It usually starts the same way.

A young Chargers player approaches a veteran with a question: “Want to watch film?” The veteran obliges, and they carve out time to study game footage on their own. In some cases, it may be a one-and-done. Perhaps, there are a few such video sessions.

And then, there are those like rookie inside linebacker Jatavis Brown.

He can’t get enough.


Brown, a fifth-round pick on the third day of the NFL Draft in April, has brought a first-day return this season. He is athletic. He is instinctive. And maybe above all, he has the want-to, a love for football that derives from an older brother who passed away when Brown was 9.

This is more than just a game or job for Brown, now 22.

It is an outlet. It is a way to honor Dimarques, who Jatavis said was 12 when he drowned in 2003 from a fishing accident. Dimarques starred at running back in Belle Glade, Fla., and by many accounts was a superior athlete to Jatavis, someone locals considered NFL-bound even at his young age.

“It means a lot to represent him,” Brown said Wednesday. “I play this game for him because I know he’d be here, someone I could look up to in the league. I’m doing it all for him. He really taught me a lot when he was here. He was my idol growing up. I looked up to him. That’s been what drives me, what continues to drive me: to show the world what he would’ve been able to do through me.”


Chargers inside linebacker Jatavis Brown (57) calls for the crowd to get loud during the second half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports ** Usable by SD ONLY ** (USA Today Sports)

Brown wants stardom. He is willing to study for it.

He identified safety Adrian Phillips as someone with whom he could partner to watch game film. They do so just about daily, usually after practice. On Tuesday off-days, they meet at Chargers Park and watch film following a workout in the team weight room.

When Brown goes home, he makes himself dinner. And then, he says, he watches more film.


Phillips carried a similar approach upon his 2014 NFL arrival, learning from then-teammate Eric Weddle. Now, Phillips passes down to Brown the knowledge acquired in part from Weddle.

“He’s smart. It shows up on the field,” Phillips said of Brown. “He’s one of those players who when he sees it, he reacts. But the film makes him move even faster and slows down the game for him because usually rookies don’t play at the level he’s playing at right now. He’s still got some elevation to do, but it’s showing that he’s not out there lost. His eyes aren’t big. He knows what he’s looking at. …

“He wants to learn. You don’t have to tell him, ‘Hey, let’s go watch film.’ He’s like, ‘Hey, we’re watching film.’ The same way I was with Weddle, I kind of see that in him. Always hungry for more. Never complacent. It’s showing.”

Brown is a nominee for Pepsi Player of the Week. Starting in place of Manti Te’o (out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury), he led the Chargers with 13 solo tackles last Thursday in a 21-13 win over the Broncos. He also was part of a fourth-quarter effort to stave off a comeback, making back-to-back impact plays.


The first came on a 10-yard sack with 4:13 remaining. Defensive end Joey Bosa occupied Broncos left tackle Russell Okung and running back Devontae Booker in protection. Defensive tackle Tenny Palepoi drew left guard Max Garcia. That freed up Brown to loop around the edge and drop quarterback Trevor Siemian, knocking Denver out of field-goal territory while trailing 21-10.

On the next play, Brown dipped his helmet into wide receiver DeMaryius Thomas, popping loose a fumble that cornerback Craig Mager recovered. The turnover allowed the Chargers’ offense to force the Broncos to use all three of their timeouts. Thomas fumbled at San Diego’s 27-yard line. When Denver reclaimed possession, it started at its own 16.

Brown quietly fell to the draft’s fifth round.

He played at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in January rather than a more prestigious all-star showcase game like the Senior Bowl for scouts. He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in February. This is what happens when a linebacker, despite sideline-to-sideline ability, hails from small-conference Akron and is listed at 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds.


Brown missed some time in training camp, being sidelined for the first three exhibitions with an injury. In time, he has shown that he had no business still being available in the fifth round.

Not with his skills.

Not with his work ethic.

“I saw it going all the way back to training camp and the offseason,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “His speed was the first thing that stood out to me, him out there trying to cover Danny (Woodhead) and covering (Antonio) Gates or Hunter (Henry), and (me) going, ‘Goodness gracious. Number 57 is going to be a stud.’ That was early on. ...


“To me, at the top of the list in criteria if I was looking for a football player is, ‘Does he love football?’ He loves to play now. He loves football. He cares about it. That, along with his athletic ability and the intangibles he has, he’s going to really help us.”

Chargers × On Now Video: AFC wild-card round affirms Chargers* underachieved On Now Chargers' TV ratings in San Diego decline in 2017 On Now 'Inexcusable' loss by Chargers, now 3-6, at Jacksonville On Now Philip Rivers on relocation w/ Raiders, Chargers & seeing former DC John Pagano On Now Chargers sign kicker Nick Novak; cut Koo On Now Philip Rivers on the Chargers offense & former teammate Darren Sproles On Now Eagles fans take over StubHub vs. Chargers On Now Philip Rivers' new ride allows him to stay home 0:35 On Now Video: Reports: Chargers LB Perryman out 4-6 weeks On Now Video: Hardwick Trump-ets hidden SD faithful of Team Spanos 0:42

michael.gehlken@sduniontribune.com


Twitter: @SDUTgehlken