The Bolts Training Camp 2018 got off to a fast start last Saturday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex for the first-ever Blue-White Scrimmage, and according to Lynn, he was pleased with how it went. “We wanted to make this feel more like a game situation for the players,” he said. “We put them in some game situations, and it felt like it on the field. We believe, the more times we can expose them to this type of atmosphere, the better they’re going to get. You’re always concerned about injuries when you have a scrimmage or a live period, but they came out pretty clean. I’m very pleased with that.”
With the first preseason game less than a week away, simulating game-action was of the essence for the Chargers. According to defensive end Isaac Rochell and running back Austin Ekeler, they felt the day prepared them for what’s to come next week when they take on the Arizona Cardinals.
“This was the first time we really got to come out and put everything together,” Rochell said. “So from that standpoint, we need days like that. (Days) where you’re challenged with the long drives. I think the first drive I was out there (for), it was 12-13 plays. I think we got what we needed to get in that real-game look.”
“Whenever you can go live, it really picks up the intensity more,” Ekeler added. “Especially in the short game. To be able to get some of those in practice today, it wasn’t many, but those reps are crucial. We’re trying to take as much as we can out of those and apply them to what we need to work on.”
The Chargers will also host joint practices with the Saints for the second consecutive season. They will practice together at Jack Hammett Sports Complex on Aug. 22 and 23, with both sessions starting at 10 a.m. New Orleans then visits StubHub Center for a preseason game at 5 p.m. Aug. 25.
When the teams practiced together a year ago, it marked a reunion of sorts for quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Drew Brees. Rivers sat behind Brees in 2004 and 2005, but has not missed a start for the Chargers since Brees left for New Orleans in 2006.
All training camp practices will start at 10 a.m. Gates will open an hour prior to the start of each practice at Jack Hammett Sports Complex, with parking available for $10 at the OC Fair and Events Center lots off Arlington Drive. No alcohol is allowed, but visitors can bring their own food and beverages. Video cameras and telephoto lenses longer than six inches are also not permitted.
Key players to watch: Melvin Gordon, Derwin James, Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler and Phillip Rivers. Offseason acquisitions like center Mike Pouncey and kicker Caleb Sturgis are also poised to make significant contributions.
Remaining Chargers Training Camp Schedule:
Monday, Aug. 6: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 9: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 13: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 15: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 16: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 20: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.*
Thursday, Aug. 23: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.*
*Joint practices with New Orleans Saints
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