It was quite the debut season for Tarheeb Still.
Still quickly ascended as a key contributor of the defense, leading the Chargers with four interceptions and becoming a disruptor in the secondary in Year 1.
And a lot of it he credits to the team's leaders and leadership from the top.
Still joined The Rich Eisen Show in-studio earlier in the week to talk about his journey to the NFL and his first year with the Chargers.
When asked what was the biggest thing he learned in his rookie season from Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and the number of veteran leaders on the squad like Khalil Mack, Derwin James, Jr. and more, the cornerback had a quick response.
"Staying ready," Still told Rich Eisen. "Knowing it's a long season, there's a lot of games, a lot of things can happen.
"Really, just being ready for the opportunities there and then maximizing those opportunities because you never know what could happen," Still added. "You never know how the season is going to go, you never know what role you're going to get shifted into."
Still saw it firsthand, not seeing action in the first three games of the season before playing at least 40 defensive snaps in each game the rest of the way.
He raved about Harbaugh and credited him for his approach with players and finding ways to relate to people, as well as creating a connection between everyone on the team, especially the leaders.
"When people talk about culture, I would say that's really real with the Chargers," Still said. "It's something that's an action, [Harbaugh] puts it in action. Our habits, our behaviors… Everybody is all on one accord. Everybody knows what's going on, there's a lot of communication."
He later added: "I would say it starts from the top. Guys like Justin Herbert, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, guys like that are great leaders. Coach Harbaugh gives them the message, gets them to be on board with what to do and everyone else just follows them."
It wasn't just the defensive leaders either, but some on offense as well.
He recounted a playful interaction with Herbert after intercepting him for the first time that helped push the rookie early on.
"I remember one time, I picked him off early on," Still said. "When I first got [to the Chargers] we were in Costa Mesa. He came to me in the locker room and was like, 'Now you're going to have to do it again.' Meaning he's going to come at me again and throw the ball at me again."
"He's a super competitor, that's what I like about Justin," Still added. "He's about his business."
Still said he used that moment to challenge him to get better, and it was another example of how the veteran leadership helped him and other younger players stay ready.
"I think it's a really good system that we have," Still said. "[Harbaugh] puts a lot of trust in players. I think that's why it really works."
