Greg Roman Chargers Offensive Coordinator

[BayAreaBoltz]

When the QB was Steve DeBerg, Pat Hayden, or Steve Bono, it didn't work so well.

Same is true of Greg Roman. Give it some time and realize players can make or break you.

Except I believe we currently have Justin Herbert...

[AFboltfan]

Saying Herbert holds the ball too long is a broad sweeping generalization, actually. I don't think he holds the ball too long. He is working through his reads quickly.

Herbert was better earlier in his career for one big reason that goes ignored: he had Corey Linsley. Herbert calls protections. But the center -- i.e. Linsley -- makes the line calls based on those protections. I have seen Herbert make those protection calls, and I assume he thinks it is going to be picked up. But if Bozeman does not make the right line calls (and I don't think he does), and Zion Johnson and Pipkins are clueless, then the protection will break down. That is what we are seeing. Herbert holds the ball thinking he will have the time, believing the protections are in place, the line calls have been made and recognized, and thus he has time for the play to develop -- to develop in the way he has been coached. It works sometimes, but it fails a lot due to Bozeman, Johnson and Pipkins (they with the sub 40 PFF scores regularly).

Further, with poor IOL play, Herbert's ability to escape through the middle -- like what many QBs do -- does not exist. His ability to naturally work "up" into the pocket is gone.

Now, I agree that Roman and the coaches have seen this for a few weeks now. They don't have Corey Linsley at center. So they should adjust, and they haven't done so enough. That is a legitimate point. But I don't think this is Herbert. I do think it will get better and I think Roman in the last game, with the change of direction plays, is trying to disrupt the defenses and take pressure off the IOL. But I think the coaching staff needs to continue adjusting and I think Roman will.

This was a good post, I agree with all of your points. I do think MAYBE sometimes Herbert gets tunnel vision while scanning the field which diminishes his pocket presence and leads to sacks. Yes the IOL is bad, but sometimes Herbert zigs when he should have zagged and saved himself a sack. I also know that's easier said than done, just my opinion on his pocket presence.

[Riverwalk]

Saying Herbert holds the ball too long is a broad sweeping generalization, actually. I don't think he holds the ball too long. He is working through his reads quickly.

It’s a generalization that is getting him hit and sacked too often.

Again, I said it was a generalization and gave several reasons why it could be happening but said it probably is all of the above.

The point I’m making is Roman needs to make adjustments to fix it or Herbert will end up on IR.

[21&500]

To be fair, Herbert is likely processing more than other qbs because he is accurate and can physically make throws others can't.
wheras some qbs give up early on windows, he can still make those and depending on how he's being coached and how he's making decisions, there is essentially "bigger" and last a tick longer. Including downfield throws.

he has more options to consider.

[CanadianBoltFan]

[
I find it really hard to complain about Herbert's pocket presence.

He is tougher in the pocket than 99% of QBs.

He turns the ball over less than 98% of QBs

He has played a good chunk of his career, including this year, in the top 3 of the most pressured QBs in the NFL yet has put up huge passing numbers for the most part, while keeping turnovers down and making some throws 97% of QBs could not.

Given that Herbert has been the 2nd most pressured QB in the NFL this year, I think he goes through his reads pretty well, while working with a young WR corps and sub standard TE corps that dont get open all that well overall.

I think the only QBs playing at his level right now are Jackson and Burrow. What do we expect from the guy??

[BoltUp InLA]

This was a good post, I agree with all of your points. I do think MAYBE sometimes Herbert gets tunnel vision while scanning the field which diminishes his pocket presence and leads to sacks. Yes the IOL is bad, but sometimes Herbert zigs when he should have zagged and saved himself a sack. I also know that's easier said than done, just my opinion on his pocket presence.

Great points! I agree with your points too. I believe so much of the inner line falters falls on Bozeman. I like him and want him to succeed, but Zion did not have as many bust plays working beside the great center Corey Linsley.

[ChargersPowderBlue]

I do think it will get better and I think Roman in the last game, with the change of direction plays, is trying to disrupt the defenses and take pressure off the IOL. But I think the coaching staff needs to continue adjusting and I think Roman will.

In the words of Patrick Mahomes....

