Justin Herbert’s critical third year: Why the Los Angeles Chargers’ QB is ready for this moment – Los Angeles Chargers Blog

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The first of two joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys did not bode well for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Protection issues against the Cowboys’ defensive front stymied progress. Quarterback Justin Herbert took several sacks. Passes that should have been completed were not, and interceptions were thrown.

Following the most grueling workout of camp, most of Herbert’s teammates had already departed the practice facility on buses, while a few others lingered to visit with family and friends.

But there, in the far corner of the fields, long after the final whistle, remained Herbert, throwing pass after pass.

“He stays like an hour-and-a-half after practice just throwing balls,” receiver Keenan Allen said, amid a growing smile and chuckling. “It’s crazy.”

A quarterback throwing passes, what’s so wild about that?

“I don’t know,” Allen said, before making a comparison to Philip Rivers, the Chargers’ former quarterback of 16 seasons, including six with Allen. “Philip never stayed after practice to throw the ball. Philip put in the work, but this guy is out here like an hour-and-a-half after, just throwing the same route over and over and over. If there is not a spiral, he’ll just keep throwing the same one.”

For Herbert, there’s no throw count, no time limit, no real measurable that indicates that his post-practice work for the day is complete.

“It’s based on whatever happened…