Chargers Training Camp Notes (1 Viewer)

[tommyGunZ]

Alarm went off early this morning and I grabbed fellow footballguy Stingdiddy off my couch and we made the 10 minute drive to Chargers training camp. Quick observations:

- PRivers looked great. He hit Eric Parker on a nice long ball in 1-on-1's, and looked very sharp on crossing routes over the middle. In 9-9 drills, Rivers completed almost every pass even in the wet conditions. I was especially impressed with his accuracy - not just in completing passes but with his ability to hit Gates and LT on short routes in stride. In particular, he seemed to be able to hit LT right in the breadbasket when LT was the safety valve in the flat.

- LT caught every swing pass thrown his way; he and Rivers seemed to really be on the same page. Only the first full practice, but it really seems that LT is going to be the recipient of a ton of Rivers dump offs this season, meaning 70+ receptions should be the expectation for LT after a drop off in receptions the past couple seasons.

- Vincent Jackson has outstanding tools, but he won't beat out Eric Parker. Parker made a sensational grab on a long bomb from Phillip in 1 on 1's, and had the defensive back out of position on several occasions during 9 on 9s. He didn't drop a pass, and showed why he has the best hands on the team. He simply doesn't drop anything.

- Michael "Burner" Turner caught a swing pass out of the backfield and make a nice move to get up field, displaying pretty good speed. He's the handcuff, and would likely put up startable RB2 numbers if LT went down.

- Shawne Merriman is an absolute monster. He's sporting a mini-mohawk, and is in fantastic shape. Fellow FBG'er Stingdidddy mentioned how much thinner Merriman looked than some of the others - there isn't an ounce of fat on his body. He really looks like a man amongst boys on the playing field and at 22, he's not even close to getting "man-muscles". Dynasty IDP'ers, grab him if you have a chance.

- OL is going to be a big question mark, particularly LT. Roman Oben was gimpy - walking around in sweats with a noticable limp. Rookie 2nd rounder Marcus McNeil will likely start if Oben can't go - Leander Jordan is working with the first team right now but he was such a disaster last season it's hard to imagine Auburn's All American McNeil won't win the spot this summer. Regardless, a Jordan or McNeil at LT in week one is a huge question mark with a green QB. This could very well be the achilles heel of a team that could be a Super Bowl darkhorse if Rivers produces.

- Antonio Cromartie made the play of the morning, leaping several feet into the air after stopping on a dime to pick off a pass in 1 on 1s. As soon as he came down with the ball, Cromartie looked like he was shoot out of a cannon, and instant reached full speed (after 2-3 steps) and galloped 20-30 yards back upfield. It was EXACTLY the type of play he was drafted to make, and Marty personally grabbed him, said a couple of encouraging words, and patted him on the helmet. Cromartie looked bad on a couple of other plays (McCardell left him standing on and out and up) but all in all, the rookie looks like the total package.

Just some quick observations - I'd love to hear from other FBGs who made it out to Murphy Canyon today. I'll be back out tomorrow morning in a red sweatshirt - give me a holla if you spot me.

 

[There it is]

Thanks Tommy. You answered my questions.

Great posting.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

- OL is going to be a big question mark, particularly LT. Roman Oben was gimpy - walking around in sweats with a noticable limp. Rookie 2nd rounder Marcus McNeil will likely start if Oben can't go - Leander Jordan is working with the first team right now but he was such a disaster last season it's hard to imagine Auburn's All American McNeil won't win the spot this summer. Regardless, a Jordan or McNeil at LT in week one is a huge question mark with a green QB. This could very well be the achilles heel of a team that could be a Super Bowl darkhorse if Rivers produces.

Hopefully Roman gets heathly.

Does anyone know how far undet the cap the Bolts are? maybe they can add a veteran at this spot before the season starts.

I really gotta say AJ dropped the ball not adding a decent vet OT in the offseason. (not a ton of great off-season FA's at the OT spot.I know).

Tommy, any of the back up LB's look good? Wilhelm, Cooper etc.?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Great report, tGunZ.

I couldn't get there today, but will probably be out there tomorrow.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Great report, tGunZ.

I couldn't get there today, but will probably be out there tomorrow.

slacker.

