Drive Killers

[Guest]

Chargers scored the most first half points since 2018. Did you bother to point that out at any point during your biased, myopic list of grievances, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments?

I am not sure if you were aware of this, but Joe Lombardi was not our OC until 2021, so stats about 2018 are irrelevant--different HC, OC, QB, etc. So why would I discuss those irrelevant time periods?

Also, the subject of this thread is three specific second half drives of the game against HOU. I specifically addressed each one of those drives, pointing out that there were play calling problems on numerous plays not shown in the videos that were part of the drives in question and that there were problems with the some of the play calling that was shown in the videos. Thus, my response was specifically on point regarding why those drives were stalling.

[Guest]

And not because the players were perfect in 1st half’s but less than perfect in 2nd half’s.

what’s particularly galling about making excuses for coaching is Lombardi himself blamed his conservative play calling in two games.

to Lombardi’s credit….he recognized the problem, so he can correct it. Unfortunately, some posters refuse to accept Lombardi’s culpability in either losing games we should have won or keeping opponents hanging around.

The bolded part is the amazing part to me. Lombardi has actually admitted that he has been too conservative in his play calling in multiple games and yet when this very obvious point gets raised, some posters actually try to deny it and claim that Lombardi is somehow doing a great job even though Lombardi himself has admitted that he was too conservative in his play calling.

I agree that it is to Lombardi's credit that he can recognize his mistakes when he goes back and studies the game film. However, it is not an encouraging sign that despite recognizing this problem, he has not been able to fix it. It is also not encouraging that he apparently cannot recognize the issue in real time while the game is unfolding. Coaches like Sean Payton and Andy Reid can and do make adjustments on the fly in real time.

Even stranger is that he should be able to see that when we hit some medium passes as we did against the Texans in the first half, it tended to loosen their defense up a bit. It was working just as it did against LV. So, if it is working, why abandon it in favor of the momentum shifting too conservative play calling that he has resorted to like clockwork in the second halves of our games this year?

[boltfanseattle]

Lombardi just needs to eliminate the "step on their throat" 3rd down plays when you have a decent lead. I know the intent is well, but you should keep the focus on taking what the defense is giving, especially if that allows you to run the clock, keep the time of possession high, and tire out the opposing D. Now, if the defense leaves your deep guys wide open, go for it. Otherwise, if they want to give you 7-15 yard chunks, and you have a big lead, take the easy yards.

[blueman]

He’s pointing out the tendency of our offense to stall in the second half of games this season and trying to ascertain why that is.

Big lead early? Yay. Biggest lead in awhile? Kudos.

Now his question is, why did that wonderful start crumble to a one score game? Why does our offense tend to shrivel up?

Does everything have to be so sum-zero on this board? Can no one criticize a recurring theme this season without being accused of being myopic or being a Debbie downer?

Perhaps the habitual 3-and-done offensive “drives” of the second half can (and should) be discussed. No?

Stems back to last year’s 9-8 season too. If it wasn’t real, we wouldn’t be talking about it.

[boltfanseattle]

The defense gets soft when there is a decent lead. They basically run their assignments, but stop short of doing the extra things you need to snuff out plays, break up passes, create pressure, etc. Meanwhile, the opponent sharpens their knives, and plays harder since they are in a hole. Defense just needs to play like they are always behind, and that should stop the complacency.

The offense goes conservative by going for short first downs, and then when they eventually hit a snag and get a 3rd and 7+, they try long bombs which have low probability of success. In other words, they ignore the easy chunk plays in order to step on their throats, but it doesn't usually convert, and they end up punting. What they should do is Take the yards, run the clock, only throw the bombs when its wide open.

[SuperCharged]

A couple of things.

Play calling completely changed after halftime. This is what is driving most of us crazy. You need to show off. Teams and Fans and beat writers and networks will all take note. 21 in the first half. There is absolutely no reason NOT to put up another 21.

It always feels like Lombo is satisfied with a lead and goes into turtle mode to try and kill the clock. That's like having a Bugatti and never taking it over 65 mph. I would love to see a complete blowout for once.

Defense is really a ?. Seems there are a lot of holes in a secondary that is supposed to be fearsome. We are 30th in the league for points allowed. That is terrible with the personel we have on the field. I say keep coming with the blitzes. But more disguised blitzes. Slamming Tranq and K9 to push the pocket is nice but how about a corner blitz? Something not so obvious as an interior rush.

[Riverwalk]

Is ‘drive killer’ Lombardi’s new nickname?

[QSmokey]

You lost me at "emotion free".

[NoMoreChillies]

After film study i agree with Crusher about routes. They need to be longer and deeper. Hopefully now the Chargers realize Sayler can cover Herbs blind side we will see more medium to long routes. When this happens, Herb needs to be accurate and the reciever needs to catch.

WE can blame Lombardi for the routes, but we also need to blame players that throw it into the ground and drop easy completions. Coaches need to coach, players need to execute.

[Boltnut]

"Play 1": There are 7 defenders at the LOS. They send all 7. Whatever the play call is... you must get rid of the ball quickly; and usually to your best matchup. That was Everett. He was open... he just dropped it. That was going to be a 1st down. There's nothing wrong with that call or read.

"Play 2": There are 6 defenders at the LOS. They send all 6. Very similar to "Play 1". Except MW is the matchup they want. Very good coverage... throw was just a bit out of reach.

"Play 3" is a series of 3 plays. Texans only rush 4 and drop a lot of players into coverage. The first play of the series, JH pulls the ball down too soon IMO. Palmer (I believe) is open on a middle depth crossing route... but JH doesn't see him. The second play of the series could have been a completion had Eke turned to the outside instead of the inside. And the third play the defender alters the throw. The sack on the first play puts them in obvious passing situations and they bring the RB into the slot on second and third play... exponentially easier to cover.

[powderblueboy]

Chargers scored the most first half points since 2018. Did you bother to point that out at any point during your biased, myopic list of grievances, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments?

That's great if it were only a 30 minute game:
first half of the surgery was a success, 2nd half old doc watson was off his game.


















'"

[powderblueboy]

"Play 1": There are 7 defenders at the LOS. They send all 7. Whatever the play call is... you must get rid of the ball quickly; and usually to your best matchup. That was Everett. He was open... he just dropped it. That was going to be a 1st down. There's nothing wrong with that call or read.

"Play 2": There are 6 defenders at the LOS. They send all 6. Very similar to "Play 1". Except MW is the matchup they want. Very good coverage... throw was just a bit out of reach.

"Play 3" is a series of 3 plays. Texans only rush 4 and drop a lot of players into coverage. The first play of the series, JH pulls the ball down too soon IMO. Palmer (I believe) is open on a middle depth crossing route... but JH doesn't see him. The second play of the series could have been a completion had Eke turned to the outside instead of the inside. And the third play the defender alters the throw. The sack on the first play puts them in obvious passing situations and they bring the RB into the slot on second and third play... exponentially easier to cover.

on play 2 herbert was affected by a defender who was at the point of impact with herbert.

defender quickly shed clapp, but clapp had someone barrel into his side: one of those clever blitz types that baltimore draws up, and staley doesn't.