Tag: Kyzir White

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 6

Some footage from Chargers training camp on Day 6.

The Chargers continued training camp on Tuesday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free if you are able to snag some tickets here while they last, but if you’re unable to attend, you will still be informed of all the action throughout the course of it.

I will have coverage of training camp with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members in attendance along with fan posts.

Chargers LB Kyzir White gives glimpse of play-making potential in new defense

Kyzir White will benefit immensely from Brandon Staley’s defense.

Since being drafted in 2018, Chargers linebacker Kyzir White has been lost in the shuffle, whether that be due to injuries that hampered him in the early years of his professional career or playing in a limited role.

However, last year marked the first time White got a fair shot, starting in 10 games in which he amassed 77 tackles, four tackles for loss and three passes defensed.

Heading into the final year of his contract, White could experience his best season to date, with head coach Brandon Staley, who’s proven at getting the most out of his defenders, leading the charge.

At training camp, White has been putting on quite the show, especially on Friday. The 24-year old was stout against the pass and run, and that included a few passes defensed and a pick-6 on quarterback Easton Stick.

Having been a safety in college, White’s versatility will pay dividends, given the fact that Staley’s system revolves around players with multi-dimensional skillsets.

White has the ability to be flexed in the slot (Star) and fill a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money), showing the prowess to cover tight ends and play the run at a high level.

“As you’re seeing the way the NFL game is now, you need guys that can run in the second level. So the way he plays, he can move like a safety, but he hits like a linebacker,” Staley said about White.

Thus far, White has been rotating with the first-team inside linebackers along with Kenneth Murray and Drue Tranquill.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley lauds linebacker group

Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White form a solid second-level trio.

Most teams have one solid linebacker. Some have two. But very few have three that can be counted on to step on the field and perform at a high level.

The Chargers fall under the latter, having a dominant trio made up of Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White.

Today at media availability, head coach Brandon Staley was asked about the position and he went on to call it a “strength of this football team,” adding that Murray, Tranquill and White have all played “winning football.”

In Staley’s defense, all three players will have roles that should benefit that side of the ball, given the fact that their responsibilities will cater to their strengths.

For Murray, he will be tasked with playing more downhill by using his speed and physicality to shine against the run and as a blitzer.

Tranquill’s intelligence, communication skills and high level of play as a run defender and coverage player will pay dividends at the second level.

White has the versatility to be flexed in the slot (Star) and fill a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money), with his ability to cover tight ends and support the run.

Given how much success Staley had with the Rams linebackers last season, I see big years from the three in this new scheme.

Sleepers to watch at each position on defense in Chargers training camp

Identifying some under-the-radar defensive players who could generate some buzz at Chargers training camp.

Each year, there are a few players for the Chargers who fly under the radar who come to the forefront in training camp.

With that being said, let’s a look at some sleepers at each position on the defensive side of the ball you may want to keep an eye out on this summer.

IDL: Breiden Fehoko

Linval Joseph, Jerry Tillery, Justin Jones and Christian Covington are the presumed interior defensive linemen to make the 53-man roster. There is likely a fifth and final spot that will need to be filled, however. Last offseason, Fehoko was signed as an undrafted free agent out of LSU. Promoted from the practice squad, Fehoko was active for two games during the regular season. While he didn’t record any stats, he still showed flashes. Look for Fehoko to show off his strength and effort to make plays, as well as his infectious energy to be a highlight of camp.

EDGE: Kyler Fackrell

Starting edge defenders Joey Bosa and Uchenna Nwosu have stolen the majority of the headlines. But Fackrell, who was signed earlier this offseason, could be a valuable rotational defender. Since entering the league in 2016, Fackrell has wreaked havoc in opposing backfields. He has 20.5 sacks in five seasons. Fackrell is tall, long, and flexible with athletic range, closing burst and competitiveness to make plays when rushing the passer and defending the run.

