2023 Official Roster Build Thread - The Initial 53 / Practice Squad

[dmac_bolt]

Well im kind of old school i guess. Soft camp and a super robust social media team? Loaded with tons of screen time for the players? I just hope we are not other focused.

A softer camp makes a bit more sense in a 17 game grinder season than it did for a 12 game sprint. Still - not too soft gents, you still gotta play week 1

[jamrock]

Well im kind of old school i guess. Soft camp and a super robust social media team? Loaded with tons of screen time for the players? I just hope we are not other focused.

I’m old school as well but they played with physicality against the Rams.

[jamrock]

Like Moore's offense makes everything go smooth or he isn't working hard? Context needed.

I think that was it. Just said it’s the easiest camp he’s had. But it was video interview so I’m sure it’s available

[sonorajim]

I think that was it. Just said it’s the easiest camp he’s had. But it was video interview so I’m sure it’s available

I saw it. Just from memory, it seemed he meant that the organization was tight, less confusion and wasted time. That coulda been me but I didn't get the feel that he meant resort treatment.

[jamrock]

I saw it. Just from memory, it seemed he meant that the organization was tight, less confusion and wasted time. That coulda been me but I didn't get the feel that he meant resort treatment.

Speaking of video interviews check out Kenneth Murray. That dude looks like a Mack truck. He is a physical specimen

[Kellyb72601]

So Mack is back to 265
Joey is where again? Back to about the same right?

Personally prefer bigger edge guys, I'm happy.

Joey said he's around 265. What irritates me about him is it's hard to believe anything he says. Last year after he had that surgery and came back he was saying he was feeling the best he had in several years and was hitting times he hadn't hit in several years. He said the surgery cleaned up a lot of stuff he'd been dealing with and he could finally train the way he wanted. He was really excited about the offseason so he could focus more on his burst. Then right after the playoff game he said he'd been out there playing on one leg and he shows up to camp at 265. I'm wondering if he didn't reinjure that groin in the last game vs Denver and undo all the progress from that surgery. I'd think if he could really train his burst the way he wanted he'd want to optimize that and stay around 250, but guess we'll see. The best thing Joey has going for him is his little brother is so awesome you know he wants to try to stay competitive with him.

[NoMoreChillies]

I like our edge guys being a little heavier to start the season. Its long 17 games and they gonna drop weight throughout the season. This might give them a little buffer to carry the pressure deep into playoffs.

[jamrock]

Speaking of video interviews check out Kenneth Murray. That dude looks like a Mack truck. He is a physical specimen

https://theathletic.com/4782933/2023/08/17/chargers-kenneth-murray-jr-breakout/?source=freedailyemail&campaign=601983&access_token=12007069&redirected=1

new LB coach, new LB teammate, will it yield new results for Kenneth Murray?

[richpjr]

https://theathletic.com/4782933/2023/08/17/chargers-kenneth-murray-jr-breakout/?source=freedailyemail&campaign=601983&access_token=12007069&redirected=1

new LB coach, new LB teammate, will it yield new results for Kenneth Murray?

If the light finally clicks on for Murray, what a big lift that would be for the D. He has the physical tools to be elite. Hoping the new coaches get him there mentally - sounds like people are seeing a difference.

[21&500]

Joey said he's around 265. What irritates me about him is it's hard to believe anything he says. Last year after he had that surgery and came back he was saying he was feeling the best he had in several years and was hitting times he hadn't hit in several years. He said the surgery cleaned up a lot of stuff he'd been dealing with and he could finally train the way he wanted. He was really excited about the offseason so he could focus more on his burst. Then right after the playoff game he said he'd been out there playing on one leg and he shows up to camp at 265. I'm wondering if he didn't reinjure that groin in the last game vs Denver and undo all the progress from that surgery. I'd think if he could really train his burst the way he wanted he'd want to optimize that and stay around 250, but guess we'll see. The best thing Joey has going for him is his little brother is so awesome you know he wants to try to stay competitive with him.

