Latest news with #BenHerbert
New York Times
02-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Panthers' Zavala has knee injury
On Jan. 11, the Los Angeles Chargers lost to the Houston Texans in the first round of the playoffs. The next morning, players returned to the facility to clean out their lockers, attend exit meetings, pack their bags and say their goodbyes before leaving for the offseason. Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer was heading east to spend time at home with his family in Atlanta. Before departing, though, Salyer had a conversation that might change the trajectory of his football life. Chargers executive director of player performance Ben Herbert challenged Salyer to lose weight. 'It's for your career. It's for you,' Herbert said, as Salyer recalled. 'This is what I would like for you, but it's up to you. It's your career. You control it. It's your destiny.' GO FURTHER Chargers training camp, Day 10: Jamaree Salyer working with first team after weight-loss 'journey'
New York Times
29-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Chargers training camp, Day 10: Jamaree Salyer working with first team after weight-loss ‘journey'
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — On Jan. 11, the Los Angeles Chargers lost to the Houston Texans in the first round of playoffs. The next morning, players returned to the facility to clean out out their lockers, attend exit meetings, pack their bags and say goodbyes before leaving for the offseason. Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer was heading east to spend time at home with his family in Atlanta. Before departing, though, Salyer had a conversation that might change the trajectory of his football life. Advertisement Chargers executive director of player performance Ben Herbert challenged Salyer to lose weight. 'It's for your career. It's for you,' Herbert said, as Salyer recalled. 'This is what I would like for you, but it's up to you. It's your career. You control it. It's your destiny.' Those words rang in Salyer's head as he made sweeping changes to his offseason routine, most notably with his diet. He cut out sweets, sugary drinks, late-night eating — 'all the stuff that everybody loves,' as Salyer described after a training camp practice last week at The Bolt. From January to July, Salyer lost 35 pounds. He called it a 'journey.' According to offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Salyer 'made a commitment to being in the best shape he can possibly be.' The transformation is leading to improvement, and Salyer is now making a case to start in 2025. On Monday, Salyer was at left guard in team drills with the starting offensive line. Zion Johnson, who had played exclusively with the first team through the first nine practices of camp, played center with the second team. Bradley Bozeman was the first-team center. 'He's a different guy when you subtract 35 pounds of bad weight,' Roman said of Salyer. 'His ability to move laterally (and) change direction quickly is so much better. … He's got some really good playing experience. He's got good instincts. He's a big, physical guy that last year, quite frankly, was held back by just the shape he was in.' Salyer started at right guard in the Chargers' playoff loss. It was his fifth start of the season. He had been primarily a depth piece in 2024 while rotating in periodically in short-yardage situations. Starting right guard Trey Pipkins III was unable to play in Houston because of an injury. Salyer was the next man up. What started as an immense opportunity turned into a tough, grueling learning experience for the 2022 sixth-round pick. Advertisement The Chargers offensive line played its worst game of the season. All five starters allowed at least three pressures. Salyer allowed three, including a sack. At times, he looked overmatched by the Houston front, particularly by veteran defensive lineman Denico Autry. As Roman said, 'There were a couple plays he'd like to have back.' Salyer, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, used that film as motivation. 'Everybody plays bad games,' said Salyer, who has started 37 games for the Chargers at guard and tackle. 'I looked at it, I learned from it and I just grew. Obviously I would love for my best games to be in the biggest moments like that, but sometimes that's life. So taking a situation like that and not letting the Houston game turn into Year 4, and then what the hell happened, and then the end of your career. That's really my biggest thing.' After a couple weeks of family time, Salyer got to work. Coming from one of the best college programs in football at Georgia, Salyer has never shied away from training. The key was changing his diet. Salyer would train in the mornings in the Atlanta heat. 'You go outside, you start sweating — for big guys,' he quipped. He would eat his first meal at noon after his training session. All meals would then come between noon and 6 p.m. After that, he would not eat another meal until the following day at noon. At night, Salyer limited his intake to hydration and some occasional fruit. From Jan. 12 to April 22, when the Chargers reported for Phase 1 of the offseason program, Salyer lost 25 pounds. He lost an additional 10 pounds after returning to the facility and resuming training with Herbert. Salyer is now playing at 332 pounds. 