Tag: Derwin James

Studs, duds from Chargers’ first 4 games of the 2024 season

There were little expectations for the Chargers heading into 2024. After a 2-2 start, there is room for optimism for a possible playoff run.

It’s hard to believe we are already over a quarter of the way through the 2024 NFL season. Just like that, the Chargers are 2-2 and have already had their bye week.

The start to the season has come with mixed results, which has included some pleasant surprises and unfortunate disappointments. Through four games, here are some of the team’s studs and duds in 2024 so far.

Stud: Khalil Mack 

Just a few years ago, some pondered if Mack’s best days were already behind him. Well, he responded with a career-high 17 sacks in 2023, his second year with the Chargers. Four games into the 2024 season, and he’s been elite once again. The 33-year-old has 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. He’s been elite in defending the run and seems to be well on his way to his ninth career Pro Bowl appearance.

Dud: Bradley Bozeman

Center was a major area of need this past offseason. The team decided to sign veteran Bradley Bozeman, who had 77 career starts under his belt entering 2024. Unfortunately, he’s been one of the worst centers in football so far. Bozeman has been particularly bad in pass blocking, and it may be sooner rather than later before the Chargers try someone else at the position.

Stud: Kristian Fulton

We’ve talked endlessly about Fulton on his site, so it’s only right that he finds his way with the studs of the 2024 season. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the fifth-best cornerback in the NFL so far this season. Fulton signed a one-year deal worth just over $3 million and it looks to be one of the best value deals of the offseason. If he can keep this up, look for him to get a nice contract next offseason.

Dud: Gus Edwards

Edwards tallied a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns in 2023, which was tied-for-fifth in the NFL. He’s yet to reach the endzone as a Charger and in turn, he’s seemingly lost the job to J.K. Dobbins. After splitting duties with Dobbins in the first two weeks, Edwards has registered a total of just nine carries over the last two games. The veteran has averaged 3.0 yards per carry and hasn’t added anything in the pass game either.

Stud: Rashawn Slater

Rookie Joe Alt has gotten a lot of attention, and rightfully so. With that being said, Slater continues to be prove himself as one of the best tackles in all of football. He’s been elite throughout his four-year career, and the Chargers have a phenomenal foundation along the offensive line between Slater, Alt, and Zion Johnson. Slater did miss the team’s Week 4 game against the Chiefs, but he was great in each of the first three weeks. The former Northwestern product should make it to his second career Pro Bowl if he continues to play at this level.

Dud: Hayden Hurst

I wrote about the lack of production from the tight end position just over a week ago. Hayden Hurst has registered six catches for 59 yards while his counterpart Will Dissly has looked noticeably better. Perhaps more importantly, Hurst has not been awfully poor as a run blocker. With the way things are trending at the moment, tight end will be a major area of need for the Chargers next offseason.

Derwin James on playing style after suspension: ‘I ain’t going to change s***’

Derwin James is one of the hardest-hitting players in the league and he doesn’t plan on changing that, even after getting suspended.

Derwin James was suspended for this past Sunday’s game against the Chiefs for repeated violations of the playing rules.

The hard-hitting safety returned to practice Wednesday and said that the punishment he received would not force him to change his playing style.

“No, it ain’t going to change s**,” James said, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “It’s definitely not going to change nothing. Like I said, I’m just going to go lower. I’m not going to change.”

James will focus on hitting players underneath where they are holding the ball.

“I’m not going to keep paying 700, 800 thousand [dollars],” James added.

James was hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty and suspension for a hit he made on Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in Week 3. He appealed the suspension, but hearing officer Derrick Brooks upheld it.

James has five unnecessary roughness penalties in his past 18 games, the most by a defensive player in that time span. All were to the head with his shoulder or helmet.

James will return to the playing field in Week 5 when the Chargers travel to Denver to face the Broncos.

In three games, James has 21 tackles and a sack.

Chargers PFF grades: Top 5 offensive, defensive performers through first 4 games

Looking at Pro Football Focus’ top five Chargers players on both sides of the ball at the bye week.

