Chargers expecting good things from rookie CB Ja’Sir Taylor

Chargers rookie cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor is making his case to make the 53-man roster.

The battle in the back end of the cornerback continues to heat up as the Chargers are in the thick of training camp.

Raising plenty of eyebrows as of late is sixth-round pick, Ja’Sir Taylor.

On Tuesday, during the team’s two-minute drill, Taylor was tasked with covering star wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen ran an out-route, Taylor read the route perfectly, and secured an interception for a touchdown off quarterback Justin Herbert.

“You see a lot of growth with him, sitting right next to Bryce Callahan picking his brain every day in meetings,” defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said on Taylor. “His growth potential is really high right now. We expect good things from him once those bright lights come on.”

Taylor has primarily been working in the slot with the second team, but he saw extensive time with the first team during this session. He has also been playing gunner with the punt team on special teams.

Head coach Brandon Staley talked about how important it was to add cornerback depth this offseason, which he accomplished with Taylor and another summer standout, seventh-rounder Deane Leonard.

This will be one of the most monitored competitions heading into preseason play. Leonard and Taylor will be vying for one or maybe two final spots with returners Tevaughn Campbell and Kemon Hall.

At Wake Forest, Taylor logged 184 tackles, six interceptions, 24 passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 62 career games.

Taylor also returned kicks in his final season, averaging 26.3 yards per attempt, including one touchdown, on eight attempts.

Chargers’ Zion Johnson explains meaning behind his number

Chargers rookie Zion Johnson sounds off on the meaning behind his No. 77.

When rookies arrive in the NFL, they will don a random number that’s available or a number they wore in college. But for some, there’s meaning behind the number on their jerseys.

For Chargers’ first-round pick Zion Johnson, the No. 77 reflects a player he looked up to, Cowboys All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith.

Johnson started playing football his junior year of high school and resorted to YouTube, where he found clips of Smith.

“I don’t think he got beat once,” Johnson said about Smith’s performance against the Cowboys’ pass rush at their training camp, per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry. “He was just awesome.”

The tips Johnson picked up from watching Smith has translated to his game.

Over three seasons at Boston College, Johnson allowed just three sacks, nine quarterback hits, and 24 quarterback hurries on 1,074 pass-blocking snaps.

At training camp, Johnson has been making a smooth transition to the NFL, where he has held his own in pass protection with his outstanding combination of power, smarts, and agility.

WR DeAndre Carter making noise at Chargers training camp

DeAndre Carter is showing that he is more than just a return specialist.

When the Chargers elected not to retain returner, Andre Roberts, it seemed to indicate that they wanted more production at receiver from their next option. However, through a week of training camp, DeAndre Carter has shown he can be that guy.

On Wednesday, Guyton had two touchdown grabs during red zone work in seven-on-sevens.

Signed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract this offseason, Los Angeles is Carter’s ninth NFL team in eight seasons. Last year in Washington, he showed the ability to add value in the return game while adding a play or two as a receiver. In Costa Mesa, CA, Carter has shined.

“I’ve been impressed with the way he is in terms of being a professional, the way he approaches the game, the way he steps on the field and means business,” special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken said on Carter.

Carter provides a speed threat down the field, a role that has been earmarked for Jalen Guyton in years past. Guyton had a strong OTA, but since training camp started, there’s been less noise about him and more about Carter and Joshua Palmer, who seems to have a stranglehold on the third wide receiver.

The 29-year-old also gives the Bolts more room to get creative with their offensive playcalling. He’s a dangerous runner on end-arounds and reverses and could be the perfect threat to spring free if Keenan Allen ever attempts his third career pass.

With preseason set to kick off next Saturday, we’ll get a better idea of where the depth chart stands. But for now, it looks like Carter is poised to play a more prominent role than expected.

Josh Palmer continues to make strong case to be Chargers’ No. 3 wide receiver

Chargers WR Josh Palmer is looking to make a big jump in his second year.

Position battles are starting to heat up at Chargers training camp.

While Monday marked the first day of pads, which will see the needle start to move in certain groups, wide receiver Josh Palmer has been making his case as the third wide receiver since camp opened up.

Palmer, the second-year player, continued to shine in practice, consistently creating separation with great routes and catching everything thrown in his direction.

That included his highlight play of the day, a sliding catch near the sideline with cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. in tight coverage.

Palmer’s competition for the job, Jalen Guyton, has also made plays throughout camp by stressing corners vertically with his deep speed.

However, while Guyton is more experienced and faster, Palmer has proven that he has more of an all-rounded skill set to thrive as the Z receiver, with his impressive route running, reliability, and ball skills.

Chargers rookie OL Zion Johnson looks right at home

The Chargers’ first-round pick dominated on the first day in pads.

Typically, rookie offensive linemen face growing pains early on.

However, that did not seem to be the case for the Chargers’ first-round pick, Zion Johnson, on the first day of padded practices, which marked offensive and defensive line one-on-ones.

Johnson got reps against Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, and Jerry Tillery and passed his first test.

Joseph-Day got the better of the first-year player on a rep, but Johnson countered by stonewalling him on the following one.

Johnson also flattened Tillery on one of the reps, putting him on his back.

