Tag: Chargers OTAs

What we learned about Chargers rookie OT Rashawn Slater during spring practices

The Los Angeles Chargers’ first-round pick made a good early impression.

The Chargers landed a gem in offensive tackle Rashawn Slater with their first-round pick in this year’s draft.

How did Slater do during the offseason workouts the past couple of months? ESPN’s Shelley Smith was in attendance for the team’s organized team activities, where she was able to see him firsthand.

Slater is solid, if not a bit smaller than you would expect. Nicknamed “The Wall,” he opted out of the 2020 season at Northwestern, but in 2019 he allowed zero sacks and was awesome against Ohio State’s star pass-rusher Chase Young, the No. 2 overall pick last year. There were some pre-draft questions about Slater’s arm length, which didn’t seem to pose a problem in shorts and cleats.

Smith highlights Slater’s physical traits, which were seen as a potential issue for him to stick at the tackle at this level throughout the pre-draft process. However, he has appeared to defy the odds in the early going.

While there may still be concerns with Slater’s long-term outlook at tackle, he is technically sound, very intelligent, physical and consistent which shows both in the pass- and run-blocking department to stick around there.

During OTAs, Slater was with the first-team offense, with the rest of the line consisting of Matt Feiler at left guard, Corey Linsley at center, Oday Aboushi at right guard and Bryan Bulaga at right tackle.

Even though there wasn’t any contact, it’s good to hear that Slater did well this spring. Onto training camp next month, where he will really get to show his worth in one-on-ones against edge defender Joey Bosa.

Chargers rookies understanding value of special teams

The first-year players get that jobs are won based on how they do on special teams units.

First-year players enter the NFL with the expectations of seeing the field at their perspective positions early on. However, the chances of that occurring are slim. Instead, they must prove their worths on special teams.

Special teams is important because it’s a stepping stool which works to help young players get acclimated to the speed of the game, one of the biggest adjustments to coming into this league.

For the Chargers, it’s especially vital after finishing as the worst special teams unit last season. The team is optimistic that this year’s rookie class will be able to aide in that department moving forward.

“All of the rookie class, they’ve really been good at absorbing the things that we’ve been putting in,” special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II said. “I think that they can all contribute at some point.”

In particular, two players highlighted by Swinton that have grasped the concepts quickly are Chris Rumph II and Nick Niemann due to their collegiate experiences at Duke and Iowa.

An undrafted rookie who is looking to earn a spot on the 53-man roster is Amen Ogbongbemiga, who has also caught the eye of Swinton.

While the majority of the rookies may not get snaps early on, that could change at any given time based on how they perform at simply covering a kick.

Chargers rookie TE Tre’ McKitty impresses with intelligence at spring practices

The Los Angeles Chargers’ third-round pick made an impression at OTAs.

When a rookie arrives in the spring, they typically spend that time getting adapted to the playbook and learning all the nuances of the NFL. But for tight end Tre’ McKitty, he seems to be ahead of the curve.

Veteran TE Jared Cook mentioned McKitty when asked about the group as a whole, highlighting his ability to absorb information and translate it to the field.

“I’m impressed,” Cook said. Very smart individual. He actually understands the offense, and you don’t really see rookies understand the playbook until training camp.

McKitty was drafted for his blocking skills, where he will have a role as an in-line blocker right off the bat in offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system. However, he has more potential to make an impact through the air than most realize.

While he was not that used that much in the passing game in college, McKitty has the athleticism, ability to separate at the top of routes, a frame and great hands, along with impressive power and contact balance to gain yards after the catch.

It might not be from the get-go that he gets targets since Cook and Donald Parham are ahead of him on the depth chart, but don’t be surprised if McKitty carves up a role in that department sooner than later.

Chargers’ Uchenna Nwosu on Kyler Fackrell: ‘If anything ever goes wrong, we can always count on him’

Chargers edge defender Kyler Fackrell’s experience and skillset will pay off.

The Chargers will have some new faces in the edge defender positional room. Among them is Kyler Fackrell, who was signed earlier this offseason.

Fackrell brings plenty of experience, having six seasons in the NFL under his belt, both as a starter and a rotational pass-rusher.

Expected to start opposite Joey Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu talked to the media recently about how Fackrell will benefit the group.

“He’s been in the league for six years, so he’s played a lot of ball,” Nwosu said. “He has a lot of wisdom and intelligence behind him. We know that if anything ever goes wrong, we can always count on him.

He always knows what to do and he’s always in the right positions at the right time. I just can’t wait to get on the field with him and, together, see what we can do.”

In desire for more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Fackrell is a guy that the team will be able to rely on.

Drafted by the Packers in 2016, 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 serve as a situational pass-rusher, barring any injury to Joey Bosa or Nwosu. On top of that, he will be a special teams ace.

Chargers’ Chase Daniel playing key role in quarterbacks room

Chargers quarterback Chase Daniel’s mentorship skills are paying dividends.

Chargers quarterback Chase Daniel’s money has been made not on the field, but from the sideline.

Signed in March to serve as Justin Herbert’s backup, Daniel’s presence has been paying off in the early stages of preparation for the upcoming season.

As Herbert learns the new offense under Joe Lombardi, Daniel has been aiding in the transition since he spent four seasons as Drew Brees’ backup with the Saints, which is what the system will draw parallels to.

“Chase has just brought a wealth of experience,” quarterback coach Shane Day said. “He’s helped us tremendously. He’s helped me tremendously. We have some great conversations in the quarterback room, and he’s able to bring all that experience that he’s had in the Saints offense and kind of bring it alive.

