The Los Angeles Chargers are back in the playoffs in their first year under Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz’s leadership!
Ryan Watkins has done an amazing job breaking down the scouting reports on both sides of the ball this week. In case you missed it, here is his in-depth look at how the Bolts’ offense will fare against the Texan’s defense, and how Jesse Minter’s defense can gain an edge against Houston’s offense.
In the final injury report, we learned that Joshua Palmer will be OUT for the Bolts (and later saw Ja’Sir Taylor moved to the IR), and Shaq Mason OUT for the Texans. A handful of other players on each side had some “Questionable” tags, but no “Doubtfuls.”
This has been one heck of a season with all of you, and I’m excited to be tuned in to catch this playoff game with you all. Let’s get excited and enjoy some Chargers playoff football!
In addition to coaching changes, let’s look at our FAs. I note “In” for the ones I’d keep and, well “Out” is self explanatory:
Poona-In
Tart-In
Fox-Out
Dye-In
Mack-In (if team friendly deal)
Rumph-Out
Sarell-Out
Perryman-Out (always injured)
Fulton-Out
Apple-Out
Molden-In
Asante-Out
Maye-Out
Jefferson-Practice Squad
Niemann-In (special teams)
Chark-Out
Reagor-Out
Fehoko-Out
Palmer-Out
Dobbins-In
Edwards-Out
Hurst-Out
Smartt-In
Fisk-?????!
Bozeman-Out
Mustipher-Out
Jaimes-Out
Scott-In?
Stick-Out
Heineken-In
Though not FAs, cut Bosa and Pipkins. Can’t pay them what they’re scheduled to make, which is un guaranteed. What say you?
Yeah, this loss hurts. And Herbert had the worst game of his career, IMO. But I have to remind myself I predicted 8-9 wins. So the team exceeded my expectations.
That doesn’t change the obvious truth that the team has had a lot of problems on offense for most of the season. Many of the problems are personnel-related, but a good deal of it is coaching. I just flat out don’t think Roman is the right OC for a team with a QB like Herbert. It just doesn’t seem like Roman’s strengths complement or maximizes Herbert’s. I mean, yeah, the team needs a strong run game, but it also needs an OC who can give Herbert a passing scheme that optimizes Herbert’s passing talent. Roman can do the former with the right personnel, but not the latter. I hate that Herbert has had 4 OCs in 5 years, but does that justify pushing a suboptimal coaching choice for another year? Just seems like Harbaugh ought to look at the coaching staff just like his players. Can he bring in a better coach to make the team better? Competitors welcome, right?
Marcus Brady (Passing Game Coordinator): Marcus, a former QB, has no experience with Harbaugh/Roman. The passing game didn’t look very coordinated this year, so….?
Andy Bischoff (Running Game Coordinator/TE): Worked as a TE coach in Baltimore with Roman, so don’t think he’ll be kicked to the curb. I could see him be re-assigned as this was by far the worst running game of Roman’s career. Maybe he’s just the TE coach next year as the dude did make chicken salad out of the chicken shit players he was handed at the TE position.
Shane Day (QB Coach): No history with Roman. Statistically, Herbert had a good year and Justin likes Shane, so not sure he leaves. Total guess on my part, but I’m not sure Shane and Roman are aligned philosophically, so maybe there is some friction there?
Mike Devlin (OL Coach): The interior of the OL looked just as confused last Saturday as they did in the 1st game of the season. Big reason why the Chargers are not playing this coming week. Mike’s been an OL coach for a long time and worked for Jim H last year. Don’t think he’s super-highly regarded.
Sanjay Lal (WR Coach): Another guy with limited/no history with Jim/Roman (he may have known Jim during his year at the Raiders). While QJ did improve, the dude still can’t catch. Sanjay’s been a WR coach in the league for a long time, but the lack of progress with any receiver not named Ladd (and the fall-off from Palmer) could put him on the hot seat?
Of the offensive coaches, I think Brady is the most likely to go, followed by Devlin. I do expect some churn. Someone has to take accountability for the worst running game in GRo’s career.
BUT….I don’t see elite recognition skills from either of them. You can get by a little better at tackle because you have the space to adjust. Inside you don’t have that luxury. So guys like them really need a savvy center to help with assignments. Otherwise you see them lose that base because they’re out of position and lunging. We saw the improvement to some degree the small stretch of time that we had Linsley….and watched a big drop-off when he was out.
On offense, my 2 priorities are center and TE. RB too but less critical, IMO, or at least less worthy of expensive draft capital. Defense is a little trickier, depends more on who stays and goes. You can always use corners and Zont is gone, I’m sure (not that he had any impact this year). A thumper in the middle and at least one edge.
It’s a big plate to fill but we’re in a better financial situation. Hortiz is gonna get a chance to really make an impact this year.
Buffalo is putting an ass whoopin’ on the Nags. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I’ll pull for the Raiders over the nags.
Yeah, I thought maybe, just maybe Roman was learning to maximize what he has. Turns out it was just against weak opponents. He sucks and Baltimore knew it. John beat Jim in the regular season and by pawning Roman off on him.
Sorry about the off topic rant. I just despise the Broncos.
Donks are toast, but they’ll be a load next season. The AFC West is going to be slug fest next year. Oh, and the Raiders. They’ll be there, too.
Raiders took a big step in the right direction by dumping Telesco.
Nix always looks better in the scripted plays. Once the playbook opens up he’s a different player.