August 22, 2025 • 28 mins
On this episode of Chargers Weekly, Bolts radio play-by-play announcer Matt “Money” Smith and host Chris Hayre recap the latest news involving LA and the entire NFL. The hosts are joined by quarterback Trey Lance to discuss his performance in training camp, the leadership of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, his opinion on where he stands in the backup quarterback battle, and a reflection of his college career. Presented by Splitero.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Late fifteen to ten touched up.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
What's up, guys, Welcome into a brand new episode of
Chargers Weekly. We are presented by split Tero as always,
joined by the voice of the Chargers, Matt Muddy Smith
and Money.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
They got us again.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Last week we taped then Coach Harball announced the Starters
we're gonna play, so we didn't get a chance to
talk about that, but we we did the pod after
Harball's presser today, so we know the stars are not
gonna play, and Trey Lance is gonna start, and Trey
Lance iss gonna join us on Charges Weekly.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Yeah, and I think we're far enough removed from that
game that it probably doesn't benefit us to kind of
belabor what was going on there. I think everybody has
kind of already been able to process. For those that
subscribe to it, you've got to watch the film and
saw some of the issues that kind of came up.
But again, it's a reminder of, you know, we're talking
about depth pieces, and we can get we can get
excited about depth pieces, but ultimately it's the starters, and
(00:58):
I think as far as the offense is concerned, it
was good to see them out there. Sure it was
not good to see them playing against backups. Sow that
DJ you know, of course calls the games with me
made a great point even before the ball was in
the air to get it started. He's like, I wish
they were playing rams starters. You got too many guys
that are trying to make this team that are looking
to make splash plays. They don't know, let's know, how
to take care of each other. And I think we
(01:19):
saw that come to Fruition with Engles hit on Quintin.
I just no business making that shot. The fact that
wasn't flagged was egregious, and I think then you saw
him again with KLS. But yeah, so like I think
that's I'm sure that coming out of that. It's kind
of like, you wonder why these guys don't want to
play their starters. It's because if both teams aren't on
(01:40):
the same page and communicating, hey, let's play starters for
a series and we can get this thing rolling you've
got And it's nothing not trying to take a shot
at those guys. They're trying to make a team. They
need to make splash plays that jump out on film,
and that's where guys can get hurt.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yeah, Justin was dealing. You know, we saw it.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
He looked great, and I think a lot of his
aggressiveness was just he I know, him getting one series.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Yeah, let's make the most of it.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
So we saw that that seventeen yard across the middle
of the lad kls for twenty nine yards and that
I mean.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
That was how funny was that? By the way, for
those that watch us regularly, like KeAndre Lambert Smith said specifically,
what's you asked him what's the one thing about Herbert?
And he said, well, that you're always open. He's I
think he talked about the first pass. He's like, it's
zip by a cornerback's face. I didn't know I was open,
and there it was, So I always got to be ready.
That was that pass that he did not look like
he was open right in stride. And I think the
(02:29):
other thing with that too, Chris is just kind of
recognizing the coaches are going to show you, right, and
what do they show us? Q goes down. Who's the
first receiver off the bench to take his place? It
was Caandre Lambert Smith. So that signals to me that, okay,
well that's you got, you know, Keenan Ladd Q and
then the next guy off the bench is going to
be KeAndre lambertsmanth and if.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Trey Harris is the next guy, he in six for
eighty five.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
We were waiting for him to pop.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Only had one target in each the first two preseason games,
and you know the guy we're going to talk to, Trey.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Lance found Trey Harris early and often money.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Yeah, he needed it, I think because we've seen it,
we talked about it. You know, some guys can just
stack days and they're gonna get better and better and better.
It's very hard to do that as a rookie, and
I think for Trey, he would have these incredible days
at training camp and then you know, you'd hit a
little bit of a valley and then you want to
get to the game where you're stacking days and your
best day is that game, And just the targets weren't there.
If you go back and watch the film, you'll see, yeah,
(03:22):
he's running good routes, he's getting open, just not getting
the targets. And so I think in this game, the
great thing about Trey's game was it was everything. He
kind of showed you, I can be a full service receiver.
You know, it's a quick slant and there's fifteen yards
at yak. It's an out to pick up a first
down on a third down. That first pass that Tray
connected with him on right when he got on the field,
(03:42):
think it was a second and ten and I think
it was a dig if I remember right twelve. Yeah,
perfectly executed and then he's got to go route. It's like, yeah,
that's that's what you wanted. When they talked about him potentially,
they thought, being a first round talent, can you do everything?
And I think that in that setting he showed, yeah,
I can do.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
It all wide receiver rooms looking good. I do not
believe Trey Hair's practice today. He was not on the
field today, Quintin I think was it he was out
there practice, Yeah, but then I think he took his
pads off. So that's not something we have to worry
about Brazil. In a couple of weeks, we can talk
about all the starters, but this final preseason gave money
when Trey Lance is going to get the nod. Seems
like he has the inside track right now for the
(04:20):
QB two role, and it's just a question of are
you going to keep three on the.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Fifty three would I would guess know just you know,
and I hate saying that. I want him to keep everybody,
all ninety guys, you know, so they would have a job.
But I think just the way we're starting to do
the math in our head, I think I'd be very
surprised if they did it. But they did it last year,
so you know, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.
But I think at this point, you just felt it
(04:43):
in the in the stadium. You know, when Trey got
on that field, man, there was some juice that came
with him when he stepped in in that final two
minutes of the of the first half. And it's just
felt that way throughout the preseason. And it's a competition,
and you know someone's gonna win, and I think you're right.
I think he's won.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You know.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I know coach said that it's going to be a
short deal, that that he's going to maybe play one
two series and then DJ is going to get the
majority of our dj Ungalle is going to get the
majority of the snaps in that game, and and I
think it's you know, it's an opportunity where someone's going
to make the team, and you know last year, Tony
Jefferson made the team against Dallas in that last preseason game.
(05:21):
You know, so we've seen it happen before, and I
think there's probably a couple of players that you could
circle that have that opportunity. But man, it's a deep
team and it is It's been the toughest exercise for
me to try it, not that anybody cares to put
my fifty three together.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Where do you start?
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Like, you know, running back I think is something that
I that will have actually implications week one in Brazil
because Omaron Hampton is going to have to have a
running mate, and we don't believe it's going to.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Be Nagie Harrison at this moment, because if you.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Can't get on the field to practice, I don't know
how you're going to go on the field to play
against the Chiefs of Brazil. So I'm looking at Rocket Sanders,
Kimani Widel did not practice today.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Nim Hines is the veteran.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I mean, do you try to trade or bring somebody
else in or are you kind of set with the
guys that you have in house?
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Yeah, for me, it's just a question is at three
or four, you know, based on the rest of the roster,
and I think that's where I'm having the biggest struggle.
Is Normally I'd be like, oh, yeah, it's four backs,
and now I'm like, okay, is it three backs and
you're keeping Tucker Fisk because you know, if Will Disley
goes down, are you comfortable in a Greg Roman offense
of having Tyler Conklin or Aronde gads to be You're blocking,
(06:26):
you know, with those blocking responsibilities. So I think that's
the sort of stuff that I'm talking about. When you're
trying to put this roster together, it should be nine
offensive linemen. After watching that Rams game, I'm like, Okay,
who are the nine offensive linemen? It was it was
a tough deal in that game. So how do you
find those last two offensive linemen beyond six and seven
(06:46):
that you feel comfortable making this team if it means
sacrificing somebody else that you think is maybe a better player.
