Tag: trey pipkins

Brandon Staley on Jamaree Salyer’s move to guard in 2023: ‘That’s his natural position’

Brandon Staley said that Jamaree Salyer’s move to guard should better suit his skill set.

For the Chargers, offensive line play has never been more important as the team looks to maximize the contributions of quarterback Justin Herbert in 2023. In their pursuit of keeping their signal caller upright and operating in a clean pocket, the team is looking to reshuffle their front five next season to give themselves an edge over opposing pass rushers.

Brandon Staley spoke to the media on Monday about Jamaree Salyer, who will transition from the tackle position to guard. Staley told reporters Salyer is built to play the interior spots up front, and the third-year coach expects positive results from this latest shake-up to the team’s line.

“I think that’s his natural position,” Staley explained. “But as he proved last year, we know that Jamaree can play outside, but we kind of feel like he’s best suited to play inside. A lot of strengths as a player fit better inside.

To have him, Zion [Johnson] and Corey [Linsley] in the middle of your pocket, that’s certainly what you want to design from an offensive line standpoint. When you have that type of anchor in the middle, athleticism and then when your tackles are athletic like Trey and Rashawn [Slater] are, they have the range and the athleticism to kick to these rushers.”

Tom Telesco said the intention is to put Salyer at right guard and move second-year Zion Johnson to the left side.

Salyer started 15 games at left tackle in place of Rashawn Slater, who suffered a biceps injury in Week 3 that required surgery. Salyer entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft and found himself with more responsibilities than expected. Despite some struggles, he played reasonably well, especially given the circumstance he found himself in.

Whether this move will bear fruit for the Chargers or Salyer will remain to be seen until the 2023 season gets underway. Still, Staley’s conviction in changing the 22-year-old lineman’s position can’t be understated.

If Staley’s assessment of his game is accurate, Los Angeles may have converted a serviceable tackle into a Pro Bowl-caliber guard with this relatively minor offseason decision.

Chargers’ biggest needs after first wave of free agency

Highlighting the positions that the Los Angeles Chargers still need to address after the first wave of free agency.

The Chargers have steadily been reconstructing their roster, signing Eric Kendricks and bringing back a few of their own.

Even though general manager Tom Telesco has done a good job piecing together a solid foundation in the early stages, plenty of work still needs to be done.

With that being said, here are the Bolts’ five biggest needs following the first wave of free agency:

Chargers free agency tracker 2023: Running list of Los Angeles’ signings, roster moves

Here is our free agency tracker that details every free agent with ties to the L.A. Chargers.

The new league year is in full swing, which means roster moves are being made by teams across the league.

For the Chargers this past week, they’ve added a new player, brought back some of their own and lost some to other teams.

To stay up to date, here is our free agency tracker that details every free agent with ties to Los Angeles.

March 17

LB Drue Tranquill

Status: Signing with the Chiefs

Previous: Chargers

Details: (1 year, $5 million)

TE Donald Parham

Status: Re-signing with the Chargers

Previous: Chargers

Details: (2 years, $2.7 million)

P JK Scott

Status: Re-signing with the Chargers

Previous: Chargers

Details: (2 years, $4 million)

March 16

OT Storm Norton

Status: Signing with the Saints

Previous: Chargers

Details: TBD

March 15

DL Morgan Fox

Status: Re-signing with the Chargers

Previous: Chargers

Details: (2 years, $7.25 million)

March 14

OT Trey Pipkins

Status: Re-signing with the Chargers

Previous: Chargers

Details: (3 years, $21.75 million)

March 13

QB Easton Stick

Status: Re-signing with the Chargers

Previous: Chargers

Details: (1 year, $1.8 million)

LB Eric Kendricks

Status: Signing with the Chargers

Previous: Vikings

Details: (2 year, $13.25 million)

Chargers sign OT Trey Pipkins to three-year extension

The Chargers are locking in their right tackle for the long term.

The Chargers are locking in their right tackle for the long term by signing Trey Pipkins to a three-year extension, according to ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry.

Pipkins’ deal is worth $7.25 million per season, according to NFL Media’s Adam Caplan.

This extension is well-deserved following Pipkins’ standout 2022 campaign.

Pipkins entered last training camp in a battle with Storm Norton for the starting right tackle spot and won the job. Before that, Pipkins spent the last offseason with offensive line developer Duke Manyweather, which benefited his game immensely.

