Tag: Chargers preseason

4 Chargers on roster bubble who helped themselves in preseason opener

With the majority of the starters on the sideline, a few Chargers players on the bubble helped their cases.

The Chargers took care of business to open up the three-game preseason slate, defeating the Rams by the score of 13-6.

For the most part, the presumed starters that did play didn’t see the field all that much, which left more opportunities for players that are fighting for a roster spot to prove themselves to the coaching staff.

With that being said, let’s take a look at four bubble players who helped their cause on Sunday night.

CB John Brannon

The Chargers are set with Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr., Asante Samuel Jr., but there are a couple spots on the back end that need to be filled, and Brannon made his case with his outing. Heading into the game as the leader in interceptions in training camp with three, Brannon put himself at the top in the category in preseason play after picking off Devlin Hodges on a fourth-down play from the Bolts’ five-yard line that would’ve tied the game.

CB Kemon Hall

Brannon wasn’t the only one who stood out in the secondary. Hall also helped himself by making plays in all phases. Hall and Alohi Gilman caused a fumble. Serving as an additional blizter, Hall also generated a quarterback pressure to Bryce Perkins that forced him to throw the ball away. The play right after, he broke up a pass on third down. It was a great day for both players who head coach Brandon Staley has lauded throughout the summer.

DL Joe Gaziano

Throughout camp, all the attention has been drawn to Breiden Fehoko and Cortez Broughton as the guys fighting for a spot. But Gaziano gave us a reminder that he is not to be forgotten. After playing on the outside in his first two seasons, the move inside highlighted his strengths. Winning with heavy hands, strength and high effort, Gaziano applied interior pressure on a few occasions and a couple run stops behind the line of scrimmage. Undrafted free agent Forrest Merrill also flashed with a tackle for loss.

WR Jason Moore

If the Chargers go into the regular season with six wide receivers, there’s one spot that will need to be filled, assuming the first five are Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson. Yesterday, it was Moore who helped his stock. With balls thrown to him in tight coverage and out of his reach, Moore still managed to catch all three of his targets for 31 yards.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ victory over Rams in preseason opener

The first battle of SoFi Stadium went in favor of the Chargers.

In the first game where fans were allowed in SoFi Stadium, the Chargers came out on top, defeating the Rams by the score of 13-6.

Even though it was a preseason bout, Bolts and football fans alike still had their opinion on the first game of 2021. They went to social media to voice exactly what they thought.

Here’s a look at how Twitter reacted:

6 takeaways from Chargers’ preseason victory over Rams

Highlighting what stood out from the Chargers’ preseason victory over the Rams.

The Chargers kicked off the 2021 preseason with a win over the Rams in the first game that fans were allowed in SoFi Stadium by the score of 13-6.

With that being said, here are six of my biggest takeaways from the contest.

 

Chargers vs. Rams: Takeaways from first half of preseason opener

Highlighting the first half of the preseason matchup between the Chargers and Rams.

The Rams and Chargers are currently tied up in the preseason opener by the score of 6-6.

Here are a few quick takeaways from the first half of play:

Short lived, but so good

Rashawn Slater only played in the first drive of the game, but he showed a lot of promise. The majority of his work came against his former Northwestern teammate, Earnest Brown IV and he kept him at bay in pass protection and provided a charge in the running game by clearing lanes with pure strength and physicality.

Josh Palmer has the makings of a PPR monster

If you play fantasy football and you’re in a points per reception league, you just might want to target Palmer in your drafts. The rookie currently has six receptions for 36 yards. While the majority of his work has came in the short parts of the field, Palmer has consistently been open, which mirrors what he’s been showing throughout camp.

The Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White show

On defense, Tranquill and White were lights out. They were let loose, not only serving as defenders to fill holes at the line of scrimmage, but act as blitzers and move freely in space to prevent the pass and run, highlighting their speed.

Special teams coverage is still a work in progress

One of the main priorities was rebuilding the special teams department, including the coverage units, but they have done nothing to provide reason to be optimistic. Returners have had too much space to run. As a result, the Chargers have allowed a 25-yard average on kick returns and 23 on punt returns.

Chargers vs. Rams: 3 things to watch in preseason opener

The Los Angeles Chargers will play their first preseason game. Here are 3 things to watch in the matchup against the Rams.

The Chargers are set to take on the Rams at SoFi Stadium in the first preseason matchup on Saturday night in preparation for the regular season next month.

While some of the team’s starters won’t see the field at all or for a small duration, there are still some compelling storylines to monitor throughout the game.

