Tag: Scott Matlock

Raiders open the season facing a tank coming out the Chargers backfield

Raiders will open the season facing a tank coming out of the Chargers backfield

For many teams in the NFL, the fullback is no longer a rostered position. The Raiders had Jakob Johnson the previous two years, but with the new coaching staff, he was not brought back and not replaced.

The Raiders, instead, will deploy a tight end as the run blocker when one is needed.

Their first opponent has a new coaching staff as well. Led by Jim Harbaugh. And he’s a little more old school. Perhaps mixed with a little new school.

The old school part is having a fullback. The new school is having a fullback who looks like this.

https://twitter.com/BussinWTB/status/1831098151073370227

At 64-, 300 pounds, Scott Matlock will be like a tank coming through the line. Whether it’s blocking or carrying the rock in short yardage, that’s a unit the Raiders will have to contend with in their first game of the season.

Matlock was selected in the sixth round of last year’s draft as a defensive lineman out of Boise State. He appeared in 12 games his rookie season with a combined 15 tackles (six solo). And now he’s flipping to the other side of the ball and trying to go through players at his original position.

He’s basically like having an extra offensive lineman coming out of the backfield. Or defensive lineman. Whatever. Should be fun to see if it works.

How Chargers rookies fared in preseason debut

Evaluating Los Angeles Chargers rookies after first week of 2024 NFL preseason.

The preseason is meant to evaluate players, and for a handful of them, this past week marked their first time playing in an NFL game. This included the Chargers’ draft picks in their loss to the Seahawks on Saturday.

Los Angeles was headlined by first-round pick offensive tackle Joe Alt, who had a solid performance. Alt played 21 snaps and only allowed one quarterback pressure. He showed good finesse in pass protection and power and movement skills in the run game to clear some lanes.

“It felt great,” Alt said, per the team’s official website. “It’s always good to get your first live play under your belt with the group you have the most experience with. It was good to be out there will all of them.”

Wide receiver Ladd McConkey and linebacker Junior Colson did not play as they’ve been working through some injuries.

Defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe played 30 snaps. Eboigbe didn’t have much of an impact, logging just one assisted tackle. The rookie out of Alabama has flashed at training camp, however, especially against the run.

Cornerback Tarheeb Still, who has been a summer standout, continued to make his case for the starting nickel spot. Still posted two pass breakups. But along with his cover skills, he flashed as a blitzer.

CB Cam Hart did not play.

Running back Kimani Vidal was in uniform for warmups, but was not suited up for the game.

Wide receiver Brenden Rice played the second-most snaps. He was targeted three times but failed to record a reception. A large part of that was due to inefficient quarterback play. There were many instances of Rice running great routes and being open. He had an aDOT (average depth of target) of 15.3.

WR Cornelius Johnson was on the field for just eight snaps.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce gives great advice to Chargers DT Scott Matlock

Following the Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs, Scott Matlock approached Travis Kelce with one question.

As Logan Pearsall Smith once said, “It takes a great man to give sound advice tactfully, but a greater to accept it graciously.”

Defensive tackle Scott Matlock and tight end Travis Kelce resonate with this quote. Following the Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs, Matlock approached Kelce with one question.

“Any advice for a rookie,” Matlock asked.

“You know what it is? Understand the other side of the ball just as well as you know your side of the ball,” Kelce responded. “Because everything is predicated off of what I’m doing and what the defense is doing. Just love it, man. Play with the guy next to you. That’s all I got for you, man.”

NFL Films captured the incredible moment between the rookie and the veteran.

Matlock has been primarily a rotational player, logging 26% defensive snaps with three tackles across six games.

While he might not be a significant contributor now, Matlock could grow into a more prominent role throughout his pro career, and sometimes all it takes is soaking in information from one of the best who was once in a less superior role during their rookie season.

Chargers DT Scott Matlock developing into key depth piece

Scott Matlock has been a summer standout for the Chargers.

Rookie defensive tackle Scott Matlock, the Chargers’ sixth-round pick, has strung together a solid summer. He has stood out at training camp and has made eye-popping plays in the first two preseason games.

In the first game against the Rams, Matlock flashed his pass-rush skills, chasing down and pressuring quarterback Stetson Bennett, which resulted in an incomplete pass.

In the most recent preseason contest against the Saints, Matlock made a few notable plays, with the first being a tackle for loss. Later in the game, New Orleans set up a screen for running back Ellis Merriweather and Matlock used his range and effort to track him down in space.

“That screen play, you want to talk about a big-time play. He has been solid,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “He has proven himself against the 1s. He’s improving and he’s the right guy to be coaching.”

In addition to his athleticism and motor, Matlock has shown the desired strength to take on single blocks and double teams to allow his teammates to roam freely.

