Future With Lynn?

[Coachmarkos]

I don't mind running the ball, at all. I don't. I understand the balance thing. I get it. It's true. It's better to be balanced.

BUT... the Chargers aren't balanced in their overall playcalling... First downs are overwhelmingly runs... it's why the Patriots destroyed them. They knew what was going to happen.

What our playcallers fail to see... is that passing on first down, may actually open up the running game. Because teams won't know what to expect.

But when everyone knows what you are going to do, and then, in addition, it's not the strength of your team, it's a recipe for disaster.

Justin is so good at completing 3rd and 2nd and longs... imagine him throwing on a 2nd and 1?

You can be balanced, and pass on first downs occasionally... you can be balanced and pass in short yardage. Predictability doesn't help you be balanced.

[AKFlyFisher]

Well, my gut reaction yesterday was the Chargers would win 34 to 28. I wasn't too far off.

So I'm consulting my gut again: I bet the FO retains Lynn. Do I like the idea? No. I loathed the hire from day one. But I think this ownership and Telesco will want to retain Hamilton and Steichen to ensure continuity for Herbert. I somewhat understand wanting such continuity when a rookie QB breaks various rookie QB records. Such continuity is not assured unless Lynn is the coach. I expect Lynn will be asked to make some significant changes to his coaching staff; i.e. DC (maybe it is Rex Ryan), special teams, and find someone to help him with clock management.

I don't think I'm a soothsayer either. I think this is consistent with the Chargers' pattern over the last 10 years.

If Herbert has a rough sophomore season, then I think "continuity" becomes less important and that establishes a basis for moving on from Lynn.

[Bolt4Knob]

Well, my gut reaction yesterday was the Chargers would win 34 to 28. I wasn't too far off.

So I'm consulting my gut again: I bet the FO retains Lynn. Do I like the idea? No. I loathed the hire from day one. But I think this ownership and Telesco will want to retain Hamilton and Steichen to ensure continuity for Herbert. I somewhat understand wanting such continuity when a rookie QB breaks various rookie QB records. Such continuity is not assured unless Lynn is the coach. I expect Lynn will be asked to make some significant changes to his coaching staff; i.e. DC (maybe it is Rex Ryan), special teams, and find someone to help him with clock management.

I don't think I'm a soothsayer either. I think this is consistent with the Chargers' pattern over the last 10 years.

If Herbert has a rough sophomore season, then I think "continuity" becomes less important and that establishes a basis for moving on from Lynn.

This is all good in theory - find somebody to help him with clock management but he is four years into this job - he should be better at it. And its a big part of the job. And he is sorely lacking the skillset. And when its game time, and he has 10-15 seconds to makea decision - he will revert to what is comfortable.

Hiring a ST coach - thats important
Maybe moving on from Gus and I don't mind the idea of Rex - thats good
TElesco making the right strategic improvements to the team - thats good

but the number 1 issue I see right now is when the game starts, Anthony Lynn is one of the worst coaches in the league. And if he is brought back - I think he will still be one of the worst gameday coaches in the league

If the Spanii are honest - they know it.

[Critty]

I don't mind running the ball, at all. I don't. I understand the balance thing. I get it. It's true. It's better to be balanced.

BUT... the Chargers aren't balanced in their overall playcalling... First downs are overwhelmingly runs... it's why the Patriots destroyed them. They knew what was going to happen.

What our playcallers fail to see... is that passing on first down, may actually open up the running game. Because teams won't know what to expect.

But when everyone knows what you are going to do, and then, in addition, it's not the strength of your team, it's a recipe for disaster.

Justin is so good at completing 3rd and 2nd and longs... imagine him throwing on a 2nd and 1?

You can be balanced, and pass on first downs occasionally... you can be balanced and pass in short yardage. Predictability doesn't help you be balanced.

For what it's worth Chargers vs Raiders yesterday.
14 passes on 1st down.
14 runs on 1st down.
And even 50/50 split of run/pass on 1st down.

