Tag: Michael Bandy

Projecting the Chargers’ initial 16-man practice squad

Here’s our best guess at which 16 players will be back as members of the Chargers practice squad heading into the regular season.

With the 53-man roster set, the Chargers’ next task will be to build their practice squad. The squad has steadily increased in size in recent years, with up to 16 players allowed on the 2022 version. Up to four of those players can have less than two seasons of NFL experience, and up to six of them can be NFL veterans of any experience level. The rest must be players who have less than nine games of active roster experience in their career.

Let’s take a stab at a possible group Los Angeles could bring in for their squad:

RB Leddie Brown

While Brown didn’t receive many reps in the preseason, I do believe he made a bigger impression on the coaching staff than Kevin Marks Jr. did. Brown ran for 1,000 yards multiple times during his career at West Virginia, but his issue has always been speed. He’s a potential developmental option behind the four running backs on the 53 thanks to his pass-catching ability.

RB Tyler Goodson

Goodson was left off Green Bay’s initial 53-man roster, and while it’s likely that the Packers keep him on their practice squad, running backs coach Derrick Foster is familiar with the rookie. Foster was the running backs coach at Iowa from 2018-20. In the last year of that tenure, Goodson was named first-team All-Big Ten at running back, Iowa’s first such honoree since 2008. If he slips through waivers and isn’t immediately signed to Green Bay’s practice squad, Foster could campaign for him to make the move to Los Angeles.

WR Michael Bandy

Bandy’s preseason performance was phenomenal, but his size would always limit him to the slot, where the Chargers have a lot of flexibility with the receivers on the 53. If the 2020 UDFA gets through waivers, he should be the first player LA calls when building the practice squad. Bandy is an NFL route runner, full stop. The only reason he’s not on a roster is his lack of inside/outside versatility.

WR Trevon Bradford

Bradford seems the likeliest of the next tier of wide receivers to stay on the squad, as he had plenty of moments in practice. He also had a nice stop-and-start move in the second preseason game against the Cowboys. The rookie undrafted free agent has some traits to work with and I think he’s worth being kept him around.

WR Joe Reed

There’s still something to unlock with Reed, who flashed the ability to play on the outside this preseason before getting injured and missing the last preseason game. Before the preseason, it seemed like Reed was purely a slot and kick return guy. But perhaps his flashes will encourage the Chargers to keep him around for a healthy season in 2022 to see if he can push for a roster spot next offseason.

TE Hunter Kampmoyer

While Kampmoyer may not have done enough to make the 53, I’m sure LA will try to keep him around for his special teams value. Kampmoyer worked with the first team kickoff unit throughout training camp, a role that will now mostly be taken by Tre’ McKitty. The former undrafted free agent is a likely candidate to use up his three call-ups to provide some extra help on special teams, especially if the team gets off to a slow start.

TE Jace Sternberger

Another former Packer, Sternberger was cut by the Steelers on Monday as they trimmed their roster down to 53 as well. Tight ends coach Kevin Koger worked as an offensive quality control coach in Green Bay for Sternberger’s first two seasons, presenting another potential opportunity for LA’s position coaches to petition for a player they’re familiar with. Sternberger is another special teams value addition who could also fill the fourth tight end spot on the active roster if the Chargers feel they need one.

OT Foster Sarell

As of right now, it seems like Sarell will be brought back to the practice squad instead of Zack Bailey, who seems like a waiver claim candidate elsewhere around the league. Sarell split the second team left tackle duties with Bailey this preseason, and I thought Sarell was the better player. Bailey does have side versatility as someone that can play the left and right sides, whereas Sarell is locked in on the left side. But he’s worth putting more developmental time into as a potential backup.

G Ryan Hunter

Whether Hunter comes back or not at this point seems like a coin flip. In my opinion, the 27-year-old played well enough to earn a roster spot somewhere but ultimately lost his spot to Brenden Jaimes. If he’s amiable to returning, he’d be an excellent depth piece from the practice squad with call-up potential if either Jaimes, Will Clapp, or Jamaree Salyer go down with injuries.

