Official 2025 Chargers Discussion | 2025 Roster Build | Free Agency and Draft

[dmac_bolt]

Yup.
I will offer that they as well as most, are under valuing how much of a running threat Herbert is and can be, whether it's on scramble or designed runs.
Jim hand picked Roman understanding his MO and the way he utilized qbs in the run game.
No it's not going to look anything like Jackson, but iirc, we were practicing some designed qb runs before before got hurt early in training camp.
they also are obviously of the opinion that it's safer in the pocket than running in space despite all Herbert's major injuries happening IN the pocket.
Herbert continues to be an under rated athlete we treat like a Peyton Manning when he's capable or threatning on the ground.
imo we don't have the luxury in today's game to NOT ask Herbert to be a running threat.
we'll see, but I'm ready with a big ol' "I told you so" if I'm right. If I'm wrong... well, let's not worry about that right now. Haha

It is safer in the pocket than on the run. I’d be delighted if our two-sided hammer runs well enough Herbie almost never needs to run except when there’s a wide open 20 yard field in front of him. And thats just to pull the middle defenders back in so he can torch them over the top with his bazooka

[Steve]

Roman's running game seems to work best when he does have the QB running the ball to keep defenders at home.

In today's NFL, there are a lot of backside defenders who can chase down RB, so zone read style runs can help to keep those defenders to stay home and force them to defend their gap.

That is not the ONLY way to do that though. RPO's, boots and just throwing deep off of play action.

Where a lot running play action offenses fail, is it is not that hard for an NFL D to take away the running game and the deep pass. That is why just about every NFL D is running the cover 2 (presnap) look as their base look these days.

But if the O can attack deep and force the secondary back to play deep, and the LB have to attack upward fast to stop the run, there is a lot of room in the middle. We didn't just go after weapons to attack deep. We got players who have enough speed to be able to go deep, but Gandsen, Harris and KLS all have some complimentary underneath/intermediate routes. Dissly and Conklin are also a good intermediate depth receivers if the WR can get them to room to operate.

[jamrock]

Yup.
I will offer that they as well as most, are under valuing how much of a running threat Herbert is and can be, whether it's on scramble or designed runs.
Jim hand picked Roman understanding his MO and the way he utilized qbs in the run game.
No it's not going to look anything like Jackson, but iirc, we were practicing some designed qb runs before before got hurt early in training camp.
they also are obviously of the opinion that it's safer in the pocket than running in space despite all Herbert's major injuries happening IN the pocket.
Herbert continues to be an under rated athlete we treat like a Peyton Manning when he's capable or threatning on the ground.
imo we don't have the luxury in today's game to NOT ask Herbert to be a running threat.
we'll see, but I'm ready with a big ol' "I told you so" if I'm right. If I'm wrong... well, let's not worry about that right now. Haha

IIRC Herbert rolled out much more in seasons prior to 2024 and I'm hoping that was a result of the leg injuries he had last season. He doesn't have to run a lot but getting him on the move was a good recipe as he's a very accurate on the run thrower

[jamrock]

Roman's running game seems to work best when he does have the QB running the ball to keep defenders at home.

In today's NFL, there are a lot of backside defenders who can chase down RB, so zone read style runs can help to keep those defenders to stay home and force them to defend their gap.

That is not the ONLY way to do that though. RPO's, boots and just throwing deep off of play action.

Where a lot running play action offenses fail, is it is not that hard for an NFL D to take away the running game and the deep pass. That is why just about every NFL D is running the cover 2 (presnap) look as their base look these days.

But if the O can attack deep and force the secondary back to play deep, and the LB have to attack upward fast to stop the run, there is a lot of room in the middle. We didn't just go after weapons to attack deep. We got players who have enough speed to be able to go deep, but Gandsen, Harris and KLS all have some complimentary underneath/intermediate routes. Dissly and Conklin are also a good intermediate depth receivers if the WR can get them to room to operate.

Roman's NFL success has been with a running QB.

[northerner]

IIRC Herbert rolled out much more in seasons prior to 2024 and I'm hoping that was a result of the leg injuries he had last season. He doesn't have to run a lot but getting him on the move was a good recipe as he's a very accurate on the run thrower

and he can run for a few yards if no one is open. i hope to see some designed roll-outs.

[Chargers8491]

Some interesting thoughts on both the offense and defense here... go to 25:44

I mentioned last year that the Chargers were getting beat in the 2nd half of games because they had a lack of talent and depth. This year, they definitely have more depth than last year. IMHO, they have gotten more talented on the offensive side of the ball. For me, the defense is a "?". On paper it looks like they may have gotten more talented but we have to wait and see how they play. They brought in a lot of new players on defense. We just have to wait and see how it plays out.

[Chargers8491]

Roman's running game seems to work best when he does have the QB running the ball to keep defenders at home.

In today's NFL, there are a lot of backside defenders who can chase down RB, so zone read style runs can help to keep those defenders to stay home and force them to defend their gap.

That is not the ONLY way to do that though. RPO's, boots and just throwing deep off of play action.

Where a lot running play action offenses fail, is it is not that hard for an NFL D to take away the running game and the deep pass. That is why just about every NFL D is running the cover 2 (presnap) look as their base look these days.

