Familiarity important for Herbert as Chargers OTAs begin
COSTA MESA, Calif (AP) — Justin Herbert sprinted out to the follow subject Monday, energized and assured because the Los Angeles Chargers started organized group practices.
Coming off a Professional Bowl season and never having to be taught a brand new offense can try this.
For the primary time in his three-year NFL profession, Herbert doesn’t need to be taught a brand new offense or teaching employees through the offseason.
In 2020, Herbert realized issues on Zoom after being the sixth total choose within the draft after COVID-19 eradicated in-person practices. Final 12 months, he was getting on top of things and constructing a relationship with coach Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Now, it’s selecting up the place final season left off in some respects.
“I believe the most important factor is knowing that we’re miles forward of final 12 months,” Herbert mentioned. “Final 12 months, we have been centered on calling the appropriate performs within the huddle and getting lined up on the sector. We even have tons of movie to look again on final 12 months. We’re farther forward of the place we thought we might be.”
Even with studying a brand new offense all through the season, Herbert set franchise data with 5,014 passing yards and 38 touchdowns final 12 months en route to creating his first Professional Bowl. That got here after he was the Related Press Offensive Rookie of the Yr in 2020.
With out diving into a brand new playbook, Herbert mentioned his largest level of emphasis all through the offseason has been engaged on his footwork, particularly five- and seven-step drop-backs after being below heart. He has additionally tried to grasp the run sport higher and move protections.
“His stability and physique management is one thing that he does very properly, particularly for a younger participant. When he has his toes in a very good place, he’s already one of many particular passers within the league, however I believe there’s a confidence that comes when his physique’s in the appropriate spot,” Staley mentioned. “He’s been working onerous with (quarterback coach) Shane (Day) on his fundamentals and actually solidifying that.”
The one factor Herbert is attempting to not deal with is expectations. Whereas Herbert has piled up particular person accolades, the Chargers haven’t made the playoffs since 2018. They have been 9-8 final season and misplaced three of their ultimate 4 video games.
In an AFC West that features Kansas Metropolis’s Patrick Mahomes, Las Vegas’ Derek Carr and Denver including Russell Wilson, Herbert hopes to maintain the main target extra inside.
“I believe we deal with ourselves. We’ve executed a very good job of eliminating that additional noise,” he mentioned. “There are going to be a number of issues mentioned concerning the AFC West. We’re going to do our greatest to deal with this home and what we’re doing inside it. If it’s not coming from a coach, a teammate, member of the family, we aren’t going to pay an excessive amount of consideration to it.”
Whereas Herbert was on the follow subject, a few of his teammates weren’t there for the non-obligatory session. Outdoors linebacker Joey Bosa and operating again Austin Ekeler aren’t anticipated to reach till nearer to the beginning of the necessary minicamp in three weeks.
New cornerback J.C. Jackson, who signed a five-year, $82.5-million contract early in free company, missed Monday due to a journey problem however must be again this week.
Defensive deal with Jerry Tillery additionally wasn’t in attendance. The 2019 first-round choose didn’t have his fifth-year possibility picked up and is on the roster bubble going into coaching camp.
“He’s going to suit into that competitors of fellows which might be going to need to earn a task,” Staley mentioned of Tillery. “Sebastian (Joseph-Day) and Austin (Johnson) are confirmed NFL gamers. Khalil Mack is a confirmed NFL participant. Derwin James is a confirmed NFL participant. Then, there are a bunch of fellows which might be attempting to show themselves, to earn their manner within the league. I might put him in that class.”
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