August 6, 2019 • 34 mins
On this edition of The Best of The Doug Gottlieb Show, Doug was live from Chargers Training Camp in Costa Mesa, CA! Listen in as Doug speaks with Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn, general manager Tom Telesco, and TE Hunter Henry as the team prepares for the new NFL season!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the best of the Doug Gottlieb
Show podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday
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(00:21):
of the Doug got Leave Show on Fox Sports Radio.
Boom What America. Doug Gottlieb Show, Fox Sports Radio Live
from Coasta Mesa, California, side of the l A Chargers
training camp. Doug Gotlip Show is brought you by Farmers.
(00:42):
At Farmers, we've seen almost everything, so we're not to
cover almost anything. When it's game time, have an experienced
player help you stay hit of the game, put their
experience into play at Farmers dot Com. Hunter two Hunted
No not Hunter. Henry will join us later on the show.
That's really the story at Chargers Camp right. They went
from a team that got off to an awful start
(01:02):
two years ago and completely turned around to last year
tying for the best record in the a f C
and splitting with the Kansas City Chiefs, beating the Chiefs
on the road, beating the Steelers on the road in
the playoffs, beating the Ravens on the road. There are
better road team in many ways than they were a
home team. But you go from the hunter to the hunted.
(01:26):
And of course with success comes the desire for new contracts.
Case in point, Melvin Gordon still holding out, the star
running back for the Chargers, is holding out for a
contract extension, and they are at an at an impass.
So there in kind of lies the story. Look, we
said this yesterday. By the way, we'll get to Anty Lynn,
the head coach of the Charger set to join us
(01:47):
in moments, maybe five maybe ten minutes. He's doing another
interview that he's gonna pop in. But today it came
out that Ezeki Elliott has said he won't play this
year unless he gets a contract. It's really important to
realize a couple of things. Okay, first thing is this,
this is not a Levian Bell thing. Levian Bell had one.
(02:09):
He had played a year as a franchise Taggias who
he had made some money. Secondly, he lost a bunch
of money and by not playing. But Levion Bell was
actually a free agent last year, he was not under contract.
Zeke Elliott is under contract, so there isn't any I
just I'm not gonna play this year, and then I'll
I'll hold out until I mean, look, he's ultimately going
(02:31):
to hurt himself while hurting the team. Additionally, you look
at the first two games for the Dallas Cowboys, and
those are winnable football games against the Giants and the Redskins,
two teams that are not expected to make the playoffs.
So unlike when Emmett Smith held out, what happens if
the Cowboys win both games without Zeke? But the bigger,
the bigger, the bigger story is this. Jerry Jones has
(02:54):
come out and said, we've made an offer for to
all three quarterback, running back, wide receiver. They'll all be
in the top five. It'll all work. It's Zeke who's
standing out of the line. There's an order, there's a
way to make it all work. But only Ezeki Elliott,
who does not have to be given a new contract,
seems to try and be hopping the line. And there
(03:15):
is nothing more frustrating in life than line hoppers, Right,
is there anything worse in life than somebody who you know,
like you're in the Disneyland line for the new Star
Wars ride and somebody comes up and hops and oh,
it's my family member. Like that, okay, wait what you're
getting ready for airport check in? You know? And they
wheel in some dude who stands up to get out
(03:35):
his I d like, you don't need a wheelchair, wheel
just for wheelchairs. Zeke is a line hopper if he'd
simply wait his turn. So more on the Cowboys upcoming.
Tom Brady has got his house on the market. It's
something interesting about his contract. But let's catch up with
the head coach of the l A Chargers fresh office
season where they tie for the best record in the
(03:56):
a f C's Anthony Lynn. He joins some Fox Sports
radio coach, How are you good? How you doing? I'm
I'm really really well. What's what's camping like? So far?
It was been good, guys working hard. You know, we
someone standing away from the injury. But we have a
few soft tissue injuries here and there like everyone else.
But uh, I like though, what you guys are working
all right? My spies in my own eyes tell me
that the Rams probably I'll played you in the first
(04:18):
day in which you had dual practice, but it was
a much better day for your team in the second day.
Is that? What is that what the film said? You know,
I thought both practice we were up and down. I
thought we competed well, and I thought we were very
professional standing away from fights and things like that. But
uh no, I wasn't keeping score. Was there a better
feeling after the second one than was the first one.
(04:39):
But in the first practice, I thought there was some
good things as well. You know, I was did some
good things. We did some good things, and I'm back
and forth on both fields. And when I'm watching tape,
I like what I saw a lot on that thirsty
practice from my guys, and there are some things that
we need to correct as well. I thought we came
out and started this practice. Uh it was a great environment,
you know. Uh if sorry, this was a lot more
fans are. We competed hard, played well, But there are
(05:01):
some things in that practice. I like to do a
lot a lot better as well. You I mean, everybody's
talking about the fact you don't have your starting running back,
you don't have your starting left tackle. Yeah, either, what's
that adjustment been like without Russell? You know, that's that
was something that called us off guard. And uh, you know,
we have a young guy Transcott Sam Tevy, they've both
been rotating the left left tackle and Russell com he's
(05:21):
hard to replace and he's one of the best left
tackles in the game in my opinion. And so we're
all some young guys that stepping in there doing fine,
but they've got a lot to learn, and uh, they're
don't get plenty of reptions preseason. You're a former running
back and a former running back coach and obviously you're
starting running back is holding out right now? How how
do you handle because I know you have a very
good relationship with Melvine with all your players and all
your running backs, but he personally has a great relationship
(05:44):
with you. How does how has that been to deal with?
That's it's hard because you know it's a conflict of
ventures for me. You know, Tom to let's go those contracts,
and he does a heck of a job with that,
and uh, I'm sure something will get that done. Matt
Melvin knows how I feel about Hill and uh, he
knows how this team feels about them. But right now,
we've got to focus on the guys out of here
man until he gets back. I gotta gotta we have
(06:05):
to continue to develop young man and get him better. Also,
is doing a good job, justin Jackson's doing a good job.
Looking forward to sanding. Those guys played a little bit
more this year, but we got some the other guys
neck group to Jeremy Cox because it's coming up through
the ranks. So we'll see as well as the guy.
I know, I know you guys like um uh, look,
Philip has done this so many years, but there was
a sense that maybe last year, because he likes to work,
(06:28):
likes the reps, maybe his arm tired late in the year.
Now you have Trod Taylor, who's been he was a
starting quarterback week one last year, of course starter when
you were in Buffalo as well. Can can you talk
him into lessening the load so that he has he
has more zip later on the year. But that's his
an older quarterback, it's gotta be a bit of an issue.
We've already addressed that and uh and we're not gonna
(06:50):
wait until player gets tired and starresting him because sometimes
that's too late. But that's not your way though your way,
you I mean, you're an old old school. You're like,
you like to have those guys out there every day,
but but you have to adapt to a personnel that
you have. And you know, Philip is gonna try and
three eight years old and uh, you know sometimes and
he's old school, but uh, as the head coach, I
gotta protect him from himself because he'll come out here
(07:11):
here here trying to work everybody on the field. And
that's that's why he's so good. But uh, we've started
cutting instrayl was way back in O. T A s
and so, uh, I think it's big going well, Derwin
James year two, year one, he made so many plays
just on instincts, right on instincts and on talent. But
now you add and we talked to some of the
guys and like like now he's starting to really think
the game as well. How much better is this level
(07:33):
of Derwin James from what we saw last year? Well
when the season started, will find now I mean right
now in practice, I really like what I see. He's
at a point now where he can actually help people
around him. Last year everyone was helping him, but now
he's helping people around him. So but what we'll say
I expect from the season start for this guy, just
pick up where he left off. I mean, he has
tack up a talent. Everyone learned from a whooping, right,
(07:53):
I mean, when you're a kid, you learn from a whopping,
and when your team learned from a better You guys
took a bit of a whooping in in Foxborough. What
did you as as a young head coach in your
first playoff run? What you learned from that game? You know,
I've watched the game so many times and uh, and
I played in a division for eight years, so I
knew that team. Uh. I think I struggle with is
on a short week because we had to get back
(08:15):
out there on the friday we was on the East Coast.
We came back and had to go back to these coasts. Uh,
Do I make a lot of whole sale changes in
a short week or do arrive with what got us here?
You know? And I think I rolled too much with
what got us there, because you know, you know, sometimes
we'll get you here, won't get you there, right, And
so yeah, we could have made some uh some adjustments
and things like that. I learned that. But you know,
(08:36):
at the same time we came out, we started the
game off a little flat second half. We played a
lot better, but uh, we all learned from it, coaches,
and we know that. You know, that's a great organization,
that's a great football team. If one six super Bowls
or whatever, they're seven, but you know, if you want
to if you want to beat them, then you know,
(08:57):
we just learned this is what you gotta do if
you want to be the best. Or you know, had
had a couple of your guys not made the mistakes
against Denver right at home. You have home field avantage
throughout right and it's one of those things, is that
coach you're like, hey strong, I mean like there's always
like one game like I remember my first year Jacksonville
game that was hard to let go and the last
(09:19):
two interceptions in the last two and had the football
and you couldn't close it out. You don't have to
remind me, but that last year was a Denver game.