 

[BoltBacker]

- OL is going to be a big question mark, particularly LT. Roman Oben was gimpy - walking around in sweats with a noticable limp. Rookie 2nd rounder Marcus McNeil will likely start if Oben can't go - Leander Jordan is working with the first team right now but he was such a disaster last season it's hard to imagine Auburn's All American McNeil won't win the spot this summer. Regardless, a Jordan or McNeil at LT in week one is a huge question mark with a green QB. This could very well be the achilles heel of a team that could be a Super Bowl darkhorse if Rivers produces.

- Antonio Cromartie made the play of the morning, leaping several feet into the air after stopping on a dime to pick off a pass in 1 on 1s. As soon as he came down with the ball, Cromartie looked like he was shoot out of a cannon, and instant reached full speed (after 2-3 steps) and galloped 20-30 yards back upfield. It was EXACTLY the type of play he was drafted to make, and Marty personally grabbed him, said a couple of encouraging words, and patted him on the helmet. Cromartie looked bad on a couple of other plays (McCardell left him standing on and out and up) but all in all, the rookie looks like the total package.

Very solid work here Gunz, much appreciated.Hope to hear as much as possible with regard to the progress of McNeil. Let's cross our fingers and hope that his back issues won't surface this season.

I know you were pimping Cromartie like no other before the draft and thus far he seems to be saying and doing all the right things. You must have really enjoyed that INT, nice call on that 1st round pick. Really hope he pans out because SD's secondary needs a playmaker to be sure.

How did Jammer look? Lots of press early in the summer about him and I'm curious just how much of it was "summer fluff". It always seems like he's just about to put it all together and then the regular season starts and he gets beat for 4th quarter TD's.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I know you were pimping Cromartie like no other before the draft and thus far he seems to be saying and doing all the right things. You must have really enjoyed that INT, nice call on that 1st round pick. Really hope he pans out because SD's secondary needs a playmaker to be sure.

Pic of the INT from Cromartie from yesterday morning's practice.From all reports, and from yesterday morning's practice, Cro is meeting or exceeding all of the hope regarding his athletic ability and his potential to make big plays. But all of that optimism needs to be bottled somewhat b/c there are plays where Cro gets turned around and his man is 5-8 yards behind him because of a fake or poor footwork. He's far too raw to be lined up against Javon Walker or Jerry Porter right now; he'd get toasted.

But proper footwork and set up can be taught. Cro has what can't be taught - blazing speed combined with great size, hands, and overall athleticism. As a Charger fan, it is tough not to get excited about the possibilty that AJ Smith hit another home run and grabbed a gamebreaking playmaker a la Champ Bailey/Dieon Sanders to shore up the weakest unit on the team. If Cromartie is as good as advertised, the Chargers defense could be a fantasy sleeper considering they're already #1 against the run and Merriman gets a full season to pile up sacks.

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

Tommy, any of the back up LB's look good? Wilhelm, Cooper etc.?

Good question- Im interested myself. If they do happen to send off Donnie Edwards, who has the inside track to the starting MLB spot? Ive heard both Wilhelm and Cooper (moreso Cooper) but just wondering if TC showed anything definitive.Thanks

 

[tommyGunZ]

Tommy, any of the back up LB's look good? Wilhelm, Cooper etc.?

Good question- Im interested myself. If they do happen to send off Donnie Edwards, who has the inside track to the starting MLB spot? Ive heard both Wilhelm and Cooper (moreso Cooper) but just wondering if TC showed anything definitive.Thanks

Wilhelm is the favorite to take Donnie's spot if/when Donnie is moved. Cooper plays outside and spells Merriman and/or Godfrey.Shaun Phillips would be Wilhelm's biggest competition for Donnie's spot in the middle, as of right now.

 

[rzrback77]

How does Rivers chemistry seem tobe developing with his WRs? You mentioned E Parker, but what about McCardell? All of the message board talk this summer thought that Rivers would focus on Gates and KT, but I don't think that will be the case. He has good arm strength, yes?

 

[tommyGunZ]

Does anyone know how far undet the cap the Bolts are? maybe they can add a veteran at this spot before the season starts.

I don't know the actual numbers, but they should have some wiggle room to make a move if they get desperate. The only significant FA they brought in was Marlon McCree, although they did extend Nick Hardwick © and Eric Parker to long term deals. If I'm not mistaken, they also gave Kassim Osgood a couple million in an extension to reward his hard work and excellent special teams play.

