The Los Angeles Chargers announced their 2019 Training Camp schedule earlier this week, and this year they'll face not one, but two teams for joint practices.
For the third straight year the Bolts welcome the New Orleans Saints to Jack Hammett Sports Complex, hosting them for two practices on Thursday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 16 before that Sunday's preseason game. Before that, though, they'll host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Aug. 1. In addition, two days later, the Bolts will head to the Rams' camp for another joint practice on Saturday, Aug. 3.
These joint practices are as good as it gets for fans as they get to watch the Chargers go toe-to-toe with other teams just a few yards away in an intimate setting. At the same time, it's among the best work the players will get all summer long.
"You're going to see them against good competition and you'll see them against another opponent, which is going to take it to another element in practice," Head Coach Anthony Lynn said. "You can get good evaluations during that week of practice, for sure."
A lot has also been said about Lynn's comments that he may play his starters less this preseason. Lynn did several studies and research based on how other teams monitored snaps during last year's exhibition slate, explaining how they may see the field less this summer.
When asked his thoughts on it, Rivers said it was no big deal whatever Lynn decides.
Why?
Well, according to Rivers, he gets more accomplished going against the opposition in joint practices than the already limited snaps he's traditionally taken in preseason play. Instead of leading two or three drives in the preseason, number 17 gets to go up against opposing defenses over and over again while being safely protected from taking hits.
"That's about as live as it gets, but you get to wear a red jersey," Rivers said about the joint practices. "I think by doing that — if we didn't practice against anybody, I'd say, 'Gosh, that would probably be nice to get in some real game action.' To me, you're getting some real game action when you're going against two different teams, getting seven-on-seven reps. You're getting all kinds of reps, so you're getting more reps in those two practices than you'd ever get action in a game. What did I throw, six or eight passes last year in the preseason? There is something about that game feeling, but I don't think it's necessary at this point. I don't know what the plan is yet, but if that were to be the plan, I would be fine with it."
