Chargers News: Everything You Need To Know About Chargers’ Training Camp
With your 2015 Chargers player reporting to Training Camp in just 3 days, East Village Times has you covered on what you need to know. From practice times, to position battles and everything in-between so you what, and when, to watch for over the next couple weeks. Should be an exciting time as we get to see what our team structure will be like and what bubble players will make the team.
The When:
Chargers camp opens up on Thursday July 30.
Practice Times according to Chargers.com:
Thursday (7/30): 9:20 – 11:15 am
Friday (7/31): 2:50 – 4:45 pm
Saturday (8/1): 9:20 – 11:15 am
Sunday (8/2): 2:50 – 4:45 pm
Wednesday (8/5): 2:50 – 4:45 pm
Saturday (8/8): FanFest 2015 10:30 – 12:30*
Monday (8/10): 2:50 – 4:45 pm
Saturday (8/15): 9:20 – 11:45 am
Monday (8/17): 2:50 – 4:45 pm
Tuesday (8/18): 9:20 – 11:15 am
The Where:
Chargers Park in San Diego
FanFest will be held at Qualcomm Stadium*
What were watching:
The Rooks – The Chargers traded up two spots in the draft to land Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon. He’s already received praise for his quick grasp off the playbook and his roll in the passing game. It’s time to see how he puts it all together during contact drills in training camp heading into the pre-season.
Second round pick Denzel Perryman is an absolute beast up the middle. He will be competing to start at middle linebacker and should be fun to watch during camp. Craig Mager was a surprise pick for a lot of experts and fans included when he went in the third round. The corner from Texas State will be working hard to prove that he was the right pick at that spot. He will most likely have to go through special teams to make an impact early on but he’s a physical player with a great story. The coaching staff and fans know he will be playing with all his heart out there on the field.
Middle Linebacker – With four middle linebackers all competing for spots, it will be interesting to see who emerges as the two leaders of the back between Manti Te’o, Donald Butler, Kevin Conner, and 2nd round pick Denzel Perryman. Butler is coming off two poor seasons but could finally be healthy. Te’o has improved each year but Perryman is a hammer in the middle that could be just what DC John Pagano and the defense need.
Tight End – We know Ladarius Green will be taking the first team snaps as he tries to do his best Antonio Gates impression for the first four games, but who else will be kept on the roster. Last season the Chargers had four tight ends, now six players will be competing for at least two spots. David Johnson and John Phillips have been around and seem to have the upper hand going into camp. Brian Parker and Eric Frohnapfel are both undrafted free agents looking to make the team, while veteran players Kyle Miller and David Paulson fight for a spot.
Strong Safety – The Chargers signed San Diego native Jimmy Wilson this offseason, he is a versatile player who can play corner or safety. With the starting corners locked down for the bolts, Wilson will try to win the SS job over Jahleel Addae and Darrell Stuckey.
Wilson is a physical player who isn’t afraid to take on a ball carrier but he has been known to get beat in coverage so we will see how they fair during camp. This may be the battle to watch during camp. I have Wilson as the front runner.
Offensive Line – The Chargers starting front five is just about set, it’s now all about what position they will actually be lining up and who will be backing them up. With the free agent acquisition of Joe Barksdale, the Chargers should have a solid five up front while finding the strongest backups during camp.
Tackle Chris Hairston, fan favorite Johnnie Troutman, and center Trevor Robinson seem to have the inside track for backup jobs going into camp. Craig Watts, Jeremiah Sirles, Michael Huey, and Ben Beckwith will be all competing for jobs as they enter camp. Let’s see how the starting O-Line pans out with positions and who will be backing them up.
Training camp is where it all begins. The long road to a potential Super Bowl victory all starts at training camp. Can’t wait to see all the fans there and what this team has in store for the season.
Bolt up.
Nick was born and raised in San Diego where he became a Chargers and Padres fan, attending numerous home games throughout the years with his dad. He then went on to attend college at the University of Arizona. There he earned his degree in marketing and now lives in San Francisco where he dreams of the the sunny beaches of San Diego. Bear Down.