2022 Training Camp Thread

[blueman]

The Chargers *could have* selected OT Trevor Penning, but took G Zion Johnson, instead, despite having a more urgent need (apparently) at tackle than at guard. (Penning went to the Saints two picks later, at #19)

The Chargers' braintrust liked Zion more, and we'll find out pretty soon whether or not they were right.

???

Schofield sucked far worse than Norton.

[dmac_bolt]

Xenos thank you for sharing the Popper stuff. Popper is very good at what he does and I have learned to trust his eyes and his reports.

Regarding the new punter, JK Scott, I was luke warm when he was signed and figured more competition would be brought it, but he is the only punter in camp. He was very good in college, so good he got drafted, but has had a middlin career so far. Good to hear about the hang time and placement. I wonder does he have the slow windup that Ty Long did? Long was just as much to blame for his block as was the crappy blocking he got in my opinion. Scott is so tall I just wonder about his mechanics and their efficiency. Has anyone seen him punting in camp? BTW he did kickoff quite a bit in college too. We don't need that with Hopkins, but he can fill in nicely if needed. And last thought, being so tall means chances of a bad snap going over his head is reduced. I think he is about the same height as Herbert.

TG

I read somewhere either here, bleacher report, or something, that snap-to-kick time in camp is way down, below league avg, and he was getting hang time of 5.0 seconds.

[powderblueboy]

I'm a little bummed that there hasn't been a peep out of camp regarding IDL Otito Ogbonnia.

he's raw.....i doubt he helps them this you.
they might try to put him on the practice squad.

[powderblueboy]

We’ve already discussed Penning ad nauseam, can we pretty please try and at least keep our TC thread about players that we actually have at TC? Maybe wait to discuss what could have been for when some games have been played?

Someone mentioned Penning?


Payton Turner, Trevor Penning fight at Saints training camp ...

https://saintswire.usatoday.com › 2022/08/01 › payton-t...
1 day ago — Former first round picks Payton Turner and Trevor Penning briefly fought at New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Monday.

[dmac_bolt]

Maxx Crosby is pretty good We were 1-1 vs his team last year. LVR lost, Maxx had 1 sack when Aboushi was playing RG.

This forum continually underestimates how shitty Scho was last year.

We lost the LVR game because they ran it down our throat for most of the game, Herbert threw for 383 3TD/1INT - that wins games if your defense doesnt shit their bed.

[powderblueboy]

More from Trev:



AUG 1, 2022 12:04 PM EDT


1 HOUR AGO

The second series with Andy Dalton saw things get really energetic. J.T. Gray took exception to a block from Trevor Penning which led to some pushing and shoving after the whistle, and it continued throughout the series. Scott Patchan looked to best Penning on a rep and ended up blocking him to the ground. They'd later lock up in the second session and both go to the ground after a hard rep.

[Formula 21]

The Chargers *could have* selected OT Trevor Penning, but took G Zion Johnson, instead, despite having a more urgent need (apparently) at tackle than at guard. (Penning went to the Saints two picks later, at #19)

The Chargers' braintrust liked Zion more, and we'll find out pretty soon whether or not they were right.

We got nice, the Saints got nasty.



There’s that attitude we’ve been talking about. The top quality associated with Trevor Penning in this year’s NFL draft was his aggression — a nasty streak that saw him sometimes play through the whistle, shoving opponents around to set the tone. And that showed up at New Orleans Saints training camp on Monday when players hit the practice field in pads for the first time.

Penning was matched up with Turner in team drills, and after getting the better of the second-year defensive end on one rep, throwing Turner to the ground and shoving him upfield, the two came to blows. Turner swung first, and Penning responded, though teammates were quick to split them up. It’s a marked contrast with the two brawls that cut short a recent Atlanta Falcons practice (one of which involved former Saints defensive tackle Jalen Dalton).