DL Andrew Brown

Brown made a few plays for the Chargers this preseason, but he was always on the outside looking in with a locked and loaded top 5 and a tight competition between Breiden Fehoko and Christian Covington for IDL6. He could be a waiver claim candidate or move on to greener pastures if given the opportunity, but if he decides to return, he’d be a valuable addition a la Fehoko last season.

EDGE Jamal Davis II

I thought Davis did nearly enough to make the initial roster, but his lack of refinement as a pass rusher is likely what kept him off the 53. He’s a great run defender on the edge, and the Chargers did invest in him a little bit by signing him out of the CFL. I think he’ll be back to work on his pass rush arsenal and push for a roster spot in 2023.

EDGE Carlo Kemp

It’s hard to nail down what combination of Davis, Kemp, and Emeke Egbule will end up on the practice squad, but ultimately I think LA will keep Kemp as well. Although he wasn’t a standout in practice, Kemp flashed some real tools during the preseason. A former undrafted free agent who spent the spring in the USFL, Kemp’s football journey has already been arduous. Keeping him around and giving him some stability could unlock something.

CB Isaiah Dunn

The Jets acquired Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed this offseason, which ultimately pushed Dunn off the roster this week. The UDFA out of Oregon State got the largest contract for an undrafted cornerback in 2021 and played in 12 games as a rookie. Like Goodson, Dunn’s preseason team will almost certainly want him back. But if Dunn wants a change of scenery, moving from New York to Los Angeles could be the answer. 

CB Kemon Hall

Hall has steadily improved this offseason and closed out the preseason with a few strong performances, but the depth of the Chargers roster dictated his release on Tuesday. He’d be another valuable special teams addition to the practice squad after spending 2021 on the active roster. As a corner that knows the scheme, keeping him around at least early on while JC Jackson recovers from ankle surgery as emergency depth seems like a good idea.

S Raheem Layne

Layne should be an easy practice squad addition if he’s willing to return. He had an excellent training camp, and while the preseason games weren’t at that same level, he still looked like a competent depth piece. The rookie UDFA was one of the most pleasant surprises of the offseason, but he may feel as though his effort has gone underappreciated by the Chargers. If they can convince him to return, I’d expect him to have a role when he does get called up for his three games this season.

S Mark Webb Jr.

Probably the most surprising cut of the offseason for the Chargers, Webb missed this roster primarily because of his inability to stay on the field. A knee injury ended his season prematurely last year, with a calf issue holding him out of action this preseason. Webb is still injured, and leaving him off the 53 feels like the Chargers trying to sneak him through to the practice squad to rehab in-house without spending a roster spot. It’s no secret that LA is high on Webb’s potential. If he can stay healthy, I expect him to be one of the first permanent call-ups if other players get injured.

Other Names to Consider

RB Darrynton Evans

RB Kevin Harris

RB Justin Jackson

OT AJ Arcuri

OT Tyler Vrabel

G Michael Schofield

DT Tyler Shelvin

EDGE Emeke Egbule

LB Cole Christiansen

S Will Parks

Chargers waiving WR Michael Bandy

The Chargers are letting go of their preseason standout.

One of the stars of the preseason will now have to wait and see what his NFL future holds.

As part of the Chargers’ cut down to 53 roster spots, wide receiver Michael Bandy was waived Tuesday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

It’s a move that likely indicates the Chargers will only keep five receivers on the initial 53: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, DeAndre Carter, and Jalen Guyton.

Bandy was second in the league in preseason receiving yards with 172 in three games.

He showed NFL-caliber route running from the slot, but his lack of versatility hurt his chances of earning a roster spot. Allen, Palmer, Carter, and Guyton can all play inside or outside, leaving Bandy without much of a role on offense.

On special teams, Bandy would have been the backup returner behind Carter, but filling that role during the preseason left him without many opportunities to show the staff he could impact the game as a gunner.

Bandy will now have to wait to see if another team claims him on waivers. It’s a strong possibility for teams needing slot-specific receivers, especially with the way Bandy played this preseason. If he does make it through waivers, expect him to be one of Los Angeles’ first practice squad additions.

