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“What I Saw-What You Should Know-Chargers Minicamp”

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It was the first time they had all been on the field together, offense-defense, veterans-rookies, free-agents-draft picks. It was the Chargers lst full OTA workout as a team, at full speed, in helmets.

Melvin Gordon ran hard and cut, and did all the agility drills. He didn’t do any 7-on-7 stuff with the unit, but he looks good coming off microfracture surgery.

Travis Benjamin if fast, really fast, and hard to cover. He got open and showed an extra gear after the catch. How could the Cleveland Browns let this guy go?

Joey Bosa, the lst round draft pick, seemed to get swallowed up by the bigger offensive lineman, trying to get off the ball to get to the edge rush.

Corey Liuget, the other defensive end, worked on side fields with trainers and did not participate in the full team drills.

Hunter Henry, the 2nd round pick from Arkansas, caught everything they threw at him. He got off linebackers, ran sharp routes, and for a tight end, looked fluid, mobile and quick.

Joshua Perry came up with another turnover and the Ohio State inside linebacker seems quick, quicker than Mantei Te’o, who hasnt’ made many plays.

Casey Hayward, the Packers free agent cornerback, looked strong in single coverage.

Brandon Flowers, the veteran,coming off an injury and troubled season, lined up in the slot, where he played well at the end of last year.

Matt Slauson got praise heaped upon on by his head coach, Mike McCoy, and his quarterback, Philip Rivers, for toughness and leadership. This could turn out to be a great short term rental.

Dreamus Smith, a second year free agent running back from West Virginia, who looked good last preseason, flashed big runs again.

It was the first time the entire five starters in the offensive line were on the field together, since the opening week of last season. No one talked about concussions, knees nor ankles.

Zach Mettenberger shared equal snaps with Kellen Clemens at backup quarterback, and will be given a strong opportunity to take that job. His past dealings with Ken Whisenhunt in Tennessee should help him transition into this playbook.

Keenan Allen caught balls, ran spirited routes, and even did a sweep toss play, coming off last season’s lacerated kidney injury.

The offense wasn’t perfect by any means, 3-interceptions, a couple of dropped passes, and a few blown blocking assignments.

But for one day, you could dream, this team could be good, if they stay healthy, and Rivers used that word 6-times, and if the upgrades in pass rush and in the secondary, are what the coaching staff thinks they are.

And Mike McCoy even spiced up the workouts, by blaring the Kansas City Chiefs fight song onto the practice field, reminding his team about opening day at Arrowhead Stadium in KC.

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