The Chargers offense set the NFL ablaze in 2017.
The Bolts boasted the league's top passing offense, averaging 276.9 yards per game, while also ranking fourth in total offense averaging 376.6 ypg. L.A. allowed the fewest sacks (18) while scoring the sixth-most touchdowns (28).
Fans will be happy to hear that the offense has looked just as efficient over the first week of camp, especially Philip Rivers, who seems to convert nearly every pass he attempts.
A bunch of those have gone to a new weapon that might manage to make the league's number one passing offense even better in 2018 – Mike Williams. While he isn't "new" by traditional standards, he certainly looks like a different player than the Bolts saw last year.
That only makes sense after he missed all of training camp and the first five weeks of his rookie year.
Fully healthy and with an entire offseason under his belt, Williams has been the star of Chargers Camp. While he had strong days throughout his first week, they paled in comparison to the show he put on during Saturday's Blue-White Scrimmage.
"It was pretty good," Williams said, stating the obvious. "I feel like the offense came out here and made some plays. I got a few opportunities to go out and make some plays. I made them, so I felt like I had a pretty good day and the offense had a pretty good day."
Browse through the top photos from Day 7 as the Bolts faced each other for a blue and white scrimmage.
Last year's seventh-overall pick got the Bolts offense going early, hauling in a bullet from Geno Smith in the back of the end zone, securing the touchdown despite taking a big hit from the defender. That wasn't Williams' only touchdown as he added another score later in the afternoon. The wideout adjusted to a ball thrown low where only he could grab it, showing off his strong hands to hold on for the TD.
Perhaps even more impressive was a catch that didn't go for six.
Williams ran deep downfield, and despite strong coverage, jumped high in the air to corral a contested catch. It was the cherry on top of a fantastic day that caught everyone's eye as he routinely brought the crowd to its feet.
"I wanted to get out in front of them and show them that I can make some plays," he said. "They were enjoying the day. I appreciate the fans coming out and supporting us…It felt good. During practice, you don't really get these types of opportunities. You make a play, the ball goes back to where it started. But we moved the ball. I had a few opportunities to go up and make some plays and I made them. So, I made a good impression on this scrimmage."
Williams stressed that he wanted to use training camp to build a rapport, chemistry and most importantly, trust with Philip Rivers.
So far, so good.
"He's just continuing to get better and better," Rivers said. "Shoot, we know what Mike is capable of. It's just a matter of being out here each and every day, as he has been. He continues to make plays every day, and with those plays comes more confidence. He will be a big part of our offense."
Head Coach Anthony Lynn echoed similar sentiments.
"(He's) been really good," he said. "It's nice to see Mike making those catches that we saw him make when we drafted him seventh-overall. I think Mike's getting more comfortable right now in our scheme because he's practicing. He's staying on the field and now you're seeing the real Mike Williams."
Chargers Training Camp has kicked off! **Click here** for information on attending one of the several open practices between July 28 and August 23. To celebrate football being back, we're giving away two 2018 season tickets! **Click here** to enter for your chance to win.