Defense isn’t the only department Matlock has made plays. He has been on special teams, as well. While a penalty negated it, Matlock blocked a field goal attempt this past Sunday. At Boise State, Matlock blocked three kicks, one of which led to a touchdown return.

Matlock finished his college career with a total of 115 tackles (64 solo), 11.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one force fumble.

With defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia still working his way back from his season-ending injury in 2022, other members along the interior part of the defensive line will have to step up during the regular season. Matlock is showing that he could be one of them.

Best photos from Chargers’ preseason loss to Saints

Here are some of the best pictures from the Chargers’ loss to the Saints.

The Chargers fell short in their second preseason game of 2023 to the Saints by the score of 22-17.

To relive some of the action, here are the top photos taken at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

5 takeaways from Chargers’ 22-17 preseason loss to Saints

Here are five overarching thoughts on the Chargers’ second preseason game of 2023.

In the shadow of a hurricane and aftermath of an earthquake, the Chargers looked shaken and stirred in their second preseason action of the season. After putting up 34 points with a high-flying offense last week, LA managed just 17 against the Saints, falling 22-17.

Here are my takeaways:

How Chargers’ rookies fared in preseason debut

Evaluating Los Angeles Chargers rookies after first week of 2023 NFL preseason.

The preseason is meant to evaluate players, and for a handful of them, this past week marked their first time playing in an NFL game, including the Chargers with their seven draft picks in their win over the Rams on Saturday.

Los Angeles was headlined by first-round pick wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who had an uneven performance. He was targeted early but couldn’t hang onto two passes, including one deep down the right sideline. Johnston was knocked in the draft process for his hands, which is clearly still a work in progress. But right before the half, Johnston came back in the game and hauled in a pass for an 8-yard touchdown, beating Rams defensive back Richard LeCounte from the slot with a smooth route.

“It was alright,” Johnston said about his debut. “Not the best start, it was kind of rough but I bounced back with it at the end with the touchdown.

“At the end of the day, I’m not satisfied,” Johnston added. “Hopefully I’ll come back next week and do better.”

Edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu brought some pressure early on the Rams’ first drive. Tuipulotu displayed high effort, acceleration and closing speed to cover ground and bring down quarterback Brett Rypien, who barely managed to get the pass off. Tuipulotu also looked good at defending the run, setting some firm edges.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley made some key plays on defense and special teams. Henley, the former defensive back and wide receiver, recorded a pass deflection and was always around the football against the run. He wore the green dot and called the plays in the second half. On Derius Davis’ 81-yard punt return touchdown, Henley made a vital block to open up a big hole for him.

Davis, the Chargers’ fourth-round pick, showed why they drafted him: to be their return specialist, with his 81-yard punt return for a score, making it look effortless with his speed and quickness. He also had two catches on two targets for 21 yards.

Jordan McFadden logged all of his snaps at left guard. McFadden was dinged for holding a couple of times, including on running back Isaiah Spiller’s 70+ yard touchdown, which negated it. Aside from that, he performed well, making some key blocks in the run game and looking comfortable out in space as a puller. In pass protection, McFadden was credited for one pressure on 21 pass-blocking snaps.

Defensive tackle Scott Matlock made his presence known with a rush where he got pressure on Stetson Bennett, showcasing his athleticism for a man of his size and up-field urgency to force him out of the pocket, leading to an incompletion. Matlock was also stout at taking on blocks at the point of attack in the run game.

Quarterback Max Duggan took over in the second half following a solid performance from Easton Stick. There wasn’t much to write home about Duggan on Saturday. He completed two of three passes for 19 yards and added a 19-yard run.

8 Chargers players to watch vs. Rams in preseason Week 1

While most starters won’t play in the preseason, there are still Chargers players to watch on Saturday against the Rams.

We’re just two days out from the Chargers’ 2023 preseason debut against the Rams at SoFi.

While several high-profile starters won’t play considering how Brandon Staley normally operates in the preseason, there are still plenty of storylines and players to follow on Saturday.

Every newcomer on Chargers’ roster heading into training camp

Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.

The Chargers return most of their key players from last season as they look to make a deeper run after suffering defeat to the Jaguars in the Wild Card round.

However, they still made some acquisitions via free agency, the draft, and the undrafted free agency pool to create a stronger core.

As it stands, Los Angeles currently has 89 players under contract. And teams are allowed to carry up to 90 players during the offseason.

Here’s a look at all 27 newcomers on the Chargers’ roster right now heading into training camp.

 

Ranking the Chargers’ biggest offseason additions

Which Chargers acquisitions are poised to make the biggest impact in 2023?

The Chargers stayed fairly quiet this offseason, signing just three external free agents and holding on to each of their seven original draft picks.

Of those 10, which ones are poised to have the biggest impact on the 2023 squad?