|
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- With starting middle linebacker Denzel Perryman out the first eight weeks of the season after having ankle surgery in August, someone had to fill the void in the middle defensively for the Los Angeles Chargers. And through the first half of the season that person has been L.A. native Hayes Pullard. A seventh-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 draft, Pullard was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars active roster from Cleveland's practice midway through his rookie season. He played eight games in 2015 and all 16 games in 2016 for the Jaguars, totaling 22 combined tackles. At 6-foot and 235 pounds, the USC product was claimed off waivers by the Chargers during final roster cut downs in September after Jacksonville released him. Pullard is a good fit for the Chargers because of his relationship with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, developed in Jacksonville when he served as the team's head coach. He also has played in Bradley's 4-3 scheme created by NFL defensive guru Monte Kiffin since his time with the Trojans, so he came in and quickly adapted to what was happening defensively for the Chargers. Pullard said he was ready to contribute, and is not surprised by as many snaps he's played so far this year. Pullard can play both Mike and Will linebacker, and says his instincts and ability to get other players lined up and ready to go pre-snap are his strengths. "He's very instinctive," Bradley said. "I think if you looked at his speed, he wouldn't be an elite guy, but his instincts allow him to play fast. He picks things up very well, understands the scheme because he's been it and it allows him to play fast. "He's been a good leader for us as far as getting us aligned, calls and everything set up; he does a good job with that. And he's a pretty good tackler at the point of attack. He has a little size to him, too." Pullard's also a good tackler, according to Bradley. Pullard said he's enjoying playing back in his hometown of L.A. Pullard is second on the team in tackles with 41 and second among linebackers at snaps played on defense with 219. "It's a good homecoming for myself, my family and friends and the great teammates I know," Pullard said. One of those teammates is fellow Crenshaw High product and L.A. native Brandon Mebane. Here are a couple questions from this week's Chargers mailbag: @eric_d_williams: The Chargers did sign linebacker Josh Keyes earlier this week, so it will be interesting to see if he's active against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. But there's no question the Chargers have to improve on the league's worst run defense, giving up 152.5 rushing yards a contest. The Chargers will be tested by one of the better running teams in the NFL in the Broncos. Bradley said the Chargers are taking a linebacker-by-committee approach, with Pullard playing middle linebacker on early downs and Jatavis Brown manning the middle in passing situations. The Chargers also have to continue to monitor Brown's snap count as he recovers from a high-ankle sprain. When healthy, safety Adrian Phillips also has worked into the rotation in the Chargers' sub-package as a Will linebacker. "We're just trying to put guys in the best position possible to use their traits," Bradley said. "You're seeing a lot of substitutions at LB , 'Here's our first and second and third down Mike and our first, second, third down Will.' "We're not in position right now for that (to play three linebackers in a traditional, base defense) so you're seeing a lot of guys move in and out based on what personnel group we're seeing and the game." @eric_d_williams: Branden Oliver has been slowed the past two weeks by a hamstring injury, but he's finally healthy and expected to be active this week. Undrafted rookie Austin Ekeler has shown flashes with his explosive playmaking ability, but Oliver has a more intimate knowledge of the offense and can be a good, change-of-pace back to spell workhorse runner Melvin Gordon when healthy. Lynn said he would like to ease the load for Gordon in terms of the amount of reps the Wisconsin product is playing each week. "Melvin's a good running back in this league and we've got to use him," Lynn said. "His touches are on pace, but his rep count is maybe a little high. But I'm fine with his touches."
|
