Chargers’ swarming defense dominates joint practice with Rams
Pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack set the tone and the Chargers' linebackers and defensive backs took advantage.
EL SEGUNDO — Chargers edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack made themselves at home in the Rams’ backfield during the teams’ joint practice Sunday. Linebackers Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley filled gaps in the defensive line, slowing down the ground game, or dropping smartly into coverage.
In the secondary, it seemed as if the Chargers were “playing volleyball,” as safety Derwin James Jr. put it after a dominating showing by their first team defense against the Rams’ first team offense. The Chargers’ defense had been building toward a crescendo for several days in training camp.
And there was little the Rams could do to slow down the onrushing Chargers, especially not with an offensive line that was banged up and featured several backups. The Chargers’ defense was at full strength, highlighted by pressure from Bosa and Mack and ball-hawking from the secondary.
The Chargers recorded three sacks during an especially impressive opening period with Bosa and Mack on the field together. There also was a tipped ball that resulted in an interception as well as two offensive penalties. Later, defensive back Tony Jefferson tipped a ball and linebacker Nick Niemann picked it off.
“Just knowing where to be,” James said when asked about the defense’s standout play. “I mean, trusting what the coaches are giving us and doing our part and not trying to make up something on our own. As long as we do that we’ll be fine. … It’s good to go against someone else. You get tired of going against your guys. Definitely good to go against an offense like Sean McVay’s.”
To be sure, it was just a practice, but the Chargers’ stuck to the Rams’ receivers like glue, with safeties James and Alohi Gilman backing up cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton. In fact, Fulton seemed to be everywhere all at once while shadowing Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Healing into the Chargers’ third week of camp and with their exhibition opener looming Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium, it would seem that the secondary is all but set. Ja’Sir Taylor is the likely fifth member, playing soundly when the Chargers have gone with five defensive backs.
“It’s hard to pinpoint one guy,” Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “I thought Derwin and Alohi did a great job of really just controlling the traffic, so to speak, flying around, making plays, being in good positions to tackle. I thought Kristian and (Samuel) were in great positions to play the ball.”
Fulton certainly appears to have nailed down a starting position opposite Samuel, which is just what the Chargers’ hoped would happen when they signed him as a free agent after Michael Davis signed with the Washington Commanders in the offseason. Fulton spent the past four seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
“The way he has been practicing is the way I think he can play, you know?” Minter said of Fulton. “A lot of times with DBs, the mental space, the confidence, the feeling the guys around you believe in you – it’s so important. You’re on an island a lot of times. You feel like it’s all up to you, the last line of defense.
“I think he’s in a really good head space. The guys believe in him. The coaches believe in him. He makes plays and other guys are like, ‘Wow, he can do that.’ Yeah, confident in how he performed. He would tell you there’s a lot of things he’s chasing to keep getting better. But, yeah, happy with where he is so far.”
HERBERT UPDATE
Quarterback Justin Herbert didn’t wear a gold jersey like backups Easton Stick, Max Duggan and Casey Bauman for Sunday’s joint practice. Herbert did wear a walking boot on his right foot, though, the better to protect the plantar fascia injury that’s expected to sideline him for approximately two weeks.
Stick moved into the starter’s role, leading the Chargers’ offense against the Rams’ top defensive players. It didn’t go as well as it might have with Herbert directing the offense. Stick had his troubles connecting with his receivers and the Chargers’ running game was only marginally more effective.
It’s expected that Stick will start against the Seahawks and, most likely, against the Rams in the second exhibition game Aug. 17. It also was possible that Herbert would have sat out the exhibitions, anyway, as most teams don’t play their top players, especially their quarterbacks, in the preseason.