Tag: Chargers training camp

Seeking competition, Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr. is rising to the challenge

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

For most rookies, they’re looking to adapt to the NFL with whatever is thrown their way. But for cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., he is getting his feet wet by willingly going up against one of the league’s best wide receivers.

At this past Friday’s practice, CB Chris Harris Jr. and Allen were lined up for a rep and that’s when Samuel approached Harris and asked to take it.

Harris allowed him to and Samuel won the rep. It happened later during the period, but the advantage went to Allen on that given rep.

This just goes to show how much of a competitor the team’s second round pick is. Even though his measurements don’t match up to other corners in this league, he plays much bigger for his size.

“I’m the same size as Jaire Alexander (Packers). Size doesn’t matter. It’s about the heart and dog mentality on the field,” Samuel said during the pre-draft process.

Head coach Brandon Staley has been impressed with Samuel and the intangibles and the ability to line up against guys like Mike Williams and Allen to boost his confidence in his play.

It was a quiet first week of camp for Samuel, but he has since then shown on the practice field why the Chargers selected him, establishing himself as one of the team’s top corners.

Working both near the boundary and in the slot, Samuel has stayed on the hip of the pass-catchers he’s faced and has made a handful of plays on the ball.

“There’s not much to build. I just have to go out there, make plays and show everybody else that I can make plays. I already know that I can do that. I just have to show everybody else,” Samuel said.

Iron sharpens iron: Matchups between Keenan Allen, Derwin James have been must-see

Two of the best players at their perspective positions getting ready for the regular season.

The phrase ‘iron sharpens iron’ perfectly describes what’s been on display at Chargers training camp, as safety Derwin James and wide receiver Keenan Allen have had the luxury of going up against each other on a daily basis.

Each rep has been a real treat. Either Allen’s crafty route-running has allowed him to see open grass or James has managed to put the clamps on Allen.

Allen and James, two players who are some of the best at their perspective positions in this league, are greatly benefiting from these reps in camp when the real action begins in September.

“He works harder than me. And that’s hard to do because I work hard and he works harder than me. I need him on the field as much as he needs me on the field, so if he’s out there and I’m out there, we’ve got a good chance,” Allen said about James.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 8

Some footage from the eighth day of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Friday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free if you are able to snag some tickets here while they last, but if you’re unable to go, you will still be kept up with all of the action throughout the course of it.

I will have coverage of training camp with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members in attendance along with fan posts.

Chargers’ Nasir Adderley excited to showcase abilities in new defense

Chargers safety Nasir Adderley is primed for a breakout season.

Since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, Chargers safety Nasir Adderley has failed to live up to expectations.

Adderley struggled last season after missing a good chunk of his rookie campaign with an injury. While he flashed in spurts, he was inconsistent in the single-high role in Gus Bradley’s scheme.

In Year 3, Adderley is in a prime position to make a jump since he will be playing for head coach Brandon Staley, who’s proven at getting the most out of his defensive backs.

Staley does this is by playing them in various roles, which is what Adderley is capable of, having not only played safety but cornerback at a high level in college at Delaware.

Therefore, Adderley’s skillset and mentality will be tailored to by allowing him to be around the ball more and play more aggressively, where he will line up in the slot (Star) and hybrid safety-linebacker (Money) on top of patrolling the deep parts of the field.

“It’s exciting,” Adderley said. “I’m gonna be playing a little bit more roles and moving around the field. I feel like it really showcases my abilities. I’m really excited, I’m just making sure I’m locked in and doing whatever I can to help our team.”

Not only will the position flexibility benefit Adderley, his coaches have had plenty of success with other players at the position.

Under Staley’s watch, he helped Rams’ John Johnson turn into one of the team’s top defensive play-makers en route to earning a big contract with the Browns, and last year’s sixth-round pick, Jordan Fuller, into a solid starter in his rookie season.

On the other hand, Broncos’ Justin Simmons developed into a second-team All-Pro player in 2019 and a Pro Bowl selection in ’20 and Kareem Jackson was a dominant force in the back end under the guidance of defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill.

If Adderley takes the leap, he and Derwin James could easily be one of the top safety duos in this league, and this defense could be lockdown.

“He’s taken the extra steps to become a leader on the back end. We’re going to demand a lot from him,” Hill said.

Chargers tight ends quietly making noise at training camp

The tight end group could be a real strength for the Chargers.

Lost in the spotlight of quarterback Justin Herbert, the battle at the running back and wide receiver positions have been the Chargers tight ends.

Jared Cook, Donald Parham, rookie Tre’ McKitty and Stephen Anderson, who have been working with the first-team offense, depending on the package, have all flown under the radar.

Expected to provide a big frame in the middle of the field and in the red zone, Cook and Herbert have connected a handful of times thus far. His knowledge with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system is paying dividends to aide with Herbert’s transition.

Known for his mismatch ability down the seam, Parham has steadily improved his game, showing refinement as a route-runner and the strength to be an asset in the blocking department. Like Cook, Parham has been one of Herbert’s favorite targets in practice.

While he’s seen primarily as an in-line blocker, McKitty is showing upside as a pass-catcher, with excellent quickness and agility to get open and reliable hands to get to balls away from his body naturally.

Anderson, on the other hand, was seen as the guy in the group that was likely to be on the outside looking in heading into camp. However, he’s made a few plays and has displayed the versatility to line up at fullback and possesses special teams upside.

The fact that the tight ends are standing out at camp is a good sign. Given the fact that Lombardi incorporates a handful of three- and four-tight end sets to create mismatches, each player should be beneficial in this offense, especially with how they’ve looked at practices.

Chargers rookie Rashawn Slater receives high praise from veterans

Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater is far and away ahead of his years.

