Welcome back to the Chargers Mailbag!
We'll be running one of these every week during the regular season, so send in submissions for the Mailbag here on Twitter or by sending me an email.
Off we go...
What do you make of the Chargers being 2-0? I am excited but a bit nervous going into Pittsburgh. (Mark via email).
A good question from Mark to start us off.
My assessment of the Chargers through two games is multi-faceted as I'll explain here.
First, the Bolts are not apologizing for being 2-0. There seems to be some consternation amongst fans that the strong start feels watered down because those pair of wins haven't come against top-tier teams.
Personally, I laugh at that take. It's been 12 years since the Chargers started 2-0, so perhaps teams in previous seasons might have already stumbled out of the gate.
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has made sure his team was ready to play in both games and that the Bolts did enough to win.
Is there room for improvement? Of course, as Harbaugh said so himself after both games.
But it's clear early in the season that the Chargers have molded themselves to Harbaugh's identity on and off the field.
The Chargers defense currently ranks first in numerous statistical categories, including EPA per play, and have been flying around the field.
Offensively, the Bolts want to run the ball at will and pretty much have through two games.
However, a big test awaits Sunday in Pittsburgh against the Steelers, who are also 2-0.
"Let's see what we're made of," Harbaugh said Monday.
Pittsburgh has also started hot behind a strong defense while getting just enough from an offense that has scored just one touchdown in two games.
Much like the Bolts, the Steelers aren't going to apologize for winning with that style either.
As Harbaugh said above, we'll know a lot more about the Chargers on Sunday afternoon. And we'll really know about the Bolts after a Week 4 home game against the Chiefs.
But with so much wackiness that goes on in the NFL, the goal is to bank as many wins as you can early to get ready for the long haul of a 17-game slate.
The Bolts have done just that.
Another week, another question from myself. (Kidding!)
But yes, there's no doubt Fulton has been one of the Bolts best defensive players thus far.
The addition of the cornerback might have gone under the radar around the league, but it was clear from Fulton's strong training camp that he might be primed for a solid season in powder blue.
So far, he's been excellent in coverage as his 78.6 Pro Football Focus pass grade ranks eighth among cornerbacks with at least 60 coverage snaps.
Something that stood out to be in Week 2 was Fulton's play making on third down early against the Panthers.
He notched a pass breakup on the Carolina third down and later had a tackle for loss on the third Panthers third down.
"Got to stay aggressive. That's my mindset," Fulton said postgame. "That's the money down where you have to make your money."
On a defense where pretty much everyone is playing well, put Fulton near the top of the list as reasons why the unit is off to a strong start.
Edwards will be fine. I'm not worried about him at all.
While J.K. Dobbins has rightfully generated the headlines by averaging 9.9(!) yards per carry through two games, Edwards has done the dirty work with 85 yards on 29 carries (2.9 yards per carry).
When the Bolts added Edwards and Dobbins this offseason, I envisioned a thunder and lightning scenario in the backfield.
Edwards is 6-foot-1 and 238 pounds and is more of a bruiser. Dobbins is 5-10 and 215 pounds and more of a home-run threat, as evident by his three 40-plus yard runs already this season.
With how often the Chargers want to run the ball this year, the Bolts are going to need both backs for the entirety of the season.
Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman was with the in Baltimore and said he told them then (and now) that whomever has the hot hand will get the majority of the carries in any given game.
Through two games, that has been Dobbins. But don't be surprised if Edwards takes on a bigger role going forward. It could even happen this Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Rice, a 2024 seventh-round pick, has been inactive for the first two games.
It looked like there was a chance he might play Sunday with Joshua Palmer listed as questionable, but Palmer ended up playing against the Panthers.
Early on, Rice being inactive is just how the pecking order at wide receiver has shaken out.
Palmer obviously has the established rapport with Justin Herbert and Quentin Johnston looks like a much improved player from his rookie season.
Ladd McConkey has shown flashes, Derius Davis will likely always be active because of his return ability and Simi Fehoko has carved out a solid role as a dependable blocker and special teams player.
Again, much like the conversation above with Edwards, there's a good chance the Chargers will need all 53 players on their roster (and then some) over the course of the season.
While Rice hasn't seen the field yet, remember he's only a rookie and that he can develop at his own pace in this current situation.
As for the passing game, while it hasn't been as explosive as in years' past, it also hasn't needed to be.
It feels like there were so many games in recent seasons where Herbert threw for 300-plus yards but the final result was a one-score game.
The Chargers are 2-0 with a pair of double-digit wins with Herbert totaling 274 pass yards in two games.
While that might frustrate the fantasy football world, you can bet Herbert would take being 2-0 rathern than having gaudy stats.
Chark is currently on Injured Reserve and is eligible to return after the Chargers Week 5 bye.
Harbaugh on Monday said he expects Chark "back soon" so that could be a sign that he returns as soon as he's able to come off IR.
In terms of how Chark will be used, that remains to be seen. He had a solid camp and could certainly add some juice to the passing game with his speed and athleticism.
