Tag: Chargers vs. Rams

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

Here are a few quick takeaways from the first half of play between the Chargers and Rams.

The Rams and Chargers are currently tied up in the preseason opener by the score of 14-14.

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

Chris Rumph showing growth

One of the storylines of the summer was Rumph’s added weight and strength, which has shown up on the field. On top of his athleticism, more power is showing in Rumph’s pass rushes and when setting the edge against the run. He currently has four tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a quarterback hit. He is showing to be a reliable rotational edge defender behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

Some promise along the interior part of the defensive line

Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson aren’t playing, but the guys fighting for spots on the back end of the depth chart are, and three, in particular, have stood out, with those being Morgan Fox, Breiden Fehoko, and Christian Covington. Fox showed plenty of promise as a pass rusher. Meanwhile, Fehoko and Covington made a few positive plays against the run.

Joshua Kelley is flashing

Kelley has been one of the summer standouts in camp, and he has carried that momentum over to the playing field, looking to win the second running back job. Kelley looks more explosive and powerful carrying the football. He has three rushes for 16 yards (5.3 yards per carry). In addition, he has been comfortable catching the football out of the backfield, currently with three catches for 28 yards.

Watch: Chase Daniel connects with Joe Reed for Chargers’ first touchdown vs. Rams

Chase Daniel connected with Joe Reed for the Chargers’ first touchdown vs. Rams.

The Chargers are on the board first in the preseason opener against the Rams.

After driving down the field, with running back Joshua Kelley paving the way, quarterback Chase Daniel found a wide-open wide receiver Joe Reed for a 41-yard touchdown.

Check out the highlight below:

Why Nick Niemann is a player every Chargers fan should know this preseason

Highlighting why Chargers LB Nick Niemann is someone to keep an eye on this preseason.

Looking at the 2021 Chargers draft class, there are a few obvious standouts. Rashawn Slater was a second-team All-Pro as a rookie at left tackle. Second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr. showed flashes at corner. Wide receiver Josh Palmer looks like a bona fide WR3 behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Yet when you look at the PFWA All-Rookie team from last season, it’s neither Samuel nor Palmer that joins Slater on the list. Instead, the second Chargers player on the list is sixth-round pick Nick Niemann, voted to the team as a special teamer.

Niemann, drafted to Los Angeles out of Iowa, may already be a standout special teamer. But there’s reason to believe he’ll also be a factor at linebacker this season. Listed on the second team behind Drue Tranquill at weakside linebacker, Niemann has a chance to show that he deserves a more significant role during this preseason. Tranquill likely won’t play much this preseason as an established player, especially with Kenneth Murray already on the shelf, which could put Niemann next in line for starting reps.

Brandon Staley’s defense habitually turns late draft picks and UDFAs into starting linebackers. Troy Reeder started seven games as a second-year UDFA out of Delaware for Staley in 2020. 4th round pick Kenny Young started six and fifth rounder Micah Kiser started 9. So there’s precedent for players like Niemann or former UDFA Amen Ogbongbemiga to make an impact in the Chargers’ defense.

With Murray, Tranquill, and Kyle Van Noy all having missed practices this training camp, there’s a possibility that Niemann is pressed into action at some point this season. Van Noy will also be taking some snaps at EDGE, which could open playing time if even one of Murray or Tranquill can’t go. Niemann is also a game-time decision later today against the Rams. But when he’s healthy, he’s an elite athlete with a well-rounded game that should aid him as a run defender and coverage player.

There’s another reason fans should get familiar with the name Nick Niemann this preseason: the future. Tranquill and Van Noy are free agents after the season, while Murray is entering arguably a make-or-break season after a disappointing first two campaigns. We’ve already seen the Chargers let a productive linebacker walk in free agency in favor of their younger homegrown options when Kyzir White left for Philadelphia. If Tranquill suffers a similar fate, it’s not out of the question that Niemann is in the mix to start next season.

