Tag: Chargers preseason

Chargers CB Tevaughn Campbell impressing coaches

Tevaughn Campbell is looking to solidify a spot on the Chargers 53-man roster.

The Chargers are stacked at the top of the cornerback depth, with Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr. paving the way.

But given how defensive backs are essential in head coach Brandon Staley’s defense, there are still voids that will need to be filled.

One player that has been making his case to earn one of those spots and be a contributor is Tevaughn Campbell.

Primarily working with the second team defense, Campbell has shined in coverage. Not only is he utilizing his size, speed and movement skills to his advantage, the field intelligence and the technical standpoint are starting to click, especially this past Sunday at practice.

“I thought that he was connected on a lot of the routes,” defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said. “I thought that he was in great position all day. He played calm and at peace. He wasn’t rushed. He knows that he has a big engine. He knows that he has good size.”

Campbell has also drawn the attention of Staley throughout camp.

“He’s really talented. This guy has real movement. He has really good size,” Staley said.

Signed onto the practice squad 2019, Campbell appeared in 14 games – including four starts – in his first season on the active roster in 2020, totaling 22 tackles, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and his first career interception.

Assuming the starters won’t see the field all that much this preseason, Campbell will have plenty of opportunities to carry his momentum into the three-game slate and solidify a spot on the 53-man roster and possibly garner some snaps during the regular season.

Takeaways from Chargers’ first unofficial depth chart

The first unofficial depth charts are still to be taken with a grain of salt.

The Chargers have released their initial unofficial depth chart in advance of Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Rams.

While the first depth charts are always to be taken with a grain of salt, here are some of my thoughts.

The advantage for the second running back spot goes to Justin Jackson. Jackson has been taking the majority of the higher-up reps at camp aside from Austin Ekeler. Joshua Kelley, who looks improved this summer, is listed as RB3 and rookie Larry Rountree III, who hasn’t made a lot of noise up to this point, is behind Kelley and in front of Darius Bradwell.

At wide receiver, the big surprise is Joe Reed being as low as he is. Coming in as a guy who could win the last spot, Reed is currently behind Jason Moore. While Moore has steadily been performing well to get placed higher on the depth chart, Reed is no longer even being considered as a return specialist.

Another surprise is K.J. Hill being ahead of Josh Palmer. Palmer has put on one of the best showings at the position this summer.

The veterans receive superiority as seen along the offensive line, with Tyree St. Louis ahead of Brenden Jaimes at the right guard, despite the rookie primarily working with the second team.

The starting five is strong, but the lack of depth on the line is evident, considering Ryan Hunter, who has not played a single NFL snap, is Matt Feiler’s backup.

No surprises along the defensive line or edge defender group. Uchenna Nwosu is listed as a starter over Kyler Fackrell, despite the coaches mentioning that there’s a battle between the two for the spot.

Cole Christiansen and Damon Lloyd are both at the bottom of the depth chart while Nick Niemann is currently listed as Kenneth Murray’s backup.

Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandon Facyson are listed with the second team. Mark Webb is Nasir Adderley’s backup while Alohi Gilman is Derwin James’. Knowing how interchangeable head coach Brandon Staley’s defense is, the places they line up at will vary from player to player.

Michael Badgley is the starting kicker, with Tristan Vizcaino backing him up. During the preseason, we will be able to determine who earns the job based on consistency with extra points, field goals and kickoffs. Nasir Adderley is the starting kick returner and K.J. Hill is the starting punt returner. Austin Proehl, who’s had a great summer, is one to watch for.

Chargers release first unofficial depth chart

The Chargers first depth chart of the 2021 season is out.

In preparation of opening the 2021 preseason slate against the Rams at 7 p.m. Saturday, the Chargers released the first unofficial depth chart on Monday.

Here is a look at the team’s unofficial depth chart going into the first preseason game, which was posted by the team’s Communications department.

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

NFL Network to air every Chargers preseason game live in 2021

The Chargers’ three-game preseason slate will be aired on NFL Network.

The Chargers are just a little less than a month away from kicking off their three-game preseason slate, and you’ll be able to tune in to each one.

Starting on Aug. 14 when the Bolts face their hometown rival, Rams, NFL Network will broadcast the action live.

The decision to show every one of Los Angeles’ games comes by no surprise, considering they are one of the most highly-anticipated teams in the league, having a talented roster under first-year head coach Brandon Staley.

In addition, this will mark the second year at SoFi Stadium, the home of the Chargers and Rams, which will be played with fans in attendance for the first time.

It remains to be seen how much playing time the starters will receive, but there will be plenty of rookies and veterans fighting for rotational roles and just a spot on the 53-man roster.

Here’s a look at the preseason slate:

Chargers at Rams | Saturday, Aug. 14 | 7 p.m. PT.

Chargers vs. 49ers | Sunday, Aug. 22 | 4:30 p.m. PT.

Chargers at Seahawks | Saturday, Aug. 28 | 7 p.m. PT.

NFL Network to air every Chargers preseason game live in 2021

The Chargers’ three-game preseason slate will be aired on NFL Network.

The Chargers are just a little less than a month away from kicking off their three-game preseason slate, and you’ll be able to tune in to each one.

Starting on Aug. 14 when the Bolts face their hometown rival, Rams, NFL Network will broadcast the action live.

The decision to show every one of Los Angeles’ games comes by no surprise, considering they are one of the most highly-anticipated teams in the league, having a talented roster under first-year head coach Brandon Staley.

In addition, this will mark the second year at SoFi Stadium, the home of the Chargers and Rams, which will be played with fans in attendance for the first time.

It remains to be seen how much playing time the starters will receive, but there will be plenty of rookies and veterans fighting for rotational roles and just a spot on the 53-man roster.

