Category: Chargers training camp

DT Breiden Fehoko standing out at Chargers training camp

DT Breiden Fehoko is playing his way onto the Chargers’ 53-man roster.

One of the better run defenders from last year’s team is making strides in training camp.

Third-year defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko, on paper, faces an uphill battle to make the roster after Tom Telesco and company transformed the defensive line this offseason.

With at most two roster spots available for Fehoko, Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington, and Joe Gaziano, competition is at an all-time high. But the former LSU product had the best run stop rate in the league in 2021, a clue that he deserves a role even on this new-look line.

Fehoko has built on his strong 2021 campaign through a week of training camp. He’s racked up tackles for losses, split double teams, and generally made life for the second-team offensive line difficult.

On Monday, Fehoko also spent some extra time learning the two-hand swipe utilized effectively by All-Pro Joey Bosa.

Despite the crowded depth chart, Fehoko seems to be gaining more traction towards making the opening day roster. Splash plays as padded practices continue and extracurricular learning with the game’s best will only help him gain a foothold in what looks to be a much improved defensive line group.

Josh Palmer continues to make strong case to be Chargers’ No. 3 wide receiver

Chargers WR Josh Palmer is looking to make a big jump in his second year.

Position battles are starting to heat up at Chargers training camp.

While Monday marked the first day of pads, which will see the needle start to move in certain groups, wide receiver Josh Palmer has been making his case as the third wide receiver since camp opened up.

Palmer, the second-year player, continued to shine in practice, consistently creating separation with great routes and catching everything thrown in his direction.

That included his highlight play of the day, a sliding catch near the sideline with cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. in tight coverage.

Palmer’s competition for the job, Jalen Guyton, has also made plays throughout camp by stressing corners vertically with his deep speed.

However, while Guyton is more experienced and faster, Palmer has proven that he has more of an all-rounded skill set to thrive as the Z receiver, with his impressive route running, reliability, and ball skills.

Chargers rookie OL Zion Johnson looks right at home

The Chargers’ first-round pick dominated on the first day in pads.

Typically, rookie offensive linemen face growing pains early on.

However, that did not seem to be the case for the Chargers’ first-round pick, Zion Johnson, on the first day of padded practices, which marked offensive and defensive line one-on-ones.

Johnson got reps against Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, and Jerry Tillery and passed his first test.

Joseph-Day got the better of the first-year player on a rep, but Johnson countered by stonewalling him on the following one.

Johnson also flattened Tillery on one of the reps, putting him on his back.

Johnson’s showing today is a replica of what he displayed on tape in college at Boston College, a powerful anchor at the point of attack, good mirror skills, and recovery ability.

“He’s living up to the bill right now,” Corey Linsley said on Johnson. “First day of pads but everything that we thought, you know, he’s a really good player. He’s got a ton of raw talent that you can see he’s already put a lot together. The sky is the limit.”

It’s still early, but if Johnson can continue to dominate at a high level as the starting right guard, it’ll only help make Los Angeles’ offense run like a well-oiled machine.

Chargers training camp 2022: Live updates from Day 5

Stay up to date with all the action from the fifth day of Chargers training camp, the first in pads.

The Chargers continue training camp on Monday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA. This also marks the first time in pads.

Training camp can be attended for free to the general public, but if you cannot attend, you will still be kept up to date with all the action.

We will have full coverage of training camp with live updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fans in attendance.

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7 things to watch for as padded practices begin at Chargers training camp

The Chargers are back at it this week, set to turn things up a notch when the pads come on.

The intensity at Chargers training camp will turn up when the pads go on Monday.

This is what the players and coaches are ready for after a solid first week of camp in helmets and shorts as the quest to construct the 53-man roster continues.

With that, here are several things to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of camp.

Mark Webb raising eyebrows early on at Chargers training camp

The second-year safety has been impressive early on.

With rookies Deane Leonard, Ja’Sir Taylor, and JT Woods having solid camps this offseason, it’s been easy to forget about some of the other young players in the Chargers secondary. On Friday, 2021 seventh-rounder Mark Webb made sure fans headed into the weekend with him on their minds.

Webb worked with the first team defense as the money backer on Friday, a reserved role for Derwin James, who continues to sit out while the team negotiates a contract extension. Brandon Staley also said post-practice that Webb is training at both traditional safety and star (nickel corner) in addition to his money (hybrid linebacker-safety) responsibilities.

A player the coaching staff has consistently mentioned as someone they’re high on, Webb’s training camp resurgence is a positive sign after missing nine games due to a knee injury in 2021. Staley praised the second-year pro’s football intelligence in his media availability, an evident trait considering Webb’s interception and numerous instances of tight coverage in the team period.

Staley pointed out that Webb likely would have played a lot of football for the Chargers later in the season in 2021 had he not been injured. Moving up to the first team defense, albeit in name only with James on the bench, is a good sign that he’ll be playing much more in 2022. However, Webb will have to carry this momentum through to next week, when pads come on. When asked, Staley singled out his need to improve in that area.

