Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Laid fifteen to ten, touched up.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Welcome to Chargers Weekly with Jaliladi and Matt money Smith
here at the Bolt and Jalil today is feeling a
lot different than we were last week. And I can
say certainly Charger fans, just based on my interaction with
them through social media, feeling a lot different. And a
lot of that has to do with picking up You
know a guy that just won a Super Bowl, that
(00:32):
helped block for a two thousand yard season for Saquon Barkley.
And it's really just one. I mean, it's more than
one player. We'll get into Mike Williams and Ni Kwan
and Deshaun and all of those guys. But it felt
like the Makai Becton signing just immediately flipped a lot
of the belly aching about when is this team gonna
make a move that we can get excited about in
free agency?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah, that was definitely a splash money.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
And he's a guy not only did you see he's
a top ten pick in the draft, but you see
just his body of work and what he did with
the egos this year, obviously hurting his earlier career. Part
of his career came back and bounced back with the
Eagles and had a tremendous year, creating a lot of
lanes for Sain Kwon Barkley. A lot of times when
you watch Saint kwaon Barkley's film, he was hitting the
second level, third level of the defense without being touched
and he was a big, big part of that.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yeah, that's you know, if you want to dig into
the advanced metrics of the Chargers last season, when you
kind of look at their run efficiency rates at times,
you know, especially with jk out there, you're talking about
top ten, but the one that sort of jumps out
at you is that, you know, yards before contact and
that was really low, specifically when you ran to the
right side. And then you kind of think about what
(01:35):
he was able to do with Philadelphia and it's, look,
it's not a panacea. It's not all you signed Mackay
Beckden and all of a sudden that number goes from
twenty eight to eight. But if I just you know,
closed my eyes and I envision Joe Alt and Mackai
Becton and seven hundred pounds of guys that are six
(01:56):
seven and six' eight on that, side it certainly feels, Like,
yeah that's going to. Work that's that's gonna work in
the run.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
Game, yeah you just talk about the physical, numbers, right
which you just said six.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Seven these guys are.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
Monsters it's almost like my kids were Watching Space jam
last night and that's what it looks.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Like these guys look like The Space jam.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Monsters and when you walk off the, bus these are
the first two that you want off the.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Bus this is an intimidating.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Factor we're coming in here to beat you down for
four quarters and not on what we're gonna do it,
mentally but we're gonna do it physically as.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Well give us an idea as someone who you know
played that box safety role that was asked to stop the.
Run does does the hype thing affect you when you
have those two towers on the same side and you're
trying to identify what, now, look, naw she's a bigger.
Back but does that affect you at? All just the
sheer size of these guys that are blocking and trying
(02:41):
to figure out where is this running back going to
be popping through the?
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Line, Right and it's just first of, all it's an intimidation,
factor and that doesn't matter if you're in The Little,
league or if you're in THE, nfl when you see
guys who are six seven six eight three hundred plus
pounds and you got to go against them for four
quarters and you're talking about a safety who maybe five
eleven two oh five five six foot two, ten and
those the laws of physics says you're going to lose.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Overtime, right it is what it.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Is and then you ask about the, size and you ask, about,
hey is it a factor when you're down in the
box and you're five to six yards away from the,
ball but yet you have to be able to find
the running back a lot of times if these guys
are not just standing straight up we all know, that,
right and they're playing with low center, gravity low pad,
level but they're still at low cet of, gravity low pad.
Level there's still six three sixty, four, Right and then
(03:25):
you have to also put in a factor of these
guys are pulling the guards are pulling it like things are,
moving so you don't see that running back until he
gets up on your, lap and by that time it
could be way too. Late so, listen, man this signing
was a really really big time. Signing it was a
signing that the charges needed and the front office went
out there and got it.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Done, yeah and you, know just to kind of build
on your plane experience because a lot of has been
made about, well you've got to make sure you get
the right players for this particular. System and what Coach
harbaugh has always done everywhere he's been in his career
is run, gap run, power run through. It that's the
style of USh attack that he has leaned. Into it's
(04:01):
the Bos Sen beckler you know, style run power. Man
that's what he did At michigan and that's What harbaugh
believes and so share with the people because you, know
you look at some of the centers that came off
the board before they Signed Andre, james and It's Drew,
dolman who's a zone scheme, center And Brad, Barry kevin,
O'Connell Kyle shanahan wide zone And Andre. James and you
(04:23):
think about what McDaniels was running was gap and that's
when he was, great And Josh jacobs was Making Pro
bowls and that's what a lot of people are pointing.
To so kind of give us an idea of Why
james And beckton and why that works for a gap
scheme when maybe you know this is the difference between
gap and zone and how those things shake.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Out, yeah so most of the time when you're running
against his zone, scheme it's more like you have not
that these guys on as. Agile but there's a light
of guys that they're they're they're well in, space, right
they can, move they're a lot, quicker they can reach
the defensive. Lineman when you're talking about gap, scheme it's
more so it's, listen we're. Straight it's. Power so it's gap.
Scheme it's down down and the. Round, right it's down
(05:04):
down with a pool and we're gonna smash.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
You.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Right so when you talk about the way that they
sign these, two these are guys who fit the. System
like you, said they're gonna be more. Physical it's gonna
be more my, man my. Block, Right so it's gonna
be a lot More, listen whoever's in front of me
is just we're mauling. You it's more mall ball versus zone.
Scheme when you're, moving they're all moving on one. Accord
and a lot of times the zone schemes we call
it elephants on. Parade it's hard to get a read
(05:27):
on if it's passed or if it's, run and coach will,
say well is it elephants on. Parade elephants on parade
are usually standing a lot more higher and not more.
Lateral they're not coming towards you, right so you know
that it's a. Pass so you get that advantage in
the zone scheme with the power scheme and the gap,
scheme and you know What Jim harball likes to. Run
you don't get that much elephant on. Parade, look because
(05:47):
it's either, look they're firing off the ball or they're
coming off the ball. Right and it's not about we're
not trying to chick. You we're not trying to be.
