Tag: Tarheeb Still

Which Chargers received votes for awards at NFL Honors?

J.K. Dobbins was the only finalist for a major awards, but there were other Chargers players and coaches who received votes.

The Chargers had one player who was a finalist for one of the major awards on Thursday night at NFL Honors.

Running back J.K. Dobbins finished second in Comeback Player of the Year voting behind Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Dobbins received three first-place votes.

Dobbins was the only finalist, but some other players and coaches did receive votes following the 2024 season.

Here’s a quick look at the Chargers receiving votes for major awards.

Most Valuable Player of the Year

Quarterback Justin Herbert received three fourth-place votes. Bills QB Josh Allen was the winner.

Comeback Player of the Year

Herbert received one third-place vote, one fourth-place vote and two fifth-place votes.

Assistant Coach of the Year

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter received two second-place votes, five third-place votes and two fifth-place votes. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was the winner.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Offensive tackle Joe Alt received two third-place votes and two fifth-place votes. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey got two fourth-place votes and one fifth-place vote. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was the winner.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Cornerback Tarheeb Still received one first-place vote, three third-place votes, two fourth-place votes and four fifth-place votes. Rams edge rusher Jared Verse was the winner.

Coach of the Year

Head coach Jim Harbaugh received three second-place votes, three third-place votes, 12 fourth-place votes and 11 fifth-place votes. Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell was the winner.

Pair of Chargers named to ESPN’s All-Rookie Team

Joe Hortiz did a great job in his first year as Chargers general manager.

The Chargers got a lot of production from their rookie class this past season. But two players in particular shined among the crop.

They were offensive tackle Joe Alt and wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who were named to ESPN’s All-Rookie Team.

Alt, the No. 5 overall selection of the 2024 NFL draft, played to his first-round billing. He was a wall in pass protection, allowing one or fewer pressures in 11 of his 16 games. This came against some of the league’s best pass rushers, too.

McConkey, Los Angeles’ second-round pick, quickly established himself as Justin Herbert’s top target. The former Georgia product finished with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns en route to shattering multiple franchise rookie records.

Los Angeles also got significant contributions from cornerbacks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still.

Twitter reacts to missed pass interference penalty on ‘TNF’

Tarheeb Still appeared to get away with pass interference against Marvin Mims on Thursday. Here’s how Twitter/X reacted to the no-call.

In the fourth quarter of a Thursday Night Football game at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Tarheeb Still got away with a blatant pass interference penalty against Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix underthrew a deep pass to Mims and Still caught up to the receiver and grabbed his arm and made contact before the ball arrived without turning around to look for or defend the ball. It appeared to be textbook pass interference.

No flag was thrown, though, and the Broncos went on to punt while trailing by three points. A completion would have put Denver within field goal range to potentially tie the game (or take the lead with a touchdown).

Here’s a sampling of how Twitter/X reacted to the missed call.

The Broncos went on to lose the game 34-27, so that non-penalty proved to be a crucial play. Of course, no the no-call for DPI would have been a moot point if Nix led Mims. A better pass likely would have resulted in a touchdown.

Up next for Denver is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) next Saturday (Dec. 28). With two games remaining, the Broncos need to win one game to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

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Chargers overwhelmed by Buccaneers: Instant analysis of Week 15 loss

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ loss to the Buccaneers, who overwhelmed Los Angeles in every facet of this game.

The Chargers stood no chance against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay won, 40-17. Los Angeles is now 8-6.

Here’s our recap of L.A.’s Week 15 loss.

It was over when…

Baker Mayfield connected with Mike Evans for a 35-yard touchdown to go up 30-17. There was no answer to the Buccaneers’ offensive dominance.

Notable number

Justin Herbert’s streak without an interception ended at 357 attempts. Herbert failed to become the first player in NFL history without an interception in 12 consecutive games within a single season.

