4. Matlock aiding run game
Back in August, Scott Matlock was prepping for his second season as a fullback when Harbaugh and his father, Jack, approached him at training camp.
The trio had a conversation about how to improve Matlock’s blocking, especially when on the move across the formation.
“When you come in, ‘Ba-boop, ba-boop,'” Jim Harbaugh recalled his father saying as he mimicked a blocking motion. “Like, hit and roll the hips. That whole rhythm of approaching the block with speed, then the contact and the rolling of the hips, all in one motion.
“That’s the way Jack Harbaugh framed it. Ba-boop, ba-boop,” Jim Harbaugh said.
Matlock earlier this week remembered the encounter.
“It was Coach Harbaugh and his dad. He gave me a little nugget of advice,” Matlock said. “That was kinda cool because that’s someone who knows a lot of ball and has been very successful. To have him coach me up was pretty cool.”
Matlock has taken the advice to heart as he looks better as a blocker this season. His presence on offense has helped aid the Bolts run game, especially in recent weeks as Roman has leaned into the ground game.
Since Week 13, the Chargers have ran the ball on 55 percent of their plays, the second-highest mark in the league.
A few factors — namely Justin Herbert’s broken left hand and the return of Omarion Hampton — have played a role in that.
“It’s an obvious shift that has taken place based on the circumstances,” Roman said this week.
The Chargers have also gone with more heavy bodies up front as they used an extra offensive lineman for 19 plays in Sunday’s win over the Chiefs. The Bolts had used a sixth lineman 25 times in the 11 games prior to Sunday.
“Tried to get medieval a little bit,” Roman said, “Get those big bodies out there and just lean on them for four quarters.”
With six offensive linemen and a tight end on the field, adding Matlock means even more beef against opposing defenses.
“When you put big people out there, that’s kind of your only goal. When we call that out there, we know what the mindset is and the mentality is,” Matlock said.
With three games left, the Chargers seem to have found an formula that could sustain them in the playoffs if they get there.
Run the ball, control time of possession and make timely plays in the passing game.
Matlock, who also had two receptions Sunday, could be a key piece to that whole equation.
“I think he’s really improved. I think he’s had his best games recently by far,” Roman said. “I think he’s put the thinking on the side and just going taking care of business at the point of contact.”
Harbaugh added: “Defensive tackle transitioning to NFL tight end/fullback, that’s a big leap. I think he’s done a great job. He really gives our team a physicality when you have a fullback that’s 300 pounds.”
“When we’re able to run the ball really well, we’re able to play really well.”
