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Victor Conte was on XTRA 1360 with Josh Rosenberg and Mark Ziegler (SDUT) a few weeks back.  I had it on my iPod but hadn't gotten around to listening to it.  Being sick of listening to people talk about the Chargers, I thought it might make an interesting listen.  If you don't know, Victor Conte was the CEO of BALCO and was responsible for supplying world class level athletes such as Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, Jason Giambi, and Bill Romanowski with Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).  BALCO was busted by the feds a few years back and the grand jury testimonies and other fall out from that investigation has led to a lot of the current fervor about PEDs, especially in baseball.

I don't know what you think about Conte, I personally figured him to be a a bit of a money hungry mad scientist who was willing to sacrifice the purity of sport for a few bucks and some glory.  The interview with the XTRA guys shed a bit of a different light on him.  The interview itself is about 20 minutes long, and I've summarized it below.

Josh and Mark interview Victor Conte on XTRA 1360 (mp3)

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Dombrowski clearing the way for Sproles. via images.tsn.ca

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Hank Bauer, 9-16, Jeff and Josh, XTRA Sports (mp3)

• Last year we played well enough to win in week 1, but lost.  This year we played poorly and won, which would you rather have?
• The Raiders were up for this game, and to the Chargers credit, we did what we had to do to win.
• How do you stop Joe Flacco?  Stay the course.  Stop the run first.  Rice, McGahee, and McLain are a real good combination.  Flacco will make mistakes.  In 6 games last year he threw two interceptions.  He is still a young QB and young QBs stink it up every now and then
• In the first half against the Raiders, we got pushed around.  9 yard per carry in the 1st half.  Thanks to Cable for trying to throw the ball every now and then
• The second half looked alot better.
• Give this team a few weeks before you judge them.

Scott Mruczkowski, 9-16, Darren Smith, XX Sports (mp3)

• Moochie!
• Everyone calls me Mooch.  Coach Turner called me Scott this morning in a meeting and I didn't know who he was talking to.
• How was practice this afternoon? good, crisp, getting the game plan installed
• Role this week? The plan is for me to be starting at center since Nick Hardwick is injured.  Never started at center in the NFL before.
• What do you do to prepare yourself for a moment like that, where you had to go right in the game after an injury?  I like to loosened up a bit before every offensive series to make sure I'm a little warm and ready to go.  Easier to do in SD in September than in Chicago in the winter...
• How different are the Center and guard positions?  Everyone is different, but I've played both since college.  Technique-wise they are a little different, but I've blocked every play the Chargers call from all 5 of the o-line positions
• How much time do you practice at center during the week (Before Hardwick was injured)?  Just a couple reps a week with the 1st team.
• What's it like with a Dombrowski and Murczkowski on the line? A lot of Polish beef on the line! Pirogies and kielbasas for everyone, and a round of bowling after wards!
• Ravens? Same Ravens defense as always, big tough and fast.  Solid team and a big challenge.
• Straight 3-4 defense? Yeah, similar to us.  They mix in some 4 down every now and then.
• How about Phillip's taunting penalty?  I was there, all he said was "Stop on the whistle" and tossed the ball, not sure if the refs misconstrued it.
• How is the fund raiser going for MCLEF? Great, two rushing TDs last week so we're a bit over $1000 so far.

Nick Hardwick, 9-15, Darren Smith, XX Sports (mp3)

• Doing better than expected today!
• Kind of a weird play, any idea what happened?  I didn't realize that it was the delay of game penalty play... such a waste to get hurt on a dead play.
• I'm day to day and I feel that way.  Felt good this morning.  In a walking boot right now, just to take some pressure off.  We'll see what we can do this week.  Could have been a lot worse,
• What is going through your mind when you're down on the field injured?  Just want to get in touch with the family and let them know you're doing all right.
• How were the fans at Oakland?  Fans were hissing at me as I was getting carted off. The things that come out of some of their mouths is ridiculous.  How about some humanity? With kids around and everything.
• Mooch and Dombrowski came in and did a really good job in a really high pressure situation.  I think there may be a joke in there somewhere: two Polocks come up to the offensive line...
• Dombrowski actually had a great block on a play he had never even practiced before.  Makes an awesome block on an LB and Sproles follows him into the end zone.
• One good thing about that game is that it really revealed and built character, poise and guts.  Ready to make the plays when you have to.
• The Raiders didn't run anything we didn't expect.  Fewer dogs and blitzes actually.  They were really "assignment sharp"
• How much do you guys actually spend practicing the two minute drill?  A lot, it's a situation we'll see twice a week sometimes and can be a huge swing.
• Guess for us, go or no go on Sunday?  Too early to tell, it's a short week.

