Tag: Chargers

RB Melvin Gordon struggling to find offers

Melvin Gordon is not even getting an offer as good as what the Los Angeles Chargers offered last year.

Handful of free agents have found new homes within the past few days, but one player that is still searching is running back Melvin Gordon.

According to NFL Media’s Mike Garofolo, Gordon hasn’t received “anything remotely close” to the offer he could have had with the Chargers last offseason, which was worth around $10 million a year.

Due to the contract dispute, Gordon held out for the first four games of the regular season, but Los Angeles never increased the original offer on the table for him.

The reason why Gordon hasn’t found much success since hitting the market is because it’s becoming more clear that NFL teams aren’t valuing the position as much as they used to due to a shorter shelf life, and he is already 26 years old, along with seeing a decrease in production from 2018 to 2019.

Gordon remained healthy upon returning from his holdout in 2019. However, he has dealt with various lower body injuries since coming into the league in 2016. And his yards per carry average dropped from 5.1 to 3.9 last season in 12 games.

Los Angeles extended Austin Ekeler to a four-year deal, which likely indicated that Gordon won’t be back next season.

At the moment, teams like the Bills, Falcons and Buccaneers reportedly have interest in the former Wisconsin product. If and when signed, it wouldn’t be surprising if it is a short-term deal.

How acquisition of CB Chris Harris Jr. impacts Chargers’ secondary

The secondary got deeper with Chris Harris, but how will the Los Angeles Chargers go about ensuring key players see the field?

The Chargers bolstered their defense on Wednesday by coming to an agreement with four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

The addition of Harris gives Los Angeles the label of being one of the top defenses in the NFL, which features the likes of defensive end Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, safety Derwin James and cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Desmond King.

However, with Harris joining the Bolts, it means there will be some retooling to the back end of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense.

Harris is arguably one of the league’s top slot corners, which is where he has spent the majority of his career playing. That is also the position King has played the past few seasons.

The 30-year old Harris did play on the outside last season, but he struggled in that role, allowing 731 yards and four touchdowns as opposing quarterbacks had a 114.3 passer rating when targeting him.

There was some speculation right off the bat that Harris might be able to rejuvenate in that role in a Cover 3 system. But according to Harris himself, the Chargers told him that he will be playing in the slot this upcoming season, according to the guys over at Pro Football Focus.

That means that King’s time in the inside has come to an end. So where does that leave the former Iowa product?

King played on the outside during college where he won the Jim Thorpe Award. But it appears that Los Angeles is going to be moving him to safety (which can also be heard in the video clip).

If that is indeed the case, it means that King will replace Adrian Phillips, who had a variety of roles on the defensive side of the ball, but mostly as the team’s dime linebacker and nickel linebacker.

King would be used near the box, where he would use his run defense skills to sniff out run plays while also using his coverage skills in the short-to-intermediate zones.

So if Harris is going to play in the slot and King is going to take on a hybrid linebacker role, what does that mean for the other outside corner position?

The coaching staff really likes Michael Davis, given the fact that they placed the second-round tender on him. Davis earned the starting job on the outside in his second season where he was decent in the role.

Another option is moving former second-round selection Nasir Adderley to the cornerback position full-time. Adderley was drafted to play free safety, but a hamstring injury kept him off the field. Rayshawn Jenkins started there all 16 games in 2019, and the coaching staff has faith in him in that role.

Moving Adderley to corner wouldn’t be a bad idea because he did play that position the first two seasons at Delaware and his skillset would make out to be an easy transition.

I do expect the Chargers to address the cornerback position at some point in the upcoming draft for the sake of depth and in case that potential plan mentioned doesn’t pan out.

The bottom line is that the addition of Harris makes Los Angeles’ defense a whole lot better, but now it’s just a matter of seeing how the bodies on the roster are going to see the playing field.

4 remaining free agents Chargers should consider signing

With about $8.5 million left in spending money, the Los Angeles Chargers can make one more signing.

The Chargers have been quite active this free agency period, signing three well-known players, which have addressed some critical positions of need.

After all of the moves made, Los Angeles has about $8.5 million left in spending money, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

In-house players like safety Adrian Phillips and defensive tackle Damion Square who remain unsigned could be who they ultimately use that money on.

However, general manager Tom Telesco could dip into the free agency pool one last time to make a signing.

With that being said, here are the 4 remaining free agents that would fill a need and fit within their budget.

Jason Peters, OT

The signing of Bryan Bulaga fills a glaring need at the right tackle position, but the left tackle spot is an unknown. The team could be looking to address it in the draft or they feel confident enough in Trey Pipkins. But I think bringing in a proven veteran like Peters would do wonders and aide in the development of Pipkins. Even at 38 years of age, Peters only allowed 21 pressures on 562 pass-blocking attempts last season. He had the fourth-highest grade in pass blocking and 17th-highest grade in run blocking, per Pro Football Focus. Peters would likely be willing to take a short-term deal worth less than $10 million annually.