You know that the game is you feel like you
had control of and you lost it at the end.
It was just hurt so bad. But yeah, home field
advantage that helps. That gives you a competitive advantage. But
you know, I want my first super Bowl in the road.
You just gotta get back to the tournament. You know.
(09:40):
But right now, for us to get back to the tournament,
we gotta win the first game, and that's coming up
for about three full weeks. Yeah, the hunter to the hunted.
How much different do you think your team's mentality has
to be now that you guys You guys didn't just
have a good year last year. You beat the Ravens
on the road in the playoffs, You beat the Steelers
on the road, You beat the Chiefs on the road,
like you earned the respect of the league. It wasn't
like you had some super soft schedule that you're able
(10:02):
to run through. So now because people respect you, you know,
you got Keenan, you got the unbelievable defensive end Tandemy,
got all these other still skilled, talented skill posion players.
Is there a change in your mentality that's needed because
you've gone from the hunter last year trying to prove
yourself to the hunted this year. You know, I think
we were we were hunted last year. You know, we
(10:22):
came off the way we finished our first year at
ninety seven, even though we missed the playoffs in a
top breaker. You know, we were one of the hottest
teams in the league. I felt like if we could
have gotten in, I like, I like the chances. So
I don't think we call anybody off guard, you know,
into an eighteen. I think they knew we had a
pretty good football team. Uh, you know, we finished more
games and we have finished in previous years for sure.
(10:43):
But uh, I like the mentality of this football team
just the way it is right now. And uh, you
know it maybe maybe considered the hunt you I don't know,
but that shouldn't affect us. No external expectations, external distract
That should not distract us from what we gotta do.
What was it like to build a school man? That
was awesome? That was awesome and uh and to go
(11:04):
to class with the kids and uh, just to feel
their appreciation. And now now what was what was the trip? Like?
I mean you go from here to where where do
you fly to? Well, you fly from here, you lay
over Dubai and you go from Dubai to Killman Joe
and then you drive to Busha. How long How long
was the drive? It was it drive? You know, the
drive was probably a couple of hours, but well that's
(11:26):
the pay for roll. But then you go to the
bush the bush is different. Now, I don't even know
how to describe the bush. But that's where the school is. Now,
that's like a three hour drive and and that's all
dirt road. They called it the African Massage. You're just
bumping the whole time. Brother, You know, you see any
lions or anything else or we saw a lot of wildlife. Man. Okay,
so you get there, and then where are you staying
(11:47):
while you're building the school? Well, we were supposed to
stay in in these tents. Uh, but a couple of
weeks before we got there, a couple of teenagers came
up missing and uh, you know they told us about it.
And you know, it wasn't like we were kidnapped, you know,
uh probably eating but I mean, I mean, I'm just
telling you, So what do you understand. Well, we were
(12:08):
like an hour and a halfway to this lodge and uh,
you know it was it was okay, you know, the
tent might have been nice, but we weren't. We weren't
sleeping outside. But but but a life changing experience. Definitely
a life changing experience, just just being in the environment
every day and uh, leaving them all those people and
watching them live off the land and and survive and
(12:30):
and just uh they were so happy man. And it's
just a tough group of people, you know, very tough,
fervously and just uh appreciation ain't had for the school.
It just it makes me feel just you know, like
we were doing the right thing. Anthony Lynn, head coach,
the l A Chargers coach, wishing nothing but success this season.
Thanks at be sure to catch live editions so the
(12:50):
Doug Got Leaps Show week days at noon eastern three
pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the I Heart
Radio app live from l A Chargers Camp Leave Show,
Fox Sports Radio. And the man who holds the purse
strings for all the money, who I think fans think
if he doesn't give Melvin Gordon new contract, he gets
(13:10):
to keep all the money, right, Like that's the way
it works. Tom Dlasco, General manager of the l A Chargers. Yeah.
So that's actually why you're sitting a little higher because
your wallet is fuller because you have all that money
that everybody wants trying to save it all up. I
have kids, they're gonna go to college in a couple
of years. Um, what we'll get to the Melbourne in
a second. You have you have one other got a
major hole, uh with your with your offense I want
(13:31):
to talk about and then of course the upcoming preseason
game against the Heros and the Cardinals, but just a
general sense, like I feel like two years ago was
your first year here. It was a little bit hodgepodge,
you know, and um, obviously the team got then got
off to a slow start. Last year you had finished
strong with nine and seven, but people are still trying
to figure it out. I feel like the crowds bigger.
(13:52):
I feel like it's kind of become a charger area.
I know the rams are just down the street, but
it feels different just from the setup and and the
import What's it like from your perspective, I would agree
with that. Looking back to two years ago to today,
how much have changed? I mean our first year here,
brand new area, brand new training camp facility, We had
no routine for anything, and but to see it come
(14:12):
the next the next two years, obviously winning twelve games
last year helps. The crowds out here have been tremendous
um and it's a different feeling. Um. I mean it
was different to get you. We had get your bodyguard,
you had your pry, you took out your gold teeth,
which I really appreciate. Let the head coach go first,
get the players out of here, and GM goes last.
But now it's it's it's been a really good setup.
M we've seen it grow. Um, it's actually been fun
(14:34):
to be part of really a professional sports team. You're
really starting from scratch. That's really what it came down to,
new area, new routine, and new head coach. And uh
now it's it's going where we need to go. All right,
how's how's he done it? Like he's he's an interesting
guy because he does not though he comes from the
Bill Parcels regime, he does not strike your His resume
does not strike. Is that guy is gonna be hell
of a head coach? But from two years ago when
(14:58):
you got up to an awful start and you end
up nine seven to last year, it's not just twelve
and four, but twelve and four where you went in Pittsburgh,
you we went in Kansas City, you went in Baltimore,
Like you go into the lines then and and beat
these teams. What's what's the secret? Sauce to Anthony Lynn,
I don't know. I mean you look at who he
came up under. I mean it's it's it's Bill Wash
when he was a player, as Mike Shannahan is a
(15:18):
player and as a coach, and then Bill Parcels. Um,
those are three really good head coaches to learn from. Um,
even Rex Ryan and Buffalo. He had a lot of
responsibilities right on Rex Staff. Um. But as as a
foot football coach, he just has a great presence of
bond him. He's a great leader. Um. He knows when
to be tough on the guys. He knows when to
be flexible sometimes. And the biggest thing is when we
saw two years ago when we started off so slow. Um,
(15:41):
the players really believe in him. Like when he talks
on the practice field, every eyes are all the eyes
are right on him. There's no guys lonok at their shoes,
no guys looking out in the air. I mean he's
he has her full attention, and uh, they believe in him.
He's also old school though, and the new school mentality
is this load management. Right, you got it. And as
as you know from losing Forest Lamp two years ago,
(16:02):
losing Hunter and when O t a s last year
last year, right, it's it sounds great to get all
the work in, but it's a whole lot better when
you have him on the field for as close to
sixteen games as possible. Is he evolving because we just
talked with him and it felt like he's thinking about
holding he said, we've been dialing back Phillips reps, even
(16:22):
going back to O T S, which I never thought
I would hear from Anthony Lynn. Seems like he's evolving.
I think we all are. I think we all have
to kind of change. We We use a lot of
GPS data tracting, like everybody else does. We look at
the load management, but there's certain guys might pouncey Philip
Rivers dial some of those reps back. But I think
the thing that's changed for us last couple of years
is the combined process that we do. We had two
days last week with the with the Rams, we have
(16:44):
two days next week with the Saints. We get a
lot of work once versus ones like high tempo not
quite live, but a higher temple than a regular practice.
So we get all that work in there. So that
may affect how we play preseason games. Um, but it's
a long season and trying to find that balance of
you have to have a tough as it got training camp,
but you got to be smart about it. We're all
looking for that perfect balance. None of us have found
(17:05):
it yet, but but he's dialed in with that. All right.
Everybody wants to know about Melvin Gordon. Um. You know,
it came out a couple of weeks ago that they
had won a new contract. He felt disrespected by it.
Of course, his agents said they requested trade, but you
um said no, you can't. Can't shop him. Is all
that information that's out there, is it all accurate? Yeah?
