Tag: Chargers rookie minicamp

Jim Harbaugh praises Junior Colson: ‘He’s making all of the calls’

Junior Colson will be a key piece of the Chargers’ defense.

Early on in rookie minicamp, it seems that third-round draft pick Junior Colson is making quite the impression. Jim Harbaugh had a few takeaways from Colson’s first few days as a Charger:

It’s been great. [LB] Junior [Colson], he knows the defense so well. It’s such an incredible thing. I’m not saying he’s going to be wearing any dots or anything anytime soon — probably not the first year. He’s literally making all of the calls. He’s making all the linebacker calls. He’s making the DB calls right now. The safeties that are making calls are getting it mostly right. I’d give them an ‘A,’ but the ones that they miss on, Junior will make the call and correct the call for the safeties, which is awesome. In a meeting with the linebackers, [Linebackers Coach] NaVorro [Bowman] would ask a question and Junior would give the right answer. It finally got to the point, ‘Somebody other than Junior answer this next question.’ [laughter] It’s safe to say that he knows he’s on it. It’s a great thing for our team.

Based on how the veterans had been practicing before the draft and the arrival of the rookies, it seemed like Derwin James had pole position on being the green dot defensive signal caller. It’s important to note in Harbaugh’s quote that he did pour some water on Colson “wearing dots” in his rookie season. But Harbaugh’s quotes on Colson’s instincts make it seem his takeover of defensive responsibilities is a matter of when rather than if.

Colson’s chemistry and familiarity with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is also hard to ignore. Back in March, Minter suggested he wanted to “maximize” James’ skillset without moving him around too much.

Ultimately, we probably won’t know who the green dot is until well into training camp. But it’s shaping up to be one of James or Colson. And Colson could have the responsibility sooner rather than later based on his early performance.

Highlights from Day 1 of Chargers rookie minicamp

Check out all the action from the first day of Chargers rookie minicamp.

Friday marked the first day of Chargers rookie minicamp.

The event will run through the next two days and conclude on May 12.

This feature will include a collection of tweets from the session.

Read on to see a collection of the highlights and top tweets from the Bolts reporters in attendance.

 

Familiarity helping Chargers’ TCU draft picks make smooth transition to NFL

The Los Angeles Horned Frogs. The TCU Chargers. Call them what you want.

The Los Angeles Horned Frogs. The TCU Chargers. Call them what you want.

The three players that L.A. drafted from the collegiate program took the field for the first time as professionals as the Bolts held their rookie minicamp this past week.

Wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis caught passes from their college teammate, quarterback Max Duggan, who is set to compete with Easton Stick for the backup spot behind Justin Herbert.

“It was fun. I’m excited to be here,” Duggan said. “It’s a good opportunity. There are great people around here, it’s a great organization. Obviously, I have some familiarity with Q [WR Quentin Johnston] and D.D. [WR Derius Davis] coming here. It was fun.”

Johnston, the team’s first-round pick, got his reps on the outside. He was selected to bring an explosive element to stretch the field vertically and pick up yards after the catch.

“Almost feels identical,” Johnston said. I go out there and see the same guy lined up next to me and the same guy in the backfield; it feels like we’re back in Fort Worth again.”

Most of Davis’ work came in the slot. While he primarily participated in offensive drills, Davis is expected to contribute on special teams as the team’s return specialist after he had five punt return touchdowns and one kickoff return for a score during his college career.

“Max, he’s been my quarterback ever since he got to TCU,” Duggan said. “It was just great to get back out there, to run routes with him. We know we already have a connection, so the timing was really on. To have Q [Johnston] out there working beside me — we were kind of winded, so we were out there joking about it. It was good to be out there with those guys.”

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston talks about getting acclimated to life in the NFL

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston talked about transitioning to the NFL and his conversations with the veteran receivers.

The Chargers held their rookie minicamp this past week at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA. The sessions had all of the team’s draft selections and undrafted rookies, headlined by first-round pick Quentin Johnston.

“Yeah, now it does,” Johnston said when asked if it ‘feels like’ he is in the NFL yet. “The meetings and stuff, I felt like I was still in that before the Draft stage, just getting ready for it, still anxious. As soon as I put my cleats on and got out on the field, it was a real moment.”

