As phase three of camp starts, it signals the beginning of OTAs (off-season team activities), 7-on-7s, and 11-on-11s, which provides fandom some excitement and first looks at teams.
Our Weekly observed several aspects of last Tuesday’s practice, commencing with the rotation of the offensive line. On the left side, Jamaree Salyer slotted in as the left tackle, while rookie Branson Taylor and second-year lineman Karsen Barnhart split reps at left guard. On the right side, you had free agent signee Mechi Becton at guard and second-year starter Joe Alt at tackle.
With the way Coach Harbaugh ran the football last year; expect the right side to be his favorite side to go to. Bradley Bozeman manned the center spot in team drills for the entirety of practice, while Zion Johnson snapped to Herbert and other quarterbacks in the early portion of practice but did not partake in team sessions. The second-team offensive line consisted of Corey Stewart at left tackle, with Taylor at left guard, Andre James at center, Barnhart at right guard, and Tyler McLellan at right tackle.
During 7-on-7s, the duo of Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey picked up where they left off last season, making plays all over the place during the session. Herbert also found Jaylen Johnson on a sliding catch to move the sticks on third-and-8. Herbert then found Quentin Johnston for a first down on third-and-7.
The second-team offense then took the field, with Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance splitting reps. Heinicke hit first-down completions to Brenden Rice and Tre’ Harris before Lance found Johnston for a first down. Lance’s final pass was complete but short of the sticks.
The defense wasn’t a slouch either, as they continued to see the ball get away as LB Denzel Perryman grabbed an interception on the first play of 7-on-7s. The veteran linebacker raced the other way and likely would have scored on a roughly 20-yard return in live action. Rookie defensive backs Jaylen Jones and Trikweze Bridges also had interceptions in team drills for the defense.
A season ago, the Chargers’ defense ranked first in the NFL by allowing just 17.7 points per game. Turnovers were a key ingredient for that success, as the unit notched 21 total takeaways.