I really gotta say AJ dropped the ball not adding a decent vet OT in the offseason. (not a ton of great off-season FA's at the OT spot.I know).

McNeil is the upgrade that the Chargers were looking for, if his spine is fine. W/o the injury concerns, I think McNeil likely would have been a top 20 pick, so AJ Smith decided the Oben/Jordan/McNeil combination was adequate for '06. Like you, I'm very worried about this position, as are most Bolt fans.Important to remember that PRivers' often criticized throwing motion allows him to get rid of the ball extrememly quickly, so perhaps he'll be able to duck a few mistakes by the LT this season with his ability to unload the ball extremely fast.

 

[tommyGunZ]

How does Rivers chemistry seem tobe developing with his WRs? You mentioned E Parker, but what about McCardell? All of the message board talk this summer thought that Rivers would focus on Gates and KT, but I don't think that will be the case. He has good arm strength, yes?

"Good" is exactly how I would describe Rivers' arm strength. That's a slight upgrade from Brees (although Brees' arm strength was significantly better in 05 than it had been in previous years), but Phillip is not a gunslinger in the Elway, Favre, CPalmer class. Rivers' strength at NCSU was his ability to always make the right read and the right throw, taking what the defense gives him which means a lot of dumpoffs and intermediate passes. He has shown the ability to throw a nice deep ball when the coverage dictates it - he threw a 35 yard laser for a TD against Green Bay in the preseason last year: YouTube Link Too early to comment on Rivers' chemistry with McCardell, IMO. Rivers has only been working with the first team receivers in minicamp and the past couple of days.

I think alot of the talk about Rivers utilizing LT and Gates comes from Rivers' style of play, in that (as mentioned above) he takes what the defense gives him on a particular play which will often be LT in the flat or Gates on intermediate routes across the middle. See this YouTube video for an example of what I'm talking about. Rivers simply gets the ball to whomever's open, and he gets it to that receiver as quickly as possible.

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

Shaun Phillips would be Wilhelm's biggest competition for Donnie's spot in the middle, as of right now.

Hey Tommy, thanks for the info. Just one more question: Is Phillips facing any disciplinary action from the team (suspension) or were the charges dropped? I remember his arrest but never found out what hapened.

GB

 

[tommyGunZ]

BTW, if it appears that I am driving the Phillip Rivers' bandwagon, you are correct. I'm of the opinion that Rivers has been the best QB on the Charger roster for 2 years now, and his growing pains are not going to be nearly as bad as most in the national media are predicting. Rivers was on the bench only b/c of the phenomenal roll that Drew Brees was on the past 2 seasons; all indications are that Rivers has looked great in practice/camps and there aren't any veterans complaining about the move to allow Brees to walk and Rivers to assume the job.

I think Rivers surprises big time this fall. All of my fantasy teams will be riding on it.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Shaun Phillips would be Wilhelm's biggest competition for Donnie's spot in the middle, as of right now.

Hey Tommy, thanks for the info. Just one more question: Is Phillips facing any disciplinary action from the team (suspension) or were the charges dropped? I remember his arrest but never found out what hapened.

GB

To my knowledge, Phillips isn't facing any disciplinary action from his arrest. Like you, I read about the arrest but haven't seen anything about it since. My guess is that he dealt with it personally and the Chargers were satisfied with his apology or explanation, and have let it go. But that's just a guess, like you I haven't heard anything.

 

[Raider Nation]

- LT caught every swing pass thrown his way; he and Rivers seemed to really be on the same page. Only the first full practice, but it really seems that LT is going to be the recipient of a ton of Rivers dump offs this season, meaning 70+ receptions should be the expectation for LT after a drop off in receptions the past couple seasons.

I just moved him up my draft board!

 

[JAA]

I know you were pimping Cromartie like no other before the draft and thus far he seems to be saying and doing all the right things. You must have really enjoyed that INT, nice call on that 1st round pick. Really hope he pans out because SD's secondary needs a playmaker to be sure.

Pic of the INT from Cromartie from yesterday morning's practice.

Almost jumps as high as me ...thats disgusting

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

Awesome post TG. From everything I read Rivers sounded like he had a great practice yesterday. I'll be out there today so I'll look for you.

 

[EBF]

How did Rashaun Woods look?

 

[Finatic]

How did Rashaun Woods look?

