RealGM

By Daniel Popper
Jul 28, 2024

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and rookie receiver Ladd McConkey were a touch out of sync in Friday’s practice. They failed to connect on two pass attempts downfield that would have gone for chunk gains. The first throw was just out of reach for McConkey down the seam. On the second throw, McConkey slowed his route.

On Saturday, the pairing rediscovered a rhythm. McConkey had his best practice of training camp so far. He caught four Herbert passes, including a touchdown.

McConkey’s first catch came on the opening series of 11-on-11. He beat off coverage with a sharp slant route and was wide open over the middle of the field. Herbert hit him in stride.

In the next period, Herbert moved the starting offense into the red zone against the starting defense. On first down, a Quentin Johnston bubble screen went for no gain. Herbert then threw incomplete on second down when he and receiver Joshua Palmer were not on the same page. That set up a third-and-10 from the 18-yard line.

Herbert took the shotgun snap and dropped back. The coverage was tight. Herbert escaped the pocket to his left to buy time.

McConkey’s initial route was shut down by slot cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor. But McConkey did a nice job of finding an open space to the middle of the field in the scramble drill. McConkey put his hand in the air as Herbert reset, and the quarterback saw him streaking open.

Herbert floated a pass to the back of the end zone. It sailed just over the outstretched hand of safety Alohi Gilman, who leaped to make a play on the ball. McConkey hauled it in for the touchdown.

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In the next 11-on-11 period, McConkey continued to show off his hands and route running.

Herbert and the starting offense faced a third-and-5. McConkey aligned in the slot and ran a comeback route to the sticks. As he turned, Herbert fired low and to McConkey’s outside shoulder, away from Taylor. McConkey made the sliding catch for the first down. On the ensuing snap, McConkey beat Taylor again, this time winning cleanly on an out route.

“He’s been off to a really good start,” coach Jim Harbaugh said of McConkey. “Really, really excellent route runner. We knew that, and he’s been really good, really dialed in right from the beginning. Just how quick he gets up to full speed. I don’t know how many steps it is, but it’s pretty fast, pretty quick — three, five, six steps and he’s up to full speed.”

My big question with this receiver group: Who can Herbert rely on to win consistently against both man and zone in key situations? In previous seasons, that was Keenan Allen, one of the best third- and fourth-down receivers in the league.

It is still very early, but McConkey has the skill set to win in those same situations. He has two third-down conversion receptions already in camp. His route running really comes to life out of the slot, when he has a two-way go and can use his short-area quickness to create separation.

Harbaugh did not divulge much regarding injuries on Saturday, his first time speaking to the media since the opening day of camp, and that is likely foreshadowing how the new head coach will deal with injury questions moving forward.

Starting left tackle Rashawn Slater left Friday’s practice with an injury. He was not on the field for Saturday’s practice.

On Friday, Slater walked off the field and into the facility with trainers. He came back out to the field briefly with his helmet on. He chatted with Chargers director of player health, wellness and performance Marco Zucconi. Then Slater went back inside. He did not return. After Slater re-entered the facility, Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz both walked over to Zucconi, and the three talked for the remainder of the period.

When asked Saturday for an update on Slater, Harbaugh said the Chargers are “ramping the starters up.” It was clear Slater had sustained some sort of injury, though. A follow-up question was asked.

“I’m not going to categorize what it is or what is not,” Harbaugh said. “You’re going to see quite a bit of that as we go through this first stage.”

So the plan was for Slater to leave Friday’s practice prematurely and then also sit out Saturday’s practice?

“He said, ‘Hey, I got something here. I want to keep playing but I need to take a look at it,’” Harbaugh said of Slater. “No, we’re going to take you out, and move you into the weight room and do some work there.”

Harbaugh added: “Abundance of caution. I know you haven’t heard that term since the pandemic, but it applies to this stage that we’re in right now.”

We got there eventually. Slater tweaked something. He was pulled from practice for precautionary reasons. Unclear why seven questions were needed to generate a tangible response.

When asked if he could share where Slater’s injury is, Harbaugh said, “No.”