But this is good to see. It’s Penning’s job to assert himself and enforce his will on the man lining up against him. Just like it’s Turner’s job to stand up for himself and respond in kind. August in New Orleans isn’t a very forgiving climate and emotions run high in full-contact practices like these. So long as things don’t intensify beyond quick scraps like this, both young players can learn from the experience and continue to improve because of it.

[Xenos]

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Chargers held their sixth practice of training camp Tuesday morning at Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex. It was their second straight padded practice after the pads came on Monday. It was also by far their longest practice of camp so far, stretching well past two hours. There were five team periods, on top of extensive one-on-ones, so lots to get into.

Here are my observations, notes and takeaways.


Third down extravaganza

The Chargers focused heavily on third downs in Tuesday’s practice. They had two full periods of exclusively third downs — one seven-on-seven in the opening team period and one 11-on-11 to end the practice.

Let’s start with seven-on-seven.

Justin Herbert got six reps, with yards to gain varying from 2 all the way to 12. He went 4-of-6 passing and converted three of the six third downs. On the opening play, he attempted a back-shoulder pass to Joshua Palmer that was off the mark. He followed that up by firing a bullet to Keenan Allen over the middle. Slot corner Bryce Callahan was in coverage playing in front of Allen. Herbert sensed the open space behind Callahan and placed the ball perfectly past the defensive back. Allen adjusted well to snag the ball behind him and had plenty of room to run after the catch.

Asante Samuel Jr. got work in the slot on the next rep, matched up with tight end Gerald Everett, who ran a corner route to the sideline. Samuel was with him step for step and Herbert’s pass sailed long. Herbert then connected with Donald Parham Jr. on the next rep for a first down. Parham did a fine job of finding a soft spot in the defense’s zone in the middle of the field.

Next, Herbert hit Michael Bandy on an underneath route. Safety Nasir Adderley read the play well and drove on Bandy after the catch. He touched Bandy down short of the sticks. On the final play, Herbert found Palmer on a crossing route for a first on third-and-long. Palmer beat Michael Davis with a sharp route. Davis, Deane Leonard, Kemon Hall, JT Woods and Raheem Layne all worked into the secondary for the final two plays of Herbert’s series.

Easton Stick was next up with the second-team offense. On his first rep, Stick hit rookie running back Isaiah Spiller on a swing pass. Linebacker Nick Niemann stopped him short of the first. Later in the series, Stick had Jalen Guyton open on a go ball. Guyton blew past Tevaughn Campbell on the outside. Stick put a little too much juice on throw, though. Guyton laid out and made the initial catch, but the ball popped out when he hit the turf.

Chase Daniel converted two of his three third-down reps, both to Maurice Ffrench. Ffrench beat Leonard on an out route on his first catch, then beat Campbell on a deep dig for his second catch.

The defense then dominated the 11-on-11 third-down period. Herbert got five reps. On his first snap, Herbert threw incomplete looking for Austin Ekeler in the flat. Herbert then threw his second interception of camp. He was looking to the middle of the field and did not see Adderley roving there as the underneath defender. Adderley read Herbert’s eyes and hauled in the pick.

Herbert then found Allen for a first down on a comeback route against Callahan. But that was the lone conversion of the period for Herbert and the first-team offense. Herbert miscommunicated with Allen on the next rep before checking down to Spiller in that flat on the final rep of the period. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga was waiting for Spiller and touched him down short of the sticks.

Stick fared better than Herbert. He completed a go ball to Guyton against Leonard down the left sideline on his first rep. Guyton did an excellent job of adjusting and high-pointing the throw. Stick then escaped pressure and scrambled for a first down on his second rep. Niemann got home for a sack on the last rep. I thought Niemann had his best practice of camp, and the Chargers could need him to be factor on defense with both Kenneth Murray Jr. (ankle) and Drue Tranquill (groin) nursing injuries.

Daniel’s first two reps were check-down completions to Leddie Brown and Kevin Marks Jr., respectively, that came up short. On his third rep, Daniel connected with Marks on a swing pass that went for an explosive play.