Even if Niemann isn’t a defensive contributor this season or next, he will be the primary special teams standout under new coordinator Ryan Ficken. So, if nothing else, Chargers fans should learn his name to have it in mind when Pro Bowl voting rolls around.

Chargers vs. Rams preseason Week 1: How to watch, listen and stream online

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, both teams’ home.

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

Game Information

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams

Saturday, Aug. 13 — 7:00 p.m. PT

SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, CA

Television

The game will be televised on NFL Network and on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and Orange County. Noah Eagle, Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson will have the call.

Radio

ALT FM-98.7 (English broadcast)

FM 105.5/94.3 (Spanish broadcast)

Streaming

FuboTV (try it for free).

5 defensive players to watch in the Chargers preseason opener vs. Rams

Spotlighting five defensive players to keep an eye on for the Chargers when they take on the Rams.

The Chargers roster will begin to take shape this Saturday when preseason play kicks off against the Rams.

Here are five players on the defensive side of the ball to keep an eye on.

5 offensive players to watch in the Chargers preseason opener vs. Rams

Spotlighting five offensive players to keep an eye on for the Chargers when they take on the Rams.

The Chargers roster will begin to take shape this Saturday when the preseason kicks off against the Rams.

Here are five players on the offensive side of the ball who could help their case for a final roster spot.

QB Easton Stick

Brandon Staley gave Stick rave reviews for his development as a pure passer this offseason after LA’s intrasquad scrimmage. Stick was then named the co-backup quarterback with Chase Daniel on the unofficial depth chart. The roster is tighter than ever and keeping only two quarterbacks would open a much-needed spot for talent elsewhere, but it sounds like Stick will make it hard for the team to do anything except keep three. I doubt he’ll end up winning the QB2 role over Daniel, but I do want to see this purported passing development in the preseason.

RB Larry Rountree III

Listed as the third running back on the unofficial depth chart, Rountree needs a strong preseason, especially with Isaiah Spiller listed as RB4. Joshua Kelley has taken the most noticeable step up in training camp so far, and Spiller will have a sizable role even if he’s not the bona fide RB2. With a fullback on the roster, keeping only 3 RBs would probably be ideal. That leaves Rountree as the odd man out. He’s struggled with fumbles so far in training camp and roster spots are tight. He does add value on special teams as a first-teamer there, but a poor preseason could lose him a final roster spot.

FB Zander Horvath

It was a bit of a surprise to see Horvath listed ahead of Gabe Nabers as the co-starters at fullback, but it seems like from the rest of the depth chart that the reason for that is alphabetical order more than anything else. Still, the rookie has shown a much more versatile skill set than Nabers thus far. Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken has said Horvath’s experience at linebacker in college will be a help in that area and he’s flashed surprising receiving ability. It’s still a fierce competition, but all signs point to Horvath gaining a lead now that pads have come on. Can he keep it going in live game action?

TE Hunter Kampmoyer

The Chargers have kept four tight ends each of the last few years, but the numbers of the current roster make it difficult to find room for a fourth one this season. Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, and Tre’ McKitty are all safe. But McKitty is also listed as the backup fullback, which seems to suggest he’ll be taking over Stephen Anderson’s H-back role from last season. That could maybe leave room for a fourth tight end, and Kampmoyer has been by far the best one. He’s also a starter on the kickoff team, which makes it sound like he’s closer to earning a roster spot than not. How he plays at his natural position in the preseason will likely make the decision for everyone.

OL Brenden Jaimes

I don’t think Jaimes is at risk of missing the team, but I do think he’s the ninth offensive linemen at this point. Will Clapp is your backup center. The loser of the right tackle competition will be the swing tackle. Jamaree Salyer has all but locked down the swing guard spot. Jaimes has guard/tackle versatility, and the staff still seems high on his developmental potential. But Ryan Hunter has arguably outperformed him this preseason and could push for that OL9 spot. There is some concern about the depth along the interior offensive line, so a strong preseason from Jaimes could assuage some concerns. If not, we could discuss the offensive line as a depth need when next year’s draft rolls around.