(17:25):
I mean I don't really listen to a whole lot
of the rhetoric. But we've been you know, we've been
discussing back and forth, going way back for a couple
of months. So um, now it's been clear communication on
both sides just isn't exactly where it needs to be
to have him here. Um. So we've got two plans,
have a plan that is here and plan that is
not here. It's our job to be prepared no matter
what happens, and that's what we'll do. What what should
expectations be like it? Should we expect him you can
(17:47):
show up this week? What? What what should our expectations?
I have no ideas. I don't even worry about it.
I don't look at odds with a chance they'll be
back with expectations. Like I said, we'll have two plans,
one with them here and then one with them not.
And you know we've got we've got last year to
see some of our other backs play and then played
pretty well, and then they got all the work and
O T a s um because Melvin wasn't here for
O T as he was here for the mini camp.
(18:08):
But other than that, um, Justin Jackson, Austin Ekeler and
Detrust Newson took all the snaps and they're taking all
the snaps here and training camp. And you know it
may look different obviously because we know how good Melvin
Gordon is. Uh be a little bit more by committee,
but we have confidence in those guys too. Um. I
guess there's two other questions to it. One why not
let him shop for a deal. You know, I'm kind
(18:28):
of our goal is to win a Super Bowl, right,
so I have a hard time trading a player that
they could help us win a super Bowl. You know
we've invested to him. We draft them in the first
round for a reason. We traded up to take him. Um,
and we've seen his game just evolved, you know, from
his rookie year till now. And and he's a great kid,
he's a great player. And uh, I'm not really in
the mode of giving players a way to somebody else
helped them win. Okay, how doug in are you in
(18:49):
terms of dollar figures? We pretty much have an area
where where we want to be. And like I said,
it's if it works out, I'd love it too. And
if it doesn't, you know, we'll talk about again the
end of the season. Um, we'll have a plan. If
he's not here, then we'll go with you guys. We
have all right, then you got pr you get Philip Rivers,
who's just thirty eight years old. Six or twenty seven kids,
(19:10):
I've I've completely lost track here. How many you have? No?
Do you have any idea what their names are? It
is not I think it's nine. Yeah, I think I
think it's nine. Um, but now we see Brady, and
it's not really an extension with Brady, right, it's it's
a deal. Explain what they did from a front office perspective,
it feels like they kicked the can down the and
(19:31):
to save themselves some money. I haven't seen the actual
numbers yet. I'm assuming they gave him a race for
this year and just to help out with with the
salary cap space just be an extend. So what does that?
How does that hurt you? How does that hurt you?
Hurt you in the future, like you have to pay
it could possibly I don't know what their cap situation
is down the road, have no idea. So um, So
what's it like to deal with Philip? That thirty eight
year old quarterback? You know, but he had an outstanding year,
(19:52):
might have tired a little bit late in the year.
What's it been like to to to have him and
your expectations of how long you'll have him? Yeah, I mean, uh,
I don't want to put a ceiling on it, but
you know, I've told him, we've been Um, we're on
the same page with Philip. He's great to work with
and and I said, obviously you're a quarterback this year.
Obviously if I said, you know, we wanted to be
our quarterback in two thousand twenty and maybe even beyond
(20:13):
what we'll see. But but I want to make sure
there's no one's certainty with him that even though he's
not under contract for next year, Like he's our guy
for next year. We want him here. I know he
wants to be here. I said, we'll get the contracts
figured out at some point, but there was no one's
certain to hear like he's our guy next year and
maybe even longer. We'll see. I don't think he's I
don't think he's looking. I know you guys probably talk
to him. I don't know how far out he's looking, um,
(20:33):
but I know he's ready to go for this year
and next year. We talked to Hill, We'll talk to him.
Tom plesco joining us. He's the Chargers, GM and Stug
gotlip show. You're on Fox Sports Radio. Um, And then
you had kind of the scary news about Russell wil Kung,
who's uh, not only super talented, super bright. We share
the same university obviously, so you have to be bright
just to get into Oklahoma State. But but he is.
(20:54):
But he is a super bright dude. And he has
a pulmonary embulli bollism, So he has a blood clot
that went all the way to his heart like that
to lung was always lung, sorry, pulme in there in
my bad um, so John Carroll University by the way,
there you go. Excellent. So what I mean first, you're
concerned about his health? Yes, absolutely, but I know how
blood clots work, like you can't you can't make human
(21:15):
contact with somebody else because you're on blood thinner for
a certain amount of time. When did you find out
about this and what's the like prognosis? Yeah, so what
happened in early June? And uh, you know, obviously an
injury that you know, we don't see very often, and
thank god that he caught it at the right time.
And and we're lucky that between whole hospital here in
Newport and ceter sign I has got great people to
work with them. And it's just like a wait and see. Um,
(21:38):
there's just a kind of open timetable. But the number
one thing is it makes sure you're healthy, It makes
sure he's safe and that and then we'll just wait
like that's just it is what it is. But it's
usually three because I told the story my friend Miles
Simon's assistant with the Lakers, He's like, the three months
is usually and then they have to do scans, keep
doing scans and make sure there's no other cloths they'll
still be checkpoints along the way, but I don't you know,
we won't know anything so probably early September. Have there
(21:59):
been any of their class are just that one? I think,
just the one that I'm aware of. But we'll see
where he is in September and kind of go from there.
It could be early, it could be later. I'm not
really sure. But we want to make sure he's healthy
and safe number one, and we'll take the rest of
it from there. What did you learn from the thumping
in New England? Oh, man, A lot? Um that it was.
(22:20):
It was we had such a good season and for
the end that like that in that game, that just
didn't seem like that was us. I mean, I don't
know if anybody played well in that game. Um. And
it happens obviously they were good football team. That farther
getting the playoffs, you played better teams. Um, just for
us that day, it just didn't Uh, it didn't happen. Um.
A lot of it is my fault. As far as
the defensive side of the bar linebacker group, we just weren't.
(22:42):
We didn't have enough guys there. I mean, Gus Bradley
did the best job you could have done with what
we had in the late inn the season the playoffs,
we played six defensive back seven defensive backs. But in
the end, you know, when you when you really get
down in the playoffs, you gotta have a full defense,
and we didn't have enough there. And then offensive we
just didn't move the ball that well. Um. But uh,
you know, you just have to get back on the
(23:03):
horse and start all over again. But that's weird, Like
what's that feeling like to have won in Kansas City
in Pittsburgh, go and win and beat Baltimore League before
and then you're just so helpless. You guys are down.
It was, it was, it was seven, it was it
was ugly early. We fought back at the end, which
I'm not surprised, but it was way way too late. Um.
But the thing is, you take that and I used
the example with our team and I'm not sure what
(23:24):
year it was with the Colts. Um we had a
we had a pretty good year. We go to New
York to play the Jets in the playoffs, They'd be
just like forty one and nothing. It wasn't even close.
And that next year, that game that drove us the
whole offseason to how it ended like that to lose
that badly, and that's we have to use for this.
I mean, I don't want to forget about that game.
We had a good year last year, twelve and fourth
(23:44):
time for the division title. But I don't want to
forget that New England game because that should drive us
through because we have to start all over again. You
me mentioned linebackers in Kansas City obviously last year, Um,
you know, they beach pretty good, although there was some
couple of you know, makeable plays, you know, four drops
in the end zone. Maybe it's a different game, but
you finally finally get the monkey off your back and
beat Kansas City on the road at their play. But
(24:06):
they had to change their defense and they did somewhat.
And they still have that slinger back there at quarterback
and all the all their weapons. What how are the
Chargers going to look different and better this year from
last season? Well, I think our defense has changed a
little bit. Um. Like I said, we actually can play
with linebackers a little bit more often. We had to
Thomas Davis there. Um, Jerry Tillery is starting to get
more of work. He'll be more probably more full next week. Um,
(24:29):
But our defense is physical and as fast, and we'll
see where that goes. Offensively, it may look different. We
don't know. If Melvin's get back there, will will they
be there? Will he not? Um our offensive line will
not be exactly the same as it was last year.
More than likely our two opening day tackles are Joe
Barksdale and Russell Coon so went and Joe was no
longer here, so um that may look different. Um. Tyrell
Williams is no longer here, so I'm Mike Williams, who
(24:50):
were really happy with He'll have a bigger role may
not be the exact same role at Tyrrell have because
Tyrrell has a different skill set than Mike. You have
Hunter really back. You have Hunter back. So it's like
every year is a different team. I mean, the core
of our teams together, but it's just not the exact
same teams last year. Should be should be really really
fun to watch. Appreciate your time and your insight and
Linda hang out and watch your practice anytime. Thanks for
coming out. Be sure to catch live edition so the
(25:11):
Doug Dot Leap Show week days at noon Eastern three
pm Pacific. Doug Got Leap Show rolls on here live
at Chargers camp on Fox Sports Radio, and it was
unbeknownst to him he was getting ready to play on
Monday night or Thursday night was Monday Night football. It's
going back to last year. Of course, his hunter Henry
Star tight end l a Chargers um. Obviously last year
you missed most of it because of the knee injury.