Which Chargers players have impressed the most so far this season?

That said, here are the best performers on both sides of the ball, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who have played at least 40% of the snaps on offense (228) and defense (234).

Top 5 Offense

OT Rashawn Slater — 81.7

WR Ladd McConkey — 80.2

OT Joe Alt — 77.0

OL Zion Johnson — 70.6

TE Will Dissly — 69.2

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 89.8

CB Kristian Fulton — 82.5

S Elijah Molden — 82.4

DL Poona Ford — 73.1

CB Ja’Sir Taylor — 72.9

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 4

Here is how the Chargers compare statistically to the rest of the NFL after Week 4

The Chargers fell to 2-2 after losing to the Chiefs this past Sunday.

Los Angeles had the opportunity to pull off the upset, but a lackluster offensive performance and penalties held them back.

With Week 4 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category Stat Rank
Points per game 17.0 ppg 26th
Passing offense 136.5 ypg 31st
Rushing offense 127.8 ypg 11th
Total offense 264.3 ypg 28th
3rd down conversions 36.36% 20th
Red zone scoring 44.44% 25th
Sacks allowed 9 14th
Turnovers 2 2nd

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 12.5 ppg 1st
Passing defense 188.5 ypg 12th
Rushing defense 94.0 ypg 5th
Total defense 282.5 ypg 7th
3rd down conversions 39.29% 20th
Red zone defense 28.57% 2nd
Sacks 11 15th
Takeaways 7 6th

 

Top 5 burning questions Chargers must answer after Week 5 bye

The Chargers have some things to fix during the Week 5 bye. In the meantime, Jim Harbaugh has some questions to answer about his team.

The Chargers have a lot to figure out during their Week 5, something that Jim Harbaugh acknowledged after the team’s loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. The first-year head coach mentioned that they would use the bye week as a time for improvement rather than rest.

There are a lot of questions to be answered, particularly after they have lost the last two games.

How healthy will Justin Herbert for the rest of 2024?

The truth is, no one may know the true answer to this question. He’s played through several injuries in his career, but this season, it’s limited him more than ever. It forced him to leave the team’s Week 3 contest, but he was able to return and start in Week 4.

The early season bye week specifically helps Herbert in a big way and will hopefully help heal him up. Without a fully healthy Herbert, the upside of this offense is significantly limited. He’s thrown for just 578 yards on the season, which is on pace to be the worst statistical season in his career by a wide margin.

Will the interior offensive line hold back the team’s running game?

We know just how elite the Chargers’ tackle duo is, but the interior part of the line remains a concern. Specifically, center Bradley Bozeman has been less than stellar through four weeks. The team’s running game has slowed down significantly in the last two games, albeit each of which came against elite defenses.

Still, Jim Harbaugh’s squad needs to return to their ways in that aspect of the game. The right guard spot with Trey Pipkins III has been an issue as well, which has led to opposing defensive lines exposing the Chargers. If things don’t improve, Los Angeles will have to find reinforcements at these spots along the line.

Will anyone step up in the tight end room?

The easy answer to this would be no. Based on the opening few weeks, there’s nothing that would suggest that this will change. It was seen as a weakness of this team before the season, and the two veterans that were signed this offseason haven’t provided much of a spark. Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst have combined for just 15 catches and 144 yards without a touchdown.

Can they make the playoffs with an underwhelming cast of weapons?

This was arguably the most significant question heading into the season, and the first few weeks didn’t answer much. Quentin Johnston has shown some improvements, but the offense remains underwhelming overall.

That’s been due to a few different factors, but the Chargers lack top-end talent at the wide receiver and tight end positions. Rookie Ladd McConkey leads the team in catches (15) and receiving yards (176). The team lacks a true No. 1 wideout, which should be the top priority for general manager Joe Hortiz next offseason.

Who will continue to build off the first four weeks of season?

Through the first month of the season, a few players have stood out in impressive fashion for the Chargers. Most notably, guys like J.K. Dobbins, Quentin Johnston, Daiyan Henley, and Kristian Fulton have been the most surprising standouts.

