Brandon Facyson – Page 7 – Syndication Server

Chargers CB Brandon Facyson impressed in spring practices

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley and secondary coach Derrick Ansley had praise for cornerback Brandon Facyson.

The Chargers cornerbacks room features a trio of notables, with those being Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr. and rookie Asante Samuel Jr.

However, Brandon Facyson is making his point that he is not to be forgotten.

At Wednesday’s media availability, head coach Brandon Staley said that Facyson is someone that caught his eye this spring.

In addition, secondary coach Derrick Ansley said that Facyson is a “high ceiling guy,” adding that the team has high expectations for him and hopes for him to be a contributor on the outside.

In practices, Facyson worked with the first team at outside corner when Harris Jr. would move in the slot.

Relegated to a reserve player since entering the league in 2018, Facyson was re-signed earlier this offseason because the new coaching staff liked what they saw from a small sample size and felt like he fit what they’re looking for at the position.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, Facyson is a long press-man coverage CB, which makes him an ideal scheme fit for Staley’s defense. While he hasn’t put it all together on the field, Facyson’s physical traits are worth working with.

If an injury was to occur to one of the starting corners this upcoming season, Facyson would likely be the next man up.

In three seasons, Facyson posted 60 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two tackles for loss and one pass deflected.

Familiarity with Chargers’ defensive backs aiding new secondary coach Derrick Ansley

The connections that Chargers secondary coach Derrick Ansley has with the defensive backs has helped with the transition.

Defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley is tasked with working with a talented group of players heading into the 2021 season.

Luckily for him, familiarity with a few of the key players in the secondary has helped with the transition in his new role.

Before taking the job with the Chargers, Ansley had forms of connections to Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, Brandon Facyson and Asante Samuel Jr.

At media availability, Ansley elaborated on the ties between him and those four.

“It’s been an easy transition,” Ansley mentioned. “Going back to when Derwin was a recruit coming out of Haines City, Fla. then going to Florida St., I had a chance to recruit him when I was at Alabama. Having Nas at the Senior Bowl, knowing Facyson from high school.

Just knowing all these guys, even Asante (Samuel Jr.) recruiting him out of St. Thomas, it just made transition a lot smoother. Not coming in here being the guy who doesn’t really know anybody. We kind of all knew of each other and that kind of helped us gel quickly.”

Prior to taking the job with Los Angeles, Ansley worked as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the University of Tennessee. He has also coached for the Raiders, the University of Alabama, among other college programs.

State of the Chargers cornerback room after re-signing Michael Davis, Brandon Facyson

The Los Angeles Chargers still need to add another cornerback or two before the start of camp.

Outside of adding three offensive linemen through free agency, the other notable moves made by the Chargers were bringing back cornerbacks Michael Davis and Brandon Facyson.

Los Angeles let go of Casey Hayward prior to the start of free agency. Davis will fill in as one of the starters on the outside. Chris Harris, Jr. will mainly man the slot. Facyson is likely just a depth piece.

The team also has Tevaughn Campbell, Donte Vaughn and John Brannon on the roster, but they all don’t have the experience to be counted on as starters.

Therefore, even after re-signing Davis and Facyson, the positional group is not a finished product and they will need to add another player with the ability to start before entering training camp.

L.A. was in the mix for Kyle Fuller, but the Broncos signed him on Saturday. The Chargers could still elect to sign a veteran like Adoree Jackson, A.J. Bouye, Malcolm Butler, Richard Sherman, Bashaud Breeland, among others.

Los Angeles, however, could have their eyes on the draft to upgrade the position. If the team chooses to pass on a left tackle in the first-round, they could be locked in on Patrick Surtain, Caleb Farley or Jaycee Horn.

Let’s say L.A. gets their franchise blindside blocker with pick No. 13, all the attention turns to the second day of the draft. Guys like Asante Samuel, Jr., Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, Aaron Robinson, Trill Williams, Ifeatu Melifonwu could be on their radar.

