3 Chargers who flew under the radar in 2021

Highlighting the Chargers players whose contributions did not receive the recognition they deserved.

The Chargers had a lot of star power that made their presences known consistently, but there were a few players whose contributions did not receive the recognition they deserved.

With that being said, here are three players who flew under the radar in 2021:

TE Stephen Anderson

Jared Cook and Donald Parham spotlighted the tight end room. But the unsung hero of the group was Anderson. While he made the most of his opportunities in the passing game – catching 16 of his 19 targets for 165 yards and a touchdown – what stood out the most that may have gone unrecognized was his work as a blocker. Anderson helped open up holes in the run game as a lead blocker and in pass protection.

LB Nick Niemann

The Chargers’ middle-of-the-pack special teams did not have a lot of veterans, and instead, they rolled with their rookie class as the main core. Among the crop, it was Niemann who ended up being a bright spot, finishing with 14 special teams tackles on coverage units, which tied for fourth-most in the NFL.

DT Breiden Fehoko

It was no surprise that the Chargers’ weakness was defending the run. They did not have the talent with their starters to consistently hold their own in this department. However, Fehoko made an impact in the trenches in his limited opportunities. On 65 run snaps, he had a stop percentage of 16.1, which ranked fourth, according to Pro Football Focus.

Chargers GM Tom Telesco evaluates Brandon Staley’s first season as head coach

What Tom Telesco had to say about the Chargers with Brandon Staley at the helm in his first season.

In Brandon Staley’s first season as head coach, the Chargers finished with a 9-8 record and came up just short of making the playoffs.

Despite not achieving the ultimate goal of playing beyond the regular season, general manager Tom Telesco felt that it was still a success with Staley at the helm.

“I think he handled things very well this year,” Telesco said. You guys can tell that he has a great connection with our team and our players. And he has definitely brought an identity to this football team. So I think the future is bright with where we are, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

There’s one thing we learned about Staley in his first season as the man in charge: he is an aggressive decision-maker.

Not afraid to go for it on fourth down, Staley favored the analytics and quarterback Justin Herbert to get the job done in those situations. Of the 34 the Chargers attempted, 22 of them were successful.

While some of his decisions paid off, like in wins over the Chiefs (Week 3), Raiders (Week 4), Browns (Week 5), Eagles (Week 9), and Bengals (Week 13), some of them resulted in failures, like against Kansas City in Week 15 and Las Vegas in the season finale.

“I love the identity we play with,” Telesco said when asked about Staley’s aggression on fourth down. “I support him 100%. I’m a big believer in using data to make decisions, as is he… I know on the outside everyone may not agree but it’s who we are and how we are going to play moving forward.”

“All of these decisions, even though they’re made in real-time, there’s research involved in it prior to the game.”

Shining Sophomore or Sophomore Slump? Grading Chargers 2020 draft class’ second season

Grading the Los Angeles Chargers 2020 draft class’ second season to determine if the sophomores slumped or shined.

When evaluating the previous season as a whole, it’s easy to make quick judgments on the rookie class. Yet, we forget about the group brought in the year prior.

With that, let’s take a look at whether the second-year players shined or slumped.

QB Justin Herbert

Many thought that Herbert could be in for a slump, given that teams finally had NFL tape on him, and he was playing for yet another offensive play-caller. However, there was nothing that slowed him down in Year 2. Instead, he turned it up just a notch from his outstanding rookie season. Herbert shined with his arm talent and athleticism and showed continuous growth weekly with reading complex coverages, all while dealing with a leaky right side of the offensive line. He finished with a 65.9 completion percentage, 5,014 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions, 302 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns en route to writing his name in the history books every week.

Grade: A

LB Kenneth Murray

Expected to make a leap in Brandon Staley’s defense, Murray’s play did not reflect that early on before being sent to the injured reserve. Instead, his woes consisted of missing tackles, over-pursuing ball carriers, and struggling to shed blocks and work off contact. Soon after, Murray transitioned to an edge defender, hoping to elevate his game upon returning to the field. Still, that did not benefit him. It was a combination of limitations in his counters and strength, lacking a plan of attack when rushing and running too wide of the arc. Whether it was being held by an ankle injury and COVID-19 or the complexity of the system, Murray did not play like a first-rounder.