Chargers Injury Update --Sun Jul 30, 2006 --from FFMastermind.com

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports all Chargers players reported as scheduled. As expected, three veterans did not practice because of injury – OT Roman Oben (foot), S Bhawoh Jue (knee) and NT Jamal Williams (knee), although the latter two likely will begin working early next week. Two other veterans, LB Marques Harris (calf) and TE Ryan Krause (hamstring), also sat out both practices, while WR Rashaun Woods (hamstring) did not work in the afternoon. LB Donnie Edwards participated in most of the drills but was bothered by a sore back that is “nothing serious,” HC Marty Schottenheimer said.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Wilhelm is the favorite to take Donnie's spot if/when Donnie is moved. Cooper plays outside and spells Merriman and/or Godfrey.

I agree that Wilhelm has the inside track. He may replace Edwards on running downs even if Edwards is not moved.Cooper also plays inside, working behind Godfrey. You may see Cooper in for Godfrey on passing downs.

Phillips plays outisde, and is generally used as a situational rusher, but he can spell either Merriman or Foley.

tGunZ, are you heading back down there today?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Just one more question: Is Phillips facing any disciplinary action from the team (suspension) or were the charges dropped?

Charges were dropped.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I'm of the opinion that Rivers has been the best QB on the Charger roster for 2 years now, and his growing pains are not going to be nearly as bad as most in the national media are predicting.

I'm having a hard time understanding why people are so down on Rivers this year. So many people think he will struggle, I keep thinking maybe there's something to it and they know something about him or his situation that I don't. But then you hear the entirety of their reasoning -- "rookie QBs often struggle" -- and, no, they don't seem to know anything about him that I don't.It's kind of weird. I think Rivers is more undervalued right now than any other player in the fantasy world.

 

[Tau837]

BTW, if it appears that I am driving the Phillip Rivers' bandwagon, you are correct. I'm of the opinion that Rivers has been the best QB on the Charger roster for 2 years now, and his growing pains are not going to be nearly as bad as most in the national media are predicting. Rivers was on the bench only b/c of the phenomenal roll that Drew Brees was on the past 2 seasons; all indications are that Rivers has looked great in practice/camps and there aren't any veterans complaining about the move to allow Brees to walk and Rivers to assume the job.

I think Rivers surprises big time this fall. All of my fantasy teams will be riding on it.

Hold on there, I'm driving it. But you can be copilot. I have said for two years that the Chargers should have traded Brees, including after his successful 2004 season when he was healthy and the Chargers had just made the playoffs for the first time in forever. Few Charger fans were comfortable with that idea then.

 

[tommyGunZ]

tGunZ, are you heading back down there today?

Yep - looking forward to seeing Merriman in the OK drill. I assume you read the UT article - sounds like he's salivating after not getting the opportunity to participate last year.Maurile and Gold Plated Nails - I'll be wearing a blue tee-shirt that says "Ain't Life Grand" in white letters, a blue Padres cap, and a pair of shorts. If you see me, holla.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

tGunZ, are you heading back down there today?

Yep - looking forward to seeing Merriman in the OK drill. I assume you read the UT article - sounds like he's salivating after not getting the opportunity to participate last year.Maurile and Gold Plated Nails - I'll be wearing a blue tee-shirt that says "Ain't Life Grand" in white letters, a blue Padres cap, and a pair of shorts. If you see me, holla.

I'll look for you. I'll be in my powder blue #85 with an FBG hat.

 

[tommyGunZ]

BTW, if it appears that I am driving the Phillip Rivers' bandwagon, you are correct. I'm of the opinion that Rivers has been the best QB on the Charger roster for 2 years now, and his growing pains are not going to be nearly as bad as most in the national media are predicting. Rivers was on the bench only b/c of the phenomenal roll that Drew Brees was on the past 2 seasons; all indications are that Rivers has looked great in practice/camps and there aren't any veterans complaining about the move to allow Brees to walk and Rivers to assume the job.

I think Rivers surprises big time this fall. All of my fantasy teams will be riding on it.

Hold on there, I'm driving it. But you can be copilot. I have said for two years that the Chargers should have traded Brees, including after his successful 2004 season when he was healthy and the Chargers had just made the playoffs for the first time in forever. Few Charger fans were comfortable with that idea then.

