COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Tom Telesco thinks the Los Angeles Chargers have an excellent basis with quarterback Justin Herbert and coach Brandon Staley. The overall supervisor additionally realizes followers are pissed off about not making the postseason for the third straight yr.
The Chargers completed 9-8 in Staley’s first season, however missed the playoffs after dropping three of their last 4 video games. That included a 35-32 additional time loss to the Las Vegas Raiders within the final recreation of the common season.
Below Telesco, the Chargers have reached the playoffs solely twice throughout his nine-year tenure and completed with a successful document 5 instances. The Chargers are 71-78 since 2013, with their .477 successful share rating 18th within the league.
“I don’t suppose loads about job safety,” Telesco stated throughout his season-ending information convention Thursday. “I believe that there’s loads there to be pleased with with this soccer crew and the way they play. I perceive that folks need outcomes proper now, and they need to have outcomes proper now, however this crew is totally different than the crew a few years in the past. I’m simply targeted on 2021 after which getting higher for 2022.”
Los Angeles started the season with wins in 4 of its first 5 video games, however gained back-to-back video games solely as soon as after early October. Whereas Staley’s fourth-down selections late within the season introduced loads of second-guessing, Telesco likes the aggressive mentality the Chargers coach has introduced.
“I really like the id that we play with. I do know, on the skin, that not everybody might agree with how we play, however it’s who we're, and I adore it,“ Telesco stated. ”That’s what we're, and that’s the best way that we’re going to play transferring ahead. what you get with us; we’re going to play aggressive — it’s not reckless.
“All of those selections, regardless that they’re made in real-time, there’s analysis concerned in it previous to the sport.”
A giant cause the Chargers didn’t advance to the postseason is their protection. They struggled of their transition to Staley’s attacking 3-4 scheme. The Chargers employed Staley after he made the Rams the top-ranked protection in 2020.
The Chargers allowed 269 factors after halftime, tied with the 2015 New Orleans Saints for many since 1991. The 138.9 yards per recreation allowed on the bottom was fourth-worst within the league and worst by a Chargers protection since 2003.
Offenses transformed 49.5% of their third-down alternatives, the third-highest fee since 1991.
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“It simply didn’t come alongside as rapidly sufficient, on protection, as I believed it will,” Telesco stated. “We had lots of stretches this yr that the gamers which can be on the market did some fairly good issues, however we weren’t constant sufficient by any means. We've got to take an excellent take a look at that, and now we have to get higher, there’s little doubt about that.
“A few of it's alignment, project and method. A few of it's personnel, and a few of it's simply being within the first yr of the protection.”
4 of the Chargers’ key free brokers are on the defensive aspect of the ball — tackles Justin Jones and Linval Joseph, together with linebackers Kyzir White and Uchenna Nwosu.
The Chargers’ greatest free agent will likely be extensive receiver Mike Williams, who set a profession excessive in catches (76) and yards (1,146). Telesco didn't give any hints about presumably utilizing the franchise tag on Williams if the 2 sides can’t agree on an extension.
Whereas many of the offseason priorities will likely be on upgrading the protection, Telesco may also check out the precise aspect of the offensive line and proceed to construct depth all through your entire roster. Los Angeles is more likely to enter free company with almost $70 million in cap area, second-most within the league. Telesco may also take a look at signing security Derwin James to an extension.
The extra speedy points embody filling teaching workers openings after particular groups coordinator Darius Swinton II and assistant Mayur Chaudhari had been fired final Friday. Telesco additionally stated that director of participant personnel JoJo Wood will interview for the Chicago Bears’ GM opening.
The one space Telesco and Staley would not have to fret about is quarterback after Herbert grew to become the primary in franchise historical past to throw for not less than 5,000 yards (5,014) and 38 touchdowns. Telesco, although, discounted the notion there was a aggressive window because of Herbert being on a rookie contract.
“You must construct it otherwise, however actually you are able to do it. I don’t see that we solely have a yr or two window with this quarterback’s contract. It’s not how I take a look at it in any respect,” Telesco stated. “We’re targeted on 2022. What can we do in 2022 to go win a championship? It doesn’t actually hassle me whether or not the quarterback is on a rookie deal or on an Aaron Rodgers deal.
“Both manner, we’ll make it work.”
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