Official 2025 Chargers Discussion | 2025 Roster Build | Training Camp

[Riverwalk]

Can you imagine if Telesco had drafted a real RB in the past 5 years?

For example, in 2020, instead of trading up to draft K. Murray, he could've drafted Jonathan Taylor in the 2nd rnd (and DT Justin Madubuike in the 3rd). But then again, if Telesco had hung onto the 2nd rnd pick in 2020, he might've drafted JK Dobbins over Taylor.

In 2021 he could've drafted Rhamondre Stevenson in the 4th rnd instead of Tre McKitty or Chris Rumph. Instead, he waited until the 6th round to draft an RB and got Rountree.

In 2022 he could've drafted Breece Hall instead of Zion Johnson.

Did we watch the same Chargers? Those OL’s over the past 5 years couldn’t have blocked for LT. Harbaugh understands and beefs up OL and TE’s who can block.

First round picks for RB’s would have been a waste. Finally we have a HC and GM that understand trenches.

[sonorajim]

It was never reported, but I suspect Ben Herbert will have them for a while to check on their strength and flexibility progress and the coaches will have them for a while to check on their technique improvements and play book knowledge.

Good guess.
I expect they got a familiarization tour. Here's what we will do, here's where we'll do it, here is what we expect you to do and this will be how the hours of the day will be spent.

[Bolt4Knob]

It was never reported, but I suspect Ben Herbert will have them for a while to check on their strength and flexibility progress and the coaches will have them for a while to check on their technique improvements and play book knowledge.

This totally makes sense. I think you nailed it why they were there a week early

[Velo]

Did we watch the same Chargers? Those OL’s over the past 5 years couldn’t have blocked for LT. Harbaugh understands and beefs up OL and TE’s who can block.

First round picks for RB’s would have been a waste. Finally we have a HC and GM that understand trenches.

Well Ekeler averaged 4.5 ypc from 2020-22, ages 25-27, behind those lines. LT average 4.5 ypc from 2004-06, also ages 25-27, so you might want to rethink that.

[sonorajim]

Well Ekeler averaged 4.5 ypc from 2020-22, ages 25-27, behind those lines. LT average 4.5 ypc from 2004-06, also ages 25-27, so you might want to rethink that.

2021 featured Slater and Linsley who were a huge help, '22 Salyer did a great job at LT, still Linsley and the other guys weren't terrible. Lombardi did a good job with run calls. They helped.
'20 Lynn was a RB coach.
We were getting better on OL in those days. 2023 was an uncoordinated mess on OL minus Linsley and Lombardi. That tends to color our recollection.

[Formula 21]

Ben Herbert’s impact


One of the key hires Harbaugh made when constructing his staff was bringing Ben Herbert from Michigan. Herbert is the Chargers’ executive director of player performance. When Herbert was introduced to the media in April, he laid out his vision. “My first goal,” he said then, “is to make you harder to break.”

GO DEEPER

Ben Herbert lays out player-performance vision as Chargers open Phase 1

What kind of impact will Herbert have on injury prevention? His approach will be put to the test during training camp, a time when injuries — and particularly soft-tissue injuries — can run rampant.

Interestingly, the Chargers are going with a staggered schedule for training camp. The idea is to create as much recovery time as possible. For example, the first practice of training camp is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 24. That practice is scheduled to end at 11 a.m. The next day, the practice is scheduled to begin at noon, 25 hours after the previous day’s practice is scheduled to end.

That July 25 practice is scheduled to end at 1:45 p.m. The next day’s practice is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. The day after that, 5 p.m. The schedule then resets after every off day. The Chargers are scheduled for an off day July 28. July 29, practice is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. So forth and so on.

This is just one example. I am interested to see whether Herbert’s approach really decreases injuries in the NFL, especially given what are expected to be high-intensity practices under Harbaugh.

[Geezbolt]

Can you imagine the Chargers having a runner like Jerome Bettis in his prime? Phoo! Just the thought is giving me goosebumps!

... or even Marion Butts.

[Velo]

2021 featured Slater and Linsley who were a huge help, '22 Salyer did a great job at LT, still Linsley and the other guys weren't terrible. Lombardi did a good job with run calls. They helped.
'20 Lynn was a RB coach.
We were getting better on OL in those days. 2023 was an uncoordinated mess on OL minus Linsley and Lombardi. That tends to color our recollection.

My spiel is that if Telesco had gotten Ekeler some legit RB help the offense would have been more balanced, the Chargers might've made the playoffs in 2020-21. I don't buy the argument that the OL was not good enough, clearly it was, Ekeler was successful running behind it. But Ekeler is not built to carry an RB load by himself. They had moved on from Melvin Gordon and they needed to replace him. I'm still shaking my head over the decision to surrender 2nd and 3rd round picks to move up for Murray in 2020, when RB was such a HUGE need and there was good RB talent in the 2nd round. Jonathan Taylor or AJ Dillon. Instead Telesco, having surrendered 2nd and 3rd round picks for an LB, had to wait until the 4th round to address RB, and we got Joshua Kelley.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Not bad there, Quack...a few more like that and I'll induct you into the Powdah Blues Rhyming Hall of Fame...

Coming from you, that's a real... indictment! lol

[Lefty2SLO]

Ben Herbert’s impact


One of the key hires Harbaugh made when constructing his staff was bringing Ben Herbert from Michigan. Herbert is the Chargers’ executive director of player performance. When Herbert was introduced to the media in April, he laid out his vision. “My first goal,” he said then, “is to make you harder to break.”

GO DEEPER

Ben Herbert lays out player-performance vision as Chargers open Phase 1

What kind of impact will Herbert have on injury prevention? His approach will be put to the test during training camp, a time when injuries — and particularly soft-tissue injuries — can run rampant.

Interestingly, the Chargers are going with a staggered schedule for training camp. The idea is to create as much recovery time as possible. For example, the first practice of training camp is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 24. That practice is scheduled to end at 11 a.m. The next day, the practice is scheduled to begin at noon, 25 hours after the previous day’s practice is scheduled to end.

That July 25 practice is scheduled to end at 1:45 p.m. The next day’s practice is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. The day after that, 5 p.m. The schedule then resets after every off day. The Chargers are scheduled for an off day July 28. July 29, practice is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. So forth and so on.

This is just one example. I am interested to see whether Herbert’s approach really decreases injuries in the NFL, especially given what are expected to be high-intensity practices under Harbaugh.

This schedule makes all kinds of sense. Makes me wonder why we didn't do this in the past?? A few extra hours of recovery might not make any difference, but it can't possibly hurt, so why not?

This goes to Herbert's mind set when preparing his players; don't leave anything on the table . . . . . . . . . .

[Formula 21]

This schedule makes all kinds of sense. Makes me wonder why we didn't do this in the past?? A few extra hours of recovery might not make any difference, but it can't possibly hurt, so why not?

This goes to Herbert's mind set when preparing his players; don't leave anything on the table . . . . . . . . . .

Work the players harder, then give them extra recovery time. I like the concept.

[Lefty2SLO]

Work the players harder, then give them extra recovery time. I like the concept.

This seems so simple (and obvious) . . . . . . . . what are we missing?