Chargers defense dominates Rams offense in joint training camp practice

The Los Angeles Chargers were supposed to struggle against the might of Sean McVay and a formidable Rams offense.

Well, no one told defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

According to team reporter Eric Smith, the Chargers forced a staggering five turnovers against the first-team offense of the Rams. Linebackers Nick Niemann and Denzel Perryman each had interceptions. Daiyan Henley, the team's third-round pick last year, recovered a fumble caused by safety Alohi Gilman. Gilman, who earned a two-year, $10.125 million deal this offseason, continues his eye-opening knack for forcing turnovers. His running mate, Derwin James Jr., also forced a turnover by deflecting a red zone pass that was picked off by Asante Samuel Jr. The final turnover was a Kristian Fulton interception off a tipped pass from Tuli Tuipulotu.

The Chargers forced just 21 turnovers last year, 21st in the NFL and far from the league-leading 31 the Baltimore Ravens forced under former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

Minter was an incredible college defensive coordinator at Michigan, but many were wondering how he would fare in his first year as an NFL play caller with a roster desperate for a new direction. While one joint practice on a Sunday does not equate to true NFL game action, a strong performance from this defense does inspire hope. Minter extracting the most out of this defense after a far more expensive group flopped under former head coach Brandon Staley would all but push the Chargers into the postseason.