Handing out game balls is a common occurrence at the end of each game. After Sunday’s game versus the Minnesota Vikings, HC Brandon Staley gave out three game balls. The recipients were QB Justin Herbert, WR Keenan Allen, and LB Kenneth Murray Jr. Although these are worthy recipients for a game ball since Herbert and Allen broke NFL and Charger records, and Murray sealed the game with a red zone interception, there were others who were just as deserving. So, who else deserved high recognition for there performance this past weekend?
Image: Chargers Wire – USA Today
Game Ball 1: Alohi Gilman, Safety
Many were wondering who would step up in the secondary with Nasir Adderly retiring and the Chargers neither drafting nor signing a safety in free agency. After the first few weeks, Gilman has been that guy who’s stepped up. He may not be a complete player, but paired with Derwin James, he plays just fine. Sunday, Gilman totalled 5 total tackles, 3 solo and 2 assisted, a pass defensed, a forced fumble, and fumble recovery. It could’ve been two forced fumbles but the call didn’t stand since the RB’s forward progress was stopped. Moreso, his lone pass breakup was huge as it jarred the ball from TE TJ Hockensen as the Vikings were driving down the field for a potential game winning TD. There may be room for him to improve, but choosing to go with Gilman instead of drafting or signing a FA paid dividends this week.
Image: Sports Illustrated
Game Ball 2: Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge
Joey Bosa has been battling a hamstring injury and Khalil Mack has been relatively quiet to start the season. The Chargers needed depth along the line prompting them to draft USC Edge Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round of April’s draft. The past few weeks, Tuipulotu has been playing well but this week he was a pivotal piece in the team’s win. Recording 4 total tackles, all solo, with a sack, Tuipulotu wreaked havoc in Minnesota’s backfield all day. He was constantly applying pressure thanks to his agility, strength, and relentlessness. He may still be behind Bosa and Mack on the depth chart, but expect to see him more and more on the field in the coming weeks.
Image: Fox News
Game Ball 3: The Two TEs: Gerald Everett and Donald Parham Jr.
Both TEs statlines weren’t stand-out with Everett and Parham respectively logging 30 yards on 6 receptions and 2 TDs for 4 yards on 2 receptions. However, without them, the game might’ve been lost. Parham’s first TD was an easy walk in on a goal line pick play, but his second was more monumental. It was a simple route, but what was impressive was Parham’s ability to catch the bullet of a pass thrown by Herbert. After seeing Parham’s reaction on the bench after scoring, it appeared that Parham had even impressed himself by his play.
As for Everett, his statline, again, wasn’t All-Pro. Still, Everett made the most of his short yardage receptions by keeping his legs churning to fight for extra yards. It was this hard-nosed brand of football that sustained a few Chargers drives by either moving the chains or putting them in favorable short yardage situations. Tight end is an underrated position on the Charger’s offense. But they showed up big on Sunday and will surely be needed in the future with Mike Williams now out for the season with a torn ACL.
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