Tag: Giff Smith

Chargers’ Giff Smith on Sebastian Joseph-Day’s release: ‘It was in the best interest of the team’

Gift Smith was asked about the release of Sebastian Joseph-Day.

After being waived just a week ago, former Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the 49ers.

At the time of his signing, Joseph-Day indicated that he was thankful for his release and the opportunity to play with the Niners. But he decided to keep any comments on what wrong in Los Angeles to himself.

Chargers interim head coach Giff Smith was finally asked about the surprise release at his Friday media availability.

It was a situations where myself and JoJo [Wooden], just in talking really, the easiest way to say is that it was just in the best interest for the team. Other stuff I’d rather just keep in-house, but we wish him the best. I hope he does well in San Francisco and that everybody moves on.

Certainly, that quote puts to bed the idea that the two sides were amicable at the time of release. Some had speculated that Joseph-Day asked for his release in advance to join a contender. But clearly as demonstrated by the friction between the two sides, that’s not what had happened.

Joseph-Day was signed to a three-year deal in the 2022 offseason with the team in Brandon Staley’s first big spending splurge as head coach. Staley brought in a few of his “guys” over the year from previous stops in the NFL.

With a new general manager and coaching staff coming in for 2024, it was unlikely that Joseph-Day had much of a chance to remain on the team. Especially when weighing his current production with the team’s own cap situation. The most optimal time to make the move may have been now.

Scott Matlock, Otito Ogbonnia, and other members of the defensive tackle room will have an opportunity for an increased workload in Joseph-Day’s absence. That will start with the Broncos on Sunday and a Week 18 finale against the Chiefs.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Broncos?

Find out who the experts are picking between the Chargers and Broncos.

The Chargers are 3.5-point underdogs to the Broncos in Week 17 of the 2023 regular season. The over/under is 36.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 36.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 20-17 win for the Broncos, with a combined total of 37 points. So if I were putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts are picking Denver to win.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Broncos
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Broncos
Mike Clay (ESPN) Broncos
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Broncos
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Broncos
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Broncos
NFL.com Staff Broncos (4 to 1)
Bleacher Report Broncos

Sunday’s game will begin at 1:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

Chargers’ Derrick Ansley on Derwin James being sidelined: ‘It was a coaching error’

There was a lot of confusion surrounding Derwin James’ lack of snaps against the Bills.

Much was made about Derwin James’ absence on a 3rd and 8 play in last Saturday’s loss to the Bills in which Stefon Diggs was able to ice the game.

Chargers defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley said it was an error rather than a benching.

We didn’t pull him. We went into the game playing different STARS in different packages, and the play call that came out did not have him in the game which, at that moment, I wish I would have called a better play and had him in the game.

On James specifically not being on the field on that play:

We went into the game wanting to move some people around, give us the best chance to matchup. In that situation, you’d love to have Derwin on the field. We should have had him on the field. That is totally on me, I mismanaged that. It was going fast, just mismanaged on my part. Nothing against Derwin. It had nothing to do with his ability. It was just a coaching error.

While it’s believable that the Chargers may have simply not called the rotations correctly at STAR in that moment, it’s hard to fully buy that play changing the macro of story of James’ night. Even if he had played that down, 42 snaps would’ve still been a career low for him, excluding injuries.

With James effectively being relegated to slot cornerback and box roles in the current defense, it’s still fair to wonder about his future. Is this the role James wants for himself long term? Is the former Florida State product’s current usage in the scheme something a new general manager or head coach will want to replicate?

James and Ansley will both try to finish out the season strong in the last two weeks against Denver and Kansas City.

2023 Power Rankings Roundup, Week 17: Where Chargers stand after loss to Bills

Here is what the national media thinks of the Chargers after their loss to the Bills.

The Chargers are coming off a loss to the Bills.

Here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts ahead of Week 17:

USA Today: 30 (Previous: 31)

“A team that was supposed to wrest the Hollywood spotlight from the Rams will not only be getting a new script in 2024 but is facing huge cast turnover.”

Touchdown Wire: 27 (Previous: 25)

“They made the Bills sweat, but this team has its eye on finding its next head coach and figuring out how to surround Justin Herbert with talented players.”