So that's the sort of stuff I'm talking about. It's like,
I can make a case for six off the ball
linebackers that's not with the return of del Sean Phillips, Like,
that's not going to happen. So that's the kind of
thing I'm trying to figure out.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
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Speaker 4 (07:27):
Slash Chargers.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
We've also seen a lot of kind of back of
the roster trades over the last couple of days. Harrison
Phillips getting traded to the Jets, the wide receiver from
the Broncos going to the to the Saints for like
a pick swap. And you know, we saw Joe Ortiz
last year get Elijah Molden late, we saw tier Tart
come in kind of mid middle to late in camp.
(07:50):
I wouldn't rule out of Joe Ortiz trade or two
going into that fifty three minute.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Cutdown, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
You know, when you've got depth and another team is lacking,
then that's what you're trying to find, you know, is
there a partner out there that likes what they see
from one of these off ball linebackers, and then you
can get value instead of just trying to sneak them
through the practice squad. They get claimed. Can you find
an offensive lineman? Is there is there a team that has,
you know, an extra which is very rare on the
(08:18):
end NFL. It's probably not likely, but that's, you know,
maybe something that you could find out there for certain
And look, if he didn't do it last year, there
wouldn't be any reason to talk about it.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
But he did.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
He found tier Tart. If you found Elijah Molden, and
man did it pay off in spade. So same with
Kayleb Murphy. You know who's going to make this team.
By the way, I don't think there's any question that
he's going to make this team. And now we're talking
about five edge russers, you know, instead of four, because
he's certainly outplayed Kyle Canard up to this point and
he's got and he and edge rushers are a premium,
so there's no way he makes it through on the
(08:47):
practice squad.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
And that's the last point before we get to Trey Lance.
Is just defense is like all right, who's the fifth
corner who's going to make it in the linebacker's room?
And is that fifth edge going to be Kyle Canard?
Do you keep five edges? I guess he's a fourth
round pick, yeah, and been able to stay on the field.
But it's not a guy you want to give up on.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
No young player like justin a boygbe last year who's played,
you know, played really well in that Rams game and
I think we kind of been waiting for him to pop.
But they even told us last year, Look, this is
a guy that's gonna have to develop, but we believe
in the traits, we believe in the production that he had.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
He's just maybe a step away.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
And I think you could make that case for Canard
is you know his former SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
He's got the traits. He's a big dude, and maybe
he's just not quite ready and he's like a boy
b where he's he's inactive on a lot of game days.
But you just continue to develop and you feel good
about him in year two of this four year draftable plan.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
YEP abbreviated version of Chargers Weekly this week because the
game's on Saturday, so a little preview headed into San Francisco,
was the Bolts go up there in Santa Clara to
finish out the preseason. Next week, we'll dive into that
fifty three deal and then.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
He'll already be done, so we'll figure out what it is.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, we'll talk about it. We will get Popper on.
Poper loves to talk about this fifty three men Ross.
All right, here's Trey Lance and uh, it was really
good interview.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
All Right, guys, that's promised.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Trey Lance joins us on Chargers Weekly, and you know,
trade's been a joy to see you performed these last
three or four weeks. What's it been like where Powder
Blue and just this preseason in general for you.
Speaker 5 (10:17):
It's been pretty cool. It's a fun place to be.
One thing, you know, from the first day I got here,
O t A is like I just noticed, it's a
it's a joyful place like guys enjoy it. I'm sure
a lot of it's from coach Harball and the way
he operates and and functions and runs the team, but
it's just a it's a joyful place to be. I've
had a ton of fun this preseason getting to play
with some pretty good guys, So it's been fun.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
How'd you end up here? Kind of what made you
get out here? To the Chargers?
Speaker 5 (10:42):
Freedency was new for me, So I learned a lot
for sure going through that first time. But after I
got to talk to to coach coach Harball, g row
coach to day, it was it was pretty much a
no brainer for me, just you know, g row having
you know, majored in the quarterback run and zone read,
power read, that type of stuff is obviously a big
part of it. But then just hearing Coacharba say we
(11:04):
want you to be here and then I'll have a
fair chance chance to compete. That's all I was looking
forward throughout this whole you know, this whole process. You know,
my goal going into free agency and everything this year
was just to take a step in my career in
a positive direction, and it seemed like the best place
to do it.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
You mentioned the offense, but also just the quarterbacks room
in general. I know you probably knew justin Herbert from AFAR,
but what surprised you or what did you learn about
just being in a room with him that has made
you better?
Speaker 5 (11:33):
Yeah, the first thing I noticed, you know, just learning
the offense. Was how athletic he is and how well
he moves, how fast he is, and then once I
you know, got to know him better, type of person
he is stands out you know the most some you know,
above everything, but the way he plays the game. I think,
you know, we play the game similarly to a certain extent.
And yeah, it's been just I learned something from him
(11:55):
every day.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Yeah, we love college football, so you know, the stuff
that you guys are doing at North Kota State's pretty cool.
I mean, and we had Easton here one of our
favorite people. Just an awesome guy, and I know you
got to be with him, just kind of take us
through that program. You know what makes it special how
they continue to get you know, top shelf players and athletes,
guys that get drafted in the first round, play in
the NFL. What is it about that program because it's not,
(12:17):
you know, a Power five or not power four program,
but they're still pulling a lot of talent and continue
to dominate.
Speaker 5 (12:23):
Yeah, it's a special place. I mean, you nailed. Easton's
was my big brother from the first day I stepped
on campus, the first day I signed, and I don't
think I'd be where I am today without him, and
I can honestly say that you guys know that just
this type of person he is. But it's a special place.
It's a unique place. I think a lot of things,
a lot of things I have to do with it
is you know, there's not a whole lot of guys
(12:45):
that are at North Dakota State that that was their
dream school to go to. So I think that's part
of it. Guys there have a chip on their shoulder,
you know, Fargo, North Dakota.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (12:53):
It's a great place to be. But you know, if
you look at all the cities and college towns across
the country, it's probably not on a lot of high
school kids list once you get there. The Strength staff,
just the way the culture hasn't changed. You know, it's
a culture's big buzzword, but just the way things operate,
the way things are ran from the Strength staff, especially
coach Kramer. I got to give him a huge, huge
(13:14):
shout out. He's he's the heart and soul of that program.
And from coaching staff to coaching staff. You know, I
had a coaching change when I was there, and and
nothing changed. You know, they kind of pick up where
the last coach left off, what was your dream school?
If you'd have asked me, if you had have asked
me going into my you know, freshman or sophomore year,
I thought I was going to University of minnesotaount of doubt.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
They didn't want you to a quarterback? That the deal correct? Yeah,
so they want you wide receiver, tight end?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Safety yeah, safety. So the Philip Rivers path, that's what safety.