'A new Jamaree,' said left tackle Rashawn Slater. At the facility, the Chargers use an InBody scanner to measure body fat percentage. Salyer bought one to use in Atlanta and track his progress during the offseason. Advertisement Salyer has added lean muscle mass and lost body fat. His conditioning has improved dramatically. Salyer believes that will help him 'play better later in games.' 'I know I can play, obviously. I can play football,' Salyer said. 'I never worried about that. It's just a matter of being able to play at a high level for four quarters.' Salyer said he is already seeing results in practice. Instead of focusing simply on making it through the exhausting days of training camp, Salyer can hone in on the finer details of offensive line play. His conditioning was a hindrance. Now it as an enhancement. 'I got this play, this rep, I know I can give it my best,' Salyer said. 'What is my assignment? What do I need to be? Where do my hands need to be, my feet? It allows me to break the game down instead of being like, 'Oh, f—-, I'm tired. How do I keep pushing?'' Salyer is just one example of what can be characterized as the Herb Effect. Herbert has now been with these Chargers players for a full offseason, and they are starting to see an impact. Salyer said he has learned the most from Herbert's approach 'mentally and psychologically.' 'Some things just are and some things just aren't,' Salyer explained. 'Life is that simple sometimes. … You're good, or you're not. It was good, or it was bad. That's kind of how Coach Herb is.' The Chargers have a lot of depth on the interior of their offensive line. Three spots on the line are set. Slater will be at left tackle. Joe Alt will be at right tackle. Mekhi Becton will be at right guard. The other two spots are open. Salyer has planted himself in the mix for the starting left guard job. 'The credit all goes to him,' Roman said. Salyer was challenged, and he accepted. 'I'm proud of where I'm at,' he said. 'Now it's just maintaining it.' • One day after signing his market-setting contract extension, Slater was in uniform for Monday's practice. He went through individual drills, but he did not participate in team drills. Slater said he is dealing with a blister on his right foot that first appeared while he was working out away from the facility. When Slater reported to camp July 16, the Chargers provided treatment. 'They had to kind of carve it out,' Slater said. 'So there was a pretty big hole in my foot.' Advertisement Slater said he tried to practice through the issue for the first two days of camp. 'But it just didn't feel good,' he said. Slater missed the next seven practices from July 19 until July 26. 'It's had a lot of time to heal now, though, so I'm feeling a lot better,' Slater said. Asked when he will return to team drills, Slater said, 'Hopefully soon.' this feels right — Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 28, 2025 • Rookie cornerback Nikko Reed continues to make plays. In seven-on-seven, Reed was matched up in single coverage on receiver JaQuae Jackson down the left sideline. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke threw a go ball to Jackson. Reed leapt and broke up the pass, preventing a touchdown. Reed has now had pass breakups in four straight practices, including two interceptions. 'Make a play a day, and then people will start to know who you are, especially if you're undrafted,' defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. 'When you make a play every day that kind of stands out, everybody starts talking about you, whether it be the veteran players or, obviously, everybody that's involved in those decisions. I think he's just doing a great job — consistent, competitive. Love where his head's at.' • Rookie receiver Tre' Harris had one of his best practices of camp, catching two passes from quarterback Justin Herbert in 11-on-11. On the first catch, Harris ran an out route against cornerback Cam Hart. Herbert threw to Harris. Hart was in good position and tried to undercut the route. Harris showed off his strong hands and contested-catch ability by ripping the ball away from Hart's breakup attempt. The second catch came on a third-and-goal from the 9-yard line. Harris came open in the back of the end zone. Herbert threw to Harris' inside shoulder, away from linebacker Troy Dye. Harris came down with it and toe-tapped both feet for the touchdown. go off, tre — Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 28, 2025 • Receiver Ladd McConkey did not participate in team drills. Chargers who did not practice: cornerback Tarheeb Still, receiver Jalen Reagor, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, safety Jaylen Jones, receiver Luke Grimm, tight end McCallan Castles and edge rusher Garmon Randolph. • Second-year running back Kimani Vidal had a red zone touchdown catch from Herbert. Vidal ran an angle route out of the backfield from 9 yards out on a first-and-goal. Advertisement • Rookie receiver Dalevon Campbell had a contested-catch touchdown against the first-team defense. Trey Lance was at quarterback. He threw the jump ball to Campbell in the back right corner of the end zone on a fourth-and-9. Campbell outdueled cornerback Donte Jackson for the score.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rashawn Slater returns to Chargers minicamp amid contract talks
