Tag: Chargers defense

Chargers DT Jerry Tillery ready to take his game to another level

Entering Year 3, Jerry Tillery is eager to be a consistent force in the trenches.

As defensive tackle Jerry Tillery enters his third season, the hope is that he’s able to supply the defense with a dominant presence up front.

Yet to really live up to his first round billing, Tillery has been working hard to master his craft and be a consistent force in the trenches. His teammate, Linval Joseph, believes this is the season where it all comes together.

“He’s taking it to another level,” Joseph said. He’s in the weight room. He’s studying more. He’s got some more questions. And I think he’s hungry. I think he’s ready to take that next step to be an elite rusher.”

At training camp, Tillery’s game has looked a lot more polished.

After an underwhelming rookie season, Tillery made some strides in 2020. His ascend came when he was kicked outside and experimented as a defensive end, showing more flashes as a pass rusher.

While he ran into penalty problems, Tillery saw his tackles (17 to 30), sacks (two to three), quarterback hits (three to 14), pressures (nine to 22) and forced fumbles (zero to two) all uptick from Year 1.

Looking ahead, Tillery is in a prime position to take the leap in a defense that caters to his skillset and play for Brandon Staley, who will put him in favorable matchups and give him more opportunities to disrupt plays.

“I am a really big fan of Jerry Tillery’s game,” Staley said. “I think this guy is a versatile inside player. This guy’s got real size, speed.

Chargers training camp: CB Asante Samuel Jr. starting to stand out

The Chargers second round pick has back-to-back solid outings.

As the Chargers are in the midst of situating the secondary, big contributions have started to be made by rookie Asante Samuel Jr.

Samuel, the team’s second round pick, began training camp working with the second and third team as an outside cornerback, but the past couple of days has seen him with the first team in the slot.

The former Florida State product’s performances have been compiled of multiple passes defensed and an almost interception that would have been taken back to the house.

While the majority of his work has come inside up to this point, the plan is for Samuel to have the versatility to play on the outside and slot, similar to how head coach Brandon Staley used Rams’ Troy Hill last season.

Samuel has the ability to thrive in multiple looks, which Staley loves to deploy. He’s comfortable in various coverage schemes and can make plays on the ball from any alignment.

“He’s going to play outside plenty whether we’re in four DBs or five or six,” Staley said. “But we’re trying to cross-train him inside so that you’re putting your best combination out there. The fact that ‘Sant has that type of skill set just increases our ability to flexible, multiple.”

Chargers training camp: Uchenna Nwosu vs. Kyler Fackrell an underrated battle

As the Chargers are set to throw on the pads, this will be one of the more monitored position battles.

Heading into Chargers training camp, Uchenna Nwosu was the presumed starting edge defender opposite Joey Bosa. However, the job is not guaranteed for him.

Instead, Nwosu is in the midst of a battle for the spot with Kyler Fackrell, who has been playing with the first-team defense up to this point.

Nwosu has still been rotating in with the 1s, but the coaching staff believes that Fackrell is just as capable to man an expanded role.

Signed this offseason, Fackrell has primarily served as a rotational player in his career, but he has made the most of his opportunities.

Fackrell has 20.5 sacks in five seasons, with his most productive season coming in 2018 when he had 10.5 sacks during his time with the Packers.

Fackrell is long, flexible, savvy with his hands, rangy, and competitive, with the proven skillset as a run defender, pass-rusher and coverage backer.

“I saw a guy in Green Bay who was a sack monster. Then, you turn back and go to New York, and now you have a guy playing in coverage and picking the ball off,” defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said.

His experience and versatility are coveted by the coaches, and they believe he’s going to be a good piece for the defense.

Nwosu, on the other hand, is in the final year of his contract with his eyes set on breaking out after being misused and given limited snaps in former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system.

Despite his snaps being under 40% in 45 career games, Nwosu has still totaled 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 59 quarterback pressures and 44 hurries, showing the upside to be a solid starter.

