Notes From Chargers Practice (8-5-09)

by Steve (Grey Suit) on Aug 5, 2009 11:22 PM PDT in Training Camp/Preseason Comment 10 comments

Its August and we all know what that means...It's time for football!

The Chargers held their first practice of 2009 that was open to the general public last night at the Q. Here are some notes I took away from the festivities:

1. LT looked healthy and took part in all of the individual workout drills as well as almost all the reps with the first team.

2. Tim Dobbins, Jacques Cesaire and Clinton Hart took the majority of their reps with the first team D.

3. Kevin Ellison was working mostly with the second team D but did get a rep or two in with the first team.

4. Kynan Forney was working as the RG on the first team O.

5. Sproles looked amazing, it just seemed like he was a step ahead of everyone the whole night.

6. The line for $1 hot dogs was crazy long!

7. John will be happy to know that Chuck Whitehurst is still rocking an awesome beard!

Nate Kaeding was the first Charger to hit the field, he came out about 45 minutes (about 6:15) before practice started to warm up.

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The team took the feild just before 7:00.

The kick return team was the first group to work out. Sproles, Cromartie and Gordon all took turns returning kicks. Cooper, Hart and Cesar were the only other starters that I saw working out with the return team.

After working on Kick Return the team stretched and then broke into individual position groups. I know its hard to make out in the picture but David Binn is handing the ball off to LT in a Oklahoma drill.

The team next went into one on one competitive drills where the DB’s matched up against the receivers and the O-line and RBs matched up against the DL and LBs.

Osgood making a catch with Cromartie covering.

Floyd making a sideline grab

Sproles taking it up the middle.

The last part I stayed for is team 7 on 7 drills. Here is a quick movie of Rivers throwing.

All and all being able to see the bolts practice at Qualcomm was a great experience. I really think the Chargers should hold a practice or two at the Q every year even after practices at the Murphy Canyon facility are open to the public once again. There is so much room at the Q (compared to Murphy Canyon or UCSD) and you can see the practice from any angle that you chose instead of from the few set of bleachers that are typically set up at their other facilities. If you missed this practice there is still an opportunity to see the bolts practice again at the Q on August 12.

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Jonny Dub and I were there

I kept asking him if any BFTB folks were there.

by jbox on Aug 5, 2009 11:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We're doing a thing Saturday night at a bar

you and Dex should come out.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 6, 2009 2:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks so much for posting this

Great pics and vids. I’ll be at the fanfest on Saturday morning, where there’ll also be a practice.

"I bleed powder blue." - Antonio Gates

by matthewverygood on Aug 5, 2009 11:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cool

Though the hot dog line did suck, it was still fun seeing the team again. Everything looked good.

by sdpads24 on Aug 6, 2009 12:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Video!

Great job man. I saw a picture of Charlie Whitehurst a week or so ago and saw the beard/long hair was still in effect.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 6, 2009 2:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

id buy a whitehurst jersey...

if i could find one… us shaggy guys tend to stick together…lol

by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Aug 9, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My observations of practice

1) I watched Osgood with the #1 team on 7-on-7 and I kinda realized why the Chargers aren’t giving him an opportunity at wide out. He’s not that fast. He either wasn’t pushing as hard as the other receivers, or he really just lacks that initial explosion of speed that you need coming in and out of breaks.

2) I expect big things from Hester this year at FB. He does look much more beefed up, and hopefully with a year of experience, and more weight on him he will be able to help make some big holes for LT.

3) English was sitting out, and doing some light work on the sideline. Not sure what you call it, but it’s basically a rubber band wrapped around his waist, and another person’s waist, and he was practicing his initial burst and core strengthening.

4) I’m more concerned about Merriman than I was before seeing him in person. He wore a big knee brace with his pant leg pulled all the way up so everyone could see it. I don’t know if he plans on wearing that brace during the season, but he wasn’t that impressive. It could be he’s not pushing it.

5) Gartrell Johnson looked great working with the #2 team. I would be shocked if he didn’t make the roster. Bennet didn’t get that many carries, and I’m not sure if he’ll make the team. I think there could really be a battle between Tolbert and Bennet for that last RB/FB spot, but that’s just my opinion.

6) I like the feel and attitude of the defense. Burnett is going to be a nice improvement in the middle. I would be surprised if he’s not starting, but Dobbins may push him for playing time.

7) Vasquez is a HUGE man. Just his sheer presence, standing there next to Forney, my god, he is obviously our future RG.

by SJO on Aug 6, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Great job. Some responses:

-The reason given as to why Osgood never gets WR reps is because he lacks “acceleration” or explosion. So you’re right on.
-English has a little nagging injury, which is probably why he was out.
-As far as Merriman, he’s still being nice to knee and it was the second practice of the day.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 6, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A couple more tidbits

Paul Oliver is officially listed on the 2009 roster sheet as a Free Safety. I knew they were trying him there, but this was the first “official” change of position that I’ve heard of.

Gregory and Hart are practicing with the #1 team at SS (I believe get some reps with #Gregory was in the Dime package), Ellison might 1’s later in camp, but as of right now it doesn’t look like he will be the starting SS at the beginning of the season.

by SJO on Aug 6, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the Observations and Opinions

I live in Virginia, so can’t get to games or practices (except the rare times they play in Washington or Baltimore). I’m so glad I found this blog; it is a tremendous resource for a diehard fan!

Thanks!!

by Hoot1969 on Aug 6, 2009 1:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs