5 Takeaways From Chargers' 27-10 Preseason Loss to Saints
The Chargers dropped their third and final preseason game 27-10 to the Saints Friday night at the Caesars Superdome.
Here are five takeaways from the Chargers' last preseason contest:
Trey Pipkins III looks to have won the starting right tackle job
Trey Pipkins III and Storm Norton have split the first-team reps at right tackle the first three weeks of training camp. But across the final three practices this week, Pipkins has taken all the reps with the first unit.
In the final preseason game, Pipkins received the start at right tackle and Norton at left tackle.
Head coach Brandon Staley was reluctant to name his starting right tackle when asked Thursday if he was ready to formally announce who's won the job. Perhaps, Staley wanted the competition to remain upbeat throughout the entirety of the preseason, but it's pretty clear that Pipkins will be the right tackle come Week 1 when the Chargers host the Raiders on Sept. 11.
Joshua Kelley continues to shine
After last week's struggles to run the ball against the Cowboys, third-year rusher Joshua Kelley took matters into his own hands Friday night, flashing in a big way with the ball in his hands.
Kelley carried the ball six times for 40 yards, including a long of 15 yards. Kelley spent the offseason making his strength training and nutrition a priority, coming into camp in top-notch shape, which has led to an improvement of his running ability.
“I thought that Josh gave us a spark tonight," head coach Brandon Staley said of Kelley after the game. "I thought that he created some things for us; that draw was a big one. ... I thought that he gave us some energy.”
On third-and-14, Kelley hurdled Saints safety Marcus Maye to pickup a first down. On the ensuing drive, the Chargers scored their only touchdown of the night with Larry Rountree punching it in with a goal-line run.
"If you go back to my archives at UCLA, in college, I did it quite a bit," Kelley said of his hurdle in the first half. "I had a lot of practice at it, that's why it kind of seemed a little bit natural. I tried to do my best. Shoutout to the offensive line; if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have gotten there.”
Saints starters were a lot for the Chargers' reserves to handle
The Chargers primarily trotted out second and third-string players for the final preseason game. But the Saints had other ideas, using a bulk of their starters for the first quarter.
That led to a pretty substantial talent gap between the two teams based on the players that were suited up and in the game.
The Saints' first two drives on offense resulted in a touchdown. The first series included a nine-play, 75-yard operation with Jameis Winston under center. The Saints following offensive possession they brought in Andy Dalton, who led a nine-play, 62-yard drive to pad their early lead.
Breiden Fehoko makes final push for a roster spot
The back end of the Chargers roster will present the coaching staff and front office personnel with tough decisions. One player who's made the most of his opportunities in camp and during preseason play, is third-year player Breiden Fehoko.
Known for his run-stuffing efforts, Fehoko logged a tackle for loss in the second quarter of Friday night's preseason loss. Fehoko finds himself in a position battle alongside veteran Christian Covington for the final interior defensive lineman spot.
“I think there is a lot to be decided here, especially at the back-half of our team. We have to make sure that we take a good, hard look at it," Staley said. "Then, we have to take a look at the rest of the NFL. That's what we're going to try and do, try to put our best group together.
"You also know that it's never over. It's a long season. But I like this football team. I think that we're a lot better football team than we were at the beginning of training camp."
Chase Daniel has efficient outing
Chase Daniel received the start at quarterback, playing the first two quarters before handing things over to Easton Stick for the second half.
Daniel was incredibly efficient throwing the ball, completing 10 of 11 passing attempts for 113 yards. He led two drives that resulted in points – one being the Rountree rushing touchdown and another coming in the form of a 51-yard field goal from kicker Dustin Hopkins.
"It was good to get some experience with the second O-line and second receivers against their starting defense," Daniel said after the game. "They're a really good defense. Went three-and-out the first time, and didn't really talk about that pick-stunt that they did. Then, we were able to have a 15-play touchdown drive against their ones. That was really cool."
Daniel figures to serve as the second-string quarterback, backing up Justin Herbert for the second consecutive season.
More from Charger Report
- Chargers' 53-Man Roster Projection: Who Makes the Team?
- Chargers Drop Preseason Finale 27-10 to Saints
- Live In-Game Blog: Chargers vs. Saints Preseason Finale
- Chargers HC Brandon Staley Pleased With CB Ja'Sir Taylor's Development as Training Camp Comes to a Close
- Chargers CB J.C. Jackson's Ankle Surgery to Fix Discomfort, Not a Structural Issue
Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Charger Report. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCothrel for more Chargers coverage.