(25:33):
But what was it like when stephen A had the
Freudian I don't watch the Chargers ever slip and said
you were you were the reason that the Chargers were
gonna win. Yeah. Man, big shout out to Steve and
I giving me relevant even when I wasn't playing. Man,
I was actually at the Kansas City. I was with
the team and we were, you know, playing Thursday night football.
And uh, I was with this team because I wanted
(25:55):
to go to the game. I was still trying to
be involved and it was a big game. So I
was like, I'm gonna go to this game. And I
wake up in the tell that day, everybody my phone
is blowing up. I'm like, I'm not even playing in
the game, Like what is going on? And that comes
to our breakfast room. We're all eating breakfast together and
across the things Stephen A is talking and talking about me,
and I'm like, what is going on right now? So
(26:18):
crazy crazy thing that, Um yeah, Steve and A needs
to pay attention to a little bit more. Well. I
I actually think that's kind of part and parcel to
the plight of the Chargers, right Yeah. Like, look, I
just for full disclosure, I'm actually a Charger fan. But
it's it's amazing that whether they were in San Diego
or since moving to l A, like you're in l
A actually had the best record in the guys had
the best record in the a f C. And it's like,
(26:39):
on some level in the national discussion, you guys don't
exist until Melvin decided to hold out like that, Now
that's the only reason they talk to Chargers. So what's
that like To operate kind of in this kind of
undercover sort of way. I think we have a bunch
of guys that really like it. Honestly. Um, it's it's
it's honestly nice because I mean, obviously you hear the
hype and you hear the people talking about it. But
(26:59):
I think we like kind of being the dark horse
to under the underdog. Um, we like that mentality. We
have a lot of guys in here that kind of
have love embracing that mentality. So anytime you know you're
able to do that just from the outside, the fans,
different things like that, you try to embrace anything you
can to kind of take that under underdog mentality on. Um,
how much did you learn from watching last year? A
(27:22):
ton Man, It's give me just a I think I
knew appreciation for the game and the new appreciations just
surever being out here every single day, and um, it
was it was a tough It was one of the
toughest years I've ever been through. And but I'm just
I'm pumped to be back and excited for this year.
You you mentioned that Kansas City game, there's the Pittsburgh
come back, there's the Kansas City come back. Something about
(27:44):
this team one like every season bad starts to most
seasons and and turning it around, but to the ability
to it's not just come back and win, but you
come from behind and win on the road in places
like Pittsburgh, in Kansas City, and to to dominate in
Baltimore as well. Um. Having having been able to watch
more than play, what what what specifically did you learn
(28:06):
about your team's ability to do that. We just got
a bunch of fighters, man and guys that don't want
to give up. And I think that starts with our
with our head coach and just kind of his mentality
and just kind of what he instills in us, UM
and I think he he never gives up on us.
And you know, we see that kind of that attitude
that he has and he brings it to the field
(28:26):
and the meeting room and just our facility every single day.
And then I think we all just feed off that.
And uh, you know, we have guys have been here too.
I think guys have UM, we're starting to have carry
over where we have you know, guys that are continuously here,
you know, four or five years, so we've been with
each other and so we know each other really well.
And so Phil has been here. I'm just talking about
(28:46):
the core. When you got a team turns over a lot,
especially in the NFL. So UM, when you have a
core group of guys, five or six guys that you know,
you know and you're here multiple years, I think that
unity and just knowing each other it helps you get
through that. Ever city. Last year you were you were
doing sprints super early and guys are like people are hip, like, hey,
he's gonna come back mid season, and um, you end
(29:08):
up making it back obviously to the to the Patriots game.
Till the uh to to the divisional was that the
was the conference was that there was the division round, Like,
hey whatever the second round was, Um, how much different better?
I assume? Do you feel now in terms of walking
on the field not having played for a year in Foxborough? Uh,
feel way better than I did and walking out that
(29:30):
day for sure. Uh, not that I didn't feel good
that day, Um, but it was just where I am
now compared to then. It was. It's kind of nine
and day difference. You also, I think are going to
have to chiple up it this year right with like
no Russell right now? Or how's how's your blocking? We're
always we're always ready to shift. We're always ready to
help out. I think tight ends and backs kind of
know that. Uh, anytime we're go into there's a there's
(29:51):
a lot of elite pass reserves. No matter who your
tackle is. I think there's there's so many elite pass
rushers you gotta be ready to shift weekend and week Yeah. So, um,
that's kind of one of the questions about it's got
to be hard to know where the line stands because
you're going against Melvin and Joey, right, Like, this is
not normal to have that type of pass rush. Is
there ever moments where like, look, guys, we know you
(30:12):
guys suck today, but you're going against Melvin and Joey,
so we'll give you a little bit of a pass.
I don't know if it's that, but you know there's
days where obviously, they have their days where you're like, man,
they're you know, they look really really good, and it's
you know, they're they're really good. So but then there's
days where our guys are just they're they're doing awesome,
and uh, we're like, shoot, we're gonna be able to
hold up. You know where we're going against these guys.
(30:34):
We're able to hold up against these guys, then, I mean,
we can hold up against pretty much everybody knows. How
would you if if somebody said Derwin James, like one
of your boys, like Derwin James, tell me about him,
what would you say? Ah, Man, he's he's a he's
a freak uh great great football player. Man, he has
a he has a lot of obviously, athletic attributes to
help him along big fast. Um, you know he's, uh,
(30:58):
he's and then the thing to he's he's becoming really smart.
That's the thing too. He's you know, he's reading routes, um,
you know, reading kind of just the different round combinations
and stuff. So you kind of have to mix it
up on him. But it's it's fun going to get so.
We love competing at each other. Is it official? Is
Antonio done right? Like you do? You don't you just
feel like you know he's gonna try and show up
and take a couple of your catches away. Um, No,
(31:20):
I wouldn't say that. I don't have no idea. I'm
gonna let the front office deal with that. But uh,
but I mean I love that guy. He's he's done
a ton for me. So I mean I'm always I'm
always embracing having him around because he's he's he's my guy.
He's like a big brother to me. What has this
been like dealing with the absence you know of your
running back. You know you have other running you have
a good group. Um, but you're trying to install an offense.
(31:41):
You're trying to get a rhythm here for the preseason
games and you don't have the guy you'd assume who's
going to get the ball most often. What's that adjustment? Like, Yeah,
it's different. Um. You know, every year I've been here,
we've had Melvin Um. But you know, we love Melvine.
We love him. I love that guy, and uh, you know,
he's one of my good friends on the team, and uh,
we love I love having him in ker him. But
(32:04):
you know, he's gotta do what he's gotta do, and Uh,
I'm behind him on what he's gotta do. Um. But
you know, obviously these guys are you know, Austin Um
justin you know, the Trez. We have some guys that
are they're having a great camp. Uh, they're doing great.
So we you know, you gotta work with those guys
right right now. But we definitely miss Melvin Um and
(32:24):
you know, looking forward to hope, you know, having a
backup when he comes back. You were close to being
considered a superstar tight end before you got hurt. Now
you have the preseeen games. How much do you want
to play in those games? Um, you know, I don't
know how much I'm gonna play. I don't I'm not
gonna play I'm gonna get some reps. For sure. You
want the reps or you want to look, I just
want to kill and wait till it's real football. I
(32:47):
think I want some reps. I don't need too many.
Um really, I mean I've obviously I've I've been in
some games before, and um, I kind of know that.
But I definitely I think I want to get in
there a little bit, especially when the ones are going.
I think that's that's what I want to do. If
the ones are kind of roll and just at least
offensive line Virgil, if we're kind of going, I definitely
want to go in there. I don't really want to
go with the twos and threes, just because I want
to kind of build, uh some relationships, just some continuity
(33:10):
with the line and Virgil. Last thing, um we assume
by watching on TV, it feels like playoff football is
a different level. But for you two, I mean, you
basically went zero to a hundred, right, Like you go
from not having played in the playoffs. If you're playing
on the road against the team that ends up winning
the Super Bowl and they had been the Super Bowl
the year before. What what is so different about playoff football?
(33:33):
Um Man? It's just it's it's intense because you know,
after that, it's it's you're you're done. You know, it's
it's if you lose, you're done. Um. You know you
you put all that work in, You've done all those
hours of work. Uh, such a long season, such a
long grind, you know, from here to all the way
to like into January, and you're like, man, if we
(33:53):
lose this game, we're just done. UM. So I think
just the pressure of that, um, knowing there's not another
guaranteed week the next week, and then you know, it's
I think just the media because there's only you know,
when we were playing, I think there's only what eight
teams left out of thirty two, and so everybody is
eyeing in on those those games. So the magnitude of
(34:14):
those games are obviously bigger. Um. And then it keeps
getting smaller and smaller throughout the playoffs. So each each week,
just the media and um, just the magnitude surrounding that game,
I think it just puts a little extra on it. Well,
welcome back, and welcome being fully back, um, and thanks
so much for joining us, ye man, thanks for having
me
Thanks for listening to the best of the Doug Gottlieb
Show podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday
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(00:21):
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Boom What America. Doug Gottlieb Show, Fox Sports Radio Live
from Coasta Mesa, California, side of the l A Chargers
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No not Hunter. Henry will join us later on the show.