You've been a Rivers backer since day 1 - I agree that the Chargers should have "sold high" on Drew after '04, assuming AJ got a decent offer. We'll never know.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I have said for two years that the Chargers should have traded Brees, including after his successful 2004 season when he was healthy and the Chargers had just made the playoffs for the first time in forever. Few Charger fans were comfortable with that idea then.

It's hard to know how things would have played out, but I think if Brees hadn't been injured in week 17, the Chargers would have franchised him and traded him this offseason. The shoulder injury made it impractical to franchise him.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I have said for two years that the Chargers should have traded Brees, including after his successful 2004 season when he was healthy and the Chargers had just made the playoffs for the first time in forever. Few Charger fans were comfortable with that idea then.

It's hard to know how things would have played out, but I think if Brees hadn't been injured in week 17, the Chargers would have franchised him and traded him. The shoulder injury made it impractical to franchise him.

Isn't there a part of you that worries that w/o the injury AJ would have succumbed to pressure and kept both QBs in '06? I hear what you're saying, and IMO trading a healthy, franchised Drew Brees this offseason would have been the best possible scenerio (assuming you believe in Rivers), but I'm okay with the injury b/c it made Rivers the choice by default. And I'm estatic that Rivers is the QB going forward, even if it took an injury to Brees and his subsequent departure w/o compensation to get to this point.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Isn't there a part of you that worries that w/o the injury AJ would have succumbed to pressure and kept both QBs in '06?

AJ Smith doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who's ever succumbed to outside pressure in his life. But it's really impossible to know for sure what would have happened. It's just idle speculation at this point. But I do not think Brees outplayed Rivers in the 2005 training camp or preseason. I think he held onto the starting job only because of how he played in 2004, not because he won an open competition with Rivers.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Pic of the INT from Cromartie from yesterday morning's practice.

"It's his physical ability. He's still raw, but once he gets it together I think he can be the Randy Moss of the secondary.'' -- Quentin Jammer on Antonio Cromartie (link)"Hopefully that doesn't translate into taking plays off and becoming a malcontent." -- Jay Paris, Chargers beat writer

 

[cstu]

Isn't there a part of you that worries that w/o the injury AJ would have succumbed to pressure and kept both QBs in '06?

AJ Smith doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who's ever succumbed to outside pressure in his life. But it's really impossible to know for sure what would have happened. It's just idle speculation at this point. But I do not think Brees outplayed Rivers in the 2005 training camp or preseason. I think he held onto the starting job only because of how he played in 2004, not because he won an open competition with Rivers.

Had the Chargers made the playoffs and won a game, I think a healthy Brees remains the QB. Last year was his opportunity to prove that he could win big games and was unable to. With or without an injury Brees would have been gone after last season's disappointment.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I just have a few minutes, so I'll be brief with the 7/30 camp report.

In the one-on-ones today with the WRs and DBs, I would say that Drayton Florence was the star. He broke up two passes and intercepted another, and completely blanketed a WR on another so that the QB threw it out of reach of everybody. I don't think anyone caught a pass on him the entire time (out of probably five or six reps), which is very impressive in single man coverage with no inside help.

Antonio Cromartie also did some great things. On his first rep, he stumbled and the WR got wide open to make the catch. After that, Cromartie showed great closing speed and pretty good instincts/anticipation. On one play, something happened that I'd never seen before in one-on-ones. The WR ran an out pattern and Cromartie jumped in front of him and had him in such good coverage that the QB didn't even attempt to throw the ball. He just pulled it back down and gave up. (Cromartie stood there wagging his index finger, inviting the QB to throw it.) Cromartie can be burned on medium routes when he guesses wrong, but it will be hard to burn him deep. He's got such great catchup speed -- if a WR gets a step on him, it only lasts an instant before Cromartie is right there again. Of course, it will be a much different story when he's matched up against Randy Moss instead of some training camp scrub nobody's ever heard of . . .

Quentin Jammer allowed some catches, but never got burned.

Eric Parker was hit and miss. He still has all his quickness, but he was completely blanketed on one play by Cromartie.

McCardell is still running well. He was never a speed demon, but the old man looks just as fast now as he's ever looked. He's got great footwork and runs great routes.

Vincent Jackson looks huge compared to the other WRs/DBs, and he can get deep. I think he will make some big plays this year. He still needs to perfect his route-running skills on the short and intermediate routes.

