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Chargers and Saints: Who to watch in the second preseason game

By Tyler Schoon

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 17-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 17-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – AUGUST 25: Tommylee Lewis #11 of the New Orleans Saints breaks a tackle from Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter of the preseason game at StubHub Center on August 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – AUGUST 25: Tommylee Lewis #11 of the New Orleans Saints breaks a tackle from Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter of the preseason game at StubHub Center on August 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

The Chargers look to rebound from a close loss in Arizona as they host Drew Brees and the Saints. Who should fans watch this time?

The Chargers will host their first home game of the season this Sunday as the Saints, who will be practicing against them throughout the week, head into town for their second preseason game. Who should fans be keeping an eye on in this game? Here’s what to watch on special teams, offense, and defense, as well as some growing story lines for the Chargers.

Chargers: Special teams

Ty Long seems to have a firm grip on the starting punting job, but that’s not the only role he may play with the team this year. Though Michael Badgley is firmly entrenched as the team’s field goal kicker, one area of concern was his kickoff ability. The Chargers signed Nick Rose in the postseason so he could handle kickoffs against the Patriots, and now just this past Thursday the team gave Long a few tries of his own.

Long’s punting average of 52 yards beat Tyler Newsome’s by over 10 yards, which for further comparison is also nearly 10 yards better than Donnie Jones’ 2018 average of 42.3. If Badgley can continue to be the franchise record-breaking kicker he was last year, and Desmond King can remain an All-Pro returner, Long has a chance to make this the best special teams trio in the NFL.

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