The Chargers open their first training camp in their new headquarters in El Segundo on Wednesday morning with a new coach, a new general manager, new coaching and training staffs and new players at a number of important positions amid heightened expectations.
Funny what a gleaming new practice facility coupled with the hiring of renowned coach Jim Harbaugh will do for a franchise that was unhappy about last season’s 5-12 record and last-place standing in the AFC West, and was determined to do something about it.
It’s safe to say the Chargers made massive investments in the offseason, and now it’s time to see if their handiwork has paid dividends. Here’s a look at four storylines worth monitoring as the Chargers open training camp this week at The Bolt, their new, $250-million, state-of-the-art facility:
RUNNING START
Harbaugh, general manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman each spoke at great length in the spring about the need to establish an effective running game, something the Chargers lacked in recent seasons. Austin Ekeler departed via free agency, and J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards signed as free agents.
In addition, Kimani Vidal was drafted in the sixth round from Troy.
Now, don’t expect the Chargers to turn into a team that stays earthbound. After all, they do have the strong arm of quarterback Justin Herbert to rely on from Sunday to Sunday. The plot twist is that by running productively, the Chargers can mix it up more efficiently and take some pressure off Herbert.
The Chargers might run more than pass in some games.
Other games they might pass more than they run.
Will it work? Stay tuned.
ALT’S ARRIVAL
Harbaugh and Hortiz could have picked a skillful wide receiver or a sure-handed tight end with the fifth overall pick in the draft. Instead, they selected mammoth offensive lineman Joe Alt with their first-round pick. Alt, listed at 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, moved grown men like chess pieces while at Notre Dame.
Alt could supplant Trey Pipkins III at right tackle if his training camp goes as well as his spring practices did, which could be great news as the Chargers’ try to revive a ground game that has lacked spark since LaDainian Thomlinson ran amok when the team was based in San Diego.
That’s a lot of responsibility to lump onto the shoulders of a 21-year-old rookie, but Harbaugh and Hortiz expect the best from Alt. They wouldn’t have rolled the dice and selected a mountain of a man to play on the line if they didn’t have faith they could establish a credible ground game.
JOB OPENINGS
Herbert’s top targets, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, are no longer available to him. Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears and Williams was released in a pair of cost-cutting moves in March, the better for the Chargers to address needs at other positions while staying under the salary cap.
So, who replaces Allen and Williams?
No one, is the short answer. The Chargers don’t have anyone on the roster with the experience and skills of Allen and Williams, so they’ll turn to a rotating cast of replacements that could include Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis and Ladd McConkey, a second-round draft pick from Georgia.
Palmer is the most experienced of the group. Johnston had a rough rookie season. Davis was an excellent punt and kickoff returner as a rookie. McConkey is an intriguing addition, showing himself to be a sound route runner with sticky fingers during spring practices.
There’s lots to be sorted out at this position.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman nailed down the top safety positions some time ago, and there’s zero reason to expect they won’t be there when the Chargers’ starting lineups are announced before their season-opening game Sept. 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium.
The cornerback spot is another question all together.
Well, one of them, anyway.
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Asante Samuel Jr. probably has one spot locked up, but the other one and the depth players beyond him are open for competition. Michael Davis departed as a free agent. Kristian Fulton, a free agent, could nab one spot. Draft picks Cam Hart (Notre Dame) and Tarheeb Still (Maryland) could be in the mix, too.
There are other positions on defense that must be sorted out over the five weeks of training camp under the relentless Southern California sun, including defensive line and inside linebacker. But nothing jumps out as more important than settling the positions in the secondary beyond James, Gilman and Samuel.