Drafted as a project in 2019 out of Sioux Falls and struggling to find his footing in the NFL in his first few seasons, Pipkins looked like a capable NFL tackle in his contract year.

Despite battling through an MCL sprain he first suffered in Week 5, Pipkins played at a high level. He only allowed two sacks on 586 pass-block snaps. He was also solid as a run blocker.

12 free-agent OL the Colts could consider in 2023

Taking a look at 12 free-agent offensive line options for the Colts in 2023.

After a tumultuous campaign, the Indianapolis Colts will have their eyes on adding some depth and talent to the offensive line through the free-agent market during the 2023 offseason.

While Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith are expected to be the starting tackles, adding depth behind them is crucial. The Colts also will be in the market to add a starting-caliber right guard and depth at the interior spots.

We took a look at the following positions for the Colts to consider adding to in free agency:

We shouldn’t expect the Colts to go on a wild spending spree in free agency. It’s not their M.O., and Chris Ballard isn’t working with the same amount of salary-cap space as he’s used to.

Now, it’s time to take a look at the free-agent options along the offensive line for the Colts to consider:

Chargers’ 2022 season in review: Assessing the play of Los Angeles’ offensive line

The Chargers offensive line was in the bottom 10 of the NFL in sacks allowed this past season.

In their effort to keep quarterback Justin Herbert upright throughout the 2022 season, the Chargers offensive line struggled mightily, giving up the seventh-most sacks of any team in the NFL.

One of the primary factors to their struggles was not having left tackle Rashawn Slater, who missed 15 games due to a biceps injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Jaguars.

Slater’s replacement, rookie Jamaree Salyer, took over in Week 4 and remained there for the rest of the season, providing to be a viable pass protector to Herbert’s blindside.

There were more injuries, as center Corey Linsley and right tackle Trey Pipkins each missed three games. Pipkins showed signs of growth as a player, but there were moments when his sprained MCL hindered his play.

Left guard Matt Feiler proved to be a solid signing in 2021. But he regressed this past season significantly, allowing 38 pressures and five sacks.

Rookie Zion Johnson, who manned the starting right guard position, dealt with growing pains. While he was strong as a run blocker, Johnson had his fair share of struggles in pass protection, allowing 40 pressures and seven sacks.

When Pipkins missed time, Foster Sarell got the start at right tackle, and he did not show much to warrant the swing tackle job for the foreseeable future. Sarell allowed 18 pressures and two sacks on 186 pass-block snaps.

For once in a very long time, the Chargers won’t be in the market for starters along the offensive line, assuming that they re-sign Pipkins to remain as the starting right tackle. Feiler could be on the chopping block, but it’s presumed that Salyer is a candidate to be the starting left guard in 2023.

Nonetheless, Los Angeles still needs depth.

At center, Linsley’s backup from this season, Will Clapp, will be a free agent. Brenden Jaimes is the only backup guard. Also, bringing in competition for the swing tackle spot with Storm Norton and Sarell would be beneficial.

PFF: Chargers ‘can’t afford to lose’ this free agent

PFF named one pending free agent that each team in the NFL “can’t afford” to lose.

Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger revealed one free agent for every team they couldn’t afford to lose and wide receiver DeAndre Carter was their submission for the Chargers.

Here is what Spielberger had to say on why Los Angeles shouldn’t let Carter walk.

This is in no way intended as a slight, but ideally, Carter is WR5 or WR6 in 2023 and not WR4. Still, he clearly has the trust of quarterback Justin Herbert and fills in admirably when called upon, bringing a speed element the team doesn’t currently have on the roster otherwise, an area they must improve in 2023. Carter hauled in a career-high 46 receptions with just two drops on 64 targets and is certainly worth keeping around going forward if he doesn’t cash in elsewhere.

Carter was signed to serve just as a return specialist. But things took a turn when Keenan Allen and Mike Williams sustained their respective injuries, leading to Carter getting more playing time at the wide receiver position.

Carter set career highs in catches (46), receiving yards (538), and tied his career high with three receiving touchdowns. He was still an integral piece on special teams, finishing second in the league in yards per punt return.

Carter was an important player this season but was he enough to warrant a contract extension by a team currently in an unfavorable position with their spending money?

Los Angeles is more than $20 million over the cap. Therefore, they will have to do some wheeling and dealing, and it remains to be seen if Carter is a priority when they are in the clear to make moves.

