If we’ve learned anything from the Chargers’ first 14 training camp sessions over the past three weeks, it’s that their defense is significantly more advanced than their offense. The cheers from the field and from the sidelines, the whoops and hollers and backslaps and high-fives tell a story.
The Chargers’ defensive line has dominated the offensive line, clogging up the line of scrimmage and getting their hands up to deflect passes. Their linebackers have filled the gaps on running plays. Their defensive backs have covered the receivers tightly, picking off errant or batted passes.
It has often been a mismatch.
It has especially been that way for the past week or so while quarterback Justin Herbert has been sidelined by a plantar fascia injury that’s expected to keep him in a walking boot for at least another week. Easton Stick and three other backups improved their play slightly in the past two days, but it’s been a slog.
Stick, Max Duggan and Casey Bauman struggled to move the ball during a joint practice Sunday with the Rams. Luis Perez was signed Tuesday in order to light a fire under the other three, and it seemed to work during much-improved practices Wednesday and, especially, Thursday.
Now, the question is whether the Chargers can run and pass effectively in their first exhibition game Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Stick will get the start and play most of the first half, according to Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. The others also are scheduled to play.
“Let it rip” was Harbaugh’s instruction to Stick.
But will that be enough to change the course of a training camp that’s seen so many more misfired passes than accurate ones? Will the ground game, which will be without top running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, make enough headway to make up for whatever shortcomings the passing game displays?
All will be revealed starting at 4:05 p.m. Saturday.
“Really, just watch our guys compete,” Harbaugh said of his own expectations for Saturday’s exhibition in his return to an NFL sideline for the first time after spending nine years at Michigan. “Can’t wait to watch our guys compete in the game. Just to have at it.
“That feeling doesn’t get much better than that.”
Asked for his expectations for the Chargers’ players Saturday in their first game conditions, with referees and whistles and a functioning scoreboard, he said, “Just guys playing hard. Playing as hard as they can as fast as they can for as long as they can, and not worrying and just letting it rip. Having at it.”
Harbaugh said top edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack won’t play Saturday. Bosa has an injury suffered during Sunday’s joint practice with the Rams. Mack won’t play because, well, there’s nothing he needs to prove after eight Pro Bowl selections in his stellar 10-year NFL career.
So, it leaves plenty of opportunities for the Chargers to show off their depth at the position. Tuli Tuipuloto, Chris Rumph and, possibly, Bud Dupree, plus several others could get plenty of snaps against the Seahawks. Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, an undrafted rookie from Central Florida, also could get a good, long look.
“One guy I’m really excited to see is Tre’Mon,” Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said earlier this week of Morris-Brash. “He’s rushed really well in practice and he plays with a ton of energy. So, he’s a guy I’m really excited to see if that translates to the preseason game, and I have a lot of confidence that it will.”
Harbaugh will face off against his son, Jay, the Seahawks’ special teams coordinator. They had worked together for nine years at Michigan, with Jim as head coach and Jay serving in a variety of roles, including special teams coordinator and coach of the Wolverines’ safeties and tight ends.
“Can’t wait, can’t wait,” Jim Harbaugh said. “I miss him. I miss Jay. Very proud of Jay and what he’s accomplished and what he’s accomplishing now. I know it’s going to be a real test, a real competition for our special teams unit. He’s going to bring it. So, it’s really good for us. At the same time, it’s going to be cool.
“We’ve been on opposite sidelines two or three times, but it’s all love.”
When: 4:05 p.m. Saturday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV: Ch. 2
