With training camp on the horizon, we'll preview 10 of the most intriguing storylines to watch for when the Bolts kick things off on July 28.
Give credit to Mike Williams, who refused to make excuses for his disappointing rookie season.
The wide receiver openly admits it was a lost season after a back injury sustained early in the offseason put him behind the eight ball. After missing all of training camp, Williams didn't start practicing until a few weeks into the regular season. He was thrown into the fire Week 6, and went on to catch only 11 passes for 95 yards in 10 games.
The good news is that the 6-4, 220-pound wideout is fully healthy, and determined to show the world exactly why he was the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
In fact, he's made it clear he's focused on "redeeming" himself and proving all the doubters wrong.
"I'm excited about this year to not only prove to everybody else, but prove to myself that I know who I am and what I can be," he said. "I'm real confident in my abilities. I wasn't capable of doing what I can do last year because of the injury. This offseason, I feel 100 percent. I'm ready to go out there and dominate. Everyone faces adversity. It shows what kind of player you are when you can bounce back from adversity. I'm looking to redeem myself and show everyone what I'm capable of doing."
Williams has impressed thus far this offseason, and it's also clear he has a fan in new wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan.
"He is a big-bodied guy with a huge catch radius," he said. "Very strong hands. Some of the biggest hands I've ever had as a position coach. Just a really dynamic red zone threat. He's tough, too. He has an edge to him. He's very strong. He's working really hard, and I'm excited about this guy."
Still, it's one thing to turn heads in the offseason and another to do so in pads and during preseason play. Yet that's when Williams is built to thrive with his physical brand of ball.
Williams also insists it's important to continue building a rapport with Philip Rivers leading into the season. The two didn't get to have many reps together in 2017 due to his back injury, so this is the perfect opportunity to build trust with number 17.
MORE THINGS TO WATCH
The Chargers' 2018 training camp schedule is official, so mark your calendars to watch the Bolts prepare for the upcoming season! The team will hold 14 practices open to the public between July 28 and August 23. For more information, please visit **www.chargers.com/camp**.