NFL: 27 (Previous: 27)

“There still can be interesting developments in lost seasons, and the reduced role of Derwin James in Saturday’s tight loss to Buffalo certainly opened my eyes. In essence, he was a nickel corner in the game, taking only a few snaps at safety and playing just 40 of the 52 defensive snaps. James has been an impact player for the Chargers since entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2018, rarely coming off the field when healthy. But interim coach Giff Smith apparently has a different vision of James’ role down the stretch, which could raise questions about his future with the franchise, seeing how he carries a salary-cap hit just south of $20 million in 2024. Now, Smith probably won’t be the Chargers’ head coach next season, and a new front office is set to take over, so it’s impossible to project future personnel decisions. Even still, I’ll be keeping an eye on James once the new regime settles in.”

CBS Sports: 30 (Previous: 29)

“The decision to fire Brandon Staley gave this team some life against the Bills. Now let’s see if it carries over the last two games.”

Yahoo Sports: 27 (Previous: 28)

“It was good for the Chargers to compete like they did against the Bills, even in a loss. You don’t want to finish the season being that team, the one that doesn’t show up for the final month. That makes for a long offseason and (more) people lose their jobs that way.”

The Athletic: 28 (Previous: 28)

MVP: Justin Herbert

There’s one reason the Chargers’ job opening will be the most coveted in the league this offseason, and it’s not the Spanos family’s history of throwing money around. It’s Herbert, who was 11th in the league in passing yards (3,134), 13th in EPA per attempt (.14) and 14th in passer rating (93.2) before a finger injury ended his season after Week 14. The numbers don’t tell Herbert’s story, though. The tape does, and if the right coach lands in Los Angeles, look out.

Chargers players heap praise on Giff Smith after first game as interim head coach

Players are rallying behind Giff Smith as they are set to finish the last two games of the season.

Amid the firings of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco, Giff Smith relished the role of the Chargers’ interim head coach and kept the team focused during the nine days leading up to the game against the Bills on Saturday night.

Smith’s message was clear to the players.

Even while they were missing starting quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Keenan Allen, Los Angeles went toe-to-toe with Buffalo. They held the lead at various points in the game, including a 10-0 start.

Los Angeles looked inspired in all three phases, especially on offense, led by running back Austin Ekeler, who rushed 15 times for 63 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards.

“It was great,” Ekeler said, per the team’s official website. “Giff’s done a great job keeping us together and making sure that he’s implemented his message which is the family aspect of bringing everyone together, play for each other … make sure you leave everything out there.

“When you do that, you’re going to be excited to go play again,” Ekeler added. “That’s what we saw there and looking forward to playing for him again next week.”

Making just his second NFL start, quarterback Easton Stick was sharp in some of the throws he made. Stick finished 23 of 33 passes for 215 yards. He also had 25 rushing yards and a one-yard touchdown.

“He was awesome all week,” Stick said of Smith. “He told us that was the plan going into it, let’s get this thing to the fourth quarter and find a way to win it. Obviously, came up a little bit short.

But, the way that he rallied the guys this week, and you saw how hard we played, that’s a credit to Giff and that’s a credit to the guys in the locker room. He did an unbelievable job this week.”

Despite being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, one thing is clear. Players are rallying behind Smith as they are set to finish the last two games of the season under him.

Studs and duds from Chargers’ loss to Bills

Highlighting the good and the bad from the Chargers’ loss to the Bills.

Despite managing to keep the game close without Justin Hebert and several key starters, the Chargers came up just short against the Bills as they lost 24-22. Buffalo took control of their playoff destiny, while LA was mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

The Chargers have known their fate for weeks, though. It’s why Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco were fired in-season. At this point, all you’re watching for are performances to be used as an evaluation tool in the off-season. What stood out, positively and negatively, for the Bolts?

Stud: QB Easton Stick

As mentioned last week, what you’re looking to see from Easton Stick is competent fill-in play. Nothing more, nothing less. Last week in Las Vegas, Stick’s processing and decision-making were just a step slow. Turnovers made the margins of the game even worse for LA.

It was a much better performance for Stick this week. 23-33, 218 yards and a rushing touchdown is about what I’d expect from the NDSU product in executing the offense efficiently.

Also important for Stick as a game manager: zero turnover-worthy plays against Buffalo. He had six in his first two starts this season.