And he’s also got a great personality. He’s been great for the room that way, too. I’m glad that we were able to get him, not only from the standpoint of teaching and kind of mentoring Justin, but he’s been able to give me some real-life experience, which is great, for this offense that I haven’t been a part of. So he’s been outstanding.”

According to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Daniel has been monitoring Easton Stick on the second field while listening and observing Herbert over on the first field during the play calls since New Orleans’ offense possesses more complex wordage.

Daniel and Stick will be in competition for the No. 2 spot, but the veteran has the leg up due to his mentorship skills and familiarity with the offense.

Chargers undrafted rookie draws praise from special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II

The Los Angeles Chargers could have a special teams standout on their hands.

One of the areas that the Chargers will need to make sure they are equipped with this upcoming season is special teams competency after finishing as the worst unit in 2020.

Los Angeles has steadily brought in players this offseason that they’re confident will aide in that department, and one of them could be an undrafted rookie.

At Tuesday’s media availability, special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II said former Oklahoma State linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga has been a player that has stood out thus far during rookie minicamp and OTAs.

Ogbongbemiga finished as the second-leading tackler for the Cowboys in 2019 and 2020, making a combined 181 stops. Prior to working his way to the field, he was a special teams standout his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Ogbongbemiga, who amassed over 500 special teams snaps in college, would unlikely get snaps at linebacker, but his range and solid tackling ability would make him a valuable asset on coverage units from Day 1.

Nasir Adderley embracing versatility with Chargers

Nasir Adderley will wear multiple hats this upcoming season for the Chargers.

The Chargers drafted Nasir Adderley with the thought of him being the team’s starting free safety. His rookie season was held back by an injury and in his sophomore season, Adderley struggled in that role.

In Year 3, Adderley is primed for a breakout season since he will be playing for coach that’s proven at getting the most out of his defensive backs.

Part of the way head coach Brandon Staley does this is by playing them in various roles, which is what Adderley is capable of since he defended the slot and even played some cornerback in college at Delaware.

At Tuesday’s media availability, Adderley said that Staley told him last week that the coaching staff was going to expand his role, with the expectation to play some corner.

Adderley added that the whole defensive back room has been honing in on versatility so they can each fill multiple roles.

Between Derwin James and Adderley, Staley believes he has two starting safeties with positional flexibility who can operate comfortably in the deep part of the field and play closer to the line of scrimmage.

“Very very excited. It is different but very exciting defense,” Adderley said, adding that he feels “the sky is the limit.”

Nasir Adderley embracing versatility with Chargers

Nasir Adderley will wear multiple hats this upcoming season for the Chargers.

The Chargers drafted Nasir Adderley with the thought of him being the team’s starting free safety. His rookie season was held back by an injury and in his sophomore season, Adderley struggled in that role.

In Year 3, Adderley is primed for a breakout season since he will be playing for coach that’s proven at getting the most out of his defensive backs.

Part of the way head coach Brandon Staley does this is by playing them in various roles, which is what Adderley is capable of since he defended the slot and even played some cornerback in college at Delaware.

At Tuesday’s media availability, Adderley said that Staley told him last week that the coaching staff was going to expand his role, with the expectation to play some corner.

Adderley added that the whole defensive back room has been honing in on versatility so they can each fill multiple roles.

Between Derwin James and Adderley, Staley believes he has two starting safeties with positional flexibility who can operate comfortably in the deep part of the field and play closer to the line of scrimmage.

“Very very excited. It is different but very exciting defense,” Adderley said, adding that he feels “the sky is the limit.”

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray says new defense is perfect fit

Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray should benefit immensely from Brandon Staley’s defense.

In his rookie season, Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray showed glimpses of how dominant of a player he could really be in this league.

Heading into his sophomore season, which will feature a new defense under first-year head coach Brandon Staley, Murray is capable of coming into his own.

At Tuesday’s media availability, Murray said he is happy because Staley’s defense fits perfectly into how he plays the game. He said he will play more downhill, blitzing more, and playing more aggressive.

In former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s 4-3 system, Murray still managed to lead all first-year linebackers in snaps (902) and tackles (106).

While he wasn’t the most adept player in coverage, Murray was one of the better rookie run defenders last season, always aware and around the football and rarely missing tackles.

Looking ahead to this season, Staley’s 3-4 defense that is constantly showing different looks will play more to his strengths, which are as a run defender and a blitzer.

Murray is at his best when making plays in front of him, attacking alleys or shutting down perimeter plays. While he was not tasked with blitzing much in 2020, Murray showed in college that he is explosive between gaps or around the edge.

Just barely scratching the surface, Murray is confident that playing for Staley will take his game to the next level.

“He tries to take advantages of matchups and exploit weaknesses of the offense,” Murray said when asked about Staley’s defense.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen talks new offense, impressions of Brandon Staley

Find out what Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen thinks of the new coaching staff.

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is set to play under his third offensive coordinator since entering the league back in 2013.

At Monday’s media availability, Allen talked about OC Joe Lombardi’s offense, saying that it is very similar to the one they used last year, but with different terminology and not as strict, adding that he feels that’ll allow them to be able to play more freely.

Lombardi is a Saints HC Sean Payton disciple who leaned heavily on the pass when he was the offensive coordinator in with the Lions. The plan is to mesh some of the concepts learned in New Orleans and what worked for Herbert in college and his rookie season.

Allen also had high praise for his new head coach, Brandon Staley.

“I feel like we have a great staff,” Allen said. “I feel good about Coach Staley. I feel like he’s smart and he knows the game well. I love the way he talks. He talks with passion, energy and confidence. I’m excited.”

Allen, who’s entering Year 9, will be a key piece of the new offense. He will look to surpass 1,000 receiving yards after falling eight yards shy from achieving the feat for the fourth-straight season in 2020.