All fair.
I think you're on to something. That would make both statements true.
I don't think it would necessarily undue the progress made, but it might have been a bit hard for him to acknowledge he got hurt so soon, and figured he would fake it until.he made it.
During the jax loss, he looked defeated, like a man who knew he couldn't do it (shades of tyson during the holyfield ear fight).
Personally, I will take a leap of faith for Joey this time and assume he's a good 265, an intentional 265.
Daniel popper is reporting that he's giving Slater problems with the bullrush. I think he is more motivated than ever considering the Mack dynamic too.

I expect Bosa's best year since that year he and Melvin were in-sync.

Also, I joked about getting Nick in here, but if we could somehow pull that off, they would absolutely compete against each other, play for each other and refuse to let each other down. The sum is greater than it's parts.

[21&500]

https://theathletic.com/4782933/2023/08/17/chargers-kenneth-murray-jr-breakout/?source=freedailyemail&campaign=601983&access_toke n=12007069&redirected=1

new LB coach, new LB teammate, will it yield new results for Kenneth Murray?

WTF!? Am I going to have to do a bunch of pushups this season!?
happily.

COSTA MESA, Calif. — On Aug. 5, during the Los Angeles Chargers’ eighth practice of training camp, the first-team offense was facing the first-team defense in a two-minute drill. It was the second play of the drive, and the offense had a second-and-short. Receiver Joshua Palmer was lined up to the right side of the formation. When quarterback Justin Herbert took the snap, Palmer ran a slant route against cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

ADVERTISEMENT


Herbert tried to rifle a throw into a tight window. Samuel hit Palmer as the pass was arriving. The ball clanged off Palmer’s hands and into the air. Kenneth Murray Jr. was waiting. The linebacker grabbed the tipped ball and returned it for a touchdown to win the period for the defense.

In the moment, this play might have looked like luck. But in this instance, Murray being in the right place at the right time was a direct result of how he played his coverage responsibility — a technique linebackers coach Jeff Howard said he had been drilling with Murray throughout the spring and summer.

Murray’s training camp thus far has been dotted with flashes like this. After his interception, the offense got a second shot at the two-minute drill. On the first play, Murray surged into the backfield on a blitz and sacked Herbert. Murray had another sack in the intrasquad scrimmage the next day, chasing down Herbert off play action. On Day 7, he delivered a pad-popping hit on running back Isaiah Spiller for a tackle for loss.

“He’s had so many dynamic plays,” Howard said.

Chargers training camp: Situational emphasis, J.C. Jackson update, Kenneth Murray splash play

And these plays are part of what is fueling optimism about Murray as the 2020 first-round pick enters his fourth NFL season.

“This is really going to be the year, I think, he can break out,” defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley said.

The Chargers have been waiting for this breakout since they traded up to draft Murray with the 23rd pick in 2020. It has not come. The team declined his fifth-year option in May, meaning Murray is set to become a free agent after this season.

It is fair to question the public optimism given how Murray’s career has unfolded. He has been an inconsistent player, particularly as a run defender, through his first three seasons.

What, exactly, is different about this year?

The answer to that question has layers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most importantly, Murray had a full and healthy offseason for the first time in his NFL career.

As a rookie in 2020 under former coach Anthony Lynn, Murray did not have organized team activities or minicamp because of COVID-19. After the 2020 season, Murray underwent shoulder surgery. He missed organized team activities and minicamp in 2021, Brandon Staley’s first year as head coach.

The following season, Murray suffered a freak ankle injury in practice before a Monday night game against the Las Vegas Raiders. After individual drills, Murray was attempting to catch a pass and stepped awkwardly on a goal line pylon. He missed the next five games. After the season, in April, Murray underwent ankle surgery because the injury did not improve with rest. He missed organized team activities and minicamp again. He did not return to practice until the final week of training camp.

Murray’s first two years of NFL life were a vicious cycle of injury, rehab, injury, rehab.

He believes he emerged from these “tough” moments stronger.

“It really turned me into a monster,” Murray said. “It was some peaks, it was some valleys, and then I went in there and I really found myself. I can come out now, and I love myself even more.”