[Bolt4Knob]

For what it's worth Chargers vs Raiders yesterday.
14 passes on 1st down.
14 runs on 1st down.
And even 50/50 split of run/pass on 1st down.

how many of the passes were in the two minute offense at the end of the first half; at the end of the game (twice) and in overtime. it skews the numbers. Same thing happened in the Atlanta game

at one point in the game it was like 9 runs, two swing passes and one pass thrown past the line of scrimmage on first down

[Critty]

But would you blame the NBA head coach if he is having Dwight Howard posses the ball late in a tight game when the other team has to foul and Howard misses the free throw? What if the coach is calling plays that have bad ball handlers bring the ball up court and they dribble it off their foot? How about if he is having a 30% free throw shooter shooting 8 3 pointers a game? Putting players in a position to succeed is a big part of coaching. It's not just if players succeed or fail.

Do you blame a manager if he bunts with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs and the team scores one run instead of having a big inning because they sacrificed an out in a close game? Once again, game situation management matters just as much as execution.

Do you blame a HC for putting his bad kicker in a position where he's constantly kicking FGs outside his range because the coach won't go for it on short yardage? Do you blame a coach for needing a field goal because he kept running instead of throwing for a TD?

For what it's worth they were 14 runs and 14 passes on 1st down yesterday.

In the missed 51 yd FG. 4 runs 47yards. 1 pass sacked.
The run was working. The pass failed on that series.

If Herbert throws that away on 3rd and 2. Maybe they go for it on 4th and 2. But the sack made it 4th a 10.

Badgley has enough leg to make 55yd. Its the accuracy that is an issue. He did make a 43yd game winner last week.
So I don't fault Lynn for putting Badgely out there for 51yd try on 4th and 10 with less than a minute left to play.

Now if Lynn would have punted there. Then I'd have an issue.
That is playing not to lose. Its, I don't trust my kicker to make it. I don't trust my offense to convert 4th and 10. So I'm punting because I don't what them starting with good field position.

Now if it was 4th and 2, then I could see question of why didn't Lynn go for it. But funny thing is. That makes it a 43yd FG and it look like it missed wide on tail end of kick. So I think it goes through and is good from 43yds.

Anyways. They found a way to get the Win. And that is all that ever matter. Finding a way, ugly, pretty whatever. Just find a way to get the win.

[Critty]

how many of the passes were in the two minute offense at the end of the first half; at the end of the game (twice) and in overtime. it skews the numbers. Same thing happened in the Atlanta game

at one point in the game it was like 9 runs, two swing passes and one pass thrown past the line of scrimmage on first down

If we remove those end of 1st half, and both late game FG misses at end of 2nd half and also OT.
It takes away......
4 runs and 4 passes on 1st down in those situations.
a 50/50 split

Leaving.....

......wait for it...

...wait for it........

I SAID WAIT FOR IT!!!!

A 50/50 splits of runs and passes on 1st down
10 runs and 10 passes during middle of game situations.

So they basically were balanced all game.
32 passes 29 runs.

I like it! Think it really helps take pressure off Herbert and helps keep opponent defense honest. And keeps the pass more open because they won't go one dimensional and abandon the run.

Complimentary football.

[eaterfan]

For what it's worth they were 14 runs and 14 passes on 1st down yesterday. They averaged 9.8 yards/attempt in the air and 3.3 yards/carry. You think an equal number of attempts is a good balance? This isn't just about this game. The Chargers have run it on 1st down as much as any team in the league and run it very inefficiently.

In the missed 51 yd FG. 4 runs 47yards. 1 pass sacked. How about the drive before that? And it's still not just about this game. This has happened all season.
The run was working. The pass failed on that series.

If Herbert throws that away on 3rd and 2. Maybe they go for it on 4th and 2. But the sack made it 4th a 10. What was the down and distance when they missed the 47 yard field goal? Wasn't it 4th and 2 or 4th and 3? Lynn didn't go for it.

Badgley has enough leg to make 55yd. Its the accuracy that is an issue. He did make a 43yd game winner last week.
So I don't fault Lynn for putting Badgely out there for 51yd try on 4th and 10 with less than a minute left to play. We all know Badley can't hit from 45+ because accuracy matters and not just leg.

Now if Lynn would have punted there. Then I'd have an issue.
That is playing not to lose. Its, I don't trust my kicker to make it. I don't trust my offense to convert 4th and 10. So I'm punting because I don't what them starting with good field position. Taking the ball out of the QBs hands when he's kicking butt is playing not to lose. It's what AL does.

Now if it was 4th and 2, then I could see question of why didn't Lynn go for it. But funny thing is. That makes it a 43yd FG and it look like it missed wide on tail end of kick. So I think it goes through and is good from 43yds.

