San Diego Chargers Training Camp Notes: August 5, 2015

The Chargers were back at practice today after having Tuesday off and some Chargers came back from missing practice and others did not.

Orlando Franklin, Brandon Flowers, Greg Ducre, Ricardo Mathews and Ben Beckwith not practicing today for the Chargers.

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) August 5, 2015

Chris Watt, Johnnie Troutman and Patrick Robinson are back.

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) August 5, 2015

The big news of the day today was the changing of the Guard, literally. Here's how it unfolded.

Troutman back out at practice, back in at RG. Let's Lissemore get inside in 1v1s

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Joe Barksdale just pushed Jeremiah Attaochu to the other side of the line. Really good drive, kept his feet moving Jerry couldn't recover

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Joe Barksdale started the day off strong and Johnnie Troutman did not and than this happened.

Yo Troutman pulling Guard I'll let you finish this tweet...

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

If you're wondering, Troutman was late to get over and his man got what would have been a free shot at Danny Woodhead 3 or 4 yards in the backfield.  Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris took notice.

Haha Barksdale in the next snap at RG. Result: TD. Can't make this stuff up

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Joe Barksdale stays in and plays with the second team offense.

Barksdale is working with 2s as RT & he's putting in work. Joe D HAS to see this. He's a man among boys

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Someone was listening.

Is Joe D following me? Very 1st snap of 11 on 11s. Fluker at RG & Barksdale at RT

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

That was a good sign. The second time the starters came back on the field Joe Barksdale was at Right Tackle and DJ Fluker was at Right Guard and then they shuffled the following snap.

2nd play: RT Fluker/RG Troutman 3rd: RT Fluker/RG Barksdale

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Fast forward to the third time the starters came on. Joe D giving Troutman a chance to redeem himself.

Next time around with starters it's Fluker back at RT & Troutman at RG

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Three snaps later Barksdale replaces Troutman & drives Liuget to the ground on a sweep

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Here's where Troutman cemented his fate for the day.

Troutman bowled over falls to ground holding knee, currently walking it off Barksdale in at RG

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Troutman just tried to go back in Joe D pulls him out. May be precautionary

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

For the 2nd 2 minute drill of the day. RT Barksdale/Fluker RG. Progress.

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Last drill of the day and Fluker is RG & Barksdale is RT. 2nd play, TD pass to TE Phillips. Shut it down everybody

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

The second team is in now & Barksdale is STILL RT, Fluker RG. 2nd play TD to Jacoby Jones. Getting REPS!!!!

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Johnnie Troutman never returned to the line-up. He stood on the sideline an never received treatment so his injury does not look to be serious but he lost his spot. Whether that's for the future remains to be seen but he got out-worked today by Joe Barksdale.

You can point at Troutmans injury for more Barksdale but he put his stamp on today. Made a case for himself & was pushing around the 2s

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

He earned it. Made the best of his snaps today

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Here's Michael Gehlken to ruin all the fun.

RT D.J. Fluker practiced at guard some in spring. Today, saw 1st reps of camp. Pretty standard. Each Chargers OL learning multiple positions

— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) August 6, 2015

There was another interesting shift among the starters but this time from a rookie on the D-Line.

Darius Philon getting Kendall Reyes snaps right now in 2 min drill

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Carrethers lined up at NT & Philon at LE. That is some Grade A Beef man. Pocket collapse in a hurry

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Craig Mager making some progress. Baby steps.

CBs vs WRs working on release. Mager just stuffed Javontee Herndon. Big strength of his, get Mager in press man

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Throughout camp I've seen Craig Mager beat on the outside  specifically on a Go route & and also a Post route . If you read my article on him, that was a fear of mine, and I said that I thought to better utilize his skills he'd need to be moved inside as a slot CB and get him moving sideline to sideline.  He got reps there today and he made a good play on a Drag route.

Craig Mager is now taking snaps at nickel with 2s/3s. Am I dreaming? Is this coaching staff coming to their senses

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

A couple of notes on Melvin Gordon.

Melvin Gordon with a drop early, let's the next one come into his body. Work in progress

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

If Gordon has to catch a ball away from his body, it might be an issue.

— Jordan Lee (@jordantlee) August 5, 2015

Quick dump off to Melvin Gordon, big gainer. Get him space.

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Other news and notes:

Chris Watt is in at LG for Franklin & Trevor Robinson in at C with first team

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Rivers on Stevie Johnson: "He's off to a heck of a start. If you asked me one guy who I was most excited about, I'd probably single out him"

— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) August 6, 2015

Rivers tries to throw a jump ball to Inman, Verrett high points ball breaks up pass. I thought he was too small?

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Hairston holds up against Liuget. Then makes Hekking look silly when he tried to spin on him. Didn't Hekking read my article on Hairston?

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Just in case you're wondering on goal line packages, looks like Chris Hairston would be the extra lineman.

Offense set up on the 1. Jumbo package Chris Hairston the extra lineman & Melvin Gordon the RB. Fake the run, TD Allen on Verrett

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Kyle Emanuel also got some starters snaps at LOLB.

Kyle Emanuel has an NFL spin move

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Interesting.

Backup QB, long snapper ... Melvin Ingram doesn't lack confidence, believes he can do most anything on field. Just took rep at kick returner

— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) August 5, 2015

Jahwan Edwards looks like he might this years BO. As in this years underdog RB starting to make a little noise

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

There's only one "r" in Burwell. Typo.

Tyreek Burrwell showing good leverage on Ryan Mueller. Got to keep an eye on #78

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 5, 2015

Hope to see everyone at FanFest on Saturday.