The Chargers return home this Saturday to face the Seattle Seahawks. There were some bright spots in last weeks loss to Arizona There also is some concerning weaknesses that were on display. We'll quickly review the "Good, the Bad and the Ugly" from last week. Let's also turn our focus to see what kind of test the Seattle Seahawks pose to the Chargers this week.
LATEST NEWS:
The team got some finally received some good news as their RG Forest Lamp has worked his way onto the practice field. Last year, Kenny Wiggins and Spencer Pulley were the worst rated Center and Right Guard in the NFL according to PFF.. Lamp was officially activated yesterday before practice. Lamp will have awhile to get him in football ready shape so he will be out this Saturday. He is expected to be inactive this week at home vs the Seattle but hopes are he'll be ready for the Chargers in their dress rehearsal game next week against the New Orleans Saints.
The Chargers-Saints have a scrimmage together next Wednesday and Thursday at their Costa Mesa facility at 10am. The team also signed 2014 undrafted tight end Je'Ron Hamm who will be wearing number #41. Hamm has 2 career catches in his 4 year career. Sam Tevi who suffered an injury against Arizona did practice yesterday along with Brett Boyko who made his 2018 practice debut as well.
Out for the game Joey Bosa, Forrest Lamp, Dylan Cantrell, Cole Hunt, Justin Jones, James Onwualu and Trevor Williams. Starters will play 1 quarter. Kyzir White and Justin Jackson will be a game time decision. Dylan Cantrell availability for week 1 vs the Chiefs is very much in doubt.
LAST QUICK REVIEW OF SATURDAY'S GAME
The Chargers starting defense started slow against the Cardinals giving up a touchdown on Arizona first drive. Arizona put together a 45 yard touchdown drive.
The 2nd string defense consisted of prospects like Kyzir White, Derwin James and Uchenna Nwosu. Those three and the entire 2nd string defense outplayed the ones in Arizona. Depth Ladies and Gentleman!
LEADING SNAP COUNTS ON OFFENSE
Scott Quessenberry Sam Tevi and Spencer Pulley led the offense with 62 snaps.
LEADING SNAP COUNTS ON DEFENSE
Kyzir White, Whitney Richardson and Derwin James led the defense with 38 snaps.
KEY NOTES
Brandon Facyson, Uchenna Nwosu, Geremy Davis and Artavis Scott stood out as some of the young, new and exciting Chargers players in the game. Davis and Scott were on and off the practice squad in 2017. Their growth are on display this year. A characteristic that didn't transform in McCoy era.
THE GOOD
Brandon Facyson.. Facyson dropped into coverage 14 times Saturday against Arizona wide receivers. He was targeted only 2 times allowing no catches and getting one interception. Facyson is battling Tony Brown and Craig Mager for the final DB spot on the roster.
Uchenna Nwosu... 4 tackles, 1 sack and 2 QB hurries. I'd say Nwosu enjoyed his debut in Arizona with the 2nd string Chargers defense.
Geremy Davis...Geremy Davis was the only Charger receiver to be graded with a rating of over 50% from Pro Football Focus last week. Davis went 4-6 for 88 yards on Saturday. Artavis Scott kept the pressure on Davis for the final WR spot that is open on the 53 man roster. It has been relayed to me the coaches are keeping 6 WR after the teams does its final cuts September 2.
The Running Backs..Chargers rushed for 97 yards and collectively had averaged 4.4 per carry.
Artavis Scott.. Did a good job returner the ball. Team had 3 kickoffs for 91 yards 31 avg. Scott seems more comfortable returning punts then kicks. If Scott or Geremy Davis can be successful on special teams it allows Tom Telesco the flexibility to trade the expensive contract handled out to WR Travis Benjamin to fill another need on the 53 man roster
THE BAD
1st String Defense... Chargers first string defense to begin the game. They gave up 45 yards and a TD to Arizona first unit on offense. After that they gave up 43 yards and 0 TD's. Nice recovery defense.
Tight Ends... Targeted 8 times for 2 catches. That is pathetic
Mistakes..4 Turnovers and 150 yards in penalties
Offensive Line... All 3 Chargers QB were rushed and hit the entire night. The Chargers had the 23rd ranked offensive line in 2017. One week into the preseason the oline didn't look much better. This line is built around Mike Pouncey and his bad hip. As he goes the Chargers will go in 2018. Thankfully, Philip Rivers was the 2nd fastest QB to release the ball under pressure in 2017. Russell Wilson was #1.
UGLY
The 3 worst graded players on the Chargers were T Michael Schofield 29.2, FB Derek Watt 29.8 and QB Nic Shimonek 33.0. All three players play on offense.