The Chargers have until 1 pm PT to finish trimming their roster to 53 players.

2022 Chargers training camp, preseason awards: MVPs, positive surprise, and more

It’s time to unseal the envelope for the 2022 Los Angeles Chargers training camp awards.

The Chargers are done with training camp and the preseason, and they will now finalize their 53-man roster by 1 pm PT on Tuesday.

With that, it’s a good time to hand out some awards.

I cover different bases, from the best offensive and defensive players to the biggest disappointments.

The envelopes, please…

6 takeaways from Chargers’ loss to Saints in preseason finale

Highlighting everything notable from the Chargers’ loss to the Saints in the preseason finale.

To cap off the preseason, the Chargers lost to the Saints, 27-10.

To recap Friday’s matchup, here are my takeaways:

Joshua Kelley earned the second running back spot

Entering the preseason finale, Kelley was the front runner to be Austin Ekeler’s running mate. But the fourth-year player cemented his case Friday night. Decisive and explosive as a runner, Kelley finished with 40 yards on six carries, including a rush with an eye-popping hurdle over a defender. For a player who was being disregarded, Kelley proved any doubters wrong this summer, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do during regular season action.

Rest of the running back room underwhelms

After the ankle injury to Isaiah Spiller, which could cause him to miss the season opener against the Raiders, the Chargers will likely roll with four running backs. However, none of the other backs outside Kelley did anything to help themselves. Larry Rountree had six carries for 12 yards. Leddie Brown had three rushes for seven yards. Kevin Marks had just one carry that went for negative yards.

Chase Daniel reclaims backup spot

Easton Stick had his best performance in the preseason opener, appearing calm in the pocket and quick to get the ball out. However, his performance on Friday night was not reflective of that. Stick’s ball placement was all over the place, finishing 9-of-17 for 74 yards. Meanwhile, Daniel, who played the first half, had an excellent outing. He made some solid throws to each level of the field, including a nice deep pass to Jalen Guyton. Daniel finished 10-of-11 for 113 yards. While it may be more reasonable to keep two quarterbacks to save a roster spot elsewhere, Tom Telesco confirmed on the national broadcast last weekend against the Cowboys that the team will keep all three quarterbacks.

Michael Bandy makes final case

The Chargers keeping six wide receivers is slim to none, which is unfortunate for Bandy, who continued to do what he’s done all summer by running silky smooth routes to get open and hauling in everything thrown his direction. Bandy finished with three catches for 30 yards on five targets. If Bandy clears waivers, I expect Los Angeles to sign him to the practice squad. But the chances of that happening are slim with the tape he’s put out.

Carlo Kemp carries momentum

Whether or not the Chargers will carry four edge defenders, not including Kyle Van Noy, remains to be seen. But if they do, Kemp has made his case to earn that spot over Jamal Davis, who also had a solid summer. Kemp finished with four tackles, a quarterback hit, and an almost tackle-for-loss. Kemp and Davis both showed to be stout against the run, but Kemp offers a little bit more value as a pass rusher.

Breiden Fehoko is deserving of a roster spot

Since the beginning of the summer, Fehoko has done nothing but prove that he belongs on the 53-man roster. Flashing his run defense skills on a snap-to-snap basis, Fehoko has also developed as a pass rusher with a faster get-off and quicker hands to defeat blockers. On Friday night, Fehoko finished with a tackle for loss, a quarterback pressure, and continued to do the dirty work by eating up blocks and resetting the line of scrimmage.

5 matchups to watch in Chargers’ preseason finale vs Saints

Highlighting five matchups to watch as the Chargers take on the Saints on Friday night.

The Chargers wrap up their preseason against the Saints.

With the roster taking shape, this will be the last stand for many players trying to make the team.

Here are five key matchups to watch Friday night:

Chargers EDGE Jamal Davis II vs. Saints OT Trevor Penning

Penning was the favorite choice of many a Chargers fan leading up to April’s draft because of his ability to play right tackle, but LA ended up going with Zion Johnson. Penning is now at left tackle in New Orleans, where he’s been the second-highest graded offensive player on the team through two preseason games. Davis, meanwhile, is still fighting for a roster spot in an EDGE room that may or may not carry four dedicated players with Kyle Van Noy’s role unclear. The stakes will be slightly higher as Davis and Chris Rumph will be out to prove their teammate was the right choice over Penning.

