Tag: Chargers training camp

Kellen Moore gives insight into the Chargers’ offense

Kellen Moore responded to the media’s questions about his offense at Thursday’s Chargers’ media availability.

Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore gave some excellent insight into the Chargers’ offense at Thursday’s series of press conferences.

When asked about deep ball opportunities and opening up the offense, he primarily gave the credit to Justin Herbert:

The Chargers have been taking more deep shots, as evidenced at today’s practice, with huge bombs flying all over the field to Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, and Mike Williams.

When explicitly asked if anyone’s won the third receiver job to this point, Moore said they had four receivers on the roster capable of being starters. That, of course, refers to Allen, Williams, Johnston, and Joshua Palmer:

Moore stated that Ekeler has been a pivotal part of both the run and pass games to this point in training camp, which is no surprise. When asked more specifically about the run scheme, Moore tended to defer to next week’s padded practices as a real litmus test. Regarding the running backs behind Ekeler, Moore stressed pass protection as an essential piece of the equation for Isaiah Spiller and Joshua Kelley.

Moore also said he’s developing relationships with all the rostered quarterbacks through constant communication. In addition to obviously Herbert, the former Cowboys’ coordinator also mentioned Max Duggan and Easton Stick being vital parts in communicating what they’re seeing at this stage of camp.

But perhaps the most interesting thing Moore said at his presser was about the use of Williams in the offense. For his entire career, Williams has been a true boundary receiver in every sense of the word. But today at practice, Moore had him line up in the slot to take advantage of mismatches:

On Williams being lined up in the slot, Moore said, “Mike’s a premier player in this league. The more you can line him up in different spots, the harder it is for a defense to focus on him.” If Williams is truly cross-training to play on the inside at times, it will give the Chargers a fourth receiver who can rotate inside and outside. Versatility is undoubtedly the name of the game in how Staley and Moore continue to build out this offense.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 2

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 2 of Chargers training camp.

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

Training camp can be attended for free, but if you cannot be there, you will still be informed of the action throughout it all.

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

Chargers sign WR Milton Wright

The Chargers have added more depth at wide receiver.

The Chargers have added more depth at wide receiver.

Who would’ve thought that would be a sentence anyone could type after last season?

On Wednesday, Los Angeles announced the signing of former Purdue WR Milton Wright, who entered the NFL Supplemental Draft earlier this month but was not selected. Wright sat out the 2022 season at Purdue due to an academic issue.

Wright was once touted as the latest in a Boilermaker lineage at wide receiver that produced Rondale Moore (Cardinals) and David Bell (Browns) in consecutive seasons. In 2021, Wright was second on the team with 732 yards and led Purdue with seven receiving touchdowns, edging Bell and tight end Payne Durham’s totals of six each.

While not a fantastic athlete, Wright has a prototypical NFL body and was produced in an NFL-style system at Purdue. He’s likely a camp body who will be fighting for a practice squad spot with the Chargers.

 

QB Justin Herbert on signing record contract with Chargers: ‘I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else’

Justin Herbert sounded off the day after being made the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.

Justin Herbert playing for the Chargers was written in the stars. However, it did not include him becoming the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL and the face of the franchise for the long run.

On Tuesday, Herbert signed a massive long-term extension for five years worth $262.5 million.

“Words aren’t enough to express how thankful and how glad I am to be a part of this organization,” Herbert said at his media availability Wednesday. “I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else. This is where I’ve wanted to be for, shoot, as long as I’ve been born and playing football. It’s a dream come true.”

After the Bolts got 16 good seasons out of former QB Philip Rivers, the torch was passed to Herbert, who has been one of the best things to enter through the doors of the organization.

In three seasons, Herbert has shattered multiple records, including the most passing yards in league history (14,089) and the second-most passing touchdowns (94).

“Words are hard to find for this process,” Herbert added. “I’m still trying to process the whole thing. I feel free and just excited to go play football.”

Free, Herbert will be as he is now playing under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore’s system will cater to Herbert’s strengths with his bazooka-like arm strength and talent, allowing him to push the ball down the field more often.

“One of the things is just to make sure that we’re throwing the ball down the field and taking those shots,” Herbert said. “We have those guys on the outside that are able to make those plays. My role as a quarterback is to get them the ball and put them in a position to win.”

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 1

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 1 of Chargers training camp.

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

Training camp can be attended for free, but if you cannot be there, you will still be informed of the action throughout it all.

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

5 offensive storylines to follow as Chargers begin training camp

The top storylines to follow on the offensive side of the ball as Brandon Staley and the Chargers begin training camp.

On Wednesday, the Chargers begin their first step to constructing their 53-man roster for the 2023 season as training camp begins at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

As it gets underway, let’s take a look a look some of the top storylines on each side of the ball. We will begin with the offense.

1 player to watch at each position during Chargers’ 2023 training camp: Defense

Here are the defensive players to watch for at Chargers training camp.

After a few months of retooling the roster, the Chargers are set to begin training camp, which kicks off this Wednesday, July 26, at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

During that time, starting spots and roster spots, in general, will be earned. We’re listing a player to watch for at each position.

We started with the offense. Next up is the defense.

5 Chargers players who need to improve in 2023

Highlighting five Chargers players who need to take a step forward in 2023.

The Chargers are looking to be aggressive and make a strong push this season.

They have plenty of talent to make it happen, but it’s a collaborative effort and there are some players who need to improve to bring success.

Here are five players who need to show some strides in 2023.

Every newcomer on Chargers’ roster heading into training camp

Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.

The Chargers return most of their key players from last season as they look to make a deeper run after suffering defeat to the Jaguars in the Wild Card round.

However, they still made some acquisitions via free agency, the draft, and the undrafted free agency pool to create a stronger core.

As it stands, Los Angeles currently has 89 players under contract. And teams are allowed to carry up to 90 players during the offseason.

Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.

 

Watch: Chargers’ Derwin James shares workout on beach ahead of training camp

Derwin James utilized some sensational scenery for resistance training as he ramps up for Chargers training camp.

With training camp just around the corner, Chargers safety Derwin James took to the sea to practice his explosiveness in coverage, using water and sand on a beach for resistance training.

James, who recently took the top spot for overall rating at the safety position in the upcoming release of the “Madden” franchise, can be expected to show the fruits of this scenically-set labor when the regular season starts in September.

As part of Los Angeles’ burgeoning secondary, the sixth-year safety seems primed for a sensational 2023 campaign after seeing playoff success slip through the Chargers’ fingers back in January. Clearly, the elimination loss has motivated James to continue working toward perfection, even during the last days he will have away from the team ahead of training camp.

With the offseason set to end in late July, James is sure to have his eyes set toward more sustained success for Los Angeles’ defensive unit, especially in big games where the lights will shine the brightest on the Bolts’ up-and-coming stars.