Are the 2019 Chargers a SB team?

[xenos]

Article on Rivers and finding a way to manage his load and keep him fresh for the playoffs. I'm not sure I agree entirely with all of the premise especially about Tyrod Taylor playing more snaps to keep Rivers fresh. I think it's more important to continue having a better running game just like NO does for Brees. But the article does highlight the problem with aging QBs and arm fatigue. I do appreciate the amazing things that Rivers has done. Seeing the gifs makes me realize how special he is. Can Tom Brady do what Philip Rivers has done within the pocket?

presnapreads.com/los-angeles-chargers-need-aggressive-load-management-plan-for-philip-rivers/

A fresher Rivers is someone who can carry the whole offense to the Super Bowl and dissect even the most challenging of opponents. A fresher Rivers is the Chargers' best (/only) shot at winning a Super Bowl.



Few quarterbacks through NFL history have been able to rival Philip Rivers' ability to work from a condensed pocket. Rivers consistently maximizes the windows he throws into by letting his receivers' routes develop before releasing the ball. That often means making subtle movements to buy time against arriving defenders or holding the ball until the last moment before absorbing a huge hit.

Quarterbacks who don't play behind great offensive lines have to exist in a tiny overlapping window between the pass rush getting to them in the pocket and the routes downfield developing so that someone is open.
In the above gif we can see Rivers connect with Austin Ekeler out of the backfield for a touchdown in Week 1. The first key for Rivers to read here is the right-side safety rotating down into the box at the snap. This means that Rivers can't throw the seam route he looks to initially. He knows his running back will have a one-on-one in space because of this rotation, but Rivers also knows that route is being run from the backfield so it needs time to develop.

Meanwhile, the Chargers right tackle is beaten at first contact. Not only that, he's beaten past his inside shoulder, meaning the defender has a clear and short route to the quarterback. Rivers senses this and backs up to buy time before throwing the ball without his feet set.

It's a near-perfect touch pass from a quarterback moving backwards who gets hit after the ball leaves his hand. That kind of precision requires control, control that only comes with comfortable arm strength. If Rivers strains slightly to get this ball to its spot, it's more likely to float over the sideline or to a defender.


In Week 2, coincidentally on another touchdown throw, Rivers made a similar play when his left tackle was beaten off the snap. This time he throws the ball down the seam and hits Mike Williams between two defenders. Williams can only cradle the ball before he's hit from the safety who was working across the field.

To let that route develop past the underneath coverage and to hold the safety just enough to prevent him breaking on the ball, Rivers had to take a small step forward in the pocket before delivering the ball under duress.

It's a huge challenge technically but you also have to be brave enough to stand in and take that punishment without flinching. Rivers doesn't flinch. He's made a career out of living on these margins in the pocket.




Because these margins are so fine, any slight drop-off in his performance is going to have major repercussions. He doesn't have a supporting cast that can carry him, despite how talented his skill position players are.

That's what makes Rivers so tantalizing entering this season.



From the same drive in that Buffalo game, Rivers can be seen setting up the offense in the redzone by beating an aggressive blitz call from the defense. Both linebackers come up the middle and rapid rookie Tremaine Edmunds is left unblocked. Rivers recognizes the aggression and gets the ball out before hitting the top of his drop to set up the huge gain.

As a passer, arm strength is the only concern with Rivers. He does everything else at an elite level.

He's starting from a place early in the year where his arm strength is on the brink of being a problem. When he misses, it's normally an underthrow or the ball got away from him and floated because of that lack of arm strength. Later in the year, that flaw becomes more prominent and impacts throws more often. So because it's such a specific thing, the upside without that fatigue is huge.

[headtrip]

I'd quote some previous posts but I'm on my phone and that's a pain, so I say to no one in particular-

SB contender? Looks good from here. There aren't any juggernauts in the league. The Bolts look as talented as any team. They should compete for a divisional title and a first round bye.

