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The Chargers Need Omarion Hampton to Break Out
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- The Chargers Need Omarion Hampton to Break Out
(William Liang-Imagn Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers need more from their running game if they have any hope of turning their season around. At 0-6, there are plenty of problems that need to be addressed, but one of the biggest could be getting Omarion Hampton more involved and finding a way to get the second-year running back going. The Chargers invested a first-round pick in Hampton for a reason, and now they need to start seeing that investment pay off.
Hampton showed plenty of promise during his rookie season. Despite appearing in just nine games, he rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. There were flashes of the type of back the Chargers envisioned when they selected him. With Mike McDaniel taking over as offensive coordinator this season, there was reason to believe Hampton could take another step forward in a system that should fit his skill set.
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Unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet. Through six games this season, Hampton has recorded 289 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 80 carries. He is averaging just 3.6 yards per attempt and has struggled to consistently find running room. While there have been some encouraging moments, his overall production has been underwhelming.
Part of the problem has been the Chargers' willingness to rotate three different running backs. Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell have both received opportunities, making it difficult for Hampton to establish a consistent rhythm. While having multiple capable backs can be beneficial, the Chargers need to figure out who their primary option is. Hampton should be that guy.
There is also the issue of ball security. Hampton has already lost two fumbles this season after losing none during his rookie campaign. Those mistakes have certainly hurt the offense and are something he needs to clean up. However, the Chargers cannot afford to give up on the player simply because he has struggled through the first six games.
The upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Rams presents another opportunity for Hampton to get things going. The Chargers are coming off their bye week, giving the coaching staff time to evaluate what has gone wrong offensively. With Jim Harbaugh confirming that McDaniel will continue calling plays, the offense needs to start showing some signs of improvement.
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Getting Hampton going should be a major part of that plan. A productive running game would take some pressure off Justin Herbert and give the offense another dimension. The Chargers have struggled to protect Herbert and generate consistent production through the air. Establishing the run could help alleviate some of those problems while making the offense less predictable.
Hampton has the talent to be a legitimate difference-maker in this offense. The Chargers need to find ways to get him into space, establish some consistency with his touches and allow him to build momentum throughout games.
The season may already be slipping away, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything left to accomplish. Developing Hampton into the running back the Chargers expected him to be should be one of the biggest priorities for the remainder of the season. If he can finally put everything together, it could give the Chargers something important to build around heading into next year.
