We'll reveal our top 10 things to watch for at training camp each day leading up to the first practice on July 30.
What is the Cornerback Rotation?
From the moment the Chargers inked former Packer Casey Hayward on March 13, many have wondered how the team plans to use their top three cornerbacks in unison.
With Jason Verrett fresh off his first Pro Bowl appearance and former Pro Bowler Brandon Flowers back to full health, what tricks does Defensive Coordinator John Pagano have up his sleeve to deploy the trio at the same time?
After seeing glimpses of those plans throughout the offseason program, training camp will offer the best look yet at how they will be used. According to Defensive Backs Coach Ron Milus, it may actually change from week to week come the regular season.
"Casey and Brandon have played both outside and inside, but I want Jason to be able to go in there also at any time," he said. "If we ever get into a game where our matchup is best for Jason to be inside, we can put him in there. If we can get Jason to that point where he is comfortable as the nickel defender, and the other two guys can go outside, I think that helps us. We want those three guys to be able to play all the positions. Like we say in the room, we play defensive back. We play corner, and that doesn't mean left corner or right corner, but that also encompasses the nickel. At any point in the game, you may play all of those spots."
Even though Hayward is new to the team, the player with the most to prove may be Flowers. He declared this offseason his determination to return to form after a 2015 campaign where he didn't recognize himself.
"It didn't really hit me until I got put on IR," he said in May. "I sat back, watched film and I didn't see myself. I have a legacy I'm trying to leave on the field. I hold myself to a certain standard. When I was going through it at the time, I knew I wasn't playing as well as I normally play. But I didn't realize (how) bad."
Head Coach Mike McCoy noted at the end of mini camp that number 24 did in fact look like his old self, so the Chargers are counting on seeing the same Flowers who recorded 53 tackles, 11 passes defensed and three interceptions in his first season in San Diego in 2014.