As the Bolts are set to practice in pads for the first time starting on Monday, this will be one of the more monitored position battles the rest of the way out.

“We’re gonna let those guys go and fight it out,” Hill said.

Hill added that no matter who comes out with the starting job, both players are expected to still play often during the season because of the many different packages.

Chargers training camp: Derwin James back ‘healthier than ever’

Chargers safety Derwin James is back and hitting the ground running.

After missing the entire 2020 season, Chargers safety Derwin James is back and hitting the ground running.

“I feel healthy, healthier than I have ever felt the past three to four years,” James said. “I’m ready to put the energy behind me and just play football.”

At practices James has been the primary play-caller on the defensive side of the ball, which is the role he will have during the regular season.

As expected, he has been wearing multiple hats, moving all across the defensive formation in Brandon Staley’s diverse defense.

“You’re going to see me everywhere,” James said.

It wasn’t long until James quickly established himself as one of the league’s best safeties. Unfortunately, injuries kept him from demonstrating dominance, playing in just 21 games while missing 27 since 2018.

When the former All-Pro safety is on the field, there’s no denying the team’s chances of success go up. The hope for this season is that James can stay on the field for the full 17-game slate and provide that big spark in 2021.

“This team is a lot different with him on the field,” Staley said about James.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley lauds linebacker group

Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White form a solid second-level trio.

Most teams have one solid linebacker. Some have two. But very few have three that can be counted on to step on the field and perform at a high level.

The Chargers fall under the latter, having a dominant trio made up of Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White.

Today at media availability, head coach Brandon Staley was asked about the position and he went on to call it a “strength of this football team,” adding that Murray, Tranquill and White have all played “winning football.”

In Staley’s defense, all three players will have roles that should benefit that side of the ball, given the fact that their responsibilities will cater to their strengths.

For Murray, he will be tasked with playing more downhill by using his speed and physicality to shine against the run and as a blitzer.

Tranquill’s intelligence, communication skills and high level of play as a run defender and coverage player will pay dividends at the second level.

White has the versatility to be flexed in the slot (Star) and fill a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money), with his ability to cover tight ends and support the run.

Given how much success Staley had with the Rams linebackers last season, I see big years from the three in this new scheme.

Situating the Chargers secondary: Brandon Facyson sees field as starting outside cornerback

Brandon Facyson has the early advantage over Asante Samuel Jr.

The Chargers drafted Asante Samuel Jr. in the second-round, but that doesn’t mean the rookie will be without competition.

Entering Year 4, Brandon Facyson will be pushing Samuel for the starting boundary corner opposite Michael Davis when the team deploys a dime or nickel look, which is the majority of the time in Brandon Staley’s defense.

Through one day of practice, Facyson has the early advantage, as he was manning the outside with the first team when Chris Harris Jr. was in the slot.

This alignment mirrors the one all throughout minicamp and OTAs.  Throughout the spring, the coaches had high praise for Facyson.

Up to this point in his career, Facyson has primarily been used as a reserve corner and primary special teamer, only making four starts in 44 games.

While his professional resume is limited, the coaching staff is appealed by Facyson’s athleticism, measurements and experience in a variety of techniques and coverages and in run support, and they believe his game can be maximized in the new system.

As for Samuel, he has only been a pro for a few months and he is still getting acclimated to the transition from the college level.

There are 16 practices and a three-game preseason slate left, so it’s anyone’s spot to win still. But in the early going, the staff appears to favoring Facyson’s potential in that role.

Chargers EDGE Kyler Fackrell talks about decision to sign with Chargers

Chargers edge defender Kyler Fackrell explains his decision to play for Los Angeles.

To add depth to the edge defender room, the Chargers signed Kyler Fackrell back in March.

Fackrell brings plenty of experience to Los Angeles, having six seasons in the NFL under his belt, four with the Packers and one with the Giants.

The decision to make the move to the West Coast was primarily to play for the defensive-minded head coach Brandon Staley.

