Chargers coach Anthony Lynn seeing leaders step up in Philip Rivers’ absence




Chargers coach Anthony Lynn was asked a variety of player-evaluation questions, from their appearances to injury-progress updates to training-camp position battles.

Lynn didn’t have much to offer Wednesday because there hasn’t been much to see. The Chargers have been sporting hats, shorts and basketball shoes for the first week of practices with rookies and veterans.

“Like I said, right now we’re just in walk-through mode,” Lynn said in his Zoom news conference. “There’s not a whole lot you can do right now. If you can’t impress a coach in walk-through mode, we’re gonna get you the hell out of here.”

In other words, ask again in about two weeks when the acclimation period of training camp during a pandemic concludes.

There’s not much Lynn is currently seeking from his players besides conditioning and following coronavirus protocols. He’s just happy to see his players in person.

“We’ve been on Zoom so much that sometimes I forget this is the first time I’ve seen some of these guys since the draft,” Lynn said. “Some of these guys since last January. It’s been cool to see them face to face.”

For the first time since becoming the Chargers’ head coach in 2017, Lynn didn’t get to greet quarterback Philip Rivers at training camp. The longtime Charger now plays for coach Frank Reich with the Indianapolis Colts.

Lynn said he’s going to miss Rivers’ leadership, but he’s not searching for his replacement because he’s already getting veteran leadership from many players on the current 80-man roster.

“(Rivers has) been a longtime Charger and captain of this football team,” Lynn said, “but he’s been gone since January. That lets guys know he’s not here, so you have other players on the team that step up and try to fill that void and leadership. I’m watching it happen right now.

“We wish (Rivers) the best, and I know he’s gonna do well with Frank Reich in Indy.”

The Chargers lost most of their team captains from last season, including Rivers, linebacker Thomas Davis and nose tackle Brandon Mebane. They also didn’t return respected veterans in safety Adrian Phillips, running back Melvin Gordon and fullback Derek Watt.

The Chargers added plenty of leadership in the offseason with cornerback Chris Harris Jr., right tackle Bryan Bulaga, right guard Trai Turner and nose tackle Linval Joseph. All four have played in a Super Bowl.

They also return two 2019 team captains in defensive end Melvin Ingram and center Mike Pouncey.

Star safety Derwin James just celebrated his 24th birthday Monday, but he could be a candidate to be a team captain this season.

“His enthusiasm, it’s just contagious,” Lynn said about James. “People want to be around him and listen to him. Very rare for a young man to be that young and be the leader that he is.”


Anthony Lynn on Derwin James' leadership: "His enthusiasm, it’s just contagious. People want to be around him and listen to him. Very rare for a young man to be that young and be the leader that he is." Derwin turned 24 on Monday #Chargers

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 5, 2020



AVAILABLE BACKFIELD ROLES

Lynn doesn’t know how the camp battles will play out, but he did offer some assessments on the revamped offensive backfield.

With Gordon in Denver and Watt in Pittsburgh, the Chargers have available backfield roles, but one has already been filled. Austin Ekeler will replace Gordon as the lead back and is expected to be on the field often as a tandem player who excels as a pass-catcher.

The roles get murky after Ekeler.

Justin Jackson could be in line to be the No. 2, but Lynn said he needs to stay healthy and improve as a blocker, especially on third-down situations. The third-year running back has proved himself as a playmaker, but missed 11 games last season.

“(Jackson) could be key to the backfield,” Lynn said. “We’re gonna have to figure out a way to keep him healthy and keep him on the field, but when he’s on the field, he makes plays for us.”

Rookie running back Joshua Kelley could be in the mix for the No. 2 job, but Lynn said he’ll need to prove it on special teams. Kelley could have an advantage as the biggest back from the three and potentially fill Gordon’s short-yardage role.

“He can do things differently than the other two guys (Ekeler and Jackson),” Lynn said.

The battle to replace Watt at fullback could be an intriguing one between undrafted rookies Bobby Holly and Gabe Nabers.

Holly likely holds the strength advantage. The Louisiana Tech product posted a social-media video of himself pulling a pickup truck.

Nabers adds versatility as a former tight end at Florida State.

“Big shoes to fill right there now. Derek Watt was a savvy veteran,” Lynn said. “It’s going to be a learning curve for these young men for sure, but they both have the body type and skill to step into that role and help us this year. So it’s going to be a pretty good competition right there.”


Put FB Gabe Nabers on your radars for possibly undrafted rookies to make Chargers' 53-man roster. Lynn raved about the Florida State product and former TE: "Gabe, he looks really impressive. … If you’re picking teams, you pick Gabe. He looks pretty good." #Chargers

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 5, 2020



POTENTIAL SOFI STADIUM SCRIMMAGE

Lynn said he’s considering having an intrasquad scrimmage at SoFi Stadium.

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With the preseason canceled, Lynn wants his players to get familiar with their new home stadium, which likely won’t have any fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lynn said they had a practice scheduled there, but that was canceled for a reason he didn’t reveal. They had planned for players to get a tour of the new Inglewood stadium to see where they would park and dress.

“It’s the place where we’re gonna play on game day, so we might as well go down there and do it if we can make it happen,” Lynn said.

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