From The Podium | James, Mack Leading the Way for Bolts Defense as Los Angeles Chargers

Defensive veterans main the charge
The Chargers took the sector on Thursday as they retain arrangements for the Seahawks.

The tale of Week 6 for the Bolts become the 2d-1/2 of protection, as they close down the Broncos and held them to most effective 3 factors withinside the very last durations and overtime. The unit additionally held Denver to a season-low 258 general yards.

With a large overhaul of the protection withinside the offseason, they have got had their honest proportion of flashes via the primary six weeks of the season.

Safety Derwin James, Jr. has persevered his high-degree of play that the crew has grown accustomed to, as he leads the crew in general tackles (55) and has brought a couple of sacks as well. Whether it`s near the road of scrimmage or gambling deep, James has been a pressure anywhere he’s on the sector.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack has additionally stepped up in a large way. Leading the crew in sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (7.0), Mack has made his presence recognised to opposing protecting strains and provide you with well timed plays.

“That’s what you assume out of your pinnacle players, to step up and carry out,” stated Chargers Defensive Coordinator Renaldo Hill. “Regardless of the situation, the ones men play at their best. That’s what you assume from the ones .”

Viewed as leaders at the protecting side, their play has increased every person else round them.

“We’re going to preserve rallying in the back of the ones men and try and take a few strain off of them, however we realize that they are going to preserve growing to the occasion, as well,” Hill stated.

While James and Mack have made loud influences at the protecting side, any other veteran, Kyle Van Noy, has furnished a variety of fee for this crew as well.

Lining up at linebacker and additionally dashing the passer at the edge, Van Noy has proven his versatility everywhere in the discipline, specially with out of doors linebacker Joey Bosa out with a groin damage. The crew has been capable of plug in Van Noy at exceptional spots — some thing Hill says will retain to show up that allows you to maximize what he can do.

“I assume that is a process, too. You realize which you have a man which could do a couple of matters and, for us, remains looking for that groove of in which he fits,” Hill stated. We realize that if an damage happens, he may be a plug-and-play man. We need so that you can spotlight the matters that he does, as well, being capable of explicit himself on 1/3 down, being capable of placed him in the back of the ball and be capable of plug him, together along with his size, and be capable of get off and become independent from blocks.”

“It’s nevertheless a regular process,” Hill later brought. “I assume that this is going to be some thing that we retain to discover in the course of the year, however we do realize that he can do all of these matters. Each week, we are continually going to study the gameplan and notice how we will assault the crew.”

Bertolet on stepping in for Hopkins again
Earlier withinside the week, Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley introduced that kicker Dustin Hopkins, who kicked the sport-prevailing discipline purpose in Week 6, might be out to 4 weeks with a hamstring strain.

In his vicinity, kicker Taylor Bertolet will function the crew’s kicker till Hopkins returns.

Sunday can be Bertolet’s 2d profession NFL sport, with the primary coming Week five towards the Browns in which he nailed all 3 of his discipline desires and further factors. Kicking towards Cleveland is some thing Bertolet stated gave him greater self assurance.

“It in reality offers you a few self assurance to realize you may pass right into a sport and carry out such as you do at the exercise discipline,” Bertolet stated. “Having a sport beneathneath my belt offers me a few self assurance for positive going into this subsequent sport.”

Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken spoke approximately Bertolet, including that it’s going to take a crew attempt to assist the brand new kicker.

“We’re searching ahead to him and I realize he is searching ahead to this possibility again,” Ficken stated. “As you realize, being in Cleveland, now no longer an clean vicinity to kick, so it is first-class to get that one beneathneath your belt.

“Now, we simply should pass in advance and rally in the back of him and do something we will to make certain we will get any other W this week,” Ficken brought.

Bertolet praised lengthy snapper Josh Harris and punter/holder JK Scott for making his activity simpler and alluring him. With the kicking operation being spot on, the transition has been simpler.

“It’s been great. They’ve been extraordinarily welcoming to me,” Bertolet stated. “I’m an intruder coming in seeking to assist our crew out so for them to welcome me right here has been extraordinarily beneficial for me and I assume our fulfillment on the sector.”