Brandon Staley took over the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021, contemporary off a spectacular season because the defensive coordinator for the crosstown Rams. The revolutionary defensive architect earned kudos for his scheme, ways and personnel deployment on Sean McVay’s workers, with the 2020 Rams ending first in scoring D and complete D. Moreover, the whiz child was anticipated to raise the Bolts right into a title contender, along with his inventive strategy meshing with a proficient roster that includes a number of blue-chip gamers.
Here we’re in Year 3 of the Staley regime, although, and his Chargers are 2-4, struggling to remain in playoff competition. There’s been loads of dialogue concerning the inconsistent manufacturing from Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert-led offense, however the greater downside has been an underachieving protection. Under Staley, the Bolts have by no means completed above twentieth in scoring protection or complete protection. And the unit may very well be hitting a brand new low this season, presently rating twenty fifth in scoring D and thirty first in complete D. Considering L.A.’s protection options routine Pro Bowlers Joey Bosa and Derwin James, in addition to a group of hard-nosed defenders that features a former Defensive Player of the Year (Khalil Mack), the disappointing efficiency from a gaggle that seems distinctive on paper has been one of many greatest surprises throughout the soccer neighborhood.
Given the protection’s dismal efficiency on this previous Sunday’s loss to the division-rival Chiefs — with Kansas City headliners Patrick Mahomes (424 passing yards and 4 touchdowns) and Travis Kelce (12 catches for 179 yards and a rating) going bonkers — it’s honest to surprise if Staley can repair the unit earlier than it is too late. After all, the Chargers’ sluggish begin has many speaking concerning the head coach’s job safety — or lack thereof.
After reviewing the sport tape, I simply don’t suppose Staley’s scheme will get essentially the most out of the expertise readily available. The coach prefers a split-safety system with the deep cowl males positioned far-off from the road of scrimmage to eradicate the explosives within the passing recreation. In addition, Los Angeles’ cornerbacks play delicate on the perimeter to remove vertical throws whereas conceding short-to-intermediate routes on the skin.
The “bend, however do not break” premise that Staley prefers is designed to play the percentages that an offense can not drive the size of the sphere with out imploding on account of a self-inflicted errors (penalties, damaging performs or turnovers). But opponents have been efficiently dinking and dunking their manner down the gridiron, partially as a result of Chargers’ inconsistent tackling in area. In addition, opposing offenses have been in a position to generate massive performs in opposition to the Bolts by attacking the intermediate areas of the sphere on numerous catch-and-run ideas.
With the Chargers missing the personnel to carry up in man-to-man and the self-discipline to play zone, quarterbacks are feasting on a defensive backfield that appears overmatched and overwhelmed on the perimeter. Staley has tried to reshuffle his personnel (benching and ultimately buying and selling former big-ticket free-agent signee J.C. Jackson) and regulate his protection preferences, however his tweaks have but to pan out. Opponents proceed to zip up and down the sphere, and Los Angeles has been unable to decelerate the plus quarterbacks and aerial assaults on the schedule.
