We’ve just released Episode 150 of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast.
Our synopsis is below:
#BoltUp! It’s our 150th show today and preseason football is finally back as the Chargers prepare to take on the Houston Texans! But before kickoff, we’re taking a deep dive into the 2026 schedule to explain why the Bolts are set to SWEEP the entire AFC East. From dethroning the Patriots, to handling the Bills, Dolphins and Jets, we deliver a comprehensive breakdown of how the Chargers stack up against the East.
What we cover today:
🔥 Training Camp Takeaways: Latest news, roster trends, and player reports.
⚔️ Texans vs. Chargers: What to look for in the preseason opener.
🧹 The AFC East Sweep: Our game-by-game breakdown and predictions.
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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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Wow!! Congrats on 150. I can honestly say that I have listened to at least part of every episode. You guys have come a long way. Truly a great accomplishment. As far as this episode I have to disagree with the camp fights. I do not see it as a negative. You have to remember most of these guys are fighting for their careers, in a high heat, high stress, high testosterone environment and with very little sleep. Frustrations run very high. We regularly had fights in college camp and these guys weren’t trying to make the team. Now, there are levels to the fighting where guys are swinging helmets where it becomes unacceptable, but overall a little skirmish here and there is natural. In fact, it would be abnormal not to have a few dust ups during camp.
Looking forward to another 150 and I can’t wait to see who the next guest is. Thanks for all your effort to bring some quality content to the fans.
I am not buying the Branson Taylor stock.
On Al’s OL roster discussion:
Jack said he sees Wax being cut in favor of keeping Colson. I don’t see that at all. Wax dominated special teams last year. I disagree.
Jack said “Derius Davis has so much more to offer to Mike McDaniel than KLS.” The reference to McDaniel means offense, not special teams. I’m not writing this to defend KLS but moreso to question, what exactly has Davis shown on offense that would excite McDaniel to the point he would give snaps to Davis over players like McConkey, Johnston, Harris, Thompson, Mitchell, et al.? You know that I have a dim view of that.
I have a question for you guys to consider. To set it up, at this point:
Combining that with Hortiz’s approach to free agency, do you think some of the bloom is coming off the rose for Hortiz?
Tau,
You stole my thunder with this post about Hortiz. Overall I like what he has done in the drafts and the roster building, but as many know I am very critical of his FA approach. I will never understand why he spent zero draft capital on the C position in his first two drafts when he had more picks and then used a 2nd rounder on a C after signing a significant upgrade in TB, but never addressed it with Bozeman as the starter? As you stated, Slaughter is a backup C for the foreseeable future. Trying to pass him off as a G when the pick was announced was dumb also. On a positive, we have our future C in the pipeline who is at the very least a credible backup for now, but was that worth a Rd2 pick? Not sure how it is going to play out with Slater, but with the cap space we had I would have invested on a better swing T than Pipkins. In a SB window season, IMO, he should have built the depth with more quality to try to prevent injuries from affecting the season as much as possible.
Congratulations on 150! I’ve listened to most and look forward to each as they come out.
A couple of thoughts about the 53:
*Interesting roster construction in that last year Hortiz was signing guys off couches, then three FA signings and four draft picks later, he’s having to shed them.
*Im really hoping KLS stays, but we’ll see.
*Jefferson is going to get cut again. Don’t be mad. He’ll be back on the team by week 1, but because of his time spent in the league, he can turn down any offers, thus he can’t be poached. That will allow the Chargers to keep their 54th guy after cuts and swap that guy and Jefferson after the poaching is done.
Thanks Smithy! Those who’ve followed us since the beginning hold a special place in our hearts.
On your comments:
This is only true if Jefferson wants to decline other offers. If the Chargers cut him again, it may be too much for his ego. He would certainly have other suitors.
Hey Stormcloud!
If you’ve enjoyed our Chargers content over the years and ever felt moved to support us financially, we’ve created a ‘beer fund’ where you can send any small $ contribution our way.
We had this idea because next month Jack, Andy and I are going to Rams v 49ers together and we had the thought that some listeners may enjoy funding us enjoying a beer or two 😅
We appreciate all of our followers either way! Link below.
https://ko-fi.com/tdubeerfund
Just finishing up watching….congrats on #150 !!! Wow!!!!
So I left a comment on YouTube re: cuts. I keep Kennard over Dupree. Kennard is showing life and younger, plus we have veteran presence in the edge room. If only 4, Tucker beats them both in my world.
So long to the Matlock experiment. We now have Ingold, a strong TE room, and a good DT group.
Kinda hate to lose KLS but I think DD continues to stick for ST. Maybe McDaniel uses him better offensively too.
Avery Smith is probably a safe stash on the PS.
Agree on OL cuts though I wouldn’t cry if Penning didn’t make it. Nuf said.
Buffalo will be a tough game in Buffalo. At least it’s October so weather shouldn’t be a factor. I think the Bills win a close one but we beat the rest of the AFC East teams. I’m tentatively headed to SoFi for the Jets game. Planning to be at the Baltimore game too, hopefully meeting our forum mate Erick there. 🙂
It’s nearly football time fellas!!! Bolt up ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Thank you Buck! On to 200, and hopefully a Super Bowl!
I shared your YouTube comment with Andy, but Jack saw and responded to it first.
I think predicting which of Dupree, Kennard and Tucker makes it is the most challenging piece of the roster puzzle. Dupree’s contract is easily cuttable and would save $2.49m against the cap ($1.25m dead cap hit, currenty has a $3.74m cap number).
I give Dupree the slight inside track because of his experience defending the run and playing with discipline. I think Kennard and Tucker are both ‘pass rush specialists’ who have less balance in their game, so carrying both of them might be too bold a move for Hortiz/Harbaugh who might lean towards the ‘vet’. A tough call.
I hope you’re right about Matlock. I just wish Harbaugh didn’t call him out by name as often as he does in pressers. Not sure if he’s trying to convince us or himself that he’s a valuable player!
If you get to the Baltimore game with Erick, we need photos! Such a cool vibe at that stadium; should be an unbelievable experience, especialy when we win 😉
Bolt up!