Preseason or not the metal breakdowns are what resulted in a 9-7 season instead of the playoffs last year. 4 turnovers and 150 yards in penalties is unacceptable. I expect more from these coaches than that. The turnovers, drop balls, penalties and poor coverage on special teams and drop balls.
THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
This group is much more talented than the Chargers previous opponent in Arizona. Russell Wilson, Rashaad Penny, Shaquem Griffin and Brandon Marshall make up this years Seattle team.
The starters will play about a quarter before turning it over to the 2nd and 3rd stringers for the night.
Last year, the Seahawks crushed the Chargers defense beating the Chargers 48-17 in a embarrassing loss at the Stubh
Hub Center. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said this week that Philip Rivers, Craig Hayward, Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin will start their first game after sitting out in week 1. He also stated that Uchenna Nwosu, Kyzir White and Derwin James will play a lot of snaps this Saturday. He gave those three the day off Tuesday after playing so many snaps against Arizona.
The Charger rookies will get the majority of the snaps Saturday and could lead us to the first real glimpse of what the 53 man roster will look like after this game.
The Chargers will look for a clearer answer a clearer look as to whom is going to be their backup QB, Their RB #3 spot and the final DB spot are still left open with Artavis Scott and Geremy Davis as the leading contenders thus far for the WR spot. Something has got to give with the kicking situation and no one among this tight end group has helped themselves to win the job. Last year starters are still this weeks starters with Jatavis Brown, Kyle Emanuel and still being the favorites to start week one vs the Chiefs. Breadon Bowman and Ben Johnson did nothing to help either of their cases to be the final TE 3 spot. Bowman was targeted 3 times Saturday producing 0 catches among all the TE but Sean Culkin. Virgil Green and Sean Culkin are the two TE in that order that is expected on the 53. Only TE3 spot is open as Telesco and Antonio Gates see if there a reason enough to go back and sign Gates to the 53 or not.
One objective the Chargers can do is improve on their mental mistakes and lapse of judgment mistakes that led to 4 turnovers and 150 yards in penalties in the Arizona game. The same mistakes that haunted them at crucial times in the 2017 season. Jacksonville, Miami and New England were games we can use as an example of the Chargers goofing around and losing the game.
While Rivers and company are expected to play in this game. The majority of the snaps will be the 1. The young guys who are fighting for the 53
2. Trying to make the practice squad
3. Showcasing themselves for the 31 other NFL teams.
This is a big night for Cardale Jones, Russell Hansbrough, Detriz Newsome and others.
Geremy Davis and Artavis Scott battling for the final WR slot is worth tuning it by itself.
The Chargers have $9,128,149 in cap space to maneuver after final cuts are made.
September 2nd is approaching fast. That is the deadline for teams to make their final cuts and get down to 53 players. The Chargers had 5 offensive players and 5 defensive players on their 10 man practice squad last year. I expect very similar numbers this year.
Who I think might be playing for their football lives as the Turk awaits in the darkness soon. Players in bold are the names of my early 10 man practice squad candiates.
1. QB Cardale Jones "Cardale Final Stand!)
2. WR Nelson Spruce
3. WR JJ Jones
4. WR Justice Liggins
5. WR Andre Patton
6. C Cole Toner
7. RT Trent Scott
8. LG Zach Golditch Aurora shooting victim
9. LT Chris Durant
10. T Zachery Crabtree
11. G Brett Boyko
12. DB Craig Mager ( About Time)
13. TE Braedon Bowman
14. FB Anthony Manzo Lewis
15. QB Nic Shimonek
16. Tevin Lawson
17. OLB D'Juan Hines
18. DT Steven Richaardson
19. DB Tony Brown
20. SS Aj Hendy
21. LCB Marcus Edmunds
22. LB Kyle Coleman
23. RCB Channing Stribling
24. TE Je'Ron Hamm
25. DB Jeff Richards
26. RG Erick Wren
Even when the 53 is announced the list isn't final. In 2017, the team released through waivers Nick Dzunbar and Craig Mager only to resign them. They released some guy named Josh Lambo too. He picked up DL Carauin Reid, RB Andre Williams and CB Pierre Desir off waivers in 2016 and last year he got Michael Schofield, WR Geremy Davis, and CB Jeff Richards
Key Dates
September 1, 2018 Final cuts teams have to get to a 53 man roster by 4pmest.
September 2, 2018 1pmest Teams can create their practice squad of 10 players.
October 30, 2018 4pmest Trade Deadline.
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