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Chargers rookie linebacker Larry English had his hands full as he left the field following his first training camp practice Saturday afternoon.

“That was Shaun Phillips’ helmet,” English said as he smiled.  “It’s fine.  I know carrying a helmet comes with the territory so I’m not too worried about it.”

While Phillips gave English a small portion of grief after practice, English is grateful to have guys like him and Shawne Merriman around him.  During breaks in practice, the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft was regularly seen with the team’s two starters getting instructions and replaying reps in their minds.

“They’ve been real good about giving me pointers here,” English said.  “They’re really on me and I’m blessed to have a good group of guys to be around.”

English agreed to terms on his five-year contract Friday night and signed it Saturday morning.  While he hated to miss time earlier this week when his fellow rookies and some veterans were on the field, English didn’t feel like he was behind Saturday. 

“Physically, I’ve been working out pretty hard,” English said.  “I had a playbook with me and I was going over my notes to keep up.”

Rather than nerves, English simply felt excitement as he took the field. 

“I’ve been playing football for a lot of years and I was excited more than anything to get out there with the guys and get a chance to do what I love,” English said.

During Saturday’s practice, English worked mostly with the second-team defense.  That pitted him against veteran left tackle L.J. Shelton, who was impressed with what he saw from his newest teammate.

“It’s not like he’s rusty at all,” Shelton said. “He can really get off the ball.  He’s a rookie so he’s got some work to do, but that talent shows up.”