Alt LT Branson Taylor RG Slaughter C Strange LG Burke RT So far, the Chargers paid Slater and got Pipkins. Just like they paid Bosa and got Rochell & Dupree much of the time. The Spanos should reward availability as much as they reward talent/production. Tuli only missed one game in 3+ years and he got better each year. If you pay Tuli, you will most likely see Tuli on Sundays and not Johnny Cantrush.

Barking at the wrong tree. The law of diminishing returns: There is marginal gain in trying to improve what already works fine. We lose games not because Vidal and Mitchell take 5 or 7 carries from Omarion. The run game works fine, and I do not care what is the split between players of the 150 rushing yards per game, especially when there are no fumbles. We lose games because of way fewer completed passes that go for more than 7 air yards (compared to previous years with Roman and Lombardi). GAC preached to fire Roman and bring in a “modern” OC. 11 wins Pop was ridiculed, and one we can only wish. I can only imagine the “I told you” clamor in the podcast if this was Roman or Lombardi offenses that we are witnessing. Make it make sense.

Watching the film, I am fine with the use of 3 RBs. In fact, I'd be happy if they try OH with Mitchell or OH with Vidal at the same time. Say instead of Ingold. The main problem of the offense throughout the 4 games is the small number of completions of passes with 7+ air yards. Given Ladd & Brenen frangibility, the keys are the bigger body pass catchers: Harris & Gadsden (and Njoku when he is back). Forget about 2.4 seconds and timing with Harris & Gadsden. Throw them the ball when they are one-on-one, and when the DB is busy covering them and not looking at Herbert. Try Harris outside the numbers whenever he is 1-on-1. Herbert had his best numbers under Joe Lombardi. 300 yards per game whereas now it is down to 200 yards per game. Back in 2021, it was 24/7 KA, big play MW, and checkdown Ekeler. With MM we have the checkdown option built into the scheme with the 3 RBs and Ingold. The checkdown plays are a must with this OL to reduce the QB hits. Given that Ladd and Brenen can get open, they can assume the role of KA. What we need more of are chunk plays from Harris/KLS and Gadsden/Njoku. So design plays that match their skill set. Integrate the timing and anticipation gradually and slowly. Not all are savvy WRs like Ladd and KA. Again, Harris is the key. He should be targeted 10 times a game, and mostly on simpler route concepts. So far, he was targeted 5 times per game because the timing is not there, and we had enough interceptions already. If we get from him 100 yards per game, it will open the offense for other guys.

When the QB has the arm, get him a WR like MW. He dove & jumped high to catch passes. The hits, defenders, and landing never deterred him. He didn’t take business decisions (Ladd), and never expected balls to hit his chest (QJ).

He needs to spend more time near the milk machine.

The average duration of the first 8 offensive drives was 102 seconds. Herbert played within scheme and none of the drives lasted more than 2 minutes and 45 seconds. The offensive drives in previous games were similar for the most part. Against the Seahawks, the outcome of playing within scheme in these first 8 lackluster drives was 2 interceptions. The offense "scored" 3 points because Tuli's interception put the offense in a great field position. **** Then Herbert finally decided to improvise and extend drive with his legs. The outcome: A FG after scrambling for 26 yards (to end the 1st half). Back to back TD drives to start the second half that lasted 5:30 and 8:21 minutes, assisted by Seattle penalties. The last two offensive drives had to be short because the refs called a dubious leverage penalty of Tuli to make it 30:20 point game instead of 27:20 with great field position. Nonetheless, they scored a FG in 107 seconds, and then came the fumble. **** Conclusions: 1. Forget about scheme & 2.4 seconds time-to-throw offense. Keep it for next year. 2. Run the ball more than 50% of the time until Ladd, Brenen, and Njoku are healthier. 3. Involve the 3 RBs, Harris and Gadsden early in games. 4. Use checkdows to the RBs or Gadsden to get short gains if they rush Herbert with 4 and drop 7 to coverage. This will reduce the number of hits. 5. Limit the snap count of QJ. 6. Cut DD.

