COSTA MESA — Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa couldn’t provide a detailed assessment of the team’s prized rookie left tackle, Rashawn Slater, because he had only one pass-rush attempt when he spoke to reporters two days into training camp last week.
Three practices later, the Pro Bowl defender and the first-round pick have had a handful of battles, but no collision was bigger than when they met Monday for 1-on-1 drills.
Bosa lined up on the right edge and charged at Slater, but Bosa didn’t get far. Slater used his quick feet to gain control after giving away a few feet of space to Bosa. Slater then finished the play with his upper body strength to control the star edge rusher.
Slater, the 13th overall draft pick, likely gained plenty of respect from the Chargers’ defensive line because he got the best of Bosa, Kyler Fackrell and Uchenna Nwosu twice during four 1-on-1 drills.
“Any time you can measure yourself against real NFL players, I think you get a much stronger sense of where you’re at,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said about Slater facing the Chargers’ top edge rushers. “But the thing I love about Rashawn is he’s a competitor and he’s been very fun to coach that way.”
Slater was knocked by draft critics for his lack of size as an offensive tackle, and some thought he would do better as an offensive guard, but many raved about his polished skills. Those skills were on display versus Bosa, who had the size advantage. Slater’s tenacity as a technician helped him keep pace with one of the best edge rushers in the NFL.
“I think he can handle it mentally, the way we want to play,” Staley said about Slater. “I just think from a mental standpoint, this guy’s about as sharp as you could hope for on the offensive line. You know, kind of maturity beyond his years.
“I think physically, you see the movement, you see the strength. … Now what he’s got to do is he has to translate his game to blocking Joey Bosa and understanding there’s a big game within a game and blocking different players and understanding how to use your skill sets against somebody else and then how to work with your teammate.”
KICKER BATTLE KICKS OFF
The three-way competition for starting kicker officially began Monday with the first field-goal attempts of the summer.
Michael Badgley and Tristan Vizcaino both went a perfect 5 of 5 on their field-goal attempts. Undrafted rookie Alex Kessman didn’t receive a field-goal attempt.
Badgley went first and made field goals from 35, 35, 55, 49 and 52 yards. Vizcaino followed with made field goals from 33, 41, 45, 49 and 52 yards.
The Chargers added Vizcaino and Kessman this offseason to push Badgley, who struggled with field goals past 45 yards last season. Badgley also missed a handful of kicks with the game on the line.
Vizcaino went 3 of 3 on field-goal attempts and 2 of 2 on extra-point attempts last season with the San Francisco 49ers. Kessman made 69 of 96 field-goal attempts in four seasons with the University of Pittsburgh.
WEBB CONTINUES IMPRESSIVE CAMP
Rookie Mark Webb gained the coaching staff’s attention with his versatility as a defensive back who can play safety and cornerback. He’s now making the most of opportunities by being a playmaker on the field.
Webb, this year’s seventh-round pick from Georgia, picked off Chase Daniel during 11-on-11 team drills to record his second interception of training camp.
“I’m encouraged by his performance, not satisfied yet,” Staley said about Webb. “He’s still brand new, but I think he’s flashed that he belongs on the NFL field. I think just if you just look at him, he looks like he belongs on the NFL field. And then we’re trying to train him at three different positions. He’s handled it mentally. And we’re putting a lot on him because we expect a lot from him.”
MISCOMMUNICATION WITH NFL
The Chargers had a mixup with the league during their first day with pads. Players removed their pads halfway through practice because the NFL prohibited teams from practicing with pads on six days into training camp.
The team informed the league days in advance of their plans of having a padded practice Monday, but were informed during practice they had started in pads early. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said he took full responsibility for the miscommunication. The NFL could later remove a padded practice from the team.
“Kind of a miscommunication with the league,” Staley said. “But we were in compliance. They (league representatives) were here and we just kind of took them off and they kind of finished the practice. So, our guys did good, did very good with this sudden change and we were able to finish practice well.”
OTHER CAMP NOTES …
Wide receiver Tyron Johnson didn’t participate in Monday’s practice. Staley said Johnson landed awkwardly on his foot and ankle after one of his catches during Saturday’s practice. “Nothing long term to be worried about,” Staley said. “Just wanted to make sure that he kind of stays on track, and he had some swelling. So, we just want to be careful with him, but nothing long term.” …
Second-year safety Alohi Gilman had one of three interceptions for the defense Monday. Gilman’s takeaway was against Justin Herbert, who later threw a second interception to defensive back Kemon Hall. The defense got the best of the offense for the first padded practice. …
Safety Derwin James appeared to be at full strength after launching himself at running back Justin Jackson to complete a ferocious tackle. James missed all of last season with a knee injury. …
On Sunday, the Chargers added a fourth quarterback after signing K.J. Costello to the roster. The Santa Margarita High product went undrafted this year after spending three seasons at Stanford and one year at Mississippi State to end his collegiate career.
#Chargers beat reporters watching Rashawn Slater beat Joey Bosa in 1-on-1 drills @RealFRamirez, @danielrpopper pic.twitter.com/e3hXG88NfK
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 2, 2021
Derwin James just lit up Justin Jackson. First big hit of padded practices #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 2, 2021
Michael Badgley and Tristan Vizcaino both went 5/5 on their FG attempts today #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 2, 2021
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