Grade: F

RB Joshua Kelley

One of the biggest questions heading into the season was who would establish themselves as the clear-cut backup behind Austin Ekeler. It took 14 weeks into the season for the Chargers to finally decipher that, and it was Justin Jackson who stepped up. Kelley didn’t have many opportunities early on, but when he did get more touches that came against the Giants, he turned ten carries into just 3.3 yards per carry. Kelley finished with 102 yards on 33 rushes (3.1 YPC). Given that Jackson is a free agent, it could lead to more snaps for Kelley. However, based on the lack of touches between him and Larry Rountree in 2021, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team instead went after a veteran in free agency to back up Ekeler in 2022.

Grade: C-

WR Joe Reed

Reed spent the 2021 season on the Chargers’ practice squad injured list with an ankle injury. However, he was recently signed to a Reserve/Future contract, indicating that he could be in to compete for the job as the starting returner.

Grade: N/A

S Alohi Gilman

Between a quad injury and COVID-19, Gilman’s season was cut to 11 games. It was a mixed bag of results when he was on the field. While he showed some flashes, like in Week 3 in the win over the Chiefs when he had the game-sealing interception, missed tackles in the open field were an issue late in the season. In coverage, Gilman allowed 10 receptions on 13 targets for 93 yards (9.3 yards per reception). Still, he showed enough to suggest that he will be a key rotational piece in the secondary next season.

Grade: B-

WR K.J. Hill

Hill survived cuts and was named to the 53-man roster over the likes of Tyron Johnson and Joe Reed. In the season opener, he caught three passes for 30 yards. Hill resumed his primary duties as the Chargers’ punt returner before being waived in favor of Andre Roberts. He amassed just 6.8 yards on six returns through the first six games. After clearing waivers, he was signed to the practice squad, where he remained the rest of the season. Hill was a surprise since he didn’t sign a Reserve/Future contract after the season, indicating that his time with the team is all but over.

Grade: C

Chargers’ year-end awards from 2021 season

Going back and highlighting the players who stood out for the Chargers in 2021.

The Chargers finished 9-8 and came up just short of the playoffs during the 2021 season.

While many fans are ready to put this season to bed, it’s still only right to reflect and hand out the season awards to certain players for their efforts on the field.

 

Sophomore Star: Reliving Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s 2021 season

Justin Herbert was born to be great.

Following the best rookie season by an NFL quarterback, many expected Justin Herbert to experience one of those infamous sophomore slumps which a handful of signal-callers have endured before.

Instead, Herbert continued to take the league by storm, shattering records weekly. The most notable was the most touchdown passes by a Charger in a single season, dethroning Philip Rivers’ previous record of 34.

Under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and quarterbacks coach Shane Day, Herbert dazzled with his arm talent and athleticism and showed continuous growth, especially in terms of reading complex coverages, all while dealing with a leaky right side of the offensive line.

In the end, Herbert finished Year 2 with a 65.9 completion percentage, 5,014 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions, 302 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.

Herbert ranks first among quarterbacks in their first 2 seasons in NFL history in passing touchdowns (69), passing yards (9,350), and completions (839).

Herbert has put himself among the cream of the crop quarterbacks, and the crazy thing is that the best is still yet to come.

To relive some of Herbert’s best moments from this past season, check out the video below.

Chargers PFF grades: Top offensive, defensive performers at the midway point

Looking at Pro Football Focus’ top five Chargers players on both sides of the ball at the halfway point of the season.

Which Chargers players have impressed the most up to the halfway point of the season?

With that being said, here are the best performers on both sides of the ball, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who have played at least half the snaps on offense (553) or defense (533).

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert – 89.0

OL Corey Linsley – 86.1

OT Rashawn Slater – 81.9

OL Matt Feiler – 81.6

WR Keenan Allen – 75.5

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa – 77.9

CB Tevaughn Campbell – 70.4

S Derwin James – 69.5

LB Drue Tranquill – 68.6

S Nasir Adderley – 68.2

3 burning questions for the Chargers coming out of the bye week

Highlighting three questions Chargers fans are wondering heading into the final stretch of the season.

Six regular-season games have gone by for the Chargers, and the team is in good standing with a 4-2 record.

With a lot of football yet to play, many fans have a few questions on their mind with Los Angeles coming off its bye week.

Can the run defense be fixed?

