Chargers Week 2 Rookie Report: JustIn Herbert Scores 1st Touchdown In Deubut
Welcome back to the Charged Up Bolts Week 2 Rookie Review. I’m back to bring you my takes for the first year players in Sunday’s overtime loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Justin Herbert scored a rushing touchdown and made a passing touchdown on his NFL debut.
Despite the loss on Sunday, it was a strong showing from several of the young guys. Unlike week 1 against the Bengals, all six rookies saw at least some action. There were some dazzling and exciting performances. In a weird way, I felt more excited after this game than I did after week 1.
Justin Herbert Impresses on Debut
Well, well, well… that was exciting, wasn’t it? I have to admit; I it shocked me to see Justin Herbert line up for the first snap of the game in shotgun. I had a quick pre-snap check for Tyrod Taylor splitting out wide, and I thought it was a trick play to start the game.
Herbert put on a strong performance, considering the circumstance. There were a few wow plays, some wow throws, but the rookie made mistakes. The offense moved up and down the field, Herbert made plays, with his arm and with his legs, and he also put his weapons in a position to make plays.
As much as I feel dreadfully sorry for Taylor, because I was really pulling for him to be successful this year. I really want Herbert to keep playing now, and I accept the growing pains along the way.
Herbert threw for 311 yards, with a 66% completion percentage, and a (very nice) touchdown thrown. The rookie opened the scoring with rushing touchdown.
Herbert got a little greedy when the first down was a handful of yards and a slide in front of him. Instead, he threw an avoidable interception. Herbert’s placement was a little off with two throws. Maybe the adrenaline got the better of him. There is plenty for Pep Hamilton to do, but Herbert did well in his debut, and against the Super Bowl Champion.
Check out former pro quarterback JT O'Sullivan’s video as he breaks down Herbert’s passing ability.
Kenneth Murray Contributes
Last week in this column, I said that Kenneth Murray put in a solid if not spectacular performance in week 1 and it was much of the same in week 2 against the Chiefs.
Murray played a similar amount of snaps on defense this week (64) and statistically put in a similar performance, registering four solo and six assisted tackles.
Murray didn’t really have a highlight play that would have put an exclamation point on a second solid outing. What was great to see was that Murray seems comfortable in his role as a linebacker.
The situation is especially pleasing due to the shortened off season and therefore less learning time for Murray to become acclimated to the pro game. Doubly so because after spending the shortened off season getting used to playing next to Drue Tranquill, and then Nick Vigil last week, Murray then had to form a partnership next to Kyzir White.
Murray is going to be an outstanding player for Los Angeles for a long time, he’s playing like a veteran already. We’re just waiting for that statement game from the former Oklahoma Sooner. PFF ranks Murray 37th out of all linebackers.
Joshua Kelley PRoduces Solid Game
It was another very strong outing from the Inglewood native. Kelley is fast becoming a very exciting offensive weapon for the Chargers. He is playing the role of the bigger, more powerful back in the offense, but also showing the vision and soft hands of a much more experienced player.
Kelley played 43 snaps, with 23 carries for 64 yards. Those numbers won’t set pulses racing, but Kelley always seemed to fight for yards, fall forward and make positive plays throughout the game. The opening play of the game was a prime example, when Kelley took a pistol handoff and took it for nine yards up the middle. Kelley’s aggressive play contributed to an opening drive touchdown.
Kelley and Ekeler seem like a complimentary partnership. As much as fans expect Ekeler to be the one making the big plays catching the football, Kelley showed later in the opening drive that he can also be a pass-catching playmaker for the Bolts, taking a swing pass 35 yards to keep the Chargers rolling.
I like Justin Jackson as a person and as a player, but Kelley is really making me fear for Jackson’s role in the Shane Steichen’s offensive plans. Bad news for Jackson but great for the team to have a great backfield duo who have started the season nicely. Tevin Coleman (49ers) and Jonathan Taylor (Colts) sandwich Murray (22) in the PFF Rankings.
Joe Reed Limited Opportunities
It was another week of really wanting the Chargers offensive staff to take the shackles off Joe Reed for me on Sunday.
I truly believe that down the line Reed can change the game for the Chargers, whether that’s on special teams or on offense. I really wish the Chargers would use him more. Reed’s only touch of the football (in one of two offensive snaps), went for an eight yard carry on a jet sweep.
The designed plays can keep a defense off balance. But as much as I don’t want Reed to become a Travis Benjamin style decoy-only receiver, there is definitely a skill-set there that can have a positive effect whilst he develops as a receiver.
Reed has made two positive plays in two weeks. Besides this, Reed was positive on kick returns for the second week running, taking four returns for 85 yards in total.
Alohi Gilman Contributes on Special Teams
Another game of exclusive special teams duty for Gilman. I feel that whilst it’s not a shock to say this, the injury to Rayshawn Jenkins made me wonder whether Gilman would start as a safety.
Desmond King rotated in (not a moment too soon, according to King himself), and Gilman stayed on the bench. This probably means that this role will be a permanent one for the former Notre Dame man for the season.
This isn’t a negative. It was a role I thought Gilman would excel in when writing about the rookie in preseason.
Gilman played 18 snaps on special teams, which was second on the team after only Brandon Facyson but didn’t register a tackle, he’s another player who I am waiting excitedly for him to deliver a big play. It will happen.
K.J Hill Doubles Snap Count
Hill doubled his offensive snap count from three to six in Week 2, although he didn’t register a catch or even a target when on the field. As with Gilman and Red, we are still waiting to see what Hill brings to the team.
It’s not a negative that the team didn’t involve Hill as much, it’s just something that the Chargers can keep in their back pocket to call on when they need him.
The excitement bubbles beneath the surface. We wait with bated breath for the eruption and when it happens, we’ll have it covered.
Week 2 Rookie Report Final Word
After a positive Week 1 with the performances for Kelley and Murray, the Chargers rookies had another very solid week. Two games in and our rookie class are looking like a very useful bunch of players.
Murray looks like he’s already a seasoned veteran, Kelley is another feather in the cap of the don’t draft running backs early movement. Reed and Hill are waiting to explode and Gilman is a key piece in the special teams unit.
The biggest positive from the rookie class in Sunday’s game belonged to Herbert. I am happy to nail my colours to the mast and say, folks… The Chargers have their quarterback of the future.
Thank you for reading Charged Up Bolts . If you like what we write subscribe to our RSS feed and give us a follow on twitter @ChargedUpBolt! You can also find us on Facebook
Further Reading - John Woz Jr, gives his 3 Hot Takes on Herbert’s debut performance.