Chargers RB Larry Rountree III among top offensive rookies in preseason Week 1

The Chargers’ sixth-round pick provided a big surge in the running game.

The Chargers’ running game did not have any juice in the early going of the preseason opener against the Rams. That was until RB Larry Rountree III stepped on the field.

Rountree, the sixth-round pick, succeeded Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley and made the most of his playing time by rushing eight times for 63 yards, including a carry that went for 25 yards, which was the longest of the game for either team.

The former Missouri product displayed explosiveness, burst, smooth footwork and second-level vision.

Rountree’s performance was so impressive that he earned the second-highest grade by any offensive rookie in the first week of preseason play (87.7), which came behind Titans tight end Miller Forristall (91.1).

I expected that yards after contact would be coming — and they sure did,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said about Rountree. “It was kind of what I was hoping for and kind of what I expected. There were high expectations, so I was very pleased with what he did in the game.”

As it currently stands, Rountree is still competing for the third spot with Kelley. But if he continues to perform like how he did this past weekend, he could garner a decent amount of snaps, especially with Jackson drawing durability concerns again.

Chargers OL Brenden Jaimes impressive in debut

The Chargers’ fifth-round pick looked comfortable inside at guard.

With the Chargers’ starting offensive linemen sidelined in the preseason opener against the Rams except rookie Rashawn Slater, it gave the backups a chance to prove themselves.

Fifth round pick Brenden Jaimes was one who took advantage of his time on the field Saturday night.

After primarily playing tackle during his collegiate career at Nebraska, Jaimes kicked inside to guard for his NFL debut, where he looked like a natural at the position.

With the 49 snaps that he played, the second-most by any offensive player, Jaimes provided a huge surge in the running game and used his lower-body athleticism, efficient hand usage and high football IQ to keep interior rushers at bay, only allowing one quarterback pressure.

“Brenden, I think, has done really well on the O-line,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “I think that he had a really nice night last week, teaming up with Rashawn on that left side.”

While Jaimes only played guard against the Rams, the coaches are still planning on taking advantage of his experience at protecting the edges by viewing him as an appealing swing tackle if any of the starters had to miss time.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in preseason victory over Rams

Find out who Pro Football Focus tabbed as their winners and losers from the Chargers’ preseason opener.

In the first preseason game, the Chargers came out victorious over the Rams last Saturday night, 13-6.

For the most part, the starters remained sidelined while the majority of the playing time went to those in the middle to the back end of the depth chart who are vouching for a role or a spot on the 53-man roster.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Saturday’s game, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

RB Larry Rountree — 87.7

WR Jason Moore — 83.8

RB Darius Bradwell — 83.5

WR Josh Palmer — 83.3

TE Hunter Kampmoyer — 81.7

Top 5 Defense

LB Cole Christensen — 91.4

LB Kyzir White — 91.0

CB Kemon Hall — 90.9

CB John Brannon — 88.0

DT Forrest Merrill — 84.0

Bottom 5 Offense

C Scott Quessenberry — 50.2

WR K.J. Hill — 49.0

G Brenden Jaimes — 47.8

TE Tre’ McKitty — 47.0

G Tyree St. Louis — 43.6

Bottom 5 Defense

EDGE Uchenna Nwosu — 46.9

DT Breiden Fehoko — 44.8

EDGE Jesse Lemonier — 42.0

DL Chris Okoye — 29.9

LB Damon Lloyd — 28.2

Studs, duds from Chargers’ preseason victory over Rams

Highlighting the Chargers players who helped and hurt their stocks in the preseason opener.

The Chargers kicked off their 2021 preseason slate with a 13-6 victory over the Rams on Saturday night.

In games like this, the scoreboard is irrelevant and it’s the individual performances that matter the most.

Here are the best and worst outings that I saw: