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By Daniel Popper
Jul 27, 2024
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman offered some friendly advice on Thursday about how best to observe training camp practices.
“When you come to practice every day, you’re going to see us doing different things,” Roman said. “We’re going through our installation process for the last time, and every day is going to be a different emphasis. So you might come out one day, we’re throwing it all short. We’re throwing it deep the next.”
Roman might have been subtly forecasting the Chargers’ practice plans. Because on Friday, the offense aired it out.
Quarterbacks Justin Herbert, Easton Stick and Max Duggan all successfully attacked the deep part of the field in 11-on-11 periods.
Duggan completed the first go-ball in the opening 11-on-11 period. Rookie receiver Brenden Rice won down the left sideline against cornerback Chris Wilcox. Duggan delivered a pinpoint deep throw for the explosive play. Overall, Duggan has shown a bump in arm strength and velocity so far in camp.
In the next period, it was Stick’s turn to uncork a shot downfield. DJ Chark, who had a really good practice Friday, beat rookie cornerback Cam Hart down the left sideline for a 35-yard touchdown. Chark made a stellar catch through contact. He is at his best in contested-catch situations down the field.
Next up was Herbert. His first explosive play of the practice went to Chark off play action on first down. The defense was sucked down off the fake, leaving the middle of the field open for Chark on an over route. Herbert hit him in stride, and Chark had acres of space to run after the catch.
Two plays later, Herbert fired a strike to rookie tight end Zach Heins down the seam.
In the next period, Herbert connected with Quentin Johnston on one of the plays of the day. The offense went back to play action on a third-and-1. Johnston was matched up with rookie cornerback Zamari Walton on the outside left. Herbert dropped back and threw to Johnston’s outside shoulder, reading the leverage of Walton, who was shading Johnston to the inside.
Johnston reacted to the throw, shifting his body to the sideline to make the catch with outstretched hands. Great adjustment. Great grab.
I counted five passing plays of at least 20 yards in the 11-on-11 periods.
And there were more opportunities for big plays.
Herbert just missed rookie receiver Ladd McConkey on a seam route out of the slot off play action on a third-and-short. The throw was just out of reach for McConkey, who was wide open.
Herbert and McConkey were slightly off again later in practice. McConkey came open on an over route. He slowed his route, disrupting the timing on Herbert’s anticipation throw past a sitting linebacker. McConkey had space to run if he had not slowed.
Rashawn Slater exits practice
Starting left tackle Rashawn Slater walked off the field with trainers about midway through Friday’s practice. He walked straight into the facility, where he stayed for about five minutes. Slater came out of the facility and stood off to the side of the practice fields. He had his helmet on and was chatting with Marco Zucconi, the Chargers’ director of player health, wellness and performance.
After that brief conversation, Slater walked back inside the facility. He did not return to practice.
It’s something to monitor as the Chargers return to practice Saturday. Coach Jim Harbaugh did not speak after Friday’s practice, so there was no update on the nature of Slater’s injury.
When Slater left practice, Jamaree Salyer initially replaced him at left tackle. But this ended up being just an immediate one-for-one swap. For subsequent team periods, rookie first-round pick Joe Alt moved to left tackle. Trey Pipkins moved from right guard to right tackle. And Jamaree Salyer moved to right guard.
The Chargers have practice on Saturday before an off day on Sunday. Monday is the first padded practice of training camp.
News and notes
• Gus Edwards is still not participating in team drills. Harbaugh said earlier this week that Edwards had offseason surgery and that the Chargers will take it slowly with players coming off injury. Receiver Joshua Palmer was rehabbing a knee injury this offseason. For the final two 11-on-11 periods, Palmer was in the weight room working out with executive director of player performance Ben Herbert. Edwards and tight end Hayden Hurst were also in the weight room with Ben Herbert for these periods.
• Tight end Stone Smartt had six catches in team periods, including a red zone touchdown from Herbert on a seam route.
• Offensive lineman Jordan McFadden was catching passes from tight ends coach Andy Bischoff during a special teams period. McFadden has been utilized in multiple positions and alignments so far in camp, including as a jumbo tight end and fullback. He has even been sent in motion on several plays.
