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: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’...