Tag: LA Chargers

Former Clemson receiver has a big day in the NFL

Former Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams had a big-time game on Sunday. Williams totaled seven receptions for 120 yards as his Los Angeles Chargers beat the Houston Texans, 34-24. Its been an up and down season so far for Williams. Sunday marked …

Former Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams had a big-time game on Sunday.

Williams totaled seven receptions for 120 yards as his Los Angeles Chargers beat the Houston Texans, 34-24.

Its been an up and down season so far for Williams. Sunday marked his second game going over 100 yards receiving. However, in the other two games Williams has played, he has had less than 20 yards in each.

Williams’ season stats now stand at 18 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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Former Georgia Bulldog OL wins Chargers’ game ball

Former Georgia Bulldog Jamaree Salyer stepped up in his first career start.

Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Jamaree Salyer received a game ball from head coach Brandon Staley for his Week 4 performance against the Houston Texans. Los Angeles won, 34-24, on the road.

Jamaree Salyer made his first career NFL start and helped the Chargers allow only one sack against the Texans. Additionally, Los Angeles totaled 419 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.

Salyer, a rookie out of the University of Georgia, was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Salyer started at left tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs throughout the 2020 and 2021 college football seasons. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound offensive lineman allowed only two hurries and no sacks during his final season with Georgia.

Salyer primarily practiced at offensive guard for the Chargers, but that changed after star left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn biceps in Week 3 against the Jaguars. Slater is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 NFL season.

The rookie stepped up for Los Angeles on the road, where it is tougher for offensive linemen to play well. The Chargers are 2-2.

The Houston Texans entered the contest already having 10 sacks this year. The Chargers had to protect banged up quarterback Justin Herbert, who is dealing with a ribs injury. Salyer is a big reason the Chargers were able to win.

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Georgia rookie named starting left tackle for Los Angles Chargers

Former Georgia Bulldog Jamaree Salyer is slated to be the Los Angeles Chargers’ starting left tackle after an injury

Former Georgia Bulldog Jamaree Salyer is slated to be the Los Angeles Chargers’ starting left tackle in Week 4 against the Houston Texans. Salyer was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Salyer started at left tackle for the University of Georgia during 20 games throughout the 2020 and 2021 college football seasons. Salyer has primarily practiced at offensive guard for the Chargers, but that changed after star left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn biceps in Week 3 against the Jaguars. Slater is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 NFL season.

Now, Salyer has a chance to play left tackle in the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound offensive lineman allowed only two hurries and no sacks during his final season with Georgia.

In the national championship game Georgia moved Salyer to offensive guard to give the Dawgs more push on the interior in the running game. Georgia put Broderick Jones at left tackle.

The Houston Texans already have 10 sacks this year. The Texans have a good, but not spectacular pass rush, so Jamaree Salyer and company will be tested in Week 4.

The Chargers must protect banged up quarterback Justin Herbert, who is dealing with a ribs injury.

The Athletic’s Daniel Popper broke the news on Salyer.

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Chargers 53-man roster projection: Who’s in, out after second preseason game

Here’s how we see the Chargers’ roster shaping up ahead of the final preseason game.

The Chargers’ second preseason game against the Cowboys shed more light on some position battles.

Here’s an attempt at a roster projection a week before cut day:

Quarterback (3): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Chase Daniel

There are no changes here, although Tom Telesco said on Saturday’s broadcast that the team will carry three quarterbacks. Stick and Daniel are still competing for the backup job.

Running back (4): Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree III

Telesco also indicated that the team will keep four running backs and use all of them, which means Rountree is back on the menu. Spiller suffering an ankle injury on Saturday will also help Rountree’s chances of making the initial roster.

Fullback (1): Zander Horvath

No change here; Horvath still seems like the favorite over incumbent Gabe Nabers.

Wide receiver (5): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, DeAndre Carter, Jalen Guyton

It causes me physical pain to leave off preseason superstar Michael Bandy here, but the numbers are not in his favor. Keeping three QBs and four running backs and potentially having to carry a fourth tight end make it seem like a foregone conclusion that the sixth wide receiver is not a spot on this roster. So what more does Bandy have to show to change that seems unknowable at this point?

Tight end (4): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., Tre’ McKitty, Hunter Kampmoyer

Speaking of four tight ends, I think Kampmoyer will squeak through, initially, because Parham and McKitty have both missed time in training camp with injuries. If one or both of them aren’t ready to go by Week 1, TE4’s place on the roster is assured. Kampmoyer has also been working with the starting units on special teams, which could aid his case.

Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins, Storm Norton, Jamaree Salyer, Brenden Jaimes, Will Clapp

Pretty chalk here, although Ryan Hunter continues to gain ground on Jaimes on Clapp. I think those three are battling for two spots. Telesco’s teams have been notoriously reluctant to give up on draft picks, which makes me believe Jaimes is safe despite arguably looking like the worst player of the three. Clapp could be on the block after a rough performance against the Rams, considering Hunter can play center in a pinch. Salyer seems to have all but won the backup guard job, while the loser of the still undetermined right tackle battle will serve as the swing tackle.

Defensive line (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Breiden Fehoko, Christian Covington

No changes here. Once again, Tillery struggled against the run and missed two tackles. Further, he was a non-factor in the passing game. Meanwhile, Covington and Fehoko continued to be the only ones to make plays against the run, despite the porous product against the Cowboys.

Edge rusher (4): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Chris Rumph II, Jamal Davis

No changes here. Davis continued to make his case for the fourth edge defender spot against Dallas, especially as Emeke Egbule did not play. There aren’t a lot of tools in his bag as a pass rusher, but Davis is plenty impactful as a run defender with his power to set firm edges and effort to chase down plays, finishing with two tackles for loss.

Linebacker (5): Kyle Van Noy, Drue Tranquill, Kenneth Murray Jr., Troy Reeder, Nick Niemann

Damon Lloyd continues to make a push to make the 53-man roster. But at the end of the day, I think the team still favors Niemann’s special teams prowess. He finished with 14 special teams tackles on coverage units last season, which tied for fourth-most in the NFL.

Cornerback (5): JC Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr., Bryce Callahan, Michael Davis, Ja’Sir Taylor

No changes made here. While Deane Leonard was cleaner in coverage, he missed a tackle. On the other hand, Taylor had a tackle for loss, and I believe he has more upside on special teams.

Safety (4): Derwin James Jr., Nasir Adderley, JT Woods, Alohi Gilman

After standing out early in camp, Mark Webb has yet to take a single snap in preseason play, as he is now nursing a calf issue. After undergoing knee surgery, Webb missed the final nine games of his rookie season in 2021. I think Webb could be reliable depth across multiple positions in the secondary. But as the saying goes, the best ability is availability. Unfortunately, for Webb, that has not been the case.

Specialists (3): K Dustin Hopkins, P J.K. Scott, LS Josh Harris

No changes made here.

Chargers’ Brandon Staley sets expected return date for Kenneth Murray

The former first-round pick should be returning to the practice field real soon.

The Chargers returned Derwin James to the practice field after a 14-day hold-in. Now, they’re set to get back another starter on the defensive side of the ball.

Head coach Brandon Staley said at his media availability that Kenneth Murray is expected to return to practice next Monday, barring any setbacks.

Murray has been sidelined since the start of the team’s offseason workouts after undergoing surgery in early April. Last season, he dealt with the ankle issue, which significantly impacted his performance.

While Murray has missed time at camp, Troy Reeder has had plenty of playing time with the first team, as did Drue Tranquill and Kyle Van Noy before their perspective injuries.

With Murray returning, he should slowly ease back into a sizeable role for the Bolts, as he looks to have a bounce-back season.

Murray posted 107 tackles in his rookie campaign.

Free agency talk on Mike Williams

With the NFL offseason underway, speculation and rumors about where the top free agents will end up is starting to heat up. Among this year’s top targets is former Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams. Currently with the Los Angeles Chargers, …

With the NFL offseason underway, speculation and rumors about where the top free agents will end up is starting to heat up. Among this year’s top targets is former Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams.

Currently with the Los Angeles Chargers, Williams is arguably the top wide receiver on the market, making him a big-time target for many teams.

However, it’s starting to sound like L.A. may use the franchise tag on Williams.

Williams finished last season with 76 catches for 1,146 yards. He also had nine touchdowns.

If tagged, Williams would make close to $20 million on a one-year deal for the 2022 season. If not tagged, he would be able to negotiate with any team beginning March 14.

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Clemson’s WRU flex

Clemson Football put out a pretty sweet shoutout to its three 1,000-yard wideouts on Twitter – Mike Williams, Hunter Renfrow and Tee Higgins. It’s pretty cool being able to turn on just about any NFL game and seeing at least one former Tiger out …

Clemson Football put out a pretty sweet shoutout to its three 1,000-yard wideouts on Twitter — Mike Williams, Hunter Renfrow and Tee Higgins.

