Chargers’ Brandon Staley sees ‘a good football team’ in pads

The Chargers confronted their very first genuine fourth down of coaching camp Monday and — shock! — Brandon Staley decided to go for it.

Ok, so the problem arrived in the closing seconds of a two-minute drill and kicking was not genuinely an possibility. But, when the matter is Staley and fourth-down decisions, every example is noteworthy.

Matched versus the No. 2 protection, Justin Herbert led the Chargers’ starting offense inside of the 5-property line with 4 seconds remaining.

On fourth and a single, the Pro Bowl quarterback was not able to get rid of the ball right before whistles blew indicating that defensive lineman Andrew Brown would have sacked Herbert.

The enjoy marked a sizeable victory for the protection for the duration of the Chargers’ to start with session in pads.

“I imagined the way we practiced 11-on-11 is indicative of a fantastic crew,” Staley mentioned afterward.

Questioned to explain that imagined, he reported: “Just the design and style of perform. The rate. The tempo. The speak to. Earning guaranteed that you’re keeping each and every other safe and sound. You’re heading intense, but you’re preserving every other safe and sound.”

Staley additional that he appreciated that the Chargers’ speed did not gradual with the players in full gear.

“I saw a superior football workforce out there currently,” he explained.

For the duration of his rookie time as a head coach, Staley confronted criticism at times over his fourth-down choices. Although he has said every yr can be distinct, Staley and the Chargers are predicted to continue staying assertive in such scenarios.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a go on the initially working day of instruction camp with pads.

(Ashley Landis / Related Push)

“I do imagine it is a good issue for our workforce mainly because we want to be aggressive,” Staley mentioned. “We want to have a team that is fearless, which is not scared to satisfy a moment.”

Also Monday, Herbert finished a purple-zone sequence by hitting Mike Williams for a touchdown from about 6 yards out.

But he also missed an open Keenan Allen on a deep crossing route to open up the No. 1 offense’s two-minute vacation.

There has been a ton of discuss in camp about Herbert and his progress in his 2nd year in this offense and 3rd in the NFL. Veteran middle Corey Linsley noted he has detected a change in the younger quarterback.

“It’s far more his attitude … that sort of self-confidence where by it doesn’t require to be reported a entire great deal,” Linsley defined. “You can just see it in his eyes the place you are like, ‘This guy’s in the zone.’ ”

Zion Johnson impresses

Rookie Zion Johnson carried out nicely in a person-on-a person drills in opposition to the interior defensive linemen. He was taken No. 17 total in April to be the Chargers’ starting correct guard.

Johnson experienced strong reps in opposition to Sebastian Joseph-Day and Morgan Fox and also place Jerry Tillery on the ground.

Linsley praised Johnson’s even demeanor, introducing he’s “smart as hell.”

“He’s received a ton of uncooked expertise,” Linsley said. “You can see he’s presently set a great deal jointly. I’m thrilled to enjoy up coming to him.”

In the spring, the Chargers applied the initial of two sixth-spherical picks on a further offensive lineman, Jamaree Salyer out of Ga, wherever he performed a number of positions.

The Chargers have had Salyer at guard, and he has been amazing. He crammed in for starter Matt Feiler on the remaining aspect through some crew drills about the weekend.

Staley spoke hugely of both of those Johnson and Salyer on Monday.

“Those two young guards confirmed they have what it will take,” he claimed. “They acquired the head on their shoulders. They are definitely powerful inside, like really potent. And then they perform at it like ridiculous.”

Salyer is one particular player who must see a good deal of time throughout the preseason as the Chargers attempt to gauge his probable.

“He’s just acquired a great deal of the things designed of top quality football gamers,” Staley explained. “He’s acquired physicality, toughness, self-discipline. He’s serene. He’s bought that flexibility to engage in a whole lot of distinctive positions.”

Significant on punting

Veteran JK Scott experienced a sturdy working day, booming several punts significant and prolonged and also positioning a single out of bounds inside the five-property line.

The Chargers struggled in punt coverage a 12 months ago as Ty Extended was inconsistent and they were forced to hire several young players with confined exclusive-teams experience.

“I consider the hang [time] is 1 of his strengths,” Staley said of Scott. “He can truly get it up in the air, which unquestionably is heading to help your protection technique. He can also identify it in diverse spots. He’s off to a good get started.”

A fifth-spherical pick of Green Bay in 2018, Scott spent three seasons with the Packers, averaging 44.6 yards for each punt. He appeared in 1 activity last time with Jacksonville.

The Chargers signed Scott as a cost-free agent in March. He’s the only punter in camp.

Etc.

Linebacker Drue Tranquill skipped his 2nd consecutive apply for the reason that of what Staley explained is a small groin challenge. Limited end Donald Parham Jr. returned to follow soon after getting confined Saturday.