The bottom line is that with strong defensive back play being a necessity in head coach Brandon Staley’s system, the Chargers need to add at least two more cornerbacks before the end of the offseason to piece together a formidable group.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen added to injury report, questionable vs. Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers could be without their top skill player against the Las Vegas Raiders.

There’s a possibility that the Chargers could be without their top skill player against the Raiders on Sunday.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen was added to the injury report due to an illness and listed him as questionable on Saturday.

Allen has grown to be quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite target, as he’s being targeted at least 10 times in all but one contest.

In seven games, Allen has 53 catches for 548 yards and three touchdowns.

If Allen isn’t able to go or if he’s held to limited snaps, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton, Joe Reed and K.J. Hill will be forced to step up. Luckily, Los Angeles will be facing a pass defense that ranks near the bottom in the NFL.

Along with Allen being added to the injury report, the team also placed cornerback Brandon Facyson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Facyson missed Friday’s practice with what was considered an “illness.”

The Chargers will also likely be without their top defensive player, Joey Bosa, who is doubtful with a concussion.

Projecting the Chargers’ cornerback depth chart

The Los Angeles Chargers cornerback room is led by Casey Hayward and Chris Harris, Jr.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.

Today, we examine and project the cornerback room, which is one of the stronger units for Los Angeles heading into the 2020 season.

CB: Casey Hayward

Hayward piled together 32 tackles, eight passes defended and two interceptions over the course of 16 games last season. His stats may not resemble high level of play, but quarterbacks have learned by now not to test Hayward. The 30-year old has been a key presence in the secondary, earning the highest coverage grade (93.1) among cornerbacks the past five seasons. Lining up across the league’s top wide receivers, “Showcase” has stymied nearly every single one. Heading into this season, he will remain the No. 1 cornerback on the outside.

Backup(s): Brandon Facyson, Quenton Meeks

Slot CB: Chris Harris, Jr.

According to NFL.com research, the Chargers allowed nine yards per slot target last season, which was the fifth-highest average in the league. They also ranked No. 30 in completion percentage to slot targets. Because of the lack of production, a change needed to be made which led to the signing of Harris earlier this offseason. Harris projects as the starting slot corner, overtaking Desmond King in that role. Harris is capable of playing on the outside along with some safety, but we can expect to see him primarily on the inside. For King, he is a bit of mystery now that he won’t be the starting slot corner after he experienced a rocky 2019 campaign. Expect him to play an interchangeable role with snaps coming in the slot and as a sub-package linebacker, along with special teams duties.

Backup(s): Desmond King

CB: Michael Davis

Davis earned the Week 1 starting job in 2019, but he was limited to 12 games after missing two of them due to an injury and the others to a suspension after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He’s appeared in 43 games over the course of the past three seasons with 21 of them being starts. Since then, he’s totaled 107 tackles, 18 passes defensed and two interceptions. Davis will be in competition for this spot with Brandon Facyson, who started here while the former BYU product missed some action. Facyson did show promise in coverage and as a tackler in his four starts. However, Davis is the model that Gus Bradley covets at the position and his experience in the role should ensure he retains his job. Quenton Meeks was mentioned as an underdog who could make the team as a depth piece.

Backup(s): Brandon Facyson, Quenton Meeks

Chargers CB Michael Davis suspended two games

The Chargers will be without cornerback Michael Davis for Weeks 13 and 14.

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis has been suspended two games without pay for a violation of the substance abuse policy, the league announced Friday.

Davis took over the permanent starting role after the team released CB Trevor Williams on Oct. 7. In nine starts for the Chargers, Davis has amassed 27 tackles and an interception.

With Davis missing the next two contests, CB Brandon Facyson will get the start opposite of Casey Hayward. Facyson started in two games while Williams and Davis were both dealing with injuries near the beginning of the season.

Davis is eligible to return after Week 14.

General manager Tom Telesco released an official team statement in regards to Davis’ suspension:

Michael is a good person who made a significant mistake this past offseason for which he must be held accountable. He will grow from this experience and, once back, continue to represent Chargers and NFL in a positive manner.

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