Tag: Keenan Allen

Chargers pegged as worst-to-first candidate for 2020 season

An NFL Network analyst believes that the Los Angeles Chargers will have a bounce-back season in 2020.

After finishing with a 12-4 record and earning a trip to the playoffs during the 2018 season, the Chargers followed that up with a dud of a season in 2019, going 5-11 and finishing last in the division.

Many analysts pegged Los Angeles to go to the Super Bowl this time around last year, but they clearly failed to live up to all of the hype that they received.

The talent was there, but the woeful campaign was a result of injuries to key players, a coaching change midway through the season and failing to finish games as a handful of those 11 losses were within a touchdown.

Heading into the new decade, the Bolts have the majority of the roster intact, but they received some more reinforcements with offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, guard Trai Turner, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and defensive tackle Linval Joseph via free agency and some through the draft.

The biggest difference is at the quarterback position where Philip Rivers will no longer be the one under center after 14 seasons as the starter. The show will now be ran by Tyrod Taylor and first-round selection Justin Herbert.

With the pieces that the Chargers have, NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks believes that they’re good enough to turn it around after a dreadful outcome last season.

“We can talk about that defense being lights out with [Joey] Bosa, [Melvin] Ingram, Derwin James and Kenneth Murray, but let’s look at the obvious,” Brooks said. “Justin Herbert. I know Tyrod Taylor is slated to start, but let’s say Justin Herbert gets the opportunity to run this offense.

The weapons that he has on the outside with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry. But what about Josh Kelley? Joshua Kelley playing the role as the running back. Look, get your t-shirts ready. I think it’s going to happen in L.A. The Chargers with their draft picks can get it done.”

Not mentioned by Brooks, who should be a huge contributor on the offensive side of the ball, is running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler made a significant impact as a runner and a pass-catcher, which is why he earned a four-year contract extension earlier this offseason.

Even though Rivers won’t be calling the shots anymore, I believe Los Angeles is still capable of getting the job done with Taylor or Herbert, especially with the new offense that they’re going to run, which should be similar to the Ravens of last season, and given the amount of talent they have from top to bottom.

The most vital key to any kind of success for them is health of the players. Like last year, if they can’t stay injury-free it’ll be hard to have a bounce-back season. If they do, the Chargers are capable of making some serious noise during the regular season and into the playoffs.

Another key to success will be dethroning the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, who are 27-3 against AFC West teams since 2015 and have claimed four straight division titles.

WATCH: Chargers new WR K.J. Hill’s route-running clinic

The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Keenan Allen 2.0 in the seventh-round.

The Chargers’ annual draft steal came in the seventh-round with the selection of former Ohio State wide receiver K.J. Hill.

Hill, the 5-foot-11 and 196 pound wideout isn’t going to win with speed or physicality to box out defenders, but he will put them on skates with crisp route-running.

That was a large part of him setting Ohio State’s record in receptions (201). Getting open and catching everything thrown his way is the name of his game.

You know who else has a knack for that on the Chargers? Keenan Allen.

Hill said he modeled his game after Allen. He used to watch Allen tape while he was in college. “I’m a route technician,” Hill said.

To get an idea of what Hill brings to Los Angeles, below are his highlights from this past season:

What Chargers’ surprise pick could look like in Round 1

Tom Telesco is a “top-five G.M. poker-player” when it comes to the draft.

Mock drafts have flooded the internet the past few months. The consistent trend for the Chargers has been quarterback, offensive tackle and linebacker Isaiah Simmons here and there.

With Los Angeles picking No. 6 overall, you almost can’t go wrong because there are only so many consensus top prospects that fit the ball.

However, every year many of mock drafts are in shambles after the first two picks because NFL teams view these prospects differently than the general population does.

Not to mention, general manager Tom Telesco is one of the best at keeping his plans tight-lipped, and in recent years he has stumped many with his selections.

While many mock drafts have Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Simmons to Los Angeles, what’s a scenario that goes against the norm, and while it may be shocking, it would still make sense?

A wide receiver.

This year’s wide receiver class is loaded with talent from top to bottom, so they could afford to get a reliable option after Round 1, but play-makers like Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy & Henry Ruggs would put the offense over the top.

Each one of these guys possesses their own dynamic element that would bolster an offense.

Lamb might not be the fastest, but his hands, yards after the catch ability and route-running releases are all elite. Jeudy can put defenders on skates and win with his elite deep speed. Ruggs is a complete route runner with track-like speed who simply catches everything.

Drafting a wide receiver is already an absolute must, but if the Chargers are banking on Tyrod Taylor as the long-term answer, then why not go get him another target with one of the more premiere wideouts in this year’s class?

Lamb/Jeudy/Ruggs, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry would be one the league’s most lethal combos.

You can make the argument for left tackle being more of a priority, but it remains to be seen if the Chargers are banking on Trey Pipkins. Plus, a quarterback that is mobile helps with masking pass-blocking deficiencies.

