Tag: Chargers offense

Identifying biggest addition to Chargers HC Brandon Staley’s staff this offseason

Looking at the Chargers’ most important coach not named Brandon Staley heading into the 2021 season.

Since being hired as the new head coach of the Chargers, Brandon Staley has drawn the majority of the attention, while the coaching staff he brought in has shied away from the headlines.

I went to Twitter to ask fans who they thought the biggest addition to the coaching staff was, and by no surprise, it was offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

Lombardi spent most of his time in the NFL with the Saints organization. The last time he was elevated to offensive coordinator in the league it didn’t go so smoothly.

Leading the Lions offense from 2014-15, Lombardi’s unit ranked in the bottom half of the league in total yards and points scored, which led to him getting fired halfway through his second season.

While his time as the play-caller for Detroit was underwhelming, Lombardi still brings plenty of experience, having spent over a decade working with QB Drew Brees, in which he helped guide them to a top offense in points scored dating back to 2016.

With Los Angeles center-pieced around quarterback Justin Herbert, how he does this season will heavily determine the outcome of their 2021 season, which is why Lombardi’s system is so pivotal.

Lombardi’s plan is to mesh some of the concepts he picked up in New Orleans and what worked most optimally for Herbert in college and his first year as a pro.

Herbert is coming off one of the best seasons by a first-year quarterback, throwing for over 3,600 yards and totaling 36 touchdowns en route to shattering multiple rookie records.

If Lombardi can set up Herbert to take a Year 2 leap off that type of production, Los Angeles could be the team to beat throughout the 2021 season.

Better or Worse: Evaluating Chargers offense ahead of training camp

Analyzing the shape of the Chargers on the offensive side of the ball.

The Chargers lost a few of their starters from last season, but added a few in correspondence via free agency and the draft.

But how do they compare from the end of the 2020 regular season to now?

Let’s break it down by position, starting with the offense.

Quarterback

Offseason moves: Signed Chase Daniel as an unrestricted free agent from the Lions. Lost Tyrod Taylor as a UFA from the Texans.

Summary: The Chargers are locked in with their quarterback of the future, Justin Herbert. After losing Taylor to Houston, they brought in Daniel, who’s familiar with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system. Daniel isn’t as intriguing as other backups across the league, but he has been considered an ideal veteran mentor for young quarterbacks, which is what he is, a preceptor to Herbert. Easton Stick, meanwhile, has gotten the short end of the stick, as he has limited experience after not having a preseason last year due to COVID-19. Stick will battle it out this year for a spot, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he is on the outside looking in, relegated to practice squad role or being released.

Verdict: Slightly better

Running Back

Offseason moves: Drafted Larry Rountree III (sixth-round). Lost Kalen Ballage as an unrestricted free agent to the Steelers.

Summary: Expected to be a major contributor, Austin Ekeler will remain a do-it-all back in Lombardi’s system. Justin Jackson can be a threat in both the running and passing game, but he’s struggled to stay healthy. Joshua Kelley was a bright spot in training camp last year, but he dealt with fumbles and special teams blunders and simply just couldn’t find his groove during the season. Rountree brings an enticing skillset, projecting as a short-yardage/goal-line specialist and special teamer with upside to grow into a larger role. The battle between Jackson, Kelley and Rountree will be one of the more compelling position battles this summer.

Verdict: Slightly better

Wide Receiver

Offseason moves: Drafted Josh Palmer (third-round). Signed Austin Proehl.

Summary: The Chargers did the right thing by paying Keenan Allen last offseason after proving himself as one the league’s top wideouts yet again. Mike Williams, who is entering the final year of his contract, is expected to take on a big role this season. Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson are both coming off of promising years. Palmer is a nice-sized receiver who comes with a solid game, possessing the hands, body control, and speed. Considering that Lombardi goes through a lot of different personnel packages depending on the defense scheme they’re facing, all three should receive a good portion of playing time. Assuming the team rolls with six wideouts, the final spot is a battle between five players: Joe Reed, K.J. Hill, John Hurst, Jason Moore and Proehl.

