NOTE FROM ME:
Thanks everybody for your patience and loyalty over the last few weeks. As June turns into July you know what that means. TRAINING CAMP!! I'm trying to get a press pass for the Saints-Chargers practice to get you more inside insight.
FAMILY OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL
2018 TRAINING CAMP
The Chargers released the practice schedule for Training Camp of 2018. 14 practices will be opened to the public. On Friday, July 27 the team will say goodbye to their families and report to the team hotel for Training Camp in Costa Mesa, Ca. The first practice takes place July 28th at 10am.
The Chargers also announced "Theme Days" during this year camp.
"Theme Days"
August 2 "Youth Football Day"
August 6 "Special Olympics Day"
August 13 "Salute to Military Day"
August 15 "First Responders Day"
August 20 "NFL Flag Football Day"
Included in the preseason is a can't miss "Intersquad Scrimmage" with the New Orleans Saints. It is scheduled for August 22nd and 23rd. Times for those scrimmages will be announced later. The Orange County Fair will also be going on nearby so the $10.00 for parking can also be used for the fair afterwards. The Saints and Chargers play in the Preseason Week 3 on National TV at the Stub Hub Center.
The practices are held at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, Ca.
Link w google map attached https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jack+R.+Hammett+Sports+Complex/@33.6741392,-117.9074155,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xea1a3f31d56f56fa!8m2!3d33.6741392!4d-117.9074155.
The LA Chargers will have plenty for the younger fans as in face painting, photos and autographs with the players also included is a "Fan Interactive Center." They will have live at the facility with radio shows on AM and FM radio stations throughout camp. A link to the team website with the information you need before planning your visit is here https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-announce-2018-training-camp-schedule.
JACK HAMMETT COMPLEX
The Preseason pits 3 out of 4 opponents that the Chargers will face again in the regular season as well. Camp will still have plenty of intrigue this season. A few factors beyond the field goals disaster played into why the Chargers missed the playoffs for the 4th straight year and led them to a 9-7 record. Let's review 2017 to see how it can help predict or give you some tips on what to look for in 2018.
2017 SEASON OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, BAD SPECIAL TEAMS, STRUGGLING OFFENSE AND ADAPTING TO THE 4-3 DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special Teams was lackluster in every single aspect of the game. The Chargers special teams (a unit that decides wins and losses more than one would think) was easily the worst in the AFC West and one of the most unproductive in the NFL. They lacked the real threat at returner and the kickoff coverage was rated again as one of the lowest in the NFL.
They didn't go 9-7 because of the kicking. They went 9-7 because in many vital areas they struggled to produce. The Chargers new 4-3 defense and Lynn new run oriented offense didn't develop as quick as expected so many games early on came down to field goals. The front office made a massive mistake is releasing Josh Lambo after camp. They were rewarded going 2 for 8 in field goals from the 50 yard line and beyond. In the end it produced 6 missed extra points and 10 field goals. (36 points)
The team lost their first 4 games by a combined 7 points. Two missed field goals and two botched field goals brought the Chargers to a disappointing 0-3 start. LA lacked any kind of embrace to the new kids in town became a Monday ritual with sports talking heads across the country.
A carousal of kickers led to the NFL worst field goal percentage in the NFL. As karma would have it, Josh Lambo heartbreaking field goal in a pivotal AFC matchup in Jacksonville came back to haunt the team when they needed tie breaking procedures to advance to the Playoffs.
Jacksonville was a mirror of all that was wrong with the Chargers in 2017. The offense struggled to score in the first half and their mental mistakes like Ekeler 4th quarter fumble and the Jaguars 56 yard fake punt for a touchdown the result of being was out-coached and out-played.
Travis Benjamin running the wrong way in New England, Missing field goals at the end of games and giving the opposing teams pivotal field positions wins added up in the end. Travis Benjamin woes took a toll as he was targeted 64 times in 2017. He only caught 35 passes of the 64 targets for a dismal production of 567 yards on offense. He only caught for 70 yards or more in two games and often looked lost as the teams kick returner. Benjamin will be fighting for a roster spot that could be accessed to free up the $5.7 million due to him this season
DEFENSE LEARNS THE NEW 4-3 DEFENSIVE SCHEME, THE OFFENSE IS INCONSISTENT EARLY
The adjustment in developing to Gus Bradley new 4-3 defense took a while longer to implement due to poor tackling and awful LB play. then most thought. The offense was confused early in games which often resulted in the team having to dig out of a hole to often in one season. Rivers lead the offense to scores only 5 times in 2017.
