Chargers Notebook: Packers review, Shane Steichen, Gus Bradley
By Jason Balliet II
The Chargers looked like an entirely different offense with new offensive coordinator Shane Steichen at the helm. What changes did he make?
We talked about tempo in last weeks’ Chargers Notebook. The Chargers thrive in a faster tempo, and it showed even dating back to last year in the comeback victories against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. This team is just built for that fast tempo.
That was the big deal here, is that Steichen got the play calls in fast. Very fast. On most of the first drive, Philip Rivers and the offense were already lined up with 14-16 seconds left on the play clock, and Rivers was already dishing out audibles to his offense.
The more time you give Rivers to diagnose a defense and get to work, the better. A good example of this was early on when Rivers’ changed the play, identified the Mike, shifted some blocks around, brought a motion, all before snapping the ball. Yeah, that’s a lot of adjustment, and it paid off with a solid run to get the offense moving.
3 things.
1. Austin Ekeler is so freaking good.2. Scott Quessenberry is so freaking good.3. Shane getting the play call in early so Rivers has time to audible here is so freaking good. pic.twitter.com/5ehpnnzYsU
— Jason Balliet II (@Syntari13) November 6, 2019
When the Chargers offense flows through Rivers, it is a good thing. Austin Ekeler made a lot happen, but Rivers was the reason why. Also, shout out to Scott Quessenberry, who has looked like the best lineman on the Chargers over the last three weeks! We’ll get to more about him in a later topic.