BrandX
Registered: 09/06/08
Posts: 46
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| | 08/11/10 at 06:28 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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Hello to all BoltYou! fans and followers. The season is right around the corner, and everybody is getting excited for what should be an interesting year. I would like to share with you a very positive experience I had when I was given the chance to attend a private Chargers' team practice which was held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Chargers Park. It was for season ticket holders only, but still managed to pull nearly 15,000 fans to the three practices which in past years, have been closed to the public. Unfortunately, there were some players who were not in attendance, including future franchise player Ryan Mathews, as well as Pro Bowl vets Shawne Merriman, Marcus McNeill, and Vincent Jackson. Even so, the team looked like they were in pretty good shape, and Philip Rivers immediately took command as the new Team Leader.
I have to admit, it just didn't feel right without L.T. there, and I realized why the fans' were so bewildered when Junior Seau was traded back in 2003. It's a bit ironic, because back then, I was calling Seau a "cancer" and saying that he was washed up. Though I wasn't exactly "incorrect" in my thinking with regard to the direction in which the team was going, Seau was still one of the top 3 players in the history of the franchise, and deserved every bit of peoples' being upset about it. The irony is that I am now on the outside, looking in, trying to explain to people why L.T. still has so much more football left in him...but this post is not about L.T. (THE GREATEST NFL PLAYER OF ALL-TIME), I promise...
So the practice began with some warm-up and stretching, followed by individual position drills, which were carried out on the teams' two practice fields. For security purposes (aka to prevent Beli-cheat and the Patriots from any videotaping of offensive plays) the offense ran their drills on the field furthest from the spectators. The defense, did their drills on the feild closest to the fans. I was able to get a few decent pictures (NO ZOOM) on my Samsung Rogue 3.0 mega-pixel camera phone, which turned out surprisingly well. These pictures and more will be posted on the site shortly after, if not at the same time this post is made available for you to read.
Some of the more pleasant surprises in camp, were two free-agent rookie offensive players, and three defensive players from the 2010 draft. First, was OT- Nick Richmond. He was the talk of the sidewalk. Standing 6'8", and a fit 309 lbs, this "Bookend" lineman took snaps with the first team, and basically made everybody wonder if Jacques Cesaire was still playing for the team, or not. Keep in mind though, 6'8" + helmet is nearly 7 feet tall; meaning Rivers and his 3/4-arm throwing motion, will have difficulty passing on the strong side of the ball. Still, this guy has a future in the NFL.
Next, was a player whom I thought the Chargers could draft, but were able to secure him on day 4 (free agency) instead. Standing 6'3" and 215 lbs, WR- Seyi Ajirotutu showed that maybe Ryan Mathews wasn't the only NFL prospect coming out of Fresno State this season. His drills were flawless, and he ran his routes with absolute grace. This guy can come up HUGE if he makes it on their final roster.
Now, when I said that DT- Cam Thomas should have been taken in the 2nd round, I meant it...only the Chargers were able to get him at a steal in the late 5th round. This will benefit them for at least one year, because this guy is a Pro Bowl player waiting to happen. He has his own area code (6'4", 340 lbs.) and has already set his sights on being a worthy replacement for Jamal Williams. After this season, and depending on the outcome of the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) "New Jamal" might be a holdout waiting to happen...even so, I feel he is of Pro Bowl caliber and will be an effective run stopper, and...ready for this...pass rusher!!! He is the type of player who will command double and triple team blocks, which will open the door for the Chargers' non-existent pass rush.
Another player who was truly impressive was 3rd round pick ILB- Donald Butler. Unfortunately, we will have to wait a year to see his talents, as he was lost for the season with a torn Achilles'. But his ball hawking skills and closing speed reminded me of a young Donnie Edwards...a player Charger fans can easily relate to. Not the biggest guy, but plays like he's a foot taller and 50 lbs. heavier. He had several stops for a loss against the run, and batted a pass that was intended for Antonio Gates. Something we haven't seen from the ILB's since Edwards' exit after the 2006 season.
Last, I have to say I am impressed with what I saw from 4th round pick SS- Darrell Stuckey. He ran with the first team, and made a quick adjustment on a deep pass, and intercepted Philip Rivers. The ball was under-thrown, but he showed tremendous desire to get to the ball after incorrectly judging the receiver's route. I was worried a little about him to be honest; Kansas isn't the type of school that produces big-time talent. Especially on defense. I do remember Gale Sayers coming out of Kansas, John Riggins too. And John Hadl. But if memory serves correctly, the best defensive player to come out of Kansas was Nolan Cromwell, a Safety who made the All-Pro team a couple of times, and could make the Hall of Fame via veterans committee. So maybe teamed with the "Bus Boy" Weddle, could bring some respectability to the middle of the secondary.
When the practice ended, there was a 15 minute autograph session with about 1/3 of the players. Several big names opted instead to head to the locker room (including Rivers, Gates, Sproles, Weddle, Kaeding, Scifres, Cason, & the entire Offensive Line), but there were a few stars who stayed and signed for the fans (Quentin Jammer, Shaun Phillips, Stephen Cooper, Brandon Siler, Legedu Naanee, Randy McMichael, Larry English). I brought a football and a silver Sharpie, and in 15 minutes, was able to get 13 players to sign my ball. Here's a list of who signed it: Quentin Jammer, Legedu Naanee, Larry English, Brandon Siler, Brandon Hughes, Curtis Brinkley, Donald Butler, Darrell Stuckey, Cam Thomas, Dedrick Epps, Seyi Ajirotutu, Shawnbrey Mcneal, and Kion Wilson. Not too shabby for only 15 minutes...Oh, and right when the horn blew, I asked Legedu to sign the "U' on my BoltYou! sweatshirt, and he was excited to be the first to sign it. He is a class act. I hope he surpasses anything Vincent Jackson ever dreamed of doing on the field. In addition to the practice photos, I have some pics of the signed ball and sweatshirt. They will be available for viewing soon.
Just thought I could share a more positive experience I had with the team, considering that many of my posts possess a negative momentum. I really hope the Chargers do well this season, because the fans deserve it. They have waited too long for this team to do what they have been capable of doing for the past 5 years. Unfortunately, I think reality is going to set in, and feel a sub .500 season is looming ahead. But after the CBA is redone, you never know how the league is going to look. I will post another blog soon with my predictions for the season, as well as some BrandX insight for the 2010 Chargers. Thanks for reading, and make sure you post your favorite player on the "Time For Something New" blog from last March. The drawing has not yet been held. Check it out at
http://boltyou.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4609974
May the Bolts be with you...
BX
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