Tag: Chargers Derwin James

Chargers’ Derwin James makes presence felt in return

Derwin James is a rare breed, and the Chargers are a better team when he’s on the field.

It was exactly a year, eight months and 14 days when Derwin James last made an appearance in a regular season game.

After missing the entire 2020 season with a knee injury, James returned to the action on Sunday against Washington, and the All-Pro safety did not lose a step.

Playing every defensive snap and lining up all across the formation, James made his presence felt – moving at a different speed than everyone else on the field, staying in phase in coverage, showing the range and body control to make plays on the football and the power as a tackler.

As a result, James finished second on the team with seven total tackles and a pass deflection. But the feat that stands out the most is that he recorded a 90.0 grade (second among safeties) and a 90.2 coverage grade (first among safeties), per Pro Football Focus.

Following the Chargers’ victory, head coach Brandon Staley gave out three game balls, and one of them went to James. While he earned it with his performance, it’s the message that Staley shared that validates how much of a difference-maker James truly is.

“One guy has been through a lot the past two years. We all know what our record is with Derwin James. We all know what our record is without the guy. We all know what he means. Without this guy, this whole movie is different,” Staley said.

At the end of the day, if James can stay on the field for the remainder of the season, Los Angeles’ chances of making a deep run will be at an all-time high.

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.

Where Chargers’ Derwin James ranks among ESPN’s top safeties

50 league executives, coaches, scouts, and players ranked the top safeties in the NFL.

It only took one season, which came back in 2018, for Derwin James to solidify as one of the premiere players at his position.

After surveying over 50 league executives, coaches, scouts, and players, where does James rank among the rest of the crop at his position ahead of the 2021 season?

James checked in as the ninth-best safety ahead of the year, which is five spots lower than what he was listed last year, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The reason why James checked in lower than anticipated is primarily due to the fact that he didn’t log a single snap last season because he was held back by a knee injury.

Had he been healthy, James would’ve likely been among the top-three safeties in this league.

“He’d be a lot higher if healthy, obviously,” an NFC defensive coach said. “The year that guy had [in 2018], holy s—. Off the chain. You’d say he’s better than just about anybody.”

Back in his rookie campaign, James recorded 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and 13 passes defended en route to being selected first team All-Pro.

After missing 27 games the past two seasons, the hope is that James is able to stay healthy because when he is on the field, the team’s chances of winning increase by a lot due to his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways.

The do-it-all defender has range to cover at deep safety, the speed to cover a slot receiver and the size and physicality to cover the best tight ends and move near the line of scrimmage and make an impact against the run or as a blitzer.

Derwin James talks expectations for Chargers’ defense in 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers have the opportunity to boast a top defense in the 2020 season.

Chargers safety Derwin James is entering his third season as a professional.

After finishing his rookie season with Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades under his belt, the expectations were high for the former Florida State product going into the 2019 season.

Unfortunately, a foot injury sustained during training camp of last year wiped out nearly all of his sophomore campaign. Upon returning in Week 12, James reminded all how much of a difference-maker he is.

In five games, he finished the season with 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and passes defensed.

Now completely healthy, James is eager to turn heads once again this upcoming season.

The only difference between this year and last year is that Los Angeles will have more reinforcements on the defensive side of the ball to help become one of the top units in the NFL, including four-time Pro Bowler cornerback Chris Harris Jr, who was acquired in free agency.

“I know Chris,” James said. “I knew of Chris before we traded for him. I always thought that he was a great player and I feel like he still has a lot in the tank – and I feel like just adding him will allow the defense to be very multiple.”

In addition, the Chargers traded up for linebacker Kenneth Murray in last week’s NFL draft. Murray joins the company of rookie standout from last season, LB Drue Tranquill.

“He a dog,” James said about Murray. “Sideline to sideline he makes plays that jump out.” James expects Murray to make an “immediate impact.”

Although the pieces to becoming an elite defense are in place, the thing that matters the most is what they do on the field. James believes that forcing turnovers will be the most crucial this season, as they ranked second-worst in 2019 with a -17 turnover differential.

“Takeaways. I feel like we gotta get the ball. It’s all about the ball. Last year we were down in the takeaways margin, and I feel like getting more takeaways and the ball. Whether it’s sacks, interceptions or fumbles, we just need to get the ball more,” James said.