“It had a lot to do with coach Staley,” Fackrell said. “I know Corey (Linsley) and I’m very excited to be back on a team with Corey and Bryan Bulaga. I was there (in Green Bay) with Jared Cook, too.

Those are all great guys. But really, it was the conversation that I had with coach Staley and learning his passion for football and for defense and it was kind of the energy that he brings.”

Serving as a backup to Joey Bosa and Uchenna Nwosu, Fackrell is a guy that the team will be able to rely on.

Fackrell has 20.5 sacks in five seasons, with his most productive season coming in 2018 when he had 10.5 sacks with Green Bay.

This season, Fackrell will have the opportunity to match his personal best by playing in Staley’s system that will get the most out of him by putting him in one-on-one situations and favorable matchups.

“It’s gonna be great for me, for us as EDGE players, and for us on defense.”

Better or Worse: Evaluating Chargers defense ahead of training camp

Breaking down the state of the Chargers’ defense heading into training camp.

The Chargers lost a few of their starters from last season, but added a few in correspondence via free agency and the draft.

But how do they compare from the end of the 2020 regular season to now?

First up was the offense. Now, we shift gears to the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive Line

Offseason moves: Lost Isaac Rochell as an unrestricted free agent to Colts. Signed Christian Covington.

Summary: On paper, the Chargers possess a decent-looking interior, with the starters being Linval Joseph, Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery. Joseph will start at nose tackle after a promising season. Jones has yet to unlock his full potential, but as a defensive end in the new scheme, his traits will do him wonders. Like Jones, Tillery will fit in perfectly, where his skillset profiles better, given his length, strength and power. Behind them, there’s Christian Covington, Cortez Broughton and Breiden Fehoko. Covington has proven himself as a valuable rotational defending who is capable of disrupting the backfield, whether it’s rushing the passer or stopping the run. Broughton hasn’t done much since entering the league in 2019, but he has some versatility. Fehoko, an undrafted free agent, showed promise at nose tackle in his rookie season in 2020.

Verdict: Same, lacking depth

Edge Defender/Outside Linebacker

Offseason moves: Signed Kyler Fackrell from Giants. Drafted Chris Rumph II (fourth-round). Lost Nick Vigil to Vikings. Melvin Ingram remains unsigned.

Summary: With Ingram no longer taking the spotlight, Uchenna Nwosu enters the season as a starter. Yet to display himself with a full-time role, the anticipation with Nwosu going into the 2021 season is real. Not only has he flashed enough to be an impactful starter but the sky is limit knowing what head coach Brandon Staley was able to produce a career year with Leonard Floyd with the Rams last season. Bosa, one of the team’s best defensive play-makers, will play on the “edge” of the defense, but he will be used inside and outside and will have a variety of responsibilities, with the primary one being to get after the quarterback. When the team deploys situational pass-rushers, Fackrell will be the go-to option. Rumph has plenty of potential but he will need to get stronger and put on more mass.

Verdict: Same

Inside Linebacker

Offseason moves: Drafted Nick Niemann (sixth-round). Lost Denzel Perryman to Panthers.

Summary: The highly anticipated duo of Kenneth Murray and Drue Tranquill was short-lived after Tranquill suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the 2020 season. After having nearly a full year to recover, the boys will be back in town. Murray experienced growing pains right off the bat, but he made consistent growth week in and week out, with his best football coming towards the end of the season. He should be in for a strong sophomore season. Having Tranquill’s play-making skills, both against the run and pass, will be very beneficial. Kyzir White has drawn some injury concerns, but he showed major strides last season. Like Tranquill and Murray, White could be due for his best season yet. Los Angeles added Niemann to primarily serve as a special teams ace.

Verdict: Same 

Cornerback

Offseason moves: Signed Ryan Smith. Re-signed Michael Davis and Brandon Facyson. Drafted Asante Samuel Jr. Released Casey Hayward.

