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I watched this game and it’s a relief not yelling at BS of how shiite of a coach he was just knowing we have an adult running the team now. There was a lot of energy out there and the defense was all over the place. I told my brother this team reminded me of those early 2000s Chargers teams when Shottenheimer first took over the team. It’s just going to take some time for Herbert and his receivers to get in sync considering he was out late last year and this was his first real game in 10 months (?). But the defense. I can’t stopped talking about the defense. Still thinking this team will win 10-11 wins this year. Believe in Harbaugh!
Refreshing to see a 2nd half (heck 4th Qtr) team! Staley’s team would have lost this game. D was lights out. O needs work esp in receiving game, but anytime they beat the Raiders makes a good Sunday.
A few interesting Defensive PFF scores:
Khalil Mack: 87.2
Joey Bosa: 91.4
Poona Ford: 89.2
Derwin James: 66.5
Asante Samuel: 63.5
Kristian Fulton: 66.4
Ja’Sir Taylor:72.1
Daiyan Henley: 59.0
I know Cleveland got a lot of pre-season love and their defense looks legit, but my god, the Watson trade/contract is turning out worse than the Denver Russell Wilson fiasco. Watson’s dead cap hits:
- 2024:$200,712,678
- 2025:$172,770,000
- 2026:$99,835,000
- 2027:$26,900,000
There’s talk in Cleveland now about benching him. Not sure how Cleveland is going to get out of this situation. I don’t see how they could field a team if they cut him over the next two years. Crazy-bad front office decision.
Kev, I don’t know how they can afford to cut him until 2027, and now he is facing a new sexual harassment charge. I hope the league doesn’t let them off the hook, by suspending him or making him exempt or something over this where Cleveland get out of paying him. They should have to pay every penny and/or suffer the cap consequences for signing him to begin with.
Hi Gents.
Just setting the scene that I’ll never be participating in game day threads due to the timezone differences here in Australia. I work during the day, studiously avoiding scores, and then I watch the game with Andy in the evening (Aus time) very delayed.
Last night, Andy and I overdid it with the cocktails (Gin/Triple Sec/White Creme De Cacao/Lemon Zest/Egg Whites for those playing at home) and beers, and I’m nursing a killer hangover. today I can’t recall having much more fun than we did last night watching a season opener. When Dobbins broke his second long run, Andy and I performed a deep front-on hug that felt like it lasted 30 seconds 🤣
I’m incredibly excited by what I saw. The Offense obviously had some issues. I listed a few here: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1833278638248366576
However, it was an outstanding debut by Jesse Minter, and you’d have to think some of the funk on Offense was stuff that will resolve itself over time as the players become more familiar with the scheme and each other. Offenses are usually a little slower to start the season anyway (apparently, total pass yards this week across the NFL was the 5th lowest total since 2000).
What I saw gave me great hope that we can be a playoff team this year, and maybe even do a bit of postseason damage.
Hope you all enjoyed watching the game. I’m taking a week off TDU as my wife and I getaway to enjoy a few nights down the coast together. But I’ll be back next week 
Also want to shoutout QJ. Was he targeted a lot? No. But I thought he made the most of the times when he was, and he looked much more natural and comfortable out there. Hopefully a performance he can build on.
I thought he looked great in space. Both he and McCarthy look to be dangerous in space. Shocking the way QJ was used last year.
Yeah I think last year someone asked why they didn’t run the Tyrell Williams (I think that’s his name) play with QJ – and voila, there it was! (short crosser, caught on the run for YAC)
Yes, I was the one that emphasized that when others were down on Johnston. Last year, they were trying to use him like Mike Williams when he is much more like Tyrell Williams. For the life of me, I could not understand last year why our coaches all but refused to run Johnston on short crossing patterns when his most famous highlight from his college days was the TD he scored against Harbaugh’s Michigan team on a short crossing pattern that he took to the house where he looked very dangerous running after the catch.
I get the sense that this year’s coaching staff does not miss much.
I watched the game at a friend’s “football kickoff” party. Lots of food/drinks. Most were Falcon fans, and they were pretty disappointed by the time of the Chargers kickoff. Sounds like you and Andy had fun. You may want to try Z-Biotics (let me know if they’re not available in Australia and I’ll bring you some).
You make some good points in your tweet, I think the Chargers knew they would beat the Raiders, so they’re putting tendencies down on film, so they can break them when the time is right. I believe this staff are a collection of very good chess players. They’re thinking several moves down the board.