• Davis was the primary returner during the punt period.
• Receiver Praise Olatoke left practice early with trainers.
• Edge rusher Joey Bosa had an interesting comment on Harbaugh: “There’s a lot of hope and excitement going into each season, and you never know how it’s going to play out. But when you get a guy like Coach Harbaugh, that has been there and won at a bunch of places, you know that he’s not testing it out for the first time. He has a strategy that he knows works, and I think it’s easy to buy in when you have a guy like that. Winning a national championship, going to the Super Bowl — wherever he’s been, he’s been really successful, so to have a guy that comes in, he lays the plan out for you, and there’s no guessing, it feels nice.”
• The edge rushers will not truly show up until the pads come on Monday. But the group is still making some impact plays. Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree both flashed in coverage Friday. Mack had a pass breakup in the opening play of 7-on-7. He dropped into coverage on running back Jarret Patterson and jarred the ball loose on a checkdown from Herbert. Dupree, meanwhile, forced a fumble in 11-on-11. Stick rolled right on a designed bootleg. He fit a throw into a tight window to Rice underneath. Dupree punched at the ball and knocked it out.
• With Palmer in the weight room for the final two 11-on-11 periods, Davis got some reps on the outside with the second team. He ran two of the best routes of the practice going up against Kristian Fulton and the first-team defense. Both of them came on out routes to the left sideline. Fulton was backpedaling, and Davis created considerable separation on both routes with his shiftiness coming out of his break.
• Herbert led a successful two-minute drive to close practice. The offense started at its own 40-yard line with 50 seconds remaining. He completed two passes to move the unit into field goal range. The first was an out route to McConkey, who beat slot cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor to the sideline, caught the pass and got out of bounds to stop the clock. Two plays later, Herbert connected with Chark on a dig to move to the plus-30-yard line.
• Rookie linebacker Shane Lee had a forced fumble during the two-minute drill against the third-team offense. Running back Isaiah Spiller caught a pass in the flat. Lee stood Spiller up and ripped the ball free.
• The first-team defense worked in their dime package for the first time this training camp. They rotated through a few combinations, so there wasn’t much to glean regarding who sits where on the depth chart. One combination included Derwin James Jr. and Taylor on the inside with JT Woods at safety. Another featured Kristian Fulton and James on the inside with AJ Finley at safety. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is trying different players at different spots. I will be interested to see which six he decides on in dime packages — and where those six play.
"I know the question is going to come up, 'What about a weapon?' Offensive linemen, we look at as weapons," Harbaugh said. "That group, when we talk about attacking on offense, the offensive line is the tip of the spear."
madmaxmedia wrote:I so ready for this new regime. I was doubting the draft pick at first, but when I heard this quote from Harbaugh I got it and was 100% on board:"I know the question is going to come up, 'What about a weapon?' Offensive linemen, we look at as weapons," Harbaugh said. "That group, when we talk about attacking on offense, the offensive line is the tip of the spear."
https://www.reddit.com/r/Chargers/s/UIj4Edw3AS
Maxthirty wrote:I’m still trying to process Harbaugh being the coach. I went to Michigan State and have hated him for years. It’s a real battle of emotions.
garrick wrote:I haven't watched the NFL for years.
It's all pretty much basketball for me these days but maybe I'll see if I can get myself into watching something besides basketball.
Revived wrote:It’s such a good feeling knowing that the tides are turning. Bw knows I’m a big Rivers fan but man I wish so badly we could’ve had a coach like Harbaugh when he was here. They would’ve got along great personality wise too.
I’m very excited for Chargers football the next 5 years. We aren’t gonna be contenders next season and may not even be a playoff team but the building blocks will be set up.
I expect playoff team 2nd Harbaugh year and contender by 3rd year.
Next season will be a rebuild year, anything else will be a bonus.
Btw are any of you guys planning on going to any games? I most certainly will be and open to linking up if the games and dates align.
SweaterBae wrote:It's the perfect trade when nobody is happy.
