Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter, linebacker Denzel Perryman and defensive lineman Morgan Fox took the podium at The Bolt on Day 7 of Chargers Training Camp.
Below are three takeaways from their media availability on Wednesday:
Minter gets 1st look at Bosa, Mack
Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter entered training camp wondering what players like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack would look like up close.
His answer? As expected from the pair of Pro Bowlers.
"Kind of what you thought it would be watching a lot of their tape over the last couple of years and just talking to them," Minter said.
Bosa and Mack haven't skipped a beat entering their third training camp as teammates — being as disruptive as ever in drills since the pads have come on.
The pair got off to a hot start Monday both rushing the passer and stopping the run and have continued to do so day-in and day-out.
And after getting the chance to know the duo throughout the spring practices, Minter can sense the change the two are going through at this point of the process.
"Like I said back in OTA's, the respect of them coming in the offseason program," Minter said. "You kind of want to get the vibe, get the feel, learn some of the defense, learn what this is like.
"And when those guys get into training camp, you can sense that that switch goes off," Minter added. "Now we're 40-something days away from playing a game, we're getting ourselves ready."
Minter had high praise for the two, calling Mack "one of the most competitive people" he's ever been around.
That competitiveness is something the defensive coordinator can see motivates both Mack and Bosa, as he can't wait to see how he can make the best of the pair on defense.
"I think he's a really good influence on Joey," Minter said. "Joey is really competitive too. He's really, really hungry right now to be great. Those guys really kind of push each other.
"Super excited about the dynamic there and what I think those guys can do for our defense," Minter continued. "Just excited to continue to progress with them, continue to try different things and see what our best stuff can be given each situation."
It's as good of a foundation to have on a defense.
"Just great guys that love to compete, want to do everything right, that want to win every rep," Minter said. "We just have to do a really good job of getting them to the game and getting them healthy, ready, pushing each other in practice but also taking care of each other."
Minter later added: "It's a great place to start, to have the type of talent that we have there."
Impressed with the DL
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has previously expressed his excitement about what the Bolts defensive line room could do.
Add Minter to that list, as well.
"I'm excited about that group," Minter said. "I think it's a hungry [group]."
Aside from Morgan Fox, who returns for his third season on the Bolts, and Poona Ford, who was signed as a free agent, the defensive line room is filled with younger players who have limited experience.
Still, Fox has been impressed with how the unit is moving along throughout this part of camp, as he credited Ford for stepping up as one of the veteran leaders of the group.
"We have great leaders with Poona," Fox said. "He might not talk a lot, but Poona really leads by example and he's a guy that works hard, plays fast. It's really nice having a guy like him around to help push these younger guys along."
Minter echoed Fox's sentiment about Ford.
"I'm really excited about Poona Ford," Minter said. "I think he can be a really, really good player for us in what we ask him to do. I think he's got a well-rounded game that can stop the run, also good against the pass. I'm A-plus, plus so far with that signing."
The Bolts defensive playcaller praised the work defensive line coach Mike Elston has done with everyone on the unit, as they have all impressed him thus far.
Elston has made a big impact on the group, most in part because of the way he's been able to connect with the players according to Fox.
"He's really unique in the fact that, it's kind of like working with almost like a peer," Fox said. "He bounces ideas off of us, we bounce ideas off of him.
"He's incredibly intelligent and experienced within the scheme, within rushes, how to break down blocks and how we should play things," Fox continued. "He gives us certain freedoms based on how guys play.
"We're not stuck in a certain play style even though we might not be a certain body type," Fox added. "He lets us play to the best of our ability, to the best of our body types, which has been, personally for me, something I've really enjoyed."
The upcoming joint practices and preseason games will give a better understanding of where the defensive line stands, but they've given Minter what he's been looking for so far.
"I'm confident that that room will give us what we need to be able to play the type of defense that we want to play," Minter said.
Bolts vets feeling fresh
The Bolts have implemented an altered practice schedule for training camp under Jim Harbaugh.
While the Chargers adhered to a set practice schedule in previous years, Harbaugh and Executive Director of Player Performance Ben Herbert have a plan to give players at least 24 hours off in between practices this camp.
Veteran Khalil Mack said a few days ago that his body noticed the change, and fellow veteran Denzel Perryman echoed that sentiment Wednesday.
"I was talking to Khalil about this the other day … it's not a hard camp," Perryman said. "The body feels good and they're actually taking care of us.
"Some days we practice at 9 [a.m.], some days we practice at 10 [a.m.], noon, 2 [p.m.], 5 [p.m.] … those little windows give us time to recover and let the body rest," Perryman added. "For me, going on Year 10, I feel like I'm 23. I'm actually 31 but I feel young."
The Bolts began Monday's practice at 10 a.m. this week while Tuesday's session started at noon. Wednesday's practice began at 2 p.n. while Thursday (4:30 p.m.) and Friday (5 p.m.) are later start times.
The Chargers will hold joint practice with the Rams on Sunday at 11 a.m. at The Bolt.
