Quarterback Philip Rivers and Head Coach Anthony Lynn were guests on the premiere episode of the Backstage: Chargers Podcast presented by Toyota.
Rivers reflected on the first 14 years of his NFL career and gave his thoughts on the addition of center Mike Pouncey, building rapport with wide receiver Mike Williams and more. Among the topics with Lynn: the return of tight end Antonio Gates, preparing for Week 1 against the Chiefs and his impressions of defensive rookies Derwin James, Uchenna Nwosu and Kyzir White.
Highlights from the conversation are below:
Rivers on the multiple options on offense
"There's so many guys to get the ball to, and what's cool about this group is they all like to see the other guys do well, so it's not just 'Yeah, we have a good group but the ball's going to go to Keenan (Allen) and the ball's going to go to Melvin (Gordon).' It's like 'No, we have a good group. It's going to go to Keenan and Melvin, and Tyrell (Williams), and Travis (Benjamin), and Mike (Williams), and Austin (Ekeler), and Virgil (Green).' It's like, 'Alright, look out. Whose week is it?' We don't know, and guys are excited when it's the other guy's turn. So, it's a diverse group. I like what we've done this offseason and this training camp. I think we have a chance now to get off to a fast start."
Lynn on the return of Gates
"Antonio's a leader. He's a professional. He's been around this league for a long time. He knows the ins and outs of this game and how to prepare – routines. He can do so much for the young guys on the football team as far as being professional. And, also now, we brought him back for a reason. He brings something to the football field as well. He's a wise veteran. He knows how to get open, sit in zones and beat man. Philip and him, they have a great chemistry together, so I'm looking forward to seeing him back out on the field making plays for us."
Rivers on entering his 15th NFL season
"I think it's more for me – it's just enjoying; really don't take for granted any walkthrough, any practice, any meeting. … This past training camp, it was just, 'Man, we're going out here and we get to practice football for a month in training camp.' … It's not so bad, because one day, you'll go, 'Gosh, I wish I could go get a practice in' and you won't be able to."
Lynn on Week 1 vs. Kansas City
"If you want to know where you're at in your division, you're going to find out right away. You're going up against the back-to-back division champs, and they're the champs for a reason. (Head Coach) Andy Reid has done a heck of a job with that organization, and that's a winning program, so, we couldn't have picked a better opponent to start out with because we want to know – we want to know exactly where we're at."
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