They have all shown vast improvements from last season, which has helped the team be more competitive than some may have thought they would be. Coach Harbaugh will need more of the same from these guys if the team wants to make a run at the playoffs.

Chargers continue to fall in NFL power rankings after loss to Chiefs

Find out where the Chargers stand in the national eye after Week 4

The Chargers lost to the Chiefs in Week 4, 17-10.

After coming up short, let’s see what national analysts think of Los Angeles:

USA Today: 17 (Previous: 16)

“No player wants a Week 5 bye, but the Bolts might also wind up reaping the benefits given their rampant injuries. And better rest up with only one home game between now and Nov. 10.”

NFL: 18 (Previous: 14)

“To what degree should we hold a close loss against this team? Despite not having Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt or Derwin James, and with Justin Herbert hobbled, the Chargers were in a position to seize control late against the Chiefs. As for the negatives, the Bolts were neutered offensively after the opening drive, failing to finish off their only two promising possessions of the second half by missing a long field-goal try and turning it over on downs at the Kansas City 3-yard line. Herbert struggled after a hot start. The offensive line was overwhelmed much of the day, erasing the run game. And the receivers only made a few plays of note. So L.A. still fell, even with Jesse Minter’s defense turning in a whale of a performance. The Chargers can rally from this after a well-timed Week 5 bye, but they’re noticeably lacking in big-play pop right now.”

ESPN: 18 (Previous: 15)

Biggest issue on defense: Absent stars

“The Chargers have been one of the NFL’s best defenses, allowing the fewest points per game through four weeks (12.5). Still, this defense has been without two of its best players. Outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) has played just 16 snaps since Week 1 and missed Week 4. The NFL suspended safety Derwin James Jr. against the Chiefs after he was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 3. With these players back, the Chargers’ defense would be an even more formidable unit.”

CBS Sports: 20 (Previous: 14)

“They blew a 10-point lead in losing to the Chiefs to fall to 2-2. Justin Herbert and the passing game just don’t look crisp.”

Sports Illustrated: 14 (Previous: 15)

“Jim Harbaugh is testing the limits of his tough-guy offensive game plan strategy and, for the second straight week, J.K. Dobbins was unable to run through a defense. The Steelers and the Chiefs are not the Sun Belt and Harbaugh is gathering information as he goes. There’s no doubt this is a team that can finish the season with a winning record but the question becomes: what does it look like?”

Bleacher Report: 19 (Previous: 14)

“…Jim Harbaugh’s physical brand of football doesn’t work when injuries upend the starting lineup,” he said. “This past weekend, the Chargers didn’t have either of their starting offensive tackles. On the other side of the ball, Joey Bosa wasn’t available, either. Los Angeles battled the Kansas City Chiefs, but what became brutally obvious as the game progressed was that the Chargers don’t have the depth or overall talent to compete when obstacles are in their path. Once healthy, the Chargers will be better. But they can’t set the tone when key pieces are missing.”

Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers set to use bye week as opportunity to improve

Coming off two straight losses, the Chargers have work to do. With a bye in Week 5, it allows Jim Harbaugh’s squad to shore up some flaws.

After a 2-0 start to the season, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers have lost back-to-back games against solid AFC opponents. The team heads into their Week 5 bye with a 2-2 record and some things to fix.

Harbaugh has helped the unit revamp its identity, but there are still some flaws that need to be tweaked. Ideally, the team’s bye would take place later in the year.

That would allow the team to benefit more from the injuries throughout the roster, although the Chargers have their fair share of those at the moment. Due to the bye being so early in the season, they won’t use it solely as a week of rest.

“When it [the bye] comes this early, if you can get your team back, refreshed, but also take advantage of the things we need to get better at… Bye week? I’d call it Opportunity Week,” Harbaugh said after Sunday’s loss. “An opportunity to improve in the areas we need.”

Those areas of improvement mainly come on the offensive side of the ball. Through the first four weeks, the Chargers are second-to-last in the NFL in passing. The team’s lack of playmakers on the outside is a big reason for that, but it’s something that needs to be worked on.