Brandyn Dombrowski on XTRA (mp3)

Scott Mruczkowski on XTRA (mp3)

Jim Steeg, 9-15, Jeff and Josh XTRA Sports (mp3)

• Happy to get out of Oakland with a win and out alive
• Get the Chargers DVD at your local DVD retailer Target, Best Buy (or amazon)!
• New rules for the stadium? no smoking in the stadium. no bottles in the lot.  Must tailgate in your own spot. Get there early, this isn't preseason anymore.  Lot typically closes 2 hrs before the game because it's full.  Don't try to get into the stadium 15 minutes before game time, you won't make it to your seat in time.

619 Sports

• LT on his injury (1:33)
• Norv on 7 offensive lineman (1:20)
• Norv on injuries (51 secs)

Travis Johnson, 9-9, Jeff and Josh, XTRA Sports (9:40)

• My Game: Side line to side line, no seatbelt
• sounds like a good guy

Hank Bauer is a former Charger and current radio color guy.  He has a weekly interview on XTRA and I always get something from it.

Josh and Jeff interview Hank Bauer, XTRA 1360, (mp3)

• Go see the San Diego Chargers' Complete History
• Is the Q a dump?  I had a lot of good memories from there, but its kind of like a beautiful woman who is rotting from the inside out.  It's serviceable, and the fans love it.  But if you compare it to the new stadiums, it is a dump.  Even Atlanta has a better stadium than us now.
• Who among the rookies do you really like their character?  It's a tribute to AJ and the Spanos that all the rookies are here to work and have their heads on straight.  At this point it's more about who can play, since they all have the character and work ethic to be successful.  One guy who I thought really had a great game in Atlanta was Louis Vasquez, I thought he had a terrific game and I wouldn't be surprised if he was the starter in Oakland
• Another guy who had a good game was Mooch, Scott Mruczkowski.  When Kris Dielman came out (with his shoulder injury) Mooch, who has played exclusively at center in this preseason, stood in very well at left guard.  He played some center after the half and some more guard later on.
• Kynan Forney looked good as well.  Hank would start Vasquez because he thinks Vasquez has more upside and Forney would be better off the bench if Vasquez struggles.
• Defensively, Ian Scott jumped out at NT.  Hank did not think he had a chance to make this team, but he really stood out. 
• Did Michael Bennett impress you, will he make the team? Hank say yes, he can make people miss like few people can and he has exceptional speed.  Bennett is a big play guy.  It is a big chance to cut him and hope he will still be around if you need him later on.
• Bauer would keep Bennett and Mike Tolbert and try to sneak Gartrell Johnson through the waiver wire and onto the practice squad where he can develop.  Let's face it, we're looking for a super bowl, this is not a developmental type team.  Bennett might be around for a couple years as well.
• None of the rookie WRs are going to make the team.
• OL sure things are McNeill, Dielman, Hardwick, Vasquez, Clary, Forney, and Mooch.  Who are the other 2-3 guys?  Tyronne Green, you can get him through waivers and onto the practice squad, I don't think you need another guard at this point.  L.J. Shelton is an 11 year vet, he is solid, but he is going to get burned once or twice a game and isn't a road grader any more at his age.  So do you keep him or a younger guy like Dombrowski who can also play guard?  It's a tough decision.  Corey Clark can play both as well.
• DL sure things are Luis Castillo, Jamal Williams, Jacques Cesaire, Vaughn Martin, and Travis Johnson.  What is up with Ryon Bingham? I don't know when he is going to be back.  How long can you carry him on the roster without him playing?  You need someone to back up, is it Ian Scott or Ogemdi Nwagbuo?  Keeping Bingham around might make you keep an extra DL and squeeze someone elsewhere.
• Everybody is talking about us needing 4 corners.  Steve Gregory came in as a corner, maybe you keep 4 safeties and use Gregory as your 4th corner if needed.