And he's like, no, I'm going out for him.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Yeah, a man, all these charges of connections.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
You know, we saw your arm on display in Canton,
and then you know, using your legs in that scenes game,
and then you know when Taylor goes down with like
a minute and change left, and that that first half.
I don't think you thought you were going in in
that first half, and all of a sudden, twelve yards
to Trey Harris, twelve yard run, that beautiful ball down
(14:10):
the sideline to Kls. Take me through that last minute
of that first half, and just the splash plays that
were made in an effort to score before the half.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Yeah, it's just just guys being where they're supposed to
be and making plays when the ball comes their way.
I was excited you know to be able to my
first I think passed it to Trey Harris in a game,
and I knew, you know, one of my goals was
to get him going, just because he's been.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Doing it in practice.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
Yeah, you've been doing it in practice at such a
high level, and you just wanted to give him that
opportunity in the game. And yeah, guys just kept making plays,
kept making plays, and we're able to get some points
on the board.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
Yeah, Chris said it.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
It was you know, I called the games with the
DJ and we were, you know, kind of waiting in
that Hall of Fame game, like all right, get the
legs going there. It just you know, didn't present itself
so well. Was that conscious? Was that something that you're
kind of walk us through because then obviously in the
second game it's i think three in a row for
thirty five yards that you got the scores. Kind of
how does that lay out for a running quarterback and
when you decide to pull that trigger.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Yeah, I think it's it's just the flow of the game,
you know, when when d line is jumping out of
gaps or giving me free lanes to go move the chains,
I'm gonna go do that. You know, ten out of
ten times, but uh yeah, when things are open on
time and no protection issues, nothing like that. Like I'd
love to be able to, you know, get the gas
the ball that are a little bit more athletic and
can do some cooler things.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
There's a lot of people that are more athletically. Yeah,
that's a short list those guys.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
Yeah, they've they've done a great job just making place
and I like to get them the ball and it's
fun to see what they can do with it.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
You mentioned great romans offense. What is it about this
offense specifically, and you know you've you've said this a
couple of a couple of weeks ago. I think after Canton,
it's just, hey, Dallas is different. San Francisco is different,
the charges are different. But this offense specifically, what have
you kind of gravitated towards that that kind of makes
this feel feel right to you?
Speaker 5 (15:53):
I think, uh, I mean after being here and after
having spent time with receiver rooms specifically, how detailed they are.
I think when we're on the same page, just quarterbacks
with the receivers, tight ends, running backs and they're on
you know, they're at the right time or at the
right spot at the right time. That makes everything you know,
click from from g ro you know standpoint. It's been
(16:14):
cool to see how much he can do and how
much it's just kind of in the back of his
head that'll just throw out an idea like that, Yeah,
let's do it, and maybe we'll see what happens. What happens,
you know, But just so many people in this building
that have been other places, and I know it's like
that everywhere, you know, like I said, said every every
place is different, every place is unique, every coaching staff
and players is unique. But you know this this these
(16:35):
position group coaches especially haven't been other places and pulling
clips and haven't been around so many other guys. I mean,
it's it's just so much knowledge in the building.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
You know that there's there's a certain benefit to having
everybody pulled the rope the same direction in a in
a position group room. But it seems like it's pretty
you know, heated competition, you know, between you and and
Taylor for this this backup you know a number two
to Herbert, So what is that relationship? Like, you know,
what how does that work in court? Because you've been
in a few different quarterback rooms How does it work
when you're all competing for that same job, but you're
(17:04):
trying to help out whoever the starter is going to be.
Yet you're competing, you want an opportunity.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
Yeah, it's uh, you know, everyone outside will try to
make it a big, big deal and make us you know,
it is a big deal, no doubt, but try to
make us, you know, pit us against each other something
like that. But at the end of the day, we
both control we can control. We go out there and
try to have the best day as individuals that we can,
and at the end of the day, you know, we'll
see how it kind of how it shakes out. I
(17:29):
know it's my mindset going into it and throughout you know,
training camp, which just one day at a time, make
a mistake, turn the page, do something great, turn the page,
and just keep stepping like one day at a time,
one play at a time, and control it. I can
control anything else outside of that. I'm wasting my brain power,
you know thinking about that.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
You know, one thing about the NFL is it's year
to year. Uh, wild things happen. You're gonna be starting
on Saturday against a team that drafted you. What are
the feelings going back to Santa Clara and just kind
of knowing that that you're in the right spot right now.
And I'm sure there's a lot of people that helped
you along the way to get here.
Speaker 5 (18:03):
Yeah, no doubt. I again don't have a bad thing
to say about anyone or anything there. Had a great time,
learned a ton. It's where I started out at, where
I you know, became an NFL player at I know
it's something to talk about this week, but for me,
I guess I'm a person like like any other game.
It'll be exciting and fun to see Brock and see
(18:24):
you know, coach Sanahan and some of the guys that
are still there that I played with. I think that's
that's probably the most exciting part about it, to get
to talk to them before after the game. But outside
of that, it's it's ball. You know, it's another game.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
It's not like it's uncommon, you know. I mean we've
seen it now with Sam Darnold, you know, as he's
now going to be the starter up in Seattle and
signed a big extension. Same thing with Baker. Just kind
of if you don't mind, just kind of what what
is it that you were looking to get out of this,
you know, and and kind of what what your sort
of vision is this a one year deal and kind
of I know you talked about a little bit earlier
about why, but kind of what is your vision for
how this year plays out?
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (18:57):
This, uh, you know, one day at a time to
one goal all the time. For me, the first thing
was just to be able to be the two. That's
goal number one. If I can check that one off,
then just continue to take steps learning in my career.
I think, like I said, Justin's a great person to
learn from. This offense, the staff is great people to
learn from. I just continue to to, you know, take
steps forward. I think that was my mindset going back
(19:19):
all the way to the end of the season last year,
going into free agency, and since I've signed it, since
I've been here throughout training camp. It's still my mindset.
I just want to use this as a as a
stepping stone, whatever that looks like. If I get to
play a game or a few games, great, If not,
just find ways to to continue to get better.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
You know, Tred just being a member of this team.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Coach Hardball is press conference earlier today, just talked about
how much he loves this roster and you know, money
I would try to, you know, scratch our heads. Who's
going to make the fifty three. It's a very deep team.
The back half of this roster is very deep. From
your vantage point, what do you like about how this
team is constructed as we get into the regular season.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
It's it's it's a little hard having you know, this
being my first year and you know, coaches and guys
they talked about how much certain position groups have improved
and things like that, and I'm like, yeah, everyone looks
like really good. Like you said, it's it's it's deep,
and I think, you know, no matter where you're at,
I think this is a unique situation with how how
much depth we have. But no matter where you're at,
(20:14):
you know, it's it's always those those bubble guys that
it's it's always tough to you know, you know, if
you cut them, they're going to get signed somewhere else
and you'd love to keep them on the team. I'm
glad I don't have to be the one to make
those decisions, but yeah, it's it's always I don't want
to say pros and cons and everything almost, but it's
always a hard hard time, Like you try to soak
(20:35):
up these last few days with with everyone in the room,
and then after that, you know, kind of see what happens,
see who goes, and be excited for the guys that
get signed somewhere else, and be excited also for the
guys that were able to get back.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
We had we had coach on kind of right. I
don't know, they started like OTAs or something like that,
And one of the things we brought up with them
was just like the one thing he conveys to the
media and it just seems genuine It's not I haven't
really necessarily felt it from their coaches, is like he
genuinely feels like he's got a responsibility to his players,
like I owe them this opportunity to make it, to
(21:07):
maximize it, to give them the best. And I think
he conveys that well just in terms of, you know,
it's such a confidence position, Like it feels like he's
a guy that can help build common I don't know
if you felt like you needed that or.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
If players need that. Do players need that? Does that help?
