Waters healthy, happy and ready to compete

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Over the course of the last two years, Chargers linebacker Anthony Waters has continually reminded himself of a message his high school coach used to pound into his head.

“Be patient, be patient, be patient,” Waters recites. “He always told me that I might have to wait my turn but as long as I kept working good things would happen.”

That’s the approach the 6-3, 240 pound linebacker has taken to football, and he believes he’ll soon reap some of the benefits of his work. From the sound of it, the Chargers think he will, too.

“Anthony’s healthy, he’s 100 percent and we think he’s going to be an outstanding player,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “He’s got a lot to learn. I expect Anthony to have an impact and contribute, whether it’s on special teams, whether it’s on first-down defense or an eight-man front defensive package. He’s running extremely well right now and he’s got a lot of talent.”

The Chargers believed they got a potential steal last spring when the drafted Waters near the end of the third round. Many NFL scouts believed Waters had the talent to be a first-round pick, but the Lake View, South Carolina native missed his entire senior season at Clemson after tearing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the first game of the 2006 season.

Waters spent an extensive amount of time with the Chargers’ athletic training staff last summer strengthening his knee but still wasn’t quite himself when the season began.

“When I came in last year, I told people I was ready but I had some doubts about my knee,” Waters said. “I was a little hesitant. It held me back a little.”

As a rookie, Waters was inactive all 16 regular-season games and all three playoff games. By the time he regained complete confidence in his knee, roles were established and his opportunity to contribute had passed him by.

“It was probably about midseason, right when the team got pretty hot and got on a roll,” Waters said. “That’s when I started feeling my best. I understood what was going on. I understood how everyone was playing. I knew I had to wait. I was cool with that.”

Although he didn't see game action, Waters did his best to make the most of his rookie season. He studied film and dedicated himself to learning the defense. He practiced diligently and picked the veterans’ brains. Waters spent time talking with Antonio Cromartie, who went through a similar experience when he suffered an ACL injury prior to his final college season. Waters knew that once he physically caught up he’d be ready to contribute.

“This year I’m confident in myself and I’m confident in my body,” Waters said. “I’m ready to go. I feel like I can compete now. It’s on me to go get the job done. I feel like I’m 100 percent and I’m back to where I used to be. I’m feeling pretty good about everything that’s going on.”

During the first two days of Offseason Coaching Sessions, Waters has worked as the “Mike” linebacker with the second- and third-team defense. He’s been pleased with the way he’s been able to apply all that he’s learned.

“I know this defense,” Waters said. “Everything is becoming second nature. There are still things I have to work on but it’s coming quicker now. I’m playing faster and thinking less. That’s the way football is supposed to be.”

He’s also worked to find a niche on special teams, which he knows can be the difference in being active and inactive once the season rolls around.

“Whatever my role is going to be, I’m going to do it. I saw what (Brandon) Siler did last year. You can be a starter on special teams, too. I’ll do whatever I have to.

“I keep telling myself that if I work hard and keep doing everything I’m supposed to, the good things will come. I know if I do my part and continue to make progress, I feel like eventually it will payoff. I’ll get a chance to showcase my talents some way. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m going to be focused.”

Preseason tickets available

Individual tickets to the Chargers’ two home preseason contests are now available for purchase online. Fans can buy tickets at www.chargers.com.

The Bolts open the preseason on Saturday, Aug. 9 against the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff for the preseason opener is scheduled for 7 p.m. Pacific Time. Two weeks later, the Chargers will also host the Seattle Seahawks on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The Aug. 25 game will kickoff at 5 p.m. Pacific.

Sproles returns

Running back/kick returner Darren Sproles missed the first day of voluntary OCS’s while attending to personal business but was back at Chargers Park Tuesday and hopes he doesn’t miss another session.

Last offseason, Sproles used the summer to make great strides as a returner. He had a member of the club’s equipment staff feed him punts through the JUGS Machine to help Sproles work on securing the football. His work paid off as he didn’t mishandle a single punt last season. In addition to his work with the club during OSC’s and the offseason conditioning program, Sproles is following a similar routine this spring and summer.

Whitehurst’s Day

Quarterback Billy Volek tweaked his hamstring during Monday’s OCS and didn’t practice Tuesday. That gave third-string signal caller Charlie Whitehurst the opportunity to run the first-team offense during team drills Tuesday.

“More work is always good,” Whitehurst said. “It was a fun day.”

Flash Gordon

Cornerback Cletis Gordon acknowledged during minicamp that he’d have to step up his game after the team used it’s first-round pick on cornerback Antoine Cason. He had an impressive weekend during minicamp and has continued to flash during the first two days of OCS’s. On Tuesday, he read a route and made an impressive over-the-shoulder interception during a 7-on-7 drill.

“I need at least one every day,” Gordon said. “That’s what I’ve set as my goal for OCS’s.”

Free safety Steve Gregory also delivered an interception during team drills. He was playing centerfield and stepped in front of a receiver to haul in the football.

A pair of legends

Former Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and wide receiver Gary Garrison, both of whom are members of the Chargers Hall of Fame, were on hand for Tuesday’s OCS. Turner served as a backup to Fouts at the University of Oregon and the two have remained friends over the years.

Fouts was in San Diego Tuesday for a speaking engagement. He joined former Chargers Head Coach Don Coryell and former San Diego State quarterback Brian Sipe at the San Diego Hall of Champions to take part in the “Sports at Lunch” series.

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