Los Angeles Chargers

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    August 29, 2018 11:48 PM EDT
    Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa set an NFL record with 19 sacks in his first 20 career games.

    He recorded at least 10 1/2 sacks in each of his first two seasons [url=http://www.oaklandraidersteamonline.com/ryan-switzer-jersey]Authentic Ryan Switzer Jersey[/url] , but Bosa and the Chargers insist the best is yet to come.

    "I think there's so much I have to work on that I have an idea in my head of what I want things to look like and how I want to be as a player, and I'm not anywhere near those things, but I know I'm making the right steps in that direction," Bosa said Sunday.

    Cornerback Casey Hayward has never been shy in sharing his belief that Bosa could become the best defender in football. It was only reinforced last season as Bosa's pass rush skills helped contribute to Hayward intercepting four passes.

    "Made my life a lot easier," Hayward said. "A couple of my picks last year came off Joey hitting the guy, wobbly ball, I take all of them."

    Entering his third season, the next step in Bosa's development could come from a better understanding of coordinator Gus Bradley's 4-3 defense. The Chargers were productive in 2017 while transitioning to Bradley's system, finishing third in points per game allowed, tied for fifth in sacks, and sixth in takeaways. Those rankings could improve as the coaches, players and front office are more comfortable with what will allow the defense to succeed in this iteration.

    The Chargers added depth in the draft [url=http://www.cincinnatibengalsteamonline.com/joe-mixon-jersey]Joe Mixon Bengals Jersey[/url] , with Bosa praising defensive lineman Justin Jones and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu for their ability to get to the quarterback. The progression of second-year defensive end Isaac Rochell could result in Bosa staying fresh by allowing Bradley to rotate more. The 280-pound Bosa could play inside if Rochell is capable of creating pressure off the edge consistently, allowing Bradley to use his most disruptive players together in obvious passing situations.

    Bosa, who had 12 1/2 sacks last season as the bookend to Melvin Ingram, could cause more havoc if opponents cannot focus all their attention on stopping the two standout defensive ends.

    "Joey can improve," coach Anthony Lynn said. "I don't think he has reached his peak yet at all, and the better we get on that defensive line and create more one-on-one matchups, that's going to help his success as well."

    But Bosa will never put a target on his individual production going into his season after recognizing that chasing personal goals often comes at the expense of both the individual and the team.

    "If you want to get 15 sacks and you're out there doing your own things to get sacks, more than likely you're going to hurt the team and not get a sack rather than you just doing your job and you falling into one," Bosa said. "I've come to realize when I'm really out there trying to make a play like that, I do something wrong and they'll break a run or whatever. But if I I stay within myself and the defense, it usually works out pretty well."

    Bosa's zen mentality carries over to his offseason workouts. He stresses developing his overall athleticism rather than addressing any particular football technique. That regiment makes the first week of training camp something of a transition period, with Bosa joking he is focused on "lining up right."

    Still [url=http://www.buccaneerscheapstore.com/m.j.-stewart-jersey-cheap]M.J. Stewart Youth Jersey[/url] , Hayward sees how Bosa approaches the game spilling over to the rest of the team. If Bosa can improve on his momentous initial returns, that bodes well for the Chargers as a whole.

    "That's definitely contagious. You see that, you want to work just as hard as he does," Hayward said.

    NOTES: Rookie tight end Austin Roberts tore his ACL on Saturday, Lynn said. . The Chargers will practice in full pads for the first time Monday.

    __

    鈥?There’s only one team the Atlanta Falcons need to be concerned about the rest of the way.Their own.The defending NFC champions trail division rivals New Orleans and Carolina by one game with two weeks remaining in the regular season. But if the Falcons (9-5) beat the Saints (10-4) and Panthers (10-4), they win the NFC South again . One victory in the final two games guarantees Atlanta a playoff berth.“We’re right where we need to be at this point of the season,” quarterback Matt Ryan said after Monday night’s 24-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . “We’ve got to find a way to get back to work this week, try to improve and make sure we play the best we’re capable of playing this Sunday.”“That’s really all our focus needs to be about,” he added. “If we’re worried about anything else then you’re not as locked in as you need to be.”Devonta Freeman had 194 yards from scrimmage 鈥?rushing for 126 on 22 carries and catching five passes for a team-high 68 yards 鈥?to pace Atlanta’s fifth victory in six games, which eliminated Green Bay from playoff contention.Ryan threw for 212 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.“Can’t think too far into the future. Always focus on what we’ve got next,” Falcons safety Keanu Neal said. “Look too far ahead [url=http://www.jetscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-terrelle-pryor-sr.-jersey]Cheap Terrelle Pryor Sr. Jersey[/url] , you lose sight of the present.”Freeman’s 32-yard TD run gave Atlanta a 10-point lead that the defense nearly let slip away over the final eight minutes.The 5-foot-6, 206-pound running back kept pounding away at the Bucs defense until finally finding his way into the open field, darting through a gaping hole on the right side before cutting back to elude the only defender with a shot at tackling him on his way to the end zone.“We had a sense this would be a big night for him. We talked about that before the game,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “We thought he would have his opportunities. If he could get to the next level and to a linebacker or safety or corner, make sure he had a plan how he wanted to finish.”With Freeman’s sidekick, Tevin Coleman, out with a concussion, third-string running back Terron Ward shared the rushing load with the two-time 1,000-yard rusher.“I saw him hit the sideline. And, Free one-on-one with anyone in the open field, I’m taking Free,” Ward said.Some things to know about Falcons-Buccaneers:JAMEIS SHINESJameis Winston had his sharpest performance of the season for the Bucs (4-10) [url=http://www.seattlemarinersteamshop.com/authentic-guillermo-heredia-jersey]Guillermo Heredia Seattle Mariners Jersey[/url] , who have lost nine of 11 following a 2-1 start.The third-year pro completed 27 of 35 passes for 299 yards and three TDs with no turnovers. He had TD passes of 30 yards to O.J. Howard, 42 yards to Mike Evans and 16 yards to Adam Humphries, the latter pulling Tampa Bay to 24-21 with four minutes remaining.The Bucs got the ball back with a minute left. Winston completed three passes, moving them into position to allow Patrick Murray to try a 54-yard field goal that sailed wide right on the final play.“I think this is Jameis Winston at his best,” coach Dirk Koetter said. “We’ve seen him at his best for parts of several games, but this was probably his best and most complete game.”CONTAINING JULIOFalcons wide receiver Julio Jones had a monster game against the Bucs three weeks ago with 12 receptions for 253 yards and two TDs in a 34-20 win at Atlanta. Tampa Bay knew it needed to do a better job against him to have any chance this time.Ryan targeted the star receiver eight times Monday night, but Jones only had three catches for 54 yards.The Falcons offset the drop in production, finishing with 201 yards rushing.RING OF HONORFormer Bucs coach Jon Gruden, who has spent the past nine seasons as ESPN’s game analyst on Monday Night Football, was inducted into the Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium during a halftime ceremony.Gruden was acquired from the Oakland Raiders for two first-round draft picks, two second-round draft picks and $8 million before leading the 2002 Bucs to the club’s only Super Bowl championship in his first season in Tampa Bay.Gruden was fired after the 2008 season and moved into the broadcast booth the following year. The Bucs haven’t made the playoffs since 2007 and don’t have a postseason win since their Super Bowl run 15 years ago..