3 stars of the game

  1. WR Ladd McConkey: 5 catches, 58 yards, touchdown
  2. WR Quentin Johnston: 5 catches, 45 yards, TD
  3. S Elijah Molden: 9 tackles, tackle for loss

Quick hits

  • The Chargers were outgained by nearly 300 yards. They only had 207 compared to the Buccaneers’ 505.
  • Los Angeles was 0-of-6 on third-down opportunities, while the Buccaneers were 9-of-15.
  • The Chargers allowed the Buccaneers to rush for 223 yards. Los Angeles only had 32 rushing yards.
  • The Chargers’ cornerbacks struggled to cover Mike Evans all game. Evans had nine catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
  • The Chargers’ second-half offensive struggles continued, as they failed to score a single point. On the other hand, the Buccaneers scored on five consecutive possessions and put up 27 points in the second half.
  • Baker Mayfield was kept upright for most of the game, as he was only hit three times. The same can’t be said about Justin Herbert, who was under duress for most of the game. Herbert was hit 13 times and sacked three times.
  • The Chargers defense held the Buccaneers to one score on four trips to the red zone.
  • Los Angeles forced two turnovers, an interception and a forced fumble.

What’s next?

The Chargers face the Broncos (9-5) in a crucial divisional matchup on Thursday night, Dec. 19, at 5:15 pm PT.

Chargers highlight: Tarheeb Still gets his fourth interception of the season

The broadcast said it best: Tarheeb Still is becoming a ballhawk.

The broadcast said it best: Tarheeb Still is becoming a ballhawk.

Since being drafted in the fifth round this offseason, Still has emerged as a key component of the Chargers defense with Asante Samuel Jr. on injured reserve and Kristian Fulton, Deane Leonard, and Cam Hart all missing time at points this season.

Initially thought to be mostly a slot corner, Still has stuck on the outside for LA, coming into the week tied for the team lead with three interceptions. On Sunday, Still decided he was tired of being level with safety Elijah Molden.

After the Chargers tied the game at 10 midway through the second quarter, Still undercut a Buccaneers route and intercepted quarterback Baker Mayfield on the first play of the next drive, handing LA the ball back on the Buccaneers 27 yard line.

Still’s fourth interception of the year continues to cement his status as this year’s top rookie corner.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1868419871203344803

Chargers CB Tarheeb Still named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still was recognized for his efforts in the win over the Falcons.

Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still was recognized for his efforts in the victory over the Falcons, as he was named the Week 13 AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Still the fifth-round pick out of Maryland, was lights out in coverage. The rookie picked off quarterback Kirk Cousins twice, including one he returned for a 61-yard touchdown.

“I got the award, but it’s a testament to who we are as a team,” Still said on receiving the award, per the team’s editorial director Eric Smith.

According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, Still now has allowed -31 EPA as the nearest defender this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats, which is best among all cornerbacks.

On the season, Still has 36 tackles, eight passes defended and three interceptions.

Game Balls: 5 standouts from Chargers’ clutch victory over Falcons

The Chargers defense carried the team to victory in Week 13, which included four interceptions off Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The Chargers improved to 3-0 against the NFC South on Sunday with a narrow win over the Falcons. Los Angeles’ defense finished with four interceptions, a major difference in the comeback win.

Here were the team’s biggest standouts in the massive Week 13 victory that vaulted the Chargers to an 8-4 record:

CB Tarheeb Still

What a game for the rookie fifth-rounder. Still had the play of the game in the third quarter with a 61-yard pick six. It completely flipped the momentum in the game and gave the Chargers a 17-10 lead. Earlier in the game, he had another interception. Still was impressive in coverage throughout the day and has earned even more playing time moving forward.

S Derwin James

This was one of the best performances of the season from the star safety. He was all over the field in this contest with several timely plays. The three-time Pro Bowler finished with 10 total tackles, which included a huge tackle for loss on a 3rd-and-1. James clinched the win with a game-sealing interception, his first of the season and ninth of his career.

WR Ladd McConkey

McConkey is quite clearly the Chargers’ best weapon, and he proved that again on Sunday. The rookie caught a career-high nine passes, eight of them in the first half, for 117 yards. Perhaps even more impressively, McConkey continues to play through injuries. He’s quitely become one of the most valuable players on the team, as no other Charger finished with more than two catches.

Daiyan Henley

Henley has been an underrated part of this year’s stellar defense, and that continued on Sunday. He was all over the field and finished the day with 10 total tackles. The Chargers held the talented Falcons offense to just 13 points, and Henley was a huge part of that.

Cameron Dicker

Fans often don’t fully appreciate the advantage of having a reliable kicker. Sunday illustrated just how valuable it is, as it was a primary difference in the result of the game. Dicker went 3-for-3 on his field goal tries, while Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed a chip shot in the first half. Ultimately, these two were the difference in the Chargers leaving Atlanta with a win.