Kassim Osgood looked faster this year than he has in the past, but he still has to really gear down to make a cut. I think just because of the way he is built, he will never be very quick out of his cuts. But he does enough things well that he may have a role in the offense this year, not just on special teams. He catches the ball well, runs hard after the catch, and actually looked decently fast today (compared to previous seasons).

Malcolm Floyd has great size and athleticism and made a great diving catch today on a deep pass. He landed out of bounds, so it was technically incomplete, but it showed great hands and concentration. If Rashaun Woods doesn't get healthy and start to show something in training camp, Malcolm Floyd may be a sleeper candidate to make the roster in his stead.

Greg Camarillo runs very nice patterns and catches the ball well. I can't tell how fast he is from watching him run. He may not have NFL WR speed. But I think he'll at least make the practice squad this year based on his solid fundamentals. He made some nice plays in the June mini-camp as well.

Rashaun Woods did not practice. The rest of the WRs have no chance to make the team.

I'm not super impressed with the TEs as a group. Gates is awesome, but Manumaleuna, Shea, and Griffith do not run good patterns. They all round their patterns and don't have a lot of burst. Manumaleuna and Shea appear to have good hands, but I don't know if they'll be able to get separation against good coverage linebackers.

In the 9-on9s and 11-on-11s, I think the defense got the better of the offense. Merriman is a very disruptive force, and got to the QB a few times. He also caused a fumble in the backfield by LT (although I had a very poor angle to see it, so I don't know exactly what happened). Foley was disruptive as well.

Rivers was efficient, completing most of his passes. I'm still not impressed by Feeley. Whitehurst has good tools, but looks like a rookie.

I didn't have a good view of the Oklahoma drill, so I can't tell you a lot about that. It looked to me like Merriman lost his matchup, but it was hard to tell. All the players standing around were in my way.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I should also add that Darren Sproles made some great moves in open space in the 11-on-11s. He does that jump cut thing kind of like LT does.

 

[BoltBacker]

Isn't there a part of you that worries that w/o the injury AJ would have succumbed to pressure and kept both QBs in '06?

If I had known their only FA acquistion of any note was going to be Marlon McCree I wish they would have just franchised Brees for one more season. Not only do Charger fans have to worry what happens if Oben can't return healthy but if ANYTHING happens to Rivers then the '06 season is over based on everything I read about the quality of play of their current backups.

 

[BoltBacker]

In the one-on-ones today with the WRs and DBs, I would say that Drayton Florence was the star.

What would you guess the odds are that Florence/Cromartie are the starting CB's by seasons end?

 

[Bob_Magaw]

i think some scouts said that cromartie's workout was one of the best they had ever seen... no question he has the kind of athleticism that (if he stays healthy, works hard & is receptive to coaching) could enable him to become a star...

 

[Raider Nation]

I didn't have a good view of the Oklahoma drill, so I can't tell you a lot about that.

Serious question.You are a contributing writer to a football magazine which is currently on newsstands. Aren't there some strings you can pull to get press credentials, and thus, better seats?

 

[msommer]

I just have a few minutes, so I'll be brief with the 7/30 camp report.

Any news on the safeties?

 

[Beaumont]

I just have a few minutes, so I'll be brief with the 7/30 camp report.

Any news on the safeties?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I just have a few minutes, so I'll be brief with the 7/30 camp report.

Any news on the safeties?

-Not really. When the WRs and CBs did the one-on-ones (which I was watching), the safeties were over on the other field doing the 9-on-7s.

In the 11-on-11s, McCree was around the ball a lot. But I didn't catch who started at the SS spot. (Probably Kiel.)

 

[Raider Nation]

I didn't have a good view of the Oklahoma drill, so I can't tell you a lot about that.

Serious question.You are a contributing writer to a football magazine which is currently on newsstands. Aren't there some strings you can pull to get press credentials, and thus, better seats?

I guess this was a dumb question.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

TG and MT, I looked for you guys, but holly crap that was a madhouse. You could hardly freaking move around. 2 summers ago I could count the people there, today was just crazy.

I saw the Oklahoma drill pretty well from my view at the top of the bleachers. Merriman blasted his guy, but didnt really tackle the RB. The he threw off the helmet and was screaming something about get 75 in there, or something. I think he wanted to go after Jordan. Deliman blew up poor Wilhelm, and Castillo got owned also. And Osgood got blasted by Milligan.