The precocious nature of tackle Rashawn Slater has earned him a reputation as a sharp, technically sound blocker and a tough player at the line of scrimmage, who’s already capable of stymieing one of the league’s best pass rushers.

Only months into practice and some of his fellow brothers in the trenches have already taken note of how the rookie is adapting to the NFL and how he’s applying it in on the field

“He’s a hard worker. He’s got grit. He wants to learn. As a tackle – an offensive lineman, really – that’s what you need to do. You need to learn from your mistakes and ask questions. He’s asking all the right questions,” Matt Feiler said.

The revamped offensive line is capable of having plenty of success this season but in order for it to all come to fruition, the unit must be on the same page at all times, which is why Slater’s communication skills have been above par.

He’s been asking questions. I know he has been talking to Bryan [Bulaga] a bunch about playing tackle. There is only so much communication that the interior guys can help with. He’s received all of that. He’s a great dude and works hard. He’s a great player,” Corey Linsley said.

It’s not an easy task protecting the blindside from Day 1 in this league, but from a mental, physical and technical standpoint, Slater is tailor-made for the NFL, with potential to be an All-Pro player down the road.

Chargers’ Linval Joseph believes Corey Linsley will help him get another contract

The Chargers nose tackle is entering the final year of his deal.

As the saying goes, iron sharpens iron.

As the pads have officially come on at Chargers training camp, nose tackle Linval Joseph expressed what it’s like to be able to battle against All-Pro center Corey Linsley in the trenches.

“Oh, it’s been great, man. It’s been great. I feel like it may give me the opportunity to get another deal. I’m going to come out here every day. He’s going to give me his all, I’m going to give him my all.

Hopefully, I come out on top. He’s fast. He’s smart. I’m glad he’s on our team. I’ve played against him for six years in a row, twice a year, and we had some good battles,” Joseph said.

The Bolts signed Joseph last offseason to replace Brandon Mebane as the clog of the defense, which ended up paying dividends in 2020.

Playing 725 snaps this past season, which was nine shy of a career-high, Joseph not only contributed as someone who commanded double teams, but he made plays against the pass and run.

Moving like someone lighter than 329 pounds, Joseph finished with 62 tackles, 14 quarterback pressures, three tackles for loss and two QB hits.

Heading into this season, Joseph should not only benefit from being able to practice against one of the league’s best centers, but play in a system that will put him in favorable matchups to make plays.

If he produces like he did last season, the 32-year old should garner another contract next offseason. If not with Los Angeles, some other team would be happy to have him in their defensive line room.

Future is bright for Chargers WR Josh Palmer

The Chargers are expecting big things from rookie Josh Palmer.

Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer never surpassed 500 receiving yards or five touchdown catches in his four seasons at Tennessee, but based on each of his showings at training camp, he is bound to be a lot more productive in this league.

Palmer, the team’s third round pick, has been putting on a clinic, steadily building a solid rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert, with his ability to get consistently get open at all three levels of the field and reeling in all of his targets.

Behind Keenan Allen, Palmer has been the second-best wideout up to this point. Mike Williams has been quiet. Tyron Johnson flashed early on, but he has missed the last three practices. Jalen Guyton hasn’t done anything to move the needle.

Despite the lack of production in college, his polished skill set and impressive size were tailor-made for the NFL, and it’s been on display at Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Defensive backs have struggled to make up for his precise route-running and downfield speed.

Entering camp, the battle for the third wide receiver was anyone’s game but Palmer is gradually making his mark each and everyday at camp.

Even though offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi constantly rotates his receivers in based on the defense’s personnel, it will be hard to keep Palmer off the field if he continues to perform at a high level.

With his ability to separate at all levels of the field and make things happen with the football in his hands, Palmer could quickly become one of Herbert’s go-to targets this upcoming season and beyond.

Updates on Chargers’ special teams position battles

Find out which kicker has the leg up and which return specialist is emerging.

Improving the special teams is one of the Chargers’ priorities ahead of the regular season after finishing as the league’s worst last year.

The team brought in a few players in hopes of aiding the department, and now they’re in the midst of position battles to solidify starting spots.

The most compelling is the competition for the starting kicker between the returner, Michael Badgley and the newcomers, Tristan Vizcaino and Alex Kessman.

The past two days at camp the team has kicked field goals, and it has been neck and neck.

Badgley made all five of his attempts — 32 yards, 36 yards, 55 yards, 49 yards and 52 yards. He did not kick on Tuesday.

Vizcaino is currently 9-for-10 — hitting from 33 yards, 41 yards, 45 yards, 49 yards and 52 yards yesterday. Today, he made his kicks from 40 yards, 44 yards, 48 yards and 51 yards and missed from 33 yards.

Kessman did not kick on Monday. On Tuesday, he went 4-for-5, hitting from 33 yards, 40 yards, 48 yards and 51 yards, with his miss coming from 44 yards.

Vizcaino appears to have the strongest leg out of the bunch.

Entering camp, the return specialist spots were wide open, but Austin Proehl appears to be moving the needle. Not only has he done well with the special teams unit, Proehl is proving himself as a pass-catching option.

Proehl, the free agent acquisition, has consistently been open, has caught nearly everything thrown his way and has found the end zone on multiple occasions.

Today at media availability, special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II named Larry Rountree III, K.J. Hill and Proehl as other options at kick returner aside from Nasir Adderley.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 6

Some footage from Chargers training camp on Day 6.

The Chargers continued training camp on Tuesday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free if you are able to snag some tickets here while they last, but if you’re unable to attend, you will still be informed of all the action throughout the course of it.

I will have coverage of training camp with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members in attendance along with fan posts.