Originally posted by CanadianBoltFan
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What Would Jim Do?
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What does Jim think?
What Would Jim Do?Protect the QB
Run the ball
Play great defense -
Dinged up a bit but he just hasn't shown much in the little playing time that he's had.Originally posted by Factotum View PostComment
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Colston'ed like, injured, missing, not able to measure up to as was billed as a draftee and then self ghosted. This year will be the telling season for Colston if he's healthy. I don't think that high draftee LBs or DEs will get a third year!Originally posted by dmac_bolt View PostComment
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I agree with that.... but there are examples of teams that at the end of one season people say they have a bad OL....like chiefs, rams, pti, etc.... then nect season there is a huge improvement!Originally posted by Factotum View Post
some of that is drafting, trading for or sigh=ning FA's..... but a big part of that is also better organizations that cconsitently win, draft better players overall in every round so they end up developing good to great depth so when they experience injuries to starters or have players leave via FA, .... there is at least a solid player ready to step in.....
Chargers drafted a generational LT last year, but if we look at our depth, are there any young OL who look like they will be starters now or ion future?... we have that on defense, at RB, WR, TE..... but unfortunately not the OL
In fairness to Ortiz, he has done a crazy good job so far geting team out of cap hell, while still putting together enough talent to make playoffs!......hard to replace all of our depth in just 2 years....
Interesting thing is even with losing Slater, this is still Herbert's best OL.... Herbert broke all kinds of rookie QB passing records with a horrible OL, but he was healthy and mobile..... which he should be at least to start this year.... and now we also have at least 2 or 3 power RB's, who can break tackles and gain yardage even with little blocking..... which should also help the team from long yardage situations, leaving more plays open for offense and more options for defenses to have to worry about....Comment
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Agree!... makes sense ...this is how I would do it, unless we somehow aquire a player or 2 that could change that. Does Murphy or MorrisBrash have a chance to replace Dupree?Originally posted by Critty View PostComment
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Chargers’ rebuilt interior defensive line just might be the deepest spot on the roster
By Daniel Popper
Aug. 20, 2025Updated 6:58 pm MST
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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Entering training camp, there was some uncertainty surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers’ interior defensive line.
Now, with just one practice remaining before the Chargers break camp, that group has turned into perhaps the deepest position on the roster.
All the answerable questions have been answered. The only unanswered question remaining: What will the defensive line look like when the regular season begins Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil?
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Teair Tart, who re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year deal in March, has looked dominant at times in practice as a pass rusher and run defender.
Otito Ogbonnia looks like one of the most improved players on the roster, particularly in his get-off as a pass rusher.
Da’Shawn Hand, whom the Chargers signed in free agency, has been one of the team’s top performers in preseason games. Hand has started only 13 games in his seven-year NFL career, but he has looked like a starting-caliber player in camp. Hand can destroy blocks and penetrate as a run defender.
Jamaree Caldwell, the Chargers’ third-round pick in April, has adjusted quickly to the NFL. He is a complete interior defensive lineman, with the ability to align in multiple spots and affect games in several ways. He has the strength and frame to take on double-teams. He also has the quick feet and sudden hands to win one-on-ones as a pass rusher.
Justin Eboigbe added mass this offseason, and that has translated to a night-and-day difference in his power, particularly as a run defender. Eboigbe, a fourth-round pick in 2024, was an afterthought last year. He only played 26 defensive snaps and was inactive for all but five games. Eboigbe was too often displaced off the line of scrimmage last year. This year, he can stand up those double-teams and fit the run more consistently. And he has been disruptive when given the opportunity to attack upfield.
Naquan Jones, a cheap free-agent signing, has a chance to make an impact as a rotational passing-down rusher. Even Scott Matlock, who plays both offense and defense, has flashed in preseason games against the run and pass.
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Rather than attack the top of the market, the Chargers went for a strength-in-numbers approach this offseason.
The Chargers truly have seven defensive linemen who deserve snaps this season. No squinting necessary.
