Posted in News on August 6th, 2010 at 1:33 PM
By Kevin Acee, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Monday, August 2, 2010 at 12:08 p.m.
It's just a practice, but ...
Oh no.
Philip Rivers -- one of the most competitive people I've ever known -- might have stayed down at some point if this morning had been a game.
Larry English repeatedly sped past Brandyn Dombrowski and had to hold up to not take down Rivers. And not just in one series.
English, the Chargers' first-round pick in 2009, looked as good as he ever has. And maybe, just maybe, he would have had that much success against Marcus McNeill.
If so, then English will make people forget Shawne Merriman (and maybe Junior Seau) by the fourth game of the season.
It is true that English has had a good offseason, was close on a lot of plays last year and has made some changes in how he plays as he learns the intricacies of outside linebacker versus the defensive end position he played in college.
But this should have scared the Chargers.
Maybe the afternoon will bring a different result.
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The Chargers are giving undrafted rookie Nick Richmond a lot of work at left tackle. Given that he is 6-8, 309 and moves pretty well, they have hopes he can develop. He started just one season at TCU and has a lot to learn. It seems a little big for him now when he works with the second team, but he shows flashes of being able to handle himself.
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Donald Strickland is setting himself apart as the nickel and almost certainly a backup corner on this team. But it was Nathan Vasher who filled in for Antoine Cason (hamstring). The fourth-and-final CB spot should come down to Vasher, Brandon Hughes or Dante Hughes.
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Tyronne Green, drafted in the fourth round as a guard and worked at center this offseason, is also playing right tackle now.
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Mike Tolbert (hamstring) sat a second straight practice.
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Ogemdi Nwagbuo had a really good morning practice working with the first team at nose tackle. He's fast.
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The Chargers practice again at 4 p.m. The workout is open to the public.
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