With that being said, here are three things to watch for in Los Angeles’ preseason opener:

Play-calling & Personnel

Even though all of the team’s key players won’t be on the field, that doesn’t mean we won’t be able to see what head coach Brandon Staley and coordinators Joe Lombardi and Renaldo Hill are bringing to the table.

Going from Gus Bradley’s 4-3, Cover-3 defense to Staley’s multiple system, the Chargers will boast a scheme that’s more versatile and is consistently moving players around at all three levels to keep offenses guessing.

On offense, Lombardi’s philosophy is creating mismatches with various personnel packages. The plan is to incorporate the concepts he picked while with the Saints via the passing game and implement a zone run game, similar to 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan’s.

It will be quite the sight to watch it all unfold.

Rookies

Headlining the group are tackle Rashawn Slater, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and wide receiver Josh Palmer, but there are others worth monitoring tonight.

Tight end Tre’ McKitty was drafted to serve as a blocker, but can he make an impact in the passing game?

Lack of size was an issue for edge defender Chris Rumph II, but can he mask that with pure athleticism and high effort?

After playing tackle his entire college career, how does Brenden Jaimes look at guard?

Larry Rountree is at the bottom of the running back depth chart, but can he do enough on the ground, as a receiver, a blocker and on special teams to make a push to be over Joshua Kelley?

Undrafted free agents worth watching for are linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga and kicker Alex Kessman.

Special teams

The Chargers finished as the worst special teams department last season and they did everything to avoid replicating that by hiring Derius Swinton II and bringing in a few players to hopefully aide in it.

The kicker position is the most notable as there’s a three-way battle between Michael Badgley, Tristan Vizcaino and Kessman. Vizcaino currently has a slight leg up based on his performances in camp, but it’s anyone’s job to win in these games.

On the other hand, the coverage units are just as crucial. Not only will a fortified group go a long way, but who’s playing with which team and how they’re playing will tell us who has the edge to not only make the 53-man roster, but possibly head into the season as a starting special teamer.

3 defensive players to watch in Chargers’ preseason opener vs. Rams

Highlighting three Chargers defenders to keep an eye on in the preseason opener against the Rams.

Even though we likely won’t see much of the starters for the Chargers in the preseason opener against the Rams, there will still be enough to keep your eyes on Saturday night.

With that being said, here are three players on the defensive side of the ball to watch for when the two Los Angeles teams clash in SoFi Stadium, eager to make statements for themselves.

DT Justin Jones

Entering the final year of his contract, Jones is equipped to have his best season to date. Based on glimpses at practices, Jones has not only shown the ability to hold his own against the run but the movement skills and baseline pass rush moves to disrupt the backfield.

With head coach Brandon Staley utilizing multiple alignments, schemed twists/stunts, pressure packages and 1-on-1 matchups up front coupled with his skillset, it’ll be enticing to see the dominant force that Jones is capable of truly being.

LB Kyzir White

I’ve been tabbing White as one of the most underrated players on the team for years and after being overshadowed by others at the position, he is ready to make his mark in his fourth season.

White, who’s been lights out in camp, will be able to showcase his strength as a multi-dimensional defender in this system, with his ability to cover tight ends and play the run at a high level.

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

The Bolts drafted Samuel Jr. to strengthen the secondary and up to this point, it appears the selection was well worth it, as he has been impressive in coverage, even against wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Samuel Jr. has been lining up near the boundary and in the slot, which is what I’m expecting to be the case tonight. Seeing how he performs in both alignments and various coverages is something to watch for.

How to watch, listen, stream Chargers vs. Rams

Find out how to tune in to watch the Chargers take on the Rams in the preseason opener.

The Chargers are set to begin their three-game preseason slate.

Today, they kick it off in a bout against the Rams at SoFi Stadium, the home of both teams.

Here is everything you need to know so you can tune in:

Game Information

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams

Saturday, Aug. 14 — 7:00 p.m. PT

SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, CA

Television

The game will be nationally televised on NFL Network and on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and Orange County. Andrew Siciliano, Aqib Talib, Mina Kimes have the call on NFL Network while Spero Dedes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Dan Fouts will be on CBS.

Radio

ALT FM-98.7 (English broadcast)

FM 105.5/94.3 (Spanish broadcast)

Streaming

NFL Game Pass

FuboTV (try it for free).

3 offensive players to watch in Chargers’ preseason opener vs. Rams

Identifying three Chargers players on the offensive side of the ball to keep an eye on when they take on the Rams.

