San Diego Chargers Training Camp Pictures

by John Gennaro on Jul 28, 2009 8:00 AM PDT in San Diego Chargers Training Camp/Preseason

Day one and we're already packed with Training Camp photos from Chargers Park. After the jump, a collection of your favorite stars and a couple of rookies as they get into their football groove.

Buster Davis, WR

Philip Rivers, QB

Shawne Merriman, OLB

Rodgeriqus Smith, WR

Andre Coleman, DE

Gartrell Johnson, RB

Kestahn Moore, RB

What I See: First off, in that Kestahn Moore picture....that's holding. But it's training camp so it doesn't matter. Secondly, I love Merriman's blue mohawk. I hope he keeps it all year. He looks like he's really testing that knee too, which is a great sign for the first day of camp.

There's one thing I wanted to point out to go along with the Tyronne Green discussion that's been going on. If you look at the second Rivers picture, you'll see both Green and Vasquez. However, Green was definitely not the one snapping the ball to Phillip. Right now, when it would make the most sense to give him some reps at Center, it appears the team is running with Green at LG. It was probably just temporary, the team trying to keep Green a versatile linemen, but it struck me as odd.

Also, look closely at Gartrell Johnson's legs. I think if I swung an aluminum bat at his thigh or calf he wouldn't even feel it.

All Photos are courtesy of the Associated Press and Lenny Ignelzi.

Do you have any thoughts about Bolts From The Blue? Any tips you want to send our way? Whenever you have something to say, don't hesitate to e-mail me directly.

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that last picture really makes me happy for some reason

I think it’s mainly due to all the holding. WR is holding the DB and the OL almost has the LB’s jersey off.

I don’t know that I’m down with the blue mohawk. I think I liked the fatter, lower “fro-hawk” Merriman had going a few weeks ago.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jul 28, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions

Ditto

I love the linebacker (defensive lineman?) who is wearing his jersey around his shoulders. If you look at the WR/CB closely enough, it looks like the WR is actually holding the CB by the wrists. Also, Kestahn Moore appears to be juking a ghost out of his ghost-shoes. Just an amazing picture all around.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jul 28, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Merriman looks to be in pain

…in the picture cutting around the dummy, planting on his left leg.

So, in true overreactive training camp fashion, let me say:

It’s over! Merriman’s knee is irreparably shot and if he ever plays again it’ll be as a shell of his former self. The defense will be terrible with no pressure and all hope is lost. We might as well concede the division title to the Raiders or Chiefs, because JaMarcus Russell and Matt Cassel will have all the time in the world to sit in the pocket and pick apart the Bolts D. Lucky to get 6 wins on the season.

Or maybe it’s just a bad split-second of a picture, and that’s really a grimace of competitive fire. Merriman’s back! 20 sacks coming this season. Look at that beast.

Ahhh, training camp. Where 6 months of football starvation tells you that everything is as important as it seems.

by Lenny Suckerpunch on Jul 28, 2009 9:39 AM PDT reply actions

We might as well concede the division title to the Raiders or Chiefs, because ~~JaMarcus Russell~~ Jeff Garcia, Kyle Orton and Matt Cassel will have all the time in the world to sit in the pocket and pick apart the Bolts D. Lucky to get 6 wins on the season.

I missed football! Seriously though, I think that looks like “competitive fire”. If that move was forcing so much pain in his knee that he had to grimace like that, you would be able to see it in the rest of his body. His arms would be up to prevent him from hitting the dummy and his right leg would be down to take weight off of the left knee. Right?

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jul 28, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I have to admit

I had been under the impression that Merriman was a light-skinned black guy. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because “Merriman” doesn’t seem like a very Latin last name to me. After looking at that first picture (look how light his thigh is) I got suspicious and did a Google search. Surprisingly, there are a ton of people out there that have no clue what ethnicity Shawne is and are eager to find out.

Well….according to his Myspace page, Shawne is of Latin/Hispanic descent. That makes more sense. I’m sure he probably does things with the Hispanic community, but I think there’s a better way for him to raise up his people. Salsa Sack Dance!

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jul 28, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions

Ah ...... Charger football!!

Need I say more?

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jul 28, 2009 11:18 AM PDT reply actions

merriman

I had the same thought. That looks like a grimmace of pain on his face. We’ll see how well the knee holds up. Hopefully I wrong or it’s just a little scar tissue and will get better as he works it more.

by irishlad on Jul 29, 2009 6:01 PM PDT reply actions