Verdict: Slightly better

Tight End

Offseason moves: Signed Jared Cook as an unrestricted free agent from Saints. Lost Hunter Henry as a UFA to the Patriots. Re-signed Stephen Anderson. Drafted Tre’ McKitty (third-round).

Summary: It wasn’t long into the free agency period before Henry was gone, being picked up by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. In correspondence, the Chargers got Cook, who’s another guy familiar with Lombardi’s offense. While he isn’t getting any younger (34), Cook will offer some upside in the passing game and mentorship to the younger players. Another intriguing receiving option is Donald Parham, who should be a mismatch up the seams and in the red zone. In need of an in-line blocker, Los Angeles added McKitty. McKitty’s blocking prowess will get him on the field early on, but he also offers upside as a receiver.

Verdict: Slightly worse

Offensive line

Offseason moves: Signed Corey Linsley from Packers, Matt Feiler from Steelers and Oday Aboushi from Lions. Drafted Rashawn Slater (first-round) and Brenden Jaimes (fifth-round). Lost Dan Feeney to Jets, Sam Tevi to Colts, Cole Toner to Texans.

Summary: The Chargers knew their offensive line ranked near the bottom in both the pass and run-blocking departments and a great amount of their success lies in the hands of Herbert, which is why they made the point to build it from the ground up. Slater was one of the draft’s biggest steals, solidifying Herbert’s blindside protection. Linsley was the most expensive signing, but he was the most vital as he is one of the best centers in the league. They have two new starting guards in Feiler and Aboushi. Bryan Bulaga is back to man the right tackle position. After spending time at tackle in college, Jaimes will likely kick inside, but he has versatility to protect the edges in a pinch.

Verdict: Much better

Sleepers to watch at each position on offense in Chargers training camp

Identifying some under-the-radar offensive players who could generate some buzz at Chargers training camp.

Each year, there are a few players for the Chargers who fly under the radar who come to the forefront in training camp.

With that being said, let’s a look at some sleepers at each position on the offensive side of the ball you may want to keep an eye out on this summer.

QB: Easton Stick

With only three players at the position, Justin Herbert being the starter and Chase Daniel and Stick being behind him, there isn’t a clear-cut sleeper. It’s likely that Daniel will win the backup role since he’s well-versed with Joe Lombardi’s offense and he offers mentorship to Herbert, but Stick is still going to be competitive to remain on the roster. However, maybe, just maybe, Stick is used in the same gadget role as Saints’ Taysom Hill. It would certainly be cool to see if the coaches have plays designed for him in that capacity, taking advantage of his athleticism.

RB: Larry Rountree III

There’s Austin Ekeler at the top of the depth and the spots behind him remain to be seen. Rountree, the team’s sixth-round pick, was drafted with the intentions of him serving as a special teamer, but he is more than capable of carving up a role in the backfield early on. Rountree is the type of back to drop his pad level, run through contact and be able to run between the tackles and push the ball to the edge as well as offer the ability to impact the passing game due to his catching and blocking skills.

WR: Austin Proehl

The battle for WR3 behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will steal the spotlight, but there should be a final spot to be earned between a few wideouts, including Proehl. The Chargers mark Proehl’s fifth team since entering the league in 2018, but he has yet to make a 53-man roster. But with but with his surprising speed, ability to get open in all three areas of the field competitiveness and special teams upside, Proehl could be the guy Los Angeles benefits from having on the squad.

TE: Tre’ McKitty

Jared Cook and Donald Parham sit atop of the depth chart, but McKitty was drafted in the third-round for a reason. He may be relegated to in-line blocker role, but I’m banking on him raising some eyebrows with his receiving skills. McKitty has the athleticism, ability to separate at the top of routes, a solid frame to stack defenders and great hands to reel in the football.

OT: Storm Norton

The starters are in place with Rashawn Slater and Bryan Bulaga, but there will be a battle for the swing role. Norton, who was signed last offseason, played well in his three starts in 2020. He offers the athleticism and movement skills to provide insurance if an injury occurred. One thing I’m looking for this summer is if he got stronger and dials it up with his leverage, given the fact that he’s towering at 6-foot-8 and has a thinner frame.