Revived wrote:It’s such a good feeling knowing that the tides are turning. Bw knows I’m a big Rivers fan but man I wish so badly we could’ve had a coach like Harbaugh when he was here. They would’ve got along great personality wise too.
I’m very excited for Chargers football the next 5 years. We aren’t gonna be contenders next season and may not even be a playoff team but the building blocks will be set up.
I expect playoff team 2nd Harbaugh year and contender by 3rd year.
Next season will be a rebuild year, anything else will be a bonus.
Btw are any of you guys planning on going to any games? I most certainly will be and open to linking up if the games and dates align.
bwgood77 wrote:Revived wrote:It’s such a good feeling knowing that the tides are turning. Bw knows I’m a big Rivers fan but man I wish so badly we could’ve had a coach like Harbaugh when he was here. They would’ve got along great personality wise too.
I’m very excited for Chargers football the next 5 years. We aren’t gonna be contenders next season and may not even be a playoff team but the building blocks will be set up.
I expect playoff team 2nd Harbaugh year and contender by 3rd year.
Next season will be a rebuild year, anything else will be a bonus.
Btw are any of you guys planning on going to any games? I most certainly will be and open to linking up if the games and dates align.
I was a big fan of Fouts (only saw the last 7 years or so of his career), Brees, after his first couple years, Rivers and now Herbert. Fouts seemed SO good at the time, but he also played in Air Coryell offense, which would help any of these guys (though he did throw more ints, but the rules were also different). Brees didn't start out well but of course got great when Rivers got drafted. It's too bad for Rivers career that he didn't start earlier when the Chargers were much better like his first year starting. Then of course they get rid of Marty.
I think Herbert has more talent than any of them though, especially when you consider everything. Brees of course ended up being awesome, but Herbert has been much better early, breaking some records. Rivers started awesome but slowly got worse after his first 7 or 8 years, taking too many risks (but his OL and coaches sucked), but still loved him.
I think they will be really competitive. I predict as many as 12 wins. I remember watching him go to Michigan (Harbaugh) and turned a bad team (same players) into a really competitive team. Then he takes the 6 win Niners to the NFC Championship his first year, SB second year and NFC championship again his 3rd. I think this team has more talent.
He just changes the entire mindset and culture. The AFC is tough, but the Chargers will be tough. It would be nice to get Aiyuk, but I think if the line is great, we will have a fairly strong running game, and Herbert can be successful passing with time in the pocket.
The AFC West also sucks, so that's 4 easy wins. But they get to play the NFC South too, and should win all of those. That's probably 8 easy wins. Being in last place, they get the Patriots, Cardinals and Titans. That could be 3 more wins. That's 11. The toughest games are the 2 vs KC and they play the AFC North. They can probably split those or at least get 1. That would be 12 or 13. Say they lose one I consider a win, that's still 11 or 12 wins. Their competition for a WC will be the NFC North, Buffalo, Miami, maybe the Jets. But I figure they are better than Pittsburgh. That leaves a pretty good competition in the AFC race. I don't see how they don't win at a minimum 10 games with that schedule though, but probably at least 11. They have 10 or 11 easy games on paper and maybe 1 or 2 more (Pitt, Tennessee).Barring a ton of injuries though. But Ben Herbert, their training guy does a lot of injury prevention work, and I imagine they will be healthy. They could also withstand a Slater injury, moving Alt to left tackle, Pipkins to right, and Salyer at guard.
Revived wrote:bwgood77 wrote:Revived wrote:It’s such a good feeling knowing that the tides are turning. Bw knows I’m a big Rivers fan but man I wish so badly we could’ve had a coach like Harbaugh when he was here. They would’ve got along great personality wise too.
I’m very excited for Chargers football the next 5 years. We aren’t gonna be contenders next season and may not even be a playoff team but the building blocks will be set up.
I expect playoff team 2nd Harbaugh year and contender by 3rd year.
Next season will be a rebuild year, anything else will be a bonus.
Btw are any of you guys planning on going to any games? I most certainly will be and open to linking up if the games and dates align.