Coaching? AL has a pretty good track record so far. There have certainly been some clock management issues and it looks like he leans too conservative for my taste but he's been an integral part of the team's turn around. Time will tell if he's Marty reincarnated or if the playoffs aren't too big for him. Whiz and Bradley have both leveraged their considerable talent into HC jobs, and Bradely looks poised to do it again. I think we have a very good coaching staff.

The Oline? Probably the biggest weakness on the team. It has been for most of Rivers' career in fact. Too weak to win a SB? Hardly. We've watched teams win championships with weak position groups on their roster time after time. The Bolts could do the same depending on the strength of the rest of the team. Plus the group isn't without hope, they could be the best we've had since Dielman and Big Mac. Okung and Pouncey were good last year. The concern is their age, but many offensive linemen have aged like a fine wine over the years and they don't appear to be ready to hang em up. Feeney has been somewhat disappointing, but he is entering the prime of his career and has considerable experience. Shomethefield is a journeyman backup level player, no escaping that. We do have Lamp waiting in the wings, so there's a chance we end up pleasantly surprised with our RG production. Tevi is the RT version of Feeney, he wasn't good but has every chance to improve this year. Then there's Pipkins and the other dart throws. They aren't likely to move the needle, but maybe.

All in all, winning with that group shouldn't be like trying to win a SB with Trent Dilfer starting at QB. Matchups will play a big role down the stretch.

PR throws too many picks? Maybe, but there have been few QBs that could have been as productive as PR over the years under the same circumstances. We've had some truly awful offensive talent due to injury, lack of depth, and plain old lack of talent. That doesn't appear to be the case this year. There's no reason to think he won't play as well as last year.

My 0.02.

[frozendisc]

Jun 10, 2019 19:49:15 GMT -7 headtrip said:

I'd quote some previous posts but I'm on my phone and that's a pain, so I say to no one in particular-

SB contender? Looks good from here. There aren't any juggernauts in the league. The Bolts look as talented as any team. They should compete for a divisional title and a first round bye.

Coaching? AL has a pretty good track record so far. There have certainly been some clock management issues and it looks like he leans too conservative for my taste but he's been an integral part of the team's turn around. Time will tell if he's Marty reincarnated or if the playoffs aren't too big for him. Whiz and Bradley have both leveraged their considerable talent into HC jobs, and Bradely looks poised to do it again. I think we have a very good coaching staff.

The Oline? Probably the biggest weakness on the team. It has been for most of Rivers' career in fact. Too weak to win a SB? Hardly. We've watched teams win championships with weak position groups on their roster time after time. The Bolts could do the same depending on the strength of the rest of the team. Plus the group isn't without hope, they could be the best we've had since Dielman and Big Mac. Okung and Pouncey were good last year. The concern is their age, but many offensive linemen have aged like a fine wine over the years and they don't appear to be ready to hang em up. Feeney has been somewhat disappointing, but he is entering the prime of his career and has considerable experience. Shomethefield is a journeyman backup level player, no escaping that. We do have Lamp waiting in the wings, so there's a chance we end up pleasantly surprised with our RG production. Tevi is the RT version of Feeney, he wasn't good but has every chance to improve this year. Then there's Pipkins and the other dart throws. They aren't likely to move the needle, but maybe.

All in all, winning with that group shouldn't be like trying to win a SB with Trent Dilfer starting at QB. Matchups will play a big role down the stretch.

PR throws too many picks? Maybe, but there have been few QBs that could have been as productive as PR over the years under the same circumstances. We've had some truly awful offensive talent due to injury, lack of depth, and plain old lack of talent. That doesn't appear to be the case this year. There's no reason to think he won't play as well as last year.

My 0.02.

The Bolts will take their less than offence into the Super Bowl on the backs of their great defence.......defence wins championships, eh....

[headtrip]

Jun 10, 2019 20:02:21 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

Jun 10, 2019 19:49:15 GMT -7 headtrip said:

I'd quote some previous posts but I'm on my phone and that's a pain, so I say to no one in particular-

SB contender? Looks good from here. There aren't any juggernauts in the league. The Bolts look as talented as any team. They should compete for a divisional title and a first round bye.

