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Originally posted by AK47
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Good one, AK! Yep, we got our own Spencer "Unchained" Django... -
Of course they did. What...u think they invest millions on a whim? Anyone they have targeted in the top 3 rounds have been put under a microscope and not just for health reasons.Originally posted by Topcat View PostComment
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Hey Fleet, I will post it when I get access to a my laptop. Unfortunately, when you have a newborn, anything bigger than a tablet becomes harder. I did remember that Poppins did not think that our 6th and 7th round picks this year were going to make the final 53. We were also going to load up on tackles because of Okung's injury, and that both Dzubar and Kyle Wilson make the roster. Things will change now with Derwin's injury.Originally posted by Fleet View PostComment
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Time for that 7th rounder to put on a show - today.
Cortez Broughton is one of my favorite draft picks.Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
The Wasted Decade is done.
Build Back Better.Comment
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Kid's finally down for more than 5 minutes. We'll probably see a new one tomorrow.Originally posted by Fleet View Post
We learned quite a bit in the Chargers' preseason-opening loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night, so this is an ideal time to give you my first 53-man roster projection.
The Chargers have seven official training-camp practices and three preseason games remaining. A lot can change between now and cutdown day on Aug. 31. But the roster has started to come into focus over the past three weeks, and the breakdown below will offer a firm picture of who is a lock, who is on the bubble and where the toughest decisions lie for general manager Tom Telesco.
I'll be posting an updated version of the 53-man projection after each preseason game, so keep an eye out.
Italics designate projected starters. Quarterbacks (3)
Philip Rivers, Tyrod Taylor, Easton Stick
With Rivers starting and Taylor backing up, the Chargers boast one of the best quarterback situations in football. In a potential Super Bowl season, a team must have insurance in case its franchise guy goes down. The Chargers signed arguably the best insurance quarterback on the market in Taylor, who has 46 career NFL starts and close to 1,400 passes attempted. The only real decision with this group will be at third string. Cardale Jones and rookie Stick are battling for that spot. The Chargers spent a fifth-round pick on Stick in April, and they can't really risk cutting him. Odds are he would get scooped up on waivers. So I expect Stick to win that roster spot. Stick is also a younger and more enticing prospect than Jones, which he exemplified with that 31-yard touchdown run in the second half in Arizona. Jones, 26, is still eligible for the practice squad, so the Chargers could cut him and hope he clears waivers before re-signing him. Running backs (4)
Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Detrez Newsome, Derek Watt
The Chargers kept five running backs on cutdown day last year, but I anticipate they'll keep one fewer this season with Melvin Gordon holding out. Ekeler is the starter for now. But Jackson definitely is competing for significant playing time in the regular season. His physical 4-yard touchdown run was one of the highlight's of Thursday's loss, and Anthony Lynn specifically mentioned Jackson as one of the players who stood out in that contest. Jackson also has been a noticeable threat in the passing game in practice, both out of the backfield and when split out wide. Newsome played in only nine games last season, but he's been working on and off with the first team in practice and should have an expanded role in 2019, assuming Gordon misses regular-season time. Wide receivers (6)
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Travis Benjamin, Geremy Davis, Artavis Scott, Andre Patton
Thursday's game was a golden opportunity for the Chargers' unproven receivers. Allen and Benjamin both sat out because of injuries, and that meant more playing time for Davis, Scott, Jason Moore and Justice Liggins. (Patton also missed the game with an injury.) But no one stepped up. Davis played 32 of 60 offensive snaps. Scott played 24, Liggins 22 and Moore 21. Only Scott caught a pass, a 3-yard completion early in the third quarter. With that in mind, the competition for those final three receiver spots is still mostly wide open. I think Davis will make the 53-man because of his special-teams prowess. He's one of the Chargers' better coverage tacklers, and he told me a couple weeks ago that wants to lead the team in special-teams tackles this season. Scott, Patton, Moore and Liggins will be vying for those final two spots. And in the end, it will come down to who makes plays in the preseason games. That's what the Chargers' coaching staff -- particularly offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt -- wants to see. Scott and Patton both have two years of familiarity in Whisenhunt's system, and I think that ultimately will give them an edge. But Moore, an undrafted free agent out of Findlay, has been one of the most impressive young players in practice. Can he translate that into game production?
Tight ends (3)
Hunter Henry, Virgil Green, Sean Culkin
Andrew Vollert, whom the Chargers claimed off waivers in May, was making a strong push for the third tight end spot before tearing his ACL in the third quarter Thursday. He's done for the season. Earlier in the game, he caught a pass in the flat from Cardale Jones and coasted down the sideline for a 25-yard gain. "He was playing pretty well," Anthony Lynn said on Saturday. "We're going to miss him." With Vollert out, I think Culkin makes the squad. He's been present in the passing game all camp. On Sunday, he caught a touchdown pass in 11-on-11. Vince Mayle is battling with Culkin for that spot. Offensive line (9)
Trent Scott, Forrest Lamp, Mike Pouncey, Michael Schofield, Sam Tevi, Dan Feeney, Trey Pipkins, Scott Quessenberry, Spencer Drango
Your projected starting offensive line: Scott at LT, Lamp at LG, Pouncey at C, Schofield at RG and Tevi at RT. Lamp and Feeney are still competing for the starting left guard job, but I expect Lamp to pull it out. Apart from a couple missed blocks in pass protection Thursday, Lamp was really solid and excelled in the running game. He started at left guard, while Feeney played center with Pouncey getting the night off. Feeney will provide depth at both guard spots and center. Pipkins is a clear developmental project, so I think Drango earns that final offensive line spot as the swing tackle. He started 10 games at left tackle for the Browns in 2017 after Joe Thomas went down and spent last season on the Chargers' practice squad. Defensive line (7)
Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, Justin Jones, Brandon Mebane, Jerry Tillery, Isaac Rochell, Damion Square
The Chargers kept eight defensive lineman and seven linebackers on their 53-man last year, but I think those numbers will swap this time around because of Uchenna Nwosu, who will play both defensive end and strong-side linebacker in Gus Bradley's defense this year. They'll still effectively have eight defensive linemen for depth purposes. Chris Peace, an undrafted free agent out of Virginia, has turned some heads in camp. He had one of the Chargers' two sacks Thursday night. But it's hard to find a spot for him on the 53-man. The first six players listed are locks. And they'll need depth at nose tackle behind Brandon Mebane. That's why Square gets the nod over Peace. Ingram and Bosa will start at the defensive end spots, Jones at three-technique and Mebane at nose tackle. Tillery will play primarily three-technique and should push Jones for playing time, but Bradley said Sunday the rookie first-rounder can also play big end, which is Bosa's spot. Ingram plays on the other side as the rush end -- or LEO -- and Rochell will be his primary backup.
Linebacker (8)
Thomas Davis, Denzel Perryman, Kyzir White, Uchenna Nwosu, Nick Dzubnar, Drue Tranquill, Jatavis Brown, Kyle Wilson
The Chargers have been experimenting with Davis, Perryman and White all on the field at the same time -- Davis at weak-side linebacker (Will), Perryman at middle linebacker (Mike) and White at strong-side linebacker (Sam). I'll have more on this in a few days when the third part in the Training Camp Battles series goes live, but I think that ends up being the starting trio come Week 1 -- though, like most teams, the Chargers play more nickel than base, and in that case they'll bring on Desmond King in place of a linebacker. It will be interesting to see which two linebackers stay on the field for the nickel package. My guess is it will be White at Mike and Davis at Will.
