The Official 2026 Chargers Season Discussion - (0-2)

[Chargers8491]

I don’t agree that is pretty obvious. Joe Alt is my exhibit A.
I don’t agree pass plays will be limited to sprinkles. 50%+ of plays will be pass plays, thats no sprinkle, thats a thick slathering.
Thinking that pass protection is not important is a fatal mistake imo.

Not saying pass protection is not important. Just stating that it's not as high a priority as pass blocking. The Chargers passed more last year because after JK got injured they couldn't run for shit. Defenses knew this and didn't really have to game plan for it. They could just pin their ears back and come after Herbert without having to worry about the running game.

Improving the run game is naturally going to improve the pass protection because it will keep teams guessing. If defenses run stunts and crossing plays on obvious passing downs, they are going to get burnt when the RB goes blowing by them.

[Chargers8491]

Yeah, you don't draft Alt if you don't plan on throwing the ball and protecting the QB. You don't re-sign Slater unless you plan on being elite at the OT positions. Sure, they're also very good run-blockers... but they were drafted high because thet are elite pass blockers.

The Roman offense likes to strike deep down field... that's why the OT's are so important.
We can argue about the IOL's ability to pick up blitzes... but the OT's are in place to execute the offense.
Becton was a nice pick-up. Here's hoping Bozeman and Zion can step-up and play to their potential.

ALT was one of if not the best run blocking OLT in that year's draft. I mean they got Becton one of the best run blocking OGs to line up next to ALT. It kinda makes sense to me in what they are doing at they are prioritizing.

[Boltjolt]

It's pretty obvious Harbaugh is prioritizing run blocking vs pass protection as far as linemen go. This is going to be a run first team with sprinkled in pass plays. Hell, Becton isn't that great at pass protection. Harbaugh want's his linemen moving forward not backwards. Zion and Boz are above average run blockers. It's really not rocket science.

Yet he always emphasises protecting Herbert and now getting him into the HOF. Just running the ball isnt going to do that. They DO plan to throw as well as run. We didnt draft two WRS in round 2, another in round 5 and bring back MW with (TT drafted) first round QJ to not throw the ball.

They do want to run, no doubt but we gonna be balanced and when we have to throw, will have weapons.

[sonorajim]

Yet he always emphasises protecting Herbert and now getting him into the HOF. Just running the ball isnt going to do that. They DO plan to throw as well as run. We didnt draft two WRS in round 2, another in round 5 and bring back MW with (TT drafted) first round QJ to not throw the ball.

They do want to run, no doubt but we gonna be balanced and when we have to throw, will have weapons.

Playing great games, making big plays in post season moves a QB toward the HOF.

We have player personnel for a balanced attack. I'd expect close to 50/50 over the season with adjustments varying depending on the opponent. We don't have to do any one thing. but if they can't stop it, why would we?

[CivilBolt]

Yet he always emphasises protecting Herbert and now getting him into the HOF. Just running the ball isnt going to do that. They DO plan to throw as well as run. We didnt draft two WRS in round 2, another in round 5 and bring back MW with (TT drafted) first round QJ to not throw the ball.

They do want to run, no doubt but we gonna be balanced and when we have to throw, will have weapons.

I think the plan is jab jab jab with a run then sprinkle with long bombs once D loads the box

[dmac_bolt]

I'm guessing it might be closer to 60-40 in favor of the ground game...
(though it might be 55-45)

I challenge you to a taco platter bet, my friend. No NFL team in the league ran 60% of plays last year, including PHIL and BAL that significantly utilized a running QB. League average is around 42 or 43% rush plays. Only Philly and Baltimore ran more than 50%, they were 56% and 53%. I’m comfortable moving our bet line to 55-45, they won’t turn Herbert into a running QB, thats not his primary game.

The theory we don’t need good pass protection is misguided and dangerous. it would be a criminal mistake to assume we can succeed with bad pass protection. No team has succeeded without serviceable pass protection in decades. I do not know what part of 2024 LAC’s season people missed or already forgot about. Intentional reliance on outlets and dump offs because they can’t protect Herbert is also a bad recipe.

[sonorajim]

I challenge you to a taco platter bet, my friend. No NFL team in the league ran 60% of plays last year, including PHIL and BAL that significantly utilized a running QB. League average is around 42 or 43% rush plays. Only Philly and Baltimore ran more than 50%, they were 56% and 53%. I’m comfortable moving our bet line to 55-45, they won’t turn Herbert into a running QB, thats not his primary game.

The theory we don’t need good pass protection is misguided and dangerous. it would be a criminal mistake to assume we can succeed with bad pass protection. No team has succeeded without serviceable pass protection in decades. I do not know what part of 2024 LAC’s season people missed or already forgot about. Intentional reliance on outlets and dump offs because they can’t protect Herbert is also a bad recipe.

We need good pass pro. It can and should include players other than OL. Outlets and dump offs should be included. We're going to play some very good D's and simply playing WALL would be nice but it won't beat the good teams.
Our first line of protection is to attack in a variety of ways. Herbert should not be a standing target waiting for a teammate to save him. Play design is a big deal.

[Chargers8491]

Yet he always emphasises protecting Herbert and now getting him into the HOF. Just running the ball isnt going to do that. They DO plan to throw as well as run. We didnt draft two WRS in round 2, another in round 5 and bring back MW with (TT drafted) first round QJ to not throw the ball.

They do want to run, no doubt but we gonna be balanced and when we have to throw, will have weapons.

I'm not saying they are just going to run the ball it's just they are going to be a run first team. Running the ball effectively does protect Herbert in so many ways. When they run the ball effectively it will almost automatically give Herbert time to pass when they do decide to pass the ball. The reason they drafted WRs is because they need more options as targets than just Ladd. Just because you are run team doesn't mean you neglect everything else.

It's easy to look at last year and say the IOL sucked because the pass protection sucked but there is much more involved than just players sucking. There are not to many teams in the NFL that can pass block effectively without a consistent run game.

Could you imagine Herbert's numbers if he had a consistent run game. Last year he put up good numbers and that was with almost no run game for more than half the season.

[Maniaque 6]

I think the plan is jab jab jab with a run then sprinkle with long bombs once D loads the box

It's BAL's way.
Joe Flacco looked like an HOF in that system.
Just imagine Herby !

[21&500]

Historically, Roman's run game aims for explosive carries as well as jabs.
think ray rice before his explosive, hotel video.

[CivilBolt]

Historically, Roman's run game aims for explosive carries as well as jabs.
think ray rice before his explosive, hotel video.

I thought you were going to say the 4th and 29 against the Bolts

[21&500]

I thought you were going to say the 4th and 29 against the Bolts

We don't talk about Bruno.