We’ve just released Episode 159 of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast
Our synopsis is below:
#BoltUp! An agonising, penalty-filled nightmare at Lumen Field. Despite 30 total penalties called in the game—the most in a single NFL game since 2003—and a heroic late-game push from a battered Justin Herbert, the Chargers fall 30-23 to the Seattle Seahawks. Sitting at 0-4 with an injured roster and four rookies forced onto the offensive line, the panic button has been completely smashed. Today on Thunder Down Under Chargers, we break down the chaos, field your rawest reactions, and analyse what’s left for this season.
What we cover today:
🏈 Seahawks Recap & 30-Penalty Chaos: Herbert’s tough first half, a gutted roster losing leaders like Derwin James and Joe Alt, the second-half battle behind a rookie-laden offensive line, and Nwosu’s game-sealing strip-sack. 💬 Fan Comments & TDU’s Response: We dive straight into X (Twitter) to read and respond to your most fiery, heartbroken, and unfiltered takes following the 0-4 start. 🎓 #TeachableMoment: Jack hits the whiteboard to examine why this offense remains so terribly disjointed early in games and what adjustments must be made ahead of two massive division games against Denver and Kansas City.
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 🙂
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!
I listened to the show. Thank you guys for your talent and hard work. And your ability to maintain your composure in covering the Spanos shit show.
in regard to ranking the blame I would spread it as follows:
(1) Ownership – track record speaks volumes. Terrible, cheap, clueless, nepotism, unqualified, bologna pimps, and unable to solve the business equation in San Diego. I could keep going.
(2) Coaching – the complete lack of preparation is astounding. 2-new coordinators and a team not prepared to play football. Instead of grinding through reps during the offseason our genius OC (Gilligan) is having our QB change his footwork and work with a medicine ball. The complete lack of oversight by Harbaugh/MM to have any clue that this team was not ready is shockingly negligent. It feels like every player has stalled or regressed.
(3) GM Joe Hortiz – QJ -5th-year extension was/is shocking. Drafting Hampton in the first round when our offensive line was in shambles was ill-advised. Three drafts and the offensive line is rotten. I understand the cupboard was bare, but three off seasons is plenty. The cap management this offseason has this team under stocked again.
(4) Injuries – I follow the entire league and no team is cursed more than the Chargers. They are “more” breakable than any other team.
Completely agree on the coaching front. This team, especially the offense, was not prepared for the season to start. The number of penalties and general confusion… WTF?
I think most injuries can be chalked up to one of three different reasons:
Not matching the opponents intensity: Rarely a problem for Harbaugh teams… Until this year. Opponents are clearly more interested in playing football.
Preparation/training: Ben Herbert was supposed to improve this area. I haven’t seen it. What I see is an un-serious team lead by un-serious leaders.
“Luck.” It’s a contact sport and shit is going to happen.
Attributing all injuries to #3 lets the staff off the hook. Lots they could and should be doing to reduce injuries.
The one thing I would say with the MM offense is that it didn’t take Tua and the rest of the Miami team a year to function. The fact that a seasoned OC can’t coordinate an offense to execute like an average NFL offense with a franchise QB is laughable. Any OC worth his salt should be able to design up a simple functional scheme. I would seriously monitor the Colts and Shane Steichen situation. If he is let go I would replace MM with him because Herbert is familiar with the offense and Steichen could take over for Harbaugh in a year or two. I think an offensive play caller should be the next style of coach.
Do you think there is any possibility that if this season turns out to be a 3-5 win season that Harbaugh would retire? The team needs at least a soft retool to be a playoff team again and maybe Harbaugh realizes this and cites the recent health issues as a reason to walk away?
As far as Mack, I think he deserves the respect to do what he wants. If he is open to a trade then you see what you can get for him. This team isn’t going anywhere and acquiring the most draft capital you can for some players should be paramount.
Thanks for the shout out with the X comment. Wasn’t expecting that and it’s always cool to be part of the show. Looking forward to the preview show coming up.
I think Steichen is going to be a popular name amongst Chargers fans. I would have to dive deeper into his playcalling with the Colts these past few seasons before supporting that move. His scheme is more balanced/traditional, like Frank Reich, and that usually produces either average or good results; but never great results. Chargers fans would probably take average or good right now!
