Worth the wait
Joe Lombardi, away from play-calling for five years, is now Chargers offensive coordinator.
COSTA MESA >> Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has noticed the close friendship between quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Chase Daniel and compared them to the 1988 comedy film “Twins.”
Herbert and Daniel are an odd pairing visually because Herbert is six inches taller, but they complement each other as quarterbacks, according to Lombardi.
It’s a perfect pairing between an emerging starting quarterback and a vastly experienced backup.
“You know, it’s really like having another coach in the room,” Lombardi said about Daniel, a 13-year veteran. “It kind of looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in ‘Twins’ when they’re standing next to each other, but it’s great having them.”
The quarterbacks are one of many reasons why Lombardi decided to join the Chargers this year as the offensive coordinator.
Lombardi waited five years before returning as a play-caller because he wanted the perfect situation to redeem himself after a short stint as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015.
With a Herbert, a revamped offensive line with an All-Pro center in Corey Linsley and an abundance of playmakers with wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler, the Chargers qualified as a perfect situation for Lombardi from a personnel standpoint, but it was his close relationship with Chargers coach Brandon Staley that got him to leave New Orleans after five years as their quarterbacks coach.
Lombardi coached Staley in college when Staley was the quarterback for Mercyhurst University in 2005.
“I really enjoyed my time in New Orleans and was happy there, but you know, my history with Brandon and this organization, I was real excited for the opportunity,” Lombardi said. “I’ve got a lot of experience with (Chargers offensive line coach) Frank Smith from our time in New Orleans. So it’s been very seamless, and it’s a good group.”
Lombardi was familiar with the Chargers’ roster after the Saints’ scrimmages against the Chargers in Costa Mesa between 2017 to 2019. He got a close look at Allen, who’s regarded as one of the best route runners in the NFL.
“As advertised,” Lombardi said about working with Allen. “There’s not better. He’s just always open, just one of those guys. Even when you look at the script and you look at the defense versus the route, and you think, ‘Oh, they’ll probably have him covered,’ but they don’t necessarily. He’s just a fun guy to be around. He’s always positive and has good energy. It’s been great.”
Allen compared Lombardi’s offense to what former Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt ran with quarterback Philip Rivers. He said it’s an elevated version of the West Coast offense, one that will allow him to play more freely.
“Just a step up where I’m allowed to play free and play my game,” Allen said. “The fact that I was in that offense and with Phil for so long, I’m able to translate it into this offense.”
Lombardi said his new offensive system will be a blend from what he ran with the Saints for many years, but with heavy input from Staley, Smith and quarterbacks coach Shane Day.