Johnston joins the pros with a rare combination of size and athleticism, which immediately popped on the practice field. Still, one of the things that he will have to fine-tune is his route running. Luckily, Johnston will be in a wide receiver room with plenty of knowledge in that department.

After his introductory press conference, Johnston said he stopped back at his hotel, and Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer went over to say hello and converse with him on the team and life in the NFL.

“Letting me know that we were all family,” Johnston said. “Letting me know what to expect. Kind of a crash course they gave me of what to expect, how stuff is run, a baseline so that I could get an understanding and feel for the football team, as much as I can at that point.”

After dominating at TCU, replicating that same success in this league might take time while he learns the finer details of the position. But Johnston knows that he is in good hands, and being mentored by a solid corps could go a long way to boosting his game.

“I feel like I came into a good situation, starting off initially under some guys that have been in the league and have been playing at a high level for a minute,” Johnston said. “So I feel like I can pick a lot of their game, apply it to mine, what’s needed in mine, and kind of expand from there.”

Johnston said Justin Herbert has not yet reached out to him. “He followed me on Instagram when I first got drafted,” Johnston said. “I ain’t really get a chance to talk to him yet. But hopefully soon.”

Highlights from Day 1 of Chargers rookie minicamp

The Chargers rookies, including first-round pick Quentin Johnston took the field.

Friday marked the first day of Chargers rookie minicamp, which was highlighted by first-round pick Quentin Johnston.

The event will run through the next two days and end on May 14.

This feature will include a collection of tweets from team reporters from the session.

Read on to see a collection of the highlights and top tweets from the Bolts reporters in attendance.

Best photos from Day 1 of Chargers rookie minicamp

The Los Angeles Chargers’ 2022 Rookie Minicamp kicked off on Friday at Hoag Performance Center.

The Chargers’ 2022 Rookie Minicamp kicked off on Friday morning at Hoag Performance Center.

Check out the best shots from the rookies’ first practice in Costa Mesa, CA.

Highlights from Chargers’ top draft picks speaking at rookie minicamp

Rashawn Slater, Asante Samuel Jr. and Josh Palmer spoke to the media after Friday’s session.

The Chargers’ rookies have all arrived in Los Angeles and are currently in the midst of minicamp over the next couple of days.

Following Friday’s session, the team’s top three selections, tackle Rashawn Slater, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and wide receiver Josh Palmer, all spoke to the media.

Rashawn Slater

— Slater hasn’t bought a house yet, adding he is focused on football right now and will find a place later.

— The first thing that he bought after being drafted? Slater got his mom a watch for Mother’s Day.

— It’ll take time to get familiar with all of his teammates, but one player that he has gotten to know is edge defender Chris Rumph II, adding how hilarious he is.

— Slater shouldn’t have a difficult time understanding the offensive system because he said the verbiage and concepts aren’t different from his time at Northwestern.

— Slater said that he is loving the installments of the new offense because it plays to their strengths and gets the defense moving.

— Slater wants to grow as a player and wants to help others grow, too. He gave undrafted rookie offensive lineman Darius Harper pointers after practice.

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

— Safety Derwin James vouched for the Chargers to draft him. Samuel Jr. said James reached out to him to congratulate him and explain the playbook, adding they will get together soon and watch film.

— After practice, Samuel Jr. and Palmer got extra one-on-one reps, and he said that they’re competitive and like to push each other in practices just like in high school (St. Thomas Aquinas).

— Samuel Jr. also gave a shoutout to Rumph, calling his personality “awesome.”

— Samuel Jr. on head coach Brandon Staley: “Great guy, high energy, and pays attention to detail.”

WR Josh Palmer

— What would a successful week at camp look like for Palmer? “Learning as much as he can about the plays and his coaches.”

— Palmer said that the transition is made easier knowing Samuel Jr. “We are both competitors. Iron sharpens iron.”

— What does Palmer think of California so far? “I thought it would be a lot hotter. It is kinda chilly.”

Highlights from Day 1 of Chargers’ rookie minicamp

The first day of Chargers rookie minicamp was lighter.

Friday marked the first day of the Chargers rookie minicamp. The event will run through the next two days and come to an end on May 16.

This feature will include a collection tweets from team beat reporters from the session.

Read on to see a collection of the highlights and top tweets from the Bolts reporters in attendance.