“Just he’s working through something,” Harbaugh added.

Tight end Donald Parham Jr. did not practice Saturday, either.

“He’s working through something,” Harbaugh said.

Parham also did not practice in the spring. Is it related to what he was dealing with during organized team activities and minicamp?

“He’s working through something,” Harbaugh said.

Running back Gus Edwards has not yet participated in team drills this camp.

“He’s working through something,” Harbaugh said.

Edge rusher Joey Bosa, running back J.K. Dobbins and linebacker Denzel Perryman did not participate in team drills Saturday. They were all suited up for practice and went through individual drills.

“The backups, they’re going to get a little more volume, and then the most volume is going to go to the guys that are fighting for a spot to make the football team,” Harbaugh said. “So we’ve got it tiered. Marco and (executive director of player performance) Ben Herbert are in charge running the show there. They’re great at what they do, and we got full and complete confidence that they will get our guys ready — get them enough volume but get them the right amount of volume. We talked about it the other day, the glide theory is in full effect.”

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News and notes
• With Perryman sitting out team drills, Troy Dye was next to Daiyan Henley at inside linebacker with the first-team defense. Nick Niemann also rotated in.

• AJ Finley and JT Woods continue to rotate as the third safety when Derwin James Jr. moves to positions closer to the line of scrimmage. Finley made the first splash play of the competition in Saturday’s practice. Herbert tried to connect with Johnston on a post route. Finley showed solid awareness and broke on the route from a deep position, breaking it up in the end zone.

“There’s some competition for that third spot,” Harbaugh said of the battle at safety. “AJ, JT Woods. We’ll see. We don’t know who the best players are right now. We just got four days of training camp practice. But excited about the guys, and the waters are pretty hot, warm of competition at that spot.”

• Rookie receiver Brenden Rice caught a 35-yard touchdown from Easton Stick in 11-on-11. It was his second go-ball reception in as many days. Rookie safety Thomas Harper was in good position, rotating over the top from the hashmark. He timed his jump well but could not get a hand on the throw. Rice made a good catch in the end zone through traffic.

• The first-team punt unit: Taylor and cornerback Deane Leonard at gunner; running back Isaiah Spiller; Dye; Niemann; edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu; tight end Stone Smartt; Henley; edge rusher Chris Rumph II; long snapper Josh Harris; and punter JK Scott.

• Herbert’s best throw of the day came on a corner route to tight end Will Dissly. Dye was in tight coverage, trailing Dissly. Herbert’s pass went just over Dye’s shoulder. Pinpoint accuracy.

• Rookie tight end Luke Benson had four catches in Saturday’s practice.

• The Chargers have their first padded practice of camp on Monday. Sunday is an off day.

SkyBill40 wrote:We need this season to go strongly as there are several tough games in the early and latter parts of the schedule. And if our receiving is poor, we're going to be in for a long season. I still believe getting rid of Keenan Allen to be a significant step back.

madmaxmedia wrote:

SkyBill40 wrote:We need this season to go strongly as there are several tough games in the early and latter parts of the schedule. And if our receiving is poor, we're going to be in for a long season. I still believe getting rid of Keenan Allen to be a significant step back.

Keeping him would have obviously been the best choice for multiple reasons, I just don't know how we could have handled the cap hit.

I think everything was sort of structured to give us the best shot at success last season and we completely flamed out, and the hangover was pretty bad. My hunch is that our receiving will be adequate with strong o-line play and a good running back by committee production.

SkyBill40 wrote:

madmaxmedia wrote:

SkyBill40 wrote:We need this season to go strongly as there are several tough games in the early and latter parts of the schedule. And if our receiving is poor, we're going to be in for a long season. I still believe getting rid of Keenan Allen to be a significant step back.

Keeping him would have obviously been the best choice for multiple reasons, I just don't know how we could have handled the cap hit.

I think everything was sort of structured to give us the best shot at success last season and we completely flamed out, and the hangover was pretty bad. My hunch is that our receiving will be adequate with strong o-line play and a good running back by committee production.

