Storm- News » The Chargers are in the midst of a six game

winning streak and contending for a playoff berth for the first time since 2013. While that story grabs all the headlines http://www.thechargerslockerroom.com/authentic-lance-alworth-jersey , soon all eyes will turn toward the NFL Draft. When the offseason officially begins, The Chargers will be looking reload their roster at several positions. College bowl games and playoffs are just over the horizon and there are countless players that The Chargers should be monitoring over the next few months. One of the most intriguing players whose name is on the rise is Notre Dame defensive tackle, Jerry Tillery. At 6’6, 306 pounds, Tillery was originally recruited as an offensive lineman out of Evangel Christian Academy. But he was given a chance to contribute on Notre Dame’s defense as a freshman and quickly adjusted to his new position at nose guard. However it took some time for the young defensive lineman to reach his potential both on and off the field.Tillery’s production was up and down during the first two years of his college career. His character was also a point of controversy. At the conclusion of his freshman year Tillery was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl game due to violation of team rules. The following year during Notre Dame’s season finale loss to USC, he kicked one player in the head and stepped on the leg of another. Tillery publicly owned up to his mistakes and acknowledged that his maturity and accountability needed to improve. Time has passed since his incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct and Tillery has grown to be a force on the defensive line of the Fighting Irish. Through 13 games in 2017, Tillery outplayed his numbers from the previous two years combined registering 56 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one fumble. The young defensive lineman has continued build on the momentum from his junior year. At the start of the 2018 season, he was once again moved from the nose guard position to three-technique defensive tackle and the results have yielded huge returns. Tillery delivered solid performances against Michigan, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech. But his standout game came against Stanford, where he registered six total tackles, four sacks, two quarterback hits and was a constant disruption to the Stanford offense. NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst Rob Rang Dan Fouts Jersey , labeled Tillery as one of his biggest risers following his performance against Stanford.“This was the type of breakthrough performance that talent evaluators had been waiting for from the undeniably gifted (but previously inconsistent) defender.”As part of one of the best pass rushing defensive lines in college football, Tillery possesses all the attributes that translate to the NFL. His size, length and power give him the ability to play with good leverage off the snap. He has displayed the versatility to perform in both a 3-4 and 4-3 defensive front. But his speed is the true X-Factor to his game. Tillery is deceptively light on his feet for a player of his size. He shows quick feet off the line of scrimmage that commands double teams from offensive lineman. That speed and ability to create pressure have resulted in Tillery leading Notre Dame’s defense with seven sacks. The 20-year-old defensive lineman toyed with the notion of entering the NFL last year, but opted to return for his senior season. While his skills have considerably improved over the past two years, consistency has been the big knock against Tillery throughout his college career. Many draft analysts have been just as inconsistent when it comes to determining his player ranking as Tillery has been ranked anywhere from the low teens to the high 20’s The Chargers will have decisions to make when free agency begins in March. Brandon Mebane is 33 years old and his contract expires following the 2018 season. Darius Philon and Damion Square are both unrestricted free agents and could sign with other teams should the Bolts decide to let them walk. If the team does not sign a big name free agent, they could look toward the draft to fill the void. The Chargers have needed a dominant force along the interior of their defense for some time. The good news? The upcoming NFL Draft is stacked with multiple play makers on the defensive line. It would be in the team’s best interest to invest an early round pick on a player such as Tillery to solidify the middle of their front four. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon isn’t concerned about an injury that sidelined him for much of the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.