Watching QBs around the league throwing for 300+ yards is a gut punch. Herbert broke records in years 1-6. MM broke Herbert in year 7.

I am watching MIN-IND, and 3rd and Keenan is a thing of beauty. They needed him on 3rd and 10, and he delivered. The next thing is a TD because KA extended the drive. I will beat this drum like Cato the Elder: The biggest mistake was not resigning KA. Criminal negligence.

Charlie Becker! If the Chargers will somehow how win a few games this season, ending up drafting between 7 and 12 (i.e., Jeremiah Smith is out of reach): Charlie Becker is the man. Contested passes every week, and them catches are ones QJ will never make.

TNF game shows that the offense works with functional pass catcher at WR (Burden) and TE (Henry). MM should have focused on the cast around Herbert, making sure Gadsden & QJ get his scheme, rather than on Herbert’s footwork. You draft traits, make sure they come with a brain.

2025 Greg Roman versus 2026 MM under the very same situation and opponent. Judge for yourselves.

Here is a log of all 67 offensive snaps against KC. Before the play-by-play analysis, here are reasons that the offense is so bad. 1. We do not have pass catchers that can get open consistently: 1a. Ladd is too fragile. The hits because of which he leaves games are nothing special. WRs in this league absorb much worse and keep on playing. Ladd body cannot stand the volume of WR1. This fact cannot be denied. 1b. Gadsden and QJ have low football IQ. Traits without the brain. They are functional in Burger King Offenses. They cannot time an egg, let alone a route. 1c. KLS is more functional than Gadsden and QJ in this offense. Unfortunately, his hamstring so far was susceptible to football. 2. The young OL fails to protect Herbert in the 4Q (also last week against Denver). 2a. They should bench Logan Taylor and give the other Taylor a chance (Branson). Logan fails to protect Herbert in the 4th quarter, and compared to him, Strange is functional in pass protection. 2b. Harkey is not good as well. Slater and Alt consume $32M in cap space, but watching them play together is rarer than a total solar eclipse. Kelce had his ankle taped so that he can play, while Ladd was rushed to the sideline and Alt was meeting with specialists with the Losoftalos Chargers health insurance. Except for Herbert, the stars on offense are soft. 2c. Slaughter is ending many plays in the run game. I counted 7 plays which ended with minimal gain because he is not strong enough for the Tongas of the NFL. · Herbert interception was not as bad as some of his previous ones. Gillotte tackled him just before he let the ball go. He could not plant his leg, and the ball came out slow. 3. Omarion is not to blame for not having the season we have expected. He is tackled before he gets to the line of scrimmage half of the times. Also, he is not used when he should be used. Passing plays on 3rd & short instead of playing with 3 TEs and Wease, and hand Omarion the ball to get the 2 yards. This week it was deep shot to KLS on 3rd & 2. Last week (DEN), to Gadsden on 3rd & 2. Two weeks ago (SEA), to QJ on 3rd & 4. Four weeks ago (BUF), to Ladd on 3rd & 3. The same stupidity every week. 4. Matlock blocks better than Rucci and Ingold. He is also smarter in the sense that he is patient and blocks the right guy. He is not that good in open field blocks, but his blocks at the line of scrimmage are superb. For example, watch him block Karlaftis in the 17-yard pass completion to Ladd, or the two runs of Vidal that followed this pass play (3 and 6 yards). Before the play by play analysis, one comment about the working plan of the zebras in red (aka "Referees"). The red zebras first secure the KC win, and only in garbage time, they call penalties the other way to balance the sheet. The did not call offensive PI on intentional hit and run of Royals (#11) on Deane Leonard. Royals sole purpose was to clear the way for Worthy, so that the latter can get the ball in space. Worthy gained 19 yards, 11 seconds before the end of the 1sthalf, helping KC to score a FG. On the other hand, the zebras in red found a reason to call offensive PI on KLS to prevent conversion. The red zebra also called Arrowhead-tax PI on Deane Leaonard in the second quarter, while not calling a much clearer PI penalty on KLS in 3rd & 6 during the fourth quarter (when there was still a chance for a comeback). Play by Play Drive 1: Punt (3 & out in 52 seconds for -1 yard). 1) Short pass right to Omarion for -1 yard. The laws of physics are such that Kolar can’t run 10 yards to reach his block in one second. 2) Deflected short pass to Mitchell. Herbert can avoid the deflection by a pump fake or side arm throws. 3) Deflected short pass to Vidal. I think Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray have the same number of deflected passes. These deflections happen way too many. ******** Drive 2: FG (11 plays in 5:48 for 60 yards). 