Murray did not have a surgery to recover from this year. He said that changed “everything” about his offseason — from training, to participating fully in organized team activities, to finding more time to relax and “enjoy life.”

Amid that offseason were two other components that could set this version of Murray apart.

Staley made a change at linebackers coach after the 2022 season, replacing Michael Wilhoite with Howard. Howard said his first order of business was “establishing a relationship” with Murray.

“If somebody comes up to talk to you about something that you need to do better, if you don’t know the person, you’re just like, ‘Well, what’s your angle?’” Howard said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The meetings with Murray started as soon as Howard was hired in February.

“I could see a lot of potential in him,” Howard said.

And the personal bond allowed Howard to have candid football conversations with Murray.

“I understand that he’s in my foxhole,” Murray said of Howard.

Murray’s biggest takeaway from those conversations with Howard: “Failure, it essentially doesn’t exist. … It’s only a failure if you don’t try anymore.”

Howard watched Murray’s film from the past two seasons to cultivate a “pretty honest evaluation.”

“From there, I just put together a plan for development,” Howard said.

The plan focused on honing the finer details of linebacker play: coverage techniques, attacking blockers with proper leverage in the running game, tackling and understanding where and when to fit certain run plays.

“Putting together drills where we’re practicing the things that we may be deficient in,” Howard said. “Then you start seeing him in practice. And I think that’s the cool part of it. I’ll circle back, and I’ll say, ‘Hey, this is the drill that we were doing, and here’s you doing it in a practice situation.’”

One of those moments was how Murray matched Palmer’s route and positioned himself for the pick six.

“It just kind of builds confidence,” Howard said.

That is the best way to describe Murray’s on-field demeanor during training camp this year: confident.

“There’s not a whole lot of hesitation in his reactions,” Howard said.

Part of that is Murray’s knowledge of Staley’s scheme. This is his third year in the system. While he was rehabbing his ankle injury last spring and summer, Murray said he studied the scheme “like no other.” He could not walk. He could not be on the practice field. But he could work out his mind.

“I know this defense like the back of my hand,” Murray said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Part of the confidence and play speed, too, is how the Chargers have reconfigured Murray’s responsibilities.

“We’re trying to really define his role and try to make it so he’s doing similar things a lot of the time,” Howard said. “He’s not doing a bunch of different stuff on every play. Trying to keep it consistent and keep it concise so that he can go out and execute.”

The second component that arrived this offseason was former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks, who will be starting next to Murray this season.

Murray called Kendricks his “big bro.” The two have connected over a love of cars. Kendricks’ football experience has been immensely beneficial for Murray. So has his life experience.



“I’m a football guy. I want to be a football guy 25/8,” Murray said. “He’ll be like, ‘Hey, bro, we’re not talking about football right now.’”

Howard was coaching linebackers for the Minnesota Vikings when Kendricks was drafted in 2014. The two spent six seasons together in Minnesota. Howard said Kendricks plays with “inspiring effort.” Kendricks will serve as an example for Murray in all facets of being a pro. He will also take some of the responsibility off Murray’s shoulders on the field.

“As much experience as he has, it just means a lot to the younger players,” Howard said. “And I don’t know necessarily if they’ve had somebody like that in the past.”

Teammates are noticing Murray’s development in camp.

“To me, this has been his best camp since he’s been here,” safety Derwin James Jr. said. “And I’m not just saying that.”

Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day brought up Murray unprompted when answering a question about Kendricks.

“I was here last year with K9,” Joseph-Day said. “I can tell how much he’s growing.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Murray’s future with the Chargers will depend on how he performs this year.

“We’re, by far, not where we’re going to be,” Howard said.

Is this the year optimism turns into results for Murray?

“I really found joy in figuring out my puzzle and just really understanding that everybody’s puzzle was different,” Murray said. “You just got to be able to figure it out and just not let any excuses come into play. Regardless, I’m going to figure it out.”

[sonorajim]

Speaking of video interviews check out Kenneth Murray. That dude looks like a Mack truck. He is a physical specimen

Right. His speed and strength are special. Kendricks has been impressed with him. He might have a breakout year.