Carrying his early performance through the tackling portions of camp while working at three different positions could result in a breakout season for Webb. It’s also a blessing of an insurance policy if a starter goes down, as was the case far too often a season ago.

Chargers’ Brandon Staley talks Year 2 as head coach, area of focus for Justin Herbert

Brandon Staley sounds off on going into his second season as Chargers head coach and what Justin Herbert is focusing on improving.

Brandon Staley enters his second year at the helm of the Chargers resolute that his team is well-equipped to contend with the NFL’s best in 2022.

Last season saw Los Angeles miss the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion in a Week 18 rival showdown against the Raiders. The Wild Card spot was in their grasp. Instead, they were handed a long offseason to brood over all the shortcomings.

Yet, Staley and his crew refused to pout and created headlines with their aggressiveness in the winter and spring months. 

They locked down wide receiver Mike Williams for the future, snared cornerback J.C. Jackson with a lights-out deal, and gave edge rusher Joey Bosa an equally frightening quarterback hunter in Khalil Mack. 

Their draft class includes several players poised to make an immediate impact, and a handful will continue to expand the creativity of Staley’s brilliant defensive perspective. Positive news trickled throughout rookie minicamp about the acclimation of Zion Johnson, Isaiah Spiller, JT Woods, Ja’Sir Taylor, and Deane Leonard.

Yes, there are new pieces. But Staley is now comfortably set in a routine after his first ride as the chief director. The chemistry between him, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and star quarterback Justin Herbert grows with each passing day. The abundance of talent on the roster also takes some pressure off.

“I think just confidence coming to the practice field,” Staley told NFL Network on Saturday when asked about the differences compared to his first year. “Confidence in the rhythm of your schedule and knowing who you’re with every day. I think that’s what gives me full confidence, having gone through it for a full season, and you just know how good everyone is around you.”

Staley believes the combination of these factors has leveled up his instruction considerably.

“I think that just allows you to be yourself,” Staley said. “Now I’m able to coach as well as I ever have.”

On the heels of a 9-8 record, fans will demand improvement in the form of a playoff run. To compete for a Super Bowl is now an expectation, not a wish. And while that may appear to be a heavy load on a head coach with just a single season under his belt, it is a testament to just how talented this Chargers roster is.

It starts and ends with Herbert, whose 5,014 passing yards and 38 touchdowns last season both ranked in the top three among NFL signal callers. Herbert has been nothing short of magical in his rookie and sophomore campaigns. His continued improvement will ensure that magic elevates the team to the highest degree.

So before his third campaign, Herbert’s focus will be on developing faster and more accurate pre-snap reads to slice open defenses before his center hands him the credentials of his golden arm.

“Justin is so good after the snap, but I think that the masters of the quarterback position beat you before the ball is even snapped,” Staley explained. “Having him and Corey Linsley team up, I thought they were outstanding last year. But just before the snap, really controlling the game, and I think you can do that when you know your offense, you know the ins and outs of your scheme, your personnel. 

“Now you can really focus on the defense, and focus on time and score and really controlling the game, and I think he’s off to a good start with that.”

8 takeaways from start of Chargers training camp

Highlighting what stood out during the first week of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers’ preparation for the 2022 season began this past week, as they opened up training camp.

Within the four sessions, we gathered a few notable things from head coach Brandon Staley’s squad.

Before the pads come on Monday, here’s a recap of what stood out from the first few days of camp.

Chargers EDGE Joey Bosa acknowledges Chris Rumph’s offseason growth

Expect big things from Chargers EDGE Chris Rumph II in his second season.

Chargers edge defender Chris Rumph II flashed in his limited opportunities in his rookie season.

Rumph, the 2021 fourth-round pick, played 176 snaps, which he turned into 19 tackles, four quarterback pressures, two hits, and one sack.

Rumph showed off athleticism, lateral quickness, effort and range. However, his lean frame and lack of play strength led to him being engulfed at the point of attack by blockers far more often than not.

That is why Rumph prioritized the weight room and his nutrition to get bigger and stronger this offseason.

“He’s not a string bean anymore, he’s an asparagus stalk now,” Joey Bosa said on Rumph. “He’s gained some size and some strength. I think he’s going to be a big part of our defense and we’re going to need him.”

Entering the league, Rumph was 235 pounds, but on the team’s website, he’s now listed as 244 pounds.

In Year 2, Rumph will serve as a rotational piece behind Bosa and Khalil Mack while continuing to make the majority of his money on special teams.

With the additional weight and strength, the various pressure packages, and his athletic skillset, expect an uptick in production from Rumph.

Chargers training camp 2022: Live updates from Day 3

Stay up to date with all the action from the third day of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continue training camp on Friday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free to the general public, but if you cannot attend, you will still be kept up to date with all the action.

The team at Chargers Wire will have full coverage of training camp with live updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fans in attendance.

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