EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers playing the role of bullies for the 2024 season and beyond?
Seems far-fetched when you consider their history, especially last season.
But that’s the offensive game plan, according to running back J.K. Dobbins.
“Me, personally, I want the identity of this team to be a bully,” Dobbins said Thursday. “I want to be a healthy bully, as Coach Harbaugh would say. We want to be bullies. I want a running game and a passing game. We want to bully people and do whatever we want to do. It starts here at camp.”
Dobbins knows something about playing bully ball, having played collegiately at Ohio State and the past four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. The field was no place for the faint of heart while with the Buckeyes and the Ravens, and Dobbins is eager to replicate that sort of smashmouth football with the Chargers.
“We’ve got the guys to do it,” he said after the second day of training camp.
No question, running the ball effectively has been and will continue to be a point of emphasis for the new-look Chargers. Coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Greg Roman and several players, including Dobbins, have stressed the need for a more productive ground game for this coming season.
Harbaugh and Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz wouldn’t have drafted offensive lineman Joe Alt with the fifth pick in the draft in April if they weren’t determined to improve the ground game in their first seasons in their jobs. Alt appeared to have won the starting right tackle position during spring practices.
They also wouldn’t have signed Dobbins and fellow ex-Ravens running back Gus Edwards as prized free agents in the offseason if they didn’t want a better running game in the 2024 season. Roman knows both backs well, having been Baltimore’s offensive coordinator between 2019 and 2022.
The Chargers averaged only 3.8 yards per rushing attempt last season, better than only five teams in the 32-team NFL. They rushed for 11 touchdowns, better than only 12 teams. Austin Ekeler, the Chargers’ top running back last season, gained 628 yards and scored five touchdowns on 179 carries in 2023.
“Whatever happened in the past is independent of what’s going to happen in the future,” Roman said. “Every game is going to be different. Some games we’re going to try to ground and pound. Get medieval, as we talked about this spring. Some games we’re going to air it out. Some games it’s going to be a mix.
“That’s just how it’s going to play out.”
MAKING A CONNECTION
Slowly but certainly, Dobbins has clicked with his teammates, including Herbert.
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“We’re becoming good friends on and off the field,” Dobbins said of Herbert. “We play ‘Call of Duty’ together. He’s a great guy. I can see he wants to win, too. That’s the reason I came here, to help that guy win because he’s got critics, too. People talk about him, too, and I ain’t on social media. That’s how it goes. I want to help him. I want to help Derwin James. I want to help my fellow Buckeye, Joey (Bosa). I want to help those guys get a ring and bring some hype to the Chargers in L.A.”
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Offensive lineman Rashawn Slater didn’t hesitate to offer his opinion of the Chargers’ new, $250-million, 150,000-square foot headquarters. He said he was impressed by the new facility, which includes three grass fields, a mammoth weight room and an enormous locker room.
“I love it,” Slater said. “It’s everything you could hope for. We have a swimming pool. It’s really cool. They went above and beyond. The attention to detail is great.”
EXTRA POINTS
Herbert threw several strikes during a hurry-up 11-on-11 session, but the most impressive connection was between backup quarterback Easton Stick and wide receiver Quentin Johnston for a touchdown. Johnston made a leaping catch in the end zone, boxing out a couple of defensive backs on the play. … Max Duggan, the Chargers’ third-string quarterback, also got a few repetitions.