Chargers IOL Ryan Hunter vs. Saints DT Malcolm Roach

Both Hunter and Roach will be fighting for their football lives on Friday. For Hunter, he’s out to prove he’s worth a roster spot over the likes of Will Clapp and Brenden Jaimes. All three have had an up-and-down offseason. Roach is attempting to fend off rookies Jordan Jackson and Josh Black to retain his spot on the Saints. The winner of this battle, likely to take place deep into the game, could cement a place on the 53. The loser could be hoping for waivers to be favorable to them.

Chargers CB Ja’Sir Taylor vs. Saints WR Chris Olave

Rookie on rookie here, as Taylor has been the starting slot corner this preseason with Bryce Callahan getting his veteran rest. Olave, meanwhile, has rotated between the outside and in the slot. The Southern California native was another popular choice for the Chargers’ first-round pick and has lived up to the billing thus far. Taylor likely has a roster spot secured, especially with the injuries piling up at cornerback, but holding his own against Olave will undoubtedly help.

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley vs. Saints LB Kaden Elliss

Elliss has been the Saints’ best defender this preseason, per PFF, and is tied for the third-most defensive stops on the team. He’ll be the primary backer tasked with handling Joshua Kelley, who will be looking to bounce back from a poor performance against the Cowboys. A lot of the struggles as a rusher can be chalked up to subpar blocking, but Kelley also dropped his only target. With Isaiah Spiller nursing an ankle injury, Kelley has a shot to firm up his role as RB2 to start the season with a good performance.

Chargers WR Michael Bandy vs. Saints CB DaMarcus Fields

Fields is the closest allegory to Bandy on the Saints’ defense, as the UDFA has played more than 100 snaps this preseason while looking like a potentially solid depth piece at corner. Bandy has been the star of LA’s preseason, hauling in 15 receptions for 142 yards and 2 TDs in two games. Both he and Fields are battling for roster spots that may not even exist – Bandy is LA’s WR6, while Fields is NOLA’s fifth corner. However, a strong performance from either of them against the other could force their respective team to keep them rather than risk waivers.

Studs and duds from Chargers’ preseason loss to Cowboys

Taking a look at the best and worst performers from the Chargers’ preseason loss to the Cowboys.

The Chargers fell to 0-2 in the preseason after a 32-18 loss to the Cowboys Saturday night.

While the game was overall a sloppy affair, there were still a few individual players who made their mark on the game.

Here are the studs and duds from Saturday’s game: 

Stud: WR Joshua Palmer

After a quiet week last week, Palmer balled out on Saturday. His chemistry with Easton Stick was off to start the game, as Stick’s interception came on a play targeting the second-year receiver. Once the offense trotted back onto the field, it was the Canadian’s time to shine. Palmer hauled in a 41-yard reception on the next drive, adding another 26-yard catch later on, to get the Chargers into field goal range. On the next drive, Palmer took a screen 18 yards to the house for his lone touchdown of the game. He looks like a legitimate threat as the team’s third wide receiver and will only get more opportunities as the defense is forced to account for Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, neither of whom have taken a snap in the preseason.

Dud: CB Brandon Sebastian

Sebastian got picked on all day, frequently ending plays out of position or on the ground. It’s a second consecutive tough week for the undrafted free agent corner, who also had a pass interference that wiped out a JT Woods interception against the Rams. With Ja’Sir Taylor and Deane Leonard manning the fifth and sixth cornerback spots as of now, Sebastian seems like a long shot to even make the practice squad at this point.

Stud: EDGE Jamal Davis II

With Ty Shelby and Emeke Egbule both out due to injury this week, it was Davis’ chance to distance himself in the competition for the fourth edge rusher spot, and distance himself he did. The former CFL player looked like a physical force in the run game, shedding blocks for stops at the line multiple times throughout the game. He’s far from refined as a pass rusher, but the intensity and physicality he plays with cannot be ignored. It’s also worth noting that Davis looked like a sure tackler; despite Egbule’s seven pressures last week, he also missed four tackles. Davis’ proficiency in that area could be the difference between making the team and not.