Two-minute drill

Third down was not the only situation the Chargers practiced Tuesday. They also had a two-minute-drill period. Herbert ran the first-team offense against the second-team defense, and Stick ran the second-team offense against the first-team defense.

Both offenses started at their own 24 with 1:09 left on the clock. Herbert’s drive started with consecutive completions — one to Allen over the middle and one to Everett along the sideline. After an incompletion on an attempted pass to Ekeler in the flat, Herbert did Herbert things on third down. He evaded pressure in the pocket, stepped up and threw off platform over the middle. The defense was not expecting Herbert to throw from that awkward position, and Guyton was wide open over the middle. Guyton made the catch and carried it into opposing territory. The clock stopped after this play with 33 seconds left — both the offense and defense had timeouts remaining.

On the next snap, Niemann got to Herbert for his second sack of the practice. Another timeout stopped the clock with 27 seconds remaining. Herbert threw incomplete on a broken play on the next snap before he attempted a go-ball to Guyton. The pass was wobbly and sailed out of bounds. The field goal unit then came on, and Dustin Hopkins pulled his attempt from just short of 50 yards wide left.

Stick also completed the first two snaps of his drive — both to running back Larry Rountree III. The second completion was a busted coverage, and Rountree had room to run down the sideline for a big gain. Stick then connected twice with DeAndre Carter and once with Joe Reed to move the offense deep into opposing territory. Reed beat J.C. Jackson on a crossing route.

But then the drive stalled. The pocket collapsed for a sack on second down, and with the clock running down, Stick spiked on third down to give the field goal team a shot. Rookie kicker James McCourt’s 45-yard attempt was good.


WR/TE vs. DB 1-on-1s

On Monday, I watched the defensive linemen and edge rushers battle the offensive linemen in one-on-one pass rush drills. On Tuesday, I watched the wide receivers and tight ends run one-on-one routes against the defensive backs.

Some highlights …

• Mike Williams and Jackson continue to have one of the most competitive battles of training camp. They faced off twice in the one-on-one period. Jackson won the first rep. Williams ran a dig, and Jackson was all over him, breaking up the intended pass from Herbert. There was some contact, but the refs did not throw a flag. On the second rep, Williams ran an inside-release go route. Herbert lofted a deep ball, and Williams out-jumped Jackson to secure the initial catch. Jackson recovered and got his hands on the ball. Both players were clutching the ball as they fell to the turf. But the refs ruled it a catch.

• Michael Davis had a rough period. He had two reps and neither one was particularly competitive. The first came against Guyton, who dominated on a back-shoulder route. Herbert threw a fantastic ball. Then Ffrench beat Davis easily on a slant.

• Samuel recovered well after losing his first two reps. He faced off with Palmer on both of those. On the first, Palmer pulled a double move down the left sideline. Samuel was not fooled, but Herbert delivered an accurate back-shoulder ball for the completion. On the second, Palmer won on a short comeback route. Samuel then faced Parham on his third rep. There was a distinct size advantage for Parham, but Samuel had excellent coverage on Parham’s go route. Herbert threw high, and Samuel prevented Parham from making a play on the ball with his sticky defending.

• Layne, an undrafted rookie out of Indiana, is quickly ascending in this camp. He got the second rep of the period, against Allen. Allen won off the line with his release and had a step on Layne on a go route. But Layne recovered for the pass breakup. Layne also rotated in as the sixth defensive back in dime packages with the first-team defense in one period of 11-on-11.

• Bandy continues to flash at receiver. He won all three of his reps. He beat Brandon Sebastian on a crisp comeback route on his first rep. Then he got past Leonard with a double move down the left sideline. Then he showed a quick release and acceleration on the route by winning one deep against Woods. Daniel overthrew him on that final rep.

• Everett and Adderley had two fun battles. Everett won on a crossing route on his first rep against Adderley but dropped Herbert’s throw. On the second rep, Adderley drove on Everett’s slant route and broke up the pass.

