Tag: Chargers Giff Smith

Interim HC Giff Smith keeping Chargers focused on finishing strong

Giff Smith spoke with the media for the first time since being named interim head coach.

Despite there not being much to play for, sitting at 5-9, Chargers interim head coach Giff Smith is making sure the team is staying focused for the final three games of the season.

“We’ve got a three-week season and we’re going to play to win.”

Smith takes over for Brandon Staley, who was fired after going 24-25 in nearly three seasons. He has been with the organization since 2016 when he started as the defensive line coach before becoming the outside linebackers coach in 2022.

Staley was let go following the embarrassing 63-21 loss to the Raiders last Thursday night. Instead of reflecting on that game, Smith and everyone else only has their eyes set on this Saturday’s contest against the Bills.

“It was embarrassing to everybody involved in it. I take that with me, since I’m the man in charge now. We’re moving past that,” he said. “We have three weeks to show the character of the men and the coaching staff that we are, to go out there and compete.”

After this weekend, the Chargers will be on the road to face the Broncos before finishing the season at home against the Chiefs.

As he gets ready for his first game as an NFL head coach, Smith has received advice from multiple people, but the best piece of advice has come from Chan Gailey, who had Smith on his staffs at Georgia Tech and the Bills

“I thought that Chan Gailey had a great one,” Smith said. “He said, ‘All of those suggestions and thoughts that you had are now decisions. Good luck.'”

2021 NFL draft: Chargers DL coach attends Houston’s pro day for Payton Turner

The Los Angeles Chargers are doing their homework on a projected Day 2 defensive lineman.

On Thursday, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said that the team did not send any coaches to pro days this offseason, adding he preferred the convenience of being at “home base.”

However, the exception was defensive line coach Giff Smith, who was in attendance for Houston’s pro day on Friday, where edge defender Payton Turner was on display.

There, Turner, the 6-foot-5 and 268 pounder, likely caught the attention of Smith, posting a 35.5-inch vertical jump, an unofficial 6.70 in the three-cone and a 4.25 in the short shuttle.

After spending the majority his career for the Cougars as an interior defender, Turner slimmed down prior to the 2020 season, where he enjoyed arguably his most productive yet, totaling 25 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and a forced fumble in just five games.

Turner is a long-bodied, high motored athlete who moves well for his size, displaying first-step quickness, ankle flexion and closing burst. He also possesses plus power and strength in his upper and lower body.

If Los Angeles selected him, Turner could be a versatile piece along the defensive line, capable of playing standing up or in a three-point stance on the outside, and also kick inside to the 4i-tech position.

Turner currently projects as a second- third-round selection.