IOL: Brenden Jaimes

To this day, I believe that Jaimes, the team’s fifth-round selection, may go down as one of the steals of the draft. While lack of physical traits likely force him to kick inside to guard, Jaimes has the lower-body athleticism, efficient hand usage and high football IQ to be able to keep pass rushers at bay and generate movement in the run game in this league. Oday Aboushi will likely lock up the starting right guard job, but Jaimes should push him for it in camp.

B/R predicts pair of Chargers to finish top-two in key stat categories

The Los Angeles Chargers have a few players who are equipped to finish among the best of the best.

Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton predicted NFL stat leaders for the 2021 regular season, and the Chargers were represented by two players, one on each side of the ball.

Offensively, Moton believes that running back Austin Ekeler will be runner-up to Saints RB Alvin Kamara in yards from scrimmage, finishing with 1,980 total yards.

Ekeler’s career-high in yards from scrimmage currently sits at 1,550, which came back in 2018.

Now heading into his fifth season in this league, Ekeler is in a great position to shatter his personal best and come close, if not, accomplish Moton’s prediction.

With new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi calling the shots, he has historically gotten his running backs involved more than any other coach in the league.

Kamara, who Lombardi heavily utilized when he was with the Saints, recorded at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns three times in his first four seasons.

Ekeler has a very similar skill set to Kamara, considering the two are ultra-refined runners and deadly pass-catchers, both out of the backfield and in the slot. Therefore, he could be in for a monstrous year.

On the other side of the side, Moton is predicting edge defender Joey Bosa to finish second in sacks to Browns’ Myles Garrett, seeing him amass 16 in 2021.

Last season, the Rams led the league in sacks with 53 under Brandon Staley while the Chargers had nearly half of that. The most sacks that Bosa had in a single season was back in 2017 when he posted 12.5.

When you combine his high pass-rush win rate with Staley’s philosophy of putting his players in position to win, Bosa could post a career-high and possibly top the current franchise record of 17 sacks.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler talks QB Justin Herbert’s development

Both players are going to be key pieces in the Los Angeles Chargers offense.

Prior to making his first start in Week 2, which was in an unexpected manner, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had very limited on-field reps as the worldwide pandemic forced the majority of the league’s offseason work to be done virtually.

Despite not having a typical offseason, Herbert still managed to put together one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. Now with a full regular season under his belt and a training camp and preseason games to come, it should only help Herbert enhance his game.

Herbert’s teammate, running back Austin Ekeler, can already see the strides that he’s made to make sure that he is going to be the guy that can help the team dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West.

“I think he’s come in knowing what to expect now as opposed to last year when he kind of just got thrown into the starting role,” Ekeler said in an appearance on NFL Network. “He’s a super bright kid. Has a good head on his shoulders.

Wants to work with the boys and get everyone better, starting with himself, which is great because that’s what we’re going to need from that position, especially when we’ve got Mahomes in the division. We’re going to need someone who can help us compete.”

Under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s, Herbert and Ekeler have both been working hard to master the new system. Ekeler believes that Herbert’s natural talent and high football IQ coupled with a sufficient amount of reps prior to the season will benefit him immensely.

“As far as his talent, it’s all there. He expressed that last year, but now he’s got some experience under his belt and a full offseason in the NFL to develop himself, and he’s been looking great. I didn’t expect anything less. I can’t wait to be in the backfield with that guy.”

Chargers OC Joe Lombardi ‘excited’ to explore potential of TE Donald Parham

The 6-foot-8 tight end could have a decent-sized role in the Chargers offense.

The Chargers tight end room is highlighted by veteran Jared Cook, but Donald Parham is not to be forgotten.

Signed last year, Parham took advantage of his limited opportunities, as well as the season-ending injury to Virgil Green, recording 10 catches for 159 yards (15.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns on 20 targets in 2020.

Heading into upcoming season, even with the additions of Cook and rookie Tre’ McKitty, the upside of Parham is endless due to his elite physical and athletic traits coupled with new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system.

Lombardi said he liked what he saw from Parham on film last season, and that he’s excited to unlock his potential.