LB: Kyzir White

Kenneth Murray and Drue Tranquill are slated to start in head coach Brandon Staley’s defense, but White should still see the field quite a bit. Last season, White started in 10 games in which he amassed 77 tackles, four tackles for loss and three passes defensed. This season, White has the versatility to be flexed in the slot (Star) and fill a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money). His skillset should allow him to cover tight ends and support the run, which is what he did well coming out of college.

CB: Brandon Facyson

Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr. make up the starters, but Facyson is not to be forgotten. This spring, Facyson impressed the coaching staff, as he worked with the first team at outside corner when Harris Jr. would move in the slot. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, Facyson is a long press-man coverage CB, which makes him an ideal scheme fit for Staley’s defense. Facyson is an unfinished product, but he has unlocked potential and it will be intriguing to see if he can put it all together under the new coaches.

S: Mark Webb

Drafted in the seventh-round, Webb’s physical mentality and tackling ability were highly coveted to serve as a key special teamer, but like I’ve said before, don’t be surprised to see him make an impact on defense early on in his career. His versatility, athleticism and traits in coverage and against the run will serve him well in the secondary, whether that be in the deep parts of the fields, as a dimebacker or lined up in the slot. Seeing how he’s utilized at camp is something I’m looking forward to.

Projecting the Chargers’ linebacker depth chart in 2021

Forecasting how the second-level defense will look like for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Tight End

Offensive Line

Edge Defender

Interior Defensive Line

Next up, I project what the linebacker room will look like heading into the 2021 season.

Kenneth Murray

Selected in the first-round of the 2020 NFL draft, Murray showed flashes in the run game, but he was a liability in coverage since he was tasked with a large load with both safety Derwin James and Drue Tranquill, two of the team’s best coverage defenders, out with injuries in Gus Bradley’s zone-heavy defense. Despite having a mixed bag of a rookie season, Murray still managed to finish the 2020 campaign with 107 total tackles (most by rookie since 2000), one sack, five tackles for loss and one quarterback hit. Looking ahead to this upcoming season, head coach Brandon Staley’s defense will play more to his strengths, which are as a run defender and a blitzer, playing more downhill.

Drue Tranquill

Drafted in the fourth-round of the 2019 NFL draft, Tranquill became a key piece on the defensive side of the ball. In 15 games played, three of which he started, Tranquill racked up 64 tackles (50 solo), four tackles for loss and one pass defended. On top of that, he finished tied for the most special teams tackles by any rookie (11). After enjoying his solid rookie season, it was expected that he was going to take another step in Year 2, but an ankle injury in the first game of the season put everything to a halt. Now heading into his third year, Tranquill will be one of the starting linebackers alongside Murray. His strengths as a run defender and coverage player will be dividends with what he will be asked to do.

Kyzir White

A fourth-round pick of the 2018 NFL draft, White flashed as early as his rookie season. The sample size was small because he was hindered by an injury that year. In 2019, he didn’t play that much because he struggled in the role as the starting middle linebacker, relegating him to a SAM linebacker, and in Bradley’s nickel-heavy defense, the playing time for the position is limited. Last season, White started in 10 games in which he amassed 77 tackles, four tackles for loss and three passes defensed. This upcoming season, White could be in for his best year yet in Staley’s defense. White has the versatility to be flexed in the slot (Star) and fill a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money), and he is strong against the run and pass.

Nick Niemann

Niemann was drafted in the fifth-round of this year’s draft out of Iowa with the intentions of him aiding a special teams unit that finished last in the league last season. Even though that will be his primary role in Year 1, Niemann could be a reliable option if an injury was to occur. Niemann is a talented player who looks to fit the mold of the NFL’s new-age linebackers. He has the ability to make stops inside and outside the tackles and the coverage instincts and athleticism to stay on the field on third down.

Amen Ogbongbemiga

Ogbongbemiga, the undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State, has already caught the attention of special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II. Ogbongbemiga was a promising linebacker for the Cowboys, but his calling card right off the bat would be on special teams. He amassed over 500 ST snaps in college, and his range and solid tackling ability would make him a valuable asset on coverage units for the Bolts from Day 1.