As previously mentioned, Nwosu provides versatility as both a Sam linebacker and defensive end. Dzubnar is a special-teams stud. Tranquill, a fourth-round pick in April, is already impressing coaches with his football IQ. And Brown is now off the physically-unable-to-perform list, meaning he'll take a spot. The hardest decision is that eighth linebacker. The Chargers started Thursday's game in nickel, and Wilson was the second linebacker on the field along with White. That's telling. But sixth-round pick Emeke Egbule and undrafted free agents Josh Corcoran and Elijah Zeise are still in contention. Cornerbacks (6)
Casey Hayward, Michael Davis, Desmond King, Trevor Williams, Brandon Facyson, Arrion Springs
One big takeaway from Thursday's game: Springs played almost exclusively at nickel, defending the slot. I think that gives him an advantage in making the roster. They'll need depth at that spot behind King. Springs, who spent time on five different practice squads last season, including the Chargers', also can play outside. In one practice early in camp, Springs had two interceptions and a pass breakup in a 15-minute period of one-on-ones against the receivers. He's performed his way into consideration. The odd man out would be Jeff Richards, who played in six games for the Chargers last season. Davis and Williams are competing for the second starting outside corner spot opposite Hayward. I think Davis wins that battle. On Sunday, Bradley mentioned two players who stood out to him in the preseason opener. One was Justin Jones. The other was Davis. Safeties (4)
Derwin James, Rayshawn Jenkins, Nasir Adderley, Adrian Phillips
No surprises here. Jenkins is in line to start the season at free safety next to James. This was poised to be one of the more competitive position battles of training camp, but Jaylen Watkins missed close to a week of practice as he continues to rehab the torn ACL he suffered in the preseason last year, and Adderley has been out since July 30 with a tweaked hamstring. Neither played in Thursday's loss. Specialists (3)
K Michael Badgley, LS Mike Windt, P Ty Long
Long was the first punter in the game Thursday and also held the only kick for Badgley. That tells me he's leading the punter competition with undrafted rookie Tyler Newsome. But the final three preseason games will go a long way in sorting this battle out. Long can also kick field goal and handle kickoffs, so that gives him a slight edge.
Windt is now in his 10th season with the Chargers. The team brought in a young long snapper in Cole Mazza, 24, to compete with Windt. I expect the more experienced player to win out.Comment
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Here's an article on Andre Patton:
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- One of the most interesting parts of training camp is talking to the unheralded players on the roster. Sometimes, you stumble into stories about guys you didn't know much about.
Here is one of those.
I asked third-year Chargers wide receiver Andre Patton questions I pose to lots of players: What's your why? Why do you put the pads on?
The answers always vary. Some say they want to win a Super Bowl. Others point to their children.
Patton didn't hesitate with his response. "My grandfather," he said.
Patton is from Wilmington, Delaware, and he went on to describe an early childhood growing up "in the city around a lot of inner-city kids."
Patton's grandfather, Anthony, saw Patton and his older brother Eric heading down the wrong path and sinking into the quicksand of life in the streets. So he brought the boys into his home and raised them until both received offers to play college football. Anthony paid for Andre and Eric to attend St. Elizabeth School, a private Catholic high school in Wilmington.
"That set us up to get looks," said Patton, who played four season at Rutgers. "We didn't have that many looks coming out of high school, but we had more than we would have if we had gone to a public school. He got us away from the people that we was hanging around with.
"He got us out of that lifestyle and focused and narrowed us in and made us think about our future and how we were going to get to college. Because my family, we wasn't big on money. So he put that work ethic in us at a young age, and me and my brother was able to enough to get a scholarship to go to college. And that's how we got here."
Patton went undrafted and has spent the past two seasons on the Chargers' practice squad. He's fighting for one of the final spots on the 53-man roster. Eric played four years at Delaware.
"Now that I'm getting noticed, it's just like, damn, I didn't really notice (that) he sacrificed and did that every day, something as small as driving us to school every day," Patton said of his grandfather. "He didn't have to do that. We could have taken a bus or we could have found a ride. But he wanted to do that. So it's a lot of sacrifices. Some are big, some are small. I just tend to appreciate them now that I look back on it."
Anthony died on March 8, 2017. Less than two months later, Patton signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent. In his grandfather's honor, Patton got a tattoo on his left forearm -- a portrait of Anthony.
"I got him on me. Always got him on me," Patton said. "When I run out there, I know he's with me." Perryman is a fan favorite
At the end of every training camp practice, Chargers players meander to the fence separating the fan section from the field at the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex to take pictures and sign autographs.
Linebacker Denzel Perryman spends the most time there of any Chargers player. Interviews can wait. He loves interacting with the diehards. And he has even started a new pre-practice routine of playing catch with fans during the opening special teams period, lofting the ball over the fence to a different person with each throw. Sometimes it's a kid on his father's shoulders. One time, he chucked the ball all the way into the bleachers, a good 20 yards from the sideline.