Anyways. They found a way to get the Win. And that is all that ever matter. Finding a way, ugly, pretty whatever. Just find a way to get the win. That's what people said when he was doing the same things in 2018. Playing to win close games instead of beating the crap out of teams you're dominating let's teams back into games and requires the players and coaches to be perfect down the stretch. An INT from Herbert and we blame him instead of the coaches. A fumble from Ekeler and we blame him instead of the coaches. A missed field goal from Badgley and we blame him instead of the coaches. If we keep throwing the ball instead of running it much of the 3rd quarter and the entire fourth quarter, maybe we're up by 14 instead of 7. The Raiders have to throw it instead of running the ball down our throats. Our defense is less tired. Badgely isn't called on to kick a field goal and we don't even get to OT. This game could have gone either way and that shouldn't happen when a team dominates for 3.5 quarters. And it's one thing if this happened a few times a year. It has been the same thing for the last 4 seasons. It's choices, not circumstances.

[Bolt4Knob]

If we remove those end of 1st half, and both late game FG misses at end of 2nd half and also OT.
It takes away......
4 runs and 4 passes on 1st down in those situations.
a 50/50 split

Leaving.....

......wait for it...

...wait for it........

I SAID WAIT FOR IT!!!!

A 50/50 splits of runs and passes on 1st down
10 runs and 10 passes during middle of game situations.

So they basically were balanced all game.
32 passes 29 runs.

I like it! Think it really helps take pressure off Herbert and helps keep opponent defense honest. And keeps the pass more open because they won't go one dimensional and abandon the run.

Complimentary football.

Its not about balance and complimentary football. Its about winning games. Thats it. Thats the only stat that matters.

I know Anthony Lynn wants to run the football and have balance. But is that the best way for this team how it actually plays? Meaning lousy run blocking and better in the passing game. I think Lynn is overthinking this one.

If Lynn is the head coach next year - he better be up Telescos backside to build a better OL. As that is the only way being "balanced" will work

[jamrock]

Well, my gut reaction yesterday was the Chargers would win 34 to 28. I wasn't too far off.

So I'm consulting my gut again: I bet the FO retains Lynn. Do I like the idea? No. I loathed the hire from day one. But I think this ownership and Telesco will want to retain Hamilton and Steichen to ensure continuity for Herbert. I somewhat understand wanting such continuity when a rookie QB breaks various rookie QB records. Such continuity is not assured unless Lynn is the coach. I expect Lynn will be asked to make some significant changes to his coaching staff; i.e. DC (maybe it is Rex Ryan), special teams, and find someone to help him with clock management.

I don't think I'm a soothsayer either. I think this is consistent with the Chargers' pattern over the last 10 years.

If Herbert has a rough sophomore season, then I think "continuity" becomes less important and that establishes a basis for moving on from Lynn.

I kind of agree that they will do that.

[Critty]

I completely disagree. I think if they go with your game plan. Those passing windows close and Herbert is under more pressure to do it all. And then probably end up with game changing turnovers.

The down and distance on Badgely 1st miss was 4th and 2.

But let's put it into perspective. Seriously.

Why would he not try to take the lead there when Badgely had made both FGs and Both XP vs Falcons. Including the game winner the previous game. And had made all 3 XPs and his 1st FG vs Raiders. That is 8 straight makes. I would bet Lynn thought Badger had shook off the yips.

So I don't blame Lynn for his decision there. I blame Badgely for missing his kicks.

[Critty]

Its not about balance and complimentary football. Its about winning games. Thats it. Thats the only stat that matters.

I know Anthony Lynn wants to run the football and have balance. But is that the best way for this team how it actually plays? Meaning lousy run blocking and better in the passing game. I think Lynn is overthinking this one.

If Lynn is the head coach next year - he better be up Telescos backside to build a better OL. As that is the only way being "balanced" will work

Ekeler is running for 4.7 per carry behind this o-line all year.

The backups are going for 3.2 per carry and missing holes Ekeler takes advantage of. That is a huge drop off with the back ups.

One more thing. No QB has more pass attempts the Herbert. He has thrown it more than any QB in the league.
So even though no QB is passing as much as Herbert is per game, you think Lynn is not passing enough.

To put an even larger point on it. Chargers are leading the league in pass attempts and are 40 pass attempts clear of #2 team in pass attempts.

But Lynn is not passing enough because he wants to run it all the time. Okay.