Pads start popping in full-gear practice

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Monday, Jul 30, 2007
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

For the first time in more than six months, the Chargers took the field in full pads Monday afternoon, and the thumping sounds provided by the collisions brought a different pace to practice.

“When you put the pads on, the tempo changes a little bit,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “Our guys respond. This was my first practice in full pads with this group. It does hit home to you that this is a different game when you’re running around in jerseys and shorts as compared to pads. I like the way our guys practiced.”

The presence of pads allowed for the team’s most physical practice to date. Usually when players are in pads, they simply collide and stand each other up. But during a three-play run drill, Turner let the third team offense and defense tackle to the ground and go full contact.

“It’s good for the young guys,” Turner said. “They’re going to go out in about two weeks and have to tackle (when the Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 12 in Qualcomm Stadium).”

Wide receiver Craig Davis, who has appeared smooth and confident throughout the first few days of camp, missed practice for the first time, but Turner didn’t seem overly concerned.

“He’s just sore,” Turner said. “He’s had excellent work. He came in three days early. He’s got a little bit of tendonitis in the knee. It’s a day-to-day thing. He’s doing fine. We just want to be smart.”

Defensive end Igor Olshansky (groin), wide receiver Eric Parker (toe) and offensive tackle Shane Olivea also missed the afternoon work.

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie stole the show Monday afternoon as he intercepted two passes during team drills. Safety Eric Weddle also made an impressive play in the passing game when he ran across the field with tight end Antonio Gates and batted a ball away from the All Pro. Cornerback Steven Gregory added an interception for the second-straight day.

The afternoon provided an entertaining drill as the offensive linemen matched up with linebackers and defensive linemen in one-on-one pass-rush drills. Defensive end Luis Castillo dipped up and under guard Mike Goff on the duo’s first battle, but Goff answered on the next snap by locking up his counterpart and holding his ground. Offensive tackle Marcus McNeill was also one to watch as he held linebacker Shawne Merriman at bay twice.

Sad day

The entire football world Monday afternoon mourned the passing of Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh.

Turner never had the pleasure of coaching with Walsh but grew to love and respect the man during their multiple competitions against each other. Walsh was the head coach at Stanford when Turner was an assistant at USC, and the two also regularly matched up when Turner was an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams and Walsh was at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers.

“We all knew Coach was sick,” Turner said. “The last year and a half being at San Francisco was fun for me because I got to spend a lot of time with Bill and talk football with him. He’s just meant so much to this game. Not only the game of football, but there are so many people that he’s touched, so many great players and coaches that he’s had a great part of their careers.”

Chargers wide receivers coach James Lofton is one of those many people Walsh had a profound impact on. Walsh became the head coach at Stanford prior to Lofton’s career. At that point, the future Hall of Fame receiver was a National Champion on the track but had yet to receive his break on the gridiron.

“He was the first coach who gave me a chance,” Lofton said. “I wasn’t a starter when he came there. When he came onto campus, he came out to the track and asked me why I wasn’t a starter. I remember that summer he pulled out some tape of Isaac Curtis who was an All-Pro receiver with the Bengals. Coach Walsh had coached him in Cincinnati and he said, ‘You’re a lot like this guy. I think you could be just as good if not better than him.’ Coach was really the first guy to have that kind of confidence in me. I had confidence in myself, but I’d never had another coach display it in me like he did.”

Lofton and Walsh kept in very close touch over the years and regularly chatted on the phone.

“When I went on my head coaching interviews, he’d always call me before and then follow up afterwards to see how things had gone,” Lofton said. “He meant a lot to me and it’s a tough day.”

Mike Nowak, Chargers.com

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie was impressive Monday afternoon as he intercepted two passes during the team's late practice.

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	Training Camp: Philip Rivers After Monday's morning practice quarterback Philip Rivers talks with the media. Play
	Sights and Sounds: Secondary With many fans watching the teams secondary run drills during practice on July 30, 2007. Play