We’ve just released Episode 81 of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast.
Our synopsis for Episode 81 is below:
The Chargers had their first padded practice on Monday. Join us today as we share our takeaways before breaking down some of the team’s 2024 Opponents, this week the AFC North. Don’t miss it!
You can also listen on Spotify below (or download on audio wherever you like to listen to podcasts):
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Hope you enjoy the episode! Thanks so much for listening 🙂
Alister (@TDU_Alister)
Long time team fan, podcaster (with Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast), husband to a beautiful wife, friend to all fellow Chargers fanatics, and father-to-be!
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Both Peyton Manning and Brees missed games due to a partial/full tear of the plantar fascia, which is not the same thing, but worth noting that pushing plantar fasciitis too hard can lead to a tear. Both of them were older, though, so maybe that would be a difference for Herbert.
Listened to the pod during a hot, sweaty round of summer golf.
First, the South Park “Blame Canada" bit was awesome. Well done!
Pittsburg:
Cleveland:
Ravens:
Sorry – forgot to post about Cincinnati:
Sadly, the Herbert news probably impacts some of the early season game predictions. The reports I’ve read from “online doctors" is that planter fascia pain can be significant and ongoing. Even if Justin’s healthy enough to start the season, I worry that it will affect his play. At a minimum, I think we can forget about some of the QB Sweeps/RPO game early in the year. *Sigh*
I agree with your overall takes: Some differences:
I think Russell had a better year in Denver than most would care to admit. That said, but I’m not sure about the Arthur Smith scheme fit. Smith’s Offense generally attacks the middle of the field with PA boot working off outside zone, and I’m just not convinced that Russell has ever shown himself to be great in that type of system.
I think calling Lamar a ‘great athlete but not a great QB’ is selling a 2x NLF MVP a little short. But I take the overall point.
If the Chargers go 4-0 against the AFC North (as you seem to believe is possible, or even probable) then I will be paying for ALL of the drinks, when we catch up over Xmas in Melbourne 🙂
Thanks mate
I think the thing that is unique about your podcast is that you guys are friends and genuinely like spending time together. That, a good sense of humor and a modicum of talent creates a great podcast. It’s going to be strange if we’re able to connect when I’m in Melbourne (which is looking very like it’s going to happen this December). In each of your podcasts, I feel like I’m sitting there with you guys talking shit about the Chargers. I feel like I know each of you. Gonna be a bit weird, because I’m one step removed from being a complete stranger to you guys. Looking forward to having a pint or two on you after the Chargers go 3-1 against the AFC-North.
I agree that Wilson was better under Payton, but that was all coaching. Wilson is a great improviser. His strength was his ability to buy time with his legs. Russ turns 36 this season. I have serious doubts that he’s going to learn Smith’s offense well enough to be a game manager-type QB and that his skills are degraded enough to seriously detract from his ability to “cook."
For Jackson, I like watching the highlights. Great runs. Occasional great passes. If you watch him play in games where defenses force him to pass, he struggles to execute consistently. I think the Chargers have enough ex-Ravens on their staff to come up with a really good plan to stop the Raven’s offense. The game will come down to Herbert’s ability to make a few big plays and the defense stopping the run. Do that and I think they win.
What did you think of today’s exchange b/w Popper and Harbaugh
Tau837 😆
Harbaugh presser: https://www.chargers.com/video/head-coach-jim-harbaugh-on-continuing-preseason-prep
Popper does not quit! Tenacious indeed.
His questions were spot on. He wants to know when it happened. Was it an aggravation of something pre-existing. Will it impact the progress of the Offense. None of those questions are answered by the press statement. Harbaugh with a few evasive responses. Good on Popper 😂
Their back and forths will be weekly viewing
As for Harbaugh, I think he gave answers along the lines of what I wrote in our last exchange… “on to Cincinatti…" I didn’t sense that he got aggravated, he just politely held his ground and refused to give up info he either didn’t have yet or didn’t want to divulge. Good for Harbaugh.
