EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Chargers have moved on to new beginnings with new head coach Jim Harbaugh and brand new practice facility in El Segundo called The Bolt. It is a beautiful new headquarters for the Chargers who are looking to get back to the postseason after last season struggles.
Here are some takeaways from the first week of training camp for the Chargers:
Starting things slowly
Coach Jim Harbaugh has come into camp excited like no other. "It's like New Year's Day. It feels like being born. It feels like coming out of the womb," he said. "You're in there. It's comfortable and safe, and now you're out. You're born. Lights are on, it's bright, chaos, people looking at you, people talking at you, and it just feels good to have it happen."
At the same time coach Harbaugh is thinking the long game when it comes to his roster. The team had no padded practices during their first week of camp with coach hoping not too many bodies touch the grass. “Hey … gliiide,” Harbaugh said, pushing his right hand into the air, as if to simulate a plane lifting off. “Glide today. We’ll be at 30,000 feet before you know it. Let’s glide a little.”
The Chargers will hold their first fully-padded practice on Monday morning.
New backs to lead the backfield
With the loss of Austin Ekeler, the Chargers will have a new starter in the backfield for the first time since 2018. Joining new offensive coordinator Greg Roman are former Baltimore Ravens running backs Gus Edwards and J. K. Dobbins.
Edwards and Dobbins have played multiple years under Roman. Their experience in the system and different styles will help the offense in year one. Edwards, the bruising back, is coming off a year where he russhed 810 yards with 13 rushing touchdowns. He is doing only individual work so far after having offseason surgery.
Dobbins is returning from torn Achilles is suffered last season and says he is fully healthy to go and show that he's ready to reestablish himself as one of the league's top backs.
"I feel like I'm in college out there right now. And I do think that the storm is over. Now I'm on a new journey, a healthy journey this year. You guys will see, it'll be special” Dobbins said.
Edwards and Dobbins are joined by returning back Isaiah Spiller. Spiller is in his third camp with the Chargers and hoping to find a role for himself. The three of them look like they will have every opportunity to hold the position down in camp.
Diversifying the secondary
The Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is hoping to get the most out of his secondary and wants to play his guys where they are strongest. Minter is using this early portion of training camp to play his defensive backs at many different spots.For example coach Minter has placed star safety Derwin James in the slot, at strong safety and free safety so far in camp.
Coach Minter wants guys to be strong all over the formation to add some diversity to the defense. “Certainly trying to teach our defense in ways that guys switch around to different positions,” Minter said. “I am looking forward to trying to put (James) in the best position for him to be successful and help our defense be successful.”
Seeing guys in different spots is what we will see out there from the defensive backs so that coach can see who excels in each spot in his defense.