Summary: Davis will fill in as one of the starters on the outside. Chris Harris Jr. will mainly man the slot, but he will move outside in base. Like how Staley used Troy Hill with the Rams, Samuel Jr. will be in a similar situation, playing inside and outside. Facyson, who impressed in spring practices, will be fighting for playing time. Smith has experience as a starter, but he was signed to help the special teams department. The team also has Tevaughn Campbell, Donte Vaughn and John Brannon, who will all be competing for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Verdict: Slightly better

Safety

Offseason moves: Drafted Mark Webb. Lost Rayshawn Jenkins to Jaguars.

Summary: The Chargers get the heart and soul of the defense back now that Derwin James is finally healthy after missing the entire 2020 season with an injury. Adderley enters year hopeful of turning things around after two rocky seasons. By utilizing his versatility and allowing him to be more aggressive, where he can play closer to the line of scrimmage, the staff believes they will be able to get the most out of him. Alohi Gilman, a sixth-round pick of last year’s draft, is a candidate to play that ‘Money’ role also known as a sub-package linebacker. Webb, this year’s seventh-round pick, is currently seen as special teams ace. However, his versatility, athleticism and traits in coverage and against the run could earn him playing time this season.

Verdict: Slightly better, lacking depth

Which Chargers defensive player will benefit most from new coaches?

Identifying the Chargers player on the defensive side of the ball that could be in for a big year.

For many, a new coaching staff brings a new opportunity to provide a first impression. For some, it’s a chance to be used properly. For others, it could be a chance to have the best coach in your career.

For the Chargers, there’s a handful of players that should benefit from first-year head coach Brandon Staley and the defensive staff that he brought in, but to me, there is one in particular that stands out.

Safety Nasir Adderley, who has is entering Year 3 and has yet to live up to the expectations that most second-round picks have, is due for a breakout season under Staley and defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill.

Adderley struggled in his second season after missing a good chunk of his rookie campaign due to a hamstring injury. While he showed some flashes in spurts, he was too inconsistent in the single-high role in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system.

Instead of assigning Adderley to the free safety position, Staley believes that he will be able to get the most out of him by utilizing his versatility and allowing him to play more aggressive, where he will be play in the slot (Star) and a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money).

Not only will the roles that Adderley will be tasked with favor his skillset and his style of play, his coaches have been proven to get the most out of their safeties.

Under Staley’s watch, he helped Rams’ John Johnson turn into one of the team’s top defensive play-makers, and former sixth-round pick Jordan Fuller into a solid starter in his rookie season.

On the other hand, Broncos’ Justin Simmons developed into a second-team All-Pro player in 2019 and a Pro Bowl selection in ’20 and Kareem Jackson was a dominant force in the back end under the guidance of Hill.

If Adderley takes the leap, him and Derwin James could easily be one of the top safety duos in this league.

DT Justin Jones: Chargers defense will be ‘scary for a lot of teams’ in 2021

Justin Jones raved about the Chargers’ new defense under Brandon Staley.

Heading into the 2021 season, the Chargers boast a talented crop of players on the defensive side of the ball.

On top of that, they will be in a system under the defensive mind of Brandon Staley that will bring out the strength of his players.

Instead of being scheme specific, Staley finds what his great players are elite at and what his good players are great at, and he builds from there.

Since he was hired, some of the top play-makers like Joey Bosa, Kenneth Murray and Chris Harris Jr. have expressed their enthusiasm about the new defense.

Justin Jones, who believes it will be a problem for opposing offenses, was the latest to rave about it.

“So just being able to do that, especially in this new scheme which enables everybody to be who they are as players, it’s just gonna be really cool and really scary for a lot of teams,” Jones said.

Last season, with Staley overseeing the Rams defense, the team finished first in defensive efficiency, yards allowed per game and points allowed per game, and tied for first in the NFL with four defensive touchdowns.

Staying healthy will be key but the Chargers defense has a good chance of finishing as one of the top three units by the end of the season.