Chargers Training Camp Notes: Te'o Turnovers

Like we did yesterday Matthew Stanley will follow with another article with his observations soon so you get twice the amount of camp notes. As far as injuries go, Denzel Perryman and Javontee Herndon are still not practicing and Brandon Mebane sat out today's session as well. Let's get to the good stuff, reviewing a practice with no pads.

Manti Te'o had not only his best practice of camp so far it might've been the best showing from a Chargers defender so far. In coverage Te'o gave up two catches both of them to Hunter Henry but on both those grabs he forced a fumble. Henry got on top of Te'o and beat him for a big gainer but Te'o stripped him as Henry was turning up field after the catch. The second one was huge. The team was running offense vs. defense in a two minute drill. Rivers hits Henry over the middle for a short gain and Te'o bats it out of his hands and recovers the loose ball. While Te'o has been somewhat quiet through camp, getting two turnovers in the same practice is impressive. The rookie Hunter Henry still doesn't have a drop to his name but putting two balls on the ground hopefully provides a good lesson for the kid.

Real quick while we're on Tight Ends, Antonio Gates had the play of camp in another two minute drill catching a TD from Rivers in the corner of the end zone. With the ball in the air, Gates had two men on him with a third coming to help and he still made the snag from a perfectly placed ball by Rivers.

Wide receiver Tyrell Williams started the day off rough. In walk-throughs Williams had some bad drops and fell down coming out of his route in another drill but once he got in against defenders he showed out. Tyrell Williams stole Brandon Flowers soul on a deep catch for a touchdown. Williams turned on another gear to fly by Flowers and gain enough separation that it didn't look like anyone was 5 yards of him. He also ate Stevie Williams up in the two minute drill for two easy gains to help move the chains. More good things out of #16.

While Tyrell Williams climbs up the depth chart and into our hearts, Dontrelle Inman seems to be free-falling down the line-up. Even with the injury to Stevie Johnson, Inman has been jumped by James Jones and Isaiah Burse in the course of two practices. Let's also not forget Javontee Herndon, who happens to be in the mix as well, hasn't been practicing so that gap to fight for snaps or even make the 53 for that matter, might be getting further. To add to it, Inman let a ball clank off his hands today on an easy catch across the middle.

Lastly, I'd like to give some love for the second team offensive line: Chris Hairston, Donavon Clark, Max Tuerk, Kenny Wiggins and Tyreek Burwell. Kellen Clemens and Zach Mettenberger had a lot of time today in drills to complete passes, the majority of the time they didn't but that's not the lines fault. With Mebane out, the defensive line for the 2's wasn't  that impressive but none the less credit where credit is due. The 7th round pick Donavon Clark has really been one of the most pleasant surprises in practices.

Tomorrow is FanFest. Most of the BFTB writers/podcasters/knuckleheads will be there so make sure to come say hi, we'd love to see you.