Key aim for Chargers OC McDaniel: Help QB Herbert 'own the position' - ESPN

EL SEGUNDO, Calif — Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel outlined his plan Friday to reshape the way Justin Herbert plays quarterback: refining Herbert's footwork, timing and anticipation to unlock the «best football of his career.»

«He has the capability of mastering every tool in the toolbox,» McDaniel said. "… For him to own the position in a way he never has and ultimately for it to be obvious to everyone around, he's playing the best football of his career."

In McDaniel's first news conference, he said that he planned to make sure that the offense didn't rely too much on «Justin's ability to do above and beyond.» That process began in earnest during the Chargers' offseason program, which started last month.

McDaniel pointed to the success Herbert has had with 2.4 seconds to throw or on extended plays but noted that Herbert's efficiency drops as that time to throw reaches three seconds.

«He's got a very strong arm with a lot of ball speed, so typically guys like that have to wait to see something open and then throw it,» McDaniel said. «And in those microseconds of time, defenders get closer to the eligibles that are catching it, so you have fewer yards after catch.

»So, focusing on utilizing that strong arm and tying some quick footwork stuff, just overall it's just a piece of the offense, but it's a portion of the offense that I knew that he hadn't really done in the past, and so that's been what's impressive."

According to ESPN research, Herbert threw six touchdowns to three interceptions last season on throws released within 2.4 seconds. Once plays extended into the intermediate timing window, between roughly 2.4 and 3.5 seconds, his efficiency dipped. But when plays stretched beyond