I was a big fan of Fouts (only saw the last 7 years or so of his career), Brees, after his first couple years, Rivers and now Herbert. Fouts seemed SO good at the time, but he also played in Air Coryell offense, which would help any of these guys (though he did throw more ints, but the rules were also different). Brees didn't start out well but of course got great when Rivers got drafted. It's too bad for Rivers career that he didn't start earlier when the Chargers were much better like his first year starting. Then of course they get rid of Marty.
I think Herbert has more talent than any of them though, especially when you consider everything. Brees of course ended up being awesome, but Herbert has been much better early, breaking some records. Rivers started awesome but slowly got worse after his first 7 or 8 years, taking too many risks (but his OL and coaches sucked), but still loved him.
I think they will be really competitive. I predict as many as 12 wins. I remember watching him go to Michigan (Harbaugh) and turned a bad team (same players) into a really competitive team. Then he takes the 6 win Niners to the NFC Championship his first year, SB second year and NFC championship again his 3rd. I think this team has more talent.
He just changes the entire mindset and culture. The AFC is tough, but the Chargers will be tough. It would be nice to get Aiyuk, but I think if the line is great, we will have a fairly strong running game, and Herbert can be successful passing with time in the pocket.
The AFC West also sucks, so that's 4 easy wins. But they get to play the NFC South too, and should win all of those. That's probably 8 easy wins. Being in last place, they get the Patriots, Cardinals and Titans. That could be 3 more wins. That's 11. The toughest games are the 2 vs KC and they play the AFC North. They can probably split those or at least get 1. That would be 12 or 13. Say they lose one I consider a win, that's still 11 or 12 wins. Their competition for a WC will be the NFC North, Buffalo, Miami, maybe the Jets. But I figure they are better than Pittsburgh. That leaves a pretty good competition in the AFC race. I don't see how they don't win at a minimum 10 games with that schedule though, but probably at least 11. They have 10 or 11 easy games on paper and maybe 1 or 2 more (Pitt, Tennessee).Barring a ton of injuries though. But Ben Herbert, their training guy does a lot of injury prevention work, and I imagine they will be healthy. They could also withstand a Slater injury, moving Alt to left tackle, Pipkins to right, and Salyer at guard.
Charges have been fortunate QB wise but the opposite in just about everything else.
I think we’ll be competitive but I’d be surprised with a playoff team. AFC is a very tough conference. And I don’t understand saying the AFCW sucks. Chiefs are still best team in football. Broncos showed signs of turnings around in the 2nd half of the season under Payton. Raiders will likely still suck though but their under Pierce being a full time hire now instead could be a competitive team. It feels like we always drop a game to them too for a split.
Super early but this is kinda how I’d guess our schedule plays out
Wk 1: Raiders - Win
Wk 2: Panthers - Win
Wk 3: Steelers - Win
Wk 4: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 5: bye
Wk 6: Broncos - Win
Wk 7: Cardinals - Loss
Wk 8: Saints - Win
Wk 9: Browns - Loss
Wk 10: Titans - Win
Wk 11: Bengals - Loss
Wk 12: Ravens - Loss
Wk 13: Falcons - Win
Wk 14: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 15: Bucs - Loss
Wk 16: Broncos - Win
Wk 17: Patriots - Win
Wk 18: Raiders - Loss
So that’s 9 wins which is solid for a rebuilding yr 1 imo.
We will be a rush attack offense but in the NFL today, you still need be able to throw the football too. And I just don’t think we have a good enough receiving corps to win a ton more games. Our receivers are all mid as hell though I have high hopes for rookie McConkey eventually. Our TEs are guys that I’ve hardly even ever heard of. And even our RBs are honestly cast-offs from other teams, not really any Frank Gore type RB like Harbaugh had before with the Niners.
