Chargers News: Ryan Leaf's Expectations For How Jim Harbaugh Will Use LA Pro Bowler
During a fresh conversation on the Bleav In Chargers podcast with hosts Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal, infamous former San Diego-era quarterback Ryan Leaf unpacked how safety Derwin James Jr. could and should be used by new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
"You've got to want a guy who who is football savvy, who can get to the quarterback, can drop in coverage, can cover elite wide receivers, and Derwin James does all of that," Leaf said. "So I understand why [now-former Chargers head coach] Brandon Staley wanted to do what he did and I would expect to see something similar [with current coach Jim Harbaugh]."
"I would expect to see him near or at the line of scrimmage that time and and then drop it in coverage too," Leaf added. "He's just so big and physical. It it's it's it's amazing to see that he can run at that size when he gets on the back end."
Leaf was an All-American First Teamer, an All-Pac-10 First Teamer, and the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year during his junior season at Washington State, before the 6'5" signal caller was selected second overall by the Chargers in 1998, beyond some guy named Peyton Manning. Whatever happened to Peyton Manning?
Following three underwhelming seasons with San Diego, Leaf spent one year with the Dallas Cowboys in 2001, sandwiched between offseason gigs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. He had been dogged by a lingering wrist injury throughout his final few seasons. After battling addiction and legal issues, Leaf has emerged as a college football analyst on radio and TV.
As for James, the Chargers' 2018 No. 17 draft pick out of Florida State is already a three-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, and -- to hear Leaf tell it -- still has room to grow.
