Eric Smith
Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco met with beat writers Monday upfront of the 2022 season.
Here are 5 takeaways from Telesco:
1. Playing the ready recreation
Telesco summed up the mindset of everybody across the NFL on Monday afternoon.
“I’m looking forward to playing a real game, there’s no doubt about that,” stated Telesco, who’s getting into his tenth season in his position.
He additionally expanded on what the mindset of a normal supervisor is throughout this level of the calendar 12 months.
Telesco stated that he is trying ahead to seeing how the Bolts carry out early within the season, noting that he can often get a gauge on a roster within the first month or so.
“You don’t know how it’s going to look,” Telesco stated. “And I hate hearing ‘that teams look good on paper.’ So, you don’t really know until you get into late September where you really are.
“But the roster isn’t set. You’re always both interested by it or transferring issues round … that is always happening,” Telesco added. “The remainder of it’s sort of working the ship and ensuring it is going straight forward. You do not actually know what you might have till you begin taking part in.”
As far as external pressure goes, Telesco said the NFL is a results-driven business and that he focuses on the same approach each autumn.
“As far as that, yearly is a distinct 12 months and yearly, the expectations are the identical. It’s a pressurized job it doesn’t matter what. That’s simply the best way it’s. I would not name it any further this 12 months, I imply I wish to win each single 12 months. It’s not like there’s any 12 months the place I used to be like ‘We had an honest workforce however in case you do not make it no massive deal’. We’re on this to win, it is how we preserve our jobs.”
2. A new-look defense
The Chargers have plenty of big-names on defense.
Some of them are returning players (Joey Bosa and Derwin James, Jr.), while others such as Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson and Sebastian Joseph-Day are new to the Bolts.
Count Telesco among the people who are interested to see how that unit fares in Week 1 against the Raiders.
“We’ve received plenty of new faces on protection,” Telesco said. “They’re practiced collectively however have not performed collectively but. On offense, there’s probably not plenty of adjustments, just a little extra identified amount there.
“But defense, yeah, the communication part of it, especially on the back end, is really important,” Telesco added. “Derwin has only had a couple weeks of practice, so that stuff still has to come together in the regular season.”
The Chargers signed James to a multi-year contract extension in mid-August, and he’ll be relied upon because the quarterback of the protection in his fifth season.
3. Praise for Pipkins, Norton
The battle at proper deal with betweem Trey Pipkins II and Storm Norton was determined final week, as Pipkins would be the starter to open the season.
Telesco had loads of reward for each gamers, and famous that Pipkins’ has had tangible development in recent times.
Pipkins has began eight video games over three seasons, together with two in the course of the 2021 season.
“Last year when he played, he played well, so that was encouraging,” Telesco stated. “He played well in those games, played well in the back end of the preseason last year. He’s continued to get better.
“And it is useful for us that we have nonetheless received Storm right here. It wasn’t like whoever did not win that job was going to be voted off the island and by no means coming again,” Telesco added. “Typically, you may want a 3rd deal with. A swing deal with. They’re extraordinarily arduous to search out. It’s virtually like a beginning spot. You can draft him early, and although he might not begin, you might want that man often.”
Norton started 15 total games a season ago, and has made 18 starts in his career.
“Really essential that we’ve got these two guys,” Telesco said. “Nice that Storm has a physique of labor and expertise as a result of it is robust and reliable.
“Trey has done a good job so far, so we’ll see how that rolls,” Telesco added. “I’m proud of Trey to come in and win the job and see how far he can take it.”
4. Beefing up the backfield
The Bolts gained depth and expertise of their backfield final week with the addition of Sony Michel.
The two-time Super Bowl winner stated he will work for no matter position he earns this season, a sentiment echoed by Telesco.
The Chargers GM stated Michel’s skillset shall be needed over the complete season. Plus, maintaining Larry Rountree III on the observe squad is a boon for the Bolts, too.
“Late in the game, you can certainly trust him,” Telesco stated of Michel. “But you can trust Austin Ekeler and other guys, too.
“He’s only a strong, well-rounded again,” Telesco added. “And it is higher that we did not lose Larry, as a result of we nonetheless assume he is received some future right here. Just makes it a a lot stronger group.”
5. Murray’s role in 2022
Telesco also offered some insight on linebacker Kenneth Murray, Jr., who began training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to an ankle injury.
But the linebacker has been back at practice since August 22, with Telesco noting that the former first-round pick could be back in a more traditional spot this season.
“Probably extra conventional linebacker than placing him out on the sting like we did [last season],” Telesco said. “He’s regarded actually good. For a man who missed a lot camp, I imply he ought to look recent as a result of he did not work at camp as a lot.
“But he looks fast, physical and moving around really well so that’s a positive,” Telesco added “He’s got to catch up a little bit but we’re hoping he does relatively quick.”
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