Andrus Peat, OL

The Chargers have shored up the right side of the offensive line with the acquisitions of Bulaga and guard Trai Turner. However, the left side remains in a flux. Even at the guard spot, it’s uncertain how the team feels about Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp moving forward. If they wanted to bring someone that provides inside-out versatility, Peat is an option. The former Stanford product has made two Pro Bowls in his career. In his first three seasons in the NFL, he has posted overall grades of 67.1, 71.5 and 68.3 while spending time at both left tackle and left guard, per PFF. He was up and down in 2019 and has missed nine games over the past two seasons with various injuries. But overall, he is a complete blocker and has very few penalties against him.

Josh Bynes, LB

The Chargers released Thomas Davis last week, which created a bit of a hole at the linebacker position. Denzel Perryman and Drue Tranquill are slated to be the starters, with Kyzir White projected to be starting OTTO. However, the depth at the position is slim and injury concerns with Perryman are still there. Bringing in a 10-year veteran like Bynes wouldn’t be a bad idea. Bynes has been a bit of a journeyman, playing for three different teams, but he might be one of the more underrated linebackers in the league. He’s an intelligent player, stout against the run and good in coverage. According to PFF, he’s had two of his highest coverage grades in his career this past two stints— in 2019 he was the 12th best linebacker in coverage.

Taylor Gabriel, WR

I am a firm believer that the Chargers are better off taking advantage of a deep wide receiver draft class and spend the money that they have elsewhere. But if they want a guy that has been in the league for a few years and meets what they should be looking for (speed), Gabriel is proven and wouldn’t cost all that much. He averaged 7.8 yards after the catch per reception with the Falcons in 2016 and he averaged 6.6 in 2017. Gabriel spent two seasons after that in Chicago after signing a four-year deal in 2018, catching 96 passes for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns over the two stints.

It’s Official: Chargers announce trade for OL Trai Turner

The Los Angeles Chargers add more much-needed talent to the offensive line.

The Chargers have finalized a trade sending offensive tackle Russell Okung to the Panthers. In return, Los Angeles receives five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner.

Turner, who turns 27 in June, started 80 of the 84 games in which he has played for Carolina since he was selected in the third-round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Turner will likely start at right guard when the 2020 regular seasons begins, taking over for Michael Schofield, who is currently a free agent.

Below is the official team statement:

The Los Angeles Chargers today announced the team has acquired guard Trai Turner from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for tackle Russell Okung.

Originally selected in the third-round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State, Turner has played in 84 games, including 80 starts, with the Panthers over the last six seasons. He was selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past five seasons and is tied for the second-most Pro Bowl nods by a Carolina player in franchise history.

The 6-3, 315-pound lineman joins Pittsburgh’s David DeCastro and Dallas’ Zack Martin and Tyron Smith as the only NFL offensive linemen to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last five seasons. Turner was part of a Carolina offensive line in 2015 that blocked for the league’s top scoring offense and helped the Panthers to an NFC Championship and appearance in Super Bowl 50.

Okung played the past three seasons with Los Angeles, starting 36 games at left tackle and earning his second career Pro Bowl nod in 2017. In his first season with the team, the Oklahoma State product was part of a line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL (18). Okung was also a first-alternate for the Pro Bowl in 2018.

5 things to know about CB Chris Harris Jr.

Get familiar with the Chargers newest addition.

The Chargers agreed to a two-year deal with cornerback Chris Harris Jr. on Wednesday.

In order to get familiar with the veteran corner, here are five things to know:

Polished college resume

Harris spent four years at the University of Kansas, where he received a handful of honors and awards for his efforts, which included KU defensive back of the year (2010), Freshman All-America Honorable Mention, Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and All-Big 12 Freshman Team (2007).

Defied the odds

In 2011, Harris was a long shot to making the Broncos roster after going undrafted. He made the final roster and was named the fourth cornerback on the depth chart behind the likes of Pro Bowler Champ Bailey. After injuries occurred throughout the season, he moved up the depth chart and eventually earned a permanent starting job. Harris finished his rookie campaign with 72 tackles, six passes defensed, and one interception in 16 games and four starts. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team.

Injury history

Harris doesn’t have a lengthy injury report for someone that has played at least 15 games in eight of his nine seasons. He suffered a torn ACL in 2013 and a broken fibula late in the 2018 season.

Cream of the crop

Harris has been regarded as arguably the NFL’s best slot cornerback within the best decade, earning four Pro Bowl selections and a First Team All-Pro nomination in 2016. Denver’s secondary which was regarded as “No Fly Zone” ranked among the league’s top five in passes defensed in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He has 20 interceptions, 86 passes defensed, 6 forced fumbles and 4.5 sacks in his career.

