Newberry finds perfect fit in San Diego

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Tuesday, Jun 03, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Over the past couple months, Jeremy Newberry fielded phone calls from a handful of teams around the NFL interested in securing the services of the two-time Pro Bowl center.

But Newberry knew what he did and didn’t want in a future employer, and that left him little reason to consider playing anywhere other than San Diego.

“I didn’t really even entertain those ideas because I’d rather have retired than went to the East Coast and been away from my daughters,” Newberry said. “I’m not playing financially anymore. I want to win a championship. I want to be in a good situation and that’s why (the Chargers are) the perfect fit for me. I really believe we can win a championship down here.”

Newberry, wearing jersey number 60, was on the field Tuesday morning for the Chargers Offseason Coaching Session just a day after signing a one-year contract with the Bolts and seemed more than thrilled to be wearing the Lightning Bolts.

“I love San Diego,” Newberry said. “The fan base down here is great. This has always been a place that every time I come down here I’m like, ‘I wouldn’t mind living down here, wouldn’t mind playing down here.’ Then it finally came true.”

Newberry participated in individual drills Tuesday but watched during the team period as he tries to catch up with Norv Turner’s offense. Following practice, Turner explained that the decision to sign the 10-year veteran simply came down to attaining another quality football player.

“He fits,” Turner said. “He’s an awfully good run blocker. He’s played at a high level throughout his career. He’s an outstanding football player. He started 14 games last year and played at a real high level. He played well against us. We keep nine or ten linemen so you want to get the best guys you can.”

The Chargers remain hopeful that starting center Nick Hardwick will fully recover from offseason foot surgery in time for the start of the 2008 season but Turner was pleased that the team was able to further strengthen their depth along the offensive line regardless of Hardwick’s situation.

“If Nick wasn’t 100 percent and wasn’t injured, we probably wouldn’t be in this position,” Turner said. “But he isn’t 100 percent. We expect Nick to be healthy. We expect Nick to be ready to go but things happen in this league and Jeremy is a guy that fits our needs at this time.

“It fits a unique set of needs. If you’re looking for a guy who is going to protect you and play at a high level for short periods of time, (Newberry) certainly can do that.”

Newberry is well aware of the situation but didn’t voice any specific expectations when asked about his desired role with the Chargers.

“If Nick is healthy, I’ll just help these guys as much as I can in whatever way I can,” Newberry said. “I’ve got a lot of experience and I’m sure I can help them with some stuff and just be a positive influence. If something happens I’ll be ready to play. Hopefully (Hardwick) gets healthy. If he doesn’t get healthy I’m ready to play the whole season.”

Tuesday’s OCS provided Newberry with a chance to get to know and work with his new teammates, and he believes he’ll fit in well with one of the NFL’s top offensive lines.

“They’re a dedicated group,” Newberry said. “As far as team strength and guys committed to doing it right, I don’t know if I’ve been around an offensive line like this in a long, long time. It’s refreshing to see these guys work like this, to see them in the weight room training and pushing each other, the attitude just makes me enthusiastic.”

On top of his work ethic, Newberry’s style of play should also allow him to fit in well with the Bolts’ offensive line. He’s been described as a physical player whose approach to the game is similar to that of Chargers Pro Bowl guard Kris Dielman.

“It’s a violent game out there,” Newberry said. “That’s how I try to approach it on gameday. Practice is a different story. I don’t try to rough my own teammates up too much, but if it’s on Sunday it’s survival of the fittest out there. I’m nasty and aggressive.”

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