Category: Latest Chargers news

Chargers’ Casey Hayward should be talked about among NFL’s best cornerbacks

Casey Hayward has made his mark as one of the league’s top cornerbacks.

It’s easy to overlook players when their team isn’t being headlined nationally. The Chargers, who are 4-7, have a handful of players on the roster who deserve more recognition at their perspective position. Among the crop is cornerback Casey Hayward.

A second-round selection of the Packers in 2012, Hayward didn’t receive a second contract offer in 2016. General manager Tom Telesco quickly noticed he was on the market and brought him to Southern California, where he’s become not only the team’s best corner, but tops in the entire league in a three-year span.

Lining up across the league’s top wide receivers, “Showcase” has stymied nearly every single one. As a result, he has made two Pro Bowls and two All-Pro second teams while producing the fifth-most interceptions (13) and second-most pass breakups (57) among NFL players since 2016.

Why isn’t he getting the attention he deserves?

For one, his statistical production has dropped the past two seasons. Hayward hasn’t popped on the stat sheet, because quarterbacks don’t throw in his direction due to the fear of a negative play.

When quarterbacks dare to pass in his direction, he’s making plays on the ball. Using his high football intelligence and instincts, he reads the eyes of the quarterback and goes off route concepts. Hayward reads formations better than any other player at his position.

Hayward has allowed only one catch over the last four games and has given up a reception on just 47.2% of his targets this season.

Hayward has proved that he deserves to be talked about as the current greatest cornerback, over the likes of the 49ers’ Richard Sherman, the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey, Patriots’ Stephon Gilmore and the Broncos’ Chris Harris Jr.

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How quickly we forget; Chargers’ Philip Rivers nearly perfect on this date, one year ago

On This Date: One year ago today, quarterback Philip Rivers had a career performance.

It’s amazing how much things can change within a year.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers had his worst performance in the past three years on Monday night against the Chiefs. But exactly on this date, one year ago, Nov. 25, Rivers had arguably his best outing in that time span.

In a 45-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12, it was highlighted by a career game from Rivers. The veteran quarterback set an NFL record for consecutive completions to start a game (23), and tied the record for consecutive completions (25).

Rivers completed 28 of 29 passes (96.6%), which was also a record for completion percentage in a single game (minimum 20 attempts) for 259 yards and three touchdowns, helping Los Angeles rack up 42 points in a row.

With Rivers’ struggles this season, which includes 14 interceptions in 11 games, it’s easy to forget about his promising two-year stretch in 2017 and 2018.

You can blame the carousel along the offensive line for his woes, but the truth is, a good chunk of it is indeed on him. Rivers is making a handful mental errors and his arm talent isn’t where it used to be, which is a reason for their current standing.

We’ve seen a lot of bad games from Rivers this season, especially this past Monday night. But in the 16 years that he has been under center for the Bolts, there have been a lot of great performances, including the one that happened on this date, a season ago.

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Chargers’ Anthony Lynn not considering benching QB Philip Rivers

Don’t expect to see Tyrod Taylor or rookie Easton Stick out on the field anytime soon.

While quarterback Philip Rivers is coming off two consecutive games that were undoubtably the worst of the past three seasons, the question has come up if the the Chargers are going to bench him.

Coach Anthony Lynn has no intentions to bench the veteran signal-caller anytime soon on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to entertain that right now. I’m going to evaluate everything, and right now Philip Rivers is our starting quarterback. But I’m not going to single one position out. I’m looking at everybody. We’re 4-7. Everybody can be doing something better,” Lynn said.

The past two contests have been the difference between staying alive in playoff contention and having those chances being diminished, and a lot of it falls on Rivers’ shoulders. He has completed 54.2% of his passes with three touchdowns and seven interceptions as the Bolts have lost both games.

There are a lot of things that will have fingers being pointed at for the reason that Los Angeles is sitting at a surprising 4-7 record, but the 14 interceptions in the 11-game span is one of the reasons why the team is where they’re at entering their bye week.

