2019 TRAINING CAMP MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019 | Jack Hammett Sports Complex | Costa Mesa, Calif.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR GUS BRADLEY
Opening statement:
"Good [afternoon], everybody. First just to recap the game, I thought there were some good things. We kind of went in there basing our whole game plan [on being] really a fundamental game. Can we tackle in open space? Can we get lined up? Assignments, things like that. So there are some good showings there, good bases [that] we can build on. Then they come out here and practice and get back to that training camp mentality. I think that's very important, so it's good to see today. We came back out and had more situational work. We kind of put our guys in more difficult positions, straining them and see how we can execute a little bit more under fire."
On players that stood out:
"We had some good things. I think, starting off with the first group, guys like [CB] Michael Davis. He's showed in practice and he's showing up. The defensive line, [DT] Justin Jones really played well. He was in there for a limited amount of snaps. With the snaps he was in, kind of what we saw in practice showed up on game tape. Those couple of guys, just to name a few."
On S Adrian Phillips:
"We've always had the philosophy that if a guy really shows up and practices, works hard and there is an amount of trust with them, we're going to find a role. We know that [with] teams we play, they spread you out. It's such a space-oriented game that it's important to have a lot of speed on the field. He'll definitely have a role for us. He plays safety, he can play nickel, he can play linebacker and, to his credit, I think coaches really trust him and his teammates trust him."
On the importance of having a versatile player like Phillips:
"We just mentioned about a week ago, [Defensive Backs Coach Ron] Milo [Milus] and I were walking off the field and we saw him, and we are so grateful that he's here. He just helps in so many ways, not just as a player on the field but his leadership, and I think he brings a sense of calm on the field to our players."
On LB Chris Peace:
"I think that Chris Peace's greatest attribute is his effort. He is a real high-energy, high-motor type guy and at that spot, that's what you need. Now his technique is starting to come, he's working with [Defensive Line Coach] Giff [Smith] quite a bit and with [Assistant Defensive Line Coach] La'Roi [Glover]. Those are the things that we need to see, but a lot of times in preseason, if you play with great effort, you've got a chance to make a lot of plays. That's something that we need to continue to see from here."
On LB Drue Tranquill:
"His consistency. He lines up, takes care of the defense, runs the defense and then you don't see many mental errors from him. Like the interception he got, I think he's got a really good football IQ, really good instincts. Just like the play he made, he knows exactly what he needed to do and made a play. I think we are starting to learn that he is a pretty consistent player."
On Tranquill calling the defense:
"I didn't think there were many glitches. We didn't do a lot, you know, we didn't do a lot. We didn't know what we were getting into as far as the tempo of the game, the tempo and speed that they played with. I thought the game management and things like that, as far as getting the calls and the communication, was pretty sharp."
On DE Anthony Lanier II:
"Again, I think he's showing more consistency, but we are asking to see even more. He shows flashes. You saw him in the Rams scrimmage, you see him where he is a big man who can play that big end for us and he has some rush. We've seen him bring some rush to the table, so I think, for him, with the multitude of calls getting lined up and not having to think about the calls, just playing [is important] because he does have a skill set that's very intriguing."
On DE Jerry Tillery:
"I mean, the way he works and the way he's been in meetings and walk-through — he's very detailed. He's a very prideful person, so it's good. I think today was the first day —because he was involved more — where he stood out in a team situation. We saw flashes of it. You're like, 'Oh, okay! We just saw a flash of Jerry Tillery.' I think as he gets more and more reps — he's mentally [strong]. I think he just needs the physical part of it now. You know, the lining up, the block-reaction and things like that."
On Tillery playing base in the defensive scheme:
"Yeah, [he can] because of his length. You try to get players that can do a multitude of things. Like [DE] Isaac Rochell can play 4-B in a pinch. He can play LEO for us. I think Tillery has that attribute as well. A three-technique, in a pinch 4-B, but we like him on the edge."
On LB Jatavis Brown:
"We're bringing him back slowly. He gets a few reps in seven-on-seven, then a few reps in team [periods]. He had a play where he was never off the field at all. He stepped right in — it was kind of a challenging route — and he played it really nice. His recall is really good. I think it's just, for him, getting the reps and him gaining the confidence."