4) 17 yards pass to Ladd. Good block of Matlock on Karlaftis. 5) Run for 3 yards (Vidal, left B gap). Good work of Matlock to create a gap. 6) Run for 6 yards (Vidal left B gap). Good work of Matlock to block #91, of the OL to create a wall, and Logan for clearing Bolton. 7) Jet sweep for 4 yards of DD. Nice trick. They had DD doing this motion 4 weeks and finally handed him the ball. The defense was not prepared b/c they were sure Omarion will get the ball. Good blocks of Kolar, Burke, and Rucci. 8) Run for 1 yard (Vidal). Slaughter pulled but could not block Karlaftis in time. 9) Scramble 6 yards (Herbert). Omarion covered for Harkey’s whiff on Mason-Thomas (#51). 10) Scramble 6 yards (Herbert). No one gets open. Not even Ladd. Good work of Harkey on Jones, and Burke started bad but was able to reset and pancake Mason-Thomas. 11) Run for 1 yard (Vidal). Running to the overset side with 3 IDL, 2 ILB, and 1 SAF with not enough blockers is not wise. That was a time to play action. 12) Incomplete pass to Gadsden. Third deflected pass of Justin Flutie Herbert in 12 snaps. 13) Catch for 5 yards (Gadsden) in 3rd & 9 from KC 10-yard line. No one is open in the endzone for 3+ seconds FG ******** Drive 3: Interception (6 plays in 3:25 for 38 yards). 14) Run 4 yards (Hampton). Burke is so good in moving people. He moved Jones 5 yards deep, while Rucci & Slaughter can hardly block Gillotte (#97) and Woods (#99). This could be extra few yards with Matlock instead of Rucci and a stronger Center. 15) Roughing the passer. We got lucky because Gadsden continues his sophomore slump with bobble interception that was called back because of the penalty. Gadsden rookie season was a mirage. He needs Roman simpleton offense. 16) Incomplete pass to Kolar. We do not have weapons at TE. A sidearm throw to avoid deflection. But slightly behind Kolar. 17) Run for 3 yards (Mitchell, wide left). Good job by Harkey. Not so much by Kolar, Strange, and Wease. 18) Snap infraction. The weirdest penalty. The Ref saw Herbert escaping the pocket to get a first down and only then threw the flag. Herbert scrambled for a first down and more. Next was a great screen of Vidal for 13 yards on 3rd & 11. Logan and Burke let the DL to the backfield by design, and Gadsden motion vacates the space for Vidal. Nice design. 19) Herbert design run for 7 yards. Nice! 20) Interception. I do not think the coaches told Rucci to chip block, but letting DL players into backfield and hope for the best is too much risk in 2026. This play action relies on Gillotte overcommit to go after Mitchell, but he was quick enough to chase Herbert back and tackle him from behind. I will give Herbert the benefit of the doubt because I refuse to believe he’d throw such a slow pass. KLS was open behind and I guess there was no heat on the ball because Gillotte tackled Herbert just before he could plant his leg. ******** Drive 4: Punt (6 plays in 3:01 for 20 yards). 21) Run for 4 yards (Omarion, outside left). Good work of Rucci & Burke. Not so much of Gadsden and KLS. 22) Run for 1 yard (Mitchell, wide left). Slaughter is no match to Tonga. Also expecting KLS to block Karlaftis is not smart. 23) Wease catch for 7 yards. Nice design. The initial call of the referee was incomplete because he was “just” 5 yards away. The Arrowhead tax. Reversed after challenge. 24) Run for 1 yard (Hampton, B gap). Strange cannot block Gillotte. Slaughter cannot block Jones. Omarion must fight to get back to the LOS. 25) Incomplete pass to Kolar. We need TE help. 26) Scramble for 7 yards (Herbert). The pocket collapses too fast because Karlaftis is bull-rushing Burke. KLS should have used his hands to block Bolton, helping Herbert to get the 1st down. ******** Drive 5: Punt (3 & out in 1:24 for 8 yards). 27) Run for 4 yards (Hampton). Good run behind Matlock and Logan. 28) Screen 4 yards. Hampton made something out of a broken play. 29) Pressure comes too fast. Tonga pushes Strange into Herbert, who must escape the pocket. Incomplete deep shot to KLS on 3rd & 2. ******** Drive 6: FG (Second half; 9 plays in 4:16) 30) Run 1 yard (Vidal, wide right). Strange and Slaughter pulled outside, gained momentum, but still could not create a lane against a safety and ILB (Williams and Cochrane). It is discouraging to watch 300 Lbs players that can’t move 200 Lbs players. 31) Catch for 15 yards (KLS). Finally, anticipation throw to KLS, who finds a soft spot between 4 defenders. This pass worked because Cochrane had his back to Herbert. KLS is not great, but he helps Herbert more than QJ and Gadsden. He was targeted 9 times (5 catches, plus one that was not called for clear PI by KC), whereas QJ was targeted 3 times (one catch). In other words, KLS finds soft spots while QJ is lost in space unless it’s a go route. 32) Run 1 yard (Omarion, wide right). Slaughter is no match to Tonga. Again. 