Tag: chargers camp

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 3

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 3 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Friday at The Bolts in El Segundo, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free (with tickets), but if you cannot be there, you will still be kept up with all the action throughout the session.

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

Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins sets his own high standard: “I do think if I get the volume, I’ll be one of the best in the league’

J.K. Dobbins is ready for a huge bounce-back season.

The majority of running back J.K. Dobbins’ professional career has been spent on the sidelines. But when he’s on the field, Dobbins has exemplified a special type of player.

“I do think if I get the volume, I’ll be one of the best in the league,” Dobbins said. “I’ve shown that.”

Dobbins has averaged 5.8 yards per carry since 2020, the highest mark by any running back in the NFL (minimum of 200 rushing attempts) in that timespan.

“I don’t know how many backs got that,” he said when referring to his yards per carry.

Since being drafted in the second round by the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins has missed 43 games due to several injuries, including a torn ACL, torn LCL and a torn Achilles tendon.

AT OTAs, Dobbins talked about how he’s healthy, ready to dispel the injury-prone narrative and return to form.

In 24 games in Baltimore, Dobbins rushed for 1,347 yards and 12 touchdowns, which included an eye-popping rookie campaign with 805 rushing yards on 134 carries (6.0 yards per attempt) and nine touchdowns.

If he can stay on the field, he will supply the offense with one of the most explosive backs, with a skill set that features good elusiveness and pass-catching ability.

“I feel like I’m in college out there right now,” Dobbins said. “And I do think that the storm is over. Now I’m on a new journey, a healthy journey this year. You guys will see — it’ll be special.”

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 2

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 2 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Thursday at The Bolts in El Segundo, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free (with tickets), 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.

Jim Harbaugh heaps high praise on Quentin Johnston: ‘He’s gonna be a problem’

Quentin Johnston had a solid showing on the first day of Chargers training camp.

One Chargers player looking to have a bounce-back season is wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Johnston, last year’s first-round pick out of TCU, dealt with some growing pains in his rookie campaign.

Despite Johnston’s struggles in Year 1, head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to leave them a thing of the past.

“I just think he got a bad rap,” Harbaugh said about Johnston. “I look at some of the clips coming out of training camp last year. Whatever it was, it just seemed like in somebody’s mind he was a disappointment. He hasn’t been that at all in my eyes.”

Johnston’s problems stemmed from dropped passes and struggling to create separation in his routes. But in Harbaugh’s eyes, Johnston has the makings of being a dominant wideout with the tantalizing traits the Chargers hoped to get last season.

“I see big, fast, strong, getting stronger,” Harbaugh added. “I think that’s a piece that’s really been addressed in the offseason with coach (Ben) Herbert. And Quentin, just getting stronger to go with that. With that speed, the agility, his ability to catch the ball, he plucks it out of the air. He’s as good as anybody doing it. But then combining that speed and agility, getting that strength component to go along with it, he’s going to be a problem. He’s going to be a problem for people.”

Johnston caught three passes on four targets on Wednesday, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. Popper added that Johnston looked sharper in his routes.

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, Los Angeles needs guys to step up in the positional room. Johnston can make his mark and dispel the narrative of being a wasted first-round pick.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 1

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 1 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers started training camp on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

Training camp is free (with a ticket), but if you cannot attend, you will still be informed of the action throughout it.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Chargers’ Josh Palmer making sure he’s not forgotten in top-heavy wide receiver room

Chargers WR Josh Palmer made a spectacular catch at training camp.

Heading into the season, the Chargers’ wide receiver room is headlined by veterans Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and first-round pick Quentin Johnston, while third-year Josh Palmer has been overshadowed by them.

During Tuesday’s practice, Palmer made a spectacular play with a leaping, one-handed catch with Asante Samuel Jr. in coverage in a one-on-one drill, reminding everyone that he’s just as important to the positional group.

“We feel like Josh is an elite player,” Brandon Staley said. “Our entire coaching staff will tell you the same. Through two years, he’s done a lot for us. Last year, over 70 catches. He’s a very complete receiver. You can line him up anywhere. He’s outstanding in the release game. He’s very strong.”

Last season, Los Angeles spent a good chunk of time without Allen and Williams due to their respective injuries. That led to Justin Herbert relying on other targets. Palmer seized his opportunities.

Palmer finished with 72 receptions for 769 yards. Weeks 9 and 11 were his most prominent games, amassing 106 receiving yards in each contest. He ended up establishing himself as a reliable target for Herbert.