Fancy we're, saying, listen we're playing, gaps we're playing gap.
Scheme we're gonna run, power we're gonna run, zone we're
gonna run stretch right down the.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Throat and you know that it's. Coming but can you defeat?
It can you beat?
Speaker 4 (06:02):
It our six seven r six eight, guys three plus
pounds on your defensive lineman and your linebackers and your
smaller safeties in the.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Box can you beat? It and we're going to see
if you can do, it.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
AND i, think you, know so much of the signings
come into what fits what we. Do do we feel
like we can coach this player up better than maybe
he was coached up somewhere. Else look to The eagles
And stoutland last, year who's widely regarded as one, of
if not the best offensive line coach in the. LEAGUE
Mcai beckton has a disappointing first four years in the,
(06:31):
league dropped into that. System, granted he's Got Lane johnson
next to, him arguably the best right tackle in the,
game and he's Got stoutland coaching, him and now he
has A Pro bowl caliber. Season SO i bring that
up to ask About Najie harris And naji you, know
kind OF i think he got frustrated in that last
(06:51):
year In pittsburgh and sort of a this isn't really
WHAT i do, best you, Know i'm more of a
like you just described power runner gap power and now
you're sort of asking me to do something. Different so
it comes back, Here so give us an idea of
how you think that. Fits now you've Got, naji who's
not the most explosive, guy he's a career three point
nine yards per, carry but you've seen. Him he's a
(07:14):
big freaking.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Dude, yeah and that's WHAT i Keep Jim. Harball they want,
big they want, physical they want and we've known. That
we've talked about that last, year, right we talked about
coming in he's gonna for four. Quarters you're gonna get
a heavyweight. Fight it's not gonna be. Pretty we're gonna
run the. Ball you, Know we're gonna run the. Ball
and now they're bringing in the pieces that they believe
in fits their scheme the. Best, Listen we're talking about a,
big strong offensive line that they just pack packed with
(07:36):
and you Have Najie harris who's a, big physical. Back
AND i always talk about schemes because people, say, well
he didn't do, this and he'd do. That and as
a personal you, know just being in THE nfl for
ten years playing in different, SCHEMES i know personally that,
hey some schemes fit my attribute's way better than.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Others.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Right and some people are, like, well how do you
go from this team and that? Team and they revamp
their careers because the coaching or it's because of the
scheme that's matters that makes or breaks somebody's. Career SO
i think the signing Of Naji. Harris he's a first
and second down. Back don't get me. Wrong he's not
going to be a third down. Back you'll probably have
to find that in free agency or in the draft
somewhere however they plan to use him or use that
(08:12):
third down back or you, know bring him. In But,
na he's going to be a really good first and
second down back for the for The chargers this. Year
AND i think his just his physical, ability him having
a physical line in front of him. MONEY i think
we'll see him almost re reinvent himself as a top
running back in this in THE.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Nfl, yeah you know you talked About mackay and that
was a really good. Offense, well it was supposed to
be a really good offensive line draft and it panned,
out you, Know andre With Thomas, Wills, BECKTON i can't
remember who else was in that, group but you, know
you get, This you get this sort OF i don't
want to say stigma because that almost makes it feel
(08:48):
like it's, negative AND i don't mean it to be,
that but you, know your draft position is attached to
you everywhere you go ever, forever and SO i think
the idea That naji was you, know one of the
rare first round running the first running back. Taken he
comes out Of alabama following a twenty six touchdown fourteen
hundred yard, season and everybody knew where he was. Going
(09:08):
like it was just like he's gonna be A. Steeler
like you watch him, play you know what The steelers.
Are that's that kind of. Guy and SO i go
back four years to that draft class AND i think
about How Greg roman wants to play, football How Jim
harball wants to play, football and it's, like, well, yeah
that lines. Up is there anything that you've seen in
his game that should dissuade you from believing that that
(09:31):
he's not that same guy from four years? Ago is
there too much evidence on film of like we, said
the numbers are great in, volume a thousand, yards the
only back to do that four years in a. Row
but when you kind of get the wide focus a little,
bit there's not a lot of. Explosives the career is
three point, nine which suggests with that many, carries it's
one of the lower career ard. Averages so kind of,
(09:53):
Hot and Then i'm gonna say, that BUT i want
to put this other side out there so people don't
Think i'm being, negative Because i'm.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Not i'm just asking the.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Question the other side is they've not been able to
find a quarterback Since ben ROETHFLES.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I was just going to say, that you took the
words out of my.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Mouth, Okay so there we. GO i. Think so that's
how you're gonna read.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
It, yeah that's and that's What i'm gonna look into.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
It as it's, like, okay and we talked about, it
talk about defensive backs a, lot and it's, like, okay
well this guy had five, interceptions, right, money but how
did he get those?
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Interceptions did he go get.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
Him off the hash or they tips and overthrows and
they fell into his lap right? Right and then you
can look At nase's his numbers and you can, say,
well he hasn't been explosive or hasn't been, this but
watch the, film, right is he playing against teams that
are stacking the box with eight and nine? Men because
Since Ben, roethlisberger if you're playing The Pittsburgh, steelers you're
not worried about the explosive, pass, Right you're worried about
stopping the. Run and you, know if we going to
(10:37):
the game against The, steelers and we load the box
and we stopped the, run and we use different, fronts
and we use different, slants and we play our linebackers
here and our safeties, here and we're. Dropping if we
stopped the, run we have a good chance of beating
The Pittsburgh steelers because we are not betting that the
quarterback is going to beat us with his. Arm AND
i think that's the biggest thing With nag and why
his numbers were. Down to answer your, Question, NO i
don't think that there's been enough evidence on film to
(10:59):
say that he's not the running back that came out Of.