As for the rest of practice, you can definitly tell Cromartie has the talent to be a preimere secondary player. He dropped that 1 INT from Rivers where he jumped the route, he also would have picked Feely if he had thrown the ball.

As for Fantasy notes, LT is going to catach 80 balls this year at least. Rivers threw to him nearly 50% of the time in the 9v9 and 11v11 drills. 1 Time for a 30 yard play down the sideline. Gates also caught a nice seem route.

The Charger pass blocking needs loads of work though, Merriman, Folly and the crew ran wild into that backfield.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I didn't have a good view of the Oklahoma drill, so I can't tell you a lot about that.

Serious question.You are a contributing writer to a football magazine which is currently on newsstands. Aren't there some strings you can pull to get press credentials, and thus, better seats?

I guess this was a dumb question.

No, there's probably a way for me to get a press pass. I just haven't done it. I don't know how it works, but I went today on last minute's notice. I don't plan ahead for these things.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

John Clayton's report:

Rivers inherits talented team

By John Clayton

ESPN.com

SAN DIEGO -- Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson had a secret pact. After entering the league in the same draft class (2001) with picks the Chargers got from the Falcons in the Michael Vick trade, Brees and Tomlinson vowed to stay together until they won a Super Bowl.

The final hopes of that partnership snapped on New Year's Eve, when Brees' right shoulder was dislocated by a John Lynch hit in the Chargers' last game of the season. General manager A.J. Smith's big decision was made. With Philip Rivers waiting in the wings, Smith no longer could offer franchise money to Brees coming off surgery.

"I was kinda in denial at first," Tomlinson said of the beginnings of the transition. "People would say Drew won't be here. I'd say, 'No, he'll be here, he'll be here.' It was like, 'Wow.'"

An outsider would have had a hard time taking over this team. Brees meant that much to the Chargers. He was everyone's friend. His mental toughness and tenacity captured the heart and soul of this team. But because Rivers invested two years in the same locker room soaking up everything from Brees, he was able to step right in. The transition was natural. The Chargers believe Rivers can get the job done.

While all the Chargers can do is wait until the regular season to find out whether what they're seeing on the practice field translates into wins, they look every bit like a playoff contender with Rivers behind center.

Face it: The transition was inevitable. Brees was making $10 million. Rivers completed the second year of a six-year, $40 million deal having barely played. In the salary cap era, two high-priced quarterbacks can't stay together for very long. The separation of the two, though, was emotionally wrenching. Most thought Rivers should have played the meaningless season finale against the Broncos. The Chargers were out of the playoffs. Coach Marty Schottenheimer felt it was important to get that 10th win, so Brees started. Rivers rushed in to replace Brees and struggled without the benefit of the week to prepare.

"The whole way it played out was tough, it really was," Rivers said. "Drew being injured, which nobody wanted to see happen, made it tough. I hadn't played in 15½ games. It was raining. It was a tough half. But I think that half helped me more than I know. I saw those bullets flying at me from a really good defense, and it left that taste in my mouth. I just think that I really believe I gained more than a half of experience in that game."

With Brees, the Chargers tasted the playoffs. Rivers' challenge is to bring them back to that pedestal. In some ways, Rivers is in a better position than Brees was when he took over in San Diego in 2002. Brees was the starter on a Chargers team that was in the beginning of a rebuilding process. The receivers weren't very good and tight end Antonio Gates had yet to become one of the game's most dangerous weapons. It was Tomlinson and Brees basically doing it all on offense.

The book on Rivers is that before long he should be putting up Brees-like numbers: 65 percent completion percentage, 24-27 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating right around 89.

"It's a pretty natural transition," Tomlinson said. "He's going into his third season. He doesn't have the experience, but the intangibles he has are all there. He's tall. He has a good arm. He can see the field. I really think he's a smart quarterback who is ready to play. Drew had game experience. He could feel what's going on and go to the line of scrimmage, and he could adjust. Early on, the coaches may not let [Rivers] do that."

In some ways, Brees isn't completely gone. Knowing the Chargers were Brees' team for two years, Rivers, who's considered one of the brightest quarterbacks to come along in years, studied what made Brees successful. He copied Brees' game preparation rituals. He watched how Brees evolved into one of the NFL's best game managers.

But it also would be foolish to think Rivers will step to the line of scrimmage on Sept. 11, when the Chargers open in Oakland, with the extensive game plan that was available to Brees, who had four full seasons as a starter. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will protect Rivers early with simpler game plans.

