Los Angeles Chargers doomed to waste Justin Herbert’s prime

Right here we go once more with the Chargers. This franchise has what ought to be one other life-changing, mega-talented quarterback of their constructing, and administration’s response is to waste his prime. That’s the place the state of affairs appears to be heading in Los Angeles. As an alternative of exhibiting Brandon Staley the door in favor of an HC who doesn’t coach like he’s enjoying Madden franchise mode on-line, the Chargers have chosen to make changes to the staff.

Sean Payton, who?

There had been rumors about Sean Payton probably taking on the Chargers if Staley’s crew crashed and burned once more. Effectively, they made the postseason for the primary time in his tenure, however they nonetheless failed epically, shedding a 27-point second-half result in the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wild Card Saturday.

Even after a 10-7 marketing campaign through which the Chargers have been the No. 5 seed within the playoffs, Staley’s fashion, and philosophy nonetheless, depart a lot to be desired. Though he’s reduce a bit, Staley would a lot reasonably go for it on fourth down and no matter extra instances than any fan ought to be snug with. He gambled with gamers’ well being by suiting up starters and enjoying them deep right into a meaningless Week 18 recreation after they had nothing to realize or lose from the end result. On account of Staley’s hubris, large receiver Mike Williams was on the sphere when he didn’t should be and suffered an damage to his again that brought on him to overlook the playoff loss to Jacksonville. Regardless of all this, Staley’s job is protected for now.

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New metropolis, identical Chargers

One other promising 12 months ends in disappointment for Justin Herbert, who at this level feels destined to comply with within the footsteps of his predecessor, Philip Rivers. The previous Charger was at all times fairly good and even had years the place he was nice, however it was by no means fairly sufficient. And the franchise by no means fairly felt like they have been prepared to do no matter it takes to get the crew over the hump.

These Rivers-led Chargers squads have been good however have been at all times only a step or two behind the Patriots, Steelers, and Colts within the AFC. The Ravens even snuck in a single 12 months to win a Tremendous Bowl throughout Rivers’ tenure with the Chargers. In 14 years because the starter for San Diego/LA, Rivers’ Chargers made it to at least one AFC title recreation. Throughout that point, the Jets — of all franchises — performed in back-to-back AFC championship video games.

It looks like Herbert is about to undergo the identical destiny of getting shut a couple of times however by no means having sufficient help to complete the deal. In his first three years, Herbert has made the playoffs as soon as and misplaced a recreation the Chargers had within the bag. We are able to’t blame Staley for all this, however his horrible decision-making for 2 years definitely comes into play. But when possession was genuinely involved with profitable, they’d do no matter it took to herald Payton.

Staley’s fashion

Staley has a ceiling that his analytic/Madden-based teaching strategy will drive him to smash into each time. The Chargers have completed with a profitable file each years below Staley, however they missed the playoffs final season and, this time, gave up what ought to’ve been an insurmountable lead in a Wild Card recreation. Certain, expertise should carry out, however coaches have to put them in positions to succeed. Staley typically places his gamers in unnecessarily robust spots extra steadily than he ought to. Whether or not it’s enjoying guys after they might be resting or passing on factors through area objective makes an attempt to go for an additional fourth down.

What it comes all the way down to is reasonable possession. The Spanos household is understood for being frugal by NFL requirements. The mere undeniable fact that any of us believed the Chargers would severely pursue Payton was wishful considering. Their final three teaching hires (Staley, Anthony Lynn, and Mike McCoy) have been all first-time head coaches. Some organizations are cursed and doomed to repeat the errors of the previous repeatedly. That’s the place the Chargers have at all times been. Simply adequate however by no means prepared to do sufficient to change into a legit risk within the AFC.