It's a new era of Charger football. We have to keep that in mind. This time of year is especially difficult when trying to temper expectations or not jump to conclusions. We have to let Harbaugh do his thing. This is what we all asked for. Mike Vrabel recently let it slip that he was the runner-up for the Head Coaching job. That's always what we all wanted. After all the years of bitching about ownership and questioning their commitment to winning...they did the one thing we thought they never would.
That's not to say that I don't have high hopes for this season. I fully expect this team to make the playoffs and not implode once getting there. I get that Herbert doesn't have his "weapons" at receiver. Of course, people forget Williams was always injured. He's the Jets' problem now. I loved Keenan. Of course, he had his share of drops last season. No one will remember the one in the end zone against the Packers since Johnston erased everything else.
I'm also not saying talented wideouts aren't important. Obviously, that's what drew me to the Chargers to begin with. I mean, Fouts was also a big part of it. But I can't help thinking about something I heard Bill Walsh used to emphasize. He built his teams from the inside out and felt he could draft receivers after filling the other positions. Rice was drafted at the end of the first round and I couldn't even tell you were John Taylor was picked.
Of course, I worry about Herbert being stuck back there with no one getting open. For years, we've complained about the lack of speed. When Guyton finally came back he looked like Arnold in Junior. I get that McConkey, Palmer, Chark, Rice, and Johnston aren't striking fear in opposing defenses. But that's okay. We are trying to win a real championship, not someone's fantasy league. That goes double for Ekeler.
I read the same reports from camp that you do. I see the clips of Alt blocking Bosa and Johnston dropping passes only to stay afterwards with the Juggs machine. I don't think Harbaugh will force him into the offense just because where he was drafted, anyway. It is clear from these very same camp clips that the team has bought in to Harbaugh's preachings. He seems a little mellower than we last saw him, but he's also older. San Francisco became a bad situation pretty quickly after that Super Bowl loss, but I am sure he is also trying avoid burnout.
What's also very apparent is that Justin Herbert is having fun.
Everybody wonders how Harbaugh will "unlock" him. It seems he's already help Herb find his smile again. Between the Luke Bryan concert, the bits of trash talking we've seen during practice...there appears to be a difference. Again, the assumption is that Harbaugh will get more out of Herbert by asking less. I guess it's the same thing with Derwin. Of course, we don't really know. One of the reasons I love this kid is that I truly think he does not give a shit about what people on the morning shows and podcasts say. He's not in it for individual achievements. The most Charger thing over the last season was watching him have to get the ball back after the defense folded. Then, he'd be expected to lead a comeback with no blocking, no running game, and no guys getting open. The Ravens game was maybe the best example of that. Of course, that loss was when they were apparently ready to fire Staley the first time. Everything happens for a reason, but I am sure Hortiz saw first hand what was so very wrong with the Chargers.
It's crazy for me to see kids in their 20s and 30s on podcasts and blogs with hot takes over every topic. That is, however, what gets clicks and engagement. But I truly feel like we're going to be okay. If Harbaugh can't get us (and him) that first Super Bowl Championship then maybe JUSTICE ISN'T EVER COMING. But maybe, just maybe, he can.
As long as no one gets carted off before opening day, it's a positive summer.
Of course, today is also Jerry's birthday. This is a great shot by Jeff Mayer, who allowed me to use two of his photos for my book, American Standard. It will be out right before the opener. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention this installment of JIC is dedicated to Shannen Doherty, a bad ass if there ever was one.
With preseason approaching, we'll be seeing more and more of each other shortly. Hope you're okay with it.
JIC,
RLW
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