Tag: Asante Samuel Jr.

Projecting the Chargers’ cornerback depth chart in 2024

Taking a crack at projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers cornerback room will look like entering the 2024 season.

Over the next few weeks ahead of training camp, I will continue to break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Offensive line

Edge rusher

Interior defensive line

Linebacker

Next, I project what the cornerback room will look like heading into the 2024 season.

Asante Samuel Jr.

Samuel is coming off his best season in coverage, finishing with a 75.6 overall grade in that department. He posted a career-high 13 passes defended and has nabbed two interceptions in each of his three seasons. Samuel will play a vital role in Jesse Minter’s defense, as they will be counting on him as the No. 1 corner. He must continue to shine in coverage while showing improvements in run defense.

Kristian Fulton

The Chargers signed Fulton to a prove-it deal after he battled injuries during his four-year tenure with the Titans. He has showcased the coverage skills to stick with starting wide receivers, but due to the injuries, the sample size isn’t large. He is the front runner to start at outside corner opposite Samuel, but Fulton must stay on the field to hold down that spot.

Ja’Sir Taylor

Taylor is coming off his first full season as a starter after his rookie campaign was primarily spent on special teams, with some starts towards the end of 2022, including a masterful performance against the Dolphins that year. His sophomore season was a mixed bag of results. While he was solid in coverage for the most part, Taylor struggled as an open-field tackler. Entering Year 3, Taylor has the opportunity to really break out under Minter. He will have to fend off rookie Tarheeb Still for the starting slot corner spot.

Deane Leonard

Primarily a core special teamer, Leonard was called on to start in three games last season. He showed some good things, forcing three incompletions. An ankle injury prevented him from finishing out the year. Heading into his third season, Leonard will make money on special teams, but he could also push for meaningful playing time.

Tarheeb Still

Still was selected in the fifth round out of Maryland. He finished his final collegiate season with five picks, tied for the fifth-most in the FBS. Still has already raised eyebrows, as he was a summer standout at minicamp. He can play outside or inside but will likely play in the slot and compete with Taylor for the starting job.

Cam Hart

After drafting Tarheeb Still, Los Angeles dipped at the position by adding Hart, who was a great value pick. He fell because of limited ball production and some shoulder injury concerns. At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, Hart is a big corner with good speed to carry receivers downfield and plus zone coverage skills to read, react and make plays on underneath routes. He has the traits to push for playing time early on.

PFF’s cornerback rankings: Asante Samuel Jr. among the top 20

Asante Samuel Jr. is coming off his best season in coverage.

Asante Samuel Jr. is entering his fourth season with a significant role to fill as the Chargers’ No. 1 cornerback.

Samuel was recognized for his efforts this past season by Pro Football Focus, which listed him as the No. 20 player at his position in the league.

Samuel has big shoes to fill, but his play over the last two years has shown that he is more than capable of doing so. His 80.8 grade since 2022 is 12th at the position, even though he has given up 11 touchdown passes. He’ll need to prevent separation at a higher rate if he is to move up the rankings.

Samuel is coming off his best season in coverage, finishing with a 75.6 overall grade in that department. He posted a career-high 13 passes defended and he has nabbed two interceptions in each of his three seasons.

Samuel will play a vital role in Jesse Minter’s defense, as they will be counting on him in a relatively thin cornerback room. He must continue to shine in coverage while showing improvements in run defense.

Who are the Chargers’ top 3 players heading into the 2024 season?

Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema named the Chargers’ top three players entering the 2024 season.

The Chargers have a talented roster, but there is a core of players that will largely determine their success in the upcoming season.

Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema named the Bolts’ top three, choosing quarterback Justin Herbert, offensive tackle Rashawn Slater and edge defender Khalil Mack.

Also considered were safety Derwin James, edge defender Joey Bosa and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

Here is what Sikemma had to say about his selections:

It felt like Justin Herbert was a one-man show in 2023. Despite a poor showing from his offensive line and receiving group, he still earned an 83.1 passing grade while starting to push the ball downfield more with his big arm.

