Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive tackle Joe Alt took the podium at The Bolt on Day 11 of Chargers Training Camp.
Below are three takeaways from their media availability on Monday:
Alt fitting in nicely
It's been off and running for Joe Alt in his first NFL training camp.
The Chargers first-round pick has mostly been at right tackle so far in El Segundo, but has also lined up on the left side when the Bolts shuffled around their group up front.
The adjustment to NFL life is a process, and Alt has been putting in the work to try and get better every practice.
"They've been solid. Just kind of getting used to the transition from college to the NFL," Alt said. "I think that was kind of the first week and now it's trying to stack days, get better at technique and things I see from the last practice. That's just kind of my main focus so far."
Alt later added: "The transition has gone pretty smoothly actually. Put a lot of time and effort into it and I'm feeling very comfortable on the right side."
It helps to have one of the best tackles to learn from, too.
The rookie entered an offensive line room with a ton of veteran experience, something Alt has leaned on as he goes through his first camp and crediting their importance so far.
But Alt mentioned Rashawn Slater in particular as a player he's leaned on a lot in recent months.
Alt has made sure to soak up the knowledge and tips from the former All-Pro.
"I've been going to him after every single practice and if he sees anything in the drill work or in the film, coming back the next day," Alt said. "If he sees things, I've been going to him.
"He plays the position on the left side," Alt added. "He knows so much about the position that [I've] really been leaning on him to see things I can improve and work extra drill work after practice and before practice and during walk-through's have been huge for me."
And there sure has been a lot of work for him so far.
Alt has had to be ready from the jump, as he has matched up against elite edge rushers such as Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu since the pads have come on.
Whether it's been against their power or speed, he's seen a lot of different moves and skillset from that quartet.
Alt has welcomed the challenge — and all of this work against some of the best in the league is something that will come in handy when the regular season rolls around in a little over a month.
"I'm very lucky to go up against some of the best edge rushers in the game, being able to go against them every single day and being able to improve my skills against the best.
Alt added: "For me, it's just trying to improve a bit every single day against them."
Harbaugh assesses joint practice
All three phases of the Chargers went back to facing each other Monday.
The team held a lighter practice following Sunday's intense joint practice by going through a non-padded session.
Having had the opportunity to look over the film from the practice, Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said it was a great session for both sides.
"I thought both teams acquitted themselves really good," Harbaugh said after Monday's practice. "Got a lot out of it. Both teams did a really good job of playing fast, playing good, playing aggressive.
"Good football," Harbaugh said. "I thought it was an impressive day for us, just the way I looked at it and looked at the film."
The Bolts as a whole came out with a lot of energy and held it throughout the practice.
Harbaugh credited the level of organization from the coaching staff, complementing how the team looked on the field.
All of that led to an impressive session from the powder blues.
"Things that stood out? We were better yesterday than we were the day before that," Harbaugh said. "I think we were mentally into it, there was quite a bit of energy and juice. We were recharged for the competition with the Rams. The competition they brought, I thought we were up to it. I feel like were well-coached.
"Two things that stand out about being well-coached is coaches teaching and players responding, and the result is football being played well," Harbaugh added. "And I thought we really, as a team, enjoyed playing. Played with the kind of joy where guys play their best."
The offensive side of the ball saw Easton Stick lead both the first and second team as Justin Herbert remains out.
And the unit had its moments, as Harbaugh credited the offensive line for their performance for most of the afternoon.
"Offensively yesterday I saw some really good things," Harbaugh said. "I thought the pass protection was good and stout.
"That's a salty Rams defense and I really liked the way our offensive line protected for most of the snaps," Harbaugh added.
Harbaugh was also pleased with the rushing attack with the Bolts had a pair rushing touchdowns during the 11-on-11 drills in the red zone.
Still, he feels like there were some things the team left out there on the practice field.
"I thought our backs did a much better job of leveling their pads to the goal line," Harbaugh said. "Just missed on some throws, some completions. We left some meat on the bone."
Overall, it was a good session in the lead up to the first preseason game, but there is still work to be done.
"The challenge today, the challenge tomorrow is to be better than we were yesterday," Harbaugh said. "Keep attacking it."
Some starters will play in preseason
Harbaugh said Monday that there will be some starters who suit up and play in the preseason opener.
The Chargers host the Seahawks on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. at SoFi Stadium.
"Some starters will play, some won't," Harbaugh said. "It'll be an individual case-by-case decision but we haven't made a final decision on it."
The Bolts big-name starters have not played in the preseason in recent years.
But this could be a chance for young players, including rookies such as first-round pick Joe Alt, to get their first NFL experience before the regular season begins.
"I'm always looking for competition," Alt said Monday. "That's where you can improve and that's where you could go back and assess yourself at the top level, in game.
"You can really see, 'Am I staying true to my technique? Am I staying true to what I've been taught?'" Alt added. "And if I'm not, how can I better replicate them in practice as much as I can so it's like a game and I could continue to just get those things improved every day."
The Chargers will host the Rams in preseason play on August 17 before playing in Dallas in the preseason finale on August 24.
