The Chargers want to be bullies on the field. With the second day of training camp wrapped up, the team is embracing a new identity for their offense.
The Harbaugh era has brought a myriad of changes to the organization and its been electrifying. The team’s new training facility, dubbed as The Bolt, being one of the neweest additions to the exciting offseason.
As the Chargers head into the regular season, they have a chance to make a name for themselves. Safety Derwin James made it clear the Bolts have left the past in the past and they won’t be the same five-win team.
Running back J.K. Dobbins echoed his teammate as he spoke on a new reputation for the Chargers offense—bullies.
“We want to be bullies, you know,” Dobbins said after practice. “We want to have a run game and a pass game. We want to be able to bully people and do whatever we want to do. And it starts here, camp, and we’re gonna get that.
“We’re gonna get to it, we’re gonna work for it every single day. And we got the guys to do it. And so that’s what we’re shooting for. I know I’m shooting for it, not only as a team, but as a player as well. I want to be a bully on the field too.”
Furthermore, offensive coordinator Greg Roman also shared the idea of keeping the past in the past and welcoming a new oneness.
“I think whatever happened in the past is that. It’s independent of what’s going to happen in the future. Every game’s going to be a little different,” Roman said. “Some days, some games, we’re going to try to ground and pound. Again, ‘medieval’ as we spoke about this spring. Some games, you know, we’re going to air it out, and some games it’s going to be a mix.
The Harbaugh mentality has always been a physical offense that can run which gives quarterback Justin Herbert some breathing room on the field.
Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater spoke on the new mentality for the offense: “I know a big part of what he wants is physicality,” Slater said.
“And we’re all excited about that, but it’s hard to do without pads. So haven’t quite gotten there yet, but we’re hungry and we’re gonna be ready.”
Roman and Harbaugh are eager for the offensive line to earn the respect as one of the best units in the league this season. Roman highlighted what he’s seen so far from the five up front.
“Just the way they go about their business,” Roman said. “Trade movement in the guard. His communication is just dogged determination to understand every little thing that goes on in that position. His communication with Joe [Alt] and Bradley [Bozeman is] huge. And then our left side, these guys are just working, working, working. Our goal is, our offensive line, their goal is to be the best unit, to be able to play together really, really well, and I think these guys are working really, really well in that direction.”
By the end of training camp, the Chargers congruence should be evident according to Roman.
“It’ll be kind of dependent on the identity we build in training camp,” Roman added. “As we exit training camp, we should have a good feel for who we are. And I think that’ll really dictate, you know, where we really put our focus in.”