“Nah, it’s just a little upper body, but I’ll be straight,” Gordon said.Whatever pain there might have been was offset by Gordon matching a career high by scoring three touchdowns, and the Chargers holding off a late Bills comeback attempt to secure a 31-20 win.“It felt good because that just showed us what type of offense we can be,” said Gordon, who left with just over 11 minutes remaining. “It’s good to have confirmation, so we’ve just got to keep that going.”A week after putting up 541 yards but lacking finish in a season-opening 38-28 loss to Kansas City Joey Bosa Jersey , the Chargers were less productive but more efficient. Gordon scored on three consecutive drives in helping the Chargers build a 28-3 lead with 1:55 left in the second quarter.The Bills, meanwhile, continued to show signs of unraveling even though rookie quarterback Josh Allen provided the offense some semblance of a spark in his first career start, and a week after a season-opening 47-3 meltdown at Baltimore.Veteran cornerback Vontae Davis created a significant stir by leaving the team at halftime, coach Sean McDermott said. Running back LeSean McCoy did not return and was still experiencing pain in the locker room because of a rib injury. And McDermott revealed he took over the defensive play-calling from coordinator Leslie Frazier to start the second half.On Davis, McDermott said: “Pulled himself out of the game. He communicated to us that he was done.”That move didn’t sit well with Buffalo’s two senior defensive leaders.“I think the only thing to say is he’s where he needs to be right now,” tackle Kyle Williams said.Asked where that might be, Williams responded: “That’s not here point blank and simple.”Defensive end Lorenzo Alexander was equally blunt when asked about Davis.“I don’t have nothing to say about Vontae so I’ll give him a little bit more respect than he showed us today as far as quitting on us in the middle of the game,” Alexander said. “Never seen it, ever. Pop Warner. High school. College. Pros.”Davis was credited with one tackle. He’s a 10-year veteran who signed a one-year contract in free agency in March.The Bills provided Davis a chance to re-start his career after a dispute with former Colts coach Chuck Pagano led to Indianapolis cutting him in November.Davis made his Bills’ debut against the Chargers after being inactive against Baltimore last week.A message left with Davis’ agent, Todd France, was not returned.The Bills defense wilted in the first half in allowing the Chargers 17 first downs and 284 yards.Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers finished 23 of 27 for 256 yards and three touchdowns, including a 10-yarder to Mike Williams , 5½ minutes in.The Chargers defense did their part in limiting the Bills to 110 yards and two field goals in the first half.Melvin Ingram III had 1½ of the Chargers’ five sacks on a defense that was playing without Joey Bosa (foot) and Corey Liuget (suspension).Allen produced two touchdown drives in the second half http://www.thechargerslockerroom.com/authentic-derwin-james-jersey , including a seven-play, 75-yard third-quarter opening drive capped by Chris Ivory’s 1-yard plunge.Allen finished 18 of 33 for 245 yards with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 38 seconds remaining, and two interceptions.It was a modestly better showing at quarterback a week after Nathan Peterman was yanked after completing 5 of 18 attempts for 24 yards, with two interceptions, and overseeing an offense that managed just one first down over 10 series.MCCOY INJUREDMcCoy was shaken up late in the third quarter when he was tackled from behind and had Buffalo center Ryan Groy fall down on him. Groy landed heavily on the left side of McCoy’s chest as he was on the ground.McCoy returned and had a 3-yard run on the final snap of the third quarter, before missing the remainder of the game.STILL HAVEN’T TRAILEDThe Chargers won their fourth straight meeting against the Bills, and haven’t trailed Buffalo since a 23-14 loss on Oct. 19, 2008.FINALLYIt took nearly 95 minutes of game time for the Bills to finally find the end zone. The drought finally ended on Ivory’s 1-yard plunge with 11:06 left in the third quarter. Buffalo was the only team not to score a touchdown in Week 1.INJURIES:Chargers: Receiver Travis Benjamin did not play because of a foot injury.Bills: RB Taiwan Jones was being evaluated for a head injury after he was tackled in Buffalo’s end zone after his helmet came off while recovering a fumbled punt midway through the fourth quarter. CB Philip Gaines hurt his right elbow while tackling Gordon.ANTHEM UPDATEChargers offensive tackle Russell Okung stood 3 yards in from the sideline with his right arm raised. No other players appeared to protest during the anthem.UP NEXTChargers: At Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 23.Bills: At Minnesota, Sunday, Sept. 23.