He wasn't under the watchful eye of Chargers executive director of player performance Ben Herbert this offseason. He didn't train in the team's El Segundo practice facility. But it doesn't mean Rashawn Slater wasn't working this offseason. Making his first offseason appearance at the Chargers facility this week as the team started mandatory mini camp, Slater immediately passed the team's conditioning test. In fact, Jim Harbaugh said, Slater reported the test was too easy. Advertisement 'Too easy,' the coach said, 'because he trains.' Slater's return highlighted the Chargers' perfect attendance on the first day of three-day minicamp Tuesday. The star left tackle had missed all of voluntary organized team activities while in discussions for a contract extension. Since the Chargers took him 13th overall in 2021, Slater has earned two Pro Bowl appearances and was named second-team All-Pro in 2021. After the team picked up his fifth-year option last season, Slater re-established himself as one of the top tackles in the league with the second-best overall grade and third-best pass blocking grade among his position, according to Pro Football Focus. In the final year of his contract, he is due to make about $19 million in 2025, which ranks sixth-most among left tackles, according to . Read more: Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart eager to prove they can be stars in Chargers' secondary Advertisement 'Speaking on behalf of everyone in the organization, fully support Rashawn and what he's trying to accomplish for himself and his family,' said Harbaugh, who added he chooses not to worry about discussions as they continue between general manager Joe Hortiz and Slater's representatives. 'We're all in support.' Slater has maintained his standing in the organization because of his respected work ethic that earned him distinction of being a team captain last season. Harbaugh counts Slater is part of an exclusive club made of the team's nine hardest workers. The coach's so-called 'Elite Nine' also includes Derwin James Jr., Khalil Mack, Joe Alt, Ladd McConkey, Daiyan Henley, Tuli Tuipulotu, Zion Johnson and Justin Herbert. Now in his second year at the helm, Harbaugh expects confidence and polish during training camp from experienced players. The coach has already found a standard bearer in Herbert, who is still searching for his first NFL playoff win after having four passes intercepted in last year's wild-card loss to Houston, 'I wouldn't change a thing about Justin Herbert,' Harbaugh said. 'I think the important thing is everyone else, especially the guys he's counting on, on the offensive side of the ball, just look at his example, how he goes about his business, how he trains and they attempt to get to that level.' Advertisement Read more: Chargers will travel more miles than any other team in the NFL this season The quarterback's training was so relentless that he missed his planned media availability Tuesday. He was lifting instead. J.K. Dobbins signs with Denver Broncos Former Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins signed a reported one-year, $5.25-million deal with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday after the Chargers placed a rarely used unrestricted free agent tender on the 25-year-old. The Chargers would have had Dobbins' exclusive negotiating rights if he hadn't signed with another team by July 23. Dobbins is coming off a career-high 905 yards rushing last season when he finished as the runner-up for the NFL's comeback player of the year in his first full season since 2020. But his return to the Chargers has been in question since the team picked running back Omarion Hampton 22nd overall in April's draft. Advertisement Hampton, who rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior at North Carolina, has joined with free-agent addition Najee Harris to form an impressive one-two backfield punch. 'I like Omarion, how he's hitting the hole,' James Jr., said when asked which rookies are standing out to him. 'Can't really tell right now, but I like Omarion a lot.' Hampton leads a rookie class that Harbaugh lauded as being 'as good of a rookie class as I've ever been around in terms of being about their business.' 'Being where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there,' Harbaugh said. 'We have to kick them out of the building.' Advertisement But even the staff's best attempts sometimes aren't enough. Harbaugh said he often notices the rookies looking for safe harbor in other rooms. Etc. The Chargers brought in receiver Willie Snead IV for a veteran tryout. The 32-year-old last played in an NFL game in 2023, appearing in four games for the San Francisco 49ers, catching two passes for 14 yards. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rashawn Slater returns to Chargers minicamp amid contract talks