This is a team and staff built to challenge this year. Are they as good as the Chiefs? Probably not. Can this team beat the Chiefs? Absolutely.
Never heard of Z-Biotics, Kev. We’ll accept all the hangover help we can get entering our mid-thirties. Hits differently these days! 😂
I think you’re right that they didn’t want to show everything in Wk 1. They are building the foundation for long-term success and it looks and smells pretty good to me mate.
We’ll accept all the hangover help we can get entering our mid-thirties. Hits differently these days
All I can tell you is that it only gets worse….
ZBiotics are a designed probiotic that is supposed to help your gut break down the alcohol in your gut, reducing the effects of a hangover. I’ve load-tested them and they help, but don’t prevent hangovers. I will bring a few for you, Andy and Jack to try.
More on ZBiotics:
https://zbiotics.com/products/zbiotics?variant=26921653076068&selling_plan=2925297898
Alister, I think a major trepidation that was expressed in the game thread over the offense was that many, myself included, were beat over the head in the offseason with this expectation of a punishing Roman rushing attack. I can’t speak for everyone, but I was expecting to see a Ravens/Niners type rush offense where we were consistently pushing the LOS and getting 5yd + gashing runs. Not the 3 yards and a cloud of dust up the middle pile ups we saw. Unless we can start to manufacture those chunk runs, I am not sure how effective the PA game will be. Like I said, this is a new scheme, coaches and personnel, so it is a work in progress. Interesting to see if we can get it to a SF level of rushing attack? Glad you enjoyed the game. Lets keep it rolling in week 2 so you can be nursing another victory hangover!!!
@evolz3737 I agree. Perhaps our expression of this….dismay? …. was part of the perceived negativity in the thread? And the initial lack of pressure on Minshew? I’m gonna call it like I see it without delving into hyperbole.
I’m very pleased with the second half adjustments. Harbaugh has stated a few times that week 1 to 2 often shows the biggest improvements. I’m hoping to see that.
Buck, totally agree. I think the game was like a prize fight where both teams were feeling each other out, without trying to make a big first mistake on both sides of the ball. I can not really argue with Minter’s final product as it was refreshing to see us not be playing soft giving up yards and chunk runs, although I did want to see a little more aggressiveness early to rattle Minschew from the start. With the soft defenseless BS we have witnessed the last few years, I will take ugly ground and pound wins over high flying losses and day.
What was great to see was essentially zero blown coverages. There was the missed tackle(s) for the Mattison TD. A couple instances where Davante found the soft spot in the middle of the field in zone coverage. One instance of Colson losing track of Bowers in coverage for a big completion. But generally, the coverage system was excellent. DBs had eyes on the QB and really understood their responsibilities. An early Asante tackle in the flat as he passed off Davante to Ja’Sir really highlighted that.
Also, Kristian Fulton had the best quiet game imaginable. Basically locked down his side of the field, helped in run support when needed, and was quick to trigger on that Minshew ludicrous throw/fumble. Great debut from him.
I’ve just finished watching the All-22, Erick. In the first half, Pipkins/Zion struggled with their down blocks. Easier said than done against Wilkins and John Jenkins but they lost the battle. As the game wore on though, Zion in particular really lifted. Maybe it’s Ben Herbert’s regime kicking in. You can see on Twitter I’ve posted Zion making three critical blocks on consecutive plays during the game winning drive. Dominating when it mattered most!
@alisterlloyd yet PFF gave Zion lower marks than Pipkins. I can’t understand or support their grading here.
I think our 1st round pick is gonna be alright. 👍🏼
Overall, it was very impressive to see. I was absolutely wrong about wanting Naber or MHJ. Alt was the right selection at #5. As soon as his run blocking improves he’ll gonna be an all-pro. Eventually this o-line is gonna maul opponents.
@lfg_boltz as much as I’m impressed with Alt’s play and the selection, I can’t say your 2 options would have been wrong either. Perhaps Chark will elevate the group but as of now there’s no WR or TE likely to strike fear in the heart of opposing defenses. I hope to be proven wrong but I doubt it this season. Serviceable is the likely outcome IMO. McConkey could easily lead this group as a rookie.
As happy as I am with our tackles, I’m skeptical of the IOL. Let’s hope they continue to improve.
It’s just a matter of time until Davante Adams starts wanting out. Chargers should jump on that, & he would strike fear in the heart of the opponent overnight.
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