That's really the story at Chargers Camp right. They went
from a team that got off to an awful start
(01:02):
two years ago and completely turned around to last year
tying for the best record in the a f C
and splitting with the Kansas City Chiefs, beating the Chiefs
on the road, beating the Steelers on the road in
the playoffs, beating the Ravens on the road. There are
better road team in many ways than they were a
home team. But you go from the hunter to the hunted.
(01:26):
And of course with success comes the desire for new contracts.
Case in point, Melvin Gordon still holding out, the star
running back for the Chargers, is holding out for a
contract extension, and they are at an at an impass.
So there in kind of lies the story. Look, we
said this yesterday. By the way, we'll get to Anty Lynn,
the head coach of the Charger set to join us
(01:47):
in moments, maybe five maybe ten minutes. He's doing another
interview that he's gonna pop in. But today it came
out that Ezeki Elliott has said he won't play this
year unless he gets a contract. It's really important to
realize a couple of things. Okay, first thing is this,
this is not a Levian Bell thing. Levian Bell had one.
(02:09):
He had played a year as a franchise Taggias who
he had made some money. Secondly, he lost a bunch
of money and by not playing. But Levion Bell was
actually a free agent last year, he was not under contract.
Zeke Elliott is under contract, so there isn't any I
just I'm not gonna play this year, and then I'll
I'll hold out until I mean, look, he's ultimately going
(02:31):
to hurt himself while hurting the team. Additionally, you look
at the first two games for the Dallas Cowboys, and
those are winnable football games against the Giants and the Redskins,
two teams that are not expected to make the playoffs.
So unlike when Emmett Smith held out, what happens if
the Cowboys win both games without Zeke? But the bigger,
the bigger, the bigger story is this. Jerry Jones has
(02:54):
come out and said, we've made an offer for to
all three quarterback, running back, wide receiver. They'll all be
in the top five. It'll all work. It's Zeke who's
standing out of the line. There's an order, there's a
way to make it all work. But only Ezeki Elliott,
who does not have to be given a new contract,
seems to try and be hopping the line. And there
(03:15):
is nothing more frustrating in life than line hoppers, Right,
is there anything worse in life than somebody who you know,
like you're in the Disneyland line for the new Star
Wars ride and somebody comes up and hops and oh,
it's my family member. Like that, okay, wait what you're
getting ready for airport check in? You know? And they
wheel in some dude who stands up to get out
(03:35):
his I d like, you don't need a wheelchair, wheel
just for wheelchairs. Zeke is a line hopper if he'd
simply wait his turn. So more on the Cowboys upcoming.
Tom Brady has got his house on the market. It's
something interesting about his contract. But let's catch up with
the head coach of the l A Chargers fresh office
season where they tie for the best record in the
(03:56):
a f C's Anthony Lynn. He joins some Fox Sports
radio coach, How are you good? How you doing? I'm
I'm really really well. What's what's camping like? So far?
It was been good, guys working hard. You know, we
someone standing away from the injury. But we have a
few soft tissue injuries here and there like everyone else.
But uh, I like though, what you guys are working
all right? My spies in my own eyes tell me
that the Rams probably I'll played you in the first
(04:18):
day in which you had dual practice, but it was
a much better day for your team in the second day.
Is that? What is that what the film said? You know,
I thought both practice we were up and down. I
thought we competed well, and I thought we were very
professional standing away from fights and things like that. But
uh no, I wasn't keeping score. Was there a better
feeling after the second one than was the first one.
(04:39):
But in the first practice, I thought there was some
good things as well. You know, I was did some
good things. We did some good things, and I'm back
and forth on both fields. And when I'm watching tape,
I like what I saw a lot on that thirsty
practice from my guys, and there are some things that
we need to correct as well. I thought we came
out and started this practice. Uh it was a great environment,
you know. Uh if sorry, this was a lot more
fans are. We competed hard, played well, But there are
(05:01):
some things in that practice. I like to do a
lot a lot better as well. You I mean, everybody's
talking about the fact you don't have your starting running back,
you don't have your starting left tackle. Yeah, either, what's
that adjustment been like without Russell? You know, that's that
was something that called us off guard. And uh, you know,
we have a young guy Transcott Sam Tevy, they've both
been rotating the left left tackle and Russell com he's
(05:21):
hard to replace and he's one of the best left
tackles in the game in my opinion. And so we're
all some young guys that stepping in there doing fine,
but they've got a lot to learn, and uh, they're
don't get plenty of reptions preseason. You're a former running
back and a former running back coach and obviously you're
starting running back is holding out right now? How how
do you handle because I know you have a very
good relationship with Melvine with all your players and all
your running backs, but he personally has a great relationship
(05:44):
with you. How does how has that been to deal with?
That's it's hard because you know it's a conflict of
ventures for me. You know, Tom to let's go those contracts,
and he does a heck of a job with that,
and uh, I'm sure something will get that done. Matt
Melvin knows how I feel about Hill and uh, he
knows how this team feels about them. But right now,
we've got to focus on the guys out of here
man until he gets back. I gotta gotta we have
(06:05):
to continue to develop young man and get him better. Also,
is doing a good job, justin Jackson's doing a good job.
Looking forward to sanding. Those guys played a little bit
more this year, but we got some the other guys
neck group to Jeremy Cox because it's coming up through
the ranks. So we'll see as well as the guy.
I know, I know you guys like um uh, look,
Philip has done this so many years, but there was
a sense that maybe last year, because he likes to work,
(06:28):
likes the reps, maybe his arm tired late in the year.
Now you have Trod Taylor, who's been he was a
starting quarterback week one last year, of course starter when
you were in Buffalo as well. Can can you talk
him into lessening the load so that he has he
has more zip later on the year. But that's his
an older quarterback, it's gotta be a bit of an issue.
We've already addressed that and uh and we're not gonna
(06:50):
wait until player gets tired and starresting him because sometimes
that's too late. But that's not your way though your way,
you I mean, you're an old old school. You're like,
you like to have those guys out there every day,
but but you have to adapt to a personnel that
you have. And you know, Philip is gonna try and
three eight years old and uh, you know sometimes and
he's old school, but uh, as the head coach, I
gotta protect him from himself because he'll come out here
(07:11):
here here trying to work everybody on the field. And
that's that's why he's so good. But uh, we've started
cutting instrayl was way back in O. T A s
and so, uh, I think it's big going well, Derwin
James year two, year one, he made so many plays
just on instincts, right on instincts and on talent. But
now you add and we talked to some of the
guys and like like now he's starting to really think
the game as well. How much better is this level
(07:33):
of Derwin James from what we saw last year? Well
when the season started, will find now I mean right
now in practice, I really like what I see. He's
at a point now where he can actually help people
around him. Last year everyone was helping him, but now
he's helping people around him. So but what we'll say
I expect from the season start for this guy, just
pick up where he left off. I mean, he has
tack up a talent. Everyone learned from a whooping, right,
(07:53):
I mean, when you're a kid, you learn from a whopping,
and when your team learned from a better You guys
took a bit of a whooping in in Foxborough. What
did you as as a young head coach in your
first playoff run? What you learned from that game? You know,
I've watched the game so many times and uh, and
I played in a division for eight years, so I
knew that team. Uh. I think I struggle with is
on a short week because we had to get back
(08:15):
out there on the friday we was on the East Coast.
We came back and had to go back to these coasts. Uh,
Do I make a lot of whole sale changes in
a short week or do arrive with what got us here?
You know? And I think I rolled too much with
what got us there, because you know, you know, sometimes
we'll get you here, won't get you there, right, And
so yeah, we could have made some uh some adjustments
and things like that. I learned that. But you know,
(08:36):
at the same time we came out, we started the
game off a little flat second half. We played a
lot better, but uh, we all learned from it, coaches,
and we know that. You know, that's a great organization,
that's a great football team. If one six super Bowls
or whatever, they're seven, but you know, if you want
to if you want to beat them, then you know,
(08:57):
we just learned this is what you gotta do if
you want to be the best. Or you know, had
had a couple of your guys not made the mistakes
against Denver right at home. You have home field avantage
throughout right and it's one of those things, is that
coach you're like, hey strong, I mean like there's always
like one game like I remember my first year Jacksonville
game that was hard to let go and the last
(09:19):
two interceptions in the last two and had the football
and you couldn't close it out. You don't have to
remind me, but that last year was a Denver game.
