Tag: Chargers offense

Chargers OC Greg Roman emphasizes importance of strong running game

Greg Roman has always boasted strong rushing offenses.

Jim Harbaugh spotlighted improving the running game at his introductory press conference. In hopes of having his vision materialized, Harbaugh hired Greg Roman, a run offense specialist, to oversee the offense.

Roman believes that running the ball effectively will aid Justin Herbert’s play.

“Can you imagine Justin Herbert with a great running game?” Roman said, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “… We don’t know, but I can imagine what it might look like. So that’s kind of the vision.”

The Chargers have not had an efficient running game since LaDainian Tomlinson donned the blue and gold. Since 2008, they have finished outside the top 10 in rushing yards per game, most recently finishing 24th.

“I think in this league, you can really, really help dictate the defenses if you have a strong running attack,” Roman said. “If you really talk to most defensive coordinators in this league and got them off to the side when they’re playing a really good running team, they’re sweating a little bit. They’re sleeping a little less that week.”

During Roman’s four seasons as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator (2019-2022), they led the league in rushing yards per game (175.2). When he was Harbaugh’s OC with the 49ers from 2011 to 2014, they were second in the NFL in that time frame in rushing yards per game (139.3).

Roman had Colin Kaepernick and Lamar Jackson as his quarterbacks, and they’re known for their athletic prowesses and the ability to use their legs.

Herbert, on the other hand, is athletic enough to run. But he is more of a prominent passer, which has many wondering how Roman will balance a heavy run game and still let Herbert do his thing through the air.

“It’s going to be a little different,” Roman said. “I think you’re going to see probably a multiple running game. You’ll probably see the use of motions and shifting, and then you’ll see a pretty diverse passing game.

“… Right now, everybody’s got a blank slate of who we can be or what we can do. Could be anything right now, our principles and whatnot of what we do offensively won’t change, but how they come to life on the field will.”

While Roman isn’t known for his passing game, Marcus Brady, who was hired to be the team’s passing game coordinator, should help maximize the offense in that department.

“We’re trying to be great at running the ball, and we’re trying to be great at throwing the ball. We’re trying to be great at both all the time.”

Chargers 2024 offseason position preview: Quarterback

Evaluating the Chargers’ quarterback room entering the offseason.

After receiving a contract that briefly made him the highest-paid quarterback of all time, Justin Herbert was largely the same player on tape in 2023 that we’ve become accustomed to seeing in most of his other seasons. Unfortunately, what surrounded Herbert on offense was not as strong. Several high-profile, season-ending injuries collapsed the Chargers season around him in addition to the adverse coaching situation.

20 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and 3000+ yards in 13 games wasn’t going to win him awards, but it also became clear that the state of the offense, in addition to his own personal injuries affected what the potential production could’ve been.

Herbert played through fractures of his non-throwing hand throughout the season. Eventually, he’d be shut down after he injured his index finger on his throwing hand against the Broncos in Week 14. While he could’ve potentially played through it under some circumstances as opposed to opting for the surgery outright, the Chargers rapidly falling out of the playoff picture made the decision to sit him easy.

To kick off our offseason position preview series, we’re evaluating the quarterback group entering the offseason.

One of Lions’ weaknesses Chargers can expose in Week 10

The Lions have struggled in the red zone this season.

The Chargers are set to face the Lions, who are sharp in nearly every category. But that doesn’t mean they don’t come without their flaws.

While they’ve been efficient on defense, as they rank fifth in total defense, Detroit has struggled in the red zone. Their opponents have scored 65.38% of the time inside the 20, which ranks 26th.

On the flip side, Los Angeles’ red zone offense ranks 2nd in the NFL, as they’ve found the end zone on 69.23% of their trips.

Justin Herbert has been one of the best quarterbacks in the red zone, throwing 11 touchdowns, the fifth-most, to just one interception.

Furthermore, the Lions have struggled against tight ends, as they’ve allowed the eighth-most receiving yards (477) and are tied for the second-most touchdowns allowed to the position (4).

This could be the recipe for solid performances from Gerald Everett and Donald Parham. Everett has two touchdowns in the last four games, while Parham has four scores, all of which have come in the red zone.

If Los Angeles wants to keep pace with Detroit, they must score plenty of points. The red zone is where the magic could happen.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 1

Looking at the major metrics, here is where the Chargers stand after the first game.

