Chargers Coaches Reflect on Off Season Program

Head Coach Mike McCoy says he's Happy with Team's Progress

With Bolts fans watching on, The Chargers wrapped up their off season mini camp. We’re still months away from hitting the field for the first preseason game but the players and coaches are confident in the progress they've made so far.

"I'm very happy with the off season program. I couldn't be happier at this point in time” says Head Coach Mike McCoy. “There's always going to be some mistakes in every practice we have and some things we need to clean up, but I'm very pleased with the way the players have worked.”

The development of some of the younger players on defense has been notable this off season. They’ve put pressure on the quarterback and notched a solid number of interceptions during seven on seven plays. The energy on the field is reflective of their work, and the players aren’t shy about their sideline celebrations. Defensive coordinator John Pagano is pleased with the chemistry the defense is building saying, “It’s been good to be able to see that. It’s something that we’ve emphasized in the off season; it’s not only about creating turnovers but we have to make sure it carries over to the regular season.”

Offensively, the front five has been working well together with Matt Slauson at the center position. The offensive scheme has changed with the return of offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, but the real test will be when the pads come on during training camp in July. “You know, a lot of runs look good when you’re out here in no pads,” says Whisenhunt. “But, when we get those pads on and we work on the nine on seven drills, the run focus drills, we get a chance to look at our guys, how they work the combination blocks and how they come off the ball. I think we’ll get a pretty good sense of what we can run well.”

The recurring word we’ve heard throughout minicamp has been “optimism.” The players admit this off season program felt different and was more intense this year. The push from the coaching staff could be a sign of things to come as they add pressure on the players to perform at their best if they want to secure a spot on the final roster this fall. “Now they’re all playing for jobs. When we get into training camp, we’re going to make changes from week to week” says McCoy. “Someone’s going to become available and we’re going to bring someone else in. Injuries are part of the game so you got to replace somebody. So there are so many things that go into it now, but now we’re starting to figure out, ok these are the guys who are going to help us; we’ve come to the final cut to help us beat Kansas City in the opener.”

The Chargers will open training camp with the first of 11 public practices on Saturday, July 30th at Chargers Park.

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