How he fits with Chargers

With the addition of Harris it’s uncertain if he will play on the outside or in the slot. He played on the outside last season, but he struggled against the league’s best receivers, allowing 731 yards and four touchdowns as opposing quarterbacks had a 114.3 passer rating when targeting him. I believe he will he will move back to his natural position in the slot to shore up a slot coverage unit that was third-worst in completion percentage above expectation last season on slot targets, per Next Gen Stats.

As for Desmond King who has manned the slot the past few seasons, the team could use him in a couple of roles if Harris will be starting inside. They could play him outside, as he has proven to be reliable in that role in college or he could be used as a dime linebacker, which is what Adrian Phillips played, where he will have more responsibilities as a blizter. Or, they could ultimately bank on Harris thriving as an outside corner in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s Cover 3 scheme while King stays inside.

4 things to know about new Chargers DT Linval Joseph

Get familiar with the Chargers new nose tackle.

The Chargers beefed up their defensive line with the addition of former Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

In order to get familiar with him, here are four things to know:

Early playing days

Joseph attended East Carolina University for three years, earning first-team All-Conference USA in his junior season in 2009. In his collegiate career, he posted 143 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Joseph skipped his senior season to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Giants in the second-round (No. 46 overall). Joseph won a Super Bowl with New York in 2012 and inked a five-year deal with the Vikings two years later. On his rookie contract, Joseph started 46 of 53 games, recorded 100+ tackles, 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Big man touchdown

Speed kills. But it’s even more deadly when it’s someone that weighs over 320 pounds. Joseph displayed that in 2018 in a game played against the Eagles where he scored his first defensive touchdown with a 64-yard fumble return. For reference, Joseph ran a 5.04 40-yard dash at 328 pounds out of college.

Where he thrives

Outside of his athletic ability like mentioned above, Joseph is a powerful take-on player with the backfield vision and handwork to make an impact vs. the run. Joseph plays physical, using his upper body and core strength to handle double-teams. His Pro Football Focus grade reflected that, earning a grade of 71.2 in 2019, marking the eighth straight season he’s received a grade above 70. In 2015 and 2017, he earned overall grades of 91.0 and 90.0, respectively.

How he fits with Chargers

The release of Brandon Mebane as well as Damion Square and Sylvester Williams hitting free agency meant that Los Angeles was in need of a nose tackle. Joseph projects as the Day 1 starter in the middle of the defensive line. However, it’s unlikely that he will play all three downs, given the fact that he played only 553 snaps last season which was just over 50%. Expect him to be on the playing field on rushing situations, while Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery rotate in on obvious passing situations. The 31-year old also provides the team with an impressive character in and away from the football field.

Twitter reacts to Chargers agreeing to terms with CB Chris Harris Jr.

Fans of the Chargers are loving the moves made by general manager Tom Telesco.

The Chargers added another key piece to an already talented secondary, agreeing to terms with cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

This marks general manager Tom Telesco’s third acquisition since Monday. Fans were excited with the moves prior, but bringing in Harris has them absolutely ecstatic.

Here is a look at how social media reacted as soon as the agreement was reported:

Chargers agree to deal with CB Chris Harris Jr.

The Chargers have agreed on a deal for former Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr.
Harris, a four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2016, has 20 career interceptions and four touchdowns.
In 2019, he totaled 56 tackles (44 solo), one interception, six passes defensed and one forced fumble in 16 games in 2019

The Chargers have agreed on a deal for former Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr.
Harris, a four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2016, has 20 career interceptions and four touchdowns.
In 2019, he totaled 56 tackles (44 solo), one interception, six passes defensed and one forced fumble in 16 games in 2019

Chargers agree to deal with CB Chris Harris Jr.

The Chargers and Broncos have agreed on a deal sending CB Chris Harris Jr. to the Chargers.
Harris, a four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2016, has 20 career interceptions and four touchdowns.
In 2019, he totaled 56 tackles (44 solo), one interception, six passes defensed and one forced fumble in 16 games in 2019

The Chargers and Broncos have agreed on a deal sending CB Chris Harris Jr. to the Chargers.
Harris, a four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2016, has 20 career interceptions and four touchdowns.
In 2019, he totaled 56 tackles (44 solo), one interception, six passes defensed and one forced fumble in 16 games in 2019

Chargers agree to deal with CB Chris Harris Jr.

The Chargers’ secondary gets better.

The Chargers are adding talent to the secondary.

According to multiple reports, Los Angeles has agreed to a deal with former Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

The details of his contract have yet to be announced.

Harris, a four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2016, has 20 career interceptions and four touchdowns.

In 2019, he totaled 56 tackles (44 solo), one interception, six passes defensed and one forced fumble in 16 games in 2019.

Harris joins an already loaded secondary which features safety Derwin James and cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Desmond King.

Throughout his career, Harris has done the majority of his work in the slot. However, he did play on the outside this past season, which is where he could play opposite of Hayward while King mans the inside.