You know that the game is you feel like you
had control of and you lost it at the end.
It was just hurt so bad. But yeah, home field
advantage that helps. That gives you a competitive advantage. But
you know, I want my first super Bowl in the road.
You just gotta get back to the tournament. You know.
(09:40):
But right now, for us to get back to the tournament,
we gotta win the first game, and that's coming up
for about three full weeks. Yeah, the hunter to the hunted.
How much different do you think your team's mentality has
to be now that you guys You guys didn't just
have a good year last year. You beat the Ravens
on the road in the playoffs, You beat the Steelers
on the road, You beat the Chiefs on the road,
like you earned the respect of the league. It wasn't
like you had some super soft schedule that you're able
(10:02):
to run through. So now because people respect you, you know,
you got Keenan, you got the unbelievable defensive end Tandemy,
got all these other still skilled, talented skill posion players.
Is there a change in your mentality that's needed because
you've gone from the hunter last year trying to prove
yourself to the hunted this year. You know, I think
we were we were hunted last year. You know, we
(10:22):
came off the way we finished our first year at
ninety seven, even though we missed the playoffs in a
top breaker. You know, we were one of the hottest
teams in the league. I felt like if we could
have gotten in, I like, I like the chances. So
I don't think we call anybody off guard, you know,
into an eighteen. I think they knew we had a
pretty good football team. Uh, you know, we finished more
games and we have finished in previous years for sure.
(10:43):
But uh, I like the mentality of this football team
just the way it is right now. And uh, you
know it maybe maybe considered the hunt you I don't know,
but that shouldn't affect us. No external expectations, external distract
That should not distract us from what we gotta do.
What was it like to build a school man? That
was awesome? That was awesome and uh and to go
(11:04):
to class with the kids and uh, just to feel
their appreciation. And now now what was what was the trip? Like?
I mean you go from here to where where do
you fly to? Well, you fly from here, you lay
over Dubai and you go from Dubai to Killman Joe
and then you drive to Busha. How long How long
was the drive? It was it drive? You know, the
drive was probably a couple of hours, but well that's
(11:26):
the pay for roll. But then you go to the
bush the bush is different. Now, I don't even know
how to describe the bush. But that's where the school is. Now,
that's like a three hour drive and and that's all
dirt road. They called it the African Massage. You're just
bumping the whole time. Brother, You know, you see any
lions or anything else or we saw a lot of wildlife. Man. Okay,
so you get there, and then where are you staying
(11:47):
while you're building the school? Well, we were supposed to
stay in in these tents. Uh, but a couple of
weeks before we got there, a couple of teenagers came
up missing and uh, you know they told us about it.
And you know, it wasn't like we were kidnapped, you know,
uh probably eating but I mean, I mean, I'm just
telling you, So what do you understand. Well, we were
(12:08):
like an hour and a halfway to this lodge and uh,
you know it was it was okay, you know, the
tent might have been nice, but we weren't. We weren't
sleeping outside. But but but a life changing experience. Definitely
a life changing experience, just just being in the environment
every day and uh, leaving them all those people and
watching them live off the land and and survive and
(12:30):
and just uh they were so happy man. And it's
just a tough group of people, you know, very tough,
fervously and just uh appreciation ain't had for the school.
It just it makes me feel just you know, like
we were doing the right thing. Anthony Lynn, head coach,
the l A Chargers coach, wishing nothing but success this season.
Thanks at be sure to catch live editions so the
(12:50):
Doug Got Leaps Show week days at noon eastern three
pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the I Heart
Radio app live from l A Chargers Camp Leave Show,
Fox Sports Radio. And the man who holds the purse
strings for all the money, who I think fans think
if he doesn't give Melvin Gordon new contract, he gets
(13:10):
to keep all the money, right, Like that's the way
it works. Tom Dlasco, General manager of the l A Chargers. Yeah.
So that's actually why you're sitting a little higher because
your wallet is fuller because you have all that money
that everybody wants trying to save it all up. I
have kids, they're gonna go to college in a couple
of years. Um, what we'll get to the Melbourne in
a second. You have you have one other got a
major hole, uh with your with your offense I want
(13:31):
to talk about and then of course the upcoming preseason
game against the Heros and the Cardinals, but just a
general sense, like I feel like two years ago was
your first year here. It was a little bit hodgepodge,
you know, and um, obviously the team got then got
off to a slow start. Last year you had finished
strong with nine and seven, but people are still trying
to figure it out. I feel like the crowds bigger.
(13:52):
I feel like it's kind of become a charger area.
I know the rams are just down the street, but
it feels different just from the setup and and the
import What's it like from your perspective, I would agree
with that. Looking back to two years ago to today,
how much have changed? I mean our first year here,
brand new area, brand new training camp facility, We had
no routine for anything, and but to see it come
(14:12):
the next the next two years, obviously winning twelve games
last year helps. The crowds out here have been tremendous
um and it's a different feeling. Um. I mean it
was different to get you. We had get your bodyguard,
you had your pry, you took out your gold teeth,
which I really appreciate. Let the head coach go first,
get the players out of here, and GM goes last.
But now it's it's it's been a really good setup.
M we've seen it grow. Um, it's actually been fun
(14:34):
to be part of really a professional sports team. You're
really starting from scratch. That's really what it came down to,
new area, new routine, and new head coach. And uh
now it's it's going where we need to go. All right,
how's how's he done it? Like he's he's an interesting
guy because he does not though he comes from the
Bill Parcels regime, he does not strike your His resume
does not strike. Is that guy is gonna be hell
of a head coach? But from two years ago when
(14:58):
you got up to an awful start and you end
up nine seven to last year, it's not just twelve
and four, but twelve and four where you went in Pittsburgh,
you we went in Kansas City, you went in Baltimore,
Like you go into the lines then and and beat
these teams. What's what's the secret? Sauce to Anthony Lynn,
I don't know. I mean you look at who he
came up under. I mean it's it's it's Bill Wash
when he was a player, as Mike Shannahan is a
(15:18):
player and as a coach, and then Bill Parcels. Um,
those are three really good head coaches to learn from. Um,
even Rex Ryan and Buffalo. He had a lot of
responsibilities right on Rex Staff. Um. But as as a
foot football coach, he just has a great presence of
bond him. He's a great leader. Um. He knows when
to be tough on the guys. He knows when to
be flexible sometimes. And the biggest thing is when we
saw two years ago when we started off so slow. Um,
(15:41):
the players really believe in him. Like when he talks
on the practice field, every eyes are all the eyes
are right on him. There's no guys lonok at their shoes,
no guys looking out in the air. I mean he's
he has her full attention, and uh, they believe in him.
He's also old school though, and the new school mentality
is this load management. Right, you got it. And as
as you know from losing Forest Lamp two years ago,
(16:02):
losing Hunter and when O t a s last year
last year, right, it's it sounds great to get all
the work in, but it's a whole lot better when
you have him on the field for as close to
sixteen games as possible. Is he evolving because we just
talked with him and it felt like he's thinking about
holding he said, we've been dialing back Phillips reps, even
(16:22):
going back to O T S, which I never thought
I would hear from Anthony Lynn. Seems like he's evolving.
I think we all are. I think we all have
to kind of change. We We use a lot of
GPS data tracting, like everybody else does. We look at
the load management, but there's certain guys might pouncey Philip
Rivers dial some of those reps back. But I think
the thing that's changed for us last couple of years
is the combined process that we do. We had two
days last week with the with the Rams, we have
(16:44):
two days next week with the Saints. We get a
lot of work once versus ones like high tempo not
quite live, but a higher temple than a regular practice.
So we get all that work in there. So that
may affect how we play preseason games. Um, but it's
a long season and trying to find that balance of
you have to have a tough as it got training camp,
but you got to be smart about it. We're all
looking for that perfect balance. None of us have found
(17:05):
it yet, but but he's dialed in with that. All right.
Everybody wants to know about Melvin Gordon. Um. You know,
it came out a couple of weeks ago that they
had won a new contract. He felt disrespected by it.
Of course, his agents said they requested trade, but you
um said no, you can't. Can't shop him. Is all
that information that's out there, is it all accurate? Yeah?
(17:25):
I mean I don't really listen to a whole lot
of the rhetoric. But we've been you know, we've been
discussing back and forth, going way back for a couple
of months. So um, now it's been clear communication on
both sides just isn't exactly where it needs to be
to have him here. Um. So we've got two plans,
have a plan that is here and plan that is
not here. It's our job to be prepared no matter
what happens, and that's what we'll do. What what should
expectations be like it? Should we expect him you can
(17:47):
show up this week? What? What what should our expectations?
I have no ideas. I don't even worry about it.
