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We've just released Episode 84 of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast.
Our synopsis for Episode 84 is below:
The Bolts showed more signs of life on Offense in Wk 2 of the Preseason but fell short 13-9 to the Rams at SoFi Stadium. Was it a case of Stick, Stank, Stunk? Will Herbert’s return to practice soothe all wounds? Join us today as we discuss it all. Don't miss it!
You can also listen on Spotify below (or download on audio wherever you like to listen to podcasts):
As always, you can support us by doing any or all of the following:
- Rec'ing this post and leaving any thoughts/feedback you have in the comments section below.
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Hope you enjoy the episode! Thanks so much for listening ![]()
Alister (@TDU_Alister)
Listened during a great morning of "feeling like Fall while still Summer" golf. A few comments:
Offense:
- Backup QBs:
- Not sure what's up with Stick, but the dude looks much worse than last year. I went back and watched some all-22 of his games last year. His footwork, decisiveness and ball security was much better in 2023. I think the 2024 Chargers can win games with 2023 Stick. Much less confident in the dude I've watched in 2 games this year
- I'm curious to see what happens with Perez. Dude is 29 (a year older than Stick). I love his leadership and decisiveness, but his weak arm and limited athleticism does not make him a great developmental project. I think they brought him in to play camp arm and give them a reason to get rid of Duggan
- Speaking of Duggan - Vaya con dios. As I said at the time, I hate wasting any draft picks and this was quite obviously a wasted pick.
- I agree that the #2 QB in 2024 may not be on the roster
- RBs:
- Agree that Vidal looked great. Reminded me of Maurice Jones-Drew. I think he's clearly RB#3 (and I'm comfortable with him ascending to RB1
- I thought Spiller looked good in limited reps. Great catch & run. Reminds me a bit of Natrone Means. I hope the Chargers find a way to keep him as I think they'll need him this year & don't think he'll clear waivers.
- I think Patterson & Dotson clear waivers and land on the PS. I also think both will have meaningful carries in 2024
- WRs:
- Interesting decisions to make on the bottom end of the roster. I think there's a very good chance that whoever they cut does not clear waivers.
- Fehoko has looked great in game situations, but I think the Chargers keep Rice over Fehoko as Semi is more likely to clear waivers.
- I thought Jaelen Gill has looked good as a returner. He'll definitely clear waivers. With Gill on the PS, does that put Davis on the roster bubble?
- OL:
- Agree with most of the comments.
- I did think that Jaimes has played decent C. His lack of strength will always be a liability, but he's smart, works hard & moves well.
- The fact that we're talking about Foster Sarell making the team shows that, behind Salyer, the depth is shit.
Defense:
- I thought Dean Leonard looked like the best player on the field.
- Every LB looked great.
- This coaching staff... Whew. It's such a breath of fresh air. Any loss in 2024 will be on the players as this coaching staff will give the Chargers an advantage in every game they play. Very excited to see this defense play meaningful games.
- Tart looked amazing. If Hortiz can build a solid interior DL to go along with what looks like a strong LB/DB & elite edge group, this defense could be top-5.
Again, great podcast. The jokes make my fucked-up golf game less painful...
I knew there was a reason I picked this podcast to listen to before the regular season - Jack back with his teachable moment!!! Well done. Really enjoyed the show during an unexpected hour plus long SoCal commute.
I have watched no preseason games or paid much attention this offseason except reading the articles and comments on Stormcloud so I have to say your show to my surprise gave me even more hope than I already had (I am huge Harbaugh fan) for the coming season. Consistent weak spots on this team are being addressed-run defense, O line depth, CB depth.
Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to listening to the show regularly as we head into the regular season.
One final thought. I’ve always liked the show you guys are definitely entertaining but it struck me that the depth of analysis has taken a big leap since I first started listening what two years ago? It is a testament to the investment you have been making to learn the finer points of the game. I think I have watched probably 2,000 plus NFL games over the years and you guys understand the game much better than I do at this point.
Doesn't seem like a Harbaugh thing to do to cut or trade a player who made the All Pro (in some capacity) as a rookie NFL player.
By no means am I saying I think it WILL happen, but I have the exact opposite take on Harbaugh (and Hortiz) here.
This seems like something almost no head coach or GM other than those who are the most strong-willed and confident in their approach to team building would do, especially in their first season remaking a roster.
Certainly Telesco would never do it. Staley would never do it. McCoy would never do it. Lynn probably would never do it if only due to his strong loyalty to his players... but Harbaugh has no loyalty to Davis.
Would Belichick do it? I think so, if circumstances warranted. Tomlin? I think so. Andy Reid? I think so.
Etc.
It might be different if Davis was a really strong leader in the locker room, but I have no indication of that.
Again, I have been on the record for a while now saying that I think it SHOULD happen but DO NOT think it WILL happen. Still feel that way.
I think in your matrix his All Pro status would sit under the "impact of the player" evaluation.
In my matrix, all 1st team All Pros are not created equal. I don't think that is particularly controversial... we're not talking about cutting/trading Slater or Derwin... 1st team All Pro for any offensive player or any defensive player >>>>>> 1st team All Pro for any special teams player.
To put it another way, if the best punt returner makes virtually no impact (approximately +5.4 yards per game above average in punt return yards), why is it worth dedicating a roster spot to a player solely for that role? My argument is that it doesn't. Davis isn't Devin Hester.
As I have posted before, I think this is a bit of a Moneyball-like inefficiency... that some teams overvalue returners in today's game. The Chargers should not be one of them and would be smart to take advantage of that and trade him for a pick.
I'm just repeating myself at this point, so I'll stop on Davis. However, on this:
I think somewhere in the matrix setting the locker-room culture also has to be a feature, and I think Harbaugh would have to assess that before cutting or trading a guy who made the All Pro last year.
Well, suppose Davis was kept instead of Morris-Brash, as an example. How does that affect locker room culture? Dude has played great so far. Has Davis earned a roster spot over him? That's just one example.
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