But if the O can attack deep and force the secondary back to play deep, and the LB have to attack upward fast to stop the run, there is a lot of room in the middle. We didn't just go after weapons to attack deep. We got players who have enough speed to be able to go deep, but Gandsen, Harris and KLS all have some complimentary underneath/intermediate routes. Dissly and Conklin are also a good intermediate depth receivers if the WR can get them to room to operate.

We got a good look of what Roman's offense can look like at the beginning of last year when Dobbins was at full strength. When he went down so did the offense. This year should be much better. The pick-up of Harris was huge but then adding Hampton was the cherry on top. Having these 2 will allow Roman to run his offense the way it's supposed to. I'm not too worried about not having a running QB. Roman adjusted his offense to accommodate a running QB. Roman has a lot more options available with a QB like Herbert. The key this year will be the run game. If they can run the ball like they did at the beginning of last year, it's going to be an awesome season.

[Boltnut]

Roman's running game seems to work best when he does have the QB running the ball to keep defenders at home.

In today's NFL, there are a lot of backside defenders who can chase down RB, so zone read style runs can help to keep those defenders to stay home and force them to defend their gap.

That is not the ONLY way to do that though. RPO's, boots and just throwing deep off of play action.

Where a lot running play action offenses fail, is it is not that hard for an NFL D to take away the running game and the deep pass. That is why just about every NFL D is running the cover 2 (presnap) look as their base look these days.

But if the O can attack deep and force the secondary back to play deep, and the LB have to attack upward fast to stop the run, there is a lot of room in the middle. We didn't just go after weapons to attack deep. We got players who have enough speed to be able to go deep, but Gandsen, Harris and KLS all have some complimentary underneath/intermediate routes. Dissly and Conklin are also a good intermediate depth receivers if the WR can get them to room to operate.

Yep. I think Roman intended to run boot legs off the play-action much more last year. But Herbie's early foot issues caused him to dial that back. I expect to see him move the pocket a lot more this year. It buys time for receivers to run their patterns... whether that's deep or intermediate routes. That will keep DB's back and allow the middle to open up. Like you said, we now have the receivers with deep ability (MW, Tre, and KLS). Like you said, an effective and consistent running game should draw LB's up. Ladd, Gadsden, Conklin, and QJ should find a lot of room over/across the middle.

We have the OT's to cut off DE's and allow Herbert to get outside and move the pocket. I think this year's offense will look different from last year's offense... a lot of that due to the new additions on offense.

[OG619FrightninLightnin]

It is safer in the pocket than on the run. I’d be delighted if our two-sided hammer runs well enough Herbie almost never needs to run except when there’s a wide open 20 yard field in front of him. And thats just to pull the middle defenders back in so he can torch them over the top with his bazooka

Is that true or are you just guessing?

Is there data that says a QB is less likely to get hurt by staying in the pocket?

I'm willing to bet QB injuries are more common behind the LOS than anywhere else.

Herbert would be a good example to look at.

[sonorajim]

It is safer in the pocket than on the run. I’d be delighted if our two-sided hammer runs well enough Herbie almost never needs to run except when there’s a wide open 20 yard field in front of him. And thats just to pull the middle defenders back in so he can torch them over the top with his bazooka

It's safer in the pocket when you take the open safe run when it's there. Herbert is good at it and needs to use it. Give D's more to think about.

[Boltinloudguy]

Roman's running game seems to work best when he does have the QB running the ball to keep defenders at home.

In today's NFL, there are a lot of backside defenders who can chase down RB, so zone read style runs can help to keep those defenders to stay home and force them to defend their gap.

That is not the ONLY way to do that though. RPO's, boots and just throwing deep off of play action.

Where a lot running play action offenses fail, is it is not that hard for an NFL D to take away the running game and the deep pass. That is why just about every NFL D is running the cover 2 (presnap) look as their base look these days.

But if the O can attack deep and force the secondary back to play deep, and the LB have to attack upward fast to stop the run, there is a lot of room in the middle. We didn't just go after weapons to attack deep. We got players who have enough speed to be able to go deep, but Gandsen, Harris and KLS all have some complimentary underneath/intermediate routes. Dissly and Conklin are also a good intermediate depth receivers if the WR can get them to room to operate.

EXACTLY! This is what I was most concerned with when he was hired. All his top 10 and top 5 rushing attacks, had either Kap, Jackson and even Tyrod Taylor. I do think Herbert can rush for 400-500 yards, that’s what Tyrod Taylor rushed for. This is the year for Roman and Devlin to put up or shut up. They have weapons they need now.

[sonorajim]

I mentioned last year that the Chargers were getting beat in the 2nd half of games because they had a lack of talent and depth. This year, they definitely have more depth than last year. IMHO, they have gotten more talented on the offensive side of the ball. For me, the defense is a "?". On paper it looks like they may have gotten more talented but we have to wait and see how they play. They brought in a lot of new players on defense. We just have to wait and see how it plays out.

This discussion dwells on how effective our D was in the type of D run and avoids the fact that the Chargers D allowed the fewest points scored against in the NFL
We were close to avg at yds allowed rushing or passing but vs scoring we were monsters. Points being the deciding factor in games, we were very good overall.
We have a number of new personnel and a tougher rated schedule. So, it'll be different.
I look forward to Minter's answer. IMO we'll be good. How good is the question. I'm thinking top 10 (or better)at points allowed. Colson's improvement could be a huge factor.