I was curious why he feels the need to sign so many autographs, take so many pictures and keep the fans engaged.
"It don't bother me, man," Perryman said. "The kids, the people, they're the reason why we do what we do. Why not give back?
"You just treat people how you want to be treated, man. I know growing up as a kid, I would have loved for somebody to just come sign a football or a flag of whatever it is. I would want somebody to come sign that if I was a little kid. So when I'm over here at the fence or doing sponsors, I always try to find the kids and sign whatever they have, because as a kid, I always wanted a football player, somebody I looked up to, to come sign my stuff and take a picture with me. So I just think about all that and just keep that in mind and just do it."
He added: "You never know the impact. Just taking a picture or signing somebody's (item), it might make somebody's day." Special teams battles
I caught up with special teams coordinator George Stewart earlier this week to get some details on the two position competitions happening with his group.
One of them is at punter between Ty Long, who spent the past two seasons in the CFL before signing with the Chargers in January, and Tyler Newsome, an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame.
The other is at long snapper between incumbent Mike Windt, who has spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Chargers, and Cole Mazza, who played his college ball at Alabama and was most recently with the Birmingham Iron of the AAF.
First, the punters. Stewart was pleased with how both guys performed in the preseason opener last Thursday in Arizona. Long finished with a net average of 42 yards on two punts, while Newsome posted a net average of 37.5 on his two kicks.
Long's first punt was a solid 50-yarder that switched the field. Cardinals returner Pharoh Cooper was forced to call for a fair catch. Long punted from his own 32-yard line, and the Arizona offense took over on its own 28-yard line.
His second punt was less successful. Punting from his own 46-yard line, Long boomed a 65-yard kick into the end zone for a touchback. It was an opportunity to pin the Cardinals deep, but Stewart was quick to point out that the punt traveled close to 70 yards.
Newsome also connected on a serviceable first punt with good hang time in the third quarter. The return was limited to three yards by the Chargers' coverage team. He mishit his second punt, though, and the line drive went just 38 yards for a net of 33 after a 5-yard return.
The Chargers ranked dead last in the NFL in net punting average last season.
"It's going to be a tough decision for our football team to make," Stewart said.
The other component of this competition is holding. Kicker Michael Badgley is coming off a season in which he connected on 15 of his 16 field-goal attempts, and Stewart wants to ensure that consistency continues. So far in practice, Long has been the holder for Badgley. He also held the only kick against the Cardinals, an extra point in the first quarter after Justin Jackson ran in the opening touchdown of the game.
"The holder has been a critical aspect of it," Stewart said. "They have to be consistent. Red-zone punting, punting inside the 20-yard line. But most of all, being great holders."
As far as the long snappers, Windt got most of the action in the first preseason game, snapping on the extra point and the first three punts. But Stewart says it is an "even competition" right now. All four of Windt's snaps and Mazza's lone snap, which came on Newsome's second punt, were accurate.
I've seen a similar situation unfold before when I was covering the Jets in 2017. Tanner Purdum had been New York's long snapper for the better part of a decade. But the team traded for a younger, more athletic player in Thomas Hennessy to compete for the job. Hennessy ended up winning out, and Purdum was cut in early September.
Could this same thing happen with the Chargers? Windt is 32 and Mazza is 24.
"We didn't just bring Cole in here to give Mike a rest," Stewart said. "We brought him in here to legitimately make our football team, and one of those guys is obviously going to make our team. It's still early. They both did duties last (Thursday). They're both going to do duties Sunday against the Saints. And we're looking for a guy that's consistent. Mike has been consistent through his whole career here. Cole has been consistent in college."
What to watch for
Here are three things I'll be keeping an eye on in Sunday's second preseason game at home against New Orleans.
1. Jerry Tillery's NFL debut
Tillery, the Chargers' 2019 first-round pick, underwent shoulder surgery in early March, and the Chargers have been easing him back in the early stages of training camp. He practiced in pads for the first time last Sunday and got a taste of NFL action in Thursday's joint practice with the Saints. I'm interested to see how he fares and also where he plays. I expect him to spend most of his snaps at the three-technique defensive tackle spot inside, but defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said this week he also liked what Tillery brings as a strong-side defensive end.
