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COSTA MESA Allen Bailey Jersey , Calif. (AP) — Chargers rookie defensive back Derwin James has been steadily improving throughout training camp, but the next two weeks should be a better indicator of how much the first-round pick will be able to contribute this season.

Los Angeles faces potent quarterbacks and passing attacks in its next two games. The Chargers host Seattle and Russell Wilson on Saturday while New Orleans and Drew Brees will be in for two days of joint workouts next week before their game on Aug. 24.

“Every week is going to be a challenge. You’re competing against the best, so that pretty much tells you where you stand,” said James, the 17th overall selection in this year’s draft.

James should expect to see plenty of snaps Saturday. In last week’s exhibition opener at Arizona, he was on the field for 29 plays in a 24-17 loss to the Cardinals. That was the most among defensive backs and tied for second-most on defense.

He also saw more reps during training camp practices this week as some of the veterans got rest days. He had two pass breakups on deep routes during 11-on-11 drills on Wednesday.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has lauded James for his high football intelligence, and said he has picked things up pretty quickly in the classroom. But Bradley notes that what James is going through right now is common with all rookies.

“Now, it’s coming out on the field and putting it together. He’s in that phase right now, but it’s coming,” Bradley said. “If he makes a mistake, he knows right now. It’s just that next step, which you see sometimes with young guys. You have to work not to think anymore Kirk Cousins Jersey , and he’s kind of at that stage.”

Bradley is playing James in packages similar to what he had the past three seasons at Florida State. He is lining up at safety in base packages but is also seeing some time at linebacker in nickel or dime situations.

James notes, though, that his biggest adjustment is knowing different formations, since most college teams run more of a spread with some up-tempo. James said Bradley’s system is simpler than what he had in college.

“He doesn’t ask you to do too much. It’s pretty self-explanatory what he’s teaching us,” James said. “It allows us to play fast. You have to really do your job. It’s less work, but it’s more efficient work.”

Wide receiver Mike Williams, who went against James while at Clemson, said he hasn’t noticed James struggling during practices, especially when the two are matched up against each other in drills.

“He goes out there and makes a lot of plays. He has a big body back there at safety and isn’t afraid of contact. He wants to hit you,” Williams said.

James said he is anxious to take part in the Chargers’ first home game Saturday at StubHub Center, but he is still focusing on continuing to improve his technique and trying to eliminate penalties with three weeks remaining until the season opener on Sept. 9 against Kansas City.

“There’s not a lot of room for error. One step wrong and a guy is going the distance. You really have to hone in on what they’re telling you and what you’re doing,” he said. “It’s much different than high school where I can get away with a lot of stuff because I was more athletic than most guys. Now you have to come out here and do what you need to do.”

The Hart Trophy candidate might be the reason they get knocked out in the first round if he can’t become the force the Flyers need to have a chance against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Only six years ago Brooks Reed Jersey , Giroux was dubbed ”best in the world” by former coach Peter Laviolette after he posted six goals and eight assists in six games and a rare playoff series win over the Penguins. Playing in a major market, Giroux was on his way toward NHL superstardom.

Six years later, the Penguins have won two Stanley Cups, the Flyers haven’t advanced out of the first round and Giroux’s standing as one of the NHL’s best has wildly fluctuated: The 30-year-old followed two mediocre seasons with a career year this season, reaching personal highs in goals (34), assists (68) and points (102). He added a hat trick on the final day.

His production has again vanished in the playoffs.

The Flyers captain has no goals and one assist in three games – the Penguins hold a 2-1 series lead headed into Game 4 (7 p.m. EDT Wednesday, NBCSN) – in a postseason slump that dates to 2014. He again had no goals and one assist in six games against Washington in 2016 and scored two goals in seven games in 2014 against the New York Rangers. Giroux’s last playoff goal came on April 29, 2014.

In the Game 3 loss to Pittsburgh, Giroux took four shots on goal and led the Flyers with 10 shot attempts – four on goal, one that was blocked and five that missed.

”There’s a lot of hockey left to play here,” Giroux said. ”I have no doubt that we’re going to come out strong in Game 4.”

Jake Voracek and Wayne Simmonds (who dropped from 31 goals in 2017 to 24 this season) are also scoreless for the Flyers.

”Our team’s got to elevate our play overall,” coach Dave Hakstol said. ”There’s nothing drastic that needs to be done.”

That didn’t stop Hakstol from mixing up his lines at practice Tuesday Zay Jones Jersey , when Sean Couturier was injured. There was no immediate word on his status.

The Flyers have hit these rough patches before, losing 10 straight games over November and December before bouncing back to land in the postseason.

”Our guys have been through similar situations,” Hakstol said. ”This one’s just a little bit more elevated.”

The Penguins will play Game 4 without Patric Hornqvist, who has a goal and two assists in the series and is out with an undisclosed injury. He was on the top line with Sidney Crosby in Game 3 and was third in the league in power-play goals this season. Hornqvist was checked from behind into the boards by Philadelphia’s Andrew MacDonald in Game 3.

CLOSE IT OUT

Only four NHL teams have taken a 3-0 series lead like San Jose has over Anaheim and lost a best-of-seven series. The Sharks just happen to be one of them, having collapsed against the Los Angeles Kings four years ago in the first round. That’s one reason why the Sharks head into Game 4 at home against the Ducks (10:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Golf Channel) with a sense of urgency to close out this series.

”Enough has happened in this room where I think we understand the challenges that still lie ahead of us,” captain Joe Pavelski said. ”We want a good start, we want to come out and put it on the line. We’re going to have to earn this next game for sure.”

The Sharks have controlled the series, outscoring Anaheim 14-3 following an 8-1 victory in Game 3. Anaheim allowed four power-play goals as the Ducks lost their composure as well as the game.

”I mean, we got to win a game,” captain Ryan Getzlaf said. ”Our focus has got to be to win that Game 4 and that’s all we can do.”

SPIRITED PRACTICE

Nashville turned up the intensity in practice Tuesday, complete with some light hitting and vigorous battles for the puck in front of goaltender Pekka Rinne.

This is a reason for the stepped-up pace: Being outscored by a 5-0 margin by Colorado in the first period of the series.

”Today was a perfect practice for that. It wasn’t about easing into practice Tyler Lockett Jersey ,” said Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis, whose team leads the Avalanche 2-1 heading into Game 4 (10 p.m. EDT Wednesday, NBCSN). ”It was about going full speed into practice right away. We need that to translate into the game.”

Colorado went through an optional practice and had defenseman Samuel Girard on the ice wearing a non-contact sweater. He has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury.

TRUST THE … PROGRESS?

Tampa Bay holds a 2-1 series lead over New Jersey headed into Game 4 (7:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Golf Channel). But New Jersey’s 5-2 win over the Lightning on Monday was at least a sign that the Devils should trust the … progress?

The Devils are owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the same company that also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. Team owner Josh Harris attended the 76ers’ Game 2 loss in Philadelphia on Monday.

Under Harris’ watch, his teams can orchestrate a turnaround. The 76ers, accompanied by the now-familiar ”Trust The Process” slogan, went from 10 wins two seasons ago to 53 and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference this year while the Devils made a stunning run from the worst team in the East to the postseason in a year.

All the Devils need is a catchphrase.