Herbert sets the tone to start Chargers camp
Justin Herbert took his first snaps since January’s playoff exit as the Chargers opened camp Wednesday, working in a new offense under Mike McDaniel.
Good morning! Training camps are stacking up across the region. The Chargers opened in El Segundo with Justin Herbert turning the page on a rough January, the Raiders got their best player back on the field in Henderson, and the Cowboys even set up shop in Oxnard. On the diamond, the Astros took a third straight from the Angels and the Padres completed a sweep of the Rockies behind a six-pitcher mix-and-match effort. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
🏈 Herbert’s Day 1. The Chargers QB looked sharp in a new shotgun-heavy offense under OC Mike McDaniel — Fredo Cervantes and Fernando Ramirez at The Bolt.
🏈 Crosby’s back. The Raiders’ All-Pro edge rusher returned from knee surgery for Day 1 of camp in Henderson — Steve Carp in Henderson with the column.
🏈 Puka’s Growth. Rams all-pro wide reciever Puka Nacua opens up about personal growth, therapy ahead of season — Carlos Yakimowich from Loyola Marymount.
⚾ Sweep complete. The Padres beat Colorado 3-1 behind six pitchers, stretching their win streak to five — Eric Evelhoch at Petco Park.
⚾ Astros keep rolling. Houston beat the Angels 7-4 for a third straight win in the series — Jack Janes at Angel Stadium.
⚾ Building trust. Eric Lauer continues giving the Dodgers reasons to believe down the stretch — Fredo Cervantes at Dodger Stadium.
🏈 Cowboys in Oxnard. Dallas opened camp on the Central Coast with a rebuilt defense — Sebastian Sanchez in Oxnard.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
📋 SCOREBOARD — WEDNESDAY
⚾ MLB: Astros 7, Angels 4 · Padres 3, Rockies 1 · Dodgers 4, Mariners 2
🏈 THE CHARGERS TURN THE PAGE
Under clear skies and in front of thousands of fans packed into The Bolt, the Chargers officially opened camp Wednesday with a fresh sense of optimism — and the memory of a 16-3 Wild Card loss to New England still lingering. It was Justin Herbert’s first football practice since that game, and he looked the part of a quarterback ready to move on: clean footwork, sharp timing, accurate throws across the field in a new shotgun-heavy scheme. “I think there’s always a sense of urgency,” Herbert said. “I think the guys are focused and dialed in this year.” New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has already made an impression — “He loves what he does. He loves football, he loves being here,” Herbert said — and the pairing of Herbert’s arm talent with McDaniel’s scheme is quickly becoming one of the league’s more intriguing storylines. Herbert also fielded a lighter question, on his recent engagement to Madison Beer: asked whether the proposal or his unexpected 2020 NFL debut brought more nerves, he didn’t hesitate. “The proposal, for sure.”
GO DEEPER
› Fredo Cervantes: Justin Herbert sets the tone as Chargers open training camp with renewed expectations (The Sporting Tribune)
› Fernando Ramirez:: News and notes fom Day 1 of Chargers training camp (The Sporting Tribune)
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🏈 MAXX CROSBY IS BACK WHERE HE BELONGS
Few were certain Maxx Crosby would still be a Raider after last season, and even fewer expected him ready for Day 1 of camp after a second knee surgery in January. But there he was Wednesday in Henderson, working with the first-team defense under his fifth head coach in six years, Klint Kubiak. “It’s a blessing. It’s an absolute blessing,” Crosby said of the grueling rehab that kept him off his feet for more than a month. “I love this game, and I heard all the noise… but everyone knows if my back’s against the wall that’s when I’m at my best.” New quarterback Kirk Cousins noticed immediately: “It’s not by accident that he’s an All-Pro level player… you just start to see name after name, and when it’s some of your better players like a Maxx, you say, ‘Hey, we can work with this.’” The plan is to have him at full strength for the Sept. 13 opener against Miami — not rushed back a day sooner.
GO DEEPER
› Steve Carp: Crosby’s back, but what’s the rush? (The Sporting Tribune)
› Derek Hegna: Battles on offense take center stage as Raiders training camp begins (The Sporting Tribune)
⚾ PADRES CLOSE OUT THE SWEEP
A night after needing a ninth-inning walk-off, San Diego made it look easy. The Padres rode a three-run fourth inning and six pitchers to a 3-1 win over Colorado on Wednesday, completing the sweep and stretching their win streak to a season-best-tying five games. Jackson Merrill, Luis Rengifo and Gavin Sheets all drove in runs in the decisive frame, while Jeremiah Estrada made his first appearance since June 2 and struck out the side in the eighth. “Eventually if you stick with it, keep a good attitude, continue to work hard… you’re going to figure out a way to get on a good streak,” manager Craig Stammen said. The Padres improve to 55-53 and 8-1 against Colorado on the season, with a four-game set against the Giants up next.
GO DEEPER
› Eric Evelhoch: Strong pitcher mix, big fourth inning stakes Padres to sweep Rockies (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — THURSDAY, JULY 30
⚾ MLB: Giants at Padres — Padres TV — 6:40 p.m. PT.
⚾ MLB: Mariners at Dodgers — SNLA — 7:00 p.m. PT.
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⚾ Thu., July 30: Giants at Padres — Petco Park — $42
⚾ Thu., July 30: Mariners at Dodgers — Dodger Stadium — $60
🌴 TST MARKET TRIVIA
Maxx Crosby is entering camp under his fifth different head coach since the Raiders drafted him. Can you name all five?
Answer at the bottom.
🎧 THE SPORTING TRIBUNE TODAY
Today’s episode breaks down Justin Herbert’s first camp practice since January, checks in on Maxx Crosby’s return in Henderson, and recaps the Padres’ sweep of the Rockies. Hear it on the radio across Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii via Westwood One Sports, The Bet Las Vegas, Hawaii Sports Radio Network and KIRN in Los Angeles.
› Listen to the latest episode
Trivia answer: Jon Gruden, Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce, Pete Carroll and Klint Kubiak.
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