Presenting your 2017 Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The Chargers won 14-7.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (5) throws during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against Seattle Seahawks, Aug. 13, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Chargers lose 16-28 to the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Chargers win 43-35 against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers vs. the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. The Chargers won 27-22.
The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. The Eagles won 26-24.
The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. The Eagles won 26-24.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. The Broncos won 24-21.
Chargers win 33-30 against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.
The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. The Eagles won 26-24.
San Diego Chargers safety Adrian Phillips (31) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Tre Boston #33 during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
San Diego Chargers fullback Derek Watt (34) is upended by Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis (51) during an NFL game on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Chargers practice in preparation for Week 16 against the New York Jets.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. The Chargers won 27-22.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. The Broncos won 24-21.
Chargers lose 28-21 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium.
Chargers win 33-30 against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.
FILe - In this Nov. 6, 2016, file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, fumbles the ball as he is brought down by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram during the second half of an NFL football game, in San Diego. The Chargers recovered the ball and scored a touchdown on the play. The Titans, and Mariota in particular, are doing a much better job taking care of the football having gone four straight games without a turnover. That will be crucial Sunday when they visit the Chiefs.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Korey Toomer (56) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 1, 2017. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 37-27. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Chargers win 21-13 against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers rookie offensive tackle Sam Tevi (69) blocks during the 2017 NFL week 2 preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017 in Carson, Calif. The Saints won the game 13-7. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Denver Broncos vs. the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. The Chargers won 21-0.
San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins (79) pass blocks during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in San Diego, Ca. The Saints won the game, 35-34. (Greg Trott via AP)
Denver Broncos vs. the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. The Chargers won 21-0.
San Diego Chargers tight end Sean McGrath (84) during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chargers lose 27-37 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium.
Chargers lose 16-19 against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium.
The LA Chargers held a voluntary veteran mini camp on Tuesday, April 25th at Chargers Park.
Chargers lose 27-33 to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
San Diego Chargers defensive end Darius Philon (93) sets in the three-point stance during a NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, October 30, 2016 in Denver. The Broncos won the game 27-19. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
San Diego Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget (94) chases the action during the NFL week 16 football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 26-13. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Tenny Palepoi (95) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Chargers defeated the Rams, 21-19. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Chargers lose 27-33 to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chargers practice in preparation for Week 7 against the Denver Broncos.
Chargers lose 31-34 to the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum.
It was only a year ago that Russell Okung and Michael Schofield were teammates, starting the 2016 season side by side in Denver.
Now, the pair reunite once again. Only this time, they'll kick off the 2017 season by going against the Broncos while wearing the same Chargers uniform.
"I'm excited to see Michael again," Okung said after the Bolts were awarded the 6-6, 301-pound lineman off waivers. "He's definitely a team guy, and he's going to help our offensive line quickly. One thing fans will learn right away is that (if) a guy goes down, they won't have to worry about much. Michael is reliable. He'll know the scheme and will be helpful for what we are trying to accomplish. He understands exactly what will be asked of him. He can play multiple (spots) – both tackle positions and both guard positions. So, he's a very versatile guy who has a lot of different unique skillsets."
He's also dependable, which is why Okung believes he'll fit in with what Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer preaches.
"Coach Meyer wants guys who are dependable and coachable," the left tackle explained. "That's Schofield. He can learn quickly, which is important since he's coming in (shortly before the season). He definitely brings what we are looking for into our room."
Originally a third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Michigan, Schofield has started all 29 games he's appeared in. That doesn't include the postseason, in which he was a pivotal member on the Broncos offensive line that helped win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.
Thus, Okung was the newbie when the pair last played together. He recognizes the irony that he is now tasked with getting Schofield up to speed, eager to acclimate him into the fold as soon as he arrives at Hoag Performance Center this week.
"In my opinion, the best thing I can do is let him know he's accepted here. I'll be there to answer any questions he has about scheme. But really, for me, I (do that by) how I work. So we'll be an example and continue to work hard every day. That's what is being asked of our group, so I think he'll assimilate quickly."
While Okung is excited to see Schofield in a Chargers uniform, he couldn't help but laugh, knowing exactly what else he'll be seeing again around the facility.
"He's an obsessive Michigan fan, and he has a full Michigan suit that he'd to wear on game days. So I'm sure I'll see that again!"