Coaching? AL has a pretty good track record so far. There have certainly been some clock management issues and it looks like he leans too conservative for my taste but he's been an integral part of the team's turn around. Time will tell if he's Marty reincarnated or if the playoffs aren't too big for him. Whiz and Bradley have both leveraged their considerable talent into HC jobs, and Bradely looks poised to do it again. I think we have a very good coaching staff.

The Oline? Probably the biggest weakness on the team. It has been for most of Rivers' career in fact. Too weak to win a SB? Hardly. We've watched teams win championships with weak position groups on their roster time after time. The Bolts could do the same depending on the strength of the rest of the team. Plus the group isn't without hope, they could be the best we've had since Dielman and Big Mac. Okung and Pouncey were good last year. The concern is their age, but many offensive linemen have aged like a fine wine over the years and they don't appear to be ready to hang em up. Feeney has been somewhat disappointing, but he is entering the prime of his career and has considerable experience. Shomethefield is a journeyman backup level player, no escaping that. We do have Lamp waiting in the wings, so there's a chance we end up pleasantly surprised with our RG production. Tevi is the RT version of Feeney, he wasn't good but has every chance to improve this year. Then there's Pipkins and the other dart throws. They aren't likely to move the needle, but maybe.

All in all, winning with that group shouldn't be like trying to win a SB with Trent Dilfer starting at QB. Matchups will play a big role down the stretch.

PR throws too many picks? Maybe, but there have been few QBs that could have been as productive as PR over the years under the same circumstances. We've had some truly awful offensive talent due to injury, lack of depth, and plain old lack of talent. That doesn't appear to be the case this year. There's no reason to think he won't play as well as last year.

My 0.02.

The Bolts will take their less than offence into the Super Bowl on the backs of their great defence.......defence wins championships, eh....

Maybe. I think the defense will be better than the offense but I wouldn't call the offense "less than". There's a lot of talent on that side of the ball. They were pretty good last year with all the same players along the Oline. I figure there will be incremental improvement in our younger players, consistency from our older players, and we're getting HH back. They shouldn't have to lean too hard on the defense.

[chargerfreak]

Jun 10, 2019 18:04:45 GMT -7 xenos said:

Article on Rivers and finding a way to manage his load and keep him fresh for the playoffs. I'm not sure I agree entirely with all of the premise especially about Tyrod Taylor playing more snaps to keep Rivers fresh. I think it's more important to continue having a better running game just like NO does for Brees. But the article does highlight the problem with aging QBs and arm fatigue. I do appreciate the amazing things that Rivers has done. Seeing the gifs makes me realize how special he is. Can Tom Brady do what Philip Rivers has done within the pocket?

presnapreads.com/los-angeles-chargers-need-aggressive-load-management-plan-for-philip-rivers/

With 9 kids already I don't see any of that happening. Post reported. 

[chargerfreak]

Jun 10, 2019 20:02:21 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

Jun 10, 2019 19:49:15 GMT -7 headtrip said:

I'd quote some previous posts but I'm on my phone and that's a pain, so I say to no one in particular-

SB contender? Looks good from here. There aren't any juggernauts in the league. The Bolts look as talented as any team. They should compete for a divisional title and a first round bye.

Coaching? AL has a pretty good track record so far. There have certainly been some clock management issues and it looks like he leans too conservative for my taste but he's been an integral part of the team's turn around. Time will tell if he's Marty reincarnated or if the playoffs aren't too big for him. Whiz and Bradley have both leveraged their considerable talent into HC jobs, and Bradely looks poised to do it again. I think we have a very good coaching staff.

