Tag: Chargers Mandatory Minicamp

Highlights from Day 2 of Chargers mandatory minicamp

The Chargers wrapped up their second and final day of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday.

The Chargers wrapped up their second day of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday.

To experience some of the action that went down at Hoag Performance Center, here are a few clips from the team’s official Twitter account and members of the media.

Highlights from Day 1 of Chargers mandatory minicamp

Check out some of the action at Hoag Performance Center.

The Chargers wrapped up their first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

To see some of the action that went down at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA, here are a few clips from the team’s official Twitter account and members of the media.

 

Chargers’ Derwin James limited at mandatory minicamp

Chargers safety Derwin James underwent shoulder surgery in February.

The Chargers opened up their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. While the team had every player in attendance, not everyone participated in all of the drills, including star safety Derwin James.

According to head coach Brandon Staley, James had surgery on the labrum in his left shoulder after the Pro Bowl in February. As a result, he was limited to 11-on-11 walk-through drills at a jogging pace.

“Derwin didn’t participate in any of the seven-on-seven this spring because of him coming off the labrum surgery,” Staley said. “We wanted to make sure he stayed out of the competitive seven-on-seven. He did all the individual work.”

Staley called it “precautionary,” and that James should be ready to go when training camp starts next month.

In 15 games last season, James had two interceptions, five passes defended and three forced fumbles. This came after being limited to five games in his sophomore season and missing all of the 2020 season with a knee injury.

3 takeaways from Chargers minicamp

With that 2021 camp finally under the Chargers’ belt, let’s look at three very early takeaways.

The Chargers wrapped up their two-day minicamp on Wednesday to cap a productive spring under first-year head coach Brandon Staley.

Here are a few takeaways from this past week, as the team has begun to take shape.

Justin Herbert impressing

Herbert is entering Year 2, eager to build off of his sensational rookie campaign. Even though he will have a new play-caller in Joe Lombardi, the 23-year old impressed those around him with how quickly he’s picking up and taking control of the offense.

“He’s doing a good job of getting the offense down,” tight end Jared Cook said of Herbert. “I’ve seen some quarterbacks his age in this offense that just don’t get it. What I see from him is that the corrections that he’s making aren’t big ones, but the little ones that he makes, he picks up on them fast.

He changes it. It’s not a repetitive correction thing, which is what you see out of a lot of young guys, no matter what position, in the league. There are those mistakes that you have to get rid of and I don’t see any of that from him. He’s been on it, man.”

All-Pro center Corey Linsley said, “He’s picking it up really, really fast.”

Defense receives rave reviews

In addition to the new offense, the Chargers will also playing in a new defensive system, which will be led by the defensive mind of Staley.

After spending the last few seasons in Gus Bradley’s scheme, players are excited to be playing under Staley, who is going to maximize their skillsets more so than their previous defensive coordinator.

Players like linebacker Drue Tranquill, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and edge defender Joey Bosa are big fans of the fact that they will be put in the best positions to succeed, no matter what the opposing offenses are throwing at them.

The plan is to be multiple and have defenses in place that can match up against any scheme.

Staley creating a culture

Despite being the third-youngest head coach in the NFL, Staley has presented himself like he’s been coaching in the league for well over 10 years.

Not only is Staley one of the best in the NFL at coaching the defensive side of the ball, but he’s up there in terms of building buy-in with the team, as has taken the necessary steps to build trust with his players.

Players had nothing but great things to say about Staley, including star running back Austin Ekeler, who said that his first conversation with him wasn’t even about football.

“He called me and just wanted to talk about just life,” Ekeler said, “and I thought that was really special, just because getting to know someone and getting to see their values really helps me connect and helps everyone really connect as far as wanting to play for this person and actually care about what they’re saying.”

To Staley, the foundation for the team will start with “relationships” and the second will be “competition.”

“I think that the more you know one another, the more you can accomplish,” Staley said. “When there’s a foundation and a relationship, you know exactly how one another operates.

If you operate under the premise that we’re all different — like, I can’t coach Austin the same way that I coach [CB] Chris [Harris Jr.], because they’re different people.

The only way that I would know that is if I really dive into them. It takes a lot of time and investment to do that, but that’s why they call it an investment. You invest in someone for a return later on.”

Watch Chargers HC Brandon Staley mic’d up at mandatory minicamp practice

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley’s energy is contagious.

The preparation for the upcoming season for the Chargers is officially underway, with first-year head coach Brandon Staley the man in charge.

Since walking into the building, Staley has done a great job of setting the tone and building buy-in of those around him.

