Half way through the preseason seems like a good time to take a look at what's going on with the Chargers. Questions that have risen to the top of the list...
Who will be the FG kicker?
Caleb Sturgis is listed at the top of the depth chart over Roberto Aguayo. In the vacuum of two 2018 preseason games Sturgis is 1 of 2 in FGs and Aguayo is 5-5 in extra points and made his lone FG attempt. The story is in their pasts. Aguayo has more to prove since he was a draft bust making only 71% of his FG attempts in his lone season in Tampa Bay (2016). Sturgis made 84.8% of his attempts in 3 seasons with the Eagles, only losing his job last season when he got injured. I'm not in the know about what's going on in practice and you can't evaluate kick offs unless you know what the plan is (are you trying to kick to specific area to force a return or going for distance an force the touch back) so maybe Stugis is establishing himself in practice. IMO this is still wide open.
Which TE's will be on the Chargers roster in Week 1?
With Antonio Gates released and his promising replacement Hunter Henry out for the season former Bronco Virgil Green is listed as the starter, but he's primarily a blocking TE and none of the rest have been receiving threats in college. One of the front runners is former Missouri Tiger Sean Culkin who made an impression in the first preseason game against Arizona. What really caught my attention was that the Chargers signed ex-Seahawk TE Je'Ron Hamm after that game. I'm not sure why they would sign Hamm, who is on the small size for a TE and doesn't have anything that stands out in his resume. Up until they signed Hamm I though Green and Culkin would be the only TEs. Now I'm not sure what the Chargers are trying to do.
Who will be the backup QB?
I was rooting for Cardale Jones and wasn't a fan of Geno Smith. Word out of camp is that the competition is "neck-and-neck," but after watching 2 preseason games it's obvious that it's Smith position to lose. The eye test tells me Smith has more command of the offense. He's more decisive and is more accurate. Jones should have had the advantage since he came to the Chargers last season, but it's obvious to me that, right now, Smith is the better QB.
How are the young guns doing?
The Mike Williams hype was growing in camp. Reports were streaming in about Williams standing out in practice. Head Coach Anthony Lynn even added to the hype, saying that Williams size reminded him of Terrell Owens. In the annual Blue-White game (an inter-squad scrimmage) Williams caught two impressive TDs. But that's practice. "Practice?!" (Okay, I was tempted but won't do it :-D). When the fake real (read preseason) games started Williams had a ho-hum 2 catch 16 yard performance in Game 1. Then he showed why he was drafted 7th overall last year in Game 2. Still over hyped, but with Keenan Allen drawing the #1 CB and Tyrell Williams/Travis Benjamin attracting safety attention with their speed, Mike Williams will have a lot of changes to duplicate this highlight.
Last year's 2nd round draft pick, OL Forrest Lamp still isn't 100%. Lamp suffered a season ending ACL tear last year and was released off the PUP list but still hasn't played in the preseason. Lamp is expected to take the RG spot occupied by Michael Schofield. IMO RT Barksdale is the weak link of the OL and Schofield played RT in 5 Games last season when Barksdale was injured. I would guess that Schofield would slide over to RT if Lamp is ready to play. Still the odds of Lamp starting in Week 1 lowers with each passing preseason game.
Are there any surprises?
There's the season ending injuries to Hunter Henry and CB Jason Verrett. Hunter was set for a breakout year with the release of Gates. Verrett's story is tragic. A Pro Bowl DB that had a season ending injury in Week 1 last year and now a season ending injury before playing a game. It's unfortunate, but it looks like another "he had the talent, but injury shortened his career" story.
Relatively unknown RB Detrez Newsome drew some attention in Game 1 versus Arizona showing good speed and quickness in catching 4 passes for 36 yards and also had a 37 yd TD run called back for holding. He followed that up with 19 carries for 78 yards against Seattle. Highly touted rookie Justin Jackson is nursing a hamstring injury and hasn't been in either preseason game. Newsome is making a strong case for making the team.
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