2. Depth players at linebacker and cornerback
Several guys are fighting for the final spots in both the linebacker and cornerback groups. As of now, there are likely two slots open at cornerback with five guys battling -- Arrion Springs, Brandon Facyson, Roderic Teamer, Jeff Richards and Kemon Hall. Teamer has also been playing free safety and provides versatility. At linebacker, there are five locks and a host of guys competing for the last two or three spots -- Kyle Wilson, Nick Dzubnar, Emeke Egbule, Jatavis Brown and Elijah Zeise. Who gets playing time and who performs?
3. Which wide receiver will step up?
According to ESPN, Keenan Allen is dealing with an ankle injury that will likely keep him out for the entire preseason. That means more opportunities for the receivers trying to make the roster -- Artavis Scott, Geremy Davis, Patton, Jason Moore, Justice Liggins, Malachi Dupre and Jordan Smallwood. Dupre (two catches, 32 yards) and Smallwood (one catch, 20 yards) were the most productive in the preseason opener. Scott, Davis, Patton, Moore and Liggins must show up in this game. Patton missed the contest against the Cardinals because of an injury. Taco of the Week
Now it's time to unveil a notebook segment I am very excited about.
If you read my introductory Chargers column, you are aware of my love for tacos. If you didn't read that column, well, let's bring you up to speed: I LOVE TACOS.
I received an outpouring of taco recommendations from readers in the comments of that column, as well as on Twitter. And I plan on putting them to good use.
Each week, I will review a different taco shop/stand/truck that was recommended. It'll be a little more sporadic during training camp, but once the regular season starts, I plan on posting one of these notes columns every Friday. Taco of the Week will be included in each one, with a shoutout to whoever sent in the rec.
First up is Taco Mesa, a lively joint in Costa Mesa not far from the Chargers' facility. This was posted in the comments by Mike M. Everyone, thank Mike.
I loved the graffiti-style decor on the outside of the building.
When I try a new taco place, I like to order the classics. One chicken taco. One carnitas taco. One carne asada taco. Sometimes I'll replace the carne asada with a fish or shrimp taco if I'm feeling a healthy option (narrator: he is rarely feeling a healthy option) or the toppings look particularly tasty.
So from left to right: a chicken gordita taco with beans, topped with romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, crema and queso fresco; a carnitas taco topped with chicharrones (which Google later revealed to be effectively pork rinds), pibil sauce, onion and cilantro; and a carne asada taco topped with onion and cilantro.
The winner here was the chicken gordita.
It reminded me a lot of an arepa, a Venezuelan food made of ground maize dough. It was messy to eat, and usually I factor in structure (read: not falling apart) when I rate tacos. But this was so incredibly delicious that I didn't care about the red juices dripping down my hands and onto my jeans. Also, the verde salsa in the top left of the first photo was outstanding -- creamy and spicy.
The score: 10.3 Pop Points.
Pop Points are what I'll be using to grade the tacos. There is no scale. I don't want to put a limit on how great these tacos can be. I am going to arbitrarily assign Pop Point values, and the only way to compare will be to look back at previous scores. I'll be sure to include past grades in here so there is at least some context.
Go try Taco Mesa!Comment
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Updated 53 from Popper:
The second week of the preseason is in the books and that means it's time to update our 53-man roster projection for the Chargers.
I switched up the format a bit this week after some reader feedback. I've included the names of players I don't think will make the roster and also made note of players who should start the season on various non-roster lists: injured reserve, non-football injury, etc.
Starters are in italics. Quarterbacks (3)
Who's in: Philip Rivers, Tyrod Taylor, Easton Stick
Who's out: Cardale Jones
Jones played his "best game as a Charger" in Sunday's loss to the Saints, as Anthony Lynn put it. The 26-year-old -- he turns 27 next month -- completed 10 of 14 attempts for 111 yards and one touchdown. The TD pass was a beauty to Andre Patton on a go route down the left hashmarks.
Still, my thoughts on the third-string quarterback battle haven't wavered. Stick is a younger and more appealing prospect. And the Chargers likely won't risk their fifth-round pick hitting waivers. He probably would be scooped up by another team in that scenario.
