James returns for coach Staley’s first OTAs
COSTA MESA » Chargers coach Brandon Staley didn’t have his entire 90-man roster on the field Monday for the first day of organized team activities, but he still called it perfect attendance because every player has participated in the virtual meetings.
The large turnout for a voluntary workout in shorts could mean players want to impress the new coaching staff and they’re eager to return to the field after last year’s offseason program was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s so much better than Zoom,” said star wide receiver Keenan Allen, one of many veterans who practiced Monday.
Safety Derwin James likely didn’t need incentives to participate in OTAs after missing the entire 2020 season because of a torn meniscus. He was cleared last weekend to fully practice and there was no watching from the sidelines Monday as a safety precaution, a surprise for a player coming off back-to-back summers with injuries during training camp.
James roamed the field at multiple positions — as he did during his AllPro rookie season in 2018 — during 11-on-11 walkthrough plays.
“He’s cleared for full participation, which is a real credit to our sports performance team, his performance team and himself,” Staley said. “He looks great, he sounds great. One of his strengths as a football player is his leadership and energy that he gives everybody each and every day.”
James, who missed the first 11 games in 2019 because of a foot injury, said he prefers to practice as much as he can instead of playing it safe in OTAs and training camp to avoid another long-term injury.
“I need my practice,” said James, who’s heading into his fourth season. “I can’t sit up here and say I can just go out here and play a perfect game. I need my practice reps. I cannot play this game and not practice, so I need my reps. I can’t simulate a game on how I’m going to be able to make the tackle, so I need to be out there in practice to make the tackle, to make the play or show myself that I can put myself in position to make the plays that I know I can make.
“I’m not really looking at it as (trying to avoid injuries).
Of course, I can be smarter here and there, but I’m here to play football.”
At times, James worked the middle of the field next to linebackers Kenneth Murray and Drue Tranquill, providing a glimpse of what a Chargers defense could look like at full strength.
Tranquill missed most of the 2020 season because of an ankle injury he sustained in the first quarter of the opening game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“That’s amazing,” Allen said about seeing James on the practice field. “His energy, impact, and, obviously, his skills on the field will speak for themselves. Hopefully, he can stay out there with us this year.”
Staley makes good first impression
Allen, a four-time Pro Bowler, said he’s been impressed with Staley this offseason.
“I feel like we have a great staff,” Allen said. “I feel good about Coach Staley. I feel like he’s smart and he knows the game well. I love the way he talks. He talks with passion, energy and confidence. I’m excited.”
Allen said he expects offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi to run a similar offense from the previous coaching regime, but he noticed a few differences.
“It’s pretty much the same as we’ve had from years before, just different terminology and different coaching points, obviously,” Allen said. “Different way that they look at it and talk about it. I think it’s going to be better. It allows us to play more freely. We’re not so strict. They open us up a little bit, so it’s pretty good.”
Vaccine discussions
Getting players to vaccinate has been at the forefront of the NFL this offseason. Staley expressed his views on the topic.
“The NFL has sent out a lot of good information on the vaccine,” Staley said. “We’ve tried to have a lot of vaccine education here at our place, and at the same time, being respectful for everybody’s position. I think that this topic hits people differently. What we try to do is be respectful of everyone’s position and try to educate people the best way that we know how.
“That’s all that you can do. I think that the NFL is doing a good job of that. I know that our team is doing a good job of that. That’s where we’re at with that issue.”