Tarheeb Nonetheless mentioned his farewells and was prepared to go away for a three-day weekend. On a Thursday this offseason, the second-year cornerback instructed Ben Herbert, the Chargers’ govt director of participant personnel, that he would “see him Monday.”
A deep voice within the background abruptly modified Nonetheless’s schedule.
“Why aren’t you coming in tomorrow?” Khalil Mack requested the 22-year-old.
Motivated by Mack’s instance, Nonetheless is poised for a breakout season as he competes for a bigger position in a stacked secondary group. The previous fifth-round choose who began 12 video games as a rookie has been working with the 34-year-old, nine-time Professional Bowl choice each Friday, selecting Mack’s mind on soccer and life.
No marvel why Nonetheless “seems like he’s a different person,” defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale mentioned.
“I love when you see young players run towards great players, greatness and not the other direction,” Clinkscale mentioned. “It’s awesome to mimic their habits and what they do, especially their good habits, and Tarheeb has really done that. He’s really grown up and matured.”
Nonetheless was already working with Herbert from Monday by way of Thursday, however quickly added Fridays with Mack. They start their power coaching round 9 a.m. collectively, however Nonetheless is aware of Mack will get to the power earlier within the coaching room. There’s no method Mack may have constructed his Corridor of Fame-worthy profession with out placing in each ounce of additional work.
“Khalil is just showing me how to be intentional,” Nonetheless mentioned. “Every day, taking advantage of small incremental gains every day to get to where I want to be.”
The Chargers progressed to the following step of their offseason program Tuesday, opening organized crew actions. The sight of offense and protection lining up towards one another for the primary time throughout the offseason introduced pleasure to the power, however frustration for Cam Hart. The second-year cornerback, who, like Nonetheless, was drafted within the fifth spherical final yr, shouldn’t be but totally cleared after present process shoulder surgical procedure in January.
Hart sustained a torn labrum towards the Houston Texans within the playoffs, however mentioned he expects to be cleared to return round necessary minicamp, which begins June 10.
The shoulder harm was a punctuation mark on a promising, however injury-riddled rookie yr for Hart. Regardless of making six begins in 14 appearances with 37 tackles, Hart additionally battled two concussions and an ankle harm. The accidents tormented Hart as he went by way of the offseason program, rehabbing twice a day for the reason that shoulder harm.
Chargers cornerback Cam Hart speaks throughout a information convention in El Segundo on Tuesday.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Related Press)
“I showed a small percentage of who Cam can be in the NFL last year,” Hart mentioned. “With 17 healthy games, I think I got a lot more to show.”
Though they return most of their prime performers from final yr’s secondary that ranked seventh within the NFL in passing yards allowed per sport in comparison with thirtieth in 2023, the Chargers have renewed competitors at cornerback with out Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. Fulton parlayed a resurgent season with the Chargers right into a multi-year take care of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs as a free agent, and Samuel stays a free agent after a shoulder harm restricted the previous second-round choose to simply 4 video games final yr.
Desirous to bolster the secondary with extra dimension and pace, the Chargers introduced in free brokers Benjamin St-Juste and Donte Jackson. The 6-foot-3 St-Juste began in 42 of his 45 appearances for the Washington Commanders within the final three seasons, and Jackson, an eight-year NFL veteran, is coming off a career-best 5 interceptions with the Pittsburgh Steelers final yr. Nonetheless and Hart, who have been rookies hoping to make any optimistic impression a yr in the past, at the moment are “the cream of the crop,” Clinkscale mentioned.
The most recent crop of rookies even flashed their potential Tuesday as seventh-round choice Trikweze Bridges and undrafted free agent Jaylen Jones every bought an interception throughout the no-contact 11-on-11 durations.
The secondary depth may trigger complications for Clinkscale. He wouldn’t have it some other method.
“Nobody has a spot,” Clinkscale mentioned. “We want to see who’s going to earn it.”
With greater than three months remaining till the Chargers open their season in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nonetheless knew he needed to dial again the competitors Tuesday throughout observe. The drills are nonetheless meant to be non-contact throughout the voluntary classes. Holding everybody on their toes and wholesome was extra essential than breaking apart a go or grabbing an interception, Nonetheless mentioned.
Nonetheless was connected to receiver Ladd McConkey’s hip on a deep route down the sideline, however didn’t dive or attain for the ball to breakup a barely underthrown go from quarterback Justin Herbert. McConkey’s tightrope catch drew cheers from his teammates.
Nonetheless mentioned the no-contact durations have been good alternatives to hone his method, however when requested if he would have picked off the go supposed for McConkey, Nonetheless lined his face.
“No comment,” he mentioned, making an attempt to cover his smile.
The assured look on his face was remark sufficient.