“Really encouraged,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said of the development of this group. “Kind of what we hoped in the sense that you’re going to maybe be deeper, maybe have more guys, and then guys that maybe weren’t in roles last year, the improvement that they’ve made.”
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Minter specifically mentioned Eboigbe.
“He’s taken a huge step,” Minter said.
Justin Eboigbe’s offseason work has made a huge difference in his power on the defensive line. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
Poona Ford played 604 defensive snaps for the Chargers last season. Morgan Fox played 577 snaps. They were the two most-used interior defensive lineman for Minter in 2024. The Chargers let Ford walk in free agency, and he signed with the Los Angeles Rams. They let Fox walk in free agency, and he signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Chargers had to somehow replace their snaps and, more importantly, their production.
TruMedia has a stat called splash plays, which includes sacks, tackles for loss, pressures leading to a throwaway, run stuffs and batted passes. Ford and Fox combined for 32 splash plays in 2024. All the other interior defensive linemen on the roster combined for 19.
With the assembled talent, the Chargers do not need to replace Ford and Fox with two players. That could happen. But it does not have to happen. The Chargers can easily take a committee approach to filling the production holes because this room is so deep.
All seven of the aforementioned defensive linemen should make the 53-man roster.
Matlock said Wednesday that his “priority” this season will be on offense as the Chargers’ starting fullback. That aligns with his usage last year. Matlock played 362 plays on offense last year compared with 137 on defense. And by the end of the year, Matlock was playing sparingly on defense. For example, he only played four defensive snaps in the playoff loss at the Houston Texans. And, notably, Matlock did not play any defensive snaps in Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams, after playing 33 combined defensive snaps in the first two preseason games.
By the end of 2024, the Chargers had settled on a four-man rotation on the interior: Ford, Fox, Tart and Ogbonnia. This year, that rotation will grow. The Chargers could hypothetically rotate seven defensive lineman in one game, depending on how they configure their game day roster.
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When asked how many defensive linemen could play in games this season, Minter said, “However many guys have helmets.”
Defensive line coach Mike Elston worked wonders with his group last year. Elston was a key piece in Ford’s resurgent season. He was a key piece in Tart’s finding a role after he was cast off by the Miami Dolphins.
He is on his way to doing it again.
“Really love where that room is at,” Minter said. “I think it gives us a chance to really stay fresh at that position throughout the course of the season, particularly in the games.” News and notes
• Mekhi Becton returned to team drills Wednesday for the first time since July 28. He worked in at right guard with the first-team offense. In total, Becton got 13 reps in 11-on-11. The Chargers were not in pads.
• Chargers who did not practice: receiver Quentin Johnston, linebacker Junior Colson, running back Kimani Vidal, cornerback Deane Leonard, running back Jaret Patterson, cornerback Harrison Hand and cornerback Eric Rogers.
• Receiver Tre’ Harris left practice with trainers after individual drills and walked into The Bolt. Harris did not participate in team drills.
• Receiver Jalen Reagor and cornerback Cam Hart returned to team drills.
• Receiver Derius Davis, tight end Tyler Conklin, receiver Ladd McConkey and receiver Keenan Allen all caught touchdowns from Justin Herbert in red zone team drills. Allen also had an explosive touchdown from Herbert on a corner route in open-field team drills.
• Safety Alohi Gilman intercepted quarterback Trey Lance in the end zone during red zone team drills.
• For the second straight day, quarterback Taylor Heinicke did not participate in team drills.
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Wow great job Critty. Outside OL and maybe CB this is a pretty damn good roster. Next year they need to go heavy on offensive beef and CB.Originally posted by Critty View PostComment
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I haven't written Kennard off - I just kind of hope he lands on IR at this point as Murphy and maybe even Morris Brash are ahead of himOriginally posted by Factotum View Post
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Solid work!Originally posted by Critty View Post
I think you are right that Lance beats out Heinecke but hopefully they can trade him
I think JaSir Taylor beats out Leonard
I don't think Taylor is a lock for the 53 man
I think Murphy makes the 53
I think they keep another OL over FiskComment
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Apologies to Junior Colson for adding a silent T to his last name! Where did I get that from?!
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