Chargers v. Lions HOF Game Day Thread (PS #1) - Antonio Gates Enshrinement

[Boltinloudguy]

Zion had a couple early bad snaps. And his sample size is small so his percentage of bad snaps was high! And I know that the number one job of the center is a clean snap. But it is his first time playing any game at center (he practiced center some at Sr Bowl but did not play there). Other than those snaps, did you guys see missed assignments or him getting pushed around? I was only half watching because it is preseason

Agreed with the first half of this. People are frustrated because he had a couple bad snaps in his 1st game ever playing C. Now I’m not saying he’s going to be great, but give him some time. I believe he only really started working with Lance this week continuously.

As far as him getting pushed around, I don’t believe he did and I think he played pretty well overall. Always a good run blocker and did pretty good at pass blocking. I know it was the backups for the Lions but I do think it could be headed in the right direction. They have 3 more games to see if he improves and how much.

[Boltinloudguy]

Yes, I may be overly critical of the end zone misses that needed better touch. I'm sure he'll review the film and work on it.
I was absolutely happy for and with him. Good kid. He sure landed in the right spot with Jim Harbaugh & co.

Totally agree with this as well. The good thing about needing better touch, that is Lance’s main focus this offseason. He has improved but needs to continue. A couple of those fades in the end zone needed a bit more air under them to give the WRs more of a chance. I think every time they get to the 10 yard line this preseason, they will continue to work on those touch passes.

[DerwinBosa]

We had two scores and no sacks with Zion at C.
Before the game it was stated that he would get blown up every snap and the QB killed.
That didn't happen.
Of course that wasn't Lion's top DL but it was not Herbert and Ladd either.
I know I'm not smarter than Harbaugh & co and it just may be that the PBs aren't either.
I freakin loved that game. Our rookies and backups were night and day better than Detroit's rookies and backups.
IMO that's Harbaugh & co. Whatever he wants, I'll support it. Even Zion and Boze, or not. His call.

Yeah, that's the way I see it. We have an elite coaching staff, so I will trust in what they think.

For good reason, members of this forum wanted the left guard and center positions upgraded. I was one of them, but I also realized that there may not have been players Hortiz and Harbaugh liked enough to spend the money on in free agency or select high in the draft. It was the same along the defensive line. In the worst way, I want a young stud as a pass-rusher and a dominant defensive tackle, and I will probably be hoping for us to address those spots next offseason. But I also realize that we couldn't get those this past offseason, as there weren't any in free agency and we weren't selecting high enough in the first round of the draft.

With that said, all teams have weaknesses, and I think Harbaugh and his staff will do the job necessary for us to improve as a team from last season.

[DerwinBosa]

Yes, I may be overly critical of the end zone misses that needed better touch. I'm sure he'll review the film and work on it.
I was absolutely happy for and with him. Good kid. He sure landed in the right spot with Jim Harbaugh & co.

It's only one preseason game, so he still has a lot to prove, but last night was a good first step for him on the comeback trail I hope he will be successful with. I think he should stay with us for at least year, working with Harbaugh and his staff, just like Sam Darnold did as a backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco, and how Baker Mayfield spent some time with Sean McVay in Los Angeles. Maybe Lance was just overwhelmed while not having enough experience as a starter when he got to the 49ers, and for the last two seasons he may not have had a good support system in Dallas. If he's going to make it in the NFL, I believe this is the right place for him to begin his journey to reach his full potential.

[Heatmiser]

Thanks for the replies. I will watch the game again. I just don’t want to automatically assume Zion stinks at center because he was inconsistent at guard. I figure his snapping will improve and I did not see massive mistakes in my half watching of his blocking. There was a bad shotgun snap later in the game from a non Zion center too.

[Chargers8491]

How about Trey Lance? I haven't seen many comments. He was shockingly good. Not great, but very good. Some real nice touch passes and good movement in the pocket. Maintained his composure for the most part. I'm looking forward to Trey in the NO game. See if he gets more touch on that back shoulder pass or dropping it in the corner of the EZ. Maybe take off and run a little more. I liked what I saw.

IMHO, he is developing the way a young 1st rnd QB should be developing under a competent coaching staff. I think teams give up too early on these QBs instead of coaching them up.

[colorado]

I'm glad to see that Antonio was inducted into the HOF.

He's the only person to be inducted that has zero experience playing college football .That's quite the achievement. Kudos AG....

[Fouts2herbert]

The Lions only played their scrubs, but KLS looked like the best player on the field against them, which is what you want to see.

We didn't play our starters either, KLS is not a starter yet, he's like #5 in the depth chart right now...

[jamrock]

How about Trey Lance? I haven't seen many comments. He was shockingly good. Not great, but very good. Some real nice touch passes and good movement in the pocket. Maintained his composure for the most part. I'm looking forward to Trey in the NO game. See if he gets more touch on that back shoulder pass or dropping it in the corner of the EZ. Maybe take off and run a little more. I liked what I saw.

QB 1

[Javia]

Thanks for the replies. I will watch the game again. I just don’t want to automatically assume Zion stinks at center because he was inconsistent at guard. I figure his snapping will improve and I did not see massive mistakes in my half watching of his blocking. There was a bad shotgun snap later in the game from a non Zion center too.

Bad snapping can be fixed, it's not like Zion has the Yips. Bad situational awareness? We will find out this year. It may take a while. How much patience will Harbaugh have?

[Fouts2herbert]

I recorded the game and I am watching it right now. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective. That's all you need. He doesn't have to destroy his opponent, he just has to prevent him from making the play. Meanwhile Zion will absolutely destroy his opponent on one play, then let him run right by him the next. Salyer also did a better job of bullying his opponents on run plays than I realized when I watched it live.

If benching Zion for Salyer solves the breakdowns in protection that get Herbert killed from inside pass rush, then sign me up for Salyer as the starter, I don't care, I just want the offense to be consistently good and for Herbert to be protected...Harbaugh and company seem to love Zion, so based on that knowledge I'm skeptical that they'll bench him in favor of Salyer...

[Fouts2herbert]

Zion had a couple early bad snaps. And his sample size is small so his percentage of bad snaps was high! And I know that the number one job of the center is a clean snap. But it is his first time playing any game at center (he practiced center some at Sr Bowl but did not play there). Other than those snaps, did you guys see missed assignments or him getting pushed around? I was only half watching because it is preseason

Zion both practiced and played center in the game at the Senior Bowl, based on watching him look as good as he did at that game at center is why I've been saying from the very beginning that his natural position should be center but none of that matters if he can't put it all together mentally in real time on the field...I think they should've left him in for more than they did, I get it that they see him as one of the 5 starters on O-line but he needs the reps at center...