Tag: Alohi Gilman

Chargers’ JT Woods showing signs of progress ahead of sophomore season

The Chargers are confident in JT Woods, who enters Year 2 with a bigger role.

After a rough rookie season, the Chargers are expecting a full rebound from safety JT Woods.

Woods, a third-round pick in 2022, was taken to play him as the deep safety to allow Derwin James to move all over the field. But that never came to fruition. Woods struggled in his limited snaps, particularly as a tackler.

With James and Alohi Gilman slated to be the starting safeties, Woods is the third safety coming on in dime (six defensive back) packages, and he will be relied upon to patrol the back end of the defense.

As he enters his sophomore season, Woods has made some strides to be a reliable piece in the secondary, recently posting a pair of passes defended in practice this past weekend.

Making plays is not anything out of the norm for Woods. In his senior season at Baylor, he was tied for the most interceptions in the NCAA (5).

He made those plays with his physical profile at 6-foot-2 with a long wingspan and speed and athleticism to close in on the football. That was backed up by running a 4.3 40-yard dash at the combine.

While he’s always been a playmaker against the pass, against the run is where Woods has struggled, whether it’s being unable to finish and bring ball carriers down or taking bad angles.

With a bigger responsibility set in Year 2, Woods needs to put forth his best effort into improving in this department. And it’s up to head coach Brandon Staley, defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley and defensive backs coach Tommy Donatell to unlock the young safety’s potential.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 9, intrasquad scrimmage

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 9 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Saturday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA, marking Day 9 and the team’s intrasquad scrimmage.

Training camp can be attended for free, but if you cannot be there, you will still be informed of the action throughout it all.

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

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 8

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 8 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Saturday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA, marking Day 8.

Training camp can be attended for free, but if you cannot be there, you will still be informed of the action throughout it all.

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

 

Projecting the Chargers’ safety depth chart in 2023

Here is what the Chargers’ safety room could look like heading into August.

As training camp continues, the Chargers will be making some difficult but necessary roster decisions moving into the pre-season.

Here is what the safety room could look like heading into August:

Derwin James Jr.

James will continue to be the heartbeat of the Chargers’ defense this season. Coming off of an impressive year, James solidified himself as the top safety in the league – a title given to him by fellow players, analysts, media, and journalists alike. He will play wherever needed and act as a versatile defensive back, holding the secondary together.

Alohi Gilman

The second starting safety spot is currently Gilman’s. After the retirement of Nasir Adderley this off-season, he slid into the role and remains there as JT Woods continues to develop. Gilman pulled off some impressive plays last season but also had a few dreadful hiccups. With no other option for the No. 2 role behind James, Gilman will be required to step up and show out all season long.

JT Woods

After a rough first season in the NFL, Woods continues to learn and grow behind James and Gilman. The coaching staff still has faith in Woods’ abilities and his physicality as a tackler.

Raheem Layne

Layne served as a depth piece in 2022, having been activated from the practice squad on several occasions. He was primarily a special teams ace last season. This season, Layne has the opportunity to solidify a roster spot but will be competing for this position with Mark Webb and undrafted free agent AJ Finley. Ultimately, I think Layne wins the job.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 5

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 5 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Tuesday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA, marking the fifth day.

Training camp can be attended for free, but if you cannot be there, you will still be informed of the action throughout it all.

I will have training camp coverage with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fan posts.

Chargers’ Raheem Layne making splash plays early in training camp

Raheem Layne could push himself up the safety depth chart if he continues to make plays.

There is a battle in Chargers training camp for the fourth spot at the safety position, and second-year Raheem Layne is making his case early on to secure it.

Layne logged a pass deflection and the first turnover of camp in team drills. He was covering tight end Michael Ezeike and as quarterback Easton Stick passed, Layne read it perfectly and came away with the football.

Around this time last year, Layne was also making plays. The former undrafted free agent out of Indiana made the most of his opportunities while Derwin James and Mark Webb were out, earning him a roster spot.

Layne rarely saw the defensive side of the ball in his rookie campaign, but he made his money on special teams.

As it stands, Derwin James and Alohi Gilman are slated to be the starting safeties, with last year’s third-round pick JT Woods as the third safety coming on in dime (six defensive back) packages.

Woods struggled in his rookie season, but the coaches expect him to make a leap. However, if Layne continues to make plays, he could end up warranting that third spot, which is a vital role in Brandon Staley’s defense.

A cornerback-to-safety convert, Layne has excellent instincts in coverage, experience in multiple alignments and good run defense to be a solid contributor on defense.

Ranking the safety tandems in the AFC West

How does each AFC West team compare at the safety position?

The final position on the defense that gets a look is the safety spot. And the AFC West has two of the best in the league in its ranks.

1 player to watch at each position during Chargers’ 2023 training camp: Defense

Here are the defensive players to watch for at Chargers training camp.

After a few months of retooling the roster, the Chargers are set to begin training camp, which kicks off this Wednesday, July 26, at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

During that time, starting spots and roster spots, in general, will be earned. We’re listing a player to watch for at each position.

We started with the offense. Next up is the defense.

Chargers 2023 roster review: S Alohi Gilman

Alohi Gilman is headed into training camp as the starter alongside Derwin James.

Training camp is approaching and with a few more weeks of dead time in the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is documenting each of Los Angeles’ players before it kicks off.

Safety Alohi Gilman is entering his four year on the Chargers and has much more responsibility on defense than in seasons previous.

With the retirement of Nasir Adderley after the 2022 season, Los Angeles was expected by many to pick up another starting caliber safety in free agency to pair with Derwin James Jr.

Instead, they opted to rely on their current group behind James of Gilman, JT Woods, and Raheem Layne.

Woods will be battling Gilman for the 2nd starting spot, but after a fairly decent season in 2022 it is likely Gilman will be the safety who gets the number 2 position in week one.

Gilman finished off his 2022 season with 58 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception for 18 yards.

Contract (2023): $1,010,000 base salary, $46,969 prorated bonus, $1,056,969 cap hit.

Acquired: Gilman was selected by the Chargers with the 186th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

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Chargers 2023 roster review: Safety A.J. Finley

A.J. Finley is an undrafted free agent looking to make some noise this summer.

Training camp is nearing, and with a few more weeks of dead time during the quietest part of the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is endeavoring to document each of Los Angeles’ players before it kicks off.

The Chargers signed former Ole Miss safety AJ Finley as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL draft.

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

Finley has the desired range, instincts and ball skills in coverage. Additionally, Finley is a good run defender, something Los Angeles lacked on the back end of the defense last season.

Behind Derwin James and Alohi Gilman, the depth is thin. JT Woods, who struggled in his rookie season, is being counted on to make strides. Raheem Layne showed promise but is still young. Mark Webb has been hamstrung by injuries.

Therefore, Finley should not be counted out to earn a roster spot if he shows out in training camp and preseason. At the very least, he could be a candidate for the practice squad.

Contract:

  • Value: $2,715,000 ($805,000 APY)
  • Fully Guaranteed Money: $90,000

Acquired: The Chargers signed Finley as an undrafted free agent.

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