“I saw the same reps that you did,” Lombardi said. “They were limited, but they were impressive. You get in the same room with him and you go, ‘Oh my gosh.’ You don’t see many guys that look like him, with his height and length.”

During the final season that Lombardi called plays for the Lions, QB Matthew Stafford targeted the tight end on nearly 25 percent of his passes. In addition, Saints’ Drew Brees relied heavily on his tight ends.

Expected to be a threat up the seams and in the red zone, the 6-foot-8 Parham could be in for a big season in 2021.

TE Jared Cook on Chargers offense: ‘Has what it takes to become high prolific’

Chargers tight end Jared Cook believes Los Angeles has better offensive talent than what they had in New Orleans.

Heading into the new season, the Chargers will have some of the same faces from last year, but they will be joined by some new ones, including veteran tight end Jared Cook.

Cook signed with Los Angeles earlier this offseason after spending the last two seasons with the Saints, which is the team that new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi comes from.

With Lombardi taking over the offense, it’s expected that he will bring over  elements of New Orleans’ system.

Today after the first session of mandatory minicamp, Cook said that 30-40%” of the Saints playbook is present, adding that everything else is new and he likes the new offense.

In addition to influence from New Orleans’ scheme, wrinkles of the 49ers offense will be brought over, but most importantly, it’s going to be tailored to quarterback Justin Herbert’s strengths.

Cook said Herbert is a “smart quarterback.” He said he has been with quarterbacks of his age in the past who can’t get the offense down, but that has not been the case with No. 10. “He is on it, man….he is on it.”

With the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year engineering the offense, a slew of talented skill players to distribute the wealth to and a revamped offensive line, the sky is the limit in the upcoming season.

“I definitely think this offense has what it takes to become a high prolific offense in the NFL,” Cook said.

Way-too-early stat predictions for Chargers’ top skill players

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez predicts how Los Angeles’ top skill players will fare under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

In new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system, the Chargers boast a good-looking crop of skill players that are primed for success.

With that being said, I project what each of their seasons might look like in 2021, starting with the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Justin Herbert.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen talks new offense, impressions of Brandon Staley

Find out what Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen thinks of the new coaching staff.

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is set to play under his third offensive coordinator since entering the league back in 2013.

At Monday’s media availability, Allen talked about OC Joe Lombardi’s offense, saying that it is very similar to the one they used last year, but with different terminology and not as strict, adding that he feels that’ll allow them to be able to play more freely.

Lombardi is a Saints HC Sean Payton disciple who leaned heavily on the pass when he was the offensive coordinator in with the Lions. The plan is to mesh some of the concepts learned in New Orleans and what worked for Herbert in college and his rookie season.

Allen also had high praise for his new head coach, Brandon Staley.

“I feel like we have a great staff,” Allen said. “I feel good about Coach Staley. I feel like he’s smart and he knows the game well. I love the way he talks. He talks with passion, energy and confidence. I’m excited.”

Allen, who’s entering Year 9, will be a key piece of the new offense. He will look to surpass 1,000 receiving yards after falling eight yards shy from achieving the feat for the fourth-straight season in 2020.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen talks new offense, impressions of Brandon Staley

Find out what Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen thinks of the new coaching staff.

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is set to play under his third offensive coordinator since entering the league back in 2013.

At Monday’s media availability, Allen talked about OC Joe Lombardi’s offense, saying that it is very similar to the one they used last year, but with different terminology and not as strict, adding that he feels that’ll allow them to be able to play more freely.

Lombardi is a Saints HC Sean Payton disciple who leaned heavily on the pass when he was the offensive coordinator in with the Lions. The plan is to mesh some of the concepts learned in New Orleans and what worked for Herbert in college and his rookie season.

Allen also had high praise for his new head coach, Brandon Staley.

“I feel like we have a great staff,” Allen said. “I feel good about Coach Staley. I feel like he’s smart and he knows the game well. I love the way he talks. He talks with passion, energy and confidence. I’m excited.”

Allen, who’s entering Year 9, will be a key piece of the new offense. He will look to surpass 1,000 receiving yards after falling eight yards shy from achieving the feat for the fourth-straight season in 2020.