher, but the ability to 331 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 1: block just the weapons on the outside, if you could 332 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 1: just speak to them. Going into twenty nineteen, Yeah, like 333 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: I said it, every year is a new year, and 334 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 1: this we're gonna be a little bit different on offense. 335 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: We don't have Tyroll Williams anymore. And Tyrell was a 336 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 1: really good player for us. We saw him like kind 337 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 1: of take off last year and really essentially Mike's going 338 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:51,280 Speaker 1: into his sophomore year right now. He's going into year too, 339 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: expect him to take another jump since he just didn't 340 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 1: contribute a whole lot of his first year or so. 341 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: But again, Mike's a different style than Tyrell, so that 342 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:02,120 Speaker 1: changes the offense a little bit. Having Hunter Henry again 343 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 1: huge for us running game, pass game. We were going 344 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 1: to rely on him a lot last year and before 345 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: he got hurt, So adding a good player to the 346 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: mix there, um, and then having a running running back 347 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: group that now we know a little bit more about. UM. 348 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:16,520 Speaker 1: We saw what Austin Eckler could do last year in 349 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 1: the passing game, in and the running game. UM. This 350 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 1: at this point last year, Justin Jackson was a rookie 351 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 1: seventh round draft pick who we liked, but you know, 352 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: hadn't seen him really playing the you know, the big 353 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:27,080 Speaker 1: lights yet. And we saw him against Pittsburgh do some 354 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: really good things for us. And he was hurting training 355 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: camp a little bit, he had a hamstring early on. Yeah, 356 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 1: And then to trust Newson had a great training camp 357 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: for us and made the team off his work in 358 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 1: training camp and kind of you know, carved a little 359 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: bit of a role and and I had some big 360 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: players and they came the city game for us. So, yeah, 361 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: every year is a little bit different on offense, but 362 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: certainly on the perimeter on the outside. Um, yeah it 363 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 1: maybe it may change a little bit and they'll forget 364 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: even with Travis Benjamin who gives us that that speed element. Um, 365 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 1: he was he was hampered early on in the season 366 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: and then you know everybody else was going only so 367 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:58,800 Speaker 1: many balls to go around. But he'll be a bigger 368 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 1: factor this year, I think too. Yeah. Plus you know 369 00:16:00,920 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: our Tavis Scott, Jeremy Davis still in control, all those 370 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: guys really violent for those those four and five receivers. Ye, 371 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: there's opportunities to be had there. Yeah, Tom, final thing 372 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 1: for you, just a message to the fans. I think 373 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: this is such a fun time for them to come 374 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: out to the Jackhammon Sports Complex enjoy practice. There's so 375 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: much to do around the practice, but really just to 376 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: kind of visit with the players, high five the guys, 377 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: and be a part of this thing. I mean, it's 378 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: a it really truly is a family extending out to 379 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 1: our fans. Well, we're talking about like like our football 380 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: team every years a new year. While just looking at 381 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: the training camp facility today when I was over there, 382 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:36,400 Speaker 1: they've added a lot of different things. I sound like 383 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 1: a huge corn hole, like giant, a lot of yeah, 384 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 1: a lot, a lot of new games. Um. You know, 385 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: all of the seating is now covered now, which is 386 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: big because it gets hot out there. Dare in practice 387 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: so that you know they'll be shade for all the seating. 388 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 1: But um, I mean to me, there's no better thing 389 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 1: in sports to do than they come out for an 390 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: NFL training camp practice. Um, to watch the players and 391 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 1: coaches up close, I mean all the way up to 392 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: the fence. Um, to see the play interacts, either coaches interact. 393 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 1: And then the amount of things you can do outside 394 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 1: of that, just you know, playing different games and um, 395 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:08,720 Speaker 1: and it's all free. I mean, like I thought, I 396 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: was one of those kids a long long time ago 397 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:12,439 Speaker 1: doing the exact same thing. But before they had all 398 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:14,199 Speaker 1: the games and all the things around it, it it was 399 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 1: just watching practice. See you and your dad used to 400 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:18,360 Speaker 1: go to Bill's training, Yeah, we did. We would drive 401 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 1: down to Fredoni, New York, which is like forty five 402 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:24,440 Speaker 1: minutes from Buffalo, and uh go watch Bill's practice, and 403 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 1: uh loved it. I mean that was just that was 404 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:28,399 Speaker 1: so big. You could walk right up with the fence 405 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:30,880 Speaker 1: and just stand right behind the running back group and 406 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:33,800 Speaker 1: and watch Thurman, Thomas and the guys work out with 407 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:35,800 Speaker 1: the coaches and so cool. Yeah, it was just it's 408 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 1: just memories you never forget. And and that's why I'm 409 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:41,000 Speaker 1: so glad that you know we're you know, we don't 410 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 1: do our training camp procts at our complex. We do 411 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: them here um at the Jack Hammett facility, and there's 412 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 1: a lot of space. Um. Almost every practice is open, 413 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 1: which I love. I think it's great for our players 414 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,160 Speaker 1: to have that, and I think it's great for the fans. 415 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,760 Speaker 1: So it's it's it's it's a great experience to come 416 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: out and watch us. Well, Tom, we can't wait. I 417 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 1: know how busy you are, and it's a day before 418 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 1: camp and you're kind enough to have us come in 419 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,400 Speaker 1: and spend a few minutes with you. Thanks so much, 420 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 1: and we look forward to getting rolling on Thursday. Great. 421 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me on. All right, guys, that's gonna 422 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 1: do it. My thanks to Tom, to LESCo, and of 423 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: course thanks to you guys for listening. If you like 424 00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:16,480 Speaker 1: what you here, we'd love it if you left us 425 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Please help spread 426 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:22,600 Speaker 1: the word. We're gonna have another episode of Chargers Weekly 427 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,639 Speaker 1: on Thursday, after day one of training camp. If you 428 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 1: make it to the Jack him At Sports Complex this weekend, 429 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 1: make sure you say hi, either before, during, or after practice. 430 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 1: And we want you involved in the podcast as well. 431 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: If you have a question, a comment, or an idea, 432 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 1: please leave it either on chargers dot com or by 433 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 1: Twitter handle at Chris Harry or on Apple Podcasts. So 434 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 1: we're looking forward to a great season starting with training 435 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: camp and we'll see you then. Until next time, I'm 436 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 1: Chris Harry.