Chargers need Justin Herbert to peak during postseason: ‘We got a plan’

The Chargers wrapped up their offseason Thursday. Next up is training camp at their El Segundo headquarters.

Here are some thoughts after they concluded minicamp this week:

Chargers taking long-term view

Back in the day — and by that we mean as recently as last offseason — it wasn’t unusual for quarterback Justin Herbert to put a heavy load on his throwing arm at this stage of the season.

It included throwing a lot of passes during OTAs and minicamp, and even staying afterward after some of those workouts to get things ironed out with his receivers.

Those days are over.

“Justin throwing, in midseason form, in April and May and June has been the way we’ve done it,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Hundreds of balls per practice. We’re going to try it a different way this year and have tried it a different way this year. I think it’s smarter.”

At the suggestion of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, and with full commitment from Herbert, the Chargers QB was heavily managed during the offseason. In fact, practices occurred in which he barely touched a football, focusing more on his footwork. 

The Chargers insist it wasn’t in response to any late-season arm strength issues over the last few seasons, but rather they asked themselves if their previous approach made the most sense.

“We got a plan,” Harbaugh said. “We got a nice progression where he’s ramping up to training camp and the first game of the season and the entire season. So he’s in a ramp-up.”

The hope is that it puts Herbert in a better position to play his best football and be at his physical peak late in the season and in the playoffs.

It also allowed Herbert to focus on his footwork, which McDaniel tweaked to help expedite the quickness with which Herbert gets rid of the ball. By exclusively working on the footwork, Herbert is further along in the transition.

“Definitely thinking about it now so you don’t have to think about it when you’re in the game,” Herbert said. “Going through your footwork, and it’s OK to think about it during practice, of how you want to step and being as efficient as possible. But you want to get to the point where you’re in games, and you’re not worried about it, and you’re just out there reacting.”

Derwin James is set up for more success

It didn’t take McDaniel long to get a firsthand look at Derwin James, the Chargers’ All-Pro safety, and a full understanding of why James is arguably the best player at his position in the NFL.

Nothing compares to going against a player of that caliber every day in practice, including a handful of interactions in which the safety and offensive coordinator did some jawing with one another.

It was all good as far as McDaniel is concerned. In fact, the more the better.

“The energy that Derwin brings every day inspires people,” McDaniel said.

The up-close look gave him some insight into what makes James tick.

“There’s no secret formula to achieve in this league and to achieve in this profession,” McDaniel said. “It’s chopping wood, not skipping steps and putting the work in that has to exceed the talent that you have. It’s taken one offseason to put him on an exceptional list that’s few and far between for me of the top players.”

New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary envisions James building on the role he’s mastered throughout his career. Maybe even more so.

“He’s going to be a little bit more versatile,” said O’Leary, mentioning James lining up to the boundary, as a pass rusher, in the slot and at the point of attack.

Ladd McConkey is taking it slow, too

Chargers third-year wide receiver Ladd McConkey revealed he tweaked his left hamstring during Phase 2 of OTAs. As a result, he was mostly an observer during the club’s three-day minicamp.

McConkey was in good spirits throughout, a strong indication it wasn’t a significant injury, and that being cautious this time of year was the prudent thing to do

“There’s no reason to rush it and really push it and then have another setback,” McConkey said.

McConkey had 66 catches for 789 yards last season, although that was a drop-off from the 82 catches for 1,149 yards he posted as a rookie.

Much like Herbert and the rest of the Chargers’ offense, there is optimism that McDaniel will help McConkey get back on track.

McConkey said he attacked this offseason the same as always and is no more motivated after his numbers fell last season.

Not that he isn’t determined to put last year behind him.

“I mean, there definitely is something in the back of your mind that tells you like, all right, that’s not happening again,” McConkey said.