Welcome back diehards. What a game and effort from coaches, players alike. We got to see some exotic formations with Ekeler in the slot, we got to see some complex designed blitz packages and some old tried and true plays with new faces. I truly believe this team has turned the corner and learned how to win. How many games in the past have we seen them lose in some laughable way? Staley has changed the culture. Yes the run def is bad, but that is the core of Staley D. Keep the explosive plays low and make teams be perfect to win. Of course it never happens like we want, like they want, but the Chargers made superb in-game ajustments something that we are not accustomed to seeing as fans. I noticed Derwin moving outside to contain the edge and it slowed the rushing attack of ATL as the game went on. ASJ + Veto are playing with swagger and flexin on every pass defended. Its fun to watch. Herb is gaining velocity on passes fitting it in some tight windows and mutli headed rushing attack is keeping players fresh and limiting film for teams to zero in on. Each week the gameplan varies and the strategy evolves, take a gander...
The Good:
4th quarter 7:40 on the clock, 2nd and 8 ball on 30yrd line
This is Mdub's route all day everyday. I have seen this countless times, so to watch Palmer fill in perfectly makes it a good play.
Carter in motion shows the def in zone coverage and its acutally this route that opens the hole by dragging the LB and the CB eyes his way. Palmer recognizes the hole, slows a couple of steps and jumps to high point the catch. Perfectly thrown pass yada yada. Watch ATL OLB and tell me the Chargers run game was not effective
The Bad:
1st quarter 13.47 on the clock, 1st and 10 ball on 41 yard line
Allgeier runs large on the right side. As i watch this play unfold its seems to be a combination of edge control loss and bad angles from Murray and Derwin add in Van Noy too. I have to wonder if Murray gets too amped up to hit someone and just hits VanNoy in the back. He clearly reads the play and run blitz and then i believe he gets held out wide. Derwin seems sleepy to attack the ball carrier until its too late and his angle is bad. Tranquill giving his best effort but he was at his limit. This defense really misses Bosa setting that edge and both Murray and Van Noy would be much more effective inside.
The Great:
2nd quarter 12:15 on the clock, 3rd and 15 ball on 12 yard line
This was it boys and girls. The moment the Chargers can flash something special when all the players do their job well.
I'll start with the O-line. Sayler and Fieler handle the stunt and pass off seemlessly. Linsley doubles to help. Zion and Pip double the edge and then transfer to pickup the outside late rusher. At the top of Herbs drop he has Everett open for the easy dink and dunk. But Herb feels better, he gets hungry and steps up wanting Palmer in the soft zone. Bandy goin deep forces the Safties back and Palmer does and excellent job of sitting down in the hole and not running across the field into more coverage. Perfection on 3rd and 15. Perfection
Honorable Mentions:
Hon1
Derwin gets a sack from great disguised blitz package and arrives with violence.
Hon2
Carter catching in a very tight window. Herb is healing if he can throw it like this and i love Carters hands.
Bonus content:
I guess we will all have to spend a week watching Patterson run over Tranquill highlights (angry runs etc) so i wanted to showcase some plays that wont get highlights as well.
The first play is the angry run:
but check out Tranq doin his job on these tough plays:
So yeah Tranq shake it off mate. I see you and I see your effort my man!
Finally the Chargers are not Charrrrgerrrrring and actualkly improving week to week. Props to Brandon Staley and staff getting wins with backups, keeping Herb upright with tight O-line calls and short but effective routes and run game. Its not all perfect, but when it is - its something of beauty. We are being treated to the birds eye view of strong depth being created and coached up. These backups making plays now in week 9 will become the 1 off crazy plays that win games in the playoffs. I call it now.
As always
Luv ya
-Chillies
The Good:
4th quarter 7:40 on the clock, 2nd and 8 ball on 30yrd line
This is Mdub's route all day everyday. I have seen this countless times, so to watch Palmer fill in perfectly makes it a good play.
Carter in motion shows the def in zone coverage and its acutally this route that opens the hole by dragging the LB and the CB eyes his way. Palmer recognizes the hole, slows a couple of steps and jumps to high point the catch. Perfectly thrown pass yada yada. Watch ATL OLB and tell me the Chargers run game was not effective
The Bad:
1st quarter 13.47 on the clock, 1st and 10 ball on 41 yard line
Allgeier runs large on the right side. As i watch this play unfold its seems to be a combination of edge control loss and bad angles from Murray and Derwin add in Van Noy too. I have to wonder if Murray gets too amped up to hit someone and just hits VanNoy in the back. He clearly reads the play and run blitz and then i believe he gets held out wide. Derwin seems sleepy to attack the ball carrier until its too late and his angle is bad. Tranquill giving his best effort but he was at his limit. This defense really misses Bosa setting that edge and both Murray and Van Noy would be much more effective inside.
The Great:
2nd quarter 12:15 on the clock, 3rd and 15 ball on 12 yard line
This was it boys and girls. The moment the Chargers can flash something special when all the players do their job well.
I'll start with the O-line. Sayler and Fieler handle the stunt and pass off seemlessly. Linsley doubles to help. Zion and Pip double the edge and then transfer to pickup the outside late rusher. At the top of Herbs drop he has Everett open for the easy dink and dunk. But Herb feels better, he gets hungry and steps up wanting Palmer in the soft zone. Bandy goin deep forces the Safties back and Palmer does and excellent job of sitting down in the hole and not running across the field into more coverage. Perfection on 3rd and 15. Perfection
Honorable Mentions:
Hon1
Derwin gets a sack from great disguised blitz package and arrives with violence.
Hon2
Carter catching in a very tight window. Herb is healing if he can throw it like this and i love Carters hands.
Bonus content:
I guess we will all have to spend a week watching Patterson run over Tranquill highlights (angry runs etc) so i wanted to showcase some plays that wont get highlights as well.
The first play is the angry run:
but check out Tranq doin his job on these tough plays:
So yeah Tranq shake it off mate. I see you and I see your effort my man!
Finally the Chargers are not Charrrrgerrrrring and actualkly improving week to week. Props to Brandon Staley and staff getting wins with backups, keeping Herb upright with tight O-line calls and short but effective routes and run game. Its not all perfect, but when it is - its something of beauty. We are being treated to the birds eye view of strong depth being created and coached up. These backups making plays now in week 9 will become the 1 off crazy plays that win games in the playoffs. I call it now.
As always
Luv ya
-Chillies
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