I’m thrilled to share that today is my first day as an NFL staff writer for
@SInow
,
@theMMQB
. I have many emotions because it’s been a long road to get to this point, but dreams come true 🇲🇽🇺🇸🍻
Derwin James: “We wanted to do it for our fans. A lot of people say we ain’t got no fans, but you know, we heard them … This one was for our fans.”
#Chargers
Matthew Stafford on the toughness Justin Herbert displayed last week: "I was watching that game with my wife and she was like, 'Somebody get him out of there.' And I was like, 'He ain’t coming out.' ... Felt for him in the moment, but was really a fan from afar."
#Rams
#Chargers
Justin Herbert donated $25,000 to the LA Regional Food Bank. This funding will allow them to distribute 100,000 meals throughout Los Angeles County to benefit children and families this holiday season
#Chargers
#Chargers
WR Mike Williams, who’s scheduled to be a free agent, on possibly returning to the team: “I would like to. I don’t like changes. … I have lifelong friendships here.”
Keenan Allen said Justin Herbert was hanging his head in the locker room after the loss. Allen said he shouldn't because he’s been playing lights out. “We just haven’t been able to get the win for him. It’s tough but it’s part of the business. But he gotta keep going.”
#Chargers
Derwin James on his support for Brandon Staley’s decisions on the field: “Man, we got his back. That’s my coach. We support all his decisions.”
#Chargers
Justin Herbert on Cam Heyward’s punches: "I haven’t really seen it. He’s a tough player. Football is an emotional game. Whatever happened, happened in the game. We’ll shake hands and say, ‘Good game,’ after the game.”
#Chargers
Melvin Gordon said he had a terrible experience playing at the temporary venue for three seasons: "I caught myself trying to pump up the crowd today after I scored. Realized it was all black jerseys. I was like ‘Man, it’s not a home game.’"
#Chargers
Chargers left tackle Russell Okung is going to miss playing at the Oakland Coliseum. He'll never forget the odor from the crowd: "You go in there and it smells like straight weed, so there’s no place like it."
Keenan Allen was asked about the Chiefs’ busy offseason with departures and additions. “It was brought up today in the locker room. We just looked at their DB group and I’ll just leave it at that.”
Joey Bosa is tired of missed opportunities: "I’m not asking you to do a cartwheel and then backflip and pick it off between your legs with one arm and then moonwalk into the end zone or some sh*t. If the ball is thrown at you, you gotta make plays.”
#Chargers
Hunter Henry on Herbert: "The kid is a stud. Great player. I just hate for him ... he still hasn’t gotten his first win as a starter, but the kid is playing out of his mind. ... We all need to be better for him. Pick him up because he’s playing really, really good.”
#Chargers
Joey Bosa said his brother Nick Bosa is staying with him during his knee rehab. His parents are also around to help Nick. “It’s nice having them around. They’re keeping the place tighty for me and food constantly running. I can’t complain.”
#Chargers
Keenan Allen with the spot-on summary: “Sh*t, it’s been like this since I’ve been here. Pretty much the last eight years we lose a lot of close games. When we do have the lead, we still losing.”
#Chargers
Mike Pouncey said he asked his agent to approach the Chargers about an extension. Was advised that he’ll make more money as a free agent. It didn’t mater because he has a “sh*t ton of money”
#Chargers
Mike Williams said being with Justin Herbert was a big part of why he wanted to stay with the
#Chargers
: “Just to be with a quarterback who’s a franchise quarterback and who’s able to get me the ball, that was huge."
#Chargers
HC Brandon Staley on pending free agent Uchenna Nwosu: "I think he really fits us. And I felt like he was able to express his full talents in our system. Hopefully, we'll be able to continue to work with him."
#Chargers
WR Mike Williams’ early scouting report on the Dallas Cowboys’ defense: "Tampa Bay receivers looked like they was having some fun out there."
Lamar Jackson on Justin Herbert: “We don’t want to hype him up too bad this week. But he’s definitely been balling out – balling out of control.”
#Chargers
This is not easy to say but my time as a Chargers beat reporter has ended. I enjoyed my four years covering the team. Thank you Chargers fans and anyone who supported my work. Created many memories with a playoff run, some rocky seasons, Rivers goodbye and the rise of Herbert
Brandon Staley: "If Derwin James was just doing two jobs out of five, it would be easier for him and you may see more production from him. But it wouldn't be as good for our team. Him playing five roles for us helps us be the best defense…and that's why he’s amazing.”