The offensive line has been the narrative all season long, but Rivers’ decision-making, pocket awareness and lack of anticipation is a main ingredient for the team’s lackluster 2019 season.

Nearly eliminated from the postseason, the idea of benching Rivers and playing Tyrod Taylor or rookie Easton Stick has been brought up because the Chargers wouldn’t have much to lose.

There’s reason to believe that this could be Rivers final season in a blue and gold uniform, so giving Taylor or Stick some playing time before the season ends would give the coaching staff an idea what the two look like in live-game action.

Heading into bye week after the dreadful loss, the only thing that fans can think about is what the future holds for Rivers.

“I don’t have that luxury to think about Philip and the future, his contract. My focus is the next game against the Denver Broncos. At the end of the season that will take care of itself. Right now we’re trying to finish this season on a positive note,” Lynn said.

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4 Chargers whose stock rose in loss to Chiefs

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out four Chargers players that had standout games on Monday night against the Chiefs.

The Los Angeles Chargers suffered a huge loss at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night at Estadio Azteca.

There were some solid performances in Week 11, even though Los Angeles wound up falling, 24-17.

Here are four Chargers players whose stock rose:

RB Melvin Gordon

Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images

Gordon knew he was in line for a monstrous performance facing the 31st run defense entering the game, and he delivered in a big way for the third consecutive outing.

Once again, Gordon ran like the player we knew from a season ago, seeing openings and running through or spinning his way through defenders. He ended up totaling 80 yards from scrimmage.

Gordon moved into a tie with fullback Keith Lincoln for No. 5 among Chargers running backs all-time in yards receiving (’61-’68) at 1,689. His three receptions in the game also brought him to 200 in his career.

RB Austin Ekeler

While Gordon established the ground game, Ekeler provided a superb option in the passing game out of the backfield. Routinely being targeted underneath, Ekeler made a lot of huge plays happen, including a 37-yard reception on the first drive.

Ekeler finished the game with 24 rushing yards on five carries and 108 receiving yards on eight catches, his second career 100-yard receiving performance. He tied wide receiver Keenan Allen in receptions with his big outing.

The tandem of Gordon and Ekeler combined for 222 yards from scrimmage.

DE Melvin Ingram

The defense’s stout performance all started up front in the trenches, which was led by the dominance of Ingram.

Ingram was a force from the first snap of the game, but he came in clutch in the fourth quarter, making third-down stops on the Chiefs’ final three drives, which all led to punts.

He finished with five tackles, two passes defensed and one sack. Ingram’s lone sack in the fourth quarter allowed him to pass Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau for No. 4 in Chargers history (47.5).

FS Rayshawn Jenkins

The first line of defense made sure that quarterback Patrick Mahomes was under constant duress, buying him no time to throw the ball. But the rest of the members were solid in keeping everything in front of them, particularly Jenkins.

On one of the very few throws where Mahomes tried to go deep, Jenkins was there to click and close on the football. Jenkins’ interception of Mahomes was just the second of the season for Mahomes, whose touchdown to interception ratio entering the game was 18:1.

Jenkins knew that he would have to keep the speedy Chiefs wideouts from getting behind him and he rose to the occasion. Jenkins now has three interceptions on the season.

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3 takeaways from Chargers’ 24-17 loss to Chiefs

Chargers WIre’s Gavino Borquez gives his final thoughts on the Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs on Monday night.

The Chargers fought hard with the Chiefs the entire game on Monday night, but quarterback Philip Rivers and company were unable to execute on the last drive to stay alive.

Here are a few takeaways from Monday’s 24-17 loss in Mexico City:

Rivers’ regression

Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images

On a night when the defense held the league’s most deadly offense to 310 total yards, which kept them close the entire game, Rivers held his own offense back from keeping Los Angeles’ playoff hopes alive.

In a series of questionable decisions, Rivers threw a season-high four interceptions, which marks seven in the past two games. The veteran quarterback looked uncomfortable, rushed and reckless.

Outside of one interception that was caused when his right arm was hit, the other three were a result of poor decision-making and locking in on one receiver as opposed to going through his progressions or misreading the defense.