The Oline? Probably the biggest weakness on the team. It has been for most of Rivers' career in fact. Too weak to win a SB? Hardly. We've watched teams win championships with weak position groups on their roster time after time. The Bolts could do the same depending on the strength of the rest of the team. Plus the group isn't without hope, they could be the best we've had since Dielman and Big Mac. Okung and Pouncey were good last year. The concern is their age, but many offensive linemen have aged like a fine wine over the years and they don't appear to be ready to hang em up. Feeney has been somewhat disappointing, but he is entering the prime of his career and has considerable experience. Shomethefield is a journeyman backup level player, no escaping that. We do have Lamp waiting in the wings, so there's a chance we end up pleasantly surprised with our RG production. Tevi is the RT version of Feeney, he wasn't good but has every chance to improve this year. Then there's Pipkins and the other dart throws. They aren't likely to move the needle, but maybe.

All in all, winning with that group shouldn't be like trying to win a SB with Trent Dilfer starting at QB. Matchups will play a big role down the stretch.

PR throws too many picks? Maybe, but there have been few QBs that could have been as productive as PR over the years under the same circumstances. We've had some truly awful offensive talent due to injury, lack of depth, and plain old lack of talent. That doesn't appear to be the case this year. There's no reason to think he won't play as well as last year.

My 0.02.

The Bolts will take their less than offence into the Super Bowl on the backs of their great defence.......defence wins championships, eh....

This is one of the most failed posts you've had. Tied for 10th in yards, tied for 6th in scoring points. "Less than" offense Less than the 26 other teams we beat in scoring points ? Wow.

[chargerfreak]

Jun 10, 2019 12:54:02 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

Jun 10, 2019 11:44:58 GMT -7 Chargeroo said:

But, what if? What if it turns out that Pipkins is already better than Tevi and Lamp turns out to be the great player we thought he would be when he was drafted? Isn't that something to dream about? A new and better right side of the line!

I don't expect Pipkins to be that good but we never know. I do expect Lamp to step up big time.

Clearly that is the hope......and probably what it would take for the Bolts to make a Super Bowl appearance in 2020.   I have more faith in Pipkins becoming something solid at the NFL level than I do Lamp, but time will tell. Could be both, or neither, or just one of them. OL is a big weakness currently.......

Only if our injured young guard is now Great, and our small school rookie draftee has to beat out a Divisional Round playoff playing starting RT can we then play in the Super Bowl................On my best day ever I couldn't make up this kind of crazy talk. Congrats.

Is it National drop Mushrooms week in Canada or what ? 

[moekid]

Does defense win championships?

www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2019/6/10/18659265/chargers-will-have-nfl-best-defense-2019

[headtrip]

Jun 11, 2019 7:44:04 GMT -7 moekid said:

Does defense win championships?

www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2019/6/10/18659265/chargers-will-have-nfl-best-defense-2019

Cheating has won championships most recently.

[frozendisc]

Jun 10, 2019 20:31:38 GMT -7 headtrip said:

Jun 10, 2019 20:02:21 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

The Bolts will take their less than offence into the Super Bowl on the backs of their great defence.......defence wins championships, eh....

Maybe. I think the defense will be better than the offense but I wouldn't call the offense "less than". There's a lot of talent on that side of the ball. They were pretty good last year with all the same players along the Oline. I figure there will be incremental improvement in our younger players, consistency from our older players, and we're getting HH back. They shouldn't have to lean too hard on the defense.

I figured a bunch would focus on the 'less than' aspect......but you had least understood what I meant by it. 

I think TT has improved the talent levels each year, and with better talent in the depth, I see improved ST's play. That makes me believe the weakness on the roster will be found in the OL group, once again. Is that weakness so large that the team will not win games, nope, there should be plenty of wins. Winning in the regular season is no longer the big concern (yes I know you have to win those games), rather winning in the PO's is now the focus. The top teams will try to exploit that weakness, and how well the OL counters those attempts will play a large part in how far the Bolts will go in any PO's. Health in the starters is imperative, as the talent drop to reserve players is pretty challenging. 

[frozendisc]

Jun 11, 2019 2:49:24 GMT -7 chargerfreak said:

Jun 10, 2019 20:02:21 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

The Bolts will take their less than offence into the Super Bowl on the backs of their great defence.......defence wins championships, eh....