ALABAMA i think it's all about a new.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Setting we've seen it WITH.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
Jkjk got a new setting and he and he flourished in.
It Right LIKE i go back to me in my playing,
Days i've been in systems where you, KNOW i struggle a,
YEAR i struggle a year or, two and THEN i
go to a different system and now all of a,
sudden my game has.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Revived i'm feeling more. COMFORTABLE i got my confidence, back
and that's.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Very very big for a professional. Athlete your confidence and, knowing,
hey not only do do they believe THAT i can do.
IT i believe THAT i can do, it AND i
can go out there On sunday and put that product
on the.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Field and you're someone that had to deal with competition
for your playing, time for your roster, spot for you,
know the depth, chart and like that's that's the thing
THAT i kind of take away most from the center,
position because, look going under the, OFFSEASON i don't think
there was any question that there was one position ahead
of all, others right That and maybe the fans thought
(11:51):
wide receiver AND i get, That but of, course for
what this team said their identity was going to be
and then what it ultimately, BECAME i think they needed
to figure out a way to, Establish, hey this is
we came in and said we were going to be
the most physical team in, football and then you were
going to feel it after we were done with. You
and by the end of the, season it's, like, okay
we got to fix that center of the offensive line
(12:11):
if that's really going to come to. Fruition SO i
figured that would be priority. One SO i look at you,
know McKay beckton coming in perfect fits right into what
the identity, is, right and THEN i See Andre james
come in and even though the. Two and that's the
thing to remember is that the centers that were in
the free agent market weren't necessarily perfect fits for you,
know The Drew, dolmends.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Who got the big who got the, big the big.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Contract like it just wasn't necessarily a perfect. Fit so
they Bring boseman, back who's beloved in the offensive line.
Room but before they did, that you, Know Joe ortiz
at the combine talked to the media when we he
was off the, podium talked to The chargers media and
talked About zion playing. Center and then they go out
and Signed Andre james after he was cut by The
raiders after signing that three, year twenty four million dollar.
(12:55):
Deal they cut him because they had a bad year last.
Year and As i've said on you, know in previous
conversations about, him it's a that. Fit it was a
disaster in that in that town and on that organization.
Anybody but my big takeaway is it's identified it's, hey
we're gonna Bring bradley, back but we're gonna Try zion at,
center and we're gonna Sign Andre james because he's, affordable
(13:17):
because he just got cut and he's a perfect fit
for how we want to play because when he was
blocking gap For, Josh jacob's guy was a pro bowler
and got himself a thirty million dollar deal because of
how well he. Ran so what that says to me
is the front office and the coaches have, identified, yeah
we got to get this right and this is we're
gonna throw three different resources at At, Bozeman james and
(13:40):
And zion and made the best man come out and.
Win SO i throw all that at you and then
ask kind of how does that how does that make
you feel in training? Camp what does that do for
the position and for competition and what we might be
able to see at that position that you know had
some issues last.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
Year, yeah and just you said the money my whole,
CAREER i battled in training camp and it's it's a
brothers at the end of the, day, right it's your one,
family and were all pushing towards one come and. Go
but at the end of the, day these guys are
fighting to put food on their family's. Plate and competition
breeds nothing but, success, Right it brings the best out
of every individual who's fighting for that. Job AND i
(14:14):
can speak to it that you're on your. Game you're
going back to the. Hotel you're not staying up playing
with your, buddies talking on the phone. Late you're studying your,
playbook you're making sure you're watching your. Film you're, saying,
listen because one little slip, up and if this guy
has two more practices that are better than, me that
alone bumps him up into the on the depth, chart,
right that alone puts him in favor in the front
office's eyes that he's having a better camp than.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Me so your margin of error is very.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Slim so when you bring in guys from the free agency,
pool from outside in and you, say, listen we're going
to be very transparent and we're going to tell you
that this position is up for, grabs they, said it's
not only are the players. Dud the players respect, you.
Right they know that they have a fair shot of,
playing so they're given. All they're given their. All and
then they, say, look this competition is going to make
me a better. Player and If i'm a better player
(14:58):
because of it AND i don't, START i still came
out of the situation better THAN i came in. It
SO i think, competition man friendly competition is the BEST
i think it drives an organization in a program upward
and it's all for the.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
Better.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Yeah and in the case Of, TREY i don't know
how this affects him moving, forward but to, me it's
unless you need that. Money if something pops and becomes
available and you have to make it available so you
can go get this player and you can sign this,
player and you, know whatever that may. Be you, know
if it's again post draft player falls into the lap
(15:32):
of a team and now they feel, like, okay this
that's expendable Post june one, cut and we can go
and now you want to go out and get that
player at a position of, need let's, say pass catching
tight end or something like. That AND i can, see you,
know The tray situation maybe, changing but for now it's
a big number for a backup at nine million. Bucks
But tray can play right, Tackle trey can play. Guard
(15:54):
trey's great in the. Room everybody likes. Him he's one
of the most beloved players on the. Team like for
people that are just, like, oh, WELL i can't wait
to get that six point two five million bucks in my,
pocket well they don't need, It like they.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Don't need it right.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Now and to me when you have an injury history
With Mackay, beckton when you have and their past, rate
their their past protection grades were very very. Similar run
run blocking was way. Different it's The kai And. TRADE
i mean that's like the. Separation but pass blocking they
were pretty much dead EVEN i think that's just someone
you keep around like it doesn't make sense to just you,
(16:28):
know to put it in perspective and not to maybe
alienate a portion of the. Audience what's happening in society.