Jones is still eligible for the practice squad, so the Chargers wouldn't necessarily be parting with him if they waived him on cutdown day. Running backs (4)
Who's in: Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Detrez Newsome, Derek Watt
Who's out: Troymaine Pope, Jeremy Cox, Derrick Gore
I stuck with the same four running backs as in last week's projection. But now there's more competition for RB3. Pope broke off an 81-yard punt-return touchdown, displaying some impressive vision and breakaway speed. And that home-run capability on special teams gives him more value.
There's a chance the Chargers keep Pope over Newsome. He's going to have to show more as a running back in Weeks 3 and 4 of the preseason to earn that spot, though. Wide receivers (6)
Who's in: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Travis Benjamin, Geremy Davis, Artavis Scott, Andre Patton
Who's out: Justice Liggins, Malachi Dupre, Jason Moore, Jordan Smallwood
The final three spots in the receiver room -- the fourth, fifth and sixth positions on the depth chart -- were more wide open after the first preseason game. I still thought Davis, Scott and Patton would win out because of their experience. All three have at least two years in offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt's system. But they solidified roster spots with their performances in Sunday's loss to the Saints.
Patton had four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, Scott had four receptions for 64 yards and Davis caught two balls for 21 yards, including a third-down conversion along the left sideline in which he barely touched both feet in bounds. Davis also brings significant value as a special-teams coverage player. Tight ends (3)
Who's in: Hunter Henry, Virgil Green, Sean Culkin
Who's out: Matt Sokol, Vince Mayle
I have the same three tight ends making the roster as last week. But the concern here is that Green is dealing with what appears to be a knee injury. He's been in and out of practice, wearing a sizable brace on his right knee, and he sat out Sunday's preseason game.
The Chargers hypothetically could keep a fourth tight end to provide insurance for Green, who turned 31 this month and is entering his ninth NFL season. That will depend on the severity of this injury. Offensive line (9)
Who's in: Trent Scott, Forrest Lamp, Mike Pouncey, Michael Schofield, Dan Feeney, Sam Tevi, Trey Pipkins, Scott Quessenberry, Spencer Drango
Who's out: Blake Camper, Larry Allen, Chris Brown, Brant Weiss, Jamar McGloster, Tanner Volson
Other: Russell Okung (pulmonary embolism) will start the season on the non-football injury list and therefore won't occupy a roster spot.
First, I think Feeney will wind up starting at left guard over Lamp in Week 1, considering the way practice reps have been split recently. Feeney has received the lion's share of the snaps at left guard when Pouncey has been in at center during 11-on-11 drills. I had Lamp starting last week.
Second, I think the Chargers will sign a swing tackle after cutdown day, which is Aug. 31. Pipkins isn't ready for that role. And they probably could find a more reliable piece than Drango.
Defensive line (8)
Who's in: Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, Justin Jones, Brandon Mebane, Jerry Tillery, Isaac Rochell, Damion Square, Chris Peace
Who's out: T.Y. McGill, Anthony Lanier, Reggie Howard, Cortez Broughton, Patrick Afriyie
In last week's projection, I had the Chargers keeping seven defensive lineman and eight linebackers. I switched that around this week to clear a roster spot for Peace, who has been one the best young players in training camp. He was electric rushing the passer off the edge in the preseason opener at the Cardinals.
Peace is now managing a groin strain, which he suffered a week ago in practice during one-on-one drills, but the Chargers love his skillset. And similar to Stick, I don't think they want to risk Peace potentially getting picked up by another team. Linebackers (7)
Who's in: Thomas Davis, Denzel Perryman, Kyzir White, Uchenna Nwosu, Drue Tranquill, Jatavis Brown, Emeke Egbule
Who's out: Nick Dzubnar, Kyle Wilson, Elijah Zeise
I had Dzubnar as a lock last week, but after talking with linebackers coach Richard Smith and looking over the salary cap sheet, I don't see it that way anymore. The Chargers can save $1.525 million in cap space by cutting Dzubnar. Plus, Smith spoke glowingly of Egbule, the 2019 sixth-round pick whom I left off the roster last week.
"He's really a tremendous athlete," Smith said of Egbule. "Can bend his knees, quick feet."