This is one of the most failed posts you've had. Tied for 10th in yards, tied for 6th in scoring points. "Less than" offense Less than the 26 other teams we beat in scoring points ? Wow.

The failure is yours.......being so quick to judgement.

[chargerfreak]

Jun 11, 2019 8:32:26 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

Jun 11, 2019 2:49:24 GMT -7 chargerfreak said:

This is one of the most failed posts you've had. Tied for 10th in yards, tied for 6th in scoring points. "Less than" offense Less than the 26 other teams we beat in scoring points ? Wow.

The failure is yours.......being so quick to judgement.

Why, because you have flipped around and said NOW its internal to the team. Ok. I think the offense stayed right with the defense last year. They got their yards and points and did everything they could to keep the defense off of the field. Rivers Gordon and company played very well.

12 -4 takes a whole team, eh. Failed again. But keep em coming.

[headtrip]

Jun 11, 2019 8:25:43 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

Jun 10, 2019 20:31:38 GMT -7 headtrip said:

Maybe. I think the defense will be better than the offense but I wouldn't call the offense "less than". There's a lot of talent on that side of the ball. They were pretty good last year with all the same players along the Oline. I figure there will be incremental improvement in our younger players, consistency from our older players, and we're getting HH back. They shouldn't have to lean too hard on the defense.

I figured a bunch would focus on the 'less than' aspect......but you had least understood what I meant by it. 

I think TT has improved the talent levels each year, and with better talent in the depth, I see improved ST's play. That makes me believe the weakness on the roster will be found in the OL group, once again. Is that weakness so large that the team will not win games, nope, there should be plenty of wins. Winning in the regular season is no longer the big concern (yes I know you have to win those games), rather winning in the PO's is now the focus. The top teams will try to exploit that weakness, and how well the OL counters those attempts will play a large part in how far the Bolts will go in any PO's. Health in the starters is imperative, as the talent drop to reserve players is pretty challenging. 

I think your prose was chosen specifically to incite Freak. A noble endeavor, carry on.

I mostly agree. I think our playoff success is going to be largely determined by how our blockers match up against the opposite front. Henry and Green figure to be a big upgrade over Green and Gates at TE which will certainly help.

[chargerfreak]

Jun 11, 2019 9:32:48 GMT -7 headtrip said:

Jun 11, 2019 8:25:43 GMT -7 frozendisc said:

I figured a bunch would focus on the 'less than' aspect......but you had least understood what I meant by it. 

I think TT has improved the talent levels each year, and with better talent in the depth, I see improved ST's play. That makes me believe the weakness on the roster will be found in the OL group, once again. Is that weakness so large that the team will not win games, nope, there should be plenty of wins. Winning in the regular season is no longer the big concern (yes I know you have to win those games), rather winning in the PO's is now the focus. The top teams will try to exploit that weakness, and how well the OL counters those attempts will play a large part in how far the Bolts will go in any PO's. Health in the starters is imperative, as the talent drop to reserve players is pretty challenging. 

I think your prose was chosen specifically to incite Freak. A noble endeavor, carry on.

I mostly agree. I think our playoff success is going to be largely determined by how our blockers match up against the opposite front. Henry and Green figure to be a big upgrade over Green and Gates at TE which will certainly help.

I wonder if value buying a double rack for the Palace Courtyard will be a noble endeavor as well.

[headtrip]

Jun 11, 2019 9:38:22 GMT -7 chargerfreak said:

Jun 11, 2019 9:32:48 GMT -7 headtrip said:

I think your prose was chosen specifically to incite Freak. A noble endeavor, carry on.

I mostly agree. I think our playoff success is going to be largely determined by how our blockers match up against the opposite front. Henry and Green figure to be a big upgrade over Green and Gates at TE which will certainly help.

I wonder if value buying a double rack for the Palace Courtyard will be a noble endeavor as well.

That's up to you. Double racks don't kill people, Freaks kill people.