Today the idea that you're cutting things just to cut
them doesn't always make. Sense you want to hear, them
why are we cutting these? Jobs why how are we
saving this? Money and that's the thing With, Trey it's, Like, okay,
well why would you release him because he's still a
very valuable piece of that.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Room, yeah he's a very very valuable piece in that.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
ROOM i played With. Trade awesome, guy, right and he's
a utility. Guy he can play a lot of different
positions and that holds a lot of, weight and not only.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
Weight that holds a lot of value because we all
know that.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
This is one hundred percent injy rate, sport especially with
the offensive line and the physicality that it takes to
be a offensive, lineman and one guy going down and
then having to shuffle everybody can throw off the chemistry
of offensive. Line one guy going down and being able
to play Plug trey and who's a veteran.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Who's been, there who's been at war.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
With these, guys and he can he can perform like
nothing happened this and that goes a long. Way and
that's the difference between wins and.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Losses, yeah so you, KNOW i wish it were done.
ALREADY i wish we were reporting on A slater. Extension
hasn't happened, yet BUT i would be absolutely floored if
it didn't get. Done So i'm gonna assume that's gonna,
happen and that you know now today on what is,
It march, Twentieth Slater Zion james Slash. BOSEMAN i Think
(17:45):
james maybe has the lead going. In you, Know beckton and.
All you feel pretty good about, That.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
No really?
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Good, yeah that left side you're talking about five yards
per carry when they ran to the. Left so now
you've got that right side that mirrors that left. Side
and Again, james who played really well in a couple previous,
seasons blocking For Josh jacobs In Las. Vegas feel pretty
good about. That so and what that then, does of,
course is at twenty, two and it's so hard to
project the remainder of the. Draft i'm just talking about
(18:15):
the first. Round don't feel, like, hey we've got the
number two guard on the board or the number one,
center we've got to take him here because we don't
have an answer at that. Position that's what that does
is If Gray's abel's, there, great you, know and you feel,
like let's just grab, them you, know let's we believe
in offensive line so, bit but you don't feel LIKE
i have. To and that's that's what those two signings
(18:36):
In james And beckton suggest to, me is you don't
have to Grab Tyler booker at. Guard you don't have
who improved his ten time at his pro day because
the one at the combine was. Ridiculous so happy for
him that he was able to do, that and you
don't feel that. Need and so that's that's something that.
Helps all, right second, thing we got to get.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
To it so so.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Money so with that being, said just a quick pick
at twenty, two what do you like to?
Speaker 2 (18:59):
See, WELL i think that's it now frees you, up,
Right so what are, like what are the two needs
or what are the needs that maybe haven't been filled
one tight end past catching tight end right will awesome
last year and for people that like want to see,
that LIKE i view that as a, positive, RIGHT i
view that As, Wow, greg you, Know Greg roman has
(19:20):
always done great things with tight. Ends you bring in
one of the best blocking tight ends in the league
and he ends up having career highs and catches and
yards after catching touchdowns and all of that because that's
Of Greg roman can do with tight. End so the
idea of pairing him with any elite tight end Like
Tyler warren Or Colston, LOVELIN i mean it's salivate thinking about.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
THAT i Mean, tyler BUT i don't know IF i
don't know they will be.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
THERE i don't think either of them will be. There
so that's the.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Thing, like so that's, one, right and that's something that's
going to have to get figured. OUT i think they're
still you, know especially With stone smart leaving is that
project of an athletic tight. End TWO i think wide,
receiver you, Know AND i say that just Because mike's
on a one year. DEAL i do want to get
to you With, mike so just as we kind of
do this exercise. Though So mike's on a one year
deal AND i, think you, know c'es going into year
(20:09):
three and you, know you're talking about year four after this,
year and then you have to start thinking about picking
up a fifty year. Option and don't forget the fift year.
Options top five average salaries in the. Position wide receivers
make a lot of, money so that's a huge decision
to make ON. C so that's where wide RECEIVER i
think comes into. Play and then you're talking About Agbuka
golden and t mac And ted, McMillan you, know those three,
(20:32):
GUYS i would guess that one of them will be
there for. SURE i think those that comes into. Play
and then for, ME i think you look at the
way they attack defensive, line you, know and it Wasn't Milton,
williams but it, was you, know it was very similar
to what they did last year With poona And. Tierra
It's Akwon jones and It's Deshan hand and it's, like,
hey we see flashes from these. Guys Mike elston's one
(20:52):
of the BEST d line coaches in the, league and
what Jesse minner.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Does SO i, say all of that all, right there it,
is there's the back.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Drop to, ME i love the idea of pairing an
elite player with that sort of, coach. RIGHT i love
the idea of If Kenneth grant is, there If Walter
nolan is. There Like nolan to me is fascinating just
because he's former number one recruit in the, nation went
(21:19):
to a and m got a little weird in sideways
and kind of had some issues with the coaching, staff
and then they call him out for being immature and
things like. That but he goes To Ole miss and
becomes one of the best defenders in THE sec and
is crushing seco lineman and and he's just a freak.
Man he is a freak of. Nature and SO i
kind of view a guy that's that, young that's that,
(21:44):
raw but has that kind of ceiling With Jesse minter
And Mike, Elson i'm, like you could end up turning
this guy into like a top, three top five player
in the draft kind of. Thing SO i kind of
lean a little bit toward the defensive tackle side of the.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
But you know your.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Thoughts, MAYBE i, MEAN i can't disagree with. YOU i,
mean you laid it out there for, everybody but obviously
in free agency we. Would last week we're talking about wide.
Receiver BUT i think The Mike williams pick up it
softens that, blow, Right it softens That, YES i, truly
truly think it softens that.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Blow.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
Right running back is not will not be a need
at twenty. Two naj just you don't do, that right
when you bring a guy in Like Nijie, harrison you.