Predictable play calling, mental errors and missed blocking assignments resulted in them being ranked 27th in the NFL in 3rd down completions through the 4 game losing streak to begin the season. Once Lynn decided to avoid depending on big plays in the running game he changed to instilling the rushing will on opposing defenses. The team turned around their 0-4 start into winning 9 of their last 12 games.
Melvin Gordon was caught behind the line of scrimmage 15 times in the first 4 games. After they established the running game and giving Gordon more than 18 carries as they did in the first four games. The offense became more productive and efficient in mid season.
Rivers had the quickest pass release in football in 2017 according to Stats Info-data. The offense who at times looked lifeless recovered as the season progressed and wound up being the #1 passing offense in the NFL.
Yet, still Keenan Allen posted record career stats and helped the development of Tyrell Williams while Mike Williams basically took 2017 off to heal. The Chargers badly needed production out of their running game. They finished 24th in rushing and ranked 31st in their run defense.
FIXED?
The team added Mike Pouncey to stabilize the offensive line, They improved their speed and tackling at the LB position, They have a RB 2 camp battle in the preseason as Gordon starts and Ekeler limited to 3rd down runs and end zones tries. Mike Williams and Forrest Lamp equals 2 1st round draft picks added to the 2018 squad.
(Add Verrett if he can make it to week 1.) The places are in place for a big run at the Super Bowl this year.
GOALS FOR COSTA MESA
Effectively improve game day efficiency. 2. Improve a dismal special teams unit with younger depth guys on the roster, Rivers has to get a quicker offense in games to score points, Keep Pouncey, Allen,Bosa and Ingram healthy. Darius Philon and Isaac Rochelle had impressive workouts in OTA'S.
ROSTER BATTLES
Head Coach Anthony Lynn showed last year that he likes competition in camp and throughout the season. Corey Liuget lost snaps to Darius Philon and Jatavis Brown lost some to Adrian Phillips.
Here is the most exciting battles we will see as the roster gets finalized by the coaching staff throughout camp.
QB2 Geno Smith vs Cardale Jones.....Geno Smith is the veteran and brings more game experience. Cardale Jones is the younger developing QB. Add Texas Tech Nic Shimonek and they will be the QB's fighting to be Philip Rivers backup in 2018. Either Cardale or Geno will be released before week 1.
RB3 Justin Jackson vs Russell Hansbrough... The team has Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler returning in 2018. Although Jackson was a late round draft pick it has been stated that this final RB spot is open. One will be released or directed to the practice squad. This also will be fun to watch.
Prediction: Russell spent most of 2017 on the practice squad before being called up week 17 vs the Raiders. Lynn looking for a change of pace back to expand on the RB depth they lacked in 2017. Gordon is the starter as he gained 1,581 yards 5th most in NFL from scrimmage. The coaches like Ekeler as the 3rd down and red zone RB. Ekeler is till developing and correcting his mistakes. The team will carry 3 RB on the 53 man roster.
Tight End 2...Virgil Green will be the starting TE this year. After him the teams has never been so thin. Austin Roberts, Sean Culkin and Ben Johnson will compete to be the man to try and get some production out of the TE position. All is quiet on the Gates front but if none of these players produce in camp it's possible the team turns to Gates who probably wouldn't even be able to help the way the offense is schemed. Austin Roberts is likely just a camp body so that leaves 11 snaps in 2017 behind Green. Virgil Green, Sean Culkin, Braedon Bowman and Ben Johnson will be looked at as options.
Ben Johnson could be the light at the end of a very dark TE depth chart. Never say never as Antonio Gates is there if Telesco feels like he needs improvement at the position.
Kyle Emanuel and Uchenna Nwosu....Barring anything drastic Emanuel will be spotted where he belongs as depth and not starting.
