https://theathletic.com/3455403/2022/07/27/chargers-derwin-james-training-camp/

By Daniel Popper
July 27, 2022

Some excerpts:

Derwin James holding in

Star safety Derwin James did not participate in Wednesday’s practice,
and coach Brandon Staley revealed afterward that James is sitting out
because of contract negotiations.

James is on the final year of his rookie deal — the fifth-year team
option the Chargers exercised last year. James wants a long-term
extension. The Chargers want to sign James to that long-term extension.
It is about the sides settling on a number, as it has been all
offseason, and James is going to stay out of training camp practices
until that agreement is reached.

James was on the field for walkthroughs at the start of the practice and
is also lifting and working out with the team, but he will not
participate in practice until he receives the extension. He did not have
his helmet with him Wednesday and looked on from the sideline, giving
pointers to his teammates.

“We’re working through his contract situation,” Staley said, “so just
making sure that gets situated here.”

Staley said the Chargers and James are close to finalizing a deal. So
expect this to get done soon. James is essential to the defense and
team. The Chargers need him on the field. And, with the way he played
last season, James has earned a top-of-the-market extension.

To become the highest-paid safety in the league in terms of average
annual value, James would need to sign a four-year, $73.2 million
contract or a five-year, $91.5 million contract. Those deals would give
him a slight edge over the Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick, who signed his
four-year extension in June. I think those are the minimum deals James
would agree to. The five-year deal would likely provide additional security.

Right tackle competition begins

The most important position battle in Chargers training camp this year
is at right tackle. Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins III are the two
players competing for that starting job, and they split first-team reps
in Wednesday’s practice.

During 11-on-11, Norton was the first right tackle on the field with
Justin Herbert and the first-team offense. Rashawn Slater was at left
tackle, Matt Feiler at left guard, Corey Linsley at center and rookie
Zion Johnson at right guard. Norton got the first three reps with the
first team before Pipkins replaced him for the next three reps. It was
the same rotation for the second 11-on-11 period. Norton and Pipkins
also split reps with the second-team offense, each receiving two in
front of backup quarterback Chase Daniel. Norton went first and Pipkins
second in this rotation, as well.

The true evaluation for Norton and Pipkins will begin when the pads come
on for the first time Monday. Staley said Wednesday was a good
indication of how the reps will be split between Norton and Pipkins
during camp. He added that “consistency in performance and being a
complete tackle — run game, pass game” will decide the battle.

News and notes

• Inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. is starting training camp on the
physically unable to perform list. He underwent ankle surgery in the
spring and is not yet ready to practice. He worked off to the side with
trainers Wednesday. Staley did not want to put a timetable on Murray’s
return, but said Murray would be “practicing at some point in the next
four to six weeks.”

Murray’s 2021 season was derailed by an ankle injury. He has not been
able to stay on the field during his first two NFL seasons. When asked
how much the missed time this camp will affect Murray’s role, Staley
said: “It remains to be seen. That will be up to Kenneth, how much he is
able to take what he knows, obviously in the classroom and then the
walkthroughs, and then being able to translate it to the football field.
But I know he’s working hard and he’s got a good mindset.”

• With Murray out, Van Noy is getting all of his reps at inside
linebacker. He was at that spot next to Tranquill in walkthroughs. He
worked with the inside linebackers during individual drills. And when
the Chargers went through a special teams period, Van Noy was working
one-on-one off to the side with inside linebackers coach Michael
Wilhoite, walking through some positioning specifics with cones.

• Staley prioritizes flexibility in the secondary, and that was evident
Wednesday. Asante Samuel Jr. started on the outside with the first-team
defense opposite Jackson, with Callahan in the slot. But in other
formations and packages, Callahan was on the outside and Samuel was in
the slot. Rookie Ja’Sir Taylor took reps on the outside and in the slot,
as well, all with the second and third team.

• Michael Davis is pretty clearly the fourth cornerback on the depth
chart behind Jackson, Samuel and Callahan. He is going to have to earn
his way back into playing time. He had one rep of really tight coverage
on Guyton during seven-on-seven.

• Gabe Nabers and Horvath are in a position battle for the fullback
spot. Nabers was working with the first team Wednesday. But this will
largely come down to special teams production. We will see how both
players fare when the pads come on, and in preseason games.

• The battle for a second running back spot is an open competition among
rookie Isaiah Spiller, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III. Kelley got
more run than I expected with the first team in this practice. But it is
very, very early, and it is difficult to evaluate running backs without
pads on. Much more to come on this. “I’m excited to see that competition
take shape,” Staley said. Spiller had the best run of the day in
11-on-11, surging through a huge hole on the left side while working
with the third-team offense.