Don't you don't do that at twenty. Two i'm looking
at the defensive line side as. Well if not defensive,
Line i'm thinking tight. End we've talked tight end for
for a while, now and don't take nothing away From
Will will had a really good year last. Year But
i'm talking a tight end that defenses have to game plan, for,
(22:42):
right because we all know that a tight end is
a quarterback's best. Friend and if those guys are being
covered at the on the, outside if they're getting, coverage
roll to. Them If FLA's gonna get gainst to double
team this, year you need a guy that can win
his one on one VERSUS a strong safety technically is
not the best cover guy in the in the, secondary,
Right So i'm thinking a leap. Past i'm thinking elite
(23:03):
past catching tight, end and Then i'm agreeing with you
going and tear your defensive line to push that.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Pocket, Yeah i'm glad you mentioned you know that because
it's sort of a counter to WHERE i, was and you,
know it gives me an opportunity to illustrate this and
that is that you, know and you have to do
the exercise that they did last, year, right which is
and we've talked about this, repeatedly if you don't Draft
Joe alt at five and you Draft Elik neighbors at,
(23:30):
five the offensive tackle that you're getting at thirty, four
where you Drafted lad McConkie is nowhere near the level
Of joelt and nowhere near the level Of lad. McConkie
it was a deep wide receiver, draft. Right we knew
that last year going In it's, like, Yeah malik And
Roma dounce And Marvin Harrison junior are. Seen is this
this start of this sort of triumph for it that's
(23:51):
here and everything else is down? Here you take a
giant step, back and clearly that wasn't the. Case everybody felt, Like,
EH i don't, Know Brian Thomas junior is pretty he's in,
good And goad McConkey is pretty freaking.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Good so that's the EXERCISE i think you have to.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Do let's just, say for whatever reason That Colston loveland
And Walter nolan And Kenneth grant Or harmon are all,
there THEN i.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Think you do that.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Well if we don't Take loveland, here, like there's a
pretty good drop between that and, Title if you don't
Take Walter nolan here and Or Kenneth grant, here there's
a lot of d tackles and you're going to be
able to get a very good one at fifty. Five
SO i think if if that's how it plays, out
if Somehow Colston loveland makes it to them at twenty,
(24:36):
two that that ultimately to be the.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Pick that would BE i.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
Guess so let's get Into mike And Big mike coming,
back former, teammateers just your initial thoughts and how he
fits in, now BECAUSE i would assume it's going to
Be MIKE x you, KNOW qz and And ladd in the.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
Slot, yeah that's.
Speaker 4 (24:52):
It that's day one right when you look at it right,
now that's exactly what it's going to. Be in former
teammate Of. Mike great. Guy first of, all locker room,
guy works his tail, off and we all know what
kind of guy he is with the fifty to fifty
a seventy thirty, balls, Right we all know just Watching
mike over his career in THE. Nfl he puts his
body on the, line something that you really love about his.
(25:12):
Game and anytime That justin is in, need this guy
is a big body on the outside that he can
throw the ball up single, coverage double, coverage and you're looking, like,
hey look this can actually be a, completion, Right so
you have that in the, offense you have some familiarity
there With justin And, mike AND i Know justin's ecstatic about. It,
obviously we talked about other RECEIVERS dk And davante and
(25:33):
we didn't get. Them but LIKE i said, previously this
softens the. Blow we have a familiar, face so we
know who's very. Productive he can take the top off
the defense as. Well a jump ball, guy he can
catch the intermediate, passes he can run the whole route.
Tree he had keenan wise not, so but he can
get it done if you needed to get. DONE i
think it was a, really really good pickup and there
was no jersey swap needed to be done and bring
(25:54):
them on.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Home the thing With mike to, remember have you did
you ever have a big injury in your?
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Career?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
No, Okay, so like you're talking about a position where
explosiveness is imperative and a guy that was twenty nine
years old when he blew out HIS acl in week
three last you, know in twenty twenty. Three so as
you point to last year and kind OF i think
about twenty twenty two and what a great season that
was a start that he was off to in twenty
(26:22):
twenty three before the knee, injury and it's sort of,
EASY i, think to push twenty twenty four, aside but
kind of for you to share with people someone who
played a position where explosiveness is important defensive. Back as
you get to that age thirty year and sort of
you've had a couple you, know nicks and bruises and
sort of how you feel out, There like what do
(26:43):
you think should we expect to see the Same Mike
williams of twenty twenty two when you're talking a thousand
plus yards and double digit touchdowns or like what do
you think there? After pretty much taken all of last
year to try to get right following that.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
INJURY i think we.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
DO i Think mike's a freak.
Speaker 4 (26:59):
MAN i think he's he's still one of one in
THE nfl when you talk about a guy who can
go up there and make those big time catches in tough,
coverage just being a performer athlete and playing the. Game,
listen once you get to, thirty your body just feels.
Different you got to have a warm. Up you gotta
have a warm up. Regimen there's a certain. REGIMEN i
did every practice before every, game BEFORE i even started running,
right just to get my body, phoned just to get
(27:19):
my muscles. Firing and the thing about With, mike he
got Hurt week three that, season and if you know A,
ACL acl takes typically, fast it's eight to nine, months
typically nine to, eleven nine to twelve. Months, right and
then even when you get, back talking to guys who
have played with the A, cl it's not really you're
not comfortable with. It it's almost like you have to
(27:40):
gain that confidence. Back AND i even remember what listening
To Aaron rodgers, talking he Mentioned Mike. Williams he was just, Saying,
Hey mike is still, getting you, know comfortable with his.
Knee he's still you, know figuring out how to you,
know plant cut and it takes, time, Right it's It's
it's like WHEN i broke my collar bone in twenty
sixteen AND i had a plate and screws put in.
IT i miss eight, games BUT i came back AND
(28:01):
i had to hit. THIS i had to hit the,
SLED i had to hit the bag to get that
confidence knowing THAT i can go into the game and
still use his. SHOULDER i Think mike's issue was more
so that he wasn't he didn't really really fully recover
and at the position that he, plays when he's, stopping he's,
going he's cutting at such a high, speed high. Level
he's a big body. GUY i think he was playing
probably seventy five eighty percent out, there AND i think
(28:23):
he'd be back to one. HUNDRED i think the charges
know he'll be back to one hundred and you'll still
get that same Explosive.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
Mike that's my.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Opinion, Yeah AND i think also you Mentioned Aaron. RODGERS
i don't know if you noticed that a little bit
of a gag reflex when you. Did sorry to bother,
you BUT i think it's, also you, know you think
about the crap That aaron put on him for the
whole red line, thing and you, know, ridiculous and then
you think, about you, know it seemed to be fine
With Justin. Herbert it didn't seem to be an issue
of him straying off a route and not being able
(28:49):
to go up and get a very well thrown fifty.
