The Chargers opened their preseason Saturday with a 29-22 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Below are some observations from a night time when couple of of their veteran starters played:
— Rookie Zion Johnson, a initial-round select in April, opened at right guard, exactly where he has been the projected starter given that being drafted 17th all round. Johnson played a few series and was stable right before giving way to Brenden Jaimes.
Mentor Brandon Staley afterward described that the Chargers are approaching this preseason with Johnson in substantially the same way they did past preseason with Rashawn Slater.
Taken No. 13 overall in 2021, Slater was the starter at left tackle from the second he joined the crew and at some point grew to become a Professional Bowler.
“It was good to get him out there, very similar to Rashawn final 12 months,” Staley explained of Johnson. “Just get out there, get in the fireplace with your teammates and be equipped to go run for a quarter. That was our objective for him tonight.”
— In the battle for the No. 1 job at proper deal with, Trey Pipkins III started and played two collection just before Storm Norton replaced him.
Neither was on the field extended plenty of to make any sweeping determinations, Staley characterizing the competitors as “still in motion.”
Of more significance will be the Chargers’ joint tactics with Dallas set for Wednesday and Thursday in Costa Mesa. How Pipkins and Norton accomplish from the Cowboys’ finest could be very telling.
— Josh Kelley began at jogging back again, carrying two times and catching two passes as the Chargers scored on their opening drive. He, Larry Rountree III and rookie Isaiah Spiller are competing to be Austin Ekeler’s backup.
Rountree took the following reps at the place, finishing with a few carries whole for 8 yards.
Spiller, a fourth-spherical pick, gained the longest seem. He experienced 10 carries for 34 yards and one reception for 10 yards. Staley famous the ability Spiller shown “in site visitors, the place it was crowded. [He] moved the pile.”
— Rookie protection JT Woods experienced a rough minute in the next quarter when he failed to deal with Lance McCutcheon alongside the sideline, making it possible for the Rams’ rookie receiver to score on what grew to become a 60-lawn pass completion.
The Chargers are higher on Woods for the reason that of his pace, vary and ball capabilities. He experienced six interceptions final season. But his prospective customers for actively playing meaningful minutes in 2022 hinge on his tackling.
“We’re just heading to remain on him about his physicality, his tackling, building guaranteed he’s using great angles,” Staley mentioned. “But he did some great things out there tonight.”
Woods experienced a 3rd-quarter interception nullified for the reason that teammate Brandon Sebastian was named for pass interference. Staley also mentioned an extraordinary crack Woods created in the second quarter on a move thrown along the Rams sideline.
Chargers basic safety JT Woods will make an interception which was null owing to a move interference get in touch with through the second fifty percent of a preseason match versus the Rams on Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Push)
— McCutcheon’s 2nd-quarter landing came in opposition to rookie cornerback Deane Leonard.
A seventh-spherical range out of Ole Pass up, Leonard later on was referred to as for go interference in the close zone and gave up a completion for a two-position conversion.
Irrespective of individuals times, Staley praised Leonard for his protection, including that he was in the right situation. What Leonard unsuccessful to do was change his head back again toward the quarterback.
“I imagined that he was linked the total night time,” Staley said. “That’s how he’s competed all camp. The male can cover.… He’s going to understand a whole lot about what it can take to play the ball in period in the deep part of the field. He wasn’t conquer. He was in phase both equally periods. He’s got to make positive he has the self esteem to do what he’s coached to do in apply and do what he does in follow.”
Leonard also was identified as for kick-catch interference on the Chargers’ next punt.
— Hoping to receive a broad receiver spot at the back close of the roster, the two Michael Bandy (7 receptions for 73 yards, one landing) and Joe Reed (four catches for 61 yards, 1 landing) ended up effective.
Bandy appeared in one particular game previous time, for the duration of 7 days 16 at Houston, when the Chargers have been hit with a wave of COVID-19 absences. That was his NFL debut.
“You can see the way his teammates truly feel about him when great items come about,” Staley stated. “Our group expects him to enjoy that way due to the fact he’s attained that on the observe discipline.”
Reed, a fifth-round decide in 2020, performed in 11 game titles as a rookie, largely as a kick returner. He skipped final season immediately after suffering an ankle harm.
“We’re genuinely likely to test to choose a extended appear at him on distinctive teams and see if he can carve a purpose for himself on offense,” Staley said. “He’s enhanced a whole lot. He’s labored extremely tough coming off the harm.”
Chargers receiver Michael Bandy slips earlier Rams defensive again Caesar Dancy-Williams in a preseason sport at SoFi Stadium.
(Robert Gauthier / VFAB)
— Backup edge rusher Chris Rumph II had an remarkable night time, ending with a sack and a different deal with for decline.
“He’s one particular of the men I highlighted,” Staley mentioned. “I believed he played very perfectly. I felt him. We all did. He was lively in the operate recreation and in the pass sport, which is what we truly have been on him about in currently being a complete participant.”
Rumph included some bodyweight and ability in the offseason as he tries to create himself behind starters Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
“You can certainly experience his confidence in his game appropriate now,” Staley mentioned. “He’s intense. He brings a whole lot of energy to the discipline. He loves actively playing.”
— In the struggle for the backup quarterback work, both Chase Daniel and Easton Adhere moved the offense. Daniel started off and went 11 of 17 for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Adhere was 16 of 23 for 119 yards with 1 late interception.
Staley said Adhere will commence and play the initially 50 percent Saturday when the Chargers experience Dallas in a preseason activity at SoFi Stadium. Daniel will enjoy the 2nd half.
— Among the the projected regulars who did enjoy Saturday ended up vast receivers Jalen Guyton, DeAndre Carter and Joshua Palmer cornerbacks Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. and protection Nasir Adderley.
Defensive deal with Jerry Tillery also commenced after not taking part in in the preseason a 12 months ago.
— Eight gamers were on the first kickoff include and return teams: Woods, Rountree, Leonard, Troy Reeder, Alohi Gilman, Kemon Corridor, Zander Horvath and Cole Christiansen.
Reeder, Woods, Corridor and Gilman also were being on the 1st punt coverage unit.
Many Chargers who did not enjoy Saturday since of personal injury were being special groups contributors previous calendar year, like Drue Tranquilll, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Tevaughn Campbell, Mark Webb Jr. and Tre’ McKitty.
— Rookie sixth-spherical pick Ja’Sir Taylor started off at slot cornerback. Another rookie sixth-spherical assortment, Jamaree Salyer, played thoroughly at remaining guard.
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