The Chargers not being able to slow the run has been repetitive since the start of the season. Los Angeles was able to mask it with its offense and ability to limit the pass. But the team found out against the Ravens that it was only a matter of time until it came back to hurt them.

L.A. is allowing 162.5 yards per game and 5.6 yards per rush, which both rank dead-last in the NFL.

Starting along the defensive line, the Chargers do not have the talent to consistently hold their own at the point of attack, which is why ball carriers have had so many holes to run through. Furthermore, the second and third levels are to blame, considering there have been missed tackles far too often.

Justin Jones is expected to return from the injured reserve, which should help since he was the team’s best interior defender in this department. Of course, a trade or signing could be beneficial. Nonetheless, the main contributors Linval Joseph, Jerry Tillery, and Christian Covington, need to be better.

Can the offense be more efficient on early downs?

The offense this season has been successful on third and fourth downs. However, the issue is that the unit has been in those situations far too often. The reasoning for that is because of the lack of production on first and second downs.

For the most part, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has either called run plays or short, efficient throws to keep the offense in front of the chains. But then, quarterback Justin Herbert is forced to do what he does best by pushing the ball down the field on third and fourth downs.

I’m not suggesting that Lombardi should predicate the offense entirely around just that, but it may be time to allow Herbert to let it loose in those situations more so than none.

Can the Chargers capture the division title?

The last time the Chargers won the AFC West was back in 2009. After a change in general manager, a few head coaches, and an assortment of roster moves since then, Los Angeles is the most primed it’s been to seize the division.

It’s still early in the season, but the Chiefs, who won the division the past five seasons, appear to be going backward, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes having the worst stint of his career. They currently sit at 3-4.

The Raiders lead the pack at 5-2. Since former head coach Jon Gruden re-signed, Las Vegas has won its past two games. While the wins came against opponents under .500, the change could have marked a much-needed turning point.

Nonetheless, coming off the bye week, Los Angeles possesses the sixth-easiest remaining schedule. Pair that with having the entire past week to make the necessary changes and key players set to be at full health, and the team has the recipe to make a run and win the division.

A playoff spot is good, but winning the AFC West is the goal.

Handing out Chargers first quarter awards for 2021 season

Handing out Chargers-specific awards at nearly the quarter mark of the 2021 season.

Yes, there are 17 games in the regular season now as opposed to 16, but we are accustomed to this normally being the quarter-point of the NFL season.

With two division wins over the Chiefs and Raiders, the Chargers sit at 3-1 and top of the AFC West.

Without further ado, with (almost) 25% of the regular season in the books, here are my selections for Los Angeles’ award winners up to this point.

MVP: Justin Herbert

Herbert has continued to take the league by storm following his Rookie of the Year campaign despite all the talks of a sophomore slump. After a slow start to the year in which he threw just two touchdown passes to three interceptions in his first two games, he went off for seven touchdowns and a 2-0 record over his last two — including a win over Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes on the road. In each of those four games, Herbert put the team in the most optimal positions to succeed with an array of great throws, especially in crucial situations. The sky is the limit with Herbert under center.

Top Offensive Player: Mike Williams

It might have taken a few years to see Williams play like a first rounder, but he has finally lived up to that billing and more. Williams has made a significant impact in his new role as the ‘X’ receiver in offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system. He has posted 23 catches, 306 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Williams has excelled with an expanded route tree, and he has been an integral piece of the offense’s run-pass option (RPO) game. It’s clear that he is Herbert’s top target, and if Williams continues to perform like this every week, it’ll be difficult for the front office not to consider extending him.

Top Defensive Player: Joey Bosa

As the saying goes, “No pressure, diamonds.” The pass defense currently ranks fifth in the NFL and while a lot of credit goes to head coach Brandon Staley’s scheme, Bosa has played an enormous role in ensuring that opposing quarterbacks have had very little time to throw. Week in and week out, he has lived in opposing backfields. Bosa has posted 23 quarterback pressures, 17 hurries, seven run stops, and three sacks through four games. After his sack against the Raiders, Bosa is the fastest Chargers player to reach 50 sacks, passing Leslie O’Neil.

Most Improved: Nasir Adderley

Several players have benefited from Staley’s scheme, but one of the most notables is Adderley, the third-year player. After having his rookie season hampered by an injury and experiencing highs and lows in his play in Gus Bradley’s defense last year, Adderley has flashed play-making abilities since Week 1. Utilized as a deep safety, in the slot, and in the box, Adderley has not only made eye-popping plays in coverage, but he has shown drastic improvement as a tackler in the run department, the majority of which have been punishing hits. 

