Practice Report: Tuesday PM

Posted Jun 19, 2012

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PM Practice Photo Gallery (Photos courtesy Dan Fields)

Coach Norv Turner and the rest of the Chargers coaching staff continued to install their culture of perfection during minicamp practice on Tuesday night. The intensity was cranked up in the evening workout after this morning’s walkthrough. Players were hustled around the field with few seconds wasted between snaps. The majority of the practice was spent on special teams and third down work.

Rich Bisaccia, assistant head coach - special teams coordinator, took his players to the field 15 minutes early for additional work on blocking and lane assignments during kicks. WR Richard Goodman and CB Antoine Cason handled the majority of the returns, but rookie undrafted free agents RB Michael Hayes (Houston) and CB DeAndre Presley (Appalachian State) both had a few touches.

Three more segments of practice were designated to the kicking game. In one drill, a returner stood behind a ball that was placed on the five yard line as the coverage unit ran down the field. Bisaccia then blew his whistle which cued the returner to pick up the ball and attempt to avoid containment.

Several players were given an opportunity to be a returner: RB Edwin Baker (round seven), RB Michael Hayes, CB DeAndre Presley, and S Darrell Stuckey. Only Baker was successful at turning the corner around the coverage unit.

Bisaccia also ran punt and field goal drills. Kickers Nick Novak and Nate Kaeding were accurate with two kicks each from 39, 44, and 49 yards out.

The offense and defense squared off in two separate periods with the majority of snaps taken in third down situations. QBs Philip Rivers and Charlie Whitehurst spread the ball around with at least 10 different offensive players getting touches on the ball.

WR Eddie Royal, however, caught at least three passes including a jump ball against CB Marcus Gilchrist, running that one straight into the end zone.

WR Mike Willie (undrafted rookie, Arizona State) was a surprise standout during the first day of minicamp. Willie had a couple receptions including a leaping touchdown on a long pass. This concluded the evening practice.