Fifty With Justin, herbert how far does that?
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Go do you?
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Think just the fact that you Drop mike and it's
a new, offense new offensive, coordinator new, Terminology but outside of,
that it's the same guy who's been who threw you
all those fifty to fifty balls that you won over
and over.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
AGAIN i think that's the. SPLASH i think that's why
they went and made that. SPLASH i truly. Do it's
somebody that they, said, Listen Justin you're very familiar with, him,
Right you know his. Game he knows, you he knows
if you're in trouble and you guys make eye, contact
he knows you're going to him with the. Ball and
time and time and time and time again In mike's
career he. Wins he'll land on his neck he'll land
(29:26):
on his, Back he'll land on his. Butt he's coming
up with the ball and he's gonna get. Up he's
gonna give you the first down symbol and it's gonna
be on moving the.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
Change.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
Right we've seen it for time and time and ten
time again after being A charger, fan being a, Player
mike's really reliable and like you, said it doesn't matter
about too much scheme Because Mike's mike will fit in
any scheme.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
Right he's a big, receiver he can, catch he's.
Speaker 4 (29:46):
Fast but it's more so that down the red, line
like you, explain fifty to fifty, ball we need a big.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
Play we're going to, You.
Speaker 4 (29:53):
Mike everybody in the stadium knows that we're going to,
you and you're gonna come down with the. BALL i
think that was a really really good, pickup not only
for the organization but for Just. Herbert we talked about
like a security blanket in a tight. End mike william
is Justin herbert security.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Blanket, yeah just kind of going back to what you
asked about the about the first. Pick right at twenty,
two SO dj posted his new mock as updated, mock
and he had ted. McMillan you know at twenty two
sliding and you know he ran a four to five to.
Three depending on who you, ASK i think this pro.
Day some had it at like a four four, Eight
(30:26):
some had it at LIKE i think a four five
nine or. SOMETHING i think that The scouts sort of
agreed on a four to five. Three and he's a big.
Dude he's six,' four he's. Two twenty.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
He's a.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
LOCAL kid i watched him play highchool Football, at surveyed
a team that was getting Punked by Bosco And modern
day year in and year out until He and fafita.
Got there as like that little group. Of friends there
were five of them that went there together and, next thing,
you know surviv'es trading blows With modern Day With Saint.
John BOSS so i just Think of so that's that's.
Speaker 1 (30:58):
Level one. Level two he Goes.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
To arizona University of arizona had been a punching bag of.
A program even when They Hire, jed fish, they're, like
eugh this is like a best friend of the president of.
The university what a. Terrible hire and what happens if
They didn't team att go there and they light it
up and he is is trading blows with the best
receivers In the, pac twelve and He makes arizona relevant
and they're Taking down titans in. The pectel, to me
(31:22):
there's something, To, that like there's just here's a guy
that didn't take the, easy path that didn't Go To
modern Day, or bosco that didn't go to sc or
one OF the sec schools when they, all recruiter and
we want his best Friend to arizona to do a
quarterback wide receiver combo and they made. It work, one
yeah no. Transfer portal, so like, to me that's worth
(31:43):
something number one and two the idea that what's?
Speaker 1 (31:47):
He do he wins fifty to. Fifty balls he's.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Really GOOD so i kind of lay that out to
ask you how much value is there in drafting that
guy And Having mike williams in the ranization as someone
that he can now sort of follow around and see
how he does it and how he can sort of
mirror the career and the skill Set That mike.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
Williams, has yeah they're, Very, similar matt like, you said
but it's almost more. So too does the front office
see him as a value to bring him in at
twenty two let him Learn, from mike similar type, of
players similar type, of body or do you go get
somebody that you know Different, From mike, because yeah We
have mike, right now and we do know he's a
one year but is there more value?
Speaker 3 (32:31):
Going?
Speaker 4 (32:31):
Elsewhere right so it's all up to what the front.
Office thinks it's all up to what the front office wants.
To do I've watched i've Watched t mac play really
really really big, time, guy right big time wide receiver at.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
TWENTY two I wike, Evans.
Speaker 3 (32:43):
ASK yes i would not be.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
Against it it's just more so what they see as
in value right for this year and for this, year's
draft and what they have already at receiver, right now
there's a big receiver Room, Besides, lad right YOU, have
q he's a, big, time big. Big, body right You
have mike who's a, big body and then You. HAVE
led i don't know if they go big, body again
that's the, only, Thing.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
RIGHT yeah. I, guess look well we've talked, about, It
right the idea of a starting five of a basketball
team is what you want your wide receiver room to. Look,
Like yeah guka ends up running a. Nice number We
know golden ran that four two nine at, The combine,
so yeah that probably drop that, in there and that
helps a. Lot more that's going to help take the
top off of things and open it up for nause
(33:23):
and open it up in the middle for lad and
open up those fifty to fifty balls to be one.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
On Ones with mike will think you need.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
A burner so, that's yeah and that makes sense, and
plus to, BE honest i don't think there's any.
Speaker 1 (33:33):
Way he slides to. TWENTY two I just i just don't.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
SEE it i don't think you can have, those measurables,
that production that sort of quality of an individual and is.
