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All good issues are available in threes — together with reliability.
Anchored by kicker Cameron Dicker, punter JK Scott and lengthy snapper Josh Harris, the Chargers’ specialists have been a bedrock of stability the previous three seasons. That steadiness appeared in jeopardy when Scott’s contract expired this offseason.
Like a rock band dropping its guitarist, it appeared as if the group might need performed its remaining tour collectively. However for Scott — whose bond with Dicker and Harris runs deeper than soccer — staying in L.A. felt like divine intervention.
“Really, it was one thing me and my spouse decided collectively from a spot of prayer,” Scott mentioned of re-signing. “We felt like we had been presupposed to be right here. The relationships that we’ve got right here, we simply felt like this was the suitable match.”
Assembled by particular groups coordinator Ryan Ficken, the unit thrives on distinction. Dicker is the energetic free spirit. Scott brings a reserved, considerate presence. Harris, 36, is the seasoned veteran.
“They’re like large brothers,” Dicker, the youngest of the group, mentioned. “It’s been actually cool to have them in my life and serving to with issues on the sector, off the sector. Main me by way of all of it, and simply going by way of the journey of life popping out of school, it’s good to have these guys.”
The three specialists, together with Ficken, are holdovers from the earlier regime. Ficken, one of many few coaches retained when Jim Harbaugh was employed as head coach, engineered the transformation.
Earlier than his arrival, the Chargers ranked close to the underside in particular groups DVOA, or defense-adjusted worth over common — thirty second in 2020 and twenty eighth in 2021. With Harris and Scott’s offseason signing and Dicker’s arrival midseason, the unit rose to sixth by the tip of 2022 and second in 2023.
“The best way they method the sport and the way they respect each other they usually perceive that one another’s success goes to assist all of us,” Ficken mentioned. “Having all three of them again one other 12 months simply continues to permit us to develop.”
Underneath Ficken’s steerage, Dicker has develop into one of many league’s most correct, changing 89 of 95 kicks since 2022. He had a franchise-record 150 factors final season with 39 subject targets and 33 further factors.
Chargers particular groups coordinator Ryan Ficken, left, works with lengthy snapper Josh Harris earlier than a sport towards the Buffalo Payments in December 2023.
(Kyusung Gong / Related Press)
Scott completed prime 10 in downed punts contained in the 20-yard line and posted the second-highest hold time within the league at 4.65 seconds final season.
“Selfishly, I’m going to say we’ve got one of the best room within the league,” Harris mentioned. “Getting to come back to work with JK, Dick and Fick, we actually work nicely collectively. … There’s no person else that I’d somewhat go on the market with.”
When the Jacksonville Jaguars minimize Scott early within the 2021 season and he went unsigned for the remainder of the 12 months, Ficken advocated bringing him to the Chargers.
“He known as me and informed me he wished to have me as his punter for some time,” Scott mentioned. “I attribute quite a lot of simply me being right here to him. So I’m grateful for him. Actually, actually love that man.”
And when there was an opportunity the trio may drift aside, Ficken acted because the glue retaining them collectively. His religion in Scott finally factored into Scott’s resolution to re-sign.
“He actually believes in me, believes in Josh and Cameron,” Scott mentioned. “He all the time expressed that, and it’s loopy, the ability of when you could have folks believing in you, it helps you imagine in your self extra.”
The group is assured to remain collectively for no less than yet another 12 months.
Scott signed a two-year, $6-million contract in March. Dicker secured a four-year, $22-million extension final season, making him among the many highest-paid kickers. Harris, nonetheless, is within the remaining 12 months of his contract and can miss no less than the primary 4 video games after being positioned on injured reserve with a shoulder damage. Rick Lovato will take over till Harris returns.
Whereas the turnaround of a once-abysmal particular groups unit is the measurement of success, the playful off-field moments outline their time collectively.
Generally it’s Harris providing Scott smelling salts — a apply Dicker, who is of course amped, skips. Or it’s Harris snapping a photograph of Dicker, Scott and Ficken subsequent to the Dicker’s well-known fair-catch kick cleats on show on the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Then there’s Scott, who requested Harris a loaded query throughout a current information convention: “Who do you want extra, JK Scott or Cameron Dicker?”
“I can’t reply,” Harris mentioned with a chuckle. “You guys are one of the best, however you’re sitting in right here, so I suppose I’ll should go together with my man proper now, exhibiting help.”
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