Other recent interviews:

• Eric Weddle on XTRA (mp3)
• Jay Paris, North County Times, on XX Sports with John Kentera (mp3)
• Nick Hardwick on XX Sports with Darren Smith (mp3)
• Jim Steeg, Chargers COO, Talking blackouts, 619Sports.net (mp3)
• 3 Questions with Vincent Jackson, 619Sports.net (mp3)
• 3 Questions with Louis Vasquez, 619Sports.net (mp3)
• 3 Questions for: Shaun Phillips, 619Sports.net (transcript)
  
  

Jeff and Josh Interview Legedu Naanee, XTRA 1360, 8-25-2009, (mp3) Last double day is over!!! He thinks his success over the last two preseason game is a preview of his future He can run with a lot of people, but his success due to out-thinking guys.  At this level anticipation is a big part of success. Lots of feedback from the coaches.  The coaches really want Legedu to work on being more "sudden" into and out of his breaks and off the line. Q: Would you like to run the wildcat as a QB?  LN: definitely, to be assured of touching the ball every play is nice We didn't run anything like the wildcat at Boise State, even though we ran a lot of trick plays, it was all mainly out of a normal offense. Q: How do you deal with not getting a lot of touches? LN: We all know the ball is limited and every one is hungry to make the play when the ball comes your way. Q: Any TD Celebrations? LN: I haven't really had the opportunity.  Every time I score a TD we seem to be down and I don't think a big celebration is appropriate. Q:  Would you prefer a Charger win on Saturday over Atlanta or a Boise State win over Oregon?  LN:  Ooof... Can I have Both? (NO) I guess I'd have to take a Boise State win because that game matters, but I'll also take a super bowl win for the Chargers. Q: Any problems with the kick coverage? LN: need to improve tackling, but we aren't worried.  Q: are you surprised by at how many people pronounce your name. LN: No, its an unusual name, I've heard it just about every way.  (Note: from the media guide, it's LEG-a-doo Nah-NAY)

Jeff and Josh Interview Michael Bennett, XTRA 1360, 8-25-2009, (mp3) Last day of two-a-days!!! can't wait to get out of the hotel Takes the preseason TDs with a grain of salt. Michael Bennett is the guy who keeps the locker room lose.  How did you do that as the new guy?  Well, everyone likes to laugh, I like to sit in the middle of the offensive lineman and tell fat jokes.  Forney, Mooch, and McNeill get the worst of it. Were you always that way?  Yes, in HS my desk was always in the hallway because I was always laughing and joking.  Every class except for Driver's Ed I was in the hallway.  I used to get a lot of material from Def Comedy jam and shows like that. Michael drives the dope soft blue H2 Hummer with the 30 inch rims and "football leather" interior, Jeff and Josh thinks it is the nicest car in the players lot. The Atlanta game should be good.  We will see a very fast defense, the teams are tuning up for the regular season How do you see your career shaping up?  You're no longer the headliner like you were in Minnesota, racking up 1000 yard seasons. MB: Well, I wanted to go to the HoF, but that isn't going to happen, so my thing is doing whatever it takes to win a super bowl, and I think we have what it takes to win it. He knows how the business works and doesn't take making the team for granted.  He just hits it at full speed and if it works out, it works out, he is sure he will be playing elsewhere After football? MB: I want to be a principal or in school administrator.  Straighten the kids out.

Darren Smith Interviews Kynan Forney, XX Sports 1090, 8/27/2009 (mp3)

• Excited about going back to Atlanta? KF: it's a business trip.  I still have my house out there and a business there, but this is about football
• Kynan owns a Smoothy King franchise in Atlanta.  It's too far away from the hotel to treat all the players to Smoothy King while they are out there.  Smoothy King sells smoothies...  Kynan gets an employee discount there!!!
• Health? KF: It's getting better this week.  I had a neck injury, basically a stinger/burner, it is smoothing itself out, I have to take care of it, get treatment.
• I'm looking to get back used to the speed of the game and developing some continuity, as well as fine tune some of the new techniques that are specific to the Chargers scheme
• Do you still consider it a competition for the RG spot? KF: Very much so.  No lead dog in the race.  I took a step back when I got hurt and missed practice and a game.  I'm still treating it like a competition.
• Kynan just had his fifth child!
• Have you talked to Vick since he's been back? KF: Not really, I'm sure lots of people are trying to communicate with him.  I'm pulling for him.