Tarheeb Still steals show in Chargers’ win over Falcons: ‘Drug test that man’

The rookie out of Maryland was a ball magnet in Sunday’s victory over the Falcons.

On a day when the Chargers’ offense was a non-factor, the defense stepped up. While it was a collaborative effort, rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still was the biggest difference-maker en route to victory over the Falcons.

Still, the fifth-round pick out of Maryland, had three passes defended and two interceptions, including one that he returned for a 61-yard touchdown.

On the play where Still returned for a score, Darnell Mooney ran an out route. Kirk Cousins did not recognize the coverage, so he threw to Mooney. Still broke, jumped the route and housed it.

After Still’s dominant performance, Daiyan Henley said, “Drug test that man.”

What was said as a joke was actually a reality, as Still was randomly selected to be drug tested. He posted a picture of the slip on his locker on his Instagram story.

Los Angeles held Atlanta to just 13 points as they picked their eighth win of the season.

Chargers pull out gritty win over Falcons: Instant analysis of Week 13 victory

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ gritty win over the Falcons behind a four-interception performance.

The Chargers defeated the Falcons on Sunday, improving to 8-4.

Here’s our recap of the Week 13 win.

It was over when…

Derwin James intercepted Kirk Cousins with 47 seconds remaining.

Notable number

Per AP Sports’ Joe Reedy, Ladd McConkey’s 105 yards are the most receiving yards by a Chargers rookie in the first half since 1991.

3 stars of the game

  1. WR Ladd McConkey: McConkey was the only productive player in the passing game. He finished the game with a season-high nine receptions for 117 yards.
  2. CB Tarheeb Still: The rookie out of Maryland was a ball magnet, finishing with two interceptions, including one he took back to the house for a touchdown.
  3. S Marcus Maye: This could’ve gone to Derwin James, who closed the game with a pick. But Maye, who was signed just this past week after being released by the Dolphins, had one in the end zone on the drive right before.

Quick hits

  • The Chargers’ offense was underwhelming. They failed to find the end zone the entire game, even on their two trips to the red zone.
  • Their only offensive points came from Cameron Dicker’s three made field goals.
  • The Chargers were 3-of-14 on third down. They had 187 yards of total offense.
  • The second-half offensive struggles continued. They only picked up two first downs on four drives.
  • The Falcons entered this game with one of the worst pressure rates, only having ten sacks. Atlanta flipped the switch, as they lived in the Chargers’ backfield. Justin Herbert was sacked five times.
  • Gus Edwards and Kimani Vidal combined for ten rushes, finishing with 5.3 and 5.0 yards per carry, respectively.
  • Aside from McConkey, the pass-catching group was lackluster. Quentin Johnston was the next productive receiver, with only 14 yards on two catches. Six pass catchers had just one catch.
  • The defense was why the Chargers came out of this game victorious. Jesse Minter’s unit combined for four interceptions, headlined by Still, who had two, one he returned for a score.
  • The run defense held its own, limiting a good backfield of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier to 3.5 yards per carry.

What’s next?

The Chargers are on the road again to face the Chiefs next Sunday night, Dec. 8, at 5:20 pm PT.

Chargers highlight: Tarheeb Still’s second interception gives Los Angeles the lead

Tarheeb Still is on a tear.

Tarheeb Still is on a tear.

After intercepting Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in the second quarter to give the Chargers some much-needed momentum, Still mostly watched Atlanta throw it to the other side of the field or run the ball.

That was a good strategy for the Falcons, who have continued to move the ball effectively against Jesse Minter’s defense. Atlanta put together another long drive late in the third quarter, driving with a 10-9 lead while converting a fourth down to take the ball over midfield.

The Chargers, meanwhile, had asked Ladd McConkey to be the entire offense. A normally dormant Falcons pass rush has sacked Justin Herbert four times, making things hard for LA all day.

Los Angeles needed a spark.

Still provided it when the Falcons went for a second fourth down of the drive, dropping back to pass on 4th-and-5 from the Chargers’ 40-yard line. Still and safety Marcus Maye confused Cousins on the coverage, giving the rookie a prime opportunity to jump a curl route and nearly walk into the end zone from 61 yards away.

The Chargers went for two after that. Justin Herbert fired a strike over the middle to Joshua Palmer, making it 17-10 Chargers with 1:39 left in the third quarter.