They name him the very best receiver within the NFL. They are saying he’s at all times open. No matter reward has been heaped upon Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton has already heard — and seen — it firsthand.
The childhood associates, highschool teammates and nationwide champions at Louisiana State will line up in opposition to one another Sunday at SoFi Stadium because the Chargers host the Cincinnati Bengals in a essential prime-time recreation.
Fulton plans to play after a hamstring damage stored him out for 2 video games. The return comes simply in time because the Chargers (6-3) take a look at their top-ranked protection in a five-game stretch in opposition to explosive offenses.
The following 5 video games will affirm or expose the Chargers protection that permits a league-best 13.1 factors per recreation, however hasn’t confronted a workforce that ranks within the prime 10 in factors scored getting into Week 11.
With Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals (4-6) are fourth within the NFL with 245.8 yards passing per recreation and sixth in scoring with 27 factors per recreation.
Chase lit up the Baltimore Ravens final week for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches and leads the NFL within the three main receiving classes — 981 yards receiving, 66 catches and 10 touchdowns.
“They’re on fire right now, as far as that connection, and we know they’re gonna throw the ball,” Fulton mentioned, “and that’s what you live for as a defensive back.”
Fulton, who mentioned he feels 100% after his damage, gained a nationwide championship with Burrow and Chase at Louisiana State, the place he was named second-team All-SEC as a senior in 2019.
He credit the dynamic offensive duo for his success, the identical manner he is aware of his former teammates credit score him for theirs. He and Chase “go way back,” competing as youngsters earlier than they each attended Archbishop Rummel Excessive Faculty in Metairie, La., the place Fulton was a star junior cornerback when Chase arrived as a dynamic freshman.
Regardless of their historical past, Fulton retains it strictly enterprise throughout the season. Chitchat is stored to a minimal.
The Chargers want Kristian Fulton’s (7) protection expertise in opposition to the passing assault of the Bengals.
(Kyusung Gong / Related Press)
“In season, we locked in,” Fulton mentioned, “and he knows when we see each other, it’s going to be a battle.”
Fulton’s return can increase a patchwork secondary that’s beginning to get more healthy after, at one level, lacking its prime 4 cornerbacks. Defensive again Deane Leonard (hamstring) participated in apply Wednesday, starting his 21-day window to return from injured reserve.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been mum on the standing of No. 1 cowl nook Asante Samuel Jr., who’s on injured reserve with a shoulder damage.
The Chargers want any assist potential to contend not solely with Chase, but in addition the potential return of vast receiver Tee Higgins. The 25-year-old participated in apply Wednesday for the primary time after lacking the final three video games with a quadriceps damage. And they don’t seem to be the one targets the Chargers might want to cowl.
“You got to respect Ja’Marr obviously and you got to put your attention on him, because wherever he’s at the field, he can make a play and change the game, but we are in the NFL, and everybody can change the game and make a play,” Chargers cornerback Cam Hart mentioned. “So for me, it’s respect everybody. I’m going to guard everybody with utmost respect. I’m not going to sleep on nobody.”
Chargers cornerback Cam Hart faces his largest take a look at of his rookie season in opposition to the Bengals receiving corps.
(Ashley Landis / Related Press)
The rookie from Notre Dame is dealing with the most troublesome matchups of his NFL profession since accidents elevated him into the beginning lineup. Probably testing himself in opposition to a receiver of Chase’s caliber is thrilling, Hart mentioned. In any case, he’s by no means been one to shrink back from a problem.
After switching from receiver to cornerback at Notre Dame, Hart at all times lobbied to cowl the opposing workforce’s greatest receiving menace.
Chargers defensive position coach Mike Elston and safeties coach Chris O’Leary, who each coached at Notre Dame throughout Hart’s profession, knew the 6-foot-2, 207-pound prospect introduced distinctive and needed toughness to the place and lobbied for him within the scouting course of earlier than the Chargers drafted him within the fifth spherical. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter mentioned the “sky’s the limit” for Hart.
The Baltimore native might be part of the current pattern of taller, athletic cornerbacks who’re making their mark within the league, Fulton mentioned. The second-round decide in 2020 famous New York Jets’ Sauce Gardner (6-3, 190 kilos) and Denver’s Pat Surtain II (6-2, 202).
Hart has taken inspiration from fellow fifth-round decide and transformed vast receiver Richard Sherman, a standout with the Seattle Seahawks..
“Being a big corner, you gotta press, gotta set edges, you gotta get off blocks, you gotta tackle,” Hart mentioned. “But I also want to be known as a guy who can be 6-3 and 200 pounds, and guard the short, shifty receiver in the slot. I want to be an all-around corner.”
With the shuffling items within the secondary, the Chargers have emphasised communication to maintain their protection intact. The Chargers are simply the fourth workforce within the final 40 years to carry every of their first 9 opponents to twenty or fewer factors, however the secondary has nonetheless has struggled at occasions.
The Chargers allowed 107 yards receiving to Saints receiver Chris Olave, who was taking part in with rookie quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, and two touchdowns to Tennessee’s Calvin Ridley final week.
Dealing with a way more harmful offense this week, correct communication would be the prime precedence, as Chase can stress defenses by lining up everywhere in the subject, Fulton mentioned. The New Orleans native is aware of all too nicely what his longtime buddy can do.
“We got to make them earn everything,” Fulton mentioned. “That’s our mindset. We’re gonna challenge them, we’re going to get up tight on tight on them and make them earn it.”
