Is Justin Herbert elite? Jim Harbaugh wants QB to win Super Bowls
During his second season as a San Francisco coach, Jim Harbaugh obtained 49ers at the Super Bowl. Although this is a major demand for the charge, especially for a club that has not won a post-season match since 2018, it is reasonable to predict that their team will do as well or better than the arrival of 11-6 from last year.
A big question: is Justin Herbert a quarter-Arrière of an elite? His coach certainly thinks. “I woke up the other day and said,” I have to bring Justin Herbert to the renowned temple. … It would mean winning some super bowls “,” said Harbaugh on “The Rich Eisen Show” this off -season. “Many people would benefit from it. It is a worthy objective. “
It is a high ambition, especially since Herbert has not yet won an eliminatory match. The 6-foot 6 inch passer, entering his sixth season of the NFL, has another chance of translating his talent into after-season results. He only launched three interceptions during the regular season, but launched four during the loss in playoffs against Houston, including his first choice of six in 46 games.
The challenge has become more difficult. Ten days after signing the left tackle Rashawn Slater for a historic agreement for offensive line players, the charges lost it for the season for a knee injury. This leaves Herbert’s blind side in the hands of the Joe Alt recruit.
It is a quarter of the crowded AFC with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. The question is whether Herbert can finally join this upper level.
Losing Slater is a devastating blow, but the timing allowed the chargers to reshil. Alt, a left tackle off competition at Notre Dame, moved to the right side.
“He is one of our best guys, Elite Player of the team,” said Harbaugh. “Great player. He went up as much as anyone in the team. People ask me:” Who is the most improved guy? “It could be Joe Alt, and he was really good last year.”
The offensive platform of the Joe Alt loaders will start at the left guard after the knee injury at the end of the season of Rashawn Slater in the training camp.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The original vision was Slater on the left Tackle and Alt on the right, a pair of brick walls, for the years to come. Now, with Alt slippery on the left, Trey Pipkins moves in his more natural place in the right tackle. The group is as prepared as possible, but as Harbaugh admitted, losing Slater was a “punch”.
The biggest problem last season, particularly obvious in the defeat of the playoff series in Houston, was vulnerability inside. To remedy this, the team added the right -of -right goalkeeper Mekhi Becton and will stick to Bradley Bozeman in the center and Zion Johnson at the left guard.
For the first time since 2015, the charges have used a first -round choice on a ball carrier, selecting Omarion Hampton in North Carolina. Harbaugh and the offensive coordinator Greg Roman plan to rely strongly on a physical field game.
“It is the total package,” Roman at the camp told. “His vision, I’m really satisfied with what I see right now. You don’t see many guys finding the hole as he does right now, which is exciting.”
Roman plans to bring Hampton to the extent that he made JK Dobbins to Baltimore, when the recruit has an average of 5.8 yards per race and marked 10 affected in 2020.
Omarion Hampton loaders may lead the team’s racing match this season.
(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)
Loads will not count alone on Hampton. Veteran Najee Harris missed the entire training camp with an eye injury suffered during an accident of fireworks on July 4, but returned to train last week. The rear / defensive player Scott Matlock, listed at 296 pounds, adds a unique versatility as an additional rear field or player in Jumbo sets.
According to the “Podcast Weekly Loads”, the team played 143 games last season with at least seven players weighing 285 pounds or more. This led the league of a mile; Baltimore ranked second with only 28.
With a quarter of the caliber of Herbert, the charges want to open the passing roads.
There is a lot of buzz around the roach Wideouts Tre ‘Harris (second round) and Keandre Lambert-Smith (fifth round), although the history of first-year receivers rarely makes an immediate touch. Again, not long ago, that Ladd McConkey broke this mold.
A second round choice in 2024 in Georgia, McConkey delivered a formidable recruit campaign, fixing franchise marks with 82 receptions and 1,149 yards. It is now anchored as WR1.
“We were able to do things with LADD during the first year that you generally do not do with a guy before the 3 or 4th year,” said Roman on the “weekly Podcast of charges”.
The Ladd McConkey loader receiver is about to see many targets after a phenomenal recruit campaign.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“His football IQ, a lot of different things that give him options to open … Tips of higher level, as I like to call it.”
Who emerges as his acolyte remains to be seen, Quentin Johnston, Harris or Lambert-Smith. Then there is Keenan Allen, who returns after a season in Chicago. Now 33 years old, Allen still prosper in the slit, where McConkey also operates. He may have lost a step, but his game has never been built on speed. Barely two years ago, he posted 1,243 yards, the second best season in his career.
AFC West boasts of the tight ends of the stars in Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Brock Bowers (Raiders) and Evan Engram (Broncos). The loads adopt an approach to the committee, adding the veteran Tyler Conklin, a reliable passee sensor with jets and Vikings, and writing Oronde Gadsden II, the most productive tight end in the history of Syracuse.
Will Dissly, who arrived last season after six years in Seattle, should go back to his more natural blocking role after being in a hurry to receive rights.
