Tag: Austin Ekeler

Chargers players not fond of practicing in Colorado

Some of the Chargers players aren’t happy with practicing in Colorado for a few days prior to the matchup against the Chiefs.

The Chargers’ home for the next few days will be at Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO in preparation for Monday night’s game against the Chiefs in Mexico City.

Coach Anthony Lynn moved the team from California to Colorado because he wants to get the players acclimated to the altitude they will be playing in Mexico City, which is about 7,300 feet above sea level.

Lynn has his purpose for having the Bolts practice in Colorado for a few days, saying that even though science suggests it could take seven or eight days to acclimate to it, as a former player it pays dividends.

But some of the players aren’t too thrilled with it.

Running back Austin Ekeler, grew up in Colorado, doesn’t mind practicing there because he’s used to it, but he elaborated that it’s a different story for his teammates, saying that some of them would’ve rather practiced in Costa Mesa, CO.

“I think there’s a lot of mixed feelings about us coming here. Me personally, I kinda like the change-up. I’m probably a little biased, obviously, because I’m from here. I was looking forward to being back in Colorado for a week, but I know some people disagree with that. They would rather have it at our own facility, back in our regular routine,” Ekeler said.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen went to his personal Twitter account to express some frustration. It’s all not certain what it’s about, but based on the day, it seems like he’s talking about being in Colorado.

“I hate everything about this,” Allen tweeted on Tuesday.

Defensive end Joey Bosa made it seem like he didn’t care the team was in Colorado, but would’ve rather stayed home in California and practice if he had the choice.

“You notice a difference out there a little bit with breathing. I don’t know if a few practices is enough to get acclimated to it. But, we’re here. We’ll make the most of it.”

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4 key things to know about Chargers vs. Chiefs

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out the four most important things to know about the matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) clash in Mexico City on Monday night.

Here are four key things to know about the Week 11 matchup.

Patrick Mahomes is back

After a knee injury sustained in Week 7, it only took Mahomes two weeks to return to live game action. In his return last weekend against the Titans, he managed to put up what would be a typical performance, throwing for 446 passing yards, which was the second-highest passing yardage total of his career. This season, he has amassed 2,686 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and only one interception.

Pressure, pressure, pressure

After making a few key signings to the defensive front, the ability to get after the quarterback skyrocketed for the Chiefs. Through 10 games, Kansas City leads the league in sacks (52). The team suffered a huge loss after defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah suffered a torn pectoral muscle last Sunday. Ogbah led the team with 5.5 sacks. They still have pieces up front that won’t make it an easy task for the Chargers offensive line.

Can’t stop the run

While the Chiefs have a knack for pressuring opposing quarterbacks, they struggle to stop the run immensely. Kansas City ranks as the second-worst team in the league, allowing 148.1 yards per game. For the Chargers, having success running the ball with running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler will be key in order to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field.

Not the same Chiefs everyone is used to

The Chiefs were a trendy pick to reach the Super Bowl, but their play hasn’t suggested that. After starting 4-0, they have lost four of their last six games. Even with Mahomes back last weekend, who was nearly flawless, they still lost. Their offense will put up a plethora of points, but their opponent has been able to match it because the defensive has allowed so many big plays. On top of that, the pass protection has been on a downward spiral. Kansas City allowed only three sacks in the first four games, but they’ve allowed 15 in the last six contests.

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2020 Pro Bowl voting now open

It’s time to cast your vote to send your favorite Charger to the 2020 Pro Bowl.

Voting for the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl is officially open.

Fans can vote on NFL.com/ProBowlVote from Tuesday, Nov. 12 until Sunday Dec. 12. The rosters for the AFC and NFC will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 17 on NFL Network.

During the final two weeks of 2020 Pro Bowl voting — November 28-December 12 — fans will also be able to vote on Twitter. To cast a vote, fans should tweet the first and last name of the player, the player’s official Twitter handle, or a hashtag including the player’s first and last name. It must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote.

Fans, players and coaches will each account for one-third toward determining the 88 All-Star players who will be selected to the Pro Bowl

Even though it hasn’t been the sunshine and rainbows for the Chargers, the team still has several players worthy of Pro Bowl consideration this season.

Running back Austin Ekeler has been a force as a ball carrier and as a pass-catcher. Ekeler has totaled 899 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. Wide receiver Keenan Allen has cooled down a little bit the past few weeks, but he has still amassed 62 receptions for 725 yards and three touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, cornerback Casey Hayward continues to shut down some of the league’s best receivers on a weekly basis. In the trenches, defensive ends Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa remain as one of the top pass-rushing tandems, combining for 13 sacks.

Fullback Derek Watt and linebacker Drue Tranquill have done their fair share of work on special teams. Watt leads the league in special teams tackles with 12, while Tranquill is third with nine.

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