Chargers DC Jesse Minter gets honest about Asante Samuel Jr.'s missed tackles

At his weekly media availability, LA Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was asked for his thoughts on cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.'s performance. The question was broached by The Athletic's Daniel Popper towards the end of his Thursday presser.

Minter wasn't shy about pointing out where Samuel has been good, and where he could improve.

"I think he's been really good in coverage at times," Minter said. "There's a couple missed tackles that we gotta get corrected. And he knows that. Nobody works harder on tackling than him. He puts in the work, puts in the time. Kind of like everything in this game: every play could be the difference in the game. Just that mentality, getting the guy down right there... maybe that's the difference between winning and losing."

Minter said that he has a lot of confidence in Samuel to continue to get better. The Chargers' starting outside corner has played relatively well in coverage. After allowing seven receptions in Week 1, he adjusted to allow just three receptions in Weeks 2 and 3 combined.

Asante Samuel's tackling has been a problem for the Chargers

Samuel has had at least one missed tackle in each game this season. He had two costly missed tackles against Pittsburgh to drive up his missed tackle rate. Right now, that figure stands at 28.6%. That high of a number would qualify for the worst of his career.

Note: Samuel also unofficially missed two additional tackles (1 vs. LVR, 1 vs. PIT) that were called back on plays where the opposing offense committed penalties.

Minter went further into what he's looking to see in terms of technique in correcting the missed tackles:

"To me, when you miss a tackle, it's always something to do with your angle, something to do with your body position, or where your eyes go," Minter explained. "All those things, continue to chase those details. And he does it, he does it in practice. He made a huge focus on it. Coach Clink (DBs coach Steve Clinkscale) probably works on tackling more than any corners coach in the National Football League. I look forward to him getting better and better as the season goes."

The Chiefs are certainly an opponent who can make defenses pay when they don't tackle properly. WR Rashee Rice currently leads the NFL in yards after contact (186) amongst all pass catchers (RBs, WRs, and TEs).

While Travis Kelce has been statistically dormant this season, he was 22nd in yards after contact in 2023. He also won't have to go against Derwin James in coverage due to his suspension.

It's safe to say that both Samuel and the Chargers will have their fair share of issues on Sunday if tackling is not up to par against Kansas City.