Too many skill positions on offense need much better talent right now. But I think they can get that fixed in next year’s draft.
bwgood77 wrote:Revived wrote:bwgood77 wrote:
I was a big fan of Fouts (only saw the last 7 years or so of his career), Brees, after his first couple years, Rivers and now Herbert. Fouts seemed SO good at the time, but he also played in Air Coryell offense, which would help any of these guys (though he did throw more ints, but the rules were also different). Brees didn't start out well but of course got great when Rivers got drafted. It's too bad for Rivers career that he didn't start earlier when the Chargers were much better like his first year starting. Then of course they get rid of Marty.
I think Herbert has more talent than any of them though, especially when you consider everything. Brees of course ended up being awesome, but Herbert has been much better early, breaking some records. Rivers started awesome but slowly got worse after his first 7 or 8 years, taking too many risks (but his OL and coaches sucked), but still loved him.
I think they will be really competitive. I predict as many as 12 wins. I remember watching him go to Michigan (Harbaugh) and turned a bad team (same players) into a really competitive team. Then he takes the 6 win Niners to the NFC Championship his first year, SB second year and NFC championship again his 3rd. I think this team has more talent.
He just changes the entire mindset and culture. The AFC is tough, but the Chargers will be tough. It would be nice to get Aiyuk, but I think if the line is great, we will have a fairly strong running game, and Herbert can be successful passing with time in the pocket.
The AFC West also sucks, so that's 4 easy wins. But they get to play the NFC South too, and should win all of those. That's probably 8 easy wins. Being in last place, they get the Patriots, Cardinals and Titans. That could be 3 more wins. That's 11. The toughest games are the 2 vs KC and they play the AFC North. They can probably split those or at least get 1. That would be 12 or 13. Say they lose one I consider a win, that's still 11 or 12 wins. Their competition for a WC will be the NFC North, Buffalo, Miami, maybe the Jets. But I figure they are better than Pittsburgh. That leaves a pretty good competition in the AFC race. I don't see how they don't win at a minimum 10 games with that schedule though, but probably at least 11. They have 10 or 11 easy games on paper and maybe 1 or 2 more (Pitt, Tennessee).Barring a ton of injuries though. But Ben Herbert, their training guy does a lot of injury prevention work, and I imagine they will be healthy. They could also withstand a Slater injury, moving Alt to left tackle, Pipkins to right, and Salyer at guard.
Charges have been fortunate QB wise but the opposite in just about everything else.
I think we’ll be competitive but I’d be surprised with a playoff team. AFC is a very tough conference. And I don’t understand saying the AFCW sucks. Chiefs are still best team in football. Broncos showed signs of turnings around in the 2nd half of the season under Payton. Raiders will likely still suck though but their under Pierce being a full time hire now instead could be a competitive team. It feels like we always drop a game to them too for a split.
Super early but this is kinda how I’d guess our schedule plays out
Wk 1: Raiders - Win
Wk 2: Panthers - Win
Wk 3: Steelers - Win
Wk 4: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 5: bye
Wk 6: Broncos - Win
Wk 7: Cardinals - Loss
Wk 8: Saints - Win
Wk 9: Browns - Loss
Wk 10: Titans - Win
Wk 11: Bengals - Loss
Wk 12: Ravens - Loss
Wk 13: Falcons - Win
Wk 14: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 15: Bucs - Loss
Wk 16: Broncos - Win
Wk 17: Patriots - Win
Wk 18: Raiders - Loss
So that’s 9 wins which is solid for a rebuilding yr 1 imo.
We will be a rush attack offense but in the NFL today, you still need be able to throw the football too. And I just don’t think we have a good enough receiving corps to win a ton more games. Our receivers are all mid as hell though I have high hopes for rookie McConkey eventually. Our TEs are guys that I’ve hardly even ever heard of. And even our RBs are honestly cast-offs from other teams, not really any Frank Gore type RB like Harbaugh had before with the Niners.
Too many skill positions on offense need much better talent right now. But I think they can get that fixed in next year’s draft.
I know you typically are a pessimist, but you don't have the Chargers beating any good teams and you have them losing to some bad ones. I think Harbaugh will have them a lot more competitive this year than you anticipate.
I think they will be MUCH MUCH better than Staley's 9 and 10 win teams. Better running game, Herbert better production, tougher defense, likely fewer injuries.