With a clean pocket, Rivers has tight end Hunter Henry open in the middle of the field but he looks him off and settles for running back Austin Ekeler for a 3-yard gain.

Rivers, 37, has been stood up for all season by people blaming the offensive line for his deteriorating play, but the truth is he’s not the quarterback he once was. A quarterback throwing 14 interceptions in 11 games is certainly going to get some blame.

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Chargers’ Derwin James still expected to play this season

Despite the slim playoff chances, Derwin James is still expected to play this season.

The Chargers dropped to 4-7 after losing to the Chiefs on Monday night, which nearly closed their playoff window.

With the chances of Los Angeles playing in January being slim, there are a lot of people wondering if it would still be worth bringing safety Derwin James back into the mix as opposed to letting him rest.

On Tuesday, coach Anthony Lynn assured that James is still in the team’s plans, and will play when he is medically cleared no matter what the team’s record suggests.

“If we got healthy players as good as DJ, if he can play, he’s gonna play. We’re not tanking, guys. We’re 4-7. Last time I checked, we have five games left,” Lynn said, per Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano.

James hasn’t played this season as he has used that time recovering from a foot injury that he sustained back in August, weeks before the season opener. James has been doing speed and agility drills the past couple of weeks, as he prepares to return.

“I’m feeling well, feeling better, getting better every day. Just taking it day-by-day. It’s real close, real soon. I can say that. So just taking it day-by-day. Working hard to get back out there,” James told NFL Total Access’ Lindsay Rhodes.

James was asked whether he expects to be back for Los Angeles’ Week 13 matchup against the Broncos, and he responded with a smile, “Stay tuned.”

James and his teammate Adrian Phillips, who injured his forearm in September, will look to return after the bye week.

Their presence will add a huge boost to a defense that already ranks near the top of the league. But it’s uncertain if it’s enough to get the whole team to the playoffs based on their current standing.

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Melvin Ingram believes Chargers will still make playoffs

Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram is confident his team can play in January.

Defensive end Melvin Ingram isn’t giving up hopes of making the playoffs, despite a gut-wrenching loss on Monday night to the Chiefs.

Standing tall at the podium, appearing confident from his tone of voice, Ingram said he believes the Chargers can still make the playoffs after falling to 4-7.

“Yes, sir. We still the same team no matter. Whatever has to happen, take care of itself. All we can do is come, line up, fight every week,” Ingram said.

Led by Ingram’s dominant performance on Monday, the defense had their best outing yet against the league’s most prolific offense, but quarterback Philip Rivers was unable to help put up the much-needed points to match their success.

Prior to game, Los Angeles’ playoff hopes were revived after a few key losses to teams across the AFC in Week 10. The Bolts were only two games back from the division and a win would’ve put them back in contention, but they were unable to deliver.

The Chargers lost their past two consecutive games to divisional opponents and are 4-7 heading into their bye. They’re three games back from first place in the division, but have a tough road ahead of them to close out the season, facing teams like the Vikings, Raiders and Chiefs once more.

Los Angeles would have to not only win the last five games of the regular season, but they would have to hope for losses to the other teams above them that are in the mix for the postseason in order to make the playoffs.

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Chargers defense’s stout effort all for naught in loss to Chiefs

The Chargers defense forced Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to one of the worst performances of his career.

The Chargers knew that they would have their hands full facing a Chiefs team, who has one of the best offenses in the league.

Even without safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips, who were both key components to the success when the two teams met last season, the defense did what most teams haven’t been able to do.

The unit held quarterback Patrick Mahomes to 182 passing yards, which was his lowest in a full game so far in his career. Mahomes had a 72.7 passer rating, which was his second-lowest mark.

Mahomes was nearly a non-factor in the first half of the game, as he was held to less than 100 total yards.

Kansas City lost wide receiver Tyreek Hill early on to a hamstring injury, and he finished with no catches and zero yards. Running backs Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy were also banged up throughout the course of the game.

But they still limited the other handful of playmakers the Chiefs possess.

It all started up front with defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. The two both did an excellent job against a stout offensive line by generating pressure, making Mahomes feel uncomfortable.