Chargers rookie LB Nick Niemann is special teams ace with starter upside

The Los Angeles Chargers may have themselves a gem in linebacker Nick Niemann.

The Chargers drafted linebacker Nick Niemann in the fifth-round with the intentions of him aiding a special teams unit that finished last in the league last season.

While the majority of his money will be made in that department in his first season, Niemann profiles as a player that can make an impact on the defensive side of the ball.

Niemann comes from a school that has a knack for producing quality NFL linebackers, with the likes of Ben Niemann (Nick’s older brother), Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens, Josey Jewell.

Niemann had a solid career at Iowa. Even though he didn’t start until his last season, he was a key piece as an every-down weak-side linebacker, in which he posted 77 tackles (team high) and helped the team finish as a top-10 national defense in scoring and yardage.

Niemann, however, really turned heads at the Hawkeye’s Pro Day, where he posted a 40 time of 4.45, a shuttle time of 4.14, a 10-yard split in 1.48 seconds, which would have tied Jonathan Taylor for the fastest at the 2020 combine and a 6.67 second three-cone drill.

The testing numbers are eye-popping, but Niemann’s tape shows a player with the core traits that can contribute at the position at this level.

Niemann’s calling card is his tackling ability, as he ranked fourth in the Big 10 in tackles per game last season, averaging 9.6 hits per game.

Niemann is good interior run defender, showing very good mental processing to recognize blocking schemes quickly, which allows him to maximize his quickness to attack gaps, displaying physical toughness on contact to secure tackles in his gap.

Against outside runs, he shows the speed and range to be able to cover the field sideline-to-sideline. In addition, his processing ability helps him take good angles to intersect the ball carrier, helping raise his pursuit ability.

While Niemann does a great job of evading blockers in space and makes for a difficult second-level target for offensive linemen, he does lack technique and strength which will force him to struggle to match at the point of attack.

In today’s NFL, playing linebacker is more than just run defense, however.

Even though Niemann wasn’t tasked with a lot of responsibilities in coverage compared to other linebackers, he did enough sufficiently in that department to fare well in this league.

In man coverage, he has the speed to hang in space with slot receivers, and he should have no issue doing the same with athletic running backs and tight ends in the NFL.

In zone coverage, he shows comfort and route recognition skills across the middle as well as in the flats. When he sees the ball in the air, he has impressive movement skills to close the distance.

Finally, Niemann brings quickness and sufficient effort as a blitzer.

The bottom line is that Niemann is a talented linebacker who looks to fit the mold of the NFL’s new-age linebackers. He has the ability to make stops inside and outside the tackles and the coverage instincts and athleticism to stay on the field on third down.

Drue Tranquill, Kenneth Murray and Kyzir White stand above him on the depth chart at the moment, but if an injury were to occur, Niemann is the ideal guy that can be counted on to start in the upcoming season.

By Year 2 or 3, Niemann could be in a position where he is fighting for a starting job for the Chargers, given the fact that White will be a free agent at the end of the season and Tranquill will be at the end of the 2022 season.

With his skillset and developmental potential, Los Angeles might have a good one on their hands for years to come.

Report: Chargers LB Denzel Perryman plans to test free agency market

One of the top pending free agents for the Chargers is planning on surveying his options this offseason.

One of the top pending free agents for the Chargers is planning on surveying his options this offseason.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, linebacker Denzel Perryman is expected to test the free agency market when the period opens up.

Rapoport added that Perryman has not ruled out returning to Los Angeles. He earned a two-year, $12 million extension back in 2019 after his rookie contract.

Perryman had arguably his best season as a pro in 2020, even though he was relegated to a rotational role. Playing all but three games, the 28-year old notched 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a pass deflection. He also allowed the fewest receptions and yards of his career.

In each season since getting drafted in 2015, Perryman has dealt with some sort of injury, forcing him to miss a total of 27 games since then.

Re-signing Perryman would supply the linebacker corps with a veteran presence. However, the Chargers have steadily been adding to the positional group the past few years with Kenneth Murray, Kyzir White, Drue Tranquill and Nick Vigil.

