Dolphins at Chargers Pre Game Discussion

[Velo]

NFL Week 1 picks against the spread: Justin Herbert for MVP, not buying Aaron Rodgers’ Jets

By Vic Tafur

My predictions this season should have an asterisk.

I had the chance to watch the Los Angeles Chargers practice for two days in Costa Mesa, Calif., for a story I was working on during training camp.

I have seen Justin Herbert plenty of times at live games, but never at two days of practice. I don’t know if he’s extra confident this year because of new coordinator Kellen Moore, his best offensive line in years and/or a rejuvenated Keenan Allen, but throw after throw was nearly perfect. Short, medium, deep, velocity, ball placement …

It’s impossible to watch that, with the ocean breeze gently blowing in your face on a hot day, and not think this is the Chargers’ year. Not to mention they have a healthy, improved and motivated defense after last season’s playoff collapse to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

I didn’t totally lose my mind and pick the Chargers to win the Super Bowl (I have the Philadelphia Eagles over the Miami Dolphins). Brandon Staley as the head coach is still a wild card. But I think Herbert wins MVP (he is 11-to-1) and the Chargers top their season over/under of 9.5 wins.



Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers (-3) | 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

Both these teams are going to have really strong seasons, and this one comes down to Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey being out and Keenan Allen looking like a man possessed this training camp. I don’t see Justin Herbert having much trouble Sunday. Vic Fangio ran some form of man coverage on 38.5 percent of snaps during his final season with the Broncos in 2021, the second-highest rate in the NFL. Herbert, though, ranked fifth in the NFL in yards per attempt (8.1) and EPA per dropback (0.23) against man last season, per TruMedia, and threw for the second-most passing yards on such plays (1,317).

The pick: CHARGERS

He picks the Dolphins to be in the SB but predicts Herbert will rip apart their secondary in Week 1 in a Chargers win.

[colorado]

Perhaps. But he isn't on the menu this Sunday.

I hear dolphin is awfully chewy...

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Hypothetically, here:

Dolphins win the coin toss, and elect to defer.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the back of the endzone, so the Chargers have the ball at the 25 yard line.

First offensive call of the season-- What Is It?!? *YOU* make the call! (Or, as Rams fans say, 'EWE' make the call!)

With the disclaimer that, of course, Herb could check out of the called play to something different, depending on what the defense presented...

I'm calling the same play the Joshua Kelley took for 70-whatever yards in the preseason-- tight end in motion, and hitting the gap between the guard and tackle.

If it goes for 7 yards, we're looking at 2nd and short. Not the 2nd and 8 or 9 that we saw so typically a year ago.

Smashmouth. Set the tone early for establishing dominance on the ground. 'Cause we know that's what they WANT to be able to do, and it opens up everything else. ...

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

I hear dolphin is awfully chewy...

Fish outta watta

[dmac_bolt]

Hypothetically, here:

Dolphins win the coin toss, and elect to defer.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the back of the endzone, so the Chargers have the ball at the 25 yard line.

First offensive call of the season-- What Is It?!? *YOU* make the call! (Or, as Rams fans say, 'EWE' make the call!)

With the disclaimer that, of course, Herb could check out of the called play to something different, depending on what the defense presented...

I'm calling the same play the Joshua Kelley took for 70-whatever yards in the preseason-- tight end in motion, and hitting the gap between the guard and tackle.

If it goes for 7 yards, we're looking at 2nd and short. Not the 2nd and 8 or 9 that we saw so typically a year ago.

Smashmouth. Set the tone early for establishing dominance on the ground. 'Cause we know that's what they WANT to be able to do, and it opens up everything else. ...

Herbie takes the snap under center. Fakes the handoff to Ekeler, Dub wide right streaks deep right side, pulling his CB and one Safety to far deep right, Slayer left, runs short cross, draws down inside LBs while his CB trails behind as well. Everett lined up right, next to Pipkins, runs a middle seam/post, Remaining safety doesn't get there in time - Herbie drops it over the underneath coverage for a 16 yard gain, Dolphins shake their heads, stunned and scared, McDaniel on sideline suddenly realizes he spent the entire off-season researching "Staley Plan" and frantically begins googling "Kellen Moore plan". He then sneaks in the medical tent for a double shot of Patron. a vape puff wafts out the door as he exits.