Johnson’s showing today is a replica of what he displayed on tape in college at Boston College, a powerful anchor at the point of attack, good mirror skills, and recovery ability.

“He’s living up to the bill right now,” Corey Linsley said on Johnson. “First day of pads but everything that we thought, you know, he’s a really good player. He’s got a ton of raw talent that you can see he’s already put a lot together. The sky is the limit.”

It’s still early, but if Johnson can continue to dominate at a high level as the starting right guard, it’ll only help make Los Angeles’ offense run like a well-oiled machine.

7 things to watch for as padded practices begin at Chargers training camp

The Chargers are back at it this week, set to turn things up a notch when the pads come on.

The intensity at Chargers training camp will turn up when the pads go on Monday.

This is what the players and coaches are ready for after a solid first week of camp in helmets and shorts as the quest to construct the 53-man roster continues.

With that, here are several things to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of camp.

Chargers training camp 2022: Live updates from Day 3

Stay up to date with all the action from the third day of Chargers training camp.

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

Training camp can be attended for free to the general public, but if you cannot attend, you will still be kept up to date with all the action.

The team at Chargers Wire will have full coverage of training camp with live updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fans in attendance.

https://twitter.com/Eric_L_Smith/status/1553067987099197440?s=20&t=sO4ezLSsYJimFUvjzikcMA

Chargers HC Brandon Staley emphasizes position battles during training camp

There will be fierce competition throughout the next few weeks.

When asked about depth chart battles up and down the roster, Brandon Staley preached the importance of competition.

Competition within position groups, yes, but more importantly competition between groups. Offensive line versus defensive line, wide receivers versus secondary, a constant battle to smooth out internal evaluations for the depth chart.

It starts at right tackle, where Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton are in the most important camp war on the roster. With likely four above average linemen slated to start, the Chargers will need a solid performance from their right tackle to keep Justin Herbert clean and open lanes for Austin Ekeler. When asked what will decide their duel, Staley said “consistency and performance” will be key, and added that LA has the benefit of getting accurate evaluations in practice. That’s because no matter what day it is, the tackle taking first team reps will be up against either Joey Bosa or Khalil Mack. Hold their own against those superstars, and the job is yours. Falter, and the top spot on the depth chart may slip from your grasp. Staley also touched on fit with the other four linemen on the squad and emphasized again that the team has confidence in both of them. No wandering eyes for late external additions here.

Many have crowned fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller as the team’s RB2 because of pre-draft pedigree and disappointing performances from Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree. But Staley said Wednesday that the fight for the spot behind Ekeler will be a “full competition.” That competition will not be just about the best rusher, Staley said, but will hinge on special teams value and “who can be the most complete running back.” Spiller played two special teams snaps throughout his entire career at Texas A&M, per PFF. If special teams is going to be a key aspect of the battle, Spiller may have more of a Herculean task ahead of him than previously thought.

On the defensive line, the Chargers suddenly have a crowded meeting room after adding four players from outside the organization this offseason. Those four (Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, and fifth-round pick Otito Ogbonnia) are locks for the roster barring drastic changes. Another four – Christian Covington, Jerry Tillery, Breiden Fehoko, and Joe Gaziano – played significant snaps for LA last season. Still, Staley hinted that the team will have “five or six” active linemen on game days. That emphasizes players competing for specific roles, but Staley said that the battles will come down to who can “sustain consistency” once the pads come on next week. Again, the talent on the other side of the ball will help sort the mess, as the interior trio of Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley, and rookie Zion Johnson has the potential to be among the league’s best. The Chargers will be confident that any defender who can produce against them can also produce against their opponents.

In the secondary, LA possesses the immensely talented duo of JC Jackson and Derwin James, who did not practice Wednesday as the team continues to work on his contract extension. Beyond them, there are several players with starter-level traits and even more with the talent to add quality depth. That’s intentional in LA’s case, with Staley saying that he believes a team can never have too much depth on the back end. Beyond traditional corner and safety, there are depth chart squabbles to settle at the star and money positions (slot corner and dime backer, respectively), as well as special teams roles to dole out. Staley extolled the virtue of having such a talented room, saying that “when you bring quality DBs together, it’s going to bring out the best in those guys.” Consistent toughness, physicality, and discipline were mentioned as the key factors the coaching staff will watch out for as depth players battle for end -of-the-roster spots in the position group.

NFL to have unified start date for training camps, fans expected to return

This is great news, as the NFL inches closer to normalcy.

For the first time in NFL history, all 32 teams will be starting training camp on time, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

The start date will be Tuesday, July 27, which is 47 days before Week 1 of the regular season.

The Cowboys and Steelers are eligible to report as early as July 21 since they will be facing off in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 5.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers can report as early as July 24 due to them playing in the regular-season opener against Dallas on Sept. 9.

According to the report, the NFL plans for league-wide practices and fan events on Saturday, July 31, as well.

The league told teams it expects spectators to return to training camps, which is subject to state and local COVID-19 guidelines

30 of 32 teams have approval to open at 100% capacity before the preseason begins. The remaining teams seeking approval are the Colts and Broncos.

Rules pertaining to face coverings and vaccinations will be determined by teams tied to state and local guidelines.

All in all, this is great news, as the league inches closer to normalcy.