The Chargers dropped their season opener to the Dolphins in a shootout.

While Los Angeles was able to keep pace with Miami’s high-octane offense, thanks to their rushing attack, ultimately, Tua Tagovailoa and company reigned supreme.

Now that Week 1 is in the rearview, we now know how the Bolts rank statistically compared to the rest of the NFL. Looking at the major metrics, here is where L.A. stands after the first game.

Chargers OC Kellen Moore on run game identity: ‘It’s heading where it needs to be’

The Chargers are going to prioritize explosive plays in the passing game and an efficient rushing attack.

The run game has been an issue for the Chargers over the past several seasons, but offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is starting to feel more confident in the direction that they have been moving in over the summer.

“It’s heading where it needs to be for the regular season,” Moore said.

The running back room had a staggering 214 yards and two touchdowns in their first preseason win against the Rams. The week after, the Los Angeles logged 120 total rushing yards and another two rushing touchdowns against the Saints – both of which came from quarterback Easton Stick.

“You certainly have certain concepts you feel really comfortable with – those are gonna be our kinda bread-and-butter concepts,” Moore added. “By game plans you’re gonna present different things and I think that’s part of the training camp process. You wanna expose them to the different tools that you’ll utilize through the season.”

The 2022 Cowboys finished their season with 2298 team rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns, placing them at No. 9 on the overall rushing teams of the season.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Chargers totaled 1524 team rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, which placed them at No. 30 in overall rushing out of all 32 NFL teams.

Austin Ekeler, the do-it-all-back, leads the group after becoming the fifth player to post at least 800 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 700 receiving yards and five receiving scores in a single season.

Behind Ekeler is Joshua Kelley, who has been riddled by injuries. But when healthy, he is a threat. Kelley finished the season with 69 carries for 287 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and two touchdowns and caught 14 of his 25 targets for 101 yards.

Isaiah Spiller, the 2022 fourth-round pick, entered his rookie season with a lot of hype. However, that didn’t translate on the field. He only appeared in six games, partially due to an injury and logged 54 yards from scrimmage, averaging only 2.6 yards per carry. He looks to make a leap.

Moore will make in-game adjustments to the run as the quarters progress, which will be a nice change of pace for the players on the field and the fans watching.

Establishing the run identity is a critical factor in unlocking the Bolts’ offensive potential in the 2023 season, and Moore is on his way to doing just that.

WR Keenan Allen closes out Chargers training camp with a bang

Keenan Allen continues to make plays.

The Chargers wrapped up their 2023 training camp on Wednesday before their final preseason game against the 49ers on Friday, and it was Keenan Allen who left his mark at Hoag Performance Center.

Allen caught six passes, and four went for touchdowns, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

Allen, the red zone magnet, made a lot of notable plays, but arguably the most eye-popping was when he pulled in a touchdown pass that he bobbled to himself with cornerback Michael Davis in coverage.

“I got a good look at it,” Staley said of Allen’s scoring play. “It was one of those catches that only Keenan can make.

While most of the attention during the summer from the wide receiver group was on Quentin Johnston, Allen was doing what he does best by being a reliable weapon for quarterback Justin Herbert.

While he is getting up in age, set to be 31 this season and coming off an injury-riddled campaign, Allen is still a play-maker when healthy, as evident from catches like this. He is still one of the best route runners in the league and is a safety blanket on third down.

Allen has been vital to the Bolts’ offense throughout his professional career. During that span, Allen has caught 796 passes for 9,287 yards and 52 touchdowns.

Under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Allen will continue to be the centerpiece of the pass catchers, but he should see some time on the outside in addition to his primary spot in the slot.

Chargers OT Rashawn Slater ready to roll after season-ending injury

The Chargers will benefit immensely from the return of their star left tackle.

After one of the best rookie seasons by an offensive tackle, Rashawn Slater was set for a sensational sophomore campaign. Unfortunately, it was cut short by a torn biceps injury that he suffered in Week 3 against the Jaguars.

Slater missed 15 games in total, including the playoff.

Ten months later, fully healthy, Slater is ready to roll and return to his dominant ways. But now

“I definitely want to be like the best version of myself,” Slater said. “I think I’ve improved as a player since then, just in the way that I see the game and in my technique. I definitely think there was a lot to improve upon that year.

