Tuesday Aug. 5th 2008 Charger Camp

The beautiful 75 degree day started off in Chargers Park in the 7 on 7's with Rivers at QB in run drills.
Several of the first plays went to none other than the great LT #21 above. LT looks every bit the Super Star that he is. Yes even in camp LT flashes brilliance.
This running play is handed off to Jacob Hester #22 above.
#35 Mike Tolbert FB blocks for Hester down field in the above picture. Tolbert works with the first unit.
#47 Wade Betschart FB/TE was also working with the first unit. It seems Betschart and Tolbert are in a heated competition. I think Tolbert will win this battle but the Chargers are giving Betschart every opportunity. Maybe this is all for nothing if Pinnock reclaims his position but I think the three will be allowed to compete.
Again Betschart #47 lines up as a FB in the above picture along with Rivers #17 at QB.
Above is a nice pass reception by Betschart #17 downfield.

Brandon Manumaleuna #86 shows off his great hands in this fight for a reception down field and Manu comes away with the completion, above.

Legedu Naanee #11 had several nice receptions on the day and this is one of them where the ball was thrown where only he could catch it before it hits the ground. Naanee also looked good on the day.

Kassim Osgood #81 misses a pass thrown right too him, it hits him right in the hands and he drops it. The crowd murmurs "that's why Osgood doesn't see many passes."
But on the next play Rivers hits Osgood #81 on a quick slant across the middle and Osgood is off to the races for some very nice YAC, in the above picture. That sure quieted the crowd down. Osgood filled in for an injured Vincent Jackson who was on the field but not dressed. And Osgood also caught several passes today.
Chris Chambers #89 makes a nice reception above. Chambers is going to have a great year, if camp is any indication of the season.
Buster Davis #84 beats out Cason #20 along the sidelines for a nice reception down field in this above picture.
For the play of the day #3 Marco Thomas WR shows off some surprising speed and Wow's the crowd with an over the shoulder 50 yard pass reception from Volek and runs it in for a TD.
The defense is not happy and bats up the ball on the next play above, Tra Battle #36 SS picks off the pass from Volek and runs it back for what would be a TD.
Buster Davis #84 makes a tough reception over the middle in the above picture.
Anthony Waters #53 LBer races in to make a tackle in the above Picture. I thought it would be nice to end the post with a picture of Waters showing off some speed.

It really was a peaceful beautiful day in Charger Park today. The players were playing hard especially the defense and if I were to judge I would say the defense on the whole won the day. But the Offense had some good plays too, especially that thrilling 50 yard completion from Volek to Marco Thomas that went for a TD.

ST's were a big feature of the day too, and Scifres, Kaeding, and Vinnedge were all punting the ball in what looked like a competition. Yes Kaeding was punting and was kicking some real distance. But Scifres decided to end the competition with what looked like a 70 yard punt in the air that just hung forever. That ended the punting competition with a huge round of applause from the crowd for Scifres.

Fanfest 2008 Action

Rivers hands off to LT #21 in the above picture. (BTW it was a great day at Fanfest today!)
LT blows by the defense and is already turning around to go back to the huddle.
LT standing with his shirt up talking to a trainer in the end zone. If you can see LT he has extremely ripped stomach muscles showing above.
Chris Chambers #89 making a down field catch above. Making it look easy, which he does all day.
Quentin Jammer #23 beats out Legedu Naanee #11 on a deeply thrown pass by Rivers in the above picture. If Rivers had not thrown this ball extremely deep Jammer would have intercepted it.
Rivers approaches the center. Notice that LT is the deep back and Brandon Manumaleuna #86 is lined up in the backfield along with Mike Tolbert FB #35, both just behind Rivers. This looks like another Elephant alignment the Chargers could use to run the ball with both Manu and Tolbert blocking for LT.
On this play though Tolbert is found wide open and Rivers hits him with a pass down field which Tolbert shows off his great hands. Tolbert was impressive today, and Pinnock is going to have competition from Tolbert.
Tolbert #35 shows off his speed and sprints for a TD.
Gary Banks WR #12 makes another reception. Banks seems to quietly make receptions down field day after day.
Chris Chambers with another reception down field in the above picture.
Chris Chambers with another great reception and beating more than one defender. Rivers main target today was Chambers as VJ was resting.
Cletis Gordon CB #24 makes an interception in the above picture and is off to the races.
Well Gorden is very fast and no one is able to catch him so here he is racing in for a TD on that interception.
Mark Jones WR #82 beats out two defenders for a nice reception down field.
LT #21 flies through the middle for a TD in the above picture.
Here is the catch of the day. Chris Chambers WR #89 makes a one handed grab for a TD as he is laying himself out flat to reach the ball thrown by Rivers into the endzone to a well covered Chambers but Chambers makes the TD anyways. There is magic between Rivers and Chambers and here is proof.
Legedu Naanee WR #11 catching a pass downfield.
Another picture of that Elephant formation with Rivers at QB, LT at RB, and Manu in motion. Notice Tolbert #35 at FB lined up in front of LT.
Darren Sproles #43 catches a pass and runs for a TD in the above picture.
Chris Chambers WR #89 making another great reception on the day even though the defense seems to have him well covered.

Lots of great action today at Fanfest. The Chargers ran the eleven on elevens all day to the delight of the fans in attendance. LT flashed plenty of speed. Rivers was accurate and hitting receivers in stride, especially Chambers. The defense is also playing tough and stops a whole lot of drives. I think both sides; offense and defense could start the season, they are ready now. So is Special Teams. All in all it was a great day at Qualcom.

