Mystery behind Raiders-Chargers matchup and L.A.'s revamped defense

A calendar year ago at this time, the Chargers had a new defensive plan and the hope that — more than the next 18 weeks — issues would appear collectively.

The point they’ve since rebuilt their staff on defense reveals just how a lot that hope was not understood.

On Sunday, they’ll unveil a team with at minimum 4 new starters, a group predicted to be a lot stingier, particularly from the operate.

Head coach Brandon Staley this 7 days expressed “full confidence” in his revamped protection but also observed the uncertainty that exists entering the Chargers’ opener against Las Vegas.

“There’s that component to the commencing exactly where your fellas have to determine it out jointly,” Staley reported. “The just one factor I’m energized about is who I am figuring it out with. I definitely like who we’re likely to go compete with on Sunday.”

At minimum 6 of the Chargers defenders forecast to get started towards the Raiders did not play in the preseason, giving a single degree of unpredictability.

One more degree comes from a Las Vegas offense that will be functioning beneath a new coaching staff members headed by Josh McDaniels, previously the offensive coordinator in New England.

The Raiders also additional 1 of the most dynamic weapons in soccer in wideout Davante Adams, a two-time All-Professional and five-time Pro Bowler, to group with limited finish Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

Presented the coaching and plan changes and the fact most of Las Vegas’ regulars did not appear in the preseason, either, there will be a good deal of in-activity deciphering Sunday.

“You just appear at the coaches at their distinctive stops, other coaches on their employees … and get a seem at the new gamers and the place they’ve been prior to,” Staley claimed. “Just attempt to piece it with each other the best that you can.

Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels gives the Raiders a complete new look.

(John Locher / Affiliated Press)

“You have to be ready to determine it out on sport working day and have a whole lot of contingencies in place for the reason that the moment that activity expresses itself, you have to be completely ready to go regulate and perform to it.”

In 2021, the Chargers defense struggled mightily in try to determine it out. Just after yielding 126 speeding yards to Washington in the opener, the Chargers gave up at least 186 yards on the floor to four of their following five opponents.

The exception arrived in opposition to the Raiders in Week 4 when the Chargers opened a a few-landing direct and controlled time of possession when limiting Las Vegas to 48 speeding yards.

But the lack of ability to both of those cease the operate and hold on third down turned out to be period-prolonged themes as the Chargers concluded 9-8 and have been removed from playoff competition on the closing participate in of the NFL’s frequent year.

Commencing in March, they traded for edge rusher Khalil Mack and signed absolutely free-agent defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson and Morgan Fox with the concept of bolstering their front.

The Chargers also signed linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Troy Reeder and drafted tackle Otito Obgonnia out of UCLA in the fifth round.

Mack, Joseph-Working day, Fox and Reeder all have encounter with Staley and his scheme.

“We played towards these fellas that we have picked up and they are the identical dudes,” middle Corey Linsley reported in education camp. “They’re tremendous gifted. They’re super potent with hefty, weighty palms. They are fantastic with their approach.

“In Coach Staley’s defense, it’s assignment. They are extremely sensible. We ended up discovering previous 12 months that it is a quite elaborate defense. But the guys that we have obviously played in the system, so they’re also incredibly clever soccer gamers. To be in a position to merge those people two — the method and the heaviness and the arms and all of that — with the intelligence, it’s promising.”

Jackson observe

Professional Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson did not observe Thursday as he recovers from an Aug. 23 surgical procedure on his suitable foot.

The Chargers have not dominated out Jackson still, Staley stating Wednesday that he thinks the choice could come as late as Sunday. But Jackson not training once more implies he’s not likely to be ready to encounter the Raiders.

Restricted finish Donald Parham Jr. (hamstring) also would seem to be trending toward not participating in. He didn’t practice and has been out considering that struggling his personal injury in early August.

For the 2nd consecutive working day, the Raiders had no players stated on their harm report.