I like Popper. I did think his article after the “he’s working through something" exchange was unnecessarily critical about that exchange. You may have written in the past that Popper was unnecessarily aggressive, and I’m not sure I agreed at the time… probably because I was already done with Staley, so I had a bias. In this case, I think Popper is being a bit unnecessarily aggressive, and I wish he would ease off a bit.
In saying that, I get that he is doing his job. But there comes a point when you know you aren’t getting anything from the coach, and thus it is on the player… would be nice if Popper stopped digging, at least until/unless the Chargers are losing a number of games.
I think Popper’s pursuit of the ‘truth’ is awesome for fans. He is a truth-seeking journalist who asks better questions than any of his peers, and manages to extract information for fans that they can’t. But, as you say, if it’s to the detriment of his relationship with the interviewee it may mean that in the future he doesn’t get the ‘early scoop’ on certain newsworthy items that they may be more likely to leak to those with whom they have a close relationship.
That is the dance Popper must attempt to perform. Asking the tough questions without fear or favour, whilst still respecting those boundaries across which venturing will not benefit him.
I think he does a pretty darn good job overall. But it’s a fine line!
You weren’t the only one with a bias on this topic don’t worry 😉 I was quick to leap to the defence of BS that’s for sure
Dan Wolkenstein asked him two benign, softball questions in that clip (any themes or standout players) and Coach stonewalled him. Everyone is just going to have to get used to his shtick.
If I have to sacrifice forthcoming quotes in press conferences for good to great coaching, I will gladly support that.
https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1818774316718453159
@alisterlloyd
I listened to it while I worked, another solid episode. My early prediction against the AFC North opponents; the Bolts win 2 games against the Steelers and Bengals of the AFC North, but lose at Cleveland and at home against the Ravens. I think the AFC North is the toughest division in football this year. To win 2 games against this division will be big.
Gus, Dobbins, Vidal and Patterson to make the 53-man roster at RB’s is my early prediction before preseason games. Spiller to be back in the PS behind Dotson. Can’t wait to watch the battles among these four RBs in the coming preseason games. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dotson creeps up ahead of Spiller to challenge Vidal and Patterson but to barely miss the 53-man roster cut. I’m surprised however, Patterson has gotten the attention of the coaches already over the others for a smaller back under 200 lbs (5.33/40 speed, 195 lbs) whereas Vidal (4.46/40, 215 lbs) and Dotson (4.43/40, 202 lbs) are bigger and faster. Could it be that Patterson sees the field better? I can’t wait to watch this group fighting it out.
I never watched Patterson coming out of Buffalo in college, but these rookie highlights show some reasonable vision and decisiveness:
We’ve all fallen for training camp darlings at one stage or another, so I’ll let this one play out through preseason without expecting anything.
@alisterlloyd
Thanks for the video. Hadn’t seen a video of Patterson until this one. He’s got an unique ability to maneuver thru congested traffic making the first and 2nd defender miss and with excellent vision. He hits the hole like a bigger RB and surprisingly very physical for a small back.
Today, it seems Patterson has a chance to make the final roster, assuming they keep 4 RBs. He could be the #3 or #4 , with Vidal. If they were to keep just 3 RBs, it would surprise me if Patterson would make it over Vidal, but I suppose it could happen. It would be much less surprising to me if Spiller misses the final roster.
But, as noted by Alister, long way to go. If I had to guess today, I predict Patterson won’t make it.
@tau837
Yes, these all very early projections. To carry 3 RBs, I agree Patterson won’t make it over Vidal. Plus, Vidal can’t be stashed away in the PS whereas Patterson, he will be safe there. Roman’s 4 seasons with the Ravens: 2 seasons with 3 RBs + 1 FB and 2 seasons with 4 RBs + 0 FB in the 53-man rosters. With McFadden taking more and more snaps at FB, there is a good chance they carry 4 RBs.
After watching the video Allister posted, Patterson can really play in this league, not sure about him being trusted over the others for just his experience.