The cap hit would definitely have been an issue. I'm surprised we were able to hold onto several other players where the cap problem is going to rise again. Bosa being the specific one which comes to mind. I know they were on the fence about retaining him and seeing him on another team putting in work would suck.

madmaxmedia wrote:

SkyBill40 wrote:

madmaxmedia wrote:
Keeping him would have obviously been the best choice for multiple reasons, I just don't know how we could have handled the cap hit.

I think everything was sort of structured to give us the best shot at success last season and we completely flamed out, and the hangover was pretty bad. My hunch is that our receiving will be adequate with strong o-line play and a good running back by committee production.

The cap hit would definitely have been an issue. I'm surprised we were able to hold onto several other players where the cap problem is going to rise again. Bosa being the specific one which comes to mind. I know they were on the fence about retaining him and seeing him on another team putting in work would suck.

I guess both Bosa and Mack restructured their contracts which is what kept them on the team. Keenan didn't want to re-structure, which was 100% his prerogative and I wish him the best. It will get harder I think in the years ahead as Herbert's new contract kicks in, we didn't have much to show for his cheap rookie contract seasons. But having him locked in long term is so so so much better than some of the other QB deals out there (Daniel Jones, Tua, etc.) where you're wondering if they're actually worth the money.

bwgood77 wrote:

madmaxmedia wrote:

SkyBill40 wrote:
The cap hit would definitely have been an issue. I'm surprised we were able to hold onto several other players where the cap problem is going to rise again. Bosa being the specific one which comes to mind. I know they were on the fence about retaining him and seeing him on another team putting in work would suck.

I guess both Bosa and Mack restructured their contracts which is what kept them on the team. Keenan didn't want to re-structure, which was 100% his prerogative and I wish him the best. It will get harder I think in the years ahead as Herbert's new contract kicks in, we didn't have much to show for his cheap rookie contract seasons. But having him locked in long term is so so so much better than some of the other QB deals out there (Daniel Jones, Tua, etc.) where you're wondering if they're actually worth the money.

Keenan was one of my favorite players. It didn't sound like they really tried to keep him. They asked him and he said no and then they immediately traded. I believe he later said he was open to working something out....maybe after the Chargers said they would have been open to working something out. Can't remember the details.

Revived wrote:

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This is concerning

bwgood77 wrote:

Revived wrote:

Spoiler:

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This is concerning

I didn't really expect much out of him at this point. IF he turns into anything, I'll be happy. Even just a semi productive backup. I think Chark will be fairly solid, and I knew nothing about him, and McConkey I feel will be a very solid rookie. This is a great receiver class but I won't be surprised if he's top 4 or 5, even with Harrison Jr, Nabors and Odunze in it.

madmaxmedia wrote:

bwgood77 wrote:

Revived wrote:

Spoiler:

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This is concerning

I didn't really expect much out of him at this point. IF he turns into anything, I'll be happy. Even just a semi productive backup. I think Chark will be fairly solid, and I knew nothing about him, and McConkey I feel will be a very solid rookie. This is a great receiver class but I won't be surprised if he's top 4 or 5, even with Harrison Jr, Nabors and Odunze in it.

My understanding (from watching a couple of videos about camp, nothing more) is that QJ has had very good hands so far in camp, and that drop was bad but an outlier so far. I also saw a clip of him after practice that day doing over the shoulder catch drills (just like that pass), which I do like. I guess we'll see...

Revived wrote:

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Really excited for this kid. If he was like 2 inches taller he probably goes top 15 in the draft. But he can still be a potential elite WR in the league.

Chargers training camp, Day 5: Joe Alt holds his own in first padded practice

By Daniel Popper
Jul 29, 2024

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers were in pads Monday for the first time this training camp. Those familiar thuds of football practice resounded from all parts of the team’s three grass fields. The thuds were loudest in the far end zone, away from the fan bleachers, where the offensive line and defensive line faced off in a one-on-one pass rush period.

This was one of what will be many welcome-to-the-NFL moments for rookie tackle Joe Alt.

