Rookies receive their chance to shine

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Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Chargers first-round draft pick Craig Davis is satisfied with the way he’s picked up the Bolts’ offense and is pleased with the progress he’s made in his first six weeks of his NFL career. Still, an opportunity to take a few more reps and soak up a little more knowledge is welcomed.

“It’s just a chance to build on what we’ve learned,” Davis said. “It’s going to help a lot.”

While Chargers veterans wrapped up the on-field portion of their offseason program with last weekend’s Mini Camp, Bolts rookies as well as a few first-year players are on the turf by themselves this week as they continue to learn and apply.

With the veterans gone, several members of the Chargers’ 2007 draft class received their opportunity to shine Tuesday, particularly second-round pick Eric Weddle, who intercepted two passes within a five-minute period.

“It felt great because I’d been working hard out here and didn’t have one yet,” Weddle said. “It makes me feel good because it shows that I’m applying what I’m learning. I was where I was supposed to be.”

Weddle’s play caught the attention of Head Coach Norv Turner over the weekend and again on Tuesday.

“He’s got a lot to learn, but he’s moving around really well and showing great instincts,” Turner said.

Another player who stood out Tuesday was tight end Legedu Naanee. The Boise State product lined up all over the field and made plays from several different positions.

“He’s a real sharp guy,” Turner said. “He’s handled all of the things we’re doing and we’ve asked him to do a lot because he’s a versatile guy. The big challenge for him will be when the pads get on and he’s doing some of the protection stuff, some of the run blocking. If he can do that we’ll be able to get him involved in the passing game.”

The rookies will work the next three days and wrap up the on-field portion of their offseason on Friday. The opening day of Training Camp ’07 is Saturday, July 28.

Commissioner’s nod

Commissioner Roger Goodell was recently asked to submit a list of his five NFL heroes for a piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He called out five players for their strong commitments to helping others, and LaDainian Tomlinson made the list. Goodell acknowledged LT for “helping thousands of kids understand that ‘school is cool’ and for distributing more than 1,000 Thanksgiving turkeys and food bags to needy families in San Diego.”

“I am proud of the great work so many of our players do in their communities,” Goodell said.

Counting down

An ESPN crew that included LT’s childhood idol Emmitt Smith visited the home of the reigning NFL MVP Tuesday to film a segment for the network’s NFL Countdown. The piece involved documenting one of Tomlinson’s offseason workout routines that he conducts on an incline on his property. The story is scheduled to air on Countdown’s kickoff Sunday show on September 9.

Tomlinson also learned this week that he’ll be featured on the cover of NFL.com’s 2007 fantasy football preview magazine, a publication in which NFL.com National Editor Vic Carucci call’s LT’s 2006 season “the best fantasy football season in NFL history.”

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