2024-08-05 03:28:02
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers’ revamped defense passed a big test in training camp on Sunday.
Jesse Minter’s team put in a strong performance during their joint training session with the Los Angeles Rams. That included five turnovers forced by the starters against Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense — three interceptions and two fumbles.
“The ball looked like a volleyball. He was moving all over the place,” safety Devin James said. “You can see, it’s real and we felt like our guys did a good job today of taking the ball out of their hands.”
Stafford was intercepted three times, including two by cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Christian Fulton. With the teams two minutes into the game, Samuel intercepted the ball in the back of the end zone during a red zone drill and the ball was deflected by linebacker Tuli Tupulotu.
Fulton, who signed in the offseason after four years at Tennessee, has become an asset on the defense in the first two weeks of training camp.
Minter, who spent two seasons as Michigan’s defensive coordinator before following Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers, is encouraged by what he’s seen.
“The results build confidence. That has started to ramp up over the last three or four days, where everyone is playing with confidence, trusting each other and starting to really understand route adjustments and other details,” Minter said. “Then when you get a chance to try against different opponents and different schemes, it’s definitely cool when you get the results. “
The defense was able to pressure the Rams in most practices. Three of the day’s interceptions came as a result of the ball initially deflecting at the line of scrimmage.
“A few times in this league they put their hands up at the free throw line and deflected the ball and they didn’t succeed,” Stafford said. “The defense we faced today is a very talented team. “It’s good for us to be able to see where we are. “
Linebacker Joey Bosa also took the ball away from Stafford, but he left late after practice with what appeared to be an injury to his left arm or wrist.
“We don’t want to be too proud of ourselves. There’s still more work to do, but we do feel good about chasing the ball. It’s definitely a boost for the future,” James said.
However, creating turnovers is a welcome sight. The Chargers had the fifth-fewest interceptions (34) and the fewest yards given up (356.4 yards per game) from 2021-2023 under former coach Brandon Staley. sixth.
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