New situation, same approach

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Thursday, Jun 05, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Last spring, Chargers offensive tackle Jeromey Clary spent countless afternoons at Chargers Park working with offensive line coach Hal Hunter in hopes of improving his technique enough to earn a roster spot.

A year later, Clary’s football status is much different, but he can still be found in that same spot on the Chargers practice field nearly every afternoon.

“Jeromey is one of the hardest working guys we have,” Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner said. “He understands that his work paid off a year ago and it’s going to continue to pay off for him.”

As he begins his third NFL season, Clary can figuratively exhale as for the first time in his professional career he’s got a little job security.

“It’s completely different,” Clary said. “It’s a good feeling. Now I’m in control of my situation. Last year I didn’t have any clue about my destiny. I was trying to fight just to make the final 53. This year I feel like I already have my spot. I’ve just got to keep working to keep it.”

Clary spent the 2006 season, his rookie NFL campaign, on the Chargers practice squad and entered training camp last summer in a battle to make the roster. His play was so impressive that midway through camp there was little doubt that he’d have a spot as a reserve tackle.

“He got himself ready to compete when he got to camp,” Turner said. “That’s where he made an impression, what he did in camp and what he did in the preseason.”

Clary prepared by tugging at Hunter’s ear every opportunity he got. Those afternoon tutoring sessions included repetition after repetition with Hunter critiquing Clary’s technique and helping him continually improve on all the little things.

“I spent a lot of time with Hal,” Clary said. “I kind of got on the Kris Dielman program working with Hal, doing all the things Kris has been doing the last couple of years. I wanted to get better. It really worked out for me. I saw a lot of improvement in my pass set, in my hands and all of those things.”

As it turned out, Clary’s work didn’t just earn him an opportunity to be on the roster. It improved his game to the point that he became a starter on an 11-5 team that advanced all the way to the AFC Championship Game. It was somewhat of a storybook season for the former Kansas State Wildcat.

“I would love to say that I thought at the beginning of the year that I was going to start and be a big part of the offense, but not in my wildest dreams did I think it would play out like it did,” Clary said.

Clary’s first NFL playing time came in Week 2 when then-starting right tackle Shane Olivea hurt his back. A week later, Clary drew his first professional start when the injury kept Olivea out of the lineup. The significant action early in the season gave Clary a chance to gain some confidence.

“My first two weeks I lined up against Ty Warren and Aaron Kampman,” Clary said. “That gave me a chance to see what I could do. I’m not going to say that I played great against them, but it gave me some confidence that I just played two pretty big-name guys who are established in this league and I held my own. I didn’t hurt our team at all.”

Olivea regained his health in Week 3, and Clary was resigned to the old saying that players “can’t lose their job due to injury.” That sent the then second-year pro back to the sidelines, but he didn’t stay there for the rest of the season.

When the offense was sputtering a bit later in the year, coaches decided to work Clary into the game in certain situations. Like he had earlier in the year, Clary took advantage.

“It started in Jacksonville,” Clary recalls. “They worked me in and I had two series. I had one really good series there. Then the next week against Baltimore I got another opportunity and for some reason the offense just sparked when I came in. We scored on my first drive. We never looked back. Norv and the coaches had faith in me the rest of the year.”

In Week 13 at Kansas City, Clary regained the starting job at right tackle and remained there for the final five weeks of the regular season as well as the playoffs. When he looks back at all he accomplished in 2007, Clary is most proud of the way he persevered.

“I was given the opportunity (to play) and then it was taken away from me because you don’t lose your job due to injury,” Clary said. “I seized it and it was taken away from me, but I kept working and refused to go in the tank. I didn’t put my head down. Then I was given that second opportunity and I ran with it.”

The Chargers won their final six regular-season games, five of which Clary started. He saw significant action in the sixth as well. Over the last six games of the season, the Chargers were second in the NFL in points scored and rushing yards, first in turnover ratio and third in time of possession.

Clary’s effort played a role in that and his play caught the eye of his coaches.

“For a young guy, he made very few errors and was very consistent,” Turner said. “I think he can get a lot better.”

Clary agrees with his head coach’s assessment. While he’s penciled in as the starter at right tackle heading into 2007, Clary is motivated to become a much better player.

“I’ve still got a chip on my shoulder because I don’t think I played as well as I needed to (last year),” Clary said. “I played well, but I didn’t play as well as I could. I’ve still got a lot of room for improvement. I’m looking forward to the season and playing more like a veteran than a first-year guy.”

Shortly after the season ended, Clary underwent an operation on his shoulder, but throughout his rehab, he’s spent time focusing on specific areas where he believes he can improve.

“I think last year I was really lacking in run blocking,” Clary said. “In pass protection, my hands were wide a lot. I’ve been working on getting my hands quicker and those things. I’m still recovering from my surgery, but I’m feeling good. Where I’ve seen a lot of improvement is my hands. Hopefully I’ll be a lot better. I’m glad I’ve got a chance to.”

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