He wasn't under the watchful eye of Chargers executive director of player performance Ben Herbert this offseason. He didn't train in the team's El Segundo practice facility. But it doesn't mean Rashawn Slater wasn't working this offseason. Making his first offseason appearance at the Chargers facility this week as the team started mandatory mini camp, Slater immediately passed the team's conditioning test. In fact, Jim Harbaugh said, Slater reported the test was too easy. Advertisement 'Too easy,' the coach said, 'because he trains.' Slater's return highlighted the Chargers' perfect attendance on the first day of three-day minicamp Tuesday. The star left tackle had missed all of voluntary organized team activities while in discussions for a contract extension. Since the Chargers took him 13th overall in 2021, Slater has earned two Pro Bowl appearances and was named second-team All-Pro in 2021. After the team picked up his fifth-year option last season, Slater re-established himself as one of the top tackles in the league with the second-best overall grade and third-best pass blocking grade among his position, according to Pro Football Focus. In the final year of his contract, he is due to make about $19 million in 2025, which ranks sixth-most among left tackles, according to . Read more: Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart eager to prove they can be stars in Chargers' secondary Advertisement 'Speaking on behalf of everyone in the organization, fully support Rashawn and what he's trying to accomplish for himself and his family,' said Harbaugh, who added he chooses not to worry about discussions as they continue between general manager Joe Hortiz and Slater's representatives. 'We're all in support.' Slater has maintained his standing in the organization because of his respected work ethic that earned him distinction of being a team captain last season. Harbaugh counts Slater is part of an exclusive club made of the team's nine hardest workers. The coach's so-called 'Elite Nine' also includes Derwin James Jr., Khalil Mack, Joe Alt, Ladd McConkey, Daiyan Henley, Tuli Tuipulotu, Zion Johnson and Justin Herbert. Now in his second year at the helm, Harbaugh expects confidence and polish during training camp from experienced players. The coach has already found a standard bearer in Herbert, who is still searching for his first NFL playoff win after having four passes intercepted in last year's wild-card loss to Houston, 'I wouldn't change a thing about Justin Herbert,' Harbaugh said. 'I think the important thing is everyone else, especially the guys he's counting on, on the offensive side of the ball, just look at his example, how he goes about his business, how he trains and they attempt to get to that level.' Advertisement Read more: Chargers will travel more miles than any other team in the NFL this season The quarterback's training was so relentless that he missed his planned media availability Tuesday. He was lifting instead. J.K. Dobbins signs with Denver Broncos Former Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins signed a reported one-year, $5.25-million deal with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday after the Chargers placed a rarely used unrestricted free agent tender on the 25-year-old. The Chargers would have had Dobbins' exclusive negotiating rights if he hadn't signed with another team by July 23. Dobbins is coming off a career-high 905 yards rushing last season when he finished as the runner-up for the NFL's comeback player of the year in his first full season since 2020. But his return to the Chargers has been in question since the team picked running back Omarion Hampton 22nd overall in April's draft. Advertisement Hampton, who rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior at North Carolina, has joined with free-agent addition Najee Harris to form an impressive one-two backfield punch. 'I like Omarion, how he's hitting the hole,' James Jr., said when asked which rookies are standing out to him. 'Can't really tell right now, but I like Omarion a lot.' Hampton leads a rookie class that Harbaugh lauded as being 'as good of a rookie class as I've ever been around in terms of being about their business.' 'Being where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there,' Harbaugh said. 'We have to kick them out of the building.' Advertisement But even the staff's best attempts sometimes aren't enough. Harbaugh said he often notices the rookies looking for safe harbor in other rooms. Etc. The Chargers brought in receiver Willie Snead IV for a veteran tryout. The 32-year-old last played in an NFL game in 2023, appearing in four games for the San Francisco 49ers, catching two passes for 14 yards. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
