It's been a whirlwind 48 hours for Pierre Desir. A day after he was waived by the Cleveland Browns, the Chargers claimed their newest cornerback which he deemed "overwhelming."
"I was definitely surprised just because of how it all worked, but I'm so glad that they called," Desir said. "I was ready to get on that next plane out here, get to work and get ready to compete. But it's been lot of traveling. I've just been trying to get my mind right to come into a new team, meet my new teammates and front office. I want to do my best to help everyone and do whatever I can to help the team win."
For the Chargers, the decision to bring the 6-2, 206-pound cornerback into the fold was an easy one.
"Pierre is a 6-2 corner with cover skills which is hard to find in this league," General Manager Tom Telesco said. "That was intriguing to us. He started and played a lot against us when we played the Browns last year, and he played pretty well. Obviously we've followed him for his whole career, but he had a nice preseason for the Browns, too. That team had gone through a front office and head coach change, and sometimes players will shake out (when that happens). This one shook out, and we think he can help us."
While Desir admitted being waived was humbling, he's using the experience as motivation to prove doubters wrong.
"I feel that I need to prove I can still play in the league and can compete at the highest level. It gives me more motivation to push harder and work on my craft to be a better player."
A former fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, Desir started seven games in his two seasons with the team notching 46 tackles and seven passes defensed. He says he likes playing man-to-man and can use his "length and arms to press receivers."
Although he's on a crash course to learn the playbook and fully immerse himself into life as a Charger, Desir said Monday's practice was the perfect taste of what's to come.
"When I came out (to practice), I was so excited to be a part of this energy. Everybody was up-tempo and it was a good practice. I think that's going to help coming into this week and going into Kansas City. I'm just enjoying the vibe, meshing with my teammates and can't wait for this week."
As for what Chargers fans can expect from the new cornerback?
"I'm here to work. That's how I've always been my whole life. I'm here to work, do whatever I need to do and do what the coaches call on me to do to help the team win."