Exactly sliding so although some people are questioning, his CHARACTER
which i, don't get That's not i've not heard. That,
something yeah it's, spring man, you know it's. The spring,
all right let's get to, the position, you know, very well,
defensive back so very similar to to sort of what
(34:00):
they've done at, other, positions right and it's let's. Find
production let's. Find traits you Know they tarheb was production
competitiveness And cam hart. Was traits look at, this guy,
body beautiful, you know let's get him With our and
it worked both ways with that coaching with, That room
so what are they doing? Free Agency dante, jack's production all,
(34:21):
those interceptions high, Draft Pick, benjamin saint just let's see
six to three massive. Wing span you kind of bring
those two. GUYS in i like both signings just because
the idea of just kind of handing a starting job
to two second. Year guys i'm not saying they didn't.
EARN it i think they played well enough to, Earn
that but these are two guys that you could end
up seeing being the starters ahead of either of those
(34:42):
guys if it all goes well with this coaching.
Speaker 3 (34:44):
And you talked. About it we talked about. It earlier
it's all, about.
Speaker 4 (34:47):
Competition right so you got two guys who came in
and obviously they weren't first round.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
Draft picks so if you're a first round draft.
Speaker 4 (34:52):
Pick and you have the productivity that they, both had
they're slated at starting and for coming. Into, Camp right
but you have a fifth fifth round draft picks who,
played really really really well for really. Good football but like,
you said you're not gonna give the keys right over
to the.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Young guys.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
Just now we're, gonna, say listen you had a really.
Good year we want to make sure it wasn't. A
fluke we want you to. Earn it we want you
to not. Be complacent and we're gonna bring in some
veterans who have played really, good ball who are very
productive and our starters can be a starter on any
thirty two OF these, nfl teams and we're gonna make
you guys go out and. Battle IT and i think
it will be really good for that position group because
when you look at the, position group there's not, just
yes we have two really good, young corners but there's
(35:28):
not really just one guy who, you, say listen if
you just ask anybody in, the country who's going to
be the, number two the one and two at the,
corner spot, you know no one, really.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
Knows right do we know that we.
Speaker 4 (35:37):
Have some upside in those young guys apps a positively
little what we. Do RIGHT but i think bringing in these,
veterans also you're bringing, in depth you're bringing, in competition
and that just, breeds winners and that, brings, better better
better for. The GROUP so i think it's a really good.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
Pick.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
UP yeah i think in the case Of the chargers is,
you know this is just one of the better coaching
staffs in. The league and so when You and i'm
not saying that it's a front office that doesn't trust,
their coaches but when, you know you go out And
Sign carlton davis or when you go out AND Sign
dj reid, and like, you know you were getting a
high level player that's. COMING in i think when you
(36:13):
look at that defensive back room and you See coach
clink and You See, jesse mintter, YOU'RE like i know
what these guys can do, with CORNERS and i know
you know what they Did at michigan and how, you
know you Look At, will johnson he's going to be
a top twenty picks in, the draft and what they
did in, developing him what they did In developing sandr's
still like they know what they're doing, with corners and
so you can. Do this you can save money by
(36:36):
giving traits or production to that particular, coaching staff trusting,
that yeah they're gonna they're gonna maximize this and it's
going to be as valuable as maybe paying double or triple.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
And it'll be. Spread, out yeah it'll be.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
Spread out AND like, i said it, brings, depth, yeah
right which, is very very very big with the seventeen, week,
Season right so like you bring depth and you bring.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
Experience and cam hartmss, some games.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
It happens so let's see if we have anything else
to kind of. GET to i think we already kind
of went through the draft and projecting, the draft and
look that stuff's going to change week in and. Week
out are there any other moves? OUT there i think.
They've been, you know The Whole mark andrews thing was
a rumor about them Trading For, mark andrews and they
picked up his roster bonus on This past monday for four.
(37:21):
Million bucks so that looks like. That's Out dallas goddard
is still rumored to maybe be on. The MOVE as,
i said you might see somebody drop out based on,
you know if a Team Drafts Colston loveland high Or
Tar orkie Slides Or tyler warren slides a, little bit
you might have another team that makes a tight end
available as of right now with the money they. HAVE
left i think what you're probably looking at based on
(37:44):
who's available is a trade for a, tight End the,
slater extension and then continuing to just kind of take
advantage of the market that's. OUT there, i know a
lot of people are Asking about KEENAN, and JK and
i don't know if we addressed this last week. Or not.
To me if You're Giving naji harris five million bucks
with four and a half million dollars, IN incentives i
(38:05):
think there's an understanding there that you're the. Lead back,
of course know we may drive somebody that's going to
come in and spell to make sure. You don't, you
know you've got a lot of carries on. Your, resume
man let's make sure we keep you fresh all year for.
The postseason BUT and i could see them take if
a Mari and hampton slips to, TWENTY two i could
see that being.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
The paper, of course he's, The FUTURE but i think.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
In terms of BRINGING, BACK jk i don't quite know
how that would line up FOR what jk needs and
for what they've kind of Delivered to naji in terms
of KEEN and I just i don't want to take
any slot reps Away from. Lad mccacky like that's just
kind Of where i'm at on.
Speaker 4 (38:39):
That, Front yeah and it's, you know everyone's been talking,
about it, you know and you hear, the rumors and
Especially when mike, gets signed It's, like okay now bring
his band or brother back, with, Him, Right keenan, And
right keenan will be in the. Slot position that's what
it's going. To be he's going to be in the
slot and that's where they have. Lad slotted so it'd. Be,
Tough right it's obviously we would love To have. Keenan,
back right he's very very productive still that you know what.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
A good back end of the.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
Year WITH but i think then you're just.
Speaker 4 (39:03):
You're almost putting money where we're already have somebody who's
very established and we feel.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
Good, About yeah i'm just kind of going through who's
available because you know it. Changes hourly so when we're,
doing this WHO could, I, say look might they Bring
Us Sante samuel? Junior back if you can't find a?
DEAL possible i could, see that, you know there may be.
Some help there's another guard, Out There. Tavin jenkins i've talked.
About him you can give him an incentive laden contract
if you can't. Find Anything kalais campbell is still playing
at a, high level remarkably for how old. He is
(39:28):
it doesn't, Make right that does not make.