33) Short pass left for -3 yards (KLS). Williams was covering him tight. Why not changing the play? Or at least have Gadsden as an option if they cover KLS and not Gadsden. 34) Catch for 57 yards (QJ). 3rd & 12. Broken play. The deep pass hits the hand of Delane (#5), tipping it into QJ’s chest at a slower speed: just the way QJ likes to it. We got lucky. 35) 1st & goal from the 2-yard line. Not only that Slaughter is whiffing, letting Tonga in the back field in less than 0.5 second, Slaughter turns back to hold Tonga. 10 yards penalty. 36) Run for no gain (Vidal). KC did not buy the gimmick play, and they have expected the toss to Vidal. 8 defenders in the box. There are better ways to play with 3 RBs. 37) Incomplete pass to Gadsden. Early pressure of Jones against Harkey. Gadsden rookie year was a mirage. We need TE1. 38) Incomplete pass to KLS. Not that it would have mattered. KLS had a few defenders in front of him (3rd & goal from the 12-yard line). No one gets open in this offense, and the pocket is shrinking way too fast. ******** Drive 7: Punt (3 & out in 2:05 for 1 yard). 39) Negative half yard from our 1-yard line. Trying to get a yard, they tried a tush-push, with Herbert behind Logan Taylor. There is no push because the defense is overset near Logan with 3 DL and 2 ILB behind them on that side. Chargers used 6 OL and 2 TE in the right side. But they have decided the path with highest resistance in the left side was better. For those who still wonder, MM is not a genius. 40) Penalty (False Start followed by illegal shift). The team lost interest. 41) Run for 1 yard (Hampton). Per the usual, two defenders in Omarion’s face before he gets to the LOS. This time, it’s Harkey & Strange whiffing their blocks on Jones & Bolton. ******** Drive 8: Punt (3 & out in 2:07 for -2 yards after getting great field position by ST). 42) Short pass left to Omarion for 3 yards. Tranquill read the play nicely. 43) Sack. Gillotte gets into Burke chest and wins easily. Second week, and the OL can’t perform in the 4Q. 44) Failed screen to Gadsden on 3rd & 13. This offense is hard to watch. Nothing is right. ******** Drive 9: Downs (5 plays in 1:35 for 24 yards). 45) Checkdown to Hampton for 15 yards. 46) Run for 3 yards (Hampton). Offsetting penalties. The KC player was throwing punches, but the red zebras “offset” the penalties. 47) 2nd & 17 after penalty on KLS for offensive PI. Catch for 11 yards (Gadsden). Herbert escaped the pocket b/c Harkey couldn’t deal with Karlaftis. 48) Incomplete pass to KLS on 3rd & 6. Clear PI not called on #38 of KC. 49) Catch for 5 yards on 4th & 6. Blitz of 6 players. The ball is out in time. ******** Drive 10: Fumble (5 plays in 2:03 for 19 yards after another great field position (missed FG)) 50) Incomplete pass to QJ. The ball is too low. QJ can’t get open. He had the one catch for 57 after Delane helped to slow down and tip the ball into his chest. That’s it. Nothing else to report but a drop, incompletion, and forcing KLS to fumble. 51) Catch for 11 yards (Kolar). Herbert keeps his eyes to the outside right to draw Bolton and the DB to KLS and Gadsden, clearing the way to Kolar for a nice completion. 52) Run for 9 yards (Vidal). Nice work of Burke & Strange and Rucci. 53) Run for 0 yards (Vidal). Good work of Matlock on Karlaftis, but Kolar and Logan block the same guy (Cochrane), leaving Bolton free to tackle Vidal 1-on-1. 54) Fumble by KLS because QJ spatial awareness is as good as Rucci & Gadsden. Some players have inverse relation between their traits and football IQ (Gadsden, QJ). ******** Drive 11: Downs (11 plays in 2:56 for 62 yards). This is the drive where the Refs can call a few penalties our way because the game is already over. These calls help to balance the sheet, making the red Zebra stripes look black. 55) PI on KLS. They did not call a clear as day PI on KLS two drives before (play 49) on 3rd & 6 when the game was still undecided. 56) Catch for 16 yards (KLS). KLS is far more viable in this offense than QJ and Gadsden. If only his hamstring was not susceptible to football. 57) Catch for 4 yards (Kolar) 58) Checkdown for 7 yards (Vidal) 59) Sack. Logan Taylor was too slow to stop a Safety running to his side. I do not understand why they do not give Branson Taylor a chance. 60) Sack. Karlaftis wins Logan Taylor. Again. Give Branson Taylor a chance after the bye. 61) Incompletion to QJ. A drop because the ball did not hit his chest this time. Useless. 62) Catch for 15 yards of Wease in 4th & 24. The refs stepped in to balance their calls in this game. 1:28 to end of regulation, 16 points difference. They can afford this roughing the passer penalty. 63) Another pressure. Herbert gets rid of the ball after tripped by Karlaftis. 64) Catch for 6 yards (Kolar). KC allows completions midfield to drain the clock. 65) Fifth deflected pass of Justin Flutie Herbert. 66) Incomplete on 4th & 4 because this is a varsity team OL. It was Harkey this time against Mason-Thomas. KC rush 3 and got to Herbert. Sad