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Just kind of the way that he operates, the way
he speaks, the way he kind of talks about you guys,
does that What does that do for you?
Speaker 4 (21:29):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (21:29):
I think I think it depends on the person, you know,
the effect it has on him. I feel like I was,
you know, very confident coming in when I got here,
and I was just excited to get an opportunity. I
think that was the biggest thing. That's the confidence boost
I needed was for him to look me in the
eyes and tell me I got a fair shot to compete.
But yeah, the way he goes about everything, Like I said,
it's such a joyful place. It's hard to hear Coach
(21:52):
Harbaugh talking and not smile or laugh or something. You know,
I wasn't ready for it isn't but it's it's it's
pretty cool. And uh, I mean he I think he
approaches everything, you know, And he said it the other day,
actually how he approaches things like how would he wanted
if he was a player? And I think that stands out,
(22:13):
you know a lot, just being around him and everything
he does, everything he talks about, you know, he'll get
up in the middle of the quarterback room and demonstrate
it and see like how does how does it feel
to me? You know, like what I like this? So
it's cool. It's it's so cool to see and to
be around. And I mean, I'm going to have Coach
Harbaugh stories for the rest of my life just from
(22:33):
this one this month. Yeah, and it's it's pretty cool.
It's a unique place to be and he's he's one
of a con man. He's awesome.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
It's awesome.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
You know, you mentioned some of the guys on the bubble,
some of us, I think as fans, some people look
at the preseason three as all right, start is gonna sit,
get ready for week one. But being in that locker room,
you know how much this game means to some of
these guys in an effort to make the team mis
their livelihood at stake. Do you feel a sense of
(23:02):
responsibility starting that game with the guys around you that
are that are looking to make this team, Like, Hey,
all right, I gotta get this.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
Person the ball.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
I gotta I gotta make sure I show up for
this person.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
I think getting guys at the ball it can be
a slippery slope and that's a hard, hard, hard thing
to play, hard way to play. But I think overall,
just you know, sit back before the game or on
the plane on the way to tomorrow, and you kind
of Yeah, like you said, it is it's it's important.
I mean, this is guys go into it and people say, oh,
it's just a preseason game, but like guys are out
(23:32):
there playing. The guys that are on that field are
playing it. That's same way they would play in the
super Bowl. You know, like the guys are out there
giving it everything they got, And like you said, you
know that that's that's what matters. Like what you put
on tape right now matters not only for you know,
for your situation here, but for thirty one other teams.
And I think guys understand that.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
Yeah, I know it's an odd way for me to
get to this because I'm going way back, but because
we brought it up and I would love to know
just like this will be the last one for me.
But just kind of what was it like playing one
game before you know you have one like not zero game,
but one game for people that don't know, like coming
into the NFL, you know you're coming into the COVID
year and your season gets canceled and you just played
(24:13):
a single game, so you don't when you come into
the NFL, right you your two years removed from kind
of save one game from playing right, Yeah, so what
what do you think that did? Like, what was it
like just having a single game and what was that game? Like?
Speaker 4 (24:24):
It's just so weird to me.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
Yeah, it was definitely unique, and COVID was unique for everyone.
You know, we started our fall camp and then we
were actually supposed to open the year with Oregon and
Pack twelve. It's the first to cancel. So then we
get two three weeks into our fall camp, a couple
weeks out from what's supposed to be our first game
against Organ and everyone cancels. Everyone goes back home. I
(24:46):
get a call from my head coach a couple of
weeks later, and you know, they had been calling over
a hundred other schools trying to just find someone to
play us because we could play up to three non
conference games when FCS moved the season to the spring.
So you said, we found one game. Do you think
I want to play? Guys like you know, yeah, yeah,
we want to go play. So yeah, it was unique.
I mean, I'm sure the NFL season was crazy, you
(25:08):
know too, no fans in the stand. It was that
same type of thing like family and scouts in the stands.
Uh So it was unique, but I think, you know,
you do anything to play one more game. You know,
I knew and I think my guys knew that it
was my last one there, and uh, you know, I
was excited for it. Everyone was excited for it. It's definitely,
you know, kind of a bittersweet moment through my first
(25:30):
pick in college that game too.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
Hey, get it out of the way.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
Yeah, not going out, but no, it was. It was
super special just to you know, you know, it's pros
and cons of everything, but you know, be able to
know this is your last one. You know, it's pretty
cool to be able to, you know, go out one
more time with those guys.
Speaker 4 (25:48):
What was it? The year?
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Was it?
Speaker 4 (25:48):
Twenty four to fourteen? What was it? How many touchdowns passing? Running?
I couldn't tell you really, you don't know.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
I have no idea fourteen, no, and no picks because
I want to say it was almost three thousand year passing,
what fourteen hundred yards rushing? And it was a crazy
He's like crazy if you say, yeah, yeah, you say that.
Normally everybody knows exactly the rundown of exactly what you
had for a game.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
That's wild.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
Trade last one for me and it kind of goes
in line with this. I mean, you're you're only twenty
five years old. It seems like you've been in the
league for a lot longer than you really have. Tyler Shuck,
who we just saw is twenty six, right, the rookie
who was just drafted by the Saints. It's got to
be a comforting place to You just mentioned the comfortability here,
(26:31):
but just how much meat on the bone you have
and development to have a very long NFL career. How
do you feel right now in this phase of your
NFL career?
Speaker 3 (26:40):
Right now? I feel great.
Speaker 5 (26:41):
I think I'm you know, I feel like I have
a new a new normal is how it phrase it,
with everything, with how I go about my life, you know,
in the building, on the field, and at home. And
I think I've grown up a lot in these first
five years. I can't believe him going into year five,
like you said, it fis by but you know, the
(27:02):
highs and lows. Been through a lot, I feel like,
but at the same time, been through nothing, So I
don't really think about it too much. It's more something
for you guys to talk about. But uh yeah, I
take it one day at a time, just like I said,
I think, you know. Yes, I could say I'm you know,
I'm fine, I'm twenty five, but h I said, had
the same you know conversation with myself going into free agency. Yeah,
(27:24):
I'm okay right now, I'm you know, twenty four, But
I don't want to be in the same spot, you know,
in two years and saying the same exact thing. So
for me, it's all about just taking that next step,
progressing and taking advantage of, you know, opportunities when they come.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
I think you were supposed to play Tyler Shuck in
that game. I think yeah, I think he was the
starter of the organ. Yeah, that one game that legit.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
Yeah, right, well I think he was. Yeah, it's what
we're talking full circle.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
Man.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Well, hey, we have been talking a lot about you
all good stuff the last month, and we look forward
to seeing you.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
On Saturday, no doubt, keep you willing.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
Thanks, thanks all right for.