Alt was first up in the one-on-one drill, and he matched up with edge rusher Joey Bosa. Alt was at right tackle.

In the spring, Bosa had this to say about Alt: “Seems like he has good hands, good feet, strong. We’ll see in a few weeks when I lay a helmet in his chin how he holds up. But I’ll take it easy on him.”

Bosa kept his word. On that first rep of the one-on-one period, he bull-rushed into Alt’s chest. Pure power. Alt was knocked back at first contact. Bosa was able to crunch the pocket around coach Jim Harbaugh, who was lining up at quarterback for the drill. Alt did replant his feet and recover to a degree, but Bosa had already created significant push.

Bosa and Alt matched up again for the next rep. Each matchup in the period got back-to-back reps. Bosa played off his first move. He feinted power before driving hard to the inside. Alt showed some quick recognition and the movement skills that were a big reason he was a top-five pick in April. Alt was able to get hands on Bosa and prevent a clean win to the inside.

“The defense, yeah, you’re going to be better than us right now,” Harbaugh said of Alt’s first one-on-one reps. “Joey Bosa’s going to be better. But I thought Joe Alt acquitted himself well.”

That was a theme for Alt in his first NFL padded practice.

He moved between both right and left tackle while Rashawn Slater continues working through a minor injury. Slater participated in the one-on-one period. He was limited to just one of the five 11-on-11 periods. Alt was at right tackle when Slater was in team drills. Trey Pipkins III was at right guard.

When Slater was sitting out, Alt played left tackle for two periods and right tackle for two periods. When Alt was at right tackle, Pipkins was at left tackle. When Alt was at left tackle, Pipkins was at right tackle. Jamaree Salyer was at right guard for all four periods Slater missed.

Moving around allowed Alt to pass protect against the Chargers’ three veteran rushers — Bosa, Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree — during 11-on-11. Overall, Alt held up just fine for a rookie seeing something resembling full NFL speed for the first time.

He gave up a sack against Bosa in the red zone. Mack also beat him for a pressure on a third down in an earlier 11-on-11 period. There were also plenty of encouraging reps. Early in practice, Alt stood up Dupree in pass protection on a first down. That gave quarterback Justin Herbert time to find receiver DJ Chark over the middle on a late-developing comeback route. In the final period, Alt won in pass protection against Bosa. Herbert had time to fire over the middle to receiver Ladd McConkey. But McConkey dropped the pass with safety Derwin James Jr. closing on him.

Elsewhere along the offensive line, third-year guard Zion Johnson had a tremendous showing in the one-on-one period. He dominated Morgan Fox on both of his reps.

Pipkins looked solid on his two reps against Scott Matlock. Harbaugh was simulating the snap count and got Matlock to jump offsides before one of the reps. On the first rep, Pipkins got his hands on Matlock early and prevented the initial push. Matlock gained some ground on a second effort. On the second rep, Pipkins stood Matlock up.

Fireworks came when Slater matched up with Mack. On the first rep, Slater maintained balance after Mack’s get-off and was able to force him wide. On the second rep, Mack came with a power bull rush. That has been Mack’s trademark throughout his career. The collision was loud. Mack drove Slater back. Slater withstood the initial surge and anchored down. Just a competitive rep.

“It was good give-and-take,” Harbaugh said of the period. “Just what you want to see.”

One player got a shoutout from Harbaugh in his post-practice news conference: rookie tackle Tyler McLellan.

McLellan had two strong reps against Chris Rumph II. He gave up virtually no ground on both of Rumph’s moves.

“Way to go, Tyler,” Harbaugh said. “Two really good reps that he had.”

News and notes

• Slater jogged back inside the facility about midway through Monday’s practice. He did not return to the field. At times so far this camp, Harbaugh has sent veterans inside the facility before the end of practice so they can continue working out in the weight room. He refers to this ramp-up for veterans as the “glide theory.” When asked whether Slater’s leaving midway through practice was part of the “glide,” Harbaugh read from a written statement on his approach to discussing injuries.

