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Six Chargers player competitions to watch this Saturday

By Tyler Schoon

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers hands off the football to running back Troymaine Pope #35 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 hands off the football to running back Troymaine Pope #35 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 18: Troymaine Pope #35 of the Los Angeles Chargers eludes a tackles as runs back a punt for a touchdown during the first half of their pre seaon football game against New Orleans Saints at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 18, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – AUGUST 18: Troymaine Pope #35 of the Los Angeles Chargers eludes a tackles as runs back a punt for a touchdown during the first half of their pre seaon football game against New Orleans Saints at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 18, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Chargers battle to watch: Troymaine Pope vs Detrez Newsome

Through two games, here are the running back statistics for each:

  • Troymaine Pope: 12 attempts, 24 yards, two yards per carry. Six receptions, 38 yards, 6.3 yards per reception.
  • Detrez Newsome: 10 attempts, 30 yards, three yards per carry. Two receptions, five yards, 2.5 yards per reception.

Newsome is the more experienced of the two (in terms of games played), and statistically has been a more efficient rusher behind roughly the same offensive line during the preseason. Pope, on the other hand, has been given more opportunities as a pass catcher. Though one could say Pope should have more total yards because penalties have wiped some runs out, the same may be said of Newsome, who had a 12-yard reception strangely wiped out by a face mask penalty on himself.

Newsome has more game day experience than Pope, and has already spent an entire year with the Chargers, but was spotted as the fourth-string back behind Pope on Sunday. Why? Anthony Lynn put Denzel Perryman out there in the fourth quarter, so maybe he just wants Newsome to go out there and knock some rust off.

Or maybe he’s just more explosive thus far:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1163202760331841536

Newsome was considered the third back in the rotation in the absence of Melvin Gordon, but now it looks like there may be a legitimate battle for that spot.

Chargers battle to watch: Dontrelle Inman vs Everyone Else

Dontrelle Inman has more touchdowns in his career than Artavis Scott, Geremy Davis, and Andre Patton has receptions in total for all of their (albeit shorter) careers. The addition of Inman was simple: Bring in someone who actually wants to come in and compete for the wide receiver spot.

It’s unlikely Inman is brought in and not considered for a roster spot, as his 2,101 career receiving yards and familiarity with Philip Rivers make him a far superior option at the fourth receiver spot than any of the trio fighting to find a spot on the roster.

But, it’s not impossible the other receivers can beat him out. In 2016, the Chargers brought veteran receiver James Jones in on August 2nd to compete for a roster spot, but released him on August 30th.

As of right now, the leading receiver (preseason) on the team is Scott, but the Chargers could be more likely to go with Davis thanks to his special teams ability. Both are now fighting a much tougher battle with Inman now on the roster.

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