Showing to stay healthy and be productive this past season, Perryman may feel like he’s worth more than what Los Angeles might have in mind.

LB Kenneth Murray coming into his own in Chargers defense

The future is looking very bright for No. 56 in the blue and gold.

The Chargers’ defense has had its ups and downs this season, as the unit has been battered by injuries.

Among the positional groups that has seen players go down is the linebackers. Drue Tranquill was placed on the IR after the first game of the season. Denzel Perryman and Kyzir White have both missed a few games.

However, the one member of the crop that has played and started every single game this season is Kenneth Murray.

Murray, who Los Angeles traded up for in the first-round to draft, experienced growing pains with an expanded role right off the bat, but he’s made consistent growth over time.

“Every week there’s a little bit of growth that I go through,” Murray said. “I see something faster, maybe quicker, and I think the beauty of it [is], I’ve always been the type of guy that if we play a team once, when we come back and play them a second time, you’re able to see things and see how they do things to be able to capitalize on those things. I think that’s been another thing to my benefit being able to play our division teams twice a year.”

Murray has been at his best when making plays in front of him and laterally, stopping ball carriers as they try to escape. The area that’s improving, but he will need to continue to get better at is in coverage.

However, he has been put in a tough spot with both safety Derwin James and linebacker Drue Tranquill, two of the team’s best coverage defenders, out with injuries.

Murray has one game left to play, and he’s already surpassed over 100 tackles, marking the sixth Chargers linebacker since 2000 to post at least 100 tackles in a regular season. The other five are Junior Seau, Donnie Edwards, Stephen Cooper, Takeo Spikes and Thomas Davis.

In total, Murray has 104 tackles, five tackles for loss, three passes defensed, and a sack.

All in all, given the circumstances of a short training camp and no preseason, Murray has played extremely well this season and it’s safe to say that he is just scratching the surface.

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray has breakout game in blowout loss vs. Patriots

Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray was all over the place.

There weren’t many positives from the Chargers’ worst defeat in franchise history last Sunday to the Patriots.

But there was one player, despite what the scoreboard displayed, that played hard until the final whistle was blown. That player was rookie linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Playing every snap due to LBs Denzel Perryman and Kyzir White being out, Murray made the most of them, roaming around like his head was on fire.

The former first-round pick finished with a season-high 14 tackles, bringing his total to 89. He had seven run stops and two tackles for loss. Most notably, Murray also picked up his first professional sack.

Even as New England continued to rack up points, Murray still gave 100% effort. Nick Vigil was at MIKE calling the plays in nickel and base defenses while Murray was calling the plays when the team went to dime packages.

Murray was at his best at making plays in front of him and laterally, stopping ball carriers as they tried to escape. The area that he will need to continue to get better at is in coverage, where he hasn’t been the most comfortable.

However, he has been put in a tough spot with both safety Derwin James and linebacker Drue Tranquill, two of the team’s best coverage defenders, out with injuries.

All in all, given the circumstances, Murray has played well this season and it’s safe to say that he is just scratching the surface.

Chargers final injury report vs. Patriots: LB Denzel Perryman doubtful

The Los Angeles Chargers could be thin at the linebacker position.

The Los Angeles Chargers released their final injury report ahead of the Week 13 battle with the New England Patriots.

Here is a look at the report:

DOUBTFUL

Denzel Perryman

QUESTIONABLE

Kalen Ballage

Casey Hayward

Uchenna Nwosu

Joe Reed

The Chargers may very well be without linebacker Denzel Perryman, who suffered a back injury in last weekend’s loss to the Bills. The team could also be missing Kyzir White, who still remains on the COVID-19 list.

If Perryman and White can’t play, Nick Vigil and Cole Christiansen will split snaps at linebacker, according to coach Anthony Lynn.

If cornerback Casey Hayward has to miss the second consecutive game, Lynn hinted that Brandon Facyson would start over Tevaughn Campbell on the outside opposite of Michael Davis.