Rashawn Slater recorded the lowest overall grade of his career (76.6), but his consistency and talent level put him in this group.

Khalil Mack returned to his elite ways, with a 91.8 overall grade, a 90.8 run-defense grade and an 86.3 pass-rush grade. It was his highest single-season grade since 2020.

I’ve said this before, but as long as Herbert is under center, the sky is the limit for the Chargers. He was riddled with a finger injury that cost him the final four games of last season, but he should return to form, even with a new scheme. Herbert is one of the most prolific passers in the NFL.

Keeping Herbert upright will be vital, and it starts with Slater, a former All-Pro. After missing most of the 2022 season with a torn biceps, Slater returned and started all regular-season games in 2023.

As the saying goes, no pressure, no diamonds. Mack exemplified that last season as he tallied 88 pressures and 18 sacks. In Jesse Minter’s defense, Mack’s presence is crucial, not only getting after the quarterback but defending the run.

Chargers DBs coach Steve Clinkscale prioritizing versatility in the secondary

Steve Clinkscale is prioritizing versatility in the defensive backfield.

Chargers defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale had his first media availability of the offseason. Clinkscale laid out some of Jesse Minter’s defensive vision as well as his expectations for the secondary.

First, he spoke about Minter’s system:

The beauty with Jesse is that he’s a defensive back guy himself. We speak the same language. I can anticipate the issues that he wants, his pet peeves, my pet peeves. It’s been an easy transition to teach those guys what Coach Minter is looking for. With him being a back end guy, we do put a lot of responsibility on the secondary. We put a lot of work into those guys. We want to make sure that they’re going to do things right. That’s a reflection of him and I, right away, the secondary. His vision on the defense is that we’re going to communicate. We’re going to destroy blocks. We’re going to disrupt the ball. We’re going to have great effort and angles. We’re going to finish and make tackles. That’s what we want to put on film week-in and week-out. If you do those fundamental things, whatever he calls, we should be able to work. Sometimes, they’re going to give us something that’s going to be an issue for the coverage, but as long as what our guys know what to go to when in doubt with the check, then when the ball is snapped to enforce our separators, our fundamental approach to the game, we’ll be fine.

Clinkscale also spoke at length about newly signed cornerback Kristian Fulton and what he’s seen from him so far:

I’ll be honest with you, he’s got kind of the rookie mentality. ‘Coach, teach me. Whatever it is, I want to learn. I want to learn. I want to get better at this.’ This is a new lease on life for him. You see it out there. He moves very fluid. You can tell he’s experienced. He’s able to adjust. He’s able to put it in our language fast. He’s a pro. When I got here, you think, ‘Oh, college is different.’ The pros want to learn just like [S] Derwin James [Jr.]. They want to learn. [S] Alohi [Gilman], they all want to get better and look at things a little different way so they can be successful. It’s been great because we all meet together. That’s what we do. We’re all DB coaches. [Safeties] Coach [Chris] O’Leary coaches the nickels, corners, safeties. We’re all together in the room. Just bringing those guys together, getting them on one page — it’s been special. I believe in the mentality has to be right. Working with Kristian and anybody in there, it’s just been special for those guys to come in and know that we’re going to work, I’m going to hold them accountable, now. I’m going to get on them if they’re not doing things right, but they’re going to go out there and they have the ability to execute for our defense to be special.

Clinkscale was asked about what specific roles he envisions for both Fulton as well as Asante Samuel Jr. Regarding slot and outside corner distinction, the former Michigan coach made it clear that everyone in the secondary has to be prepared to do both. “They are all going to rotate in there…I’ve rotated them at corner and at nickel, like I said, so that they have that versatility.”

Clinkscale hit on theme of versatility several times in his preser. Another quote on that subject that drove the point across: “All of the corners have to know nickel and all of the safeties have to know nickel and dime as well as the safety position.” The issue of potential injuries and preparing for that by having secondary players cross-trained for those potential circumstances was also a clear motivating factor for this coaching staff’s approach.