Revived wrote:bwgood77 wrote:Revived wrote:Charges have been fortunate QB wise but the opposite in just about everything else.
I think we’ll be competitive but I’d be surprised with a playoff team. AFC is a very tough conference. And I don’t understand saying the AFCW sucks. Chiefs are still best team in football. Broncos showed signs of turnings around in the 2nd half of the season under Payton. Raiders will likely still suck though but their under Pierce being a full time hire now instead could be a competitive team. It feels like we always drop a game to them too for a split.
Super early but this is kinda how I’d guess our schedule plays out
Wk 1: Raiders - Win
Wk 2: Panthers - Win
Wk 3: Steelers - Win
Wk 4: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 5: bye
Wk 6: Broncos - Win
Wk 7: Cardinals - Loss
Wk 8: Saints - Win
Wk 9: Browns - Loss
Wk 10: Titans - Win
Wk 11: Bengals - Loss
Wk 12: Ravens - Loss
Wk 13: Falcons - Win
Wk 14: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 15: Bucs - Loss
Wk 16: Broncos - Win
Wk 17: Patriots - Win
Wk 18: Raiders - Loss
So that’s 9 wins which is solid for a rebuilding yr 1 imo.
We will be a rush attack offense but in the NFL today, you still need be able to throw the football too. And I just don’t think we have a good enough receiving corps to win a ton more games. Our receivers are all mid as hell though I have high hopes for rookie McConkey eventually. Our TEs are guys that I’ve hardly even ever heard of. And even our RBs are honestly cast-offs from other teams, not really any Frank Gore type RB like Harbaugh had before with the Niners.
Too many skill positions on offense need much better talent right now. But I think they can get that fixed in next year’s draft.
I know you typically are a pessimist, but you don't have the Chargers beating any good teams and you have them losing to some bad ones. I think Harbaugh will have them a lot more competitive this year than you anticipate.
I think they will be MUCH MUCH better than Staley's 9 and 10 win teams. Better running game, Herbert better production, tougher defense, likely fewer injuries.
I’m not being my “usual pessimistic” (even though I can’t think of one time I was wrong being pessimistic about either the Suns or Chargers lol), I’m being realistic.
I’m actually the most optimistic about the Chargers future than I’ve ever been before. But I also know Rome isn’t built in one day and that patience is virtue for what Harbaugh is building.
Me picking the Chargers to lose against good teams is based on the roster, not coaching. This roster is dog crap because of the complete sht situation that Tom Telesco left the team in. It’s gonna take more than just one offseason to fix that.
I’m not saying my picks are exactly what will happen, it’s just that’s what I’m expecting based on the roster. If they win more, then awesome that’s a bonus. If they lose even more, cool that’s fine too because we’re building for the future. It’s a win/win situation because road blocks are actually being set up for something bright in the future.
I’ve been a Chargers fan for a very long time and I’ve seen us be the “off season champs” many, many times before. Our division rivals fans mock us using that term exactly and people come to games with that on a poster. So I’m not gonna sit here and say we will do a 180 and be great all of a sudden after one offseason. It’s gonna be a process and that’s perfectly fine.
madmaxmedia wrote:Revived wrote:bwgood77 wrote:
I know you typically are a pessimist, but you don't have the Chargers beating any good teams and you have them losing to some bad ones. I think Harbaugh will have them a lot more competitive this year than you anticipate.
I think they will be MUCH MUCH better than Staley's 9 and 10 win teams. Better running game, Herbert better production, tougher defense, likely fewer injuries.
I’m not being my “usual pessimistic” (even though I can’t think of one time I was wrong being pessimistic about either the Suns or Chargers lol), I’m being realistic.
I’m actually the most optimistic about the Chargers future than I’ve ever been before. But I also know Rome isn’t built in one day and that patience is virtue for what Harbaugh is building.
Me picking the Chargers to lose against good teams is based on the roster, not coaching. This roster is dog crap because of the complete sht situation that Tom Telesco left the team in. It’s gonna take more than just one offseason to fix that.