Speaker 3 (27:54):
Tray and money.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
I'm Chris.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
This has been Chargers Weekly
Speaker 4 (28:01):
Step Step
Late fifteen to ten touched up.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
What's up, guys, Welcome into a brand new episode of
Chargers Weekly. We are presented by split Tero as always,
joined by the voice of the Chargers, Matt Muddy Smith
and Money.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
They got us again.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Last week we taped then Coach Harball announced the Starters
we're gonna play, so we didn't get a chance to
talk about that, but we we did the pod after
Harball's presser today, so we know the stars are not
gonna play, and Trey Lance is gonna start, and Trey
Lance iss gonna join us on Charges Weekly.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Yeah, and I think we're far enough removed from that
game that it probably doesn't benefit us to kind of
belabor what was going on there. I think everybody has
kind of already been able to process. For those that
subscribe to it, you've got to watch the film and
saw some of the issues that kind of came up.
But again, it's a reminder of, you know, we're talking
about depth pieces, and we can get we can get
excited about depth pieces, but ultimately it's the starters, and
(00:58):
I think as far as the offense is concerned, it
was good to see them out there. Sure it was
not good to see them playing against backups. Sow that
DJ you know, of course calls the games with me
made a great point even before the ball was in
the air to get it started. He's like, I wish
they were playing rams starters. You got too many guys
that are trying to make this team that are looking
to make splash plays. They don't know, let's know, how
to take care of each other. And I think we
(01:19):
saw that come to Fruition with Engles hit on Quintin.
I just no business making that shot. The fact that
wasn't flagged was egregious, and I think then you saw
him again with KLS. But yeah, so like I think
that's I'm sure that coming out of that. It's kind
of like, you wonder why these guys don't want to
play their starters. It's because if both teams aren't on
(01:40):
the same page and communicating, hey, let's play starters for
a series and we can get this thing rolling you've
got And it's nothing not trying to take a shot
at those guys. They're trying to make a team. They
need to make splash plays that jump out on film,
and that's where guys can get hurt.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yeah, Justin was dealing. You know, we saw it.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
He looked great, and I think a lot of his
aggressiveness was just he I know, him getting one series.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Yeah, let's make the most of it.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
So we saw that that seventeen yard across the middle
of the lad kls for twenty nine yards and that
I mean.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
That was how funny was that? By the way, for
those that watch us regularly, like KeAndre Lambert Smith said specifically,
what's you asked him what's the one thing about Herbert?
And he said, well, that you're always open. He's I
think he talked about the first pass. He's like, it's
zip by a cornerback's face. I didn't know I was open,
and there it was, So I always got to be ready.
That was that pass that he did not look like
he was open right in stride. And I think the
(02:29):
other thing with that too, Chris is just kind of
recognizing the coaches are going to show you, right, and
what do they show us? Q goes down. Who's the
first receiver off the bench to take his place? It
was Caandre Lambert Smith. So that signals to me that, okay,
well that's you got, you know, Keenan Ladd Q and
then the next guy off the bench is going to
be KeAndre lambertsmanth and if.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Trey Harris is the next guy, he in six for
eighty five.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
We were waiting for him to pop.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Only had one target in each the first two preseason games,
and you know the guy we're going to talk to, Trey.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Lance found Trey Harris early and often money.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Yeah, he needed it, I think because we've seen it,
we talked about it. You know, some guys can just
stack days and they're gonna get better and better and better.
It's very hard to do that as a rookie, and
I think for Trey, he would have these incredible days
at training camp and then you know, you'd hit a
little bit of a valley and then you want to
get to the game where you're stacking days and your
best day is that game, And just the targets weren't there.
If you go back and watch the film, you'll see, yeah,
(03:22):
he's running good routes, he's getting open, just not getting
the targets. And so I think in this game, the
great thing about Trey's game was it was everything. He
kind of showed you, I can be a full service receiver.
You know, it's a quick slant and there's fifteen yards
at yak. It's an out to pick up a first
down on a third down. That first pass that Tray
connected with him on right when he got on the field,
(03:42):
think it was a second and ten and I think
it was a dig if I remember right twelve. Yeah,
perfectly executed and then he's got to go route. It's like, yeah,
that's that's what you wanted. When they talked about him potentially,
they thought, being a first round talent, can you do everything?
And I think that in that setting he showed, yeah,
I can do.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
It all wide receiver rooms looking good. I do not
believe Trey Hair's practice today. He was not on the
field today, Quintin I think was it he was out
there practice, Yeah, but then I think he took his
pads off. So that's not something we have to worry
about Brazil. In a couple of weeks, we can talk
about all the starters, but this final preseason gave money
when Trey Lance is going to get the nod. Seems
like he has the inside track right now for the
(04:20):
QB two role, and it's just a question of are
you going to keep three on the.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Fifty three would I would guess know just you know,
and I hate saying that. I want him to keep everybody,
all ninety guys, you know, so they would have a job.
But I think just the way we're starting to do
the math in our head, I think I'd be very
surprised if they did it. But they did it last year,
so you know, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.
But I think at this point, you just felt it
(04:43):
in the in the stadium. You know, when Trey got
on that field, man, there was some juice that came
with him when he stepped in in that final two
minutes of the of the first half. And it's just
felt that way throughout the preseason. And it's a competition,
and you know someone's gonna win, and I think you're right.
I think he's won.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You know.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I know coach said that it's going to be a
short deal, that that he's going to maybe play one
two series and then DJ is going to get the
majority of our dj Ungalle is going to get the
majority of the snaps in that game, and and I
think it's you know, it's an opportunity where someone's going
to make the team, and you know last year, Tony
Jefferson made the team against Dallas in that last preseason game.
(05:21):
You know, so we've seen it happen before, and I
think there's probably a couple of players that you could
circle that have that opportunity. But man, it's a deep
team and it is It's been the toughest exercise for
me to try it, not that anybody cares to put
my fifty three together.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Where do you start?
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Like, you know, running back I think is something that
I that will have actually implications week one in Brazil
because Omaron Hampton is going to have to have a
running mate, and we don't believe it's going to.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Be Nagie Harrison at this moment, because if you.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Can't get on the field to practice, I don't know
how you're going to go on the field to play
against the Chiefs of Brazil. So I'm looking at Rocket Sanders,
Kimani Widel did not practice today.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Nim Hines is the veteran.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I mean, do you try to trade or bring somebody
else in or are you kind of set with the
guys that you have in house?
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Yeah, for me, it's just a question is at three
or four, you know, based on the rest of the roster,
and I think that's where I'm having the biggest struggle.
Is Normally I'd be like, oh, yeah, it's four backs,
and now I'm like, okay, is it three backs and
you're keeping Tucker Fisk because you know, if Will Disley
goes down, are you comfortable in a Greg Roman offense
of having Tyler Conklin or Aronde gads to be You're blocking,
(06:26):
you know, with those blocking responsibilities. So I think that's
the sort of stuff that I'm talking about. When you're
trying to put this roster together, it should be nine
offensive linemen. After watching that Rams game, I'm like, Okay,
who are the nine offensive linemen? It was it was
a tough deal in that game. So how do you
find those last two offensive linemen beyond six and seven
(06:46):
that you feel comfortable making this team if it means
sacrificing somebody else that you think is maybe a better player.
