Things in the sports world have been crazy as the coronavirus pandemic has put the action to a halt. Minicamp should be going on right now, but it’s not. However, great news keep on coming as training camp, preseason and the regular season should start as scheduled.
With that being said, we wanted to get an idea of which members of the Chargers fans are most excited to see this year as the team looks to turn things around after a dud of a season in 2019.
I went to our official Twitter and Facebook accounts to ask fans who they’re looking forward to the most. Below is a look at what the majority of the bunch said:
LB Kenneth Murray
Murray was the team’s second first-round pick after trading up 14 spots to snag him. The aggressiveness to ensure the former Oklahoma product was in the blue and gold goes to show that the coaching staff believes he could give the defense a huge boost immediately. Slated to start as the Will linebacker, Murray has rare instincts, combined with closing speed quickness and ability to cover a large amount of ground, which should contribute in coverage, stopping the run and rushing the quarterback. The combination of his skillset and intangibles could earn him the responsibility of calling out the plays on defense as early as Year 1.
S Derwin James
Fans were eager to see James in his sophomore season, but that was put a halt after he sustained a foot injury in training camp. The injury wiped out the majority of his season, but he still managed to play in five games, where the do-it-all defender was a force to be reckoned with. Ensuring James is on the field in 2020 will be critical. James gives the Chargers a rare defender who can cover wide receivers, the best tight ends in the NFL, stop running backs at the line of scrimmage and put pressure on quarterbacks, all of which are key elements in stopping the reigning Super Bowl champions – Kansas City Chiefs.
LB Drue Tranquill
It didn’t take long for Tranquill to get a strong grasp of the defense and make an immediate impact in his rookie season. The former Notre Dame was given a larger role as the year went on, finishing as the Chargers’ second-leading tackler with 75 total tackles, along with being tied for the most special teams tackles by any rookie (11). Heading into Year 2, Tranquill is expected to take another step forward as the team’s middle linebacker. Denzel Perryman may start, but Tranquill will come onto the field in passing situations. Eventually, he should be the permanent starter alongside Murray.
QB Justin Herbert
It’s no surprise that fans are electrified to see their first-round pick take the field, especially when it’s the replacement to veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. It remains to be seen how much playing time Herbert will receive this upcoming season since he’s in a position to sit and enhance his game while 30-year old Tyrod Taylor is under center. However, it might be the most optimal situation for the former Oregon product, who could benefit from learning from quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton before taking the reins. Herbert has all the physical tools and arm talent in the world, but he needs to develop his instincts and decision-making. If he does, the sky is the limit for Herbert.