Even though we likely won’t see much of the starters for the Chargers in the preseason opener against the Rams, there will still be enough to keep your eyes on Saturday night.

With that being said, here are three players on the offensive side of the ball to watch for when the two Los Angeles teams clash in SoFi Stadium, eager to make statements.

OT Rashawn Slater

The Chargers struck gold with quarterback Justin Herbert and now they must protect him at all costs to keep his longevity. Up to this point at training camp, Slater has lived up to his first round billing, holding his own against the elite edge defender, Joey Bosa.

Confirmed by head coach Brandon Staley that he will play in the opener, Slater will have the opportunity to showcase to the nation why he’s generated a great amount of buzz and a glimpse of a potential Pro Bowl tackle, even if it’s against second and third-team pass rushers.

RB Joshua Kelley

The battle in the backfield is one of the most compelling storylines heading into the three-game preseason slate. With Austin Ekeler not set to play at all and Justin Jackson likely to be on limited snaps, there will be an audition for the backup spot behind them between Kelley and rookie Larry Rountree.

After an underwhelming rookie season, Kelley has shown signs of improvement in camp, especially in the passing game. There’s no denying his potential, but Kelley must put it all together and display more confidence as a runner and that he can be an asset on special teams.

WR Josh Palmer

Palmer, the team’s third round pick, has been one of the better wideouts at camp, showing the ability to consistently get open at all three levels of the field even against the top corners and catching everything thrown his way.

Looking to establish himself as a reliable rookie, Palmer will have plenty of opportunities on the field to show his polished skill set and impressive size could make him a dangerous complementary target, even in a deep receiver room.

Chargers preseason: 4 position battles to watch vs. Rams

Even though some of the Chargers starters aren’t likely to play much, there are still a few position battles to watch.

The Chargers finally take the field on Saturday night for the first preseason matchup between the Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Don’t expect to see the starters on the field for all that long, but there are still some position battles that will need to be monitored closely.

Here are four position battles to keep an eye on:

Running back

Austin Ekeler is not expected to play a single snap this preseason, which means that the spotlight is on those who will be fighting for the roles behind him: Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree and Darius Bradwell.

Up to this point, Jackson has gotten the higher-up reps. Kelley, on the other hands, has looked improved, including in the passing game. Rountree hasn’t received a lot of attention, but his physicality as a runner has stood out.

Wide receiver

Like Ekeler, Keenan Allen isn’t likely to play in the preseason, and it wouldn’t be surprising to not see Mike Williams all that much, either. Nonetheless, who shines among the trio Tyron Johnson, Jalen Guyton and rookie Josh Palmer is an intriguing thing to watch for.

On the back end of the position, there’s going to be an intense battle for the last spot(s). After being drafted last year, K.J. Hill and Joe Reed need to prove themselves to the new coaching staff. But summer standouts like Austin Proehl and Jason Moore will be giving them a run for their money.

Swing tackle

The Chargers have their starting tackles set in stone with rookie Rashawn Slater and Bryan Bulaga, but if one of them goes down with an injury, who will be the next man up to fill the void?

Returning players who are vouching for the second spot on the depth chart are Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton. Added into the mix are rookies Brenden Jaimes, Darius Harper and Kyle Spalding.

Pipkins and Norton are the current front-runners, but have they improved from last season to be counted on? The two must show more functional strength to hold up against stronger pass-rushers on a snap-to-snap basis.

Defensive tackle

The four players presumed to earn a spot are Linval Jospeh, Jerry Tillery, Justin Jones and Christian Covington, but the final spot(s) is up for grabs.

The battle will be between returners Breiden Fehoko and Cortez Broughton has been a polarizing one up to this point, as the two have looked notably improved as pass rushers.

Chargers QB Chase Daniel to start preseason opener vs. Rams

With Justin Herbert out, Chase Daniel is being handed the keys for the preseason opener.

It was announced Thursday that Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert won’t make his 2021 debut until the regular season against the Washington Football Team.

With Herbert out of the preseason to rest up, the team is handing the keys to Chase Daniel, who will start this Saturday night against the Rams at SoFi Stadium, according to head coach Brandon Staley.

Daniel will then be followed by Easton Stick and K.J. Costello.

Daniel is the current favorite to win the backup job due to his experience in this league and familiarity with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system to continue to mentor Herbert.

Between his time with the Saints, Chiefs, Bears, Lions and Eagles, Daniel has thrown for only 1,694 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

If Los Angeles decides to enter the season with two signal-callers, Stick and Costello will likely be battling it out for a spot on the practice squad.