There's no getting around it – Chargers Camp is about to be taken to a whole new level.
As Russell Okung said, "It's time to separate the men from the boys."
That's because the pads finally come on when the Bolts take the field Tuesday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex.
Head Coach Anthony Lynn admitted over the weekend that he was already eyeing the third day of camp when he could truly evaluate his team. It's one thing to watch players run around in shorts and shells. It's another when they're in full pads.
Lynn expanded on his thoughts Monday afternoon.
"It's going to be physical," he said. 'It's going to be a good measuring stick for us to see where we are technique wise and fundamental wise."
Perhaps no one is more excited to put the pads on than the players.
"This is football," Joey Bosa said. "I'm ready. I think the whole team is ready to get some real reps out there with the pads on. That's especially the case after not having pads on all this time. We're ready to go out there and compete. We're going to practice smart, but we'll practice hard."
"Absolutely can't wait," added Kyle Emanuel. "For us on defense, this is what we (live for). And for those of us on the defensive and offensive lines, it is hard to really do our jobs without the pads on. It's hard to show the coaches exactly what you can do. There are certain things you can work on without them, but our jobs require pads. I'm excited to go out and fully show what I can do."
On the other side of the ball, the Bolts' offensive linemen are equally ready to do battle in the trenches.
"Mini camp and OTAs were basically us playing in pajamas," Okung said. "This is when we see what we're made of. We want to see how everyone moves, and how we match up. We'll see who really understands leverage and how to play this game."
Tuesday also marks the first time the Chargers' rookies get to don the pads in the NFL. It's a moment Forrest Lamp has waited for ever since he was selected in the second round.
"I'm really excited. Obviously, like Russell said, this separates the men from the boys. This lets me see where I stand with everyone else. As a lineman, it means more to be in pads because of how (physical) it is. I can't wait."
To Lynn's credit, the head coach has done his research and is reminding his players to be smart even as the intensity rises.
"We have to temper (the intensity) because I read a stat where new head coaches have a 20-percent higher injury rate. I think a lot of that is because guys are trying to impress their new coaches. They're going harder, so we have to temper that and make sure we keep everyone safe first."
The Los Angeles Chargers take the practice field for the second day of Training Camp
