Former OC Kellen Moore - Discussion

[YAC]

But then I looked at redzone (and TD) stats. The dude out-produces the elite RB's that you expect to have power and strength.

It's a traditional narrative that you need bulk for short yardage carries. Big and powerful.

Interesting perspective from Kyle Shanahan:

“What is a short-yardage power back? Is that just the biggest guy possible? Is it the Nigerian Nightmare?” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan asked, referring to former 255-pound Kansas City running back Christian Okoye.

“Is that the only way? It doesn’t have to always be that way. I think Frank Gore is an unbelievable short-yardage back and is he a real big guy?

“It’s very rare that you just run into people and run over a pile,” Shanahan said. “It’s about finding creases. There’s gaps that everyone has and usually everyone has so many people up in there to play the gaps that you have got to get to that open gap that’s there.

[21&500]

i love EK, but Sproles won us that playoff game vs IND.

For sure, one of the best sports moments of my life.
but if I had to pick 1 to be on my offense I'm going with the TD machine.
Love both.

[21&500]

It's a traditional narrative that you need bulk for short yardage carries. Big and powerful.

Interesting perspective from Kyle Shanahan:

“What is a short-yardage power back? Is that just the biggest guy possible? Is it the Nigerian Nightmare?” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan asked, referring to former 255-pound Kansas City running back Christian Okoye.

“Is that the only way? It doesn’t have to always be that way. I think Frank Gore is an unbelievable short-yardage back and is he a real big guy?

“It’s very rare that you just run into people and run over a pile,” Shanahan said. “It’s about finding creases. There’s gaps that everyone has and usually everyone has so many people up in there to play the gaps that you have got to get to that open gap that’s there.

Yup.
With our improved iOL, I see Ekeler as a perfect short yardage back.
So strong, small (fits in every pocket-small), smart, finds creases, hard to wrap up and a threat to run a great route from any short yardage formation.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

So... Will Kellen Moore find ways to get production from Zander Horvath?

Or is Horvath just a guy who could easily be cut in favor of an extra tight end?

The Bolts' 2022 offense was discombobulated with injuries-- Herbert, Slater, Allen, Linsley-- and never found the back they were looking for to complement Austin Ekeler. That's a significant handicap.

You know that phrase about "firing on all cylinders"? The Chargers' offense was *misfiring* on all cylinders. I think it's entirely possible that a guy like Horvath, or Josh Kelley could be FAR more productive than we saw last year, (1) if injuries are not a factor*, and (2) with a new OC in place who has a proven ability to devise schemes that get the most out of the talent he has to work with. Let's just say I'm curious.

* There are ALWAYS injuries-- It's just impossible to succeed if those injuries are too numerous, too catastrophic, or to key players. Losing Rashawn Slater and Keenan Allen, along with a severely dinged Herbert? Sorry, that's too much to expect to be able to overcome. Last year was a nightmare season for injuries, yet they STILL managed a playoff berth. Imagine what's possible in a season where the Bolts experience just a normal number of non-catastrophic injuries to non-crucial players.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

With our improved iOL, I see Ekeler as a perfect short yardage back.
So strong, small (fits in every pocket-small), smart, finds creases, hard to wrap up and a threat to run a great route from any short yardage formation.

Everything you say is true, but you'd still prefer not to expose a guy of Ekeler's size to too much of THAT kind of contact, when his elusiveness in space is among his very best traits. Seems like the organizations that succeed are the ones that put their players in the positions to do the things they do best.

There's no reason that the team's RB3 or RB4 can't be the short yardage specialist... They just need to have the right guy at RB3 or RB4.

[DerwinBosa]

The 2005 2nd string Charger offense during the preseason & 1rst regular season game was unbelievable: 6 future pro bowlers.

QB: Phillip Rivers

RB: Michael Turner /Darren Sproles

Wide receiver: Vincent Jackson / Wes Welker

OL: Kris Dielman

And we missed the playoffs.

[DerwinBosa]

Who do you take

Ekeler
Or Sproles in their prime?

I hope I'm not afflicted with "recency bias" as I choose Ekeler.

Love Eke so much, taking my kiddo to his camp in 2 weeks.

As a primary running back I would go with Ekeler. If we have LaDainian Tomlinson I would rather have Sproles as the complement to him. Sproles was a better receiver, and he also was a very good returner.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

What about Wes Walker ?

Are you aware that Welker only suited up for ONE regular season game for the Chargers?

He was cut, with the intent of re-signing him to the Practice Squad, but the Dolphins claimed him from the waiver wire.

Remember why the Chargers wanted the roster spot that Welker was cut to create? They needed it in order to claim Clinton Hart, who had been waived by the Eagles.

Oh. the humanity!

[powderblueboy]

And we missed the playoffs.

Schedule didn't help: contests against 4 teams coming off of byes, 5 east coast trips,
Naturally, a contract issue cost them a game (Gates),

[Boltnut]

It's a traditional narrative that you need bulk for short yardage carries. Big and powerful.

Interesting perspective from Kyle Shanahan:

“What is a short-yardage power back? Is that just the biggest guy possible? Is it the Nigerian Nightmare?” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan asked, referring to former 255-pound Kansas City running back Christian Okoye.

“Is that the only way? It doesn’t have to always be that way. I think Frank Gore is an unbelievable short-yardage back and is he a real big guy?

“It’s very rare that you just run into people and run over a pile,” Shanahan said. “It’s about finding creases. There’s gaps that everyone has and usually everyone has so many people up in there to play the gaps that you have got to get to that open gap that’s there.

Excellent find! And welcome to TPB. It's always nice to have a fresh voice here!

[DerwinBosa]

Schedule didn't help: contests against 4 teams coming off of byes, 5 east coast trips,
Naturally, a contract issue cost them a game (Gates),

Yeah, maybe he would have been the difference in Week 1, when Brees threw four incompletions inside the 10-yard line at the end of the game. Gates was there in Week 2, though, and Brees still played like crap, as he did in plenty of other games that year. The 2005 team could have won it all, considering the Steelers really weren't that good. A wasted opportunity.

[Boltjolt]

A good friend of mine is a Dolphins fan and we agree that both the Chargers and Dolphins missed something about Welker.

Wes Welker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Only thing we missed is Marty wanted to keep Tim Dwight instead and tried to slip him on the PS but Miami offered him more to sign with them.