Dud: The anemic run game continues 

Relative to his recent efforts, this wasn’t a bad game for Austin Ekeler, as he averaged 4.3 yards per carry for 65 yards. But the total production and efficiency for the running back room wasn’t there.

After a 50-yard performance against Las Vegas, Isaiah Spiller had two carries for one yard. Joshua Kelley had one run that went backward yardage-wise. 18 runs for 64 yards between the backs is just more of the same in terms of what we’ve seen this season. The interior line struggled in a run-blocking capacity as they turned to Brenden Jaimes.

The absence of Corey Linsley and the athletic decline of Austin Ekeler are hard factors to work with. But Kellen Moore’s run game has not met expectations this year.

Stud: S Alohi Gilman

Alohi Gilman created two massive turnovers for the Chargers in this game. Left by himself with Stefon Diggs over the top, Gilman came up with a huge interception while undercutting Josh Allen’s pass. A forced fumble in run support also gave the Chargers another opportunity to swing the game.

By any conceivable metric, Gilman is having his best season in a contract year. As uncertainty looms around the rest of the Chargers’ expensive roster, he’s proven to be a critical piece of this defense. Whichever GM comes in needs to get Gilman back for 2024.

Dud: 4th down decision making

Staley took a lot of media heat on his fourth-down decision-making, but the truth is that his calls usually added to the Chargers’ in-game winning percentages. His aggressiveness in 2021 won that team some games. Conservatism and inconsistent decision-making made the offense less potent in ‘22 and ‘23.

On the first Chargers’ drive that gained traction to the tune of 90 yards, Giff Smith elected to take a field goal on the two-yard line. For an LA offense that has struggled to put up points on the board, I get the decision. But a touchdown there might’ve won the game for the Chargers, considering the defensive effort.

Again, the game was irrelevant from a playoff positioning standpoint. But had it been a must-win game, I think that decision at home against Josh Allen would’ve generated more discussion.

Stud: TE Gerald Everett

Somewhat quietly, Gerald Everett has put together a really solid stretch for the Chargers after a bit of a target drought. From October 1st to November 12th, Everett averaged under 14 yards in a five-game span. Since then, Everett has put up 41.8 yards per contest in his last five games.

He also has a five-game streak of 4+ receptions in that span. Whether with Stick or Justin Herbert, Everett has been a valuable piece in an otherwise depleted offense.

As mentioned before with Gilman, I also would try to keep Everett next year at the right value for the Chargers as draft/offseason insurance.

Dud: LB Kenneth Murray

Kenneth Murray has had his most erratic season as a pro. The run defense has largely been decent for the most part. But while that support aspect of his game is serviceable now, coverage is still a struggle. A miscommunication put him 1 on 1 vs. Gabe Davis downfield. 82 yards allowed in coverage was Murray’s most since the Dallas game.

Opposing offenses know that the middle and deep parts of the field are attackable with the Murray-Eric Kendricks duo that’s started all year. The Chargers took a run defense improvement while sacrificing coverage, and I’m not sure that tradeoff has worked out.

Chargers’ Derwin James has snaps significantly reduced vs. Bills

The future role of Derwin James is one the biggest questions.

Chargers safety Derwin James had a reduced role against the Bills.

With a large majority of snaps that took place at slot corner and near the box, James played the fewest snaps of his career, excluding injuries/ejections. 41 snaps was the fewest played for the former All-Pro in a game since he was ejected against the Colts.

Earlier in the week, interim head coach Giff Smith did talk about potential changes to Brandon Staley’s defense. On Tuesday, Smith did hint at personnel changes:

We’re going to put the best guys out there in the best position to have the opportunity to stop Buffalo and give us a chance to win.

James played over 50% of his 41 snaps at slot corner specifically. It’s the continuation of a gradual trend of having him play fewer of the deep aspects of the safety position, effectively limiting him to the box. James also registered his third consecutive game with a PFF grade lower than 45.0.

Notably, he was on the sideline on a 3rd and 8 play when Essang Bassey was playing the slot against Stefon Diggs. The Bills would convert against Bassey and effectively ice the game from there.

The firings of Tom Telesco and Staley will produce a domino effect of roster decisions going forward. One has to wonder where that leaves James in the shuffle if his snaps were immediately reduced the game after Staley’s ouster. Not to mention, is James comfortable with a slot majority role? The constant changes in his role this year are not something generally seen with the highest-paid players at their respective positions leaguewide.