XX 1090 - Scott and BR Interview LaDainian Tomlinson (mp3) 8/4/2009

• LT's wife runs Snug pet resort (down the street from my house!).  LT is really only involved behind the scenes.  LaTorsha (Mrs. LT) loves running the business.
• How does LaTorsha feel about the Michael Vick situation?  She feels for the dogs.  LT grew up in an environment where he had seen dog fights.  LT and Vick grew up in smaller "country" towns where this stuff is relatively common, so LT can see why Vick might not have thought that dog fighting was as bad as everyone else sees it.
• LT thinks Vick's family had as much to do with it has him, but since Vick is the big name, he took the fall.  Vick did bankroll it and provide the house for it, and probably couldn't say no to them.
• Lots of us come to a point in our lives as men where we need to be broken.  And that broken state leads to remorse and a desire to change and do the right thing in the future.  LT thinks Vick is there
• LT talked to Vick on the phone just tell him that LT is praying for him and his family and offered to talk to him at any time in the future if Vick needed him.
• Q: Not that the Chargers have a need, but what would you think of Michael Vick as a teammate? LT: I think he needs another opportunity.  This country is a country of second chances.
• Q: How did last year affect you emotionally? LT: A year like last year makes you a stronger person.  When you're going through it you don't understand it.  My faith helps me get through it.
• LT: I am motivated by the injury prone label I've gotten over the last two years.  Previously, that was not a problem.  I always thought I was special because I'd made it 7 years without any injuries, and then suddenly, I'm human.  I'm motivated and ready
• Off season, I focused on building a little more muscle.  I lost some strength in my legs because of the injury, so I focused on building muscles and balance, and diet.
• Q: Do you still have the 2000 yard goal or more focused on winning Super Bowl? LT: I still want both.  Both are attainable.  It is a team game, but we are judged on our individual stats.  Barry Sanders did it in his ninth year...

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We all probably know who Kris Dielman is.  Even though he is an offensive lineman, any San Diego Chargers fan has heard of the team's perennial Pro Bowl Left Guard.  Maybe you first heard of him when he earned his first of two consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl, or maybe you heard of him when he signed his big contract a few years back.  He plays one of the most important positions on the offensive line for the running game.  Left Guard is to the running game what Left Tackle is to the passing game.  You may remember how Shaun Alexander's (the RB for the Seahawks) career seemed to come to an abrupt stop a few years ago.  It was universally attributed to his age.  Coincidentally, it also happened the same year Seattle's Pro Bowl Left Guard Steve Hutchinson left for Minnesota.  Minnesota's rushing game quickly became one of the most dominant in the league.  Left Guard is an important position and the Chargers have one of the best in the business.

I was listening to an interview of Kris on XX 1090 Sports (mp3) where Kris gave a rough overview of his career since High School.  It was such an amazing story, I thought I should summarize it here.  So click through to read the rest...

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Josh and Jeff interviewed AJ Smith yesterday on Xtra Sports 1360, as usual AJ did not give up too much information but here are a few highlights from the interview.

• Not sure when English will sign, there has not been a lot of movement with other first round picks so it’s hard to judge where he will fall.
• The team is healthy this year and is looking to prove something.
• LT is completely healthy and is on a mission this season.
• The RG position is a wide open competition at this point.
• AJ was very complimentary of Cesaire.  AJ didn’t come out and say it but it sounded like he was the favorite to take over for Igor this year
• The Chargers made the decision to release Wilhelm once Burnett signed with the Chargers.

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

Buster

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This is just a quick listing of the interviews from day 1 of camp.  Not a whole lot of surprising stuff here, but it will give you a better feel for some of the personalities on the team.  These are all from Darren Smith on XX 1090.

• Norv Turner (11:03)
• Ron Rivera (16:47)  talks about camp under Buddy Ryan, Stephen Cooper, and some positon battles
• Louis Vasquez (7:52)
• Scott Mruczkowski (10:50) talks about the fine art of holding
• Buster Davis (7:30) best shape of his life, has something to prove