Too late. Too little. 1 catch b/c Herbert scrambled and threw after 5 seconds. QJ can't get open in 2.4 seconds. SEA & BAL have winning records because JSN & Flowers, drafted in the picks before and after QJ, routinely extend drives through designed plays. QJ is a non-factor.

The irony is that Herbert extends his arms when he tries to catch under contact. Something that QJ doesn’t do when he is touched by a DB.

Four losses whose common thread is way too many offensive drives that end between 75 to 150 seconds because no WR/TE gets open on 3rd and 5, or because Herbert throws a dumb interception. Let’s not get confused by the pseudo looking good second half. The “signs” of life we saw are QB scrambles and broken plays that somehow were saved by penalties or a random catch after Seattle were already named the winner with the Truman Show call of the game: Tuli “leverage” penalty. But even without this dubious call, this offense reminds me of Zach Wilson with the Jets, or Nathaniel Hackett & Russel Wilson in Denver. Herbert thrived in simpler offenses. The new passing game has neither rhythm nor form. Ladd is too fragile to be WR1, and it will take time for Harris to be able to carry the load. Comparing with Flowers and JSN, who were drafted one pick before and one pick after QJ, it’s clear that we must cut QJ. I am not confused with one catch on a broken play. QJ cannot get open on a designed play and catch the ball. This is exactly what JSN and Flowers do: they extend drives that help the Ravens and Seattle score points. This is why their teams have winning records. Not because Darnold or 2026 Lamar are special. Because JSN and Flowers routinely extend drives that end with points. I am also not impressed by Gadsden catching a “miraculous” 4th down pass. Both QJ and Gadsden will not win us games. Hortiz must understand this simple fact, and build the WR/TE rooms accordingly. Herbert average in this losing streak is 200 passing yards per game. He used to throw 300+ yards per game under Lombardi when having Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, and checkdown Ekeler. Under MM, Herbert cannot have a game without 1 or 2 interceptions that make you think if this is his high school debut game. Also, it is obvious that Strange is good to go, while Alt and Slater are down. But maybe it’s for the best: Herbert plays better behind broken Oline, when he is repeatedly hit, and when he has to extends broken plays. He cannot function otherwise.

If not for Tuli penalty, it’s 27:27. The NFL. Watch every field goal across the league and you will see far worse leverage cases. This was a touch. Not a penalty. Flag football is more physical. Pathetic NFL refs.

Now imagine the refs did not call the penalty on Tuli. The penalty that is never called on far clearer cases in every NFL game. It should have been 27:20 and we have the ball 4 minutes. Instead we will lose this game because the NFL reshapes game results via borderline calls.

This penalty on Tuli is meant to guarantee we’re denied a comeback. The slight things in an eventful game that Refs do to help certain teams win. When we are far behind, the refs will help us to come close but not enough. This league seems like the Truman show at times.

The refs helped us in the last drive of the first half when we were trailing 21 points. But as soon as they see the Chargers gain momentum, they step in. What Tuli did happens in every game and a few times per game. This is a BS call. The little things that refs do…

I remind all of you that after the loss to the Bills Mike McDaniel said he has a better understanding of what leads to Justin Herbert making good plays after three games. I am tired of his BS, long pressers and especially of his play calls. Nothing works. Herbert played like MVP under Roman and Joe Lombardi who adjusted their offense to Herbert’s strengths. Under MM, Herbert makes Zach Wilson and Trey Lance look great.

I was thinking Jeremiah Smith. An update:

Justin Herbtrash, Jim Harbage, and MM Burger King offense.

I feel sorry for Mack. Great sack and loss of 10 yards or so. And then Hart & TJeff can’t coordinate how to guard JSN 3rd & 19. We need a new OC.

Herbert can’t adjust blitz protection. He needs KA or he is lost. Please let AI call plays. Mitchell takes business decisions by not cutting inside sooner. The same goes for Ladd thinking about the hit instead of the catch. Greg Roman is so much better than MM.

The last 13 quarters were the worst Chargers offense of this century. And I have been watching every game.