Tag: AJ Finley

What the trade for Elijah Molden means for the Chargers

Breaking down what the Elijah Molden trade means for the Chargers defense under coordinator Jesse Minter.

On Wednesday, the Chargers acquired defensive back Elijah Molden from the Titans, adding another versatile piece to the secondary.

Molden takes the spot vacated by JT Woods, who was waived on Wednesday after Los Angeles claimed Titans running back Hassan Haskins earlier in the day. A player like Molden is likely the ideal outcome the Chargers were hoping for when they moved Woods to corner midway through the preseason – the former Titan played almost the same amount of snaps in the box, at deep safety, and in the slot for Tennessee last season.

For Los Angeles, it also gives them four safeties they can truly rely on. Derwin James and Alohi Gilman have been penned in as the starters ever since Gilman re-signed with the team in March. AJ Finley took a massive step forward in training camp and earned the third safety job over Woods. But beyond that, the Chargers had Woods – who again, moved to corner – and veteran Tony Jefferson, who made the 53 off the back of a stellar performance in the preseason finale.

With Molden on the roster, they can now rotate James, Gilman, Finley, and Molden into different spots depending on matchups and disguises, a hallmark of the Jesse Minter defensive scheme. Molden’s experience as a starter – he started eight games for Tennessee last season – likely propels him into the third safety spot. That also has the consequence of pushing Finley back into a primarily special teams role, where he excelled in 2023. Los Angeles would have relied on Woods, who has struggled on special teams, in that role if the initial 53-man roster stuck.

But Finley has also played well enough to earn a role on defense, and it’s not out of the question that the Chargers could play three or even all four safeties together depending on the package. Dime packages could include Molden and James moving into the slot with Gilman and Finley as the deep safeties. James and Molden both can play in the slot, which will allow the defense to be much more multiple under Minter.

For as little as the Chargers gave up—NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that LA sent late-round draft compensation to the Titans—it may end up being a move that unlocks a new level of this defense.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ initial 53-man roster

A look at how social media reacted to the Chargers’ initial 53-man roster.

The Chargers constructed their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.

Let’s take a look at how social media reacted to it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chargers training camp: Safety AJ Finley making case for roster spot

AJ Finley has been playing exceptionally well with the first-team defense.

The Chargers have an open competition for the third safety spot, and second-year AJ Finley has been making a strong case to seize it.

Finley has mixed in with the first-team defense in certain packages when Derwin James moves around to different positions.

He also played with the starters on Monday and Tuesday while Alohi Gilman was absent to be present for the arrival of his new baby.

But not only has he mixed in with the 1s, Finley has made the most of his opportunities, most recently nabbing an interception and pass defended on Wednesday.

 

“AJ is guy that guys have confidence in,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “He’s a guy who has made some plays in practice, communicates really well. He has a comfort out there.”

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss, Finley primarily served as a special teamer in his rookie season. He forced a fumble against the Bills.

Over the course of his collegiate career, Finley recorded 245 total tackles, 13 passed defended, eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Highlight: Chargers’ AJ Finley forces the fumble vs. Bills

The Chargers special teams unit made an impact early on in Saturday’s game.

Teams often get a boost when an interim head coach takes the reigns, and so far on Saturday, Los Angeles has been no different.

After stopping Buffalo on their first two drives and engineering a field goal drive to take a 3-0 lead, it was the Chargers’ special teams unit’s turn to make an impact on Saturday’s game.

Punter JK Scott launched a bomb 56 yards with incredible hang time, but Bills returner Deonte Harty had space to return. The coverage by LA swarmed Harty after 3 yards, however, and rookie safety AJ Finley tore the ball out just before Harty’s body hit the turf.

Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga recovered the fumble, giving the Chargers the ball back on Buffalo’s 27.

Chargers’ Raheem Layne out for season with torn ACL

The Chargers lost a key special teamer for the remainder of the season.

Chargers safety Raheem Layne suffered a torn ACL in the loss to the Cowboys on Monday night, head coach Brandon Staley confirmed.

“Raheem is one of our top special teams players,” Staley said. “This is a tough moment for him, but he’ll be back. He’s proven himself in two years that he can play in the league.”

Layne went down with the injury in the third quarter on a punt play and never returned to the game.

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana last year, Layne appeared in 11 games with one start, which came in Week 4 against the Raiders. He posted seven tackles.

While he did not play much defense, Layne was a core special teamer.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ initial 53-man roster

A look at how social media reacted to the Chargers’ initial 53-man roster.

The Chargers constructed their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.

While the majority of the spots filled were to be expected, there were still a couple of surprises, like two undrafted free agents making the cut and letting go of the best offensive lineman of the summer.

Let’s take a look at how social media reacted:

5 position battles to watch during Chargers training camp

While many starting spots are locked up before the Chargers take the field, here are a few that will be contested throughout the next month.

The Chargers officially begin training camp Wednesday with their first practice of the season.

With two new coordinators in Costa Mesa, things could look much different than they did last season as LA looks to finally turn a talented roster on paper into a legitimate contender.

While many starting spots are locked up before the Chargers take the field, here are a few that will be hotly contested throughout the next month.

4 undrafted free agents who could make Chargers 2023 roster

Which undrafted free agents have decent chances to make the Chargers 53-man roster in 2023?

The Chargers added seven new members throughout the 2023 NFL draft. Following the event, they notched an additional 18 undrafted free agents who will all be fighting for a spot.

Los Angeles has had great success in bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted, including legendary tight end Antonio Gates and running back Austin Ekeler.

With that, here are four UDFAs that could see their names on the 53-man roster when the 2023 season rolls around.

Wide receiver, defensive back standouts from East-West Shrine Bowl: Day 2  

A look at the wide receivers and defensive backs that stood out on Day 2 of the East-West Shrine Bowl.

The second day of practices for the East and West teams at the Shrine Bowl wrapped up, and several players upgraded their stock with impressive performances.

Today, I observed the wide receiver and defensive backs. The Chargers are likely entering the market for a pass catcher that can stretch the field and has the speed to match quarterback Justin Herbert’s big arm.

Head coach Brandon Staley has also said in the past that his team can never have enough men in the secondary, and his versatile defense requires specific athletes and smart football minds.

Here is a look at four players who captured my curiosity on day two that could be a fit for the Chargers.