6 plays that show Slaughter in the run game… Slaughter is better in pass protection. But to be a functional center, he must add muscle and work on technique.

Burke creates a new line of scrimmage. He moves people, no matter how big, and he opens up wide lanes for Omarion. Travis Burke should kick inside to Guard when Slater is back. Bench Strange, Awosika, or Logan. Keep Burke on the field.

11 and 6, Pop. So far we’ve got the 6 sorted.

Mahomes found open WR/TE in nearly every bootleg or Blitz. Herbert is a deer in the headlights under MM. Other than Ladd, who plays a few snaps and then breaks, no WR/TE gets open in this offense. Clearly, MM is a bad teacher if they still do not get his scheme. Fire MM.

A QB with answers to the Blitz versus a deer in the headlights.

Enough is enough. How many chances does this offense need to score a TD? Greg Roman offense win this game with worse OL. Fire MM tonight if we don’t win this game.

They called a PI on Deane Leonard for much less than the contact on KLS on 3rd down. But we deserve to lose. This offense can’t do nothing. 6 points in 3+ quarters. “Simpleton” Bieniemy >> Modern MM, and it is not even close. Bring back Greg Roman in the bye week.

This is the time in the game where the refs step in with calls to secure the KC win. This is first down after the defensive player was throwing punches. Not 2nd & 7.

Kelce taped his ankle and played. Alt met a specialist. Ladd is out after one play. Brenen is injured from what exactly. Softball kills us every season.

I remember Roman last year getting us from the one yard line a couple of times with masterful drives. It started with passes to Mirage Gadsden. This year I am more afraid of an interception, Safety, or fumble than getting a first down. Herbert is lost. Fire MM.

Start the buses. I will never listen to them podcast talking about analytics and modern offenses. Here is Eric Bieniemy “simpleton” offense winning the top 10 Chargers defense, and the offense of the “guru” mind MM can’t string two plays. Fire MM.

Gadsden was a mirage. We need a weapon at TE. Like Kelce taping his ankle and getting conversions. Next time try the push rush from the one yard line instead of expecting Slaughter to stop someone. Fire MM tonight.

1st and 1: try tush push instead of relying on weakling Slaughter until Herbert handoff to Omarion.