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We’ve just released Episode 119 of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast.
Our synopsis for Episode 119 is below:
Mercifully, the 2025 Preseason ended on Saturday and ‘real football’ is just around the corner for the Bolts (in Brazil!). Today on TDU we share our takeaways from the Chargers 2-2 preseason record. What did and didn’t matter? What did we see as important, challenging and interesting? We also look further afield to Tuesday’s roster cutdown, discussing Daniel Popper’s final 53 man prediction and sharing our own thoughts ahead of a busy few days for Joe Hortiz and Company at Chargers’ HQ. 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)
Another enjoyable show.
I don’t expect the Chargers to be unbalanced in the run direction (i.e., running significantly more to the left than middle and right). That would minimize the benefit of their only OL upgrade, Becton, whose biggest strength is run blocking.
Interesting data on screen passes. Agree it would be a positive to use them a bit more often.
With regard to the discussion on getting players to the practice squad, it seems worth pointing out that more than 1100 players are going to be waived or released today and tomorrow, and any team making a claim must make room on its final roster. Obviously claims happen, but I think as fans we tend to overrate how likely it is that players the Chargers are waiving are to be claimed.
With regard to Miller-Hines, IMO it is easy to overemphasize his two PR muffs and one fumble. He is a veteran with a long history in the NFL but coming off two years of not playing. I seriously doubt the muffs/fumble are representative of his ability to impact the roster. He is a better runner, receiver, blocker, and returner (punts and kickoffs) than Vidal. Glad to see we agree on this, Alister.
Very surprised to hear Jack predict Davis doesn’t make it and Reagor does as the returner. IMO either Davis or Miller-Hines is the primary returner, no one else. Although I agree Reagor is a better WR than Davis, the reason to cut Davis would be to save a roster spot, not to dedicate it to Reagor. I suspect Ficken wants Davis, so I suspect he will be the guy. Agree with Andy that Davis might have actual trade value. You guys know I have posted about this a number of times earlier this offseason.
I think there is zero chance Dye gets cut. Zero.
Regarding Wax vs. Murphy, I would point out that 2 Edge players will play on every defensive snap… not true for ILB. Murphy is more likely to play more snaps IMO.
Regarding St. Juste, the GAC guys have made a big deal that he was practicing with the first team defense. They seemingly view that as making him a lock.
Bridges sucks. He shouldn’t even make the practice squad.
Jack said that Reed had a better grade on special teams than Taylor. That is true, but the delta was 73.0 to 72.3. Not much of a difference there, though I do agree that Reed is a better corner than Taylor.
Closing observation, you titled the show ‘predictions’ but I think you guys really delivered what you would do moreso than what you think the team will do. That’s fine if that was your objective, but that wouldn’t then be predictions.
Thanks mate!
Responding in turn:
- I don’t expect them to be unbalanced either. Will they be less effective though running to the right? Will they use Becton instead as the puller on power and counter runs to the left? All things to monitor.
- Thank you. More ‘easy buttons’ for Herbert would be good. Screens are one of them.
- Agree we tend to overestimate other teams’ interest in our cut players. Maybe Tucker Fisk, for example, would make it back to our PS.
- We agree on Miller-Hines. I worry that Harbaugh, who sounded peeved by the errors from Saturday’s game in his presser, will adopt a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy to Hines-Miller (especially since his ypc and receiving stats didn’t otherwise stand out this preseason). I would keep him though predicting growth as he continues to work back into football shape and form.
- Yes, I think you’re right, the choice for returner is most likely between DD and Miller-Hines.
- Dye is not getting cut nor should he be. Jack was probably getting bored at that point in the show. That’s my beneficial interpretation haha.
- I would have Murphy > Wax. I do not see the pathway to playing time for Wax at LB and his STs grades weren’t good. He’s a PS candidate IMO, even though this comment upset a number of our listeners.
- I also think St Juste is a lock and Minter has singled him out a few times for praise. Guess I’ll have to trust the staff because I saw enough of him at the Commanders (last season especially) not to think too much of him in coverage, and his preseason performances were brutal.
- I’m regretting the 5 games of All-22 I watched from Bridges’ college career after we drafted him. Doubt we ever speak the name again after Tuesday.
- Totally agree on this observation but couldn’t be bothered calling him out. Sam Monson was discussing how PFF Grades also aren’t really built for smaller samples and obviously become more accurate over time. I try not to rely on them too much for individual preseason performances. Branson Taylor registering only a 0.9 Pass Blocking Grade against the Rams despite allowing only 1 pressure from 21 pass blocking reps is one example.
- Your closing observation is fair, I think. We may have offered same commentary on what we think the team will do for certain position groups, but it wasn’t consistent. On a personal note, I will be transparent and say I don’t find 53 man roster predictions especially interesting. Not with the extended PS rules and our GM’s willingness to go shopping shortly after cutdown day. I enjoy some of the strategic discussions and making general observations in the lead-up, but it doesn’t move me much. Probably why I don’t publish a projected 53. Luckily, many others (including your good self) fill that void!
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