I don't think they'll cut him. Like Nwosu, Egbule also provides versatility as a linebacker/pass-rushing defensive end combo. So he takes Dzubnar's spot. And then with one fewer linebacker spot available, Wilson also misses the roster. I had him making it last week.
The one unknown variable here is the severity of Nwosu's abdomen injury. He was forced to leave Sunday's game and was seen with an ice wrap on his left side for most of the second half. That could impact the numbers game and force the Chargers to keep another linebacker as a precaution. Cornerbacks (5)
Who's in: Casey Hayward, Michael Davis, Desmond King, Trevor Williams, Brandon Facyson
Who's out: Jeff Richards, Arrion Springs, Bradford Lemmons, Kemon Hall, Rodney Randle
I went from six cornerbacks last week to five this week, and I'll explain more on that in the next section on the safeties. It has to do with the positional versatility of some of the Chargers' depth safeties. In last week's projection, I analyzed who would back up King at nickel corner. I got some clarity on that after speaking with defensive backs coach Ron Milus.
Williams, who hasn't practiced since before the first preseason game because of an unknown injury, will be King's primary backup. And Jaylen Watkins can also play inside. He would be the third-stringer. That makes Springs more expendable. Also, if the Chargers do keep six cornerbacks, I would expect Richards to make it over Springs, based on my conversation with Milus.
I expect Williams to be ready for Week 1 despite the lingering injury. But just like with the tight ends and linebackers, if that injury has a chance of keeping Williams out of regular-season games, the Chargers could wind up keeping a sixth full-time cornerback. Safeties (5)
Who's in: Rayshawn Jenkins, Adrian Phillips, Jaylen Watkins, Nasir Adderley, Roderic Teamer
Who's out: Adarius Pickett
Other: Starting free safety Derwin James likely will start the season on injured reserve, meaning he'll be forced to sit out at least the first eight games. James is having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.
What's new here? Oh, you know, just the Chargers losing a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, possibly for four months. Other than that, not too much. In all seriousness, Phillips will replace James at strong safety in base packages. But he'll still play dime backer when the Chargers have six DBs on the field, meaning they'll have to find another safety to bring on the field. I would expect Jenkins to move to strong safety in those scenarios, with Watkins coming on as the free safety. They could instead keep Jenkins at free safety and bring on Teamer as the strong safety. Teamer had a sack out of that position in Sunday's loss.
I didn't have Teamer on the 53-man last week but he's been turning coaches' heads all camp, both on special teams and defense. In addition, Milus thinks Teamer can play slot corner. The Chargers haven't asked him to do much of that in practice yet -- he is a rookie, after all, and they don't want to put too much on his plate -- but the plan is to get him some work in that spot at some point during camp.
As I mentioned above, Watkins can play slot corner, too. He also has NFL experience playing outside corner. So with Watkins' and Teamer's versatility, I think the Chargers go with five safeties and five cornerbacks. That would give them the most flexibility without sacrificing depth.
Specialists (3)
Who's in: K Michael Badgley, LS Mike Windt, P Ty Long
Who's out: P Tyler Newsome, LS Cole Razza
I called the punter competition in my observations from Sunday's loss. I expect Long to win that job over Newsome. The closer special-teams competition, as it turns out, is at long snapper.
Don't be shocked if the Chargers keep Razza over Windt. Razza is the younger player, and I saw the Jets make a very similar move when I covered them in 2017. As of now, I think Windt still earns the spot. But coordinator George Stewart called this an "even competition" last week.Comment
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Thanks for the link, X.
We do not play modern football.Comment
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I still hate losing Cortez Broughton.
This team is lucky and deep at WR. They just have a knack for picking up young guys who can play. Not so much at DT. So I keep Broughton and PS Patton. If if we lose Patton, we still have other WRs on the PS who can be brought up as injury replacements.Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
The Wasted Decade is done.
Build Back Better.Comment
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Good thing that list is just one man's prediction and not anything official.Originally posted by Formula 21 View Post
Broughton has more upside than Square. It'll take a long time for more people to see that Square isn't that good, just like it took more fans a long time to see that Addae wasn't that good.
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Oh I'm sold on Broughton, he's a good long term keeper, whereas Square is a placeholder.Comment
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