Most Disappointing: Kenneth Murray

This is not a positive award, but it’s still worth addressing. It was expected that Murray would benefit from Staley’s defense after a pretty solid rookie season, but that has not been the case. Even though he’s been given more downhill responsibilities, Murray has struggled with them. While opportunities have been there, Murray’s tape has been littered with missed tackles, poor instincts, over-pursuing ball carriers, and the inability to shed blocks or work off contact. Now on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, it might be challenging to carve up a role when he comes back, given how well Kyzir White and Drue Tranquill have been playing.

Top Rookie: Rashawn Slater

It’s safe to the Chargers struck gold with the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s draft. Playing the left tackle position in the NFL is not an easy task by any means, but when you are performing at a Pro Bowl-caliber in your rookie season, then you know the player is special. Slater has only allowed six quarterback pressures and one hit. Most notably, all of this came against Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Micah Parsons, Yannick Ngakoue, and Maxx Crosby. I said it before and I’ll say it again, Slater is the league’s best rookie and he’s quickly establishing himself as one of the top tackles in the league, too.

Most Hopeful: Jerry Tillery

Coming from someone who was really high on him coming out of the draft, there’s no denying the talent and traits. He has shown promise as a pass-rusher, currently sitting with nine pressures, five hurries and two sacks. However, he must be better as a run defender to be a complete player at the position, especially when the run defense is still an area of concern. Tillery did contribute last Monday against the Raiders when the defense only allowed 48 rushing yards. But now he must do it on a consistent basis, which means playing with more physicality.

ESPN assesses ceiling, floor for Chargers in 2021

ESPN projects the best and worst-case scenario for the Chargers in 2021.

The Chargers are hopeful that they can turn things around under head coach Brandon Staley after finishing under .500 and missing out on the playoffs the past two years.

After breaking down each game, I believe that Los Angeles is capable of going 11-6 this season. But how do other media outlets believe they’re going to fare?

With the start of the Bolts’ season just two days away, ESPN was the latest to make their predictions.

For L.A., the outlet thinks the Chargers’ ceiling is a 11-6 record, while their floor is 6-11.

Here is what Shelley Smith had to say:

The Chargers’ defense is tough to figure out, but that’s the way it was designed by coach Brandon Staley. And safety Derwin James Jr. is back and at the center of it. He is healthy after missing all of 2020, will be a dynamic impact player on D and is relaying the plays from the sideline. But is he a safety? A corner? A linebacker? He brings a different feel to the Chargers’ defense, and his play — and health — could be a big decider in whether Los Angeles is a very good team or has another losing season.

While first-year head coach’s success rates are toss-ups, the Chargers are too talented on both sides of the ball to finish 6-11. The only way I see them with that record is if they get hit with the injury bug to key players, like they’ve experienced in prior seasons.

It will be difficult to fend off the Chiefs for the division title, but if everything goes right, Los Angeles is more than capable of dethroning Kansas City en route to potentially making a deep postseason run this year.

Chargers finalize practice squad ahead of 2021 regular season

The Chargers signed player No. 16 to the practice squad.

The Chargers announced on Monday that they signed cornerback Kiondre Thomas to their practice squad, finalizing the 16-man group to start the 2021 season.

Thomas, the 6-foot and 186-pound corner, spent three seasons at Minnesota before transferring to Kansas State for his senior campaign, totaling 100 tackles, 11 passes defensed, two tackles for loss and an interception.

He went on to join the Browns as undrafted free agents before being waived.

Most of the practice squad features players who spent training camp with Los Angeles. The new NFL rules allow teams to name veterans to the practice squad and temporarily elevate two players to the 53-man roster each week.

Here’s a look at the Chargers’ practice squad:

WR Michael Bandy

RB Darius Bradwell

LB Cole Christiansen

DB Ben DeLuca

EDGE Emeke Egbule

DL Breiden Fehoko

DL Joe Gaziano

G Ryan Hunter

TE Hunter Kampmoyer

WR Jason Moore Jr

WR Joe Reed

CB Brandon Facyson

DT Forrest Merrill

WR Austin Proehl

CB Kiondre Thomas