So that's the sort of stuff I'm talking about. It's like,
I can make a case for six off the ball
linebackers that's not with the return of del Sean Phillips, Like,
that's not going to happen. So that's the kind of
thing I'm trying to figure out.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
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Speaker 4 (07:27):
Slash Chargers.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
We've also seen a lot of kind of back of
the roster trades over the last couple of days. Harrison
Phillips getting traded to the Jets, the wide receiver from
the Broncos going to the to the Saints for like
a pick swap. And you know, we saw Joe Ortiz
last year get Elijah Molden late, we saw tier Tart
come in kind of mid middle to late in camp.
(07:50):
I wouldn't rule out of Joe Ortiz trade or two
going into that fifty three minute.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Cutdown, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
You know, when you've got depth and another team is lacking,
then that's what you're trying to find, you know, is
there a partner out there that likes what they see
from one of these off ball linebackers, and then you
can get value instead of just trying to sneak them
through the practice squad. They get claimed. Can you find
an offensive lineman? Is there is there a team that has,
you know, an extra which is very rare on the
(08:18):
end NFL. It's probably not likely, but that's, you know,
maybe something that you could find out there for certain
And look, if he didn't do it last year, there
wouldn't be any reason to talk about it.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
But he did.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
He found tier Tart. If you found Elijah Molden, and
man did it pay off in spade. So same with
Kayleb Murphy. You know who's going to make this team.
By the way, I don't think there's any question that
he's going to make this team. And now we're talking
about five edge russers, you know, instead of four, because
he's certainly outplayed Kyle Canard up to this point and
he's got and he and edge rushers are a premium,
so there's no way he makes it through on the
(08:47):
practice squad.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
And that's the last point before we get to Trey Lance.
Is just defense is like all right, who's the fifth
corner who's going to make it in the linebacker's room?
And is that fifth edge going to be Kyle Canard?
Do you keep five edges? I guess he's a fourth
round pick, yeah, and been able to stay on the field.
But it's not a guy you want to give up on.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
No young player like justin a boygbe last year who's played,
you know, played really well in that Rams game and
I think we kind of been waiting for him to pop.
But they even told us last year, Look, this is
a guy that's gonna have to develop, but we believe
in the traits, we believe in the production that he had.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
He's just maybe a step away.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
And I think you could make that case for Canard
is you know his former SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
He's got the traits. He's a big dude, and maybe
he's just not quite ready and he's like a boy
b where he's he's inactive on a lot of game days.
But you just continue to develop and you feel good
about him in year two of this four year draftable plan.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
YEP abbreviated version of Chargers Weekly this week because the
game's on Saturday, so a little preview headed into San Francisco,
was the Bolts go up there in Santa Clara to
finish out the preseason. Next week, we'll dive into that
fifty three deal and then.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
He'll already be done, so we'll figure out what it is.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, we'll talk about it. We will get Popper on.
Poper loves to talk about this fifty three men Ross.
All right, here's Trey Lance and uh, it was really
good interview.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
All Right, guys, that's promised.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Trey Lance joins us on Chargers Weekly, and you know,
trade's been a joy to see you performed these last
three or four weeks. What's it been like where Powder
Blue and just this preseason in general for you.
Speaker 5 (10:17):
It's been pretty cool. It's a fun place to be.
One thing, you know, from the first day I got here,
O t A is like I just noticed, it's a
it's a joyful place like guys enjoy it. I'm sure
a lot of it's from coach Harball and the way
he operates and and functions and runs the team, but
it's just a it's a joyful place to be. I've
had a ton of fun this preseason getting to play
with some pretty good guys, So it's been fun.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
How'd you end up here? Kind of what made you
get out here? To the Chargers?
Speaker 5 (10:42):
Freedency was new for me, So I learned a lot
for sure going through that first time. But after I
got to talk to to coach coach Harball, g row
coach to day, it was it was pretty much a
no brainer for me, just you know, g row having
you know, majored in the quarterback run and zone read,
power read, that type of stuff is obviously a big
part of it. But then just hearing Coacharba say we
(11:04):
want you to be here and then I'll have a
fair chance chance to compete. That's all I was looking
forward throughout this whole you know, this whole process. You know,
my goal going into free agency and everything this year
was just to take a step in my career in
a positive direction, and it seemed like the best place
to do it.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
You mentioned the offense, but also just the quarterbacks room
in general. I know you probably knew justin Herbert from AFAR,
but what surprised you or what did you learn about
just being in a room with him that has made
you better?
Speaker 5 (11:33):
Yeah, the first thing I noticed, you know, just learning
the offense. Was how athletic he is and how well
he moves, how fast he is, and then once I
you know, got to know him better, type of person
he is stands out you know the most some you know,
above everything, but the way he plays the game. I think,
you know, we play the game similarly to a certain extent.
And yeah, it's been just I learned something from him
(11:55):
every day.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Yeah, we love college football, so you know, the stuff
that you guys are doing at North Kota State's pretty cool.
I mean, and we had Easton here one of our
favorite people. Just an awesome guy, and I know you
got to be with him, just kind of take us
through that program. You know what makes it special how
they continue to get you know, top shelf players and athletes,
guys that get drafted in the first round, play in
the NFL. What is it about that program because it's not,
(12:17):
you know, a Power five or not power four program,
but they're still pulling a lot of talent and continue
to dominate.
Speaker 5 (12:23):
Yeah, it's a special place. I mean, you nailed. Easton's
was my big brother from the first day I stepped
on campus, the first day I signed, and I don't
think I'd be where I am today without him, and
I can honestly say that you guys know that just
this type of person he is. But it's a special place.
It's a unique place. I think a lot of things,
a lot of things I have to do with it
is you know, there's not a whole lot of guys
(12:45):
that are at North Dakota State that that was their
dream school to go to. So I think that's part
of it. Guys there have a chip on their shoulder,
you know, Fargo, North Dakota.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (12:53):
It's a great place to be. But you know, if
you look at all the cities and college towns across
the country, it's probably not on a lot of high
school kids list once you get there. The Strength staff,
just the way the culture hasn't changed. You know, it's
a culture's big buzzword, but just the way things operate,
the way things are ran from the Strength staff, especially
coach Kramer. I got to give him a huge, huge
(13:14):
shout out. He's he's the heart and soul of that program.
And from coaching staff to coaching staff. You know, I
had a coaching change when I was there, and and
nothing changed. You know, they kind of pick up where
the last coach left off, what was your dream school?
If you'd have asked me, if you had have asked
me going into my you know, freshman or sophomore year,
I thought I was going to University of minnesotaount of doubt.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
They didn't want you to a quarterback? That the deal correct? Yeah,
so they want you wide receiver, tight end?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Safety yeah, safety. So the Philip Rivers path, that's what safety.
And he's like, no, I'm going out for him.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Yeah, a man, all these charges of connections.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
You know, we saw your arm on display in Canton,
and then you know, using your legs in that scenes game,
and then you know when Taylor goes down with like
a minute and change left, and that that first half.