Dud: OT Zack Bailey

Given the opportunity to start at left tackle over Foster Sarell, Bailey looked lost for most of the game. He gave up the pressure that led to Easton Stick’s interception to open the game, then went anonymous until the fourth quarter. Moved to the right side of the line, Bailey gave up two sacks of Chase Daniel, a major factor as to why the Chargers could not move the ball. It certainly looks as though Sarell will be taking his second team tackle job back next week, while Bailey now likely faces a nail-biting next few days hoping his name is not among the wave of cuts due by this Tuesday.

Stud: WR Michael Bandy

If Bandy doesn’t make the final roster, there will be a full-blown riot among the fan base. After hauling in seven receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown in last week’s game, Bandy followed it up with an eight reception, 69-yard performance, adding a garbage-time touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Bandy once again looked like a seasoned veteran against zone coverage, finding soft spots play after play after play. At this point, Bandy is forcing the Chargers to keep six wide receivers because he is not getting through waivers onto the practice squad. 

Dud: WR Joe Reed

With Bandy again looking like an NFL-caliber player, it was up to Reed to match him as he did against the Rams. However, the 2020 fifth-round pick was only targeted once in the passing game after a 4-catch, 61-yard performance last week. Reed also had a few hiccups on special teams, including a bobbled kick return in the fourth quarter that left the Chargers with a disadvantageous field position. With DeAndre Carter firmly entrenched as the team’s returner and Bandy handling punt returns this week, it looks more and more like Reed is playing catch-up in the battle for a roster spot.

Stud: DL Carlo Kemp

Kemp was all over the field in the second half, beginning with a pass deflection that probably should have been an interception late in the third quarter. As the fourth quarter got rolling, Kemp fought his way through blocks to pressure Cowboys QB Ben DiNucci, who fumbled the ball as he scrambled away from the threat. After recovering, DiNucci found a receiver, who Kemp tracked down at the line of scrimmage. Later that drive, Kemp found himself unblocked and made his way across the formation for a run stop at the line. It was a stellar performance for a player who was in the USFL this spring, and you’d certainly think that he’s upped his chances of making the practice squad with a showing like that.

Dud: Special teams

Giving it to the whole unit here because things looked as sloppy as ever. It seems that even new coordinator Ryan Ficken hasn’t found a way to cure the Chargers curse just yet, as just about everything but the field goal team looked out of sorts in this one. We touched on Reed’s miscue on the fourth-quarter kickoff return. LA also allowed Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin, to run back a kickoff and a punt return for touchdowns in this one, the latter coming after rookie Deane Leonard missed a tackle at the catch point. Turpin is an excellent returner with undeniable NFL talent, but that only hammers home the point that the special teams unit will need to improve to avoid putting the rest of the team in difficult spots, as they did today.

6 takeaways from Chargers’ preseason loss to Cowboys

Highlighting important storylines from the Chargers’ loss to the Cowboys in Week 2 of preseason play.

The Chargers lost to the Cowboys, 32-18, Saturday night at SoFi Stadium in the second preseason game.

Here are my takeaways:

5 matchups to watch in Chargers-Cowboys preseason tilt

The Chargers meet the Cowboys in Week 2 of the preseason on Saturday, and there are plenty of matchups to keep an eye on.

After two days of joint practices, the Chargers and Cowboys are scheduled to face off this Saturday in the second preseason game of the year.

Dallas has yet to indicate whether or not they plan to play their starters at all this week. For this, I assume that most of their starters will be sitting out.

