Blog: Los Angeles Chargers Daily Links: Derwin James is the NFL’s top rookie

Antonio Gates: How Is He Still Open? – Travis Kincaid
This is from last year when Gates scored his 112th touchdown to break Tony Gonzalez’s record for most touchdowns by a tight end. Another reason Gates tends to get open these days is because the defense just forgets about him. With so many other threats on the field, Gates is great at finding holes in zone coverages and it’s very rare you see him drop a ball.

As season’s end nears, no surprise by league’s top rookie – Jeff Legwold
As the Chargers make a push for home-field advantage in the AFC — the team has won 10 of its past 11 games — James continues to be the most versatile option defensive coordinator Gus Bradley can move anywhere in the formation. Some opposing offensive coaches have tracked him at five different positions as they prepared to play the Chargers.

Bowen’s Shutdown Index: The best defensive backs in every category – Matt Bowen (insider)
At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, James has displayed his freakish athleticism, speed and power in the Chargers’ system. And that combination of traits has been utilized by coordinator Gus Bradley, with James playing 267 snaps at safety, 345 at outside linebacker, 128 in the slot and 26 at inside linebacker. He’s an ultra-rare talent who creates havoc on offenses. Remember: James is a rookie. He’s going to keep getting better. That’s trouble for the rest of the league.

Possibilities for Chargers’ next right tackle – Brian Garcia
In my opinion Lamp’s best position would be at right guard so that means sliding Michael Schofield to right tackle which he played a lot of last year. Just to get a full evaluation I would slot in both right tackle and guard positions for a series each to see which position he fits best in. Whether it’s Lamp or Schofield, I believe that either or will be an upgrade at the position.

Eric Weddle’s reunion with Chargers: No grudges but never forget – Jamison Hensley & Eric Williams
“When I retire, am I going to walk through the L.A. Chargers practice facility and say hi to everyone? Probably not,” Weddle told ESPN. “I definitely will never forget what happened and what they said and did to me and my family. But I’m not going to hold any grudges.”