The wait was finally over for Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter to see his defense in live action.
Saturday's preseason opener marked Minter's first NFL game as the playcaller, a game in which he got to see a good first evaluation of his units in live action.
"First preseason game, it was good to see the guys play," Minter said. "Thought we played with good energy, good effort.
"A lot of things to clean up but that's what you expect from the first game," he added.
The preseason opener, as expected, came with some ups and downs.
The Bolts defense was able to make some big-time plays, including a goal-line stand in the third quarter when linebackers Shane Lee and Nick Niemann were able to force the fourth-down stop.
But there was also different areas Minter identified that the team will have to take a step forward in for the second game.
"For us defensively, there's some things we're chasing and didn't feel like we put our best foot forward in some areas," Minter said. "Situational football, third downs, getting off the field, not attacking the ball. As a group, it gives you a starting point and a foundation … then it allows you to attack very specific areas to try and get better for the next game.'
Minter later added: "Really just trying to attack the details, situational football, just all the things we can do better. Particularly the young guys, get them ready to make a big jump from Week 1 to Week 2. Excited for another opportunity to go out and play this week."
One of the younger players that stood out was outside linebacker Tre'Mon Morris-Brash.
The undrafted rookie played 33 defensive snaps, notching two pressures and a run stop, according to Pro Football Focus.
Minter is looking forward to seeing how Morris-Brash continues to progress, as Saturday's game against the Rams will be a big one for the young players after already having a game under their belt.
"I thought he played pretty well," Minter said about Morris-Brash. "A lot of the guys, it was their first game, so getting through that they realize what it is, what it takes, the consistency and play-after-play mentality.
"He's had a good camp, I've mentioned that a few times," Minter added. "But now that he's done it and has a better self-expectation of how the game does and everything, that he'll be able to go out there and put his best foot forward on Saturday."
In front of the Bolts are the Rams, a team with whom they were able to log a good joint practice with earlier in the month.
While there's not a lot to take from a scheme standpoint from that practice, Minter believes it is beneficial for the unit to already have an idea of who they're going up against.
"Honestly, as a staff, we're not putting a ton of stock into what they ran in practice against us versus the game," Minter said. "I think it's advantageous for players to have played a team, know who they're going against … it just gives them a little bit of confidence."
It's another chance for everyone to build on it and put their best on tape as they approach the home stretch of the summer.
"You're always stacking the team and stacking positions because the games do carry weight," Minter said. "Real football. It's having to make tackles and finish on the quarterback and all the different things you don't get the full, full tilt in practice.
"The games are a huge piece of the evaluation," Minter added. "We come in, meet about it, stack it and talk to Joe [Hortiz] and the personnel side. Each game is huge evaluation."
But make no mistake, the mentality remains the same even in the preseason — the team wants to win.
"Most importantly, we do want to try to win the game," Minter said. "We're competitors, Coach Harbaugh is a competitor.
Minter added: "We want to try to play better this game."