I don't think you thought you were going in in
that first half, and all of a sudden, twelve yards
to Trey Harris, twelve yard run, that beautiful ball down
(14:10):
the sideline to Kls. Take me through that last minute
of that first half, and just the splash plays that
were made in an effort to score before the half.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Yeah, it's just just guys being where they're supposed to
be and making plays when the ball comes their way.
I was excited you know to be able to my
first I think passed it to Trey Harris in a game,
and I knew, you know, one of my goals was
to get him going, just because he's been.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Doing it in practice.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
Yeah, you've been doing it in practice at such a
high level, and you just wanted to give him that
opportunity in the game. And yeah, guys just kept making plays,
kept making plays, and we're able to get some points
on the board.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
Yeah, Chris said it.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
It was you know, I called the games with the
DJ and we were, you know, kind of waiting in
that Hall of Fame game, like all right, get the
legs going there. It just you know, didn't present itself
so well. Was that conscious? Was that something that you're
kind of walk us through because then obviously in the
second game it's i think three in a row for
thirty five yards that you got the scores. Kind of
how does that lay out for a running quarterback and
when you decide to pull that trigger.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Yeah, I think it's it's just the flow of the game,
you know, when when d line is jumping out of
gaps or giving me free lanes to go move the chains,
I'm gonna go do that. You know, ten out of
ten times, but uh yeah, when things are open on
time and no protection issues, nothing like that. Like I'd
love to be able to, you know, get the gas
the ball that are a little bit more athletic and
can do some cooler things.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
There's a lot of people that are more athletically. Yeah,
that's a short list those guys.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
Yeah, they've they've done a great job just making place
and I like to get them the ball and it's
fun to see what they can do with it.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
You mentioned great romans offense. What is it about this
offense specifically, and you know you've you've said this a
couple of a couple of weeks ago. I think after Canton,
it's just, hey, Dallas is different. San Francisco is different,
the charges are different. But this offense specifically, what have
you kind of gravitated towards that that kind of makes
this feel feel right to you?
Speaker 5 (15:53):
I think, uh, I mean after being here and after
having spent time with receiver rooms specifically, how detailed they are.
I think when we're on the same page, just quarterbacks
with the receivers, tight ends, running backs and they're on
you know, they're at the right time or at the
right spot at the right time. That makes everything you know,
click from from g ro you know standpoint. It's been
(16:14):
cool to see how much he can do and how
much it's just kind of in the back of his
head that'll just throw out an idea like that, Yeah,
let's do it, and maybe we'll see what happens. What happens,
you know, But just so many people in this building
that have been other places, and I know it's like
that everywhere, you know, like I said, said every every
place is different, every place is unique, every coaching staff
and players is unique. But you know this this these
(16:35):
position group coaches especially haven't been other places and pulling
clips and haven't been around so many other guys. I mean,
it's it's just so much knowledge in the building.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
You know that there's there's a certain benefit to having
everybody pulled the rope the same direction in a in
a position group room. But it seems like it's pretty
you know, heated competition, you know, between you and and
Taylor for this this backup you know a number two
to Herbert, So what is that relationship? Like, you know,
what how does that work in court? Because you've been
in a few different quarterback rooms How does it work
when you're all competing for that same job, but you're
(17:04):
trying to help out whoever the starter is going to be.
Yet you're competing, you want an opportunity.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
Yeah, it's uh, you know, everyone outside will try to
make it a big, big deal and make us you know,
it is a big deal, no doubt, but try to
make us, you know, pit us against each other something
like that. But at the end of the day, we
both control we can control. We go out there and
try to have the best day as individuals that we can,
and at the end of the day, you know, we'll
see how it kind of how it shakes out. I
(17:29):
know it's my mindset going into it and throughout you know,
training camp, which just one day at a time, make
a mistake, turn the page, do something great, turn the page,
and just keep stepping like one day at a time,
one play at a time, and control it. I can
control anything else outside of that. I'm wasting my brain power,
you know thinking about that.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
You know, one thing about the NFL is it's year
to year. Uh, wild things happen. You're gonna be starting
on Saturday against a team that drafted you. What are
the feelings going back to Santa Clara and just kind
of knowing that that you're in the right spot right now.
And I'm sure there's a lot of people that helped
you along the way to get here.
Speaker 5 (18:03):
Yeah, no doubt. I again don't have a bad thing
to say about anyone or anything there. Had a great time,
learned a ton. It's where I started out at, where
I you know, became an NFL player at I know
it's something to talk about this week, but for me,
I guess I'm a person like like any other game.
It'll be exciting and fun to see Brock and see
(18:24):
you know, coach Sanahan and some of the guys that
are still there that I played with. I think that's
that's probably the most exciting part about it, to get
to talk to them before after the game. But outside
of that, it's it's ball. You know, it's another game.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
It's not like it's uncommon, you know. I mean we've
seen it now with Sam Darnold, you know, as he's
now going to be the starter up in Seattle and
signed a big extension. Same thing with Baker. Just kind
of if you don't mind, just kind of what what
is it that you were looking to get out of this,
you know, and and kind of what what your sort
of vision is this a one year deal and kind
of I know you talked about a little bit earlier
about why, but kind of what is your vision for
how this year plays out?
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (18:57):
This, uh, you know, one day at a time to
one goal all the time. For me, the first thing
was just to be able to be the two. That's
goal number one. If I can check that one off,
then just continue to take steps learning in my career.
I think, like I said, Justin's a great person to
learn from. This offense, the staff is great people to
learn from. I just continue to to, you know, take
steps forward. I think that was my mindset going back
(19:19):
all the way to the end of the season last year,
going into free agency, and since I've signed it, since
I've been here throughout training camp. It's still my mindset.
I just want to use this as a as a
stepping stone, whatever that looks like. If I get to
play a game or a few games, great, If not,
just find ways to to continue to get better.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
You know, Tred just being a member of this team.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Coach Hardball is press conference earlier today, just talked about
how much he loves this roster and you know, money
I would try to, you know, scratch our heads. Who's
going to make the fifty three. It's a very deep team.
The back half of this roster is very deep. From
your vantage point, what do you like about how this
team is constructed as we get into the regular season.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
It's it's it's a little hard having you know, this
being my first year and you know, coaches and guys
they talked about how much certain position groups have improved
and things like that, and I'm like, yeah, everyone looks
like really good. Like you said, it's it's it's deep,
and I think, you know, no matter where you're at,
I think this is a unique situation with how how
much depth we have. But no matter where you're at,
(20:14):
you know, it's it's always those those bubble guys that
it's it's always tough to you know, you know, if
you cut them, they're going to get signed somewhere else
and you'd love to keep them on the team. I'm
glad I don't have to be the one to make
those decisions, but yeah, it's it's always I don't want
to say pros and cons and everything almost, but it's
always a hard hard time, Like you try to soak
(20:35):
up these last few days with with everyone in the room,
and then after that, you know, kind of see what happens,
see who goes, and be excited for the guys that
get signed somewhere else, and be excited also for the
guys that were able to get back.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
We had we had coach on kind of right. I
don't know, they started like OTAs or something like that,
And one of the things we brought up with them
was just like the one thing he conveys to the
media and it just seems genuine It's not I haven't
really necessarily felt it from their coaches, is like he
genuinely feels like he's got a responsibility to his players,
like I owe them this opportunity to make it, to
(21:07):
maximize it, to give them the best. And I think
he conveys that well just in terms of, you know,
it's such a confidence position, Like it feels like he's
a guy that can help build common I don't know
if you felt like you needed that or.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
If players need that. Do players need that? Does that help?