I don't look at odds with a chance they'll be
back with expectations. Like I said, we'll have two plans,
one with them here and then one with them not.
And you know we've got we've got last year to
see some of our other backs play and then played
pretty well, and then they got all the work and
O T a s um because Melvin wasn't here for
O T as he was here for the mini camp.
(18:08):
But other than that, um, Justin Jackson, Austin Ekeler and
Detrust Newson took all the snaps and they're taking all
the snaps here and training camp. And you know it
may look different obviously because we know how good Melvin
Gordon is. Uh be a little bit more by committee,
but we have confidence in those guys too. Um. I
guess there's two other questions to it. One why not
let him shop for a deal. You know, I'm kind
(18:28):
of our goal is to win a Super Bowl, right,
so I have a hard time trading a player that
they could help us win a super Bowl. You know
we've invested to him. We draft them in the first
round for a reason. We traded up to take him. Um,
and we've seen his game just evolved, you know, from
his rookie year till now. And and he's a great kid,
he's a great player. And uh, I'm not really in
the mode of giving players a way to somebody else
helped them win. Okay, how doug in are you in
(18:49):
terms of dollar figures? We pretty much have an area
where where we want to be. And like I said,
it's if it works out, I'd love it too. And
if it doesn't, you know, we'll talk about again the
end of the season. Um, we'll have a plan. If
he's not here, then we'll go with you guys. We
have all right, then you got pr you get Philip Rivers,
who's just thirty eight years old. Six or twenty seven kids,
(19:10):
I've I've completely lost track here. How many you have? No?
Do you have any idea what their names are? It
is not I think it's nine. Yeah, I think I
think it's nine. Um, but now we see Brady, and
it's not really an extension with Brady, right, it's it's
a deal. Explain what they did from a front office perspective,
it feels like they kicked the can down the and
(19:31):
to save themselves some money. I haven't seen the actual
numbers yet. I'm assuming they gave him a race for
this year and just to help out with with the
salary cap space just be an extend. So what does that?
How does that hurt you? How does that hurt you?
Hurt you in the future, like you have to pay
it could possibly I don't know what their cap situation
is down the road, have no idea. So um, So
what's it like to deal with Philip? That thirty eight
year old quarterback? You know, but he had an outstanding year,
(19:52):
might have tired a little bit late in the year.
What's it been like to to to have him and
your expectations of how long you'll have him? Yeah, I mean, uh,
I don't want to put a ceiling on it, but
you know, I've told him, we've been Um, we're on
the same page with Philip. He's great to work with
and and I said, obviously you're a quarterback this year.
Obviously if I said, you know, we wanted to be
our quarterback in two thousand twenty and maybe even beyond
(20:13):
what we'll see. But but I want to make sure
there's no one's certainty with him that even though he's
not under contract for next year, Like he's our guy
for next year. We want him here. I know he
wants to be here. I said, we'll get the contracts
figured out at some point, but there was no one's
certain to hear like he's our guy next year and
maybe even longer. We'll see. I don't think he's I
don't think he's looking. I know you guys probably talk
to him. I don't know how far out he's looking, um,
(20:33):
but I know he's ready to go for this year
and next year. We talked to Hill, We'll talk to him.
Tom plesco joining us. He's the Chargers, GM and Stug
gotlip show. You're on Fox Sports Radio. Um, And then
you had kind of the scary news about Russell wil Kung,
who's uh, not only super talented, super bright. We share
the same university obviously, so you have to be bright
just to get into Oklahoma State. But but he is.
(20:54):
But he is a super bright dude. And he has
a pulmonary embulli bollism, So he has a blood clot
that went all the way to his heart like that
to lung was always lung, sorry, pulme in there in
my bad um, so John Carroll University by the way,
there you go. Excellent. So what I mean first, you're
concerned about his health? Yes, absolutely, but I know how
blood clots work, like you can't you can't make human
(21:15):
contact with somebody else because you're on blood thinner for
a certain amount of time. When did you find out
about this and what's the like prognosis? Yeah, so what
happened in early June? And uh, you know, obviously an
injury that you know, we don't see very often, and
thank god that he caught it at the right time.
And and we're lucky that between whole hospital here in
Newport and ceter sign I has got great people to
work with them. And it's just like a wait and see. Um,
(21:38):
there's just a kind of open timetable. But the number
one thing is it makes sure you're healthy, It makes
sure he's safe and that and then we'll just wait
like that's just it is what it is. But it's
usually three because I told the story my friend Miles
Simon's assistant with the Lakers, He's like, the three months
is usually and then they have to do scans, keep
doing scans and make sure there's no other cloths they'll
still be checkpoints along the way, but I don't you know,
we won't know anything so probably early September. Have there
(21:59):
been any of their class are just that one? I think,
just the one that I'm aware of. But we'll see
where he is in September and kind of go from there.
It could be early, it could be later. I'm not
really sure. But we want to make sure he's healthy
and safe number one, and we'll take the rest of
it from there. What did you learn from the thumping
in New England? Oh, man, A lot? Um that it was.
(22:20):
It was we had such a good season and for
the end that like that in that game, that just
didn't seem like that was us. I mean, I don't
know if anybody played well in that game. Um. And
it happens obviously they were good football team. That farther
getting the playoffs, you played better teams. Um, just for
us that day, it just didn't Uh, it didn't happen. Um.
A lot of it is my fault. As far as
the defensive side of the bar linebacker group, we just weren't.
(22:42):
We didn't have enough guys there. I mean, Gus Bradley
did the best job you could have done with what
we had in the late inn the season the playoffs,
we played six defensive back seven defensive backs. But in
the end, you know, when you when you really get
down in the playoffs, you gotta have a full defense,
and we didn't have enough there. And then offensive we
just didn't move the ball that well. Um. But uh,
you know, you just have to get back on the
(23:03):
horse and start all over again. But that's weird, Like
what's that feeling like to have won in Kansas City
in Pittsburgh, go and win and beat Baltimore League before
and then you're just so helpless. You guys are down.
It was, it was, it was seven, it was it
was ugly early. We fought back at the end, which
I'm not surprised, but it was way way too late. Um.
But the thing is, you take that and I used
the example with our team and I'm not sure what
(23:24):
year it was with the Colts. Um we had a
we had a pretty good year. We go to New
York to play the Jets in the playoffs, They'd be
just like forty one and nothing. It wasn't even close.
And that next year, that game that drove us the
whole offseason to how it ended like that to lose
that badly, and that's we have to use for this.
I mean, I don't want to forget about that game.
We had a good year last year, twelve and fourth
(23:44):
time for the division title. But I don't want to
forget that New England game because that should drive us
through because we have to start all over again. You
me mentioned linebackers in Kansas City obviously last year, Um,
you know, they beach pretty good, although there was some
couple of you know, makeable plays, you know, four drops
in the end zone. Maybe it's a different game, but
you finally finally get the monkey off your back and
beat Kansas City on the road at their play. But
(24:06):
they had to change their defense and they did somewhat.
And they still have that slinger back there at quarterback
and all the all their weapons. What how are the
Chargers going to look different and better this year from
last season? Well, I think our defense has changed a
little bit. Um. Like I said, we actually can play
with linebackers a little bit more often. We had to
Thomas Davis there. Um, Jerry Tillery is starting to get
more of work. He'll be more probably more full next week. Um,
(24:29):
But our defense is physical and as fast, and we'll
see where that goes. Offensively, it may look different. We
don't know. If Melvin's get back there, will will they
be there? Will he not? Um our offensive line will
not be exactly the same as it was last year.
More than likely our two opening day tackles are Joe
Barksdale and Russell Coon so went and Joe was no
longer here, so um that may look different. Um. Tyrell
Williams is no longer here, so I'm Mike Williams, who
(24:50):
were really happy with He'll have a bigger role may
not be the exact same role at Tyrrell have because
Tyrrell has a different skill set than Mike. You have
Hunter really back. You have Hunter back. So it's like
every year is a different team. I mean, the core
of our teams together, but it's just not the exact
same teams last year. Should be should be really really
fun to watch. Appreciate your time and your insight and
Linda hang out and watch your practice anytime. Thanks for
coming out. Be sure to catch live edition so the
(25:11):
Doug Dot Leap Show week days at noon Eastern three
pm Pacific. Doug Got Leap Show rolls on here live
at Chargers camp on Fox Sports Radio, and it was
unbeknownst to him he was getting ready to play on
Monday night or Thursday night was Monday Night football. It's
going back to last year. Of course, his hunter Henry
Star tight end l a Chargers um. Obviously last year
you missed most of it because of the knee injury.
(25:33):
But what was it like when stephen A had the
Freudian I don't watch the Chargers ever slip and said
you were you were the reason that the Chargers were
gonna win. Yeah. Man, big shout out to Steve and
I giving me relevant even when I wasn't playing. Man,
I was actually at the Kansas City. I was with
the team and we were, you know, playing Thursday night football.