With that in mind, here are a few matchups to watch in the game:

Chargers CB Michael Davis vs. Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert

Davis has looked like a completely different player in the last week after splitting reps with Asante Samuel Jr. last weekend. While CeeDee Lamb is almost certainly not going to play, and Michael Gallup is continuing to rehab from his ACL tear, a matchup with the rookie Tolbert is still an important one to watch as the de facto WR1 vs. CB1 battle. Tolbert looked like a rookie in Dallas’ first game, but Michael Gehlken of the Dallas News reported that he looked “back on track” against the Chargers in practice. Limiting Tolbert’s impact could further strengthen Davis’ case that he should retain his starting role from last season.

Chargers WRs Michael Bandy/Joe Reed vs. Cowboys CBs Kelvin Joseph/Nahshon Wright

Bandy and Reed looked like much-improved players last week, and I think they’ll get in the game early enough to match up with Joseph and Wright, both of whom will probably start on Saturday as Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown rest. Both corners are still on the rise as second-year players who saw action as rookies and should be roster locks, although there have been rumors that Joseph’s spot on the team is not secured. If Bandy and/or Reed can show the same flashes they did last week against these NFL-level corners, it could be the difference in the battle for the final spot.

Chargers C Will Clapp vs. Cowboys DT Neville Gallimore

Initially, I had this down as rookie Zion Johnson vs. Gallimore, but I’m unsure if Johnson will play or if his preseason will look like Rashawn Slater’s did last season. Gallimore has yet to break out since being drafted in the third round in 2020, as a preseason elbow injury knocked him out for most of last season. However, the third-year player has received rave reviews in Cowboys camp this season, suggesting that a full-time starting role may be in the cards. Clapp, meanwhile, struggled last week against the Rams. A strong performance against the likes of Gallimore could get him back in the team’s good graces.

Chargers EDGE Chris Rumph II vs. Cowboys OT Terence Steele

Rumph had the team’s best performance against the Rams, with a dominant day, including a sack of QB Bryce Perkins. With Dallas likely to start Steele, their presumptive starter at right tackle, the second-year pass rusher will have his first chance to line up against starter-level talent. Another solid showing and Rumph cements himself as a dangerous rotational pass rusher that teams will have to account for when Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack come off the field.

Chargers TEs Tre’ McKitty/Hunter Kampmoyer vs. Cowboys S Markquese Bell

Bell, an undrafted free agent, has been one of the standouts in Cowboys camp this season, leading many to believe he has an inside track to a roster spot. Versatility is a huge part of his game – Dallas reportedly views him as another version of Jayron Kearse as a player capable of playing in the box or matching up with slot receivers and tight ends. It’s an excellent opportunity for McKitty to show growth in the receiving game, where he’s been essentially a nonfactor thus far. It’s also a big chance for Kampmoyer to stand out and prove the Chargers need to keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster again.

6 Chargers who must stand out vs. Cowboys on Saturday

Spotlighting six Chargers players who need strong performances to improve their stock as final roster cuts approach.

The Chargers and Cowboys concluded two days worth of productive sessions which saw plenty of reps for both teams’ starters.

When Los Angeles meets Dallas for its preseason matchup on Saturday night, it’s more than likely that the players fighting for a starting or roster spot will see the field, like last weekend against the Rams.

With that being said, here are six players who need strong performances to improve their stock as final roster cuts approach.

All-22 analysis: 5 offensive takeaways from Chargers’ preseason loss to Rams

Analyzing the notables on the offensive side of the ball in the Chargers’ loss to the Rams.

With the All-22 coaches’ film from the Chargers preseason opener now available, I revisited the game from a new angle to draw some more conclusions.

Here are some of the takeaways from the offensive side of the ball:

Joshua Kelley’s development

Watching the game live, it was clear that Kelley has made strides this offseason with the added pressure of an RB2 competition. The coaches’ film shows even more signs of that improvement:

This play calls for Kelley to follow fullback Zander Horvath through the hole between rookie linemen Jamaree Salyer and Zion Johnson. But Kelley sees that Johnson’s assignment is pushing him back into the hole, while Salyer is losing leverage against his man. Kelley takes one step and cuts hard to the outside, using his speed to reach the edge and turn it into a positive play. Previously, Kelley would follow his blocks and gain maybe a yard or two.