"I believe he has the right stuff," Schottenheimer said. "The only thing none of us can project is the time frame. There is a period of adaptation from the time you are sitting on the pine to when you go out there. What we don't want to do is overload a young player because all of a sudden there is so much information that he can't process it and have it become second nature. He's going to be a good player."

Smith doesn't doubt that. He traded away Eli Manning, who didn't want to be a Charger, for the chance to get Rivers in the 2004 draft. It was one of the biggest personnel gambles in years. Manning took the Giants to the playoffs last season in his first full year as the starter. The book on Rivers hasn't been written yet.

"Philip has the whole package," Smith said. "People talk about his arm strength not being strong enough because he has a weird delivery. I don't buy that. I think he's going to be a fantastic quarterback. He has the intangibles to be successful. I think on talent he can be better than Drew, but I don't know how the package is going to develop."

At 6-foot-5, Rivers is much taller than Brees. Smith and Schottenheimer love his quick release. On the field, he's a more vocal leader than Brees, who was more of a quiet presence in the huddle.

"I think you've got to be able to lead," Rivers said. "The one thing I focused on the last two years is establishing some of that leadership. I took the backseat because I should have. I had put in a little foundation of leadership in case this opportunity came. At the same time, I went back to the fundamentals and worked on my drops, my footwork and the way I carry the ball. I tried to fine tune it as much as I could."

Unlike Brees, Rivers doesn't have to take this team from scratch and build it into a winner. Brees inherited a five-win team in his first year as a starter. The Chargers have won 20 regular-season games over the past two years. The defense is young, powerful and emerging as potentially dominant.

Rivers can rely on Tomlinson, Gates and Keenan McCardell, a deep backfield and emerging young receivers.

"I think we've arrived as a good football team that should be postseason bound," Smith said. "When you go to the postseason, things take care of themselves. Postseason means you're a good football team. And in one of those special years, you can put everything together and it can happen. But you need to grow, feel the pain of losses. I think we're a good football team."

The Chargers offered Brees a $10 million-a-year contract to stay, but only $2 million of it was guaranteed. The Saints topped that. Now, the Chargers move on to Rivers. It's his time. So far, it appears to be a natural fit.

 

[Despyzer]

The Chargers have won 20 regular-season games over the past two years.Chargers move on to Rivers. It's his time. So far, it appears to be a natural fit.

A decent article marred by a stupid mistake. 12 + 9 = ?

 

[Otis]

How did Rashaun Woods look?

 

[tommyGunZ]

How did Rashaun Woods look?

I don't think he practiced yesterday (Sunday) and he didn't stand out Saturday.He's battling for his NFL life right now. While he certainly has talent and an impressive college resume, the Chargers WR corps in far more talented and deeper than most in the media give them credit for. Woods has virtually no shot at cracking the top 3 (McCardell, Parker, VJackson) and the Bolts love Kassim Osgood's size and work ethic. Rashun is going to need to impress at WR and show that he can be a solid special teams contributor to make the team as the WR5. Even then, he'll be no better than the 7th best receiving option, as Gates and LT2 are options 1 and 2 in the Charger receiving game.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

How did Rashaun Woods look?

Bad, apparently.

 

[tommyGunZ]

notes from today's Charger practice from a Charger fan on another board:

Matt Wilhelm continued to impress. His pass defense skills feature a very smooth drop, as well as great range. They were doing a drill that had RBs running wheels and flats while a LB covered. Wilhelm tipped and almost picked a Rivers pass to LT. He also tipped a pass to Pinnock. While Wilhelm was doing the drill, not one pass was completed.Wilhelm is the future of this team, and it was readily apparent to all present today.Rivers and the line looked great today in the 11 on 11 two minute drill. The offense moved the ball all the way down the field, but were intercepted in the endzone on a pass to Jackson. Rivers underthrew the ball, and Gregory came in and picked it. However, had Rivers thrown the ball about 2 feet past where he was aiming, it would've been a great reception for 6. Earlier on the drive, Rivers threw the ball on a curl to VJ. Jammer went to tackle/swat the ball and Jackson just chucked him over his shoulder to the ground. It was sweet.Florence also had some good plays.In short, the LBs look great. Wilhelm should start over Edwards, Jackson is the No 1 receiver we've been missing, and Rivers looks great in the pocket.