“I don’t anticipate taking any steps back, that’s for sure,” Slater added. “The nice thing about this is that it healed up really well, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”

Slater, the No. 13 overall selection of the 2021 NFL draft, allowed only 26 pressures and four sacks on 752 pass-block snaps while imposing will in the run game in Year 1. He was named a Pro Bowler and earned Second-Team All-Pro.

As Slater prepares to return to live-game action, he’s benefited from going up against the dynamic duo of edge defenders Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack in training camp as the team is now in pads.

“I take away a lot from those like. Joey and Khalil, they’re so smart in the way they play off of O-linemen,” Slater said. “Every training camp it’s like, if you have just one little mistake in your technique here, they’re going to find a way to exploit that. They really keep you honest.”

“The margin for error is so small, I think it really teaches you quickly what you’re doing wrong and what you need to fix because once they see something, it’s over,” Slater added. “They take advantage of it so well.”

Slater will be a key cog in what is arguably the most complete offensive line that the Chargers have had in many years.

Jamaree Salyer, who started in place of Slater last season, will be the starter at right guard, while Zion Johnson moves over to left guard. They also return center Corey Linsley and right tackle Trey Pipkins, who re-signed on a three-year deal.

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston standing out in training camp

Quentin Johnston is turning heads early on.

Chargers rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston is showing out at training camp all week.

Johnston stood out in OTAs, where he quickly slid into the third wide receiver role while Joshua Palmer was recovering from an injury. It is evident that Johnston continues to be utilized frequently in Kellen Moore’s exciting new offense and has become one of QB Justin Herbert’s favorite targets this off-season.

In his college years at TCU, Johnston showed an elite ability to use trickery to his advantage, gaining much-needed yards after the catch and touting an impressive deep ball reception percentage – the highest out of his class. Johnston continues to use this trickery in training camp, making the Chargers’ defensive backs work overtime to keep him covered downfield.

In drills, Johnston’s footwork is quick and precise. He stands out among the other wide receivers as someone with speed and pinpoint accuracy. His route running is fluid and consistent, his hands are very strong, and he’s explosive off the line.

Johnston has also been showing impressive acceleration – especially considering his height of 6-foot-4. The Chargers are known for picking up bigger but often slower wide receivers in the draft and free agency, but Johnston is proving that height does not always indicate a lack of speed and acceleration.

Lining up opposite Ja’Sir Taylor, Johnston beat him for a 40-yard touchdown. It’s also important to note how impressive Johnston’s ball tracking was on this play. His ability to move downfield, beat Taylor and catch his target over his right shoulder in a tiny window is incredibly difficult. The perfect ball placement from Herbert also helped in this play, but the ball tracking was highly impressive, nonetheless.

Day in and out, Johnston has been combatting his pre-draft narrative of being a body catcher. Consistently he catches every type of pass, and the NFL is noticing. Johnston made a beautiful grab outside on the third day of camp, impressing the crowd and coaches with a toe drag that secured the catch.

Johnston has also been standing out while practicing jet sweeps and check-downs. His footwork, combined with speed and agility, makes it easier to utilize him in multiple different ways – but it’s in space where he truly shines. Herbert has stated that they will be throwing the ball down the field this season.

Chargers 2023 roster review: QB Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert looks to take his game to the next level under Kellen Moore.

The 2023 season is just a month away, and with weeks of dead time during the quietest part of the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is endeavoring to document each of Los Angeles’ players before the start of the team’s training camp.

The Chargers are in a great position to have their quarterback of the future on the roster.

Herbert has been nothing short of outstanding in his first three seasons with the Bolts, throwing for 14,089 yards, 94 touchdowns and 35 interceptions and shattering various records along the way.

However, Herbert has yet to fully unlock what makes him such a great player: his immense arm strength and talent.

Last season, Herbert battled fractured rib cartilage and a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, other key players on the offense dealt with injuries and they did not have a speed option, which limited him from uncorking it.

That should change, however. Insert offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Moore’s system is the recipe to success for Herbert, and so is the return of all key members on the offensive side of the ball, including left tackle Rashawn Slater and the addition of Johnston.

Contract (2023): Herbert, entering the fourth season of his five-year rookie contract, is scheduled to earn $4.23 million. He became eligible to sign a long-term extension at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

Acquired: The Chargers selected Herbert in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft (No. 6 overall).

