Broncos at Chargers Pre-Game Discussion (Week 16)

[dom]

Yesterday's interception was on QJ. I have never seen a player his size lose a battle like that. It looked like maybe he tripped? But that should have been a catch.

QJ had inside leverage and it was thrown completely outside. That was Herbert's fault. It was also Roman's/Smartt's fault for not recognizing the blitz. Smartt should have completely stopped his route after seeing those 2 players near him blitz to take the quick completion. Herbert for not recognizing that too.

[DerwinBosa]

I don't think it will happen. But if the Vikings signed Darnold to a long-term deal and put JJ McCarthy up for trade, the Chargers could trade Herbert to the Giants and use some of the draft compensation to get McCarthy from Minn. I don't think that is a real possibility though. But, the Giants need a QB badly, right now they have the #1 overall pick, and the 2025 QB class doesn't look very good, and McCarthy's value won't be worth as much in 2025 as it was in 2024. The Chargers could probably end up with McCarthy and one or two premium picks with such a trade. But I don't think it will happen.

I think Herbert will be Harbaugh's quarterback for as long as he coaches the Chargers (which I hope will be at least ten years).

I was thinking about this for Trevor Lawrence--a trade to the Giants or Raiders. Lawrence, like Herbert, has a no-trade clause, and I'm not sure he would waive it to go to the Giants or Raiders.

[DerwinBosa]

so lets say a player runs into the front corner of the end zone but his hands go outa bounds b4 crossing the goalline...I think that is considered a TD no? both his feet and body crossed but his arm and ball did not b4 he ran outa the endzone sidleine.

The ball has to cross the goal line in any case for a touchdown.

[Velo]

We know now this team is still too flawed to be a substantial playoff threat. It's better than last season, the defense for the most part has been awesome, the Chargers will be in the playoffs, but they could make an early exit. The flaws are on offense. QJ has not performed to expectation. Chark and Hurst were both wasted signings. Bozeman has been a disappointment, the entire IOL has not performed up to expectations. Gus Edwards is out of juice. Dobbins has not held up the entire season.

Next season loading up the offense will be the priority: Center, guard(s), TE, WR, RB depth. Hortiz made a few mistakes this season re the offense. But he's a first time GM, he will learn from this that pass catchers do matter. I just want to beat the Donkeys in a few days then after the 10-day break take care of business in NE and Vegas. Then see what they can do in the playoffs.

Hortiz is going to have a lot of cap space and draft capital to work with this next off-season. He will be able to get the players necessary to turn around the offense the way he turned around the defense in one season. Chargers fans just have to be a little bit patient.

[Velo]

I think Herbert will be Harbaugh's quarterback for as long as he coaches the Chargers (which I hope will be at least ten years).

I think so too.

I was thinking about this for Trevor Lawrence--a trade to the Giants or Raiders. Lawrence, like Herbert, has a no-trade clause, and I'm not sure he would waive it to go to the Giants or Raiders.

Lawrence is beginning to strike me as a player who once he gets a big pay day after his rookie contract, he loses his drive to compete. It happens. Lawrence has a lot of other things going on his life, I follow him on Insta, and football just may not be his priority. I don't know really, but the way his play nose-dived after the got paid is interesting.

[charger1_sj]

That’s obvious but what did we win with those guys?

Nothing because Staley the defensive genius knows nothing about coaching a real football team. We did however make it to the POs
even with all the flaws. Then we were exposed.

I expect there is good chance we make the POs this year with a team that's actually worse in terms of talent, especially on offense.
We are just not built to go compete with the better teams, at least not this year. But you never know. If everybody is healthy we
may shock the NFL.

[AKFlyFisher]

QJ had inside leverage and it was thrown completely outside. That was Herbert's fault. It was also Roman's/Smartt's fault for not recognizing the blitz. Smartt should have completely stopped his route after seeing those 2 players near him blitz to take the quick completion. Herbert for not recognizing that too.

I guess. But I saw Mike Evans break up a far worse thrown ball and make a play on the ball. I saw QJ lose the ball and not make a play on the ball. But Smartt was awful on that play, I agree.

[Boltjolt]

Yesterday's interception was on QJ. I have never seen a player his size lose a battle like that. It looked like maybe he tripped? But that should have been a catch.

Not it wasn't. Geez....QJ can't catch a break even when it's a bad pass. That was thrown up for grabs on the wrong side of QJ. I was hoping he could just knock it down.

[Boltjolt]

I don't think it will happen. But if the Vikings signed Darnold to a long-term deal and put JJ McCarthy up for trade, the Chargers could trade Herbert to the Giants and use some of the draft compensation to get McCarthy from Minn. I don't think that is a real possibility though. But, the Giants need a QB badly, right now they have the #1 overall pick, and the 2025 QB class doesn't look very good, and McCarthy's value won't be worth as much in 2025 as it was in 2024. The Chargers could probably end up with McCarthy and one or two premium picks with such a trade. But I don't think it will happen.

Idk know what Minnesota does. I just hope they don't trade young McCarthy to the Raiders. Let them draft Shaduer.
Yep, i like that better. I don't think there is ANY way Harbaugh would approve a Herbert trade but it sure sucks he is hurt every year.

[Boltx]

I don't think there is ANY way Harbaugh would approve a Herbert trade but it sure sucks he is hurt every year.

I would hope they are open to any and all options that rapidly improve the quality of the team.

The team, the team, the team.

Oh and this is the same Harbaugh who constantly talks up Pip and Zion. It's just Coach speak.

There are no untouchables for a franchise with an empty trophy case. JMO.

[Charge!]

It's bizarre.

We can't stop the run, can't run the ball, can't protect the QB nor can we keep contain on mobile QBs.

24-10 Broncos.

One thing that has driven me crazy for years, is how come so many of our pass rushers seem to have no issue rushing deeper than the QB's..... leaving huge lanes for QB's to easily escape and either buy time for big passes downfield or to run for key first downs???? QB's today are too mobile to try and rush deeper and catch them from behind..... football 101!!! All of mahomes clutch plays happened when defense rushed deeper than him leaving open field for him to make plays.... that happened a few times vs Baker....

Our Defenders need more discipline.. like Bosa(and others).... Bosa is a great player when he is healthy and NOT jumping or lining up offsides.... while looking right at the ball???

[Boltx]

One thing that has driven me crazy for years, is how come so many of our pass rushers seem to have no issue rushing deeper than the QB's..... leaving huge lanes for QB's to easily escape and either buy time for big passes downfield or to run for key first downs???? QB's today are too mobile to try and rush deeper and catch them from behind..... football 101!!! All of mahomes clutch plays happened when defense rushed deeper than him leaving open field for him to make plays.... that happened a few times vs Baker....

Our Defenders need more discipline.. like Bosa(and others).... Bosa is a great player when he is healthy and NOT jumping or lining up offsides.... while looking right at the ball???

This happens to a lot of teams...and when you finally see/hear about defenders keeping contain on QB running lanes the announcers make it sound like some sort of defensive genius, big brain move.