And uh, I was with this team because I wanted
(25:55):
to go to the game. I was still trying to
be involved and it was a big game. So I
was like, I'm gonna go to this game. And I
wake up in the tell that day, everybody my phone
is blowing up. I'm like, I'm not even playing in
the game, Like what is going on? And that comes
to our breakfast room. We're all eating breakfast together and
across the things Stephen A is talking and talking about me,
and I'm like, what is going on right now? So
(26:18):
crazy crazy thing that, Um yeah, Steve and A needs
to pay attention to a little bit more. Well. I
I actually think that's kind of part and parcel to
the plight of the Chargers, right Yeah. Like, look, I
just for full disclosure, I'm actually a Charger fan. But
it's it's amazing that whether they were in San Diego
or since moving to l A, like you're in l
A actually had the best record in the guys had
the best record in the a f C. And it's like,
(26:39):
on some level in the national discussion, you guys don't
exist until Melvin decided to hold out like that, Now
that's the only reason they talk to Chargers. So what's
that like To operate kind of in this kind of
undercover sort of way. I think we have a bunch
of guys that really like it. Honestly. Um, it's it's
it's honestly nice because I mean, obviously you hear the
hype and you hear the people talking about it. But
(26:59):
I think we like kind of being the dark horse
to under the underdog. Um, we like that mentality. We
have a lot of guys in here that kind of
have love embracing that mentality. So anytime you know you're
able to do that just from the outside, the fans,
different things like that, you try to embrace anything you
can to kind of take that under underdog mentality on. Um,
how much did you learn from watching last year? A
(27:22):
ton Man, It's give me just a I think I
knew appreciation for the game and the new appreciations just
surever being out here every single day, and um, it
was it was a tough It was one of the
toughest years I've ever been through. And but I'm just
I'm pumped to be back and excited for this year.
You you mentioned that Kansas City game, there's the Pittsburgh
come back, there's the Kansas City come back. Something about
(27:44):
this team one like every season bad starts to most
seasons and and turning it around, but to the ability
to it's not just come back and win, but you
come from behind and win on the road in places
like Pittsburgh, in Kansas City, and to to dominate in
Baltimore as well. Um. Having having been able to watch
more than play, what what what specifically did you learn
(28:06):
about your team's ability to do that. We just got
a bunch of fighters, man and guys that don't want
to give up. And I think that starts with our
with our head coach and just kind of his mentality
and just kind of what he instills in us, UM
and I think he he never gives up on us.
And you know, we see that kind of that attitude
that he has and he brings it to the field
(28:26):
and the meeting room and just our facility every single day.
And then I think we all just feed off that.
And uh, you know, we have guys have been here too.
I think guys have UM, we're starting to have carry
over where we have you know, guys that are continuously here,
you know, four or five years, so we've been with
each other and so we know each other really well.
And so Phil has been here. I'm just talking about
(28:46):
the core. When you got a team turns over a lot,
especially in the NFL. So UM, when you have a
core group of guys, five or six guys that you know,
you know and you're here multiple years, I think that
unity and just knowing each other it helps you get
through that. Ever city. Last year you were you were
doing sprints super early and guys are like people are hip, like, hey,
he's gonna come back mid season, and um, you end
(29:08):
up making it back obviously to the to the Patriots game.
Till the uh to to the divisional was that the
was the conference was that there was the division round, Like,
hey whatever the second round was, Um, how much different better?
I assume? Do you feel now in terms of walking
on the field not having played for a year in Foxborough? Uh,
feel way better than I did and walking out that
(29:30):
day for sure. Uh, not that I didn't feel good
that day, Um, but it was just where I am
now compared to then. It was. It's kind of nine
and day difference. You also, I think are going to
have to chiple up it this year right with like
no Russell right now? Or how's how's your blocking? We're
always we're always ready to shift. We're always ready to
help out. I think tight ends and backs kind of
know that. Uh, anytime we're go into there's a there's
(29:51):
a lot of elite pass reserves. No matter who your
tackle is. I think there's there's so many elite pass
rushers you gotta be ready to shift weekend and week Yeah. So, um,
that's kind of one of the questions about it's got
to be hard to know where the line stands because
you're going against Melvin and Joey, right, Like, this is
not normal to have that type of pass rush. Is
there ever moments where like, look, guys, we know you
(30:12):
guys suck today, but you're going against Melvin and Joey,
so we'll give you a little bit of a pass.
I don't know if it's that, but you know there's
days where obviously, they have their days where you're like, man,
they're you know, they look really really good, and it's
you know, they're they're really good. So but then there's
days where our guys are just they're they're doing awesome,
and uh, we're like, shoot, we're gonna be able to
hold up. You know where we're going against these guys.
(30:34):
We're able to hold up against these guys, then, I mean,
we can hold up against pretty much everybody knows. How
would you if if somebody said Derwin James, like one
of your boys, like Derwin James, tell me about him,
what would you say? Ah, Man, he's he's a he's
a freak uh great great football player. Man, he has
a he has a lot of obviously, athletic attributes to
help him along big fast. Um, you know he's, uh,
(30:58):
he's and then the thing to he's he's becoming really smart.
That's the thing too. He's you know, he's reading routes, um,
you know, reading kind of just the different round combinations
and stuff. So you kind of have to mix it
up on him. But it's it's fun going to get so.
We love competing at each other. Is it official? Is
Antonio done right? Like you do? You don't you just
feel like you know he's gonna try and show up
and take a couple of your catches away. Um, No,
(31:20):
I wouldn't say that. I don't have no idea. I'm
gonna let the front office deal with that. But uh,
but I mean I love that guy. He's he's done
a ton for me. So I mean I'm always I'm
always embracing having him around because he's he's he's my guy.
He's like a big brother to me. What has this
been like dealing with the absence you know of your
running back. You know you have other running you have
a good group. Um, but you're trying to install an offense.
(31:41):
You're trying to get a rhythm here for the preseason
games and you don't have the guy you'd assume who's
going to get the ball most often. What's that adjustment? Like, Yeah,
it's different. Um. You know, every year I've been here,
we've had Melvin Um. But you know, we love Melvine.
We love him. I love that guy, and uh, you know,
he's one of my good friends on the team, and uh,
we love I love having him in ker him. But
(32:04):
you know, he's gotta do what he's gotta do, and Uh,
I'm behind him on what he's gotta do. Um. But
you know, obviously these guys are you know, Austin Um
justin you know, the Trez. We have some guys that
are they're having a great camp. Uh, they're doing great.
So we you know, you gotta work with those guys
right right now. But we definitely miss Melvin Um and
(32:24):
you know, looking forward to hope, you know, having a
backup when he comes back. You were close to being
considered a superstar tight end before you got hurt. Now
you have the preseeen games. How much do you want
to play in those games? Um, you know, I don't
know how much I'm gonna play. I don't I'm not
gonna play I'm gonna get some reps. For sure. You
want the reps or you want to look, I just
want to kill and wait till it's real football. I
(32:47):
think I want some reps. I don't need too many.
Um really, I mean I've obviously I've I've been in
some games before, and um, I kind of know that.
But I definitely I think I want to get in
there a little bit, especially when the ones are going.
I think that's that's what I want to do. If
the ones are kind of roll and just at least
offensive line Virgil, if we're kind of going, I definitely
want to go in there. I don't really want to
go with the twos and threes, just because I want
to kind of build, uh some relationships, just some continuity
(33:10):
with the line and Virgil. Last thing, um we assume
by watching on TV, it feels like playoff football is
a different level. But for you two, I mean, you
basically went zero to a hundred, right, Like you go
from not having played in the playoffs. If you're playing
on the road against the team that ends up winning
the Super Bowl and they had been the Super Bowl
the year before. What what is so different about playoff football?
(33:33):
Um Man? It's just it's it's intense because you know,
after that, it's it's you're you're done. You know, it's
it's if you lose, you're done. Um. You know you
you put all that work in, You've done all those
hours of work. Uh, such a long season, such a
long grind, you know, from here to all the way
to like into January, and you're like, man, if we
(33:53):
lose this game, we're just done. UM. So I think
just the pressure of that, um, knowing there's not another
guaranteed week the next week, and then you know, it's
I think just the media because there's only you know,
when we were playing, I think there's only what eight
teams left out of thirty two, and so everybody is
eyeing in on those those games. So the magnitude of
(34:14):
those games are obviously bigger. Um. And then it keeps
getting smaller and smaller throughout the playoffs. So each each week,
just the media and um, just the magnitude surrounding that game,
I think it just puts a little extra on it. Well,
welcome back, and welcome being fully back, um, and thanks
so much for joining us, ye man, thanks for having
me
Host
Doug Gottlieb
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