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Just kind of the way that he operates, the way
he speaks, the way he kind of talks about you guys,
does that What does that do for you?
Speaker 4 (21:29):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (21:29):
I think I think it depends on the person, you know,
the effect it has on him. I feel like I was,
you know, very confident coming in when I got here,
and I was just excited to get an opportunity. I
think that was the biggest thing. That's the confidence boost
I needed was for him to look me in the
eyes and tell me I got a fair shot to compete.
But yeah, the way he goes about everything, Like I said,
it's such a joyful place. It's hard to hear Coach
(21:52):
Harbaugh talking and not smile or laugh or something. You know,
I wasn't ready for it isn't but it's it's it's
pretty cool. And uh, I mean he I think he
approaches everything, you know, And he said it the other day,
actually how he approaches things like how would he wanted
if he was a player? And I think that stands out,
(22:13):
you know a lot, just being around him and everything
he does, everything he talks about, you know, he'll get
up in the middle of the quarterback room and demonstrate
it and see like how does how does it feel
to me? You know, like what I like this? So
it's cool. It's it's so cool to see and to
be around. And I mean, I'm going to have Coach
Harbaugh stories for the rest of my life just from
(22:33):
this one this month. Yeah, and it's it's pretty cool.
It's a unique place to be and he's he's one
of a con man. He's awesome.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
It's awesome.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
You know, you mentioned some of the guys on the bubble,
some of us, I think as fans, some people look
at the preseason three as all right, start is gonna sit,
get ready for week one. But being in that locker room,
you know how much this game means to some of
these guys in an effort to make the team mis
their livelihood at stake. Do you feel a sense of
(23:02):
responsibility starting that game with the guys around you that
are that are looking to make this team, Like, Hey,
all right, I gotta get this.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
Person the ball.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
I gotta I gotta make sure I show up for
this person.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
I think getting guys at the ball it can be
a slippery slope and that's a hard, hard, hard thing
to play, hard way to play. But I think overall,
just you know, sit back before the game or on
the plane on the way to tomorrow, and you kind
of Yeah, like you said, it is it's it's important.
I mean, this is guys go into it and people say, oh,
it's just a preseason game, but like guys are out
(23:32):
there playing. The guys that are on that field are
playing it. That's same way they would play in the
super Bowl. You know, like the guys are out there
giving it everything they got, And like you said, you
know that that's that's what matters. Like what you put
on tape right now matters not only for you know,
for your situation here, but for thirty one other teams.
And I think guys understand that.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
Yeah, I know it's an odd way for me to
get to this because I'm going way back, but because
we brought it up and I would love to know
just like this will be the last one for me.
But just kind of what was it like playing one
game before you know you have one like not zero game,
but one game for people that don't know, like coming
into the NFL, you know you're coming into the COVID
year and your season gets canceled and you just played
(24:13):
a single game, so you don't when you come into
the NFL, right you your two years removed from kind
of save one game from playing right, Yeah, so what
what do you think that did? Like, what was it
like just having a single game and what was that game? Like?
Speaker 4 (24:24):
It's just so weird to me.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
Yeah, it was definitely unique, and COVID was unique for everyone.
You know, we started our fall camp and then we
were actually supposed to open the year with Oregon and
Pack twelve. It's the first to cancel. So then we
get two three weeks into our fall camp, a couple
weeks out from what's supposed to be our first game
against Organ and everyone cancels. Everyone goes back home. I
(24:46):
get a call from my head coach a couple of
weeks later, and you know, they had been calling over
a hundred other schools trying to just find someone to
play us because we could play up to three non
conference games when FCS moved the season to the spring.
So you said, we found one game. Do you think
I want to play? Guys like you know, yeah, yeah,
we want to go play. So yeah, it was unique.
I mean, I'm sure the NFL season was crazy, you
(25:08):
know too, no fans in the stand. It was that
same type of thing like family and scouts in the stands.
Uh So it was unique, but I think, you know,
you do anything to play one more game. You know,
I knew and I think my guys knew that it
was my last one there, and uh, you know, I
was excited for it. Everyone was excited for it. It's definitely,
you know, kind of a bittersweet moment through my first
(25:30):
pick in college that game too.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
Hey, get it out of the way.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
Yeah, not going out, but no, it was. It was
super special just to you know, you know, it's pros
and cons of everything, but you know, be able to
know this is your last one. You know, it's pretty
cool to be able to, you know, go out one
more time with those guys.
Speaker 4 (25:48):
What was it? The year?
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Was it?
Speaker 4 (25:48):
Twenty four to fourteen? What was it? How many touchdowns passing? Running?
I couldn't tell you really, you don't know.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
I have no idea fourteen, no, and no picks because
I want to say it was almost three thousand year passing,
what fourteen hundred yards rushing? And it was a crazy
He's like crazy if you say, yeah, yeah, you say that.
Normally everybody knows exactly the rundown of exactly what you
had for a game.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
That's wild.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
Trade last one for me and it kind of goes
in line with this. I mean, you're you're only twenty
five years old. It seems like you've been in the
league for a lot longer than you really have. Tyler Shuck,
who we just saw is twenty six, right, the rookie
who was just drafted by the Saints. It's got to
be a comforting place to You just mentioned the comfortability here,
(26:31):
but just how much meat on the bone you have
and development to have a very long NFL career. How
do you feel right now in this phase of your
NFL career?
Speaker 3 (26:40):
Right now? I feel great.
Speaker 5 (26:41):
I think I'm you know, I feel like I have
a new a new normal is how it phrase it,
with everything, with how I go about my life, you know,
in the building, on the field, and at home. And
I think I've grown up a lot in these first
five years. I can't believe him going into year five,
like you said, it fis by but you know, the
(27:02):
highs and lows. Been through a lot, I feel like,
but at the same time, been through nothing, So I
don't really think about it too much. It's more something
for you guys to talk about. But uh yeah, I
take it one day at a time, just like I said,
I think, you know. Yes, I could say I'm you know,
I'm fine, I'm twenty five, but h I said, had
the same you know conversation with myself going into free agency. Yeah,
(27:24):
I'm okay right now, I'm you know, twenty four, But
I don't want to be in the same spot, you know,
in two years and saying the same exact thing. So
for me, it's all about just taking that next step,
progressing and taking advantage of, you know, opportunities when they come.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
I think you were supposed to play Tyler Shuck in
that game. I think yeah, I think he was the
starter of the organ. Yeah, that one game that legit.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
Yeah, right, well I think he was. Yeah, it's what
we're talking full circle.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
Man.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Well, hey, we have been talking a lot about you
all good stuff the last month, and we look forward
to seeing you.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
On Saturday, no doubt, keep you willing.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
Thanks, thanks all right for.
Speaker 3 (27:54):
Tray and money.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
I'm Chris.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
This has been Chargers Weekly
Speaker 4 (28:01):
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