We ask about Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, their impressive defense, and more.
This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns have a new quarterback at home as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers. To help preview a few topics from the Chargers’ perspective, we reached out to Michael Peterson from Bolts from the Blue and exchanged five questions with him.
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Chris: “Jim Harbaugh is the head coach of the Chargers this year. What are fans’ opinion of him through seven games?”
Michael: “Fans are absolutely in love with Jim Harbaugh. Unlike past coaches, the Charges fan base has been pretty reserved in their criticism of their newest head coach, even after the team dropped a frustrating game against the Cardinals. I’d say in the past, disgruntled fans would not wait long to start pointing fingers at the coach, but this season is seems like more and more fans are willing to think twice and take a closer look at why there are shortcomings before placing blame.
Harbaugh has instilled a culture change that I believe the Chargers have needed for some time. Everyone seems to be on the same page and that’s exactly what we keep hearing from everyone in the building. From top to bottom, the message does not get twisted.
The “Harbaugh-isms” that come out of his weekly press conferences have also been a highlight of his tenure thus far with the franchise. He’s always good for a semi-viral soundbite that will give anyone a good chuckle or at least get your thinking about something you may not have given much time to before. He’s like a philosopher, but in the way of a football coach trying to sound smarter than an actual philosopher (in a good way, if that makes sense!).”
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Chris: “The Chargers are only allowing 13 points per game — what have they done to maintain such a high level of efficiency with respect to minimizing points allowed?”
Michael: “In training camp, players like Derwin James described Jesse Minter’s system as ‘simpler’ when compared to Brandon Staley’s from the past three seasons. I believe that’s been the biggest underlying reason for the team’s success. In regards to James’ role this year, he’s playing what essentially amounts to a new role each week that’s dependent on the opponent as opposed to six different roles in any given game. It’s truly been as simple as when they play together and are connected, they have success. No other frills or caveats.
The pass rush, which hasn’t been all that productive in terms of actual sack numbers, is still causing enough havoc to make the secondary’s job easier, and vice versa. At the second level, second-year linebacker Daiyan Henley has been surprisingly good in coverage with his sideline-to-sideline speed and athleticism that he still has from being a former wideout in college. He’s been a great pairing with veteran Denzel Perryman. That’s not an All-Pro duo by any means, but they sure are consistent at handling their weekly responsibilities.”
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Chris: “Which member(s) of the Chargers’ 2024 draft class are having the biggest impact?”
Michael: “The most obvious two from the class that are having the biggest impact are right tackle Joe Alt and wide receiver Ladd McConkey. Alt immediately became the best offensive lineman on the team behind Rashawn Slater while McConkey just used a breakout game against the Saints to assert himself as the team’s top wideout. Both have provided a ton of consistency to an offense that, without them, would look so much worse.
Two other names I want to give a shoutout to have been fifth-round cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. Both have been pressed into starting jobs following injuries to Asante Samuel Jr. (injured reserve) and Kristian Fulton (ruled out for this week already). Both players have started three games apiece (nearly half of this young season) and they’ve each done a magnificent job in keeping the defensive unit as whole chugging along without any speed bumps. One would expect some of these offenses to take advantage of two day-three rookie corners, but they’ve held their own thus far.”
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Chris: “Tell us about one player who Browns fans may not have heard of, but who could have an impact on this Sunday’s game.”
Michael: “One guy who has been absolutely stellar for the Chargers defense this season has been defensive tackle Poona Ford, whom the team signed as a free agent earlier this year. He’s been a do-it-all player in the middle of the team’s 3-4 front, equally making an impact as both a pass rusher and run defender. At 5’11, he’s got a natural leverage advantage against opposing linemen and he’s also quite strong to go with it. Even beyond the structure of the defense, Ford shows great effort when the contain plan breaks down as he is one of the best at hustling to the quarterback.
If the Chargers want to have their best day against a running back like Nick Chubb, Ford will have to be one of their biggest impact players on Sunday.”
Chris: “The Browns are early underdogs against the Chargers on Sunday (Browns +1.5 as of this question, per FanDuel Sportsbook). Who would you pick against the spread?”
Michael: “I can’t help but feel this is a bit of a trap game. Things felt a lot better for the Chargers when Deshaun Watson was still quarterbacking this team but that recent performance by Jameis Winston against the Ravens has drastically changed my opinion on how this game could play out. I think I will still pick the Chargers to win this one, but only by a field goal or less. I believe Winston will have enough success against the Chargers’ rookie corners to keep them in the game until the very end. My guess is the Chargers will have to shut the door on a final Browns drive to end this one.
If I had to throw out a score, I’d say Chargers 17 – Browns 16.”
Thanks again to Michael for taking the time to answer my questions.