I’m not saying my picks are exactly what will happen, it’s just that’s what I’m expecting based on the roster. If they win more, then awesome that’s a bonus. If they lose even more, cool that’s fine too because we’re building for the future. It’s a win/win situation because road blocks are actually being set up for something bright in the future.
I’ve been a Chargers fan for a very long time and I’ve seen us be the “off season champs” many, many times before. Our division rivals fans mock us using that term exactly and people come to games with that on a poster. So I’m not gonna sit here and say we will do a 180 and be great all of a sudden after one offseason. It’s gonna be a process and that’s perfectly fine.
As you say we are building a good foundation, which is 100% the most important thing as this is not a 1 or 2 year plan.
There are going to a few 50/50 games I'm sure, with some luck we are in the playoffs but with some bad luck we're a .500 (or worse) team. Either way I think a lot of the media will lose sight of the overall process.
Revived wrote:bwgood77 wrote:Revived wrote:Charges have been fortunate QB wise but the opposite in just about everything else.
I think we’ll be competitive but I’d be surprised with a playoff team. AFC is a very tough conference. And I don’t understand saying the AFCW sucks. Chiefs are still best team in football. Broncos showed signs of turnings around in the 2nd half of the season under Payton. Raiders will likely still suck though but their under Pierce being a full time hire now instead could be a competitive team. It feels like we always drop a game to them too for a split.
Super early but this is kinda how I’d guess our schedule plays out
Wk 1: Raiders - Win
Wk 2: Panthers - Win
Wk 3: Steelers - Win
Wk 4: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 5: bye
Wk 6: Broncos - Win
Wk 7: Cardinals - Loss
Wk 8: Saints - Win
Wk 9: Browns - Loss
Wk 10: Titans - Win
Wk 11: Bengals - Loss
Wk 12: Ravens - Loss
Wk 13: Falcons - Win
Wk 14: Chiefs - Loss
Wk 15: Bucs - Loss
Wk 16: Broncos - Win
Wk 17: Patriots - Win
Wk 18: Raiders - Loss
So that’s 9 wins which is solid for a rebuilding yr 1 imo.
We will be a rush attack offense but in the NFL today, you still need be able to throw the football too. And I just don’t think we have a good enough receiving corps to win a ton more games. Our receivers are all mid as hell though I have high hopes for rookie McConkey eventually. Our TEs are guys that I’ve hardly even ever heard of. And even our RBs are honestly cast-offs from other teams, not really any Frank Gore type RB like Harbaugh had before with the Niners.
Too many skill positions on offense need much better talent right now. But I think they can get that fixed in next year’s draft.
I know you typically are a pessimist, but you don't have the Chargers beating any good teams and you have them losing to some bad ones. I think Harbaugh will have them a lot more competitive this year than you anticipate.
I think they will be MUCH MUCH better than Staley's 9 and 10 win teams. Better running game, Herbert better production, tougher defense, likely fewer injuries.
I’m not being my “usual pessimistic” (even though I can’t think of one time I was wrong being pessimistic about either the Suns or Chargers lol), I’m being realistic.
I’m actually the most optimistic about the Chargers future than I’ve ever been before. But I also know Rome isn’t built in one day and that patience is virtue for what Harbaugh is building.
Me picking the Chargers to lose against good teams is based on the roster, not coaching. This roster is dog crap because of the complete sht situation that Tom Telesco left the team in. It’s gonna take more than just one offseason to fix that.
I’m not saying my picks are exactly what will happen, it’s just that’s what I’m expecting based on the roster. If they win more, then awesome that’s a bonus. If they lose even more, cool that’s fine too because we’re building for the future. It’s a win/win situation because road blocks are actually being set up for something bright in the future.
I’ve been a Chargers fan for a very long time and I’ve seen us be the “off season champs” many, many times before. Our division rivals fans mock us using that term exactly and people come to games with that on a poster. So I’m not gonna sit here and say we will do a 180 and be great all of a sudden after one offseason. It’s gonna be a process and that’s perfectly fine.
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