Rivers and LT always have something special to say.

LT gathers into a huddle with Rivers and the first unit above.

I like how Rivers and LT always have something special to say to the media about how the team is approaching the season. It just seems they can both put a lot of meaning behind just a few words to get their respective points across.

See quotes below for current examples:

"I think now there's just an understanding of what it's going to take to win the championship," Rivers said. "We don't have to talk about it as much."

"The journey is long, but you don't worry about the end of the journey," Tomlinson said. "John Wooden said it best: You don't worry about the championships. The great time you have and the fun part about it is going through that process, getting there, and then all of a sudden you look and you've won a championship."

For a few great articles on the Chargers and a video camp report click links below:

Training days: Chargers enter camp with very few questions

Five observations from Chargers camp

NFL.com- Video Camp Report

Chargers Camp 7/25/08 Friday afternoon Highlights

Scott Chandler TE #87 recieves a pass over the middle.
Scott Chandler with another pass completion over the middle, Chandler was catching everything and making it look easy this Friday afternoon at Chargers Park.
LT #21 makes a reception and draws a crowd.
Jacob Hester RB/FB #22 makes a reception look easy down field above.
This is a batted up pass above that ends up intercepted by Hart below.
Hart running with the interception.
Scott Chandler making it look easy.
Chris Chambers makes an outstanding over the shoulder Reception beating out Jammer that was with Chambers step for step.
Jacob Hester with a great over the middle reception above.
Buster Davis with a reception deep down the middle.
Buster Davis makes another reception above.
Scott Chandler looks like he is going to really surprise everyone at how really good he is, another great reception by Chandler down the deep middle.
Chandler makes a reception outside right above.
Kassim Osgood was also outstanding with several receptions on the day, here is one where he beat out multiple defenders.
Osgood above with another outstanding reception and off to the races.
LT beating out a defender for a reception down the sidelines.
Vincent Jackson #83 with a great reception. Jackson had several great receptions too, on the day. It seemed the defenses were having trouble stoping the bigger receivers in Chandler, Osgood, and Jackson.
Cromartie bats the ball away in a great defense to stop this reception above.
Osgood with a deep TD reception above.

Chris Chambers with one of his great leaping receptions deep down the sidelines.


Thoughts on the day.

QB's- Rivers looked great, no hesitation at all from running on that knee, and making all the passes look easy. Volek and Whitehurst also looked good.

WR's- Chambers, Jackson, Davis, Osgood all had a big day. Floyd also caught a couple of passes and so did Billy Pittman.

RB's- LT was flashing speed and moves, that knee is healthy. When LT puts on the speed it is always fun to watch him and he wasn't afraid to show off today. Jacob Hester was running the ball, catching the ball and doing everything asked of him. Hester also seems comfortable and seems to excel at everything asked of him. Sproles is also flashing speed and moves. Marcus Thomas is hard to judge because they keep calling plays and running him into the middle. In camp it is hard to judge that kind of running, but I think he runs with no fear. Eldra Buckley also got a few carries.

Oline and Dline really didn't get into the hitting much today but they looked in good shape and were working hard.

LBers were putting on some great pass rushing, especially Merriman and Phillips who were in the backfield and causing the QB's to throw the ball a little quicker than they liked on several times. Even causing Volek to have to down the ball several times or get sacked.

DB's were also staying with their WR's they were covering. Cason caught an interception, and so did Hart from a Cromartie tip.

Where the defense was getting hurt from the passing game was over the shorter soft middle on several plays. When LT crosses the line and draws attention that was leaving Chandler, Davis, and Osgood open. When the defense tried to watch the middle and was drawn away by the TE or WR, that would leave LT wide open for a reception and it was off to the races. Today the defense chose mostly to watch LT, as I believe most defenses will do, and that was why Chandler, Davis and Osgood were beating them. The defenses are going to have to choose their poison this year while defending the Chargers, that's for sure.

ST's Scifres was punting 60 yarders all day.

The team looks focused and working hard. They also look happy that the year has finally started. I know I am.

I hope you enjoyed this first camp report, check back for updates and more reports in the future.

Castillo signs new seven-year contract

Luis Castillo DE #93 signed a new seven year contract. Above Castillo is in the middle of the picture chasing a ball carrier down in Mini Camp.
Castillo above with his hand on the ground.

Castillo talks with Igor Olshansky #99.

Luis Castillo has been a great player while healthy with the Chargers. And the Chargers have locked him up with a new seven year contract. See article below, for the whole article click link:


Castillo signs new seven-year contract

The Chargers made another move to lock up one of their talented young players as the team signed defensive end Luis Castillo to a new seven-year contract on Tuesday that will keep him in San Diego through the 2014 season. Castillo’s original rookie contract was set to expire after the 2009 season.

“Since his arrival, Luis has played a huge role in the success we’ve had as a defense,” Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said. “He’s an ascending player who is committed to getting better. We’re thrilled that he’ll be a Charger for years to come.”

Q&A with Norv Turner

K.C. ALFRED / Union-Tribune

On the eve of his second Chargers camp, Norv Turner looks relaxed, which is fitting. He just returned from vacation.

Here is the article with Norv Turner, click link below:

Q&A with head coach Norv Turner
Interview Kevin Acee