Thursday marks the first day of rest for the players after a spirited start to Chargers Camp.
So, who stood out over the first four practices?
Let's take a closer look:
Travis Benjamin –As Philip Rivers repeatedly shouted Wednesday, "speed kills!" Everyone knows Benjamin is as fast as any player in the NFL, and now that he's fully healthy, the wideout is showcasing his playmaking ability. The 5-10, 175-pound wideout has been all over the field, beating the defense with the deep ball as well as short and intermediate routes. His first big play came on day one, when he reached high to make an acrobatic grab along the left sideline while showing tremendous concentration to somehow get both feet in bounds. Yesterday, he repeatedly won his battles in the red zone, made a diving catch near the sideline and caught a 70-yard bomb. It's very early, but Benjamin has been impossible to miss.
Trevor Williams –The Penn State product showed moxie a year ago with his cool, calm demeanor. That was never more evident than in his first true test on defense, when he was tasked with going up against Julio Jones. Williams more than held his own that day as the Chargers defeated the eventual NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons in overtime. Overall, the 5-11, 191-pound cornerback ended up appearing in 12 games with five starts. He entered his second training camp looking to lock down a more meaningful role, and he's certainly making a case. Williams shows no fear going up against the likes of Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams, winning his fair share of battles. With Jason Verrett currently on PUP, he's had his chance to run with the ones and is making the most of his opportunities.
Jeff Cumberland –The Chargers had high hopes for the speedy tight end a year ago after signing the former New York Jet in free agency. He quickly became a favorite target of Philip Rivers, who anticipated the veteran playing a key role on offense. Unfortunately, Cumberland suffered an Achilles injury in the second preseason game and missed the entire year. The Bolts brought him back in April, and while he may have felt rusty during the offseason, has routinely made big plays in the passing game at Chargers Camp. At 6-4, 260-pounds, Cumberland is a big-bodied target who is a mismatch to guard.
Joey Bosa –A number of notable pundits have caught the opening of training camp. Every single one walked away impressed with the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah was so bold as to predict Bosa would make a run at the sack crown. The hype around Bosa has reached deafening levels, yet the defensive end continues to take a yeomen's approach to the game. His work ethic is unrivaled, and he is a fundamentally sound technician on the field. All in all, Bosa is the real deal, which is why it's been impossible to take your eyes off him thus far in camp.
