Ekeler ran a 4.48 at his combine - a creative OC might experiment with giving him a deep pattern or two, particularly now that Kelly is proving competent enough to spell him for a set of downs if needed.They really miss Guyton. The lid is always on this offense without people who can stretch defenses.
IMO this really highlights bad roster construction decisions. In 2021, the Chargers had Allen at WR1, Williams at WR2, and Guyton at WR3, yet drafted WR Palmer in the 3rd round, despite the fact that his skill set doesn't really provide anything they didn't already have in Allen and Williams (e.g., deep speed, elite athleticism).
The only way that seemed to make sense was that the Chargers viewed him as a replacement for either Allen or Williams. So I expected they would let Williams walk rather than signing him to a big contract or franchising him. That plan would have Palmer slotting in for Williams in his second season, and Guyton would still have provided speed as WR3.
Then the team signed Williams for $20M/year. And Palmer surpassed Guyton to become WR3 entering the season. Meaning the team doesn't really have a deep threat among its top 3 WRs, who naturally get most of the WR snaps when healthy. I mean, Allen and Williams can go deep successfully, but neither has true deep speed, so neither is taking the top off the defense.
The team also chose to release Tyron Johnson in final cutdowns in 2021, which was a big surprise to me. He was another WR with great speed. He hasn't done anything since then, so maybe that was the right decision, but he sure seemed to develop strong chemistry with Herbert down the stretch in 2020.
This just seems like a poor allocation of resources, whether that suggests they shouldn't have drafted Palmer (or any WR in 2021) or that they shouldn't have allocated the cap space to re-sign Williams. I like Williams, and I root for him of course, but I did not think that was a wise decision to sign him, given what they had on the roster already and all of the others needs/priorities.
Seems like Carter doesn't even get to try deep routes though I'd think he's a candidate - is he incapable?
Carter has enough speed to get deep (4.44 at pro day in 2015), but a problem with him is he is small. He is listed at 5'8", 188 lbs, whereas Guyton is listed at 6'1", 212 lbs and has longer arms and bigger hands. Guyton is also faster (4.39 at pro day in 2019), despite being considerably bigger. So it stands to reason that Carter wouldn't be as good as a deep threat.
Ekeler ran a 4.48 at his combine - a creative OC might experiment with giving him a deep pattern or two, particularly now that Kelly is proving competent enough to spell him for a set of downs if needed.
Staley saying they're not resting starters this week. I have to believe there will be limited time for many of them if the Ravens lose before the Chargers play. People are talking about Pipkins and Ekeler needing some rest, but I'd like to see Herbert get as much time off as possible too. I realize you want the offense clicking going into the playoffs, but I think health is more important.
they are dangerous and probably the team most capable of upsetting the big 3Eerily quiet week. Seems like they still need a W to lock up the 5 seed, as I have no idea what will go on in the Bengals / Ravens game.
Also seems like pretty much nobody is taking the Chargers into consideration when talking about the AFC playoffs / contenders. Granted their strength of schedule isn't very impressive at this point, but 10 or 11 wins isn't nothing, and they seem to be getting healthy at the right time.
I agree with you, but the Chargers seem to be getting a pass in the NFL talking heads circles because Dallas lost yesterday and looked worseIt can always be worse, but that was pretty much the antithesis of how you'd have liked to approach a meaningless last game of the regular season, with the somewhat anticipated sub-optimal outcomes attached. Then Staley's post game presser somehow made things worse. Not how you want to head into the playoffs.
No one cares about or talks about the Chargers but us. And, frankly, why should they? The Chargers haven't won anything since the merger.I agree with you, but the Chargers seem to be getting a pass in the NFL talking heads circles because Dallas lost yesterday and looked worseIt can always be worse, but that was pretty much the antithesis of how you'd have liked to approach a meaningless last game of the regular season, with the somewhat anticipated sub-optimal outcomes attached. Then Staley's post game presser somehow made things worse. Not how you want to head into the playoffs.
I'd love to see the Chargers make some noise in these playoffs. I drafted Herbert as a rookie in my only dynasty league and have really come to enjoy watching them and I agree, they barely ever get any love. Hope that changes soon.No one cares about or talks about the Chargers but us. And, frankly, why should they? The Chargers haven't won anything since the merger.I agree with you, but the Chargers seem to be getting a pass in the NFL talking heads circles because Dallas lost yesterday and looked worseIt can always be worse, but that was pretty much the antithesis of how you'd have liked to approach a meaningless last game of the regular season, with the somewhat anticipated sub-optimal outcomes attached. Then Staley's post game presser somehow made things worse. Not how you want to head into the playoffs.
It can always be worse, but that was pretty much the antithesis of how you'd have liked to approach a meaningless last game of the regular season, with the somewhat anticipated sub-optimal outcomes attached. Then Staley's post game presser somehow made things worse. Not how you want to head into the playoffs.
Agree on both counts. You can't sit everybody, but once they scored their first two TDs in good fashion, it was time to sit as many key personnel as possible. He could have explored making a few people inactive with mystery injuries as well.I think the only legit criticism of Staley's game/playing time management comes down to not pulling certain offensive starters at the half (e.g., Herbert, Williams (but would have been too late), Allen, Ekeler, Pipkins) and turning to vanilla, run focused offense to burn the clock and minimize the number of WRs that needed to be on the field.
The worst thing about the game was giving up 31 points to the Broncos, a team last in the league in scoring and averaging 17.9 ppg, with a previous season high of 28 points. And they scored 24 points before the Chargers moved more to their backups. At this point, there is no reason to believe the defense is ready to go to Jacksonville and shut down the Jags, who have averaged 29 ppg over their past 8 games.
Obvioulsy it would be nice to have Williams but this one is going to come down to Etienne in my opinion. If they can keep him in check the Chargers win even without Williams. But that's a big if. And if Etienne is running and the Chargers go the hurry up early and don't convert, that's going to let the Jags neutralize Herbert and they win. Let's see if Staley can play this correctlry...Mike Williams is out 2-3 weeks with a back fracture.
Glad he got some reps in last weeks game though.
Staley probably isn't on thin ice, but he probably should be. The outcome of this week's game seems to have become more important to his ongoing tenure with the team that it should have.
You are the Chargers’ Job. I say fire up the thread GB.I'm like a kid in the candy store, trying to figure out which special ineptitude treat I'd like to focus on first. On second thought, let's forget about the whole thing.
Do I start a 2023 thread or can someone else do it this time?
They need to seriously consider moving on from Bosa. He's not worth the money. I have no idea who would trade for him though. What would be the hit if they outright released him?2023 Roster Thoughts - Entering Offseason
TL;DR - the cap challenge is serious, and the team is going to be less talented in 2023.
They need to seriously consider moving on from Bosa. He's not worth the money. I have no idea who would trade for him though. What would be the hit if they outright released him?2023 Roster Thoughts - Entering Offseason
TL;DR - the cap challenge is serious, and the team is going to be less talented in 2023.
They need to seriously consider moving on from Bosa. He's not worth the money. I have no idea who would trade for him though. What would be the hit if they outright released him?2023 Roster Thoughts - Entering Offseason
TL;DR - the cap challenge is serious, and the team is going to be less talented in 2023.
Stuck with him another year. Release is -14MM in cap savings
Khalil Mack and Keenan Allen being cut generates 16MM in savings but what are your alternatives? JC Jackson contract is haunting.