After an amazing start to the season, the running game has also fallen off in the last two games. If the team wants to return to its winning ways, it starts in the run game.

Overall though, the Chargers have been better than most people expected them to be. Harbaugh has been a big reason for that as he’s instilled an immediate transition in the culture within the team.

Particularly, the unit has been much more physical this season which has led to a dramatic improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Per usual, injuries have already began to stack up for the Chargers.

The Bolts come out of their bye week with back-to-back road games, beginning with the Broncos in Week 6. Coming off consecutive losses, these next few games will truly show us what the 2024 Chargers are made of.

Steelers TE speaks at appeal hearing for Chargers safety

Pat Freiermuth tried to help out Chargers S Derwin James.

This week the Los Angeles Chargers will be without star safety Derwin James. James is serving a one-game suspension for repeated violations concerning repeated hits that were deemed illegal by the league.

The hit in question that put it over the top for the NFL was a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in Week Two. You can check out the play in the tweet below.

Freiermuth spoke at James’ appeal hearing on his behalf telling the NFL he did not believe the hit was dirty. The league listened but it did not sway them and James still must serve his one-game suspension.

https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1839716133068280302

The Steelers understand how this can work. Safety Damontae Kazee was suspended for the final three games of the 2023 season after a hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. which the league said was one of repeated violations. Kazee appealed but the suspension was upheld.

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Chargers sign Tony Jefferson to active roster

In wake of Derwin James’ suspension, the Chargers signed Tony Jefferson to the active roster. Here is what it means.

Tony Jefferson is officially on the active roster.

The Chargers announced on Thursday that they had signed the veteran to an active roster contract, moving him up from the practice squad in a permanent fashion. Los Angeles had one roster spot available due to the suspension of safety Derwin James, who does not count against the 53-man roster limit this week while he serves his suspension.

Jefferson will add depth to the safety room with James out. Alohi Gilman and Elijah Molden will be the presumed starters, with AJ Finley coming on when LA brings a third safety onto the field and Jefferson primarily contributing on special teams.

Jefferson had been elevated from the practice squad in Week 2 to fill in for an injured Gilman, so this will be his second game active for the Chargers in the regular season.

To fill Jefferson’s practice squad spot, the Chargers also signed offensive lineman Braeden Daniels, a fourth round pick by the Commanders in last year’s draft. Daniels, a Utah alum, has played guard and tackle and also has experience at center from his time in college. He could potentially be elevated to add depth for Los Angeles given the number of injuries on the offensive line coming into Sunday’s game with the Chiefs.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes isn’t worried about Travis Kelce’s slow start: ‘Travis will eat’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn’t worried about Travis Kelce’s slow start: ‘Travis will eat’ | @EdEastonJr

The unusually slow start from Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce had critics questioning his performance on or off the field. The only stat that truly matters to him is wins, and the Chiefs are undefeated at 3-0 to start the season.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed the ongoing debate regarding his Pro Bowl teammate not having the usual productive games he’s had in last seasons through three weeks.

“I feel like I want to get him the ball more,” Mahomes said. “Whereas he’s just like, ‘I just want to win, man. I don’t care. I’ll run these routes and take guys with me so that other guys can get open.'”

Mahomes has been more critical of his play so far this season. He believes Kelce’s offensive lack of production concerns the defensive matchups.

“We understand he’s an important part of this offense, and we want to make sure that we’re still featuring him. But at the same time, if defenses are going to take away him, we’ll give the ball to other guys and let them make plays,” said Mahomes. “But as the season goes on, if we continue to show that we’re going to throw it to Rashee (Rice) and we’re going to throw it to these other guys, and they are gonna make plays, teams are gonna have to do those one on one matchups, and that’s when Travis will eat.”

The Los Angeles Chargers welcome the Chiefs to town in Week 4 and are expected to be without safety Derwin James in the secondary due to suspension. This could play a factor in the utilization of Kelce more in the passing game.