“There’s a trust factor,” Staley said. “Justin will wait for him. Justin now knows where he can hit Josh in that sweet spot. Josh is a very, very complete player and he is a weapon and we’re excited to have him.”

Despite being No. 4 on the depth chart after the pick of Johnston, Palmer is not phased and he’s eager to be a significant contributor when his name is called this season.

“I feel like he’s got the same motivation,” Williams said. “Just to be in this league, you’ve got to be motivated. Show up every day, put the work in if you want to stay in this league. So, I feel like he’s always been motivated.”

Palmer’s target share will likely take a slight dip. Still, he is one injury away from resuming a more prominent role. Looking beyond 2023, if Allen or Williams isn’t back, Palmer should be a starter.

Asante Samuel Jr. ‘feeling good’ entering Year 3 with Chargers

Asante Samuel Jr. has been a bright spot for the Chargers in training camp.

In the last game cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. played in, he finished with three interceptions as the Chargers were shocked by the Jaguars in the Wild Card game.

Fast forward a few months to training camp, and Samuel has not skipped a beat.

Samuel has been a bright spot on the defense, especially on Wednesday during the two-minute toward the end of practice. He broke up three passes on the final drive in the red zone to seal the deal for the defensive unit.

“I’m just trying to get better and make plays for this team,” Samuel said following Wednesday’s practice.

“I’m feeling good. I feel like our team is getting better each and every day,” Samuel added. “We’re just competing really hard. We’re making each other better.”

Samuel has been impressive in coverage in his first two seasons in the NFL. Those skills have been on display on the practice field, as he has made great plays through the air nearly every day.

Samuel has played both along the boundary and in the slot, having his versatility utilized. With J.C. Jackson returning from his knee injury and Michael Davis handling the other outside spot, Samuel will likely play inside to start out the season and kick out depending on the matchup.

“Asante in his first two years, he has started every single game of his pro career,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “There has not been one game that he has been active for that he has not been a starter. He has earned that. He has gotten better and better both years.

“Going into this training camp, we’ve been able to see the versatility that we know that he has, but because of our depth and quality, we feel like we can put him in there more,” Staley added.

“He’s really improved inside because it’s a position that’s difficult to master, especially the way we play. We put a lot on that position. It’s not an easy position to play for us. It’s a feature position in our defense.

While strong against the pass, one of Samuel’s areas of improvement is in run support. In his rookie season, Samuel had a 20% missed tackle rate. Even though it dropped last season, it was still at 10%. Staley, however, feels like he is getting better in that department.

“He’s playing, from a technique standpoint, a lot better because he’s in there a lot more. I think you’ve seen, throughout these practices, him making plays outside and inside. He has to cover the tough guys in both places. He’s also done a good job in run support. He just needs to keep improving.”

Chargers CB J.C. Jackson continues to make strides in return from injury

One of the most encouraging takeaways as the Chargers kicked off training camp was seeing J.C. Jackson participating in team drills.

One of the most encouraging takeaways as the Chargers kicked off training camp was seeing cornerback J.C. Jackson on the field.

Jackson participated in seven-on-seven on Day 1 before sitting out of team drills Thursday. He then participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time Saturday.

Head coach Brandon Staley commented on Jackson’s road to recovery, stating that it’s all part of the ramp-up plan as he continues to work his way back from his season-ending knee injury in October.

He got a little bit more work than he did the first couple of days. As long as he keeps progressing, then that’s going to be the plan. [Director of Player Health, Wellness and Performance] Marco Zucconi and [Head Athletic Trainer] Sal [Lopez] are doing a really good job working him back into practice. He has looked strong and healthy. He’s been on top of his assignments. We’re a much better team with him out there.

Before the injury, Jackson struggled in his first season with the Bolts, as he allowed a 149.3 passer rating when targeted through five games. They hope he can return to his 2021 All-Pro form when he was with the Patriots.

That year, Jackson finished with eight interceptions (second-most) and a league-leading 23 pass deflections.

If Jackson is healthy when the regular season starts, he will start on the outside alongside Michael Davis. Ja’Sir Taylor or Asante Samuel Jr. will play in the slot, depending on the matchup, on a week-to-week basis.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 2

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 2 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Thursday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

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.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 1

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 1 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers started training camp on Wednesday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

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 in attendance and fan posts.