On LB Thomas Davis Sr.:
"I mean, where do you start? He's such a tremendous leader and he didn't wait. He didn't [say], 'I'll just learn the defense and understand what they're asking of me. Maybe I'll turn it on in training camp,' that leadership part. It was from day one. He's extremely respected. He challenges players, holds players accountable and the team is welcoming it with open arms. When you can have that from a player, it makes it all that much stronger. I think everyone buys into it even more."
On Davis' ability:
"I think this scheme we're asking him to do fits really [well] into his skill set. We're asking him to do a lot now. We're putting a lot on his plate, but he doesn't blink. Again, he's a very prideful person who wants to do really well. Not being around him, for me — [Linebackers coach] Richard [Smith] and [Ron] Milo [Milus] were [in Carolina] — but just how fast he has picked up everything on top of his leadership qualities. It's pretty special."
On if Davis reminds him of anyone:
"There are people that say, 'Look at combinations. What do you think?' It's hard to compare, but I'm sure glad he's here now. I know the whole team is. Like I said, I could go on and on [about] how he is in the meetings, with that linebacking corps — how young it is — and what he brings to it. You always try to show players what it looks like. They learn better when they can see what it looks like. Well, now they know what it looks like with him in the room."
On Tillery:
"I don't know if he's full. I think he feels pretty good. I think we're just trying to bring him along at a good pace. Seeing how he handles each day and how he's responding. When you talk to him, he felt like he was ready a while ago. I think we're just making sure that we bring him along. His conditioning is big, too. Even though he did it on the other field, it's nothing like getting team reps."
On Tillery not playing Thursday:
"I think it was just more — as we talked about it as a staff — the number of reps he's had in a live situation. By having his first real live-situation be a game — we didn't think that'd be fair to him."
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS DEFENSIVE END MELVIN INGRAM III
On practice today:
"Oh, it was a good practice, I think both sides got better today. We went out and competed today. That's always a good thing, both sides competed and we're just trying to get better."
On DT Justin Jones:
"The sky's the limit of what he can be. You see him do moves at times and the way he practices — he has the chance to be very special. I think, as camp goes on and has the season progresses, he's gonna show the world. He's one of the top players in this league."
On RB Justin Jackson:
"He's definitely an elite back. His vision, you can't coach what he has. Man, his vision. His vision and the way he runs the ball is great. It's amazing how he can see stuff in a split-second [and on] a dime and make those types of cuts. So he's definitely a great back."
On if he will get a carry this year:
"Who me? Of course. That's a given. I'm definitely gonna get one, for sure."
On RB Melvin Gordon III:
"Yeah that's like my bro, I talk to him all the time. We talk about life. We talk about football. We talk about everything. It's cool."
On Gordon:
"I really can't speak on that business. You know I want him here, but you can't speak on that business. I'm here to play football, I'm not here to discuss Melvin's business, Melvin's deal. That's not my business. My business is to play football."
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS DEFENSIVE TACKLE JERRY TILLERY
On today's practice:
"It went really well. It was a great day of practice."
On his rehabilitation:
"We have a great training staff here. The rehab has gone really well. I'm feeling great and moving even better. I'm looking forward to these next practices and our games and the season."
On his health:
"I feel like I'm getting better every day. You know, I'm better than I was yesterday. It's a process of just being the best me I can be."
On NT Damion Square:
"Damion, he's a great player. I'm learning a lot from him. We've got a lot of great players on this [defensive line]. I was lucky to come in and be a part of a really good one. I'm learning from them every day. I'm looking forward to getting better."
On the joint practice with the Saints:
"Very much looking forward to it. I think it'll be a lot fun. It'll be something different, a different change of pace. I think it'll be great for us."
On the hardest part about coming back to practice:
"Fitness hasn't been the issue. That's why we train and workout. It's just the technique, fundamentals. What we work on every day is what the challenge is. I hadn't played in a game since [against] Clemson, I think. It'll be a lot of fun getting back to it."
On what he learned on the sideline Thursday:
"I learned how we do things here, what the warmup routine is, how we approach game day. That's something I'll definitely use when I'm out there next week."
