Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart eager to prove they can be stars in Chargers' secondary

Los Angeles Times

6 days ago

Tarheeb Still said his farewells and was ready to leave for a three-day weekend. On a Thursday this offseason, the second-year cornerback told Ben Herbert, the Chargers' executive director of player personnel, that he would 'see him Monday.'
A deep voice in the background suddenly changed Still's schedule.
'Why aren't you coming in tomorrow?' Khalil Mack asked the 22-year-old.
Motivated by Mack's example, Still is poised for a breakout season as he competes for a larger role in a stacked secondary group. The former fifth-round pick who started 12 games as a rookie has been working with the 34-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowl selection every Friday, picking Mack's brain on football and life.
No wonder why Still 'seems like he's a different person,' defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale said.
'I love when you see young players run towards great players, greatness and not the other direction,' Clinkscale said. 'It's awesome to mimic their habits and what they do, especially their good habits, and Tarheeb has really done that. He's really grown up and matured.'
Still was already working with Herbert from Monday through Thursday, but soon added Fridays with Mack. They begin their strength training around 9 a.m. together, but Still knows Mack gets to the facility earlier in the training room. There's no way Mack could have built his Hall of Fame-worthy career without putting in every ounce of extra work.
'Khalil is just showing me how to be intentional,' Still said. 'Every day, taking advantage of small incremental gains every day to get to where I want to be.'
The Chargers progressed to the next step of their offseason program Tuesday, opening organized team activities. The sight of offense and defense lining up against each other for the first time during the offseason brought excitement to the facility, but frustration for Cam Hart. The second-year cornerback, who, like Still, was drafted in the fifth round last year, is not yet fully cleared after undergoing shoulder surgery in January.
Hart sustained a torn labrum against the Houston Texans in the playoffs, but said he expects to be cleared to return around mandatory minicamp, which begins June 10.
The shoulder injury was a punctuation mark on a promising, but injury-riddled rookie year for Hart. Despite making six starts in 14 appearances with 37 tackles, Hart also battled two concussions and an ankle injury. The injuries tormented Hart as he went through the offseason program, rehabbing twice a day since the shoulder injury.
'I showed a small percentage of who Cam can be in the NFL last year,' Hart said. 'With 17 healthy games, I think I got a lot more to show.'
Although they return most of their top performers from last year's secondary that ranked seventh in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game compared to 30th in 2023, the Chargers have renewed competition at cornerback without Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. Fulton parlayed a resurgent season with the Chargers into a multi-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent, and Samuel remains a free agent after a shoulder injury limited the former second-round pick to just four games last year.
Wanting to bolster the secondary with more size and speed, the Chargers brought in free agents Benjamin St-Juste and Donte Jackson. The 6-foot-3 St-Juste started in 42 of his 45 appearances for the Washington Commanders in the last three seasons, and Jackson, an eight-year NFL veteran, is coming off a career-best five interceptions with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. Still and Hart, who were rookies hoping to make any positive impact a year ago, are now 'the cream of the crop,' Clinkscale said.
The newest crop of rookies even flashed their potential Tuesday as seventh-round selection Trikweze Bridges and undrafted free agent Jaylen Jones each got an interception during the no-contact 11-on-11 periods.
The secondary depth could cause headaches for Clinkscale. He wouldn't have it any other way.
'Nobody has a spot,' Clinkscale said. 'We want to see who's going to earn it.'
With more than three months remaining until the Chargers open their season in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Still knew he had to dial back the competition Tuesday during practice. The drills are still meant to be non-contact during the voluntary sessions. Keeping everyone on their feet and healthy was more important than breaking up a pass or grabbing an interception, Still said.
Still was attached to receiver Ladd McConkey's hip on a deep route down the sideline, but didn't dive or reach for the ball to breakup a slightly underthrown pass from quarterback Justin Herbert. McConkey's tightrope catch drew cheers from his teammates.
Still said the no-contact periods were perfect opportunities to hone his technique, but when asked if he would have picked off the pass intended for McConkey, Still covered his face.
'No comment,' he said, trying to hide his smile.
The confident look on his face was comment enough.