Here’s a look at the preseason slate:

Chargers at Rams | Saturday, Aug. 14 | 7 p.m. PT.

Chargers vs. 49ers | Sunday, Aug. 22 | 4:30 p.m. PT.

Chargers at Seahawks | Saturday, Aug. 28 | 7 p.m. PT.

Dates, times set for Chargers’ 2021 preseason schedule

Find out when the Los Angeles Chargers will take the field in preparation for the 2021 regular season.

The NFL has finalized the dates and times for the preseason schedule.

The Chargers will open Week 1 on Saturday, Aug. 14 against the Rams at SoFi Stadium. That is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.

Los Angeles will then host the 49ers Week 2 on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 4:30 p.m. PT.

The Bolts’ preseason concludes on Saturday, Aug. 28 with a game on the road at Lumen Field against the Seahawks at 7 p.m. PT.

The Chargers open the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 12 on the road against the Washington Football Team at 10 p.m. PT.

Chargers’ Mark Ridgley talks state of running backs

The Chargers running back group will have a slightly new look heading into 2020.

The Chargers backfield will have a slightly reconstructed look heading into the upcoming season.

Returning is Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Not returning is Melvin Gordon. Coming in is fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley.

Running backs coach Mark Ridgley spoke with the media on Wednesday to talk about the remodeled positional group.

Now that Gordon is gone, who will serve as the feature back remains to be seen. Ridgley says the roles of the running backs will develop as they go through practice and training camp. He called it a “group by committee.”

He pointed to Ekeler and Jackson adjusting to Gordon’s absence last September as the type of change he’s looking for.

Ekeler, who’s coming off an outstanding 2019 season, is expected to keep his same duties as a ball carrier and pass-catcher in the slot and out wide. The former Western Colorado product defied the odds by working his way up from an undrafted free agent to one of the league’s top offensive weapons.

Ridgley said Ekeler is an example for the younger players who are looking to make the 53-man roster. He said he tells players about his story and how he made the team, calling him a “great young man”.

Jackson is looking to step up after being hindered by an injury last season. The former Northwestern product showed flashes of dominance, but he will have to show he can stay healthy.

“I’m excited about the potential of Justin,” Ridgley said. “First time I met him was at the East-West Shrine Game. This year is a big year for Justin. We have to get him on the field and contributing.”

The excitement is high for the addition of Kelley, the former UCLA product. Kelley is seen as a short-yardage and goal line back, but he has the skillset to become the feature back if all goes well.

Ridgley said Kelley has a personality that compliments Ekeler and Jackson. He said Kelley has had a great journey to get to the league and that he can’t wait to see him play.

Ekeler’s versatility will likely want to be put to good use still. In order to allow him to manage those tasks, there will be a lot of two-running back sets. Like Ridgley said, training camp and preseason will tell who gets the bulk of snaps between Kelley and Jackson for RB2.

Chargers announce 2020 preseason schedule

The Los Angeles Chargers open up the preseason slate at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

Football is still months away, but it will be here before you know it. The Chargers will kick things off with their first preseason game on Sunday, Aug. 16 at SoFi Stadium to take on the Cowboys.

The team announced full details of their preseason schedule on Wednesday morning:

Week 1: Sunday, Aug. 16 vs. Cowboys – 5:00 p.m. PT

Week 2: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Rams – 7:00 p.m. PT

Week 3: Thursday, Aug. 27 at Seahawks – 7:00 p.m. PT

Week 4: Thursday, Sept. 3 at 49ers – 7:00 p.m. PT

The official 2020 season begins on Sept. 13 as the Chargers are on the road to take on the Bengals. You can see the full schedule here.

As we inch closer, the NFL is still monitoring the COVID-19 situation to determine if any changes need to be made.

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Chargers’ ‘most exciting’ undrafted free agent

Could there be an offensive line who makes some noise in training camp and preseason?

The Chargers inked 19 undrafted free agents to a deal following the draft. Based on the consensus, their UDFA class doesn’t stack up that well to the other teams in the NFL. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any players that make the 53-man roster.

I took a crack at predicting four UDFAs that could make the roster. However, there could be a player that included in my list who might make the team when all is said and done.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox listed the “most exciting” undrafted free agents for each team. For the Chargers, he slots former Florida State offensive tackle Ryan Roberts.

Here is what Knox had to say:

Whether the Los Angeles Chargers roll with journeyman Tyrod Taylor or rookie Justin Herbert at quarterback, they’ll need to sort out their offensive line.

Trading away Russell Okung to acquire Trai Turner left L.A. with a void at left tackle. Free-agent addition Bryan Bulaga may kick over to the left side to fill it—he played both tackle positions in college—but that would then leave things uncertain on the right side.

Right tackle Sam Tevi was responsible for four penalties and eight sacks in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus.

Former Florida State tackle Ryan Roberts should be able to add much-needed camp competition to the tackle position. A transfer from Northern Illinois, Roberts immediately entrenched himself as a starter for the Seminoles in 2019.

While Roberts may not beat out the likes of Tevi and Trey Pipkins III immediately, he adds an exciting long-term project to the mix.

Roberts spent one season at Florida State after transferring from Northern Illinois. He ended up starting 12 games at right tackle and then one game at left tackle in 2019.

Roberts helped clear the way for Cam Akers to become the third running back in program history with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. For his efforts, he was named Academic All-ACC.

The Chargers didn’t draft an offensive tackle, so they could afford to have Roberts on the roster for depth. Roberts would be in the perfect situation if he was to make the roster, as he would be playing for James Campen, one of the best offensive line coaches, to aide in his development.