COSTA MESA — Chargers rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. had no issue playing behind the team’s veterans to start training camp.
He gladly waited his turn to see the practice field during team drills because he embraced the challenge of earning a starting spot.
“I don’t want anything handed to me,” Samuel said. “I want to earn everything. That’s where the respect thing comes into play. If I get respect from my peers and teammates, then everything else will fall into place.”
It didn’t take long for the second-round pick from Florida State to see action against quarterback Justin Herbert. Samuel quickly settled in as a versatile cornerback playing next to Pro Bowlers Derwin James, Chris Harris Jr. and Joey Bosa in team drills.
Initially, Samuel was third in the rotation behind veterans Brandon Facyson and Tevaughn Campbell as the team’s second outside cornerback when in nickel defense. But for the second week of camp, Samuel is first in line and matching up against top wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
“Those are great receivers,” Samuel said about practicing against Allen and Williams. “They’ve been dominating the league for a long time. I just try to get as many reps as I can with them. I know that’ll make me better on Sundays going against other guys that aren’t as experienced.”
Rookie Asante Samuel Jr lined up against Keenan Allen #Chargers pic.twitter.com/Dyn4ZE82bj
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 7, 2021
Samuel said he’s comfortable playing slot and outside cornerback because he played those positions in high school and college. But the biggest adjustment has been learning the new formations from Chargers first-year coach Brandon Staley.
“I feel like everything is slowing down each day,” Samuel said. “I’m just trying to work on the fundamentals, specific techniques and coverages. Where I’m supposed to be and just make sure that everything is going well.”
Staley said he’s noticed Samuel’s confidence increasing in practices and has been impressed with his play against the Chargers’ top playmakers.
“I think that every time he goes out there, he gets more confident in his game,” Staley said. “He gets more confident in our scheme. His intangibles are a big asset for him. You can see those (intangibles) express themselves more with the more experience he gets.”
Samuel is making a strong case for being one of the Chargers’ top three cornerbacks next to Michael Davis and Harris.
SLATER’S DEVELOPMENT
Rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater has been itching to compete against edge rushers for two years because he opted out of his senior season at Northwestern.
He’s embraced the competition and held his own against the Chargers’ top edge rushers, including Bosa.
“It’s awesome,” Slater said about facing Bosa. “To be able to practice against him, with him being one of the best, if not the best (pass) rusher, it just helps me build my confidence. I know when he does some stuff, it’s stuff I’ve never seen before, sometimes. I know if I can build my technique and beat him, I can go against anybody.”
Slater has gotten the best of Bosa a few times in 1-on-1 drills and team drills. Slater said he doesn’t count his wins against the Pro Bowl edge rusher, but he does take notes about facing him.
“If something works, I definitely store it in my mind,” Slater said. “Just like, ‘OK, that was good technique. I can do that again.’ I know right now that camp is just all about improvement and feeling it out.”
Rookie LT Rashawn Slater on practicing against Joey Bosa: “I know if I can build my technique and beat him, I can go against anybody.” #Chargers pic.twitter.com/27oE6yKbb7
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 7, 2021
TOO CLOSE TO HERBERT
Bosa disrupted Herbert’s offense in the two-minute drill when he batted the ball away from Herbert, but defenders aren’t allowed to touch quarterbacks in practice.
Staley didn’t like Bosa getting that close to his starting quarterback, but he appreciated Bosa’s effort.
“I’m glad he was back there,” Staley said about Bosa’s strip sack. “Now, we have to make sure that he’s away from Justin. … (Outside linebackers coach) Jay Rodgers actually taught me something. When we were in Chicago, he said, ‘You can tell who the best rushers are because when they get back there, they’re looking for the football.’
“I was with Khalil (Mack). I was with Von (Miller). I was with AD (Aaron Donald). These guys that are the best in the world, when they get back there, it’s not about the sack, it’s about the ball. You can tell the guys that are used to being back there.”
SCRIMMAGE SUNDAY AT SOFI
The Chargers will move their training camp Sunday to SoFi Stadium for an intrasquad scrimmage. Staley said the scrimmage will be unscripted and will have the offense face the defense the full length of the field. Staley also plans to have two-minute and red-zone drills.
“We’re looking forward to competing in front of our fans,” Staley said. “It’s going to be game-like, though, from a pregame operation, then just an on-the-field game operation (and) halftime. It’s going to be our first game-like set up before we play in the preseason.”
OTHER CAMP NOTES …
Staley said he doesn’t expect wide receiver Tyron Johnson to participate in Sunday’s scrimmage. He’s missed every practice this week because of a foot and ankle issue. …
Facyson was absent from practice for the second consecutive day because of a family matter, according to Staley. …
The Chargers signed rookie cornerback KJ Sails and defensive tackle Chris Okoye. They now have 88 players on their roster. ..
Wide receiver Jalen Guyton returned to team drills Saturday, but right tackle Bryan Bulaga missed that portion because of veteran rest. …
Cornerback Ryan Smith and rookie defensive back Mark Webb didn’t practice Saturday.
“wow”
– @keenan13allen, literally pic.twitter.com/lxUUz2ag6V
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 7, 2021
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