Practice! We Talkin Bout Practice!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a Chargers training camp session. As big a Charger fan as I am, this was my first time actually attending their training camp. I had always been sceptical about the event, always thinking it would be boring, not much to see, etc… However, I must say I was pleasantly suprised and had a great time and it did well to get me very excited about the upcoming season.

For those out there who are debating whether they should spend an afternoon watching football players practice, I give you my top 4 observations from my time at Chargers training camp.

1) Football players are big

I do not think I have ever been so close to so many big men in my life. I have gone to many games, but never been on the field up close and personal with players like you are able to do at training camp. You really gain an appreciation for the size and speed and courage these guys possess when you see them up close with pads on and imagine them coliding with others their size all game long.

2) I don’t know much about football

I used to consider myself to be very knowledgeable about the game of football, but after attending a practice I realize I have much to learn.

I was standing a stone’s throw away from the defense as they practiced their red zone defense. I could hear the middle linebacker making his calls and everyone else doing the same.  The play would be run and then the coaching begins.

Ted Cotrell is barking at someone for being out of position (he looked in position to me) and Ron Rivera is barking at someone for poor footwork (footwork looked great to me). These guys understand the game down to the minute details and it is amazing to watch them pick up on little mistakes on the spot, correct the player and run the play again.

Talk about inside the NFL, this is inside the NFL and it is facinating to watch.

3) Practices are VERY competitive

I have some understanding of this because I grew up playing very competitive soccer, but even that pales in comparison to the way these guys get after it.

I witnessed Philip Rivers get visibily frustrated when he missed a pass by inches in 7 on 7 drills.

I witnessed Bhawoh Jue completely de-cleat Kassim Osgood in the back of the endzone when he attempted to catch a touchdown pass in the same 7 on 7 drill. I had no idea they hit like that in practice.

Finally, I saw Roman Oben and Marquis Harris take their 1 on 1 pass rush drill too far. They ended up fighting on the ground and having to be restrained by teamates as all the other players looked on. These guys are battling for their jobs and they take their practices very seriously. It is fun to watch.

4) The Chargers will be very good this season

There is an air of confidence around this team. They know they are good, they know they blew an opportunity last year and they know they should win the Super Bowl this year. You can see it in the way they practice. Everyone seems genuinely happy to be a part of the team and everyone is working very hard to reach their goals this season.