“I did a really cool thing,” Harbaugh said. “I kind of wrote up, so we’re all on the same page and we all have some really good clarity going forward. I’m really a better writer than I am talker, in my opinion.

“So for clarity, whenever I’m asked about anyone’s medical condition other than my own, the following will be my best effort to relay information: I am not medically qualified to categorize or speculate as to how someone else is feeling. The best I can do is say that someone is working through something. Two, I get the report from those who are qualified, and then follow the instructions. Three, if at times I look or sound like I am not a medical expert in the field of medicine, guilty as charged.”

• Running back Gus Edwards did not participate in team drills for the fifth straight day. Tight end Donald Parham Jr. was in pads and a helmet but worked off to the side. Junior Colson, who is on the non-football illness list after undergoing an appendectomy, was also working off to the side in a T-shirt and shorts. Offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart missed his fifth straight practice.

• Alohi Gilman was not at practice Monday because of the birth of his child, Harbaugh said. AJ Finley got a majority of the first-team reps at safety in Gilman’s absence.

• Receiver Quentin Johnston had a bad drop during 11-on-11 drills. The Chargers were in a period Harbaugh calls “Play the Next.” The offense takes over on a third down. If it does not convert, it faces a fourth down. If the offense converts on third or fourth down, the unit gets a new set of downs. Herbert and the first-team offense faced a third-and-5 to open a series. Johnston beat cornerback Kristian Fulton down the left sideline on a go route. Herbert delivered one of his best and most accurate throws of camp, dropping in over Fulton and into Johnston’s hands. It clanged off Johnston’s hands and fell incomplete. Johnston was audibly frustrated after the drop.

Earlier in practice, Johnston made back-to-back catches from Herbert, including a first-down conversion on a comeback. Johnston has made plays in this camp. The deep ball, still, is one he absolutely has to come down with — to earn the trust of Herbert and the coaching staff.

Chargers training camp: Quentin Johnston's strong start, Cam Hart makes play of the day

• Rookie safety Thomas Harper intercepted Easton Stick on a deep ball in the first 11-on-11 period of practice. Rookie receiver Brenden Rice was the intended target. Stick’s ball was overthrown. Harper did a nice job of finding the ball and making the play.

• The defense had the upper hand in the run game Monday. To be expected, given this was the offensive line’s first day in pads. Rumph was particularly active in run defense. He had one stuff on running back Jaret Patterson. He created penetration off the edge later on a Kimani Vidal run, which led to a stuff from linebacker Troy Dye. Dupree also had a run stuff on Vidal.

• The Chargers went fully live with tackling for one play during 11-on-11. It was the third-team offense and defense. The offense faced a third-and-2. Before the play, Harbaugh announced to both sidelines that the play would be fully live. There was a burst of excitement after the announcement. Rookie quarterback Casey Bauman handed off to Vidal. He bounced outside and picked up the first through a tackle from cornerback Zamari Walton. Harbaugh called a holding penalty on offensive lineman Brent Laing, which negated the first down.

That was the only live play of the day. But there were opportunities for more live plays during the closing 11-on-11 red zone period. Harbaugh calls this period “Red Zone Lockout.” Offense starts at the 25-yard line. It is thud pace, so not tackling — until the offense moves inside the 10. Then it becomes live. The pace was only going to be live for the second and third teams. For the first team, it is walk-through pace inside the 10. As Harbaugh said of his starters: “They’re on different levels.”

Both the second- and third-team red zone drives stalled well before the 10-yard line. Bosa’s sack, on a third-and-2, ended the first-team offense’s first red zone drive. On the first-team offense’s second red zone drive, Herbert covered a third-and-9 to Chark over the middle. Chark made a sliding catch. That moved the offense to the 9-yard line. It was walk-through pace from there.

• Edge rusher Andrew Farmer II had a sack in 11-on-11. He also showed off a nifty inside pass rush move in one-on-ones, beating tackle Foster Sarell.

Revived wrote:

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This is concerning

Revived wrote:

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Well this sucks.

SkyBill40 wrote:

Revived wrote:

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Well this sucks.

I was just about to drop that bad news. Sucks for sure.