I can’t see Harbaugh retiring unless there’s a legitmate health issue; not a made up one. He loves football too much. I could potentially see the Spanos deciding to fire him and characterising it as a ‘mutual parting of ways’. But the season would really need to tank for that to happen.
Agree on Mack, but I would always assess this based on the record at the time. If the team is 2-4 at the Bye, maybe I wouldn’t trade him. If the team is 0-6, I’m all ears.
No problem, Erick. You’ve earned some shoutouts over many years of support!
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I listened to the show. Thank you guys for your talent and hard work. And your ability to maintain your composure in covering the Spanos shit show.
in regard to ranking the blame I would spread it as follows:
(1) Ownership – track record speaks volumes. Terrible, cheap, clueless, nepotism, unqualified, bologna pimps, and unable to solve the business equation in San Diego. I could keep going.
(2) Coaching – the complete lack of preparation is astounding. 2-new coordinators and a team not prepared to play football. Instead of grinding through reps during the offseason our genius OC (Gilligan) is having our QB change his footwork and work with a medicine ball. The complete lack of oversight by Harbaugh/MM to have any clue that this team was not ready is shockingly negligent. It feels like every player has stalled or regressed.
(3) GM Joe Hortiz – QJ -5th-year extension was/is shocking. Drafting Hampton in the first round when our offensive line was in shambles was ill-advised. Three drafts and the offensive line is rotten. I understand the cupboard was bare, but three off seasons is plenty. The cap management this offseason has this team under stocked again.
(4) Injuries – I follow the entire league and no team is cursed more than the Chargers. They are “more” breakable than any other team.
(5) Players – Pre-snap penalties, turnovers, Dropped passes, Missed Assignments, Missed tackles, It’s been deplorable.
Honorable Mention: Derius Davis, Trey Pipkins…How are they still on this team?
Honorable Mention 2: Why does the QB room have no veteran that could help Justin? Trey Lance is a bust.
Gilligan -That is FUNNY. Haha.
Completely agree on the coaching front. This team, especially the offense, was not prepared for the season to start. The number of penalties and general confusion… WTF?
I think most injuries can be chalked up to one of three different reasons:
Attributing all injuries to #3 lets the staff off the hook. Lots they could and should be doing to reduce injuries.
Seems you’ve performed a 180 on the coaching.
Good. At the LEAST Harbaugh and MM deserve it.
Listened to the show today.
The one thing I would say with the MM offense is that it didn’t take Tua and the rest of the Miami team a year to function. The fact that a seasoned OC can’t coordinate an offense to execute like an average NFL offense with a franchise QB is laughable. Any OC worth his salt should be able to design up a simple functional scheme. I would seriously monitor the Colts and Shane Steichen situation. If he is let go I would replace MM with him because Herbert is familiar with the offense and Steichen could take over for Harbaugh in a year or two. I think an offensive play caller should be the next style of coach.
Do you think there is any possibility that if this season turns out to be a 3-5 win season that Harbaugh would retire? The team needs at least a soft retool to be a playoff team again and maybe Harbaugh realizes this and cites the recent health issues as a reason to walk away?
As far as Mack, I think he deserves the respect to do what he wants. If he is open to a trade then you see what you can get for him. This team isn’t going anywhere and acquiring the most draft capital you can for some players should be paramount.
Thanks for the shout out with the X comment. Wasn’t expecting that and it’s always cool to be part of the show. Looking forward to the preview show coming up.
I think Steichen is going to be a popular name amongst Chargers fans. I would have to dive deeper into his playcalling with the Colts these past few seasons before supporting that move. His scheme is more balanced/traditional, like Frank Reich, and that usually produces either average or good results; but never great results. Chargers fans would probably take average or good right now!
I can’t see Harbaugh retiring unless there’s a legitmate health issue; not a made up one. He loves football too much. I could potentially see the Spanos deciding to fire him and characterising it as a ‘mutual parting of ways’. But the season would really need to tank for that to happen.
Agree on Mack, but I would always assess this based on the record at the time. If the team is 2-4 at the Bye, maybe I wouldn’t trade him. If the team is 0-6, I’m all ears.
No problem, Erick. You’ve earned some shoutouts over many years of support!