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Justin Herbert - Bolts Franchise QB Official Discussion
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Justin Herbert set to take on more responsibility for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021
Updated Jun 22, 2021; Posted Jun 22, 2021
By Geoffrey C. Arnold | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Justin Herbert said it was hard at first to learn the new offense with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chargers’ first-year coach Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi literally threw the playbook at Herbert during the early days of offseason training. Herbert indicated he struggled initially, but he has proven to be a quick study during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
Herbert is excited to perform in the new offense as he prepares for training camp in July.
“The plan was to put everything in the first couple of days and it seemed like a lot. I had a tough time going through that,” Herbert told reporters. “You’re gonna make mistakes, but you’re gonna learn from it. I really appreciated that, because now, these past couple of weeks, we’ve got a great feel for it.”
Herbert said the new offense is similar to the one he played in last season under former head coach Anthony Lynn and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
Herbert performed unexpectedly well in that offense. He set NFL rookie single-season records for touchdown passes, total touchdowns, completions and he was just 39 yards short of having the most passing yards as a rookie during the 2020 season. The production led to him winning the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
While the 2021 offense is not radically different from the 2020 offense, there’s more responsibility placed on the quarterback.
“It’s pretty similar. I just think there’s more personnel, more formations and a lot more put on the quarterback,” Herbert told reporters. “One of the advantages is being able to get to any play. Kind of going up to the line of scrimmage...having a set list of plays to go against a specific defense. Kind of a game plan thing when you go up to the line of scrimmage, but that part I really enjoy.”
Staley and Lombardi have enjoyed watching Herbert learn the offense. Lombardi was the quarterbacks coach with the New Orleans Saints before he joined Staley in Los Angeles and he’s incorporated some of the Saints’ offense into the new offense in Los Angeles.
Herbert will be asked to do more pre-snap reads at the line of scrimmage while understanding the formations and personnel on the field. The expectation is Herbert will have a strong grasp of the offense when the Chargers begin training camp July 27.
“Being comfortable in and out of the huddle. Protections. Kills. Alerts. Two-minute drill,” Staley told reporters. “All those things have kind of come to life for him.”
The success of the offense won’t rest solely on Herbert’s shoulders.
The Chargers upgraded the offensive line that ranked 28th in pass blocking efficiency and allowed 201 quarterback pressures, second-most in the NFL in 2020, according to Pro Football Focus. Herbert was sacked 32 times in 15 games, ninth in the NFL in 2020.
Herbert sees himself as a point guard whose task is to distribute the football to his playmakers on offense. Herbert will have plenty of playmakers to choose from, including wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Jared Cook.
“I do think we have the ability to come out and put up what you want to be able to go out and win games,” Cook told reporters. “I definitely think we have the type of offense to be in those type of games.”
Staley said he’s confident he’ll see a well-prepared Herbert when training camp begins.
“It’s not just gonna happen right away. We didn’t want to take it easy on him,” Staley told reporters. “Justin is such a hard worker and I think that when you see it on the practice field, you can see all of that hard work really shine.”
-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
My 2021 Adopt-A-Bolt List
MikeDub
K9
Nasir
Tillery
Parham
Reed
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Herbert Bucket would include all things Herbert.
example: 13 AV. Rookie Season. Average Value Draft grade measures equity draft slot vs actual production compared to his peers. Each season, as he progresses that number should increase, towards the goat, Brady, #1 all time NFL value metric that will probably never be equaled (drafted 5th rd.).
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