Sounds crazy, right? Well, the draft is crazy in it’s own with a slew of twists and turns all throughout, putting the majority of those projections that we’ve seen to bed.

At the end of the day, it wouldn’t be surprising if it ultimately is a quarterback, offensive tackle or Simmons in Round 1 and they hold off on wide receiver position until Day 2, but on draft day, you always have to expect the unexpected.

Chargers safety Derwin James wins EA Sports’ Madden 20 Tournament

No one wants to take on Derwin James on the football field, as well as on Madden.

Chargers safety Derwin James is one of the best players in the league, and one of the best Madden players.

James was crowned champion of the Checkdown x Madden Tournament, which was a Madden 20 tournament to help raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts, taking down Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

James used the 49ers while Hill played with the Bears.

Hill couldn’t find the scoreboard, only managing three points after scoring 104 points in the last two rounds prior to the championship matchup. Meanwhile, James’ offense was too dominant for Hill to stop as he racked up a whopping 52 points.

James worked his way to the top by taking down his own teammate Keenan Allen 14-6 in the first-round, following that up by defeating Eagles’ DeSean Jackson by the score of 50-27 in the semifinals.

With his earnings from winning the tourney, a donation will be made in James’ name to a COVID-19 charity of choice.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen names his top 5 wide receivers of all-time

Who are the greatest wide receivers to play? Keenan Allen answers.

You can make the argument that Keenan Allen is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL at the moment.

Who does Allen believe are the best at the position of all time?

On Wednesday, Bills’ Stefon Diggs sparked a Twitter debate after asking the general population one of the most-debated topics, to name the five best wideouts in league history.

Allen was one of the more notables that chimed in, responding with the following list:

  • Randy Moss
  • Jerry Rice
  • Terrell Owens
  • Calvin Johnson
  • Larry Fitzgerald

I would have to concur with Allen’s list completely. What do you guys think? Who are the five best wide receivers in NFL history?

Report: Chargers among teams interested in WR Phillip Dorsett

The Los Angeles Chargers want to add some speed to the wide receiver position.

The Chargers are in the market for a third wide receiver to go along with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Los Angeles might be looking to solidify that via free agency.

According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, former Patriots wideout Phillip Dorsett said that the Bolts are among five teams that have shown early interest in him.

“I just want to come in and have a great opportunity to play and showcase how I can really flourish as a player,” Dorsett told Anderson.

There’s one element that the Bolts could be honing in on when it comes to the next player they bring in and that’s speed, which is something that the former Miami product brings to the table.

Coming out of college, Dorsett ran a blazing 4.33 40-yard dash.

Dorsett played his first two professional seasons with the Colts and the last three with New England.

In three seasons with the Patriots, Dorsett amassed 73 catches for 881 yards and eight touchdowns.

Even though it might be a smarter route to address the position in the draft where it’s one of the deepest groups, Dorsett likely wouldn’t cost that much to sign.

Watch: Chargers’ Keenan Allen, Melvin Ingram mic’d up for Pro Bowl

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive end Melvin Ingram were characters at the Pro Bowl.

The Los Angeles Chargers sent wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive end Melvin Ingram to the Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Sunday.

The AFC took care of business, defeating the NFC by the score of 38-33. But rather than the game itself, it was more so about the entertainment among the players that were on the field.

The Chargers shared a video on their official Twitter account of Allen and Ingram, who were mic’d up during the contest, showcasing their humorous selves.

Check it out:

Chargers players react to the death of Kobe Bryant

Players of the Los Angeles Chargers react after the heartbreaking news.

The sports world was absolutely heartbroken when news broke of Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The five-time NBA champion was 41 years old.

Los Angeles Chargers players took to Twitter and expressed their shock and sorrow after hearing about the passing of one of the best players to play the game.

Best moments from Chargers in Pro Bowl practices

Defensive end Melvin Ingram and wide receiver Keenan Allen have been characters during the Pro Bowl practices.

The Senior Bowl has been the theme of the week from me, but we can’t forget that the 2020 Pro Bowl is also going on a little more south in Orlando, FL.

Despite the fact that the event doesn’t attract many fans anymore, it does showcase some entertaining moments between players from all 32 NFL teams in one big setting.

Defensive end Melvin Ingram and wide receiver Keenan Allen are the players representing the Bolts and we know they both have unique personalities – which we’ve been fortunate to see, thanks to the team’s official Twitter account.

Here are some of the best moments thus far.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen nominated for ‘Anything But Ordinary’ Player of the Year Award

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen was nominated for ‘the Anything But Ordinary’ Player of the Year Award.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has been nominated for the first-ever “Anything But Ordinary” Player of the Year Award, which highlights the passions and innovations of players throughout the NFL.

The award is sponsored by Microsoft Surface, the league’s official laptop and tablet partner.

For Allen, he has been able to teach himself to both play the piano and write his own music, and is now learning how to play the guitar.

Finalists will be chosen through a fan vote which runs now through Monday, January 20. The winner will be presented at the NFL Honors Award Show on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Click here to vote for Allen and see the finalists from each NFL team.

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