It’s pretty cool being able to turn on just about any NFL game and seeing at least one former Tiger out there making plays.

Hopefully next season a healthy DeAndre Hopkins will make it four 1,000-yard receivers.

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WRU is real, and the stats prove it

If you turn on just about any NFL game, you will see a few Clemson players on the roster. From superstars to the practice squad, the Tigers have been pumping out NFL talent for years. But it’s hard to argue Clemson’s best performance in producing …

If you turn on just about any NFL game, you will see a few Clemson players on the roster. From superstars to the practice squad, the Tigers have been pumping out NFL talent for years. But it’s hard to argue Clemson’s best performance in producing playmakers has been at wide receiver.

With the NFL season winding down, the Tigers have three former WRs with over 1,000 yards — Tee Higgins, Mike Williams, and of course Hunter Renfrow. And realistically, had Deandre Hopkins not been hurt, he probably would have joined them.

An impressive showing to say the least. Former Tigers Sammy Watkins, Adam Humphries, and Ray-Ray McCloud have been steady contributors to their teams all year as well. And rookie Amari Rodgers is starting to get more playing time up there in Green Bay. Next year, hopefully Justyn Ross will be adding to the Tigers’ NFL pass-catching club.

One thing is for sure, WRU is in good hands it seems.

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Former Michigan State TE Matt Seybert signs with LA Chargers

Former Michigan State TE Matt Seybert is back with the LA Chargers after being waived earlier this week

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Former Michigan State tight end Matt Seybert is back with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Seybert was waived by the Chargers earlier this week, but on Saturday was resigned by the team. Seybert has been with the Chargers for most of the offseason and into training camp.

Seybert played for Michigan State from 2017 – 2019 and appeared in 20 career games.

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Bills’ Sean McDermott post-Chargers: ‘That’s the defense I expect’

Sean McDermott: ‘that’s the defense I expect. I expect that every week.’

Following the Bills’ 27-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Buffalo improved to 8-3, but this win was unlike others we have seen in 2020.

For most of the year, the Bills offense has carried the team, (or special teams if you count the Week 7 Jets game,) but in Week 12, Buffalo’s defense showed up when they were needed most.

Entering halftime, the Bills held a 17-6 lead, and from there, the offense only managed to add 10 more points, while also turning the ball over three times. The Bills had two fumbles lost and an interception.

The defense, while not perfect, held the Chargers’ fourth-ranked offense to only 17 points and forced rookie quarterback Justin Herbert to have one of the worst games of his young career. While perhaps a surprising effort to observers of the team, their coach said he saw what he is accustomed to seeing from this defense against the Bolts.

“That’s the defense I expect. I expect that every week,” Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said via video conference following the game. “I think that it just goes back to… fundamentals, technique, spending time in the film room together. All those things is a big part of earning the right to win and they did that.”

The Bills managed to takeaway the ball just once, on a Tre’Davious White interception, but Buffalo pressured Herbert and cause him to miss throws that he doesn’t usually miss.

Essentially McDermott thought it was a full defensive effort from his team. He also hopes that it’s potentially momentum building one.

“I thought that was very impressive… I thought [defensive coordinator] Leslie (Frazier) and his staff did a great job during the week taking a good game-plan with good communication and the players embraced it.” McDermott said. “They spent a lot of time this week, that’s a good offense… they’ve been hot with weapons all over… and then to get that group back was a big jolt for them, in a good way and our guys rose to the challenge, so that’s what we’ve got to do every week.”

While there is still work to be done on both sides of the ball, having your defense show up in crucial moments, especially when your offense and quarterback are struggling, is imperative.

Leading that clutch defense for the Bills was another good effort from AJ Klein. His 14 tackles, three for loss and 1.5 sacks all led Buffalo, the linebacker still knows that it was a full unit effort by the Bills as well.

“Playing four downs of football and trying to create negative plays and I think we did that. We got a big turnover by Tre, we got pressure in Herbert’s face, so overall I thought we played really well,” Klein said via video conference. “It was good to see us respond.”

In the end, the win was not the prettiest, however, you don’t get style points in the NFL. 8-3 is 8-3 regardless of how you get there.

“It’s hard to win this league… it’s good to be 8-3,” McDermott added. “We came off the bye and got a win.”

As we come down the final stretch and head towards the playoffs, the Bills will hope to see more of this defense and not the defense that too often left us scratching our heads during the first half of the season.

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