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Chargers Camp Report: Rice, Red-Zone Defense Stand Out on Sunday

BrendenRiceCamp

Chargers Training Camp rolled along Sunday as the Bolts practiced in shoulder pads and shorts for roughly 90 minutes at The Bolt.

The Chargers are back to work Monday at 1p.m.

Here is the Chargers Camp Report from Sunday's practice:

1. Clutch red-zone defense

For all the positives from Thursday's preseason opener, the Chargers went 4-of-6 in the red zone, meaning it was clearly something Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh wanted to work on this week.

Sure enough, the Bolts held a red-zone period smack dab in the middle of practice that saw some of the most highly competitive reps of the day.

The edge went to the defense, who came away victorious in two of the three sessions in the drill.

Justin Herbert's group was up first against the top defense as the offense began with the ball at the 10-yard line with just 18 seconds left.

Herbert found Omarion Hampton over the middle for seven yards before spiking the ball, which brought up third-and-goal from the 3 with only seven seconds left.

But tight coverage from Donte Jackson led to a pass breakup in the end zone against KeAndre Lambert-Smith, leading to a field goal situation and a win for the defense.

The third-team defense also scored a win in a sequence that lasted just one play.

DJ Uiagalelei's group faced third-and-goal from the 3 with only six seconds left, but Uiagalelei's pass for JaQuae Jackson fell incomplete. It was another field goal situation and a win for the defensive in preventing a score.

The offense's lone win came with Trey Lance under center.

On second-and-goal from the 5 with 12 seconds left, Lance's pass to the end zone was incomplete.

But he rallied on the next play as Brenden Rice outmuscled Deane Leonard on a jump ball in the end zone.

The touchdown catch allowed the offense to prevent a defensive sweep in the drill as Rice drew a loud cheer from the offensive players after his spectacular score.

Chargers legend Antonio Gates was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during an eventful weekend in Canton, Ohio. The historic occasion included his appearance at the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night and the presentation of his gold jacket by former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. Gates concluded his NFL career with 955 receptions, 11,841 receiving yards, and an NFL record 116 touchdown catches by a tight end. Cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the position.

2. Offense airs it out

Speaking of Rice...

The offense produced some fireworks during the last portion of practice as the biggest play of the day came courtesy of the aforementioned Rice.

With the offense facing a second down, Uiagalelei dropped back to pass and found Rice over the middle of the field.

The pair connected from 40 yards out as Rice made his way back to the football and secured the ball in the end zone for the score.

There was a clear intention from Herbert and the first-team offense to air it out as well, as the quarterback started the period off with a bang of his own.

After an initial completion to Tre' Harris over the middle for a solid gain, Herbert connected deep with Derius Davis for about 30 yards on the following play.

He then went back to Harris on the next play, a third down, for a nice chunk play before finding Jaylen Johnson right after for what would have been a touchdown catch and run of about 45 yards.

Herbert also connected with rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden on an explosive player earlier in practice.

3. Dicker has solid day

Cameron Dicker kicked in full-team drills Sunday and had a solid performance by making five of six kicks.

The Chargers kicker started his day in a groove as he hit from 30, 33, 38 and 42 yards out.

But his 45-yard try clanked off the left upright, a similar scenario when Dicker his the upright on a 52-yard try against the Lions on Thursday.

Dicker came back to hit a 48-yard attempt on his final try of the day.

The 25-year-old has made 91 of 97 career field goal tries (93.8 percent) and is on pace to be the most accurate kicker in NFL history with three more regular-season attempts.

Kickers must have at least 100 career field goal tries before they qualify for the all-time leaderboard.


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