Tone set. Dolphins will be on their heels and disoriented for the next 59.20 and they know it. Next play is an Ekeler run for 11.

Kelley isn't on the field for play 1 or 2, FYI. He gets his first carry in 2nd Quarter.

[Formula 21]

Assante takes one to the house.

[richpjr]

Sitting in a video call with time to kill, so I looked up the first play from all regular season and the 2 playoff games the Cowboys played and here you go:

Short pass for 7 yards
4 yard run LG
Short pass for 15 yards
5 yard run LG
5 yard run RT
8 yard WR jet sweep
Incomplete deep pass
Short pass for 4 yards
1 yard run RT
4 yard run LG
12 yard WR jet sweep
0 yard run LT
8 yard swing pass to RB
5 yard run RG
1 yard run C
4 yard short pass
1 yard run LT

Incomplete short pass
Incomplete short pass

[dmac_bolt]

Herbie takes the snap under center. Fakes the handoff to Ekeler, Dub wide right streaks deep right side, pulling his CB and one Safety to far deep right, Slayer left, runs short cross, draws down inside LBs while his CB trails behind as well. Everett lined up right, next to Pipkins, runs a middle seam/post, Remaining safety doesn't get there in time - Herbie drops it over the underneath coverage for a 16 yard gain, Dolphins shake their heads, stunned and scared, McDaniel on sideline suddenly realizes he spent the entire off-season researching "Staley Plan" and frantically begins googling "Kellen Moore plan". He then sneaks in the medical tent for a double shot of Patron. a vape puff wafts out the door as he exits.

Tone set. Dolphins will be on their heels and disoriented for the next 59.20 and they know it. Next play is an Ekeler run for 11.

Kelley isn't on the field for play 1 or 2, FYI. He gets his first carry in 2nd Quarter.

Three plays later, McDaniel is still flabbergasted. Puffing wildly on his vape, he openly knocks back watermelon shooters on the sideline. Chargers are marching and Fangio is helpless to slow much less stop the juggernaut.

McDaniel screams in his headphones "SLAYER THIS, Q THAT - WHY THE FUCK DIDNT YOU MENTION ALL PRESEASON THAT THEY HAVE A TIGHT END, VIC???"

His google search turns up elaborate genius offensive designs that he cannot understand. This makes him sad. he stabs a bourbon IV drip into his arm and sits down on the bench. its already over.

[chargeroo]

Hypothetically, here:

Dolphins win the coin toss, and elect to defer.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the back of the endzone, so the Chargers have the ball at the 25 yard line.

First offensive call of the season-- What Is It?!? *YOU* make the call! (Or, as Rams fans say, 'EWE' make the call!)

With the disclaimer that, of course, Herb could check out of the called play to something different, depending on what the defense presented...

I'm calling the same play the Joshua Kelley took for 70-whatever yards in the preseason-- tight end in motion, and hitting the gap between the guard and tackle.

If it goes for 7 yards, we're looking at 2nd and short. Not the 2nd and 8 or 9 that we saw so typically a year ago.

Smashmouth. Set the tone early for establishing dominance on the ground. 'Cause we know that's what they WANT to be able to do, and it opens up everything else. ...

if I was the OC, I'd go deep on the first play of the year (like Gilman liked to do). If they connect - Great! If they don't, it's already in the heads of the Dolphins DBs.

[Velo]

I'm calling the same play the Joshua Kelley took for 70-whatever yards in the preseason-- tight end in motion, and hitting the gap between the guard and tackle.

If it goes for 7 yards, we're looking at 2nd and short. Not the 2nd and 8 or 9 that we saw so typically a year ago.

No it goes for 75 yds to the House.

[Fouts2herbert]

I hear dolphin is awfully chewy...

all the more reason to make sure to cut it down to tiny bits and chew it properly as not to choke on it...

[richpjr]

Rashawn's dad is ready for game day: