Los Angeles Rams v Los Angeles Chargers.
The LA Chargers’ second preseason game is in the books with a 9-13 loss to their SoFi Stadium landlords, the Los Angeles Rams. Once again, the main story of the game was Jesse Minter’s defense who was flying all over the place even with a significant number of starters sitting the game out.
While not a dominant game on defense, the squad may have bent, but they rarely broke giving up their lone touchdown with 9:48 left in the game. They held the Rams to just 13 points and forced an interception in the third quarter and a fumble in the fourth.
It seems like the Justin Herbert-less offense just can’t seem to catch a break. The play-calling was stronger, the run game was more effective (more on that below), the OL looked better (though rookie RT Joe Alt gave up a few penalties) but it just did not work for the quarterbacks.
First, there was Easton Stick, who played the entire first half, and finished the game 8/13 for 85 yards and no touchdowns. A marginal improvement after last week’s awful effort, but even when things were going right for Stick, he found ways to make a mistake.
On the team’s second offensive drive, Stick fumbled the snap on 3rd and goal, keeping the team out of the endzone. And later in the second, after throwing his best pass of the preseason to Simi Fehoko, a high pass to Fehoko led to a tip and an interception.
Last week’s QB hope, Luis Perez, was not much better, finishing 13 of 20 for only 78 yards and no touchdowns as the struggles of the Bolts’ backup quarterbacks continue.
With so many starters not playing the game, the time was ripe for players trying to make the roster shine under the lights. Here are 3 players whose stock is rising after week 2 of the pre-season.
3 Chargers whose stock is rising after preseason loss
1. Deane Leonard – Cornerback
If there was a true star on Saturday night, it was defensive back Deane Leonard who is trying to earn his place on the depth chart and may have done it after Week 2. His stats looked strong with pass deflections, but the dude was simply everywhere.
Following physical play after physical play, the strongest sign that the night belonged to Leonard came with 3:24 left in the third. A few plays prior, Leonard was caught unaware and gave up a big pass play setting up the Rams for a potential touchdown. But then Leonard was seemingly waiting for the Stetson Bennett pass on the fourth and goal play and came away with the interception.
Leonard really shined in his opportunity on Saturday and continues a strong training camp and preseason. He is beginning to look like a lock for the 53-man roster.
2. Kimani Vidal – Running back
In the battle for who will end up being third on the depth chart in the running back room, Kimani Vidal made quite the impression. During the team’s first preseason game, no running back really stood out, as the entire offense struggled. After missing the first preseason game, Vidal impressed on Saturday.
His first carry went for 12 yards and that was a sign of things to come. Bolts fans began to see flashes of what the rookie could be in the NFL after a much-hyped draft and a strong training camp. It was quite telling that Vidal got the start over Isaiah Spiller and Jaret Patterson. Vidal did not disappoint as he finished the game with 11 carries and 49 yards and 2 receptions for 8 yards.
With some already wondering if Vidal could become a key part of the offense during the regular season, Saturday will only continue to strengthen the hype train for Kimani heading into the final preseason game.
3. Thomas Harper – Safety
Like with Deane Leonard, safety Thomas Harper also had a strong night on Saturday as he tries to make the roster. The former Notre Dame undrafted free agent who is trying to make the 53-man roster ended the night with three tackles on three attempts as well as a pass deflection on a key 4th down-play in the first half that should have been an interception.
Harper has had a strong training camp which has really opened the eyes of the potential in Jesse Minter’s defense. And with Saturday’s good game, his progress should give Harper more of a focus this week heading into the final preseason game.
To make the roster, Harper will have to really impress next week in the preseason finale, but Saturday’s game shows promise. Thomas Harper may just yet be on that final roster when the Bolts open against the Raiders on September 8th.
After last week’s game where the positive news was the team’s defense, Saturday was more of the same. Deane Leonard really shined in a defense that had two turnovers (Leonard’s INT being the first) and the defense has yet to give up more than 16 points in a game.
The offense continues to struggle without quarterback Justin Herbert under center and there is no clear evidence of who will be Herbert’s backup when the season begins. But the team has got to figure that out and do it fast, Easton Stick is struggling mightily, and Luis Perez is not yet the answer.
But the offense did have stronger offensive line play and saw more from the run game, especially with Kimani Vidal. This offense is still without a touchdown in the preseason and that must be concerning. With the final preseason game coming next week which should serve as more of a dress rehearsal, questions remain for what this offense could look like in 2024