Ingram came in clutch in the fourth-quarter by stopping the Chiefs on three consecutive third-down plays, which all resulted in punts.

Defensive tackles Damion Square and Justin Jones, who returned from an injury, were solid against the run, recording a handful of stops at or behind the line of scrimmage.

The line’s efforts benefited the rest of the members on the defensive side of the ball as Mahomes, who was under constant duress, didn’t have much time to push the ball downfield and was forced to throw nearly everything underneath.

When Mahomes did try to go deep on one play, he was picked off by free safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who jumped in front of a ball on a pass intended to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and came up with an interception.

Outside of a few crucial missed tackles and blow coverages, including tight end Travis Kelce’s touchdown in the third-quarter, the linebackers and cornerbacks stayed true to their assignments and kept everything in front of them.

Thomas Davis has really come into his own as a run stopper, leading the way with the team-high 12 tackles and Casey Hayward continues to show he’s one of the best corners in the league by not giving up a single reception.

The defense did what they needed to, but unfortunately, quarterback Philip Rivers and company were unable to pick them up in a must-win game on Monday night.

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It’s time for the Chargers to think about life after Philip Rivers

All good things must come to an end.

The decline of quarterback Philip Rivers has been evident this season. But the Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs on Monday night made it clear that it’s time to start thinking about the future of Los Angeles.

In need of a win to stay in playoff contention, Rivers held his team back.

With less than two minutes to drive down the field and tie the game up, Rivers converted a fourth-and-4 and a third-and-15 to lead the Chargers to the Chiefs’ 14-yard line.

On second-and-10, Rivers was looking to go to running back Austin Ekeler in the end zone, but safety Daniel Sorensen was right there. His interception of the underthrown ball sealed the Chargers’ seventh loss by seven points or fewer this season.

Rivers tossed four interceptions, while his defense held the league’s most explosive offense in check the majority of the night. He has thrown 14 interceptions, which is the second-most in the league.

Los Angeles sits at 4-7 heading into the bye, their playoff hopes nearly extinguished. With the postseason fading, fans are left wondering what the future holds for Rivers after this season.

It’s a hard pill to swallow for most fans because they have seen Rivers starting under center since 2006, and while he may have not guided the Bolts to a Super Bowl, he is one of the greatest quarterbacks over the past decade.

Rivers has faced challenges along the way, including below-average offensive line play, and while he has overcome them throughout his career, there’s no overcoming the poor decision-making and the deteriorating arm that we’ve seen.

Rives, who will be 38 in December, is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Even though he has said that he wants to play with the Chargers when they move into their new stadium with the Rams in 2020, it doesn’t mean the team feels the same way — especially after what he’s done this season.

Signing Rivers would be short-term, but at a hefty price. That’s not all that ideal when they have other key players that they will have to use that money on.

Rivers said that he’s going to use this offseason to weigh his options. Whether that is retiring or pursuing an opportunity with a team that’s close to a Super Bowl, he will hold a special place in Chargers fans’ hearts.

So what should Los Angeles do to fill the void?

They need to find a quarterback early on in the 2020 NFL draft, such as Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts or Utah State’s Jordan Love, and start Tyrod Taylor, who is under contract for one more season, as a bridge to let the rookie get adapted to the NFL.

It wouldn’t be easy to move on from the heart and soul of the Chargers for the past decade and a half, but all good things must come to an end.

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Twitter reacts to Chargers’ loss to Chiefs

People on Twitter had a lot to say about quarterback Philip Rivers following the Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs.

The Chargers were in need of a victory in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, but instead, quarterback Philip Rivers was unable to guide his team and is at fault for their gut-wrenching loss to the Chiefs.

Rivers struggled to take care of the football, finishing the game with four interceptions. His turnovers were what cost Los Angeles from winning in primetime.

With the loss, the Bolts are now sitting at 4-7, and their shot at the postseason is now nearly nonexistent.

Here’s a look at Twitter following the Chargers’ 24-17 loss to the Chiefs on Monday night:

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