Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, center Bradley Bozeman and cornerback Kristian Fulton took the podium at The Bolt on Day 5 of Chargers Training Camp.
Below are three takeaways from their media availability on Monday:
Pads come on at The Bolt
The intensity in El Segundo went up a notch Monday.
For the first time this training camp, the team put on the pads at The Bolt for an hour and 45-minute practice.
"It was another really good day. Just great day for football," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Whether pads or no pads, I look at how much time do I have today."
The energy was there all morning from the jump as the team continues the ramp up process that Harbaugh has characterized as "The Glide Theory".
For Harbaugh, not only is having the pads on a big step in camp, it also gives the players another added layer of protection to keep them safe.
"I get super excited about it because it's armor. It's more way of protecting ourselves," Harbaugh said. "As I said the other day, it's not a weapon to be used against our own teammates.
"But yeah, now receivers can dive for balls, they can go up and jump for balls because when they come down, they're coming down with pads and protection," Harbaugh added.
The pads coming on allowed the Bolts to be a bit physical Monday, as they went through some drills seen for the first time.
Among them were 1-on-1 drills between the offensive and defensive lines making their camp debut during the middle part of practice.
Joe Alt against Joey Bosa and Rashawn Slater against Khalil Mack were just some of the few matchups highlighted during the drills, as both sides went through their first live work.
Harbaugh was pleased with the first 1-on-1 session of camp as both sides showed up and showed out.
"Somebody asked me who won. I don't know, we're going to have to go to the tape to figure that one out," Harbaugh said. "It was good give and take, both sides. Some guys really stood out.
"It was good give and take," Harbaugh added. "Kind of what you want to see, you don't want to see the offense dominating the defense at this stage for sure. You could have the defense domination the offense at these stages of camp and I'd be okay with that."
Of course, the team will have to look back on the tape to see who really came out on top.
"It feels one way out there but the film can say something totally different," center Bradley Bozeman said.
The competitive level remains high in El Segundo.
"It was really a reflection of the whole practice," Harbaugh said. "It was good give and take on both sides."
Check out some shots of the Bolt Fam at The Bolt for Back Together Saturday 2024!
Something to prove
One of the position groups that has brought the most energy during the early portion of camp has been the cornerbacks — and Kristian Fulton has been in the thick of it.
The veteran is entering his fifth year in the NFL and first with the Chargers, making plays during the early part of camp.
And entering this season, he feels like he has something to prove.
"I just want to prove that I know I'm a top corner in this league," Fulton said.
"It's going to show come gameday but right now, I'm just focusing on proving it every day to the coaches, my teammates that they can trust me to go out there and do that," Fulton added. "I know if I do my job, everything will take care of itself."
Fulton's first training camp with the Bolts has seen him line up primarily on the outside with the first unit as he figures to be a key member of the secondary this season.
He's continued to grow more comfortable in Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter's scheme, adding how the playcaller has made it easy for everyone in the secondary.
"I love it because he sees it from the backend from the secondary," Fulton said. "He's always trying to put us in position to make plays and to help the next guy next to us. I think his scheme fits everybody. You just have to play your part."
"I think if we do that, there will be plays made by everybody," Fulton later added. "I think that's what I like most about his defense. He's not really stressing everybody or anybody."
Fulton has also enjoyed getting to play on the opposite side of the field Asante Samuel, Jr. whom he believes also has something to prove in 2024.
It's a motivated group in the backend of the Chargers defense.
"It's been fun. He's a guy that's competitive," Fulton said about Samuel. "He wants to win every rep and he plays a great technique every rep. It's kind of like we're pushing each other. I kind of feed off him and he'll feed off me.
"I think we both have something to prove this year," Fulton added. "That's our mentality every time we step on the field. It's been really fun playing with him."
The connection under center
Bradley Bozeman has been full go in a variety of ways since arriving back in free agency.
Not only is the veteran center in the middle of one of most important units on the team under Harbaugh — the offensive line — he also has spent a lot of time working on the quarterback-center connection.
And so far, he's been doing everything he can to build that relationship with the franchise quarterback.
"100 percent. It will continue to develop," Bozeman said. "Justin has been here playing for a very high level for five years.
"You can go earn his respect. It's not just given," Bozeman said. "I have to come in here and earn my respect and show what I can do."
Bozeman has been able to work closely with Herbert since arriving in the spring and during the offseason programs.
But having the ability to do so at a faster pace now with the pads on is a bit different — and very important before Week 1.
"It's all great in shorts and shirts, but when you put on the pads is when you start to figure out who guys are," Bozeman said. "You have to bring it every single day."
While Bozeman said it's mostly been Herbert leading the way in terms of the communication as they work getting on the same page, he does mention things when he notices it.
It's a good back and forth that could help the Bolts offense once the season gets rolling, as the two on the same page will be crucial for the success.
"He's telling me more than I'm telling him but there's a line of communication there," Bozeman said. "We're making sure we're all on the same page but he's doing most of the checks.
"If I have a recommendation then I'll throw it out there but he's running the show," Bozeman added. "Our relationship has been really good."