Instead, players like Trey Pipkins, Drue Tranquill, or Morgan Fox may be more essential to the Chargers. If they let Carter walk, they could fill his void with a speed threat in the draft to contribute on offense and special teams.

3 early breakout candidates for Chargers in 2023

Highlighting three Chargers players under contract who could be positioned to break out during the 2023 season.

With free agency and the draft still ahead, the Chargers’ roster will undergo some changes over the next few months.

But before the shuffling begins, let’s take an early look at the players under contract who could be positioned to break out when the 2023 season kicks off.

G Zion Johnson

Johnson was thrown into the fire in his first season, filling in as the team’s starting right guard from the get-go. He experienced typical rookie growing pains. They primarily came in pass protection, where he allowed 40 pressures and seven sacks. However, he was steadily strong as a run blocker alongside Trey Pipkins on the right side of the offensive line. With an entire offseason to improve his game, Johnson should grow into a good, complete player at the position for years to come.

RB Joshua Kelley

Kelley competed for the No. 2 spot with Sony Michel early in the season and missed four games with a sprained MCL, but he solidified himself as the bonafide backup by the end of the year. Kelley finished the season with 69 carries for 287 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and two touchdowns and caught 14 of his 25 targets for 101 yards. With Kellen Moore overseeing the offense, he will emphasize improving the run game and has had proven success. The Cowboys had the seventh-best rushing offense while Moore was their offensive coordinator. Therefore, Kelley could be in for a fine third season.

CB Ja’Sir Taylor

The Chargers drafted Taylor as a core special teams player, which he proved to be. Taylor was outstanding in his role as a punt coverage gunner. Taylor ended up seeing some playing time on the defensive side of the ball toward the back end of the season. Taylor had some lapses in coverage, especially when he had to play as an outside corner. But his standout performance came in the big primetime win over the Dolphins, where he locked down Jaylen Waddle, showing glimpses of a solid slot corner. Additionally, he came on strong as a tackler in open space and a blitzer. With Bryce Callahan set to be a free agent in March, that could lead to a more prominent role for Taylor in his second season. And with what he showed inside, there’s no denying that he could be a key contributor.

OC Kellen Moore speaks on Chargers’ offensive line

Kellen Moore oozed confidence when talking about his offensive line during his introductory press conference.

The Los Angeles Chargers have assembled a highly effective offensive line in recent seasons, and their new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore seemed almost giddy to work with his front five in comments made during his introductory press conference.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Moore made it clear to reporters that despite not having met with the offensive line group yet, he is well aware of the elite talent he has at his disposal.

“I’m still in the process of going through that,” Moore said when asked about his line. “I’m really excited. We haven’t had an offensive staff meeting yet to really dig into this stuff. Certainly, the investment has been huge. Having a guy like [C] Corey [Linsley] as the center — you guys certainly probably feel it, but some people I think don’t recognize the importance of a veteran center and a guy who really runs the show. Corey has been one of the best in the NFL for a number of years. That is really exciting.

“I think that helps the quarterback. It relieves some of the workload and the volume that a quarterback has to do pre-snap. Having a guy like Corey run the show has been great. Certainly, there has been a lot invested there from a youth standpoint. Tons of younger players have had an opportunity to play. I’m excited to just see those guys continue to develop. They’re young players. Their future is skyrocketing right now. I’m just really excited to work with those guys.”

Certainly, the benefit of having a capable offensive line to protect the Chargers’ franchise quarterback will prove to be a huge advantage to Moore in his first year in Los Angeles. Keeping Herbert upright and well-protected in the pocket should enable Moore to utilize aggressive play calls in his game plans and should help the Chargers become a force in the stacked AFC next season.

4 pending free agents Chargers must prioritize re-signing

The Chargers have 15 pending free agents heading into the offseason.

The 2023 free agency period on the NFL calendar begins on March 15, but it will be before you know it. The Chargers have 15 pending free agents heading into the offseason.

General manager Tom Telesco will have to be selective when deciding who’s worthy of being brought back next season since the team does not have a lot of spendings this go around.

Los Angeles is projected to be $19.4 million over the salary cap in 2023, the fifth-worst situation in the NFL. However, they could free up some of that with internal moves.

With that, here’s a look at the top priorities based on their play from this past season when Los Angeles begins that process.