Freethinker
Hall of Famer
Jim Harbaugh is definitely putting his stamp on this team when we look at the roster turnover now entering year 2 of his reign. Its becoming clear that a "Harbaugh Roster" is not a good thing. Let's see how far in the wrong direction the Chargers go.
Total White Athletes on Roster (Starters in bold)
12 Whites total, with 6 starters. Grade: D-
# player listed twice at multiple positions
QB - Justin Herbert
FB - Scott Matlock
WR - Ladd McConkey
TE - Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Tucker Fisk
LT - Joe Alt, Austin Deculus
C - Bradley Bozeman, Andre James
DT - Scott Matlock#
K - Cameron Dicker
P - JK Scott
LS - Fisk#
PUP - Josh Harris (LS)
PS - Luke Grimm (WR), Josh Kaltenberger (C), Foster Sarell (T), Thomas Yassmin (TE), Rick Lovato (LS)
Yuck. I always held Jim Harbaugh in higher esteem than his brother John when it came to giving White athletes an opportunity. Perhaps that feeling was misplaced, because outside of his Stanford stint he's been pretty predictably Caste. This year's squad moves away from a likeable team and closer to a typical Caste Squad. One imagines that if Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey weren't already huge stars, this team would carbon copy the Ravens in short order.
On offense, this team is decent. Justin Herbert is a top young quarterback entering his age 27 season (should be his prime) and already has a 5,000 yard season and two 4,000 yard seasons under his belt. As I predicted in last year's preview, Herbert was efficient and had a successful year despite not hitting his lofty numbers from early in his NFL career. 3,870 yards with a stellar 23 TD to only 3 interception ratio, the highest QB rating of his career and a playoff berth amounts to a great season. I'll take it and expect more of the same this year. In fact with Ladd McConkey blooming into a star in his rookie year, I can see Herbert increasing those passing yards. Speaking of McConkey, his rookie year was simply stupendous. His 82 receptions for 1,149 yards set new franchise records for the Chargers. The former National Champion Georgia Bulldog followed that up with a 9 reception, 197 yard, 1 TD performance in his debut playoff game. This guy is simply a money player with a limitless ceiling. Reports are he's gotten into even better shape in the offseason so NFL secondaries beware. The offensive line returns both starters, LT Joe Alt and C Bradley Bozeman. Joe Alt did not disappoint as a rookie. He earned recognition as one of the top rookie and overall tackles in the NFL. He was particularly strong in pass blocking, facing and shutting down Pro Bowl pass rushers like Maxx Crosby and T.J. Watt, despite switching to right tackle. His rookie season was marked by high PFF grades, minimal penalties, and the ability to compete at a high level from his first game, establishing him as a cornerstone for the Chargers. The tight end position is once again 3/4ths White. Will Dissly moves from a backup to a starter. Tyler Conklin comes in a former starter with the Jets. Both players are good, not great, but combined should make for solid production. Tucker Fisk is the 4th stringer and apparently temporary long snapper until the regular comes off the PUP list. Keep an eye on WR Luke Grimm, who had an explosive preseason as a return man.
The defense has really sunk and only on a technicality does it roster a White athlete. Scott Matlock is a two way player (like Patrick Ricard on the Ravens), mostly handling the fullback role. The fiery looking redhead did tally 137 snaps at defensive tackle last year and hopefully is planned to do so again this year despite appearing as 3rd string on a few charts. That's it. No more Bosa or Fox. No Whites on the injured reserve or practice squad. The only conclusion I can draw is that the Chargers front office and coaches believe Whites are inferior to blacks and can't play defense. Well I hope they get shredded. Poor Matlock better get ready for alot of "perp shots" this year...
So all in all, this team is pretty rotten but they have 3 elite players on offense. Herbert, McConkey and Alt. I hope they excel but I'm not sure I want this team to succeed. I do know that I WON'T be pulling for them against the Broncos.
Total White Athletes on Roster (Starters in bold)
12 Whites total, with 6 starters. Grade: D-
# player listed twice at multiple positions
QB - Justin Herbert
FB - Scott Matlock
WR - Ladd McConkey
TE - Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Tucker Fisk
LT - Joe Alt, Austin Deculus
C - Bradley Bozeman, Andre James
DT - Scott Matlock#
K - Cameron Dicker
P - JK Scott
LS - Fisk#
PUP - Josh Harris (LS)
PS - Luke Grimm (WR), Josh Kaltenberger (C), Foster Sarell (T), Thomas Yassmin (TE), Rick Lovato (LS)
Yuck. I always held Jim Harbaugh in higher esteem than his brother John when it came to giving White athletes an opportunity. Perhaps that feeling was misplaced, because outside of his Stanford stint he's been pretty predictably Caste. This year's squad moves away from a likeable team and closer to a typical Caste Squad. One imagines that if Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey weren't already huge stars, this team would carbon copy the Ravens in short order.
On offense, this team is decent. Justin Herbert is a top young quarterback entering his age 27 season (should be his prime) and already has a 5,000 yard season and two 4,000 yard seasons under his belt. As I predicted in last year's preview, Herbert was efficient and had a successful year despite not hitting his lofty numbers from early in his NFL career. 3,870 yards with a stellar 23 TD to only 3 interception ratio, the highest QB rating of his career and a playoff berth amounts to a great season. I'll take it and expect more of the same this year. In fact with Ladd McConkey blooming into a star in his rookie year, I can see Herbert increasing those passing yards. Speaking of McConkey, his rookie year was simply stupendous. His 82 receptions for 1,149 yards set new franchise records for the Chargers. The former National Champion Georgia Bulldog followed that up with a 9 reception, 197 yard, 1 TD performance in his debut playoff game. This guy is simply a money player with a limitless ceiling. Reports are he's gotten into even better shape in the offseason so NFL secondaries beware. The offensive line returns both starters, LT Joe Alt and C Bradley Bozeman. Joe Alt did not disappoint as a rookie. He earned recognition as one of the top rookie and overall tackles in the NFL. He was particularly strong in pass blocking, facing and shutting down Pro Bowl pass rushers like Maxx Crosby and T.J. Watt, despite switching to right tackle. His rookie season was marked by high PFF grades, minimal penalties, and the ability to compete at a high level from his first game, establishing him as a cornerstone for the Chargers. The tight end position is once again 3/4ths White. Will Dissly moves from a backup to a starter. Tyler Conklin comes in a former starter with the Jets. Both players are good, not great, but combined should make for solid production. Tucker Fisk is the 4th stringer and apparently temporary long snapper until the regular comes off the PUP list. Keep an eye on WR Luke Grimm, who had an explosive preseason as a return man.
The defense has really sunk and only on a technicality does it roster a White athlete. Scott Matlock is a two way player (like Patrick Ricard on the Ravens), mostly handling the fullback role. The fiery looking redhead did tally 137 snaps at defensive tackle last year and hopefully is planned to do so again this year despite appearing as 3rd string on a few charts. That's it. No more Bosa or Fox. No Whites on the injured reserve or practice squad. The only conclusion I can draw is that the Chargers front office and coaches believe Whites are inferior to blacks and can't play defense. Well I hope they get shredded. Poor Matlock better get ready for alot of "perp shots" this year...
So all in all, this team is pretty rotten but they have 3 elite players on offense. Herbert, McConkey and Alt. I hope they excel but I'm not sure I want this team to succeed. I do know that I WON'T be pulling for them against the Broncos.