Easton Stick shows promise, special teams struggle in Chargers’ loss to Cowboys

Not even two minutes into the sport Saturday evening, Easton Stick had thrown an interception.

However Stick recovered rapidly and impressively, finishing eight of his subsequent 10 makes an attempt and main the Chargers to a area aim and landing on their subsequent two possessions.

Vying with Chase Daniel for the job backing up Justin Herbert, Stick was one of many early highlights within the Chargers’ 32-18 preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium.

The early lowlights for the house workforce included two particular groups touchdowns surrendered. The Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin returned a first-quarter kickoff 98 yards and a second-quarter punt 86 yards for scores.

Particular groups has been a problem the previous few seasons, notably for the Chargers, who once more held out most of their starters.

SoFi Stadium had a notable glitch because the scoreboards weren’t functioning firstly of the sport. The huge overhead video board remained darkish all through the primary half.

One other early spotlight for the Chargers was the trouble of Joshua Palmer, the workforce’s No. 3 broad receiver. Coming into his second season, Palmer made a pleasant catch over cornerback Nahshon Wright for a 41-yard acquire after which scored on an 18-yard display screen.

The landing got here on the Chargers’ third collection, a 12-play march throughout which Stick hit Jalen Guyton to transform one third down and Jason Moore Jr. to transform one other.

Then, on third and 13, Stick saved the drive going by scrambling for 25 yards.

Stick’s evening soured a bit late within the first half when he fumbled on a sack, resulting in a Dallas landing because the Cowboys opened a 29-10 lead after two quarters.

Within the Chargers’ proper deal with competitors, Storm Norton began and performed the primary two collection earlier than being changed by Trey Pipkins III.

Coming into Saturday, the Chargers had not publicly decided on the place.

“We’re going to proceed to guage it till we really feel like we’re prepared,” coach Brandon Staley stated Thursday. “However I’ll let you know that each of them are improved soccer gamers, and I’m actually pleased with the way in which they’ve improved.”

Norton has began 18 of the 24 NFL video games by which he has appeared. Fifteen of these begins got here at proper deal with final season. Pipkins has 10 begins in 38 appearances over his first three seasons.

Chargers quarterback Easton Stick arms off to working again Larry Rountree III in opposition to the Cowboys.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Instances)

The Chargers coaches have persistently expressed confidence in each gamers and the concept the offense can be improved at proper deal with both method.

“I feel we’re going to finish up being so much higher there, no matter who wins that place,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi stated early in camp. “I feel that we’re going to really feel actual good in regards to the depth, as effectively.”

The Chargers’ beginning offensive entrance, together with Norton and Pipkins rotating at proper deal with, struggled early in joint practices with Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday earlier than displaying enchancment.

Norton was a a lot better run blocker than go blocker final yr, in line with Professional Soccer Focus. Primarily based on PFF’s analysis, just one NFL deal with gave up extra sacks and pressures final season than Norton did.

Pipkins was a third-round draft decide in 2019, taken as a longer-term venture out of Sioux Falls. He has proven potential however has lacked steadiness to his sport, one thing Lombardi stated is bettering.

“I haven’t seen a few of the dips perhaps that we noticed final yr in his efficiency,” Lombardi stated. “Simply lots of consistency. He’s a proficient man and he’s been taking part in extra such as you’d count on from him thus far in camp.”

The Chargers additionally try to establish a second working again to enrich Austin Ekeler.

Joshua Kelley began Saturday, with Larry Rountree III coming in for the second collection and Isaiah Spiller making his first offensive look on the opening play of the second quarter.

Dallas Cowboys defensive finish Mike Tafua sacks Chargers quarterback Chase Daniel within the fourth quarter.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Instances)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph tackles Chargers broad receiver Jason Moore Jr. throughout the first quarter Saturday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Instances)

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The analysis of the working backs gained’t merely be totaling the yards gained. It is going to be extra nuanced, factoring in minor particulars and contemplating the context of every play.

Towards the Rams final weekend, Staley famous how Kelley transformed a 3rd and 6 on a check-down go and the way Spiller maximized a pair runs in heavy site visitors.

Staley additionally praised Rountree’s toughness on one run that netted extra yards than may need been anticipated.

“Larry had a very good contact run … the place it was form of mano a mano within the gap,” Staley stated, “and he makes contact and falls ahead two-and-a-half, three extra yards.”

The Chargers will return to observe Monday at their coaching facility in Costa Mesa to organize for his or her preseason finale Friday in New Orleans.

The deadline for the subsequent spherical of roster cuts is Tuesday, when the NFL mandates that groups transfer from 85 to 80 gamers. The 53-man rosters are due Aug. 30.

The Chargers’ regular-season opener is scheduled to kick off at 1:25 p.m. Sept. 11 in opposition to Las Vegas at SoFi Stadium.