• Hall had a pass breakup on a Guyton slant. Rookie corner Ja’Sir Taylor had a pass breakup on an in-breaker from tight end Erik Krommenhoek. Campbell had a pass breakup on a comeback route from receiver Trevon Bradford.

• Herbert’s best ball of the period came on a back-shoulder throw to Reed with Sebastian in coverage. Reed showed great body control and concentration, just tapping both feet down in bounds along the right sideline.


News and notes

• Tranquill did not participate for the third straight practice. Receiver Jason Moore Jr. and tight end Tre’ McKitty also did not practice. We will know more on what Moore and McKitty are dealing with when Brandon Staley talks again Wednesday. Derwin James is still sitting out practice because of contract negotiations. James has yet to practice this training camp.

• Offensive play of the day: Herbert dropped back on play action and hit Parham down the seam. Herbert zipped a throw in right over Parham’s shoulder, and Parham made a great catch. Adderley was in coverage.

• Ekeler, Rountree and Joshua Kelley all got work at running back with the first-team offense. Spiller continues to play primarily with the second and third teams, but his physicality is starting to pop now that pads are on. He had a vicious collision with Ogbongbemiga in the hole during 11-on-11.

• Linebacker Troy Reeder, who will be a key factor on special teams this season, had an interesting comment on new long snapper Josh Harris. Harris was a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler last season with the Falcons. The Chargers signed him in free agency. “It’s been really, really fun to work with Josh Harris,” Reeder said, when asked who has emerged as leaders on special teams. “He’s a Pro Bowl guy that’s been doing it for 10 years. He attacks in the weight room. He’s a leader kind of no matter — offense, defense or special teams. He’s a guy that I kind of look to and admire.”

• Hopkins went 5-for-8 on field goal attempts during the special teams period, on top of missing his attempt at the end of the two-minute drill. Hopkins also missed two attempts in Monday’s special teams period.

• Defensive lineman Andrew Brown had an impressive pancake on interior lineman Ryan Hunter during an 11-on-11 run play.

• Linebacker Damon Lloyd continues to impress. On back-to-back plays in 11-on-11, Lloyd had a sack and then stuffed Rountree on a run play up the middle. The run stuff got an excited reaction from linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite.

• Taylor had back-to-back pass breakups, both on third down, to wrap up the second-to-last 11-on-11 period. The first came in coverage on Reed. On the second, Bandy got open initially on an out route. Taylor recovered and jarred the ball loose. The defensive sideline erupted after the second pass breakup. Taylor has a shot to make the 53-man roster. Interestingly, Staley spent five minutes during stretching coaching up Taylor, who can play both outside and inside but has played predominantly inside in the slot so far in camp.

[Fouts2herbert]

Bears are taking calls on tevon Jenkins Rt. Do you make the call. Apparently the asking price is low. Rumored to be a 6th. Would you take the risk

I would make that deal because it’s low risk, giving up what will be a low 6th rounder for a guy that had a legit mid first round grade prior to back issues just 18months ago. He’s only 24 and the bears have already paid the bulk of his rookie deal. If he’s a problem you bounce him quick or you get a great value at a position of need for the next three years. It’s worth noting that he comes from a zone blocking scheme in college but it should be noted that his pass protection was also the weakest part of his game.

[Geezbolt]

Many thanks Xenos for posting these Popper reports. I look forward to them every day.

[wu-dai clan]

Staley and the FO obviously felt that a great RG was more of a priority than getting a good RT in the draft. They may have also felt that the FA RT market didn’t offer a big enough upgrade over Norton and Pipkins. I wanted Reiff a year ago but am lukewarm now given his age and recent injury.

There was a huge hole at ORG. Zion is clean.

Penning is a mixed bag in the eyes of experts. Duke Manyweather and Brett Kollman sharply disagree about Penning.

Zion + Storm/Pipkins is a great fit for our culture and locker room. There is absolutely no need for us to have second thoughts.

[Maniaque 6]

If Zion is an upgrade vs Schofield, I just can't imagine what this offense will do next year.