#Chargers
Keenan Allen said he expects the crowd to be 50-50 with
#Chargers
and
#Raiders
fans at SoFi Stadium Monday night: "They travel good, but we’ve been winning. Obviously, we got 10 (Herbert). I’m pretty sure they’ll be in the building.”
#LVvsLAC
Derwin James, who has one year left on his rookie deal, on his contract situation: "Whenever that takes care of itself, it will take care of itself. My job right now is to help guys like Khalil Mack, JT Woods get up to speed.”
#Chargers
Austin Ekeler said he was surprised to get a run play after the Hail Mary: "I actually was. We needed to throw the ball there just to make sure it’s either a touchdown or an incompletion just to stop the clock.”
#Chargers
So this Bills-Colts playoff game is must-watch for
#Chargers
fans tomorrow morning. Brian Daboll vs. Matt Eberflus. And Philip Rivers throwing the pigskin. Drop a Rivers gif here like old times
Mike Williams on building chemistry with Justin Herbert: "I just told him trust me. That’s the main thing I tell him every day. ‘Trust me, bro. It may not look sweet, just throw it up. I’ll go get it.'”
#Chargers
#Chargers
QB Justin Herbert was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He had 317 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 2-point catch and 1 tackle against Bengals
From
#Chargers
press release on new uniforms: "Ultimately, when you have the best uniform in sports, the goal is not to reinvent the wheel with wild new design. You evolve it. You simplify it. You take what people love about it, and you make it even better."
Keenan Allen on why Justin Herbert should be a Pro Bowler: “He’s the motha(bleep) MVP. He’s balling. He going crazy.” … The perfect endorsement 😂
#Chargers
Joey Bosa with hope for the future: "We’re so close. We have great players. … I think with Herbie back there, getting Derwin back and maybe drafting some good players we could still be a really, really good team.”
#Chargers
#Chargers
CB Michael Davis was raised by a single mother from Mexico. Yesterday, he told her he’s signing a three-year deal that includes $15 million guaranteed: "She cried. She’s very happy because she knows we’ve been through a lot."
Chris Harris Jr. on not having Derwin James on the field to defend Travis Kelce: "DJ was in and out the game. He tried to fight for us as much as he could. He just needed rest. You put DJ on Kelce, what do y’all think is going to happen? Different game next time.”
#Chargers
TE Hunter Henry said he keeps track of what Philip Rivers is doing with the Colts: "Definitely keep up with Phil and happy to see him having some success. … Me and Phil grew pretty close over my four years with him.”
#Chargers
Austin Ekeler on Justin Herbert: "He had a couple situations where he literally changed the entire play and ended it up making it work. That’s starting to give me some confidence saying that this guy knows what he’s doing.”
#Chargers
CB Asante Samuel Jr. on his role with the team after the additions of J.C. Jackson and Bryce Callahan: "I’m just going to leave it up to the coaches. Whatever we have to do to win the game, that’s what I’ll do.”
#Chargers
Rashawn Slater said a lot of his rookie film made him cringe. He was a starting left tackle at the Pro Bowl. He’s setting the bar high for Year 2
#Chargers
Justin Herbert was voted
#Chargers
MVP for 2020 season by
@PFWAwriters
. Hunter Henry got the Good Guy award for making beat reporters’ jobs easier. Well deserved for both
Raiders coach Jon Gruden was asked about Philip Rivers today on a conference call: "If you don’t like Philip Rivers as your quarterback, you got a screw loose if you ask me. I think he’s a great player."
#Chargers
Joey Bosa said he really got into anime in the past year and a half. He got Emeke Egbule into Attack on Titan. Bosa joked he’s having a watch party for the new season Monday
#Chargers
I asked Marshawn Lynch if he wants to play in Las Vegas in 2020: “I don’t think I got in me (to play that long)”
I followed with, “you looked good on that 60-yard run.”
Lynch: “That’s about all I had left. ... So don’t draft me in fantasy.”
@MoneyLynch
Did y'all listen to the Nick Hardwick podcast? Philip Rivers said he spoke to Spanos and he WILL RETIRE a Charger in mid March...we all kinda knew it but it's AWESOME to hear it!! I miss you my beautiful man and my heart LOVES you forever and EVER!! 💙🤠💙1️⃣7️⃣😍
#Chargers
QB Justin Herbert was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. He has an AFC-best 30 passing touchdowns this season