Quote: Moore on Herbert:

“Yeah, there’s some obvious stuff. The biggest thing is obviously his arm talent. But his combination of size, throwing ability, athleticism, I mean, there’s only a few on earth that can have that combination and play at such a high level. It’s really fun to see. I was a 6-foot, kind of hanging-on quarterback for six years. And I laugh, there’s a few throws sometimes he makes that I say, ‘I would never think about trying that throw, but here we are.’ It’s opened my eyes to some things.”

Highlight:

Why the Chargers need to carry 6 wide receivers in 2023

Considering the Chargers’ future and the necessities for what the offense will require, six WRs makes more sense than the traditional five.

By the end of August, the Chargers will face tough roster decisions for the 53-man roster cutdown. Making the proceedings more interesting this year is the NFL’s new 2023 rule: teams will be able to have one round of cuts from 90 to 53 instead of having three specified cutdown dates.

In both of his first two seasons at the helm, Brandon Staley has elected to keep five receivers on the final roster. Traditionally, it’s been four true wide receivers plus a special teams returner. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, and Jalen Guyton were the core four wide receivers in 2021 and 2022. K.J. Hill and DeAndre Carter were the two returner receivers that made the final roster in those seasons, respectively. Carter muddies the waters a bit, given the injuries last season and the fact that he had to step up, but the original intention was for him not to be as active in the offense as he was.

Fourth-round selection Derius Davis is expected to step into Carter’s role from last season as the full-time kick returner/punt returner. That itself feels like a pretty seamless transition. But drafting Quentin Johnston in the first round was a shake-up to that aforementioned core four from Staley’s first years.

If the Chargers decided to carry five wide receivers for the upcoming season, Jalen Guyton would be the odd man out in a final Allen-Williams-Johnston-Palmer-Davis depth chart. Given his connection with quarterback Justin Herbert that has been built up over the years and his straight-line deep speed, it’s a hard cut to truly imagine taking place.

Guyton is still rehabbing an ACL injury from the 2022 season, but indications to this point are that he’ll be ready by the time the season kicks off in the fall. An alternative option if he isn’t ready in time for September would be starting the season on the PUP list post-training camp. Until more information comes out about his injury recovery or other guys winning out in camp, it would be a surprise not to see Guyton on the team’s final roster.

Aside from it being unlikely that any of the primary receivers are waived, position group health is another factor to consider. Allen and Williams missed a combined 11 games last season (12, if including Williams’ missed playoff game). A harsh reality for the Chargers is that Allen is 31 and Williams is approaching 30. It doesn’t become easier for wideouts to stay healthy in the NFL as they age.

Most of what went into the decision to draft Johnston and Davis was the long-term view of the franchise. The last time the Chargers selected multiple wide receivers within the first four rounds of the draft was 1996. Contract restructures of Allen and Williams only strengthen the idea that the wide receiver group will look different in 2024. But part of the decision also had to be a short-term view for this season. The Chargers played games last year in which Carter and Palmer were their top two wide receivers when Allen and Williams couldn’t play. If Los Angeles is truly going to contend this year, that type of depth problem couldn’t be allowed to happen again.

Versatility is another reason the Chargers should carry six receivers aside from depth. All of the Chargers’ wide receivers tend to specialize in their specific skill sets. Allen’s finesse route running has always meshed well with Williams’ big body jump ball game. To supplement those guys, Palmer is a little bit of a mix of both in terms of functionality and can step in when asked, considering an injury. Guyton, as mentioned earlier, is the prototypical straight-line speed guy. Johnston adds an insane YAC factor that all of the aforementioned wideouts lack, and Davis could be the fastest player in the league with the ball in his hands. It would make the Chargers ultimately more one-dimensional if they gave up any of these skillsets to keep five wideouts instead of six.

In most of Kellen Moore’s five seasons with Dallas, they kept six receivers partly because they wanted to stay versatile and have guys develop in the background. It would be counterintuitive to cut a player like Guyton or Palmer that allows the team to be multiple and access the deep parts of the field.

Considering the Chargers’ future, current position group health concerns, and the necessities of what the Moore offense will require, rolling six deep at wide receiver makes more sense than the traditional Staley five.