Despite inheriting a team that went 5-12 last season, Jim Harbaugh vowed to deliver championships
LOS ANGELES — In February, when Jim Harbaugh took the stage at the YouTube Theater at SoFi Stadium for his introductory press conference as new head coach of Los Angeles Chargersthe moment was a celebration for the team’s new regime.
An organization criticized for being frugal and seeking relevance in the crowded Los Angeles sports market had landed one of the biggest names in football to agree to become a head coach.
And, despite inheriting a team that went 5-12 last season, Harbaugh promised he would deliver championships.
The excitement is palpable after Jim Harbaugh’s first few months in charge of the Chargers. Harry How/Getty Images
In the months since that introductory press conference took place, Chargers They have made major changes to their team, saying goodbye to some of the best players in the club’s history, while Harbaugh and the general manager Joe Hortiz They navigated salary cap restrictions to build a roster that better fits the new version of the Chargers.
“Every year, you feel like you’re going to attack it, that you’re the team to beat, that you’re going to win the Super Bowl“, the safety admitted Derwin James“But this year, it just feels right.”
Here are some observations from the offseason of the Chargers:
The stars are excited
El quarterback Justin Herbert He’s never been the kind of player to chat with the media for extended periods. His press conferences often stay within the five- to 10-minute range; he limits many of his responses to a team-focused, short-duration approach. But, in his first moment chatting with reporters since the Chargers They hired Harbaugh, Herbert it was different.
He spoke for 26 minutes, joking about his desire to pitch as many times as possible, and even his appearance at a concert Zach Bryanwhere he sang on stage.
pretend zach bryan’s ‘revival’ is playing over this pic.twitter.com/niIb8aDr7J
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) June 3, 2024
“No, there are no nerves up there. You get up there, and it’s just like playing a football game. It just happens to be a concert,” he said with a smile.
Outside linebackers, Joey Bosa y Khalil Mackalso joined Herbert in the business of lengthy and animated press conferences, in their first instances speaking to the media since being hired. Harbaugh.
Mack He revealed to reporters that his nickname is “Smokeshow” because he “burns” younger players in a linebacker drill. He joked with a reporter who asked if 2024 would be his final season, saying they needed to “put the tapes on” because he was “rolling.”
As he walked away from the podium, Mack He admitted how different his press conference was from his typical interactions with the media, “You guys got a lot from me today. I don’t usually give that much away,” he said with a laugh.
While Mack y Herbert They looked recharged by their new head coach and praised Harbaugh, Bosa was the most forthright in his appreciation of the new regime. Notably, Bosa revealed that he appreciated the fact that, under Harbaughthe message from the regime is clear, and it does not “get confused as it goes down the ladder”, something that it experienced in other situations.
“I feel like the coach is leading the team the way it should be led,” he described. Bosa.
Herbert gains comfort by standing out
Quarterbacks typically wear a clearly distinguishable color in practice, so defenders know they need to stay away from the team’s most important player. Harbaugh implemented a gold jersey for this purpose, but only for HerbertThe other quarterbacks wear blank jerseys, like the rest of the offense.
“Quarterback, we have a two-yard halo around you,” he said. Harbaugh“The gold jersey is just a reminder: Two yards for all quarterbacks, but the guy in the gold jersey, we’re going to make it two and a half or three.”
Hebert He usually shies away from things that draw attention to himself, so the gold jersey was something unnatural for him. He asked Harbaugh if the other quarterbacks would also wear the gold, but Harbaugh Said no.
“She said it was her rule, and so if it is her rule, I’m going to follow it,” she said. Herbert“No matter what color it is, I’m going to wear it.”
Impact Rookies
Los Chargers They selected nine players in the draft of the NFL last April, and a few of them have already begun to have an impact. Possibly the biggest has been the cornerback Tarheeb Stilldrafted in the fifth round from the University of Maryland.
Still secured an interception against the first-team offense and recorded multiple pass deflections throughout minicamp. The game Still caught the attention of Jameswho told reporters that he had been impressed with Stilland the defensive coordinator Jesse Minterwho said he appreciated the leap Still had made from the start of the offseason program to the end of minicamp in June.
Harbaugh I name the rookie first round Joe Alt among the five offensive linemen who parted ways during camp, likely solidifying Alt as the club’s starting right tackle. This announcement was, above all, a formality for Altwho was practically guaranteed to be a starter, but already being named to a starting role before the club trains in full gear indicates that Alt has had a positive impact since its first weeks in THE.
“He has all the right things,” the offensive coordinator acknowledged. Greg Roman“He respects the veterans, guys who have done it before him; he’s got a great attitude, great work ethic, and he’s the kind of guy you want in the trenches with you.”
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The second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey He has been arguably the best route runner in the offseason. His speed and accuracy on routes is what made the Chargers They agreed to a trade to move him up in the order of selections to take him in the second round. He impressed Herbert with his maturity, and worked on his ties with Herbert off the field at the concert of Zach Bryan.
After a clean offensive play that saw the departures of some of Herbert’s preferred options like running back Austin Thank youthe tight end Gerald Everettand wide receivers Keenan Allen y Mike Williams, McConkey has the opportunity in the first year to obtain a significant role in the aerial attack of the Chargers.
“He’s just picked up the offense so easily. It’s like he’s a four- or five-year veteran,” he said. Herbert“Understand the game.”
2024-07-02 03:13:47
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