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/alTkPfrSx_8

[Boltjolt]

[
I find it really hard to complain about Herbert's pocket presence.

He is tougher in the pocket than 99% of QBs.

He turns the ball over less than 98% of QBs

He has played a good chunk of his career, including this year, in the top 3 of the most pressured QBs in the NFL yet has put up huge passing numbers for the most part, while keeping turnovers down and making some throws 97% of QBs could not.

Given that Herbert has been the 2nd most pressured QB in the NFL this year, I think he goes through his reads pretty well, while working with a young WR corps and sub standard TE corps that dont get open all that well overall.

I think the only QBs playing at his level right now are Jackson and Burrow. What do we expect from the guy??

Don't matter. We could win but some will complain if he gets a pass or two batted down, runs the clock too long before snapping the ball or something else they don't like.
He has only has 1 INT so far this season which I think is the least of all the starting QBs.
I still think the offense will continue to get better as we go because everybody is getting more comfortable in it.
Slater and Alt staying healthy is a big key though.

We already have sub staters at the other positions on the OL so those two staying healthy is a big one

[dmac_bolt]

Saying Herbert holds the ball too long is a broad sweeping generalization, actually. I don't think he holds the ball too long. He is working through his reads quickly.

Herbert was better earlier in his career for one big reason that goes ignored: he had Corey Linsley. Herbert calls protections. But the center -- i.e. Linsley -- makes the line calls based on those protections. I have seen Herbert make those protection calls, and I assume he thinks it is going to be picked up. But if Bozeman does not make the right line calls (and I don't think he does), and Zion Johnson and Pipkins are clueless, then the protection will break down. That is what we are seeing. Herbert holds the ball thinking he will have the time, believing the protections are in place, the line calls have been made and recognized, and thus he has time for the play to develop -- to develop in the way he has been coached. It works sometimes, but it fails a lot due to Bozeman, Johnson and Pipkins (they with the sub 40 PFF scores regularly).

Further, with poor IOL play, Herbert's ability to escape through the middle -- like what many QBs do -- does not exist. His ability to naturally work "up" into the pocket is gone.

Now, I agree that Roman and the coaches have seen this for a few weeks now. They don't have Corey Linsley at center. So they should adjust, and they haven't done so enough. That is a legitimate point. But I don't think this is Herbert. I do think it will get better and I think Roman in the last game, with the change of direction plays, is trying to disrupt the defenses and take pressure off the IOL. But I think the coaching staff needs to continue adjusting and I think Roman will.

Thank you, well said. This. I simply cannot agree with guys who's main offensive criticism is that Herbie is not a good enough QB. they expect a unicorn sprinkled in fairy dust that does not exist on this earthly rock. jmo

I cannot violently agree with the subsequent Roman comment until after Game 10. chomping the bit over here ...

[richpjr]

To be fair, Herbert is likely processing more than other qbs because he is accurate and can physically make throws others can't.
wheras some qbs give up early on windows, he can still make those and depending on how he's being coached and how he's making decisions, there is essentially "bigger" and last a tick longer. Including downfield throws.

he has more options to consider.

I’ll see if I can find it, but I did see one analysis of Herbert after his rookie season. The conclusion was he processes things so fast he moves off receivers faster than other QBs do, which could have a receiver coming open late that he may not see because he was already looking elsewhere.

[AK47]

Some on the D has to account for Ekler and that's one less body coming up the middle.

Vidal was averaging 11 yards per reception his last season in college. Also had 83.5 PFF pass-blocking grade. I think we can groom Vidal to be an effective 3rd down back.

We also need Gus to be a Bus and hammer defenses. Guys our run offense should only trend up from here. We're still in the middle of year 1 with this regime.

[Boltjolt]

Vidal was averaging 11 yards per reception his last season in college. Also had 83.5 PFF pass-blocking grade. I think we can groom Vidal to be an effective 3rd down back.

We also need Gus to be a Bus and hammer defenses. Guys our run offense should only trend up from here. We're still in the middle of year 1 with this regime.

The offense is a bit complex and imo it will continue to get better.
Dobbins is our only RB with a YPC over 4 and it isn't close so Gus stepping up would be nice.