From the Chargers’ standpoint, is it worth it to pay James as the most expensive safety in the league when they’re no longer using him as the Swiss Army Knife-esque key to their defense anymore?

New Chargers leadership will have many questions to answer, but the future role of James remains perhaps the biggest question regarding defensive roster construction.

Everything to know about Chargers’ hard-fought loss to Bills

The Chargers came up short in a tough 24-22 loss to the Bills.

Despite the outcome, the Chargers put up a great fight against the Bills on Saturday night.

To recap Los Angeles’ 24-22 loss to Buffalo, here is everything to know.

Bills play with their food, eventually eke out crucial win over Chargers

The Bills beat the Chargers, but it wasn’t a statement game unless the desired statement was, “WTF?” Still, they now control their postseason fate.

If there’s one thing we can say about the 2023 Buffalo Bills, it’s that they’re exactly like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get.

Six days after thrashing the Dallas Cowboys with a run game nobody had seen from offensive coordinator Joe Brady, the 8-6 Bills rolled into SoFi Stadium to face a 5-9 Los Angeles Chargers team with a new interim head coach (Giff Smith) following the firing of head coach Brandon Staley, and a backup quarterback (Easton Stick) who had been up and down in his two previous starts in relief of Justin Herbert, who’s out for the rest of the season with a right index finger injury.

So, this should have been a blowout on paper in Buffalo’s favor, but they don’t play football games on paper, do they? The Chargers gave the favorites everything they could handle, right up to the end of a 24-22 win that was only good for the Bills in that they now control their postseason destiny. If they beat the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in the final two weeks of the regular season, they are in the tournament. As it was, this moved Sean McDermott’s team from 10th to sixth in the AFC playoff race, and there’s no way of knowing which Bills team will show up at any given time.

The Bills team that showed up for this game was dependent on Josh Allen to pull it out, and that was more as a runner than as a passer. Against one of the NFL’s worst run defenses, last weeks hero James Cook gained just 70 yards on 20 carries, and fumbled twice.

Allen completed just 15 of 27 passes for 237 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but he also had two rushing touchdowns on five carries. Outside of receiver Gabe Davis’ annual big game (four catches on six targets for 130 yards and a touchdown), Allen’s targets were mostly nonexistent. And though the Chargers’ plan to spy Allen didn’t work as well as they’d have liked, they did keep Cook under wraps.

The Chargers, who were mathematically eliminated from the postseason in this game, probably should have won it… but they’re the Chargers, and sometimes, Chargering is a thing.

The Chargers were 1-of-3 in the red zone, and the Bills were 2-of-3. Cameron Dicker (the kicker) had five field goals in this game, including three in the fourth quarter. While that’s great for Dicker, you’re still going to want to score touchdowns to beat the Bills even when they’re having an off night. Stick completed 23 of 33 passes for 215 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. It was a safe game plan for the most part, though Stick was also let down by his receivers a couple times on more potentially explosive plays. Rookie Quentin Johnston struggled in particular — he wasn’t going at full speed on one potential deep pass, and another potential important play was negated bo an illegal shift penalty when Johnston wasn’t lined up correctly.

With all that said, the Chargers still had a chance as time was running low. Allen’s touchdown pass to receiver Khalil Shakir with 2:34 left in the game was overturned on review, and that was actually bad news for Buffalo’s opponent, because the Bills could then run the clock down before Tyler Bass’ 29-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the game.

On Los Angeles’ last play, they set up a series of laterals against Buffalo’s 9-DB Hail Mary defense, and they may have had a shot if receiver Alex Erickson had taken the lane he was given.

So. The Bills got the win they needed, though it was hardly a statement, unless the desired statement was “WTF?” As for the Chargers, they have now lost six games this season by three or fewer points, one game away from the NFL single-season record set by the 1994 Houston Oilers.

When it comes to Chargering, there are some things that transcend time, space, and the interim head coach bump.

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 24-22 loss to Bills

Here are four things to take away from the Chargers’ loss to the Bills.

The Chargers fought hard on Saturday, ultimately falling 24-22 to the Bills. Los Angeles led in time of possession but had fewer rushing, passing, and total yards than Buffalo.

Here are four things to take away from the contest.