Only 38 years of age, Staley has a demeanor of veteran head coach and that presence was on full display at mandatory minicamp this past week, where he was mic’d up.

Check out how Staley interacts with the players in a way that he’s able to connect with them and how he’s established a fine-tuned culture.

The Chargers now have a little over a month off until they’re all gas, no breaks in training camp on July 27 in preparation for the upcoming season.

Chargers’ Joey Bosa getting adjusted to new defensive system

Chargers edge defender Joey Bosa will be an integral piece of head coach Brandon Staley’s defense.

Chargers edge defender Joey Bosa is heading into his sixth season with the same responsibilities of being as disruptive as possible in opposing backfields, but in a new defense under head coach Brandon Staley.

Bosa, who fielded questions from the media after Wednesday’s session at mandatory minicamp, talked about the adjustments that he’s having to make to get adapted to the system.

While he did mention that he will be tasked with dropping back into coverage more than he did in previous seasons, Bosa’s main priority is still to get after the quarterback.

“It’ll just take some time getting used to the play calls and understanding that aspect of it,” Bosa said. “Whatever my role is, I feel confident that they’re going to put me in a great position. They know what they’re doing.”

Bosa did not elaborate too much on his role, but he did say that Staley’s defense is going to put the best players in a good position and trying to get one-on-ones, adding that it’s about trying to exploit the offense.

Bosa will be an integral piece of the defense, where it’s expected that he will play on the edge of the line as an outside pass rusher, and a little bit closer to the ball as an interior defensive lineman because he has the length and strength to be able to anchor, too.

Bosa appeared in 12 games in 2020, recording 7.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 27 quarterback hits.

Highlights from Day 2 of Chargers mandatory minicamp

Take a look at the Los Angeles Chargers during the second day of minicamp practices.

The Los Angeles Chargers wrapped up their second day of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday.

To experience some of the action that went down at Hoag Performance Center, here are a few clips from the team’s official Twitter account and members of the media.

Highlights from Day 2 of Chargers mandatory minicamp

Take a look at the Los Angeles Chargers during the second day of minicamp practices.

The Los Angeles Chargers wrapped up their second day of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday.

To experience some of the action that went down at Hoag Performance Center, here are a few clips from the team’s official Twitter account and members of the media.

Drew Brees gives high praise to Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Drew Brees believes that Justin Herbert is in good hands being in Joe Lombardi’s offense.

The Chargers had a special guest at Day 2 of mandatory minicamp, as former Saints quarterback Drew Brees was in attendance.

Officially retired and making the transition to broadcasting, Brees was also there for a mock production meeting with NBC Sports.

With Brees there, there was some familiarity on the field. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was his quarterbacks coach in New Orleans, and now Lombardi is tasked with the continued development of QB Justin Herbert.

Brees, who’s been really impressed with the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, was asked what he thought of him by media.

“There’s no doubt, I think his physical tools are as good as anybody I’ve ever seen,” Brees said. “By all accounts, he’s a great worker. He’s got great leadership qualities, he’s got a lot of intangibles. So I think the sky is the limit for a guy like him.

Brees believes that Herbert is an ideal situation with him playing in Lombardi’s offense.

“I love the fact that he’s in this offense with Joe Lombardi. Lombardi comes from the New Orleans Saints, was my quarterbacks coach for almost all 15 years there.

So I think he brings a ton of knowledge and experience — not only coaching quarterbacks but also within the system that we ran. And I think he’ll be able to tailor-make that for Justin’s skills, and obviously the tools and weapons that he has around him.”

Chargers CB Chris Harris Jr. values familiarity with defensive system

Chargers cornerback Chris Harris Jr. expressed his excitement to be playing in a system he’s familiar with.

This won’t be the first time that cornerback Chris Harris Jr. has been on the same team as Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.

Harris spent nine seasons with the Broncos, which included one with Staley (2019), who was then Denver’s outside linebackers coach.

His lone stint with Staley was also the only year that Vic Fangio coached Harris. This is significant because Staley’s scheme is going to draw some similarities to Fangio’s, so Harris already has a leg up.

“This year, I feel very comfortable [being in a system I’m familiar with]. I’m able to be that extra quarterback back there for these guys because they’re still learning the system, so it’s good to have me back there to be able to speed up their thinking and to help them out.”

In Staley’s defense, Harris, who has been practicing at multiple spots, will be tasked with playing his natural position inside the slot, near the boundary and dimebacker.

Harris will have more man coverage responsibilities, which is what he’s more comfortable with as opposed to heavy dosages of zone with former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley last season.

Harris said that Staley’s scheme is “night and day” and the “complete opposite” of Bradley’s scheme.