When it came to Derwin James, Clinkscale also mentioned his versatility and potentially putting him at weakside linebacker and slot corner at times. He mentioned the usage of the safeties at Michigan in that context.

It’s still too early to tell who the starters will be in the secondary and at which spots, but it’s clear that this defensive staff wants to be able to move their defensive backs around while not pigeonholing themselves in regards to depth.

4 matchups to watch in Chargers vs. Bills

Here are four matchups to watch in Saturday’s game.

The Chargers will be looking to play spoiler on Saturday, hosting an 8-6 Bills team currently on the cusp of a playoff berth.

Here are four matchups to watch in Saturday’s game.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 15

Looking at the major metrics, here is where the Chargers stand after Week 15.

The Chargers fell to 5-9 after losing to the Raiders on Thursday.

Now that Week 15 is in the rearview, we now know how the Bolts rank statistically compared to the rest of the NFL. Looking at the major metrics, here is where L.A. stands.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 8

Looking at the major metrics, here is where the Chargers stand after Week 8.

The Chargers are now 3-4 after beating the Bears on Sunday.

Now that Week 8 is in the rearview, we now know how the Bolts rank statistically compared to the rest of the NFL. Looking at the major metrics, here is where L.A. stands.

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 31-17 loss to Chiefs

Here’s what stood out from the Chargers’ Week 7 loss to the Chiefs.

The Chargers, it seems, cannot buy a break. Despite a back and forth second quarter that featured 35 combined points, Los Angeles dropped to 2-4 with a frustrating loss to the Chiefs on the road.

Here’s what to take away from the game.

Chargers Highlight: Asante Samuel Jr. picks off Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Asante Samuel Jr. picked up his second interception of the season.

Asante Samuel Jr.’s Sunday has been emblematic of the Chargers’ entire season thus far.

Samuel was beat across the field on Kansas City’s first touchdown, a scramble drill crosser to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. On the Chiefs’ second touchdown drive, Samuel dove for a pass breakup but missed, leaving Travis Kelce with an opportunity to take the pass 60 yards into the red zone.

Third time’s the charm, as they say.

With a third and 12 for the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes uncorked a deep shot to try to get another explosive play. Instead, Samuel beat the receiver to the ball, coming down with an interception to move the momentum in LA’s favor.

Brandon Staley on J.C. Jackson trade: ‘There was a body of work to go off of’

Brandon Staley spoke for the first time since J.C. Jackson was traded to the Patriots.

On Thursday, Brandon Staley spoke at the Chargers’ media availability for the first time since J.C. Jackson was traded to the Patriots last week. Staley opened his press conference by responding to the first question about Jackson by saying this:

We just felt like this was the best course for our team. There was a body of work to go off of. We felt like this direction was the best for our football team.

When asked to clarify if “body of work” meant on-the-field or off-the-field concerns, Staley said, “In all ways.”

The Chargers head coach was also asked about Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero’s report, which stated that Jackson had refused to enter the game against the Raiders when Michael Davis injured his ankle.

Staley refused to comment, saying, “I’m not talking anymore about J.C. We’re moving forward as a team, and that’s behind us.”

Staley also said that the Chargers fully believe in their secondary group without Jackson:

We believe in that group. That group is where we’ve played our best football as a team since we’ve been here. We have full trust in those guys. Those guys have played really well together. Now, they get to play together full time.

Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr., and Ja’Sir Taylor will attempt to hold down the secondary as the Chargers move forward. Deane Leonard and newly signed cornerback Essang Bassey will be the depth players in the room.

The ramifications of the Jackson signing not working out will eventually loom large for the Chargers. Specifically, a dead cap charge over $20 million will hurt them in balancing the books for 2024.

But for now, a clean break is the main story in the interim. Staley and the team hope it leads to a bounce back for a secondary group that’s primarily underperformed this season.