Speaker 1 (39:31):
Any sense YOU got i don't think that's really.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
A Fit There. Matt judon, you know an edge could
be something. That's interesting, you know you think about when
They Got. Bud debris that's a possibility out there, As
well so that would be sort of the things That
that i'd be. Looking at and some of those guys
may have signed by the time that this. Thing posts
so if that's, The, case sorry didn't mean to lead
you down a road where somebody's, Already SIGNED but i
(39:55):
THINK that's i think we're kind of, YOU know i
think we've kind of, hit everything, you know the Big
News Mike andre james McKay beck then obviously the biggest
one from the, last week and how that now frees
them up to do sort of whatever they want at.
Twenty two whether it's a wide Receiver, like Egbuca t Mak,
or golden whether it's a tight End if, loveland falls
(40:16):
whether it's one of these great interior. Defensive linemen, You
know hardball's Former Player, kenneth grant THE guy i like
an awful Lot In walter nolan Out of ole Miss Or.
DEREK harmon i know a lot of people like after
he Got With dan Lanning at oregon and kind of
the way he's played at a lighter weight and a
much more effective interior. Defensive lineman there's just there's. So
much it's such a sweet spot there where they are
(40:40):
where kind of all THESE players i would Assume For
joe ortiz and his staff are going to be graded
so evenly that they just probably feel pretty good about
getting a guy THAT'S gonna i. Forget man, last year
you got two fifth round players that have an impact
on a team that won. Eleven games your first round
pick is one of the five best right tackles on.
Football already your second round Pick, in ladd if there
(41:02):
was a redraft would probably be the fourth or fifth
receiver taken instead of. The tenth like, That's, dog yeah
that's dog what you put and we forget there's two
picks in back to back rounds that are going to
be like having extra picks. This Year And junior colston
because he couldn't get healthy and we know what we
expect out. Of him and justin A boyd bee who
was drafted in the fourth and was, said, specifically yeah
(41:24):
he's not going to get a lot. Of reps he's got,
the tools he's got. The traits it's going to be
a slower process for him and they totally believe that
he's going to make an impact.
Speaker 4 (41:33):
This year so so do you Think The denzel pairman signing,
just Quickly The denzel pairman signing is more so of A,
Veteran obviously denzel's a.
Speaker 3 (41:39):
Dog, still yeah we.
Speaker 4 (41:41):
Forced in, the, middle right But with junior, behind him
and you would think that this would be the Year
that junior is taking that step to.
Speaker 3 (41:47):
Possibly, start yeah is it more so.
Speaker 4 (41:49):
A, you Know bringing denzel, for security we know what
we're going to get out of him and create more
competition between Him and junior or how do you?
Speaker 3 (41:56):
SEE that i.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
Look at it as, you know awesome in.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
The, room yeah coach on, the field, of course, You
know deyon, loves HIM and i think you got two,
young guys, you know one in his, third year one in,
his Second and denzel's an incredibly positive influence. On him
and in the Case, of denzel you know how, it.
Is man you can hear those hits in the in
the in the top, deck man and so, it's hey
if we can limit it and just, give him, you
(42:20):
know some sprinkles when we got to, you know send
the send the big baseball bat. Out there to let
everybody know what's. Going on, you know you get a
couple of, those REPS and i think. That WORKS and,
i look let it be a lesson. To, you man
whatever you do, in life whatever job, you have don't
don't be a squeaky. Wheel man be a positive influence
and good. Things HAPPEN and i think that's the case
(42:42):
Of den like if you Watch the chargers, social media
who's got the biggest smile?
Speaker 3 (42:47):
On?
Speaker 1 (42:47):
There Man mike.
Speaker 2 (42:48):
Williams when he, was here he was always. On there
just always in a great. Mood man and same Thing,
with denzel just always in a. Great mood and people
that are like that make you feel better and make
the room better and make the. Vibe around, you know
if you got someone that's coming in and they're just
they've always got that that face, on him, it's like
h here. They come, but man You've seen mike walk
(43:09):
In and denzel walk in with. That smile, it's, like,
oh yeah we.
Speaker 3 (43:12):
Are, stay hydrated and WHERE'S The dp? Stay hydrated?
Speaker 2 (43:15):
Stay hydrated. You know LIKE so i think that goes
into it. A lot so, all right so that will we?
Miss anything we? Got it all? All right will wants
to get out, of Here will he's got lunch waiting for.
Him downstairs he put his order, in already.
Speaker 1 (43:27):
So uh. That'll.
Speaker 2 (43:29):
Do yeah and by, The Way josh palmer. Congratulates him
awesome to see him get that kind. OF money i
hope nothing but success for Him. In buffalo same Thing With,
stone smart, you Know FORMER riverside. Jc quarterback maybe gonna
get a little bit more opportunity There In. New york
and Same With. Morgan fox one of our favorites gets
a bunch of money With. The falcons and that's one
(43:50):
where it's like if you were To Draft kenneth grant
and You've Got morgan fox right next, to him like
that's what, You want like those are that's a pair.
Of tackles That just You've Got kenneth grant at three
hundred and forty pounds taken On The morgan fox just
flying up The field like that's the sort of THING
(44:10):
that i. Had Envisioned but tierre. Tarts back he's that
upfield get off guy, As well so it'll still. Work
there but, all right that. Does it thanks everybody. Appreciate
it be sure to comment if you're watching this on
the on the YouTube rate. The podcast we always. Appreciate
it we'll be back again, next week likely with even
more clarity as we're coming up on just a MONTH
Out nfl draft FIRST drund i Think is april, twenty
(44:33):
FOURTH if i.
Speaker 1 (44:34):
Remember right is? THAT right i.
Speaker 2 (44:36):
Don't know you're the one Going To, green bay will
so figure it. Out man, all right we'll be back.
Next week thanks, everybody cool