The other hyped area for Kelley this offseason has been receiving, where he’s had a limited role to this point. He’s always been a good pass blocker, but on Saturday he showcased his pass-catching chops:

Kelley does a good job securing the ball before turning upfield even with a defender crashing at his ankles. The balance to keep himself upright gains him an extra few yards. Ideally, he keeps his feet under him trying to juke the DB and follows the open field all the way home for a TD, but it’s still a good rep.

Zion Johnson looks pro-ready

It’s unfair to Johnson to expect him to play at the level of Rashawn Slater’s 2021 season, in which the tackle was named a second-team All-Pro. But those in the building have said Johnson’s approach to the game reminds them of Slater’s and have had high praise for the rookie’s potential.

Here, Johnson’s power is on display. With Will Clapp helping him out, Johnson drives the defensive lineman into the gap the linebacker is supposed to be defending, thus knocking both defenders out of the play as the linebacker is forced to readjust. Meanwhile, Johnson stays locked up with the lineman and continues to drive him off the ball through the whistle.

Johnson did get beat on a swim move in this game, but overall his play was that of a competent NFL starter. It looks more and more possible that the Chargers have struck gold for the second season in a row with their offensive line draft pick.

Jamaree Salyer is a future starter

Offensive line is hard to evaluate without the benefit of All-22, so it’s hard to blame you if you thought Salyer looked merely solid in his NFL debut. With the benefit of an end zone angle, however, Salyer looked like a player drafted three or four rounds higher:

This is the kind of hand replacement you see from multi-year NFL starters, not sixth-round rookies who played tackle in college. Every move from the Rams’ defensive lineman is perfectly countered, leading to a decisive victory for Salyer. He also had this picture perfect block against a stunt the Rams ran:

You simply cannot do any better than this as an offensive lineman. Salyer hits the interior defender directly into the clutches of left tackle Foster Sarell, then slides back over to drive the looping edge rusher completely out of the play. Pause the clip after Salyer latches on to his second block and you can see Easton Stick had a wide-open running lane if no receivers were open downfield.

Right tackle battle far from decided

Both Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton looked like improved players on Saturday. For Norton, the focus is pass blocking, where he had several plays that looked somewhat like this:

As he does here, Norton takes an incredibly wide set, which forces him to operate on an island. Last year, losing those reps led to instant pressures and flushed Justin Herbert out of the pocket. On Saturday, Norton showed that he has the chops to win those battles for just long enough. In the clip above, he stays connected to the defender even as his head dips and he bends at the waist, usually trademark signs that a tackle is losing ground. That allows Chase Daniel to make a play.

In this clip, Daniel does not have such an opportunity. But I still liked what I saw from Pipkins:

99% of the time, this is a win for the offensive tackle. With Justin Herbert in the game, this is a win. With anything short of perfect coverage, this is a win. But it just so happens that every receiver is covered up and the much less mobile Chase Daniel is under center on this play, forcing a throwaway and overshadowing the technique of this rep. Pipkins anchors well against the bull rush and straightens up to continue his block as the defender rises up to attempt a pass deflection. In regular season action, we would be praising this sort of play ten times over.

Michael Bandy is an NFL route runner

I assume that Bandy has been following Keenan Allen around everywhere he goes ever since the Chargers signed him out of San Diego as a 2020 UDFA. There’s really no other explanation for how he’s developed this kind of route running savvy:

This looks like a basic play, but it’s a good job by Bandy to execute. With the DB showing off coverage, Bandy knows he has a free release. He shows good tempo, forcing the DB to stay honest against a potential vertical route. Then, with no wasted movement, he gets to the middle of the field, hauls in the pass, and makes a linebacker miss before being wrapped up by a host of Rams tacklers.

Of course, there was also his touchdown catch:

This one made the rounds even before the All-22 was available, but with the benefit of the sideline angle, you can see just how much space Bandy creates for himself on this play. The Rams line up in single high, meaning all Bandy has to do is beat his man, and he’s home free. Again, his tempo is what wins him the battle here: the hard sell on an in-breaking route followed by a quick pivot back outside breaks his DB’s ankles, and he has five yards of space around him in every direction. It’s an easy score.