DB2 Jason Verrett and Tyrell Williams as corner opposite of Hayward. Williams played great in 2017. Verrett could use less snaps to prevent him from dding on to his 322 snaps in 2 years. Enjoy Verrett in 2018 it will be the last year the 5'10 defender will done a Charger uniform.
Final WR Spot Nelson Spruce, Dylan Cantrell, Artavis Scott and Geremy Davis.
Chargers Special Teams have been a disaster the last 3 years. Ranked dead last in the league in both 2015 and 2016 seasons. They did improve in 2017 to 25th. The returning numbers is awful and the kickoff coverage was even worse. Artavis Scott has helped in the return game and could provide depth at WR if chosen to make the 53 man roster.
Replacing Liuget for 4 games...The Chargers drafted run stopper Justin Jones in the 3rd round of the NFL draft. Darius Philon and Damion Square will compete with Jackson to be the week 1 starter. UNFA Steven Richardson will make some noise and be the UDFA to make the 53 man roster in 2018.
Final DB Depth Spot..Craig Mager, Michael Davis, Tony Brown.
Kicker...Caleb Sturgis vs Roberto Aguayo..
OLine Depth Positioning.. Sam Tevi, Scott Quessenberry, Michael Schofield and Spenser Pulley will be on the 53 man as depth players.
Surprise Cuts.. Travis Benjamin and Haynes Pullard very well could be possible. RB Justin Jackson as well.
Special Note: Congrats to Nick Hardwick on a full quality career as a player and color commentary for the Chargers. Enjoy the family you deserve it!
THOUGHTS: This was sent a message in private message but hearts and prayers to our big guy Ed White who is battling Alzheimer's.
BoltBlitzLIVE is doing some behind the scenes adjustments to the radio broadcast of our Charger show. We'll have more info later but we do plan on having one of our can't miss fan meet ups in July. They'll be a Live Podcast of our show at 2 locations on separate weeks. One in LA and one in San Diego
PLAYERS TO WATCH AT CAMP DE Isaac Rochelle, WR Mike Williams and FB Anthony Manzo-Lewis NT Steven Richardson
\ OVERVIEW
Improvements to the offensive line with Mike Pouncey starting in place of the 3rd lowest ranked center in the NFL in 2017 Spenser Pulley. Forrest Lamp has not been approved yet for practice but if he is there week one although in reality his rookie season the production overall should help the running game. Pouncey health will be vital to the team success.
Bad tackling and linebacker play caused the Chargers defense to be the 2nd worst in run defense in the league. They improved in two main areas this off season. Speed and tackling. The depth on the roster will fill out the special teams that needs an over haul from the previous lineup. With contribution now from Mike Williams the loss of Hunter Henry might not be as bad as once thought.
The secondary is one of the best in football. Teams like the Chiefs will challenge that run defense until the Chargers can show on the field improvement. The Chiefs tallied 57 runs vs 51 passes for a combined 363 rushing yards in the 2 games they played in 2017. With Mahomes beginning his career as a starting QB, expect Andy Reid to test this defense early and often on the road in Carson week 1.
The Chargers need the stars to stay healthy (Allen, Rivers, Bosa, Pouncey and Ingram. They need to rely more on a effective running game and not to shoot themselves in the foot on special teams. After that it's all about stepping up not talking it up. Big games against the Titans, Ravens and Steelers will show what this team mental makeup is. They can beat the Browns, Jets and Redskins. Can they beat the Patriots, Steelers and Chiefs will determine how well the offseason played out.
The window for Philip Rivers is closing. Father Time sneaks up on NFL QB and hits quick and relentless unless your name is Tom Brady. If two years the landscape of the NFL will look so different. Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and Big Ben will be replaced soon. Finding a QB to succeed them will fail for most teams. That will be followed by growing pains and lost years on prime players. The urgency is felt throughout the roster. Today the roster on paper looks good. Soon that paper will be on showcase for the fans to see exposed. Paper and reality can often be dramatically different. Sometimes though teams can exceed the expectations. If true then the Chargers could be Super Bowl in 2018.
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