The Chargers were much more competitive this week against the Rams which allowed for more players to shine in what was their final audition for the team before final cuts on Sunday.
The starters looked good (outside of that butterfinger moment by Justin Herbert) and that 65-yard touchdown to Quentin Johnston was an excellent way to send out the preseason.
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For the last time before the regular season begins, here the best and worst performers for the Chargers against the Rams.
Offense
Best
WR Quentin Johnston – 95.0
RB Greg DesRosiers Jr. – 92.4
TE Charlie Kolar – 86.5
WR Gary Jennings – 80.1
C Josh Kaltenberger – 75.9
DesRosiers ran rampant with 118 carries on 118 yards on nine carries while adding another reception foro eight yards. He looked like a man possessed on his 34-yard touchdown run and it seemed like magic happened every time he touched the ball.
Jennings led the Chargers with three receptions against the Rams and finished with 44 yards. That would have led the team if it wasn’t for the aforementioned 65-yard strike to Johnston.
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Kaltenberger’s 87.1 run blcock grade was tops among all offensive linemen.
Worst
OT Laekin Vakalahi – 27.0
OG/T Alex Harkey – 44.6
QB Trey Lance – 47.1
QB Justin Herbert – 49.8
TE Oronde Gadsden II – 51.1
Vakalahi allowed the strip sack on D.J. Uiagalelei and finished with a literal 0.0 grade in pass blocking. It should be a near-impossibility to receive that grade while actively trying to block people, but here we are. Vakalahi has a long, long ways to go from the IPP to an active roster.
Harkey did not grade out much better with a 15.3 pass block grade. He was also called for a facemask penalty.
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Lance completed zero passes on two attempts, mainly defaulting to his legs when plays broke down. Herbert’s grade was sunk with the fumbled handoff.
Defense
Best
S Myles Purchase – 86.2
S Noah Avinger – 81.4
S Tony Jefferson – 81.4
EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 81.1
LB Daiyan Henley – 80.1
Purchase led the Chargers defense with a 81.4 coverage grade, the only player with a grade above 80.0 in that area. Avinger had top five grades in both tackling (78.2) and coverage (76.4).
Tuipulotu had one of the best pass rushes of the night when he bull-rushed a left tackle into the lap of Ty Simpson to force an incompletion.
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Henley’s torpedo tackle for loss was also one of the highlights of the game.
Worst
DT Jacob Guillory II – 34.4
CB Nikko Reed – 38.3
EDGE Nadame Tucker – 45.3
CB Cam Hart – 53.1
LB Emany Johnson – 54.5
Reed’s grade was killed by allowing a touchdown pass to wideout Brennan Presley. His 44.7 was second worst on the team behind Emany Johnson’s 39.7.
Tucker was flagged for offsides and his tackling grade of 24.6 was the worst on the defense. His 44.7 in run defense was also third worst.
Johnson’s grade was dragged down by his coverage grade as he allowed all three targets his way to be completed.
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